UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP
8-K, 1999-04-15
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) - March 31, 1999


                             United National Bancorp
                             -----------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


                                   NEW JERSEY
                                   ----------
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

        000-16931                                    22-2894827
        ---------                                    ----------
 (Commission File Number)                (IRS Employer Identification No.)

                1130 Route 22 East, Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807
                -------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                  908-429-2200
                                  ------------
                         (Registrant's Telephone Number)


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<PAGE>

ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

         On March 31, 1999,  subject to the terms and  conditions of the Amended
and Restated  Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger  Agreement") dated as of
September 22, 1998, between United National Bancorp ("United"),  United National
Bank ("UNB"), Raritan Bancorp Inc. ("Raritan") and The Raritan Savings Bank (the
"Bank"),  Raritan  was  merged  with and into  United,  with  United  being  the
surviving  corporation (the "Merger").  In accordance with the Merger Agreement,
each share of the common stock,  $0.01 par value per share, of Raritan ("Raritan
Common Stock") outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger
was converted into the right to receive 1.595 shares of the common stock,  $1.25
par value, of United ("United Common Stock").  The Merger was accounted for as a
"pooling of interests"  under generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  As a
result of the Merger,  approximately  four million shares of United Common Stock
were issued in exchange for Raritan Common Stock.

         Certain   information   regarding  the  Merger,   United  and  Raritan,
including,  but not limited to, the manner of the Merger,  a description  of the
assets involved, the nature and amount of consideration paid by United therefor,
the method used for determining the amount of such consideration,  the nature of
any material relationships between United and Raritan or any officer or director
of Raritan or any associate of such officer or director, the nature of Raritan's
business and United's  intended use of the assets  acquired in the Merger is set
forth in the Joint Proxy  Statement-Prospectus  dated February 24, 1999 included
in United's filing with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) of the Securities Act
(Registration No. 333-67763). The Joint Proxy  Statement-Prospectus  included in
United's filing with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) of the Securities Act is
incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

         As reported above under Item 2, on March 31, 1999, United completed its
merger with  Raritan.  The Merger was  accounted for as a "pooling of interests"
under generally accepted accounting principles.

         The following  supplemental combined consolidated  financial statements
of United restating United's historical  consolidated financial statements as of
and for the three  years  ended  December  31,  1998 to  reflect  the Merger are
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 filed herewith:

         1. Management's Discussion and Analysis.

         2. Combined  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets as of December  31, 1998 and
            1997.

         3. Combined Consolidated Statements of Income for the three years ended
            December 31, 1998.

         4. Combined Consolidated  Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
            for the three years ended December 31, 1998.

         5. Combined  Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows for the three years
            ended December 31, 1998.

         6. Notes to the Combined Consolidated Financial Statements.

         The report of KPMG LLP,  independent  accountants,  on the supplemental
combined consolidated financial statements of United as of December 31, 1998 and
1997  and for the  three  years  ended  December  31,  1998 is  incorporated  by
reference  to Exhibit  99.2.  

ITEM 7.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

         (a)      Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

                  The historical financial statements of Raritan as filed in its
                  Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, are
                  incorporated   herein  by  reference  to  Exhibit  99.3  filed
                  herewith.

         (b)      Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information.

                  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                  The pro forma  combined  condensed  financial  information  on
                  pages 52-57 of the Joint  Proxy-Statement  Prospectus included
                  in  United's  SEC filing  pursuant  to Rule  424(b)(3)  of the
                  Securities Act is incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit
                  99.1.

         (c)      Exhibits:

                  2.1      Amended  and  Restated  Agreement  and Plan of Merger
                           dated  September  22,  1998,  among  United  National
                           Bancorp,  United National Bank, Raritan Bancorp, Inc.
                           and  The  Raritan  Savings  Bank   (incorporated   by
                           reference    from    Appendix    A   to   the   Joint
                           Proxy-Statement  Prospectus  included in United's SEC
                           filing  pursuant to Rule  424(b)(3) of the Securities
                           Act included herein as Exhibit 99.1).

                  23       Independent Accountants' Consent.

                  99.1     United's  Joint  Proxy   Statement-Prospectus   dated
                           February 24, 1999,  included in United's  filing with
                           the SEC pursuant to Rule  424(b)(3) of the Securities
                           Act (Registration No. 333-67763).

                  99.2     Supplemental Combined Consolidated Financial 
                           Information of United.

                  99.3     Raritan Financial Information for year ended December
                           31, 1997,  previously  filed as part of Exhibit 13 to
                           Raritan's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for year ended
                           December 31, 1997.


                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                          UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP


                                               DONALD W. MALWITZ
Dated: April 14, 1999                     By: ____________________________
                                               Donald W. Malwitz
                                               Vice President and Treasurer





                                                                   Exhibit 23

                        INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT

We  consent  to  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  following   Registration
Statements  filed on Form S-8: the United National Bancorp Stock Based Incentive
Plan,  dated May 19, 1993;  the United  National Bank Profit  Sharing and 401(k)
Plan dated March 16, 1994;  and the United  National Bank 1995 Stock Option Plan
for Non-Employee  Directors,  dated June 28, 1995 of United National Bancorp, of
our report  dated  January 16,  1998 with  respect to the  consolidated  balance
sheets of Raritan  Bancorp Inc. and  subsidiary as of December 31, 1997 and 1996
and the related  consolidated  statements  of income,  changes in  shareholders'
equity,  and cash  flows for each of the years in the  three-year  period  ended
December  31,  1997,  which  report  appears in the Form 8-K of United  National
Bancorp dated April 14, 1999.


KPMG LLP

Short Hills, New Jersey
April 14, 1999




               [RARITAN LOGO]                     [UNITED LOGO]

                 MERGER PROPOSED -- YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT


         The Boards of  Directors of Raritan  Bancorp  Inc. and United  National
Bancorp have approved the merger of Raritan into United.

         In the merger, Raritan stockholders will receive 1.595 shares of United
common  stock for each share of Raritan  common  stock.  United  common stock is
listed on NASDAQ's  National  Market  System under the symbol  "UNBJ".  Based on
February 23, 1999  closing  prices,  1.595  shares of United  common stock had a
value of $36.59. Cash will be paid to Raritan shareholders instead of fractional
shares. If any stock dividend,  stock split or similar event occurs prior to the
closing, the 1.595 exchange ratio will be adjusted appropriately.

         Raritan shareholders will not be taxed on the exchange of Raritan stock
for United stock.

         When the merger is  completed,  Raritan  shareholders  will own about 4
million shares,  or 25% of United's common stock,  assuming that none of Raritan
options are exercised prior to the merger.

         The  merger  cannot  be  completed  unless  the  shareholders  of  both
companies approve it. We have scheduled special meetings so our shareholders can
vote on the merger.  Each Board of  Directors  unanimously  recommends  that its
shareholders vote FOR the merger.

         The dates, times and places of the meetings are as follows:

         The Raritan Meeting
         Tuesday, March 30, 1999
         10:00 a.m.
         Raritan Valley Country Club
         State Highway 28
         Somerville, New Jersey  08876

         The United Meeting
         Tuesday, March 30, 1999
         10:00 a.m.
         United National Bancorp
         1130 U.S. Route 22 East 
         Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807

         Raritan  shareholders of record as of February 12, 1999 are entitled to
attend and vote at the  Raritan  meeting.  United  shareholders  of record as of
February 22, 1999 are entitled to attend and vote at the United meeting.

         Your  vote is very  important.  Whether  or not you  plan to  attend  a
meeting,  please take the time to vote by  completing  and mailing the  enclosed
proxy card to us. If you sign, date and mail your proxy card without  indicating
how you  want to vote  your  proxy  will be  counted  as a vote in  favor of the
merger.  For  Raritan  stockholders,  a failure to return the proxy card will in
most cases have the same effect as a vote against the merger.

Arlyn D. Rus
Chairman, President and CEO
Raritan Bancorp Inc.


Thomas C. Gregor
Chairman, President and CEO
United National Bancorp


Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission,  nor any bank regulatory agency,
nor any  state  securities  commission  has  approved  or  disapproved  of these
securities  or  determined  if this  prospectus  is  truthful or  complete.  Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

                 This joint proxy  statement-prospectus  is dated  February  24,
          1999, and is first being mailed to shareholders
                  of United and Raritan on February 26, 1999.

<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                               Page
SUMMARY                                           1
      What this Document is About                 1
      United Shareholders Vote on the Merger      1
      Raritan Shareholders Vote on the Merger     1
      The Companies                               1
      The Merger                                  2
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA OF UNITED                  6
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA OF RARITAN                 9
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA                       10
SUMMARY PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
    INFORMATION                                  13
INTRODUCTION                                     14
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS                       14
CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT UNITED                 15
      General                                    15
      United National Bank                       15
      Recent Developments                        16
CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT RARITAN                18
      General                                    18
      The Raritan Savings Bank                   18
      Recent Developments                        19
THE RARITAN MEETING                              21
      Date, Time and Place                       21
      Purpose                                    21
      Board Recommendation                       21
      Record Date; Required Vote                 21
      Voting Rights; Proxies                     22
      Solicitation of Proxies                    23
      Quorum                                     23
THE UNITED MEETING                               23
      Date, Time and Place                       23
      Purpose                                    23
      Board Recommendation                       23
      Record Date; Required Vote                 23
      Voting Rights; Proxies                     24
      Solicitation of Proxies                    25
      Quorum                                     25
THE PROPOSED MERGER                              25
      General Description                        25
      Consideration; Exchange Ratio;
            Cash instead of Fractional Shares    26
      Conversion of Raritan Options              26
      Background of and Reasons for the Merger   27
      Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger 31
      Opinion of United's Financial Advisor      33
      Opinion of Raritan's Financial Advisor     39
      Resale Considerations Regarding
            United Common Stock                  43
      Conditions to the Merger                   44
      Conduct of Business Pending the Merger     45
      Stock Option to United for Raritan Shares  45
      Representations, Warranties and Covenants  46
      Regulatory Approvals                       46
      Management and Operations
            After the Merger                     46
      Exchange of Certificates                   47
      Amendments                                 47
      Termination                                48
      Special Termination Provisions             48
      Accounting Treatment of the Merger         50
      Federal Income Tax Consequences            50
      No Dissenters' Rights                      51
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION                  52
DESCRIPTION OF UNITED CAPITAL STOCK              58
      Common Stock                               58
      Preferred Stock                            59
COMPARISON OF THE RIGHTS OF
    SHAREHOLDERS OF UNITED AND
   RARITAN                                       60
      Voting Requirements                        60
      Cumulative Voting                          61
      Classified Board of Directors              61
      Rights of Dissenting Shareholders          62
      Shareholder Consent to Corporate Action    63
      Dividends                                  63
      By-laws                                    63
      Limitations of Liability of Directors
            and Officers                         64
      Minimum Price Provision                    64
      Consideration of Acquisition Proposals     64
      Preferred Stock                            65
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS                            65
      United                                     65
      Raritan                                    66
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY
      REFERENCE                                  66
OTHER MATTERS                                    67
LEGAL OPINION                                    67
EXPERTS                                          67

APPENDIX A Merger Agreement A-1 APPENDIX B Stock Option Agreement B-1 APPENDIX C
Endicott Fairness Opinion C-1 APPENDIX D Keefe, Bruyette Fairness Opinion D-1

<PAGE>

Raritan's 1997 Annual Report to  Stockholders  and its Quarterly  Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter  ended  September  30, 1998 are included with this document
and follow Appendix D.

                     HOW TO GET COPIES OF RELATED DOCUMENTS

         This document incorporates important business and financial information
about  United  and  Raritan  that is not  included  in or  delivered  with  this
document.  United and Raritan  Shareholders  may receive the information free of
charge by writing or calling the persons  listed  below.  For United  documents,
make your request to Ralph L. Straw, Jr., Corporate  Secretary,  United National
Bancorp,  1130 Route 22 East,  P.O.  Box 6000,  Bridgewater,  New Jersey  08807;
telephone (908) 429-2200.  For Raritan documents,  make your request to Helen J.
Frangelli, Corporate Secretary, Raritan Bancorp Inc., 454 Route 28, Bridgewater,
New Jersey 08807;  telephone (908) 231-8100 (ext.  127). We will respond to your
request  within one  business  day by sending the  requested  documents by first
class mail or other  equally  prompt  means.  To ensure  timely  delivery of the
documents in advance of the meetings,  you should request documents by March 23,
1999.

                                       i

<PAGE>

                                     SUMMARY

         This is a summary of certain information  regarding the proposed merger
and the  shareholder  meetings to vote on the merger.  We urge you to  carefully
read the entire document, including the Appendixes, before deciding how to vote.

What this Document is About
- ---------------------------

The Boards of Directors of Raritan Bancorp Inc. and United National Bancorp have
approved  the merger of Raritan  into  United.  The merger  cannot be  completed
unless both  companies'  shareholders  approve it. The Raritan and United Boards
have each called a special meeting of their  shareholders to vote on the merger.
This document is the proxy  statement used by both boards to solicit proxies for
those meetings.  It is also the prospectus of United regarding the United common
stock to be issued if the merger is completed.

United  Shareholders Vote on the
Merger

Shares Entitled to Vote...    11,088,583  shares of  United  common  stock  
                              entitled to vote at the United Meeting.  These are
                              the shares outstanding on February 22, 1999 other
                              than treasury stock.

Vote Required...............  A  majority  of  the  votes  cast  at  the  United
                              meeting,  whether  in person or by proxy,  must be
                              cast in favor of the merger for it to be approved.

Raritan Shareholders Vote on the Merger


Shares Entitled to Vote...    2,469,247 shares of  Raritan  common  stock  were
                              outstanding on February 12, 1999. Those shares are
                              entitled to vote at the Raritan meeting.

Vote Required...............  The affirmative  vote, in person or by proxy, of a
                              majority  of the  outstanding  shares  of  Raritan
                              common stock is required to approve the merger.

The Companies
- -------------

United....................    United,  a New  Jersey  corporation,  is the  bank
                              holding company for United  National Bank.  United
                              National  Bank is a national bank that operates 28
                              branches  located  in  Central  and  Northern  New
                              Jersey.  On September 30, 1998,  United  completed
                              its  acquisition  of State Bank of South Orange by
                              merging it into United  National Bank. That merger
                              was  accounted  for  as a  pooling  of  interests.
                              United  National  Bank is a member of the  Federal
                              Reserve  System and the FDIC insures its deposits.
                              At September 30, 1998,  United had $1.5 billion in
                              assets.  United's principal  executive offices are
                              located  at 1130  Route 22 East,  P.O.  Box  6000,
                              Bridgewater,  New Jersey 08807. United's telephone
                              number is (908) 429-2200.

Raritan.....................  Raritan,  a  Delaware  corporation,  is  the  bank
                              holding  company for The Raritan Savings Bank. The
                              Raritan  Savings  Bank  is a New  Jersey-chartered
                              stock  savings bank that operates  seven  branches
                              located in Central New Jersey.  At  September  30,
                              1998,   Raritan  had  $433.6  million  in  assets.
                              Raritan's  principal executive offices are located
                              at 454 Route 28,  Bridgewater,  New Jersey  08807.
                              Raritan's telephone number is (908) 231-8100.

The Merger
- ----------

General Description.......    Raritan will merge with United, with United as the
                              surviving entity.  The merger will be completed on
                              the  tenth   business   day  after  all   material
                              conditions to closing have been met, unless United
                              and Raritan  agree on a different  closing date. 
                              The terms of the proposed merger are set forth
                              in a merger agreement signed by United and Raritan
                              and their bank subsidiaries.  A copy  of  the  
                              Merger  Agreement  is  attached  as Appendix A to
                              this  document  and is  incorporated herein  
                              by  reference.  

<PAGE>

Consideration  Payable  to
Raritan Stockholders; 1.595
Exchange Ratio............    In the merger,  Raritan  stockholders will receive
                              1.595 shares of United common stock for each share
                              of  Raritan  common  stock.  If there is any stock
                              split,  stock  dividend  or  similar   transaction
                              affecting   United   common  stock  prior  to  the
                              closing, the 1.595 exchange ratio will be adjusted
                              appropriately.  The exchange  ratio may be also be
                              adjusted  as  summarized  under  "Terminating  the
                              Merger  Agreement"  on  page 5 and as  more  fully
                              described under "Special  Termination  Provisions"
                              on pages 48 - 50.

Cash Instead of Fractional
Shares....................    Raritan  stockholders will not receive  fractional
                              shares  of  United  common  stock  in the  merger.
                              Instead they will  receive,  without  interest,  a
                              cash  payment  equal  to  the   fractional   share
                              interest  they  otherwise   would  have  received,
                              multiplied  by the value of United  common  stock.
                              For this  purpose,  United  common  stock  will be
                              valued at the average of its closing prices during
                              the ten  trading  days  ending on the day that all
                              material  conditions  to closing  the merger  have
                              been met.

                                       2

<PAGE>

No Dissenters' Rights for
Raritan or United
Stockholders..............    Under  applicable  New  Jersey and  Delaware  law,
                              neither  United  nor  Raritan   stockholders  have
                              dissenters' rights of appraisal as to the merger.


Tax-Free Nature of the
Merger....................    United's counsel,  Pitney,  Hardin,  Kipp & Szuch,
                              has  delivered  its  opinion  that the merger will
                              qualify   as  a   tax-free   reorganization.   The
                              conversion  of Raritan  common  stock into  United
                              common stock will be tax-free for United,  Raritan
                              and the Raritan stockholders. Raritan stockholders
                              will  recognize no taxable gain or loss until they
                              sell the United  common stock that they receive in
                              the merger.  The basis of the United  common stock
                              received by Raritan stockholders will be the basis
                              of  the  Raritan  common  stock  converted  in the
                              merger.  The holding  period of the United  common
                              stock  will  include  the  holding  period  of the
                              Raritan common stock converted.

                              WE URGE  RARITAN  STOCKHOLDERS  TO READ  THE  MORE
                              COMPLETE   DESCRIPTION   OF   THE   MERGER'S   TAX
                              CONSEQUENCES ON PAGES 50 - 51 AND TO CONSULT THEIR
                              OWN  TAX   ADVISORS   AS  TO  THE   SPECIFIC   TAX
                              CONSEQUENCES   OF  THE   MERGER   TO  THEM   UNDER
                              APPLICABLE LAWS.

Conversion of Raritan Stock
Options...................    In the  merger,  holders  of  options  to  acquire
                              Raritan  common  stock  will  receive  options  to
                              purchase United common stock. The new options will
                              have  the same  terms  and  conditions  as the old
                              options,  except that the number of shares and the
                              exercise  price will be  adjusted  to reflect  the
                              1.595 exchange ratio.

Exchanging Your Stock
Certificates................  Promptly  after the merger  occurs,  the  exchange
                              agent will send  Raritan  stockholders  letters of
                              transmittal and  instructions for exchanging their
                              stock  certificates for certificates  representing
                              United common stock.  RARITAN  STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD
                              NOT SEND IN THEIR  STOCK  CERTIFICATES  UNTIL THEY
                              RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

Reselling the Stock You
Receive in the Merger.......  The shares of United  common stock to be issued in
                              the merger will be registered under the Securities
                              Act of 1933.  Except as noted below,  stockholders
                              may  freely   transfer  those  shares  after  they
                              receive   them.   Raritan   has   identified   its
                              directors,  executive  officers and others who may
                              be  deemed  "affiliates"  of  Raritan,  and  those
                              persons have entered into  agreements  with United
                              restricting  their  ability to transfer the shares
                              they will  receive in the merger.

Differences in Stock-
holders' Rights.......        In  the  merger,  each  Raritan  stockholder  will
                              become a United shareholder. The rights of Raritan
                              stockholders  are  currently  governed by Delaware
                              corporate   law  and  Raritan's   certificate   of
                              incorporation  and  by-laws.  The rights of United
                              shareholders  are governed by New Jersey corporate
                              law and United's  certificate of incorporation and
                              by-laws.   The  rights  of   Raritan   and  United
                              shareholders   differ   with   respect  to  voting
                              requirements and various other matters.  See pages
                              60 - 65.

                                       3

<PAGE>

Reasons for the Merger......  United  entered into the merger  agreement as part
                              of United's  ongoing  strategy  of growth  through
                              acquisitions.  Raritan  entered  into  the  merger
                              agreement at the  conclusion of a process in which
                              Raritan  solicited  expressions  of interest  from
                              numerous  potential  acquirors.  The Raritan Board
                              believes  that  the  merger  is  fair  to  Raritan
                              stockholders  and that the combined entity will be
                              better  positioned for future success then Raritan
                              will be if it remains independent.

Opinion of United's
Financial Advisor...........  Keefe,   Bruyette  &  Woods,   Inc.   is  United's
                              financial advisor on the merger. As of the date of
                              this proxy statement,  Keefe,  Bruyette  considers
                              the   exchange   ratio  fair  to  United  and  its
                              stockholders  from a financial  point of view. You
                              can read Keefe, Bruyette's fairness opinion, which
                              is Appendix D to this document. For information on
                              how Keefe,  Bruyette  arrived at its opinion,  see
                              pages 33 - 39.

Opinion of Raritan's
Financial Advisor...........  Endicott Financial  Advisors,  L.L.C. is Raritan's
                              financial advisor on the merger. As of the date of
                              this  proxy  statement,   Endicott  considers  the
                              exchange  ratio  in  the  merger  to  be  fair  to
                              Raritan's  shareholders  from a financial point of
                              view. You can read  Endicott's  fairness  opinion,
                              which  is  Appendix  C  to  this   document.   For
                              information   on  how  Endicott   arrived  at  its
                              opinion, see pages 39 - 43.

Financial Interests of
Raritan's Directors and
Officers in the Merger......  Some of  Raritan's  directors  and  officers  have
                              interests  in the merger  that are in  addition to
                              their interests as stockholders. Arlyn Rus, Thomas
                              Tansey and John Lukens are each executive officers
                              of  Raritan,  and Mr. Rus is also the  Chairman of
                              the  Raritan  Board.  Under their  employment  and
                              supplemental  retirement  agreements with Raritan,
                              Mr.  Rus  will  receive  a cash  payment  of  $2.0
                              million, Mr. Tansey will receive a cash payment of
                              $1.5  million,  and Mr. Lukens will receive a cash
                              payment  of  $427,221.  In  addition,  Raritan  is
                              obligated to indemnify  Mr. Rus and Mr. Tansey for
                              any federal  excise taxes,  which are estimated to
                              total $1.8  million.  The  directors and executive
                              officers   of  Raritan  own  options  to  purchase
                              144,634  shares of Raritan  common  stock  granted
                              under the company's  stock benefit plans. Of these
                              options,  132,300 were fully  exercisable prior to
                              Raritan's  entry  into the merger  agreement.  The
                              remaining  12,334 options will become  exercisable
                              as a result of the merger.  The difference between
                              the aggregate  exercise price and the market value
                              of all 144,634 option shares, which represents the
                              economic value of the options, was $3.5 million at
                              January 15, 1999.

                              United  has  agreed   that  Mr.  Rus  and  William
                              Kelleher,  Jr. will be  appointed  as directors of
                              United  and United  National  Bank when the merger
                              occurs.   Mr.  Kelleher  is  currently  a  Raritan
                              director. All current Raritan directors, including
                              Mr. Rus and Mr. Kelleher, will be invited to serve
                              as advisory  directors for United  National  Bank.
                              Each former Raritan  director  serving as either a
                              United  director  or  an  advisory  director  will
                              receive  an  annual  fee of at least  $16,000  per
                              year.

                              United has agreed to indemnify  the  directors and
                              officers of Raritan  against  certain  liabilities
                              for a six-year period following the merger.

                              On February  12,  1999,  directors  and  executive
                              officers  of Raritan  and their  affiliates  owned
                              821,240  shares  or  31.6% of the  Raritan  common
                              stock.

                                       4

<PAGE>

                              For additional  information on the benefits of the
                              merger to Raritan management, see pages 31-33.

Conditions                    to the  Merger....  Completion  of the  merger  is
                              contingent  on a number of  conditions,  including
                              approval  of the  merger  by  Raritan  and  United
                              shareholders at their meetings.

OCC Approval................  The merger has been  approved by the Office of the
                              Comptroller of the Currency. OCC approval does not
                              constitute  an  endorsement  of  the  merger  or a
                              determination  that the  terms of the  merger  are
                              fair   to   Raritan    stockholders    or   United
                              shareholders.

Terminating    the    Merger  
Agreement...................  Raritan  has the  right to  terminate  the  merger
                              agreement if,  between  September 21, 1998 and the
                              date that all material  conditions  to the closing
                              have been met,  the price of United  common  stock
                              falls:

                              *    by more than 15% in absolute terms, and

                              *    by at least 10% more  than an index  based on
                                   the  common  stock  of  20  other   financial
                                   institutions.

                              If  Raritan  exercises  this  termination   right,
                              United can cancel the  termination  by  increasing
                              the  exchange  ratio  as  provided  in the  merger
                              agreement.  The merger agreement may be terminated
                              by either  Raritan or United if the merger has not
                              occurred  by June 30,  1999.  For a more  complete
                              description of these and other termination  rights
                              available  to Raritan and  United,  see pages 48 -
                              50.

Amending the Merger
Agreement...................  The merger agreement may be amended by the written
                              consent of United and Raritan at any time prior to
                              the merger.  However,  under  applicable  Delaware
                              law, an amendment  to decrease the exchange  ratio
                              and certain  other types of  amendments  cannot be
                              made following adoption of the merger agreement by
                              the Raritan stockholders without their approval.

Pooling Accounting
Treatment of the Merger.....  United  expects  to  account  for the  merger as a
                              pooling  of  interests  for  financial   reporting
                              purposes.  One of the  conditions  to  United  and
                              Raritan's  obligation  to close the merger is that
                              United  receives  a letter  from  its  independent
                              public accountants regarding  qualification of the
                              merger for pooling-of-interests accounting.

Raritan has Agreed Not to
Solicit Alternative
Transactions................  In the merger agreement, Raritan has agreed not to
                              encourage,   negotiate   with,   or  provide   any
                              information   to  any  person  other  than  United
                              concerning an  acquisition  transaction  involving
                              Raritan  or The  Raritan  Savings  Bank.  However,
                              Raritan may take  certain of these  actions if its
                              Board of  Directors  determines  that it should do
                              so. This  determination  by the Board must be made
                              after the Board consults with counsel, and must be
                              based  on  the  Board's  fiduciary  duties.   This
                              restriction,  along with the option  described  in
                              the following paragraph, may deter other potential
                              acquirors of control of Raritan.

Raritan has Granted United
a Stock Option..............  As a condition to United  entering into the merger
                              agreement, United required Raritan to grant United
                              a stock option  designed to deter other  companies
                              from attempting to acquire control of Raritan. The
                              option  gives  United  the right to  purchase  for
                              $26.00 per share up to  470,000  shares of Raritan

                                       5

<PAGE>

                              common   stock,    representing   19.9%   of   the
                              outstanding  Raritan shares on the date the option
                              was  granted.  The option is  exercisable  only if
                              certain specific  triggering  events occur and the
                              merger does not occur. United has no right to vote
                              the  shares  covered  by the  option  prior to its
                              exercise.  United  could  recognize  a gain  if it
                              exercises  the  option and  resells  the shares it
                              acquires  for more than the  exercise  price.  The
                              option  may deter  other  potential  acquirors  of
                              Raritan, since it would probably increase the cost
                              of  acquiring  all the  shares of  Raritan  common
                              stock.  United's exercise of the option could also
                              make  pooling-of-interests   accounting  treatment
                              unavailable  to another  potential  acquiror.  The
                              agreement  granting  the  option  is set  forth as
                              Appendix B to this document.

                                       6

<PAGE>


                        SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA OF UNITED

         The following is a summary of certain historical consolidated financial
data for United.  The data  presented for the years 1993 through 1997, and as of
the end of those  years,  comes from  United's  audited  consolidated  financial
statements.  The data presented for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and
1997 and as of September 30, 1998,  comes from United's  unaudited  consolidated
financial statements.  United's consolidated financial statements as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, and for the years 1995,  1996 and 1997, are  incorporated  by
reference in this document. United's unaudited consolidated financial statements
for the nine months ended  September 30, 1998 and 1997,  and as of September 30,
1998, are incorporated by reference in this document. See page 66-67.

         United  acquired State Bank of South Orange through a merger  effective
on  September  30,  1998.  United  accounted  for the  merger  as a  pooling  of
interests.  Reflecting this pooling  accounting  treatment,  the nine month data
below has been  restated to include the accounts  and the results of  operations
for State Bank of South  Orange.  However,  the data for the years 1993  through
1997,  and as of the  end of  those  years,  has  not  been  restated.  United's
management  does not  think  the  changes  which a  restatement  would  show are
material.  United  expects that the financial  statements  shown in its upcoming
1998 annual report and in its financial  statements published thereafter will be
restated to reflect the State Bank of South Orange  merger,  accounted  for as a
pooling of interests.

         In the  opinion of United's  management,  the  unaudited  data shown on
pages 7-9 reflects all  adjustments  necessary for a fair  presentation  of that
data. All such adjustments were normal,  recurring adjustments.  Results for the
nine months ended  September  30, 1998 do not  necessarily  indicate the results
that you should expect for any other interim period or for the year as a whole.

         When  reviewing  this data, you should note that all per share data has
been adjusted to reflect  stock  dividends  and splits.  The adjusted  financial
ratios,   i.e.  the  return  on  average   assets  and  the  return  on  average
stockholders'   equity,  have  been  adjusted  to  exclude   merger-related  and
restructuring  charges,  the  effects  of  accounting  changes  and SAIF  (FDIC)
assessments.  In the balance sheet data, "Short-term borrowing" includes Federal
funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase maturing in less
than one year,  Federal  Home Loan Bank  advances,  and demand notes of the U.S.
Treasury. "Other Borrowings" in the balance sheet data include obligations under
capital  leases and Federal Home Loan Bank advances that will be held for one or
more  years,   and  long-term  debt.  Under  the  heading  "Other  Ratios,"  the
non-performing loans consist of non-accrual loans,  restructured loans and loans
past due 90 days or more and still accruing.

                                       7

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                  At or For the
                                Nine Months Ended
                                                         September 30,                       At or For Years Ended December 31,
                                                   ----------------------------         --------------------------------------------
                                                       1998            1997                  1997           1996           1995     
                                                     ----------      ----------           -----------     ---------      ---------  
                                                                                      (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                                <C>             <C>                  <C>             <C>            <C>          
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
 Interest Income                                   $    76,856     $   68,426           $     88,577    $   79,360     $   77,552   
 Interest Expense                                       33,989         27,609                 36,700        30,130         30,104   
                                                   ------------    ------------         -------------  ------------    -----------  
 Net Interest Income                                    42,867         40,817                 51,877        49,230         47,448   
 Provision For Possible Loan Losses                      2,169          2,844                  3,600         3,049            871   
                                                   ------------    ------------         -------------  ------------    -----------  
 Net Interest Income After
   Provision For Possible
   Loan Losses                                          40,698         37,973                 48,277        46,181         46,577   
 Non-Interest Income                                    15,500         14,023                 19,388        15,546         14,653   
 Non-Interest Expense                                   41,414         37,423                 47,420        43,102         47,429   
                                                   ------------    ------------         -------------  ------------    -----------  
 Income Before Income Taxes &
       Effect of Accounting Change                      14,784         14,573                 20,245        18,625         13,801   
 Provision for Income Taxes                              4,339          4,720                  6,365         6,345          4,295   
                                                   ------------    ------------         -------------  ------------    -----------  
 Income Before Effect of
   Accounting Change                                    10,445          9,853                 13,880        12,280          9,506   
 Cumulative Effect of Change in
   Accounting for Income Taxes                              --             --                     --            --             --   
                                                   ============    ============         =============  ============    ===========  
 Net Income                                        $    10,445     $    9,853           $     13,880    $   12,280     $    9,506   
                                                   ============    ============         =============  ============    ===========  

 Income Before Merger Related
   And Restructuring Charges,
   Effect of Accounting Change,
   And SAIF Assessment                             $    12,139     $   11,251           $     15,278    $   12,587     $   11,595   
                                                   ============    ============         =============  ============    ===========  

COMMON SHARE DATA:
 Net Income Per Diluted Share                      $      0.93     $     0.88           $       1.35    $     1.21     $     0.94   
 Net Income Per Diluted Share
   Before Merger-Related and
   Restructuring Charges,
   And SAIF Assessment                             $      1.08     $     1.01           $       1.48    $     1.24     $     1.15   
 Cash Dividends Declared Per Share                 $      0.45     $     0.38           $       0.52    $     0.45     $     0.42   
 Book Value Per Share (period-end)                 $     11.40     $    10.18           $      10.88    $     9.62     $     8.91   
 Average Diluted Shares
   Outstanding (in thousands)                           11,255         11,157                 10,300        10,190         10,123   

FINANCIAL RATIOS:
 Return on Average Assets                                 0.98%          1.07%                  1.16%         1.15%         0.92%  
 Return on Average
   Stockholders' Equity                                  11.55%         12.43%                 13.49%        13.21%         11.52%  
 Net Interest Margin                                      4.52%          4.93%                  4.86%         5.17%          5.13%  
 Efficiency Ratio                                        63.52%         60.29%                 59.93%        61.93%         65.52%  

ADJUSTED FINANCIAL RATIOS:

 Return on Average Assets                                 1.14%          1.22%                  1.28%         1.17%          1.12%  
 Return on Average
   Stockholders' Equity                                  13.42%         14.20%                 14.84%        13.55%         14.05%  


<PAGE>

<CAPTION>

                       At or For Years Ended December 31,
                                                   ----------------------------------
                                                         1994           1993
                                                         ----           ----
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>               
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
 Interest Income                                     $    65,384    $    64,386     
 Interest Expense                                         18,913         20,062     
                                                     ------------   ------------    
 Net Interest Income                                      46,471         44,324     
 Provision For Possible Loan Losses                        2,123          5,239     
                                                     ------------   ------------    
 Net Interest Income After                                                          
   Provision For Possible                                                           
   Loan Losses                                            44,348         39,085     
 Non-Interest Income                                      14,421         16,312     
 Non-Interest Expense                                     42,633         42,111     
                                                     ------------   ------------    
 Income Before Income Taxes &                                                       
       Effect of Accounting Change                        16,136         13,286     
 Provision for Income Taxes                                5,264          4,653     
                                                     ------------   ------------    
 Income Before Effect of                                                            
   Accounting Change                                      10,872          8,633     
 Cumulative Effect of Change in                                                     
   Accounting for Income Taxes                                --          1,059     
                                                       ==========     ==========    
 Net Income                                          $    10,872    $     9,692     
                                                     ============   ============    

 Income Before Merger Related                                                       
   And Restructuring Charges,                                                       
   Effect of Accounting Change,                                                     
   And SAIF Assessment                               $    10,872    $     8,633     
                                                     ============   ============    

COMMON SHARE DATA:                                                                  
 Net Income Per Diluted Share                        $      1.09    $      0.98     
 Net Income Per Diluted Share                                                       
   Before Merger-Related and                                                        
   Restructuring Charges,                                                           
   And SAIF Assessment                               $      1.09    $      0.87     
 Cash Dividends Declared Per Share                   $      0.38    $      0.34     
 Book Value Per Share (period-end)                   $      7.37    $      7.39     
 Average Diluted Shares                                                             
   Outstanding (in thousands)                              9,952          9,865     

FINANCIAL RATIOS:                                                                   
 Return on Average Assets                                   1.18%          1.09%    
 Return on Average                                                                  
   Stockholders' Equity                                    14.39%         13.87%    
 Net Interest Margin                                        5.62%          5.57%    
 Efficiency Ratio                                          65.93%         67.17%    

ADJUSTED FINANCIAL    RATIOS:                                                       

 Return on Average Assets                                   1.18%          0.97%    
 Return on Average                                                                  
   Stockholders' Equity                                    14.39%         12.35%    


</TABLE>

                                       8

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   At or For Nine Months
                                                           Ended
                                                         September 30,                     At or For Years Ended December 31
                                               -----------------------------------   -----------------------------------------------
                                                        1998                1997                  1997               1996           
                                                        ----                ----                  ----               ----           
                                                                                       (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                          <C>                 <C>                  <C>                  <C>                 <C>  
BALANCE SHEET DATA (at period end):                                                                                             
 Total Assets                                $     1,516,710     $     1,346,179      $      1,309,836     $    1,103,242      $
 Securities                                          637,561             571,159               587,774            373,756       
 Federal Funds Sold                                   55,725              15,925                 1,500              5,887       
 Loans (Net of Unearned Income)                      709,067             663,525               613,712            621,035       
 Allowance for Possible Loan
   Losses                                              7,359               8,515                 7,633              8,158       
 Deposits                                          1,124,530           1,026,088               987,849            936,720       
 Short-Term Borrowing                                104,329              78,718                79,546             46,328       
 Other Borrowings                                    119,682              92,703                92,706              9,693       
 Stockholders' Equity                                126,398             112,675               110,950             96,952       

CAPITAL RATIOS:
 Leverage Ratio (period-end)                            8.75%               9.07%                 8.96%              7.96%      
 Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted
   Assets (period-end)                                 14.11%              15.02%                14.87%             11.66%      
 Combined Tier I and Tier II
   Capital to Risk-Weighted
   Assets (period-end)                                 14.93%              16.07%                15.86%             12.78%      

OTHER RATIOS:
 Loans to Deposits (period end)                        63.05%              64.67%                62.13%             66.30%      
 Non-Performing Loans to Loans
   (period end)                                         0.95%               1.53%                 1.41%              1.81%      
 Allowance for Possible Loan
   Losses to Non-Performing
   Loans (period end)                                 109.44%              84.01%                88.45%             72.46%      
 Allowance for Possible
   Loan Losses to Loans
   (period end)                                         1.04%               1.28%                 1.24%              1.31%      
 Non-Performing Assets As a
   Percentage of Loans, Other
   Real Estate Owned and Other
   Assets Owned (period end)                            1.02%               1.78%                 1.67%              2.11%      
 Dividend Payout Ratio                                    48%                 43%                   39%                37%      

<PAGE>

<CAPTION>

                        At or For Years Ended December 31
                                               ----------------------------------
                                          1995                 1994              1993
                                          ----                 ----              -----
                  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
BALANCE SHEET DATA (at period end):                                                       
 Total Assets                      $     1,071,262      $      950,158    $      924,395  
 Securities                                383,730             343,922           428,323  
 Federal Funds Sold                         10,004              14,085             9,772  
 Loans (Net of Unearned Income)            582,554             519,651           415,052  
 Allowance for Possible Loan                                                              
   Losses                                    8,297              10,768            11,950  
 Deposits                                  905,964             815,868           816,127  
 Short-Term Borrowing                       53,347              52,301            26,681  
 Other Borrowings                            9,680               1,269             1,266  
 Stockholders' Equity                       89,537              72,694            72,633  

CAPITAL RATIOS:                                                                           
 Leverage Ratio (period-end)                  7.18%               8.68%             8.15% 
 Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted                                                          
   Assets (period-end)                       10.99%              14.30%            16.13% 
 Combined Tier I and Tier II                                                              
   Capital to Risk-Weighted                                                               
   Assets (period-end)                       12.20%              15.73%            18.06% 

OTHER RATIOS:                                                                             
 Loans to Deposits (period end)              64.30%              63.69%            50.86% 
 Non-Performing Loans to Loans                                                            
   (period end)                               1.59%               2.34%             3.14% 
 Allowance for Possible Loan                                                              
   Losses to Non-Performing                                                               
   Loans (period end)                        92.18%              88.74%            91.62% 
 Allowance for Possible                                                                   
   Loan Losses to Loans                                                                   
   (period end)                               1.34%               1.83%             2.80% 
 Non-Performing Assets As a                                                               
   Percentage of Loans, Other                                                             
   Real Estate Owned and Other                                                            
   Assets Owned (period end)                  2.04%               2.63%             3.70% 
 Dividend Payout Ratio                          44%                 35%               34% 

</TABLE>

                                       9

<PAGE>

                        SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA OF RARITAN

         The following is a summary of certain selected historical  consolidated
financial data for Raritan.  The data presented for the years 1993 through 1997,
and as of the end of those  years,  comes from  Raritan's  audited  consolidated
financial statements. The data presented for the nine months ended September 30,
1998 and 1997 and as of  September  30,  1998  comes  from  Raritan's  unaudited
consolidated  financial statements.  Raritan's consolidated financial statements
as of December  31, 1997 and 1996,  and for the years 1995,  1996 and 1997,  are
incorporated  by reference in this document.  Raritan's  unaudited  consolidated
financial  statements for the nine months ended  September 30, 1998 and 1997 and
as of September 30, 1998 are also incorporated by reference in this document.
See pages 66 - 67.

         In the opinion of Raritan's management,  the unaudited data shown below
reflects all  adjustments  necessary for a fair  presentation  of that data. All
such adjustments were normal, recurring adjustments. Results for the nine months
ended September 30, 1998 do not necessarily indicate the results that you should
expect for any other interim period or for the year as a whole.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                At or For Nine Months
                                              Ended September 30,                          At or For Years Ended December 31,
                                           --------------------------------   --------------------------------------------------
                                             1998                  1997                1997             1996              1995  
                                           ------------   ----------------    ---------------   --------------   ---------------
                                                                (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                          <C>           <C>                <C>                <C>              <C>            
 INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
   Interest income                           $  22,323     $     20,336       $       27,647     $     24,931     $      23,456  
   Interest expense                             12,366           10,508               14,525           12,857            13,007  
                                             ----------   ----------------    ---------------   --------------   --------------- 
   Net interest income                           9,957            9,828               13,122           12,074            10,449  
   Provision for possible loan losses              225              450                  600              450               300  
                                             ----------   ----------------    ---------------   --------------   --------------- 
   Net interest income after pro-
     vision for possible loan losses             9,732            9,378               12,522           11,624            10,149  
   Other income                                  1,140              796                1,049              720               658  
   Operating expenses                            6,304            5,549                7,464            7,423             6,593  
                                             ----------   ----------------    ---------------   --------------   --------------- 
   Income before income taxes                    4,568            4,625                6,107            4,921             4,214  
   Income taxes                                  1,358            1,706                2,199            1,813             1,542  
   Cumulative effect of
     Accounting changes                             --               --                   --               --                --  
                                            ===========   ================    ===============   ==============   ===============
   Net income                                $   3,210     $      2,919       $        3,908     $      3,108     $       2,672  
                                            ===========   ================    ===============   ==============   =============== 

  PER COMMON SHARE DATA:
   Net income per share
            Basic                            $    1.35     $       1.24       $         1.66     $       1.39     $        1.17  
            Diluted                               1.27             1.15                 1.54             1.27              1.09  
   Book Value                                    13.67            12.64                13.01            12.45             11.77  
   Dividends                                      0.45            0.354                 0.47             0.40              0.35  
  RATIOS:
   Return on average assets                       1.01%            1.04%                1.02%            0.89%             0.80% 
   Return on average equity                      13.37            13.20                13.13            11.71             10.53  
  FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA:
   Total assets                              $ 433,555     $    407,262       $      408,308     $    375,393     $     354,810  
   Investment securities held-to-maturity       23,645           45,290               41,307           51,919            61,406  
   Securities available-for-sale                33,403           52,303               48,951           47,253            50,547  
   Loans, net                                  306,153          261,847              267,700          235,070           195,172  
   Allowance for loan losses                     3,774            3,310                3,305            2,965             2,582  
   Deposits                                    359,491          335,910              337,084          331,178           315,038  
   Shareholders' equity                         33,583           29,996               30,874           28,268            26,348  


<PAGE>


<CAPTION>


                                         At or For Years Ended December 31,
                                         ----------------------------------
                                                1994              1993
                                                ----              ----
                                   (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                        <C>           <C> 
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:                                                   
  Interest income                          $   20,892    $       20,049  
  Interest expense                              9,992             9,230  
                                           -----------   --------------- 
  Net interest income                          10,900            10,819  
  Provision for possible loan losses              450             2,290  
                                           -----------   --------------- 
  Net interest income after pro-                                         
    vision for possible loan losses            10,450             8,529  
  Other income                                    702             2,658  
  Operating expenses                            6,721             7,432  
                                           -----------   --------------- 
  Income before income taxes                    4,431             3,755  
  Income taxes                                  1,577             1,352  
  Cumulative effect of                                                   
    Accounting changes                             --                13  
                                                   --               -- 
                                           ===========   =============== 
  Net income                               $    2,854    $        2,416  
                                           ===========   =============== 

 PER COMMON SHARE DATA:                                                  
  Net income per share                                                   
           Basic                           $     1.26    $         1.07  
           Diluted                               1.19              1.02  
  Book Value                                    10.35              9.89  
  Dividends                                      0.31              0.25  
 RATIOS:                                                                 
  Return on average assets                       0.88%             0.81% 
  Return on average equity                      12.33             11.22  
 FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA:                                               
  Total assets                            $   333,546    $      307,332  
  Investment securities held-to-maturity       86,224           121,074  
  Securities available-for-sale                40,456                --  
  Loans, net                                  183,323           165,795  
  Allowance for loan losses                     2,729             3,094  
  Deposits                                    296,166           281,333  
  Shareholders' equity                         23,440            22,391  


</TABLE>

                                       10

<PAGE>


                           COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA

         The  earnings  per  share,  period-end  book  value  per share and cash
dividends  per share for the common stock of United,  State Bank of South Orange
and  Raritan  for the  periods  noted  are  indicated  on page 11.  The data are
presented on an historical and pro forma basis, as well as pro forma  equivalent
per share data for Raritan.  The historical per share data were derived from the
financial  statements of United and Raritan that are  incorporated  by reference
herein and from State Bank of South Orange financial statements. See page 66-67.
The pro forma combined share data have been derived after giving effect to State
Bank of South Orange  merger and the Raritan  merger as if each  occurred at the
beginning  of the  period  presented  using the  pooling-of-interests  method of
accounting.  The  historical per share data for both United and Raritan has been
restated  to  retroactively  reflect  the  effect of stock  dividends  and stock
splits.  See "Pro  Forma  Financial  Information"  on  pages 52 - 57; "  Summary
Financial  Data of  United"  on pages 6 - 8;  and "  Summary  Financial  Data of
Raritan" on page 9.

         The historical United data for the nine months ended September 30, 1998
reflects  United's  acquisition  of State  Bank of South  Orange,  which  United
completed on September  30, 1998. In its third quarter 1998 Report on Form 10-Q,
United filed financial  information on a combined basis to include the financial
results of State Bank of South  Orange for the nine months ended  September  30,
1998.  However,  the data for the years 1993 through 1997,  and as of the end of
those  years,  has not been  restated.  United's  management  does not think the
changes  which a restatement  would show are material.  We have computed the pro
forma  equivalent  per Raritan share by  multiplying  the pro forma combined per
share data (giving effect to the Raritan  merger) by the 1.595  exchange  ratio.
The 1.595 exchange ratio may be adjusted as described on pages 2, 26 and 48-50.

         The dividend per share data shown below do not necessarily indicate the
dividends  that you should  expect for any future  period.  The amount of future
dividends  payable by United,  if any, is at the discretion of United's Board of
Directors.  When declaring  dividends,  the directors normally consider United's
and United National Bank's cash needs,  general business  conditions,  dividends
from  subsidiaries  and applicable  governmental  regulations and policies.  Pro
forma amounts assume that United would have declared cash dividends per share on
United common stock,  including the United common stock issued in the merger for
Raritan common stock,  equal to its historical cash dividends per share declared
on United common stock.


                                       11

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                                        Pro Forma
                                                                Historical       Pro Forma                             Equivalent
                                                 Historical    State Bank of   Combined United  Historical  Pro Forma     per
                                                   United      South Orange   and South Orange   Raritan    Combined  Raritan Share
<S>                                              <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>      
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998
Net Income Per Share........................
            Basic...........................     $ 0.94              N/A            N/A         $ 1.35        $ 0.92      $  1.47
            Diluted.........................       0.93              N/A            N/A           1.27          0.89         1.42
Book Value Per Share........................      11.40              N/A            N/A          13.67         10.07        16.06
Cash Dividends Per Share....................       0.45              N/A            N/A           0.45          0.45         0.72

Year Ended December 31, 1997
Net Income Per Share........................
            Basic...........................     $  1.36        $ 1.03        $  1.31           $ 1.66        $ 1.25      $  1.99
            Diluted.........................        1.35          1.03           1.30             1.54          1.21         1.93
Book Value Per Share........................       10.88          8.88          10.53            13.01          9.88        15.76
Cash Dividends Per Share....................        0.52           --            0.52             0.47          0.52         0.83

Year Ended December 31, 1996
Net Income Per Share........................
            Basic...........................     $  1.21        $ 1.23        $  1.17           $ 1.39        $ 1.09      $  1.74
            Diluted.........................        1.21          1.23           1.16             1.27          1.07         1.71
Book Value Per Share........................        9.62          7.71           9.30            12.45          8.91        14.21
Cash Dividends Per Share....................        0.45           --            0.45             0.40          0.45         0.72

Year Ended December 31, 1995
Net Income Per Share........................
            Basic...........................     $  0.94        $ 1.17        $  0.91           $ 1.17        $ 0.87      $  1.39
            Diluted.........................        0.94          1.17           0.91             1.09          0.85         1.36
Book Value Per Share........................        8.91          6.58           8.58            11.77          8.29        13.22
Cash Dividends Per Share....................        0.42           --            0.42             0.35          0.42         0.67

</TABLE>

                                       12

<PAGE>

         The first table below presents, for the periods indicated, the high and
low closing  prices per share of United  common stock and Raritan  common stock.
The prices of United common stock and Raritan common stock have been restated to
give  retroactive  effect to stock dividends and stock splits.  The second table
presents  information  concerning the last sale price of United common stock and
of Raritan  common stock on September  21, 1998 the last business day before the
merger agreement was announced,  and on February 23, 1999, a date shortly before
the date of this proxy statement.  The second table also presents the equivalent
value of United common stock per Raritan share which we computed by  multiplying
the last sale price of United  common stock on the dates  indicated by the 1.595
exchange ratio.  United common stock and Raritan common stock are each traded on
the  Nasdaq  National  Market  System.  We urge  you to  obtain  current  market
quotations  for United  common  stock and  Raritan  common  stock.  Because  the
exchange ratio is fixed and trading prices fluctuate,  Raritan  stockholders are
not assured of receiving any specific  market value of United common stock.  The
price of United common stock when the merger becomes  effective may be higher or
lower than its price  when the  merger  agreement  was  signed,  when this proxy
statement was mailed or when United or Raritan  shareholders meet to vote on the
merger.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Closing Sale                   Closing Sale
                                                  Price Per Share                 Price Per Share
                                                     of United                      of Raritan
                                                    Common Stock                   Common Stock

                                                High           Low               High            Low
<S>                                       <C>            <C>                 <C>            <C>
1997:
First Quarter............................ $     18.97    $    15.55          $  17.00       $  15.50
Second Quarter...........................       17.26         15.86             20.50          16.33
Third Quarter............................       21.34         17.26             25.75          19.50
Fourth Quarter...........................       26.25         21.45             29.50          25.50

1998:
First Quarter............................       29.32         23.18             28.75          25.50
Second Quarter...........................       28.98         26.14             30.25          26.25
Third Quarter............................       28.30         21.14             34.75          24.75
Fourth Quarter ..........................       24.50         21.50             37.00          30.50

1999:
First Quarter (through February 23, 1999)       23.56         22.50             37.00          33.00

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           Equivalent
                                            Closing Sale           Closing Sale         Value of United
                                          Price Per Share        Price Per Share        Common Stock Per
                                             of United              of Raritan          Share of Raritan
                                             Common Stock           Common Stock           Common Stock
<S>                                             <C>                    <C>                   <C>
Date

September 21, 1998                              $24.09                 $33.00                 $38.42
February 23, 1999                               $22.94                 $36.00                 $36.59

</TABLE>

                                       13

<PAGE>


                     SUMMARY PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION


         The following  tables  present  certain  unaudited  combined  condensed
financial information derived from the Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
for the periods and at the dates  indicated.  The pro forma  combined  financial
information takes into account United's recently completed  acquisition of State
Bank of South Orange in addition to the pending acquisition of Raritan.  The pro
forma combined information gives effect to the proposed Raritan merger accounted
for as a  pooling  of  interests,  as if the  merger  had been  consummated  for
statement of income purposes on the first day of the applicable  periods and for
balance  sheet  purposes  on  September  30,  1998.  See  "Pro  Forma  Financial
Information"  on pages 52 - 57. The summary pro forma  financial  information is
based on the historical  financial statements of United and Raritan incorporated
by  reference  herein,  and  State  Bank of South  Orange  historical  financial
statements.  See page 66-67. The pro forma financial information assumes a 1.595
exchange ratio.

         The  summary  pro  forma  financial   information  should  be  read  in
conjunction  with the pro forma  financial  information  and the  related  notes
thereto on pages 52 - 57 and the consolidated  financial  statements and related
notes  incorporated  by  reference  in this  document.  The pro forma  financial
information does not necessarily  indicate the results of operations which would
have been  achieved  had the merger been  completed  as of the  beginning of the
periods for which that data are  presented  and should not be construed as being
representative of future periods.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                              PRO FORMA UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                                   (In thousands, except for per share data)

                                                   For the Nine Months
                                                          Ended
                                                      September 30,                     For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                                              -------------------------------------------
                                                          1998                   1997            1996           1995
                                                 ------------------------    -------------    ------------   ------------
<S>                                               <C>                        <C>               <C>           <C>         
Results of Operations:

Net Interest Income Before Provision For
      Possible Loan Losses                        $      52,824              $     67,940     $    63,944    $    60,312
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                        2,394                     4,432           3,691          1,398
Net Interest Income After Provision for
      Possible Loan Losses                               50,430                    63,508          60,253         58,914
Income Before Income Taxes                               19,352                    27,482          24,585         18,766
Net Income                                               13,655                    18,447          15,971         12,673
Net Income per Diluted Common Share                        0.89                      1.21            1.07           0.85


                                                   At September 30, 1998
                                                 ---------------------------
Balance Sheet:

Total Assets                                      $     1,947,988
Total Deposits                                          1,484,021
Total Stockholders' Equity                                149,738
Book Value Per Share                                        10.07

</TABLE>

                                       14

<PAGE>

                                  INTRODUCTION

         The Boards of  Directors of Raritan  Bancorp  Inc. and United  National
Bancorp  have  approved an Amended and  Restated  Agreement  and Plan of Merger,
dated as of September 22, 1998, by and among United, United's subsidiary, United
National Bank, Raritan and Raritan's  subsidiary,  The Raritan Savings Bank. The
merger  agreement  provides  for Raritan to be merged with United with United as
the  surviving   corporation.   The  merger  cannot  be  completed   unless  the
shareholders of both Raritan and United approve the merger agreement.

         This  document  serves two  purposes.  It is the joint proxy  statement
being used by the Raritan and United Boards of Directors to solicit  proxies for
use at their special meetings called to seek shareholder  approval of the merger
agreement. It is also the prospectus of United regarding the United common stock
to be issued if the  merger  is  completed.  Thus,  we  sometimes  refer to this
document as the joint proxy statement-prospectus.

         This document  describes the merger  agreement in detail. A copy of the
merger  agreement is attached as Appendix A to this document and is incorporated
herein by reference. We urge you to read this entire document and the Appendixes
carefully.

         All information  and statements  contained or incorporated by reference
in this document about Raritan were supplied by Raritan and all  information and
statements about United were supplied by United.

         YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS DOCUMENT.  WE HAVE NOT  AUTHORIZED  ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT.

                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

         This  document   contains  and   incorporates   by  reference   certain
forward-looking  statements  regarding  the  financial  condition,   results  of
operations  and  business  of  United  and  Raritan.  Those  statements  are not
historical facts and include expressions about United's and/or Raritan's

       *  confidence,

       *  strategies and expressions about earnings,

       *  new and existing programs and products,

       *  relationships,

       *  opportunities,

       *  technology and

       *  market conditions.

You may identify these statements by looking for

       *  forward-looking terminology like "expect", "believe" or "anticipate",

       *  or expressions of confidence like "strong" or "on-going", or similar

       *  statements or variations of those terms.

These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ  materially from the results the forward  looking  statements
contemplate because of, among others, the following possibilities:

       *  United does not realize expected cost savings or revenue  enhancements
          from the merger as anticipated;

       *  deposit attrition,  customer loss or revenue loss following the merger
          is greater than expected;

       *  competitive  pressure in the banking and financial  services  industry
          increases significantly;

       *  there are changes in the interest rate environment;

       *  United's  Year 2000  compliance  program  does not  address  Year 2000
          computer problems effectively; or

       *  general economic conditions,  either nationally or in the state of New
          Jersey, are less favorable than expected.

                                       15

<PAGE>

                        CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT UNITED
General
- -------

         United,  a New  Jersey  corporation,  was  organized  in 1987 and began
operations  in 1988 as a  holding  company  for  United  National  Bank.  United
indirectly owns additional  subsidiaries through United National Bank, including
an investment subsidiary and a 50% interest in a financial services corporation.
United is  registered  as a bank holding  company with the Board of Governors of
the Federal  Reserve System under the Bank Holding  Company Act. As of September
30, 1998, United had:

            *  consolidated assets   $1.5 billion
            *  deposits              $1.1 billion
            *  stockholders' equity  $126 million
            *  loans                 $709 million

         United's principal executive offices and telephone number are:

              1130 Route 22 East
              P.O. Box 6000
              Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807


United National Bank
- --------------------

         United  National  Bank,  a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  United,  is a
commercial bank established in 1902 under the laws of the United States.  United
National Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the FDIC insures its
deposits.  United  National Bank maintains its principal  office in Bridgewater,
New Jersey and operates 28 branches in the following New Jersey counties:

            * Essex * Hunterdon * Middlesex * Morris * Somerset * Union * Warren

         United  National Bank also operates over 25 automatic  teller  machines
(ATMs) affiliated with the MAC(R) System, an eight-state network with membership
in the Plus(R) Nationwide network and the Honor network.

         United  National Bank  provides a full range of  commercial  and retail
bank services, including:

            *  accepting demand, savings and time deposits
            *  commercial and retail lending, primarily
                  residential mortgages
                  automobile loans
                  small business loans
                  credit card loans
            *  full personal, corporate and pension trust services
            *  other fiduciary services

                                       16

<PAGE>

Recent Developments
- -------------------

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 1998 Results

                  On January 20, 1999,  United  reported its fourth  quarter and
full year 1998  earnings.  Net  income  for the full  year  1998  totaled  $15.6
million,  compared to $14.5 million for 1997. Excluding special one-time charges
for both years, United's net income was $17.3 million in 1998, compared to $15.9
million  in 1997.  Diluted  earnings  per share  were  $1.39 for full year 1998,
compared to $1.30 for 1997.  Excluding  special charges for both years,  diluted
earnings  per share  were $1.54 for 1998,  compared  to $1.43 per share in 1997,
representing an 8.5% increase.  United's basic earnings per share were $1.41 for
1998, compared to $1.31 for 1997.  Excluding special charges for both years, the
basic earnings per share were $1.56 for 1998 and $1.44 for 1997.

         Fourth quarter 1998 net income  totaled $5.2 million,  compared to $4.7
million  for 1997.  Both  diluted  and basic  earnings  per share were $0.46 for
fourth quarter 1998 compared to $0.42 for 1997.

         United's  Return on Average Assets was 1.36% for the fourth quarter and
1.08% for the full year 1998.  United's  Return on Average Equity was 15.75% for
the fourth  quarter and 12.67% for the full year 1998.  Net interest  income was
$57.1  million  for the full year 1998,  compared to $54.8  million  reported in
1997.  United's  net  interest  margin was 4.46% for 1998  compared to 4.86% for
1997.

         United's  total  assets at December 31, 1998 were $1.5  billion.  Loans
totaled $753 million and deposits were $1 billion.


                                       17

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                             UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP
                              Financial Highlights
                      (in thousands, except per share data)


                               Three Months Ended
                                  December 31,
                                                           ------------
                                                    1998(1)            1997 (1)
                                                    ----               -----
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>                   <C>                  <C>
Net Interest Income                           $      14,197       $      14,009
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                      975                 988
Net Income                                            5,155               4,686
Net Income Per Common Share
      Basic                                            0.46                0.42
      Diluted                                          0.46                0.42
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
      Basic                                          11,087              11,070
      Diluted                                        11,245              11,186

                                                                          Twelve Months Ended
                                                                              December 31,
                                                    1998(1)                1997             1998(1) *             1997 *
                                                    ----                   ----             ----                  ----
Net Interest Income                           $      57,064       $      54,826         $    57,064          $   54,826
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                    3,144               3,832               3,144               3,832
Net Income                                           15,600              14,539              17,294              15,937
Net Income Per Common Share
      Basic                                            1.41                1.31                1.56                1.44
      Diluted                                          1.39                1.30                1.54                1.43
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
      Basic                                          11,084              11,068
      Diluted                                        11,248              11,177

                                 At December 31
                                                            --------------
                                                    1998(1)                1997
                                                    ----                   ----
Total Assets                                  $  1,488,593        $   1,383,376
Total Loans                                        753,748              663,566
Total Deposits                                   1,046,715            1,055,619
Stockholders' Equity                               126,245              116,627

</TABLE>

* Excluding merger related and restructuring charges.

(1) Numbers in this column are unaudited.

                                       18

<PAGE>


                        CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT RARITAN
General
- -------

         Raritan is a Delaware corporation and a bank holding company whose only
subsidiary is The Raritan  Savings Bank.  Raritan was formed at the direction of
The Raritan  Savings Bank in  connection  with its  conversion  from a mutual to
stock  form of  organization  in  1987.  The sole  activity  of  Raritan  is its
ownership  of all of the  issued and  outstanding  common  stock of The  Raritan
Savings Bank.

         At September 30, 1998 Raritan had:

         *     consolidated assets   $433.6 million
         *     deposits              $359.5 million
         *     shareholders' equity  $ 33.6 million
         *     loans                 $306.2 million

         Raritan's principal executive offices and telephone number are:

              454 Route 28
              Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807
              (908) 231-8100

The Raritan Savings Bank
- ------------------------

         The Raritan Savings Bank is an FDIC insured, New Jersey chartered stock
savings bank that was  originally  organized in 1869. Its main office is located
at 9 West Somerset Street,  Raritan,  New Jersey 08869, and its telephone number
is 908-725-0080. It also operates six additional branch offices in:

         *     Bridgewater
         *     Manville
         *     Martinsville
         *     Somerville
         *     Warren
         *     Whitehouse Station

         The  Raritan  Savings  Bank is engaged  primarily  in the  business  of
attracting  deposits  from  the  general  public  and  originating   residential
mortgage,  construction  and  consumer  loans,  and  small  business  loans.  In
addition,  a  portion  of  its  assets  is  invested  in  securities,  including
mortgage-backed  securities.  The  Raritan  Savings  Bank offers a wide range of
services to both consumer and commercial customers. These services include:

         *     consumer and commercial checking accounts
         *     NOW and money market accounts
         *     regular savings accounts
         *     prime  performance  accounts  whose  rates  are tied to the prime
               lending  rate
         *     market-rate certificates
         *     IRA/Keogh accounts
         *     automated teller machine (ATM) accessibility using the MAC(R) and
               Plus(R) systems
         *     real estate  mortgage loans
         *     various consumer and commercial time and demand loans
         *     home equity lines of credit

                                       19

<PAGE>

         The Raritan Savings Bank considers its primary market area for deposits
to be the areas serviced by these seven  offices,  while its primary market area
for lending is more widespread and includes these New Jersey counties:

         *     Hunterdon
         *     Mercer
         *     Morris
         *     Middlesex
         *     Somerset
         *     Union


Recent Developments
- -------------------

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 1998 Results

         On January 22, 1999,  Raritan reported fourth quarter 1998 consolidated
net  income of  $1,048,000  or $.41 per  diluted  share and  recorded  full year
consolidated net income of $4,258,000 or $1.67 per diluted share, an increase of
9.0%.  Comparable  1997 results were  $989,000 or $.39 per diluted share for the
fourth quarter and $3,908,000 or $1.54 per diluted share for the year.

         At December 31, 1998 Raritan's total assets were $431.5 million up from
$408.3 million a year earlier.  Total net loans increased to $299.6 million from
$264.4  million at the same date last year while  deposits  increased  to $356.7
million  from  $337.1  million a year  earlier.  Shareholders'  equity was $34.3
million at December  31, 1998 versus  $30.9  million at December  31,  1997.  At
December  31,  1998 the book  value  per share of  Raritan  Bancorp  was  $13.91
compared to $13.01 at December 31, 1997. The leverage capital ratio was 7.65% at
December 31, 1998 compared to 7.33% at December 31, 1997.


                                       20

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                       Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary
                              Financial Highlights
                      (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)


<S>                                            <C>                          <C>
Three Months Ended December 31                        1998 (1)                  1997 (1)
- ------------------------------                        ----                      ----
Net Interest Income                            $         3,401              $       3,294
Provision for Loan Losses                                   75                        150
Net Income                                               1,048                        989
Net Income Per Share (Diluted)                             .41                        .39
Shares Outstanding December 31                       2,466,331                  2,372,226

Year Ended December 31:                               1998 (1)                    1997
- -----------------------                               ----                        ----
Net Interest Income                            $        13,358              $      13,122
Provision for Loan Losses                                  300                        600
Net Income                                               4,258                      3,908
Net Income Per Share (Diluted)                            1.67                       1.54
Shares Outstanding December 31                       2,466,331                  2,372,226

At December 31:                                       1998 (1)                    1997
- ---------------                                       ----                        ----
Total Assets                                   $       431,525              $     408,308
Securities Available for Sale, at fair value            29,381                     48,951
Investment Securities, Held to Maturity, net            20,903                     41,307
Total Net Loans                                        299,613                    264,395
Total Deposits                                         356,698                    337,084
Shareholders' Equity                                    34,316                     30,874

</TABLE>

(1)     Numbers in this column are unaudited.


                                       21

<PAGE>


                               THE RARITAN MEETING

Date, Time and Place
- --------------------

         This document solicits,  on behalf of the Raritan Board,  proxies to be
voted at a special meeting of Raritan  Stockholders  and at any  adjournments or
postponements thereof. The Raritan meeting is scheduled to be held:

              Tuesday, March 30, 1999
              10:00 a.m.
              Raritan Valley Country Club
              State Highway 28
              Somerville, New Jersey  08876

Purpose
- -------

         At the meeting, Raritan stockholders will consider and vote on:

         *     approval and adoption of the merger agreement

         *     any  other  matters  that may  properly  be  brought  before  the
               meeting.

Board Recommendation
- --------------------

         THE RARITAN  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  HAS  UNANIMOUSLY  APPROVED THE MERGER
AGREEMENT  AND  UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS  A VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE
MERGER AGREEMENT.

Record Date; Required Vote
- --------------------------

         The Raritan  Board has fixed the close of business on February 12, 1999
as the record date for the Raritan  meeting.  Only  holders of record of Raritan
common  stock at that time are entitled to get notice of the meeting and to vote
at the meeting.  On February 12, 1999,  there were  2,469,247  shares of Raritan
common stock  outstanding.  Each of those shares will be entitled to one vote on
each matter properly submitted to the meeting.

         THE MERGER CANNOT BE COMPLETED WITHOUT RARITAN STOCKHOLDER  APPROVAL. A
majority  of  the   outstanding   shares  of  Raritan  common  stock  must  vote
affirmatively in person or by proxy in order to approve the merger agreement.

         The required vote of the Raritan  stockholders on the merger  agreement
is based upon the total number of outstanding shares of Raritan common stock and
not upon the number of shares which are  actually  voted.  Thus,  if you abstain
from voting or if you don't  submit a proxy card and don't vote in person at the
Raritan  meeting,  your  action  will have the same effect as a vote "NO" on the
merger agreement.  Also, any broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote
"NO" on the merger agreement.

         On February 12, 1999,  the directors and executive  officers of Raritan
as  a  group   beneficially  owned  417,844  shares  of  Raritan  common  stock,
representing  16.9% of the issued and  outstanding  shares.  These  figures  are
calculated  without  counting shares that could be acquired by exercising  stock
options  since  the  shares  underlying  those  options  cannot  be voted at the
meeting.  The  Raritan  directors  have  agreed  to  vote  all the  shares  they
beneficially own FOR the merger agreement.


                                       22

<PAGE>

The Raritan  non-director  executive officers have indicated that they intend to
vote all the shares they beneficially own FOR the merger agreement.

         THE  MATTERS  TO BE  CONSIDERED  AT THE  RARITAN  MEETING  ARE OF GREAT
IMPORTANCE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF RARITAN.  ACCORDINGLY, WE URGE YOU TO READ AND
CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS DOCUMENT,  AND TO COMPLETE,
DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY  RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED  POSTAGE PAID
ENVELOPE.

Voting Rights; Proxies
- ----------------------

         If you properly execute a proxy card and send it to Raritan in a timely
manner,  your  proxy  will be voted in  accordance  with  the  instructions  you
indicate on the proxy card,  unless you revoke your proxy prior to the vote.  IF
YOU SEND US A PROXY CARD THAT DOES NOT INSTRUCT US HOW TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL
BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.

         The Raritan Board is not aware of any matters that will come before the
meeting other than the vote on the merger.  If any other matters come before the
Raritan  meeting,  the persons  named on the  enclosed  proxy card will have the
discretion  to vote on those  matters  using  their  best  judgment,  unless you
specifically withhold that authorization when you complete your proxy card.

         You may revoke any proxy that you give at any time before it is used to
cast your vote.  Simply showing up at the Raritan meeting will not automatically
revoke your proxy.  To revoke a proxy,  you must either file a written notice of
revocation with the Raritan Corporate Secretary,  or deliver a properly executed
proxy  with a  later  date  to the  Raritan  Corporate  Secretary.  The  Raritan
Corporate  Secretary  will be in  attendance at the Raritan  meeting and,  prior
thereto, can be reached at the following address:

              Helen J. Frangelli
              Corporate Secretary
              Raritan Bancorp Inc.
              454 Route 28
              Bridgewater, New Jersey  08807

         Election  inspectors  appointed for the meeting will tabulate the votes
cast by proxy or in person at the Raritan meeting.  The election inspectors will
determine  whether a quorum is  present.  The  election  inspectors  will  treat
abstentions  and "broker  non-votes"  as shares that are present and entitled to
vote for purposes of determining a quorum where

       *  proxies are marked as abstentions,

       *  stockholders appear in person but abstain from voting, or

       *  a broker  indicates  on a proxy  that it does  not have  discretionary
          authority regarding certain shares.

                                       23

<PAGE>

Solicitation of Proxies
- -----------------------

         In addition to using the mails,  the directors,  officers and employees
of Raritan may solicit  proxies for the Raritan  meeting  from  stockholders  in
person or by telephone.  These  directors,  officers and  employees  will not be
specifically compensated for their services.  Raritan has retained Kissel-Blake,
Inc., a proxy-soliciting firm, to assist it in soliciting proxies. Kissel-Blake,
Inc.  will  be  paid  a fee  of  $5,500  and  will  be  reimbursed  for  certain
out-of-pocket  expenses,   estimated  to  be  $2,500.  Raritan  will  also  make
arrangements with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
to send proxy materials to their principals and will reimburse those parties for
their  expenses in doing so.  Raritan will bear all costs of soliciting  proxies
for the Raritan meeting.

Quorum
- ------

         At least a majority of the Raritan common stock issued and  outstanding
and entitled to be voted at the Raritan  meeting must be present in person or by
proxy to constitute a quorum.


                               THE UNITED MEETING


Date, Time and Place
- --------------------

         This document  solicits,  on behalf of the United Board,  proxies to be
voted at a special  meeting of United  Shareholders  and at any  adjournments or
postponements thereof. The United meeting is scheduled to be held:

              Tuesday, March 30, 1999
              10:00 a.m.
              United National Bancorp
              1130 U.S. Route 22 East
              Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807

Purpose
- -------

         At the meeting, United shareholders will consider and vote on:

         *     approval and adoption of the merger agreement

         *     any  other  matters  that may  properly  be  brought  before  the
               meeting.

Board Recommendation
- --------------------

         THE UNITED  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  HAS  UNANIMOUSLY  APPROVED  THE MERGER
AGREEMENT  AND  UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS  A VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE
MERGER AGREEMENT.

Record Date; Required Vote
- --------------------------

         The United  Board has fixed the close of business on February  22, 1999
as the record  date for the  United  meeting.  Only  holders of record of United
common stock at that time will be entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at,
the United meeting. On February 22, 1999, there were 11,088,583 shares of United
common

                                       24

<PAGE>

stock  outstanding  and  entitled to vote at the United  meeting.  Each of those
shares will be entitled to one vote on each  matter  properly  submitted  to the
meeting.  This does not include 103,734 shares of treasury stock.  This does not
include 103,734 shares of treasury stock.

         THE MERGER CANNOT BE COMPLETED WITHOUT UNITED SHAREHOLDER  APPROVAL.  A
majority  of the shares of United  common  stock  represented  and voting at the
United  meeting,  in  person or by proxy,  must vote  affirmatively  in order to
approve the merger agreement.

         The required vote of the United shareholders on the merger agreement is
different  from  that  for  the  Raritan   stockholders.   The  required  United
shareholder  vote is based on the  number of shares  which are  actually  voted,
rather than the total number of outstanding shares of United common stock. Thus,
if you abstain from voting or if you don't submit a proxy card and don't vote in
person at the United  meeting,  your  action will have no effect.  Also,  broker
non-votes will have no effect.

         On February 22, 1999, the directors and executive officers of United as
a group beneficially  owned 212,181 shares of United common stock,  representing
1.9% of the issued and outstanding shares.  These figures are calculated without
counting  shares that could be acquired by  exercising  stock  options since the
shares  underlying  those  options  can't be voted at the  meeting.  The  United
directors and executive officers have indicated that they intend to vote all the
shares they beneficially own FOR the merger agreement.

         WE URGE YOU TO READ AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN
THIS DOCUMENT, AND TO COMPLETE,  DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE PROXY IN THE
POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.

Voting Rights; Proxies
- ----------------------

         If you properly  execute a proxy card and send it to United in a timely
manner,  your  proxy  will be voted in  accordance  with  the  instructions  you
indicate on the proxy card,  unless you revoke your proxy prior to the vote.  IF
YOU SEND US A PROXY CARD THAT DOES NOT INSTRUCT US HOW TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL
BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.

         The United  Board is not aware of any matters that will come before the
meeting other than the vote on the merger.  If any other matters come before the
United  meeting,  the  persons  named on the  enclosed  proxy card will have the
discretion  to vote on those  matters  using  their  best  judgment,  unless you
specifically withhold that authorization when you complete your proxy card.

         You may revoke any proxy that you give at any time before it is used to
cast your vote.  Simply showing up at the United meeting will not  automatically
revoke your proxy.  To revoke a proxy,  you must either file a written notice of
revocation with the United Corporate  Secretary,  or deliver a properly executed
proxy with a later date to the United Corporate Secretary.  The United Corporate
Secretary will be in attendance at the United meeting and, prior thereto, can be
reached at the following address:

              Ralph L. Straw, Jr.
              Corporate Secretary
              United National Bancorp
              1130 U.S. Route 22 East
              P.O. Box 6000
              Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-0010

         Election  inspectors  appointed for the meeting will tabulate the votes
cast by proxy or in person at the United meeting.  The election  inspectors will
determine whether or not a quorum is present. The election inspectors will treat

                                       25


<PAGE>

abstentions  and "broker  non-votes"  as shares that are present and entitled to
vote for  purposes  of  determining  a quorum  where 

       *  proxies are marked as abstentions,

       *  stockholders appear in person but abstain from voting, or

       *  a broker  indicates  on a proxy  that it does  not have  discretionary
          authority regarding certain shares.

Solicitation of Proxies
- -----------------------

         In addition to using the mails,  the directors,  officers and employees
of United may solicit proxies for the United meeting from shareholders in person
or  by  telephone.   These  directors,   officers  and  employees  will  not  be
specifically   compensated   for   their   services.   United   may   retain   a
proxy-soliciting  firm to assist it in soliciting  proxies.  If so, United would
pay the proxy-soliciting  firm a fee and reimburse it for certain  out-of-pocket
expenses.  United will also make  arrangements  with  brokerage  firms and other
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxy materials to their principals
and will  reimburse  those  parties for their  expenses in doing so. United will
bear all costs of soliciting proxies for the United meeting.

Quorum
- ------

         At least a majority of the United  common stock issued and  outstanding
and  entitled to be voted at the United  meeting must be present in person or by
proxy to constitute a quorum.


                               THE PROPOSED MERGER

         We have  attached a copy of the merger  agreement as Appendix A to this
joint  proxy  statement-prospectus  and  incorporated  it by  reference  herein.
Descriptions  of the merger  and the merger  agreement  are  qualified  in their
entirety by reference to the merger agreement.

General Description
- -------------------

         The merger  agreement  provides for the merger of Raritan with and into
United with United as the surviving entity. A closing under the merger agreement
is to occur on the tenth business day after the day when all material conditions
to closing have been met,  including  receipt of  regulatory  approvals  and the
expiration of regulatory waiting periods.  However, United and Raritan may agree
on a different closing date. The parties currently  anticipate  closing in March
1999. The merger will become  effective at the time specified in certificates of
merger which United will file with the New Jersey and  Delaware  Secretaries  of
State following the closing.  United and Raritan anticipate that the merger will
become effective at the close of business on the closing date. Immediately after
the merger is effective,  United will merge The Raritan Savings Bank with United
National  Bank,  with United  National Bank as the surviving  entity.  The exact
closing date and the exact time the merger will become  effective  are dependent
upon satisfaction of numerous conditions,  some of which are not under United or
Raritan's control.

                                       26

<PAGE>


Consideration; Exchange Ratio; Cash instead of Fractional Shares
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

         When  the  merger  becomes  effective,  except  as  noted  below,  each
outstanding  share of Raritan  common stock will be converted  into the right to
receive 1.595 shares of United common stock. The 1.595 exchange ratio takes into
account  an  adjustment  made to reflect  United's  10% stock  dividend  paid on
November 2, 1998.  The exchange  ratio is subject to further  adjustment to take
into account any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction with respect
to United common stock between the date of the merger agreement and the time the
merger  becomes  effective.  The exchange ratio is also subject to adjustment as
described under "Special Termination  Provisions" on pages 48-50. Certain shares
of Raritan common stock held by Raritan or by United or its subsidiaries will be
cancelled in the merger and will not be converted into United common stock.

         Instead  of  fractional   shares  of  United   common  stock,   Raritan
stockholders  will  receive,  without  interest,  a cash  payment  equal  to the
fractional  share interest to which they would otherwise be entitled  multiplied
by the value of United common stock. For this purpose,  United common stock will
be valued at the average of its closing prices for the ten  consecutive  trading
days ending with and  including  the date on which the  material  conditions  to
closing  the  merger  have  been met.  This  valuation  measure  is  subject  to
anti-dilution  adjustment  in the event of any stock  split,  stock  dividend or
similar  transaction with respect to United common stock between the date of the
merger agreement and the time the merger becomes effective. All shares of United
common stock to be issued to a Raritan  stockholder  will be combined to make as
many whole shares as possible before calculating that  stockholder's  fractional
share interest.

         The  price of  United  common  stock at the  time  the  merger  becomes
effective may be higher or lower than the market price

       *  when the merger agreement was signed,

       *  when this proxy statement was mailed,

       *  when the Raritan shareholders meet to vote on the merger, or

       *  when Raritan  shareholders  receive United stock certificates from the
          exchange agent following the merger.

WE URGE YOU TO OBTAIN CURRENT MARKET  QUOTATIONS FOR THE UNITED COMMON STOCK AND
THE RARITAN COMMON STOCK.

Conversion of Raritan Options
- -----------------------------

         The merger agreement  provides that each outstanding option to purchase
Raritan  common  stock  granted  under the  Raritan  stock  option  plan will be
converted at the time the merger  becomes  effective  into an option to purchase
United common stock. The terms of the new option will be determined as follows:

         *        the right to purchase  shares of Raritan common stock pursuant
                  to the old option will be converted in the new option into the
                  right to purchase  that same number of shares of United common
                  stock multiplied by the exchange ratio,

         *        the option  exercise  price per share of United  common  stock
                  will be the  previous  option  exercise  price  per  share  of
                  Raritan common stock divided by the exchange ratio, and

         *        in all other material  respects the new option will be subject
                  to the same terms and conditions as governed the old option on
                  which it was based,  including the length of time within which
                  the option may be exercised.

         United has reserved for issuance the number of shares of United  common
stock necessary to satisfy  United's  obligations  under the converted  options.
United has agreed to register  those shares  pursuant to the  Securities  Act as
soon as practicable  after the merger becomes  effective,  but in no event later
than 45 days after the merger becomes effective.  As of February 22, 1999, there
were options  outstanding for 169,134 shares of Raritan common stock which would
be converted in the merger as described above.

                                       27

<PAGE>


Background of and Reasons for the Merger
- ----------------------------------------

         Background of the Merger  (United).  United's  management  and Board of
Directors  regularly  considers the  possibility  of acquiring  other  financial
institutions,   as  part  of  United's   ongoing   strategy  of  growth  through
acquisitions  in existing and contiguous  market areas.  Thomas C. Gregor is the
Chairman,  President and Chief Executive Officer of United,  and Arlyn D. Rus is
the Chairman,  President and Chief Executive Officer of Raritan.  Mr. Gregor has
known  Mr.  Rus for a number  of  years  and has from  time to time  since  1993
discussed with Mr. Rus in general terms United's possible interest in a business
combination.  In November  1995, Mr. Gregor met with Mr. Rus at the direction of
the  United  Board of  Directors  to  discuss  United's  interest  in  taking an
investment  position  in  Raritan.  Facing no  objection  from  Raritan,  United
commenced  purchasing  stock in  Raritan  in 1996  and,  at the time the  merger
agreement  was  executed,  United held 84,150  shares of Raritan  common  stock,
representing about 3.2% of the outstanding shares.

         Further  contacts  between the two CEOs did not result in progress on a
potential merger until August 1998. On August 12, Mr. Gregor again contacted Mr.
Rus to see if there was any  interest in moving the merger  discussion  forward.
Mr. Rus indicated that he would discuss the proposition  with the Raritan Board.
In the  meantime,  Mr.  Gregor  consulted  with Keefe,  Bruyette & Woods,  Inc.,
United's financial  advisors,  regarding the potential merger. On August 18, Mr.
Gregor  reported  the  discussions  that he had had with Mr. Rus  regarding  the
potential merger to the United Board. On August 19, Mr. Gregor received a letter
from Endicott,  Raritan's  financial advisor,  requesting United's expression of
interest regarding a transaction with Raritan.  Between August 19 and August 31,
Mr. Gregor, in consultation with Keefe, Bruyette,  performed an initial analysis
of the  potential  transaction.  Pursuant to the request from  Endicott,  United
prepared  and then  submitted to Endicott on August 31 a written  expression  of
interest in a transaction  with Raritan.  The  expression of interest  indicated
that United was prepared to consider a transaction  with a fixed  exchange ratio
of 1.45 shares of United  common  stock for each share of Raritan  common  stock
(1.595 after adjustment for United's subsequent stock dividend.

         On September 15, Mr. Gregor  reported to the United Board on the status
of United's discussions with Raritan, and indicated that United had been invited
by Raritan to make a  presentation  to Raritan's  Board later the same day. That
afternoon,  United's senior management and outside  financial  advisors met with
the Raritan Board to discuss United's  strategic plan and its goals with respect
to a possible acquisition of Raritan. Mr. Gregor, Donald Malwitz, Vice President
and Treasurer of United, and Warren Gerleit,  Executive Vice President and Chief
Lending  Officer of United  National  Bank,  together  with  United's  financial
advisors,  made a presentation  to the Raritan Board and responded to questions.
Also on that date,  United  directed  its outside  counsel to begin  preparing a
draft  merger  agreement  and  related  documents.   Representatives  of  United
performed  due   diligence  at  Raritan's   offices  on  September  17  and  18.
Representatives  of Raritan  performed  due  diligence  at  United's  offices on
September  18.  Drafts  of the  merger  agreement  and  related  documents  were
circulated and negotiated as due diligence proceeded.

         On  September  21 a meeting was held at  Raritan's  offices to finalize
negotiation of the merger agreement and related documents.  The final version of
the  documents  were  presented to the United Board of Directors at a meeting on
September 22, 1998, at which time Keefe,  Bruyette  made a  presentation  to the
United Board of Directors  concerning the financial  aspects of the  transaction
and its fairness to United shareholders. At its September 22 meeting. the United
Board of Directors gave its final approval to the merger. Later that day, United
and Raritan jointly issued a public announcement regarding the transaction.

         United's  Reasons for the Merger.  The United Board  believes  that the
merger and the merger agreement are in the best interests of United.  The United
Board  views the merger with  Raritan as part of its ongoing  strategy of growth
through  acquisitions in existing and contiguous  market areas. The United Board

                                       28

<PAGE>

believes the merged  institution will be a more efficient and capable competitor
in view of the evolution of the  financial  services  industry.  In reaching its
determination  to approve the merger,  factors  considered  by the United  Board
included, but were not limited to, the following:

         *        Information  concerning  the business,  earnings,  operations,
                  financial  condition,  prospects,  capital  levels  and  asset
                  quality  of  Raritan  and  United,  both  individually  and as
                  combined;

         *        The terms of the merger agreement and the option agreement;

         *        The  anticipated  cost savings and  efficiencies  available to
                  United as a result of the merger;

         *        The financial advice rendered by Keefe, Bruyette in connection
                  with the merger;

         *        The results of United's due diligence investigation, including
                  assessments of credit policies;

         *        Asset quality,  interest rate risk, litigation and adequacy of
                  loan loss reserves; and

         *        The  expectation  that the merger  would be tax-free to United
                  and could be treated as a pooling of interests  for  financial
                  accounting purposes.

         In reaching  their  determination  to approve and recommend the merger,
the  Board  did not  assign  any  specific  or  relative  weights  to any of the
foregoing factors,  and individual directors may have given differing weights to
different factors.

         Recommendations of the United Board of Directors

         The United Board  believes  that the merger is fair to, and in the best
interests of, United and its  shareholders.  The United Board of Directors  also
believes the merged  institution will be a more efficient and capable competitor
in view of the evolution of the financial  services industry.  Accordingly,  the
Board  unanimously  approved the merger agreement and merger and recommends that
United  shareholders  vote FOR the approval and adoption of the merger agreement
and merger.

THE UNITED BOARD OF DIRECTORS  UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS THAT ALL  SHAREHOLDERS OF
UNITED APPROVE THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE MERGER.

         Background of the Merger  (Raritan).  As part of its ongoing  strategic
planning,  the Raritan Board has regularly  reviewed the merger and  acquisition
market as a possible  means of  providing  value to  stockholders.  Raritan  has
engaged Endicott Financial Advisors, L.L.C. as its financial advisor since 1996.
In the spring and summer of 1998 the Board reviewed with Endicott the continuing
consolidation  activity taking place in the banking  industry  nationwide and in
particular  in the  Mid-Atlantic  market  area.  Among other  things,  the Board
discussed the  increasing  size of  competitors  and the benefits that increased
scales  of  operation   contribute  to  supporting   product   innovations   and
technological  improvements.  During this period, the Board discussed whether it
would be timely and  appropriate  for the  company to contact a select  group of
possible  merger  partners  to  determine  whether  there  was  interest  at  an
acceptable pricing level.

         At a special  meeting on August 13,  Endicott  discussed with the Board
the reasons why a merger  transaction may be an advantageous  alternative at the
present time and in the current market.  Counsel  addressed the fiduciary duties
of a board of directors in general and in particular in connection  with mergers
and acquisitions.  After extensive discussion,  the Board authorized Endicott to
approach a selected group of five companies, including United, to inquire

                                       29

<PAGE>

as to their  interests in an  acquisition  of Raritan.  After all five companies
entered into  confidentiality  agreements with Raritan,  certain information was
provided to them, and they were asked to respond within a two-week time frame as
to their  interest and with a  preliminary  pricing  level.  At a special  Board
meeting on September 3,  Endicott  reported as to the  responses  received:  two
companies were not interested; one was interested in Raritan but only if another
acquisition  could be accomplished  at the same time; and two companies,  one of
which was United,  were  interested in a stock for stock  transaction.  Endicott
reviewed the  profile,  historically  and on a pro forma  basis,  of each of the
companies that had expressed any interest.  After  questions and  discussion,  a
Special Board meeting was scheduled for September 8 to decide how and whether to
proceed with the expressions of interest.

         On September 8, the Board again  reviewed with Endicott and counsel the
expressions  of interest  and  determined  to pursue  merger  negotiations  with
United,  based in part on the proposed  fixed  exchange  ratio of 1.45 shares of
United  common  stock  for each  share of  Raritan  common  stock  (1.595  after
adjustment for United's  subsequent  stock  dividend),  the trading price of the
companies that had expressed interest,  and the historical and pro forma profile
of the  companies.  The Board directed  Raritan  management to invite the senior
management  of United,  as well as their  financial  advisors,  to meet with the
Board on September 15 for the purpose of discussing  United's strategic plan and
its goals with  respect to a possible  acquisition  of Raritan.  On September 15
Thomas Gregor, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of United, Donald
Malwitz,  Vice President and Treasurer of United, and Warren Gerleit,  Executive
Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of United National Bank,  together with
United's  financial  advisors,  made a  presentation  to the  Raritan  Board and
responded  to  questions.  Following  this  presentation,  and after the  United
representatives  had departed,  the Board  further  discussed the prospects of a
merger with United, and concluded by authorizing management, along with Endicott
and legal counsel,  to negotiate a merger  agreement based on terms discussed by
the Board and to conduct a due diligence investigation of United.

         At a special  Board  meeting on  September  20,  Raritan's  counsel and
financial advisor reviewed with the Board

         *        the terms of  preliminary  merger and stock option  agreements
                  and the transactions contemplated thereby,

         *        the  potential   financial  and  strategic   benefits  of  the
                  transaction,

         *        the results of due diligence reviews,

         *        financial and valuation analyses of the transactions, and

         *        the terms of the proposed  transaction  agreements,  including
                  the exchange ratio.


         Counsel again  discussed the fiduciary  duties of a board in connection
with merger transactions.  At a September 21 special meeting, the Board reviewed
with counsel and  Endicott the revised  merger  documents.  The United  proposal
contemplated a stock for stock exchange at a fixed exchange ratio of 1.45 shares
of  United  for each  share of  Raritan.  This  exchange  ratio was  subject  to
adjustment  for stock splits and  dividends,  and was  subsequently  adjusted to
1.595 to reflect  United's 10% stock  dividend).  Based on a closing sales price
per share of United common stock,  the exchange ratio equated to a value at that
time of approximately $35.

         The Board was also  advised that a written  proposal had been  received
from the other  company  that had earlier  indicated  an  interest in  acquiring
Raritan.  This proposal  contemplated  a stock for stock  exchange at a floating
exchange  ratio  that was  designed  to  provide  $35 of  value to each  Raritan
stockholder.  The earlier  indication  of interest had involved a  significantly
lower per share  consideration.  Endicott reviewed the proposal from a financial
point of view,  and after  discussion,  the Board  determined  that the proposed
merger with United was a better  transaction for  stockholders.  This conclusion
was based on the certainty of the United  transaction and its perceived superior
value.  United's  transaction  was  fully  negotiated  and  the  structure,  due
diligence and legal  documentation  complete.  The financial value of the United
stock and the fixed exchange ratio was  considered  superior to the  alternative
offer. Endicott rendered its opinion that the exchange ratio for the merger with
United was fair to Raritan stockholders from a financial point of view. Finally,
the Board was  informed  that only minor  issues  remained to be resolved in the
documents and that it was likely that definitive agreements would be presented

                                       30

<PAGE>

for  execution  the next  morning.  The Board  determined  to meet  again in the
morning,  at which time  counsel and  Endicott  informed  them that a definitive
merger agreement and related documents had been  satisfactorily  negotiated.  At
the September 21 meeting, the Raritan Board of Directors unanimously adopted and
approved  the  merger,  the  merger  agreement,  the  option  agreement  and the
transactions contemplated thereby.

         Raritan's Reasons for the Merger. The Raritan Board has determined that
the merger and the merger  agreement are fair to, and in the best  interests of,
Raritan and its stockholders. In reaching its determination, the Board consulted
with Endicott  regarding the financial  aspects and fairness of the transaction.
In arriving at its determination,  the Board also considered a number of factors
which  indicated  that the merger  should  produce an  institution  that is well
capitalized,  and one which will enjoy an  enhanced  operational  and  strategic
value and that should  foster the  potential  for earnings  growth.  The factors
considered by the Board included, but were not limited to, the following:

         *        Information  concerning  the business,  earnings,  operations,
                  financial  condition,  prospects,  capital  levels  and  asset
                  quality  of  Raritan  and  United,  both  individually  and as
                  combined. The businesses of Raritan and United were considered
                  complementary  given the overlap in their geographic  markets.
                  Also,  United  offers many  commercial  banking  products  and
                  services  that are not offered by Raritan,  but which  Raritan
                  considers  critical  to its  ability  to  remain  competitive.
                  Raritan  further  believed that the combined  market share and
                  larger  capital base of the combined  companies  would enhance
                  their future business prospects.

         *        The  financial  advice  rendered by Endicott that the exchange
                  ratio is fair,  from a  financial  point of view,  to  Raritan
                  stockholders.  In  particular,  the Board  considered  the per
                  share merger consideration based on United's market price, and
                  the fixed exchange  ratio,  which fixed  Raritan's  percentage
                  ownership of the combined  companies  and which could  provide
                  even  greater  per share  value to Raritan  stockholders.  The
                  Board also considered  Raritan's right to terminate the merger
                  agreement, or have the exchange ratio increase in the event of
                  a decline in United's stock price that exceeded the decline in
                  the stock prices of similarly situated bank holding companies.

         *        The terms of the merger  agreement,  the option  agreement and
                  the other documents executed in connection with the merger.

         *        The anticipated cost savings and efficiencies available to the
                  combined   company  as  a  result  of  the   merger.   Raritan
                  anticipated that annual cost savings of up to $4 million could
                  be realized through the merger.

         *        The  current  and   prospective   economic,   competitive  and
                  regulatory   environment  facing  Raritan  in  particular  and
                  financial institutions in general.

         *        The fact that the two  members  of the Board of  Directors  of
                  Raritan would become directors of United.

         *        The  results of the due  diligence  investigations  of United,
                  including  assessments  of  credit  policies,  asset  quality,
                  interest  rate  risk,  litigation  and  adequacy  of loan loss
                  reserves.

         *        The  expectation  that the merger would be tax free to Raritan
                  stockholders for federal income tax purposes.

                                       31

<PAGE>


         *        The nature and  compatibility  of the  management and business
                  philosophies of Raritan and United.

         *        The prospects  for growth and expanded  products and services,
                  and  other  anticipated  impacts  on  depositors,   employees,
                  customers and communities served by Raritan.

         *        The  pro  forma  ownership  of  the  combined  company  by the
                  stockholders of Raritan.

         In reaching their  determinations  to approve and recommend the merger,
the  Board  did not  assign  any  specific  or  relative  weights  to any of the
foregoing factors,  and individual directors may have given differing weights to
different factors.

         Recommendations of the Raritan Board of Directors

         The Raritan Board  believes that the merger is fair to, and in the best
interests of, Raritan and its stockholders.  Accordingly,  the Board unanimously
approved the merger agreement and merger.

         THE  RARITAN  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  UNANIMOUSLY   RECOMMENDS  THAT  ALL
STOCKHOLDERS OF RARITAN APPROVE THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE MERGER.

Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
- ------------------------------------------

         In considering  the  recommendation  of the Raritan Board regarding the
merger,  Raritan stockholders should know that certain directors and officers of
Raritan  have  interests  in the  merger  in  addition  to  their  interests  as
stockholders of Raritan.  All those additional interests are described below, to
the extent they are  material  and are known to Raritan.  The Raritan  Board was
aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters,  in approving
the merger agreement:

         Board  Membership;  Advisory Board. The merger agreement  provides that
United and  United  National  Bank will each  appoint  Arlyn D. Rus and  another
Raritan  designee to its Board of  Directors  as of the time the merger  becomes
effective. Raritan has designated, and United has accepted, William T. Kelleher,
Jr., as the second  designee.  Mr. Rus is currently the Chairman,  President and
Chief Executive Officer of Raritan.  The merger agreement also provides that Mr.
Rus will serve as Vice  Chairman  of the Board of United.  The merger  agreement
provides that United  National  Bank will create an advisory  Board of Directors
and invite all then  directors of Raritan to serve on the  advisory  board as of
the time the merger becomes effective.  Advisory board members will receive fees
which are expected to total no more than $16,000 per year,  per  director,  less
(in the case of Mr. Rus and Mr.  Kelleher)  any fees they receive for service as
directors of United.

         Stock  Benefits.  When the merger becomes  effective  each  outstanding
option granted under Raritan's 1993 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, its
1993 Incentive  Stock Option Plan or its 1997 Long-Term  Incentive Stock Benefit
Plan will be  converted  into an option to purchase  United  common  stock.  All
outstanding,  non-vested  options  will  vest as a  result  of the  merger.  See
"Conversion of Raritan Options" on pages 26 - 27.

         Employment Agreements with Executive Officers.  Raritan and The Raritan
Savings Bank have employment  agreements with Arlyn D. Rus, Chairman,  President
and Chief  Executive  Officer,  and Thomas F. Tansey,  Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating  Officer and Treasurer.  The agreements both provide that in the
event of  termination  of  employment  upon a change of control of Raritan,  the
executive  is  entitled  to a  severance  payment  equal to 36 times the highest
monthly  compensation  paid to him  plus a  "special  retirement  benefit".  The

                                       32

<PAGE>

special retirement benefit is an amount intended to compensate the executive for
any reduced retirement  benefits under the Raritan pension plan. United National
Bank and Raritan  have agreed that  Raritan  will pay to Mr. Rus and Mr.  Tansey
their  severance  payments  and special  retirement  benefits,  estimated  to be
$1,249,710 and $1,134,041,  respectively,  in a lump sum at or prior to the time
the merger becomes effective. In addition, United National Bank and Raritan have
agreed to indemnify the  executives  for the amount of any excise tax imposed on
those  payments under Section 280G of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  which
are estimated to total $1.8 million. United National Bank has also agreed to pay
for and provide to Mr. Rus and Mr. Tansey  health,  life,  dental and disability
insurance coverage substantially identical to the coverage maintained by Raritan
until age 65, and thereafter, to provide those benefits with a 50% co-payment by
each of the executives.

         Special  Termination  Agreement.  Raritan and The Raritan  Savings Bank
have a special termination  agreement with John J. Lukens, Senior Vice President
and Senior  Lending  Officer,  which  requires  Raritan to pay a cash  severance
benefit  to Mr.  Lukens  if,  following  a change in  control,  (1) the  company
terminates  his  employment  other  than  for  cause,  or (2) if he  voluntarily
terminates  his  employment  following  a demotion,  a loss of title,  office or
significant  authority,  a reduction in base compensation or a relocation of his
principal place of employment by more than 25 miles. It is currently anticipated
that Raritan,  with  United's  consent,  will pay Mr. Lukens the cash  severance
payment under the special termination agreement, estimated to be $185,707, at or
prior to the time the merger  takes  effect,  and that  after the  merger  takes
effect  United  National  Bank  will  pay  for and  provide  medical,  life  and
disability benefits in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

         Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plans.  Raritan  and  The  Raritan
Savings Bank have established  supplemental  retirement plans for the benefit of
Messrs. Rus, Tansey and Lukens. Under the supplemental retirement plans, Raritan
and The  Raritan  Savings  Bank are  required to make  certain  payments to each
executive  over a  period  of 15  years.  The  amounts  of  these  payments  are
determined  based on a percentage of the executive's  final salary.  Raritan and
The Raritan  Savings Bank are also obligated under the  supplemental  retirement
plans to fund certain secular trusts  established for each of these  executives.
United  National  Bank and Raritan have agreed that  Raritan will make  payments
equal  to the  present  value of the cash  contributions  necessary  to fund the
secular  trusts of Messrs.  Rus and Tansey,  which  payments are estimated to be
$746,434 and $378,504,  respectively.  These  payments will be made at or before
the time the merger  becomes  effective.  United  National Bank and Raritan have
agreed that Raritan will make similar payments with respect to Mr. Lukens unless
(1) United  National  Bank  offers a position to him on or before  December  15,
1998,  and (2) United  National  Bank and Mr. Lukens  mutually  agree upon a new
agreement. The estimated payment with respect to Mr. Lukens is $241,514.

         Director Deferred  Compensation  Plan.  Raritan and The Raritan Savings
Bank have a Director Deferred  Compensation Plan pursuant to which its directors
have  elected to defer  payment of certain of their  board and  committee  fees.
United  National Bank and Raritan have agreed that Raritan will transfer,  at or
prior to the time the merger  becomes  effective,  liquid assets into a trust to
ensure  that the plan  benefits  will be paid  without  the need to obtain  cash
withdrawals from the life insurance policies held by the trust.

         Share Ownership.  As of February 12, 1999, the directors of Raritan and
The Raritan Savings Bank beneficially owned in the aggregate approximately 15.2%
of the issued and outstanding shares of Raritan common stock. In connection with
the execution of the merger agreement,  the directors of Raritan and The Raritan
Savings Bank agreed to vote in favor of the merger agreement. As of February 12,
1999,  executive  officers  of Raritan who are not also  directors  beneficially
owned in the  aggregate  1.7% of the  issued and  outstanding  shares of Raritan
common stock.

                                       33

<PAGE>

         Indemnification;  Directors and Officers. The merger agreement requires
United to  indemnify,  for a period of six years after the merger takes  effect,
each director and officer of Raritan and The Raritan Savings Bank to the fullest
extent  which  Raritan and The Raritan  Savings  Bank would have been  permitted
under  applicable law and its Certificate of  Incorporation  and By-laws had the
merger not  occurred.  The  indemnification  is to cover any claims made against
that person  because he or she served as a director or officer of Raritan or The
Raritan  Savings Bank, or acted as a director or officer of a third party at the
written  request of Raritan or The Raritan  Savings Bank.  The merger  agreement
also requires  United to provide Raritan and The Raritan Savings Bank's officers
and directors with directors' and officers' liability insurance for at least six
years  after the merger  takes  effect upon terms and  conditions  substantially
similar to Raritan's existing directors' and officers' insurance policy.

Opinion of United's Financial Advisor
- -------------------------------------

         United  engaged Keefe,  Bruyette & Woods,  Inc. to act as its exclusive
financial  advisor in  connection  with the merger.  Keefe,  Bruyette  agreed to
assist United in analyzing, structuring, negotiating and effecting a transaction
with Raritan.  United  selected  Keefe,  Bruyette  because Keefe,  Bruyette is a
nationally  recognized  investment-banking  firm with substantial  experience in
transactions similar to the merger and is familiar with United and its business.
As part of its  investment  banking  business,  Keefe,  Bruyette is  continually
engaged in the valuation of businesses and their  securities in connection  with
mergers and acquisitions.

         As part of its engagement,  representatives of Keefe, Bruyette attended
the meeting of the United Board of Directors held on September 22, 1998 at which
the United Board considered and approved the merger agreement.  At the September
22,  meeting,  Keefe,  Bruyette  rendered an oral opinion that was  subsequently
confirmed  in writing  that,  as of that date,  the  exchange  ratio was fair to
United and its  shareholders  from a financial  point of view.  That opinion was
reconfirmed in writing as of the date of this proxy statement-prospectus.

         The full text of Keefe,  Bruyette's updated written opinion is attached
as Appendix D to this proxy  statement-prospectus  and is incorporated herein by
reference. United shareholders are urged to read the opinion in its entirety for
a description of the procedures followed,  assumptions made, matters considered,
and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Keefe, Bruyette.

         KEEFE, BRUYETTE'S OPINION IS DIRECTED TO THE UNITED BOARD AND ADDRESSES
ONLY THE EXCHANGE RATIO. IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING BUSINESS DECISION TO
PROCEED  WITH  MERGER AND DOES NOT  CONSTITUTE  A  RECOMMENDATION  TO ANY UNITED
SHAREHOLDER  AS TO HOW THE  SHAREHOLDER  SHOULD  VOTE AT UNITED'S  MEETING  WITH
RESPECT TO THE MERGER OR ANY MATTER RELATED THERETO.

         In rendering its opinion, Keefe, Bruyette:

         *  reviewed, among other things,

               *  the merger agreement,

               *  Annual Reports to stockholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K
                  of Raritan,

               *  Annual Reports on Form 10-K of United,

               *  Certain interim reports to stockholders and Quarterly  Reports
                  on Form 10-Q of Raritan,

               *  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of United,

               *  Certain internal  financial  analyses and forecasts for United
                  prepared by Keefe,  Bruyette and United management; 

               *  Consensus  "street" earnings per share estimates for United of
                  $1.69 in 1998 and  $1.85 in 1999 that  were  published  by the
                  Institutional Brokers Estimate System, known as IBES; and

               *  Certain internal  financial anaylses and forecasts for Raritan
                  prepared by Raritan and its financial advisors, the underlying
                  assumptions  of which were reviewed  during due diligence with
                  the management of Raritan;

         *  held  discussions  with members of senior  management of Raritan and
            United regarding

               *  past and current business operations,

                                       34

<PAGE>

               *  regulatory relationships,

               *  financial condition, and

               *  budgets, financial analyses, forecasts and future prospects of
                  the respective companies;

         *  compared certain financial and stock market  information for Raritan
            and United with similar information for certain other companies with
            publicly traded securities;

         *  reviewed the financial terms of certain recent business combinations
            in the banking industry; and

         *  performed   other   studies  and  analyses   that  it  considered  
            appropriate.


         In conducting its review and arriving at its opinion,  Keefe,  Bruyette
relied upon and assumed the accuracy and  completeness  of all of the  financial
and other information provided to it or publicly available.  Keefe, Bruyette did
not attempt to verify that  information  independently.  Keefe,  Bruyette relied
upon the management of United as to the  reasonableness and achievability of the
financial and operating forecasts and projections, and the assumptions and bases
therefor,  provided  to Keefe,  Bruyette.  Keefe,  Bruyette  assumed  that those
forecasts and projections  reflected the best available  estimates and judgments
of United  management and that those forecasts and projections  will be realized
in the amounts and in the time periods  estimated by United  management.  Keefe,
Bruyette  also assumed,  without  independent  verification,  that the aggregate
allowances  for loan losses for  Raritan and United are  adequate to cover those
losses.  Keefe, Bruyette did not make or obtain any evaluations or appraisals of
the  property of Raritan or United,  and did not examine any  individual  credit
files.

         Raritan and Endicott,  its outside financial advisors,  provided Keefe,
Bruyette with certain projections. These included Raritan's internal 1998 budget
and income projections beyond 1998 prepared by Endicott. Raritan's budget showed
income per share of $1.65 in 1998 and Endicott's  projections  showed income per
share of $1.81 in 1999,  $2.01 in 2000,  $2.24 in 2001,  $2.49 in 2002, $2.77 in
2003 and $3.05 in 2004. Keefe,  Bruyette and certain  representatives  of United
reviewed with members of Raritan  management the budgets,  forecasts and related
underlying  assumptions  used by Raritan  management.  After  those  initial due
diligence  discussions,  Keefe, Bruyette prepared revised earnings estimates for
Raritan on a stand-alone  basis of $1.58 in 1998,  $1.65 in 1999, $1.78 in 2000,
$1.92 in  2001,  $2.08 in 2002 and  $2.24  in 2003.  Prior to  finalizing  these
revised  estimates,  Keefe,  Bruyette  and members of the  management  of United
discussed  the basis for those  revisions  with  members  of the  management  of
Raritan.  Keefe, Bruyette used its revised estimates and underlying  assumptions
in preparing its analyses and related opinion for the United Board.

         The projections  furnished to Keefe, Bruyette and used by it in certain
of its analyses  were  prepared by the senior  management of United and Raritan.
United and Raritan do not publicly disclose internal  management  projections of
the type  provided  to Keefe,  Bruyette  in  connection  with its  review of the
merger.  As a result,  those  projections and the revisions to those projections
made by Keefe, Bruyette were not prepared with a view towards public disclosure.
The  projections  were based on numerous  variables  and  assumptions  which are
inherently  uncertain,   including  factors  related  to  general  economic  and
competitive  conditions.  Accordingly,  actual results could vary  significantly
from those set forth in the projections.

         The following is a summary of the material analyses presented by Keefe,
Bruyette  to the United  Board on  September  22,  1998 in  connection  with its
September 22 opinion:

         Transaction   Summary.    Keefe,   Bruyette   calculated   the   merger
consideration  to be paid  pursuant  to the  exchange  ratio  as a  multiple  of
Raritan's  book value,  1998 and 1999  earnings.  This  computation  assumed the
Keefe,  Bruyette  estimates of Raritan's earnings per share of $1.58 in 1998 and
$1.65 in 1999,  and an exchange  ratio of 1.45 (prior to adjustment for United's
10% stock dividend).  Based on those  assumptions,  this analysis indicated that
Raritan  stockholders  would receive  shares of United common stock worth $38.40
for each  share of  Raritan  common  stock  held,  and that  this  amount  would
represent  a  multiple  of 3.06  times  book  value per  share,  and 23.3  times
estimated 1999 earnings per share.

         Pro Forma Merger Analysis.  Keefe,  Bruyette performed pro forma merger
analyses that combined  projected income statement and balance sheet information
for both United and Raritan.  Keefe,  Bruyette  discussed these projections with
the management of United and Raritan.  Keefe,  Bruyette used certain assumptions
regarding  the  accounting  treatment,  acquisition  adjustments,  cost savings,
revenue enhancements,  stock option treatment and other factors to calculate the
financial impact that the acquisition would have on certain projected  financial
results of United.  This  analysis  indicated  that the  merger is  expected  to
decrease  United's  book value per share and be accretive to United's  projected
1999 earnings per share. This analysis was based on the Keefe, Bruyette Research
Department's  estimates  of  United's  1999  earnings  per share and on  certain
management  estimates  of  expected  cost  savings,   revenue  enhancements  and
non-recurring  charges to be incurred by United in  connection  with the merger.
The actual results achieved by the combined company will vary from the projected
results and the variations may be material.

         Internal Rate of Return Analysis. Keefe, Bruyette performed an internal
rate of return  analysis to  determine  a range of returns on  United's  initial
equity  investment in Raritan.  The cash flows from the equity  investment  were
determined  by adding the value of the  estimated  future  earnings that Raritan
could  generate  in the four year  period  from 1999 to 2002,  and the effect of
estimated  after-tax cost savings.  The  assumptions,  which formed the basis of
this  analysis,  included  earnings of $4.2  million in 1999 and $4.5 million in
2000,  and an 8.00%  earnings per share growth rate in 2001 and 2002 for Raritan
on a stand-alone basis. The terminal values applied to the cash flows at the end
of 2002 were  determined  by  applying a range of  projected  price-to  earnings
multiples  (14x to 26x) to  projected  net income for Raritan for the year 2002.
Keefe, Bruyette presented a table showing the foregoing analysis with a range in
size of the initial equity  investment and range of terminal cash flow multiples
from 14x to 26x;  this  resulted in annual  returns  from 13.5% to 29.8% for the
merger.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


            Summary of Internal Rate of Return Analysis
 ------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  Terminal Multiple                              Internal Rate of Return
 ------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
        <S>                                               <C>
        14.0x                                             13.5%

        16.0x                                             16.8%

        18.0x                                             19.8%

        20.0x                                             22.5%

        22.0x                                             25.1%

        24.0x                                             27.6%

        26.0x                                             29.8%

</TABLE>

         Selected  Transaction   Analysis.   Keefe,  Bruyette  reviewed  certain
financial data related to a set of comparable New Jersey bank and thrift holding
company acquisitions since January 1, 1998.

<PAGE>

         Keefe,  Bruyette compared multiples of price to various factors for the
United-Raritan  merger to the same multiples for the comparable  group's mergers
at the time those mergers were announced. The results were as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           Multiple of Price to Factor
                           ---------------------------

      Factor Considered                       Comparable Group Average       United-Raritan Merger
      -----------------                       ------------------------       ---------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                          <C>
Future 12 Months Earnings                                26.3x                        24.4x

Trailing 12 Months Earnings                              31.8x                        24.9x

Stated Book Value                                        2.57x                        3.06x

Estimated Tangible Book Value                            2.60x                        3.10x

Tangible Book Premium To Core Deposits Value
                                                         19.4x                        19.8x

</TABLE>

                                       36

<PAGE>


         Keefe,  Bruyette  repeated this analysis  using current  acquiror stock
prices. The results were as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           Multiple of Price to Factor
                           ---------------------------

     Factor Considered                       Comparable Group Average    United-Raritan Merger
     -----------------                       ------------------------    ---------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                          <C> 
Future 12 Months Earnings                                22.8x                        24.4x


Trailing 12 Months Earnings                              26.8x                        24.9x


Stated Book Value                                        2.23x                         3.06x


Estimated Tangible Book Value                            2.25x                         3.10x


Tangible Book Premium To Core Deposits Value
                                                         17.0x                        19.8x


</TABLE>


<PAGE>

         No company or transaction used as a comparison in the above analysis is
identical to Raritan,  United or the merger.  Accordingly,  an analysis of these
results is not  mathematical.  Rather,  it involves complex  considerations  and
judgments concerning  differences in financial and operating  characteristics of
the companies  and other  factors that could affect the public  trading value of
the companies to which they are being compared.

         Selected Peer Group Analysis.  Keefe,  Bruyette  compared the financial
performance and market  performance of Raritan to those of a group of comparable
holding companies. The comparisons were based on:


         *  various financial measures:

               *  earnings performance

               *  operating efficiency

               *  capital adequacy

               *  asset quality

                  and

         *  various measures of market performance including:

               *  market/book values

               *  price to earnings

               *  dividend yields

To perform this analysis,  Keefe,  Bruyette used the financial information as of
and for the  quarter  ended June 30,  1998 and market  price  information  as of
September  21, 1998.  The companies in the peer group were New Jersey banks that
had total assets ranging from $650 million to $32 billion.

                                       37

<PAGE>


         Keefe,  Bruyette's analysis showed the following  concerning  Raritan's
financial performance:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     Performance Measure                                 Raritan          Peer Group
     -------------------                                 -------          ----------
<S>                                                       <C>                <C>
Return on Equity, annualized                              12.86%             15.55%

Return on Assets, annualized                               0.97%              1.17%

Net Interest Margin, annualized                            3.29%              4.30%

Efficiency Ratio, annualized                              57.48%             56.35%

Equity to Assets                                           7.33%              7.38%

Non-Performing Assets to Total Loans and Other Real
Estate Owned                                               0.61%              1.03%

Loan Loss Reserve to Nonperforming Loans
                                                           187%               309%

</TABLE>


         Keefe,  Bruyette's analysis showed the following  concerning  Raritan's
market performance:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     Performance Measure                                 Raritan          Peer Group
     -------------------                                 -------          ----------
<S>                                                       <C>                <C>
Price to Earnings Multiple, based on 1998 estimated       20.89x             14.76x
earnings

Price to Book Multiples                                    2.46x              2.30x

Dividend Yield                                             1.82%              2.43%


</TABLE>


For purposes of the above  calculations,  all earnings  estimates are based upon
the Keefe, Bruyette estimates for Raritan.

<PAGE>

         Contribution   Analysis.   Keefe,   Bruyette   analyzed   the  relative
contribution  of each of United and Raritan to certain pro forma  balance  sheet
and income  statement items of the combined entity.  The  contribution  analysis
showed:

         Raritan Contribution To:
                  Combined Common Equity             20.7%
                  Combined Estimated Net Income
                     with Cost Savings               27.8%
                  Combined Total Assets              23.0%
         Raritan Estimated Pro Forma Ownership       25.8%

Keefe,  Bruyette  compared the relative  contribution  of the balance  sheet and
income  statement  items with the  estimated  pro forma  ownership  for  Raritan
stockholders  based  on an  exchange  ratio of 1.45,  prior  to  adjustment  for
United's 10% stock dividend.

         Other Analyses.  Keefe,  Bruyette  reviewed the relative  financial and
market  performance of United and Raritan to a variety of relevant industry peer
groups and indices.  Keefe,  Bruyette also reviewed earnings estimates,  balance
sheet  composition,  historical  stock  performance and other financial data for
Raritan.

         In  connection  with its  opinion  dated  as of the date of this  proxy
statement-prospectus,   Keefe,  Bruyette  performed  procedures  to  update,  as
necessary, certain of the analyses described above. Keefe, Bruyette reviewed the
assumptions on which the

                                       38

<PAGE>

analyses  described  above were based and the factors  considered  in connection
therewith.  Keefe,  Bruyette  did not perform any  analyses in addition to those
described above in updating its September 22, 1998 opinion.

         The  United  Board  has  retained  Keefe,  Bruyette  as an  independent
contractor to act as financial  adviser to United regarding the merger.  As part
of its investment banking business,  Keefe,  Bruyette is continually  engaged in
the valuation of banking  businesses  and their  securities  in connection  with
mergers  and  acquisitions,  negotiated  underwritings,   competitive  biddings,
secondary  distributions of listed and unlisted  securities,  private placements
and valuations for estate,  corporate and other purposes.  As specialists in the
securities  of  banking  companies,  Keefe,  Bruyette  has  experience  in,  and
knowledge of, the valuation of banking  enterprises.  In the ordinary  course of
its  business  as a  broker-dealer,  Keefe,  Bruyette  may,  from  time to time,
purchase  securities  from,  and sell  securities  to, United and Raritan.  As a
market maker in securities Keefe,  Bruyette may from time to time have a long or
short  position  in, and buy or sell,  debt or equity  securities  of United and
Raritan for Keefe, Bruyette's own account and for the accounts of its customers.

         United and Keefe,  Bruyette have entered into an agreement  relating to
the services to be provided by Keefe,  Bruyette in  connection  with the merger.
United  has  agreed  to pay  Keefe,  Bruyette  a cash  fee  of  $400,000  at the
consummation  of  the  merger.   Pursuant  to  the  Keefe,  Bruyette  engagement
agreement,  United also  agreed to  reimburse  Keefe,  Bruyette  for  reasonable
out-of-pocket  expenses  and  disbursements  incurred  in  connection  with  its
retention  and  to  indemnify  Keefe,   Bruyette  against  certain  liabilities,
including liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Opinion of Raritan's Financial Advisor

         In deciding to approve the merger,  Raritan's Board considered the oral
opinion rendered by its financial advisor  Endicott,  on September 20, 1998 that
the exchange ratio was fair, from a financial point of view, to the shareholders
of Raritan as of that date.  Endicott's  September  20, 1998 opinion was updated
and  rendered  in written  form as of  February  24,  1999,  and is  attached as
Appendix C to this joint proxy  statement-prospectus.  We encourage  you to read
Appendix C.

         Endicott  will review and possibly  revise its fairness  opinion in the
event that  Raritan's  termination  right based on a decline in  United's  stock
price is triggered. See the discussion under "Special Termination Provisions" on
pages 48 - 50.

         Since April 1996,  Endicott has formally acted as financial  advisor to
Raritan on a  contractual  basis.  Endicott  was  retained  to  provide  general
financial  advisory  services  and  also  to  specifically   advise  Raritan  in
connection with its strategic planning and merger and acquisition activities.

         The  investment  banking  business of Endicott  includes  valuation  of
financial  institutions  and their  securities  in  connection  with mergers and
acquisitions and other corporate transactions.  The Raritan Board chose Endicott
because  of  its  expertise,  experience  and  familiarity  with  the  financial
institutions industry.

         In connection with its acting as financial  advisor to Raritan,  at the
September  20,  1998  meeting at which the  Raritan  Board  approved  the merger
agreement, Endicott delivered its oral opinion to the Raritan Board, that, as of
that date, the exchange ratio was fair,  from a financial  point of view, to the
holders of shares of Raritan  common stock.  Endicott has delivered to Raritan a
written opinion dated the date of this joint proxy statement-prospectus that, as
of the date of the opinion, the exchange ratio is fair from a financial point of
view, to the holders of Raritan's  common stock.  We have attached the full text
of that  opinion as Appendix C to this  document and  incorporated  it herein by
reference.  The  description of the opinion set forth herein is qualified in its
entirety by reference  to Appendix C. Holders of Raritan  common stock are urged
to  read  the  opinion  in its  entirety  for a  description  of the  procedures
followed,  assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications on the review
undertaken by Endicott in connection  herewith.  The opinion is directed only to
the exchange ratio and does not constitute a  recommendation  to any stockholder
of Raritan as to how the stockholder should vote at the Raritan meeting.

                                       39

<PAGE>


         The  Raritan  Board did not impose any  limitations  on  Endicott  with
respect  to the  investigation  made  or  procedures  followed  by  Endicott  in
rendering  its fairness  opinion.  In  connection  with  rendering  its fairness
opinion  to the  Raritan  Board,  Endicott  performed  a  variety  of  financial
analyses.  The  following  is a  summary  of  the  material  financial  analyses
performed by Endicott. Endicott believes that its analyses must be considered as
a whole and that selecting  portions of the analyses and the factors  considered
therein,   without  considering  all  factors  and  analyses,  could  create  an
incomplete  view of the  analyses  and the  processes  underlying  the  fairness
opinion of Endicott.  The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process
involving  subjective  judgments and is not  necessarily  susceptible to partial
analyses  or  summary  description.  In its  analyses,  Endicott  made  numerous
assumptions  with  respect  to  industry  performance,   business  and  economic
conditions  and various other  matters,  many of which are beyond the control of
Raritan and United.  Any  estimates  contained  in  Endicott's  analyses are not
necessarily  indicative of future results or values,  which may be significantly
more or less favorable than those estimates. Estimates of values of companies do
not  purport to be  appraisals  or  necessarily  reflect the prices at which the
companies or their securities may be sold.

         The  following is a summary of selected  analyses  prepared by Endicott
and presented to the Raritan Board in connection with  Endicott's  September 20,
1998  opinion and analyzed by Endicott in  connection  with that opinion and the
updated opinion delivered in connection with this proxy statement.  In preparing
its updated  opinion,  Endicott  updated  certain  analyses  described  below to
reflect  certain market  conditions and events  occurring  since the date of its
September 20 opinion. These reviews and updates led Endicott to conclude that it
was not necessary to change the  conclusions  it had reached in connection  with
rendering its September 20 opinion.


Analysis of Publicly Traded Companies

         In  preparing  its  presentation,   Endicott  used  publicly  available
information to compare selected financial and market information, including book
value,  tangible book value,  earnings,  asset quality ratios, loan loss reserve
levels,  profitability and capital adequacy for United and other publicly traded
regional  commercial banks located in the Mid-Atlantic  United States. This peer
group consisted of institutions ranging in assets from $1 billion to $2 billion.
Endicott used similar data for nationwide  high-performing  commercial  banks in
the same  asset  size  range  that had a return  on equity  for the last  fiscal
quarter of greater  than 15% and a  price-to-tangible  book value  greater  than
200%. Endicott reviewed the historical financial  information for United and the
median value for each group since December 1993.  Endicott calculated a range of
imputed  stock market  valuation of United  common stock based on the  valuation
multiples of the selected peer groups at December 31, 1997,  June 30, 1998,  and
September 15, 1998. The ranges obtained were as follows:

            *  December 31, 1997            $29.24 to $36.78
            *  June 30, 1998                $30.98 to $40.05
            *  September 15, 1998           $25.58 to $32.82

         Separately,  Endicott  performed  a similar  analysis  for  Raritan and
comparable publicly traded companies.  The peers consisted of a group of savings
institutions located in the Mid-Atlantic States with assets ranging between $200
million and $600 million and nationwide high performing savings institutions

                                       40

<PAGE>

within the same asset size range with  return on equity  greater  than 12.5% and
price-to-tangible  book value greater than 150%.  Endicott calculated a range of
imputed  stock market  valuation of Raritan  common stock based on the valuation
multiples of the selected peer groups at December 31, 1997,  June 30, 1998,  and
September 15, 1998. The ranges obtained were as follows:

            *  December 31, 1997            $18.23 to $30.30
            *  June 30, 1998                $19.54 to $29.68
            *  September 15, 1998           $15.62 to $23.40

Analyses of Selected Merger Transactions

         Endicott reviewed merger and acquisition  transactions  announced since
January 1, 1990 involving public savings  institutions as acquirees and having a
transaction value over $15 million. Among those reviewed were:


       *  "1998  Nationwide  Transactions,"  which  are  transactions  announced
          between January 1, 1998 and September 9, 1998, and

       *  "1998 Regional Transactions," which are transactions involving savings
          institutions  located in the  Mid-Atlantic  States  announced  between
          January 1, 1998 and September 8, 1998.

         Endicott  reviewed the price to last twelve months  earnings,  price to
book value,  price to tangible book value,  price to deposits,  price to assets,
and deposit  premium paid in each  transaction and computed high, low, mean, and
median ratios and premiums for the respective group of transactions.  Endicott's
computations  yielded the following  median  multiples  for the 1998  Nationwide
Transactions and the 1998 Regional Transactions,  respectively, as compared with
the following indicated multiples for the merger:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          Median 1998 Nationwide    Median 1998 Regional   United Raritan Merger
                                          ----------------------    --------------------   ---------------------
<S>                                              <C>                       <C>                     <C>
Price to Last Twelve Months Earnings
                                                  26.12x                   26.72x                  24.36x

Price to Book Value                              220.18%                   205.1%                  285.0%

Price to Tangible Book Value                      222.0%                   205.1%                  288.4%

Core Deposit Premiums                              21.6%                    21.3%                   20.0%

</TABLE>

Based upon the  median  multiples  for 1998  Nationwide  Transactions,  Endicott
derived an imputed  range of values per share of Raritan  common stock of $27.19
to $43.02.  Based upon the median  multiples for 1998  Nationwide  Transactions,
Endicott derived an imputed range of values per share of Raritan common stock of
$27.52 to $43.02.

         No  company or  transaction,  used in this  analysis  is  identical  to
Raritan,  United or the  merger.  Accordingly,  an analysis of the result of the
foregoing is not mathematical;  rather, it involves complex  considerations  and
judgments concerning  differences in financial and operating  characteristics of
the companies and other factors that would affect the public  trading  values of
the companies or company to which they are being compared.

         In addition to the analysis of selected merger  transactions,  Endicott
reviewed the stock market  performance of the most active  acquirers of banks in
the country. Endicott considered the impact that the recent drop in the value of
the stocks of such  acquiring  companies  would  have on merger and  acquisition
pricing in the near future.

                                       41

<PAGE>

Discounted Earnings, Dividend Stream and Terminal Value Analysis

         Using  a  discount  earnings,   dividend  stream,  and  terminal  value
analysis,  Endicott  estimated the future stream of earnings  flows that Raritan
could be expected to produce through 2004 under various growth  assumptions.  To
approximate the terminal value of Raritan common stock at the end of the period,
Endicott  applied  price to earnings  multiples  of between  10.0x and 22.0x and
price to tangible book value  multiples of between 100% and 300%. The net income
streams  and  terminal  values  were then  discounted  to present  values  using
different discount rates chosen to reflect different  assumptions  regarding the
required rates of return  holders of prospective  buyers of Raritan common stock
would  expect.  This  analysis  assumed that Raritan  continued its current cash
dividend policy and indicated a reference range of between $15.27 and $43.41 per
share.  When a 10.0%  discount  rate  was  applied  to  expected  merger  market
multiples,  the  analysis  indicated a  reference  range of $29.09 to $37.84 per
share.

Pro Forma Merger Analysis

         Endicott  performed pro forma merger  analyses that combined  Raritan's
and United's current and projected  incomes and balance sheets based on earnings
forecasts  of Raritan  and United that were  prepared  by  Endicott  and Raritan
management. The earnings forecasts for United were generally consistent with the
consensus  "street"  earnings per share estimated for United that were published
by the  Institutional  Brokers Estimate  System,  known as IBES, which estimated
earnings  per share for  United of $1.69 in 1998 and $1.85 in 1999.  Assumptions
and analyses of the accounting treatment,  acquisitions  adjustments,  operating
efficiencies and other  adjustments were made to arrive at a base case pro forma
analysis to determine the effect of the  transaction on both Raritan and United.
Endicott noted that, based on a $36.25 per share price for each share of Raritan
common  stock,  the impact of the merger on United's  earnings per share did not
appear to be  material  while  there was an initial  10%  dilution  to  United's
tangible book value per share based on such forecasts.

         In  connection  with  rendering  its September 20, 1998 opinion and its
updated opinion attached as Appendix C, Endicott reviewed and considered,  among
other things:

         *  the merger agreement;

         *  audited   consolidated   financial   statements   and   management's
            discussion  and  analysis  of  financial  condition  and  results of
            operations  for Raritan for the three fiscal  years ending  December
            31, 1995,  December 31,  1996,  December 31, 1997 and the  unaudited
            consolidated  financial statements of Raritan for the periods ending
            March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998;

         *  audited   consolidated   financial   statements   and   management's
            discussion  and  analysis  of  financial  condition  and  results of
            operations  for United for the three fiscal years ended December 31,
            1995,  December  31, 1996,  and December 31, 1997 and the  unaudited
            consolidated  financial  statements of United for the periods ending
            March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998;

         *  financial  analyses and forecasts for United and Raritan prepared by
            Endicott and Raritan management, the underlying assumptions of which
            were reviewed  during due diligence with the  managements of Raritan
            and United;

         *  the  views of  senior  management  of  Raritan  and  United of their
            respective past and current  business  operations,  results thereof,
            financial condition and future prospects;

         *  certain reported price and trading activity for Raritan common stock
            and United common stock, including a comparison of certain financial
            and stock  market  information  for Raritan and United with  similar
            information  for certain other companies the securities of which are
            publicly traded;

                                       42

<PAGE>

         *  the financial terms of recent  business  combinations in the banking
            industry;

         *  the pro forma impact of the transaction on United;

         *  the current market environment generally and the banking environment
            in particular; and

         *  such   other   information,    financial   studies,   analyses   and
            investigations  and  financial,  economic and market  criteria which
            Endicott considered relevant.


         Raritan retained Endicott to act as independent  financial advisor,  to
render  general  advisory  services and also to  specifically  advise Raritan in
connection with its strategic  planning and merger and  acquisition  activities.
Pursuant  to its  agreement  with  Endicott,  Raritan  paid  Endicott  a fee for
rendering its fairness  opinion relating to the merger at the September 20, 1998
meeting  of the  Raritan  Board.  In  addition,  Raritan  will  pay  Endicott  a
transaction fee equal to 1.0 % of the aggregate value of the consideration to be
paid by United in the merger.  Approximately 25% of the transaction fee was paid
on the signing of the merger  agreement and the remaining  portion is payable at
the closing of the merger.  Raritan expects to pay Endicott a total  transaction
fee of approximately $1 million for its services in connection with the merger.

         Raritan  has also  agreed  to  reimburse  Endicott  for its  reasonable
out-of-pocket  expense  in  connection  with  its  engagement  and to  indemnify
Endicott and its affiliates and their respective partners, directors,  officers,
employees,   agents  and  controlling   persons  against  certain  expenses  and
liabilities,  including liabilities under securities laws. Raritan paid Endicott
a quarterly  retainer of $7,500 during the two years before the merger agreement
was signed.


Resale Considerations Regarding United Common Stock
- ---------------------------------------------------

         The shares of United  common stock that will be issued if the merger is
consummated  have  been  registered  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933.  These
registered  shares will be freely  transferable,  except for shares  received by
persons,  including  directors  and  executive  officers of Raritan,  who may be
deemed to be  "affiliates"  of  Raritan  under  Rule 145  promulgated  under the
Securities Act. An "affiliate" of an issuer is defined generally as a person who
"controls" the issuer. Directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders may be
deemed to control the  issuer.  Affiliates  may not sell their  shares of United
common stock acquired  pursuant to the merger,  except  pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the United common stock
or in  compliance  with  Rule  145 or  another  applicable  exemption  from  the
registration requirements of the Securities Act.

         Persons  who may be  deemed  "affiliates"  of  Raritan  have  delivered
letters to United in which they have  agreed to  certain  restrictions  on their
ability to  transfer,  whether by sale or  otherwise,  any Raritan  common stock
owned by them and any United common stock acquired by them in the merger. United
required  these  restrictions  in order to  comply  with  the  accounting  rules
governing  a  pooling  of  interests,  and to  comply  with  Rule 145  under the
Securities  Act.  The  persons who may be deemed  affiliates  have agreed not to
transfer  the shares  during a period  which begins 30 days before the merger is
completed and ends when United publishes  financial results covering at least 30
days of  post-merger  combined  operations of United and Raritan.  Those persons
have also agreed not to transfer  their shares prior to that  restricted  period
without  giving  United  advance  notice  and an  opportunity  to  object if the
transfer would interfere with pooling of interests accounting for the merger.

                                       43

<PAGE>

Those persons have also agreed to refrain from transferring  United common stock
acquired by them in the merger,  except in compliance with certain  restrictions
imposed by Rule 145. Certificates representing the shares of United common stock
acquired by these persons in the merger will bear a legend  reflecting  that the
shares are  restricted in accordance  with the letter signed by them and may not
be transferred except in compliance with such restrictions.

         Persons who may be deemed  "affiliates"  of United have also  delivered
letters to United in which they have agreed not to transfer  United common stock
beneficially owned by them in violation of the pooling of interests restrictions
set forth above with respect to Raritan.

Conditions to the Merger
- ------------------------

         The  obligation  of each party to  consummate  the merger is subject to
satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including:

         *  approval of the merger  agreement by the shareholders of Raritan and
            United;

         *  receipt of all necessary consents, approvals and authorizations from
            federal  and  state  government   authorities  

         *  absence  of any  litigation  that would  restrain  or  prohibit  the
            consummation of the merger;

         *  receipt of a letter from United's independent  accountants regarding
            qualification  of the merger for  pooling  of  interests  accounting
            treatment; and

         *  receipt of an opinion of Pitney,  Hardin, Kipp & Szuch regarding the
            tax-free nature of the merger. If this condition is waived, i.e.. if
            the merger is not  necessarily  tax-free but United and Raritan wish
            to consummate it anyway,  Raritan will  resolicit its  shareholders'
            vote on the merger.

         The obligation of United to consummate  the merger is also  conditioned
on, among other things:

         *  continued accuracy of the  representations and warranties of Raritan
            contained in the merger agreement (subject to a materiality  "out");
            and

         *  performance by Raritan, in all material respects, of its obligations
            under the merger agreement.

         The obligation of Raritan to consummate the merger is also  conditioned
on, among other things:

         *  continued accuracy of the  representations  and warranties of United
            contained in the merger agreement (subject to a materiality "out");

         *  performance by United, in all material respects,  of its obligations
            under the merger agreement;

         *  receipt  by  Raritan  of the  fairness  opinion  letter of  Endicott
            attached as Appendix C to this proxy statement-prospectus; and

         *  the  appointment of Messrs.  Rus and Kelleher as directors of United
            and United National Bank.

                                       44

<PAGE>

Conduct of Business Pending the Merger
- --------------------------------------

         The merger agreement requires Raritan to conduct its business until the
merger takes effect only in the ordinary  course of business and consistent with
prudent banking  practices,  except as permitted  under the merger  agreement or
with the  written  consent of United.  Under the merger  agreement,  Raritan has
agreed not to take certain  actions  without the prior written consent of United
or unless permitted by the merger agreement,  including, among other things, the
following:

         *  change any  provision  of its charter,  bylaws or similar  governing
            documents;

         *  issue new stock,  grant an option, or declare,  set aside or pay any
            dividend other than Raritan's regular quarterly cash dividends up to
            $0.15 per share;

         *  grant anyone  severance or termination  pay   or enter  into or
            amend any employment agreement;

         *  adopt  any new  employee  benefit  plan,  or award any  increase  in
            compensation  or benefits;

         *  file any applications or make any contracts  regarding  branching or
            site location or relocation;

         *  agree to acquire any business or entity  (other than to foreclose on
            collateral for a defaulted loan);

         *  make any material change in its accounting  methods or practices not
            required by generally accepted accounting principles; and

         *  take any  action  that  would  cause any of its  representations  or
            warranties  in the  merger  agreement  to be  materially  untrue  or
            incorrect at the time the merger becomes effective.

         Under the merger agreement, Raritan cannot encourage or solicit or hold
discussions or  negotiations  with, or provide any  information  to, any person,
entity or group,  other than  United,  concerning  any (1)  merger,  (2) sale of
stock, (3) sale of substantial assets or liabilities outside the ordinary course
of  business  or (4)  similar  transactions.  However,  Raritan  may enter  into
discussions or  negotiations  or provide any  information in connection  with an
unsolicited  possible  transaction  of this  sort if the  Raritan  Board,  after
consulting   with   counsel,   determines  in  the  exercise  of  its  fiduciary
responsibilities  that it  should  take  such  actions.  Raritan  has  agreed to
promptly  communicate  to United the terms of any  proposal it may receive  with
respect to any such acquisition  transaction.  This restriction,  along with the
option described in the following section,  may deter other potential  acquirors
of Raritan.


Stock Option to United for Raritan Shares
- -----------------------------------------

         As a condition to United  entering  into the merger  agreement,  United
required  that  Raritan  grant  United a stock option that was designed to deter
other companies from attempting to acquire control of Raritan.  The option gives
United  the right to  purchase  for  $26.00  per share up to  470,000  shares of
Raritan common stock,  representing  19.9% of the outstanding  Raritan shares on
the date the  option was  granted.  The  option is  exercisable  only if certain
specific  triggering  events occur and the merger does not occur.  United has no
right to vote the shares covered by the option prior to its exercise.

                                       45

<PAGE>

         United could  recognize a gain if it  exercises  the option and resells
the shares it acquires  for more than the exercise  price.  The option may deter
other potential acquirors of Raritan,  since it would probably increase the cost
of acquiring all the shares of Raritan  common stock.  United's  exercise of the
option could also make pooling-of-interests  accounting treatment unavailable to
another potential  acquiror.  The agreement  granting the option is set forth as
Appendix B to this document.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants
- -----------------------------------------

         The merger  agreement  contains  customary mutual  representations  and
warranties, as well as covenants, relating to, among other things:

         *  corporate organization and similar corporate matters;

         *  authorization, execution and enforceability of the merger agreement;

         *  the accuracy of information  contained in each party's  filings with
            the SEC;

         *  the accuracy of information  supplied by each party in creating this
            document;

         *  compliance with applicable laws;

         *  the absence of material litigation;

         *  certain bank regulatory matters;

         *  the  absence of certain  material  changes or events  since June 30,
            1998;

         *  the adequacy of loan loss reserves; and

         *  each party's  preparations  to have its data  processing  systems be
            Year 2000 compliant.

Regulatory Approvals
- --------------------

         Consummation of the United-Raritan merger and the merger of The Raritan
Savings Bank into United  National  Bank  requires the approval of the Office of
the  Comptroller  of the Currency.  OCC approval was granted on January 8, 1999.
OCC approval does not constitute an endorsement of the merger or a determination
by the OCC that the terms of the merger are fair to the  shareholders of Raritan
or United.  United  received a letter from the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York
dated December 9, 1998 confirming that the merger does not require the filing of
a formal application with the Federal Reserve Board.

Management and Operations After the Merger
- ------------------------------------------

         As a result of the merger, Raritan will be merged with and into United,
with United as the  surviving  entity.  Immediately  following  the merger,  The
Raritan  Savings Bank will be merged with and into United  National  Bank,  with
United National Bank as the surviving entity. United National Bank will continue
to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of United.

         At the time  the  merger  becomes  effective,  each of  Arlyn  D.  Rus,
currently age 58, and William T. Kelleher,  Jr., currently age 47, will become a
director of both United and United National Bank. Mr. Rus is currently Chairman,
President and Chief  Executive  Officer of both Raritan and The Raritan  Savings
Bank. Mr. Rus

                                       46

<PAGE>

also  presently  serves as a member of the Board of  Directors of the New Jersey
League Savings and Community Bankers,  and as a Director of Somerset Health Care
Corporation.  Mr. Kelleher is currently a director of Raritan.  Mr. Kelleher has
served as a Director of Raritan since 1987 and of The Raritan Savings Bank since
1983. Mr.  Kelleher is a partner in the law firm of Kelleher and Moore,  and has
served as a  municipal  court judge in the Borough of  Somerville,  New  Jersey
since 1983 and in the Township of Branchburg since 1990.

Exchange of Certificates
- ------------------------

         When the merger takes effect, no one will any longer have any rights as
a Raritan  stockholder.  Certificates that represented  shares of Raritan common
stock  automatically will represent the shares of United common stock into which
the merger converts those shares of Raritan common stock.

         Promptly  after the merger takes effect,  United will have its exchange
agent send written  instructions  and a letter of  transmittal to each holder of
Raritan common stock,  indicating how to exchange Raritan stock certificates for
the United stock  certificates.  RARITAN  STOCKHOLDERS  SHOULD NOT SEND IN THEIR
STOCK CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

         Each share of United common stock issued in exchange for Raritan common
stock  will be  deemed  to have  been  issued  at the  time the  merger  becomes
effective.  Thus,  Raritan  stockholders  who receive United common stock in the
merger will be entitled to receive any dividend or other  distribution which may
be  payable to  holders  of record of United  common  stock as of any date on or
after the time the merger  becomes  effective.  However,  no  dividend  or other
distribution  will  actually be paid with respect to any shares of United common
stock until the  certificates  formerly  representing  shares of Raritan  common
stock have been  surrendered,  at which  time any  accrued  dividends  and other
distributions  on such  shares  of  United  common  stock  will be paid  without
interest. See "Consideration; Exchange Ratio; Cash instead of Fractional Shares"
on page 26.

         Raritan stockholders, promptly after they surrender their Raritan stock
certificates to the exchange agent, will receive a certificate  representing the
full number of shares of United  common stock into which their shares of Raritan
common  stock  have been  converted.  At the time the new stock  certificate  is
issued,  a check for the amount of the fractional  share interest,  if any, will
also be issued to each former Raritan stockholder.

Amendments
- ----------

         United and Raritan  may amend the merger  agreement  by mutual  written
consent at any time prior to the time of the merger. However, Delaware law would
require  Raritan to get  approval  from its  stockholders  of  certain  types of
amendments, such as an amendment that would decrease the exchange ratio.

                                       47

<PAGE>

Termination
- -----------

         Raritan and United may  terminate  the merger  agreement at any time by
mutual consent.

         Either Raritan or United may terminate the merger agreement for certain
reasons, including the following:

         *  the merger has not been completed by June 30, 1999;

         *  the  Raritan  or United  shareholders  fail to  approve  the  merger
            agreement at their meetings; or

         *  a regulatory  approval needed to complete the merger has been denied
            or withdrawn.

         United may terminate the merger agreement if:

         *  there has been a  material  adverse  change in  Raritan's  business,
            operations,  assets  or  financial  condition  since the date of the
            merger agreement;

         *  Raritan materially breaches the merger agreement; or

         *  a  regulatory  approval  needed to complete the merger is given with
            conditions which materially impair the value of Raritan to United.

         Raritan may terminate the merger agreement if:

         *  there  has been a  material  adverse  change in  United's  business,
            operations,  assets  or  financial  condition  since the date of the
            merger agreement; or

         *  United materially breaches the merger agreement.

         Upon a  termination  of the  merger  agreement,  the  merger  and other
transactions  contemplated  by the merger  agreement  will be abandoned  without
further action by any party and each party will bear its own expenses.

Special Termination Provisions
- ------------------------------

         The merger  agreement  also  contains  provisions  designed  to let the
Raritan Board terminate the agreement upon a "Termination  Event," which is when
both of the following occurs

*   the price of United  common  stock  falls by more than 15% from its level on
    September 21, 1998, which was $23.807 after adjusting for United's 10% stock
    dividend paid on November 2, 1998,

                                       and

*   the percentage drop in the price of United common stock is at least 10% more
    than the  percentage  drop in an index of 20  comparable  bank  stocks.  For
    example, if the bank stock index falls by 8%, United common stock would have
    to fall by more than 18% for the second test to be met.

                                       48

<PAGE>

         These particular termination provisions are also designed to let United
override the  termination by increasing the exchange ratio to a level that would
give Raritan  stockholders  consideration with the minimum value they could have
received without triggering the termination provisions.

         It is not  possible  to know  whether a  Termination  Event  will occur
before the Raritan  stockholders  vote at the Raritan meeting.  WE CANNOT ASSURE
YOU EITHER THAT THE RARITAN  BOARD WOULD  EXERCISE  ITS RIGHT TO  TERMINATE  THE
MERGER  AGREEMENT IF A TERMINATION  EVENT OCCURS,  OR THAT UNITED WOULD INCREASE
THE EXCHANGE RATIO TO OVERRIDE ANY SUCH TERMINATION BY RARITAN.

         The Raritan Board has not  determined if it would exercise its right to
terminate the merger agreement upon a Termination Event.  Similarly,  the United
Board has not determined if it would increase the exchange ratio to override any
termination by Raritan upon a Termination Event. In making these determinations,
each board would,  consistent with its fiduciary  duties,  take into account all
relevant facts and  circumstances  that exist at the time and would consult with
its financial advisors and legal counsel. By approving the merger agreement, the
stockholders  of Raritan will give the Raritan Board the power,  consistent with
its  fiduciary  duties,  to complete the merger  following a  Termination  Event
without any further action by, or resolicitation  of, the Raritan  stockholders.
By approving  the merger  agreement,  the  stockholders  of United will give the
United Board the power,  consistent with its fiduciary  duties,  to increase the
exchange  ratio and  complete  the merger  following a  Termination  Event and a
Raritan  termination  without any further action by, or  resolicitation  of, the
United stockholders.

         The working of these special  termination  provisions  can be explained
using the following definitions:

         "Determination  Date"-- the first day that all material  conditions  to
closing the merger have been met.

         "Determination  Price" -- the average of the closing  prices for United
common stock for the ten trading days ending with the Determination Date.

         "United  Average  Starting  Date  Price" -- the average of high and low
sale  price of United  common  stock on  September  21,  1998  (i.e.,  $26.188),
adjusted to reflect any stock split,  stock dividend or similar event  affecting
United  common stock through the closing of the merger.  Following  United's 10%
stock  dividend in November  1998,  the United  Average  Starting Date Price was
adjusted to $23.807.

         "United Floor Price" -- 85% of the United Average Starting Date Price.

         "United  Ratio" -- the number  obtained by dividing  the  Determination
Price by the United Average Starting Date Price.

         "Index  Price" -- the number  obtained  using the index of 20 financial
institutions set forth on Exhibit B to the merger agreement.

         "Index Ratio" -- the number obtained by dividing the Index Price on the
Determination  Date  by  the  Index  Price  on  September  21,  1998,  and  then
subtracting 0.10.

                                       49

<PAGE>

         Using these definitions, there is a "Termination Event" only if both of
the following are true:

         *  The Determination Price is less than the United Floor Price

                                       and

         *  The United Ratio is less than the Index Ratio.


         Under the merger  agreement,  Raritan has three business days following
the Determination Date to exercise its termination rights based on a Termination
Event.  United then has two business days to override the termination,  if it so
chooses,  by increasing  the exchange  ratio so that it equals the lesser of the
following two amounts:

         (1) a number  (rounded to four  decimals)  equal to a fraction in which
the numerator is the United Floor Price multiplied by the exchange ratio then in
effect and the denominator is the Determination Price, and

         (2) a number  (rounded to four  decimals)  equal to a fraction in which
the numerator is the Index Ratio multiplied by the exchange ratio then in effect
and the denominator is the United Ratio.

Accounting Treatment of the Merger
- ----------------------------------

         United expects to account for the merger under the pooling of interests
method  of  accounting  in  accordance   with  generally   accepted   accounting
principles. Each party's obligation to consummate the merger is conditioned upon
United's  receiving a letter from its independent  public  accountants  that the
merger  qualifies  for such  accounting  treatment.  Under  pooling of interests
accounting treatment, as of the time the merger becomes effective the assets and
liabilities  of Raritan would be added to those of United at their recorded book
values and the  stockholders'  equity  accounts of United and  Raritan  would be
combined on  United's  consolidated  balance  sheet.  On a pooling of  interests
accounting basis,  income and other financial  statements of United issued after
the  merger  is  completed  would  be  restated  retroactively  to  reflect  the
consolidated combined financial position and results of operations of United and
Raritan as if the merger had taken place  prior to the  periods  covered by such
financial  statements.  The pro forma  financial  information  contained in this
joint  proxy  statement  has  been  prepared  using  the  pooling  of  interests
accounting  method  to  account  for  the  merger.   See  "Pro  Forma  Financial
Information" beginning on page 52.

         Both the  pooling-of-interests  and purchase  methods of accounting are
acceptable methods of recording  business  combinations.  However,  they are not
alternative choices in accounting for the same transaction.  If all the criteria
for recording a  transaction  as a pooling are met, the  transaction  must be so
recorded.  The  method  of  accounting  for a  business  combination  can have a
significant  effect  on the  reported  earnings  and  financial  condition  of a
company.  Typically,  pooling accounting will result in higher reported earnings
for the  acquiring  company  both in the year the  merger  closes  and in future
years, when compared with purchase  accounting.  Typically,  pooling  accounting
will result in lower net worth being reported by the acquiring company following
the merger.  United  anticipates  that the higher  reported  earnings  likely to
result from the use of  pooling-of-interest  accounting in this  acquisition may
have a positive effect on the market valuation for United common stock.

                                       50

<PAGE>

Federal Income Tax Consequences
- -------------------------------

         THE  FOLLOWING  IS A  DISCUSSION  OF THE  MATERIAL  FEDERAL  INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER. THE DISCUSSION MAY NOT APPLY TO SPECIAL  SITUATIONS,
SUCH AS THOSE OF ANY RARITAN STOCKHOLDERS

       *  WHO RECEIVED  UNITED COMMON STOCK UPON THE EXERCISE OF EMPLOYEE  STOCK
          OPTIONS OR OTHERWISE AS COMPENSATION,

       *  THAT HOLD RARITAN  COMMON STOCK AS PART OF A "STRADDLE" OR "CONVERSION
          TRANSACTION", OR

       *  THAT  ARE   INSURANCE   COMPANIES,   SECURITIES   DEALERS,   FINANCIAL
          INSTITUTIONS OR FOREIGN PERSONS.

THIS  DISCUSSION  DOES NOT  ADDRESS  ANY  ASPECTS  OF  STATE,  LOCAL OR  FOREIGN
TAXATION.  IT IS BASED UPON LAWS,  REGULATIONS,  RULINGS  AND  DECISIONS  NOW IN
EFFECT  AND ON  PROPOSED  REGULATIONS.  ALL OF THESE  ARE  SUBJECT  TO CHANGE BY
LEGISLATION,  ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION OR JUDICIAL DECISION,  AND THE CHANGES COULD
HAVE  RETROACTIVE  EFFECTS.  NO RULING  HAS BEEN OR WILL BE  REQUESTED  FROM THE
INTERNAL  REVENUE SERVICE ON ANY TAX MATTER RELATING TO THE TAX  CONSEQUENCES OF
THE MERGER.

         As an exhibit to the  Registration  Statement of which this joint proxy
statement  is a part,  Pitney,  Hardin,  Kipp & Szuch,  counsel to United,  have
advised  United and  Raritan in an  opinion  dated the date of this joint  proxy
statement that:

         *  the merger  will be treated  for  federal  income tax  purposes as a
            reorganization qualifying under the provisions of Section 368 of the
            Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         *  Raritan will not recognize any gain or loss.

         *  Raritan stockholders will not recognize any gain or loss for federal
            income tax  purposes  upon the  exchange  in the merger of shares of
            Raritan  common  stock solely for United  common stock  (except with
            respect to cash received  instead of a fractional  share interest in
            United common stock).

         *  The basis of United  common stock  received in the merger by Raritan
            stockholders  (including the basis of any fractional  share interest
            in United  common stock) will be the same as the basis of the shares
            of Raritan common stock that they surrendered in exchange therefor.

         *  The holding  period of United  common stock will include the holding
            period during which the shares of Raritan  common stock  surrendered
            in exchange therefor were held by the Raritan stockholder,  provided
            those shares of Raritan common stock were held as capital assets.

         *  Cash  received  by a holder of  Raritan  common  stock  instead of a
            fractional  share interest in United common stock will be treated as
            received in exchange  for such  fractional  share  interest.  If the
            fractional  share would have constituted a capital asset in hands of
            that holder, the holder generally should recognize a capital gain or
            loss equal to the amount of cash  received,  less the portion of the
            adjusted  tax  basis  in  Raritan  common  stock  allocable  to  the
            fractional share interest.

     Consummation of the merger is conditioned,  among other things,  on receipt
by each of United and  Raritan of an  opinion of Pitney,  Hardin,  Kipp & Szuch,
dated the closing date of the merger,  to the same effect.  If this condition is
waived,  i.e. if the merger is not  necessarily  tax-free but United and Raritan
wish to consummate it anyway,  Raritan will resolicit its stockholders'  vote on
the merger.

                                       51

<PAGE>


         The opinions of Pitney,  Hardin,  Kipp & Szuch  summarized above are or
will be based, among other things, on representations  contained in certificates
of officers of Raritan and United.

         BECAUSE CERTAIN TAX  CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON
THE PARTICULAR  CIRCUMSTANCES  OF EACH HOLDER OF RARITAN COMMON STOCK, AND OTHER
FACTORS, EACH RARITAN STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR
TO DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR TAX  CONSEQUENCES  TO THE  STOCKHOLDER OF THE MERGER
INCLUDING  THE  APPLICATION  AND EFFECT OF STATE AND LOCAL  INCOME AND OTHER TAX
LAWS.

No Dissenters' Rights
- ---------------------

         Under  applicable  New  Jersey and  Delaware  law,  neither  United nor
Raritan stockholders have dissenters' rights of appraisal in connection with the
merger.


                         PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         The following unaudited pro forma combined financial  information takes
into account  United's  recently  completed  acquisition  of State Bank of South
Orange in  addition  to the pending  acquisition  of Raritan.  The State Bank of
South Orange merger was  consummated on September 30, 1998 and was accounted for
as a pooling  of  interests.  Accordingly,  the  following  unaudited  pro forma
combined financial  information presents Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements
of Condition of United and Raritan at September  30, 1998,  giving effect to the
merger as if it had been  consummated  at such date.  Also presented are the Pro
Forma  Combined  Condensed  Statements  of  Income  for the  nine  months  ended
September 30, 1998 and the years ended  December 31, 1997,  1996 and 1995 giving
effect  to State  Bank of South  Orange  merger  and the  merger as if each were
consummated  on  January 1 of each  year.  The  unaudited  pro  forma  financial
information is based on the  historical  financial  statements of United,  State
Bank of South  Orange and  Raritan  after  giving  effect to State Bank of South
Orange merger and the merger under the pooling-of-interests method of accounting
and based upon the  assumptions and  adjustments  contained in the  accompanying
Notes to Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements.

         United  management  has prepared  the  unaudited  pro forma  financial
information based upon 

         *  the  historical  financial  statements  and related notes thereto of
            United and Raritan incorporated herein by reference, and

         *  the  historical  financial  statements  and related notes thereto of
            State Bank of South Orange.


The unaudited pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with
those  historical  financial  statements  and  notes.  The  Pro  Forma  Combined
Condensed  Statements  of Income are not  necessarily  indicative  of  operating
results that would have been  achieved had either the State Bank of South Orange
merger or the Raritan merger been consummated as of the beginning of the periods
for  which  such  data  are  presented  and  should  not be  construed  as being
representative of future periods.

         The pro forma financial information does not give effect to anticipated
cost savings of the merger.  In addition  one-time  merger related charges which
either have been or will be incurred in connection with the merger have not been
reflected in the Pro Forma  Statements  of Income but have been  reflected as of
September 30, 1998 in the Pro Forma Statements of Condition.


                                       52

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
                               September 30, 1998
                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                                                                     United and 
                                                                                                Pro Forma             Raritan
                                                        United (4)           Raritan           Adjustments            Combined
                                                     -----------------    --------------   ---------------------     ------------
                                                                         (Dollar Amounts in Thousands, except per share data)
                                                                          -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                   <C>                <C>                       <C> 
ASSETS
Cash and Due from Banks                               $         44,697      $     9,454     $        --            $      54,151
Federal Funds Sold                                              55,725           44,500              --                  100,225
Securities Available for Sale, at Market Value                 591,170           33,403          (2,777)(1)              621,796
Securities Held to Maturity                                     45,348           23,645              --                   68,993
Trading Account Securities, at Market Value                      1,043               --              --                    1,043
Loans (Net of Unearned Income)                                 709,067          306,153              --                1,015,220
Less:  Allowance for Possible Loan Losses                       (7,359)          (3,774)             --                  (11,133)
Other Assets                                                    77,019           20,174             500 (3)               97,693
                                                      ================     ============     ===========          ================
      Total Assets                                    $      1,516,710      $   433,555     $    (2,277)           $   1,947,988
                                                      ================     ============     ===========          ================

LIABILITIES
Deposits                                              $      1,124,530      $   359,491     $        --            $   1,484,021
Other Borrowed Funds                                           224,011           35,000              --                  259,011
Other Liabilities                                               21,771            5,481           7,966 (1)(3)            35,218
                                                      ----------------
                                                                           ------------     -----------          ----------------
      Total Liabilities                                      1,370,312          399,972           7,966                1,778,250
                                                      ----------------     ------------     -----------          ----------------

Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred 
      Series B Capital Securities of a Subsidiary 
      Trust Holding Junior Subordinated Debentures
      of the Company

                                                                20,000               --              --                   20,000

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock                                                    13,989               26           4,703 (2)               18,718
Additional Paid-In Capital                                     104,263           11,280          (8,149)(1)(2)           107,394
Retained Earnings                                                   --           23,762          (8,028)(3)(2)            15,734
Treasury Stock                                                  (1,352)          (1,748)          1,748 (2)               (1,352) 
Restricted Stock                                                   (64)            (195)            195 (3)                  (64) 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
      Income (Loss)                                              9,562              458            (712)(1)                9,308
                                                      ----------------     ------------     -----------          ----------------
      Total Stockholders' Equity                               126,398           33,583         (10,243)                 149,738
                                                      ----------------     ------------     -----------          ----------------

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity            $      1,516,710      $   433,555     $    (2,277)           $   1,947,988
                                                      ================      ===========     ===========           ===============


</TABLE>


(1)   Reflects the elimination of 84,150 shares of Raritan common stock owned by
      United at September 30, 1998.

(2)   The Pro Forma Combined  Condensed  Statements of Condition gives effect to
      the  merger by  combining  the  respective  balance  sheets of United  and
      Raritan at September 30, 1998 on a pooling-of interests basis. The capital
      accounts have been adjusted to reflect the issuance of 3,782,991 shares of
      United in  exchange  for all the  outstanding  shares of  Raritan  and the
      retirement of Raritan treasury stock.

(3)   Reflects  charges of approximately  $10,005,000,  $7,833,000 net of taxes,
      which primarily  includes  estimated  severance and outplacement  costs of
      $6,705,000,  investment banker and other  professional fees of $2,270,000,
      expenses  related to  facilities  closures  and fixed asset  disposals  of
      $670,000 and  consolidation  costs directly  attributable to the merger of
      $360,000.

(4)   Includes the Statement of Condition of State Bank of South  Orange,  which
      merger was consummated as of September 30, 1998.

                                       53

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998
                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                                                                    United and 
                                                                                              Pro Forma              Raritan
                                                   United (2)               Raritan          Adjustments            Combined
                                             -----------------------  ----------------    ---------------     ----------------------
                                                                    (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

<S>                                            <C>                   <C>                  <C>              <C>                  
 Total Interest Income                         $          76,856     $          22,323    $       --       $           99,179
 Total Interest Expense                                   33,989                12,366            --                   46,355
                                               ------------------    ------------------   -----------      -------------------
 Net Interest Income                                      42,867                 9,957            --                   52,824
 Provision for Possible Loan Losses                        2,169                   225            --                    2,394
                                               ------------------    ------------------   -----------      -------------------
 Net Interest Income After Provision
       For Possible Loan Losses                           40,698                 9,732            --                   50,430
 Total Non-Interest Income                                15,500                 1,140            --                   16,640
 Total Non-Interest Expense                               41,414                 6,304            --                   47,718
                                               ------------------    ------------------   -----------      -------------------
 Income Before Income Taxes                               14,784                 4,568            --                   19,352
 Provision for Income Taxes                                4,339                 1,358            --                    5,697
                                               ==================    ==================   ===========      ===================
 NET INCOME                                    $          10,445     $           3,210    $       --       $           13,655
                                               ==================    ==================   ===========      ===================

 EARNINGS PER COMMON
       SHARE:  (1)
       Basic                                   $            0.94     $            1.35                     $             0.92
                                               ==================    ==================                    ===================
       Diluted                                 $            0.93     $            1.27                     $             0.89
                                               ==================    ==================                    ===================

 Weighted Average Number of
       Shares Outstanding:
       Basic                                          11,083,000             2,369,608                             14,862,525
                                               ==================    ==================                    ===================
       Diluted                                        11,255,000             2,537,417                             15,302,180
                                               ==================    ==================                    ===================

</TABLE>


(1)   The historical earnings per share of United and Raritan have been restated
      to give retroactive effect to stock dividends and splits.

(2)   Includes the financial results of State Bank of South Orange, which merger
      was consummated as of September 30, 1998.

                                       54

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                             PRO   FORMA   COMBINED    CONDENSED
                                                   STATEMENTS  OF INCOME For the
                                                   Year Ended December 31, 1997
                                                                (Unaudited)



                                                                                United and
                                                       State                    State Bank                                
                                                       Bank of                   of South                                 United and
                                                       South       Pro Forma      Orange                     Pro Forma     Raritan
                                          United        Orange     Adjustments   Combined        Raritan     Adjustments   Combined
                                        ------------   ----------  -----------  ------------   -----------   -----------  ----------
                                                               (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                      <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>    
Total Interest Income                   $   88,577     $  5,182    $     --      $   93,759    $   27,647    $    --    $  121,406
Total Interest Expense                      36,700        2,241          --          38,941        14,525         --        53,466
                                        -----------    ---------   ---------     -----------   -----------   --------   -----------
Net Interest Income                         51,877        2,941          --          54,818        13,122         --        67,940
Provision for Possible Loan Losses           3,600          232          --           3,832           600                    4,432
                                        -----------    ---------   ---------     -----------   -----------   --------   -----------
Net Interest Income After Provision for
     Possible Loan Losses                   48,277        2,709          --          50,986        12,522         --        63,508
Total Non-Interest Income                   19,388          589          --          19,977         1,049         --        21,026
Total Non-Interest Expense                  47,420        2,168          --          49,588         7,464         --        57,052
                                        -----------    ---------   ---------     -----------   -----------   --------   -----------
Income Before Income Taxes                  20,245        1,130          --          21,375         6,107         --        27,482
Provision for Income Taxes                   6,365          471          --           6,836         2,199         --         9,035
                                                       ---------   ---------     -----------
                                        ===========                                            ===========   ========   ===========
NET INCOME                                  13,880     $    659          --          14,539         3,908    $    --    $   18,447
                                        ===========    =========   =========     ===========   ===========   ========   ===========

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: (1)
     Basic                                    1.36     $   1.03                        1.31          1.66               $     1.25
                                        ===========    =========                 ===========   ===========              ===========
     Diluted                                  1.35     $   1.03                        1.30          1.54               $     1.21
                                        ===========    =========                 ===========   ===========              ===========

Weighted Average Number of Shares
Outstanding:
     Basic                               10,193,075      639,575                  11,068,973    2,349,191                14,815,933
                                        ===========    =========                 ===========   ===========              ===========
     Diluted                             10,301,158      639,575                  11,177,056    2,531,981                15,215,566
                                        ===========    =========                 ===========   ===========              ===========

</TABLE>

(1)   The historical earnings per share of United and Raritan have been restated
      to give retroactive effect to stock dividends and splits.

                                       55

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             PRO   FORMA   COMBINED    CONDENSED
                                                   STATEMENTS  OF INCOME For the
                                                   Year Ended December 31, 1996
                                                                 (Unaudited)


                                                                                  United and
                                                      State                       State Bank                                United
                                                      Bank of                      of South                                 Bank and
                                                      South        Pro Forma        Orange                     Pro Forma    Raritan
                                         United         Orange     Adjustments     Combined       Raritan      Adjustments  Combined
                                       ------------   -----------  -----------   -------------  ------------   -----------  --------
                                                            (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                     <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>               <C>        <C>       
Total Interest Income                  $   79,360    $    4,691    $    --     $    84,051   $    24,931       $    --    $  108,982
Total Interest Expense                     30,130         2,051         --          32,181        12,857            --        45,038
                                       -----------   -----------   --------    ------------  ------------      --------   ----------
Net Interest Income                        49,230         2,640         --          51,870        12,074            --        63,944
Provision for Possible Loan Losses          3,049           192         --           3,241           450            --         3,691
                                       -----------   -----------   --------    ------------  ------------      --------   ----------
Net Interest Income After Provision
for                                        46,181         2,448         --          48,629        11,624            --        60,253
     Possible Loan Losses
Total Non-Interest Income                  15,546           540         --          16,086           720            --        16,806
Total Non-Interest Expense                 43,102         1,949         --          45,051         7,423            --        52,474
                                       -----------   -----------   --------    ------------  ------------      --------   ----------
Income Before Income Taxes                 18,625         1,039         --          19,664         4,921            --        24,585
Provision for Income Taxes                  6,345           251        205 (2)       6,801         1,813            --         8,614
                                       ===========   ===========   ========    ============  ============      ========   ==========
NET INCOME                             $   12,280    $      788    $  (205)         12,863   $     3,108       $    --    $   15,971
                                       ===========   ===========   ========    ============  ============      ========   ==========

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: (1)
     Basic                             $     1.21    $     1.23                       1.17   $      1.39                  $     1.09
                                       ===========   ===========               ============  ============                 ==========
     Diluted                           $     1.21    $     1.23                       1.16   $      1.27                  $     1.07
                                       ===========   ===========               ============  ============                 ==========

Weighted Average Number of Shares
Outstanding:
     Basic                              10,140,781      639,575                 11,016,679     2,242,258                  14,593,081
                                       ===========   ===========               ============  ============                 ==========
     Diluted                            10,190,091      639,575                 11,065,989     2,437,694                  14,954,111
                                       ===========   ===========               ============  ============                 ==========

</TABLE>

(1)   The historical earnings per share of United and Raritan have been restated
      to give retroactive effect to stock dividends and splits.

(2)   The pro forma  adjustment to the provision for income taxes relates to the
      reversal  of tax  benefits  previously  recognized  by State Bank of South
      Orange  in 1996  and  1995 as a result  of  State  Bank of South  Orange's
      reversal of its valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.  State Bank of
      South Orange established a valuation  allowance on its deferred tax assets
      upon adoption of Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No.
      109 in 1994 due to  uncertainties  regarding  State Bank of South Orange's
      ability to realize its deferred tax assets.  Subsequently,  as a result of
      improved  profitability  in 1995 and 1996,  the  valuation  allowance  was
      reversed, resulting in significant income tax benefits in both years.

      The valuation allowance that existed as of December 31, 1994 is not needed
      on a pro forma basis. The evaluation of the need for a valuation allowance
      is based on the combined results of United and State Bank of South Orange.
      United files consolidated tax returns with its subsidiaries, and therefore
      any  losses  sustained  by State Bank of South  Orange  would be offset by
      profits of United and its other subsidiaries. No valuation allowance would
      have been required as of December 31, 1994 had the  companies  always been
      combined.  Accordingly,  the pro forma financial  statements include a pro
      forma  adjustment to reflect what the changes to the  valuation  allowance
      would have been had the companies always been combined.

                                       56

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1995
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                                                  United
                                                                                  and
                                                      State                       State                                           
                                                      State                       Bank of                                  United
                                                      Bank of                     South                                    and 
                                                      South        Pro Forma      Orange                    Pro Forma      Raritan
                                           United     Orange      Adjustments     Combined     Raritan     Adjustments     Combined
                                         -----------  ---------- ---------------  ---------- ------------- -----------     ---------
                                                               (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                    <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>
Total Interest Income                  $   77,552    $    4,427   $     --    $   81,979    $   23,456          --      $   105,435
Total Interest Expense                     30,104         2,012         --        32,116        13,007          --           45,123
                                       -----------   -----------  ---------   -----------   -----------   ---------     ------------
Net Interest Income                        47,448         2,415         --        49,863        10,449          --           60,312
Provision for Possible Loan Losses            871           227         --         1,098           300          --            1,398
                                       -----------   -----------  ---------   -----------   -----------   ---------     ------------
Net Interest Income After Provision
for                                        46,577         2,188         --        48,765        10,149          --           58,914
     Possible Loan Losses
Total Non-Interest Income                  14,653           505         --        15,158           658          --           15,816
Total Non-Interest Expense                 47,429         1,942         --        49,371         6,593          --           55,964
                                       -----------   -----------  ---------   -----------   -----------   ---------     ------------
Income Before Income Taxes                 13,801           751         --        14,552         4,214          --           18,766
Provision for Income Taxes                  4,295            --        256 (2)     4,551         1,542          --            6,093
                                       ===========   ===========  =========   ===========   ===========   =========     ============
NET INCOME                             $    9,506    $      751   $   (256)   $   10,001    $    2,672          --      $    12,673
                                       ===========   ===========  =========   ===========   ===========   =========     ============

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: (1)
     Basic                             $     0.94    $     1.17               $     0.91    $     1.17                  $      0.87
                                       ===========   ===========              ===========   ===========                 ============
     Diluted                           $     0.94    $     1.17               $     0.91    $     1.09                  $      0.85
                                       ===========   ===========              ===========   ===========                 ============

Weighted Average Number of Shares
Outstanding:
     Basic                              10,085,368      639,575                 10,961,266   2,277,781                    14,594,327
                                       ===========   ===========              ===========   ===========                 ============
     Diluted                            10,122,829      639,575                 10,998,727   2,453,221                    14,911,614
                                       ===========   ===========              ===========   ===========                 ============

</TABLE>

(1)   The historical earnings per share of United and Raritan have been restated
      to give retroactive effect to stock dividends and splits.

(2)   The pro forma  adjustment to the provision for income taxes relates to the
      reversal  of tax  benefits  previously  recognized  by State Bank of South
      Orange  in 1996  and  1995 as a result  of  State  Bank of South  Orange's
      reversal of its valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.  State Bank of
      South Orange established a valuation  allowance on its deferred tax assets
      upon adoption of Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No.
      109 in 1994 due to  uncertainties  regarding  State Bank of South Orange's
      ability to realize its deferred tax assets.  Subsequently,  as a result of
      improved  profitability  in 1995 and 1996,  the  valuation  allowance  was
      reversed, resulting in significant income tax benefits in both years.

      The valuation allowance that existed as of December 31, 1994 is not needed
      on a pro forma basis. The evaluation of the need for a valuation allowance
      is based on the combined results of United and State Bank of South Orange.
      United files consolidated tax returns with its subsidiaries, and therefore
      any  losses  sustained  by State Bank of South  Orange  would be offset by
      profits of United and its other subsidiaries. No valuation allowance would
      have been required as of December 31, 1994 had the  companies  always been
      combined.  Accordingly,  the pro forma financial  statements include a pro
      forma  adjustment to reflect what the changes to the  valuation  allowance
      would have been had the companies always been combined.

                                       57

<PAGE>


                       DESCRIPTION OF UNITED CAPITAL STOCK

         The authorized capital stock of United consists of 16,000,000 shares of
United common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of September 30,
1998,   there  were  11,191,116   shares  of  United  common  stock  issued  and
outstanding,  including  103,734  treasury  shares,  adjusted  for the 10% stock
dividend  declared  on  September  15,  1998.  There  were no  shares  of United
Preferred Stock outstanding.

Common Stock
- ------------

         United is a New Jersey general business corporation governed by the New
Jersey Business  Corporation Act and a registered bank holding company under the
Bank Holding Company Act. The following  description of United common stock sets
forth  certain  general terms of United common  stock.  See  "Comparison  of the
Rights of  Shareholders  of  United  and  Raritan"  for  additional  information
relevant  to an  understanding  of the  capital  stock of  United,  including  a
description  of the New Jersey  Stockholders  Protection  Act,  which  restricts
certain  transactions  involving  an  "interested  shareholder"  and a "resident
domestic corporation".

         Dividend Rights

         Holders of United  common stock are entitled to dividends  when, as and
if declared by the Board of Directors of United out of funds  legally  available
for the  payment  of  dividends.  The only  statutory  limitation  is that  such
dividends  may not be paid when  United is  insolvent.  Funds for the payment of
dividends  by United must come  primarily  from the  earnings  of United's  bank
subsidiary.  Thus, as a practical  matter,  any  restrictions  on the ability of
United  National Bank to pay dividends will act as restrictions on the amount of
funds available for payment of dividends by United.

         As a national banking  association,  United National Bank is subject to
limitations  on the amount of  dividends it may pay to United,  United  National
Bank's only shareholder.  Prior OCC approval is required to the extent the total
of all  dividends to be declared by United  National  Bank in any calendar  year
exceeds net profits,  as defined,  for that year combined  with United  National
Bank's  retained net profits from the  preceding  two calendar  years,  less any
transfers to capital surplus. Under this limitation,  United National Bank could
declare dividends in 1998 without prior approval of the OCC of up to $15 million
plus an amount equal to United  National Bank's net profits for 1998 to the date
of such dividend declaration.

         United is also subject to certain  Federal Reserve Board policies which
may,  in  certain  circumstances,  limit its  ability  to pay  dividends.  These
policies  require,  among other things,  that a bank holding company  maintain a
minimum  capital  base.  The  Federal  Reserve  Board  would most likely seek to
prohibit any dividend  payment  which would reduce a holding  company's  capital
below these minimum amounts.

         Voting Rights

         At  meetings  of  shareholders,  holders  of  United  common  stock are
entitled  to one vote per share.  The quorum  for a  shareholders'  meeting is a
majority of the  outstanding  shares.  Except as  indicated  below,  actions and
authorizations  to be  taken  or given by  shareholders  generally  require  the
approval of a majority of the votes cast by holders of United  common stock at a
meeting at which a quorum is present.

         The Board of Directors is divided into three classes of directors, each
class being as nearly equal in number of  directors  as possible.  Approximately
one-third  of the  entire  Board  of  Directors  is  elected  each  year and the
directors  serve for terms of up to three years and,  in all cases,  until their
respective  successors  are duly  elected  and  qualified.  The exact  number of
directors and the number  constituting each class are fixed from time to time by
resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

                                       58

<PAGE>

          Minimum Price Provision

         United's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  contains  a  "minimum  price"
provision.  It prohibits  certain types of  transactions  between  United and an
Interested  Person.  An "Interested  Person" is defined to include  persons who,
together with their  affiliates,  own 3% or more of the voting power of United's
capital stock.  Transactions  with an Interested  Person are permitted if one of
the following is true:

         *  The   transaction  is  approved  by  a  majority  of   Disinterested
            Directors.  "Disinterested Directors" are defined in the Certificate
            of Incorporation as persons,  other than the Interested  Person, who
            became directors  before the Interested  Person became an Interested
            Person,  or  who  were  subsequently  nominated  for  director  by a
            majority of other Disinterested Directors.

         *  The proposed Transaction is approved by two-thirds of the votes cast
            by  "Disinterested  Shareholders," a term defined in the Certificate
            of Incorporation.

         *  The Disinterested Shareholders are offered consideration equal to or
            greater  than an amount  determined  by a formula  contained  in the
            Certificate of Incorporation.


         Liquidation Rights

         In the event of  liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding  up of  United,
holders of United  common  stock are  entitled  to share  equally and ratably in
assets  available  for  distribution  after  payment  of debts and  liabilities.
However,  if shares of United  Preferred  Stock are  outstanding  at the time of
liquidation, those shares may have prior rights upon liquidation.

         Assessment and Redemption

         All  outstanding  shares of  United  common  stock  are fully  paid and
nonassessable.  The United  common stock is not  redeemable at the option of the
issuer or the holders thereof.

Preferred Stock
- ---------------

         The United Board of Directors may issue from time to time shares of one
or more classes or series of preferred  stock. The preferred stock provisions in
United's Certificate of Incorporation  authorize what is commonly referred to as
"blank check"  preferred  stock.  That is, subject to certain  provisions in the
Certificate  of  Incorporation  and certain  limitations  prescribed by law, the
United Board has full authority to adopt  resolutions  to issue the shares,  fix
the number of shares and change the number of shares  constituting any series or
class. The United Board also has authority,  without a further shareholder vote,
to provide  for or change  the  voting  powers,  designations,  preferences  and
relative, rights,  qualifications,  limitations or restrictions of the preferred
stock,  including  dividend  rights,  redemption  terms,  conversion  rights and
liquidation preferences.

         One of the  effects  of these  provisions  may be to enable  the United
Board to deter or discourage an attempt to obtain  control of United by means of
a tender offer, proxy contest,  merger or otherwise,  and thereby to protect the
continuity of United's management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may
adversely  affect the rights of the holders of United common stock. For example,
preferred  stock may rank prior to United  common  stock as to dividend  rights,
liquidation  preference or both,  may have full or limited voting rights and may
be convertible into shares of United common stock.

                                       59

<PAGE>

         COMPARISON OF THE RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS OF UNITED AND RARITAN


         United is a business  corporation  incorporated in New Jersey under the
New Jersey  Business  Corporation  Act and  Raritan  is a  business  corporation
incorporated in Delaware under the Delaware General  Corporation  Law.  Delaware
corporate law currently governs the rights of Raritan stockholders.  At the time
the merger becomes effective, each Raritan stockholder will become a shareholder
of United and New Jersey  corporate  law governs the rights of  shareholders  of
United.  The  following  is a  comparison  of certain  provisions  of New Jersey
corporate law and Delaware  corporate  law and the  respective  certificates  of
incorporation  and by-laws of each of Raritan and United.  This summary does not
purport to be  complete  and is  qualified  in its  entirety  by  reference  the
Delaware  General  Corporation Law and the New Jersey Business  Corporation Act,
which statutes may change from time to time, and the respective  certificates of
incorporation and by-laws of United and Raritan, which also may be changed.


Voting Requirements
- -------------------

         Under New Jersey  corporate law,  unless a greater vote is specified in
the  certificate of  incorporation,  the  affirmative  vote of a majority of the
votes  cast by  shareholders  entitled  to vote on the  matter  is  required  to
approve:

         *  any  amendment  to  a  New  Jersey   corporation's   certificate  of
            incorporation,

         *  the voluntary dissolution of the corporation,

         *  the  sale or  other  disposition  of all or  substantially  all of a
            corporation's  assets  otherwise  than  in the  ordinary  course  of
            business, or

         *  the  merger  or   consolidation  of  the  corporation  with  another
            corporation.

United's  Certificate of  Incorporation  does not presently  contain  provisions
specifying a greater vote in certain circumstances.

         The New Jersey Shareholders  Protection Act limits certain transactions
involving an "interested  shareholder" and a "resident domestic corporation." An
"interested  shareholder"  is one that is directly or  indirectly  a  beneficial
owner of 10% or more of the voting  power of the  outstanding  voting stock of a
resident  domestic  corporation.  The New  Jersey  Shareholders  Protection  Act
prohibits certain business combinations between an interested  shareholder and a
resident  domestic  corporation  for a period of five  years  after the date the
interested  shareholder  acquired its stock, unless the business combination was
approved by the resident domestic  corporation's board of directors prior to the
interested  shareholder's  stock  acquisition  date.  After the five-year period
expires, the prohibition on certain business  combinations  continues unless (1)
the combination is approved by the affirmative  vote of two-thirds of the voting
stock not beneficially owned by the interested shareholder,  (2) the combination
is approved by the board prior to the interested shareholder's stock acquisition
date, or (3) certain fair price provisions are satisfied.

         Set forth below is a summary of provisions in Raritan's  Certificate of
Incorporation  and Delaware  corporate  law that,  under  certain  circumstances
require  greater  than a  majority  of the  votes  eligible  to be cast or limit
certain voting rights.

         Under Delaware Law,  unless  otherwise  specified in the Certificate of
Incorporation of a Delaware  corporation,  the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon is required to approve:

         *  an amendment to the certificate of incorporation,

         *  the sale or other  disposition  of all or  substantially  all of the
            assets of a corporation, or

         *  the merger or  consolidation  of a stock  corporation  with  another
            stock corporation.

         With respect to the amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation,  the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding  shares of stock of each class
entitled to vote thereon is also required.

                                       60

<PAGE>

         In accordance  with  Raritan's  certificate  of  incorporation,  record
holders of common stock who beneficially own in excess of 10% of the outstanding
shares of common  stock are not  entitled to any vote with respect to the shares
held in excess of the 10%.  The 10% cap is  referred  to as the  "Limit" in this
document.

         Under Raritan's certificate of incorporation,  record holders of common
stock who beneficially own in excess of 10% of the outstanding  shares of common
stock are not  entitled to any vote with respect to the shares held in excess of
the 10% limit. No Raritan stockholder  exceeded the 10% limit on the record date
for the Raritan meeting to vote on the merger.  The certificate of incorporation
authorizes Raritan's Board of Directors:

         *  to make all determinations  necessary to implement and apply the 10%
            limit,  including determining whether persons or entities are acting
            in concert, and

         *  to demand that any person who is reasonably believed to beneficially
            own stock in excess of the 10% limit supply information to the Board
            to enable it to implement and apply the limit.

         Under Raritan's  Certificate of  Incorporation  the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding  voting stock entitled to vote in
the election of  directors,  after giving  effect to the Limit,  is required for
certain business combinations, certain liquidations or dissolutions, and certain
reclassifications of securities.

Cumulative Voting
- -----------------

         Under  New  Jersey   corporate  law,   shareholders  of  a  New  Jersey
corporation  do not have  cumulative  voting rights in the election of directors
unless the certificate of  incorporation  so provides.  United's  Certificate of
Incorporation does not presently provide for cumulative voting.

         Under Delaware corporate law, shareholders of a Delaware corporation do
not have  cumulative  voting  rights in the  election  of  directors  unless the
certificate of incorporation so provides. Raritan's Certificate of Incorporation
does not presently provide for cumulative voting.

Classified Board of Directors
- -----------------------------

         New Jersey  corporate law permits a New Jersey  corporation  to provide
for a classified board in its certificate of incorporation  and United currently
has a  classified  Board of  Directors.  The United  Board is divided into three
classes,  with one class of directors  generally elected for three-year terms at
each annual meeting. A vacancy on the United Board of Directors may be filled by
the  affirmative  vote of two-thirds of the directors  remaining in office.  All
appointees will assume the class in which the vacancy occurs.

         Delaware corporate law permits a Delaware  corporation to provide for a
classified  board in its  certificate  of  incorporation  or  bylaws.  Raritan's
Certificate  of  Incorporation  provides  that the board is  divided  into three
classes, each of which contains  approximately  one-third of the whole number of
members of the board.  Each class serves a staggered  term,  with  approximately
one-third of the total number of directors being elected each year.

Rights of Dissenting Shareholders
- ---------------------------------

         Shareholders  of a New Jersey  corporation  who dissent  from a merger,
consolidation,  sale of all or substantially all of the corporation's  assets or
certain other corporate transactions are generally entitled to appraisal rights.
No statutory right of appraisal exists, however, if:

         *  the stock of the New  Jersey  corporation  is  listed on a  national
            securities exchange,

         *  the  stock of the New  Jersey  corporation  is held of record by not
            less than 1,000 holders, or

         *  the   consideration   to  be   received   pursuant  to  the  merger,
            consolidation  or  sale  consists  of cash or  securities  or  other
            obligations  which,  after  the  transaction,  will be  listed  on a
            national  securities  exchange  or held of  record  by not less than
            1,000 holders.

                                       61
<PAGE>

         Shareholders of a surviving corporation generally do not have the right
to dissent  from a plan of merger  unless the merger  requires  approval  as set
forth in certain sections of New Jersey corporate law. Shareholders of United do
not have  dissenters'  rights because United will be the surviving  corporation,
and the merger does not require approval as set forth in applicable  sections of
New Jersey corporate law.

         Stockholders  of a Delaware  corporation  who dissent  from a merger or
consolidation of the corporation may be entitled to appraisal rights.  There are
no statutory  rights of appraisal with respect to  stockholders of a corporation
who meet the following conditions:

         (1) The shares held by the stockholders must either be:

               *  listed on a national  securities  exchange or  designated as a
                  national  market system  security on an interdealer  quotation
                  system by the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,
                  Inc., or;

               *  held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders, and;

         (2) Such stockholders must receive either:

               *  shares  of stock or  depository  receipts  of the  corporation
                  surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation, or

               *  shares  of  stock  or   depository   receipts   of  any  other
                  corporation, and;

         (3) At the effective date of the merger or  consolidation  the stock or
depository receipts received by the stockholders must be either:

               *  listed on a national  securities  exchange or  designated as a
                  national  market system  security on an interdealer  quotation
                  system by the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,
                  Inc., or


               *  held of  record by more than  2,000  stockholders  (or cash in
                  lieu of fractional share interests therein).

The  exceptions  from the Delaware  statutory  right of  appraisal  apply to the
Raritan  common stock  because the Raritan  common stock is presently  listed on
Nasdaq and the United  common  stock to be  received  pursuant  to the merger is
presently listed on Nasdaq.

                                       62

<PAGE>


Shareholder Consent to Corporate Action
- ---------------------------------------

         Unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise,  New Jersey
corporate law permits any action that can be taken at a  shareholders'  meeting,
other than the annual election of directors,  to be taken without a meeting upon
the written  consent of  shareholders  who would have been  entitled to cast the
minimum  number of votes  necessary to authorize  the action at a  shareholders'
meeting at which all  shareholders  entitled  to vote were  present  and voting.
United's  Certificate of  Incorporation  presently is silent on this issue.  The
annual election of directors,  if not conducted at a shareholders'  meeting, may
only be effected by unanimous written consent. Under New Jersey corporate law, a
shareholder vote on a plan of merger or consolidation may be effected only:

         *  at a shareholders' meeting,

         *  by unanimous written consent of all shareholders entitled to vote on
            the issue with advance notice to any other shareholders, or

         *  by written consent of  shareholders  who would have been entitled to
            cast the minimum number of votes  necessary to authorize such action
            at  a  meeting,   together   with   advance   notice  to  all  other
            shareholders.


         Raritan's   Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  Raritan  provides  that
stockholders' action cannot be effected by written consent.

Dividends
- ---------

         New Jersey corporate law generally permits a corporation to declare and
pay dividends on its  outstanding  stock if the corporation is not insolvent and
would not become insolvent because of the dividend payment,  and if the dividend
is not prohibited by restrictions in the company's certificate of incorporation.
United's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  does not  presently  contain  any such
restriction.  Funds for the payment of dividends  by United must come  primarily
from the earnings of United's bank subsidiary.  Thus, as a practical matter, any
restrictions  on the ability of United  National  Bank to pay  dividends  act as
restrictions  on the amount of funds  available  for the payment of dividends by
United.

         Delaware  corporate  law  generally  limits  dividends by Raritan to an
amount  equal to the excess of the net assets of  Raritan  (the  amount by which
total assets exceed total liabilities) over its statutory  capital,  or if there
is no  such  excess,  to its net  profits  for the  current  and/or  immediately
preceding fiscal year. Because Raritan does not conduct any material  activities
at the holding  company level,  its ability to pay dividends  depends on capital
distributions from its subsidiaries.

By-laws
- -------

         Under New Jersey  corporate law, the board of directors of a New Jersey
corporation has the power to adopt, amend, or repeal the corporation's  by-laws,
unless  such powers are  reserved in the  certificate  of  incorporation  to the
shareholders.  United's  Certificate of Incorporation does not presently reserve
such powers to shareholders.

         Under  Delaware   corporate  law,  the   stockholders   of  a  Delaware
corporation have the power to adopt, amend, or repeal the corporation's by-laws,
unless such powers also are reserved in the certificate of  incorporation to the
board of directors. The Board of Directors may amend Raritan's Bylaws.

                                       63

<PAGE>

Limitations of Liability of Directors and Officers
- --------------------------------------------------

         Under New Jersey corporate law, a New Jersey corporation may include in
its  certificate  of  incorporation  a  provision  which  would,  subject to the
limitations  described  below,   eliminate  or  limit  directors'  or  officers'
liability  to  the  corporation  or  bank,  as  the  case  may  be,  or  to  its
shareholders,  for monetary damage for breaches of their fiduciary duty of care.
A director or officer cannot be relieved from liability or otherwise indemnified
for any breach of duty based upon an act or omission

         *  in breach of such  person's  duty of  loyalty  to the  entity or its
            shareholders,

         *  not in good faith or involving a knowing violation of law, or

         *  resulting in receipt by such person of an improper personal benefit.

United's  Certificate  of  Incorporation   contains  provisions  which  limit  a
director's  or officer's  liability  to the full extent  permitted by New Jersey
law.

         Under Delaware corporate law, a Delaware corporation may include in its
certificate of incorporation a provision which would, subject to the limitations
described  below,  eliminate or limit  directors' or officers'  liability to the
corporation  or its  shareholders,  for  monetary  damage for  breaches of their
fiduciary  duty of care.  A  director  cannot  be  relieved  from  liability  or
otherwise indemnified

         *  for breach of the director's duty of loyalty,

         *  for acts or  omissions  not in good faith or  involving  intentional
            misconduct or knowing violation of law,

         *  for willful or negligent conduct in paying dividends or repurchasing
            stock out of other than lawfully available funds, or

         *  for any  transaction  from which the  director  derives an  improper
            personal benefit.

Raritan's Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that limit a director
or officer's liability to the full extent permitted by Delaware law.


Minimum Price Provision
- -----------------------

         Raritan's certificate of incorporation  contains a provision similar to
United's  "Minimum Price Provision"  discussed on page 59. under the caption "--
Minimum Price Provision,"  except that it applies to transactions with owners of
more than 10% of Raritan's common stock.

Consideration of Acquisition Proposals
- --------------------------------------

         New  Jersey  corporate  law  provides  that in  determining  whether  a
proposal  or offer to  acquire  a  corporation  is in the best  interest  of the
corporation, the board may, in addition to considering the effects of any action
on shareholders, consider any of the following:

         *  the effects of the proposed action on the  corporation's  employees,
            suppliers, creditors and customers;

         *  the effects on the community in which the corporation operates; and

         *  the long-term as well as short-term interests of the corporation and
            its shareholders, including the possibility that those interests may
            be served best by the continued independence of the corporation.

         The statute further provides that if, based on those factors, the board
determines  that any such offer is not in the best interest of the  corporation,
it may reject the  offer.  These  provisions  may make it more  difficult  for a
shareholder to challenge the United Board's rejection of, and may facilitate the
Board's rejection of, an offer to acquire United.

         There are no comparable  provisions in Delaware corporate law. However,
Raritan's certificate of incorporation  provides that, when evaluating any offer
by another  person to  acquire  Raritan,  the board may  consider  all  relevant
factors,  including,  without  limitation,  the  social and  economic  effect of
acceptance of such offer:
                                       64
<PAGE>

         *  on the present and future customers and employees of Raritan and The
            Raritan Savings Bank;

         *  on the  communities  in which  Raritan and The Raritan  Savings Bank
            operate or are located;

         *  on the ability of Raritan to fulfill its  corporate  objective  as a
            bank holding company under applicable laws and regulations; and

         *  on the ability of The Raritan Savings Bank to fulfill the objectives
            of  a  stock  form  savings  bank  under  applicable   statutes  and
            regulations.

Preferred Stock
- ---------------

         United can issue new shares of authorized but unissued  common stock or
preferred stock without shareholder approval,  except in connection with certain
transactions with "Interested Persons." See "Description of United Capital
Stock."


                              SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

United
- ------

         New  Jersey  corporate  law  requires  that the  notice of a regular or
special  shareholders'  meeting specify the purpose or purposes of such meeting.
Thus,  a  shareholder  proposal  must  be  referred  to in  United's  notice  of
shareholders'  meeting  for the  proposal to be validly  considered  at a United
annual meeting.

         Any  United  shareholder  that  wishes to have a proposal  included  in
United's notice of shareholders' meeting, proxy statement and proxy card for its
1999  annual  meeting  must  submit  the  proposal  to United by the  applicable
deadline. The deadline was November 23, 1998 subject to change as noted below.

         If United  changes its 1999 annual  meeting date to a date more than 30
days from the date of its 1998 annual meeting,  then the deadline referred to in
the  preceding  paragraph  will be changed to a  reasonable  time before  United
begins to print and mail its proxy materials.  If United changes the date of its
1999 annual meeting in a manner which alters the deadline,  United will so state
under  Item 5 of the first  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q it files with the SEC
after the date change.

Raritan
- -------

         Raritan  will hold its 1999  annual  meeting  only if the merger is not
completed.  Any Raritan  stockholder  who wishes to have a proposal  included in
Raritan's proxy statement and proxy card for its 1999 annual meeting must submit
the proposal to Raritan by the  applicable  deadline.  The deadline was November
25, 1998 subject to change as noted below.

         Any Raritan  stockholder  who wishes to have a proposal  considered  at
Raritan's  1999 annual meeting (but not included in Raritan's  proxy  materials)
must submit the proposal to Raritan by the applicable deadline. The deadline was
January 28, 1999, subject to change as noted below.

                                       65

<PAGE>

         If Raritan  changes its 1999 annual meeting date to a date more than 30
days  from the date of its  1998  annual  meeting,  then  each of the  deadlines
referred to in the preceding two paragraphs will be changed to a reasonable time
before Raritan begins to print and mail its proxy materials.  If Raritan changes
the date of the 1999  annual  meeting in a manner  which  alters the  deadlines,
Raritan will so state under Item 5 of the first quarterly report on Form 10-Q it
files with the SEC after the date change.


                      INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         The following  documents filed by United  (Company File No.  000-16931)
with the SEC are hereby incorporated in this joint proxy statement-prospectus:

         *  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997

         *  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June
            30, 1998, and September 30, 1998

         *  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, August 28,
            September 22, September 23, September 28, October 1, 1998,  November
            18, 1998, February 4, 1999 and Form 8-K/A on February 17, 1999.

         *  The  description  of  United  common  stock  set  forth in  United's
            Registration  Statement  on Form 8-A  filed by  United  pursuant  to
            Section 12 of the Exchange  Act,  and any  amendment or report filed
            for the purpose of updating such description

         The following  documents  filed by Raritan  (Company File No.  0-15830)
with the SEC are hereby incorporated in this joint proxy statement-prospectus:

         *  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997

         *  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June
            30, 1998 and September 30, 1998

         *  Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 6, 1998

         *  The  description  of  Raritan  common  stock set forth in  Raritan's
            Registration  Statement  on Form 8-A filed by  Raritan  pursuant  to
            Section 12 of the Exchange  Act,  and any  amendment or report filed
            for the purpose of updating such description

         Accompanying  this Joint  Proxy  Statement  are  Raritan's  1997 Annual
Report to  Stockholders  and its  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1998.

         All documents  filed by United or Raritan  pursuant to Sections  13(a),
13(c),  14, or 15(d) of the  Exchange  Act after the date of this  document  but
before the earlier of

         *  the date of the Raritan meeting,

         *  the date of the United meeting, or

         *  the termination of the merger agreement,  are hereby incorporated by
            reference  into  this  document  and  shall be  deemed  a part  this
            document from the date they are filed.

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


                                       66

<PAGE>

         The public may read and copy any documents United or Raritan files with
the  SEC  at  the  SEC's  Public  Reference  Room  at 450  Fifth  Street,  N.W.,
Washington,  DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the
Public  Reference  Room by  calling  the  SEC at  1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC  also
maintains  an  Internet  site  that  contains  reports,  proxy  and  information
statements,    and   other    information    about   United   and   Raritan   at
http://www.sec.gov.


                                  OTHER MATTERS

         As of the date of this joint  proxy  statement,  the  Raritan  Board of
Directors  knows  of no  other  matters  to  be  presented  for  action  by  the
stockholders  at  the  Raritan  meeting.  If  any  other  matters  are  properly
presented,  however,  it is the  intention of the persons  named in the enclosed
proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.

         As of the date of this  joint  proxy  statement,  the  United  Board of
Directors  knows  of no  other  matters  to  be  presented  for  action  by  the
stockholders at the United meeting. If any other matters are properly presented,
however,  it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote
in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.


                                  LEGAL OPINION

         Certain legal matters  relating to the issuance of the shares of United
common stock offered hereby and certain tax  consequences  of the merger will be
passed upon by Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch, counsel to United.


                                     EXPERTS

         The  consolidated  financial  statements  of Raritan as of December 31,
1997 and 1996 and for each of the years in the three-year  period ended December
31, 1997 have been  incorporated  by  reference  herein and in the  Registration
Statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG 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 United as of December 31, 1997
and 1996 and for the years then ended have been incorporated by reference herein
and in the  Registration  Statement  in  reliance  upon the  report of KPMG 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 United  for the year ended
December 31, 1995, incorporated by reference herein, have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with
respect thereto,  and are incorporated by reference herein, in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.

         Representatives of KPMG LLP will be present at the meetings.  They will
be given an  opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be
available to respond to appropriate  questions from shareholders  present at the
meetings.

                                       67

<PAGE>
                                                                    APPENDIX A

                AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                  THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER,  dated
as of September 22, 1998 ("Agreement"),  is among United National Bancorp, a New
Jersey  corporation  and  registered  bank holding  company  ("United"),  United
National Bank, a national banking association  ("UNB"),  Raritan Bancorp Inc., a
Delaware  corporation and registered  bank holding  company  ("Raritan") and The
Raritan Savings Bank, a New Jersey-chartered stock savings bank (the "Bank").

                                    RECITALS

                  United  desires  to acquire  Raritan  and  Raritan's  Board of
Directors has  determined,  based upon the terms and conditions  hereinafter set
forth,  that  the  acquisition  is in the  best  interests  of  Raritan  and its
stockholders.  The  acquisition  will be  accomplished  by merging  Raritan into
United with United as the surviving  corporation and, at the same time,  merging
the Bank  into UNB with UNB as the  surviving  bank,  and  Raritan  stockholders
receiving the  consideration  hereinafter set forth.  The Boards of Directors of
Raritan,  United, the Bank and UNB have duly adopted and approved this Agreement
and the Board of Directors  of Raritan has directed  that it be submitted to its
stockholders for approval.

                  As a  condition  precedent  to entering  into this  Agreement,
United has required that Raritan grant it an option to purchase  authorized  but
unissued  shares of Raritan  common  stock  and,  as a  consequence,  United and
Raritan have entered into a Stock Option  Agreement,  dated the date hereof (the
"United Stock Option").

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  intending to be legally  bound,  the parties
hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

                  1.1. The Merger.  Subject to the terms and  conditions of this
Agreement, at the Effective Time (as hereafter defined), Raritan shall be merged
with and into United (the "Merger") in accordance  with the New Jersey  Business
Corporation Act ("NJBCA") and the Delaware General  Corporation Law ("DGCL") and
United  shall  be  the  surviving  corporation  (the  "Surviving  Corporation").
Immediately following the Effective Time, the Bank shall be merged with and into
UNB as provided in Section 1.7 hereof.

                  1.2. Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time (as hereafter
defined),  the Surviving  Corporation  shall be considered the same business and
corporate  entity as each of Raritan and United and thereafter all the property,
rights,  powers and  franchises  of each of Raritan and United shall vest in the
Surviving  Corporation and the Surviving  Corporation shall be subject to and be
deemed to have assumed all of the debts, liabilities,  obligations and duties of
each of Raritan  and United  and shall  have  succeeded  to all of each of their
relationships,  fiduciary  or  otherwise,  as fully and to the same extent as if
such property,  rights,  privileges,  powers,  franchises,  debts,  obligations,
duties and relationships had been originally acquired,  incurred or entered into
by the Surviving Corporation.

                  1.3.   Certificate  of   Incorporation.   The  certificate  of
incorporation  of United as it exists  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time
shall not be amended by the Merger,  but shall  continue as the  certificate  of
incorporation of the Surviving  Corporation  until otherwise amended as provided
by law.

                  1.4.  Bylaws.  The bylaws of United as they exist  immediately
prior to the  Effective  Date shall  continue  as the  by-laws of the  Surviving
Corporation until otherwise amended as provided by law.

                  1.5.  Directors  and  Officers.  The directors and officers of
United as of the Effective  Time shall continue as the directors and officers of
the  Surviving  Corporation,  with the  additions  provided  for in Section 5.15
hereof.

                  1.6 Closing Date,  Closing and Effective  Time;  Determination
Date.  Unless a different  date,  time and/or place are agreed to by the parties
hereto,  the  closing of the Merger  (the  "Closing")  shall take place at 10:00
a.m., at the office of Pitney,  Hardin, Kipp & Szuch,  Florham Park, New Jersey,
on a date (the "Closing  Date") which shall be the fifth  business day following
the first date (the "Determination  Date") on which all necessary regulatory and
governmental  approvals and consents have been received,  all statutory  waiting
periods  in  respect  thereof  have  expired,  and all other  conditions  to the
consummation  of the  Merger  specified  in Article  VI hereof  (other  than the
delivery of  certificates,  opinions and other  instruments  and documents to be
delivered at the Closing) have been satisfied or waived, or at such other place,
time or date as United and Raritan may  mutually  agree upon.  The Merger  shall
become  effective (and be  consummated)  upon the effective time (the "Effective
Time")  specified  by United and  Raritan  in the  certificates  of merger  (the
"Certificates of Merger"),  which shall be prepared by United,  shall be in form
and substance  satisfactory  to United and Raritan,  and shall be filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey and with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware. The parties currently anticipate that the Certificates of
Merger shall specify as the effective  time the close of business on the Closing
Date.  If no  effective  time is specified in the  Certificates  of Merger,  the
Merger shall become effective (and be consummated) upon the later to be filed of
the two Certificates of Merger.


                  1.7.  The Bank Merger.  Immediately  following  the  Effective
Time,  the Bank  shall be  merged  with and  into  UNB (the  "Bank  Merger")  in
accordance  with the  provisions  of the  National  Bank Act and the New  Jersey
Banking  Act of 1948,  as  amended,  and UNB  shall be the  surviving  bank (the
"Surviving  Bank").  Upon the  consummation  of the Bank  Merger,  the  separate
existence of the Bank shall cease and the Surviving Bank shall be considered the
same  business and  corporate  entity as each of the Bank and UNB and all of the
property,  rights,  powers and franchises of each of the Bank and UNB shall vest
in the Surviving Bank and the Surviving Bank shall be deemed to have assumed all
of the debts,  liabilities,  obligations  and duties of each of the Bank and UNB
and shall have  succeeded  to all of each of their  relationships,  fiduciary or
otherwise,  as  fully  and to the  same  extent  as if  such  property,  rights,
privileges, powers, franchises, debts, obligations, duties and relationships had
been originally  acquired,  incurred or entered into by the Surviving Bank. Upon
the  consummation of the Bank Merger,  the articles of association and bylaws of
UNB shall become the articles of association  and bylaws of the Surviving  Bank,
the  officers and  employees  of UNB and the officers and  employees of the Bank
shall be the officers and employees of the Surviving Bank with such additions as
the Board of Directors of UNB shall determine, and the directors of UNB shall be
the  directors of the Surviving  Bank with the  additions  from the directors of
Raritan as specified herein. In connection with the execution of this Agreement,
the Bank and UNB shall  execute and  deliver a separate  merger  agreement  (the
"Bank Merger Agreement") in substantially the form of Exhibit A, annexed hereto,
for delivery to the appropriate  regulatory authorities for approval of the Bank
Merger.

                                   ARTICLE II
                 CONVERSION OF RARITAN COMMON STOCK AND OPTIONS

                  Each  share of  common  stock,  $.01  par  value,  of  Raritan
("Raritan  Common  Stock"),  issued  and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the
Effective  Time,  and each option to  purchase  shares of Raritan  Common  Stock
validly issued pursuant to the 1993 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, the
1993 Incentive  Stock Option Plan or the 1997 Long-Term  Incentive Stock Benefit
Plan (together, the "Raritan Option Plans") and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time and listed on Section 3.2 of the Raritan Disclosure  Schedule
(each a "Raritan  Option") shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of the holder  thereof,  be converted  or canceled at the  Effective
Time in accordance with this Article II.

                  2.1 Conversion of Raritan Common Stock;  Exchange Ratio;  Cash
in Lieu of  Fractional  Shares.  Each share of Raritan  Common  Stock issued and
outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  other than shares to be
canceled  pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof,  shall be converted  into the right to
receive 1.45 (the "Exchange Ratio") shares of Common Stock,  $1.25 par value, of
United ("United  Common  Stock"),  subject to adjustment as set forth in Section
2.6 below. No fractional  shares of United Common Stock shall be issued pursuant
to the Merger,  and, in lieu  thereof,  each holder of Raritan  Common Stock who
would  otherwise be entitled to a fractional  interest will receive an amount in
cash  determined  by  multiplying  such  fractional   interest  by  the  Average
Pre-Closing  Price of United Common  Stock.  The "Average  Pre-Closing  Price of
United Common Stock" means the average of the "Closing  Prices" (as  hereinafter
defined) of United Common Stock for the ten consecutive full trading days ending
on (and including) the  Determination  Date.  "Closing Price" on any trading day
shall mean the closing  price of United  Common Stock on such day as supplied by
the Nasdaq Stock Market,  National Market System ("NASDAQ/NMS") (and reported in
The Wall  Street  Journal or, if not  reported  thereby,  another  authoritative
source as chosen by  United).  A "trading  day" shall mean any  business  day on
which United Common Stock is actually traded on NASDAQ/NMS.

                  2.2.     Exchange of Shares.

                  (a) Raritan and United hereby appoint The Bank of New York, or
such other bank as United (with the consent of Raritan,  which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld) shall designate,  as the exchange agent (the "Exchange
Agent") for purposes of effecting  the  conversion  of Raritan  Common Stock and
Raritan Options.  As soon as practicable  after the Effective Time, but no later
than five business days after the Effective  Time, the Exchange Agent shall mail
to each holder of record (a "Record  Holder") of a Certificates  or Certificates
which, immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of
Raritan  Common  Stock (the  "Certificates"),  a mutually  agreed upon letter of
transmittal  (which shall specify that delivery  shall be effected,  and risk of
loss and  title to the  Certificates  shall  pass,  only  upon  delivery  of the
Certificates to the Exchange  Agent),  and instructions for use in effecting the
surrender of the  Certificates  in exchange for United Common Stock (and cash in
lieu of fractional shares) as provided in Section 2.1 hereof.

                  (b)  Upon   surrender   of   Certificates   for  exchange  and
cancellation  to the Exchange  Agent,  together with such letter of transmittal,
duly  executed,  the Record  Holder  shall be entitled  to  promptly  receive in
exchange  for such  Certificates  the  consideration  as provided in Section 2.1
hereof and the Certificates so surrendered shall be canceled. The Exchange Agent
shall not be obligated to deliver or cause to be delivered to any Record  Holder
the  consideration to which such Record Holder would otherwise be entitled until
such Record  Holder  surrenders  the  Certificates  for  exchange or, in default
thereof, an appropriate  Affidavit of Loss and Indemnity Agreement and/or a bond
as may be reasonably  required in each case by United.  Notwithstanding the time
of surrender of the Certificates, Record Holders shall be deemed stockholders of
United for all  purposes  from the  Effective  Time,  except that  United  shall
withhold  the  payment of  dividends  from any Record  Holder  until such Record
Holder  effects the exchange of  Certificates  for United  Common  Stock.  (Such
Record Holder shall  receive such withheld  dividends,  without  interest,  upon
effecting the share exchange.)

                  (c) After the Effective  Time,  there shall be no transfers on
the stock  transfer books of Raritan of the shares of Raritan Common Stock which
were  outstanding   immediately   prior  to  the  Effective  Time  and,  if  any
Certificates  representing such shares are presented for transfer, they shall be
canceled and exchanged for the consideration as provided in Section 2.1 hereof.

                  (d) If payment of the  consideration  pursuant  to Section 2.1
hereof  is to be made  in a name  other  than  that in  which  the  Certificates
surrendered in exchange therefor is registered,  it shall be a condition of such
payment that the  Certificates  so  surrendered  shall be properly  endorsed (or
accompanied  by an  appropriate  instrument of transfer) and otherwise in proper
form for transfer,  and that the person requesting such payment shall pay to the
Exchange  Agent in advance any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the
payment to a person other than that of the registered holder of the Certificates
surrendered,  or  required  for any  other  reason,  or shall  establish  to the
satisfaction  of the  Exchange  Agent  that  such  tax has  been  paid or is not
payable.

                  (e)  With  respect  to each  outstanding  Raritan  Option  the
Exchange Agent shall,  after the Effective  Time,  distribute to the Optionee an
amendment  to the option  grant  evidencing  the  conversion  of the grant to an
option to purchase United Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.7 hereof.

                  2.3. No Dissenters' Rights.  Consistent with the provisions of
the DGCL, no stockholder of Raritan shall have appraisal  rights with respect to
the Merger.

                  2.4.  Canceled Shares.  Each share of Raritan Common Stock (i)
which is held by Raritan as treasury  stock or (ii) which is held by Bank or any
other direct or indirect subsidiary of Bank (except as trustee or in a fiduciary
capacity) or (iii) which is held by United, shall be canceled and retired at the
Effective Time.

                  2.5.  United  Shares.   The  shares  of  United  Common  Stock
outstanding at the Effective Time shall not be affected by the Merger, but along
with the  additional  shares of United  Common Stock to be issued as provided in
Section 2.1 hereof,  shall become the outstanding  common stock of the Surviving
Corporation.

                  2.6  Anti-Dilution  Adjustments.  The  Exchange  Ratio and the
Average Pre-Closing Price of United Common Stock shall be appropriately adjusted
for any stock split,  stock dividend,  stock  combination,  reclassification  or
similar transaction ("Capital Change") effected by United with respect to United
Common  Stock  between  the  date  hereof  and  the  Effective  Time.  By way of
illustration, the Exchange Ratio determined pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall
be adjusted  upward by 10% (to 1.595) upon the payment of the 10% stock dividend
which United  declared on September 15, 1998 and which is payable on November 2,
1998 to United  shareholders  of record as of October 15, 1998. In addition,  if
United enters into an agreement  pursuant to which shares of United Common Stock
would be converted, prior to the Effective Time, into shares or other securities
or obligations of another  corporation,  proper  provision shall be made in such
agreement so that each Raritan  stockholder  shall be entitled to receive at the
Effective  Time  such  number  of  shares  or  other  securities  or  amount  of
obligations of such other  corporation as such stockholder  would be entitled to
receive if the Effective Time had occurred immediately prior to the consummation
of such conversion.

                  2.7.  Raritan  Stock  Options.  At the  Effective  Time,  each
outstanding  Raritan Option held by any person (an "Optionee") under the Raritan
Option Plans shall be converted into a option to purchase United Common Stock (a
"Stock  Option"),  wherein  (x) the right to purchase  shares of Raritan  Common
Stock  pursuant  to the  Raritan  Option  shall be  converted  into the right to
purchase  that same number of shares of United  Common Stock  multiplied  by the
Exchange  Ratio,  (y) the option exercise price per share of United Common Stock
shall be the previous  option  exercise  price per share of Raritan Common Stock
divided by the Exchange Ratio and (z) in all other material  respects the option
shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as governed the Raritan Option
on which it was based,  including the length of time within which the option may
be exercised and for any options which are "incentive stock options" (as defined
in Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code")),
the  adjustments  shall be and are  intended to be effected in a manner which is
consistent  with  Section  424(a) of the Code.  Shares  of United  Common  Stock
issuable  upon  exercise  of Stock  Options  shall be  covered  by an  effective
registration  statement  on Form  S-8,  and  United  shall  file a  registration
statement  on Form S-8  covering  such shares as soon as  practicable  after the
Effective Time, but in no event later than 45 days after the Effective Time.

                                   ARTICLE III
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF RARITAN

                  References herein to "Raritan Disclosure  Schedule" shall mean
all of the  disclosure  schedules  required by this Article III, dated as of the
date hereof and referenced to the specific  sections and  subsections of Article
III of this  Agreement,  which have been delivered on the date hereof by Raritan
to United. Raritan hereby represents and warrants to United as follows:

                  3.1.     Corporate Organization.

                  (a) Raritan is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing
and in good  standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Raritan has the
corporate  power and authority to own or lease all of its  properties and assets
and to carry on its business as it is now being  conducted  and is duly licensed
or  qualified  to do  business in each  jurisdiction  in which the nature of the
business  conducted  by it or the  character or location of the  properties  and
assets owned or leased by it makes such  licensing or  qualification  necessary,
except  where  the  failure  to be so  licensed  or  qualified  would not have a
material  adverse  effect  on the  business,  operations,  assets  or  financial
condition of Raritan on a  consolidated  basis.  Raritan is registered as a bank
holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended ("BHCA").

                  (b) Each of the  Subsidiaries  of  Raritan  are  listed in the
Raritan Disclosure Schedule. The term "Subsidiary",  when used in this Agreement
with respect to Raritan,  means any  corporation,  joint  venture,  association,
partnership,  trust or other entity in which Raritan has, directly or indirectly
at least a 50% interest or acts as a general partner. Each Subsidiary of Raritan
is duly organized,  validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of its
state of incorporation.  The Bank is a New  Jersey-chartered  stock savings bank
whose deposits are insured to the fullest extent permitted by law by the Savings
Association Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("SAIF")
for certain deposits, and by the Bank Insurance Fund of the FDIC (the "BIF") for
the remaining  deposits,  in each case to the fullest  extent  permitted by law.
Each Subsidiary of Raritan has the corporate power and authority to own or lease
all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted and is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each  jurisdiction
in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location
of the  properties  and  assets  owned or leased by it makes such  licensing  or
qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified
would not have a material adverse effect on the business,  operations, assets or
financial condition of Raritan and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The
Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule  sets  forth  true  and  complete  copies  of  the
Certificates  of  Incorporation  or  Charter,  as the case may be, and Bylaws of
Raritan and each Raritan  Subsidiary as in effect on the date hereof.  Except as
set forth in the Raritan Disclosure  Schedule,  Raritan does not own or control,
directly  or  indirectly,  any  equity  interest  in any  corporation,  company,
association, partnership, joint venture or other entity and owns no real estate,
except (i) residential real estate acquired through  foreclosure or deed in lieu
of  foreclosure in each  individual  instance with a fair market value less than
$500,000 and (ii) real estate used for its banking premises.

                  3.2.     Capitalization.

                  The authorized  capital stock of Raritan consists of 3,500,000
shares of Raritan Common Stock and 2,00,000 shares of preferred stock,  $.01 par
value per share ("Raritan Preferred Stock").  As of the date hereof,  there were
2,373,569  shares of Raritan  Common Stock issued and  outstanding,  and 214,405
shares issued and held in the treasury, and no shares of Raritan Preferred Stock
outstanding.  As of the date hereof, there were 264,812 shares of Raritan Common
Stock  issuable  upon  exercise of  outstanding  Raritan  Options  (the  "Option
Shares")  granted to,  directors and officers of Raritan or the Bank pursuant to
the Raritan  Option Plans.  The Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth (i) all
options  which may be  exercised  for  issuance of Raritan  Common Stock and the
terms upon which the options may be exercised, and (ii) true and complete copies
of each of the Raritan  Option  Plans and a specimen  of each form of  agreement
pursuant to which any outstanding stock option was granted,  including a list of
each  outstanding  stock  option  issued  pursuant   thereto.   All  issued  and
outstanding  shares of Raritan  Common  Stock,  and all  issued and  outstanding
shares of capital stock of each Raritan  Subsidiary,  have been duly  authorized
and validly issued,  are fully paid, and  nonassessable.  The authorized capital
stock of the Bank consists of 10,000,000 shares of common stock, $2.00 par value
and no shares of preferred stock. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of each  Raritan  Subsidiary  are owned by Raritan and are free and clear of any
liens,  encumbrances,  charges,  restrictions or rights of third parties. Except
for the Raritan  Options and the United Stock  Option,  neither  Raritan nor any
Raritan  Subsidiary has or is bound by any outstanding  subscriptions,  options,
warrants,  calls,  commitments  or agreements  of any character  calling for the
transfer,  purchase or issuance of any shares of capital stock of Raritan or any
Raritan  Subsidiary  or any  securities  representing  the right to  purchase or
otherwise receive any shares of such capital stock or any securities convertible
into or representing the right to purchase or subscribe for any such shares, and
there are no  agreements  or  understandings  with respect to voting of any such
shares.

                  3.3.     Authority; No Violation.

                  (a)  Subject  to  the  approval  of  this  Agreement  and  the
transactions  contemplated hereby by the stockholders of Raritan, and subject to
the parties obtaining all necessary regulatory  approvals,  Raritan and the Bank
have full  corporate  power and authority to execute and deliver this  Agreement
and to consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby in accordance with the
terms hereof.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation
of the transactions  contemplated  hereby have been duly and validly approved by
the Board of  Directors  of each of  Raritan  and the Bank.  The  execution  and
delivery of the Bank Merger  Agreement has been duly and validly approved by the
Board of Directors of the Bank. Except for the approvals  described in paragraph
(b) below, no other corporate proceedings on the part of Raritan or the Bank are
necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has
been duly and  validly  executed  and  delivered  by Raritan  and the Bank,  and
constitutes valid and binding  obligations of Raritan and the Bank,  enforceable
against Raritan and the Bank in accordance with its terms,  except to the extent
that enforcement may be limited by (i) bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,
moratorium, conservatorship, receivership or other similar laws now or hereafter
in  effect  relating  to or  affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights
generally or the rights of creditors of New Jersey-chartered savings banks, (ii)
general  equitable  principles,  and  (iii)  laws  relating  to the  safety  and
soundness of insured  depository  institutions and except that no representation
is made as to the effect or  availability  of equitable  remedies or  injunctive
relief.

                  (b) Neither the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by
Raritan  and the  Bank,  nor the  consummation  by  Raritan  and the Bank of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  in  accordance  with the  terms  hereof,  or
compliance by Raritan and the Bank with any of the terms or  provisions  hereof,
will (i)  violate any  provision  of  Raritan's  or the Bank's  Certificates  of
Incorporation or Charter,  as the case may be, or Bylaws, (ii) assuming that the
consents and approvals set forth below are duly  obtained,  violate any statute,
code, ordinance,  rule, regulation,  judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction
applicable  to  Raritan  or the Bank or any of their  respective  properties  or
assets,  or (iii)  except  as set  forth  in the  Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,
violate,  conflict with,  result in a breach of any provisions of,  constitute a
default  (or an event  which,  with  notice  or lapse  of time,  or both,  would
constitute  a default)  under,  result in the  termination  of,  accelerate  the
performance  required  by,  or  result in the  creation  of any  lien,  security
interest,  charge or other encumbrance upon any of the respective  properties or
assets of Raritan or the Bank under, any of the terms,  conditions or provisions
of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement
or other instrument or obligation to which Raritan or the Bank is a party, or by
which either or both of them or any of their respective properties or assets may
be bound or  affected  except,  with  respect to (ii) and (iii)  above,  such as
individually and in the aggregate will not have a material adverse effect on the
business,   operations,  assets  or  financial  condition  of  Raritan  and  its
Subsidiaries  on a consolidated  basis,  and which will not prevent or delay the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Except for consents and
approvals  of or  filings  or  registrations  with or  notices  to the OCC,  the
Commissioner of Banking and Insurance of the State of New Jersey  (together with
the  Department  of Banking and  Insurance,  the  "Commissioner"),  the Board of
Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System  ("FRB"),  the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"), applicable state securities bureaus or commissions,  the New
Jersey Secretary of State, the Delaware Secretary of State, and the stockholders
of Raritan,  no consents or  approvals  of or filings or  registrations  with or
notices to any third  party or any public body or  authority  are  necessary  on
behalf of Raritan or the Bank in connection  with (x) the execution and delivery
by Raritan and the Bank of this  Agreement and (y) the  consummation  by Raritan
and the Bank of the transactions  contemplated  hereby and (z) the execution and
delivery by the Bank of the Bank Merger  Agreement and the  consummation  by the
Bank of the transactions contemplated thereby.

                  3.4.     Financial Statements.

                  (a) The Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule sets forth copies of the
consolidated  statements  of condition of Raritan as of December 31, 1995,  1996
and 1997,  and the  related  consolidated  statements  of income,  stockholders'
equity and cash flows for the  periods  ended  December  31 in each of the three
years 1995 through  1997, in each case  accompanied  by the audit report of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP,  independent public  accountants with respect to Raritan,  and
the  unaudited  consolidated  statements  of condition of Raritan as of June 30,
1998 and  related  unaudited  consolidated  statements  of  income,  changes  in
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the six months then ended as reported in
Raritan's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC under the Securities
and  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the  "1934  Act")  (collectively,  the
"Raritan Financial Statements"). The Raritan Financial Statements (including the
related  notes)  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") consistently applied during the periods involved,
and fairly  present the  consolidated  financial  condition of Raritan as of the
respective dates set forth therein, and the related  consolidated  statements of
income,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows fairly  present the results of the
consolidated operations,  stockholders' equity and cash flows of Raritan for the
respective periods set forth therein.

                  (b) The books and records of Raritan and its Subsidiaries have
been and are being  maintained in material  compliance with applicable legal and
accounting requirements, and reflect only actual transactions.

                  (c)  Except  as and  to the  extent  reflected,  disclosed  or
reserved  against  in the  Raritan  Financial  Statements  (including  the notes
thereto),  as of June 30, 1998 neither Raritan nor any of its  Subsidiaries  had
any material  liabilities,  whether absolute,  accrued,  contingent or otherwise
material to the business,  operations,  assets or financial condition of Raritan
or any of its Subsidiaries.  Since June 30, 1998 and to the date hereof, neither
Raritan nor any of its  Subsidiaries  have  incurred  any  material  liabilities
except in the ordinary  course of business and consistent  with prudent  banking
practice, except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement.

                  3.5.  Brokerage  Fees;  Financial  Advisor.   Other  than  The
Endicott Financial Advisors, L.L.C. ("Endicott"), neither Raritan nor any of its
Subsidiaries nor any of their respective  directors or officers has employed any
broker or finder or incurred any  liability for any broker's or finder's fees or
commissions  in connection  with any of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.  Copies of Raritan's  agreements  with  Endicott are set forth in the
Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule.  Endicott  has  delivered  to Raritan its written
opinion with respect to the  fairness,  from a financial  point of view,  of the
Exchange Ratio to the  shareholders of Raritan in the Merger.  There are no fees
(other than time charges  billed at usual and  customary  rates)  payable to any
consultants,   including  lawyers  and  accountants,  in  connection  with  this
transaction or which would be triggered by consummation  of this  transaction or
the  termination  of the services of such  consultants  by Raritan or any of its
Subsidiaries other than fees which will be payable by Raritan to Endicott.

                  3.6.     Absence of Certain Changes or Events.
                  (a)  There  has not been any  material  adverse  change in the
business,   operations,  assets  or  financial  condition  of  Raritan  and  its
Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis since June 30,  1998 and,  to  Raritan's
knowledge,  no facts or  conditions  exist  (other  than  regional  or  national
economic conditions which affect financial institutions generally) which Raritan
believes will cause or is likely to cause such a material  adverse change in the
future.

                  (b) Except as set forth in the  Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither  Raritan nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has taken or permitted any of the
actions  set forth in Section  5.2  hereof  between  June 30,  1998 and the date
hereof and Raritan and the Raritan  Subsidiaries  have conducted  their business
only in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice.
                  3.7.  Legal  Proceedings.  Except as  disclosed in the Raritan
Disclosure  Schedule,  neither Raritan nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to
any, and there are no pending or, to  Raritan's  knowledge,  threatened,  legal,
administrative,  arbitral or other proceedings,  claims, actions or governmental
investigations of any nature ("Legal Proceedings") against Raritan or any of its
Subsidiaries.  Except as disclosed in the Raritan Disclosure  Schedule,  neither
Raritan nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any order,  judgment or decree
entered against Raritan or any Raritan Subsidiary in any Legal Proceeding.

                  3.8.     Taxes and Tax Returns.

                  (a) Raritan and each Raritan  Subsidiary  have duly filed (and
until  the  Effective  Time will so file) all  returns,  declarations,  reports,
information returns and statements  ("Returns")  required to be filed by them in
respect of any  federal,  state and local taxes  (including  withholding  taxes,
penalties  or other  payments  required)  and each has duly paid (and  until the
Effective Time will so pay) all such taxes due and payable,  other than taxes or
other charges which are being  contested in good faith (and  disclosed to United
in writing). Raritan and each Raritan Subsidiary have established (and until the
Effective  Time will  establish)  on their  books and records  reserves  for the
payment  of all  federal,  state and local  taxes not yet due and  payable,  but
incurred  in respect of Raritan or any  Raritan  Subsidiary  through  such date,
which  reserves  are, to the knowledge of Raritan,  adequate for such  purposes.
Except as set forth in the Raritan Disclosure  Schedule,  the federal income tax
returns of Raritan  and its  Subsidiaries  have been  examined  by the  Internal
Revenue  Service (the "IRS") (or are closed to examination due to the expiration
of the applicable statute of limitations) and no deficiencies were asserted as a
result  of such  examinations  which  have not been  resolved  and paid in full.
Except as set forth in the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,  the applicable  state
income tax returns of Raritan  and its  Subsidiaries  have been  examined by the
applicable  authorities  (or are closed to examination  due to the expiration of
the statute of  limitations)  and no  deficiencies  were asserted as a result of
such  examinations  which  have not  been  resolved  and  paid in  full.  To the
knowledge  of  Raritan,  there are no audits  or other  administrative  or court
proceedings presently pending nor any other disputes pending, or claims asserted
for,  taxes or  assessments  upon  Raritan or any of its  Subsidiaries,  nor has
Raritan or any of its Subsidiaries  given any currently  outstanding  waivers or
comparable consents regarding the application of the statute of limitations with
respect to any taxes or Returns.

                  (b) Except as set forth in the  Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither Raritan nor any of its  Subsidiaries  (i) has requested any extension of
time within  which to file any tax Return which Return has not since been filed,
(ii) is a party to any  agreement  providing  for the  allocation  or sharing of
taxes, (iii) is required to include in income any adjustment pursuant to Section
481(a)  of the  Code,  by reason of a  voluntary  change  in  accounting  method
initiated  by Raritan  or any  Raritan  Subsidiary  (nor does  Raritan  have any
knowledge that the IRS has proposed any such  adjustment or change of accounting
method) or (iv) has filed a consent  pursuant  to Section  341(f) of the Code or
agreed to have Section 341(f)(2) of the Code apply.

                  3.9.     Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a) Except as  disclosed in the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither  Raritan nor any of its  Subsidiaries  maintains or  contributes  to any
"employee  pension  benefit plan",  within the meaning of Section 3(2)(A) of the
Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974,  as amended  ("ERISA")  (the
"Raritan Pension Plans"), "employee welfare benefit plan", within the meaning of
Section 3(1) of ERISA (the "Raritan  Welfare  Plans"),  stock option plan, stock
purchase  plan,  deferred   compensation  plan,   severance  plan,  bonus  plan,
employment  agreement or other similar  plan,  program or  arrangement.  Neither
Raritan nor any of its Subsidiaries has, since September 2, 1974, contributed to
any "Multiemployer Plan", within the meaning of Sections 3(37) and 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA.

                  (b) Raritan has delivered to United in the Raritan  Disclosure
Schedule a complete and accurate copy of each of the  following  with respect to
each of the Raritan Pension Plans and Raritan Welfare Plans:  (i) plan document,
summary  plan  description,  and  summary  of  material  modifications  (if  not
available,  a detailed  description of the  foregoing);  (ii) trust agreement or
insurance contract,  if any; (iii) most recent IRS determination letter, if any;
(iv) most recent actuarial  report, if any; and (v) most recent annual report on
Form 5500.

                  (c) The present value of all accrued  benefits both vested and
non-vested under each of the Raritan Pension Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA,
based  upon the  actuarial  assumptions  used for  purposes  of the most  recent
actuarial  valuation  prepared by such Raritan Pension Plan's  actuary,  did not
exceed the then  current  value of the assets of such  plans  allocable  to such
accrued benefits. To the best of Raritan's knowledge,  the actuarial assumptions
then  utilized for such plans were  reasonable  and  appropriate  as of the last
valuation date and reflect then current market conditions.

                  (d) During the last six years,  the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty
Corporation  (the  "PBGC")  has not  asserted  any claim for  liability  against
Raritan or any of its Subsidiaries which has not been paid in full.

                  (e) All premiums (and interest  charges and penalties for late
payment,  if  applicable)  due to the PBGC with respect to each Raritan  Pension
Plan have been  paid.  All  contributions  required  to be made to each  Raritan
Pension Plan under the terms  thereof,  ERISA or other  applicable law have been
timely made, and all amounts  properly accrued to date as liabilities of Raritan
and its Subsidiaries which have not been paid have been properly recorded on the
books of Raritan and its Subsidiaries.

                  (f) Except as  disclosed on the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,
each of the Raritan Pension Plans, the Raritan Welfare Plans and each other plan
and arrangement  identified on the Raritan Disclosure Schedule has been operated
in compliance in all material  respects with the provisions of ERISA,  the Code,
all regulations, rulings and announcements promulgated or issued thereunder, and
all other applicable governmental laws and regulations. Furthermore, the IRS has
issued a favorable determination letter, which takes into account the Tax Reform
Act of 1986 and subsequent  legislation  through the date of such  determination
letter,  with  respect to each of the Raritan  Pension  Plans and Raritan is not
aware of any fact or  circumstance  which would  disqualify any such plan,  that
could not be  retroactively  corrected (in accordance with the procedures of the
IRS).

                  (g) To the  knowledge  of  Raritan,  within  the past two plan
years no non-exempt prohibited  transaction,  within the meaning of Section 4975
of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA,  has  occurred  with  respect to any of the
Raritan Welfare Plans or Raritan Pension Plans.

                  (h) No Raritan  Pension Plan or any trust  created  thereunder
has been  terminated,  nor have there been any "reportable  events",  within the
meaning of Section 4034(b) of ERISA,  with respect to any of the Raritan Pension
Plans.

                  (i) To the  knowledge  of  Raritan,  no  "accumulated  funding
deficiency",  within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code,  has been  incurred
with respect to any of the Raritan Pension Plans.

                  (j) There are no  pending,  or, to the  knowledge  of Raritan,
threatened or anticipated claims (other than routine claims for benefits) by, on
behalf of or against any of the  Raritan  Pension  Plans or the Raritan  Welfare
Plans, any trusts related thereto or any other plan or arrangement identified in
the Raritan Disclosure Schedule.

                  (k) Except as disclosed in the Raritan Disclosure Schedule, no
Raritan Pension or Welfare Plan provides  medical or death benefits  (whether or
not insured)  beyond an employee's  retirement or other  termination of service,
other  than (i)  coverage  mandated  by law,  or (ii) death  benefits  under any
Raritan Pension Plan.

                  (l)  Except  with  respect  to  customary  health,   life  and
disability  benefits or as disclosed in the Raritan Disclosure  Schedule,  there
are no unfunded  benefits  obligations  which are not  accounted for by reserves
shown on the  Raritan  Financial  Statements  and  established  under  GAAP,  or
otherwise noted on such financial statements.

                  (m) Except as  disclosed in the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,
with respect to each Raritan  Pension and Welfare Plan that is funded  wholly or
partially through an insurance policy,  there will be no liability of Raritan or
any Raritan  Subsidiary as of the Effective Time under any such insurance policy
or ancillary  agreement with respect to such insurance policy in the nature of a
retroactive  rate  adjustment,  loss  sharing  arrangement  or other  actual  or
contingent  liability  arising wholly or partially out of events occurring prior
to the Effective Time.

                  (n) Except as  hereafter  agreed to by United in writing or as
disclosed  on  the  Raritan  Disclosure   Schedule,   the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement will not (i) entitle any current or
former  employee  of  Raritan  or  any  Raritan  Subsidiary  to  severance  pay,
unemployment compensation or any similar payment, or (ii) accelerate the time of
payment,  accelerate the vesting, or increase the amount, of any compensation or
benefits  due to any  current  employee  or former  employee  under any  Raritan
Pension Plan or Raritan Welfare Plan.

                  3.10.    Reports.

                  (a) The Raritan Disclosure  Schedule lists, and as to item (i)
below Raritan has  previously  delivered or made  available to United a complete
copy of, each (i) final registration statement, prospectus, annual, quarterly or
special report and definitive  proxy statement filed by Raritan since January 1,
1995 pursuant to the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended  ("1933 Act"),  or the
1934 Act and (ii) communication (other than general advertising materials, press
releases and dividend  checks) mailed by Raritan to its  shareholders as a class
since January 1, 1995.

                  (b) Since  January 1, 1995,  (i) Raritan has filed all reports
that it was  required to file with the SEC under the 1934 Act,  and (ii) Raritan
and the Bank each has duly filed all material forms, reports and documents which
they were required to file with each agency  charged with  regulating any aspect
of their  business,  in each case in form  which  was  correct  in all  material
respects, and, subject to permission from such regulatory  authorities,  Raritan
promptly will deliver or make available to United  accurate and complete  copies
of such  reports.  As of their  respective  dates,  each such form,  report,  or
document  referred  to in either of clauses  (i) or (ii)  above,  and each final
registration  statement,   prospectus,  annual,  quarterly  or  special  report,
definitive proxy statement or communication referred to in either of clauses (i)
or (ii) of  paragraph  (b) above,  complied in all  material  respects  with all
applicable  statutes,  rules and  regulations  and did not  contain  any  untrue
statement of a material  fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be
stated  therein or necessary in order to make the  statements  made therein,  in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;  provided
that  information  contained  in any such  document  as of a later date shall be
deemed to modify  information  as of an earlier  date.  The  Raritan  Disclosure
Schedule lists the dates of all examinations of Raritan or the Bank conducted by
either the  Commissioner  or the FDIC since January 1, 1995 and the dates of any
responses thereto submitted by Raritan or the Bank.

                  3.11. Raritan and Bank Information.  The information  relating
to Raritan and the Bank to be contained in the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
(as defined in Section 5.6(a) hereof) to be delivered to stockholders of Raritan
and  United  in  connection  with the  solicitation  of their  approval  of this
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  as of the dates the Joint
Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  is mailed to  stockholders  of Raritan  and United,
respectively, and up to and including the dates of each of the meetings to which
such Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  relates,  will not  contain  any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to make
the  statements  therein,  in light of the  circumstances  under which they were
made, not misleading.

                  3.12.    Compliance with Applicable Law.

                  (a)  General.  Except as set forth in the  Raritan  Disclosure
Schedule,  each of Raritan  and the  Raritan  Subsidiaries  holds all  licenses,
franchises,  permits and authorizations  necessary for the lawful conduct of its
business under and pursuant to each, and has complied with and is not in default
in any respect under any,  applicable law,  statute,  order,  rule,  regulation,
policy and/or guideline of any federal,  state or local  governmental  authority
relating to Raritan or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other than where such defaults
or  non-compliances  will not, alone or in the  aggregate,  result in a material
adverse  effect on the business,  operations,  assets or financial  condition of
Raritan  and its  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis) and  Raritan  has not
received  notice of violation of, and does not know of any violations of, any of
the above.

                  (b) CRA. Without limiting the foregoing,  to its knowledge the
Bank has complied in all material  respects with the Community  Reinvestment Act
("CRA")  and Raritan  has  received  no written  notice that any person or group
would object to the  consummation of a merger  involving the Bank due to the CRA
performance of or rating of the Bank. Except as listed on the Raritan Disclosure
Schedule  to the  knowledge  of the  Bank,  no  person  or group  has  adversely
commented upon the Bank's CRA  performance.  The most recent CRA rating received
by the Bank was "Satisfactory."

                  3.13.    Certain Contracts.

                  (a) Except as  disclosed  in the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule
under  this  Section  or  Section  3.5,  (i)  neither  Raritan  nor any  Raritan
Subsidiary  is a party to or bound by any  contract  or  understanding  (whether
written or oral) with respect to the employment or termination of any present or
former officers,  employees,  directors or consultants and (ii) the consummation
of the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement will not (either alone or
upon the  occurrence  of any  additional  acts or events)  result in any payment
(whether of severance pay or otherwise) becoming due from Raritan or any Raritan
Subsidiary to any officer, employee, director or consultant thereof. The Raritan
Disclosure  Schedule  sets  forth  true and  correct  copies  of all  employment
agreements or termination  agreements with officers,  employees,  directors,  or
consultants to which Raritan or any Raritan Subsidiary is a party.

                  (b) Except as  disclosed in the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,
(i) as of the date of this Agreement, neither Raritan nor any Raritan Subsidiary
is a party to or bound by any commitment,  agreement or other  instrument  which
contemplates  the  payment by Raritan or any  Raritan  Subsidiary  of amounts in
excess of $100,000,  or which has a term extending  beyond  November 1, 1998 and
cannot be terminated by Raritan or its subsidiary  without  consent of the other
party  thereto,  (ii) no  commitment,  agreement  or other  instrument  to which
Raritan or any  Raritan  Subsidiary  is a party or by which any of them is bound
limits the freedom of Raritan or any Raritan  Subsidiary  to compete in any line
of  business  or with any  person,  and (iii)  neither  Raritan  nor any Raritan
Subsidiary is a party to any collective bargaining agreement.

                  (c) Except as  disclosed in the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither Raritan nor any Raritan Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of Raritan, any
other party  thereto,  is in default in any material  respect under any material
lease,  contract,  mortgage,  promissory  note,  deed of  trust,  loan or  other
commitment or arrangement.

                  3.14.    Properties and Insurance.

                  (a) Raritan and its  Subsidiaries  have good,  and as to owned
real property marketable,  title to all material assets and properties,  whether
real or personal,  tangible or intangible,  reflected in Raritan's  consolidated
balance  sheet as of June 30,  1998,  or owned and acquired  subsequent  thereto
(except to the extent that such assets and properties  have been disposed of for
fair value in the ordinary  course of business since June 30, 1998),  subject to
no encumbrances,  liens,  mortgages,  security interests or pledges,  except (i)
those items that secure  liabilities that are reflected in such balance sheet or
the notes thereto or incurred in the ordinary  course of business after the date
of such balance sheet,  (ii)  statutory  liens for amounts not yet delinquent or
which are  being  contested  in good  faith,  (iii)  such  encumbrances,  liens,
mortgages,  security interests,  pledges and title imperfections that are not in
the  aggregate  material to the  business,  operations,  assets,  and  financial
condition of Raritan and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and (iv) with respect
to owned real property,  title imperfections noted in title reports delivered to
United prior to the date hereof.  Raritan and its  Subsidiaries  as lessees have
the right under valid and subsisting leases to occupy,  use, possess and control
all  property  leased by them in all material  respects as  presently  occupied,
used, possessed and controlled by them.

                  (b) The  Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule  lists all  policies of
insurance and bonds covering  business  operations and all insurable  properties
and assets of Raritan and its Subsidiaries showing all risks insured against, in
each case under  valid,  binding and  enforceable  policies or bonds,  with such
amounts and such  deductibles as are specified.  As of the date hereof,  neither
Raritan nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has received any notice of cancellation or
notice of a material  amendment  of any such  insurance  policy or bond or is in
default under such policy or bond, no coverage  thereunder is being disputed and
all material claims thereunder have been filed in a timely fashion.

                  3.15.  Minute  Books.  The  minute  books of  Raritan  and its
Subsidiaries  contain records that are accurate in all material  respects of all
meetings and other corporate  action held of their  respective  stockholders and
Boards  of  Directors  (including  committees  of  their  respective  Boards  of
Directors).

                  3.16.  Environmental  Matters.  Except  as  set  forth  in the
Raritan Disclosure Schedule:

                  (a) Neither  Raritan nor any Raritan  Subsidiary  has received
any written notice, citation,  claim, assessment,  proposed assessment or demand
for abatement  alleging that Raritan or such Raritan Subsidiary (either directly
or as a trustee or fiduciary, or as a  successor-in-interest  in connection with
the  enforcement  of  remedies  to realize  the value of  properties  serving as
collateral for  outstanding  loans) is responsible for the correction or cleanup
of any condition  resulting  from the  violation of any law,  ordinance or other
governmental  regulation regarding  environmental  matters,  which correction or
cleanup  would be  material to the  business,  operations,  assets or  financial
condition of Raritan and the Raritan  Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Raritan has
no knowledge  that any toxic or  hazardous  substances  or  materials  have been
emitted,  generated,  disposed of or stored on any real property owned or leased
by  Raritan  or any  Raritan  Subsidiary,  as OREO or  otherwise,  or  owned  or
controlled  by  Raritan or any  Raritan  Subsidiary  as a trustee  or  fiduciary
(collectively, "Properties"), in any manner that violates or, after the lapse of
time may  violate,  any  presently  existing  federal,  state  or  local  law or
regulation governing or pertaining to such substances and materials.

                  (b) Raritan has no knowledge  that any of the  Properties  has
been  operated  in any  manner  in the  three  years  prior  to the date of this
Agreement that violated any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation
governing or  pertaining to toxic or hazardous  substances  and  materials,  the
violation  of which  would  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  business,
operations,   assets  or   financial   condition  of  Raritan  and  the  Raritan
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                  (c) To the  knowledge  of  Raritan,  there are no  underground
storage tanks on, in or under any of the Properties  and no underground  storage
tanks have been closed or removed from any of the Properties  while the property
was owned, operated or controlled by Raritan or any Raritan Subsidiary.

                  3.17.  Reserves.  The reserve for loan and lease losses in the
June 30, 1998 Raritan Financial Statements was, to Raritan's knowledge, adequate
based  upon past loan  loss  experiences  and  potential  losses in the  current
portfolio to cover all then known or anticipated loan losses.

                  3.18. No Excess Parachute Payments. Except as disclosed in the
Raritan Disclosure Schedule, no officer, director,  employee or agent (or former
officer,  director,  employee or agent) of Raritan or any Raritan  Subsidiary is
entitled now, or will or may be entitled to as a consequence of this  Agreement,
the Merger or the Bank Merger, to any payment or benefit from Raritan, a Raritan
Subsidiary,  United or UNB which if paid or provided would constitute an "excess
parachute  payment",  as  defined  in  Section  280G of the Code or  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

                  3.19.   Year  2000   Compliance.   Raritan   and  the  Raritan
Subsidiaries  have taken all reasonable steps necessary to address the software,
accounting  and record  keeping  issues raised in order for the data  processing
systems used in the business  conducted by Raritan and the Raritan  Subsidiaries
to be substantially Year 2000 compliant on or before the end of 1999 and, except
as set forth in the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,  Raritan  does not expect the
future cost of addressing  such issues to be material.  Neither  Raritan nor any
Raritan Subsidiary has received a rating of less than satisfactory from any bank
regulatory agency with respect to Year 2000 compliance.

                  3.20. Agreements with Bank Regulators.  Except as disclosed in
the Raritan Disclosure Schedule, neither Raritan nor any Raritan Subsidiary is a
party to any agreement or memorandum  of  understanding  with, or a party to any
commitment  letter,  board  resolution  submitted to a  regulatory  authority or
similar  undertaking  to, or is  subject to any order or  directive  by, or is a
recipient of any extraordinary  supervisory letter from, any court, governmental
authority or other regulatory or administrative  agency or commission,  domestic
or foreign ("Governmental Entity") which restricts materially the conduct of its
business,  or in any  manner  relates  to its  capital  adequacy,  its credit or
reserve policies or its management,  except for those the existence of which has
been  disclosed  in  writing  to  United  by  Raritan  prior to the date of this
Agreement,  nor has Raritan been advised by any  Governmental  Entity that it is
contemplating  issuing or requesting (or is considering the  appropriateness  of
issuing  or  requesting)  any  such  order,  decree,  agreement,  memorandum  of
understanding,  extraordinary  supervisory letter,  commitment letter or similar
submission,  except as  disclosed  in writing to United by Raritan  prior to the
date of this Agreement.  Neither Raritan nor any Raritan  Subsidiary is required
by Section 32 of the Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Act to give prior  notice to a
Federal banking agency of the proposed addition of an individual to its board of
directors or the  employment  of an individual  as a senior  executive  officer,
except as  disclosed  in writing to United by Raritan  prior to the date of this
Agreement.

                  3.21.  Disclosure.  No representation or warranty contained in
Article III of this Agreement  contains any untrue  statement of a material fact
or omits to state a material fact  necessary to make the  statements  herein not
misleading.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF UNITED

                  References  herein to the "United  Disclosure  Schedule" shall
mean all of the  disclosure  schedules  required by this Article IV, dated as of
the date hereof and  referenced  to the  specific  sections and  subsections  of
Article IV of this  Agreement,  which have been  delivered on the date hereof by
United to Raritan. United hereby represents and warrants to Raritan as follows:

                  4.1.     Corporate Organization.

                  (a)  United  is  a  corporation  duly  organized  and  validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New Jersey.  United
has the corporate  power and authority to own or lease all of its properties and
assets and to carry on its  business as it is now being  conducted,  and is duly
licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of
the business  conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and
assets owned or leased by it makes such  licensing or  qualification  necessary,
except  where  the  failure  to be so  licensed  or  qualified  would not have a
material  adverse  effect  on the  business,  operations,  assets  or  financial
condition of United or its Subsidiaries (defined below). United is registered as
a bank holding company under the BHCA.

                  (b) Each of the  Subsidiaries  of  United  are  listed  in the
United  Disclosure  Schedule.  The term "Subsidiary" when used in this Agreement
with reference to United,  means any  corporation,  joint venture,  association,
partnership,  trust or other entity in which United has, directly or indirectly,
at least a 50% interest or acts as a general partner.  Each Subsidiary of United
is duly  organized and validly  existing and in good standing  under the laws of
the jurisdiction of its incorporation. UNB is a national bank whose deposits are
insured  by the  SAIF for  certain  deposits,  and by the BIF for the  remaining
deposits,  in each case to the fullest extent  permitted by law. Each Subsidiary
of  United  has the  corporate  power and  authority  to own or lease all of its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being  conducted
and is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each  jurisdiction  in which
the nature of the business  conducted by it or the  character or location of the
properties   and  assets  owned  or  leased  by  it  makes  such   licensing  or
qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified
would not have a material adverse effect on the business,  operations, assets or
financial condition of United and its Subsidiaries.

                  4.2.  Capitalization.  The authorized  capital stock of United
consists of 16,000,000  shares of United  Common Stock and  1,000,000  shares of
preferred  stock ("United  Preferred  Stock").  As of June 30, 1998,  there were
9,375,345 shares of United Common Stock issued and outstanding, including 94,303
treasury  shares and 2,700 shares of  restricted  stock granted under the United
National  Bancorp  Long Term Stock  Based  Incentive  Plan (the  "United  Option
Plan"),  and there were no shares of United Preferred Stock  outstanding.  Since
June 30, 1998, to and including the date of this Agreement, no additional shares
of United Common Stock have been issued except in connection  with  exercises of
options granted under the United Option Plan or grants of restricted stock under
the United Option Plan. As of June 30, 1998, except for 399,772 shares of United
Common  Stock  issuable  upon  exercise of  outstanding  stock  options  granted
pursuant to the United Option Plan and the  Non-Employee  Director  Stock Option
Plan (the "United Director Option Plan"),  there were no shares of United Common
Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options or otherwise.  All
issued  and  outstanding  shares of United  Common  Stock,  and all  issued  and
outstanding  shares of capital  stock of United's  Subsidiaries,  have been duly
authorized  and  validly  issued,  are  fully  paid,  nonassessable  and free of
preemptive rights, and are free and clear of all liens,  encumbrances,  charges,
restrictions  or  rights  of third  parties.  All of the  outstanding  shares of
capital stock of United's Subsidiaries are owned by United free and clear of any
liens,  encumbrances,  charges,  restrictions or rights of third parties. Except
for the options  referred  to above under the United  Option Plan and the United
Director Option Plan, neither United nor any of United's  Subsidiaries has or is
bound by any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments or
agreements  of any character  calling for the transfer,  purchase or issuance of
any shares of capital stock of United or United's Subsidiaries or any securities
representing the right to otherwise  receive any shares of such capital stock or
any  securities  convertible  into or  representing  the  right to  purchase  or
subscribe for any such shares,  and there are no  agreements  or  understandings
with respect to voting of any such shares.  No additional  grants of awards,  or
exercises of outstanding awards, under the United Option Plan or United Director
Option Plan, or repurchases of United Common Stock,  prior to the Effective Time
shall  be  required  to  be  disclosed  or  reported  to  Raritan  to  keep  the
representations in this section true or correct. <PAGE>
                  4.3.     Authority; No Violation.

                  (a) United and UNB have full corporate  power and authority to
execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and  to  consummate   the   transactions
contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms hereof. United has a sufficient
number of  authorized  but  unissued  shares of United  Common  Stock to pay the
consideration  for the Merger set forth in  Article  II of this  Agreement.  The
execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  and  the   consummation   of  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  have been duly and  validly  approved by the
Board of Directors of each of United and UNB. The  execution and delivery of the
Bank  Merger  Agreement  has been  duly and  validly  approved  by the  Board of
Directors of UNB. No other  corporate  proceedings on the part of United and UNB
are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (except for the
approval by United of the Bank Merger  Agreement and except for any  shareholder
approval that may be required by the NASDAQ/NMS  listing rules).  This Agreement
has  been  duly  and  validly  executed  and  delivered  by  United  and UNB and
constitutes  a valid  and  binding  obligation  of United  and UNB,  enforceable
against United and UNB in accordance  with its terms,  except to the extent that
enforcement  may be  limited  by  (i)  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,
moratorium, conservatorship, receivership or other similar laws now or hereafter
in  effect  relating  to or  affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights
generally or the rights of creditors of federally-chartered  banks, (ii) general
equitable  principles,  and (iii) laws  relating to the safety and  soundness of
insured depository  institutions and except that no representation is made as to
the effect or availability of equitable remedies or injunctive relief.

                  (b) Neither the  execution or delivery of this  Agreement  nor
the  consummation by United and UNB of the transactions  contemplated  hereby in
accordance  with  the  terms  hereof,  will (i)  violate  any  provision  of the
Certificate of  Incorporation or Bylaws of United or the Articles of Association
or Bylaws of UNB,  (ii) assuming that the consents and approvals set forth below
are duly  obtained,  violate any statute,  code,  ordinance,  rule,  regulation,
judgment,  order, writ, decree or injunction  applicable to United or UNB or any
of their  respective  properties or assets,  or (iii)  violate,  conflict  with,
result in a breach of any provision of, constitute a default (or an event which,
with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result
in the termination of, accelerate the performance  required by, or result in the
creation of any lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance upon any of
the properties or assets of United or UNB under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions  of any note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,  deed of trust,  license,
lease,  agreement or other  instrument or obligation to which United or UNB is a
party,  or by which  United or UNB or any of their  properties  or assets may be
bound or affected,  except, with respect to (ii) and (iii) above, such as in the
aggregate will not have a material  adverse effect on the business,  operations,
assets  or  financial  condition  of  United  and  United's  Subsidiaries  on  a
consolidated  basis,  or  the  ability  of  United  and  UNB to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Except for  consents  and  approvals  of or
filings or  registrations  with or notices to the OCC, the OTS, the FRB, the New
Jersey  Secretary  of  State,  the  Delaware  Secretary  of State,  the SEC,  or
applicable state securities bureaus or commissions,  no consents or approvals of
or filings  or  registrations  with or notices to any third  party or any public
body or authority are  necessary on behalf of United or UNB in  connection  with
(a) the  execution  and  delivery  by United or UNB of this  Agreement,  (b) the
consummation  by United of the  Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated
hereby and (c) the  execution  and delivery by UNB of the Bank Merger  Agreement
and  the  consummation  by  UNB  of  the  Bank  Merger  and  other  transactions
contemplated  thereby. To United's knowledge,  no fact or condition exists which
United  has  reason  to  believe  will  prevent  it or UNB  from  obtaining  the
aforementioned consents and approvals.

                  4.4.     Financial Statements.

                  (a) United has  previously  delivered to Raritan copies of the
consolidated  statements  of  financial  condition  of United as of December 31,
1995, 1996 and 1997, the related consolidated  statements of income,  changes in
stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the periods ended December 31 in each
of the three fiscal years 1995 through  1997,  in each case  accompanied  by the
audit  report  of  KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP,  the  current   independent  public
accountants  with respect to United,  or Arthur  Andersen,  LLP,  previously the
independent  public  accountants  with  respect  to  United,  and the  unaudited
consolidated  statements  of  condition  of United  as of June 30,  1998 and the
related unaudited  consolidated  statements of income,  changes in stockholders'
equity and cash flows for the six months  then  ended as  reported  in  United's
Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q,  filed  with  the  SEC  under  the  1934  Act
(collectively,   the  "United  Financial  Statements").   The  United  Financial
Statements  (including the related notes), have been prepared in accordance with
GAAP  consistently  applied during the periods  involved  (except as approved by
such independent public accountants and disclosed  therein),  and fairly present
the  consolidated  financial  position of United as of the respective  dates set
forth therein,  and the related  consolidated  statements of income,  changes in
stockholders'  equity and of cash flows  (including  the  related  notes,  where
applicable)  fairly  present  the  results of the  consolidated  operations  and
changes in  stockholders'  equity and of cash flows of United for the respective
fiscal periods set forth therein.

                  (b) The books and records of United and its subsidiaries  have
been and are being  maintained in material  compliance with applicable legal and
accounting requirements, and reflect only actual transactions.

                  (c)  Except  as and  to the  extent  reflected,  disclosed  or
reserved  against  in the  United  Financial  Statements  (including  the  notes
thereto),  as of June 30, 1998 neither United nor any of its Subsidiaries had or
has, as the case may be, any material obligation or liability, whether absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise,  material to the business,  operations, assets
or  financial  condition  of  United  or any of its  Subsidiaries  and which are
required by GAAP to be disclosed in the United Financial Statements.  Since June
30, 1998,  neither United nor any of its Subsidiaries have incurred any material
liabilities,  except in the  ordinary  course of business  and  consistent  with
prudent banking practice.

                  4.5.  Brokerage  Fees.  Except  as set  forth  in  the  United
Disclosure  Schedule,  neither  United  nor  UNB  nor  any of  their  respective
directors  or  officers  has  employed  any  broker or finder  or  incurred  any
liability for any broker's or finder's fees or  commissions  in connection  with
any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  4.6. Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  There has not been
any material  adverse  change in the business,  operations,  assets or financial
condition of United and United's Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis since June
30, 1998 and to United's  knowledge,  no fact or  condition  exists  (other than
regional or national  economic  conditions which affect  financial  institutions
generally)  which  United  believes  will  cause or is  likely  to cause  such a
material adverse change in the future.

                  4.7. United  Information.  The information  relating to United
and its subsidiaries, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby in
the Registration Statement and Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  (as defined in
Section  5.6(a)  hereof),  as of the dates of the  mailing  of the  Joint  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus to shareholders of United and Raritan, respectively, and up
to  and  including  the  dates  of  each  meeting  to  which  such  Joint  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  relates,  will  not  contain  any  untrue  statement  of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to make the statements
therein,  in  light  of the  circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not
misleading.

                  4.8. Capital  Adequacy.  As of the date of this Agreement each
of United and UNB has, and at the Effective  Time,  after taking into effect the
Merger and the transactions  contemplated hereunder, each of United and UNB will
have,   sufficient   capital  to  satisfy  all  applicable   regulatory  capital
requirements.

                  4.9.  United Common Stock.  At the Effective  Time, the United
Common Stock to be issued  pursuant to the terms of Section 2.1, when so issued,
shall be duly authorized,  validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable,  free
of  preemptive  rights  and  free  and  clear  of  all  liens,  encumbrances  or
restrictions  created by or through United, with no personal liability attaching
to the ownership thereof.

                  4.10.  Legal  Proceedings.  Except as  disclosed in the United
Disclosure Schedule,  neither United nor its Subsidiaries is a party to any, and
there are no pending or, to United's  knowledge,  threatened,  Legal Proceedings
against United or any of its Subsidiaries which, if decided adversely to United,
or  any  of its  Subsidiaries,  would  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the
business,   operations,   assets  or  financial  condition  of  United  and  its
Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis.  Except  as  disclosed  in  the  United
Disclosure Schedule,  neither United nor any of United's Subsidiaries is a party
to any order,  judgment or decree entered  against United or any such Subsidiary
in any Legal  Proceeding  which  would  have a  material  adverse  effect on the
business,   operations,   assets  or  financial  condition  of  United  and  its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

                  4.11. Taxes and Tax Returns.  United and its Subsidiaries have
duly filed (and until the Effective  Time will so file) all Returns  required to
be filed by them in respect of any  federal,  state and local  taxes  (including
withholding taxes, penalties or other payments required) and have duly paid (and
until the Effective Time will so pay) all such taxes due and payable, other than
taxes or other charges which are being  contested in good faith.  United and its
Subsidiaries  have  established (and until the Effective Time will establish) on
their books and records reserves for the payment of all federal, state and local
taxes not yet due and  payable,  but  incurred  in  respect  of  United  and its
Subsidiaries  through such date, which reserves are, to the knowledge of United,
adequate for such purposes.  No  deficiencies  exist or have been asserted based
upon the federal income tax returns of United and UNB.

                  4.12.    Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a) United and its  Subsidiaries  maintain  or  contribute  to
certain "employee  pension benefit plans" (the "United Pension Plans"),  as such
term is defined in Section 3 of ERISA, and "employee welfare benefit plans" (the
"United Welfare  Plans"),  as such term is defined in Section 3 of ERISA.  Since
September 2, 1974,  neither United nor its Subsidiaries  have contributed to any
"Multiemployer Plan", as such term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

                  (b) Each of the  United  Pension  Plans and each of the United
Welfare Plans has been operated in compliance in all material  respects with the
provisions  of ERISA,  the Code,  all  regulations,  rulings  and  announcements
promulgated or issued thereunder, and all other applicable governmental laws and
regulations.

                  (c) The present value of all accrued  benefits both vested and
non-vested  under each of the United Pension Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA,
based  upon the  actuarial  assumptions  used for  purposes  of the most  recent
actuarial  valuation  prepared by such United  Pension Plan's  actuary,  did not
exceed the then  current  value of the assets of such  plans  allocable  to such
accrued benefits.  To the best of United's knowledge,  the actuarial assumptions
then  utilized for such plans were  reasonable  and  appropriate  as of the last
valuation date and reflect then current market conditions.

                  (d) During the last six years,  the PBGC has not  asserted any
claim for liability against United or any of its Subsidiaries which has not been
paid in full.

                  (e) All premiums (and interest  charges and penalties for late
payment, if applicable) due to the PBGC with respect to each United Pension Plan
have been paid.  All  contributions  required to be made to each United  Pension
Plan under the terms  thereof,  ERISA or other  applicable  law have been timely
made, and all amounts  properly accrued to date as liabilities of United and its
Subsidiaries  which have not been paid have been properly  recorded on the books
of United and its Subsidiaries.

                  (f) Except as  disclosed  on the United  Disclosure  Schedule,
each of the United Pension  Plans,  the United Welfare Plans and each other plan
and arrangement  identified on the United Disclosure  Schedule has been operated
in compliance in all material  respects with the provisions of ERISA,  the Code,
all regulations, rulings and announcements promulgated or issued thereunder, and
all other applicable governmental laws and regulations. Furthermore, the IRS has
issued a favorable determination letter, which takes into account the Tax Reform
Act of 1986 and subsequent  legislation  through the date of such  determination
letter, with respect to each of the United Pension Plans and United is not aware
of any fact or circumstance which would disqualify any such plan, that could not
be retroactively corrected (in accordance with the procedures of the IRS).

                  (g) To the knowledge of United, within the past two plan years
no non-exempt prohibited transaction,  within the meaning of Section 4975 of the
Code or Section 406 of ERISA,  has  occurred  with  respect to any of the United
Welfare Plans or United Pension Plans.

                  (h) No United Pension Plan or any trust created thereunder has
been terminated, nor have there been any "reportable events", within the meaning
of Section 4034(b) of ERISA, with respect to any of the United Pension Plans.

                  (i)  To the  knowledge  of  United,  no  "accumulated  funding
deficiency",  within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code,  has been  incurred
with respect to any of the United Pension Plans.

                  4.13.    Reports.

                  (a) Each  communication  mailed by United to its  stockholders
since  January 1, 1995,  and each  annual,  quarterly or special  report,  proxy
statement or  communication,  as of its date,  complied in all material respects
with all applicable  statutes,  rules and regulations enforced or promulgated by
the applicable  regulatory  agency and did not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or  necessary  in order to make the  statements  made  therein,  in light of the
circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not  misleading;  provided  that
disclosures  as of a later date shall be deemed to modify  disclosures  as of an
earlier date.

                  (b) Since  January 1, 1995,  (i) United has filed all  reports
that it was  required  to file with the SEC under the 1934 Act,  and (ii) United
and UNB each has duly filed all material forms, reports and documents which they
were  required to file with each agency  charged with  regulating  any aspect of
their business, in each case in form which was correct in all material respects,
and,  subject to permission  from such regulatory  authorities,  United promptly
will deliver or make available to Raritan  accurate and complete  copies of such
reports.  As of their  respective  dates,  each such form,  report,  or document
referred to in either of clauses (i) or (ii) above, and each final  registration
statement,  prospectus,  annual,  quarterly or special report,  definitive proxy
statement  or  communication  referred  to in either of  clauses  (i) or (ii) of
paragraph  (b) above,  complied in all  material  respects  with all  applicable
statutes,  rules and regulations  and did not contain any untrue  statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or  necessary  in order to make the  statements  made  therein,  in light of the
circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not  misleading;  provided  that
information contained in any such document as of a later date shall be deemed to
modify  information as of an earlier date. The United Disclosure  Schedule lists
the dates of all  examinations  of United or UNB  conducted by either the OCC or
the FDIC since January 1, 1995 and the dates of any responses  thereto submitted
by United or UNB.

                  4.14.   Compliance   with   Applicable  Law.  United  and  its
Subsidiaries hold all material licenses,  franchises, permits and authorizations
necessary  for the  lawful  conduct  of their  respective  businesses  under and
pursuant  to each,  and has  complied  with and is not in default in any respect
under any,  applicable law,  statute,  order,  rule,  regulation,  policy and/or
guideline  of  any  federal,  state  or  local  governmental  authority  or  the
NASDAQ/NMS  relating  to United  and its  Subsidiaries  (other  than  where such
default or  non-compliance  will not result in a material  adverse effect on the
business,   operations,   assets  or  financial  condition  of  United  and  its
Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis) and United has not  received  notice of
violations of, and does not know of any violations  (other than violations which
will not, alone or in the aggregate,  result in a material adverse effect on the
business   operations,   assets  or  financial   condition  of  United  and  its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) of, any of the above. Without limiting the
foregoing,  to its knowledge UNB has complied in all material  respects with the
CRA and United has  received  no written  notice  that any person or group would
object to the  consummation of a merger involving UNB due to the CRA performance
or rating of UNB.  To the  knowledge  of United,  except as listed on the United
Disclosure  Schedule,  no person or group has adversely commented upon UNB's CRA
performance. The most recent CRA rating received by UNB was "Satisfactory."

                  4.15.    Properties and Insurance.

                  (a) United  and its  Subsidiaries  have good and,  as to owned
real property,  marketable title to all material assets and properties,  whether
real or personal,  tangible or  intangible,  reflected in United's  consolidated
balance  sheet as of June 30,  1998,  or owned and acquired  subsequent  thereto
(except to the extent that such assets and properties  have been disposed of for
fair value in the ordinary  course of business since June 30, 1998).  United and
its Subsidiaries as lessees have the right under valid and subsisting  leases to
occupy,  use,  possess  and  control  all real  property  leased  by them in all
material respects as presently occupied, used, possessed and controlled by them.

                  (b) The business  operations and all insurable  properties and
assets of United and its  Subsidiaries are insured for their benefit against all
risks which,  in the  reasonable  judgment of the management of United should be
insured against, in each case under valid,  binding and enforceable  policies or
bonds,  with such  deductibles  and against  such risks and losses as are in the
opinion of the  management  of United  adequate for the  business  engaged in by
United and its  Subsidiaries.  As of the date hereof,  neither United nor any of
its Subsidiaries has received any notice of cancellation or notice of a material
amendment  of any such  insurance  policy or bond or is in  default  under  such
policy or bond, no coverage thereunder is being disputed and all material claims
thereunder have been filed in a timely fashion.

                  4.16.  Minute  Books.  The  minute  books  of  United  and its
Subsidiaries  contain records that are accurate in all material  respects of all
meetings and other corporate  action held of their  respective  stockholders and
Boards  of  Directors  (including  committees  of  their  respective  Boards  of
Directors).

                  4.17. Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in the United
Disclosure Schedule, neither United nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
written notice, citation,  claim, assessment,  proposed assessment or demand for
abatement alleging that United or any of its Subsidiaries (either directly or as
a  successor-in-interest  in  connection  with the  enforcement  of  remedies to
realize the value of properties  serving as collateral for outstanding loans) is
responsible  for the  correction  or clean-up of any  condition  material to the
business,   operations,   assets  or  financial   condition  of  United  or  its
Subsidiaries.  Except as disclosed in the United Disclosure Schedule, United has
no knowledge  that any toxic or  hazardous  substances  or  materials  have been
emitted,  generated,  disposed of or stored on any  property  owned or leased by
United or any of its Subsidiaries,  as OREO or otherwise, or owned or controlled
by United or any of its  Subsidiaries  as a trustee or  fiduciary in any manner,
that violates or, after the lapse of time may violate,  any  presently  existing
federal,  state or local  law or  regulation  governing  or  pertaining  to such
substances and materials,  the violation of which would have a material  adverse
effect on the business,  operations, assets or financial condition of United and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

                  4.18.  Reserves.  The  allowance  for possible  loan and lease
losses  in the June 30,  1998  United  Financial  Statements  was,  to  United's
knowledge,  adequate  at the time  based  upon past loan  loss  experiences  and
potential  losses  in the  portfolio  at the  time to cover  all  then  known or
anticipated loan losses.

                  4.19. Year 2000 Compliance. United and the United Subsidiaries
have taken all reasonable  steps  necessary to address the software,  accounting
and record keeping issues raised in order for the data  processing  systems used
in  the  business  conducted  by  United  and  the  United  Subsidiaries  to  be
substantially  Year 2000  compliant on or before the end of 1999 and United does
not expect the future cost of  addressing  such issues to be  material.  Neither
United nor any United Subsidiary has received a rating of less than satisfactory
from any bank regulatory agency with respect to Year 2000 compliance.

                  4.20. Agreements with Bank Regulators.  Except as disclosed in
the United  Disclosure  Schedule,  neither United nor any United Subsidiary is a
party to any agreement or memorandum  of  understanding  with, or a party to any
commitment  letter,  board  resolution  submitted to a  regulatory  authority or
similar  undertaking  to, or is  subject to any order or  directive  by, or is a
recipient of any extraordinary  supervisory letter from, any Governmental Entity
which restricts materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates
to its  capital  adequacy,  its credit or reserve  policies  or its  management,
except for those the existence of which has been disclosed in writing to Raritan
by United  prior to the date of this  Agreement,  nor has United been advised by
any Governmental  Entity that it is  contemplating  issuing or requesting (or is
considering  the  appropriateness  of issuing  or  requesting)  any such  order,
decree,  agreement,  memorandum  of  understanding,   extraordinary  supervisory
letter, commitment letter or similar submission,  except as disclosed in writing
to Raritan by United prior to the date of this Agreement. Neither United nor any
United Subsidiary is required by Section 32 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act
to give prior notice to a Federal banking agency of the proposed  addition of an
individual  to its board of directors or the  employment  of an  individual as a
senior  executive  officer,  except as disclosed in writing to Raritan by United
prior to the date of this Agreement.

                  4.21. Disclosures.  No representation or warranty contained in
Article IV of this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a  material  fact  necessary  to make the  statements  herein not
misleading.

                                    ARTICLE V

                            COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

                  5.1.  Conduct of the  Business of  Raritan.  During the period
from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time,  Raritan shall, and shall
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, conduct its respective business and engage in
transactions permitted hereunder only in the ordinary course and consistent with
prudent banking practice, except with the prior written consent of United, which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Raritan also shall use all reasonable
efforts to (i)  preserve  its  business  organization  and that of each  Raritan
Subsidiary  intact,  (ii) keep  available to itself the present  services of its
employees and those of its  Subsidiaries,  provided that neither Raritan nor any
of its Subsidiaries  shall be required to take any unreasonable or extraordinary
act or any action which would  conflict  with any other term of this  Agreement,
(iii)  preserve for itself and United the goodwill of its customers and those of
its  Subsidiaries  and others with whom business  relationships  exist, and (iv)
take any action which United may reasonably request in order to cause the Merger
to qualify as a pooling of interests for accounting purposes including,  without
limitation,  reissuing  "tainted"  shares of Raritan  Common  Stock if United so
requests.

                  5.2.     Negative Covenants and Dividend Covenants.

                  (a) Raritan  agrees that from the date hereof to the Effective
Time, except as set forth in Section 5.2 of the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule or
as  otherwise  approved by United in writing or as permitted or required by this
Agreement, it will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

                  (i) change any provision of its  Certificate of  Incorporation
or Charter, as the case may be, or Bylaws or any similar governing documents;

                  (ii) except for the issuance of Raritan  Common Stock pursuant
to the present  terms of the  outstanding  Raritan  Options and the United Stock
Option and as disclosed in the Raritan Disclosure Schedule, change the number of
shares of its  authorized or issued common or preferred  stock or issue or grant
any  option,  warrant,  call,  commitment,  subscription,  right to  purchase or
agreement of any character relating to the authorized or issued capital stock of
Raritan or any Raritan  Subsidiary or any securities  convertible into shares of
such stock, or split,  combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock, or
redeem or otherwise  acquire any shares of such capital stock,  or declare,  set
aside or pay any  dividend,  or other  distribution  (whether in cash,  stock or
property or any combination  thereof) in respect of its capital stock, or redeem
or otherwise  acquire any shares of such  capital  stock,  other than  Raritan's
regular  quarterly  cash  dividends  in amounts not to exceed $0.15 per calendar
quarter, with the dividend payment dates to be coordinated with United, it being
the intention of the parties that the shareholders of Raritan receive  dividends
for any  particular  calendar  quarter on either the Raritan Common Stock or the
United Common Stock acquired in exchange  therefor pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement but not both; provided further, that nothing contained herein shall be
deemed to affect the ability of the Bank to pay  dividends on its capital  stock
to Raritan;

                  (iii)  grant any  severance  or  termination  pay (other  than
pursuant to  agreements  or policies of Raritan in effect on the date hereof and
disclosed  in the  Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule  or as  agreed  to by United in
writing) to, or enter into or amend any  employment  agreement  with, any of its
directors,  officers  or  employees,  adopt  any new  employee  benefit  plan or
arrangement of any type or amend any such existing  benefit plan or arrangement;
or award any increase in compensation or benefits to its directors,  officers or
employees;

                  (iv) sell or  dispose of any  substantial  amount of assets or
incur any significant  liabilities other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices and policies;

                  (v) make any  capital  expenditures  other  than  pursuant  to
binding  commitments  existing on the date hereof and expenditures  necessary to
maintain  existing assets in good repair and expenditures  described in business
plans or budgets previously furnished to United;

                  (vi) file any  applications  or make any contract with respect
to branching or site location or relocation.

                  (vii) agree to acquire in any manner whatsoever (other than to
foreclose on collateral for a defaulted loan) any business or entity;

                  (viii) make any material  change in its accounting  methods or
practices, other than changes required in accordance with GAAP;

                  (ix)  take  any  action  that  would  result  in  any  of  the
representations  and  warranties  contained in Article III of this Agreement not
being true and correct in any material respect at the Effective Time; or

                  (x) agree to do any of the foregoing.

                  (b) United  agrees that from the date hereof to the  Effective
Time,  except as  otherwise  approved by Raritan in writing or as  permitted  or
required  by this  Agreement,  it  will  not,  nor  will  it  permit  any of its
Subsidiaries to:

                  (i) take any action  that is  intended  or may  reasonably  be
expected to result in any of its  representations  and  warranties  set forth in
this Agreement  being or becoming  untrue in any material  respect,  or that may
result in any  condition,  agreement or covenant set forth in this Agreement not
being satisfied;

                  (ii)  take  or  cause  to be  taken  any  action  which  would
disqualify the Merger as a tax free reorganization under Section 368 of the Code
or as a pooling of interests for accounting purposes;

                  (iii)  consolidate  with or merge  with any  other  person  or
entity in which United is not the surviving entity, or convey, transfer or lease
its properties and assets  substantially  as an entirety to any person or entity
unless such person or entity shall  expressly  assume the  obligations of United
under this Agreement; or

                  (iv) authorize or enter into any agreement or commitment to do
any of the foregoing.

                  5.3. No  Solicitation.  So long as this  Agreement  remains in
effect,  Raritan and the Bank shall not,  directly or  indirectly,  encourage or
solicit or hold discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to,
any person, entity or group (other than United) concerning any merger or sale of
shares of capital stock or sale of substantial  assets or liabilities not in the
ordinary course of business,  or similar  transactions  involving Raritan or the
Bank (an "Acquisition Transaction").  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Raritan may
enter into discussions or negotiations or provide information in connection with
an  unsolicited  possible  Acquisition  Transaction if the Board of Directors of
Raritan,  after  consulting  with  counsel,  determines  in the  exercise of its
fiduciary  responsibilities  that such  discussions  or  negotiations  should be
commenced  or such  information  should be  furnished.  Raritan  shall  promptly
communicate to United the terms of any proposal,  whether written or oral, which
it may receive in respect of any such Acquisition  Transaction and the fact that
it is having discussions or negotiations with a third party about an Acquisition
Transaction.

                  5.4. Current  Information.  During the period from the date of
this  Agreement  to the  Effective  Time,  Raritan will cause one or more of its
designated  representatives  to  confer  on a monthly  basis,  or on such  other
schedule as the parties may mutually agree upon, with  representatives of United
regarding  Raritan's  business,  operations,  properties,  assets and  financial
condition  and  matters   relating  to  the   completion  of  the   transactions
contemplated herein. Without limiting the foregoing,  promptly, but in any event
within 30 days,  after  granting  any new loan or  extension  of credit,  or any
renewal of an  existing  loan or  extension  of credit,  in excess of  $250,000,
Raritan  and the Bank will send United a  description  thereof,  and  thereafter
Raritan will promptly send to United copies of such documents  relating  thereto
as United shall reasonably request. As soon as reasonably  available,  but in no
event more than 45 days after the end of each  fiscal  quarter  (other  than the
last  fiscal  quarter  of  each  fiscal  year)  ending  after  the  date of this
Agreement, Raritan will deliver to United the Bank's call reports filed with the
FDIC and  Raritan's  quarterly  reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC under
the 1934 Act, and United will deliver to Raritan United's  quarterly  reports on
Form  10-Q,  as filed with the SEC under the 1934 Act,  and UNB's  call  reports
filed  with the OCC and the FDIC.  As soon as  reasonably  available,  but in no
event more than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year,  Raritan will deliver
to United and United will deliver to Raritan their respective year end financial
statements and related reports to shareholders and regulatory agencies.

                  5.5.     Access to Properties and Records; Confidentiality.

                  (a)  Raritan and the Bank shall  permit  United and its agents
and  representatives,   including,  without  limitation,   officers,  directors,
employees,   attorneys,   accountants  and  financial  advisors   (collectively,
"Representatives"),   and  United  and  UNB  shall   permit   Raritan   and  its
Representatives,  reasonable  access to their respective  properties,  and shall
disclose and make available to United and its Representatives or Raritan and its
Representatives  as the case may be, all books,  papers and records  relating to
their respective assets, stock ownership,  properties,  operations,  obligations
and liabilities,  including, but not limited to, all books of account (including
the general ledger),  tax records,  minute books of directors' and stockholders'
meetings,  organizational documents,  bylaws, material contracts and agreements,
filings  with  any  regulatory  authority,  independent  auditors'  work  papers
(subject to the receipt by such  auditors  of a standard  access  representation
letter),  litigation files,  plans affecting  employees,  and any other business
activities or prospects in which United and its  Representatives  or Raritan and
its  Representatives  may have a  reasonable  interest.  Neither  party shall be
required to provide  access to or to disclose  information  where such access or
disclosure  would  violate  or  prejudice  the rights of any  customer  or would
contravene  any law,  rule,  regulation,  order or judgment or, in the case of a
document which is subject to an attorney client privilege,  would compromise the
right of the disclosing party to claim that privilege.  The parties will use all
reasonable  efforts to obtain  waivers of any such  restriction  (other than the
attorney  client  privilege)  and  in  any  event  make  appropriate  substitute
disclosure  arrangements  under  circumstances  in which the restrictions of the
preceding  sentence apply.  Raritan  acknowledges that United may be involved in
discussions  concerning  other  potential  acquisitions  and United shall not be
obligated to disclose such  information to Raritan except as such information is
publicly disclosed by United.

                  (b) All information furnished by the parties hereto previously
in  connection  with  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement or pursuant
hereto  shall  be  used  solely  for  the  purpose  of  evaluating   the  Merger
contemplated hereby, shall be kept confidential and shall be treated as the sole
property of the party  delivering  the  information  until  consummation  of the
Merger  contemplated  hereby and, if such Merger shall not occur, each party and
each party's  Representatives  shall return to the other party all  documents or
other materials  containing,  reflecting or referring to such information,  will
not retain  any copies of such  information,  shall keep  confidential  all such
information,  and shall not directly or indirectly use such  information for any
competitive  or other  commercial  purposes or any other  purposes not expressly
permitted hereby.  Each party shall inform its  Representatives  of the terms of
this Section 5.5. Any breach of this Section 5.5 by a Representative  of a party
hereto shall conclusively be deemed to be a breach thereof by such party. In the
event that the Merger contemplated hereby is abandoned, all documents, notes and
other  writings  prepared  by a party  hereto  or its  Representatives  based on
information  furnished  by the other  party  shall be  promptly  destroyed.  The
obligation to keep such information  confidential  shall continue for five years
from the date the proposed  Merger is  abandoned  but shall not apply to (i) any
information  which (A) the party  receiving  the  information  can  establish by
convincing  evidence  was  already  in its  possession  prior to the  disclosure
thereof to it by the other party;  (B) was then  generally  known to the public;
(C) became  known to the public  through  no fault of the party  receiving  such
information;  or (D) was disclosed to the party receiving such  information by a
third party not bound by an obligation of  confidentiality;  or (ii) disclosures
pursuant to a legal, regulatory or examination requirement or in accordance with
an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

                  (c) In addition to all other remedies that may be available to
any party hereto in connection with a breach by any other party hereto of its or
its Representative's obligations under this Section 5.5, each party hereto shall
be entitled to specific  performance and injunctive and other  equitable  relief
with respect to this Section 5.5.  Each party hereto  waives,  and agrees to use
all reasonable efforts to cause its Representatives to waive, any requirement to
secure or post a bond in connection with any such relief.

                  5.6.     Regulatory Matters.

                  (a) For the  purposes  of  holding  the  meetings  of  Raritan
stockholders  and United  shareholders  referred  to in  Section  5.7 hereof and
registering  or  otherwise   qualifying  under  applicable   federal  and  state
securities laws United Common Stock to be issued to Record Holders and Optionees
in  connection  with the  Merger,  the parties  hereto  shall  cooperate  in the
preparation and filing by United of a Registration  Statement with the SEC which
shall include an appropriate joint proxy statement and prospectus satisfying all
applicable requirements of applicable state and federal laws, including the 1933
Act,  the 1934 Act and  applicable  state  securities  laws  and the  rules  and
regulations  thereunder.  (Such joint proxy statement and prospectus in the form
mailed by Raritan to the Raritan  stockholders  and Optionees  together with any
and all amendments or supplements  thereto,  and in the form mailed by United to
the United  shareholders  together with any and all  amendments  or  supplements
thereto,   is   collectively   herein   referred   to  as   the   "Joint   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus"  and the various documents to be filed by United under the
1933 Act with the SEC to register for sale the United  Common Stock to be issued
to Record Holders and Optionees,  including the Proxy Statement/Prospectus,  are
referred to herein as the "Registration Statement").

                  (b) United shall furnish information concerning United and the
Merger as is necessary  in order to cause the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,
insofar as it relates to United and the Merger,  to comply with  Section  5.6(a)
hereof.  United  agrees  promptly to advise  Raritan if at any time prior to the
Raritan  stockholder  meeting referred to in Section 5.7 hereof, any information
provided by United in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus  becomes incorrect or
incomplete in any material  respect and to provide  Raritan with the information
needed to correct such inaccuracy or omission. United shall furnish Raritan with
such  supplemental  information  as may be necessary in order to cause the Joint
Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  insofar as it relates to United and the Merger, to
comply with Section 5.6(a) after the mailing thereof to Raritan stockholders and
United shareholders.

                  (c)  Raritan  shall  furnish  United  with  such   information
concerning  Raritan  and the Bank as is  necessary  in order to cause  the Joint
Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  insofar  as it relates  to such  corporations,  to
comply with Section 5.6(a) hereof.  Raritan agrees promptly to advise United if,
at any time  prior to either  of the  meetings  referred  to in  Section  5.6(a)
hereof,  information provided by Raritan in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
becomes  incorrect or incomplete in any material  respect and to provide  United
with the  information  needed to correct such  inaccuracy  or omission.  Raritan
shall furnish United with such  supplemental  information as may be necessary in
order to cause the Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  insofar as it relates to
Raritan and the Bank, to comply with Section 5.6(a) after the mailing thereof to
Raritan stockholders and United shareholders.

                  (d) United shall  promptly  make such filings as are necessary
in  connection  with the  offering of the United  Common  Stock  pursuant to the
Merger with applicable  state  securities  agencies and shall use all reasonable
efforts to qualify the  offering  of the United  Common  Stock under  applicable
state securities laws at the earliest  practicable date.  Raritan shall promptly
furnish  United with such  information  regarding  the Raritan  stockholders  as
United  requires to enable it to determine what filings are required  hereunder.
Raritan authorizes United to utilize in such filings the information  concerning
Raritan and the Bank provided to United in connection with, or contained in, the
Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  United shall furnish  Raritan with drafts of
all such filings,  as well as filings with the SEC and all regulatory filings in
connection  with the Merger,  shall  provide  Raritan  with the  opportunity  to
comment  thereon,  and shall keep Raritan advised of the status thereof.  United
shall as promptly as practicable file the Registration  Statement containing the
Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  with the SEC,  and each of United and Raritan
shall promptly notify the other of all communications, oral or written, with the
SEC    concerning   the    Registration    Statement   and   the   Joint   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.

                  (e) United shall cause the United Common Stock to be issued in
connection with the Merger to be listed on the NASDAQ/NMS.

                  (f) The parties  hereto will cooperate with each other and use
all  reasonable  efforts to prepare all necessary  documentation,  to effect all
necessary  filings  and to obtain  all  necessary  permits,  consents,  waivers,
approvals  and  authorizations  of all third  parties  and  governmental  bodies
necessary to consummate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement as soon
as  possible,  including,  without  limitation,  those  required by the OCC, the
Commissioner,  the State of New Jersey,  the FDIC and the FRB. The parties shall
each  have the  right to  review  in  advance  (and  shall do so  promptly)  all
information  relating  to the  other,  as the  case  may be,  and  any of  their
respective  subsidiaries,  which  appears  in any filing  made with,  or written
material  submitted to, any third party or governmental  body in connection with
the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.  The parties hereto shall use
reasonable  business  efforts to file for approval or waiver by the  appropriate
bank regulatory agencies within 60 days of the date hereof.

                  (g) Each of the parties will promptly  furnish each other with
copies of written  communications  received  by them or any of their  respective
subsidiaries  from, or delivered by any of the  foregoing  to, any  governmental
body in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (h)  Raritan  acknowledges  that United is in or may be in the
process  of  acquiring  other  banks  and  financial  institutions  and  that in
connection  with  such  acquisitions,  information  concerning  Raritan  may  be
required to be included in the registration statements,  if any, for the sale of
securities  of United or in SEC reports in  connection  with such  acquisitions.
Raritan agrees to provide United with any information,  certificates,  documents
or other materials  about Raritan as are reasonably  necessary to be included in
such  other SEC  reports  or  registration  statements,  including  registration
statements  which may be filed by United prior to the  Effective  Time.  Raritan
shall use its  reasonable  efforts to cause its  attorneys  and  accountants  to
provide  United and any  underwriters  for  United  with any  consents,  comfort
letters, opinion letters, reports or information which are necessary to complete
the  registration  statements  and  applications  for any  such  acquisition  or
issuance of securities.  United shall reimburse Raritan for reasonable  expenses
thus incurred by Raritan  should this  Agreement be  terminated  for any reason.
United  shall  not file with the SEC any  registration  statement  or  amendment
thereto or supplement  thereof containing  information  regarding Raritan unless
Raritan shall have consented in writing to such filing,  which consent shall not
be unreasonably delayed or withheld.

                  (i) Between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time,
Raritan shall cooperate with United to be in a position as of the Effective Time
to reasonably  conform Raritan's  policies and procedures  regarding  applicable
regulatory  matters  to those of United as United  may  reasonably  identify  to
Raritan from time to time.

                  5.7.     Approval of Stockholders.

                  (a) Raritan will (i) take all steps reasonably  necessary duly
to call,  give  notice of,  convene  and hold a meeting of the  stockholders  of
Raritan  as soon as  reasonably  practicable  for the  purpose of  securing  the
approval by such  stockholders of this  Agreement,  (ii subject to the fiduciary
responsibilities  of the Board of  Directors of Raritan to the  stockholders  of
Raritan, recommend to the stockholders of Raritan the approval of this Agreement
and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and use all  reasonable  efforts to
obtain,  as promptly as  practicable,  such  approvals,  and (iii) cooperate and
consult with United with respect to each of the foregoing matters. In connection
therewith, Raritan will use reasonable efforts to cause each director of Raritan
to agree,  (x) to vote in favor of the  Merger,  and (y) take such  action as is
necessary or is reasonably required by United to consummate the Merger.

                  (b) United will (i) take all steps  reasonably  necessary duly
to call,  give  notice of,  convene  and hold a meeting of the  stockholders  of
United  as soon as  reasonably  practicable  for the  purpose  of  securing  the
approval by such  stockholders of this  Agreement,  (ii subject to the fiduciary
responsibilities  of the Board of  Directors  of United to the  stockholders  of
United,  recommend to the  stockholders of United the approval of this Agreement
and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and use all  reasonable  efforts to
obtain,  as promptly as  practicable,  such  approvals,  and (iii) cooperate and
consult  with  Raritan  with  respect  to  each  of the  foregoing  matters.  In
connection therewith,  United will use reasonable efforts to cause each director
of United to agree, (x) to vote in favor of the Merger, and (y) take such action
as is necessary or is reasonably required by Raritan to consummate the Merger.

                  5.8. Further  Assurances.  Subject to the terms and conditions
herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use all reasonable efforts
to take, or cause to be taken,  all actions and to do, or cause to be done,  all
things  reasonably  necessary,  proper or advisable  under  applicable  laws and
regulations  to satisfy the  conditions  to Closing and to  consummate  and make
effective the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  including,  without
limitation,  using  reasonable  efforts to lift or  rescind  any  injunction  or
restraining order or other order adversely  affecting the ability of the parties
to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement and using all
reasonable  efforts  to  prevent  the  breach of any  representation,  warranty,
covenant or agreement of such party  contained or referred to in this  Agreement
and to promptly  remedy the same.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to
require any party to participate  in any threatened or actual Legal  Proceedings
(other  than Legal  Proceedings  to which it is  otherwise a party or subject or
threatened to be made a party or subject) in connection with consummation of the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement  unless such party shall consent in
advance  and in  writing to such  participation  and the other  party  agrees to
reimburse and indemnify such party for and against any and all costs and damages
related thereto.

                  5.9. Public Announcements.  The parties hereto shall cooperate
with each other, and obtain each other's prior approval,  in the development and
distribution of all news releases and other public  disclosures  with respect to
this Agreement or any of the transactions  contemplated hereby, except as may be
otherwise  required by law or regulation or as to which the party releasing such
information  has used all reasonable  efforts to discuss with the other party in
advance.

                  5.10. Failure to Fulfill Conditions.  In the event that United
or Raritan  determines that a material condition to its obligation to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby cannot be fulfilled on or prior to June 30,
1999 (the  "Cutoff  Date")  and that it will not waive that  condition,  it will
promptly  notify  the  other  party.   Except  for  any  acquisition  or  merger
discussions  United may enter into with other  parties,  Raritan and United will
promptly  inform  the  other of any  facts  applicable  to  Raritan  or  United,
respectively, or their respective directors or officers, that would be likely to
prevent or materially delay approval of the Merger by any governmental authority
or which would otherwise prevent or materially delay completion of the Merger.

                  5.11. Disclosure  Supplements.  From time to time prior to the
Effective Time, each party hereto will promptly  supplement or amend (by written
notice to the other) its  respective  Disclosure  Schedules  delivered  pursuant
hereto  with  respect  to any  matter  hereafter  arising  which,  if  existing,
occurring or known at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be
set forth or  described  in such  Schedules or which is necessary to correct any
information  in such  Schedules  which has been rendered  materially  inaccurate
thereby. For the purpose of determining satisfaction of the conditions set forth
in Article VI, no  supplement  or amendment to such  Schedules  shall correct or
cure any warranty which was untrue when made, but  supplements or amendments may
be used to disclose  subsequent  facts or events to maintain the truthfulness of
any warranty.

                  5.12     Transaction Expenses of Raritan.

                  (a) To the extent not already done,  Raritan  shall  promptly,
but in any event within 30 days,  after the execution of this  Agreement ask all
of its attorneys and other  professionals to render current and correct invoices
for all unbilled  time and  disbursements,  and request  that its  professionals
render  monthly  invoices  within 30 days after the end of each  month.  Raritan
shall accrue and/or pay all of such amounts as soon as possible.

                  (b) United and Raritan  shall  jointly  make all  arrangements
with    respect   to   the   printing   and   mailing   of   the   Joint   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.

                  5.13.  Closing.  The parties  hereto shall  cooperate  and use
reasonable  efforts to try to cause the Effective Time to occur during  January,
1999.

                  5.14.    Indemnification.

                  (a) For a period of six years after the Effective Time, United
shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is now, or has been at
any time prior to the date hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective  Time, a
director  or officer of Raritan or the Bank  (collectively,  the  "Indemnitees")
against  any and all  claims,  damages,  liabilities,  losses,  costs,  charges,
expenses (including, without limitation,  reasonable costs of investigation, and
the reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of legal counsel and other advisers and
experts  as  incurred),   judgments,   fines,  penalties  and  amounts  paid  in
settlement,  asserted  against,  incurred by or imposed upon any  Indemnitee  by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director  or officer of Raritan or
the Bank or acted as a  director  or  officer  of a third  party at the  written
request of Raritan or the Bank, in connection  with,  arising out of or relating
to any  threatened,  pending or  completed  claim,  action,  suit or  proceeding
(whether civil, criminal,  administrative or investigative),  including, without
limitation, any and all claims, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations by
or on  behalf  of or in the right of or  against  Raritan  or the Bank or any of
their respective affiliates,  or by any former or present shareholder of Raritan
or the Bank (each a "Claim"  and  collectively,  "Claims"),  including,  without
limitation,  any Claim which is based upon,  arises out of or in any way relates
to the Merger, the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus,  this Agreement, any of the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  the  Indemnitee's  service as a
member of the Board of Directors of Raritan or the Bank or any committee of such
board, the events leading up to the execution of this Agreement,  any statement,
announcement,  recommendation  or solicitation  made in connection  therewith or
related  thereto (or the absence of any of the  foregoing) and any breach of any
duty in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case to the fullest extent
which Raritan or the Bank, as the case may be, would have been  permitted  under
any applicable  law and its  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and By-Laws had the
Merger not occurred  (and United shall also advance  expenses as incurred to the
fullest extent so permitted).

                  (b) From and after the Effective Time, United shall assume and
honor any obligation of Raritan or the Bank  immediately  prior to the Effective
Time with respect to the  indemnification of the Indemnitees  arising out of the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of Raritan or the Bank or arising out of
any  written  indemnification  agreements  between  Raritan or the Bank and such
persons  disclosed in the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule,  as if such obligations
were pursuant to a contract or arrangement  between United and such Indemnitees,
including the obligation to advance expenses  pursuant to Raritan's  Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws.

                  (c) In the event  United or any of its  successors  or assigns
(i)  reorganizes  or  consolidates  with or merges into or enters  into  another
business combination  transaction with any other person or entity and is not the
resulting,  continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation,
merger  or  transaction,  or (ii)  liquidates,  dissolves  or  transfers  all or
substantially  all of its properties  and assets to any person or entity,  then,
and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and
assigns of United assume the obligations set forth in this Section 5.14.

                  (d) United shall cause  Raritan's and the Bank's  officers and
directors  to be covered,  for a period of six years after the  Effective  Time,
under (i) United's then current  officers' and  directors'  liability  insurance
policy or (ii) an extension of Raritan's or the Bank's  existing  officers'  and
directors' liability insurance policy. However, United shall only be required to
insure  such  persons  upon  terms and for  coverages  substantially  similar to
Raritan's or the Bank's existing officers' and directors'  liability  insurance,
as the case may be.

                  (e) Any Indemnitee wishing to claim indemnification under this
Section 5.14 shall  promptly  notify United upon learning of any Claim,  but the
failure to so notify  shall not relieve  United of any  liability it may have to
such  Indemnitee if such failure does not materially  prejudice  United.  In the
event of any Claim (whether  arising  before or after the Effective  Time) as to
which  indemnification  under this Section 5.14 is applicable,  (x) United shall
have the right to assume the defense  thereof and United  shall not be liable to
such  Indemnitees  for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses
subsequently incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof,
except  that if United  elects not to assume  such  defense,  or counsel for the
Indemnitees  advises  that there are issues  which raise  conflicts  of interest
between  United  and  the  Indemnitees,   the  Indemnitees  may  retain  counsel
satisfactory  to them, and United shall pay the reasonable  fees and expenses of
such counsel for the Indemnitees as statements therefor are received;  provided,
however,  that United shall be obligated pursuant to this Section 5.14(e) to pay
for  only one firm of  counsel  for all  Indemnitees  in any  jurisdiction  with
respect to a matter unless the use of one counsel for multiple Indemnitees would
present  such  counsel  with a conflict of interest  that is not waivable by the
Indemnitees,  and (y) the Indemnitees  will cooperate in the defense of any such
matter.  United  shall not be liable  for  settlement  of any  claim,  action or
proceeding  hereunder  unless such settlement is effected with its prior written
consent.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Section 5.14, United
shall not have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnitee when and if a court of
competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine,  and such determination shall
have become final and nonappealable, that the indemnification of such Indemnitee
in the manner  contemplated  hereby is prohibited  by  applicable  law or public
policy.

                  5.15. New United and UNB Directors.  As of the Effective Time,
United shall cause its Board of Directors and the UNB Board of Directors to take
action to appoint to the Boards of Directors of United and UNB, respectively, at
the  Effective  Time,  Arlyn D. Rus and one other current  Raritan  director who
shall be proposed by Raritan and approved by United.  Such persons will serve on
separate  classes of the Board of Directors of United and Mr. Rus shall serve as
Vice  Chairman of the Board of United.  As of the Effective  Time,  United shall
cause the UNB Board of Directors  to take action to create an advisory  Board of
Directors and to invite all then  directors of Raritan to serve on such advisory
board.

                  5.16.  Employment  Matters.  In  connection  with the  Merger,
United  and  Raritan  will deal with  employment  and  severance  contracts  and
arrangements  with  officers and employees of Raritan and the Bank in the manner
set forth in Section 5.16 of the

Raritan Disclosure Schedule.


                  5.17. Pooling and Tax-Free Reorganization  Treatment.  Neither
United nor Raritan shall  intentionally  take, fail to take or cause to be taken
or not be taken,  any action  within its  control,  whether  before or after the
Effective  Time,  which would  disqualify the Merger as a "pooling of interests"
for accounting  purposes or as a "reorganization"  within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code.

                  5.18. Raritan Option Plans. From and after the Effective Time,
each Raritan  Option which is converted to an option to purchase  United  Common
Stock under Section 2.1(b) shall be administered,  operated and interpreted by a
committee  comprised of members of the Board of Directors of United appointed by
the Board of  Directors  of United  (including  one or more former  directors of
Raritan).  United  shall  reserve  for  issuance  the number of shares of United
Common  Stock  necessary  to satisfy  United's  obligations.  United  shall also
register,  if not  previously  registered  pursuant to the 1933 Act,  the shares
authorized for issuance under the Raritan Options so converted.

                  5.19.    Affiliates.

                  (a)  Promptly,  but in any  event  within  30 days,  after the
execution  and delivery of this  Agreement,  (i) Raritan shall deliver to United
(x) a letter  identifying  all persons who, to the knowledge of Raritan,  may be
deemed to be  affiliates  of Raritan  under Rule 145 of the 1933 Act,  including
without  limitation  all directors  and executive  officers of Raritan and (y) a
letter  identifying all persons who, to the knowledge of Raritan,  may be deemed
to be  affiliates  of Raritan as that term  (affiliate)  is used for purposes of
qualifying for pooling-of-interests  accounting treatment; and (ii) United shall
identify to Raritan all persons who, to the  knowledge of United,  may be deemed
affiliates  of  United  as that  term  (affiliates)  is  used  for  purposes  of
qualifying for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment.

                  (b)  Raritan  shall  cause each  director  of Raritan  to, and
Raritan  shall use all  reasonable  efforts to cause each  executive  officer of
Raritan and each other person who may be deemed an  affiliate of Raritan  (under
either Rule 145 of the 1933 Act or the accounting  treatment  rules) to, execute
and deliver to United  within 30 days after the  execution  and delivery of this
Agreement, a letter substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.19 hereto agreeing to
be bound by the  restrictions  of Rule 145 and agreeing to be bound by the rules
which permit the Merger to be treated as a pooling of interests  for  accounting
purposes. In addition, United shall cause each director and executive officer of
United  to,  and  United  shall use all  reasonable  efforts to cause each other
person  who may be  deemed  an  affiliate  of  United  (as that term is used for
purposes of  qualifying  for pooling of  interests)  to,  execute and deliver to
United  within 30 days after the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement,  a
letter  substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.19.1 hereto in which such persons
agree to be bound by the  rules  which  permit  the  Merger to be  treated  as a
pooling of interests for accounting treatment.

                  (c) United shall use reasonable business efforts to publish as
soon as  possible,  but no later than 20 days  after the end of the first  month
after the  Effective  Time in which  there  are at least 30 days of  post-Merger
combined operations, combined revenues and net income figures as contemplated by
and in accordance with the terms of SEC Accounting Series Release No. 135.

                  5.20.  Compliance  with  the  Industrial  Site  Recovery  Act.
Raritan,  at its sole cost and  expense,  shall use all  reasonable  efforts  to
obtain prior to the Effective Time, with respect to each facility located in New
Jersey  owned  or  operated  by  Raritan  or any  Raritan  Subsidiary  (each,  a
"Facility"),  either:  (a) a Letter of  Non-Applicability  ("LNA")  from the New
Jersey  Department  of  Environmental  Protection  ("NJDEP")  stating  that  the
Facility is not an "industrial establishment," as such term is defined under the
Industrial Site Recovery Act ("ISRA"); (b) a Remediation Agreement issued by the
NJDEP  pursuant  to  ISRA  authorizing  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;  (c) a Negative Declaration  approval,  Remedial
Action  Workplan  approval,  No  Further  Action  letter  or other  document  or
documents  issued by the NJDEP advising that the  requirements of ISRA have been
satisfied  with respect to the Facility;  or (d) an opinion  addressed to United
from New Jersey legal counsel reasonably acceptable to United to the effect that
ISRA has been complied with, or is  inapplicable,  with respect to the Facility.
In the event Raritan obtains a Remediation Agreement,  Raritan will post or have
posted an  appropriate  Remediation  Funding  Source or will have  obtained  the
NJDEP's approval to self-guaranty any Remediation  Funding Source required under
any such Remediation Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               CLOSING CONDITIONS

                  6.1.   Conditions  of  Each  Party's  Obligations  Under  this
Agreement.  The  respective  obligations  of each party under this  Agreement to
consummate  the  Merger  shall  be  subject  to  the  satisfaction,   or,  where
permissible  under  applicable  law, waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of
the following conditions:

                  (a) Approval of Raritan Stockholders;  SEC Registration.  This
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby shall have been approved by
the  requisite  vote of the  stockholders  of Raritan  and the  shareholders  of
United. The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC
and shall not be subject to a stop order or any threatened  stop order,  and the
issuance of the United  Common  Stock shall have been  qualified  in every state
where such qualification is required under the applicable state securities laws.
The United  Common Stock to be issued in connection  with the Merger,  including
United  Common  Stock to be issued  for the  Raritan  Options,  shall  have been
approved for listing on the NASDAQ/NMS.

                  (b)   Regulatory   Filings.   All   necessary   regulatory  or
governmental  approvals and consents  (including without limitation any required
approval  of the  Commissioner,  the FDIC,  the OCC and any  approval  or waiver
required by the FRB) required to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
shall have been obtained  without any term or condition  which would  materially
impair  the value of Raritan  and the Bank,  taken as a whole,  to  United.  All
conditions  required to be satisfied prior to the Effective Time by the terms of
such approvals and consents shall have been satisfied; and all statutory waiting
periods in respect thereof shall have expired.

                  (c) Suits and Proceedings.  No order, judgment or decree shall
be  outstanding  against a party  hereto or a third  party  that  would have the
effect of preventing  completion  of the Merger;  no Legal  Proceeding  shall be
pending or threatened by any governmental body in which it is sought to restrain
or prohibit the Merger or the Bank Merger.

                  (d) Tax Free Exchange.  United and Raritan shall have received
an opinion, satisfactory to United and Raritan, of Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch,
counsel for United, issued in reliance on tax representation letters from United
and Raritan that are customary and reasonable  under the  circumstances,  to the
effect that the transactions contemplated hereby will result in a reorganization
(as defined in Section 368(a) of the Code), and accordingly no gain or loss will
be recognized  for federal  income tax purposes to United,  Raritan,  UNB or the
Bank or to the  stockholders of Raritan who exchange their shares of Raritan for
United  Common  Stock  (except to the extent  that cash is  received  in lieu of
fractional shares of United Common Stock). <PAGE>
                  (e) Pooling of Interests.  The Merger shall be qualified to be
treated by United as a  pooling-of-interests  for accounting purposes and United
shall have  received a letter from KPMG Peat  Marwick LLP to the effect that the
Merger will qualify for pooling-of-interests  accounting treatment if closed and
consummated in accordance with this Agreement.

                  6.2.  Conditions  to the  Obligations  of  United  Under  this
Agreement.  The  obligations  of United  under this  Agreement  shall be further
subject to the satisfaction or waiver, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the
following conditions:

                  (a) Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations
of Raritan and Bank. The  representations and warranties of Raritan contained in
this Agreement,  other than  representations  and warranties which are expressly
stated  to be made as of the date  hereof or as of any  other  particular  date,
shall be true and  correct on the  Closing  Date as though made on and as of the
Closing  Date.  Raritan  shall  have  performed  in all  material  respects  the
agreements,  covenants and obligations  necessary to be performed by it prior to
the Closing Date. With respect to any representation or warranty which as of the
Closing Date has required a  supplement  or amendment to the Raritan  Disclosure
Schedule to render such  representation  or warranty  true and correct as of the
Closing Date, the  representation  and warranty shall be deemed true and correct
as of the Closing Date only if (i) the  information  contained in the supplement
or amendment to the Disclosure  Schedule related to events  occurring  following
the execution of this Agreement and (ii) the facts  disclosed in such supplement
or amendment would not either alone,  or together with any other  supplements or
amendments to the Raritan Disclosure  Schedule,  materially adversely effect the
representation as to which the supplement or amendment relates.  In interpreting
this Section 6.2(a) and Section 7.1(d) hereof,  no representation or warranty of
Raritan shall be deemed untrue or incorrect,  and Raritan shall not be deemed to
have breached a representation or warranty,  as a consequence of any fact, event
or circumstance  unless such fact, event or circumstance,  individually or taken
together with all other facts,  events or  circumstances  inconsistent  with any
representation  or warranty of Raritan contained in this Agreement has had or is
reasonably  likely to have a material  adverse  effect on Raritan  and the Bank,
taken as a whole, from that disclosed by Raritan on the date of this Agreement.

                  (b) Consents.  United shall have received the written consents
of any person whose consent to the transactions  contemplated hereby is required
under the applicable instrument.

                  (c) Opinion of Counsel.  United shall have received an opinion
of counsel to  Raritan,  dated the date of the  Closing,  in form and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to United,  covering the matters set forth on Schedule
6.2 hereto and any other matters reasonably requested by United.

                  (d) Bank  Action.  The Bank  shall  have  taken all  necessary
corporate  action  to  effectuate  the Bank  Merger  immediately  following  the
Effective Time.

                  (e)  Certificates.  Raritan shall have  furnished  United with
such certificates of its officers or other documents to evidence  fulfillment of
the conditions set forth in this Section 6.2 as United may reasonably request.

                  (f) Environmental Law Compliance. Raritan shall have obtained,
with  respect to each  Facility,  an LNA, a  Remediation  Agreement,  a Negative
Declaration  approval,  a Remedial  Action  Workplan  approval  (in which  event
Raritan will post or have posted an  appropriate  Remediation  Funding Source or
will have obtained the NJDEP's approval to self-guaranty any Remediation Funding
Source  required  under any such  Remediation  Agreement),  a No Further  Action
letter or other  document or  documents  issued by the NJDEP  advising  that the
requirements  of ISRA have been  satisfied  with  respect to the  Facility or an
opinion of the type referred to in Section 5.20(d) hereof.

                  6.3.  Conditions  to the  Obligations  of  Raritan  Under this
Agreement.  The  obligations  of Raritan under this  Agreement  shall be further
subject to the satisfaction or waiver, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the
following conditions:

                  (a) Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations
of United.  The  representations  and  warranties  of United  contained  in this
Agreement,  other than representations and warranties which are expressly stated
to be made as of the date hereof or as of any other  particular  date,  shall be
true and correct in all material  respects on the Closing Date as though made on
and  as of the  Closing  Date.  United  shall  have  performed  in all  material
respects, the agreements,  covenants and obligations to be performed by it prior
to the Closing Date. With respect to any  representation or warranty which as of
the Closing Date has required a supplement or amendment to the United Disclosure
Schedule to render such  representation  or warranty  true and correct as of the
Closing Date, the  representation  and warranty shall be deemed true and correct
as of the Closing Date only if (i) the  information  contained in the supplement
or amendment to the Disclosure  Schedule related to events  occurring  following
the execution of this Agreement and (ii) the facts  disclosed in such supplement
or amendment would not either alone,  or together with any other  supplements or
amendments to the United Disclosure  Schedule,  materially  adversely effect the
representation as to which the supplement or amendment relates.  In interpreting
this Section 6.3(a) and Section 7.1(e) hereof,  no representation or warranty of
United shall be deemed  untrue or  incorrect,  and United shall not be deemed to
have breached a representation or warranty,  as a consequence of any fact, event
or circumstance  unless such fact, event or circumstance,  individually or taken
together with all other facts,  events or  circumstances  inconsistent  with any
representation  or warranty of United  contained in this Agreement has had or is
reasonably  likely to have a material adverse effect on United and UNB, taken as
a whole, from that disclosed by United on the date of this Agreement.

                  (b) Opinion of Counsel to United.  Raritan shall have received
an opinion of counsel  to  United,  dated the date of the  Closing,  in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Raritan,  covering the matters set forth on
Schedule 6.3 hereto and any other matter reasonably requested by Raritan.

                  (c) Fairness  Opinion.  Raritan shall have received an opinion
from  Endicott  as of the date of this  Agreement  and the date the Joint  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  is mailed to Raritan's  stockholders,  with respect to the
fairness,  from a  financial  point  of  view,  of  the  Exchange  Ratio  to the
shareholders of Raritan in the Merger.

                  (d) Raritan Directors. Each of United and UNB shall have taken
all action  necessary to appoint two current  Raritan  directors to its Board of
Directors as specified in Section 5.15.

                  (e)  Certificates.  United shall have  furnished  Raritan with
such certificates of its officers or others and such other documents to evidence
fulfillment  of the  conditions  set forth in this  Section  6.3 as Raritan  may
reasonably request.

                  (f) UNB Action.  UNB shall have taken all necessary  corporate
action to effectuate the Bank Merger immediately following the Effective Time.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

                  7.1.  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated  prior to
the Effective  Time,  whether  before or after approval of this Agreement by the
stockholders of Raritan:

                  (a)      By mutual written consent of the parties hereto.

                  (b) By United or Raritan (i) if the  Effective  Time shall not
have  occurred  on or  prior  to the  Cutoff  Date  or  (ii)  if a  vote  of the
stockholders  of Raritan  is taken and such  stockholders  fail to approve  this
Agreement at the meeting (or any adjournment  thereof) held for such purpose, or
(iii) if a vote of the  shareholders  of United  is taken and such  shareholders
fail to approve this Agreement at the meeting (or any adjournment  thereof) held
for such purpose,  unless in each case the failure of such  occurrence  shall be
due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate  this  Agreement to perform
or observe its  agreements  set forth herein to be performed or observed by such
party (or, in the case of Raritan,  to be performed or observed by the directors
of Raritan) at or before the Effective Time.

                  (c) By United or Raritan upon  written  notice to the other if
any application for regulatory or governmental  approval necessary to consummate
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall have been denied
or  withdrawn  at the request or  recommendation  of the  applicable  regulatory
agency or governmental  authority or by United upon written notice to Raritan if
any such  application is approved with conditions  which  materially  impair the
value of Raritan and the Bank, taken as a whole, to United.

                  (d) By United if (i) there  shall  have  occurred  a  material
adverse change in the business,  operations,  assets, or financial  condition of
Raritan or the Bank,  taken as a whole,  from that  disclosed  by Raritan on the
date  of  this   Agreement;   or  (ii)  there  was  a  material  breach  in  any
representation,   warranty,   covenant,   agreement  or  obligation  of  Raritan
hereunder.

                  (e) By Raritan,  if (i) there  shall have  occurred a material
adverse  change in the business,  operations,  assets or financial  condition of
United or UNB from that  disclosed by United on the date of this  Agreement;  or
(ii)  there was a material  breach in any  representation,  warranty,  covenant,
agreement or obligation of United hereunder.

                  (f) By United or Raritan if any condition to Closing specified
under Article VI hereof  applicable to such party cannot reasonably be met on or
before the Cutoff Date after giving the other party a reasonable  opportunity to
cure any such condition.

                  (g) by  Raritan,  if (either  before or after the  approval of
this  Agreement  by the  stockholders  of  Raritan)  its Board of  Directors  so
determines  by a vote of a majority of the members of its entire  Board,  at any
time during the three business day period  commencing  with (and  including) the
Determination Date, if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

                           (x) the Average  Pre-Closing  Price of United  Common
Stock on the Determination Date (the  "Determination  Price"),  is less than the
United  Floor  Price.  The  "United  Floor  Price" is 85% of the United  Average
Starting Date Price.  The "United Average Starting Date Price" is the average of
the high and low sale price of United Common Stock (i.e.,  $26.188) on September
21,  1998 (the  "Starting  Date"),  as the same shall be adjusted to reflect any
Capital Change; and

                           (y)  (i)  the  quotient   obtained  by  dividing  the
Determination  Price by the United  Average  Starting  Date  Price (the  "United
Ratio")  is less  than  (ii)  the  quotient  obtained  by  dividing  the  number
calculated  using the index of  financial  institutions  set forth on  Exhibit B
hereto (the "Index Price") as of the close of business on the Determination Date
by the  Index  Price  as of the  close  of  business  on the  Starting  Date and
subtracting  0.10 from the  quotient in this clause  (y)(ii)  (such number being
referred to herein as the "Index Ratio").

                  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if Raritan elects to exercise
its  termination  right  pursuant to this  subsection  (g), it shall give prompt
written notice to United (provided that such notice of election to terminate may
be withdrawn at any time within the aforementioned  three business day period)).
During the two business day period  commencing  with its receipt of such notice,
United shall have the option of increasing the  consideration  to be received by
the holders of Raritan  Common Stock  hereunder by increasing the Exchange Ratio
to equal  the  lesser  of (i) a number  (rounded  to four  decimals)  equal to a
quotient,  the  numerator of which is the United Floor Price  multiplied  by the
Exchange  Ratio  (as  then  in  effect)  and the  denominator  of  which  is the
Determination  Price,  and (ii) a number  (rounded to four decimals)  equal to a
quotient,  the numerator of which is the Index Ratio  multiplied by the Exchange
Ratio (as then in effect) and the  denominator of which is the United Ratio.  If
United makes an election contemplated by the preceding sentence, within such two
business  day  period,  it shall give prompt  written  notice to Raritan of such
election and the revised  Exchange  Ratio,  whereupon no termination  shall have
occurred  pursuant to this  subsection  (g) and this  Agreement  shall remain in
effect in  accordance  with its terms  (except as the Exchange  Ratio shall have
been so  modified),  and any  references in this  Agreement to "Exchange  Ratio"
shall  thereafter be deemed to refer to the Exchange Ratio as adjusted  pursuant
to this subsection (g).

                  7.2.  Effect of  Termination.  In the event of the termination
and  abandonment  of this  Agreement  by either  United or Raritan  pursuant  to
Section 7.1,  this  Agreement  shall  forthwith  become void and have no effect,
without any  liability  on the part of any party or its  officers,  directors or
stockholders,  except that Sections  5.5(b) and 8.1 hereof shall have continuing
effect as set forth therein.  Nothing contained herein,  however,  shall relieve
any party from any liability for any breach of this Agreement.

                  7.3. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by mutual action
taken by the  parties  hereto  at any time  before  or  after  adoption  of this
Agreement by the  stockholders of Raritan and, if required,  by the shareholders
of United, but, after any such adoption, no amendment shall be made which, under
applicable  New Jersey or Delaware  law,  cannot be made without the approval of
the stockholders of Raritan or the  shareholders of United,  as the case may be,
without obtaining such approval.  This Agreement may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of United and Raritan.

                  7.4. Extension;  Waiver. The parties may, at any time prior to
the Effective Time of the Merger, (i) extend the time for the performance of any
of the  obligations  or other acts of the other parties  hereto;  (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the  representations  and warranties  contained herein or in any
document delivered  pursuant thereto;  or (iii) waive compliance with any of the
agreements  or  conditions  contained  herein.  Any agreement on the part of any
party to any such  extension  or waiver  shall be valid  only if set forth in an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party against which the waiver is
sought to be enforced.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  8.1.  Expenses.  All costs and expenses incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby (including legal,
accounting and investment banking fees and expenses) shall be borne by the party
incurring such costs and expenses,  except that the cost of printing and mailing
the Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  shall be borne  equally  by the  parties
hereto if the transaction is terminated.

                  8.2. Notices.  All notices or other  communications  which are
required or permitted  hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered
personally  or sent by  telecopier  with  confirming  copy  sent the same day by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, as follows:
<PAGE>
                  (a)      If to United, to:

                           United National Bancorp
                           1130 Route 22 East, P.O. Box 6000
                           Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-0010
                           Attn.:  Thomas C. Gregor, Chairman,
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer

                  With a copy to:

                           Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch
                           Attn.:  Michael W. Zelenty, Esq.
                           By Hand: 200 Campus Drive
                                            Florham Park, New Jersey 07932-0950
                           By Mail: P.O. Box 1945
                                            Morristown, New Jersey 07962-1945

                  (b)      If to Raritan, to:

                           Raritan Bancorp Inc.
                           454 Route 28
                           Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807
                           Attn.:  Arlyn D. Rus, Chairman,
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer

                  With a copy to:

                           Luse Lehman Gorman Pomerenk & Schick PC
                           5335 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.
                           Washington, D.C. 20015
                           Attn.:  John J. Gorman

                  or such other  addresses  as shall be  furnished in writing by
any party,  and any such notice or  communications  shall be deemed to have been
given as of the date so delivered or telecopied and mailed.

                  8.3. Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and shall  inure to the  benefit  of the  parties  hereto  and their  respective
successors  and  permitted  assigns.  Nothing in this  Agreement  is intended to
confer,  expressly  or by  implication,  upon any  other  person  any  rights or
remedies  under or by  reason  of this  Agreement,  except  for the  indemnitees
covered by Section 5.14 hereof.  No  assignment  of this  Agreement  may be made
except upon the written consent of the other parties hereto.

                  8.4.  Entire   Agreement.   This  Agreement,   the  Disclosure
Schedules  hereto and the other documents,  agreements and instruments  executed
and delivered  pursuant to or in connection  with this  Agreement,  contains the
entire  agreement  between the parties  hereto with respect to the  transactions
contemplated   by  this  Agreement  and   supersedes  all  prior   negotiations,
arrangements or understandings, written or oral, with respect thereto; provided,
however,  that if this Agreement is terminated,  the terms of Section 5.5(b) and
(c) and the terms of the  Confidentiality  Agreement  between United and Raritan
dated August 19, 1998 shall remain in effect. If any provision of this Agreement
is found  invalid,  it shall be considered  deleted and shall not invalidate the
remaining provisions.

                  8.5.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement may be executed in one or
more  counterparts,  all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement
and each of which shall be deemed an original.

                  8.6.  Governing Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by the
laws of the State of New Jersey,  without  giving  effect to the  principles  of
conflicts of laws thereof.

                  8.7.  Descriptive  Headings.  The descriptive headings of this
Agreement are for  convenience  only and shall not control or affect the meaning
or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

                  8.8. Survival. All representations,  warranties and, except to
the extent  specifically  provided  otherwise herein,  agreements and covenants,
other than those  agreements and covenants set forth in Section 5.14 which shall
survive the Merger, shall terminate as of the Effective Time.

                  8.9.   Knowledge.   Representations   made  herein  which  are
qualified  by the phrase to the best of Raritan's  knowledge or similar  phrases
refer as of the date hereof to the best knowledge of the Chief Executive Officer
and the Chief  Lending  Officer  of  Raritan  and  thereafter  refer to the best
knowledge  of  any  senior  officer  of  Raritan  or  any  Raritan   subsidiary.
Representations  made herein  which are  qualified  by the phrase to the best of
United's  knowledge or similar  phrases  refer as of the date hereof to the best
knowledge of the Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President/Legal and
the Chief Financial Officer of United and thereafter refer to the best knowledge
of any senior officer of United or any United subsidiary.
<PAGE>
                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  United,  UNB,  the Bank and Raritan have
caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.

ATTEST:                             UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP


RALPH L. STRAW, JR.                 By: THOMAS C. GREGOR
- -------------------------------        -----------------------------------------
Ralph L. Straw, Jr., Secretary          Thomas C. Gregor, Chairman, President
                                         and Chief Executive Officer


ATTEST:                             RARITAN BANCORP INC.


HELEN J. FRANGELLI                  By:  ARLYN D. RUS
- -------------------------------        -----------------------------------------
Helen J. Frangelli, Secretary            Arlyn D. Rus, Chairman, President
                                          and Chief Executive Officer


ATTEST:                             UNITED NATIONAL BANK


RALPH L. STRAW, JR                  By: THOMAS C. GREGOR
- -------------------------------        -----------------------------------------
Ralph L. Straw, Jr., Cashier            Thomas C. Gregor, Chairman, President
                                         and Chief Executive Officer


ATTEST:                             THE RARITAN SAVINGS BANK


HELEN J. FRANGELLI                  By: ARLYN D. RUS
- -------------------------------        -----------------------------------------
Helen J. Frangelli, Secretary           Arlyn D. Rus, Chairman, President
                                        and Chief Executive Officer



<PAGE>

                         CERTIFICATE OF THE DIRECTORS OF
                            RARITAN BANCORP INC. AND
                            THE RARITAN SAVINGS BANK

                  Reference is made to the Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated
as of  September  22, 1998 (the  "Agreement"),  among United  National  Bancorp,
United  National  Bank,  Raritan  Bancorp  Inc.,  and The Raritan  Savings Bank.
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

                  Each of the following  persons,  being all of the directors of
Raritan and the Bank,  agrees to vote or cause to be voted all shares of Raritan
Common Stock which are held by such person,  or over which such person exercises
full  voting  control  (other  than  shares  with  respect to which such  person
exercises  control in a fiduciary  capacity,  as to which no  agreement  is made
hereby), in favor of the Merger

ARLYN D. RUS
- ------------------------

THOMAS F. TANSEY
- ------------------------

PETER S. JOHNSON
- ------------------------

WILLIAM T. KELLENER, JR.
- ------------------------

WILLIAM T. ANDERSON
- ------------------------

WILLIAM W. CROUSE
- ------------------------


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


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


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


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



<PAGE>

                          Exhibit A to Merger Agreement


                           AGREEMENT TO MERGE BETWEEN
                              UNITED NATIONAL BANK
                                       AND
                            THE RARITAN SAVINGS BANK
                   UNDER THE CHARTER OF UNITED NATIONAL BANK,
                     UNDER THE TITLE OF UNITED NATIONAL BANK


                  THIS AGREEMENT made between United National Bank  (hereinafter
referred to as "UNB"), a national banking  association  organized under the laws
of the United States, being located at 1130 Route 22 East,  Bridgewater,  County
of Somerset in the State of New Jersey,  with a capital of  $__________  divided
into __________ shares of common stock, each of $_____ par value, $__________ of
surplus,  and  undivided  profits of  $__________  as of June 30, 1998,  and The
Raritan Savings Bank (hereinafter  referred to as "Bank"), a federally-chartered
savings bank  organized  under the laws of the United  States,  being located at
____________________,  with a capital of $__________,  divided into _____ shares
of common stock, each of $_____ par value, surplus of $__________, and undivided
profits of $__________ as of June 30, 1998, each acting pursuant to a resolution
of its board of directors,  adopted by the vote of a majority of its  directors,
pursuant to the authority  given by and in accordance with the provisions of the
Act of November  7, 1918,  as amended (12 U.S.C.  Section  215(a)),  and the New
Jersey Banking Act of 1948, as amended, witnesseth as follows:

                  Section 1. Bank shall be merged  into UNB under the charter of
UNB.

                  Section 2. The name of the receiving association  (hereinafter
referred to as the "Surviving Bank") shall be United National Bank.

                  Section 3. The business of the Surviving Bank shall be that of
a  national  banking  association.  This  business  shall  be  conducted  by the
Surviving  Bank at its main office which shall be located at 1130 Route 22 East,
Bridgewater,  Somerset  County,  New  Jersey,  and  at its  legally  established
branches.

                  Section 4. The amount of capital stock of the  Surviving  Bank
shall be $__________,  divided into __________  shares of common stock,  each of
$_____  par  value,  and at the time the  merger  shall  become  effective,  the
Surviving  Bank shall  have a surplus of  $__________,  and  undivided  profits,
including  capital  reserves,  which when  combined with the capital and surplus
will be equal to the combined capital  structures of the merging banks as stated
in the preamble of this  Agreement,  adjusted  however,  for normal earnings and
expenses between June 30, 1998, and the effective time of the merger.

                  Section 5. All assets of each of the  merging  banks,  as they
exist  at the  effective  time of the  merger,  shall  pass  to and  vest in the
Surviving  Bank without any  conveyance or other  transfer.  The Surviving  Bank
shall be responsible for all of the  liabilities of every kind and  description,
including  liabilities  arising  from the  operation of their  respective  trust
departments,  of each of the merging banks  existing as of the effective time of
the  merger.  After the  effective  time of the  merger,  UNB will  continue  to
maintain the Bank liquidation account established by Bank upon its conversion to
the stock form of organization for the benefit of eligible  account holders.  In
addition,  UNB will also  continue  to  maintain  the Bank  liquidation  account
established in conjunction  with the merger and acquisition of Manville  Savings
with,  and  into  the  Bank.  UNB  will  maintain  both  of  the  aforementioned
liquidation  accounts on the same basis as  immediately  prior to the  effective
time of the merger, and Bank's liquidation  accounts for the benefit of eligible
account  holders  shall  automatically  be  deemed  assumed  by  UNB,  as of the
effective  time of the  merger,  on the same basis as they  existed  immediately
prior to the effective time of the merger.

                  Section 6. Bank shall  contribute  to the  Surviving  Bank its
capital  set forth in the  preamble,  adjusted,  however,  for normal  earnings,
expenses and  dividends  between June 30, 1998,  and the  effective  time of the
merger.

                  UNB shall have on hand at the effective time of the merger its
capital as set forth in the preamble,  adjusted,  however,  for normal earnings,
expenses  and  dividends  between  June 30, 1998 and the  effective  date of the
merger.

                  Section 7. The  stockholders  of UNB shall retain their rights
in  the  capital  stock  presently  outstanding,  which  shall  immediately  and
automatically  become  __________  shares of common stock of the Surviving Bank,
each with $_____ par value,  and the  stockholders  of Bank in exchange  for the
excess acceptable  assets  contributed by their bank to the Surviving Bank shall
be entitled to receive _____ shares of common stock of the Surviving  Bank, each
with $_____ par value.

                  Section 8.  Neither  of the banks  shall  declare  nor pay any
dividend to its stockholders  between the date of this Agreement and the time at
which the merger shall become effective, nor dispose of any of its assets in any
other manner except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with prudent
banking practice; provided, however, that UNB shall be entitled to pay dividends
to its  parent  without  restriction  and Bank may pay  dividends  to it  parent
consistent  with past practice,  so long as the payment of such dividends  shall
thereby  not  cause a  breach  of any  representation,  covenant,  agreement  or
condition to which the Bank is subject under the Amended and Restated  Agreement
and Plan of  Merger,  dated as of  September  22,  1998  among  United  National
Bancorp, Raritan Bancorp Inc., UNB and Bank (the "Merger Agreement").

                  Section 9. The present  board of  directors of UNB shall serve
as the board of directors of the Surviving Bank until the next annual meeting or
until such time as their  successors have been elected and have qualified.  [add
two Raritan directors]

                  Section 10.  Effective as of the time this merger shall become
effective as specified in the merger  approval to be issued by the Office of the
Comptroller  of the Currency  (the "OCC"),  the articles of  association  of the
resulting  bank shall read in their  entirety as set forth in Schedule 1 annexed
hereto.

                  Section 11. This Agreement  shall be terminated  automatically
if the Merger Agreement is terminated as provided in the Merger Agreement.

                  Section 12. This Agreement  shall be ratified and confirmed by
the affirmative  vote of the stockholders of each of the merging banks owning at
least  two-thirds of its capital stock  outstanding,  at a meeting to be held on
the call of the  directors;  and the merger shall  become  effective at the time
specified in the merger approval to be issued by the OCC.

                  Section  13.  Each  of  the  representations,  warranties  and
covenants of the parties hereto shall  terminate as of the effective time of the
merger,  other than Section 5 hereof which shall survive the  effective  time of
the merger.

                  Section  14. This  Agreement  may be executed in any number of
counterparts,  and each counterpart shall constitute an original instrument, but
all  such  separate   counterparts  shall  constitute  only  one  and  the  same
instrument.

                  Section 15.  Except as governed by federal law, the  validity,
construction  and  enforceability  of this  Agreement  shall be  governed in all
respects by the laws of the State of New Jersey  without regard to its conflicts
of laws or rules.

                  WITNESS,  the  signatures and seals of the merging banks as of
this  __________,  each set by its president or a vice president and attested to
by its cashier or secretary, pursuant to a resolution of its board of directors,
acting by a majority.



ATTEST:                                         UNITED NATIONAL BANK

_______________________                By:______________________________________


ATTEST:                                         THE RARITAN SAVINGS BANK


________________________               By:______________________________________


<PAGE>


STATE OF NEW JERSEY  )
                      :  ss.
COUNTY OF __________ )


                  On this ____ day of __________, before me, a Notary Public for
this state and county, personally came ____________________,  of UNITED NATIONAL
BANK, and each of his/her capacity  acknowledged  this instrument to the act and
deed of the  association  and the seal affixed to it to be its seal.  WITNESS my
official seal and signature this day and year.

                                                        --------------------
                                (Seal of Notary)



STATE OF NEW JERSEY  )
                      :ss.
COUNTY OF ___________)



                  On this _____ day of  __________,  before me, a Notary  Public
for this state and county, personally came ____________________,  of THE RARITAN
SAVINGS BANK, and each of his/her capacity  acknowledged  this instrument to the
act and deed of the association and the seal affixed to it to be its seal.

                  WITNESS my official seal and signature this day and year.

                                                   ----------------------------
                                (Seal of Notary)

<PAGE>

                                             Schedule 1 to Bank Merger Agreement

                             ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
                                       OF
                              UNITED NATIONAL BANK1


                                      NAME

                  FIRST. The title of the Association  shall be "United National
Bank".

                                   MAIN OFFICE

                  SECOND.  The main office of the  Association  shall be at 1130
Route 22 East, Bridgewater, Somerset County, New Jersey. The general business of
the Association shall be conducted at its legally established branches.

                                    DIRECTORS

                  THIRD.  The  Board  of  Directors  of this  Association  shall
consist  of not less than five nor more than  twenty-five  shareholders.  At any
meeting of the  shareholders  held for the  purpose of  electing  Directors,  or
changing the number  thereof,  the number of Directors  may be  determined  by a
majority of the votes cast by the shareholders in person or by proxy. A majority
of the Board of  Directors  shall be  necessary  to  constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at any Directors' meeting.

                  The Board of Directors of the  Association may be increased by
two between annual  meetings of  shareholders  and vacancies on the Board may be
filled between  annual  meetings of the  shareholders  by a majority vote of the
full  Board,  but in no event  shall the  number of  Directors  exceed the total
number  of  twenty-five  or such  greater  amount  as may  from  time to time be
permitted by the laws of the United States. Any Director so elected by the Board
must comply with the  provisions  of law with respect to the ownership of shares
of the Association.

                           ANNUAL MEETING OF DIRECTORS

                  FOURTH. The regular annual meeting of the shareholders of this
Association  shall be held at its main  office or other  convenient  place  duly
authorized  by the Board of  Directors  on such day of the year as is  specified
therefor in the By-Laws.

                                     CAPITAL

                  FIFTH.  The  amount  of  authorized   capital  stock  of  this
Association shall be $__________  divided into __________ shares of common stock
of the par value per share of $_____ but said capital  stock may be increased or
decreased from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the
United States.

                  If the capital  stock is increased  by the sale of  additional
shares  thereof,  each  shareholder  shall be  entitled  to  subscribe  for such
additional  shares in  proportion  to the number of shares of said capital stock
owned by him at the time the increase is authorized by the shareholders,  unless
another time subsequent to the date of the shareholders' meeting is specified in
a resolution adopted by the shareholders at the time the increase is authorized.
The Board of Directors shall have the power to prescribe a reasonable  period of
time  within  which the  preemptive  rights to  subscribe  to the new  shares of
capital stock must be exercised.

                  If the capital  stock is increased by a stock  dividend,  each
shareholder  shall be entitled to his  proportionate  amount of such increase in
accordance  with the number of shares of capital  stock owned by him at the time
the increase is authorized by the  shareholders,  unless another time subsequent
to the date of the shareholders' meeting is specified in a resolution adopted by
the shareholders at the time the increase is authorized.

                                    OFFICERS

                  SIXTH. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members
President of this  Association,  who shall be Chairman of the Board,  unless the
Board appoints  another  director to be Chairman.  The Board of Directors  shall
have the  power to  appoint  one or more Vice  Presidents,  at least one of whom
shall be authorized,  in the absence of the  President,  to perform all acts and
duties pertaining to the office of the President;  to appoint a Cashier and such
other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this
Association;  to fix the salaries to be paid to such  officers or employees  and
appoint others to take their place.

                  The Board of  Directors  shall  have the  power to define  the
duties of the officers and employees of this Association and to require adequate
bonds  from  them for the  faithful  performance  of their  duties;  to make all
By-Laws  that may be lawful for the general  regulation  of the business of this
Association  and the management of its affairs,  and generally to do and perform
all acts that may be lawful for a Board of Directors to do and perform.

                         CHANGE OF MAIN OFFICE; BRANCHES

                  SEVENTH. The Board of Directors shall have the power to change
the  location of the main office of this  Association  to any other place within
the limits of the State of New Jersey,  without the approval of the shareholders
of this  Association  but  subject to the  approval  of the  Comptroller  of the
Currency;  and shall  have the power to change  the  location  of any  branch or
branches of this Association to any other location,  without the approval of the
shareholders of this  Association but subject to the approval of the Comptroller
of the Currency.

                                    EXISTENCE

                  EIGHTH.  The  corporate  existence of this  Association  shall
continue until terminated in accordance with the laws of the United States.

              SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS; NOTICE OF MEETINGS

                  NINTH.  The Board of  Directors  of this  Association,  or any
three or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 10 per centum
(10%)  of the  stock of this  Association,  may call a  special  meeting  of the
shareholders at any time.

                  Unless otherwise  provided by the laws of the United States, a
notice of the time, place and purpose of every regular annual, and every special
meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid,
mailed at least ten days prior to the date of such  meeting to each  shareholder
of record at his address as shown upon the books of this Association.

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

                  TENTH.  Indemnification  or  reimbursement  may be given to an
officer or  director,  as  authorized  by the Board of  Directors,  for expenses
incurred in any legal action where the officer or director is not adjudged to be
guilty  of  gross  negligence,  willful  misconduct  or  criminal  acts  in  the
performance of his duties to the Association.

                                    AMENDMENT

                  ELEVENTH.  Subject to the provisions of the laws of the United
States,  these  Articles  of  Association  may be amended at any  meeting of the
shareholders  for which adequate notice has been given, by the affirmative  vote
of the owners of a majority of the stock of this  Association,  voting in person
or by proxy.


<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 5.19

                            RARITAN AFFILIATE LETTER

                                                              ___________, 1998

United National Bancorp
1130 Route 22 East, P.O. Box 6000
Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-0010
Attn.:  Thomas C. Gregor, Chairman,
         President and Chief Executive Officer

Gentlemen:

                  I am  delivering  this  letter to you in  connection  with the
proposed merger (the "Merger") of Raritan  Bancorp Inc., a Delaware  corporation
(the "Company") with and into United National Bancorp,  a New Jersey corporation
("United"),  pursuant to the Amended and Restated  Agreement  and Plan of Merger
dated as of September 22, 1998 (the "Agreement") among the Company,  United, The
Raritan  Savings Bank and United  National  Bank. I currently  own shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Raritan Common Stock").  As a
result of the Merger, I will receive shares of United's common stock,  $1.25 par
value  ("United  Common  Stock") in exchange  for my Raritan  Common  Stock.  In
addition,  to the extent I own options to acquire  Raritan  Common Stock,  those
options will be  converted in the Merger into United  Common Stock or options to
acquire United Common Stock.

                  I have been  advised  that as of the date of this letter I may
be  deemed to be an  "affiliate"  of the  Company,  as the term  "affiliate"  is
defined  for  purposes  of  paragraphs  (c) and (d) of Rule 145 of the rules and
regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act")
by the Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission")  and as the term
"affiliate"  is used for  purposes  of the  Commission's  rules and  regulations
applicable  to the  determination  of whether a merger can be accounted for as a
"pooling of  interests"  as  specified  in the  Commission's  Accounting  Series
Release  135,  as amended by Staff  Accounting  Bulletins  Nos.  65 and 76 ("ASR
135").

                  I represent to and covenant with United that:

                  A. Initial Transfer Restrictions Prior to Merger Consummation.
During the period  beginning  on the date hereof and ending 30 days prior to the
consummation of the Merger, I shall not sell,  transfer or otherwise  dispose of
("transfer")  any Raritan  Common  Stock owned by me, and I shall not permit any
relative  who  shares my home,  or any  person or entity who or which I control,
from  transferring  any  Raritan  Common  Stock  owned by such person or entity,
without notifying United in advance of the proposed transfer and giving United a
reasonable  opportunity  to object  to the  transfer  before it is  consummated.
United, upon advice of its independent public  accountants,  may instruct me not
to make or permit the  transfer  because it may  interfere  with the "pooling of
interests" treatment of the Merger. I shall abide by any such instructions.

                  B.   Later   Pre-Merger   and    Post-Consummation    Transfer
Restrictions.  During the period  beginning 30 days prior to the consummation of
the Merger and ending  immediately  after financial results covering at least 30
days of post-Merger  combined  operations have been published by United by means
of the filing of a Form 10-Q or Form 8-K under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934,  as amended,  the issuance of a quarterly  earnings  report,  or any other
public  issuance  which  satisfies  the  requirements  of ASR 135,  I shall  not
transfer  any  Raritan  Common  Stock  owned by me,  and I shall not  permit any
relative who shares my home, or any person or entity who or which I control,  to
transfer any Raritan  Common Stock owned by such person or entity.  For purposes
of this paragraph,  "Raritan Common Stock" includes the United Common Stock into
which the Raritan Common Stock or Options is converted.

                  C. Need for  Registration  or  Exemption  in  Connection  with
Transfers.  I have been advised  that the issuance of United  Common Stock to me
pursuant to the Merger will be registered with the Commission under the Act on a
Registration  Statement on Form S-4.  However,  I have also been  advised  that,
since I may be deemed to be an  affiliate  of the Company at the time the Merger
is submitted  for a vote of the  Company's  stockholders,  any transfer by me of
United Common Stock  received by me in the Merger is  restricted  under Rule 145
promulgated  by the Commission  under the Act. I may not transfer  United Common
Stock  received by me or by any  relative who shares my home or by any person or
entity who or which I control,  unless (i) such transfer is registered under the
Act,  (ii)  such  transfer  is made in  conformity  with the  volume  and  other
limitations of Rule 145 promulgated by the Commission under the Act, or (iii) in
the  opinion of  counsel  reasonably  acceptable  to United,  such  transfer  is
otherwise exempt from registration under the Act.

                  D. Stop Transfer Instructions;  Legend on Certificates. I also
understand that stop transfer  instructions  will be given to United's  transfer
agents with respect to the United  Common Stock and that there will be placed on
the  certificates of the United Common Stock issued to me or to any relative who
shares  my home or to any  person  or  entity  who or  which I  control,  or any
substitutions therefor, a legend stating in substance:

         "THE  SHARES   REPRESENTED  BY  THIS   CERTIFICATE  WERE  ISSUED  IN  A
TRANSACTION  TO WHICH  RULE 145  PROMULGATED  UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933
APPLIES.  THE SHARES  REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY ONLY BE TRANSFERRED IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT  DATED SEPTEMBER 22, 1998 BETWEEN THE
REGISTERED HOLDER HEREOF AND UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP,  A COPY OF WHICH AGREEMENT
IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP."

                  E.  Consultation  with  Counsel.  I have  carefully  read this
letter and the Agreement and discussed the  requirements  of such  documents and
other applicable  limitations upon my ability to transfer United Common Stock to
the extent I felt necessary with my counsel or counsel for the Company.

                  Execution of this letter is not an admission on my part that I
am an  "affiliate"  of the Company as described in the second  paragraph of this
letter,  or a waiver of any  rights I may have to object to any claim  that I am
such an  affiliate  on or  after  the date of this  letter.  This  letter  shall
terminate  concurrently with any termination of the Agreement in accordance with
its terms.

                                                  Very truly yours,


                                                  Name:
Accepted this ____ day of
_______________, 1998 by

UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP

By:
    Name:
    Title:


<PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT 5.19.1
                             UNITED AFFILIATE LETTER

                                                          ____________, 1998

United National Bancorp
1130 Route 22 East, P.O. Box 6000
Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-0010
Attn.:  Thomas C. Gregor, Chairman,
         President and Chief Executive Officer

Gentlemen:

                  I am  delivering  this  letter to you in  connection  with the
proposed merger (the "Merger") of Raritan  Bancorp Inc., a Delaware  corporation
("Raritan")  with and into United  National  Bancorp,  a New Jersey  corporation
("United"),  pursuant to the Amended and Restated  Agreement  and Plan of Merger
dated as of September 22, 1998 (the "Agreement") among United,  Raritan,  United
National  Bank and The Raritan  Savings Bank. I currently own shares of United's
common stock, $1.25 par value ("United Common Stock").

                  I have been  advised  that as of the date of this letter I may
be deemed to be an  "affiliate" of United,  as the term  "affiliate" is used for
purposes of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange  Commission
(the  "Commission")  applicable to the  determination of whether a merger can be
accounted  for as a "pooling of  interests"  as  specified  in the  Commission's
Accounting Series Release 135, as amended by Staff Accounting  Bulletins Nos. 65
and 76 ("ASR 135").

                  I represent and covenant with United and Raritan that:

                  A. Initial Transfer Restrictions Prior to Merger Consummation.
During the period  beginning  on the date hereof and ending 30 days prior to the
consummation of the Merger, I shall not sell,  transfer or otherwise  dispose of
("transfer")  any United  Common  Stock  owned by me, and I shall not permit any
relative  who  shares my home,  or any  person or entity who or which I control,
from  transferring  any  United  Common  Stock  owned by such  person or entity,
without notifying United in advance of the proposed transfer and giving United a
reasonable  opportunity  to object  to the  transfer  before it is  consummated.
United, upon advice of its independent public  accountants,  may instruct me not
to make or permit the  transfer  because it may  interfere  with the "pooling of
interests" treatment of the Merger. I shall abide by any such instructions.

                  B.   Later   Pre-Merger   and    Post-Consummation    Transfer
Restrictions.  During the period  beginning 30 days prior to the consummation of
the Merger and ending  immediately  after financial results covering at least 30
days of post-Merger  combined  operations have been published by United by means
of filing of a Form 10-Q or Form 8-K under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the issuance of a quarterly  earnings report, or any other public issuance which
satisfies  the  requirements  of ASR 135, I shall not transfer any United Common
Stock owned by me, and I shall not permit any  relative  who shares my home,  or
any person or entity who or which I control, to transfer any United Common Stock
owned by such person or entity.

                  C.  Consultation  with  Counsel.  I have  carefully  read this
letter and the Agreement and discussed the  requirements  of such  documents and
other applicable  limitations upon my ability to transfer United Common Stock to
the extent I felt necessary with my counsel or counsel for United.



<PAGE>


                  Execution of this letter is not an admission on my part that I
am an "affiliate" of United as described in the second paragraph of this letter,
or a waiver of any  rights I may have to  object to any claim  that I am such an
affiliate  on or after the date of this  letter.  This  letter  shall  terminate
concurrently with any termination of the Agreement in accordance with its terms.

                                                  Very truly yours,


                         Name:_________________________

Accepted this ___ day of
____________, 1998 by

UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP

By: ___________________________
     Name:
     Title:


<PAGE>




                                  SCHEDULE 6.2

                         FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSELS TO
                           RARITAN TO BE DELIVERED TO
                          UNITED AT THE EFFECTIVE TIME

   (Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings
                          given them in the Agreement)


                  (a)  Raritan is a  corporation  validly  existing  and in good
standing  under the laws of the State of  Delaware.  Raritan  has the  corporate
power and  authority  to own or lease all of its  properties  and  assets and to
carry on its business as described  in the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  on
page __ under the caption _________________.  Raritan is registered as a holding
company under the BHCA.

                  (b) Each  Subsidiary of Raritan  listed as such in the Raritan
Disclosure  Schedule is validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of
the jurisdiction of its incorporation.  The Bank is a New Jersey-chartered stock
savings bank. The Bank has the corporate power and authority to own or lease all
of its  properties  and assets and to carry on its  business as described in the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus on page __ under the caption _________________.

                  (c) The  authorized  capital  stock  of  Raritan  consists  of
__________  shares of  Raritan  Common  Stock and  _________  shares of  Raritan
Preferred  Stock.  Except for any Raritan Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding Raritan Options granted pursuant to the Raritan Option Plans and the
United Stock Option,  we have not become aware  (through our  representation  of
Raritan  in  connection  therewith  or in the  course of our  representation  of
Raritan in connection with the Agreement,  or through Raritan's  representations
to us in the  attached  certificate)  of any  outstanding  subscription  rights,
options,  conversion rights,  warrants or other agreements or commitments of any
nature  whatsoever  (either firm or  conditional)  obligating  Raritan to issue,
deliver or sell, cause to be issued,  delivered or sold, or restricting  Raritan
from selling any Raritan Preferred Stock or any additional  Raritan Common Stock
or  obligating  Raritan  to grant,  extend or enter into any such  agreement  or
commitment.  Based solely upon our review of the minute books of Raritan and its
Subsidiaries,  and  without  independent  verification  of the  matters  recited
therein,  all of the  outstanding  shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary of
Raritan  listed as such in the Raritan  Disclosure  Schedule  have been  validly
authorized  and  issued  and we are not aware of any  liens,  claims,  equities,
restrictions or encumbrances created by Raritan on Raritan's ownership thereof.

                  (d) The Agreement has been authorized,  executed and delivered
by Raritan and the Bank and  constitutes  the valid and binding  obligations  of
Raritan and the Bank,  respectively,  enforceable in accordance  with its terms,
except that the enforceability of the obligations of Raritan and the Bank may be
limited  by  bankruptcy,  fraudulent  conveyance,  insolvency,   reorganization,
moratorium,  or laws  affecting bank holding  companies or New  Jersey-chartered
stock  savings  banks or  institutions  the deposits of which are insured by the
FDIC or other laws heretofore or hereafter  enacted relating to or affecting the
enforcement  of  creditors'   rights  generally  and  by  principles  of  equity
(regardless  of whether such  enforceability  is  considered  in a proceeding in
equity or at law).  In addition,  certain  remedial and other  provisions of the
Agreement may be limited by implied covenants of good faith,  fair dealing,  and
commercially  reasonable  conduct,  by judicial  discretion,  in the instance of
equitable remedies, and by applicable public policies and laws.

                  (e) The  execution  and delivery of the Agreement and the Bank
Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  thereby
will not (i) conflict  with or violate any  provision of or result in the breach
of any provision of the respective  certificate of incorporation or charter,  as
the case may be, or  by-laws  of  Raritan  or the Bank;  (ii)  conflict  with or
violate in any material respect,  or result in a material breach or violation of
the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in (whether
upon or after  the  giving  of  notice  or lapse of time or both)  any  material
obligation  under, any indenture,  mortgage,  deed of trust or loan agreement or
any other agreement, instrument, judgment, order, arbitration award or decree of
which  we are  aware  (through  our  representation  of  Raritan  in  connection
therewith or in the course of our  representation  of Raritan in connection with
the  Agreement,  or  through  Raritan's  representations  to us in the  attached
certificate)  and to which Raritan or the Bank is a party or by which Raritan or
the Bank is bound;  or (iii) cause  Raritan or the Bank to violate any law, rule
or regulation applicable to Raritan or the Bank: except with respect to (ii) and
(iii) above, such as in the aggregate will not have a material adverse effect on
the ability of Raritan and the Bank to consummate the transactions  contemplated
by the Agreement.

                  (f) All actions of the directors and  stockholders  of Raritan
and of the Bank  required  by federal  banking  law or  Delaware  law, or by the
respective  certificate  of  incorporation  or  charter,  as the case may be, or
by-laws of Raritan or the Bank,  to be taken by Raritan or the Bank to authorize
the execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement and consummation of the
Merger have been taken.

                  (g) No approvals, authorizations, consents or other actions or
filings under federal banking law or Delaware law  ("Approvals") are required to
be obtained by Raritan or the Bank in order to permit the execution and delivery
of the Agreement by Raritan and the Bank and the  performance by Raritan and the
Bank of the transactions  contemplated  thereby other than those Approvals which
have been  obtained or those  Approvals  or consents  required to be obtained by
United or UNB, or Approvals not required or necessary to be obtained on the date
hereof.

                  (h) Except as set forth in the Raritan Disclosure Schedule and
in Raritan's  certificate  addressed to us and attached  hereto,  and other than
ordinary  routine  litigation  incidental  to the  business  of  Raritan  or its
Subsidiaries,  we are not aware of any material  action,  suit or  proceeding or
investigation  pending  or  threatened  in  writing  against  or  affecting  the
business,  operations,  property or financial condition of Raritan or any of its
Subsidiaries,  at law or in equity,  in any court or before any Federal,  state,
municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality,  except those which, if decided  adversely to Raritan or any of
its  Subsidiaries,  would not have a material  adverse effect on Raritan and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, we are not counsel to Raritan
or its  Subsidiaries  in any  litigation  and with respect to  litigation we are
relying upon the  representation  and warranty of Raritan made in Section 3.7 of
the Agreement with respect to material  litigation and on Raritan's  certificate
addressed to us and attached hereto.



                                     *******


                  We are not passing  upon and do not assume any  responsibility
for the accuracy,  completeness  or fairness of the statements  and  information
contained  in the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and make no  representation
that we have  independently  verified the accuracy,  completeness or fairness of
such statements and information, but, without in any way limiting the generality
of the foregoing,  based upon our review of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
(i) the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  (except for financial  statements and
other tabular  financial  information,  and other financial and statistical data
and information,  as to which we express no opinion)  complies as to form in all
material  respects  with the 1934 Act and the  applicable  laws and  regulations
thereunder,  (ii) no facts have come to our attention  that caused us to believe
that (except for financial  statements and other tabular financial  information,
as to which we do not express  any belief) the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
on  the  date  of  the  mailing  thereof  and on the  date  of  the  meeting  of
stockholders  of Raritan at which the  Agreement  was  approved,  contained  any
untrue  statement of a material fact with respect to Raritan or omitted to state
a  material  fact  with  respect  to  Raritan  necessary  in  order  to make the
statements therein with respect to Raritan,  in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.


                                     *******

                  In rendering their opinion, counsel to Raritan (A) may, to the
extent they deem proper and so specify in their  opinion,  rely upon the opinion
of  other  counsel  as to  matters  involving  the  application  of  laws of any
jurisdiction other than the United States, or may exclude from their opinion the
substance  included in the opinions of other counsel  given  directly to Raritan
and (B) may rely, as to matters of fact, on certificates of responsible officers
of Raritan,  the Bank, or other  Subsidiaries  of Raritan and public  officials;
provided  copies of any such opinions or  certificates  are delivered to Raritan
together  with the  opinion to be  rendered  hereunder  by  counsel to  Raritan.
Counsel  to Raritan  may  assume  that any  agreement  is the valid and  binding
obligation of any parties to such agreement  other than Raritan and the Bank. As
to matters of fact,  counsel to Raritan  may also rely upon the  representations
and  warranties  made by  Raritan to Raritan  in the  Agreement  as though  such
representations and warranties were made directly to counsel. Counsel to Raritan
may also rely upon the genuineness of signatures and the authenticity of copies.


<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE 6.3

                          FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO
                            UNITED TO BE DELIVERED TO
                          RARITAN AT THE EFFECTIVE TIME

   (Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings
                          given them in the Agreement)

                  (a)  United  is a  corporation  validly  existing  and in good
standing  under the laws of the State of New  Jersey.  United has the  corporate
power and  authority  to own or lease all of its  properties  and  assets and to
carry on its business as described  in the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  on
page __ under the  caption  _________________.  United is  registered  as a bank
holding company under the BHCA.

                  (b) Each  Subsidiary  of United  listed as such in the  United
Disclosure  Schedule is validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of
the jurisdiction of its  incorporation.  UNB is a national  banking  association
chartered  under the laws of the United States.  UNB has the corporate power and
authority to own or lease all of its  properties  and assets and to carry on its
business as described in the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  on page __ under
the caption _________________.

                  (c)  The  authorized  capital  stock  of  United  consists  of
___________  shares of common  stock,  ___ par value per share  ("United  Common
Stock").   Except  for  any  United  Common  Stock  issuable  upon  exercise  of
outstanding stock options and stock appreciation  rights granted pursuant to the
United  Option Plan,  we have not become aware  (through our  representation  of
United in connection  therewith or in the course of our representation of United
in connection with the Agreement,  or through United's  representations to us in
the attached  certificate)  of any  outstanding  subscription  rights,  options,
conversion  rights,  warrants or other  agreements or  commitments of any nature
whatsoever (either firm or conditional)  obligating United to issue,  deliver or
sell, cause to be issued,  delivered or sold, or restricting United from selling
any  additional  United  Common Stock or obligating  United to grant,  extend or
enter into any such  agreement  or  commitment  except as may be provided in any
acquisition  agreement  United may enter into after the date of execution of the
Agreement.  Based  solely upon our review of the minute  books of United and its
Subsidiaries,  and  without  independent  verification  of the  matters  recited
therein,  all of the  outstanding  shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary of
United  listed as such in the  United  Disclosure  Schedule  have  been  validly
authorized  and  issued  and we are not aware of any  liens,  claims,  equities,
restrictions or encumbrances  created by United on United's  ownership  thereof.
The United Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger in accordance
with Article II of the Agreement,  when so issued in accordance therewith,  will
be duly  authorized,  validly  issued,  fully paid and  non-assessable,  free of
preemptive rights and free and clear of all liens,  encumbrances or restrictions
created by United.

                  (d) The Agreement has been authorized,  executed and delivered
by United and UNB and  constitutes  the valid and binding  obligations of United
and UNB, respectively, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except that the
enforceability  of  the  obligations  of  United  and  UNB  may  be  limited  by
bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium, or
laws  affecting  institutions  the  deposits of which are insured by the FDIC or
other  laws  heretofore  or  hereafter  enacted  relating  to or  affecting  the
enforcement  of  creditors'   rights  generally  and  by  principles  of  equity
(regardless  of whether such  enforceability  is  considered  in a proceeding in
equity or at law).  In addition,  certain  remedial and other  provisions of the
Agreement may be limited by implied covenants of good faith,  fair dealing,  and
commercially  reasonable  conduct,  by judicial  discretion,  in the instance of
equitable remedies, and by applicable public policies and laws.

                  (e) The  execution  and delivery of the Agreement and the Bank
Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  thereby
will not (i) conflict  with or violate any  provision of or result in the breach
of any provision of the respective  certificates of  incorporation or by-laws of
United or UNB; (ii) conflict with or violate in any material respect,  or result
in a material breach or violation of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a
default under, or result in (whether upon or after the giving of notice or lapse
of time or both) any material obligation under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust or loan agreement or any other  agreement,  instrument,  judgment,  order,
arbitration award or decree of which we are aware (through our representation of
United in connection  therewith or in the course of our representation of United
in connection with the Agreement,  or through United's  representations to us in
the  attached  certificate)  and to which  United  or UNB is a party or by which
United or UNB is bound; or (iii) cause United or UNB to violate any law, rule or
regulation  applicable  to United or UNB:  except with respect to (ii) and (iii)
above,  such as in the aggregate will not have a material  adverse effect on the
ability of United and UNB to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by the
Agreement.

                  (f) All actions of the  directors and  stockholders  of United
and of UNB  required  by  federal  banking  law or  New  Jersey  law,  or by the
respective  certificates  of  incorporation  or by-laws of United or UNB,  to be
taken by United or UNB to authorize the execution,  delivery and  performance of
the Agreement and consummation of the Merger have been taken.

                  (g)  Assuming  that  there has been due  authorization  of the
Merger by all necessary  corporate and  governmental  proceedings on the part of
Raritan and that  Raritan has taken all action  required to be taken by it prior
to the Effective Time, upon the appropriate filing of the Certificates of Merger
in respect of the Merger with the New Jersey Secretary of State and the Delaware
Secretary of State in accordance  with Section 1.6 of the Agreement,  the Merger
will become effective at the time of such filing,  and upon effectiveness of the
Merger  each share of Raritan  Common  Stock will be  converted  as  provided in
Article II of the Agreement.

                  (h) No approvals, authorizations, consents or other actions or
filings under federal banking law or New Jersey law  ("Approvals")  are required
to be obtained by United or UNB in order to permit the execution and delivery of
the  Agreement  by United and UNB and the  performance  by United and UNB of the
transactions  contemplated  thereby other than those  Approvals  which have been
obtained or those  Approvals  or consents  required to be obtained by Raritan or
the Bank,  and  Approvals  not  required or necessary to be obtained on the date
hereof.

                  (i) Except as set forth in the United Disclosure  Schedule and
in United's  certificate  addressed  to us and attached  hereto,  and other than
ordinary  routine  litigation  incidental  to  the  business  of  United  or its
Subsidiaries,  we are not aware of any material  action,  suit or  proceeding or
investigation  pending  or  threatened  in  writing  against  or  affecting  the
business,  operations,  property or financial  condition of United or any of its
Subsidiaries,  at law or in equity,  in any court or before any Federal,  state,
municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality,  except those which,  if decided  adversely to United or any of
its  Subsidiaries,  would not have a material  adverse  effect on United and its
Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole; provided, however, we are not counsel to United
or its  Subsidiaries  in  certain  litigation  and  with  respect  to  any  such
litigation we are relying upon the representation and warranty of United made in
Section  4.10 of the  Agreement  with  respect  to  material  litigation  and on
United's certificate addressed to us and attached hereto.

                  (j) The Registration  Statement has been declared effective by
the SEC under the 1933 Act and we are not aware that any stop  order  suspending
the  effectiveness  has been issued under the 1933 Act or  proceedings  therefor
initiated or threatened by the SEC.

                                     *******

                  We are not passing  upon and do not assume any  responsibility
for the accuracy,  completeness  or fairness of the statements  and  information
contained  in the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and make no  representation
that we have  independently  verified the accuracy,  completeness or fairness of
such statements and information, but, without in any way limiting the generality
of the foregoing,  based upon our review of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
(i) the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  (except for financial  statements and
other tabular  financial  information,  and other financial and statistical data
and information,  as to which we express no opinion)  complies as to form in all
material  respects  with the 1933 Act and the  applicable  laws and  regulations
thereunder,  (ii) no facts have come to our attention  that caused us to believe
that (except for financial  statements and other tabular financial  information,
as to which we do not express  any belief) the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
on  the  date  of  the  mailing  thereof  and on the  date  of  the  meeting  of
stockholders  of Raritan at which the  Agreement  was  approved,  contained  any
untrue statement of a material fact with respect to United or omitted to state a
material fact with respect to United  necessary in order to make the  statements
therein with respect to United, in light of the  circumstances  under which they
were made, not misleading.

                                     *******

                  In rendering their opinion,  counsel to United (A) may, to the
extent they deem proper and so specify in their  opinion,  rely upon the opinion
of  other  counsel  as to  matters  involving  the  application  of  laws of any
jurisdiction  other than the United  States or the State of New  Jersey,  or may
exclude  from their  opinion the  substance  included  in the  opinions of other
counsel  given  directly to Raritan and (B) may rely,  as to matters of fact, on
certificates of responsible  officers of United,  UNB, or other  Subsidiaries of
United  and  public   officials;   provided  copies  of  any  such  opinions  or
certificates  are delivered to Raritan  together with the opinion to be rendered
hereunder by counsel to United.  Counsel to United may assume that any agreement
is the valid and binding  obligation of any parties to such agreement other than
United.  As to  matters  of fact,  counsel  to  United  may also  rely  upon the
representations  and  warranties  made by United to Raritan in the  Agreement as
though  such  representations  and  warranties  were made  directly  to counsel.
Counsel  to United  may also rely upon the  genuineness  of  signatures  and the
authenticity of copies. <PAGE>


<TABLE>

                                                                                                   Exhibit B to
                                                                                                   Merger Agreement

                                      Index

                                                                                                          Index
                                                                                                         Weighting
    Company Name                                   Ticker           City                   State           (%)
    <S>                                            <C>             <C>                     <C>                <C> 
    Commerce Bancorp, Inc.                         CBH             Cherry Hill             NJ                 10.95
    S&T Bancorp, Inc.                              STBA            Indiana                 PA                  8.50
    TrustCo Bank Corp NY                           TRST            Schenectady             NY                  8.28
    Provident Bankshares  Corporation              PBKS            Baltimore               MD                  7.80
    UST Corporation                                USTB            Boston                  MA                  7.75
    F&M National Corporation                       FMN             Winchester              VA                  7.43
    First Commonwealth Financial  Corporation
                                                   FCF             Indiana                 PA                  6.97
    Trust Company of New Jersey  (The)             TCNJ            Jersey City             NJ                  5.67
    National Penn Bancshares, Inc.                 NPBC            Boyertown               PA                  4.10
    BT Financial Corporation                       BTFC            Johnstown               PA                  3.82
    USBANCORP, Inc.                                UBAN            Johnstown               PA                  3.55
    Sandy Spring Bancorp                           SASR            Olney                   MD                  3.54
    NBT Bancorp, Inc.                              NBTB            Norwich                 NY                  3.28
    First Western Bancorp, Inc.                    FWBI            New Castle              PA                  3.25
    Harleysville National Corporation              HNBC            Harleysville            PA                  3.16
    BSB Bancorp, Inc.                              BSBN            Binghamton              NY                  3.07
    F&M Bancorp                                    FMBN            Frederick               MD                  2.68
    Community Bank System, Inc.                    CBU             DeWitt                  NY                  2.51
    Arrow Financial Corporation                    AROW            Glen Falls              NY                  2.04
    Sun Bancorp, Inc.                              SNBC            Vineland                NJ                  1.66

</TABLE>


If, at any time after September 21, 1998 and before the Determination  Date, the
common  stock of any company on this  Exhibit B ceases to be publicly  traded or
any public  announcement  of a proposal  for such  company to be acquired or for
such company to acquire  another  company or companies  in  transactions  with a
value exceeding 25% of the acquiror's market capitalization,  such company shall
be removed from the Index Group  effective as of the Starting  Date (i.e.,  such
Company  shall not be  considered  part of the Index  Group for any  purposes in
connection with this Merger  Agreement) and the Index Weighting of the remaining
companies in the Index Group shall be increased  proportionately  to their prior
Index  Weighting,  so that the total  Index  Weighting  is 100%.  If any company
belonging   to  the  Index  Group   declares   or  effects  a  stock   dividend,
reclassification,  recapitalization,  split-up, combination, exchange of shares,
or similar transaction between the Starting Date and the Determination Date, the
prices for the common stock of such company shall be appropriately  adjusted for
the purposes of applying this Exhibit B.


<PAGE>


                                                                      APPENDIX B
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


                         THIS STOCK OPTION  AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement")  dated
September  22, 1998, is by and between  United  National  Bancorp,  a New Jersey
corporation and registered bank holding company ("United"),  and Raritan Bancorp
Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Raritan").

                                   BACKGROUND

                  1.  United,  United  National  Bank  ("UNB"),  Raritan and The
Raritan  Savings  Bank (the  "Bank"),  as of the date  hereof,  have  executed a
definitive  agreement  and plan of merger (the "Merger  Agreement")  pursuant to
which  United will  acquire  Raritan  through a merger of Raritan  with and into
United (the "Merger").

                  2. During the negotiation of the Merger Agreement,  United and
UNB advised  Raritan  that they would not execute  the Merger  Agreement  unless
Raritan executed this Agreement.

                  3. As an  inducement  to  United  to  enter  into  the  Merger
Agreement and in  consideration  for such entry,  Raritan has agreed to grant to
United an option to purchase  authorized but unissued  shares of common stock of
Raritan in an amount and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

                                    AGREEMENT

                  In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and
agreements  set forth  herein and in the Merger  Agreement,  United and Raritan,
intending to be legally bound hereby, agree:

                  1. Grant of Option. Raritan hereby grants to United the option
to purchase  470,000  shares of the common  stock,  $.01 par value (the  "Common
Stock"),  of Raritan at a price of $26.00 per share (the "Option Price"), on the
terms and conditions set forth herein (the "Option").

                  2.  Exercise of Option.  This Option shall not be  exercisable
until  the  occurrence  of a  Triggering  Event  (as  such  term is  hereinafter
defined).  Upon or after the  occurrence of a Triggering  Event (as such term is
hereinafter  defined),  United may exercise the Option,  in whole or in part, at
any time or from time to time, subject to the termination  provisions of Section
19 of this Agreement.

                  The term "Triggering Event" means the occurrence of any of the
following events:

                  A person or group (as such terms are defined in the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and the  rules and
regulations thereunder) other than United or an affiliate of United:

                  a. acquires  beneficial  ownership (as such term is defined in
Rule 13d-3 as  promulgated  under the Exchange  Act) of at least 20% of the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock;

                  b.  enters  into a letter of intent or an  agreement,  whether
oral or written,  with Raritan pursuant to which such person or any affiliate of
such  person  would  (i)  merge  or  consolidate,  or  enter  into  any  similar
transaction, with Raritan or the Bank, (ii) acquire all or a significant portion
of the assets or liabilities of Raritan or the Bank, or (iii) acquire beneficial
ownership  of  securities  representing,  or the  right  to  acquire  beneficial
ownership or to vote securities representing 20% or more of the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock;

                  c. makes a filing with any bank or thrift regulatory authority
or publicly  announces a bona fide proposal (a  "Proposal")  for (i) any merger,
consolidation  or acquisition of all or a significant  portion of all the assets
or  liabilities  of  Raritan  or the  Bank  or any  other  business  combination
involving  Raritan or the Bank, or (ii) a transaction  involving the transfer of
beneficial  ownership  of  securities  representing,  or the  right  to  acquire
beneficial  ownership  or to vote  securities  representing,  20% or more of the
outstanding  shares of Common Stock,  and  thereafter,  if such Proposal has not
been Publicly  Withdrawn (as such term is hereinafter  defined) at least 15 days
prior to the meeting of stockholders of Raritan called to vote on the Merger and
Raritan'  stockholders  fail to  approve  the  Merger  by the vote  required  by
applicable law at the meeting of stockholders called for such purpose; or

                  d. makes a bona fide Proposal and thereafter,  but before such
Proposal has been Publicly Withdrawn,  Raritan willfully takes any action in any
manner  which would  materially  interfere  with its ability to  consummate  the
Merger or materially reduce the value of the transaction to United.

                  The term  "Triggering  Event"  also  means  the  taking of any
material direct or indirect action by Raritan or any of its directors,  officers
or agents,  with the formal or informal  approval or acquiescence of the Raritan
Board of Directors,  with the intention of inviting,  encouraging  or soliciting
any  proposal  which has as its purpose a tender  offer for the shares of Common
Stock,  a  merger,  consolidation,  plan of  exchange,  plan of  acquisition  or
reorganization of Raritan, or a sale of a significant number of shares of Common
Stock or any significant portion of its assets or liabilities.

                  The term  "significant  portion"  means  25% of the  assets or
liabilities  of  Raritan.  The  term  "significant  number"  means  20%  of  the
outstanding shares of Raritan.

                  "Publicly  Withdrawn",  for  purposes  of clauses  (c) and (d)
above,  shall mean an unconditional bona fide withdrawal of the Proposal coupled
with a public  announcement of no further  interest in pursuing such Proposal or
in acquiring any controlling influence over Raritan or the Bank or in soliciting
or inducing any other person (other than United or any affiliate) to do so.

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option may not be exercised
at any  time (i) in the  absence  of any  required  governmental  or  regulatory
approval or consent  necessary  for Raritan to issue the shares of Common  Stock
covered by the Option (the "Option  Shares") or United to exercise the Option or
prior to the expiration or termination of any waiting period required by law, or
(ii) so long as any  injunction  or other order,  decree or ruling issued by any
federal or state court of competent  jurisdiction  is in effect which  prohibits
the sale or delivery of the Option Shares.

                  Raritan  shall  notify  United  promptly  in  writing  of  the
occurrence of any  Triggering  Event known to it, it being  understood  that the
giving of such notice by Raritan shall not be a condition to the right of United
to exercise  the Option.  Raritan  will not take any action which would have the
effect of preventing or disabling  Raritan from  delivering the Option Shares to
United upon exercise of the Option or otherwise performing its obligations under
this Agreement.

                  In the event  United  wishes to  exercise  the Option  after a
Triggering  Event has occurred and prior to the  termination of this  Agreement,
United shall send a written  notice to Raritan (the date of which is hereinafter
referred to as the "Notice Date"),  specifying the total number of Option Shares
it wishes to purchase  and a place and date (not less than three days after such
notice is sent to Raritan)  for the  closing of such a purchase  (a  "Closing");
provided,  however,  that a Closing  shall not occur prior to two days after the
later of receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals and the expiration of any
legally required notice or waiting period, if any.

                  3.  Payment  and  Delivery  of  Certificates.  At any  Closing
hereunder (a) United will make payment to Raritan of the aggregate price for the
Option Shares so purchased by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account  designated  by  Raritan,  (b)  Raritan  will  deliver to United a stock
certificate  or  certificates  representing  the  number  of  Option  Shares  so
purchased,  free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances of any
kind or nature whatsoever created by or through Raritan,  registered in the name
of United or its designee,  in such denominations as were specified by United in
its notice of exercise  and, if  necessary,  bearing a legend as set forth below
and (c) United shall pay any  transfer or other taxes  required by reason of the
issuance of the Option Shares so purchased.



                  If required under applicable federal securities laws, a legend
will be  placed  on each  stock  certificate  evidencing  Option  Shares  issued
pursuant to this Agreement, which legend will read substantially as follows:

                         The shares of stock evidenced by this  certificate have
                  not been  registered for sale under the Securities Act of 1933
                  (the "1933 Act"). These shares may not be sold, transferred or
                  otherwise  disposed of unless a  registration  statement  with
                  respect to the sale of such  shares  has been filed  under the
                  1933 Act and declared  effective or, in the opinion of counsel
                  reasonably  acceptable to Raritan  Bancorp Inc., said transfer
                  would be exempt from registration  under the provisions of the
                  1933 Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

No such  legend  shall be  required  if a  registration  statement  is filed and
declared effective under Section 4 hereof.

                  4.  Registration  Rights.  Upon or after the  occurrence  of a
Triggering  Event and upon receipt of a written  request  from  United,  Raritan
shall, if necessary for the resale of the Option or the Option Shares by United,
prepare and file a  registration  statement  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission and any state  securities  bureau covering the Option and such number
of Option Shares as United shall  specify in its request,  and Raritan shall use
its best efforts to cause such registration  statement to be declared  effective
in order to permit  the sale or other  disposition  of the Option and the Option
Shares,  provided that United shall in no event have the right to have more than
one such registration statement become effective.

                  In  connection  with such filing,  Raritan  shall use its best
efforts  to  cause  to be  delivered  to  United  such  certificates,  opinions,
accountant's  letters and other documents as United shall reasonably request and
as are customarily provided in connection with registrations of securities under
the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended.  All expenses  incurred by Raritan in
complying with the provisions of this Section 4, including  without  limitation,
all registration and filing fees,  printing expenses,  fees and disbursements of
counsel  for Raritan  and blue sky fees and  expenses  shall be paid by Raritan.
Underwriting  discounts and  commissions to brokers and dealers  relating to the
Option  Shares,  fees and  disbursements  of  counsel  to  United  and any other
expenses incurred by United in connection with such registration  shall be borne
by United.  In connection  with such filing,  Raritan  shall  indemnify and hold
harmless United against any losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities,  joint or
several,  to which United may become  subject,  insofar as such losses,  claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon any untrue  statement or alleged  untrue  statement  of any  material  fact
contained in any preliminary or final registration statement or any amendment or
supplement  thereto,  or arise  out of a  material  fact  required  to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;  and Raritan
will  reimburse  United for any legal or other  expense  reasonably  incurred by
United in  connection  with  investigating  or defending  any such loss,  claim,
damage, liability or action; provided,  however, that Raritan will not be liable
in any case to the extent that any such loss, claim,  damage or liability arises
out of or is based upon an untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue  statement  of
omission or alleged  omission  made in such  preliminary  or final  registration
statement  or such  amendment  or  supplement  thereto in  reliance  upon and in
conformity  with  written  information  furnished  by or  on  behalf  of  United
specifically for use in the preparation thereof.  United will indemnify and hold
harmless  Raritan to the same extent as set forth in the  immediately  preceding
sentence but only with reference to written information  specifically  furnished
by or on behalf of United  for use in the  preparation  of such  preliminary  or
final registration statement or such amendment or supplement thereto; and United
will  reimburse  Raritan for any legal or other expense  reasonably  incurred by
Raritan in connection  with  investigating  or defending  any such loss,  claim,
damage, liability or action.

                  5. Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.  In the event of
any change in the Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, split-ups, mergers,
recapitalizations,  combinations,  conversions, exchanges of shares or the like,
then  the  number  and kind of  Option  Shares  and the  Option  Price  shall be
appropriately adjusted.

                  In the event any capital reorganization or reclassification of
the Common Stock, or any consolidation, merger or similar transaction of Raritan
with another entity, or in the event any sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of Raritan  shall be  effected  in such a way that the  holders of Common
Stock shall be entitled to receive  stock,  securities or assets with respect to
or in exchange for Common Stock,  then,  as a condition of such  reorganization,
reclassification,  consolidation, merger or sale, lawful and adequate provisions
(in form reasonably satisfactory to the holder hereof) shall be made whereby the
holder hereof shall  thereafter  have the right to purchase and receive upon the
basis and upon the  terms and  conditions  specified  herein  and in lieu of the
Common Stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon exercise of
the rights  represented  by this  Option,  such shares of stock,  securities  or
assets as may be issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for the number
of shares of Common Stock  immediately  theretofore  purchasable  and receivable
upon exercise of the rights represented by this Option had such  reorganization,
reclassification,  consolidation,  merger  or sale not  taken  place;  provided,
however,  that if such  transaction  results  in the  holders  of  Common  Stock
receiving only cash, the holder hereof shall be paid the difference  between the
Option  Price and such  cash  consideration  without  the need to  exercise  the
Option.

                  6. Filings and  Consents.  Each of United and Raritan will use
its best efforts to make all filings with, and to obtain  consents of, all third
parties  and  governmental  authorities  necessary  to the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  Exercise  of the Option  herein  provided  shall be subject to
compliance with all applicable laws including, in the event United is the holder
hereof,  approval of the Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System and
Raritan  agrees  to  cooperate  with  and  furnish  to the  holder  hereof  such
information  and  documents  as  may  be  reasonably  required  to  secure  such
approvals.

                  7.  Representations and Warranties of Raritan.  Raritan hereby
represents and warrants to United as follows:

                         a. Due Authorization.  Raritan has full corporate power
and authority to execute,  deliver and perform this  Agreement and all corporate
action  necessary for the execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement
has been duly taken by Raritan.
<PAGE>
                         b. Authorized Shares. Raritan has taken and, as long as
the Option is outstanding, will take all necessary corporate action to authorize
and reserve for issuance all shares of Common Stock that may be issued  pursuant
to any exercise of the Option.

                         c. No Conflicts.  Neither the execution and delivery of
this  Agreement  nor  consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated  hereby
(assuming all  appropriate  regulatory  approvals) will violate or result in any
violation or default of or be in conflict with or constitute a default under any
term of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Raritan or any agreement,
instrument, judgment, decree, statute, rule or order applicable to Raritan.

                         8. Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge
that damages  would be an inadequate  remedy for a breach of this  Agreement and
that the  obligations of the parties hereto shall be  specifically  enforceable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, United shall have the right to seek money damages
against Raritan for a breach of this Agreement.

                  9. Entire  Agreement.  This Agreement  constitutes  the entire
agreement  between the parties  with  respect to the subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.

                  10.  Assignment  or Transfer.  United may not sell,  assign or
otherwise transfer its rights and obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, to
any person or group of  persons  other than to an  affiliate  of United,  except
after  the  occurrence  of a  Triggering  Event.  United  represents  that it is
acquiring the Option for United's own account and not with a view to or for sale
in connection with any  distribution of the Option or the Option Shares.  United
shall have the right to assign this  Agreement to any party it selects after the
occurrence of a Triggering Event.

                  11.  Amendment of Agreement.  By mutual consent of the parties
hereto, this Agreement may be amended in writing at any time, for the purpose of
facilitating  performance  hereunder or to comply with any applicable regulation
of any  governmental  authority or any applicable  order of any court or for any
other purpose.

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

                  13.  Notices.  All  notices,  requests,   consents  and  other
communications  required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered  personally,  by express  service,
cable,  telegram or telex, or by registered or certified mail (postage  prepaid,
return receipt requested) to the respective parties as follows:

                  (a)      If to United, to:

                           United National Bancorp
                           1130 Route 22 East, P.O. Box 6000
                           Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-0010
                           Attn.:  Thomas C. Gregor, Chairman,
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer

                  With a copy to:

                           Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch
                           Attn.:  Michael W. Zelenty, Esq.
                           By Hand: 200 Campus Drive
                                    Florham Park, New Jersey 07932-0950
                           By Mail: P.O. Box 1945
                                    Morristown, New Jersey 07962-1945

                  (b)      If to Raritan, to:

                           Raritan Bancorp Inc.
                           454 Route 28
                           Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807
                           Attn.:  Arlyn D. Rus, Chairman,
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer

                  With a copy to:

                           Luse Lehman Gorman Pomerenk & Schick PC
                           5335 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.
                           Washington, D.C. 20015
                           Attn.:  John J. Gorman

                  or such other  addresses  as shall be  furnished in writing by
any party,  and any such notice or  communications  shall be deemed to have been
given as of the date so delivered or telecopied and mailed.
<PAGE>
                  14.  Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.

                  15.  Captions.  The captions in the Agreement are inserted for
convenience and reference purposes,  and shall not limit or otherwise affect any
of the terms or provisions hereof.

                  16. Waivers and Extensions.  The parties hereto may, by mutual
consent,  extend the time for  performance of any of the  obligations or acts of
either  party  hereto.  Each  party  may waive  (i)  compliance  with any of the
covenants of the other party  contained in this Agreement  and/or (ii) the other
party's performance of any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement.

                  17. Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure  solely to the  benefit  of each  party  hereto,  and  nothing in this
Agreement,  express or implied,  is intended to confer upon any other person any
rights  or  remedies  of any  nature  whatsoever  under  or by  reason  of  this
Agreement,  except as  provided  in Section 10  permitting  United to assign its
rights and obligations hereunder.

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

                  19.  Termination.  This Agreement  shall terminate upon either
the termination of the Merger  Agreement as provided therein or the consummation
of the transactions  contemplated by the Merger  Agreement;  provided,  however,
that if  termination  of the Merger  Agreement  occurs after the occurrence of a
Triggering  Event (as  defined in Section 2 hereof),  this  Agreement  shall not
terminate until the later of 18 months  following the date of the termination of
the Merger  Agreement or the  consummation  of any proposed  transactions  which
constitute the Triggering Event.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the parties hereto,  pursuant to
resolutions  adopted by its Board of Directors,  has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its duly authorized officer,  all as of the day and year first above
written.

                                          RARITAN BANCORP INC.


                                          By:    ARLYN D. RUS
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                 Arlyn D. Rus


                                          UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP


                                          By:    THOMAS C. GREGOR
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                 Thomas C. Gregor


<PAGE>

                                                                     APPENDIX C

___________, 1998


Board of Directors
Raritan Bancorp Inc.
454 Route 28
Bridgewater, NJ  08807

Attention:        Mr. Arlyn D. Rus
                  Chairman of the Board of Directors

Directors:

         You have  requested  our opinion as to the  fairness,  from a financial
point of view, to the holders of the  outstanding  shares of common  stock,  par
value  $0.01  per  share  (the  "Raritan  Shares"),   of  Raritan  Bancorp  Inc.
("Raritan") of the exchange  ratio (as described  below,  the "Exchange  Ratio")
pursuant to the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated as of September  22, 1998
(the "Merger  Agreement"),  between Raritan and United National Bancorp ("United
National").

         Pursuant  to the  Merger  Agreement,  Raritan  will merge with and into
United  National (the  "Merger")  and each Raritan Share issued and  outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (subject to certain exceptions) shall be
converted  into 1.45 shares  (the  "Exchange  Ratio") of common  stock of United
National, par value $1.25 per share ("United National Common Stock"), subject to
adjustment  as described in the Merger  Agreement.  As a result of the 10% stock
dividend   declared   September  16,  1998  and  payable  November  2,  1998  to
shareholders  of record on October 15,  1998 by United  National,  the  Exchange
ratio has been adjusted to 1.595 shares of common stock of United National,  par
value  $1.125  per  share.  It is our  understanding  that  the  merger  will be
accounted for as a  pooling-of-interests  under  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

         The investment banking business of Endicott Financial Advisors,  L.L.C.
("Endicott")  includes  the  valuation  of  financial   institutions  and  their
securities  in  connection  with mergers and  acquisitions  and other  corporate
transactions.

         In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed and considered, among
other  things:  (a) the Merger  Agreement;  (b) audited  consolidated  financial
statements and management's  discussion and analysis of the financial  condition
and results of operations for each of Raritan and United  National for the three
fiscal years ended  December 31, 1995,  December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997;
(c) unaudited consolidated financial statements and management's  discussion and
analysis  of the  financial  condition  and  results of  operations  for each of
Raritan and United National for the quarters ended March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998
and  September 30, 1998;  (d)  financial  analyses and forecasts for Raritan and
United  National  prepared by Endicott and Raritan  management,  the  underlying
assumptions of which were reviewed  during due diligence with the managements of
Raritan and  United;  (e) the views of senior  management  of Raritan and United
National of their  respective  past and  current  business  operations,  results
thereof,  financial  condition and future prospects;  (f) certain reported price
and trading activity for the Raritan and United National common stock, including
a comparison  of certain  financial  and stock market  information  with similar
information  for certain other  companies  the  securities of which are publicly
traded;  (g) the financial terms of recent business  combinations in the banking
industry;  (h) the pro-forma impact of the transaction on United  National;  (i)
the  current  market  environment  generally  and  the  banking  environment  in
particular;  and (j) such other  information,  financial  studies,  analyses and
investigations  and  financial,  economic and market  criteria as we  considered
relevant.

         In  performing  our review,  we have assumed and relied  upon,  without
independent verification,  the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial
information,  analyses and other information  reviewed by and discussed with us,
and we did not make an  independent  evaluation  or  appraisal  of the  specific
assets,  the collateral  securing assets or the liabilities of Raritan or United
National or any of their subsidiaries,  or the collectibility of any such assets
(relying,  where  relevant on the analyses  and  estimates of Raritan and United
National).  With respect to the financial forecast and cost savings  information
reviewed  with  Raritan  management,  we have assumed that they reflect the best
currently  available estimates and judgments of the senior management of Raritan
as to the future  financial  performance  of  Raritan,  United and the  combined
entity. We have also assumed that there has been no material change in Raritan's
or  United  National's  assets,  financial  condition,  results  of  operations,
business  or  prospects  since the date of the last  financial  statements  made
available to us. We have also assumed without independent  verification that the
aggregate consolidated allowance for loan losses for Raritan and United National
were adequate to cover such losses.  We have further assumed that the conditions
precedent in the Agreement are not waived.

         Our  opinion  is  necessarily  based  on  economic,  market  and  other
conditions as in effect on, and the information  made available to us as of, the
date hereof.  Events occurring after the date hereof could materially affect the
assumptions  used in preparing this opinion.  We have not undertaken to reaffirm
or revise this opinion or otherwise  comment upon any events occurring after the
date hereof.

         We have acted as Raritan's  financial  advisor in  connection  with the
Merger and will receive a fee for our services,  a significant  portion of which
is contingent upon  consummation  of the Merger.  We will also receive a fee for
rendering this opinion.

         It is understood  that this opinion is not to be quoted or referred to,
in  whole  or  in  part,  in a  registration  statement,  prospectus,  or  proxy
statement, or in any other document used in connection with the offering or sale
of  securities,  nor shall this letter be used for any other  purposes,  without
Endicott's prior written consent,  provided,  however, that we hereby consent to
the inclusion of this opinion in this Joint Proxy  Statement-Prospectus  and the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of which it comprises a part.

         Based upon and subject to the foregoing,  it is our opinion that, as of
the date hereof,  the Exchange  Ratio is fair from a financial  point of view to
the holders of Raritan Shares.



                                            Very Truly Yours,





                                            ENDICOTT FINANCIAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.


<PAGE>

                                                                      APPENDIX D


                                                              September 22, 1998


The Board of Directors
United National Bancorp
1130 Route 22 East
PO Box 6000
Bridgewater, NJ  08807-0010

Members of the Board:

         You  have  requested  our  opinion  as  investment  bankers  as to  the
fairness,  from a financial point of view, to the common  stockholders of United
National  Bancorp  ("UNBJ") of the exchange  ratio in the proposed  merger ("the
Merger") of Raritan  Bancorp,  Inc.  ("RARB") with and into UNBJ pursuant to the
Merger Agreement  ("Agreement")  dated as of September 22, 1998 between UNBJ and
RARB. It is our understanding that the Merger will be structured as a pooling of
interests under generally accepted accounting  principles and will be a tax-free
reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code.

         As is  more  specifically  set  forth  in the  Merger  Agreement,  upon
consummation of the Merger,  each outstanding share of the common stock of RARB,
par value $.01 per share  ("RARB  Common  Stock"),  will be  converted  into and
exchanged for 1.595 (the "Exchange Ratio") shares of UNBJ ("UNBJ Common Stock"),
$.01 par value per share.

         Keefe,  Bruyette  &  Woods,  Inc.  ("Keefe  Bruyette"),  as part of its
investment  banking  business,  is continually  engaged in the valuation of bank
holding  companies  and banks,  thrift  holding  companies and thrifts and their
securities in connection with mergers and  acquisitions,  underwriting,  private
placements, competitive bidding processes, market making as a NASD market maker,
and valuations for various other  purposes.  As specialists in the securities of
banking  companies we have  experience  in, and  knowledge  of, the valuation of
banking enterprises.  In the ordinary course of our business as a broker-dealer,
we may, from time to time,  trade the  securities  of RARB or UNBJ,  for our own
account, and for the accounts of our customers and, accordingly, may at any time
hold a long or short position in such securities. To the extent we have any such
positions as of the date of this opinion it has been  disclosed to UNBJ. KBW has
served as financial  advisor to UNBJ in the negotiation of the Merger  Agreement
and in  rendering  this  fairness  opinion and will  receive a fee from UNBJ for
those services.

         In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed,  analyzed and relied upon
material bearing upon the financial and operating condition of RARB and UNBJ and
the Merger, including among other things, the following:

i.       Reviewed the Merger Agreement;

ii.      Reviewed certain historical financial and other information  concerning
         UNBJ for the three years ending  December 31,  1997,  including  UNBJ's
         Annual Report to  Stockholders  and Annual  Reports on Forms 10-K,  and
         interim quarterly reports on Form 10-Q;

iii.     Reviewed certain historical financial and other information  concerning
         RARB for the three years ending  December 31,  1997,  including  RARB's
         Annual Report to  Stockholders  and Annual  Reports on Forms 10-K,  and
         interim quarterly reports on Form 10-Q;

iv.      Reviewed and studied the historical stock prices and trading volumes of
         the common stock of both UNBJ and RARB;

v.       Held discussions  with senior  management of UNBJ and RARB with respect
         to their past and current financial  performance,  financial  condition
         and future prospects;

vi.      Reviewed  certain  internal  financial  data,   projections  and  other
         information of UNBJ and RARB, including financial  projections prepared
         by management;

vii.     Analyzed  certain  publicly  available  information of other  financial
         institutions  that we deemed  comparable  or otherwise  relevant to our
         inquiry, and compared UNBJ and RARB from a financial point of view with
         certain of these institutions;

viii.    Reviewed the financial terms of certain recent business combinations in
         the banking industry that we deemed comparable or otherwise relevant to
         our inquiry; and

<PAGE>

ix.      Conducted such other financial studies, analyses and investigations and
         reviewed such other  information as we deemed  appropriate to enable us
         to render our opinion.


         In  conducting  our review and arriving at our opinion,  we have relied
upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other information
provided to us or publicly  available and we have not assumed any responsibility
for   independently   verifying  the  accuracy  or   completeness  of  any  such
information. We have relied upon the management of UNBJ as to the reasonableness
and achievability of the financial and operating  forecasts and projections (and
the  assumptions  and bases  therefor)  provided to us, and we have assumed that
such forecasts and projections  reflect the best currently  available  estimates
and judgments of such management and that such forecasts and projections will be
realized in the  amounts and in the time  periods  currently  estimated  by such
management.  We and certain  representatives  of UNBJ  management  reviewed with
members of  management  of RARB the budgets,  forecasts  and related  underlying
assumptions provided to us by RARB management. After those initial due diligence
discussions,   we  prepared  revised  earnings  estimates  for  RARB.  Prior  to
finalizing  these revised  estimates,  we and members of the  management of UNBJ
discussed the basis for those  revisions with members of the management of RARB.
We used our revised  estimates  and  underlying  assumptions  in  preparing  our
analyses  and related  opinion for the Board of UNBJ.  We are not experts in the
independent verification of the adequacy of allowances for loan and lease losses
and we have assumed that the current and projected  aggregate  reserves for loan
and lease losses for UNBJ and RARB are adequate to cover such losses. We did not
make or obtain  any  independent  evaluations  or  appraisals  of any  assets or
liabilities of UNBJ,  RARB, or any of their  respective  subsidiaries nor did we
verify any of UNBJ's or RARB's books or records or review any individual loan or
credit files.

         We have  considered  such financial and other factors as we have deemed
appropriate under the circumstances, including, among others, the following: (i)
the  historical  and  financial  position and results of  operations of UNBJ and
RARB; (ii) the assets and liabilities of UNBJ and RARB; and (iii) the nature and
terms of certain  other  merger  transactions  involving  banks and bank holding
companies.  We have also taken into account our assessment of general  economic,
market and financial  conditions  and our experience in other  transactions,  as
well as our  experience  in  securities  valuation  and knowledge of the banking
industry  generally.  Our opinion is necessarily  based upon  conditions as they
exist and can be evaluated on the date hereof and the information made available
to us through the date hereof.

         Based upon and subject to the foregoing,  it is our opinion that, as of
the date hereof,  the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to
UNBJ and its stockholders.


                                          Very truly yours,


                                          KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.





                       SUPPLEMENTAL COMBINED CONSOLIDATED
                        FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF UNITED


          Management's Discussion and Analysis of Combined Consolidated
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations


This section is presented to assist in  understanding  the operating  results of
United   National   Bancorp  (the  "Parent   Company")   and  its   wholly-owned
subsidiaries,  United  National  Bank (the "Bank") and UNB Capital  Trust I (the
"Trust") or when consolidated with the Parent Company,  the "Company",  for each
of the past three years and financial  condition for each of the past two years.
This  section  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  combined  consolidated
financial  statements,  the  accompanying  notes  and  selected  financial  data
provided within this report.

On March  31,  1999,  the  Company  acquired  by  merger  Raritan  Bancorp  Inc.
("Raritan").  The acquisition was accounted for on a pooling-of-interests basis;
therefore,  the Financial Review is presented as if the Company and Raritan were
always  one  company,  and all  prior  period  financial  information  has  been
restated.

On September 30, 1998, the Company  acquired State Bank of South Orange ("SBSO")
by  merging  SBSO  into the  Bank.  The  acquisition  was  accounted  for on the
pooling-of-interests  accounting method and therefore,  the financial statements
for periods  prior to the merger  have been  restated to include the amounts and
activities of SBSO.


Forward-Looking Statements

This  report  contains  forward-looking  statements  within  the  meaning of The
Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act of 1995.  Such  statements  are not
historical facts and include expressions about our confidence and strategies and
our expectations  about new and existing  programs and products,  relationships,
opportunities,  technology  and  market  conditions.  These  statements  may  be
identified  by an  "asterisk"  ("*")  or  such  forward-looking  terminology  as
"expect",  "believe",  "anticipate",  or by  expressions  of confidence  such as
"continuing" or "strong" or similar statements or variations of such terms. Such
forward-looking  statements  involve  certain  risks  and  uncertainties.  These
include, but are not limited to, expected cost savings not being realized or not
being  realized  within the expected time frame;  income or revenues being lower
than expected or operating costs higher; competitive pressures in the banking or
financial services  industries  increasing  significantly;  business  disruption
related  to  program  implementation  or  methodologies;  Year  2000  compliance
programs not addressing Year 2000 computer  problems  effectively;  weakening of
general economic  conditions  nationally or in New Jersey;  changes in legal and
regulatory  barriers and  structures;  and  unanticipated  occurrences  delaying
planned  programs or initiatives or increasing  their costs or decreasing  their
benefits.  Actual  results  may  differ  materially  from  such  forward-looking
statements.   The  Company   assumes  no   obligation   for  updating  any  such
forward-looking statements.


OVERVIEW

The Company reported net income in 1998 of $19,858,000, an increase of 7.6% from
the $18,447,000  earned in 1997.  Diluted net income per share was $1.30 in 1998
compared to $1.21 reported in 1997. Basic net income per share in 1998 was $1.33
as compared to the $1.25 reported in 1997.

The Company's  operating  income for 1998,  defined as net income  excluding the
effects of one-time  charges,  net of taxes, was  $21,552,000,  an 8.6% increase
over the $19,845,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997. During 1998, one-time
charges  totaling  $1,694,000  or $0.11 per diluted  share,  net of taxes,  were
related to the acquisition of SBSO, while in 1997, the Company incurred one-time
charges totaling  $1,398,000 or $0.09 per diluted share, net of taxes,  relating
to the  acquisition  of  Farrington  Bank and the sale of the  Company's  former
operations  center.  Operating  income per diluted  share,  adjusted for the 10%
stock  dividend paid on November 2, 1998,  was $1.41,  an 8.5% increase over the
$1.30 reported for the year ended December 31, 1997.

The  Company  reported  net  income,   after  one-time  charges,   for  1997  of
$18,447,000,  up 14.0% from the $16,176,000  earned in 1996.  Diluted net income
per share results for 1997 increased 12.0% to $1.21 from $1.08 reported in 1996.
Operating income for 1997 was $19,845,000 or $1.30 per diluted share compared to
$16,762,000  or $1.12 per diluted share in 1996.  Operating  income for 1996 was
defined as net income excluding the one-time  charges of $586,000,  or $0.04 per
diluted share, net of taxes,  related to a one-time special Savings  Association
Insurance Fund ("SAIF") assessment.

Key performance ratios based on operating income remained strong for 1998. Based
on  operating  income,  return on average  assets  ("ROA") and return on average
equity ("ROE") were 1.15% and 13.92%,  respectively,  in 1998, compared to 1.21%
and 14.38%,  respectively,  in 1997.  ROA and ROE in 1996 were 1.13% and 13.52%,
respectively.  ROA and ROE, based on operating  income,  have averaged 1.13% and
13.83%, respectively, over the past five years.

Based on net  income,  ROA was  1.06% in 1998 as  compared  to 1.12% in 1997 and
1.09% in 1996, while ROE was 12.83% in 1998,  13.37% in 1997 and 13.05% in 1996.
In addition,  the efficiency ratio was 62.46% for 1998 versus 58.77% in 1997 and
61.19% in 1996.  During 1998,  the increase in the  efficiency  ratio was due in
part to the four new branches opened during 1998 and the fourth quarter of 1997.

The  Company's  favorable  net  income  results  for 1998 were the  result of an
improvement  in net  interest  income and  non-interest  income  coupled  with a
reduction  in the  provision  for loan  losses and in the  provision  for income
taxes.  These  improvements  were offset in part by an increase in  non-interest
expense.

The growth in net income for 1997 was the result of an increase in net  interest
income and  non-interest  income.  This was offset by increases in the provision
for possible loan losses, non-interest expense and provision for income taxes.

Loan  demand  throughout  1998 was  greater  than 1997.  Loans,  net of unearned
income,  at December 31, 1998 were  $125,815,000  higher than the prior year-end
and  represented  55.1% of total assets at year-end 1998 as compared to 52.0% in
1997. Total loans averaged  $979,872,000 during 1998, an increase of $73,781,000
or 8.1% compared with the prior year.  Interest  rates, as measured by the prime
rate, began the year of 1998 at 8.50% and decreased several times throughout the
third and fourth quarters to end the year at 7.75%. Combined consolidated assets
at year-end 1998 totaled  $1,917,194,000,  which represented an increase of 7.1%
over 1997.

Securities available for sale increased to $609,262,000 and represented 31.8% of
the total  assets at December 31, 1998 as compared to  $602,365,000  or 33.7% at
year-end 1997.  Conversely,  securities held to maturity  decreased  $23,241,000
from 1997 to $63,374,000 at year-end 1998 and accounted for 3.3% of total assets
at December 31, 1998, versus 4.8% last year.

Total deposits  increased by 0.8% to  $1,403,413,000  at December 31, 1998. Time
deposits  decreased by $49,114,000 or 7.7% to  $590,618,000 at December 31, 1998
compared to  $639,732,000 at year-end 1997 primarily as a result of lower levels
of wholesale  certificates  of deposit of $100,000 or more. In contrast,  demand
deposits  increased to  $263,700,000 at year-end 1998, a 16.6% increase over the
prior year-end. Savings deposits also increased by $22,221,000 or 4.2% from 1997
to  $549,095,000  at  year-end  1998.  On  average,   time  deposits   decreased
$13,531,000 or 2.2% from 1997. Demand deposits and non-interest-bearing  savings
deposits  averaged  $254,565,000  in 1998,  up 27.0%  from the 1997  average  of
$200,462,000,  while average  savings  deposits were up $36,787,000 or 7.0% from
1997's average balance of $522,454,000.




EARNINGS ANALYSIS

Operating Revenue

The  Company's  earnings  have two major  components:  net  interest  income and
non-interest  income,  which  includes net gains from  securities  transactions.
Operating revenue,  excluding securities gains,  increased $3,731,000 or 4.3% in
1998 as compared to 1997 and increased $7,064,000 or 8.8% in 1997 as compared to
1996.

Net Interest Income

Net  interest  income,  the amount by which  interest  earned on assets  exceeds
interest  paid to depositors  and other  creditors,  is the Company's  principal
source of revenue.  For  purposes of this review,  interest  exempt from Federal
taxation  has  been  restated  to  a  taxable-equivalent   basis,  which  places
tax-exempt  income  and yields on a  comparable  basis  with  taxable  income to
facilitate  analysis.  The Federal income tax rate used for 1998,  1997 and 1996
was 34%. In calculating loan yields, the applicable loan fees have been included
in interest  income and  non-performing  loans are  included in the average loan
balances.

Net interest  income  increased  $2,906,000 or 4.2% to a level of $72,478,000 in
1998  following a  $4,180,000  or 6.4%  increase in the prior year.  The primary
reason for the increase was an increase in net interest-earning  assets,  offset
in part by a decrease  in the net  interest  margin.  The higher  yielding  loan
portfolio  was 56.6% of  average  earning  assets in 1998 from 59.4% in 1997 and
61.0% in 1996,  while average  securities  increased to 40.0% of average earning
assets in 1998, up from 37.8% in 1997 and 36.3% in 1996. In 1997,  after raising
additional Tier I Capital through the issuance of trust capital securities,  the
Company  developed  and  partially  implemented  a strategy to increase  earning
assets,  effectively  leveraging  its new capital  and  improving  net  interest
income,  by the purchase of $150  million of  additional  investment  securities
funded through  short-term and other  borrowings  (the "Growth  Strategy").  The
Company  continued the Growth  Strategy  during 1998 and completed an additional
$50 million in the first quarter and another $20 million in the third quarter of
1998. For additional discussion on the Growth Strategy, see "Financial Condition
- - - - Securities."  The Company's net interest margin declined in 1998 and 1997,
largely due to the impact of the Growth Strategy and the effect of an investment
in  corporate  owned  life  insurance,  which  reduces  investable  funds  while
increasing non-interest income.

For 1998, average  interest-earning  assets increased $204,469,000 or 13.4% over
1997 while average rates declined 29 basis points, creating an increase in total
interest   income  of   $11,368,000   or  9.2%  from  1997.  In  1997,   average
interest-earning  assets  increased  $153,044,000  or 11.1%  over the prior year
while  the  yield on  earning  assets  increased  2 basis  points.  Accordingly,
interest income increased $12,607,000 or 11.4% from 1996.

The  Company   continued  to  monitor  the  rates  paid  on  all  categories  of
interest-bearing  liabilities to reflect  existing  market  conditions.  Average
interest-bearing  deposits  increased by  $23,256,000  or 2.0%,  and the cost of
deposits  increased slightly to 3.99% in 1998 from 3.98% in 1997. This growth in
average  deposits  was the result of the Bank's new branches  opened  during the
year,  in  addition  to deposit  growth at the  existing  branches.  The Company
utilized  short-term and other borrowings as an additional funding source and to
fund the Growth  Strategy.  The average  balance of  borrowings,  including  the
obligation under capital lease, was $255,739,000 in 1998 with an average cost of
6.01%,  as  compared  to the  average  balance of  $129,566,000  in 1997 with an
average  cost of 6.16%.  The effect of the above  changes  in 1998  created a 45
basis point and 37 basis point decline in the Company's net interest  spread and
net interest margin, respectively.

In 1997,  average  interest-bearing  deposits  increased by $54,632,000 or 5.0%,
while the cost of deposits  increased  to 3.98% in 1997 from 3.81% in 1996.  The
increase in average interest-bearing  deposits was mainly attributable to the 17
basis point increase in the average cost.  The Company also utilized  short-term
and other  borrowings as an  additional  source in 1997 to fund the $150 million
Growth  Strategy.  The  average  balance  of  other  borrowings,  including  the
obligation under capital lease, was $129,566,000 in 1997 with an average cost of
6.16%,  as compared to the average  balance in 1996 of  $60,342,000 at a cost of
5.98%.  The effect of the above  changes in 1997  created 26 basis  point and 20
basis point  decreases in the  Company's  net  interest  spread and net interest
margin, respectively.

The net interest margin, which represents net interest income as a percentage of
average  interest-earning  assets,  is a key  indicator of net  interest  income
performance.  The net interest margin  decreased during 1998 to 4.19% from 4.56%
in 1997.  The  decline  in the net  interest  margin in 1998  resulted  from the
overall lower  interest rate  environment  during the year along with the Growth
Strategy  implemented  during 1998 and 1997. The net interest  margin  decreased
during 1997 to 4.56% from 4.76% in 1996. The decline in the net interest  margin
in 1997 resulted to a large degree from the Growth Strategy  implemented  during
1997. Although the Growth Strategy has resulted in a decline in the net interest
margin and spread, the overall result was a positive impact on the Company's net
income and return on average equity.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest  income,  which has  become  an  increasingly  important  source of
revenue for the Company,  consists primarily of trust income, service charges on
deposit  accounts,  other service charges,  commissions and fees, and securities
gains. In 1998, total non-interest  income amounted to $24,215,000,  an increase
of $3,236,000 or 15.4% from 1997, as compared with a 24.8% increase in 1997 from
1996.  Included in these figures were net gains from securities  transactions of
$3,891,000  in 1998 as  compared  to  $1,914,000  in 1997 and  $799,000 in 1996.
Non-interest  income in 1998, not including  securities gains, was up $1,259,000
or 6.6% over 1997,  compared to an increase of  $3,058,000 or 19.1% in 1997 from
1996.

Trust income  continues to be a major  contributor  to fee income,  representing
22.5% of the total.  Trust income rose  $478,000 or 9.6% to  $5,454,000  in 1998
compared to a $640,000 or 14.8%  increase  from 1996 to 1997.  This increase was
due to growth in the level of assets  under  management,  assisted  through  the
expansion of new client relationships, as well as the addition of new investment
products. The Trust Division offers a full range of fiduciary services,  ranging
from mutual funds to personal trust,  investment advisory and employee benefits.
Trust  services  are  expected  to  continue  to play an  important  role in the
Company's future.*

Service charges on deposit accounts  decreased  $48,000 or 0.9% to $5,025,000 in
1998 as compared to a $60,000 or 1.2% increase  from 1996 to 1997.  The decrease
in 1998 resulted from fewer occurrences of overdraft fees assessed. The increase
in 1997 resulted from higher volume of accounts during the year.

Other  service  charges,  commissions  and fees  increased  $531,000  or 8.2% to
$7,029,000 in 1998 due primarily to increased  automated  teller machine ("ATM")
transaction  fees and fees  generated by outsourcing  the Bank's  official check
function.  During 1997,  other service  charges,  commissions and fees increased
$1,726,000  or 36.2%  from  1996 to  $6,498,000  due to  increased  credit  card
application  fees,  increases in credit card annual and transaction  fees and an
increase in ATM transaction fees.

Other income increased  $298,000 or 11.8% from 1997 to $2,816,000 in 1998 due to
an increase in income on an investment in corporate owned life insurance  partly
offset by a decline  in gains  from sales of the  guaranteed  portions  of Small
Business  Administration ("SBA") loans. Other income increased $632,000 or 33.5%
from 1996 to $2,518,000  in 1997 due primarily to increased  gains from sales of
the guaranteed portions of SBA loans.

Net  gains on  securities  transactions  of  $3,891,000  were  recorded  in 1998
compared  with  $1,914,000  in 1997 and $799,000 in 1996.  The gains in 1998 and
prior years were the outcome of restructuring the investment  portfolio to alter
maturities,  due to the changing interest rate environment,  and to maximize the
return on the  investment  portfolio.  Additional  gains were  realized from the
trading  account  portfolio  due  primarily  to  favorable   conditions  in  the
marketplace.



Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense in 1998 totaled  $62,967,000,  an increase of $5,952,000 or
10.4% over 1997.  This  compared to a $4,541,000  or 8.7%  increase in 1997 over
1996.  Included in 1998 were  one-time  charges  before taxes of  $2,179,000  in
connection  with the SBSO  merger.  Included  in 1997 were  one-time  charges of
$2,208,000  incurred in connection  with both the Farrington Bank merger and the
sale of the Bank's former operations  center.  During the third quarter of 1996,
the Company  recorded a pre-tax charge of $948,000 for the one-time special SAIF
assessment.  Excluding  the  one-time  charges,  non-interest  expense  in  1998
increased  $5,981,000  or 10.9%  from  1997  and  non-interest  expense  in 1997
increased   $3,281,000  or  6.4%  from  1996.   Management   continues  to  seek
opportunities to control non-interest expense levels.*

The largest component of non-interest expense is salaries and employee benefits,
which  accounted  for 40.6% of total  non-interest  expense in 1998  compared to
43.6% and 48.0% in 1997 and 1996, respectively.  Management continues to monitor
staffing levels, employee benefits and operational  consolidations.  Compared to
the previous year,  the 1998 expense of  $25,554,000  represents a 2.9% increase
versus a 1.4% decrease between 1997 and 1996.  Specifically,  salaries and wages
increased $1,102,000 in 1998 while employee benefits decreased $380,000. Medical
health care costs,  a  significant  component  of employee  benefits,  increased
$55,000 from 1997 and had declined  $163,000 in 1997 from 1996.  This expense is
based on the level of medical  claims and there can be no  assurance  that these
costs will not  increase  in the  future.  The  Company's  goal to control  this
expense continues to remain a high priority. Full-time equivalent employees were
542 at December  31,  1998  compared  with 585 and 572 at December  31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.

Net occupancy and furniture and equipment expense increased  $1,517,000 or 19.8%
in 1998 to  $9,166,000  as  compared  to an increase of $187,000 or 2.5% in 1997
from 1996.  The  increase  in both 1997 and 1998  resulted  from the  opening of
several new branches offset in part by lower building maintenance costs.

Data  processing  expense for 1998  increased  $1,973,000 or 35.3% to $7,570,000
from  $5,597,000 in 1997 and $985,000 or 21.4% in 1997 from  $4,612,000 in 1996.
These increases were caused by higher  processing  volumes as well as the result
of outsourcing a portion of the credit card  processing  operation in late 1997.
Data  processing  expense also  increased as the Company  reevaluated  its joint
venture investment in United Financial  Services,  Inc. Based upon the Company's
decision to convert to a new data  processing  system,  the Company  reduced the
remaining  amount of  amortization  and  depreciation  periods of the underlying
assets  of the joint  venture.  Distributions  on trust  capital  securities  of
$2,002,000  and  $1,557,000  in 1998 and  1997  respectively  resulted  from the
placement of such securities in March 1997.  Amortization  of intangible  assets
was  $1,961,000 in 1998 compared to $1,728,000  and $1,842,000 in 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

Net cost to operate other real estate, which results from costs of holding other
real estate in addition to valuation adjustments,  amounted to $216,000 in 1998,
a decrease  of $60,000  from 1997.  These  costs  decreased  in 1997 to $276,000
compared  to $380,000  in 1996.  The  decrease in 1998 and 1997 was due to lower
carrying costs and write-downs  associated  with the reduced  inventory of other
real estate holdings. For additional discussion on other real estate, see "Asset
Quality".

One-time charges in 1998 of $2,179,000  resulted from the acquisition of SBSO in
the third  quarter.  This  amount  consisted  primarily  of payouts on  existing
employment  contracts,  a  penalty  on  termination  of SBSO's  data  processing
service,  the  write-off  of unusable  fixed assets and  supplies,  professional
services  directly  attributable  to  the  acquisition,   and  severance  costs.
Substantially all amounts were paid by December 31, 1998. The one-time charge in
1997 amounted to $2,208,000,  of which $1,665,000  resulted from the acquisition
of  Farrington  in the first  quarter.  Additionally,  a  non-recurring  loss of
$543,000,  resulting from the sale of the Bank's operations center, was recorded
in the second  quarter of 1997.  Included in 1996 was the one-time  special SAIF
assessment of $948,000.

Other expenses, excluding the one-time charges, amounted to $14,319,000 in 1998,
an  increase  of  $1,151,000  or 8.7%  compared  to the prior year while  1997's
expense was  $1,130,000 or 9.4% higher than that of 1996.  The increases in 1998
and 1997 were primarily a result of the  additional  costs  associated  with the
four new branches opened in late 1997 and during 1998. Additionally,  there were
increases in marketing,  postage and telephone expenses incurred for credit card
marketing,   along  with  increases  in  local  marketing  expenses,  legal  and
professional fees.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes decreased $667,000 in 1998 to $8,368,000 compared
to an  increase  in 1997 of  $626,000.  The  decrease  in 1998 in  income  taxes
resulted  from  higher  levels of  tax-exempt  income  than the prior year and a
reduction  in the  valuation  allowance.  The  Company  implemented  certain tax
planning strategies during 1998, which included increasing the Bank's investment
in tax-exempt  securities.  The increase in 1997 resulted from the higher levels
of taxable income.  For further  information  regarding the provision for income
taxes, see Note 14 to the Combined Consolidated Financial Statements.


LINES OF BUSINESS

The Company, for management  purposes,  is segmented into the following lines of
business: Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Investments,  Trust and Investment
Services and Raritan.  Activities  not included in these lines are  reflected in
Corporate. Summary financial information for the lines of business for the years
1998 and 1997 are presented in Note 20 of the Notes to Combined Consolidated
Financial Statements.

Lines of business  information is based on accounting  practices that conform to
and support the current management  structure and is not necessarily  comparable
with similar  information  for any other  financial  company.  Net income before
taxes  includes  revenues and expenses  directly  associated  with each line, in
addition to allocations of certain indirect revenues and expenses.

A  matched-maturity  funds transfer pricing  methodology is employed to assign a
cost of funds to the earning  assets of each business line, as well as to assign
an earnings  credit to the  liabilities of each business line. The provision for
loan losses is based on the historical net charge-off  ratio for each applicable
line of business.

For  purposes of this  review,  interest  income  which is exempt  from  Federal
taxation  has  been  restated  to  a  taxable-equivalent   basis,  which  places
tax-exempt  income on a  comparable  basis  with  taxable  income to  facilitate
analysis.

Retail Banking

Retail Banking meets the banking needs of individuals and small businesses. This
segment   includes   loans  secured  by  1-4  family   residential   properties,
construction  financing,  loans to individuals  for household,  family and other
personal  expenditures and lease financing.  In addition,  this segment includes
the branch network.

The average balance of interest-earning assets declined $11,239,000, or 2.5%, to
$436,167,000 in 1998 from $447,406,000 in 1997. The decline was primarily in the
indirect automobile portfolio within the installment lending area.

Net interest  income  increased  $870,000,  or 2.3%, to $38,416,000 in 1998 from
$37,546,000 in 1997.  Interest income declined  $1,413,000,  or 3.8%,  resulting
primarily from the decline in rates.  Interest expense  increased  $571,000,  or
1.8%, resulting from higher cost of deposits.  In 1998, there was an increase of
$2,854,000  in the funds  transfer  price credit.  The increased  credit was the
result of the higher earnings credit  received for providing  funding  primarily
from the branch network for other lines of business.

The provision for loan losses  declined  $1,448,000,  from $3,520,000 in 1997 to
$2,072,000 in 1998, as a result of the improvement in both asset quality and net
charge-offs.

Non-interest  income,  which is comprised  primarily  of loan and deposit  fees,
increased  $839,000,  or 7.1%,  in  1998.  The  increase  was due  primarily  to
increased ATM  transaction  fees and fees  generated by  outsourcing  the Bank's
official check function.  Non-interest expense increased  $5,221,000,  or 14.1%,
from $37,117,000 in 1997 to $42,338,000 in 1998. This increase was primarily the
result of the costs  associated  with the four new branches  opened in late 1997
and during 1998.

As a result of the increase in non-interest expense,  Retail Banking pre-tax net
income of $6,598,000 in 1998 was down from 1997 results of $8,662,000.

Commercial Banking

Commercial  Banking  provides term loans,  demand secured loans,  Small Business
Administration ("SBA") financing,  floor plan loans and financing for commercial
real estate transactions.

Net interest income  increased  $1,581,000 to $9,566,000 in 1998 from $7,985,000
in  1997.   The  increase  was  primarily   related  to  loan  growth.   Average
interest-earning  assets increased  $38,194,000 or 16.0% from 1997, as all major
product lines showed growth. Partially offsetting the increased loan balance was
a decrease in the yield earned on loans due to the declining rate environment.

The provision for loan losses in 1998  increased  $760,000 from 1997,  resulting
primarily from the growth in outstandings.

Non-interest  income  declined  $496,000 to $885,000 in 1998 from  $1,381,000 in
1997.  This  decline was  primarily  the result of lower gains from sales of the
guaranteed  portion of SBA loans.  Non-interest  expense declined  $422,000,  or
9.5%, from $4,447,000 in 1997 to $4,025,000 in 1998.

As a result of the increase in net interest  income and decline in  non-interest
expense,  pre-tax net income increased $747,000, or 16.2%, to $5,354,000 in 1998
from $4,607,000 in 1997.

Investments

The Investment segment is comprised of the Company's securities portfolio, which
includes U. S. Treasury and government agency securities, tax-exempt securities,
mortgage-backed  securities,   corporate  debt  securities,  equity  securities,
trading accounts and short-term investments.

Net interest income  increased  $1,561,000 to $4,042,000 in 1998 from $2,481,000
in 1997.  This increase was due primarily to a $141,281,000  increase in average
interest-earning assets.

Non-interest  income increased  $2,030,000 from $1,820,000 in 1997 to $3,850,000
in 1998.  This  increase  was the result of  increased  securities  gains due to
restructuring of the investment portfolio and through sales originating from the
trading account portfolio. Non-interest expense increased $91,000 to $220,000 in
1998.

As a result of the  increase in net  interest  income and  non-interest  income,
pre-tax net income increased $3,500,000 to $7,672,000 in 1998 from $4,172,000 in
1997.

Trust and Investment Services

Trust  and  Investment  Services  revenues  are  mostly  in the form of fees for
services  provided.  The major sources of fee income are  generated  from a full
range of  fiduciary  services,  ranging  from mutual  funds to  personal  trust,
investment advisory and employee benefits.

Non-interest  income  increased  $478,000,  or 9.6%,  to $5,454,000 in 1998 from
$4,976,000 in 1997. This increase was due to growth in the level of assets under
management  as well as the  addition of new  investment  products.  Non-interest
expense  increased  $200,000,  or 5.3%, to $3,939,000 in 1998. This increase was
generally the result of additional expenses, both direct and indirect,  based on
the expansion of this line of business.

Pre-tax  net income for 1998 was  $1,512,000,  an increase of $287,000 or 23.4%,
over 1997.

Corporate

Corporate is primarily comprised of the treasury function,  which is responsible
for managing  interest rate risk.  Additionally,  certain  revenues and expenses
that are not  considered  allocable to a line of business are  reflected in this
area.

Net interest income declined $1,347,000 to $7,075,000 in 1998 from $8,422,000 in
1997. This decrease was generally  related to the higher benefit provided to the
other lines of business on loans and deposits.

Non-interest  expense  decreased  $141,000 in 1998 from $150,000 in 1997. Merger
and other unallocated  expenses increased  $55,000,  or 1.4%, from $3,969,000 in
1997  to  $4,024,000  in  1998.  This  expense  includes  one-time  charges  and
amortization of intangible assets.

Pre-tax net income amounted to $3,042,000 in 1998, down from $4,303,000 in 1997.

Raritan

Raritan  has been  presented  as a  stand-alone  entity  for both 1998 and 1997.
Raritan was  primarily in the business of  gathering  deposits  from the general
public and originating  residential  mortgage,  construction and consumer loans,
and small business  loans.  In addition,  a portion of its assets is invested in
securities, including mortgage-backed securities.

Net interest  income  increased  $232,000,  or 1.8%, to $13,382,000 in 1998 from
$13,150,000 in 1997.  Total interest income  increased  $2,092,000,  or 7.6%, to
$29,767,000  due  primarily to a $2,529,000  increase in fees on loans.  Average
interest-earning  assets totaled  $406,200,000,  an increase of $42,102,000 from
1997.  Total interest  expense  increased  $1,860,000 or 12.8% to $16,385,000 in
1998.  This was due  primarily  to an  increase  in average  deposits  and other
borrowings of $42,643,000 from 1997.

The  provision  for loan  losses  declined  $300,000  to  $300,000  in 1998 from
$600,000 in 1997 as a result of the improvement in asset quality.

Non-interest  income increased  $385,000 to $1,434,000 in 1998. The increase was
primarily due to increased service charges,  commissions and fees.  Non-interest
expense increased  $799,000,  or 10.7%, to $8,296,000 in 1998 from $7,497,000 in
1997.  This was  primarily  the result of increased  occupancy and furniture and
equipment costs.

As a result of the increase in non-interest expense, which was offset in part by
the increases in revenue, Raritan's pre-tax net income of $6,104,000 in 1998 was
down from 1997 results of $6,135,000.


CAPITAL

The Company is committed  to  maintaining  a strong  capital  position.  Capital
adequacy is  monitored in relation to the size,  composition  and quality of its
asset  base  and  with   consideration   given  to  regulatory   guidelines  and
requirements, as well as industry standards.

At December 31, 1998, total stockholders'  equity was $158,242,000,  an increase
of $12,776,000 or 8.8% from year-end 1997. The increase was due primarily to net
income of $19,858,000,  offset in part by cash dividends declared of $8,480,000.
Capital  was also  increased  as a result  of the  change in  accumulated  other
comprehensive  income,  of $495,000.  Other  additions  resulted from restricted
stock  activity  and stock  options  exercised.  As  detailed  in Note 13 to the
Combined Consolidated  Financial Statements,  the Company and the Bank currently
exceed all minimum capital requirements.


FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total average assets increased  $228,259,000 or 13.9% to $1,873,390,000 in 1998,
while total assets reached  $1,917,194,000 at year-end, an increase of 7.1% from
the December 31, 1997 balance. Average interest-earning assets, which represents
92.4% of total  average  assets,  increased  $204,469,000  or 13.4% from 1997 to
$1,730,491,000  in 1998.  Specifically,  average loans increased  $73,781,000 or
8.1%  in  1998  to  $979,872,000,   while  average  total  securities  increased
$115,753,000 or 20.1% from 1997 and short-term investments increased $14,935,000
or 34.7%.

Securities

Total  securities,  which  include  securities  held  to  maturity,   securities
available for sale and trading  account  securities,  averaged  $692,695,000  in
1998,  an  increase of  $115,753,000  or 20.1% from 1997.  For  purposes of this
review,   unrealized  gains  and  losses  have  been  excluded.   The  portfolio
represented  40.0% of average  earning  assets for 1998 and 37.8% for 1997.  The
yield on the total  portfolio  (on a  tax-equivalent  basis)  decreased 19 basis
points to 6.57%. The increase in average balances in the security  portfolio was
primarily the result of an additional $70 million of Growth Strategy implemented
during  1998 and the full year  effect of the $150  million  of Growth  Strategy
implemented  during the prior year. The Growth  Strategy  utilized  purchases of
U.S.   government  agency  bonds  and  mortgage-backed   securities,   including
collateralized  mortgage  obligations,   funded  through  short-term  and  other
borrowings  with  various  maturities  ranging  up to 5 years  to  increase  net
interest income.

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities  declined  $30,695,000 to average
$112,982,000  in 1998. The yield on this  portfolio  decreased 4 basis points to
6.65% from the reported yield of 6.69% in 1997.  The prevailing  market rates of
new investments were lower than those of maturing securities.

Tax-exempt  securities,  consisting  primarily  of  obligations  of  states  and
political subdivisions, averaged $79,919,000 in 1998, an increase of $19,363,000
from 1997.  As a part of its tax  planning  strategy,  the Company  continues to
invest in these securities. At year-end, tax-exempt securities were $99,071,000,
up $31,032,000 from December 31, 1997. The average tax-equivalent yield on these
securities decreased 24 basis points to 7.40% in 1998 from 7.64% in 1997.

Mortgage-backed  securities  averaged  $428,664,000  in  1998,  an  increase  of
$107,887,000  from 1997. These  securities  provide  liquidity  through periodic
principal and interest repayments.  The yield on mortgage-backed  securities was
6.39% in 1998 compared to 6.64% in 1997.

Corporate  debt  securities  averaged  $18,898,000  during 1998. At December 31,
1998,  the  investment  in  corporate  debt  securities  was  $23,343,000,   and
represented the Company's  purchase of trust capital  securities of other banks.
The average  yield on trust  capital  securities  was 9.39% in 1998.  Securities
issued by a foreign government averaged $142,000 in 1998 compared to $115,000 in
the prior year. The year-end 1998 balance was $150,000 as compared to $125,000 a
year earlier.

Average equity  securities  increased  $12,883,000  during 1998 to  $52,090,000.
Equity  securities  consisted  primarily of money market mutual funds  averaging
$37,763,000 in 1998 compared to $29,994,000 in 1997. The remaining  increase was
the result of equity  investments made by the Parent Company.  The average yield
on equity securities decreased 6 basis points to 5.62% from 5.68% in 1997.

Short-term investments,  which included Federal funds sold and Federal Home Loan
Bank deposits  averaged  $57,924,000 in 1998 compared to $42,989,000 in 1997, an
increase of 34.7%. For 1998, the yield on short-term investments averaged 4.88%,
down from 5.50% in 1997.

Loans

Total loans  averaged  $979,872,000  during 1998, an increase of  $73,781,000 or
8.1%  compared with the prior year.  At year-end,  total loans,  net of unearned
income,  amounted to $1,057,081,000,  up $125,815,000 or 13.5% compared to 1997.
Loan demand over the past several years has shown  improvement  due to the lower
interest rate environment and as business and consumer confidence in the economy
remains  strong.  Even though the lower interest rate  environment and increased
competition  has  created an  increase in loan  payoffs  and  refinancings,  the
Company's  aggressive  marketing  program and diverse product mix created strong
growth that more than offset these declines. The Company's largest loan category
is real estate mortgage loans,  which totaled  $652,239,000 at December 31, 1998
and  represented  61.7% of total  loans  net of  unearned  income.  Real  estate
mortgage loans included residential and commercial mortgages, construction loans
and first-time homebuyer mortgages.  Installment loans amounted to $143,011,000,
representing 13.5% of loans net of unearned income. Major loan types within this
category are indirect automobile loans of $55,961,000,  direct personal loans of
$58,543,000 and advances on home equity lines of $27,401,000.

The Company's commercial loan portfolio amounted to $218,929,000 at December 31,
1998, up 50.9% from the prior year-end. Average commercial loans increased 13.5%
to $203,989,000  from  $179,669,000  in 1997 and represented  20.8% of the total
average loan portfolio as compared to 19.8% in 1997. The tax-equivalent yield on
the commercial loan portfolio was 9.23% in 1998,  compared to 9.58% in 1997. The
yield  on  this  portfolio  decreased  as  a  result  of  lower  rates  on  loan
originations and repricings.

Real estate mortgage loans averaged $586,219,000, an increase of 19.7% from 1997
and  represented  59.8% of the total average loan  portfolio.  This increase was
primarily the result of an increase in the commercial mortgage portfolio as well
as adjustable rate mortgages and the Bank's first-time  homebuyer program called
"Community  Action  Loans."  The  tax-equivalent  yield  on the  total  mortgage
portfolio decreased 17 basis points to 8.17% from 8.34% last year as a result of
the effect of a lower interest rate environment on new loan  originations and on
the  adjustable  rate  portion of the  portfolio.  This  portfolio  consists  of
residential and commercial mortgages, as well as construction loans, and carries
fixed and adjustable interest rates.

The Company has a nationwide  secured credit card program,  along with unsecured
and affinity card programs  throughout  New Jersey.  Credit card loans  averaged
$34,896,000  in 1998,  an increase of  $2,296,000 or 7.0% from 1997. At year-end
1998, the credit card balances were  $38,511,000,  as compared to $33,484,000 at
year-end  1997.  The  increase  during  1998  was the  result  of the  continued
nationwide  direct mail  advertising  campaign for secured credit cards, and the
local municipal  affinity programs for unsecured credit cards. The average yield
in 1998 on credit cards was 18.85%, down 53 basis points from 19.38% in 1997.

Installment  loans, on average,  decreased to $139,063,000  from $186,308,000 in
1997 and represented 14.2% of the total average loan portfolio.  Originations of
indirect  automobile loans have slowed from the levels seen in 1997 and 1996. As
a result, the average installment loan portfolio decreased by 25.4% in 1998 from
1997.  At  year-end  1998,  installment  loans  amounted to  $143,011,000,  down
$15,672,000  or 9.9% from the same period in 1997.  Increased  competition  in a
lower rate environment has lowered the yields on new indirect loans;  therefore,
the Company has redirected its lending  efforts to higher  yielding  direct loan
products. The average yield on the total installment loan portfolio was 8.37% in
1998 compared with 8.56% in 1997.

Impaired loans averaged $5,299,000, down $2,676,000 or 33.6% from the prior year
average.  For  additional  discussion on impaired  loans,  see "Asset  Quality -
Non-Performing Assets."

It is  expected  that a  trend  of  increased  refinancing  of  residential  and
commercial mortgage loans will continue if the economy continues to maintain its
current  course.  The Company will  continue to compete for what it believes are
quality  loans in those sectors of the business  community  where such loans are
most prevalent.*

Other Assets

At  December  31,  1998,  other  assets  totaled  $52,471,000,  an  increase  of
$3,186,000 from the prior year-end. The largest component of other assets is the
$29,200,000 investment in corporate-owned life insurance.

Deposits and Other Borrowings

The  Company's  deposit  base is the  primary  source  of funds  supporting  its
interest-earning  assets.  Total average deposits increased to $1,420,440,000 in
1998, up $77,359,000  or 5.8% from  $1,343,081,000  in 1997. At year-end,  total
deposits amounted to $1,403,413,000,  up 0.8% from the  $1,392,703,000  reported
last year.

For 1998, time deposits comprised 42.7% of total average deposits as compared to
46.2% in 1997. These deposits, which consist primarily of retail certificates of
deposit and  individual  retirement  accounts,  declined  $13,531,000 or 2.2% to
average  $606,634,000 during 1998. At December 31, 1998, time deposits decreased
by $49,114,000  or 7.7% from year-end 1997. The cost of time deposits  increased
27 basis points to 5.64% in 1998. During 1998,  certificates of deposit $100,000
and over averaged $118,589,000, an increase of 6.1% over last year.

Savings  deposits,  which include  savings  accounts,  money market accounts and
interest-bearing  transaction accounts,  averaged  $559,241,000,  an increase of
$36,787,000 or 7.0% from 1997. The cost of savings  deposits  decreased 12 basis
points to 2.21% in 1998.

Demand deposits and non-interest-bearing savings deposits averaged $254,565,000,
up 27.0% from the 1997 average of $200,462,000. Demand deposits at year-end were
$263,700,000, up 16.6% from the prior year.  Non-interest-bearing secured credit
card  balances  averaged  $11,766,000  in 1998, up 7.8% from the 1997 average of
$10,915,000. Non-interest- bearing secured credit card deposits at year-end 1998
amounted to $11,217,000, as compared to $11,520,000 at December 31, 1997.

Short-term  borrowings are available as an additional  source of funding for the
loan and investment portfolios, as well as, funding deposit outflows. Short-term
borrowings  consist primarily of Federal funds purchased,  securities sold under
agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements"),  demand notes-U.S. Treasury,
borrowed funds and Federal Home Loan Bank advances.  During the year, short-term
borrowings  rose  $34,062,000  or 44.2%  to  average  $111,180,000.  The cost of
short-term  borrowings  decreased 68 basis points from 5.65% in 1997 to 4.97% in
1998 due to the lower interest rate environment during 1998 as compared to 1997.
Other  borrowings  average  for  1998  increased  $92,111,000  as  a  result  of
borrowings  used to fund the Growth  Strategy.  Other  borrowings had an average
cost of 6.81% in 1998 compared to 6.91% in 1997.

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (the "FHLB").  As
a result,  the Company has access to financing  from the FHLB with terms ranging
from  overnight up to 10 years.  The FHLB advances are secured by securities and
loans receivable under a blanket collateral agreement ("Blanket  Advances").  At
December  31,  1998,  there  was  $37,000,000  outstanding  from the FHLB on the
$90,700,000 Blanket Advance line. At December 31, 1997, there were no borrowings
outstanding  from the FHLB on the $85,400,000  Blanket Advance line. The Company
also has access to financing from the FHLB through  advances  collateralized  by
specific securities ("Specific Advances"). At December 31, 1998, the Company had
Specific  Advances  outstanding  from the FHLB of  $131,000,000  with maturities
ranging from 90 days to 5 years.




ASSET QUALITY

The Company  manages asset quality and controls  credit risk through a review of
credit  applications  along  with a  continued  examination  and  monitoring  of
outstanding loans,  commitments and  delinquencies.  This process is intended to
result in early detection and timely follow-up on problem loans.  Credit risk is
also  sought  to be  controlled  by  limiting  exposures  to  specific  types of
borrowers, industries and markets.

Non-Performing Assets

The Company defines  non-performing assets as non-accrual loans, impaired loans,
loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing renegotiated loans, other real
estate owned and other assets owned.

At December 31, 1998, total non-performing  assets totaled $9,170,000 or 0.5% of
total assets,  down  $2,480,000  from the $11,650,000 or 0.7% of total assets at
December 31, 1997.

Non-performing  loans at  December  31,  1998 were  $8,612,000  or 0.8% of total
loans,  as compared to  $9,973,000  or 1.1% of total loans at December 31, 1997.
The  $1,361,000  decrease  from 1997 resulted from loans secured by real estate,
which decreased by $1,619,000, a decline of $126,000 in loans to individuals for
household,  family and other personal  expenditures and a decline of $169,000 in
lease  financing  receivables.  This  was  offset  in  part  by an  increase  in
commercial and industrial loans of $564,000. Troubled debt restructures declined
by  $11,000.  A  majority  of the  non-performing  loans  are well  secured  and
management does not anticipate the realization of significant losses.*

At December 31, 1998, the Company's holdings in other real estate owned amounted
to $507,000 as compared to  $1,503,000 at December 31, 1997.  Foreclosures  will
continue to result in assets migrating from  non-performing  loans to other real
estate owned.  It is the Company's  intent to actively  negotiate and dispose of
these  properties at fair market values,  which are considered  reasonable under
the  circumstances.* In 1998, the Company incurred $216,000 of costs relating to
these properties as compared to $276,000 in 1997. Other assets owned amounted to
$51,000 at year-end, a decrease of $123,000 from 1997.

Allowance for Possible Loan Losses

The  Company's   year-end  1998  allowance  for  possible  loan  losses  totaled
$11,174,000 and represented 1.06% of total loans. This compared with a loan loss
allowance at year-end 1997 of  $11,739,000  and a ratio to total loans of 1.26%.
Loan loss provisions amounted to $3,444,000 in 1998, down from the $4,432,000 in
1997 and $3,691,000 in 1996.

The  determination  of an  appropriate  level of the allowance for possible loan
losses (the  "Allowance") is based upon an analysis of the risks inherent in the
Bank's loan  portfolio.  The  analysis is  performed  on a  continuous  basis by
account officers, various loan committees, and the Bank's Loan Review Officer.

One tool used in establishing these risks is a risk rating system, consisting of
eight loan grading  categories.  In assigning a rating to a given loan,  various
factors are  weighted,  including  (a) the  financial  condition and past credit
history of the  borrower;  (b)  available  collateral,  and its  valuation;  (c)
available  documentation of the loan; and (d)  concentrations  within industries
and geographic locales.

In conjunction  with the review of the loan portfolio,  a quarterly  analysis of
the adequacy of the Allowance is performed.  This analysis consists primarily of
evaluating  the  inherent  risk of loss on all loans and  applying  risk to loss
ratios derived from this review.

Management  then determines the adequacy of the Allowance based on the review of
the loan portfolio.  Appropriate  recommendations  are then made to the Board of
Directors  regarding the amount of the quarterly  charge against earnings (i.e.,
the provision  for possible loan losses),  needed to maintain the Allowance at a
level deemed adequate by Management. The Allowance is increased by the amount of
such  provisions and by the amount of loan  recoveries,  and is decreased by the
amount of loan charge-offs.

Net  charge-offs in 1998 were  $4,009,000 or 0.41% of average loans  outstanding
compared with  $4,567,000 or 0.50% in 1997.  Net  charge-offs in the credit card
portfolio  were  $1,524,000  in  1998,  compared  to  $1,695,000  in  1997.  Net
charge-offs in installment lending and lease financing  receivables decreased to
$1,083,000 in 1998,  compared with  $2,290,000 in 1997.  The net  charge-offs in
installment  lending are primarily the result of the indirect  portfolio,  which
sustained strong growth during the mid-1990's.  Management  recognizes the risks
inherent in the indirect  automobile loans, and the Company has made a concerted
effort to redirect its lending efforts to lower risk direct loan products.  Real
estate loan net  charge-offs  increased to  $1,160,000  in 1998 from $586,000 in
1997 while  commercial  loans  incurred  net  charge-offs  of  $242,000  in 1998
compared  to net  recoveries  of $4,000 in 1997.  The  charged-off  loans are in
various stages of collection and litigation.


MARKET RISK - ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

The  primary  market  risk faced by the  Company  is  interest  rate  risk.  The
Company's  Asset/Liability  Committee  ("ALCO")  monitors  the  changes  in  the
movement of funds and rate and volume  trends to enable  appropriate  management
response to changing market and rate conditions.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Interest  rate  sensitivity  is a measure of the  relationship  between  earning
assets and supporting  funds,  which tend to be sensitive to changes in interest
rates during comparable time periods.

ALCO is charged  with  managing the  Company's  rate  sensitivity  to attempt to
optimize net interest  income while  maintaining  an  asset/liability  mix which
balances liquidity needs and interest rate risk.  Interest rate risk arises when
an asset matures,  or its interest rate changes,  during a time period different
from that of the supporting liability and vice versa.

Historically,  the most common  method of  estimating  interest rate risk was to
measure the maturity and repricing relationships between interest-earning assets
and interest-bearing  liabilities at specific points in time ("GAP"),  typically
one  year.  Under  this  method,  an  asset-sensitive  gap  means an  excess  of
interest-sensitive  assets  over  interest-sensitive   liabilities,   whereas  a
liability-sensitive  gap means an excess of interest-sensitive  liabilities over
interest-sensitive assets.

The Company's GAP model includes certain management  assumptions based upon past
experience and the expected  behavior of customers  during various interest rate
scenarios.  The assumptions  include principal  prepayments for various loan and
security products and classifying the non-maturity deposit balances by degree of
interest  rate  sensitivity.  As of  December  31,  1998,  utilizing  the  above
assumptions  results in a cumulative  interest rate sensitive assets to interest
rate  sensitive   liabilities  of  0.84%  and  0.78%  for  the  three-month  and
twelve-month intervals, respectively.

However,  assets and liabilities with similar repricing  characteristics may not
reprice at the same time or to the same degree.  As a result,  the Company's GAP
does not necessarily predict the impact of changes in general levels of interest
rates on net interest income.

Management  believes  that the  simulation  of net interest  income in different
interest rate environments  provides a more meaningful  measure of interest rate
risk. Income  simulation  analysis captures not only the potential of all assets
and liabilities to mature or reprice, but the probability that such would occur.
Income simulation also permits  management to assess the probable effects on the
balance  sheet not only of  changes  in  interest  rates,  but also of  proposed
strategies for responding to them.


The Company's  income  simulation  model analyzes  interest rate  sensitivity by
projecting  net interest  income over the next 24 months in a flat rate scenario
versus net interest income in alternative  interest rate  scenarios.  Management
reviews and refines its interest rate risk management process in response to the
changing economic climate.  Currently,  the Company's model projects a 200 basis
point change in rates during the first year,  in even monthly  increments,  with
rates held constant in the second year. The Company's ALCO has established  that
interest income sensitivity will be considered acceptable if net interest income
in the above interest rate scenario is within 10% of net interest  income in the
flat rate  scenario  in the first  year and within  20% over the  two-year  time
frame. At December 31, 1998, the Company's income  simulation model indicates an
acceptable level of interest rate risk.

Management  also  monitors  interest  rate risk by  utilizing a market  value of
equity  model.  The model  computes  estimated  changes in net  portfolio  value
("NPV") of its cash flows from the Company's assets and liabilities in the event
of a change in  market  interest  rates.  NPV  represents  the  market  value of
portfolio  equity  and is equal to the market  value of assets  minus the market
value of liabilities.  This analysis assesses the risk of gain or loss in market
risk sensitive  instruments in the event of an immediate and sustained 200 basis
point increase or decrease in market interest  rates.  The Company's ALCO policy
indicates  that the level of interest  rate risk is  acceptable if the immediate
200 basis point  change in  interest  rates would not result in the loss of more
than 30% from the base market  value of equity.  At  December  31,  1998,  it is
projected  that a 200 basis point  increase in rates would cause the base market
value of  equity to  decline  from  $223,490,000  to  $185,838,000,  a change of
$37,652,000 or 16.8%.* In a 200 basis point  decrease in rates,  the base market
value of equity is projected to decrease from  $223,490,000 to  $223,107,000,  a
change of $383,000 or 0.2%.* At December  31,  1998,  the market value of equity
indicates an acceptable  level of interest rate risk and no significant  changes
in value from the prior year.

At December 31, 1997, it was projected  that a 200 basis point increase in rates
would  cause the base market  value of equity to decline  from  $183,867,000  to
$150,029,000, a change of $33,838,000 or 18.4%. In a 200 basis point decrease in
rates,  the  base  market  value  of  equity  was  projected  to  increase  from
$183,867,000  to  $192,892,000,  a change of $9,025,000 or 4.9%. At December 31,
1997, the market value of equity  indicated an acceptable level of interest rate
risk.

NPV is calculated  based on the net present value of estimated  discounted  cash
flows  utilizing  market  prepayment  assumptions  and market  rates of interest
provided by independent broker quotations and other public sources.  Computation
of  prospective  effects of  hypothetical  interest  rates  changes are based on
numerous  assumptions,  including relative levels of market interest rates, loan
prepayments  and  duration  of  deposits,  and  should  not be  relied  upon  as
indicative of actual results.  Further,  the computations do not contemplate any
actions the ALCO could undertake in response to changes in interest rates.

Mortgage-backed securities,  federal agency securities and other borrowings with
call options,  which the Company believed would be called,  were reported at the
earlier  of the  next  call  date or  contractual  maturity  date.  Non-maturity
deposits of savings,  money  market  accounts and  interest-bearing  transaction
accounts   were   reported   with   an   average    duration   of   3.5   years.
Non-interest-bearing deposits were based on the most recent regulatory valuation
price  tables.  Rate  shocks,  prepayment  assumptions  and call  dates  are all
instantaneous and held constant.

Liquidity

Liquidity  management involves the Company's ability to maintain prudent amounts
of  liquid  assets in its  portfolio  in order to meet the  borrowing  needs and
deposit  withdrawal  requirements  of  customers  and to support  asset  growth.
Current  and  future  liquidity  needs are  reviewed  by ALCO to  determine  the
appropriate asset/liability mix.

The  Company  intends  to hold its  investment  securities  for the  foreseeable
future.  However,  the level and  composition  of the  portfolio may change as a
result of  maturities  and purchases  undertaken as part of the  asset/liability
management process.  Unexpected changes in the financial  environment are likely
to affect the Company's interest rate risk, liquidity position and the potential
return on the  portfolio.  Additionally,  the Company may also purchase and sell
those securities which are available for sale in order to address these changes.
Overall  balance sheet size and capital  adequacy are  considered in determining
the appropriate level for the portfolio.  When economic factors cause changes in
the  balance  sheet or when the  Company  reassesses  its  interest  rate  risk,
liquidity  or  capital  position,  strategic  changes  may be made  in both  the
securities held to maturity and securities  available for sale portfolios  based
on opportunities to enhance the ongoing total return of the balance sheet.

Asset  liquidity is  represented  by the ease with which assets can be converted
into cash. This liquidity is provided by money market assets and debt securities
with maturity dates of one year or less, which totaled  $142,745,000 at year-end
1998. The market value of money market assets, which includes Federal funds sold
and money market mutual funds,  amounted to $85,124,000 at the end of 1998. Debt
securities  consist primarily of U.S.  Treasury notes and bonds,  obligations of
U.S. Government agencies, and obligations of states and political  subdivisions.
All securities  held by the Company are readily  marketable.  As of December 31,
1998, debt  securities  scheduled to mature within one year based upon estimated
cash flows,  amounted to  $72,975,000  and  represented  11.6% of the total debt
securities  portfolio.  Approximately  23.3% of the  entire  debt  portfolio  is
scheduled to mature within five years,  based upon estimated  cash flows.  There
was no  security  issue held which  represented  more than 10% of the  Company's
stockholders'  equity.  Additional  liquidity is derived from scheduled loan and
investment payments of principal and interest, as well as prepayments received.

On the liability  side, the primary source of funds  available to meet liquidity
needs is the Company's core deposit base,  which  generally  excludes  wholesale
certificates of deposit over $100,000.  Core deposits amounted to $1,353,101,000
at  December  31,  1998 and  represented  76.0% of  earning  assets.  Short-term
borrowings,  consisting  primarily of Federal funds  purchased,  securities sold
under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances,  and wholesale certificates of
deposit over $100,000 are used as  supplemental  funding  sources during periods
when  growth in the core  deposit  base does not keep pace with that of  earning
assets.  Short-term borrowings and wholesale certificates of deposit amounted to
$204,947,000 at December 31, 1998.

As mentioned  earlier,  the Bank is a member of the FHLB system,  which provides
the  Company  with an  additional  source of  liquidity  by  offering  financing
alternatives.  At year-end 1998, the Company had a $90,700,000 advance line with
the FHLB, $53,700,000 of which was available.


YEAR 2000 ISSUE

The Year 2000 issue involves preparing computer systems and programs to identify
the arrival of January 1, 2000. In the past,  many computer  programs  allocated
only two  digits to a year,  (i.e.,  1998 was  represented  as 98).  Given  this
programming,  the Year 2000 could be confused  with that of 1900.  The Year 2000
issue not only impacts  computer  hardware and software,  but all equipment that
utilizes processors or computer microchips.

Management has formed a Year 2000  Committee  with members from all  significant
areas of the Company, which has conducted a complete review of its operations to
identify  systems,  computer  hardware,   software  applications,   vendors  and
customers  that could be  affected  by the Year 2000 issue.  The  committee  has
developed an  implementation  plan (the "Plan") to rectify any issues related to
processing of transactions in the Year 2000 and beyond. Progress versus the Plan
is subject to  periodic  examination  by the  Office of the  Comptroller  of the
Currency   ("OCC")   regulators.   As  recommended  by  the  Federal   Financial
Institutions  Examination  Council,  the Plan encompasses the following  phases:
awareness, assessment,  renovation, validation and implementation.  These phases
are  designed to enable the Company to identify  risks,  develop an action plan,
and perform adequate testing and complete certification that all systems will be
Year 2000 ready. Execution of the Plan is currently on target.

As of December 31, 1998,  the Company is in the  validation  and  implementation
phases.  This  effort  includes  hardware  and  software  upgrades  and  systems
replacements,  as  necessary.  The primary  operating  software  systems for the
Company are obtained from and  maintained by multiple  external  providers.  The
Company  maintains  ongoing contact with these vendors who have provided written
assurances that where  necessary,  their software has been remediated and is now
Year 2000 compliant.  As part of the validation phase, the Company is working to
test these systems for Year 2000 compliance.

The  Company is also in the  process of  obtaining  certifications  of Year 2000
compliance from all other vendors,  while also defining  contingencies for these
vendors. In the event the Company is unable to obtain such  certifications,  the
Company will either obtain Year 2000  compliant  software,  hardware and support
services,  or utilize the respective  contingency,  as appropriate.  Each of the
vendors, whose products or services are believed by management to be material to
the  Company,  has  either  provided  written  assurance  that it is  Year  2000
compliant  or has  provided  written  assurance  that it expects to be Year 2000
compliant prior to the Year 2000. The Company  believes that the risk associated
with the possibility of a processing  failure being  experienced by any of these
vendors is minimal.  This assessment is based on a number of factors.  Extensive
documentation  has been provided  throughout  the progress of each vendor's Year
2000 project. Each vendor asserts that it completed its remediation effort prior
to December 31, 1998. Each vendor asserts that it completed its internal testing
as of December 31,  1998,  and the Company has been  involved in extensive  user
testing of each of these applications.

In addition,  the Company is in the process of  contacting  all  non-information
technology  suppliers  (i.e.,  utility systems,  telephone  systems and security
systems)  regarding  the Year 2000  state of  readiness.  The  renovation  phase
involves testing of changes to hardware and software,  accompanied by monitoring
and testing with vendors.  The  validation  phase is targeted for  completion by
June 30, 1999*.  The  implementation  phase's purpose is to certify that systems
are compliant on a going-forward basis. This phase is targeted for completion by
June 30, 1999*.

The Company is also working with its  significant  borrowers  and  depositors to
ensure  they are taking  appropriate  steps to become Year 2000  compliant.  The
Company has received  information from 100% of significant  borrowers and 89% of
significant  depositors on the status of their Year 2000  readiness.  There have
been no downgrades  of risk ratings in the loan  portfolio.  Early in 1997,  the
Loan Division of the Company  commenced an initiative to familiarize  the Bank's
borrowing  customer  base with the Year 2000 issue.  The original  action was to
discuss  the  issue  with our  borrowers  and to  identify  where  they  were in
relationship to Year 2000  remediation.  The next step was to include a synopsis
of each borrower's status in their Credit Assessment. An unsatisfactory response
would then affect overall risk rating assessment of the credit.

The Company, however, continues to bear some risk related to the Year 2000 issue
and  could be  adversely  affected  if other  entities  (e.g.,  vendors)  do not
appropriately  address their own  compliance  issues.  If during the  validation
phase an external  provider's  software is determined to have potential problems
which it is not able to resolve in time,  the Company  would  likely  experience
significant processing delays,  mistakes or failures.  These delays, mistakes or
failures could have a significant adverse impact on the financial  statements of
the  Company.  In  addition,  if  any  of  the  Bank's  borrowers'   experiences
significant  problems due to Year 2000 issues, the credit risk inherent in loans
to such borrowers would increase.

The Company  continues to evaluate the estimated costs associated with attaining
Year 2000 readiness.  Additional costs, such as testing,  software purchases and
marketing,  are not  anticipated to be material to the Company in any one year*.
In total the  Company  estimates  that its costs for  compliance  will amount to
approximately  $750,000  over  the  two-year  period  from  1998-1999,  of which
approximately  $500,000 has been incurred to date.  The Company  expects to fund
these  costs  out of normal  operating  cash.  While  additional  costs  will be
incurred, the Company believes,  based upon available information,  that it will
be able to manage  its Year 2000  transition  without  any  significant  adverse
effect on business operations or financial condition.*

The  Company  has  completed  a  remediation  contingency  plan  for  Year  2000
compliance for its mission critical  applications.  The remediation  contingency
plan  outlines  the actions to be taken if the current  approach to  remediating
mission critical  applications does not appear to be able to deliver a Year 2000
compliant system when required. Predetermined target dates have been established
for all  mission  critical  applications.  If  testing of the  mission  critical
application is not completed by the target date, then alternative  actions would
be taken as outlined in the  remediation  contingency  plan.  In  addition,  the
Company also has a comprehensive  business  resumption plan to facilitate timely
restoration  of  services  in the event of business  disruption.  The  Company's
remediation  contingency plan and business  resumption plan will be reviewed and
updated as needed  throughout 1999. The Company is in the process of preparing a
contingency plan for all other hardware,  software and vendors which is targeted
for completion by June 30, 1999.*




The following table sets forth certain  unaudited  quarterly  financial data for
the periods presented:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In Thousands,                                    First            Second            Third            Fourth
Except Per Share Data)                           Quarter           Quarter          Quarter           Quarter
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>               <C>              <C>               <C> 
1998   
Interest Income                                  $32,728           $32,877          $33,574           $33,170
Interest Expense                                  14,971            15,284           16,100            15,572
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income                               17,757            17,593           17,474            17,598
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                 1,098               848              448             1,050
Non-Interest Income, excluding
   Securities Transactions                         5,201             5,175            5,221             4,727
Net Gains from
   Securities Transactions                           161               230              654             2,846
Non-Interest Expense                              15,313            14,995           17,412            15,247
Provision for Income Taxes                         1,878             2,072            1,747             2,671
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                                       $ 4,830           $ 5,083          $ 3,742           $ 6,203
==============================================================================================================
Net Income Per Share - Basic*                      $0.33             $0.34            $0.25             $0.41
==============================================================================================================
==============================================================================================================
Net Income Per Share - Diluted *                   $0.32             $0.33            $0.25             $0.40
==============================================================================================================


1997
Interest Income                                  $28,034           $29,266          $31,462           $32,653
Interest Expense                                  11,507            12,424           14,184            15,350
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income                               16,527            16,842           17,278            17,303
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                 1,098             1,098            1,098             1,138
Non-Interest Income, excluding
   Securities Transactions                         4,558             4,508            4,844             5,155
Net Gains from
   Securities Transactions                           156               263              501               994
Non-Interest Expense                              14,924            14,154           13,908            14,029
Provisions for Income Taxes                        1,734             2,115            2,576             2,610
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                                       $ 3,485           $ 4,246          $ 5,041           $ 5,675
==============================================================================================================
Net Income Per Share - Basic*                    $  0.24           $  0.28          $  0.34           $  0.39
==============================================================================================================
==============================================================================================================
Net Income Per Share - Diluted *                 $  0.23           $  0.28          $  0.33           $  0.37
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

*Amounts have been adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid in 1998.






SELECTED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA


The following  selected  financial data should be read in  conjunction  with the
combined  consolidated  financial  statements and related notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Annual  Report and  "Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of
Combined  Consolidated  Financial Condition and Results of Operations."  <TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(Dollars In Thousands,
    Except Share Data)                              1998           1997          1996           1995           1994
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>       
Statement of Income Data:
   Interest Income                             $  132,349     $  121,415    $  108,982     $  105,435     $   89,468
   Interest Expense                                61,927         53,465        45,038         45,123         30,110
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Net Interest Income                             70,422         67,950        63,944         60,312         59,358
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                  3,444          4,432         3,691          1,398          2,715
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Interest Income after Provision
   For Possible Loan Losses                        66,978         63,518        60,253         58,914         56,643
Non-Interest Income                                24,215         20,979        16,806         15,816         15,589
Non-Interest Expense                               62,967         57,015        52,474         55,964         51,199
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income Before  Provision for Income
   Taxes                                           28,226         27,482        24,585         18,766         21,033
Provision for Income Taxes                          8,368          9,035         8,409          5,837          6,847
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Income                                     $   19,858     $   18,447    $   16,176     $   12,929     $   14,186
                                           =========================================================================

Income Before Merger-Related and
   Restructuring Charges,
   And SAIF Assessment                         $   21,552     $   19,845    $   16,762     $   15,018     $   14,186
                                           =========================================================================

Balance Sheet Data (at year-end):
   Total Assets                                $1,917,194     $1,789,426    $1,550,129     $1,489,773     $1,337,097
   Securities                                     673,875        690,201       483,345        503,002        481,791
   Federal Funds Sold                              50,100         34,025        44,672         53,744         31,958
   Loans (Net of Unearned Income)               1,057,081        931,266       898,788        812,985        734,107
   Allowance for Possible
     Loan Losses                                   11,174         11,739        11,874         11,440         13,876
   Deposits                                     1,403,413      1,392,703     1,334,528      1,279,636      1,161,658
   Short-Term Borrowings (1)                      154,635         99,546        56,328         53,347         62,093
   Other Borrowings (2)                           154,942        107,809         9,693         19,680          1,269
   Stockholders' Equity                           158,242        145,466       129,466        120,092         99,594
Adjusted Financial Ratios: (3)
   Return on Average Assets                          1.15%          1.21%         1.13%          1.05%          1.09%
   Return on Average Stockholders' Equity           13.92%         14.38%        13.52%         13.44%         13.91%
Financial Ratios:
   Return on Average Assets                          1.06%          1.12%         1.09%          0.91%          1.09%
   Return on Average Stockholders' Equity           12.83%         13.37%        13.05%         11.57%         13.91%
   Net Interest Margin                               4.19%          4.56%         4.76%          4.65%          5.01%
   Efficiency Ratio (4)                             62.46%         58.77%        61.19%         66.63%         66.15%
   Average Stockholders' Equity to
     Average Assets                                  8.26%          8.39%         8.35%          7.83%          7.84%
Leverage Ratio (year-end)                            8.51%          8.56%         7.85%          7.20%          8.22%
Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted
   Assets (year-end)                                13.53%         14.04%        11.85%         11.52%         14.15%
Combined Tier I and Tier II
   Capital to Risk-Weighted
   Assets (year-end)                                14.43%         15.10%        13.00%         12.75%         15.52%
Loans to Deposits (year-end)                        75.32%         66.87%        67.35%         63.53%         63.19%
Non-Performing Loans to
   Loans (year-end) (5)                              0.81%          1.07%         1.45%          1.27%          1.85%
Non-Performing Assets as a
   Percentage of Loans, Other Real
   Estate Owned and Other
   Assets Owned (year-end)                           0.87%          1.25%         1.68%          1.67%          2.23%
Non-Performing Assets to
   Total Assets                                      0.48%          0.65%         0.98%          0.91%          1.23%
Allowance for Possible Loan
   Losses to Loans (year-end)                        1.06%          1.26%         1.32%          1.41%          1.89%
Dividend Payout Ratio                                  49%            42%           41%            47%            39%

Common Share Data: (6)
   Net Income Per Diluted Share                $     1.30     $     1.21    $     1.08     $     0.87     $     0.97
   Net Income Per Diluted Share Before
     Merger-Related and
     Restructuring Charges
     And SAIF Assessment                       $     1.41     $     1.30    $     1.12     $     1.01     $     0.97
   Cash Dividends Declared Per Share           $     0.65     $     0.52    $     0.45     $     0.42     $     0.38
   Book Value Per Share (year-end)             $    10.53     $    10.60    $     9.57     $     8.89     $     7.45
   Average Diluted Shares Outstanding
     (in thousands)                                15,307         15,215        14,954         14,912         14,660

Other Data:
   Number of Employees
     (full-time equivalent)                           542            585           572            583            622
   Number of Stockholders                           2,880          2,762         2,897          3,060          3,073
</TABLE>

(1) Includes  Federal  funds  purchased,  securities  sold under  agreements  to
repurchase  less  than  one  year,  Federal  Home  Loan  Bank  advances,  demand
notes-U.S. Treasury and borrowed funds.

(2)  Includes  other  borrowed  funds,   securities  sold  under  agreements  to
repurchase  greater than one year,  obligation  under capital lease and employee
stock ownership plan debt.

(3) Before merger-related and restructuring charges and SAIF Assessment.

(4) Efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing adjusted  non-interest expense by
tax-equivalent  net interest income and adjusted non- interest income.  Adjusted
non-interest  expense is total  non-interest  expense  less  merger  related and
restructuring  charges,  distributions  on Series B Capital  Securities  and net
costs to operate other real estate. Adjusted non-interest income is non-interest
income  less  distributions  on Series B Capital  Securities  and net gains from
securities transactions.

(5) Non-performing  loans consist of non-accrual  loans,  restructured loans and
loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.

(6) Adjusted for the 10% stock dividend paid in 1998.



UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 <TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          December 31,
                                                                                     -------------------------
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)                                                      1998          1997
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>          <C>     
ASSETS  
Cash and Due from Banks                                                               $   52,867   $   51,123
Federal Funds Sold                                                                        50,100       34,025
Securities Available for Sale, at Market Value                                           609,262      602,365
Securities Held to Maturity (Market Value of $63,675  and $86,283
  for 1998 and 1997, respectively)                                                        63,374       86,615
Trading Account Securities, at Market Value                                                1,239        1,221
Loans, Net of Unearned Income                                                          1,056,953      931,266
  Less: Allowance for Possible Loan Losses                                                11,174       11,739
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Loans, Net                                                                        1,045,779      919,527
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale                                                                 128            -
Premises and Equipment, Net                                                               29,248       29,362
Investment in Joint Venture                                                                2,931        3,151
Other Real Estate, Net                                                                       507        1,503
Intangible Assets, Primarily Core Deposit Premiums                                         9,288       11,249
Other Assets                                                                              52,471       49,285
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                                          $1,917,194   $1,789,426
==============================================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Deposits
  Demand                                                                              $  263,700   $  226,097
  Savings                                                                                549,095      526,874
  Time                                                                                   590,618      639,732
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Deposits                                                                      1,403,413    1,392,703

Short-Term Borrowings                                                                    154,635       99,546
Other Borrowings                                                                         154,942      107,809
Other Liabilities                                                                         25,962       23,902
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Liabilities                                                                   1,738,952    1,623,960
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commitments and Contingencies - Note 17

Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable
  Preferred Series B Capital Securities of a
  Subsidiary Trust Holding Solely Junior
  Subordinated Debentures of the Company                                                  20,000       20,000
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, authorized 1,000,000 shares in 1998 and 1997                                  
  None issued and outstanding                                                                  -            -
Common Stock ($1.25 Par Value Per Share)  Authorized Shares - 16,000,000 in 1998
  and 1997 Issued shares - 15,318,038 in 1998 and 14,289,675 in 1997
  Outstanding shares  - 15,021,180 in 1998 and 13,723,513 in 1997                         19,148       17,862
Additional Paid-In Capital                                                               112,015       90,249
Retained Earnings                                                                         25,921       37,740
Treasury Stock, at Cost - 296,858 shares in 1998
  and  566,162 shares in 1997                                                             (4,660)      (5,550)
Restricted Stock                                                                            (248)        (303)
Unallocated Common Stock Acquired by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)                  -        (103)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income                                                     6,066        5,571
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Stockholders' Equity                                                            158,242      145,466
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                         $1,917,194   $1,789,426
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to the combined consolidated  financial statements are an
integral part of these statements.




UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME                
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)                                           1998             1997              1996
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                     <C>              <C>               <C>     
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and Fees on Loans and Leases                                   $ 86,026         $ 81,639          $ 75,105
Interest and Dividends on Securities Available for Sale:
   Taxable Income                                                         36,191           28,586            22,793
   Tax-Exempt Income                                                       3,024            2,458             2,253
Interest and Dividends on Securities Held to Maturity:
   Taxable Income                                                          3,373            5,754             6,468
   Tax-Exempt Income                                                         880              594               443
Dividends on Trading Account Securities                                       26               18                13
Interest on Federal Funds Sold and
   Deposits with Federal Home Loan Bank                                    2,829            2,366             1,907
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Interest Income                                               132,349          121,415           108,982
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on Savings Deposits                                              12,341           12,191            12,164
Interest on Time Certificates of Deposit $100,000 or More                  5,623            6,300             6,054
Interest on Other Time Deposits                                           28,591           26,992            23,212
Interest on Short-Term Borrowings                                          5,522            4,357             2,666
Interest on Other Borrowings                                               9,850            3,625               942
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Interest Expense                                               61,927           53,465            45,038
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Interest Income                                                       70,422           67,950            63,944
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                                         3,444            4,432             3,691
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income After Provision for
   Possible Loan Losses                                                   66,978           63,518            60,253
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NON-INTEREST INCOME
Trust Income                                                               5,454            4,976             4,336
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts                                        5,025            5,073             5,013
Other Service Charges, Commissions and Fees                                7,029            6,498             4,772
Net Gains from Securities Transactions                                     3,891            1,914               799
Other Income                                                               2,816            2,518             1,886
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Non-Interest Income                                            24,215           20,979            16,806
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries, Wages and Employee Benefits                                     25,554           24,832            25,192
Occupancy Expense, Net                                                     5,001            4,155             4,235
Furniture and Equipment Expense                                            4,165            3,494             3,227
Data Processing Expense                                                    7,570            5,597             4,612
Distributions on Series B Capital Securities                               2,002            1,557                 -
Amortization of Intangible Assets                                          1,961            1,728             1,842
Net Cost to Operate Other Real Estate                                        216              276               380
Merger Related and Restructuring Charges                                   2,179            2,208                 -
Other Expenses                                                            14,319           13,168            12,986
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Non-Interest Expense                                           62,967           57,015            52,474
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes                                  28,226           27,482            24,585
Provision for Income Taxes                                                 8,368            9,035             8,409
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME                                                              $ 19,858         $ 18,447          $ 16,176
====================================================================================================================

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
   Basic                                                                $   1.33         $   1.25          $   1.11
====================================================================================================================
   Diluted                                                              $   1.30         $   1.21          $   1.08
====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to the combined consolidated  financial statements are an
integral part of these statements.




UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES                            
COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY           
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          Unallocated 
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)                             Additional                                  Common Stock
For the Years Ended                                Common     Paid-In    Retained  Treasury    Restricted  Acquired by
December 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998                   Stock     Capital    Earnings   Stock         Stock     the ESOP  
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>     
Balance-January 1, 1996                            $16,396    $ 66,731   $38,772    $(3,856)      $(317)     $(206)   
Comprehensive Income:
  Net Income-1996                                        -           -    16,176          -           -          -   
  Unrealized Holding Losses on Securities
    Available for Sale Arising During the
    Period, Net of Tax of $633                           -           -         -          -           -          -   
  Less:  Reclassification Adjustment for Gains
     Included in Net Income, Net of Tax of $227          -           -         -          -           -          -   

Total Comprehensive Income                                                                                            

Cash Dividends Declared ($0.45 per share)                -           -    (4,838)         -           -          -   
Stock Issued in Payment of
   Stock Dividend- 528,818 Shares                      660       7,581    (8,241)         -           -          -   
Exercise of Stock Options - 16,534 Shares               12          48       (20)        30           -          -   
Treasury Stock Purchased - 253,787 Shares                -           -         -     (2,938)          -          -   
Treasury Stock Sold - 312,894 Shares                     -         572         -      1,816           -          -   
Reduction of Debt Relating to the ESOP                   -           -         -          -           -         52   
Restricted Stock Activity, Net                           -           -         -         (7)        141          -   
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance-December 31, 1996                           17,068      74,932    41,849     (4,955)       (176)      (154)   
Comprehensive Income:
  Net Income-1997                                        -           -    18,447          -           -          -   
  Unrealized Holding Gains on Securities
    Available for Sale Arising During the                -           -         -          -           -          -   
    Period, Net of Tax of $2,905  
  Less:  Reclassification Adjustment for Gains
     Included in Net Income, Net of Tax of $478          -           -         -          -           -          -   

Total Comprehensive Income                                                                                            

Cash Dividends Declared ($0.52 per share)                -           -    (6,458)         -           -          -   
Stock Issued in Payment of
   Stock Dividend - 529,928 Shares                     662      14,441   (15,103)         -           -          -   
Exercise of Stock Options - 312,894  Shares            132         766      (995)     1,272           -          -   
Treasury Stock Purchased - 78,334 Shares                 -           -         -     (2,025)          -          -   
Reduction of Debt Relating to the ESOP                   -           -         -          -           -         51   
Restricted Stock Activity, Net                           -         110         -        158        (127)         -   
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Balance-December 31, 1997                        17,862      90,249    37,740     (5,550)       (303)      (103)   
Comprehensive Income:
  Net Income-1998                                        -           -    19,858          -           -          -   
  Unrealized Holding Gains on Securities
     Available for Sale Arising During the               -           -         -          -           -          -   
     Period, Net of Tax of $1,594  
  Less:  Reclassification Adjustment for Gains
    Included In Net Income, Net of Tax of $1,331         -           -         -          -           -          -   

Total Comprehensive Income                                                                                            

Cash Dividends Declared ($0.65 per share)                -           -    (8,480)         -           -          -   
Stock Issued in Payment of
   Stock Dividend - 1,017,371 Shares                 1,272      21,301   (22,573)         -           -          -   
Exercise of Stock Options - 189,220 Shares              12         190      (624)     1,443           -          -   
Treasury Stock Purchased - 25,391 Shares                 -           -         -       (553)          -          -   
Reduction of Debt Relating to ESOP                       -           -         -          -           -        103   
Restricted Stock Activity, Net                           2         275         -          -          55          -   
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Balance-December 31, 1998                       $19,148    $112,015   $25,921    $(4,660)      $(248)    $    -   
======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Accumulated                   
 (In Thousands, Except Share Data)                 Other           Total     
 For the Years Ended                            Comprehensive    Stockholders'
 December 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998                 Income         Equity    
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
<S>                                                <C>           <C>           
Balance-January 1, 1996                            $ 2,572       $120,092      
Comprehensive Income:                                                                   
  Net Income-1996                                        -         16,176      
  Unrealized Holding Losses on Securities                                               
    Available for Sale Arising During the                                               
    Period, Net of Tax of $633                      (1,229)        (1,229)     
  Less:  Reclassification Adjustment for Gains                                          
     Included in Net Income, Net of Tax of $227       (441)          (441)     
                                                                  --------     
Total Comprehensive Income                                         14,506      
                                                                  ========     
Cash Dividends Declared ($0.45 per share)                -         (4,838)     
Stock Issued in Payment of                                                              
   Stock Dividend- 528,818 Shares                        -              -      
Exercise of Stock Options - 16,534 Shares                -             70      
Treasury Stock Purchased - 253,787 Shares                -         (2,938)     
Treasury Stock Sold - 312,894 Shares                     -          2,388      
Reduction of Debt Relating to the ESOP                   -             52      
Restricted Stock Activity, Net                           -            134      
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------     
Balance-December 31, 1996                              902        129,466      
Comprehensive Income:                                                                   
  Net Income-1997                                        -         18,447      
  Unrealized Holding Gains on Securities                                                
    Available for Sale Arising During the            5,596          5,596      
    Period, Net of Tax of $2,905                                                        
  Less:  Reclassification Adjustment for Gains                                          
     Included in Net Income, Net of Tax of $478       (927)          (927)     
                                                                  --------     
Total Comprehensive Income                                         23,116      
                                                                  ========     
Cash Dividends Declared ($0.52 per share)                -         (6,458)     
Stock Issued in Payment of                                                              
   Stock Dividend - 529,928 Shares                       -              -      
Exercise of Stock Options - 312,894  Shares              -          1,175      
Treasury Stock Purchased - 78,334 Shares                 -         (2,025)     
Reduction of Debt Relating to the ESOP                   -             51      
Restricted Stock Activity, Net                           -            141      
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
   Balance-December 31, 1997                         5,571        145,466      
Comprehensive Income:                                                                   
  Net Income-1998                                        -         19,858      
  Unrealized Holding Gains on Securities                                                
     Available for Sale Arising During the           3,079          3,079      
     Period, Net of Tax of $1,594                                                       
  Less:  Reclassification Adjustment for Gains                                          
    Included In Net Income, Net of Tax of $1,33     (2,584)        (2,584)     
                                                                  --------     
Total Comprehensive Income                                         20,353      
                                                                  ========     
Cash Dividends Declared ($0.65 per share)                -         (8,480)     
Stock Issued in Payment of                                                              
   Stock Dividend - 1,017,371 Shares                     -              -      
Exercise of Stock Options - 189,220 Shares               -          1,021      
Treasury Stock Purchased - 25,391 Shares                 -           (553)     
Reduction of Debt Relating to ESOP                       -            103      
Restricted Stock Activity, Net                           -            332      
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Balance-December 31, 1998                       $ 6,066       $158,242      
==============================================================================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to the combined consolidated  financial statements are an
integral part of these statements.





UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------
(In Thousands)                                                               1998            1997            1996
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>              <C>      
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income                                                               $   19,858      $   18,447       $  16,176
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
   Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization                                                 4,931           4,157           4,302
Amortization of Securities Premiums, Net                                      1,210             495             368
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                                            3,444           4,432           3,691
Provision (Benefit) for Deferred Income Taxes                                    44             254            (725)
Net Loss (Gain) on Disposition of Premises and Equipment                          5             545              (1)
Net Gains from Securities Transactions                                       (3,891)         (1,914)           (799)
Writedown of Investment in Joint Venture                                        220               -               -
Trading Account Securities Activity, Net                                        (94)           (200)             20
Origination of Mortgage Loans Held for Sale                                    (128)               -              -
Increase in Other Assets                                                     (3,186)         (1,846)        (12,070)
Increase in Other Liabilities                                                 1,753           4,658             438
Reduction of Debt Relating to ESOP                                              103              51              52
Restricted Stock Activity, Net                                                  332             141             134
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                    24,601          29,220          11,586
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES Securities Available for Sale:
   Proceeds from Sales of Securities                                        696,694         126,663         167,788
   Proceeds from Maturities of Securities                                   114,273          76,786          68,391
   Purchases of Securities                                                 (814,248)       (429,528)       (191,866)
Securities Held to Maturity:
   Proceeds from Maturities of Securities                                    53,137          41,076          32,805
   Purchases of Securities                                                  (29,997)        (11,448)        (59,292)
Maturity (Purchase)  of Term Certificate of Deposit                               -             500           (500)
Purchase of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance                                        -         (27,370)              -
Net Increase in Loans                                                      (129,696)        (37,045)        (74,054)
Deposit Premium from Branch Acquisition                                           -          (1,400)              -
Expenditures for Premises and Equipment                                      (3,550)         (5,824)         (2,021)
Proceeds from Sale of Premises and Equipment                                    689           1,113             236
Decrease in Other Real Estate                                                   996             464           1,105
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities                                      (111,702)       (266,013)        (57,408)
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net Increase (Decrease) in Demand and Savings Deposits                       59,824          11,936          (4,162)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Time Deposits                                    (49,114)         46,239          59,054
Net Increase in Short-Term Borrowings                                        55,089          43,218           2,981
Net Increase (Decrease) in Other Borrowings                                  47,133          98,116          (9,987)
Cash Dividends on Common Stock                                               (8,480)         (6,458)         (4,838)
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options                                       1,021           1,175              70
Sale of Treasury Stock                                                            -               -           2,388
Treasury Stock Acquired, at Cost                                               (553)         (2,025)         (2,938)
Proceeds from Series B Capital Securities                                         -          20,000               -
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities                                   104,920         212,201          42,568
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents                         17,819         (24,592)         (3,254)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year                               85,148         109,740         112,994
====================================================================================================================
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year                                 $  102,967          85,148         109,740
====================================================================================================================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW  INFORMATION:
Cash Paid During the Year for:
   Interest                                                              $   62,510          51,198          45,121
   Income Taxes                                                               7,421           6,659           8,475
Reclass to Securities Available for Sale from Held to Maturity                    -           3,160               -
Transfer of Loans to Other Real Estate                                          235             490             256
Cash Received from Deposit Acquisition                                            -          18,244               -
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to the combined consolidated  financial statements are an
integral part of these statements.




NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



NOTE 1 - NATURE OF OPERATIONS  AND SUMMARY OF  SIGNIFICANT  ACCOUNTING  POLICIES
United  National  Bancorp owns United  National Bank,  which operates  through a
branch network primarily located throughout central and northwestern counties in
New Jersey.  The Company  provides a full range of banking and trust services to
its market area in a competitive environment.

The combined consolidated  financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted  accounting  principles and practices within the banking
industry.  These  statements  give a retroactive  effect to the merger of United
National  Bancorp and Raritan  Bancorp Inc. This  transaction has been accounted
for as a pooling of interests;  therefore,  the Combined Consolidated  Financial
Statements are presented as if United National  Bancorp and Raritan Bancorp Inc.
were  always  one  company.  These  statements  are  presented  as  supplemental
information  to the audited  historical  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of
United  National  Bancorp  included  on pages 37  through  58.  The  significant
policies are summarized as follows:

a.  Principles of Consolidation and Use of Estimates
The accompanying combined consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of  United  National  Bancorp  (the  "Parent   Company")  and  its  wholly-owned
subsidiaries,  United  National Bank (the "Bank"),  and UNB Capital Trust I (the
"Trust"),  or when  consolidated  with the Parent  Company,  the "Company".  All
significant  intercompany  balances and  transactions  have been  eliminated  in
consolidation.  Prior period financial  statements have been restated to include
the   amounts   and   activities   for  all   acquisitions   accounted   for  as
pooling-of-interests   combinations.  See  Note  2  for  further  discussion  of
acquisitions.

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

b.  Securities
Securities  are  classified  into one of  three  categories:  held to  maturity,
available for sale, or trading account securities.

Securities  which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until  maturity
are  classified  as "held to  maturity."  These  securities  are stated at cost,
adjusted  for  amortization  of premium and  accretion  of  discount,  using the
interest method over the term of the securities.

Securities  that may be held for  indefinite  periods of time  which  Management
intends to use as part of its  asset/liability  management strategy and that may
be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, or
other similar  factors,  are  classified as "available for sale" and reported at
estimated market value.  Unrealized holding gains and losses (net of related tax
effects) on such securities are excluded from earnings but are included in other
comprehensive  income as a component of stockholders'  equity. Upon realization,
such gains or losses are included in earnings using the specific  identification
method.

Trading  account  securities  are  carried  at market  value.  Gains and  losses
resulting from adjusting trading account  securities to market value, as well as
security sales,  are reported in  non-interest  income.  This category  includes
securities purchased specifically for short-term appreciation or to be available
for liquidity needs.

c.  Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Stock
This  stock is  carried  at cost.  The  Company is  required  to  maintain  such
investment as part of its membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

d.  Investment in Joint Venture
In November  1995,  the Company,  through the Bank,  acquired a 50% ownership in
United Financial  Services,  Inc.,  (UFS) a third party data processing  service
bureau.  The investment is being accounted for by the equity method. The Company
and its joint  venture  partner have  resolved to dissolve the joint venture and
the Company has entered into a contract with a  third-party  servicer to provide
data processing  services.  Third-party data processing services are expected to
commence  in the  second  quarter  of  1999.  In  connection  with  the  plan of
dissolution,   the  Company  will   accelerate   $1,200,000  of  writedowns  and
amortization  of  investment in joint  venture and related  goodwill  during the
first half of 1999.

e.  Loans and Lease Financings
Loans and leases are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of deferred
loan origination fees/expenses and unearned discounts. Interest on substantially
all loans is accrued and credited to interest  income  based upon the  principal
amount  outstanding.  Loan fees and certain expenses associated with originating
loans are deferred and amortized  over the lives of the  respective  loans as an
adjustment to the yield  utilizing a method that  approximates  the level yield.
Generally,  interest income is not accrued on loans  (including  impaired loans)
where  principal  or interest is 90 days or more past due,  unless the loans are
adequately  secured and in the process of  collection.  A loan less than 90 days
past due may be placed on non-accrual if Management believes there is sufficient
doubt as to the ultimate  collectibility of the outstanding loan balance. A loan
is  transferred   to  accrual  when  it  is  brought   current  and  its  future
collectibility is reasonably assured.

When  a  loan  (including  an  impaired  loan)  is  classified  as  non-accrual,
uncollected  past due interest is reversed and charged  against  current income.
Interest  income will not be  recognized  until the  financial  condition of the
borrower improves, payments are brought current and a consistent payment history
is  established.  Payments  received on non-accrual  loans,  including  impaired
loans,  are first  applied to all  principal  amounts  owed.  Once the remaining
principal balance is deemed fully collectible, payments would then be applied to
interest income and fees.

A loan is considered  impaired when, based upon current  information and events,
it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according
to the  contractual  terms of the loan  agreement.  Impaired  loans are measured
based upon the present value of expected  future cash flows,  or, as a practical
expedient,  at the  loans  observable  market  price,  or the fair  value of the
underlying  collateral,  if the loan is  collateral  dependent.  Management  has
defined  impaired  loans as all  non-accruing  loans with  outstanding  balances
greater than $50,000.

Loans held for sale primarily  consist of residential  mortgages and are carried
at the lower of cost or market using the aggregate  method.  Gains and losses on
loans sold are included in non-interest income.

f.  Allowance for Possible Loan Losses
The  allowance  for possible  loan losses is  maintained  at a level  considered
adequate to provide for  potential  loan losses.  The  allowance is increased by
provisions  charged to expense and reduced by net charge-offs.  The level of the
allowance  is  based on  Management's  evaluation  of  potential  losses  in the
portfolio,   after  consideration  of  appraised  collateral  values,  financial
condition  of the  borrower,  delinquency  and  charge-off  trends,  as  well as
prevailing  and  anticipated  economic  conditions.   Management  evaluates  the
adequacy of the allowance for possible loan losses on a regular basis throughout
the year.  Management  believes  that the  allowance for possible loan losses is
adequate.  While  Management uses available  information to recognize  losses on
loans,  future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon changes in
economic  conditions.  In addition,  various  regulatory  agencies  periodically
review the  Company's  allowance  for possible  loan losses.  Such  agencies may
require the Company to  recognize  additions to the  allowance  based upon their
judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.

g.  Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are stated at cost,  less  accumulated  depreciation  and
amortization.  Depreciation is calculated on the  straight-line  method over the
estimated  useful  lives of the assets,  which range from three to forty  years.
Leasehold  improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lives of
the related leases, or the life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.

Long-lived  assets  and  certain  identifiable   intangibles  are  reviewed  for
impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that the
carrying  amount of an asset may not be  recoverable.  Recoverability  of assets
held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying  amount of an asset to
future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If such assets are
considered  to be impaired,  the  impairment to be recognized is measured by the
amount by which the carrying  amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the
assets.  Assets to be  disposed  of are  reported  at the lower of the  carrying
amount or fair value less costs to sell.

h.  Other Real Estate
Other real estate  owned  consists of property  acquired  through a  foreclosure
proceeding or acceptance of a deed-in-lieu  of  foreclosure.  Only collateral of
which the Company has taken  physical  possession  is  classified  as other real
estate.

Other real estate is carried at the lower of fair value of the related property,
as  determined  by  current  appraisals  less  estimated  costs to sell,  or the
recorded  investment in the property.  Write-downs  on these  properties,  which
occur  after the  initial  transfer  from the loan  portfolio,  are  recorded as
operating  expenses.  Costs of holding such properties are charged to expense in
the  current  period.  Gains,  to  the  extent  allowable,  and  losses  on  the
disposition of these properties are reflected in current operations.

i.  Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include: 1) the present value of the future earnings potential
of the core  deposit  base of acquired  banks,  which are being  amortized  on a
straight-line  basis over a 10 year period,  and 2) goodwill  resulting from the
Company's  investment in UFS, and other  acquisitions,  which is being amortized
over periods ranging from 6 months to 20 years.  Management periodically reviews
the  potential  impairment of intangible  assets on a  non-discounted  cash flow
basis to assess recoverability. If the estimated future cash flows are projected
to be less than the carrying amount, an impairment write-down,  representing the
carrying  amount of the intangible  asset which exceeds the present value of the
estimated expected future cash flows, would be recorded as a period expense.

j.  Trust Assets
Assets held in fiduciary or agency  capacities for customers are not included in
the combined  consolidated balance sheets since such items are not assets of the
Company.

k.  Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and  liability  method.  Deferred
tax assets  and  liabilities  are  recognized  for the  future tax  consequences
attributable to differences  between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing  assets and  liabilities  and their  respective tax bases and operating
loss and tax credit  carry  forwards.  Deferred tax assets and  liabilities  are
measured  using  enacted tax rates  expected  to apply to taxable  income in the
years in which those  temporary  differences  are  expected to be  recovered  or
settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and  liabilities  of a change in tax
rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

l.  Net Income Per Common Share
Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted
average number of shares  outstanding  during each year (14,894,000,  14,816,000
and 14,538,000 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively).

Diluted  net income per  common  share is  computed  by  dividing  net income by
weighted  average  number of shares  outstanding,  as  adjusted  for the assumed
exercise of potential common stock, using the treasury stock method (15,307,000,
15,215,000  and  14,954,000  in 1998,  1997 and 1996,  respectively).  Potential
common stock resulting from stock option agreements totaled 413,000, 399,000 and
416,000 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

Weighted average shares outstanding for all periods presented have been adjusted
for the 10% stock dividend declared in 1998.

m.  Statement of Cash Flows
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and
due from banks and Federal funds sold.  Generally,  Federal funds are sold for a
one-day period.

n. Stock-Based Compensation
The  Company  applies  the  "intrinsic  value  based  method"  as  described  in
Accounting  Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued
to Employees,"  and related  interpretations  in accounting for its  stock-based
compensation.  Accordingly,  no  compensation  cost has been  recognized for the
stock option plans. Pro forma  disclosures,  as if the Company applied the "Fair
Value Based Method" for stock issued to employees, have been provided in Note 16
to the combined consolidated financial statements.

o.  Retirement Benefits
On January 1, 1998,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 132, Employers'  Disclosures about Pension and Other Post
Retirement Benefits.  SFAS No. 132 revises employers'  disclosures about pension
and other post retirement benefit plans. SFAS No. 132 does not change the method
of accounting for such plans.

The Company  maintains a  noncontributory  defined  benefit  pension  plan which
covers all employees who have met  eligibility  requirements  of the Plan. It is
the Company's  policy to fund the plan  sufficient  to meet the minimum  funding
requirements set forth in the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974.
In addition,  the Company  provides health care and life insurance  benefits for
qualifying employees.

p.  Comprehensive Income
On January 1, 1998, the Company  adopted SFAS No. 130,  Reporting  Comprehensive
Income.  SFAS No. 130  establishes  standards for reporting and  presentation of
comprehensive  income and its components in a full set of financial  statements.
Comprehensive income consists of net income and net unrealized gains (losses) on
securities and is presented in the combined  consolidated  statements of changes
in stockholders'  equity.  SFAS No. 130 requires only additional  disclosures in
the combined consolidated financial statements; it does not affect the Company's
financial  position or results of operations.  Prior year  financial  statements
have been reclassified to conform to the requirements of SFAS No. 130.

q. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No.
133,  "Accounting  for  Derivative  Instruments  and Hedging  Activities" . This
statement   establishes   accounting  and  reporting  standards  for  derivative
instruments,  and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 supersedes the disclosure
requirements  in Statements No. 80, 105 and 119. This statement is effective for
periods  beginning  after June 15,  1999.  The  adoption  of SFAS No. 133 is not
expected to have a material  impact on the financial  position or results of the
Company.

In October 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 134  "Accounting  for  Mortgage-Backed
Securities  Retained after the Securitization of Mortgage Loans Held for Sale by
a Mortgage  Banking  Enterprise" . This  statement  amends FASB Statement No. 65
"Accounting for Certain Mortgage Banking Activities",  to require that after the
securitization  of mortgage  loans held for sale, an entity  engaged in mortgage
banking activities  classify the resulting  mortgage-backed  securities or other
retained  interests  based  on its  ability  and  intent  to sell or hold  those
investments.  SFAS No. 134 is  effective  January 1, 1999.  The adoption of this
statement did not have a material impact on the financial position or results of
operations of the Company.

r.  Reclassifications
Certain   reclassifications  have  been  made  to  the  prior  years'  financial
statements to conform with the classifications used in 1998.

NOTE 2 - ACQUISITIONS

a.  1999 Acquisitions
On March 31, 1999, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Raritan
Bancorp Inc. ("Raritan") based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Each share of Raritan
was  converted  into 1.595 shares of the  Company's  common stock for a total of
approximately  3,785,000  shares  issued.  At  December  31,  1998,  Raritan had
approximately  $432 million in assets.  The  acquisition  was accounted for as a
pooling-of-interests,  and  accordingly,  the  Company's  combined  consolidated
financial statements have been restated to include the amounts and activities of
Raritan.  On March 31, 1999,  the Company  recorded a pre-tax  merger  charge of
approximately  $10,005,000 which primarily  consists of estimated  severance and
outplacement costs of $6,705,000,  investment banker and other professional fees
of $2,270,000, expenses related to facilities closures and fixed asset disposals
of $670,000  and  consolidation  costs  directly  attributable  to the merger of
$360,000.

b.  1998 Acquisitions
On  September  30,  1998,  the Company  acquired  the State Bank of South Orange
("SBSO").  Each share of SBSO was  converted  into 1.245 shares of the Company's
common stock for a total of 796,271 shares  issued,  not adjusted for subsequent
stock  dividends and splits.  The  acquisition  has been accounted for under the
pooling-of-interests  method  of  accounting  and,  accordingly,  the  Company's
combined consolidated financial statements include the amounts and activities of
SBSO for all periods  presented.  The Company  recorded a pre-tax  merger charge
related  to  the  SBSO  acquisition  of  approximately  $2,179,000.  The  charge
consisted  primarily of severance costs of $1,050,000 and  professional  fees of
$802,000.  The  remaining  charge  pertained  to fixed  asset  dispositions  and
contract  termination  fees.  Substantially  all of the  merger  charge has been
realized at December 31, 1998. Separate results of the combined entities for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 are as follows:


(In Thousands, Unaudited)                    1998          1997           1996
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income after Provision
   For Possible Loan Losses
     The Company                          $53,920       $48,277        $46,181
     SBSO                                       -         2,719          2,448
     Raritan                               13,058        12,522         11,624
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                     $66,978       $63,518        $60,253
===============================================================================
Net Income
     The Company                          $15,600       $13,880        $12,280
     SBSO                                       -           659            788
     Raritan                                4,258         3,908          3,108
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                     $19,858       $18,447        $16,176
===============================================================================



c. 1997 Acquisitions
On February 28, 1997, the Company  completed the  acquisition of Farrington Bank
("Farrington")  based in North Brunswick,  New Jersey.  Each share of Farrington
was converted  into 0.7647  shares of the Company's  common stock for a total of
549,212 shares issued,  not adjusted for subsequent  stock dividends and splits.
At the time of the  acquisition,  Farrington  had  approximately  $60 million in
assets.  The  acquisition  was  accounted  for  as a  pooling-of-interests,  and
accordingly,  the Company's combined  consolidated  financial statements include
the amounts and activities of Farrington for all periods presented.  The Company
recorded a pre-tax  merger  charge  related  to the  Farrington  acquisition  of
approximately  $1,665,000.  The charge consisted primarily of severance costs of
$890,000,  contract  termination  fees  of  $387,000  and  professional  fees of
$193,000. The remaining charge primarily pertained to fixed asset dispositions.
All of the merger charge was realized in 1997.

On December 6, 1997, the Company, through the Bank, assumed deposits,  including
accrued  interest,  of approximately $21 million from another bank. In addition,
the  Bank  received  $214,000  in cash and cash  equivalents  and  approximately
$692,000 in other assets. In connection with the transaction,  the Bank recorded
an  intangible  asset of  $1,400,000,  representing  the  premium  paid over the
carrying amount of deposits acquired.


NOTE 3 - CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

Balances  reserved to meet  regulatory  requirements  amounted to  $1,414,000 at
December 31, 1998.


NOTE 4 - SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

The amortized cost and the estimated  market values of securities  available for
sale at December 31, 1998 and 1997, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1998
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Gross             Gross          Estimated
                                                     Amortized         Unrealized       Unrealized          Market
(In Thousands)                                          Cost             Gains            Losses            Value
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                   <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>     
Debt Securities:
   U.S. Treasury Securities                           $  2,502           $    12         $     -           $  2,514
   Obligations of U.S. Government
     Agencies and Corporations                          66,872               531            (470)            66,933
   Obligations of States and
     Political Subdivisions                             76,930             2,555              (1)            79,484
   Mortgage-Backed Securities                          388,564             2,934            (375)           391,123
   Corporate Debt Securities                            23,343               657               -             24,000
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Debt Securities                             558,211             6,689            (846)           564,054
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equity Securities:
   Marketable Equity Securities                         27,980             3,811            (433)            31,358
   Federal Reserve Bank and
     Federal Home Loan Bank Stock                       13,850                 -               -             13,850
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Equity Securities                            41,830             3,811            (433)            45,208
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Total Securities Available for Sale                $600,041           $10,500         $(1,279)          $609,262
====================================================================================================================

                                                                                   1997
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Gross             Gross          Estimated
                                                      Amortized         Unrealized       Unrealized          Market
(In Thousands)                                           Cost             Gains            Losses            Value
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Debt Securities:
   U.S. Treasury Securities                           $ 22,134           $    57         $   (12)          $ 22,179
   Obligations of U.S. Government
     Agencies and Corporations                          93,308               723            (200)            93,831
   Obligations of States and                                                                      
     Political Subdivisions                             56,327             1,314              (7)            57,634
   Mortgage-Backed Securities                          347,464             2,975            (526)           349,913
   Corporate Debt Securities                            13,496               424               -             13,920
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Debt Securities                             532,729             5,493            (745)           537,477
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equity Securities:
   Marketable Equity Securities                         49,840             3,921            (206)            53,555
   Federal Reserve Bank and
     Federal Home Loan Bank Stock                       11,333                 -               -             11,333
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total  Equity Securities                           61,173             3,921            (206)            64,888
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Total Securities Available for Sale                $593,902           $ 9,414         $  (951)          $602,365
====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>




The amortized cost and estimated market value of debt securities at December 31,
1998, by expected maturity,  are shown in the table below.  Expected  maturities
will differ from contractual  maturities because borrowers may have the right to
call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

                                                  Amortized         Estimated
(In Thousands)                                       Cost         Market Value
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Due in One Year or Less                            $ 38,154          $ 37,913
Due After One Year Through Five Years                67,115            68,568
Due After Five Years Through Ten Years               54,924            56,742
Due After Ten Years                                   9,454             9,708
Mortgage-Backed Securities                          388,564           391,123
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Total Debt Securities Available for Sale        $558,211          $564,054
================================================================================

Gross gains and gross losses  realized  during 1998,  1997 and 1996  relating to
securities available for sale were as follows:

(In Thousands)                        1998              1997             1996
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gross Gains                         $4,107           $1,787            $1,045
Gross Losses                           192              382               357
================================================================================
     Total Net Gains                $3,915           $1,405             $ 688
================================================================================





NOTE 5 - SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY

Comparative  amortized  cost and estimated  market values of securities  held to
maturity at December 31, 1998 and 1997, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1998
                                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Gross            Gross          Estimated
                                                      Amortized          Unrealized        Unrealized         Market
(In Thousands)                                          Cost               Gains            Losses            Value
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>                  <C>            <C>              <C>    
U.S. Treasury Securities                               $ 2,000              $ 20           $   -            $ 2,020
Obligations of U.S. Government
   Agencies and Corporations                            14,994                22              (6)            15,010
Obligation of States and
   Political Subdivisions                               22,141               304               -             22,445
Mortgage-Backed Securities                              24,089                12             (56)            24,045
Securities Issued by Foreign
   Governments                                             150                 5               -                155
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Securities Held to Maturity                   $63,374              $363           $ (62)           $63,675
====================================================================================================================

                                                                                   1997
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Gross            Gross          Estimated
                                                     Amortized           Unrealized       Unrealized         Market
(In Thousands)                                         Cost                Gains           Losses            Value
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Treasury Securities                               $   990              $  5           $   -            $   995
Obligations of U.S. Government
   Agencies and Corporations                            27,953                40             (57)            27,936
Obligations of States and
   Political Subdivisions                               11,712                89              (3)            11,798
Mortgage-Backed Securities                              45,835                15            (425)            45,425
Securities Issued by Foreign
   Governments                                             125                 4               -                129
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Securities Held to Maturity                   $86,615              $153           $(485)           $86,283
====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The amortized cost and estimated  market value of securities held to maturity at
December 31, 1998, by expected maturity,  are shown in the table below. Expected
maturities will differ from contractual  maturities  because  borrowers may have
the right to call or  prepay  obligations  with or  without  call or  prepayment
penalties.

                                                Amortized             Estimated
(In Thousands)                                     Cost             Market Value
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Due in One Year or Less                           $21,103               $21,120
Due After One Year Through Five Years               4,583                 4,614
Due After Five Years Through Ten Years              8,007                 8,269
Due After Ten Years                                 5,592                 5,627
Mortgage-Backed Securities                         24,089                24,045
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Total Debt Securities Held to Maturity         $63,374               $63,675
================================================================================

There were no sales of securities held to maturity during 1998, 1997 and 1996.

Securities held to maturity and available for sale with amortized costs totaling
$550,000 and  $52,864,000,  respectively,  on December 31, 1998, were pledged to
secure U.S. Government and other deposits and for other purposes as required and
permitted by law. In addition,  securities  held to maturity and  available  for
sale  having   amortized   costs   aggregating   $9,024,000  and   $416,003,000,
respectively,  on  December  31,  1998,  were  pledged  to secure  advances  and
agreements to repurchase other borrowed funds.  Securities totaling  $23,381,000
remain under the custodial  responsibility  of the Company  during the period of
the applicable agreements.

Securities with a carrying value of $3,160,000 and a market value of $3,148,000,
previously held by Farrington,  which were classified as held to maturity,  were
reclassified  to available for sale upon  consummation of the merger on February
28, 1997 to maintain the Company's interest rate risk position.


NOTE 6 - LOANS

Loans  outstanding  by  classification  at  December  31,  1998  and 1997 are as
follows:

(In Thousands)                                      1998             1997
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Real Estate
   Commercial and Residential Mortgage         $  611,676          $553,598
   Construction                                    40,435            40,326
Commercial  Loans                                 218,929           145,100
Lease Financing                                    11,022            11,852
Installment  Loans                                143,011           158,683
Retail Credit Card Plan                            38,511            33,484
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Loans Outstanding                         1,063,584           943,043
Less:  Unearned Income                              6,631            11,777
           Allowances for Loan Losses              11,174            11,739
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans, Net                                     $1,045,779          $919,527
============================================================================
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale                   $      128          $      -
============================================================================

The Company  extends  credit in the normal course of business to its  customers,
the  majority of whom  operate or reside  within New Jersey.  The ability of its
customers to meet  contractual  obligations is, to a certain  extent,  dependent
upon the economic conditions existing in the state.

The  following   information   is  presented  for  those  loans   classified  as
non-accrual, and considered impaired, at December 31:

(In Thousands)                                          1998      1997      1996
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income that Would have Been Recorded Under
   Original Contract Terms                              $665       $44    $1,044
Interest Income Received and Recorded                     73       $91        89
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lost Income on Non-Accrual Loans at Year-End            $592       $53    $  955
================================================================================

As of  December  31,  1998  and  1997,  the  Company's  non-accrual  loans  were
$7,281,000 and $7,555,000,  respectively.  Of these,  the loans considered to be
impaired were  $5,365,000 and $6,408,000  respectively,  with related  valuation
allowances  of  $1,300,000  and   $1,964,000,   respectively.   These  valuation
allowances  are  included  in the  allowance  for  possible  loan  losses in the
accompanying  combined  consolidated balance sheets.  Substantially all impaired
loans were  evaluated  for  impairment  losses  based upon the fair value of the
underlying  collateral of the loan.  The average  recorded  balances in impaired
loans during 1998,  1997 and 1996 were  $5,299,000,  $7,975,000 and  $7,648,000,
respectively.

Loans to  directors,  officers,  employees  and/or  their  affiliated  interests
amounted to  approximately  $16,968,000 and $14,080,000 at December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively. All such loans, which are primarily secured, were current as
to principal and interest payments,  and in the opinion of Management,  all were
granted on terms  which were  comparable  to loans to  unrelated  parties at the
dates such loans were  granted.  An analysis of the 1998 activity in these loans
is as follows (in thousands):

Balance Outstanding, Beginning of Year                                $14,080
  New Loans                                                             8,568
  Repayments                                                           (5,680)
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Outstanding, End of Year                                      $16,968
================================================================================


NOTE 7 - ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES

A summary of the allowance for possible loan losses activity for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, is as follows:

(In Thousands)                              1998          1997           1996
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance, Beginning of Year              $ 11,739       $11,874        $11,440
   Provision Charged to Expense            3,444         4,432          3,691
   Acquisitions                                -             -            303
   Recoveries                              1,225           984            560
   Losses Charged to Allowance            (5,234)       (5,551)        (4,120)
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance, End of Year                     $11,174       $11,739        $11,874
================================================================================


NOTE 8 - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

The detail of  premises  and  equipment  at December  31,  1998 and 1997,  is as
follows:

(In Thousands)                                                1998          1997
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Premises (includes land of $3,347 and $3,153
   in 1998 and 1997, respectively).                        $17,636       $15,832
Property Under Capital Lease                                 9,750         9,750
Equipment                                                   15,764        16,811
Leasehold Improvements                                       4,324         3,708
Projects in Progress                                            12           633
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                                                    47,486        46,734
   Less: Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization          18,238        17,372
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Premises and Equipment, Net                                $29,248       $29,362
================================================================================

Depreciation  expense  amounted to  $2,970,000  in 1998,  $2,429,000 in 1997 and
$2,460,000 in 1996.



NOTE 9 - DEPOSITS

Time  certificates of deposit $100,000 or more totaled  $109,667,000 on December
31, 1998 and $121,067,000 on December 31, 1997.

Time  deposits,  with  remaining  maturities  greater  than one year,  mature as
follows (in thousands):

1999                                         $201,336
2000                                           16,117
2001                                            4,639
2002                                            4,027
Thereafter                                        702
======================================================
Total                                        $226,821
======================================================

Interest-bearing  deposits  amounted to  $1,128,496,000  and  $1,155,005,000  at
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Non-interest bearing deposits amounted
to $274,917,000 and $237,698,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

NOTE 10 - SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Selected data relating to short-term borrowings for the years ended December 31,
1998 and 1997, are as follows:

(Dollars In Thousands)                                         1998        1997
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Year-End:
   Borrowed Funds                                          $ 75,385     $94,528
   Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase            39,475           -
   Federal Home Loan Bank Advances                           37,000           -
   Federal Funds Purchased                                        -       3,000
   Demand Notes - U.S. Treasury                               2,775       2,018
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Short-Term Borrowings                           $154,635     $99,546
================================================================================
     Weighted Average Interest Rate                            4.97%       5.65%
================================================================================

For the Year Ended December 31:
   Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase:
     Average Balance Outstanding                           $15,385           -
     Weighted-Average Interest Rate                           5.64%          -
     Highest Month-End Balance                             $81,864           -
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

There were no securities  sold under  agreements  to repurchase  during 1997 and
1996.

NOTE 11 - OTHER BORROWINGS

Other borrowings consisted of the following at December 31:

(Dollars In Thousands)                                       1998           1997
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Borrowed Funds                                     $ 87,277      $ 67,000
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase             58,000        31,000
Obligation Under Capital Lease                              9,665         9,706
ESOP Debt                                                       -           103
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Other Borrowings                                   $154,942      $107,809
================================================================================

For the Year Ended December 31:
   Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase:
     Average Balance Outstanding                         $53,951        $ 9,898
     Weighted-Average Interest Rate                         5.80%          5.98%
     Highest Month-End Balance                           $58,000        $31,000
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------




There were no securities sold under agreements to repurchase during 1996.

During 1995, the Company entered into a lease agreement on its new  headquarters
building. The lease, which has been accounted for as a capital lease, expires in
2015. Lease commitments under this agreement are as follows (in thousands):

1999                                          $    999
2000                                               999
2001                                             1,059
2002                                             1,089
2003                                             1,089
Thereafter                                      15,108
- - - -------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                       20,343
     Less: Amount Representing Interest        (10,678)
- - - -------------------------------------------------------
Total Obligation Under Capital Lease          $  9,665
===========================================================

NOTE 12 - CAPITAL TRUST

On March 21, 1997,  the Company  placed $20 million of trust capital  securities
through UNB Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust formed under the laws of
the State of Delaware,  of which all common securities are owned by the Company.
The capital  securities pay cumulative  cash  distributions  semiannually  at an
annual  rate of 10.01%.  The  dividends  paid to holders  of the  capital  trust
securities are deductible for income tax purposes. The semi-annual distributions
may, at the option of the Company, be deferred for up to 5 years. The securities
are  redeemable  from March 15, 2007 until March 15, 2017 at a declining rate of
105.0%  to  100.0%  of the  principal  amount.  After  March  15,  2017 they are
redeemable  at par until  March 15, 2027 when  redemption  is  mandatory.  Prior
redemption is permitted  under certain  circumstances  such as changes in tax or
regulatory capital rules. The proceeds of the capital securities, along with its
capital,  were invested by the Trust in $20,619,000  principal  amount of 10.01%
junior  subordinated  debentures of the Company due March 15, 2027 which are the
sole assets of the Trust. The Company  guarantees the capital securities through
the combined  operation  of the  debentures  and other  related  documents.  The
Company's  obligations  under the guarantee are  unsecured  and  subordinate  to
senior and  subordinated  indebtedness  of the Company.  The capital  securities
qualify as Tier I capital for regulatory  capital purposes and are accounted for
as minority interest.

NOTE 13 - CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Federal  Reserve  Board in the case of bank  holding  companies  such as the
Company and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") in the case of
federally  chartered  banks  such as the Bank have  adopted  risk-based  capital
guidelines  which require a minimum ratio of 8% of total  risk-based  capital to
assets, as defined in the guidelines. At least one half of the total capital, or
4%, is to be  comprised  of common  equity and  qualifying  perpetual  preferred
stock, less deductible intangibles (Tier I capital).

In addition,  the Federal Reserve Board and the OCC  supplemented the risk-based
capital  guidelines with an additional capital ratio referred to as the leverage
ratio or core capital ratio. The regulations require a financial  institution to
maintain a minimum  leverage ratio of 4% to 5%,  depending upon the condition of
the institution.

Under its prompt  corrective  action  regulations,  the OCC is  required to take
certain supervisory actions (and may take additional discretionary actions) with
respect to an  undercapitalized  institution.  Such actions  could have a direct
material  effect on the  institution's  financial  statements.  The  regulations
establish a framework for the  classification  of depository  institutions  into
five categories:  well capitalized,  adequately  capitalized,  undercapitalized,
significantly undercapitalized,  and critically undercapitalized.  Generally, an
institution  is considered  well  capitalized  if it has a leverage  ratio of at
least  5.0%;  a Tier I capital  ratio of at least 6.0%;  and a total  risk-based
capital ratio of at least 10.0%.

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

Management  believes that, as of December 31, 1998 the Company and the Bank meet
all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. Further, based upon
the capital ratios, the Company and the Bank would qualify as "well capitalized"
at December 31, 1998.





The  following  is a summary  of the  Company's  and the Bank's  actual  capital
amounts and ratios as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,  compared to the regulatory
authorities   minimum  capital   adequacy   requirements  and  requirements  for
classification as a well capitalized institution: 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    December 31, 1998                                 December 31, 1997
                                       ---------------------------------------------   ---------------------------------------------
(Dollars In Thousands)                        Company                 Bank                    Company                  Bank
                                       ---------------------- ----------------------   ---------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>  
RISK-BASED CAPITAL RATIOS:
Tier I Capital
   Actual                                  $163,304   13.53%     $154,267    12.95%      $150,013    14.04%     $143,047      3.48%
   Regulatory Minimum Requirement            48,276    4.00        47,654     4.00         42,745     4.00        42,444      4.00
   For Classification as Well Capitalized    72,414    6.00        71,481     6.00         64,118     6.00        63,666      6.00

Combined Tier I and Tier II Capital
   Actual                                   174,139   14.43       165,102    13.86        161,376    15.10       154,410     14.55
   Regulatory Minimum Requirement            96,552    8.00        95,307     8.00         85,491     8.00        84,889      8.00
   For Classification as Well Capitalized   120,690   10.00       119,134    10.00        106,864    10.00       106,111     10.00

LEVERAGE RATIO:
   Actual                                   163,304    8.51       154,267     8.20         150,013    8.56       143,047      8.21
   Regulatory Minimum Requirement            76,777    4.00        75,276     4.00         70,119     4.00        69,690      4.00
   For Classification as Well Capitalized    95,971    5.00        94,094     5.00         87,649     5.00        87,112      5.00
</TABLE>


NOTE 14 - INCOME TAXES

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

(In Thousands)                                     1998        1997       1996
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Federal:
   Current                                       $7,702      $7,916     $7,939
   Deferred Provision (Benefit )                     44         254       (725)
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Federal                                7,746       8,170      7,214
State                                               622         865      1,195
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Total Provision for Income Taxes            $8,368      $9,035     $8,409
===============================================================================

A  reconciliation  between  the amount of  reported  income tax  expense and the
amount  computed by  multiplying  income before taxes by the  statutory  Federal
income tax rate is as follows:

(Dollars In Thousands)                              1998        1997        1996
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes         $28,226     $27,482    $24,585
================================================================================
Tax Calculated at 35%                            $ 9,879     $ 9,619    $ 8,605
Increase (Decrease) in Tax Resulting from:
   Tax-Exempt Income                              (1,516)     (1,037)      (944)
   State Taxes-Net of Federal Tax Benefit            404         562        777
   Decrease in Valuation Allowance                  (240)          -          -
   Other-Net                                        (159)       (109)       (29)
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Provision for Income Taxes                  $ 8,368     $ 9,035    $ 8,409
================================================================================
================================================================================
     Effective Tax Rate                               30%         33%        34%
================================================================================


The  components  of the net  deferred tax asset as of December 31, 1998 and 1997
are as follows:

(In Thousands)                                          1998              1997
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deferred Tax Assets
   Allowance for Possible Loan Losses                 $2,894            $3,266
   Post Retirement Benefits                            1,317             1,119
   Deferred Directors Fees                               129               131
   Capital Lease                                         624               454
   Intangible Assets                                     659               493
   Other                                               1,341             1,441
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Gross Deferred Tax Assets                     6,964             6,904
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Valuation Allowance                                  (344)             (584)
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Deferred Tax Assets, Net                          6,620             6,320
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deferred Tax Liabilities:
   Net Unrealized Gain on Securities
     Available for Sale                               (3,155)           (2,892)
   Depreciation                                       (1,046)           (1,076)
   Pension Plan                                         (490)             (276)
   Accretion of Discount                                (564)             (439)
   Other                                              (1,508)           (1,473)
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total                                            (6,763)           (6,156)
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net Deferred Tax (Liability) Asset               $ (143)           $  164
===============================================================================

Management  believes the  existing net  deductible  temporary  differences  will
reverse  during  periods in which the Company  generates  sufficient net taxable
income. Additionally, the Company has sufficient refundable taxes in prior years
that are  available  through  carry  back for the  realization  of tax  benefits
recorded.  Accordingly,  Management believes it is more likely than not that the
Company will realize the benefit of the deferred tax asset. However, significant
changes in the Company's  operations and/or economic conditions could affect its
ability to fully utilize the benefits of the deferred tax asset.

Included  in  other  comprehensive  income  are  income  tax  expense  (benefit)
attributable to net unrealized gains or losses on securities  available for sale
in the  amounts of  $263,000,  $2,427,000  and  $(860,000)  for the years  ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.



NOTE 15 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Pension Benefits
The  Company  has a  noncontributory  defined  benefit  plan,  funded  through a
self-administered trust, covering substantially all full-time employees who have
attained age 21 and have completed one year of service. Annual contributions are
made to the plan equal to the minimum  amount  currently  deductible for Federal
income tax purposes. Plan assets are comprised of debt and equity securities. In
addition,  the Company has supplemental pension agreements with an officer and a
director (a former  officer),  as well as  employees  who  retired  prior to the
formation of the current plan.

Post Retirement Benefits
Expected costs of providing these benefits, including medical and life insurance
coverage,  are  charged to expense  during the years that the  employees  render
service.

The following  table sets forth the Pension Plan's  Benefits and Post Retirement
Plan's Benefits funded status at December 31, 1998 and 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                   Post Retirement
                                                                    Pension Benefits                   Benefits
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In Thousands)                                                      1998        1997               1998        1997
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                              <C>         <C>                 <C>         <C>    
Projected Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year                $ 21,590    $ 20,088            $ 7,387     $ 7,100
  Service Cost                                                        860         847                336         319
  Interest Cost                                                     1,454       1,408                542         485
  Actuarial Gain (Loss)                                               430         459                793         (13)
  Benefits Paid                                                    (1,279)     (1,212)              (544)       (504)
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected Benefit Obligation at End of Year                                                               
                                                                   23,055      21,590              8,514       7,387
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Plan Assets Fair Value at Beginning of Year                      28,299      23,683                  -           -
  Actual Return on Plan Assets                                      8,358       5,785                  -           -
  Employer Contribution                                                43          43                544         504
  Benefits Paid                                                    (1,279)     (1,212)              (544)       (504)
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan Assets Value at End of Year                                   35,421      28,299                  -           -
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded Status                                                      12,366       6,709             (8,514)     (7,387)
Unrecognized Transition (Asset) Obligation                             (2)       (190)             4,055       4,345
Unrecognized Prior Service Cost                                       387         540                  9          10
Unrecognized (Gain) Loss                                          (11,497)     (6,400)               442        (360)
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepaid (Accrued) Cost                                           $  1,254    $    659            $(4,008)    $(3,392)
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount Rate                                                        6.72%       7.03%              6.74%       7.01%
Expected Return on Plan Assets                                       8.91%       8.89%                 -           -
Rate of Compensation Increase                                        4.50%       5.00%                 -           -
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

During 1997,  the Company  adopted a non-tax  qualified  plan for certain of its
executives  ("SERP") to supplement  the benefit such executive can receive under
the Company's  401(k) Plan and defined  benefit plans.  In conjunction  with the
SERP, the Company purchased  approximately $27.4 million in corporate-owned life
insurance.  Pension  benefits in the above table include the portion  related to
the Non-Qualified Executive Supplemental Plans. The Supplemental Plans projected
benefit obligation was $215,000 and $223,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively. The
Supplemental Plans have no assets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997.




Net periodic  (benefit) expense for 1998, 1997 and 1996 includes the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Pension Benefits                    Post Retirement Benefits
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------------------------
(In Thousands)                                     1998      1997      1996               1998       1997      1996
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                             <C>       <C>       <C>                 <C>        <C>       <C>   
Net Periodic (Benefit) Expense Components:
  Service Cost                                  $   860   $   847   $   761             $  336     $  319    $  288
  Interest Cost                                   1,454     1,408     1,349                542        485       480
  Expected Return on Plan Assets                 (2,462)   (2,054)   (2,037)                 -          -         -
  Net Deferral and  Amortization                   (404)     (158)       95                282        284       282
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Periodic (Benefit) Expense                  $  (552)  $    43   $   168             $1,160     $1,088    $1,050
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-Average Assumptions:
  Discount Rate                                    7.04%     7.32%     7.28%              6.77%      7.03%     7.26%
  Expected Return on Plan Assets                   8.91%     8.89%     8.89%                 -          -         -
  Rate of Compensation Increase                    5.00%     5.93%     5.94%                 -          -         -
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The assumed  health care cost trend in measuring  the expected  cost of the post
retirement benefits range from 6.0% through 7.5% in 1999,  declining by 0.5% per
year to an ultimate level of 5.0% by the year 2003.

A 1% change in the assumed  health care cost trend rate would have the following
effects on the Company's post retirement benefits:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(In Thousands)                                                                     1 % Increase     1 % Decrease
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                                   <C>             <C>     
Effect on Total Service and Interest Cost (Net Periodic Expense)                      $  186          $  (143)
Effect on the Post Retirement Benefits (Projected Benefit Obligation)                  1,494           (1,189)
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Other Benefits
Employees  can  make  contributions  to the  Company's  401(k)  Plan by means of
payroll deductions of up to 10% of their  compensation.  Matching  contributions
are  made by the  Company  for up to 5% of the  employee's  compensation  at the
discretion of the Board of Directors and totaled $556,000, $550,000 and $581,000
in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

NOTE 16 - STOCK OPTION PLANS

The Company has a Stock  Incentive  Plan (the  "Plan"),  in which  shares of the
Company's  common  stock may be granted  to the  Company's  employees.  The Plan
provides for the  discretionary  granting of stock options with or without stock
appreciation  rights.  Under the Plan,  the exercise price of each option equals
the  market  price of the  Company's  stock on the date of  grant.  The  options
granted have a term of nine or ten years and vest over a period of four years.

The Company  also has a "Stock  Option  Plan for  Non-Employee  Directors"  (the
"Directors  Plan") in which options to acquire  shares of the  Company's  common
stock may be granted to Non-Employee  Directors.  Each Non-Employee  Director of
the Company or its affiliates is eligible to receive options under the Directors
Plan.  The options  granted  have a term of ten years and vest over three years.
Under the Plan, the exercise price of each option equals the market price of the
Company's stock on the date of grant.

The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting
for both the Plan and Directors  Plans.  Accordingly,  no compensation  cost has
been recognized for the stock options in these Plans. Had compensation  cost for
these  plans been  determined  consistent  with SFAS No.  123,  "Accounting  for
Stock-Based  Compensation,"  which  was  previously  described  in Note 1(n) the
Company's net income and diluted net income per share would have been reduced to
the pro forma amounts indicated below:

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)     1998            1997             1996
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Income:                         
   As Reported                          $19,858         $18,447          $16,176
   Pro forma                             19,550          18,140           15,995
Basic Net Income Per Share:
   As Reported                          $  1.33         $  1.25          $  1.11
   Pro forma                               1.31            1.22             1.10
Diluted Net Income Per Share:
   As Reported                          $  1.30         $  1.21          $  1.08
   Pro forma                               1.28            1.19             1.07
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------




The fair value of each option  grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes   option-pricing   model  with  the   following   weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively: dividend yield
of 3.5%,  2.3%  and  3.1%  for  1998,  1997  and  1996,  respectively;  expected
volatility of 17%, 22% and 25% for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively;  risk-free
interest rates of 5.6%, 6.7% and 6.0% for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively; and
expected  lives of 5 years for both  plans.  A summary of the status of both the
Plan and the  Directors  Plan of the Company as of December 31,  1998,  1997 and
1996 and changes during the years ended on those dates,  adjusted for subsequent
stock dividends and splits, is presented below:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>

                                      1998                          1997                           1996
                           ---------------------------  ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                                            Weighted                     Weighted                      Weighted
                                             Average                      Average                      Average
                                            Exercise                     Exercise                      Exercise
Option Shares                    Shares       Price         Shares         Price           Shares        Price
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                            <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>   
Outstanding at
   Beginning of Year            822,588     $ 9.61          974,721       $ 6.77           881,850      $ 6.01
Granted                          77,110      25.66          196,395        15.06           115,811       12.32
Exercised                      (189,220)      5.52         (332,737)        4.35           (20,326)       4.86

Forfeited                          (298)     12.40          (15,791)       12.76           (2,614)       12.40
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at
 End of Year                    710,180      12.44          822,588       $ 9.61           974,721      $ 6.77
================================================================================================================

Options Exercisable
   at Year-End                  443,046                     504,081                        720,512
================================================================================================================

Weighted-Average
   Fair Value of
   Options Granted
   During the Year                $4.15                       $3.65                          $3.01
================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


The following table summarizes  information about the stock options  outstanding
at December 31, 1998,  adjusted for the effect of subsequent stock dividends and
splits.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                          Options Outstanding                                           Options Exercisable
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------         -----------------------------------
                                         Weighted
                                         Average          Weighted                                    Weighted
     Range of                           Remaining          Average                                     Average
     Exercise           Number         Contractual        Exercise                    Number          Exercise
      Prices          Outstanding     Life in Years         Price                  Exercisable          Price
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>               <C>             <C>                        <C>              <C>   
  $ 3.90-$ 9.61          250,737           5.1             $ 5.77                     231,118          $ 5.45
      11.39               65,280           5.0              11.39                      65,280           11.39
   12.21-12.40           101,251           6.1              12.36                      80,616           12.34
   12.64-13.00            89,795           7.5              12.96                      46,020           12.94
   16.24-18.68           126,007           8.4              17.85                      20,012           16.77
   24.77-27.36            77,110           8.2              25.66                           -               -
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  $ 3.90-$27.36          710,180           6.5             $12.44                     443,046          $ 8.87
====================================================================================================================

</TABLE>




The Stock Incentive Plan also provides for granting of Restricted  Stock Awards,
which generally vest over a period of six years.  Stock dividends and splits are
granted to the  employees  when paid.  Transactions  involving  these awards are
summarized as follows:

                                            1998           1997            1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restricted Stock Awards:
   Outstanding - January 1,              28,485          10,996          19,000
     Granted                              1,800          28,710               -
     Canceled                                 -            (918)           (450)
     Vested                              (8,445)        (10,303)         (7,554)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Outstanding - December 31,            21,840          28,485          10,996
================================================================================

Compensation  expense  recognized  related to the  restricted  stock  awards was
$332,000,  $141,000 and $134,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively.

NOTE 17 - LITIGATION, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The  Company  is party,  in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  to  litigation
involving collection matters,  contract claims and other miscellaneous causes of
action  arising from its  business.  Management  does not consider that any such
proceedings  depart from usual  routine  litigation  and, in its  judgment,  the
Company's  financial  position and results of operations  will not be materially
affected by such proceedings.

The Company has lease  commitments  expiring at various dates through 2015. Rent
expense on these leases  amounted to  approximately  $1,405,000,  $1,049,000 and
$986,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The
headquarters  building  lease  has been  accounted  for as a capital  lease,  in
accordance  with FASB Statement No. 13  "Accounting  for Leases," (See Note 11).
The minimum  annual rentals under the terms of the lease  agreements,  excluding
the capital lease, as of December 31, 1998, were as follows:

1999                     $1,308,000
2000                      1,297,000
2001                      1,113,000
2002                        785,000
2003                        676,000
Thereafter                2,789,000

The above represents minimum rentals, not adjusted for possible future increases
due to property taxes and cost of living escalation provisions.

The Company also has certain  equipment  leases,  which do not exceed  five-year
terms with level monthly payments.  Equipment rental expense totaled $1,796,000,
$1,204,000 and $987,000 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

The Company is a party to financial  instruments with off-balance  sheet risk in
the normal  course of business  to meet the  financial  needs of its  customers.
These financial  instruments consist of commitments to extend credit and standby
letters of credit.  These financial  instruments  involve,  to varying  degrees,
elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount  recognized in
the accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets. The contract or notional amounts
of these  instruments  express the extent of involvement the Company has in each
class of financial instrument.

The Company uses the same credit policies and collateral  requirements in making
commitments  and  conditional  obligations  as  it  does  for  on-balance  sheet
instruments. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers as
long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.


Commitments  generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination  clauses
and may require payment of a fee. Since the commitments may expire without being
drawn upon, the total  commitment  amounts do not necessarily  represent  future
cash requirements.  The Company evaluates each customer's credit worthiness on a
case-by-case  basis. The amount of collateral  obtained,  if deemed necessary by
the  Company  upon  extension  of  credit,  is based  upon  Management's  credit
evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held on these commitments varies. Standby
letters of credit are  conditional  commitments  issued by the Company  insuring
performance  obligations  of a  customer  to a third  party.  These  commitments
commonly involve real estate transactions.


Financial Instruments Whose Contract                 Contract or Notional Amount
Amounts Represent Credit Risk                            At December 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments for Commercial and Construction Loans                 
 Secured by Real Estate                                        $87,866,000     
Unused Portion of Credit Card Lines of Credit                   42,988,000
Unused Portion of Home Equity Lines of Credit                   31,712,000
Used Portion of Commercial Lines of Credit                     115,286,000
Standby Letters of Credit                                        3,800,000

The Company  previously  entered into agreements  with eight executive  officers
providing  for the  payment of cash and other  benefits  to them in the event of
their voluntary or involuntary termination within three years following a change
of control of the  Company.  Payment  under these  agreements  in the event of a
change in  control  would  consist of a lump sum  payment  equal to two or three
years of annual taxable compensation,  depending on the officer involved.  Under
these  agreements,  the  payment  would be  reduced  if it  would  be an  excess
parachute payment under the Federal tax code and would subject the officer to an
excise tax.

NOTE 18 - DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial  Instruments," requires
that the Company disclose  estimated fair values for its financial  instruments.
The fair  value  estimates  are made at a  discrete  point  in time  based  upon
relevant market  information and  information  about the financial  instruments.
Because no market exists for a portion of the Company's  financial  instruments,
fair value estimates are based on judgment regarding a number of factors.  These
estimates are  subjective in nature and involve some  uncertainties.  Changes in
assumptions and methodologies may have a material effect on these estimated fair
values. In addition, reasonable comparability between financial institutions may
not be likely due to a wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous
estimates, which must be made. This lack of uniform valuation methodologies also
introduces a greater degree of subjectivity to these estimated fair values.

The following  methods and  assumptions  were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that
value:

Cash and Short-Term Investments
For those short-term instruments, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of
fair value.

Securities
Fair  values are based on quoted  market  prices or dealer  quotes.  If a quoted
market  price is not  available,  fair value is estimated  using  quoted  market
prices for similar  securities.  Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank
stock is required to be maintained as part of membership.  Cost approximates the
fair value of these securities,  as that is the amount at which the stock may be
redeemed.

Loans
The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting  the future cash flows using
the build-up approach consisting of four components:  the risk-free rate, credit
quality, operating expense, and prepayment option price.

Deposits
The fair value of demand  deposits,  savings  accounts and certain  money market
deposits is the amount  payable on demand at the reporting  date. The fair value
of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future
cash flows using the risk-free market rate.



Short-Term and Other Borrowings
For short-term  borrowings,  the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair
value.  The fair  values for other  borrowings  are  calculated  by  discounting
estimated  future cash flows using  current  rates  offered  for  borrowings  of
similar remaining maturities.

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit
The fair  value of  standby  letters  of  credit  is  estimated  using  the fees
currently  charged to enter  into  similar  agreements  and the  present  credit
worthiness of the counter  parties.  On this basis,  these fees  approximate the
fair  value.   The  Bank  does  not  charge  a  fee  on  loan  commitments  and,
consequently, there is no basis to calculate a fair value.

The estimated fair values of the Company's financial  instruments as of December
31, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   1998                               1997
                                                        -------------------------          ---------------------------
                                                          Carrying        Fair                Carrying         Fair
(In Thousands)                                             Amount         Value                Amount         Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                     <C>           <C>                   <C>            <C>       
Financial Assets
   Cash and Short-Term Investments                      $  102,967    $  102,967            $   85,148     $   85,148
   Securities Available for Sale                           609,262       609,262               602,365        602,365
   Securities Held to Maturity                              63,374        63,675                86,615         86,283
   Trading Account Securities                                1,239         1,239                 1,221          1,221
   Loans, Net of Allowance for Possible Loan Losses      1,045,779     1,055,502               919,527        925,866
   Mortgage Loans Held for Sale                                128           129                     -              -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Financial Liabilities
   Deposits
     Demand                                                263,700       263,700               226,097        226,097
     Savings                                               549,095       549,095               526,874        526,874
     Time                                                  590,618       594,358               639,732        643,729
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total Deposits                                    1,403,413     1,407,153             1,392,703      1,396,700
Short-Term Borrowings                                      154,635       154,635                99,546         99,546
Other Borrowings                                           154,942       155,240               107,809        108,706
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
     Standby Letters of Credit                                   -            27                     -             33
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


NOTE 19 - Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Raritan  sponsored an Employee Stock  Ownership Plan (ESOP)  covering  employees
with a minimum of 1,000  hours of  service  per year.  The ESOP,  which is a tax
qualified employee benefit plan,  provided retirement benefits for the employees
of Raritan.

At December 31, 1998,  the ESOP  borrowing  was repaid in full,  all shares were
released and  allocated.  ESOP  compensation  expense of $103,000,  $129,000 and
$306,000 in 1998, 1997 and 1996,  respectively,  is included in salaries,  wages
and employee benefits in the accompanying  combined  consolidated  statements of
income.



NOTE 20 - SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company has six reportable  segments:  retail banking,  commercial  banking,
investments,  trust and investment services,  Raritan and corporate.  The retail
banking  segment  includes loans secured by 1-4 family  residential  properties,
construction  financing,  loans to individuals  for household,  family and other
personal  expenditures,  and lease  financing.  In addition,  the retail segment
includes the branch network. The commercial banking segment provides term loans,
demand secured loans, Small Business  Administration  ("SBA")  financing,  floor
plan loans and financing for commercial real estate transactions. The investment
segment is comprised of the Company's securities portfolio, which includes U. S.
Treasury   and   government   agency    securities,    tax-exempt    securities,
mortgage-backed  securities,   corporate  debt  securities,  equity  securities,
trading  accounts and short-term  investments.  The trust division offers a full
range of  fiduciary  services,  ranging  from mutual  funds to  personal  trust,
investment  advisory and  employee  benefits.  Raritan is  considered a separate
segment in these combined consolidated  financial statements.  It is anticipated
that  Raritan's  operations  will be  combined  with those of the Company in the
second  quarter  of 1999 and  thereafter  reported  in the  Company's  five core
segments.  Raritan is primarily in the business of gathering  deposits  from the
general public and originating  residential mortgage,  construction and consumer
loans, and small business loans. The corporate segment is primarily comprised of
the treasury  function which is  responsible  for managing  interest-rate  risk.
Additionally, certain revenues and expenses that are not considered allocable to
a line of business are reflected in this area.

The accounting  policies of the segments are the same as those  described in the
summary of significant  accounting policies.  The Company evaluates  performance
based on  profit or loss  from  operations  before  income  taxes not  including
one-time  charges and  amortization of intangible  assets.  For purposes of this
review,  interest income which is exempt from Federal taxation has been restated
to a  taxable-equivalent  basis,  which places tax-exempt income on a comparable
basis with taxable income to facilitate analysis.

The  Company  utilizes   "matched-maturity  funds  transfer  pricing"  and  cost
allocations to analyze segment reporting.  Funds transfer pricing system matches
interest  income and expense  against  market rates to determine a net spread by
product and segment. The system allows for comparable  performance evaluation of
funds users and providers  and supports  asset/liability  management.  Without a
transfer  pricing  system,  funds  users,  such as the  lending  and  investment
functions, receive credit for interest income without being charged for the full
amount of associated costs of funds,  while funds providers,  such as the branch
network,  would be charged with interest  expense without being credited for the
full amount of associated  interest  credit.  Cost  allocations are performed to
allot   expenses  to  the   appropriate   organizational   units,   products  or
responsibility centers.

The  Company's  reportable  segments  are  strategic  business  units that offer
different products and services.  Even though they are managed  separately,  the
Company collectively cross-sells its products and services to customers.

The following  table presents the results of operations and average  balances by
reportable  segment for the years  ended  December  31,  1998,  and 1997.  It is
impractical to disclose 1996 results due to system limitations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Results of Operations for                                                                                                  Combined
Year Ended December 31, 1998                Retail      Commercial   Investments     Trust      Corporate     Raritan   Consolidated
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                      <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>       
Interest Income                          $   36,056    $   25,519    $  43,063      $    -      $    -       $ 29,767     $  134,405
Interest Expense                             32,642           547        9,578           -         2,775       16,385         61,927
Funds Transfer Pricing Allocation            35,002       (15,406)     (29,443)         (3)        9,850            -              -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net Interest Income                       38,416         9,566        4,042          (3)        7,075       13,382         72,478
Provision for Loan Losses                     2,072         1,072            -           -             -          300          3,444
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net Interest Income After Provision 
     for Loan Losses                         36,344         8,494        4,042          (3)        7,075       13,082         69,034
Non-Interest Income                          12,592           885        3,850       5,454             -        1,434         24,215
Non-Interest Expense                         42,338         4,025          220       3,939             9        8,296         58,827
Merger & Other Unallocated Expenses               -             -            -           -         4,024          116          4,140
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net Income Before Taxes               $    6,598    $    5,354    $   7,672      $1,512      $  3,042     $  6,104     $   30,282
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average Balances:
Gross Funds Provided                     $1,085,482    $    6,471    $ 161,300      $  (68)     $194,867     $425,338     $1,873,390
Funds Used:Interest-earning Assets          436,167       276,567      617,401           -        (5,844)     406,200      1,730,491
           Non-Interest-earning  Assets      17,444             -            -           -       106,317       19,138        142,899
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Funds Provided (Used)                $  631,871    $ (270,096)   $(456,101)     $  (68)     $ 94,394     $      -     $        -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


Results of Operations for                                                                                                 Combined
Year Ended December 31, 1997                 Retail    Commercial   Investments      Trust      Corporate     Raritan   Consolidated
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                      <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>       
Interest Income                          $   37,469    $   22,938    $  34,955      $    -      $      -     $ 27,675     $  123,037
Interest Expense                             32,071             -        3,906           -         2,963       14,525         53,465
Funds Transfer Pricing Allocation            32,148       (14,953)     (28,568)        (12)       11,385            -              -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net Interest Income                       37,546         7,985        2,481         (12)        8,422       13,150         69,572
Provision for Loan Losses                     3,520           312            -           -            -           600          4,432
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net Interest Income After Provision 
     for Loan Losses                         34,026         7,673        2,481         (12)        8,422       12,550         65,140
Non-Interest Income                          11,753         1,381        1,820       4,976             -        1,049         20,979
Non-Interest Expense                         37,117         4,447          129       3,739           150        7,497         53,079
Merger & Other Unallocated Expenses               -             -            -           -         3,969          (33)         3,936
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net Income Before Taxes               $    8,662    $    4,607    $   4,172      $1,225      $  4,303     $  6,135     $   29,104
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average Balances:
Gross Funds Provided                     $1,028,179    $        -    $  70,677      $ (136)     $163,716     $382,695     $1,645,131
Funds Used:Interest-earning Assets          447,406       238,373      476,120           -            25      364,098      1,526,022
           Non-Interest-earning  Assets      23,338             -            -           -        77,174       18,597        119,109
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Funds Provided (Used)                $  557,435    $ (238,373)   $(405,443)     $ (136)     $ 86,517     $      -     $        -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>




NOTE 21 - COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - PARENT COMPANY

The condensed  financial  statements of United National  Bancorp (parent company
only) are presented below:

 COMBINED CONDENSED  BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             December 31,
                                                                --------------------------------
 (In Thousands)                                                          1998              1997
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>     
 Assets
    Cash and Due from Banks                                          $  3,375          $     93
    Securities Available for Sale                                       5,233             6,178
    Trading Account Securities                                          1,239             1,221
    Investment in Subsidiaries                                        169,009           158,364
    Other Assets                                                        3,541             2,530
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Total Assets                                                   $182,397          $168,386
 ===============================================================================================

 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    Junior Subordinated Debentures                                    $20,619          $ 20,619
    Loan from Subsidiary                                                  750                 -
    Other Liabilities                                                   2,786             2,301
    Stockholders' Equity                                              158,242           145,466
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                     $182,397          $168,386
 ===============================================================================================
</TABLE>



COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                For The Years Ended December 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------
(In Thousands)                                                   1998          1997         1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>          <C>  
Income  
   Dividends from Subsidiary                                  $10,590       $ 8,735      $ 7,424
   Interest and Dividends on Securities                           228           221          168
   Net Gain from Securities Transactions                        1,794           508          111
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total  Income                                             12,612         9,464        7,703
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Expense
   Interest Expense on Junior Subordinated Debentures           2,064         1,605            -
   Interest expense on Loan from Subsidiary                        50             -            -
   Other Expenses                                                 367           363          273
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Expense                                              2,481         1,968          273
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income Before Income Tax Benefit                               10,131         7,496        7,430
Income Tax Benefit                                                170           429            9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income Before Equity in Undistributed Income
   of Subsidiary                                               10,301         7,925        7,439
Equity in Undistributed Income of Subsidiary                    9,557        10,522        8,737
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Income                                                    $19,858       $18,447      $16,176
=================================================================================================

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS                    For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                          --------------------------------------
(In Thousands)                                              1998           1997          1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>           <C>            <C>   
OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
Net Income                                                 $19,858       $18,447        $16,176
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net
   Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Net Gain from Securities Transactions                       (1,794)         (508)          (111)
Trading Account Securities Activity, Net                       (94)         (200)            20
Increase in Other Assets                                    (1,011)       (1,211)           (69)
Increase in Other Liabilities                                 (175)           42            120
Restricted Stock  Activity, Net                                332           141            134
Equity in Undistributed Income
   of Subsidiary                                            (9,557)      (10,522)        (8,737)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                    7,559         6,189          7,533
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from Sales of Securities Available
   For Sale                                                  6,079         2,800            812
Purchase of Securities Available for Sale                   (3,969)       (2,400)        (1,725)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by (Used In)
   Investing Activities                                      2,110           400           (913)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividends on Common Stock                              (8,480)       (6,458)        (4,838)
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options                      1,021         1,175             70
Loan from Subsidiary                                           750             -              -
Purchase of Treasury Stock                                    (553)       (2,025)        (2,938)
Sale of Treasury Stock                                           -             -          2,388
Stock Issued from Equity Contracts                             875           613              -
Proceeds from Issuance of Junior Subordinated Debentures         -        20,619              -
Capital Contributed to Subsidiary                                -       (20,458)        (1,339)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities                       (6,387)       (6,534)        (6,657)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash                              3,282            55            (37)
Cash at Beginning of Year                                       93            38             75
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash at End of Year                                        $ 3,375       $    93        $    38
================================================================================================
</TABLE>

Cash Dividend Restrictions
Substantially  all of the  revenue of the Company  available  for the payment of
dividends  on its stock will  result from  dividends  paid to the Company by the
Bank.  The Bank is  restricted  under  applicable  laws in the  payment  of cash
dividends  to the  Company.  The Bank is  required  by Federal law to obtain the
prior  approval of the  Comptroller of the Currency for the payment of dividends
if the total of all  dividends  declared by the Board of  Directors  in any year
will exceed the total of the Bank's net profits for that year  combined with the
retained net profits for the preceding two years ("earnings  limitation"  test).
In addition,  a national  bank may not pay a dividend in an amount  greater than
its  undivided  profits  then on hand after  deducting  its loan  losses and bad
debts.

Under the earnings  limitation test, the Bank had available  $39,394,000 for the
payment of cash dividends at December 31, 1998.





INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



The Board of Directors and Stockholders
United National Bancorp:

We have audited the accompanying  combined consolidated balance sheets of United
National  Bancorp and  subsidiaries  as of December  31, 1998 and 1997,  and the
related  combined  consolidated  statements of income,  changes in stockholders'
equity  and cash  flows for each of the  years in the  three-year  period  ended
December 31, 1998.  These  combined  consolidated  financial  statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these combined consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

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

The combined  consolidated  financial  statements give retroactive effect to the
merger of United  National  Bancorp and Raritan  Bancorp Inc. on March 30, 1999,
which has been accounted for as a  pooling-of-interests  as described in Note 2a
to the combined consolidated financial statements. Generally accepted accounting
principles  proscribe  giving  effect  to  a  consummated  business  combination
accounted for by the pooling-of-interests method in financial statements that do
not include the date of consummation.  These financial  statements do not extend
through  the date of  consummation.  However,  they will  become the  historical
consolidated  financial  statements of United National  Bancorp and subsidiaries
after  financial  statements  covering the date of  consummation of the business
combination are issued.

In our opinion, the combined consolidated financial statements referred to above
present  fairly,  in all material  respects,  the  financial  position of United
National  Bancorp and  subsidiaries  as of December  31, 1998 and 1997,  and the
results  of their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting  principles  applicable  after financial  statements are issued for a
period which includes the date of consummation of the business combination.


KPMG LLP

Short Hills, New Jersey
March 31, 1999.




        RARITAN FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997,
                   PREVIOUSLY FILED AS PART OF EXHIBIT 13 TO
     RARITAN'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997.

Management's discussion and analysis

GENERAL
       Raritan  Bancorp Inc. (the  "Corporation")  is a bank holding company for
The Raritan Savings Bank (the "Bank"). The principal business of the Corporation
consists of the business of the Bank. The Bank is a New  Jersey-chartered  stock
savings  bank with  offices in  Raritan,  Bridgewater,  Manville,  Martinsville,
Somerville, Warren and Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.
       Effective August 1, 1996, the Manville Savings Bank, SLA ("Manville") was
merged with, and into, the Bank pursuant to a merger  agreement.  As part of the
merger, 186,894 common shares of the Corporation were issued.  Proceeds from the
issuance of these shares totaled $2.0 million. The transaction was accounted for
using the purchase method of accounting. Negative goodwill totaling $746,000 was
recorded  and is being  accreted to income over a period of five years using the
straight-line  method. Net loans and deposits acquired totaled $11.9 million and
$12.5 million, respectively.
       At December 31, 1997, the  Corporation had total assets of $408.3 million
compared to $375.4 million at December 31, 1996, an increase of 8.8%.
       Securities  available-for-sale plus investment securities, net (comprised
of United States Treasury  securities,  obligations of U.S. government agencies,
obligations of states and political subdivisions, and mortgage-backed securities
issued by Federal agencies) decreased $8.9 million, or 9.0%, to $90.3 million at
December  31, 1997.  Net loans  increased  $32.3  million,  or 13.9%,  to $264.4
million at December 31, 1997. Of $62.1 million of mortgage  disbursements,  $2.8
million  was of a  fixed-rate  nature,  while the  balance of $59.3  million was
adjustable  rate  or of  short-term  nature.  Consumer  and  commercial  lending
disbursements  totaled $35.5  million for 1997 and consisted  primarily of loans
which are tied to the prime lending rate and are of a short-term nature.
       Non-performing  loans (over 90 days  delinquent) and real estate acquired
by  foreclosure  totaled  $945,000,  or 0.4% of total net loans and real  estate
acquired by foreclosure at December 31, 1997, compared to $1,420,000, or 0.6% of
total net loans and real estate acquired by foreclosure at December 31, 1996.
       During the year ended  December 31, 1997,  the Bank provided  $600,000 to
the  allowance  for loan  losses,  compared  to  $450,000  a year  earlier.  The
increased provision was in response to a growing diversified loan portfolio.
       The   following   table   provides   a  summary   of  the   Corporation's
non-performing  loans and real estate  acquired by  foreclosure  at December 31,
1997:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Number of Loans         Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  (in thousands)
First mortgage loans                                           6           $569
Second mortgage loan                                           1             54
Consumer loan                                                  1             11
Loans with modified terms                                      2            177
Matured loan                                                   1             94
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total non-performing loans                                    11            905
Real estate acquired by foreclosure
     (included in Other Assets)                                1             40
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              12           $945
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Of the eleven  non-performing  loans,  ten ($894,000) are secured by real
estate, and one ($11,000) is unsecured.
       Based on a review of all  non-performing  loans and  "watch  list"  loans
(loans on the "watch  list"  include  performing  loans  rated  substandard  and
special  mention at December 31, 1997),  a specific  allowance of $1,150,000 has
been allocated to such loans, together with a general allowance of $2,155,000 on
the remaining loan portfolio taken as a whole. During 1997, the Bank charged off
$410,000 of loans,  compared to $380,000 in the previous  year.  At December 31,
1997,  the ratio of the  allowance for loan losses to  non-performing  loans was
365.2%.
       During the year,  management  reviews,  on a quarterly basis, the overall
adequacy of the  allowance  for loan losses based on an  evaluation  of the risk
characteristics  of the loan  portfolio  both on  potential  individual  problem
loans, and on the aggregate loan portfolio taken as a whole. Such factors as the
financial condition of the borrower, the fair value of the underlying collateral
and  other  items  which,  in  management's  opinion,   deserve  recognition  in
estimating the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses are evaluated.
       The provision for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995 was  $600,000,  $450,000  and  $300,000  respectively.  The  increasing
provisions  are  the  results  of  responding  to  a  growing  diversified  loan
portfolio.
       In  addition,  there  are no  potential  problem  loans not  included  in
non-performing  assets which causes  management to have serious doubts as to the
ability to comply with the  present  loan  repayment  terms,  and which  require
disclosure as non-performing loans, or which management believes will materially
affect future

8
<PAGE>

                                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

operating results, liquidity or capital resources.
       Deposits grew to $337.1  million at December 31, 1997 from $331.2 million
at December  31,  1996.  Deposit  outflows,  net of  interest  credited of $13.6
million, totaled $7.7 million.
       Shareholders'  equity  totaled  $30.9  million,  or $13.01 per share,  at
December 31, 1997,  compared to $28.3 million,  or $12.45 per share, at December
31, 1996. The increase is the result of net income  totaling  $3,908,000 for the
year ended  December 31, 1997,  together  with a decrease of $51,000 in the ESOP
debt,  a  $165,000   increase  in  the  fair  value   adjustment  of  securities
available-for-sale,  plus $613,000 from the issuance of 132,863 common  treasury
shares for stock options,  and the $53,000  amortization  of a restricted  stock
award, net of related taxes,  partially offset by dividends paid to shareholders
of $1,123,000  and the repurchase of 49,112 shares of the  Corporation's  common
stock for $1,061,000.

COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996

INTEREST  INCOME:  Total interest  income  increased in 1997, on a fully-taxable
basis,  to $27.7  million,  an increase of $2.7  million,  or 10.8%,  from $25.0
million in 1996.  The increase is primarily the result of an increase in average
interest-earning  assets to $364.1  million  from  $335.7  million for the prior
year,  together with an increase in the average yield to 7.60% from 7.43% a year
earlier.  The  increase  in loan  disbursement  volume was  responsible  for the
increase in net interest  income.  Funding for earning assets came from loan and
securities repayments and borrowings.
       Interest income for 1997 was also affected by the loss of interest income
on  non-performing  loans and real estate acquired by  foreclosure.  When a loan
becomes  more than ninety days  delinquent,  the  Corporation  discontinues  the
accrual of interest  income and deducts  interest  income on that loan which had
previously  been accrued into interest  income for such period of time. The loss
of interest on loans charged-off,  non-performing loans and real estate acquired
by foreclosure was approximately  $94,000, for 1997. In addition,  during April,
1997,   $6.9   million   of    mortgage-backed    securities    (classified   as
available-for-sale)  with a weighted  average  yield of 7.08% were sold with the
proceeds  invested in a $7,200,000  corporate-owned  life insurance policy whose
increase in cash surrender value is being reflected in service charges and other
income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.

INTEREST  EXPENSE:  Interest expense  increased $1.7 million,  or 13.0% to $14.5
million  in 1997,  from  $12.9  million  in 1996  primarily  as the result of an
increase in average  borrowings  (FHLB advances and agreements to repurchase the
same  securities) to $16.1 million from $305,000 a year earlier,  in addition to
an overall 16 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

NET INTEREST INCOME:  The net interest income results of the Corporation  depend
upon the interest  rate spread  between the average yield earned on its loan and
investment  portfolios  and the average  rate paid on its deposit  accounts  and
borrowings.
       Net interest income on a fully-taxable  equivalent basis of $13.2 million
for the year ended  December 31, 1997  increased $1.1 million from $12.1 million
for  1996.  As shown by the  tables  on pages  14 and 15,  net  interest  income
increased primarily as a result of a 4.6% increase in average net earning assets
(primarily  the net increase in the loan  portfolio) to $38.6 million from $36.9
million a year  earlier.  The  increased  volume in average net  earning  assets
together  with  a  one  basis  point  increase  in  the  net  yield  on  average
interest-earning assets resulted in the 8.7% increase in net interest income (on
a fully- taxable equivalent basis).
       Net interest  for 1997 was also  affected by the  aforementioned  sale of
$6.9 million of mortgage-backed  securities which reduced net interest income by
approximately $300,000.
       Changes in net interest income generally occur because of fluctuations in
the balances and/or composition of interest-earning  assets and interest-bearing
liabilities  and changes in their  corresponding  interest  yields and costs. In
periods  of  rising  rate  environments,  short-term  interest-bearing  deposits
reprice more  rapidly than  interest-earning  assets  (particularly  loans) of a
variable  rate  nature  whose rates are tied to indices.  These  earning  assets
generally lag increases in market interest rates. The converse is generally true
in periods of falling interest rates as shorter-term  interest-bearing  deposits
reprice downward more rapidly than variable rate loans tied to indices.
       The provision for loan losses for 1997 was $600,000  compared to $450,000
for 1996. As described above,  the increased  provision for 1997 was in response
to a growing diversified loan portfolio. The provision was considered sufficient
based  upon  management's  judgment  of the amount  necessary  to  maintain  the
allowance at a level adequate to absorb any potential losses.

                                                                               9
<PAGE>

                Management's discussion and analysis continued

OTHER  INCOME:  Service  charges and other income  increased  $236,000 or 32.8%,
primarily  as a result of the full effect of the  $193,000  increase in the cash
surrender value of the aforementioned  corporate-owned  life insurance.  Gain on
the  sale  of  the  aforementioned  $6.9  million   mortgage-backed   securities
(classified  as   available-for-sale)   totaled  $78,000.  In  addition,   other
securities classified as available-for-sale totaling $6,013,000 were called at a
gross gain of $16,000.

OPERATING  EXPENSES:  Operating  expenses  for the year ended  December 31, 1997
increased  $41,000 or 0.6%,  to $7.5 million  from $7.4 million a year  earlier.
Salaries and employee benefits increased $487,000 or 13.0%, to $4.2 million from
$3.7 million a year earlier.  The full impact of the addition of five  employees
as a result of the Manville Savings Bank merger and acquisition in August, 1996,
together  with normal cost of living and merit  adjustments  contributed  to the
increase.  Occupancy  expense  increased to $45,000,  or 6.0%,  to $798,000 from
$753,000 in 1996.  Included in 1997 are expenses of approximately  $50,000 which
pertain to the Corporation's new corporate headquarters which became operational
in December,  1997. The FDIC insurance premium decreased $491,000 to $80,000 for
1997  compared to $571,000 a year earlier as a result of $436,000  charge during
the  third  quarter  of  1996  which   represented  a  one-time   assessment  to
recapitalize  the Savings  Association  Insurance Fund.  Also as a result,  this
recapitalization  assessed a lower FDIC premium  rate for the Bank  beginning in
1997. Other operating expenses increased $25,000 or 1% to $2.34 million for 1997
compared to $2.32 million for 1996. Primary contributors to increasing operating
expenses for 1997 were furniture,  fixtures and equipment  expenses,  consultant
and advertising expenses.  Primary contributors to decreasing operating expenses
were a full  year's  effect of negative  goodwill  accretion  pertaining  to the
previously  mentioned  Manville  Savings  Bank  merger  and  acquisition,  and a
decrease in legal  expenses and  supervisory  exam fees. In addition  during the
second quarter of 1996 there was a $200,000 reversal of an expense accrual.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE: Income taxes increased $386,000 to $2.2 million in 1997 from
$1.8 million for the prior year.  Increases and  decreases are basically  direct
functions of the Corporation's pretax income.

COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995

INTEREST  INCOME:  Total interest  income  increased in 1996, on a fully-taxable
basis,  to $25.0  million,  an increase  of $1.5  million,  or 6.4%,  from $23.5
million in 1995.  The increase is primarily the result of an increase in average
interest-earning  assets to $335.7  million  from  $318.0  million for the prior
year,  together with an increase in the average yield to 7.43% from 7.39% a year
earlier.  The  increase  in loan  disbursement  volume was  responsible  for the
increase in net interest income.  Funding for earning assets came primarily from
loan and securities repayments.

       Interest income for 1996 was also affected by the loss of interest income
on  non-performing  loans and real estate acquired by  foreclosure.  The loss of
interest on loans charged-off,  non-performing loans and real estate acquired by
foreclosure was approximately $142,000, for 1996.

INTEREST EXPENSE:  Interest expense decreased $150,000, or 1.2% to $12.9 million
in 1996,  from $13.0  million in 1995  primarily  as the result the  decrease in
average borrowings  (primarily  agreements to repurchase the same securities) to
$305,000  from  $4,655,000  a year  earlier,  in  addition  to a 25 basis  point
decrease in the cost of  interest-bearing  liabilities,  partially  offset by an
overall increase of $17.5 million in the average balances due to depositors.

NET INTEREST INCOME: Net interest income on a fully-taxable  equivalent basis of
$12.1 million for the year ended  December 31, 1996  increased $1.6 million from
$10.5  million for 1995. As shown by the tables on pages 14 and 15, net interest
income  decreased  primarily as a result of a 14.4%  increase in the average net
earning  assets  (primarily  the net  increase in the loan  portfolio)  to $36.9
million from $32.2 million a year earlier.  The increased  volume in average net
earning assets together with the thirty basis point increase in the net yield on
average  interest-earning  assets resulted in the 15.5% increase in net interest
income (on a fully-taxable equivalent basis).
       The provision for loan losses for 1996 was $450,000  compared to $300,000
for 1995.  The  increase  was in  response  to a growing  and  diversified  loan
portfolio.

OTHER INCOME:  Serving  charges and other income  increased 19.4% primarily as a
result  from the  upward  repricing  of  certain  services  relating  to deposit
products which was effective in mid-1995.  During 1996, an obligation of a state
and political  subdivision  which was  classified as  available-for-sale  in the
amount of $50,000 was called at a gross gain of $1,000.

10
<PAGE>

                                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

OPERATING  EXPENSES:  Other  expenses  for the  year  ended  December  31,  1996
increased $830,000,  or 12.6%, to $7.4 million from $6.6 million a year earlier.
Salaries and employee benefits  increased to $326,000,  or 9.6%, to $3.7 million
from $3.4  million a year  earlier.  The  addition  of five  employees  from the
Manville  merger and  acquisition  together with normal merit and cost of living
increases   contributed   to  the  increase,   together  with  a  $175,000  ESOP
contribution,  partially  offset by a reduction  in health  insurance  premiums.
Occupancy  expenses increased  $104,000,  or 16.0%, to $753,000 from $649,000 in
1995. The increase results  primarily from the rent expense  associated with the
new Manville branch office. Unanticipated snow removal expenses during the first
quarter of 1996 also contributed to the increase.  The Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC") insurance premium increased $145,000, or 34.0%, to $571,000
in 1996 from $426,000 a year earlier. On September 30, 1996, Federal legislation
was enacted which imposed a special one-time  assessment on Savings  Association
Insurance Fund ("SAIF") insured deposits,  including approximately $83.0 million
in "Oakar" and "Sasser"  deposits held by the Bank, to recapitalize the SAIF and
spread the obligations for payment of the Financing  Corporation  ("FICO") bonds
across all SAIF and Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF") members. The Bank took a pre-tax
charge of $436,000 as a result of this special assessment. Net cost of operation
of other real estate increased $191,000 to $51,000 in 1996 from a credit balance
of  $140,000  in 1995.  The 1995  balance  included  a  $218,000  balance in the
allowance for losses on real estate acquired by foreclosure which was eliminated
and  credited  to the net cost of  operation  of real  estate.  Other  operating
expenses  increased  $64,000 to $2.3 million in 1996 as a result of increases in
outside  services,  legal fees,  consulting  fees,  supervisory  examination and
outside audit fees, marketing fees and office supplies.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE: Income taxes increased $271,000 to $1.8 million in 1996 from
$1.5 million for the prior year.  Increases and  decreases are basically  direct
functions of the Corporation's pretax income.


MARKET RISK-ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
       When used or incorporated by reference in disclosure documents, the words
"anticipate,"  "expect," "project," "target," "goal" and similar expressions are
intended to identify  forward-looking  statements  within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such  forward-looking  statements are subject
to certain  risks,  uncertainties  and  assumptions,  including  those set forth
below. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect,  actual results may vary materially from
those  anticipated,  estimated,  expected or  projected.  These  forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of the document.  The Corporation expressly
disclaims  any  obligation  or  undertaking  to publicly  release any updates or
revisions  to any  forward-looking  statement  contained  herein to reflect  any
change in the  Corporation's  expectation  with regard  thereto or any change in
events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
       The primary  market risk faced by the  Corporation is interest rate risk.
The Corporation's  senior management  monitors and considers methods of managing
the  rate  and  sensitivity  repricing  characteristics  of  the  balance  sheet
components  consistent  with  maintaining  acceptable  levels of  changes in net
portfolio  value  ("NPV")  and net  interest  income.  A primary  purpose of the
Corporation's asset and liability  management is to manage interest rate risk to
effectively  invest the Corporation's  capital and to preserve the value created
by  its  core  business  operations.  As  such,  certain  management  monitoring
processes are designed to minimize the impact of sudden and sustained changes in
interest rates on NPV and net interest income.
       The Corporation's  exposure to interest rate risk is reviewed on at least
a quarterly  basis by the Board of  Directors.  Interest  rate risk  exposure is
measured using interest rate sensitivity analysis to determine the Corporation's
change  in NPV in the  event of  hypothetical  changes  in  interest  rates  and
interest  rate  sensitivity  gap  analysis is used to  determine  the  repricing
characteristics  of the Bank's assets and liabilities.  If estimated  changes to
NPV and net interest income are not within the limits  established by the Board,
the Board may direct  management  to adjust its asset and liability mix to bring
interest rate risk within Board approved limits.
       In order to reduce  the  exposure  to  interest  rate  fluctuations,  the
Corporation  has  developed  strategies  to manage its  liquidity,  shorten  its
effective  maturities  of certain  interest-earning  assets,  and  increase  the
interest rate  sensitivity of its asset base.  Management has sought to decrease
the average  maturity of its assets by emphasizing  the  origination of mortgage
loans,  consumer  loans and  commercial  loans  which are of an  adjustable-rate
nature,  or tied to the prime lending rate. These loans are retained by the Bank
for its portfolio.

                                                                              11
<PAGE>

                Management's discussion and analysis continued

     Interest  rate  sensitivity  analysis is used to measure the  Corporation's
interest rate risk by computing  estimated changes in NPV of its cash flows from
assets,  liabilities  and  off-balance  sheet  items in the  event of a range of
assumed  changes in market  interest  rates.  NPV represents the market value of
portfolio  equity  and is equal to the market  value of assets  minus the market
value of liabilities,  with adjustments made for off-balance  sheet items.  This
analysis  assesses the risk of loss in market risk sensitive  instruments in the
event of a sudden and sustained one hundred to two hundred basis points increase
or decrease in the market  interest  rates.  The  following  table  presents the
Corporation's  projected  change in NPV for the  various  rate  shock  levels of
December 31, 1997. All market risk sensitive instruments presented in this table
are held to maturity  or  available  for sale.  The  Corporation  has no trading
securities.

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in                                                       Actual
Interest             Market Value of            Actual         Percent
Rates               Portfolio Equity            Change          Change
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (in thousands)

200 basis
point rise                   $24,650          $(11,918)            (33)%

100 basis
point rise                    30,781            (5,787)            (16)

Base Scenario                 36,568                                --

100 basis point
decline                       40,849             4,281              12

200 basis point
decline                       44,391             7,823              21
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  preceding  table  indicates  that at December 31,  1997,  in the event of a
sudden  and  sustained   increase  in  prevailing  market  interest  rates,  the
Corporation's  NPV would be  expected  to  decrease,  and that in the event of a
sudden  and  sustained   decrease  in  prevailing  market  interest  rates,  the
Corporation's NPV would be expected to increase.
       The NPV is based on the net present  value of estimated  discounted  cash
flows  utilizing  market  prepayment  assumptions  and market  rates of interest
provided  by  independent  broker  quotations  and other  public  sources  as of
December 31, 1997,  with  adjustments  made to reflect the shift in the Treasury
yield curve as appropriate.
       Computation of prospective effects of hypothetical  interest rate changes
are based on numerous assumptions,  including relative levels of market interest
rates,  loan  prepayments and deposits  decay,  and should not be relied upon as
indicative of actual results.  Further,  the computations do not contemplate any
actions the ALCO could undertake in response to changes in interest rates.
       Certain  shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in
the  computation  of NPV.  Actual  values  may  differ  from  those  projections
presented,   should  market   conditions  vary  from  assumptions  used  in  the
calculation of the NPV. Certain assets,  such as  adjustable-rate  loans,  which
represent one of the  Corporation's  primary loan products,  have features which
restrict  changes in interest  rates on a short-term  basis and over the life of
the  assets.  In  addition,  the  proportion  of  adjustable-rate  loans  in the
Corporation's  portfolio  could  decrease in future  periods if market  interest
rates remain at or decrease  below  current  levels due to  refinance  activity.
Further,  in the  event of a change  in  interest  rates,  prepayment  and early
withdrawal levels would likely deviate  significantly  from those assumed in the
NPV.  Finally,  the ability of many  borrowers  to repay  their  adjustable-rate
mortgage loans may decrease in the event of interest rate increases.
       In addition,  the Corporation uses interest rate sensitivity gap analysis
to  monitor  the  relationship   between  the  maturity  and  repricing  of  its
interest-earning assets and interest-bearing  liabilities,  while maintaining an
acceptable interest rate spread. Interest rate sensitivity gap is defined as the
difference between the amount of  interest-earning  assets maturing or repricing
within a specific  time  period and the amount of  interest-bearing  liabilities
maturing or repricing within that same time period. A gap is considered positive
when  the  amount  of  interest-rate-sensitive  assets  exceeds  the  amount  of
interest-rate-sensitive  liabilities, and is considered negative when the amount
of     interest-rate-sensitive     liabilities    exceeds    the    amount    of
interest-rate-sensitive  assets.  Generally,  during a period of rising interest
rates,  a negative  gap would  adversely  affect net  interest  income,  while a
positive  gap would result in an increase in net  interest  income.  Conversely,
during a period of falling  interest  rates,  a negative  gap would result in an
increase in net interest income,  while a positive gap would  negatively  affect
net  interest  income.  Management's  goal is to maintain a  reasonable  balance
between exposure to interest rate  fluctuations and earnings.  The Corporation's
one-year cumulative gap is a negative $35.6 million or 8.7% of the Corporation's
total assets of $408.3 million at December 31, 1997.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
     The  Corporation's  liquidity is a measure of its ability to fund loans and
withdrawal of deposits in a cost-effective  manner. The corporation's  principal
sources of funds are deposits, scheduled amortization

12
<PAGE>

                                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

and  prepayment  of loan  principal,  maturities  and  principal  repayments  of
securities  and  funds  provided  by  operations.  At  December  31,  1997,  the
Corporation's liquid assets (cash and investment securities maturing in one year
or less) totaled $38.2 million which represents 9.4% of total assets.
       The  Corporation's  main liquidity  demands come from loan  disbursements
which totaled $97.6  million.  At December 31, 1997  outstanding  commitments to
extend credit totaled $46.6 million.  Management  believes that the  Corporation
has adequate sources of liquidity to fund these commitments.
       Both the  Corporation  and the Bank are  subject  to  regulatory  capital
requirements mandated by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) and the Federal Deposit
Insurance  Corporation  (FDIC),  respectively.  Both are  required  to  maintain
minimum  capital  requirements,  defined by both the FRB and FDIC as  risk-based
capital (Tier 1 and Total and leverage capital ratio).
       The following chart presents the minimum capital  requirement  ratios and
actual ratios for both the Corporation and the Bank:

December 31, 1997                             Required    Actual     Excess
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Corporation:
  Risk-based capital:
    Tier 1                                     4.00%      12.255%     8.255%
    Total                                      8.00       13.507      5.507
  Leverage capital ratio                       4.00        7.330      3.330
The Bank:
  Risk-based capital:
  Tier 1                                       4.00%      12.235%     8.235%
    Total                                      8.00       13.486      5.486
  Leverage capital ratio                       4.00        7.319      3.319

       Management is not aware of any known trends, events or uncertainties that
will  have,  or that are  reasonably  likely  to have a  material  effect on the
Corporation's liquidity, capital resources or operations. The Corporation is not
aware of any current  recommendations by any regulatory  authorities,  which, if
they were to be implemented,  would have a material effect on the  Corporation's
liquidity, capital resources or operations.

IMPACT OF THE YEAR 2000
       The  Corporation  is  conducting a  comprehensive  review of its computer
systems and third party  vendors to identity  the systems that could be affected
by the "Year  2000"  issue.  The Year 2000  problem  is the  result of  computer
programs  being  written  using  two  digits  rather  than  four to  define  the
applicable  year.  Any of the  Corporation's  programs that have  time-sensitive
software  may  recognize a date using "00" as the Year 1900 rather than the Year
2000. This could result in system failure or miscalculations. The Corporation is
devoting the necessary  internal and external resources in the development of an
implementation plan to address Year 2000.  Management  anticipates that all Year
2000  initiatives and testing will be completed in a timely manner and will meet
all regulatory milestones. Expenditures in future years are not expected to have
a material impact on the Corporation.

                                                                              13
<PAGE>

                Management's discussion and analysis continued

       The following  table presents for the periods  indicated the total dollar
amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the yields as well as
the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, expressed in both dollars and
rates: <TABLE> <CAPTION>
                                             1997                              1996                             1995
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Average                 Yield/    Average                 Yield/    Average                 Yield/
(Dollars in thousands)           Balance   Interest/2/     Cost    Balance   Interest/1/     Cost    Balance   Interest/l/     Cost
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>          <C>         <C>      <C>          <C>         <C>      <C>          <C>         <C> 
ASSETS
Interest-Earning Assets:
   Loans/2/                     $249,769     $20,852      8.35%   $208,367     $17,317      8.31%   $188,116     $15,631      8.31%
   Taxable investments            92,483       5,597      6.05     111,760       6,798      6.08     120,203       7,270      6.05
Tax-exempt investments               743          77     10.36         767          80     10.43         793          84     10.59
Deposits with banks               21,103       1,149      5.44      14,842         765      5.15       8,878         501      5.64
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total interest-earning
       assets                    364,098      27,675      7.60     335,736      24,960      7.43     317,990      23,486      7.39
Non-interest-earning
      assets/3/                   18,597                            13,238                            14,075
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                        $382,695                          $348,974                          $332,065
===================================================================================================================================
<CAPTION> 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
   Transaction accounts/4/       $ 24,148    $   498      2.06%   $ 22,150     $   468      2.11%   $ 19,312     $   437      2.26%
   Savings accounts/5/            119,450      4,299      3.60     114,789       3,921      3.42     119,038       4,718      3.96
Market-rate certificates          165,774      8,786      5.30     161,620       8,442      5.22     142,744       7,548      5.29
Borrowings                         16,082        942      5.86         305          26      8.52       4,655         304      6.53
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest-bearing
   liabilities                    325,454     14,525      4.46     298,864      12,857      4.30     285,749      13,007      4.55
Non-interest-bearing liabilities   23,664                           22,423                            19,812
Other liabilities                   3,819                            1,153                             1,134
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities              352,937                          322,440                           306,695
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity               29,758                           26,534                            25,370
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                         $382,695                         $348,974                          $332,065
===================================================================================================================================


Net interest income/
  interest rate spread/6/                    $13,150      3.14%                $12,103      3.13%                $10,479      2.84%
===================================================================================================================================
Net earning assets/net
   yield on average
   interest-earning assets/7/    $ 38,644                 3.61%   $ 36,872                  3.60%   $ 32,241                  3.30%
===================================================================================================================================
Ratio of interest-earning
   assets to interest-
   bearing liabilities                                    1.12x                             1.12x                             1.11x
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 
1. On  a   fully-taxable   equivalent   basis.   Effective  tax  rate  used  was
   approximately 36%.
2. Loans include non-accruing (i.e. non-performing) loans. Loan fees included in
   interest  income were  $234,000,  $324,000  and  $275,000 for the years ended
   December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
3. Included in  non-interest-earning  assets are corporate-owned  life insurance
   and real estate acquired by foreclosure.
4. Includes NOW and SWEEP accounts.
5. Include money market deposit accounts, regular savings and club accounts, and
   Prime Performance accounts.
6. Interest rate spread  represents the difference  between average yield earned
   on interest-earning assets and average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
7. Net yield on average  interest-earning  assets represents net interest income
   as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

14
<PAGE>

                                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

     The  following  table  presents  the dollar  amount of changes in  interest
income on a fully taxable basis and interest expense for each major component of
interest-earning  assets  and  interest-bearing  liabilities,  and the amount of
change  attributable  to average  balances  and  average  rates for the  periods
indicated.  The variances  attributable to simultaneous balance and rate changes
have been  allocated in  proportion  to the  relationship  of the dollar  amount
change in each category.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                               Year 1997 compared to 1996                Year 1996 compared to 1995
                                                   Increase/(Decrease)                      Increase/(Decrease)
(In thousands)                            Volume          Rate           Net          Volume         Rate          Net
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>         <C> 
Interest-Earning Assets:
Loans                                     $3,451         $   84        $3,535         $1,686         $ --        $1,686
Taxable investments                       (1,168)           (33)       (1,201)          (508)          36          (472)
Tax-exempt investments                        (2)            (1)           (3)            (3)          (1)           (4)
Deposits with banks                          339             45           384            303          (39)          264
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income on interest-earning assets    2,620             95         2,715          1,478           (4)        1,474
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Transaction accounts                          41            (11)           30             57          (26)           31
Savings accounts                             165            213           378           (165)        (632)         (797)
Market-rate certificates                     215            129           344            993          (99)          894
Borrowings                                   922             (6)          916           (413)         135          (278)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses on
  interest-bearing liabilities             1,343            325         1,668            472         (622)         (150)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                       $1,277         $ (230)       $1,047         $1,006         $618        $1,624
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

The following  table presents the average yield on  interest-earning  assets and
average cost of interest-bearing  liabilities, the interest rate spread, and the
net yield on average interest-earnings assets for the years indicated.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Year ended December 31,                                                       1997              1996              1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>               <C>               <C> 
Yield on loans                                                                8.35%             8.31%             8.31%
Yield on taxable investments                                                  6.05              6.08              6.05
Yield on tax-exempt investments                                              10.36             10.43             10.59
Yield on deposits with banks                                                  5.44              5.15              5.64
Combined yield on
   interest-earning assets                                                    7.60              7.43              7.39
Cost of transaction accounts                                                  2.06              2.11              2.26
Cost of savings accounts                                                      3.60              3.42              3.96
Cost of market-rate certificates                                              5.30              5.22              5.29
Cost of borrowings                                                            5.86              8.52              6.53
Combined cost of
   interest-bearing liabilities                                               4.46              4.30              4.55
Interest rate spread                                                          3.14              3.13              2.84
Net yield on average
   interest-earning assets                                                    3.61              3.60              3.30
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
Note: All yields are on a fully-taxable basis assuming an effective income tax
rate of approximately 36%

                                                                              15
<PAGE>

Selected consolidated financial data         Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
At or for the year ended December 31,                   1997          1996           1995          1994          1993
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>           <C> 
Balance Sheet Data:
    Total assets                                    $408,308      $375,393       $354,810      $333,546      $307,332
    Total net loans                                  264,395       232,105        192,590       180,594       162,701
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value      48,951        47,253         50,547        40,456            --
    Investment securities, net                        41,307        51,919         61,406        86,224       121,074
    Deposits                                         337,084       331,178        315,038       296,166       281,333
    Shareholders' equity                              30,874        28,268         26,348        23,440        22,391

Operating Data:
    Interest and fee income                          $27,647       $24,931        $23,456       $20,892       $20,049
    Interest expense                                  14,525        12,857         13,007         9,992         9,230
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net interest income                               13,122        12,074         10,449        10,900        10,819
    Provision for loan losses                            600           450            300           450         2,290
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net interest income after provision
       for loan losses                                12,522        11,624         10,149        10,450         8,529
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Other income                                       1,049           720            658           702         2,658
    Operating expenses                                 7,464         7,423          6,593         6,721         7,432
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Income before income tax expense and
       cumulative effect of accounting changes         6,107         4,921          4,214         4,431         3,755
    Income tax expense                                 2,199         1,813          1,542         1,577         1,352
    Cumulative effect of accounting changes               --            --             --            --            13
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net income                                        $3,908        $3,108         $2,672        $2,854        $2,416
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net income per share (basic)                       $1.66         $1.39          $1.17         $1.26         $1.07
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net income per share (diluted)                      1.54          1.27           1.09          1.19          1.02
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cash dividends per common share                     0.47          0.40           0.35          0.31          0.25
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Selected Financial Ratios:
    Return on average assets                            1.02%        0.89%           0.80%         0.88%         0.81%
    Return on average equity                           13.13        11.71           10.53         12.33         11.22
    Dividend payout ratio                              30.52        31.50           32.11         26.05         24.51
    Average equity to average assets                    7.78         7.60            7.64          7.14          7.20
    Interest rate spread/1/                             3.14         3.13            2.84          3.19          3.51
    Net yield on average interest-earning assets/1/     3.61         3.60            3.30          3.52          3.79
    Average interest-earning assets to
       average interest-bearing liabilities             1.12x        1.12x           1.11x         1.10x         1.09x
Non-performing assets to total assets                   0.23%        0.38%           0.35%         0.63%         1.17%
</TABLE> 
/1/ Calculated on a fully-taxable basis.

NOTE: The above figures reflect the effects of the three-for-two stock splits
paid in the form of stock dividends on July 1, 1997 and December 1, 1993

16
<PAGE>

Consolidated balance sheets                  Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

December 31,                                                                             1997             1996
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>             <C> 
Assets
     Cash and due from banks                                                       $    7,316       $    5,453
     Federal funds sold                                                                26,700           27,300
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total cash and cash equivalents                                               34,016           32,753
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Securities available-for-sale, at fair value                                      48,951           47,253
     Investment securities held-to-maturity, net
         (fair value $40,919 in 1997 and $51,202 in 1996)                              41,307           51,919
     Loans                                                                            267,764          235,474
         Less:
         Unearned income                                                                   64              404
         Allowance for loan losses                                                      3,305            2,965
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total net loans                                                              264,395          232,105
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Banking premises and equipment, net                                                     5,861            3,689
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock, at cost                                       2,672            2,672
Accrued interest receivable                                                             2,070            1,947
Other assets                                                                            9,036            3,055
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total assets                                                                $408,308         $375,393
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
     Due to depositors:
         Interest-bearing                                                            $312,719         $309,569
         Non-interest-bearing                                                          24,365           21,609
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total deposits                                                               337,084          331,178
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Borrowings                                                                        35,103           10,154
     Accrued interest payable                                                             155               59
     Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                             5,092            5,734
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total liabilities                                                            377,434          347,125
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity:
     Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued             --               --
     Common Stock, $.01 par value, 3,500,000 shares authorized;
        2,587,412 shares issued at December 31, 1997 and 1996,  2,372,226 shares
        outstanding at December 31, 1997 and
        2,270,475* shares outstanding at December 31, 1996                                 26               26
     Additional paid-in capital                                                        11,275           11,165
     Retained earnings                                                                 22,133           20,007
     Fair value adjustment of securities available-for-sale, net of tax                   369              204
     Less:  Unallocated common stock acquired by the ESOP                                 103              154
            Unearned resticted stock                                                      230               --
            Cost of common stock in treasury, 215,186 shares at December 31, 1997
              and 316,937* shares at December 31, 1996                                  2,596            2,980
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total shareholders' equity                                                    30,874           28,268
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18)
         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                  $408,308         $375,393
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

*Share amounts reflect the effect of the  three-for-two  stock split paid in the
form of a stock dividend on July 1, 1997.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                                                              17
<PAGE>

Consolidated statements of income            Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Year ended December 31,                                                   1997            1996            1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>             <C> 
Interest Income:
     Interest and fees on real estate loans                            $16,652         $13,475         $12,011
     Interest and fees on other loans                                    4,200           3,842           3,620
     Interest and dividends on securities:
         Taxable                                                         5,597           6,798           7,270
         Tax-exempt                                                         49              51              54
     Interest on deposits in other banks                                 1,149             765             501
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total interest income                                          27,647          24,931          23,456
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest Expense:
     Interest on deposit accounts                                       13,583          12,831          12,703
     Interest on borrowings                                                942              26             304
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total interest expense                                         14,525          12,857          13,007
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net interest income                                                13,122          12,074          10,449
     Provision for loan losses                                             600             450             300
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Net interest income after provision for loan losses            12,522          11,624          10,149
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Income:
     Service charges and other income                                      955             719             602
     Gain on securities transactions, net                                   94               1              56
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total other income                                              1,049             720             658
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating Expenses:
     Salaries and employee benefits                                      4,220           3,733           3,407
     Occupancy expense                                                     798             753             649
     FDIC insurance premium                                                 80             571             426
     Net cost of (income from) operation of other real estate               26              51            (140)
     Other operating expenses                                            2,340           2,315           2,251
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total operating expenses                                        7,464           7,423           6,593
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Income before income tax expense                                    6,107           4,921           4,214
     Income tax expense                                                  2,199           1,813           1,542
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                            $  3,908        $  3,108        $  2,672
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average number of shares outstanding:
     Basic                                                           2,349,191      2,242,258*      2,277,781*
     Diluted                                                         2,531,981      2,437,694*      2,453,221*
Net income per share:
     Basic                                                               $1.66          $1.39*          $1.17*
     Diluted                                                             $1.54          $1.27*          $1.09*
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

*These figures reflect the effect of the  three-for-two  stock split paid in the
form of a stock dividend on July 1, 1997.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

18
<PAGE>

          Consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity

                                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Fair value Unallocated                               
                                                                              adjustment      common                               
                                                                           of securities       stock                               
                                                    Additional                available-    acquired   Unearned                    
(Dollars in thousands,                       Common    paid-in    Retained     for-sale,      by the restricted  Treasury          
 except per share data)                  stock/(1)/    capital earnings/(1)/  net of tax        ESOP      stock     stock     Total
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>    
Balance, December 31, 1994                      $26    $10,599     $15,910       $(1,236)      $(257)       $--   $(1,602)  $23,440
Cash dividends declared and paid                                                                                                   
     ($0.35 per share)/(1)/                      --         --        (790)           --          --         --        --      (790)
Reduction of debt relating to the                                                                                                  
     Employee Stock Ownership Plan               --         --          --            --          51         --        --        51
Fair value adjustment of securities                                                                                                
     available-for-sale, net of tax              --         --          --         1,652          --         --        --     1,652
Net income                                       --         --       2,672            --          --         --        --     2,672
Issuance of 30,450 common treasury                                                                                                 
     shares for stock options/(1)/               --         (1)         --            --          --         --       151       150
Treasury stock acquired at cost                                                                                                    
     57,000 shares/(1)/                          --         --          --            --          --         --      (827)     (827)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995                       26     10,598      17,792           416        (206)        --    (2,278)   26,348
Cash dividends declared and paid                                                                                                   
     ($0.40 per share)/(1)/                      --         --        (893)           --          --         --        --      (893)
Reduction of debt relating to the                                                                                                  
     Employee Stock Ownership Plan               --         --          --            --          52         --        --        52
Fair value adjustment of securities                                                                                                
     available-for-sale, net of tax              --         --          --          (212)         --         --        --      (212)
Net Income                                       --         --       3,108            --          --         --        --     3,108
Issuance of 4,500 common treasury                                                                                                  
     shares for stock options/(1)/               --         (2)         --            --          --         --        30        28
Treasury stock acquired at cost-                                                                                                   
     159,114 shares/(1)/                         --         --          --            --          --         --    (2,300)   (2,300)
Issuance of 186,894 common treasury                                                                                                
     shares in connection with the Manville                                                                                        
     Savings' merger and acquisition/(1)/        --        569          --            --          --         --     1,568     2,137
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996                       26     11,165      20,007           204        (154)        --    (2,980)   28,268
Cash dividends declared and paid                                                                                                   
     ($0.47 per share)/(1)/                      --         --      (1,123)           --          --         --        --    (1,123)
Reduction of debt relating to the                                                                                                  
     Employee Stock Ownership Plan               --         --          --            --          51         --        --        51
Fair value adjustment of securities                                                                                                
     available-for-sale, net of tax              --         --          --           165          --         --        --       165
Net income                                       --         --       3,908            --          --         --        --     3,908
Issuance of 132,863 common treasury                                                                                                
     shares for stock options/(1)/               --         --        (659)           --          --         --     1,272       613
Treasury stock acquired, at cost --                                                                                                
     49,112 shares/(1)/                          --         --          --            --          --         --    (1,061)   (1,061)
Restricted stock award                           --        103          --            --          --       (276)      173        --
Restricted stock award amortization              --         --          --            --          --         46        --        46
Tax benefit for stock                                                                                                              
     related compensation                        --          7          --            --          --         --        --         7
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997                      $26    $11,275     $22,133          $369       $(103)     $(230)  $(2,596)  $30,874
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
/1/ As adjusted to reflect the effect of the  three-for-two  stock split paid in
    the form of a stock dividend on July 1, 1997.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

Consolidated statements of cash flows

                                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

(In thousands)
Year ended December 31,                                                                        1997            1996           1995
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                          <C>            <C>            <C> 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income                                                                                   $  3,908       $  3,108       $  2,672
Adjustments  to  reconcile   net  income  to  net  cash  Provided  by  operating
      activities:
         Increase in accrued interest receivable                                                 (123)           (88)           (28)
         Amortization, net, on securities                                                         154            149            238
         Provision for loan losses                                                                600            450            300
         Recovery of losses on real estate acquired by foreclosure                                 --             --           (218)
         Gain on net securities transactions                                                      (94)            (1)           (56)
         Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable                                           96             (2)           (13)
         Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses                                                   45             55           (476)
         Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses                                                  259           (170)           104
         Depreciation                                                                             372            378            354
         Deferred income taxes                                                                    124           (102)            76
         (Decrease) increase in income taxes payable                                              (47)           440            196
         Net (decrease) increase, other                                                           (14)         1,516           (632)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total cash provided by operating activities                                                5,280          5,733          2,517
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Proceeds from call and repayments of securities available-for-sale                             13,959         21,796          6,727
Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                             6,948             --             56
Proceeds from repayments of investment securities, net                                         10,522          9,394         11,676
Purchase of investment securities, net                                                             --             --         (1,442)
Purchase of securities available-for-sale                                                     (22,322)       (17,922)            --
Purchase of corporate-owned life insurance                                                     (7,200)            --             --
Redemption (purchase) of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock                                  --             99         (2,006)
Net disbursements for loans                                                                   (32,681)       (27,959)       (11,908)
Proceeds from disposal of other real estate                                                        17            171            626
Capital expenditures                                                                           (2,544)          (840)          (265)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities                                      (33,301)       (15,261)         3,464
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net increase(decrease) in demand deposits,
     money market accounts, NOW accounts, Prime
     Performance Accounts and savings accounts                                                 10,688         (4,672)        (7,717)
Net (decrease) increase in market-rate certificates                                            (4,782)         8,285         26,589
Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                                            613          2,027            150
Treasury stock acquired, at cost                                                               (1,061)        (2,300)          (827)
Proceeds from (repayments on) borrowings                                                       24,949            (52)           157
Dividends paid                                                                                 (1,123)          (893)          (790)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net cash provided by financing activities                                                 29,284          2,395         17,562
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                            1,263         (7,133)        23,543
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                                 32,753         39,886         16,343
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                                                     $ 34,016       $ 32,753       $ 39,886
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Interest paid                                                                                $ 14,429       $ 12,859       $ 13,020
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes paid                                                                            $  2,122       $  1,547       $  1,270
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mortgage loans originated to finance
     the disposal of real estate acquired by foreclosure                                     $     75       $   --         $    535
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment securities, net, transferred to securities available-for-sale                     $   --         $   --         $ 14,467
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loans acquired from Manville Savings' Merger and Acquisition                             $   --         $ 11,911       $   --
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deposits acquired from Manville Savings' Merger and Acquisition                          $   --         $ 12,532       $   --
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

20

<PAGE>

Notes to consolidated financial statements
                                            Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

NOTE 1 -- Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

BUSINESS:  The  Bank is in the  business  of  providing  financial  services  to
individuals and small businesses with specific emphasis on depository  services,
residential mortgage lending,  consumer loans, construction loans and commercial
loans  through seven branch  offices in Somerset and  Hunterdon  counties in New
Jersey. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions and
to the  regulations  of  certain  Federal  and New  Jersey  state  agencies  and
undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

BASIS  OF  FINANCIAL  STATEMENT  PRESENTATION:   The  accompanying  consolidated
financial  statements of Raritan  Bancorp Inc.  ("Corporation")  are prepared in
conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and  include  the
accounts of the Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Raritan Savings
Bank ("Bank"). All significant  intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated from the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In preparing
the  financial  statements,   management  is  required  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure of contingent  assets and  liabilities  as of the date of the balance
sheets and results of operations for the periods indicated. Actual results could
differ   significantly  from  those  estimates.   Material  estimates  that  are
particularly  susceptible to  significant  change in the near term relate to the
determination  of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of real estate
acquired by  foreclosure or in  satisfaction  of loans.  In connection  with the
determination of these  allowances,  management  generally  obtains  independent
appraisals.

CASH AND CASH  EQUIVALENTS:  For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash
equivalents  include  cash and amounts  due from banks and  federal  funds sold.
Generally, federal funds sold are sold for one-day periods.

SECURITIES  AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE AND INVESTMENT SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY,  NET:
The Corporation's  securities,  including  mortgage-backed  securities issued by
Federal agencies are classified as either  held-to-maturity,  available-for-sale
or trading. The Corporation  currently has no securities  classified as trading.
If management has the intent and the  Corporation has the ability at the time of
purchase to hold securities  until  maturity,  they are classified as investment
securities  held-to-maturity  and carried at amortized  historical cost adjusted
for  amortization  of  premiums  and  accretion  of  discounts,   utilizing  the
level-yield  method.  Unrealized  losses due to fluctuations in market value are
recognized as investment  security losses when a decline in value is assessed as
being other than temporary. Securities to be held for indefinite periods of time
and not intended to be held to maturity are classified as available-for-sale and
carried at fair value.  Unrealized  holding  gains and losses are excluded  from
earnings  and  reported  net  of  related  taxes  as  a  separate  component  of
shareholders'  equity until realized.  Securities  available-for-sale  are those
which  management  intends  to use as  part  of its  asset/liability  management
strategy  and  which may be sold in  response  to  changes  in  interest  rates,
resultant  prepayment  risk and  other  factors  related  to  interest  rate and
resultant prepayment risk. Gains and losses are recognized on a trade date basis
using the specific identification method.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES:  Real estate  related loans and other loans
are stated at their principal  amounts  outstanding.  Loan  origination fees and
certain  related  direct loan  origination  costs are deferred and  amortized to
interest income using the related loan's effective yield.

     A loan is considered  impaired  when,  based upon current  information  and
events,  it is probable  that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due
according to the contractual terms of the loan

                                                                              21
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


agreement.  Impaired  loans are measured  based on the present value of expected
future cash flows, or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market
price, or the fair value of the underlying collateral, if the loan is collateral
dependent. The Bank classifies all non-performing loans as impaired loans.
       The accrual of income on loans,  including  impaired  loans is  generally
discontinued and all interest income  previously  accrued and unpaid is deducted
from  income when a loan  becomes  more than  ninety  days  delinquent,  or when
certain factors indicate reasonable doubt as to the timely collectibility of all
amounts  due.  Generally,  loans  on  which  the  accrual  of  income  has  been
discontinued  are  designated  as  non-performing  loans,  and include all loans
classified as "impaired" loans. Generally, non-performing and impaired loans are
returned to an accrual status only when none of the principal or interest is due
and  unpaid  and the full  collectibility  of the  outstanding  loan  balance is
reasonably  assured.  Cash  receipts on  non-performing  and impaired  loans are
generally  applied to interest income when the loan balance is considered  fully
collectible.
       The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan
losses  charged to expense.  Loans are charged  against the  allowance  for loan
losses when management believes the collectibility of the principal is unlikely.
The allowance is an amount that  management  believes will be adequate to absorb
possible   losses  on  existing  loans  that  may  become   uncollectible.   The
determination  of the  balance of the  allowance  for loan losses is based on an
analysis  of the loan  portfolio,  economic  conditions,  historical  loan  loss
experience,  the borrower's ability to repay, collateral value and other factors
that warrant  recognition in providing an adequate  allowance.  While management
uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions may be
necessary  based  on  changes  in  economic  conditions.  In  addition,  various
regulatory  agencies,   as  an  integral  part  of  their  examination  process,
periodically  review the Corporation's  allowance for loan losses. Such agencies
may require the  Corporation  to recognize  additions to the allowance  based on
their  judgments  of  information  available  to  them  at  the  time  of  their
examination.

BANKING  PREMISES  AND  EQUIPMENT:  Land  is  carried  at  cost,  buildings  and
improvements,  leasehold improvements and furniture,  fixtures and equipment are
carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation
on buildings and  improvements  is provided for using the  straight-line  method
over estimated useful lives of 5 to 50 years.  The Bank  depreciates  furniture,
fixtures and equipment using the  straight-line  method over the estimated lives
of 3 to 25 years.  Leasehold  improvements  are  amortized  over the term of the
lease or useful life, whichever is less.

FEDERAL  HOME LOAN BANK OF NEW YORK  STOCK:  This stock is carried at cost.  The
Bank is required to maintain such  investment  as part of its  membership in the
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

INCOME TAXES:  The Corporation  files a consolidated  Federal income tax return.
Certain items of income and expenses are  recognized  in a different  period for
financial reporting purposes than for income tax purposes. Separate state income
tax returns are filed by the Corporation and the Bank.

       Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  recognized  for the  future
consequences   attributable  to  differences  between  the  financial  statement
carrying  amounts of existing assets and  liabilities  and their  respective tax
bases,  as well as operating  loss and tax credit carry  forwards.  Deferred tax
assets are recognized for future deductible  temporary  differences and tax loss
and  credit  carryforwards  if their  realization  is "more  likely  than  not."
Deferred  tax  assets and  liabilities  are  measured  using  enacted  tax rates
expected  to apply to  taxable  income  in the  years in which  those  temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax
assets and  liabilities  of a change in tax rate is  recognized in income in the
period that includes the enactment date.

       The Parent  Company's  income taxes, as reflected in the Parent Company's
Statements of Income, represent the taxes allocated to the Parent Company on the
basis of its contribution to consolidated income.

RETIREMENT  BENEFITS:  The Bank  maintains  a  noncontributory  defined  benefit
pension plan which covers all employees who have met eligibility requirements of
the  Plan.  It is the  Bank's  policy  to fund the plan  sufficient  to meet the
minimum  funding  requirements  set  forth  in the  Employee  Retirement  Income
Security  Act of 1974.  In  addition,  the Bank  provides  health  care and life
insurance benefits for qualifying employees.

22
<PAGE>

Notes continued            Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value
of Financial  Instruments," requires entities to disclose fair value information
on financial instruments.  The disclosure includes both on and off balance sheet
financial  instruments.  Fair value estimates are based on quoted market prices,
discounting  scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated
market  discount  rates,  or other methods as  appropriate.  These estimates are
subjective in nature and involve  uncertainties and matters of judgment and as a
result cannot be considered as the actual value of the  Corporation.  Changes in
assumptions  used in determining fair value of the financial  instruments  could
significantly alter the estimates.
       The following  assumptions were used by the Corporation in estimating the
fair value of financial instruments.

  CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, AND FEDERAL FUNDS SOLD: The carrying amount
  approximates fair value.

  INVESTMENT  SECURITIES,  NET AND  SECURITIES  AVAILABLE-FOR-  SALE:  For these
  securities, fair values are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes.

  LOANS:  Fair value is  estimated  for  portfolios  of loans with  similar loan
  characteristics.  The fair value for certain  residential  mortgage  loans and
  consumer  loans are based on quoted  market  prices for  securities  backed by
  similar loans adjusted for differences in loan characteristics. The fair value
  for  commercial   mortgage  and  construction   type  loans  is  estimated  by
  discounting  cash flows using  current  interest  rates for loans with similar
  characteristics.

  DEPOSIT LIABILITIES:  The fair value of regular checking, NOW accounts,  money
  market deposit accounts,  Prime  Performance  Accounts and regular savings and
  club accounts is the same as the carrying amount  reported.  The fair value of
  market-rate  certificates is calculated using the discounted cash flow method.
  The  discount  rate used was the current rate offered by the Bank for deposits
  with similar remaining maturities.

  BORROWINGS:  Borrowings  consist  of  debt  relating  to  the  Employee  Stock
  Ownership Plan ("ESOP"),  advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York
  and borrowings  under repurchase  agreements.  The fair value of borrowings is
  calculated  using the discounted cash flow method.  The discount rate used was
  the  current  rate  paid by the Bank for  borrowings  with  similar  remaining
  maturities.

  COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT AND PERFORMANCE  STANDBY  LETTERS OF CREDIT:  The
  fair value of  commitments  is  estimated  using fees  currently  charged  for
  similar  agreements,  based on the remaining  term of the  commitment  and the
  present  credit  quality  rating of the  counterparty.  The fair  value of the
  performance  standby letters of credit is based on fees currently  charged for
  similar  agreements or on estimated  costs to terminate  them or to settle the
  obligations with the  counterparties  at the reporting date. The fair value of
  commitments  to extend credit and  performance  standby  letters of credit are
  immaterial at December 31, 1997 and 1996.

NET INCOME PER SHARE:  Effective December 31, 1997, the Corporation  adopted the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per
Share." All prior  period share  amounts have been  restated to conform with the
provisions  of  this  statement.  In  addition,  all  share  amounts  have  been
retroactively  adjusted  for the impact of  subsequent  stock splits paid in the
form of stock  dividends.  Basic net income per share is  calculated by dividing
net income by the  weighted-average  number of common shares  outstanding during
the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by
the   weighted-average   number   of   common   shares   outstanding   plus  the
weighted-average  number of net shares  that would be issued  upon  exercise  of
stock options  pursuant to the treasury  stock method.  Options in the amount of
182,790,  195,436  and  175,440,  for  1997,  1996 and 1995,  respectively,  are
included in the diluted weighted-average shares outstanding.

                                                                              23
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


RECLASSIFICATION: Certain amounts in the financial statements presented for
prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the 1997 presentation.

NOTE 2 -- CASH AND DUE FROM BANK

       The Bank is required to maintain a cash  reserve  balance  based upon its
deposits in  accordance  with  banking  regulations.  The average  amount of the
reserve  for the years  ended  December  31,  1997 and 1996  were  approximately
$1,527,000 and $1,458,000, respectively.

NOTE 3 -- SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE AND INVESTMENT SECURITIES, NET

       The  amortized  cost of  securities  and their  estimated  fair  value at
December 31, 1997, were as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                         Gross          Gross
                                                     Amortized      Unrealized     Unrealized       Estimated
(In thousands)                                            Cost           Gains         Losses      Fair Value
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>            <C>           <C> 
Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
   of U.S. government agencies                         $10,157           $  41        $   (1)         $10,197
Obligations of states and political subdivisions           695              52             --             747
Equity securities                                          129             129             --             258
Mortgage-backed securities issued by Federal agencies   37,390             384           (25)          37,749
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       $48,371           $ 606        $  (26)         $48,951
=============================================================================================================
Investment securities held-to-maturity, net:
Mortgage-backed securities issued by Federal agencies  $41,307           $  15        $ (403)         $40,919
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

       In December 1995, the  Corporation  adopted  Special Report No. 155-B, "A
Guide to Implementation  of Statement 115 on Accounting for Certain  Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities - Questions and Answers,"  (Special Report) issued
by the Financial Accounting Standards Board staff.
       In accordance  with the Special Report,  the Corporation  made a one-time
transfer of investment  securities,  net, with an amortized  cost and unrealized
gain   of   $14.5   million   and   $268,000,    respectively,   to   securities
available-for-sale.
       The  amortized  cost of  securities  and their  estimated  fair  value at
December 31, 1996, were as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                         Gross           Gross
                                                     Amortized      Unrealized      Unrealized       Estimated
(In thousands)                                            Cost           Gains          Losses      Fair Value
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>  
Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
   of U.S. government agencies                         $17,130           $  48          $ (35)         $17,143
Obligations of states and political subdivisions           710              38              --             748
Equity securities                                          129              41              --             170
Mortgage-backed securities issued by Federal agencies   28,959             396           (163)          29,192
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       $46,928           $ 523          $(198)         $47,253
==============================================================================================================
Investment securities held-to-maturity, net:
Mortgage-backed securities issued by Federal agencies  $51,919           $  22          $(739)         $51,202
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

       The carrying value of investment  securities pledged as required security
for public funds and deposits  amounted to $1,003,000 and $1,002,000 at December
31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
       During 1997, the  Corporation  sold  securities  which were classified as
available-for-sale  in the amount of $6,948,000  at a gross gain of $78,000.  In
addition,   securities   classified  as  available-for-sale  in  the  amount  of
$6,013,000 were called at a gross gain of $16,000.
       During 1996, a security classified as available-for-sale  was called at a
gross gain of $1,000.
       During 1995, an equity security previously  written-off was redeemed at a
gain of $56,000.

24
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

       The  scheduled  maturities  of  debt  securities  available-for-sale  and
investment  securities  held-to-maturity  net, at  December  31,  1997,  were as
follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                              Securities              Investment Securities
                                                          Available-for-Sale           Held-to-Maturity Net
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Amortized       Estimated       Amortized       Estimated
(In thousands)                                            Cost      Fair Value            Cost      Fair Value
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>               <C>          <C>   
Due in one year or less                                $ 5,196         $ 5,200        $    --          $    --
Due after one year through five years                    4,961           4,997             --               --
Due after ten years                                        695             747             --               --
Mortgage-backed securities issued by federal agencies   37,390          37,749         41,307           40,919
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       $48,242         $48,693        $41,307          $40,919
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE> 
       The  scheduled  maturities  of  debt  securities  available-for-sale  and
investment  securities  held-to-maturity  net,  at  December  31,  1996  were as
follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                              Securities              Investment Securities
                                                          Available-for-Sale           Held-to-Maturity Net
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Amortized       Estimated       Amortized       Estimated
(In thousands)                                            Cost      Fair Value            Cost      Fair Value
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>   
Due in one year or less                                $ 3,008         $ 2,996        $    --          $    --
Due after one year through five years                   12,138          12,151             --               --
Due after five years through ten years                   1,984           1,996             --               --
Due after ten years                                        710             748             --               --
Mortgage-backed securities issued by federal agencies   28,959          29,192          51,919          51,202
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       $46,799         $47,083         $51,919         $51,202
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

NOTE      4 -- LOANS AND  ALLOWANCE  FOR LOAN  LOSSES  Loans are  summarized  as
          follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                    December 31,
                                                    ----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997                            1996
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                            <C> 
Real estate:
     Mortgage                                         $246,438                       $216,946
     Construction                                        8,695                         11,019
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       255,133                        227,965
Consumer and other loans                                 7,235                          3,532
Commercial loans                                         5,396                          3,977
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      $267,764                       $235,474
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

       Loans to directors and principal  officers and their affiliates which are
made in the ordinary course of business, and on substantially the same terms and
rates as loans  to  other  persons,  aggregated  $5,958,000  and  $4,339,000  at
December  31,  1997  and  1996,  respectively.  Activity  during  1997  included
principal repayments of $605,000 and new disbursements of $2,224,000.

                                                                              25
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


       The activity in the allowance for loan losses follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                   Year ended December 31,
                                                  -------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997            1996            1995
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>             <C> 
Balance at beginning of year                            $2,965          $2,582          $2,729
Provision charged to operations                            600             450             300
Manville Savings' acquisition                               --             303              --
Charge-offs                                               (410)           (380)           (465)
Recoveries                                                 150              10              18
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year                                  $3,305          $2,965          $2,582
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

       Non-performing loans (over 90 days delinquent),  and real estate acquired
by  foreclosure  (included in Other Assets)  totaled  $945,000 and $1,420,000 at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                  December 31, 1997
                                                  -------------------------------------------------
                                                        Number                          Amount
                                                      Of Loans                  (In thousands)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                       <C> 
First mortgage loans                                         6                            $569
Second mortgage loan                                         1                              54
Consumer loan                                                1                              11
Loans with modified terms                                    2                             177
Matured loan                                                 1                              94
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total non-performing loans                                  11                             905
Real Estate Acquired by Foreclosure
   (included in Other Assets)                                1                              40
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            12                            $945
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                  December 31, 1996
                                                  -------------------------------------------------
                                                        Number                          Amount
                                                      Of Loans                  (In thousands)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                       <C> 
First mortgage loans                                         4                          $  576
Home equity loans                                            2                             115
Second mortgage loan                                         1                              47
Commercial loans                                             2                             326
Loans with modified terms                                    3                             253
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total non-performing loans                                  12                           1,317
Real Estate Acquired by Foreclosure
   (included in Other Assets)                                1                             103
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            13                          $1,420
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
       The loss of interest on loans  charged-off,  non-performing  loans,  real
estate  acquired by  foreclosure,  non-accrual  loans and impaired loans totaled
approximately  $94,000,  $142,000 and $224,000 for the years ended  December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
       The Corporation had impaired loans of $905,000 and $1,317,000 at December
31, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The Corporation  calculated a total allowance
for  impaired  loans of $157,000  and  $112,000  at December  31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Impaired loans averaged $1,344,000, $1,681,000, and $1,382,000 for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  Interest income
of $75,000, $29,000 and $17,000 was recognized, all on a cash basis, on impaired
loans for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

      The Bank is not committed to lend additional  funds on loans with modified
terms or non-performing loans.

26
<PAGE>


Notes continued                              Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


NOTE 5 -- BANKING PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     A summary of the net  carrying  value of  banking  premises  and  equipment
follows:
                                  December 31,
                                                  ------------------------------
(In thousands)                                          1997               1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land                                                  $  776             $  764
Buildings and improvements                             2,429              2,404
Furniture, fixtures and equipment                      3,050              2,226
Leasehold improvements                                 2,363                996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       8,618              6,390
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization         2,757              2,701
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      $5,861             $3,689
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Depreciation  and  amortization  expense  charged to  operations  totaled
$372,000, $378,000 and $354,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

NOTE 6 -- Other Assets
       Other assets are summarized as follows:
                                  December 31,
                                                 -------------------------------
(In thousands)                                          1997               1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real estate acquired by foreclosure                   $   40             $  103
Deferred tax assets, net                                 538                750
Unamortized premium paid-RTC                             431                547
Corporate-owned life insurance                         7,393                 --
Prepaid expenses                                         339                479
All other                                                295              1,176
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      $9,036             $3,055
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 7 -- DUE TO DEPOSITORS
       The details of deposit balances are as follows:
                                                             December 31,
                                                 -------------------------------
(In thousands)                                          1997               1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regular and business checking                       $ 24,365           $ 21,609
NOW accounts                                          22,948             22,374
Money market deposit accounts                         11,972             16,958
Prime Performance accounts                            70,289             51,541
Regular savings and club accounts                     43,214             49,618
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     172,788            162,100
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market-rate certificates:
7-31 day                                               4,105              6,078
6 month                                               33,868             36,439
9 month                                               27,492             26,775
12 month                                              31,960             33,395
24 month                                               8,381              8,722
Other certificates                                    15,303             15,719
IRA and KEOGH accounts                                43,187             41,950
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     164,296            169,078
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    $337,084           $331,178
================================================================================


                                                                            27  
<PAGE>


notes continued                              Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary




Market-rate  certificates  $100,000 and over totaled $18,355,000 and $16,499,000
at December 31, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Interest  expense on  market-rate
certificates  $100,000 and over totaled $861,000,  $700,000 and $589,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

At December 31, 1997, the scheduled  maturities of market-rate  certificates are
as follows:
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)           1998                                         $125,327
                         1999                                           20,548
                         2000                                           10,338
                         2001                                            4,485
                         2002 and thereafter                             3,598
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      $164,296
================================================================================


NOTE 8 -- INCOME TAXES
       The following is a summary of income tax expense, for the years ended 
December 31:
(In thousands)                                  1997         1996          1995
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxes estimated to be payable currently:
   Federal                                    $1,905       $1,759        $1,343
   State                                         170          156           123
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Subtotal                              2,075        1,915         1,466
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred taxes (benefit):
   Federal                                       117         (94)            68
   State                                           7          (8)             8
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Subtotal                                124        (102)            76
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax expense                      $2,199      $1,813         $1,542
================================================================================


       Total income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1997,  1996 and
1995, differed from the amounts calculated by applying the expected U.S. Federal
Income tax rate of 34% to pre-tax income as a result of the following:

(In thousands)                                 1997        1996           1995
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income tax expense              $6,107      $4,921         $4,214
Statutory income tax rate                        34%         34%            34%
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               2,076       1,673          1,433
Tax-exempt interest income                       (16)        (17)           (18)
State income taxes, net of Federal income 
   tax benefit                                   117          98             86
Change in the beginning-of-the-year balance
   of the valuation allowance allocated to
   income tax expense                             --          55             36
Other                                             22           4              5
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense                            $2,199      $1,813         $1,542
================================================================================



28
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


       The  significant  components  of the deferred  income taxes for the years
ended  December 31, 1997,  1996 and 1995 were the result of changes in temporary
differences  between tax and financial reporting purposes and the changes in the
beginning-of-the-year balance of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                      December 31,
                                                        --------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997              1996         1995
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>               <C>           <C>   
Deferred tax expense (benefit) (exclusive of the effect
   of the other component listed below)                   $124             $(157)         $40
Increase in the beginning-of-the-year balance of the
   valuation allowance for deferred tax assets              --                55           36
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          $124             $(102)         $76
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

       The tax effects of temporary  differences  that give rise to  significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31,
1997 and 1996 follow:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                    December 31,
                                                        --------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997                           1996
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                            <C>    
Deferred tax assets:
   Unearned income                                       $  --                          $  84
   Nonaccrual interest                                      12                              9
   Allowance for losses                                  1,189                          1,070
   Accrued expenses                                        537                            557
   Other                                                    34                             47
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax assets                          1,772                          1,767
Less valuation allowance                                  (584)                          (584)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets,
   net of valuation allowance                            1,188                          1,183
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
   Unamortized core deposit premium paid                   116                            152
   Unearned Income                                         107                             --
   Depreciation                                             28                             28
   Fair value adjustment of securities
     available-for-sale                                    208                            120
   Other                                                   191                            133
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total other gross deferred tax liabilities            650                            433
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net deferred tax assets                                $538                           $750
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

         Included in the above table is the recognition of temporary differences
relating to the unrealized gains and losses on certain debt securities accounted
for under SFAS  No.115 for which no  deferred  tax was  recognized  through  the
Consolidated Statements of Income.

                                                                              29
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


       Except  for the  effects  of the  reversal  of net  deductible  temporary
differences,  the  Corporation is not currently aware of any factors which would
cause any significant  differences between taxable income and pretax book income
in future  years.  However,  there can be no  assurances  that  there will be no
significant  differences  in the future  between  taxable income and pretax book
income if circumstances change (such as, for example, changes in tax laws or the
Corporation's  financial  condition or performance).  Management  believes it is
more  likely  than not that the  Corporation  will  realize  the  benefit of net
deferred tax assets based upon  recoverable  taxes in the  carryback  period and
projected  levels  of pretax  income,  and that  such net  deductible  temporary
differences  will reverse during periods in which the Corporation  generates net
taxable income.
       Based  upon  1996  Federal  tax  law  changes,  thrift  institutions  are
generally  required to recapture into income the portion of its bad debt reserve
(other than supplemental reserve) that exceeds its base year (December 31, 1987)
reserves. The recapture amount generally will be taken into income ratably (on a
straight-line basis) over a six-year period. Under a small thrift exception, the
Corporation's  tax  reserves  for bad debts  equaled  its  allowable  experience
reserve method and therefore, the Corporation will have no recapture.
       The   Corporation   has  not  recognized  a  deferred  tax  liability  of
approximately $746,000 for bad debt reserves for tax purposes which arose in tax
years  beginning  before  December  31, 1987 (i.e.,  base year).  A deferred tax
liability will be recognized if the Corporation  expects that charges to the bad
debt  reserves,  other  than the losses on loans or  recomputations  of bad debt
deductions resulting from operating loss carrybacks to prior years, would result
in taxable income.  The Corporation  does not anticipate any such recognition in
the foreseeable future.


NOTE 9 -- BENEFIT PLANS
       The Bank has a noncontributory  defined benefit pension plan covering all
eligible  full-time  employees.  Benefits  are based upon  years of service  and
compensation.  It is the Bank's  policy to fund the plan  sufficient to meet the
minimum  funding  requirements  set  forth  in the  Employee  Retirement  Income
Security Act of 1974.
       The  following  table  sets forth the plan's  funded  status and  amounts
recognized in the consolidated financial statements:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                    December 31,
                                                       ------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997                            1996
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>                             <C> 
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
Accumulated benefit obligation, including vested
  benefits of $1,933 in 1997 and $1,561 in 1996        $(1,958)                        $(1,656)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation for service
  rendered to date                                     $(2,494)                        $(2,198)
Plan assets at fair value, primarily debt and
  equity securities                                      3,100                           2,549
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation      606                             351
Transition amount from initial application                  (3)                             (5)
Unrecognized loss                                         (687)                           (363)
Unrecognized past service benefit                          (77)                            (87)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acrrued pension expense included
  in other liabilities                                   $(161)                          $(104)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

30
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

     The following  table sets forth the  components of net pension  expense for
the years ended shown:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                               Year ended December 31,
                                                     -----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997            1996            1995
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>             <C> 
Net pension expense includes the following components:
Service cost-benefits earned during the period           $ 126          $   93          $   95
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation              163             153             139
Deferred investment gain/loss                              373              --              --
Return on plan assets                                     (577)           (331)           (429)
Net amortization and deferral                              (28)            142             274
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension expense included in
   salaries and employee benefits                       $   57          $   57          $   79
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

     The primary  assumptions used for calculating  year-end  actuarial  present
value of benefit obligations were:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                               Year ended December 31,
                                                     -----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997            1996            1995
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>            <C> 
Weighted average discount rates used to determine the
   projected benefit obligation                          7.25%            7.75%           7.50%
Rates of increase in future salary levels                5.00             5.50            5.50

       In addition, the assumptions used for calculating net pension expense for
the years ended shown were:
</TABLE> 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                           For the year ended December 31,
                                                     -----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997            1996            1995
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>             <C> 
Weighted average discount rates used to determine the
     projected benefit obligation                        7.75%            7.50%           8.25%
Rates of increase in future salary levels                5.50             5.50            6.00
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets        8.00             8.00            8.00

</TABLE> 

       Under an employer sponsored plan, the Corporation provides certain health
care and life insurance  benefits for retired employees and certain  dependents.
All of the  Corporation's  employees are eligible for such benefits at age sixty
with  fifteen  years  service or rule of 75 with twenty  years of  service.  The
participant, in most cases, will be required to contribute a portion of the cost
of the premium for the benefits.  The medical  plans pay a stated  percentage of
most  medical  expenses  reduced  for  any  deductibles  and  payments  made  by
government programs, based on years of service.
         The following table sets forth the components of  postretirement  costs
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                            For the year ended December 31,
                                                       ------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997            1996            1995
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>             <C> 
Service cost                                               $13             $13             $16
Interest cost                                               16              14              15
Amortization of unrecognized gain                           (7)             (9)             (7)
Amortization of unrecognized prior
   service costs                                             1               1               --
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic postretirement
   benefit cost                                            $23             $19             $24
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

                                                                              31
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

     The  status  of the  post-retirement  plan at  December  31,  1997 and 1996
follows:

                                  December 31,
                                                      --------------------------
(In thousands)                                            1997            1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation:
    Retirees                                              $(46)           $(25)
    Active plan participants and certain dependents       (206)           (172)
Fair value of assets                                        --              --
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of assets in excess (less than) accumulated
   post-retirement benefit obligation                     (252)           (197)
Unrecognized gain                                         (118)           (154)
Service cost                                                10              10
Interest cost                                               --              --
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued post-retirement benefit cost                     $(360)          $(341)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       For  measuring  the  expected  post-retirement  benefit  obligation,  the
Corporation  assumed a 7.5% rate of  increase  in the per capita  claims cost in
1998 and assumed that rate would  decrease  linearly  over a ten-year  period to
5.0% and remain at that level  thereafter.  The  weighted-average  discount rate
used in determining the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was 7.25%
in 1997 and 7.75% in 1996.

       If the health care cost trend were increased one percent, the accumulated
post-retirement  benefit obligation as of December 31, l997 would have increased
by approximately  $49,800.  The effect of the change on the aggregate of service
and interest cost for 1997 would be an increase of approximately $6,500.

       As further  discussed  in Note 12,  the Bank  sponsors  an ESOP  covering
employees with a minimum of 1,000 hours of service per year. The ESOP,  which is
a tax qualified  employee benefit plan,  became effective upon conversion of the
Bank in May 1987,  and provides  retirement  benefits  for the  employees of the
Bank.

Activity in the ESOP follows:

Number of shares held by the ESOP at December 31, 1994                 204,477
Distributions to former employees                                       (7,626)
Purchase of shares funded by excess liquidity in the ESOP                4,924
Purchase of shares funded by a $100,000 contribution
   from the Bank                                                         6,746
Number of shares held by the ESOP at December 31, 1995                 208,521
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions to former employees                                         (810)
Purchase of shares funded by excess liquidity in the ESOP                5,124
Purchase of shares funded by a $175,000 contribution
   from the Bank                                                        12,843
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares held by the ESOP at December 31, 1996                 225,678
Distribution to former employees                                       (14,057)
Purchase of shares funded by excess liquidity in the ESOP                5,542
Purchase of shares funded by a $100,000 contribution
   from the Bank                                                         3,814
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares held by the ESOP at December 31, 1997                 220,977
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above  shares  reflect the  three-for-two  stock split paid in the form of a
stock dividend on July 1, 1997.

       At December  31, 1997,  approximately  188,500  shares were  allocated to
participants, approximately 16,200 were committed to be released during 1998 and
approximately 16,300 shares were unallocated and secured the ESOP borrowing.

32
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

       The Bank  maintains  a 401(k)  Savings  Plan  which is  available  to all
full-time employees who have completed one year of service and have attained the
age of 21.

       Under the plan,  eligible  employees  may elect to have the Bank withhold
between  one  percent  and ten  percent of their  base  salary  through  payroll
deductions  and  contribute  that amount to the plan as a savings  contribution.
Participants  will receive an employer  matching  contribution of fifty percent.
The money  contributed  is invested at the  employees'  direction  by the plan's
trustees. Employees are fully vested in this plan on their third employment date
anniversary with the Bank.

       401(k) expenses totaled $103,000, $91,000 and $79,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and are included in Salaries and
Employee Benefits in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.


NOTE 10 -- STOCK OPTION PLANS

       At December 31,  1997,  the  Corporation  had four option plans which are
described below.  All amounts  presented below reflect the  three-for-two  stock
split  paid in the form of a stock  dividend  on July 1,  1997.  Under  the 1992
Directors'  Plan, the  Corporation  may grant options to its Directors for up to
67,500  shares of common  stock.  Under  the 1987 and 1992  Officers'  Incentive
Plans,  the Corporation may grant options to purchase 177,750 and 157,500 shares
of common stock, respectively.  Under the 1997 Long-Term Incentive Stock Benefit
Plan,  the  Corporation  may  grant  options  and  awards to its  Directors  and
Officers,  for up to 27,000 and 225,000  shares of common  stock,  respectively.
Under the plans,  the exercise  price of each option  equals the market price of
the  Corporation's  stock on the date of grant,  and an option's maximum term is
ten years.  Options  granted to  directors  vest  immediately  at date of grant.
Options to officers  vest ratably  over a three-year  period from date of grant.
Stock  awards are  determined  by a  Committee  of the Board of  Directors.  The
Corporation  has elected to continue  to account  for  stock-based  compensation
under APB Opinion No. 25,  "Accounting  for Stock  Issued to  Employees"  and to
provide pro forma  disclosures  of net income and  earnings  per share as if the
Corporation  had adopted the fair value based method of accounting in accordance
with SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation." Had compensation
cost for the  Corporation's  stock option plans been determined  consistent with
SFAS No. 123, the  Corporation's  net income and net income per share would have
been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below.

(In thousands, except per share data)                        1997          1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                      As Reported                $3,908        $3,108
                                Pro Forma                   3,856         3,060
Net income per share (basic)    As Reported                  1.66          1.39
                                Pro Forma                    1.64          1.37
Net income per share (diluted)  As Reported                  1.54          1.27
                                Pro Forma                    1.52          1.26
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   The fair value of each option  grant is  estimated on the date of grant using
the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model  with the  following  weighted-average
assumptions  used for grants in 1997 and 1996:  dividend  yield of 3%;  expected
volatility of 20%;  risk-free  interest  rates equal to the five-year CMT on the
date of each option grant; and expected lives of five years.

                                                                              33
<PAGE>

Notes continued                              Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

       A summary of the status of the  Corporation's  four  fixed  stock  option
plans as of December 31, 1997,  1996 and 1995 and changes during the years ended
on those dates are presented below:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                         1997                      1996                      1995
                                   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Weighted                  Weighted                  Weighted
                                                   Average                   Average                   Average
                                                  Exercise                  Exercise                  Exercise
Fixed Options                         Options        Price      Options        Price      Options        Price
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
<S>                                   <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>     
Outstanding at beginning of year      351,787      $  6.27      345,037      $  6.01      379,237        $5.93
Granted                                63,150        19.41       11,250        14.08           --           --
Exercised                            (132,863)        4.60       (4,500)        6.22      (30,450)        4.95
Forfeited                                  --           --           --           --       (3,750)        6.22
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
Outstanding at end of year            282,074       $10.00      351,787      $  6.27      345,037        $6.01
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
Options exercisable at year-end       239,174                   351,787
Weighted-average fair value of
     options granted during the year   $ 4.14                     $4.23
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
</TABLE> 
       The  following  table  summarizes  information  about fixed stock options
outstanding at December 31, 1997:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                        Options Outstanding                       Options Exercisable
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
                                Number    Weighted-average                                   Number
       Range of            Outstanding           Remaining    Weighted-average       Exercisable at   Weighted-average
Exercise Prices   at December 31, 1997    Contractual Life      Exercise Price    December 31, 1997     Exercise Price
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>                     <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C> 
$4.67 to $5.00                  27,674           1.3 years               $4.88               27,674              $4.68 
 6.22 to 10.33                 180,000           5.2                      7.18              180,000               7.18 
14.08 to 15.33                  52,800           8.9                     15.06               27,500              14.82 
         27.25                  21,600          10.0                     27.25                4,000              27.25  
               -----------------------                                            -----------------                      
                               282,074                                                      239,174
               -----------------------                                            -----------------
</TABLE> 

       In 1997,  18,000 shares of  restricted  stock were awarded under the 1997
Long-Term  Incentive  Stock  Benefit Plan with a grant date fair value of $15.33
per share. At December 31, 1997  restricted  stock awards totaled 18,000 shares,
of which 3,000  shares were  vested.  These shares vest ratably over a period of
six years. Total expense applicable to the stock award was $46,000 in 1997.

NOTE 11 -- SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
       In connection  with the conversion of the Bank from a mutual savings bank
to a capital  stock savings bank,  the Bank  established a liquidation  account.
This liquidation  account will be maintained for the benefit of eligible account
holders  who  continue  to  maintain  their  accounts  in  the  Bank  after  the
conversion.  The liquidation account will be reduced annually to the extent that
the eligible  account holders have reduced their eligible  deposits.  Subsequent
increases  will  not  restore  an  eligible  account  holder's  interest  in the
liquidation  account.  In the event of a  complete  liquidation,  each  eligible
account holder will be entitled to receive a distribution  from the  liquidation
account in a  proportionate  amount to the  current  adjusted  eligible  account
balances  they held.  At December  31,  1997,  the  balance in this  liquidation
account was approximately $558,000.

       In conjunction  with the merger and acquisition of Manville Savings with,
and into the Bank,  a separate  liquidation  account  was also  established.  At
December 31, 1997,  the balance in this  liquidation  account was  approximately
$154,000.

34
<PAGE>

Notes continued                             Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

NOTE 12 -- BORROWINGS

       Borrowings are summarized as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                            December 31,
                                                                     -----------------------------------------------        
(In thousands)                                                                      1997                   1996
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
<S>                                                                              <C>                    <C> 
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Advances:
     Interest rate based on LIBOR:5.656%;
        matures on March 6, 1998                                                 $10,000                   $ --
     Fixed interest rate:
        5.86%; matures on August 21, 1998                                         10,000                     --
        6.875%; matured on January 2, 1997                                            --                 10,000
Securities   sold   under   agreements   to   repurchase:    Collateralized   by
     mortgage-backed  securities  issued by  Federal  agencies  with a  carrying
     value,  including  accrued interest  receivable of $16,908;  fixed interest
     rate: 5.84%; matures on September 25, 2002; callable on September 25, 2000,
     or on its quarterly anniversary thereafter.                                  15,000                     --
ESOP debt                                                                            103                    154
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
                                                                                 $35,103                $10,154
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
</TABLE> 
       At December 31, 1997, the Bank had an available  line of credit  totaling
$35.4 million at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

       The  Corporation  may enter into  sales of  securities  under  repurchase
agreements.  Such  agreements are treated as financings  and the  obligations to
repurchase  the  same  securities  sold  are  reflected  as a  liability  in the
Consolidated  Balance  Sheet.  The dollar  amount of securities  underlying  the
agreements are book entry securities.

       At December 31,  1997,  agreements  outstanding  to  repurchase  the same
securities  totaled  $15,000,000.  There were no such agreements  outstanding at
December 31, 1996.

       Agreements to repurchase the same securities  averaged  $4,027,000 during
the year ended  December 31,  1997.  There were no such  agreements  outstanding
during the year ended December 31, 1996.  The maximum amount  outstanding at any
month-end  under such  agreements  during the year ended  December  31, 1997 was
$15,000,000.  Accrued  interest  payable  totaled $15,000 and $0 at December 31,
1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The average  interest rate on such agreements was
5.84% for the year ended December 31, 1997.

       During  August  1992,  the  ESOP  borrowed  $360,000  from  an  unrelated
financial  institution to purchase 56,841 shares of the Corporation's  stock, as
adjusted for the three-for-two  stock split paid in the form of a stock dividend
on July 1, 1997.

       The ESOP borrowing is summarized as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                            December 31,
                                                                     -----------------------------------------------        
                                                                                    1997                   1996
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
<S>                                                                             <C>                    <C> 
Original principal: $360,000; matures on
   August 25, 1999; interest rate: 10.00% and
   9.75% at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
   respectively, equals the lending financial
   Institution's prime rate plus 1.50%                                          $103,000               $154,000
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
                                                                                $103,000               $154,000
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
</TABLE> 

                                                                              35
<PAGE>

Notes continued                              Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


       As principal  payments are made by the ESOP, the corresponding  liability
will be reduced and shareholders'  equity will be increased.  Principal payments
totaled $51,000 in 1997. Future principal payments are scheduled as follows:

1998                                                               $  51,000
1999                                                                  52,000
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $ 103,000
================================================================================

       The ESOP was established effective January 1, 1987 in connection with the
Bank's  reorganization to stock form. The ESOP is a leverage plan,  meaning that
the ESOP Trust borrowed  funds to purchase  shares of the  Corporation's  common
stock for the ESOP.  As the ESOP loan is repaid,  shares are  released  from the
unallocated stock fund to be allocated to participants of the ESOP over the term
of  the  ESOP  loan.  In  addition,  the  Corporation  and  the  bank  can  make
discretionary  contributions  to the  ESOP.  The  ESOP  uses  the  discretionary
contributions to purchase shares of the Corporation's  common stock and allocate
the shares to the participants.
       The allocation to participant's  accounts are based on each participant's
compensation  during the calendar year. All employees of the Corporation and its
affiliates  who are age 21 and over,  and have completed one year of service are
eligible to participate and have at least 1,000 hours of service per year.
       Dividends on shares of allocated and unallocated stock are held in a cash
investment fund on behalf of the participants.  However, the Corporation has the
discretion to (i) distribute  such dividends  directly to the  participants;  or
(ii) to make payments on the ESOP loan and have additional  shares  allocated to
participants'  accounts.   Additional  shares  are  allocated  to  participants'
accounts as a result of the repayment of the ESOP loan.
       As the ESOP loan is repaid and shares are released  from the  unallocated
stock fund, the Corporation records  compensation expense equal to the amount of
the principal reduction.  In addition, the Corporation also records compensation
expense  in the  amount  of any  discretionary  contribution  made to the  ESOP.
Dividends on all ESOP shares are charged to retained earnings.
       The  Corporation  recorded  an ESOP  compensation  expense  of  $129,000,
$306,000 and $117,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995  respectively,  and are included in
Salaries and Employee  Benefits in the accompanying  Consolidated  Statements of
Income.


NOTE 13 -- FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

       The estimated fair values of the Corporation's  financial  instruments at
December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             December 31, 1997               December 31, 1996
                                                     -------------------------        ----------------------------
                                                      Carrying            Fair        Carrying            Fair
(In thousands)                                           Value           Value           Value           Value
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Financial assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                          $ 34,016        $ 34,016        $ 32,753        $ 32,753
   Securities available-for-sale                        48,951          48,951          47,253          47,253
   Investment securities, net                           41,307          40,919          51,919          51,202
   Loans, net of unearned income                       267,700         272,041         235,070         236,265
   Less:  Allowance for loan losses                     (3,305)             --          (2,965)             --
   Net loans                                           264,395         272,041         232,105         236,265
Federal Home Loan Bank
   of New York Stock                                     2,672           2,672           2,672           2,672

Financial liabilities:
   Deposits                                            337,084         337,657         331,178         331,777
   Borrowings                                           35,103          36,034          10,154          10,154
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE>

Notes continued                              Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


NOTE 14 -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
       The Bank is a party to financial instruments with  off-balance-sheet risk
in the normal course of business to meet the financing  needs of its  customers.
These  instruments  expose  the Bank to  credit  risk in  excess  of the  amount
recognized in the balance sheet.
       The Bank's exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the
other party to the  financial  instrument  for  commitments  to extend credit is
represented by the contractual  amount of those  instruments.  The Bank uses the
same credit policies in making  commitments  and  conditional  obligations as it
does for  on-balance-sheet  instruments.  Total credit exposure related to these
items at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is summarized below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Contractual Amount
                                                                                         December 31,
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                                                 1997                    1996
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>                      <C>
Mortgage loan commitments (primarily variable rate)                         $ 8,910                 $ 6,916
Unused portion of commercial lines of credit and
   undisbursed portion of construction loans                                 26,973                  23,993
Unused portion of home equity lines of credit                                 9,042                   9,320
Performance standby letters of credit                                         1,683                   2,048
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            $46,608                 $42,277
=================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

       Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long
as  there  is no  violation  of  any  condition  established  in  the  contract.
Commitments  generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination  clauses
and may require  payment of a fee. The Bank  evaluates  each  customer's  credit
worthiness on a case-by-case  basis. The amount of collateral obtained if deemed
necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit is based on  management's  credit
evaluation of the counterpart Collateral held is generally real estate.
       Performance standby letters of credit are conditional  commitments issued
by the Bank to  guarantee  the  performance  of an act of a customer  to a third
party.  The most common purpose is to guarantee  completion of sitework within a
housing tract.
       Interest  rates on the above  commitments  are  primarily  of a  variable
nature.
       In the normal  course of business,  there are  outstanding  various legal
proceedings and claims which are not included in the  accompanying  consolidated
financial  statements.  In the opinion of  management,  the financial  position,
liquidity and results of operations  of the  Corporation  will not be materially
affected by the outcome of such legal proceedings and claims.


NOTE 15 -- CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
       The Corporation grants residential, consumer, construction and commercial
loans  secured  generally  by real  estate to  customers  located  primarily  in
Somerset and Hunterdon Counties, New Jersey and nearby communities. In addition,
parcels of real estate acquired by foreclosure and under foreclosure are located
in the same market area. Accordingly, as with most financial institutions in the
market area, the ultimate  collectibility  of a substantial  portion of the loan
portfolio  and  recoverability  of  real  estate  acquired  by  foreclosure  are
susceptible to changes in market conditions in these areas.

                                                                              37
<PAGE>

Notes continued                              Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


NOTE 16 -- LONG-TERM LEASES
       The future minimum rental  commitments  required under  operating  leases
that have initial or remaining  non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year
are as follows:

                                                                      Minimum
                  Year ended December 31,                        Rent Expense
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                  (In thousands)
                  1998                                                 $  625
                  1999                                                    634
                  2000                                                    642
                  2001                                                    597
                  2002                                                    525
                  Thereafter                                            2,873
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       $5,896
                  ==============================================================

       Rent expense  included in occupancy  expense for the years ended December
31,  1997,   1996  and  1995  amounted  to  $290,000,   $226,000  and  $177,000,
respectively.


NOTE 17 -- DIVIDENDS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS
       Subject to applicable  law, the Board of Directors of the Bank and of the
Corporation may each provide for the payment of dividends.
       The Bank will not be permitted to pay  dividends on its capital  stock if
its retained earnings would thereby be reduced below the amount required for the
liquidation accounts established at the time of its conversion to stock form and
the  issuance  of  stock  resulting  from  the  Manville   Savings'  merger  and
acquisition,  or  applicable  regulatory  capital  requirements.  New Jersey law
provides  that no  dividend  may be  paid  unless,  after  the  payment  of such
dividend, the capital stock of the Bank will not be impaired and either the Bank
will have a statutory  surplus of not less than 50% of its capital  stock or the
payment of such dividend will not reduce the statutory  surplus of the Bank. The
Bank has  designated a capital  surplus of $2.0 million,  which is not available
for the payment of dividends.
       During the years ended  December  31, 1997,  1996 and 1995,  the Board of
Directors  of the  Corporation  declared  cash  dividends  totaling  $1,123,000,
$893,000 and $790,000, respectively.


NOTE 18 -- CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
       The Federal  Reserve Board in the case of bank holding  companies such as
the Corporation,  and the FDIC in the case of state banks such as the Bank, have
adopted  risk-based  capital  guidelines  which require a minimum ratio of 8% of
total risk-based  capital to assets, as defined in the guidelines.  At least one
half of the total  capital,  or 4%, is to be  comprised  of  common  equity  and
qualifying  perpetual  preferred  stock,  less  deductible  intangibles  (Tier 1
capital).
       In addition,  the Federal  Reserve  Board and the FDIC  supplemented  the
risk-based  capital  guidelines with an additional  capital ratio referred to as
the leverage ratio or core capital ratio.  The  regulations  require a financial
institution to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4% to 5%, depending upon the
condition of the institution.
       Under its prompt corrective action  regulations,  the FDIC is required to
take certain supervisory actions (and may take additional discretionary actions)
with  respect to an  undercapitalized  institution.  Such  actions  could have a
direct  material  effect  on  the  institution's   financial   statements.   The
regulations   establish  a  framework  for  the   classification  of  depository
institutions  into five categories:  well capitalized,  adequately  capitalized,
undercapitalized,     significantly     undercapitalized,     and     critically
undercapitalized. Generally, an institution is considered well capitalized if it
has a leverage  ratio of at least 5.0%; a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6.0%;
and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.00%.

38
<PAGE>

Notes continued                              Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary


       The foregoing  capital ratios are based in part on specific  quantitative
measures  of  assets,   liabilities  and  certain  off-balance  sheet  items  as
calculated  under   regulatory   accounting   practices.   Capital  amounts  and
classifications   are  subject  to  qualitative   judgments  by  the  regulatory
authorities about capital components, risk weightings and other factors.
       Management  believes that, as of December 31, 1997, the  Corporation  and
the Bank meet all  capital  adequacy  requirements  to which  they are  subject.
Further,  the  most  recent  FDIC  notification  characterized  the  Bank  as  a
well-capitalized  institution under the prompt  corrective  action  regulations.
There have been no conditions or events since that  notification that management
believes have changed the Corporation's or Bank's capital classification.

The following is a summary of the  Corporation's  and the Bank's actual  capital
amounts and ratios as of December 31, 1997 and 1996  compared to the  regulatory
authorities'   minimum  capital  adequacy   requirements  and  requirements  for
classification as a well capitalized institution:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Regulatory Requirements
                                     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Minimum            For Classification
                                                 Actual              Capital Adequacy        As Well Capitalized
                                     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Amount       Ratio        Amount       Ratio       Amount      Ratio
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>
The Corporation:
December 31, 1997
Leverage (Tier 1) capital                $29,657      7.330%       $16,184       4.00%      $20,230      5.00%
Risk-based capital:
Tier 1                                    29,657     12.255          9,680       4.00        14,520      6.00
Total                                     32,685     13.507         19,359       8.00        24,199     10.00

December 31, 1996
Leverage (Tier 1) capital                 26,767       7.440        14,391       4.00        17,989      5.00
Risk-based capital:
Tier 1                                    26,767      12.834         8,343       4.00        12,514      6.00
Total                                     29,378      14.086        16,685       8.00        20,856     10.00

The Bank:
December 31, 1997
Leverage (Tier 1) capital                 29,605       7.319        16,180       4.00        20,225      5.00
Risk-based capital:
Tier 1                                    29,605      12.235         9,679       4.00        14,519      6.00
Total                                     32,633      13.486        19,358       8.00        24,198     10.00

December 31, 1996
Leverage (Tier 1) capital                 26,764       7.440        14,389       4.00        17,987      5.00
Risk-based capital:
Tier 1                                    26,764      12.833         8,342       4.00        12,513      6.00
Total                                     29,375      14.085        16,684       8.00        20,855     10.00
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                                                              39
<PAGE>

Notes continued                              Raritan Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiary

NOTE 19 -- RECAPITALIZATION OF SAVINGS ASSOCIATION INSURANCE FUND ("SAIF")

       On September 30, 1996, legislation was enacted which, among other things,
imposed  a special  one-time  assessment  on SAIF  insured  deposits,  including
approximately  $83.0 million in "Oakar" and "Sasser"  deposits held by the Bank,
to  recapitalize  the SAIF and spread the  obligations  for payment of Financing
Corporation  ("FICO")  bonds  across all SAIF and Bank  Insurance  Fund  ("BIF")
members. The FDIC special assessment being levied amount to 65.7 basis points on
SAIF  assessable  deposits held as of March 31, 1995. The Bank recorded a charge
of  $436,000  before  tax-effect,  as a result of the special  assessment.  This
legislation eliminated the substantial disparity between the amount that BIF and
SAIF member institutions had been paying for deposit insurance premiums.


NOTE 20 -- ACQUISITION AND MERGER OF MANVILLE SAVINGS BANK, SLA

       Effective August 1, 1996, the Manville Savings Bank, SLA was merged with,
and  into,  the Bank  pursuant  to a merger  agreement.  As part of the  merger,
186,894 (as  adjusted  for the  three-for-two  stock split paid in the form of a
stock dividend on July 1, 1997),  common shares of the Corporation  were issued.
Proceeds from the issuance of these shares totaled $2.0 million. The transaction
was accounted for using the purchase  method of  accounting.  Negative  goodwill
totaling  $746,000 was recorded and is being accreted to income over a period of
five years  using the  straight-line  method.  Net loans and  deposits  acquired
totaled $11.9 million and $12.5 million;  respectively.  The  acquisition had an
immaterial impact on the Corporation's results of operations.


NOTE 21 -- RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

       Statement  of  Financial   Accounting   Standards  No.  130.   "Reporting
Comprehensive  Income" ("Statement 130") was issued in June, 1997. Statement 130
establishes  standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its
components  in a  full  set  of  general  purpose  financial  statements.  Under
Statement  130,  comprehensive  income  is  divided  into net  income  and other
comprehensive  income.  Other  comprehensive  income  includes items  previously
recorded  directly in equity,  such as unrealized  gains or losses on securities
available-for-sale.  Statement 130 is effective  for interim and annual  periods
beginning after December 15, 1997. Comparative financial statements provided for
earlier periods are required to be  reclassified  to reflect  application of the
provisions of the Statement.

       Statement of Financial Accounting  Standards No. 131,  "Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information"  ("Statement 131") was issued
June,  1997.  Statement 131  establishes  standards for the way public  business
enterprises  are to  report  information  about  operating  segments  in  annual
financial statements and requires those enterprises to report selected financial
information   about  operating   segments  in  interim   financial   reports  to
shareholders.  Statement 131 is effective for financial  statements  for periods
beginning after December 15, 1997.


NOTE 22 -- RARITAN BANCORP INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

       Raritan  Bancorp Inc.  operates a  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  The Raritan
Savings Bank. The earnings of the Bank are recognized by the  Corporation  using
the equity method of accounting.  Accordingly, earnings of the Bank are recorded
as increases in the  Corporation's  investment and any dividends are recorded as
dividend  income from the Bank.  For  purposes  of  reporting  cash flows,  cash
includes  cash due from  bank.  Condensed  financial  statements  of the  Parent
Company only follow:


40
<PAGE>

Raritan Bancorp Inc.
Parent Company Only
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS                                                                                 December 31,
                                                                                                ---------------------------   
(In thousands)                                                                                        1997            1996
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                                <C>             <C> 
Assets:
     Cash                                                                                          $    38         $    14
     Investment in subsidiary Bank                                                                  30,823          28,265
     Other assets                                                                                       23               1
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   $30,884         $28,280
===========================================================================================================================
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
     Accrued expenses                                                                              $    10         $    12
     Shareholders' equity                                                                           30,874          28,268
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   $30,884         $ 28,280
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                                                                             Year ended December 31,
                                                                             ----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                                                       1997             1996            1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income:
     Dividend income                                                               $1,610           $2,485          $1,480
Expenses                                                                               65               16              16
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    1,545            2,469           1,464
Income tax benefit                                                                    (22)              (5)             (5)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before equity in undistributed
     earnings of subsidiary                                                         1,567            2,474           1,469
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary                                      2,341              634           1,203
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                                         $3,908           $3,108          $2,672
===========================================================================================================================

<CAPTION> 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                                                                           Year ended December 31,
                                                                              ---------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                                                       1997             1996            1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>             <C>          
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
     Dividends received from the Bank                                             $ 1,610          $ 2,485         $ 1,480
     Expenses paid by cash                                                            (22)             (16)            (15)
     Income taxes reimbursed by Bank                                                    7                6               4
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                           1,595            2,475           1,469
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
     Additional investment in subsidiary                                               --           (1,339)             --
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities                                                  --           (1,339)             --
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
     Issuance of common stock                                                         613            2,027             150
     Treasury stock acquired at cost                                               (1,061)          (2,300)           (827)
     Dividends paid                                                                (1,123)            (893)           (790)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities                                              (1,571)          (1,166)         (1,467)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in cash                                                                   24              (30)              2
Cash at beginning of year                                                              14               44              42
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash at end of year                                                               $    38          $    14         $    44
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
A  reconciliation  of net income to net cash  provided by  operating  activities
follows:
                                                                                           Year ended December 31,
                                                                               --------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                                                       1997             1996            1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>               <C>            <C>  
Net income                                                                        $ 3,908           $3,108         $ 2,672
Adjustments   to  reconcile  net  income  to  net  cash  provided  by  operating
activities:
     Decrease in accrued expenses                                                      (2)              (1)             (1)
     Decrease in income taxes receivable                                               30                2               1
     Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary                                (2,341)            (634)         (1,203)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total adjustments                                                             (2,313)            (633)         (1,203)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                         $ 1,595           $2,475         $ 1,469
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>

Independent auditors' report



To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Raritan Bancorp Inc.

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

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

       In our opinion,  the consolidated  financial statements referred to above
present  fairly,  in all material  respects,  the financial  position of Raritan
Bancorp  Inc.  and  subsidiary  at December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the results of
their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the years in the  three-year
period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted  accounting
principles.


    /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

       Short Hills, New Jersey
       January 16, 1998



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