CATHAY BANCORP INC
8-K, 1996-06-07
STATE 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


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


                                  May 30, 1996
                -------------------------------------------------
                (Date of Report; Date of Earliest Event Reported)


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


Delaware                            0-18630                           95-4274680
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State of incorporation)           (Commission               (IRS Employer
                                    File Number)             Identification No.)


777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California                                90012
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices                                Zip Code)


                                 (213) 625-4700
              ---------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including Area Code)


                                 Not Applicable
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)







This report consists of 69 pages. The Exhibit Index is located at page 4.



<PAGE>




       Items 1-4.         Not Applicable.

       Item 5.            Other Events.

                          Pursuant to Form 8-K,  General  Instructions F,
                          Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the
                          press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.

       Item 6.            Not Applicable.

       Item 7.            Financial Statements and Other Exhibits.

                          Exhibit No.           Description
                          -----------           -----------
                          Exhibit 2             Agreement and Plan of Merger
                                                among Cathay Bancorp, Inc.,
                                                Cathay Bank and First Public
                                                Savings Bank, F.S.B. dated as
                                                of May 30, 1996

                          Exhibit 99            Press release of Cathay
                                                Bancorp, Inc. dated May 30,
                                                1996

       Item 8.             Not Applicable


<PAGE>




                                    SIGNATURE

       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.


Dated: May 30, 1996

                                CATHAY BANCORP, INC.



                                By:       Dunson K. Cheng
                                   ---------------------------------------
                                       Dunson K. Cheng, President and
                                       Chairman of the Board of Directors



<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


              Exhibit No.                      Description
              -----------                      -----------
              Exhibit 2                        Agreement and Plan of Merger
                                               among Cathay Bancorp, Inc.,
                                               Cathay Bank and First Public
                                               Savings Bank, F.S.B. dated as
                                               of May 30, 1996

              Exhibit 99                       Press release of Cathay
                                               Bancorp, Inc. dated May 30,
                                               1996






                                    EXHIBIT 2












                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER





                                      among

                              CATHAY BANCORP, INC.,

                                   CATHAY BANK

                                       and

                        FIRST PUBLIC SAVINGS BANK, F.S.B.


















                            dated as of May 30, 1996



<PAGE>

<TABLE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                                                        ----
<S>                                                                                                                       <C>
I.     THE MERGER........................................................................................................  1
       1.1    Merger Agreement...........................................................................................  1
       1.2    Consideration..............................................................................................  1
       1.3    Dissenters.................................................................................................  9
       1.4    Return of Share Certificates.  ............................................................................  9
       1.5    No Liability.  ............................................................................................  9
       1.6    Withholding Rights.  ......................................................................................  9

II.    THE CLOSING.......................................................................................................  9
       2.1    Effective Time.............................................................................................  9
       2.2    Procedure..................................................................................................  9

III.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FPSB............................................................................ 10
       3.1    Due Organization........................................................................................... 10
       3.2    Binding Effect............................................................................................. 11
       3.3    Capitalization............................................................................................. 11
       3.4    Financial Statements and Reports........................................................................... 11
       3.5    Books and Records; Other Information....................................................................... 12
       3.6    Properties; Contracts...................................................................................... 12
       3.7    Compliance with Laws....................................................................................... 14
       3.8    Material Contract Defaults................................................................................. 15
       3.9    Absence of Certain Changes................................................................................. 15
       3.10   Litigation................................................................................................. 16
       3.11   Contingent Liabilities..................................................................................... 16
       3.12   Taxes...................................................................................................... 16
       3.13   Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA.............................................................................. 18
       3.14   Broker's and Finder's Fees................................................................................. 19
       3.15   Labor Relations............................................................................................ 19
       3.16   Registration Statement and Regulatory Applications......................................................... 19
       3.17   Insurance.................................................................................................. 20
       3.18   Employment and Similar Agreements; Obligations Upon Change in Control...................................... 20
       3.19   Hazardous Materials........................................................................................ 20
       3.20   Certain Interests.......................................................................................... 21
       3.21   Fairness Opinion........................................................................................... 21

IV.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BANCORP......................................................................... 21
       4.1    Organization............................................................................................... 21
       4.2    Binding Effect............................................................................................. 22
       4.3    Capitalization............................................................................................. 23
       4.4    Financial Statements and Reports........................................................................... 23
       4.5    Books and Records; Other Information....................................................................... 24
       4.6    Compliance with Laws....................................................................................... 24
       4.7    Material Contract Defaults................................................................................. 25
       4.8    Absence of Certain Changes................................................................................. 25
       4.9    Litigation................................................................................................. 25
       4.10   Contingent Liabilities..................................................................................... 26
       4.11   Taxes...................................................................................................... 26
       4.12   Registration Statement and Regulatory Applications......................................................... 27
       4.13   Hazardous Materials........................................................................................ 28


<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)
                                                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                                                        ----
       4.14   Materiality................................................................................................ 28

V.     COVENANTS OF FPSB AND BANCORP..................................................................................... 28
       5.1    Preparation of Registration Statement and Applications for Required Consents............................... 28
       5.2    Pursuit of Approvals....................................................................................... 29
       5.3    Other Consents............................................................................................. 30
       5.4    Activities Pending Closing................................................................................. 30
       5.5    Monterey Park Project...................................................................................... 32
       5.7    Confidentiality............................................................................................ 32
       5.8    Meeting of Shareholders.................................................................................... 33
       5.9    Compliance with Regulatory Authorities..................................................................... 33
       5.10   Bancorp Stock Listing...................................................................................... 33
       5.11   Notification............................................................................................... 33
       5.12   No Shopping................................................................................................ 34
       5.13   Future Information......................................................................................... 34
       5.14   Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance............................................................... 34
       5.15   Further Assurances......................................................................................... 34
       5.16   Affiliates................................................................................................. 34
       5.17   Benefit Plans.............................................................................................. 35
       5.18   Bancorp Stock.............................................................................................. 35
       5.19   Loan Loss Reserve.......................................................................................... 35

VI.    CONDITIONS TO CLOSING............................................................................................. 35
       6.1    Mutual Conditions to Parties' Obligation to Close.......................................................... 35
       6.2    Conditions to FPSB's Obligation to Close................................................................... 37
       6.3    Conditions to Bancorp's Obligation to Close................................................................ 38

VII.   INDEMNIFICATION................................................................................................... 40
       7.1    Indemnification of Bancorp Indemnitees..................................................................... 40
       7.2    Indemnification of ........................................................................................ 40
       7.3    Diminution................................................................................................. 41
       7.4    Indemnification Procedure for Third-Party Claims........................................................... 41
       7.5    Survival................................................................................................... 41

VIII.  TERMINATION....................................................................................................... 41
       8.1    Termination................................................................................................ 41
       8.2    Effect of Termination...................................................................................... 42

IX. MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................................................ 43
       9.1    Notices.................................................................................................... 43
       9.2    Governing Law.............................................................................................. 44
       9.3    Entire Agreement........................................................................................... 44
       9.4    Amendments and Waivers..................................................................................... 44
       9.5    Severability............................................................................................... 45
       9.6    Counterparts............................................................................................... 45
       9.7    Headings................................................................................................... 45
       9.8    Expenses................................................................................................... 45
       9.9    Certain Definitions........................................................................................ 45
       9.10   Attorneys' Fees............................................................................................ 46


<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)
                                                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                                                        ----
       9.11   Publicity.................................................................................................. 46
       9.12   Binding Effect............................................................................................. 46
       9.13   Third Party................................................................................................ 46
       9.14   Gender; Number............................................................................................. 46

</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

TERM                                                                      PAGE
- - ----                                                                      ----

Acquisition Proposal....................................................... 43
Additional Insureds........................................................ 34
Affiliate..................................................................  8
Agreement..................................................................  1
Bancorp....................................................................  1
Bancorp Indemnitees........................................................ 40
Bancorp Schedule........................................................... 21
Bancorp Stock..............................................................  1
Calculation Date Bancorp Stock Price.......................................  3
Cash Designees.............................................................  6
Cash Election Shares.......................................................  3
CIC........................................................................ 22
Closing....................................................................  9
Closing Date...............................................................  9
Code.......................................................................  1
Costs, fees and expenses................................................... 45
Dissenter..................................................................  9
Dissenting Share...........................................................  9
Effective Time.............................................................  9
Election Deadline..........................................................  4
Election Form..............................................................  3
Election Form Record Date..................................................  3
Employee Agreements........................................................ 20
ERISA...................................................................... 18
Excess Shares..............................................................  7
Exchange Act............................................................... 12
Exchange Agent.............................................................  3
FDIC....................................................................... 10
Financial Statements....................................................... 11
FPSB.......................................................................  1
FPSB Indemnitees........................................................... 40
FPSB Meeting Date.......................................................... 19
FPSB Schedule.............................................................. 10
FPSB Stock.................................................................  1
FPSC....................................................................... 10
FRB........................................................................ 24
Group...................................................................... 16
Hazardous Material......................................................... 20
Indemnitee................................................................. 41
Indemnitees................................................................ 41
Indemnitors................................................................ 41
Intellectual Property...................................................... 13
Losses..................................................................... 40
Mailing Date...............................................................  3
Material Adverse Effect.................................................... 45
Merger.....................................................................  1
Merger Agreement...........................................................  1
No Election Shares.........................................................  3
OTS........................................................................ 19


<PAGE>



Per Share Cash Consideration...............................................  3
Per Share Stock Consideration..............................................  3
Person..................................................................... 46
Plan....................................................................... 18
Plans...................................................................... 18
Prior acts................................................................. 34
Property................................................................... 20
Proration Allocation.......................................................  4
Prospectus/Proxy Statement................................................. 28
Registration Statement..................................................... 28
Regulatory Approvals....................................................... 29
Returns.................................................................... 17
SEC........................................................................ 23
Securities Act.............................................................  8
Shareholders...............................................................  1
Stock Designees............................................................  5
Stock Election Shares......................................................  3
Subsidiary................................................................. 46
Superintendent.............................................................  9
Taxes...................................................................... 16
Third-Party Claim.......................................................... 41
Total Cash Consideration...................................................  2
Total Consideration Value..................................................  2
Total Stock Consideration..................................................  2



<PAGE>



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



              THIS IS AN AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this  "Agreement")  dated
as of May 30, 1996 by and among CATHAY  BANCORP,  INC.,  a Delaware  corporation
("Bancorp"),  CATHAY BANK, a California state banking  corporation  ("CB"),  and
FIRST PUBLIC  SAVINGS BANK,  F.S.B.,  a United States federal stock savings bank
("FPSB").


                                    RECITALS


       A. The parties desire to effect a business  combination pursuant to which
FPSB will be merged  with and into CB,  CB shall be the  surviving  bank and the
shareholders  of  FPSB  (the  "Shareholders")  will  receive  the  consideration
provided  for herein (the  "Merger").  The Merger  shall be  accomplished  by an
agreement of merger which contains such provisions as are required by applicable
law and all regulatory  authorities  having  jurisdiction  over the transaction,
consistent with the terms specified herein.

       B.  The  parties   intend  that  for  federal  income  tax  purposes  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby will constitute a  reorganization  within the
meaning of Section 368 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended (the
"Code").

       C. The  Merger  requires  certain  board of  directors,  shareholder  and
regulatory approvals as described herein. The Merger will be effected only after
the necessary approvals have been obtained.

              Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:


I.     THE MERGER

       1.1 MERGER  AGREEMENT.  The terms of the Merger are set forth in a Merger
Agreement  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  A  (the  "Merger  Agreement").  At the
Effective Time (as defined in Section 2.2),  the Merger  Agreement will be filed
as provided in the Merger  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement will be consummated.  As provided in the Merger Agreement,  each share
of FPSB's common stock,  $1.00 par value per share ("FPSB  Stock"),  outstanding
immediately  before the Effective Time shall,  without any action on the part of
the holder  thereof,  be cancelled and  converted  into the right to receive the
cash and the number of shares of  Bancorp's  common  stock,  $0.01 par value per
share ("Bancorp Stock"), determined as provided in Section 1.2.

       1.2    CONSIDERATION.

              (a) Right to  Receive  Per  Share  Cash  Consideration.  As of the
Effective  Time, each share of FPSB Stock that is to be converted into the right
to receive  the Per Share Cash  Consideration  (as  defined in Section  1.2(d)),
excluding Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section 1.3), outstanding immediately
before the Effective Time shall,  by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of the holder hereof,


<PAGE>



be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Cash Consideration, subject
to Section 1.2(g).

              (b) Right to  Receive  Per Share  Stock  Consideration.  As of the
Effective  Time, each share of FPSB Stock that is to be converted into the right
to receive the Per Share  Stock  Consideration  (as defined in Section  1.2(e)),
excluding Dissenting Shares,  outstanding  immediately before the Effective Time
shall,  by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
thereof,   be  converted   into  the  right  to  receive  the  Per  Share  Stock
Consideration, subject to Section 1.2(g).

              (c)   Total Cash Consideration and Total Stock Consideration.

                    (i) If the Calculation  Date Bancorp Stock Price (as defined
              in Section 1.2(f)) is at least $14.00 but not greater than $20.00,
              the Total Cash Consideration shall be equal to $15,484,000 and the
              Total Stock  Consideration  shall be equal to the  quotient of (A)
              $16,116,000  divided by (B) the  Calculation  Date  Bancorp  Stock
              Price.   The  Total   Consideration   Value   shall  be  equal  to
              $31,600,000.

                    (ii) If the  Calculation  Date  Bancorp  Stock Price is less
              than $14.00, the Total  Consideration  Value shall be equal to the
              sum of (A) $15,484,000 plus (B) the Calculation Date Bancorp Stock
              Price multiplied by 1,151,143.  The Total Cash Consideration shall
              be equal to 49 percent of the Total Consideration Value. The Total
              Stock  Consideration  shall  be equal  to the  quotient  of (X) 51
              percent  of the  Total  Consideration  Value  divided  by (Y)  the
              Calculation Date Bancorp Stock Price.

                    (iii) If the Calculation Date Bancorp Stock Price is greater
              than $20.00 but not greater than $23.00,  the Total  Consideration
              Value  shall be equal to the sum of (A)  $15,484,000  plus (B) the
              Calculation  Date Bancorp Stock Price  multiplied by 805,800.  The
              Total Cash Consideration shall be equal to 49 percent of the Total
              Consideration  Value. The Total Stock Consideration shall be equal
              to the quotient of (X) 51 percent of the Total Consideration Value
              divided by (Y) the Calculation Date Bancorp Stock Price.

                    (iv) If the Calculation  Date Bancorp Stock Price is greater
              than  $23.00,  the  Total  Consideration  Value  shall be equal to
              $34,017,000.  The  Total  Cash  Consideration  shall  be  equal to
              $16,668,330  and the Total Stock  Consideration  shall be equal to
              the  quotient of (X)  $17,348,670  divided by (Y) the  Calculation
              Date Bancorp Stock Price.

                    (v) Total  Cash  Consideration  shall in no event  exceed 49
              percent of the Total Consideration Value.

                    (vi) The Total  Consideration  Value  will not be subject to
              adjustment or renegotiation as the result of any of the following:
              (A)  legislation  or  regulations   concerning  bad  debt  reserve
              recapture or federal deposit  insurance  assessments (with respect
              to either the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings

                                        2

<PAGE>



              Association  Insurance Fund) or exit fees; (B) the retirement plan
              for directors of FPSB  described in the FPSB Schedule  (defined in
              Article III);  or (C) the cash  dividends  expressly  permitted by
              Section 5.4(c).

              (d) Per Share Cash  Consideration.  Per Share  Cash  Consideration
shall be equal to the quotient of (i) Total Cash  Consideration  divided by (ii)
the sum of the total number of shares of FPSB Stock to be converted to the right
to receive cash as determined under Section 1.2(g) and Dissenting Shares.

              (e) Per Share Stock  Consideration.  Per Share Stock Consideration
shall be equal to the quotient of (i) Total Stock Consideration  divided by (ii)
the sum of the total number of shares of FPSB Stock to be converted to the right
to receive Bancorp Stock as determined under Section 1.2(g).

              (f) The  "Calculation  Date  Bancorp  Stock  Price"  shall  be the
quotient  of (i) the sum of each of the high and low  sales  prices  of  Bancorp
Stock as reported in The Wall Street  Journal as Nasdaq  National  Market System
transactions  on  each  of the  20  days  on  which  Bancorp  Stock  was  traded
immediately  before the date which is five business days before the Closing Date
divided  by (ii) 40.  In the event of any stock  dividend,  stock  distribution,
stock  split,  reverse  stock  split,   extraordinary  dividend  or  partial  or
liquidating  distribution  effected  with respect to Bancorp  Stock  between the
first  of such  trading  days  and the  Effective  Time,  appropriate  pro  rata
adjustments  will be made in the  foregoing  numbers.  Nothing in the  preceding
sentence  shall apply to any regular cash dividend  declared or paid during such
periods  provided no other cash  dividend has been  declared and paid during the
same calendar quarter.

              (g) Election  Procedures.  An election form and other  appropriate
and customary  transmittal materials (which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected,   and  risk  of  loss  and  title  to  the  certificates   theretofore
representing  shares of FPSB Stock shall pass, only upon proper delivery of such
certificates  to the agent  mutually  selected by Bancorp and FPSB to effect the
exchange of FPSB Stock for  Bancorp  Stock and cash (the  "Exchange  Agent")) in
such form as Bancorp and FPSB shall  mutually agree  ("Election  Form") shall be
mailed  to the  Shareholders  at the  same  time  as,  and  together  with,  the
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  or on such  other  date as FPSB and  Bancorp  shall
mutually agree ("Mailing Date") to each holder of record of FPSB Stock as of the
record date for the meeting of Shareholders ("Election Form Record Date").

              Each  Election  Form shall  permit  the holder (or the  beneficial
owner through appropriate and customary documentation and instructions) to elect
to receive only Bancorp  Stock with respect to such  holder's FPSB Stock ("Stock
Election  Shares"),  to elect to receive only cash with respect to such holder's
FPSB Stock  ("Cash  Election  Shares") or to indicate  that such holder makes no
election ("No Election Shares").

              The  Election  Form shall  further  permit  each  holder to make a
further election as to whether, if not all elections can be implemented

                                        3

<PAGE>



within the limitations set forth in Section 1.2(c),  such holder desires to have
the decision  made on the same basis as if such holder had made no election (and
such holder's shares were thus deemed No Election  Shares) or in accordance with
a "Proration Allocation" (as described in Section 1.2(g)(iv)).

              Any FPSB Stock with respect to which the holder (or the beneficial
owner,  as the case may be) shall not have  submitted to the  Exchange  Agent an
effective,  properly  completed  Election Form on or before 5:00 p.m. on the day
before the date of the meeting of  Shareholders  (or such other time and date as
Bancorp and FPSB may mutually  agree) (the  "Election  Deadline")  shall also be
deemed to be No Election Shares.

              Bancorp shall make  available one or more Election Forms as may be
reasonably requested by all persons who become holders (or beneficial owners) of
FPSB Stock  between the  Election  Form Record Date and close of business on the
business  day prior to the  Election  Deadline,  and FPSB  shall  provide to the
Exchange  Agent  all  information  reasonably  necessary  for it to  perform  as
specified herein.

              Any such  election  shall  have  been  properly  made  only if the
Exchange Agent shall have actually received a properly  completed  Election Form
by the Election  Deadline.  An Election Form shall be deemed properly  completed
only if accompanied  by one or more  certificates  (or customary  affidavits and
indemnification  regarding the loss or destruction of such  certificates  or the
guaranteed delivery of such certificates)  representing all shares of FPSB Stock
covered by such Election Form, together with duly executed transmittal materials
included in the Election  Form.  Any Election  Form may be revoked or changed by
the person  submitting such Election Form at or prior to the Election  Deadline.
If an Election  Form is revoked  prior to the Election  Deadline,  the shares of
FPSB Stock represented by such Election Form shall become No Election Shares and
Bancorp  shall  cause the  certificates  representing  FPSB Stock to be promptly
returned  without  charge to the  Shareholder  submitting the Election Form upon
written  request to that effect from the holder who submitted the Election Form.
Subject to the terms of this  Agreement and of the Election  Form,  the Exchange
Agent shall have  reasonable  discretion  to  determine  whether  any  election,
revocation  or  change  has  been  properly  or  timely  made  and to  disregard
immaterial  defects  in the  Election  Forms,  and any good faith  decisions  of
Bancorp regarding such matters shall be binding and conclusive.  Neither Bancorp
nor the Exchange Agent shall be under any obligation to notify any person of any
defect in an Election Form.

              As of or as soon as practicable after the Effective Time,  Bancorp
shall cause the  Exchange  Agent to effect the  allocation  among the holders of
FPSB  Stock  of  rights  to  receive  Bancorp  Stock  or cash in the  Merger  in
accordance with the Election Forms as follows:

                    (i) Stock Elections Less Than Total Stock Consideration.  If
              the number of shares of Bancorp  Stock that would be issued in the
              Merger upon  conversion of the Stock Election  Shares is less than
              the Total Stock Consideration, then:


                                        4

<PAGE>



                           (A)   all Stock Election Shares shall be converted
                    into the right to receive Bancorp Stock;

                           (B)  the  Exchange  Agent  shall  select,  by  random
                    selection,  first,  from among the  holders  of No  Election
                    Shares and then (if  necessary)  from among  holders of Cash
                    Election  shares who have not further  elected the Proration
                    Allocation,  a  sufficient  number of such  holders  ("Stock
                    Designees") until the number of shares of Bancorp Stock that
                    will  be  issued  in  the   Merger   equals  as  closely  as
                    practicable  the Total Stock  Consideration,  and all shares
                    held by the  Stock  Designees  shall be  converted  into the
                    right to receive Bancorp Stock,  provided that no particular
                    holder of Cash Election Shares shall be deemed to be a Stock
                    Designee if such designation  would prevent the satisfaction
                    of any of the conditions set forth in Article VI;

                           (C)  After  completion  of  the  foregoing  selection
                    process, the Cash Election Shares and No Election Shares not
                    held by Stock Designees shall be converted into the right to
                    receive  cash  unless the number of shares of Bancorp  Stock
                    that  will be issued  in the  Merger is still  less than the
                    Total Stock Consideration; and

                           (D) If the  number of shares of  Bancorp  Stock  that
                    will be  issued in the  Merger is less than the Total  Stock
                    Consideration   after  the   completion   of  the  foregoing
                    selection  process,  the holders of Cash Election Shares who
                    have further  elected the Proration  Allocation will receive
                    an amount of cash determined under Section 1.2(g)(iv).  Such
                    holders  shall also  receive the number of shares of Bancorp
                    Stock  equal to the  quotient of (1) the amount by which (a)
                    the product of the Per Share Cash  Consideration  multiplied
                    by  the  number  of  Cash  Election  Shares  as to  which  a
                    Proration  Allocation election has been made exceeds (b) the
                    cash to be  received  by such  holders,  divided  by (2) the
                    Calculation Date Bancorp Stock Price.

                    (ii) Stock Elections More Than Total Stock Consideration. If
              the number of shares of Bancorp  Stock that would be issued in the
              Merger upon  conversion  of the Stock  Election  Shares is greater
              than the Total Stock Consideration, then:

                           (A) all Cash Election  Shares shall be converted into
                    the right to receive cash;

                           (B)  the  Exchange  Agent  shall  select,  by  random
                    selection,  first from among the  holders of the No Election
                    Shares and then (if  necessary)  from among holders of Stock
                    Election  Shares who have not further  elected the Proration
                    Allocation,  a  sufficient  number  of such  holders  ("Cash
                    Designees")  until  the  amount of cash that will be paid to
                    Shareholders in the Merger equals as

                                        5

<PAGE>



                    closely as practicable the Total Cash Consideration, and all
                    shares held by the Cash  Designees  shall be converted  into
                    the  right to  receive  cash,  provided  that no  particular
                    holder of Stock Election Shares shall be deemed to be a Cash
                    Designee if such designation  would prevent the satisfaction
                    of any of the conditions set forth in Article VI;

                           (C)  After  completion  of  the  foregoing  selection
                    process,  the Stock Election  Shares and No Election  Shares
                    not held by Cash Designees shall be converted into the right
                    to receive Bancorp Stock unless the amount of cash that will
                    be paid to Shareholders in the Merger is still less than the
                    Total Cash Consideration; and

                           (D) If the  amount  of  cash  that  will  be  paid to
                    Shareholders  in the  Merger  is less  than the  Total  Cash
                    Consideration   after  the   completion   of  the  foregoing
                    selection process,  the holders of Stock Election Shares who
                    have further  elected the Proration  Allocation will receive
                    the  number of  shares of  Bancorp  Stock  determined  under
                    Section  1.2(g)(iv).  Such  holders  shall also  receive the
                    amount of cash  equal to the  product  of (1) the  amount by
                    which (a) the product of the Per Share  Stock  Consideration
                    multiplied  by the  number  of Stock  Election  Shares as to
                    which a Proration  Allocation  has been made exceeds (b) the
                    shares of  Bancorp  Stock to be  received  by such  holders,
                    multiplied by (2) the Calculation Date Bancorp Stock Price.

                    (iii) The random selection processes referred to above shall
              consist of such  selection  processes  as  Bancorp  and FPSB shall
              determine,  after consultation with the Exchange Agent, to be fair
              to the  holders of FPSB Stock in giving  each such holder an equal
              likelihood to be selected and practicable to implement.

                    (iv)  Proration  Allocation  as  referred  to  above in this
              Section  1.2  shall  be  effected  by the  Exchange  Agent  in the
              following manner:

                           (A) With respect to Section  2.1(g)(i),  the Exchange
                    Agent  shall   allocate   the  portion  of  the  Total  Cash
                    Consideration  payable hereunder among those holders of FPSB
                    Stock  who  have  elected  both to  receive  cash  and to be
                    subject to Proration  Allocation  by allocating to each such
                    Shareholder an amount equal to the Total Cash  Consideration
                    pursuant  to the  limitations  provided  for in Section  1.2
                    (after subtracting  amounts payable in respect of Dissenting
                    Shares  and  amounts  paid  in lieu  of  fractional  shares)
                    multiplied  by a  fraction,  the  numerator  of which is the
                    number of shares held by such holder as to which an election
                    to be subject to Proration  Allocation has been made and the
                    denominator  of which is the  total  number  of shares as to
                    which  Proration  Allocation has been elected by all holders
                    of FPSB Stock.

                                        6

<PAGE>




                           (B) With respect to Section 1.2(g)(ii),  the Exchange
                    Agent  shall   allocate  the  portion  of  the  Total  Stock
                    Consideration  payable hereunder among those holders of FPSB
                    Stock who have both elected to receive  Bancorp Stock and to
                    be subject to Proration  Allocation  by  allocating  to each
                    such   Shareholder  an  amount  equal  to  the  Total  Stock
                    Consideration  pursuant to the  limitations  provided for in
                    Section 1.2 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which
                    is the number of shares  held by such  holder as to which an
                    election to be subject to Proration Allocation has been made
                    and the  denominator  of which is the total number of shares
                    as to which  Proration  Allocation  has been  elected by all
                    holders of FPSB Stock.

                    (v)  Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Agreement,
              if the  application of the provisions of this Section 1.2(g) would
              result in any person receiving a number of shares of Bancorp Stock
              that would prevent the  satisfaction  of any of the conditions set
              forth in  Article  VI  hereof,  the  number  of  shares  otherwise
              allocable to such person  pursuant to this Section 1.2(g) shall be
              reduced by such number of shares (the "Excess Shares") as shall be
              necessary to enable the  satisfaction  of all such  conditions and
              cash  shall be paid to such  person in lieu  thereof  in an amount
              equal to the Per Share Cash Consideration for each such share. Any
              Excess  Shares  shall be  reallocated  to and among the  following
              categories of holders of FPSB Stock,  in the order and pursuant to
              the methods  indicated in the following  clauses of this sentence:
              (A) first,  by random  selection  from  among any  holders of FPSB
              Stock who made a Stock  Election,  but were initially  selected as
              Cash  Designees;  (B) second,  by random  selection from among the
              holders of No Election Shares who would otherwise receive cash for
              their  shares;  (C)  third,  by random  selection  from  among the
              holders  of Cash  Election  Shares who did not  further  elect the
              Proration  Allocation  method and who would otherwise receive cash
              for their  shares;  and (D) fourth,  any  remaining  Excess Shares
              shall be  apportioned  among those  holders of FPSB Stock who have
              elected  Proration  Allocation,  pro rata in  accordance  with the
              number of shares of FPSB  Stock  held by each,  with the amount of
              cash  otherwise  payable to such  holders as a result of Proration
              Allocation being correspondingly reduced.

              (h)  Promptly  after the  Effective  Time,  Bancorp and FPSB shall
cause the Exchange Agent to mail appropriate and customary transmittal materials
(which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title
to the certificates  theretofore  representing  shares of FPSB Stock shall pass,
only upon proper  delivery of such  certificates  to the Exchange  Agent) to the
Shareholders  of record who have not  previously  submitted  properly  completed
Election   Form   accompanied   by  all   certificates   or  other   appropriate
documentation. After completion of the allocation procedure set forth in Section
1.2(g),  each  holder of a  certificate  formerly  representing  FPSB  Stock who
surrenders or has surrendered

                                        7

<PAGE>



such certificate (or customary affidavits and indemnification regarding the loss
or destruction  of such  certificate),  together with duly executed  transmittal
materials  included in the  Election  Form,  to the Exchange  Agent shall,  upon
acceptance thereof, be entitled to a certificate  representing the Bancorp Stock
or cash into which the shares of FPSB stock shall have been  converted  pursuant
hereto.  Bancorp shall cause the Exchange Agent to accept such  certificate upon
compliance  with such  reasonable  and  customary  terms and  conditions  as the
Exchange  Agent may impose to effect an orderly  exchange  thereof in accordance
with normal practices. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 1.2(h),
each certificate  representing  FPSB Stock shall be deemed at any time after the
Effective  Time to evidence  only the right to receive upon such  surrender  the
consideration specified under this Section 1.2.

              (i) Upon the later occur of the Effective  Time and the completion
of the allocation procedure set forth in Section 1.2(g),  Bancorp shall issue to
the Exchange  Agent the number of shares of Bancorp Stock issuable in the Merger
and  the  amount  of  cash  payable  in  the  Merger;  provided,  however,  that
notwithstanding  any other provision of this Agreement,  Bancorp shall not issue
to the Exchange  Agent  Bancorp  Stock or cash payable with respect to shares of
FPSB Stock  unless and until share  certificates  and the  required  transmittal
materials  pursuant  to Section  1.2 have been  received  in proper  form by the
Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent shall not be entitled to vote or exercise any
rights of ownership  with respect to Bancorp  Stock held by it from time to time
hereunder,  except  that it  shall  receive  and  hold  all  dividends  or other
distributions paid or distributed with respect to such shares for the account of
the persons entitled thereto.

              (j) To the extent  provided by Section  1.2(g) of this  Agreement,
each holder of shares of FPSB Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective Time
also  shall  receive,   upon  surrender  of  the   certificate  or  certificates
representing such shares, cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Bancorp Stock
to which such holder would otherwise be entitled. Bancorp shall not be obligated
to  deliver  the  consideration  to which any  former  holder  of FPSB  Stock is
entitled as a result of the Merger until such holder  surrenders  that  holder's
certificate or  certificates  representing  shares of FPSB Stock for exchange as
provided in this Section 1.2. In addition, certificates surrendered for exchange
by any person constituting an "affiliate" of FPSB for purposes of Rule 145 under
the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the  "Securities  Act"),  shall not be
exchanged  for  certificates  representing  whole shares of Bancorp  Stock until
Bancorp has received a written agreement from such person as provided in Section
5.15. If any certificate for shares of Bancorp Stock, or any check  representing
cash or declared but unpaid dividends, is to be issued in a name other than that
in which a certificate  surrendered  for exchange is issued,  the certificate so
surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer
and the person requesting such exchange shall affix any requisite stock transfer
tax stamps to the certificate surrendered or provide funds for their purchase or
establish  to the  satisfaction  of the  Exchange  Agent that such taxes are not
payable.

                                        8

<PAGE>




       1.3 DISSENTERS. A "Dissenter" is a Shareholder who is entitled to dissent
from  corporate  action under 12 C.F.R.  Section  552.14 and who exercises  that
right when and in the manner required by that regulation. Each outstanding share
of FPSB  Stock  that is held by a  Dissenter  (a  "Dissenting  Share")  shall be
converted  into the right to  receive  payment  pursuant  to 12  C.F.R.  Section
552.14.

       1.4 RETURN OF SHARE  CERTIFICATES.  If this Agreement is terminated under
Article  VIII,  Bancorp  will cause the Exchange  Agent to use its  commercially
reasonable   efforts  to  effect  the  prompt   return  of  stock   certificates
representing  shares of FPSB Stock submitted with Election  Forms.  Certificates
representing shares of FPSB Stock held directly by holders of FPSB Stock will be
returned by registered mail. Bancorp will, and will cause the Exchange Agent to,
use its  commercially  reasonable  efforts to cooperate with FPSB and holders of
FPSB Stock to  facilitate  return of  certificates  representing  shares of FPSB
Stock  in  the  event  of  such  termination,  provided,  that  return  of  such
certificates  other than by  registered  mail will only be made at the  expense,
written  direction and risk of the applicable  holders of FPSB Stock and only if
such  holders  submit  at  the  time  of  the  Election   Deadline  a  pre-paid,
pre-addressed  courier  envelope  to be used for such  purpose  (except  if such
holders arrange to pick up their certificates in person).

       1.5 NO LIABILITY.  Neither Bancorp nor FPSB shall be liable to any holder
of shares of FPSB Stock for any such shares of Bancorp  Stock (or  dividends  or
distributions  with  respect  thereto) or cash  delivered  to a public  official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

       1.6 WITHHOLDING RIGHTS.  Bancorp and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled
to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this
Agreement  to any holder of shares of FPSB Stock such  amounts as Bancorp or the
Exchange  Agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of
such payment under the Code (as defined in Section 3.13(g)), or any provision of
state,  local or foreign tax law. To the extent that  amounts are so withheld by
Bancorp or the Exchange  Agent,  such withheld  amounts shall be treated for all
purposes  of this  Agreement  as having been paid to the holder of the shares of
FPSB  Stock in  respect  of which such  deduction  and  withholding  was made by
Bancorp or the Exchange Agent.


II.    THE CLOSING


       2.1  EFFECTIVE  TIME.  The closing (the  "Closing")  of the  transactions
contemplated  by this Agreement  shall take place on a date to which Bancorp and
FPSB  may  agree  (the  "Closing  Date"),  provided  that in the  absence  of an
agreement  by the  parties  to the  contrary  such  Closing  Date  shall  be the
fifteenth  business  day  after  the  latest  to  occur of  satisfaction  of the
conditions  to Closing set forth in Article VI (unless such  condition  has been
waived by the appropriate party).


                                        9

<PAGE>



       2.2 PROCEDURE.  On or before the Closing Date, the Merger Agreement shall
be executed and filed for approval with the California  Superintendent  of Banks
(the  "Superintendent") and then filed and certified by the California Secretary
of  State.  The  certified  Merger  Agreement  shall  then  be  filed  with  the
Superintendent.  The  date  and  time of such  filing  of the  certified  Merger
Agreement is referred to in this Agreement as the "Effective  Time." The Closing
shall be held at the offices of Heller,  Ehrman,  White &  McAuliffe,  601 South
Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California, or at such other place as to which the
parties shall agree.


III.          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FPSB


       FPSB makes the following  representations  and  warranties to Bancorp and
CB, except as otherwise disclosed to Bancorp and CB in a schedule dated the date
hereof and delivered by FPSB to Bancorp and CB  concurrently  with the execution
of this  Agreement,  which  schedule  in each  case  specifically  refers to the
section or sections of this  Agreement to which an exception  applies (the "FPSB
Schedule"):

       3.1    DUE ORGANIZATION.

              (a) FPSB is a United States federal  savings bank, duly organized,
validly  existing  and in good  standing  under the  federal  laws of the United
States of America. FPSB has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry
on its  businesses as now conducted and is qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation  and  is in  good  standing  in  each  jurisdiction  in  which  such
qualification  is necessary under  applicable law, except to the extent that the
failure  to have  such  power or  authority  or to be so  qualified  would  not,
individually or in the aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse Effect.  The deposit
accounts of FPSB are insured by the Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation (the
"FDIC") to the fullest extent  permitted under applicable law. FPSB has paid all
premiums and assessments  and filed all required  reports in connection with the
insurance of its deposits. FPSB is a member in good standing of the Federal Home
Loan Bank of San Francisco.

              (b)  FPSB  has  only  one  subsidiary,  F.P.  Service  Corporation
("FPSC"),  and has made  available to Bancorp  true and  complete  copies of the
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of FPSC. FPSC is authorized to issue 10,000
shares of common stock,  without par value,  all of which issued and outstanding
shares are owned  directly by FPSB,  free and clear of all  security  interests,
liens, charges and encumbrances. There are no other classes of capital stock of,
or equity or other  ownership  interests  in,  FPSC,  and none of the  shares of
common  stock  are held in  treasury.  FPSB has no  direct  or  indirect  equity
interest in any other firm, corporation,  partnership, joint venture or business
enterprise,  except as set forth in the FPSB Schedule. The ownership interest of
FPSB in FPSC is not subject to any legal,  contractual  or other  limitations or
restrictions.  There are no  outstanding  options,  warrants or other  rights to
subscribe  for or  purchase  from  FPSB or  FPSC,  or any  plans,  contracts  or
commitments

                                       10

<PAGE>



providing  for the issuance  of, or the  granting of rights to acquire,  (a) any
capital  stock  of or other  ownership  interest  in FPSC or (b) any  securities
convertible  into or  exchangeable  for any capital stock of or other  ownership
interest in FPSC.  All of the  outstanding  shares of the capital  stock of FPSC
have been validly  authorized and issued,  are fully paid and  nonassessable and
were not issued in violation of any preemptive  rights.  FPSC is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of California and functions
solely as the trustee under deeds of trust assigned as collateral to FPSB.  FPSC
has all  requisite  corporate  power  and  authority  to own or lease all of its
properties  and assets and to carry on its  business as now  conducted.  FPSC is
duly  licensed  or  qualified  to do  business  and is in good  standing in each
jurisdiction in which its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its
business requires such licensing or qualification and where the failure to be so
licensed,  qualified or in good standing would have a Material Adverse Effect on
the financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of FPSC.

       3.2  BINDING  EFFECT.  Subject  to  approval  of the  Shareholders,  this
Agreement has been duly and validly  authorized,  executed and delivered by FPSB
and constitutes the valid and binding  obligation of FPSB,  enforceable  against
FPSB in  accordance  with its terms,  except as may be  limited  by  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  moratorium,  reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of
creditors  generally,  by the  availability  of equitable  remedies,  and by the
discretion of the court or arbitrator  before whom a proceeding  may be brought.
Neither  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  by  FPSB,  nor  the
consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by it
with any of the  provisions  hereof will (a) conflict with or result in a breach
of any  provision  of  the  FPSB's  Federal  Stock  Charter  or  Bylaws,  or (b)
constitute  or result in the breach of any term,  condition or provision  of, or
constitute  a  default  under,  or  give  rise  to  any  right  of  termination,
cancellation or  acceleration  with respect to, or result in the creation of any
lien,  charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of FPSB pursuant to any
note, bond, mortgage,  indenture,  license, agreement, lease or other instrument
or  obligation  to which  FPSB is a party or by which any of its  properties  or
assets may be bound, except such notes, bonds, mortgages,  indentures, licenses,
agreements,  leases and other  instruments or obligations the violation of which
would not have,  individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or
(iii) violate any order, writ, injunction,  judgment,  decree,  statute, rule or
regulation  applicable to FPSB or any of its  properties  or assets,  subject to
obtaining the requisite Regulatory Approvals (as defined in Section 5.2).

       3.3 CAPITALIZATION.  The authorized capital stock of FPSB consists solely
of 10,000,000  shares of FPSB Stock,  of which  4,000,000  shares are issued and
outstanding.  FPSB has no stock appreciation or similar rights outstanding.  All
of the issued and outstanding  shares of FPSB Stock have been validly authorized
and issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of
any preemptive rights. There are no outstanding subscriptions,  options, rights,
warrants,  convertible  securities or other agreements or commitments obligating
FPSB to issue any additional shares of FPSB's capital

                                       11

<PAGE>



stock,  and no  unissued  shares of FPSB  Stock are  subject  to any  preemptive
rights. There are no outstanding  contractual obligations of FPSB to repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding  shares of capital stock of or other
ownership interest in FPSB. Except as set forth in the FPSB Schedule,  as of the
date  hereof  no  person  holds of  record,  or to the best  knowledge  of FPSB,
beneficially, five percent or more of the outstanding shares of FPSB Stock.

       3.4    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS.

              (a) FPSB has  delivered to Bancorp  FPSB's  audited  statements of
financial  condition as of December 31, 1995,  1994 and 1993, and its statements
of earnings,  changes in financial  position (or cash flows,  as applicable) and
shareholders'  equity  for the years  ended  December  31,  1995,  1994 and 1993
(collectively,  the "Financial Statements").  The Financial Statements have been
prepared  from the books and  records  of FPSB,  present  fairly  the  financial
condition and  operating  results of FPSB as of the dates and during the periods
indicated  and  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted
accounting  principles  and  with  the  regulations  promulgated  by  applicable
regulatory  authorities,  to the extent then  applicable,  consistently  applied
throughout  the periods  covered,  except as stated  therein,  and  disclose all
liabilities  required to be disclosed therein except  liabilities which are not,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  material to FPSB.  Since December 31, 1995,
there has not been any  material  adverse  change in the  business,  operations,
prospects, properties, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of FPSB.

              (b) Since January 1, 1991,  no  registration  statement,  offering
circular,  proxy statement,  schedule or report prepared by or on behalf of FPSB
(whether  or not filed  with the  OTS),  contained  any  untrue  statement  of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein,
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were  made,  not  misleading.  Since  January  1, 1991,  FPSB and any
predecessor  has filed all documents  required to be filed by FPSB with the OTS,
except to the extent that all failures so to file would not,  individually or in
the  aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse  Effect;  and all such  documents,  as
finally amended or corrected,  complied in all material respects as to form with
applicable  requirements  of law.  Except  to the  extent  stated  therein,  all
financial statements and related schedules included in the documents referred to
in the preceding  sentence were prepared in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting principles or such other regulatory  accounting  requirements as were
applicable  thereto  (except that unaudited  interim  financial  statements were
condensed  and  omitted  normal  footnote  disclosures),   consistently  applied
throughout the periods covered,  and fairly presented the information  purported
to be shown therein.  FPSB Stock is not required to be registered  under Section
12 of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act") (as
applied to FPSB by 12 C.F.R.  Section 563d.1),  and FPSB is not required to file
periodic  reports  with the OTS  pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act (as applied to FPSB by 12 C.F.R. Section 563d.1).


                                       12

<PAGE>



       3.5  BOOKS AND  RECORDS;  OTHER  INFORMATION.  The  minute  books of FPSB
constitute  materially  true and  accurate  records of all  meetings and actions
taken by the Board of  Directors  and  shareholders  of FPSB.  The copies of the
Federal Stock Charter and Bylaws of FPSB and  amendments  thereto,  delivered to
Bancorp are true and  complete  copies,  and such Charter and Bylaws are in full
force and effect.  All  documents  and other  information  as to existing  facts
relating to FPSB provided to Bancorp by FPSB are, taken as a whole, accurate and
complete in all material respects.

       3.6    PROPERTIES; CONTRACTS.

              (a) FPSB has good and marketable title to, or a leasehold interest
in, or a contract vendee's interest in, the real properties (including,  but not
limited to, all offices,  branches and automated teller machine facilities) used
in the business of FPSB, including the real properties reflected in the December
31, 1995 balance sheet constituting part of the Financial  Statements,  free and
clear of all security interests,  liens,  charges or other encumbrances,  except
those related to real property taxes, local improvement district assessments (if
any),  easements,  covenants,  restrictions and other matters of record which do
not  individually or in the aggregate  materially  adversely  affect the use and
enjoyment of the relevant real property,  and except real  properties  that have
been disposed of since December 31, 1995 in the ordinary course of business. The
FPSB Schedule lists all real properties  owned or leased by FPSB.  Except as set
forth in the FPSB  Schedule,  FPSB does not maintain any other office or conduct
business at any other location,  whether through an automated  teller machine or
otherwise,  nor  has  FPSB  applied  for or  received  permission  to  open  any
additional branches or operate at any other location.

              (b) All  properties  and assets  held by FPSB under lease are held
under valid  instruments  enforceable in accordance with their terms,  except as
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,  reorganization or similar
laws  affecting  the  rights of  creditors  generally  or  equitable  principles
limiting  the  right to  obtain  specific  performance,  and  except  as to such
provisions  the  unenforceability  of which  would not have a  Material  Adverse
Effect.  The FPSB Schedule lists all personal property assets held by FPSB under
lease,  and a true and  correct  copy of each such lease has been  delivered  to
Bancorp.

              (c) The FPSB Schedule lists all unfunded loan commitments  entered
into after  December 31, 1995 and  outstanding  as of the date hereof.  The FPSB
Schedule  sets forth a complete  and correct list of all of the  agreements  and
other documents in the following  classifications to which FPSB is a party or by
which FPSB or any material  amount of its assets is bound;  complete and correct
copies (in the case of any of the following that are in writing) or descriptions
(in the case of any of the  following  that are not in  writing) of each of such
agreements  and  documents,  as in  effect  on the date  hereof,  have been made
available to Bancorp:


                                       13

<PAGE>



                    (i)  any  plan,   contract  or  arrangement   providing  for
insurance for any officer, consultant,  director, or employee of FPSB or members
of their families (other than directors' and officers' liability policies);

                    (ii)  except  for  deposit   documentation,   any  contract,
agreement or instrument  evidencing or relating to any outstanding  indebtedness
of FPSB for borrowed money or the deferred  purchase  price of property,  or any
direct or indirect  guarantee by FPSB of any such indebtedness in any such case,
in an  amount  in  excess  of  $50,000,  or under  which  FPSB has the  right or
obligation to incur any such indebtedness or guarantee in an amount in excess of
$50,000;

                    (iii) any secrecy,  noncompetition  or other  agreement that
(A)  restricts  the right of FPSB to engage in any place in any line of business
or (B) would restrict the right of Bancorp or any of its affiliates or direct or
indirect  subsidiaries  to engage in any place in any line of business after the
Closing;

                    (iv) any  license,  sublicense  or other  agreement to which
FPSB is a party  (whether  as licensor or  licensee)  relating to  "Intellectual
Property"  that is used in and material to the  business of FPSB.  "Intellectual
Property" means patents,  patent applications,  trade names, trademarks (whether
or not  registered),  trademark  applications,  service  marks  (whether  or not
registered),   copyrights   (whether   registered  or  unpublished),   copyright
applications,  inventions,  processes  and other  trade  secret and  proprietary
intellectual   property,   including  without  limitation  proprietary  computer
software, whether in object or source form;

                    (v) any contract,  commitment or agreement that involves (A)
capital expenditures by FPSB after December 31, 1995 of more than $50,000 in the
aggregate or (B)  disposition  after December 31, 1995 of any material amount of
the assets of FPSB not in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with past
practice; or

                    (vi) any other  contract,  agreement,  plan,  commitment  or
instrument not of a type covered by or  specifically  excluded from the coverage
of any of the other items of this Section 3.6(c) (other than agreements  entered
into with counsel and other  advisers  related to the Merger) and (A)  involving
future payment by or to FPSB of more than $50,000 in the aggregate or (B) having
a remaining term of more than 12 months and not terminable on less than 90 days'
notice.

                    There is no breach,  violation or default,  or allegation or
assertion of such, by FPSB or by any other party under any such contract  listed
in the FPSB Schedule pursuant to this Section 3.6(c).

              (d) All  buildings  and other  facilities  used in the business of
FPSB are adequately  maintained and are free from defects which could materially
interfere with the current or future use of such facilities.  All water,  sewer,
gas, electricity, telephone and other utilities required by law or necessary for
the  operations of such business are supplied to such  buildings and  facilities
and are presently installed and operating, and all installation and connection

                                       14

<PAGE>



charges have been paid in full or accrued.  All material  assessments for public
improvements  that have been made against the  properties of FPSB have been paid
or provided for, except that in the case of any assessments  that are payable in
installments,  all  installments  due as of the date  hereof  have  been paid or
accrued.

       3.7    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

              (a) FPSB is in compliance  with all laws,  regulations,  reporting
and licensing  requirements and orders  applicable to its business or properties
or any of its employees (because of such employee's activities on behalf of it),
including,  without  limitation,  those  relating  to wage and  hour,  labor and
employment practices, equal opportunity,  affirmative action and the Immigration
Reform and Control Act, the breach or violation of which could,  individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

              (b) FPSB has not  received  any  notification  from any  agency or
department of any federal,  state, local or foreign government or any regulatory
authority  or  the  staff  thereof  asserting  that  FPSB  is not  presently  in
compliance  with  any of the  statutes,  regulations  or  ordinances  that  such
governmental or regulatory  authority  enforces,  noncompliance with which could
have,  individually or in the aggregate,  a Material Adverse Effect, nor is FPSB
aware of any basis for any such assertion.  FPSB is not subject to any agreement
with any  regulatory  authority  with  respect  to its assets or  business  that
imposes any material  restriction  on the conduct of its  business.  FPSB has no
material  uncorrected  deficiency  from any federal or state banking  regulatory
examination  report,  except with respect to matters that have been disclosed in
writing to Bancorp.

              (c) Since January 1, 1991,  FPSB has materially  complied with all
applicable California laws and regulations (i) regarding charges, and the waiver
of such, for checking account  overdrafts or checks returned due to insufficient
funds, and (ii) regarding the calculation of interest on loans and deposits.

       3.8  MATERIAL  CONTRACT  DEFAULTS.  FPSB  is not  in  default  under  any
contract,  agreement,  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  loan  instrument,
commitment, arrangement, lease, insurance policy or other instrument to which it
is a party or by which  its  respective  properties  or  assets  may be bound or
affected  or under which it or its  respective  business,  properties  or assets
receive  benefits,  which  default  would  be  likely,  individually  or in  the
aggregate for all such defaults,  to have a Material Adverse Effect, and, to the
best knowledge of FPSB,  there has not occurred any event that with the lapse of
time or the giving of notice or both would constitute such a default.

       3.9 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN  CHANGES.  There has not been since  December  31,
1995:

              (a) any change in the business,  financial  condition,  results of
operations or prospects of FPSB that has had or may reasonably be

                                       15

<PAGE>



expected  to have,  together  with all other such  changes,  a Material  Adverse
Effect;

              (b)  any  direct  or  indirect   redemption,   purchase  or  other
acquisition  of  shares of  FPSB's  capital  stock,  convertible  securities  or
securities  exercisable  for capital  stock of FPSB by FPSB or any  declaration,
setting aside or payment of any dividend;

              (c) any increase in the compensation  payable or to become payable
by FPSB to any of its respective  officers,  employees or agents,  other than in
accordance  with past  practices or as set forth in employment  agreements,  the
forms of which  have been  delivered  to Bancorp  together  with a list of those
persons who are parties thereto, and normal cost-of-living,  merit and regularly
scheduled increases;

              (d) any  amendment or  termination  of any note,  bond,  mortgage,
indenture,  license, agreement, lease or other instrument or obligation to which
FPSB is a party or by which any of its properties or assets may be bound,  other
than  amendments or terminations  which do not and will not,  individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

              (e) any  establishment of any new or material  modification of any
currently existing Plan (as defined in Section 3.13), except as set forth in the
FPSB Schedule;

              (f) any amendment to the Federal Stock Charter or Bylaws of FPSB;

              (g) any change by FPSB in accounting principles or methods, except
as required by Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board to comply with  generally
accepted accounting principles or by OTS regulations;

              (h) any pledge,  disposition or acquisition by FPSB of an asset or
assets material to FPSB,  except sales of foreclosed  properties in the ordinary
course of business;

              (i) any discharge or satisfaction of a material  liability of FPSB
or FPSC; or

              (j) any damage, destruction or other casualty loss (whether or not
covered by insurance) which has or can reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

       3.10         LITIGATION.

              (a)  There  are no  pending  or,  to the best  knowledge  of FPSB,
threatened  private  or  governmental  suits,  claims,   actions,   proceedings,
arbitrations or investigations  against FPSB, including without limitation those
relating  to  unfair  labor  practice  charges,  complaints  of  discrimination,
workers'  compensation  or  unemployment  claims,  except for normal  regulatory
examinations and visits (with respect to which FPSB is not aware of any material
matters under discussion with any of the relevant governmental authorities) and

                                       16

<PAGE>



except for  matters  arising in the  ordinary  course of  business  that are not
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

              (b) Neither FPSB nor, to the best  knowledge of FPSB, any officer,
director or employee, has been permanently or temporarily enjoined by any order,
judgment  or  decree  of any  court or other  tribunal  or any  governmental  or
regulatory agency,  authority or body from engaging in or continuing any conduct
or practice in connection with the business, assets or properties of FPSB.

              (c)  There is no order,  judgment  or decree of any court or other
tribunal or any  governmental or regulatory  agency,  authority or body ordering
FPSB to take any  action  of any kind with  respect  to its  business  assets or
properties or otherwise involving FPSB or any of its assets or properties.

       3.11  CONTINGENT  LIABILITIES.  FPSB  is  not  subject  to  any  material
contingent  liabilities  of any nature  (whether or not required to be disclosed
under  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board Statement No. 5) other than those
reflected in or adequately reserved against in FPSB's Financial Statements.

       3.12         TAXES.

              (a) Definitions.  For purposes of this Section 3.12, the following
definitions shall apply:

                    (1)  The  term   "Group"   shall  mean,   individually   and
collectively, (i) FPSB and (ii) any individual, trust, corporation,  partnership
or any other  entity  as to which  FPSB is liable  for  Taxes  incurred  by such
individual or entity either as a transferee, or pursuant to Treasury Regulations
Section  1.1502-6,  or pursuant to any other provision of federal,  territorial,
state, local or foreign law or regulations.

                    (2)  The  term  "Taxes"   shall  mean  all  taxes,   however
denominated,  including  any  interest,  penalties or other  additions  that may
become payable in respect thereof, imposed by any federal,  territorial,  state,
local or foreign  government or any agency or political  subdivision of any such
government,  which taxes shall include,  without  limiting the generality of the
foregoing,  all income or profits taxes (including,  but not limited to, federal
income taxes and state income taxes),  payroll and employee  withholding  taxes,
unemployment  insurance,  social security taxes, sales and use taxes, ad valorem
taxes,  excise taxes,  franchise taxes,  gross receipts taxes,  business license
taxes,  occupation  taxes,  real  and  personal  property  taxes,  stamp  taxes,
environmental  taxes,  transfer taxes,  workers'  compensation,  Pension Benefit
Guaranty  Corporation  premiums  and  other  governmental   charges,  and  other
obligations of the same or of a similar  nature to any of the  foregoing,  which
the Group is required to pay, withhold or collect.

                    (3) The term  "Returns"  shall mean all reports,  estimates,
declarations of estimated tax, information statements and returns,

                                       17

<PAGE>



whether consolidated or unconsolidated,  relating to, or required to be filed in
connection with, any Taxes.

              (b) The Group has timely  filed all Returns  required to be filed,
and the  information  contained  in each such Return is complete and accurate in
all material respects.

              (c) The Group has paid,  or has set up adequate  reserves  for the
payment of, all Taxes  required to be paid in respect of the periods  covered by
such Returns and has set up adequate reserves for the payment of all other Taxes
payable in respect of the period  subsequent to the last of such periods and the
Group has no material  liability for such Taxes (and,  to the best  knowledge of
FPSB, there is no potential material  liability in respect of deductions,  costs
or  other  allowances  taken  for  federal  income  tax  purposes  likely  to be
disallowed  in any  audit by the  Internal  Revenue  Service)  in  excess of the
amounts so paid or reserves so established.

              (d) The Group is not  delinquent in the payment of any Taxes,  and
it has not requested any extension of time within which to file any Returns that
have not since been filed, and no material  deficiencies for any Taxes have been
claimed, proposed or assessed. Since December 31, 1990, the Group has not agreed
to any  extension of time for the  assessment or payment of any Taxes payable by
it.

              (e) There are no pending or, to the best of the Group's knowledge,
threatened tax audits,  investigations or claims for or relating to any material
liability in respect of Taxes,  and there are no matters under  discussion  with
any governmental  authorities with respect to Taxes that are likely to result in
a material further tax liability.

              (f) Since January 1, 1990, the Group's  federal income tax returns
have not been audited by the Internal  Revenue  Service,  and its California tax
returns  have  not been  audited  by the  Franchise  Tax  Board of the  State of
California.

              (g) Since FPSB's inception,  it has been a "domestic  building and
loan association" as defined in Section  7701(a)(19) of the Code. Bancorp is not
required to withhold tax on the purchase of FPSB Stock by reason of Section 1445
of the Code. No member of the Group is a "consenting  corporation" under Section
341(f) of the Code. The Group has not entered into any  compensatory  agreements
with respect to the performance of services under which any payment would result
in a nondeductible  expense to the Group pursuant to Section 280G of the Code or
an excise tax to the  recipient of such payment  pursuant to Section 4999 of the
Code. FPSB has not, for 1996,  received an "express  determination  letter" from
the OTS that would support FPSB's use of the  "conformity  method" in connection
with its deductions  for bad debts for purposes of the Code.  FPSB has taken all
actions,  or by the Closing will have taken all actions,  necessary to terminate
any election to use the conformity method.


                                       18

<PAGE>



       3.13         EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; ERISA.

              (a) Except as set forth in the FPSB Schedule,  FPSB is not a party
to (i) any  "employee  benefit  plan"  within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),  (ii) any
profit sharing,  pensions,  deferred  compensation,  bonus, stock option,  stock
purchase, severance,  retainer,  consulting,  "cafeteria" benefits under Section
125 of the Code, health, welfare or incentive plan or agreement, whether legally
binding  or  not,  including  any  post-employment  benefits,  (iii)  any  plan,
agreement,  contract,  program,  arrangement,  or policy  providing  for "fringe
benefits"  to its  employees,  including  but  not  limited  to  vacation,  paid
holidays,  personal leave,  employee  discount,  educational  benefit or similar
programs,  or  (iv)  any  employment  agreement   (individually  a  "Plan",  and
collectively the "Plans").

              (b) FPSB (i) has not made any  contributions  to,  (ii) has  never
been a member of a controlled  group which  contributed  to, and (iii) has never
been  under  common   control  with  an  employer   that   contributed   to  any
"multiemployer plan" as that term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

              (c) All contributions to each Plan for all periods ending prior to
the Closing Date (including  periods from the first day of the current plan year
to the date  immediately  preceding  the Closing Date) will be made prior to the
Closing  Date by FPSB in  accordance  with  past  practice  and the  recommended
contribution in any applicable actuarial report.

              (d) All insurance premiums have been paid in full, subject only to
normal  retrospective  adjustments  in the ordinary  course,  with regard to the
Plans for policy years or other  applicable  policy  periods  ending  before the
Closing Date and have been paid as required  under the policies for policy years
or other applicable  policy periods  beginning on or before the Closing Date and
ending on or after the Closing Date.

              (e)   With respect to each Plan:

                    (i) it has been  administered  in accordance  with its terms
       and applicable  laws and  regulations,  and no event has occurred  which,
       through  the  passage  of time or the giving of  notice,  or both,  would
       constitute a default of a term or condition thereunder or would cause the
       acceleration of any obligation of any party thereto;

                    (ii) no action or claims  (other  than  routine  claims  for
       benefits  made in the ordinary  course of Plan  administration  for which
       Plan  administrative  review  procedures  have  not been  exhausted)  are
       pending,  threatened or imminent against or with respect to the plan, any
       employer who is  participating  (or who has  participated) in any Plan or
       any fiduciary of the Plan; and

                    (iii) FPSB has no any  knowledge  of any facts  which  could
       give rise to any such action or claim.


                                       19

<PAGE>



              (f) True, correct and complete copies of all documents creating or
evidencing any Plan have been delivered to Bancorp.  There are no  negotiations,
demands or proposals  which are pending or have been made which concern  matters
now covered,  or that would be covered,  by the type of agreements that would be
Plans as defined in Section 3.13(a).

              (g) All expenses and liabilities relating to all of the Plans have
been,  and will on the Closing  Date be,  fully and  properly  accrued on FPSB's
books and records.

       3.14 BROKER'S AND FINDER'S FEES. Except with respect to the engagement of
Montgomery Securities,  neither FPSB nor anyone acting on its behalf has or will
have any  liability to any broker,  finder,  agent or other  person  (other than
legal and accounting advisers), nor have any of them agreed to pay any brokerage
fee,  finder's fee or  commission,  with respect  hereto or to the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

       3.15 LABOR  RELATIONS.  FPSB is not a party to and is not  affected by or
threatened  with  any  collective   bargaining   agreement  or  any  dispute  or
controversy  with  a  union  or  with  respect  to  unionization  or  collective
bargaining  involving it. There are no union  organizing or election  activities
which have occurred or, to the knowledge of FPSB, are  contemplated  relating to
FPSB as of the date hereof.  As of the date hereof,  no material  labor dispute,
strike  or other  work  stoppage  has  occurred  and is  continuing  or has been
threatened with respect to FPSB.

       3.16         REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND REGULATORY APPLICATIONS.

              (a) When the  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  referred  to in Section
5.1,  or  any  amendment  or  supplement   thereto,   shall  be  mailed  to  the
Shareholders,  and at all times after such mailing up to and  including the date
on which the  Shareholders  will consider the Merger and related  matters ("FPSB
Meeting  Date"),  (i) such  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  and all  amendments  or
supplements thereto,  with respect to all information set forth therein provided
by, and relating to, FPSB and in respect of this  Agreement,  will comply in all
material  respects  with  the  provisions  (to  the  extent  applicable)  of the
Securities  Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and  regulations  of the SEC and
the Office of Thrift Supervision  ("OTS")  thereunder,  and (ii) the information
relating  to  FPSB  and  in  respect  of  this   Agreement   set  forth  in  the
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  as filed with the SEC and OTS under the  Securities
Act and the  Exchange Act and the  Registration  statement as filed with the SEC
under the  Securities  Act, will not contain any untrue  statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the  statements  contained  therein  not  misleading  or to correct  any
earlier communication with respect to the same meeting or subject matter.

              (b) When each of the applications for the Regulatory  Approvals is
filed, or amended or supplemented, the information provided by, and relating to,
FPSB and in respect of this Agreement will comply in all material  respects with
the relevant laws and regulations and will not

                                       20

<PAGE>



contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not
misleading  or to  correct  any  earlier  statements  with  respect  to the same
application or subject matter.

              (c) The execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement by
FPSB do not, and the  consummation  by FPSB of the Merger will not,  require any
filing by FPSB with, or approval,  consent,  authorization  or other action with
respect to FPSB by, any  governmental  agency,  other than (i) the filing of the
articles of merger with the OTS and the  Secretary  of State of  California  and
(ii) any  filing,  approval,  consent,  authorization  or action  that would not
generally  be  required  if persons  other  than  Bancorp  were to acquire  FPSB
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

       3.17  INSURANCE.  FPSB is  insured  against  all risks  normally  insured
against  by  institutions  in  similar  lines of  business.  All such  insurance
policies  and bonds  maintained  by FPSB are listed in the FPSB  Schedule and in
full force and effect.  As of the date hereof,  FPSB has not received any notice
of cancellation or material  amendment of any such insurance  policy or bond, is
not in default  under any such policy or bond,  no coverage  thereunder is being
disputed, and all material claims thereunder have been filed in timely fashion.

       3.18  EMPLOYMENT  AND  SIMILAR  AGREEMENTS;  OBLIGATIONS  UPON  CHANGE IN
CONTROL.  Except as set  forth in the FPSB  Schedule,  there are no  employment,
consulting,   severance   or   indemnification   arrangements,   agreements   or
understandings  ("Employee  Agreements") between FPSB and any officer (including
"executive  officers" as defined  under the Exchange Act) or employee of FPSB or
any other  party.  Except as set forth in the FPSB  Schedule,  there are no such
Employee  Agreements or other  arrangements,  and agreements (i) under which the
change in control  resulting from the Merger will require any payment by FPSB or
Bancorp to any director,  officer (including  executive officers) or employee of
FPSB or any other party,  or (ii) under which there will occur any  acceleration
or change in the award,  grant,  vesting or determination of options,  warrants,
rights,  severance  payments,  or other  contingent  obligations  of any  nature
whatsoever of FPSB in favor of any such parties. Without limiting the foregoing,
no  payment  to be made by FPSB prior to or after the  Closing  pursuant  to the
Employment  Agreements will be  characterized as an "excess  parachute  payment"
within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(l) of the Code. Except as set forth in the
FPSB Schedule,  FPSB has no knowledge of any agreements or  understandings  with
any employee, which are inconsistent with the status of all employees, including
officers of FPSB, being at-will.

       3.19 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. None of FPSB, any current or former subsidiary,
or any  other  person  having  an  interest  in  property  that  FPSB,  or  such
subsidiary,  owns or  leases  or has  owned or  leased  or in which  FPSB or any
subsidiary  holds any  security  interest,  mortgage,  or other lien or interest
("Property")  has  engaged  in  the  generation,  use,  manufacture,  treatment,
transportation, storage in tanks or otherwise, or disposal of Hazardous Material
(as  defined  below) on or from such  Property,  and no (a)  presence,  release,
threatened release, discharge,  spillage or migration of Hazardous Material, (b)
condition

                                       21

<PAGE>



that  could  result  in any  use,  ownership  or  transfer  restriction,  or (c)
condition of nuisance has occurred on or from such Property, which, individually
or in the aggregate,  would  constitute a Material  Adverse Effect,  and neither
FPSB nor any such subsidiary has received notice of, or has reason to know of, a
condition  that could  give rise to any  private or  governmental  suit,  claim,
action, proceeding or investigation against FPSB, any such subsidiary, any other
person or such Property as a result of any of the foregoing events. With respect
to any  Property  in  which  FPSB or a  subsidiary  holds a  security  interest,
mortgage or other lien or  interest  and which  neither  FPSB nor any current or
former subsidiary has owned or leased,  FPSB makes the foregoing  representation
and warranty to the best of its knowledge.  "Hazardous  Material" shall mean any
substance,  chemical,  waste  or other  material  which is  listed,  defined  or
otherwise identified as hazardous,  toxic or dangerous under any applicable law,
regulation  or  order  of any  governmental  body;  as  well  as  any  asbestos,
petroleum,  petroleum product or by-product, crude oil, natural gas, natural gas
liquids, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas useable for fuel, and "source,"
"special nuclear," and "by-product" material as defined in the Atomic Energy Act
of 1985, 42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 3011 et seq.

       3.20 CERTAIN INTERESTS.  Except in arm's-length  transactions pursuant to
normal  commercial  terms and  conditions,  no officer,  director or employee of
FPSB, or any affiliate thereof, has any material interest in any property,  real
or personal,  tangible or  intangible,  used in or pertaining to the business of
FPSB;  no such person is indebted  to FPSB  except for normal  business  expense
advances;  and FPSB is not  indebted to any such  person  except for amounts due
under normal salary or reimbursement of ordinary business  expenses.  As used in
this  Section,  "affiliate"  means the spouse and children of a person,  and any
relative  of the  person or the  spouse  living in the  person's  home,  and any
corporation,  partnership  or other  entity of which the  person is an  officer,
director,  general  partner  or the owner of five  percent or more of the voting
stock or other equity interest, directly or indirectly.

       3.21  FAIRNESS  OPINION.  FPSB has  received  an  opinion  of  Montgomery
Securities  that the proposed  Total  Consideration  Value to be received by the
Shareholders  is fair from a  financial  point of view to the  Shareholders  who
would receive such consideration.

       3.22 MATERIALITY.  All representations and warranties made by FPSB in and
pursuant to this  Agreement are agreed to be based on the best  knowledge of the
directors and executive officers of FPSB and, where applicable, to be based upon
actions  taken  and  decisions  within  their  informed  business  judgment  and
consistent with past practices. Furthermore, no representation or warranty shall
be deemed untrue or incorrect, and FPSB shall not be deemed to have breached any
such  representation  or  warranty,  on  account of the  existence  of any fact,
circumstance  or event unless,  as a consequence of such fact,  circumstance  or
event,  individually  or taken together with all other facts,  circumstances  or
events  inconsistent with any such  representation  or warranty,  as applicable,
there is reasonably likely to occur a Material Adverse Effect.


                                       22

<PAGE>




IV.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BANCORP


       Bancorp and CB make the following representations and warranties to FPSB,
except as otherwise  disclosed  to FPSB in a schedule  dated the date hereof and
delivered by Bancorp to FPSB  concurrently with the execution of this Agreement,
which  schedule in each case  specifically  refers to the section or sections of
this Agreement to which an exception applies (the "Bancorp Schedule"):

       4.1    ORGANIZATION.

              (a) Bancorp is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing and
in good  standing  under  the laws of the  state of  Delaware.  Bancorp  has all
requisite  corporate  power  and  authority  to carry on its  businesses  as now
conducted  and is  qualified to do business as a foreign  corporation  and is in
good  standing in each  jurisdiction  in which such  qualification  is necessary
under  applicable  law, except to the extent that the failure to have such power
or authority or to be so qualified would not,  individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect. Bancorp has the corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder.

              (b)  CB  is a  California  banking  corporation,  duly  organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of California.
CB has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its businesses as
now conducted and is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in
good  standing in each  jurisdiction  in which such  qualification  is necessary
under  applicable  law, except to the extent that the failure to have such power
or authority or to be so qualified would not,  individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material  Adverse Effect.  The deposit  accounts of CB are insured by the
FDIC to the  fullest  extent  permitted  under  applicable  law. CB has paid all
premiums and assessments  and filed all required  reports in connection with the
insurance of its deposits.  Subject to approval by its sole shareholder,  CB has
the  corporate  power and  authority to execute and deliver this  Agreement  and
perform its obligations hereunder.

              (c) CB has only one subsidiary,  Cathay Investment Company ("CIC")
and has made  available  to FPSB true and  complete  copies of the  Articles  of
Incorporation  and Bylaws of CIC. Bancorp owns directly or indirectly all of the
outstanding  capital stock of, and all other ownership interests in, CB. CB owns
directly or indirectly  all of the  outstanding  capital stock of, and all other
ownership interests in, CIC. There are no outstanding options, warrants or other
rights to subscribe  for or purchase the capital  stock of CB or CIC. All of the
outstanding  shares  of the  capital  stock  of CB and  CIC  have  been  validly
authorized and issued,  are full paid and  nonassessable  and were not issued in
violation of any preemptive rights. CIC is duly organized,  validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of California.  CIC has all requisite  corporate
power and  authority  to own or lease all of its  properties  and  assets and to
carry on its business as now conducted. CIC is duly licensed or qualified to do

                                       23

<PAGE>



business and is in good standing in each  jurisdiction in which its ownership or
leasing of property or the conduct of its business  requires  such  licensing or
qualification  and where the  failure to be so  licensed,  qualified  or in good
standing  would  have a  Material  Adverse  Effect on the  financial  condition,
results of operations, business or prospects of CIC.

       4.2 BINDING  EFFECT.  Subject to the approval of the sole  shareholder of
CB, this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,  executed and delivered
by Bancorp and CB and  constitutes  the valid and binding  obligation of Bancorp
and CB, enforceable  against Bancorp and CB in accordance with its terms, except
as may be limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  moratorium,  reorganization  or
similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, by the availability of
equitable remedies, and by the discretion of the court or arbitrator before whom
a  proceeding  may be brought.  In  addition,  enforceability  may be limited by
considerations  of public policy under the  Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
because of the inclusion of Article VII in the Agreement.  Neither the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by Bancorp and CB, nor the  consummation  by them
of the transactions  contemplated hereby, nor compliance by them with any of the
provisions  hereof will (a) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision
of  Bancorp's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or  Bylaws  or CB's  Articles  of
Incorporation or Bylaws,  or (b) constitute or result in the breach of any term,
condition or provision  of, or constitute a default  under,  or give rise to any
right of termination, cancellation or acceleration with respect to, or result in
the creation of any lien,  charge or encumbrance  upon any property or assets of
Bancorp  or CB  pursuant  to  any  note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,  license,
agreement,  lease or other  instrument or obligation to which Bancorp or CB is a
party or by which any of their  properties  or assets may be bound,  except such
notes, bonds,  mortgages,  indentures,  licenses,  agreements,  leases and other
instruments or obligations  the violation of which would not have,  individually
or in the aggregate,  a Material Adverse Effect, or (c) violate any order, writ,
injunction,  judgment, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Bancorp
or CB or any of their respective properties or assets,  subject to obtaining the
requisite Regulatory Approvals.

       4.3  CAPITALIZATION.  The authorized capital stock of Bancorp consists of
10,000,000  shares of preferred  stock,  $0.01 par value per share,  of which no
shares were issued and  outstanding on March 31, 1996, and 25,000,000  shares of
Bancorp Stock, of which 7,880,102 shares were issued and outstanding as of March
31, 1996.  The Bancorp  Stock to be issued to the  Shareholders  pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement has been duly  authorized,  will be validly issued,
fully  paid and  nonassessable  and  will  not be  issued  in  violation  of any
preemptive rights. Except as disclosed in Bancorp's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995 and except for Bancorp's  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan and
Trust and Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan, there are no outstanding  subscriptions,
options,  rights,  warrants,  convertible  securities  or  other  agreements  or
commitments  obligating  Bancorp  to issue any  additional  shares of  Bancorp's
capital  stock,  and no  unissued  shares of  Bancorp  Stock are  subject to any
preemptive rights. There are no outstanding  contractual  obligations of Bancorp
to

                                       24

<PAGE>



repurchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of capital stock
of or other ownership interest in Bancorp. The Bancorp Stock is registered under
Section  12(g) of the  Exchange  Act and  Bancorp  is  subject  to the  periodic
reporting requirements of Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

       4.4    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS.

              (a) Bancorp has delivered to FPSB Bancorp's  audited  consolidated
balance  sheets as of December 31, 1995,  1994 and 1993,  and its  statements of
earnings,  changes in financial  position  (or cash flows,  as  applicable)  and
stockholders'  equity for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993. Such
financial  statements  have been  prepared from the books and records of Bancorp
and its  subsidiaries,  present  fairly the  financial  condition  and operating
results of Bancorp and its  subsidiaries  as of the dates and during the periods
indicated  and  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted
accounting  principles  consistently  applied  throughout  the periods  covered,
except as stated therein,  and disclose all liabilities required to be disclosed
therein  except  liabilities  which are not,  individually  or in the aggregate,
material to Bancorp.  Since  December 31, 1995,  there has not been any material
adverse change in the business,  operations,  prospects,  properties,  assets or
condition (financial or otherwise) of Bancorp.

              (b) Since January 1, 1991,  no  registration  statement,  offering
circular,  proxy  statement,  schedule  or  report  prepared  by or on behalf of
Bancorp, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements
therein,  in  light  of the  circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not
misleading.  Since January 1, 1991,  Bancorp has timely filed all Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") reports or such other communications required by the
SEC to be filed by it under the  Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and, as of
their respective dates, all such SEC reports and  communications  complied as to
form in all material  respects with the published  rules and  regulations of the
SEC with respect thereto. Since January 1, 1991, Bancorp, CB and any predecessor
has filed all  documents  required to be filed by Bancorp or CB with the FDIC or
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank
of San Francisco ("FRB") except to the extent that all failures so to file would
not,  individually or in the aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect; and all
such  documents,  as finally  amended or  corrected,  complied  in all  material
respects as to form with  applicable  requirements  of law. Except to the extent
stated therein,  all financial  statements and related schedules included in the
documents referred to in the preceding sentence were prepared in accordance with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles or such other regulatory  accounting
requirements as were applicable thereto (except that unaudited interim financial
statements were condensed and omitted normal footnote disclosures), consistently
applied  throughout the periods  covered,  and fairly  presented the information
purported to be shown therein.


                                       25

<PAGE>



       4.5 BOOKS AND RECORDS; OTHER INFORMATION. The minute books of Bancorp and
CB constitute  materially true and accurate  records of all meetings and actions
taken by the Board of Directors and  shareholders  of Bancorp and CB. The copies
of  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and  Articles  of   Incorporation,   as
applicable,  and Bylaws of Bancorp and CB and  amendments  thereto  delivered to
FPSB are true and  complete  copies,  and  such  Certificate  of  Incorporation,
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are in full force and effect. All documents
and other  information  as to existing facts relating to Bancorp and CB provided
to FPSB by Bancorp and CB are,  taken as a whole,  accurate  and complete in all
material respects.

       4.6    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

              (a) Bancorp and CB are in compliance  with all laws,  regulations,
reporting and licensing  requirements and orders applicable to their business or
properties or any of their employees  (because of such employee's  activities on
behalf of them), including, without limitation, those relating to wage and hour,
labor and employment  practices,  equal opportunity,  affirmative action and the
Immigration  Reform and Control  Act,  the breach or  violation  of which could,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

              (b) Neither Bancorp nor CB has received any notification  from any
agency or department of any federal,  state,  local or foreign government or any
regulatory  authority or the staff thereof  asserting  that Bancorp or CB is not
presently in compliance with any of the statutes, regulations or ordinances that
such governmental or regulatory  authority  enforces,  noncompliance  with which
could have,  individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, nor is
Bancorp or CB aware of any basis for any such assertion.  Bancorp and CB are not
subject to any agreement  with any  regulatory  authority  with respect to their
assets or business that imposes any material restriction on the conduct of their
business.  Bancorp  and CB have no  material  uncorrected  deficiency  from  any
federal or state banking regulatory  examination report,  except with respect to
matters that have been disclosed in writing to FPSB.

              (c) Since January 1, 1991, Bancorp and CB have materially complied
with all applicable  California laws and regulations (i) regarding charges,  and
the waiver of such, for checking  account  overdrafts or checks  returned due to
insufficient  funds, and (ii) regarding the calculation of interest on loans and
deposits.

       4.7 MATERIAL CONTRACT  DEFAULTS.  Bancorp and CB are not in default under
any contract,  agreement,  indenture,  mortgage, deed of trust, loan instrument,
commitment,  arrangement,  lease,  insurance policy or other instrument to which
they are a party or by which their respective  properties or assets may be bound
or affected  or under which they or their  respective  business,  properties  or
assets receive benefits,  which default would be likely,  individually or in the
aggregate for all such defaults,  to have a Material Adverse Effect, and, to the
best knowledge of Bancorp, there has not occurred any

                                       26

<PAGE>



event  that  with the  lapse  of time or the  giving  of  notice  or both  would
constitute such a default.

       4.8 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN  CHANGES.  There has not been since  December  31,
1995:

              (a) any change in the business,  financial  condition,  results of
operations  or  prospects  of  Bancorp or CB that has had or may  reasonably  be
expected  to have,  together  with all other such  changes,  a Material  Adverse
Effect;

              (b)  any  direct  or  indirect   redemption,   purchase  or  other
acquisition  of shares of Bancorp's  capital  stock,  convertible  securities or
securities   exercisable  for  capital  stock  of  Bancorp  by  Bancorp  or  any
declaration,  setting aside or payment of any dividend other than the payment of
Bancorp's  regular  quarterly  cash  dividend on Bancorp Stock equal to $.15 per
share per quarter;

              (c) any  amendment or  termination  of any note,  bond,  mortgage,
indenture,  license, agreement, lease or other instrument or obligation to which
Bancorp or is a party or by which any of its  properties or assets may be bound,
other than amendments or terminations which do not and will not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

              (d) any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Bancorp and CB;

              (e) any  change  by  Bancorp  or CB in  accounting  principles  or
methods,  except as required by Financial  Accounting  Standards Board to comply
with generally accepted accounting principles or by FRB or FDIC regulations;

              (f) any pledge,  disposition or acquisition by Bancorp or CB of an
asset or assets material to Bancorp or CB, except sales of foreclosed properties
in the ordinary course of business;

              (g) any  discharge  or  satisfaction  of a material  liability  of
Bancorp or CB; or

              (h) any damage, destruction or other casualty loss (whether or not
covered by insurance) which has or can reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

       4.9    LITIGATION.

              (a) There are no pending  or, to the best  knowledge  of  Bancorp,
threatened  private  or  governmental  suits,  claims,   actions,   proceedings,
arbitrations  or  investigations   against  Bancorp  or  CB,  including  without
limitation  those  relating to unfair  labor  practice  charges,  complaints  of
discrimination,  workers' compensation or unemployment claims, except for normal
regulatory  examinations  and visits (with respect to which Bancorp is not aware
of any material matters under discussion with any of the relevant governmental

                                       27

<PAGE>



authorities)  and except for matters  arising in the ordinary course of business
that are not expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

              (b) Neither  Bancorp nor, to the best  knowledge  of Bancorp,  any
officer,  director or employee,  has been permanently or temporarily enjoined by
any order, judgment or decree of any court or other tribunal or any governmental
or  regulatory  agency,  authority or body from  engaging in or  continuing  any
conduct or practice in  connection  with the  business,  assets or properties of
Bancorp or CB.

              (c)  There is no order,  judgment  or decree of any court or other
tribunal or any  governmental or regulatory  agency,  authority or body ordering
Bancorp  or CB to take any  action of any kind with  respect  to their  business
assets or properties or otherwise involving Bancorp or CB or any of their assets
or properties.

       4.10  CONTINGENT  LIABILITIES.  Bancorp  and CB are  not  subject  to any
material  contingent  liabilities  of any nature  (whether or not required to be
disclosed under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 5) other than
those  reflected  in or  adequately  reserved  against  in  Bancorp's  and  CB's
financial statements identified in Section 4.4(a).

       4.11         TAXES.

              (a) Definitions.  For purposes of this Section 4.11, the following
definitions shall apply:

                    (1)  The  term   "Group"   shall  mean,   individually   and
collectively,   (i)  Bancorp  and  (ii)  any  individual,   trust,  corporation,
partnership or any other entity as to which Bancorp is liable for Taxes incurred
by such  individual or entity  either as a  transferee,  or pursuant to Treasury
Regulations  Section  1.1502-6,  or pursuant to any other  provision of federal,
territorial, state, local or foreign law or regulations.

                    (2) The term  "Taxes"  shall have the meaning  given to that
term in Section 3.12(a).

                    (3) The term "Returns"  shall have the meaning given to that
term in Section 3.12(a).

              (b) The Group has timely  filed all Returns  required to be filed,
and the  information  contained  in each such Return is complete and accurate in
all material respects.

              (c) The Group has paid,  or has set up adequate  reserves  for the
payment of, all Taxes  required to be paid in respect of the periods  covered by
such Returns and has set up adequate reserves for the payment of all other Taxes
payable in respect of the period  subsequent to the last of such periods and the
Group has no material  liability for such Taxes (and,  to the best  knowledge of
Bancorp,  there is no potential  material  liability  in respect of  deductions,
costs or other  allowances  taken for federal  income tax purposes  likely to be
disallowed  in any  audit by the  Internal  Revenue  Service)  in  excess of the
amounts so paid or reserves so established.

                                       28

<PAGE>




              (d) The Group is not  delinquent in the payment of any Taxes,  and
it has not requested any extension of time within which to file any Returns that
have not since been filed, and no material  deficiencies for any Taxes have been
claimed, proposed or assessed. Since December 31, 1990, the Group has not agreed
to any  extension of time for the  assessment or payment of any Taxes payable by
it.

              (e) There are no pending or, to the best of the Group's knowledge,
threatened tax audits,  investigations or claims for or relating to any material
liability in respect of Taxes,  and there are no matters under  discussion  with
any governmental  authorities with respect to Taxes that are likely to result in
a material further tax liability.

              (f) Since January 1, 1990, the Group's  federal income tax returns
have not been audited by the Internal  Revenue  Service,  and its California tax
returns  have  not been  audited  by the  Franchise  Tax  Board of the  State of
California.

       4.12         REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND REGULATORY APPLICATIONS.

              (a) When the  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  referred  to in Section
5.1,  or  any  amendment  or  supplement   thereto,   shall  be  mailed  to  the
Shareholders,  and at all times after such mailing up to and  including the FPSB
Meeting  Date,  (i)  such  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  and  all  amendments  or
supplements thereto, with respect to all information, set forth therein relating
to Bancorp and its  subsidiaries,  will comply in all material respects with the
provisions (to the extent applicable) of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
and the rules and  regulations of the SEC  thereunder,  and (ii) the information
relating  to  Bancorp  and its  subsidiaries  set forth in the  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement  as filed with the SEC under the  Securities  Act and the Exchange Act
and the  Registration  Statement as filed with the SEC under the Securities Act,
will not  contain  any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
contained therein not misleading.

              (b) When each of the applications for the Regulatory Approvals (as
defined in Section 5.2) is filed,  or amended or  supplemented,  the information
relating to Bancorp and its  subsidiaries  and in respect of this Agreement will
comply in all material  respects with the relevant laws and regulations and will
not contain any untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein
not  misleading  or to correct any earlier  statements  with respect to the same
application  or subject  matter.  Bancorp and CB at this time have a  reasonable
basis to believe that each of the  Regulatory  Approvals  (as defined in Section
5.2(a)) should be obtained; provided, however, that FPSB acknowledges that there
can be no assurances that all Regulatory Approvals will be obtained.

              (c) The execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement by
Bancorp and CB, as applicable, do not, and the consummation by Bancorp and CB of
the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby

                                       29

<PAGE>



will not,  require  any  filing by  Bancorp or CB with,  or  approval,  consent,
authorization or other action with respect to Bancorp or CB by, any governmental
agency,  other than (i) filings  with and/or  approval by the FRB,  (ii) filings
with  and  approval  by  the  FDIC,  (iii)  filings  with  and  approval  by the
Superintendent,  (iv) filing with and declaration of  effectiveness  by the SEC,
(v) filing with the OTS, (vi) filings with,  and  approvals,  qualifications  or
exemptions by, authorities  administering the Blue Sky laws of the jurisdictions
in which the  Shareholders  reside,  (vii) the filing of the  properly  approved
Merger Agreement with the California  Secretary of State, and (viii) any filing,
approval, consent,  authorization or action that would not generally be required
in connection with the acquisition by Bancorp of a federal savings bank pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement.

       4.13  HAZARDOUS  MATERIALS.  None  of  Bancorp,  any  current  or  former
subsidiary,  or any other person having an interest in property that Bancorp, or
such  subsidiary,  owns or leases or has owned or leased or in which  Bancorp or
any subsidiary holds any security interest,  mortgage, or other lien or interest
("Property")  has  engaged  in  the  generation,  use,  manufacture,  treatment,
transportation, storage in tanks or otherwise, or disposal of Hazardous Material
(as  defined in Section  3.19) on or from such  Property,  and no (a)  presence,
release,  threatened  release,  discharge,  spillage or  migration  of Hazardous
Material,  (b)  condition  that could  result in any use,  ownership or transfer
restriction, or (c) condition of nuisance has occurred on or from such Property,
which,  individually or in the aggregate,  would  constitute a Material  Adverse
Effect,  and neither  Bancorp nor any such subsidiary has received notice of, or
has  reason to know of, a  condition  that  could  give rise to any  private  or
governmental suit, claim, action,  proceeding or investigation  against Bancorp,
any such subsidiary, any other person or such Property as a result of any of the
foregoing events.  With respect to any Property in which Bancorp or a subsidiary
holds a security interest,  mortgage or other lien or interest and which neither
Bancorp nor any current or former subsidiary has owned or leased,  Bancorp makes
the foregoing representation and warranty to the best of its knowledge.

       4.14 MATERIALITY.  All  representations and warranties made by Bancorp in
and pursuant to this  Agreement are agreed to be based on the best  knowledge of
the directors and executive officers of Bancorp and CB and, where applicable, to
be based  upon  actions  taken and  decisions  within  their  informed  business
judgment and consistent with past practices.  Furthermore,  no representation or
warranty  shall be deemed  untrue or  incorrect,  and Bancorp or CB shall not be
deemed to have breached any such  representation or warranty,  on account of the
existence of any fact,  circumstance  or event unless,  as a consequence of such
fact,  circumstance  or event,  individually  or taken  together  with all other
facts,  circumstances or events  inconsistent  with any such  representation  or
warranty, as applicable,  there is reasonably likely to occur a Material Adverse
Effect.


V.     COVENANTS OF FPSB AND BANCORP


                                       30

<PAGE>




       5.1 PREPARATION OF REGISTRATION  STATEMENT AND  APPLICATIONS FOR REQUIRED
CONSENTS. FPSB and Bancorp contemplate that a Registration Statement on Form S-4
(the  "Registration  Statement") will be filed with the SEC under the Securities
Act for  registration  of the Bancorp Stock to be issued in connection  with the
transactions  contemplated  hereby and that the parties  will  prepare a related
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement (the  "Prospectus/Proxy  Statement") to be mailed to
the  Shareholders.  The parties will cooperate with each other in preparing such
Registration  Statement  and  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement.  The parties will use
their best efforts to obtain the  clearance  of the SEC, and any other  required
Regulatory Approvals, to issue such Prospectus/Proxy Statement. Without limiting
the   generality   of  the   foregoing,   nothing  shall  be  contained  in  the
Prospectus/Proxy  statement or any proxy soliciting materials unless approved in
advance by Bancorp,  which  approval  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld,  and
nothing shall be contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement  with  respect to FPSB  unless  approved  in  advance  by FPSB,  which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

       5.2    PURSUIT OF APPROVALS.

              (a) Subject to Section  6.1(a),  the parties  shall use their best
efforts to obtain all necessary  governmental  approvals  required to consummate
the Merger, including approval by:

                    (i)    the FRB;
                    (ii)   the FDIC; and
                    (iii)  the Superintendent.

In  addition,  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby are
subject to:

                    (x) the expiration of any waiting period required (including
       any extensions thereof) pursuant to any of the foregoing approvals;

                    (y) the  declaration of  effectiveness  of the  Registration
       Statement,  which on the  Closing  Date must not be the subject of a stop
       order or threatened stop order; and

                    (z) the shares of Bancorp  Stock being  delivered by Bancorp
       to the  Shareholders  in exchange  for their  shares of FPSB Stock having
       been  qualified or registered  for offering and sale under the securities
       or Blue Sky laws of each  jurisdiction in which the  Shareholders  reside
       (or exempted therefrom);  provided that Bancorp shall not be obligated to
       execute or file any  general  consent to service of process or to qualify
       as a  foreign  corporation  in any  jurisdiction  in  which  it is not so
       qualified.

Such  approvals,  together  with  any  other  governmental  approvals  that  are
necessary to effectuate the Mergers,  are referred to herein as the  "Regulatory
Approvals."

              (b) Subject to Section 6.1(a),  the parties hereto shall cooperate
and shall use their reasonable best efforts to obtain all

                                       31

<PAGE>



the  Regulatory  Approvals  and  to do  all  other  things  which  are or may be
reasonably  necessary  to  consummate  the Merger.  Bancorp  shall have  primary
responsibility  for the preparation of all  applications and filings required in
connection  with  subparagraphs  (a) (i), (ii) and (iii) above and shall use its
best  efforts  to file all  necessary  applications  within  50 days of the date
hereof.  Each  party  shall  cooperate  with  the  other in  preparation  of all
applications  for such  Regulatory  Approvals  and will  furnish  promptly  upon
request all documents,  information,  financial statements or other materials as
may be required in order to complete  such  applications.  In addition,  Bancorp
shall furnish FPSB and its counsel with copies of the non- confidential portions
of all such applications  after they are filed.  Should the appearance of any of
the officers,  directors,  employees or counsel of any of the parties  hereto be
requested by any of the parties or by any governmental  agency at any hearing or
otherwise in connection with any such application, such party shall promptly use
its best  efforts to arrange  for those  appearances.  Each party  hereto  shall
afford the others reasonable opportunity to review all such applications and all
amendments and supplements  thereto before filing and each party's prior consent
shall be required (and not unreasonably withheld) as to all information and data
submitted  by  another  party  which  pertains  to the party  whose  consent  is
required.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  implied in this Agreement,
Bancorp and CB shall not be required to accept any term or condition  imposed by
any   governmental   authority  in  connection  with  any  of  the  transactions
contemplated  by this Agreement or the operation of Bancorp or its  subsidiaries
after the Closing which Bancorp or CB reasonably and in good faith determines to
be  unduly  burdensome,  provided  that  Bancorp  and CB may  not  withdraw  any
application for the Regulatory Approvals based on such determination unless FPSB
shall concur in writing as provided in Section 6.1(a)(ii).

       5.3 OTHER  CONSENTS.  FPSB  agrees to apply  for and  diligently  seek to
obtain all written  consents and approvals of other  persons in connection  with
its leases and other  agreements,  the benefits of which cannot be retained upon
the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby without the written
consent of such persons.

       5.4 ACTIVITIES PENDING CLOSING. From the date hereof to and including the
Effective  Time,  unless  Bancorp  otherwise  consents  in  writing or except as
otherwise provided or anticipated herein, FPSB shall:

              (a) Conduct its affairs  only in the  ordinary  course of business
consistent with past practice (including, but not limited to, its provisions for
possible  loan  losses)  and  in  material   compliance  with  applicable  laws,
regulations, rules and directives, use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact
its present  business  organization  and use its best efforts to keep its assets
and  facilities  in good  repair,  keep  available  the  services of its present
officers  and  employees  and preserve its  relationship  and goodwill  with all
persons having business dealings with it;

              (b) Refrain from issuing or selling or obligating  itself to issue
or sell any shares of its capital stock or any warrants, rights

                                       32

<PAGE>



or options to acquire,  or any securities  convertible  into, any of its capital
stock;

              (c)  Refrain   from   paying  any   dividends   or  making   other
distributions  with respect to the capital stock of FPSB,  except for a $500,000
semi-annual cash dividend payable on June 1, 1996;

              (d)   Not amend its Federal Stock Charter or Bylaws;

              (e) Except as  otherwise  required  by law or  determined  in good
faith by the Board of Directors of FPSB to be required in order to discharge its
fiduciary  duties,  refrain from entering into, or recommending  the adoption by
the  Shareholders  of, any  agreements  involving  the possible  merger or other
business combination  concerning FPSB or the acquisition of a substantial equity
interest in, or a substantial portion of the assets of, FPSB by any other person
not party to this Agreement;

              (f) Except as  otherwise  required  by law or  determined  in good
faith by the Board of Directors of FPSB to be required in order to discharge its
fiduciary duties, refrain from accepting or recommending to the Shareholders any
tender offer to purchase any of FPSB's outstanding shares of FPSB Stock;

              (g) Consult  with and seek the advice of Bancorp  with  respect to
basic policies relating to branching, site location and relocation;

              (h) Not enter into,  amend or terminate  any material  contract or
agreement, except in the ordinary course of business;

              (i) Not enter into,  amend,  terminate,  extend or renew any lease
for real property;

              (j) Refrain from hiring any employees,  directors,  officers (Vice
Presidents and more senior officers), agents, consultants or representatives (or
increasing the salary of, or benefits or any other compensation  payable to, any
of those  persons) or  effecting,  entering  into or  modifying  any  employment
agreement, bonus, pension, retirement, severance, insurance or other arrangement
to or with any person,  except for the hiring of staff other than  officers on a
temporary  basis,  and except for reasonable  retention and  transition  bonuses
payable at the Closing.

              (k) Not  create or incur  any  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  pledge,
assessment,  security interest, adverse claim, charge or encumbrance of any kind
or  conditional  contract of sale or contract  for any of the  foregoing  on any
assets owned, used or held for use in the conduct of the business of FPSB;

              (l) Not make  capital  expenditures  or  commitments  therefor  in
excess of $50,000 in the aggregate;

              (m) Not incur or increase its  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

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              (n) Not cancel or waive any claims or rights of substantial value,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

              (o) Not make any  payments  to any  affiliates  of FPSB other than
lease  payments  on  Property  leased by FPSB in  amounts  consistent  with past
practices and other than the payment of ordinary  directors' fees for attendance
at meetings of the Board of Directors of FPSB,  also in amounts  consistent with
past practices;

              (p) Not fail in any material respect to comply with any regulation
or directive of the OTS or any other governmental authority;

              (q) Not  originate  any new loans that  would have an  outstanding
principal  amount in excess of $500,000,  purchasing  or modifying  any existing
loans, or modifying any material agreements;  provided,  however, that Bancorp's
consent  shall not be required  for FPSB to modify any loan with an  outstanding
principal amount of less than $500,000, if any such modification neither extends
the loan maturity by more than one year nor reduces FPSB's regulatory capital in
any respect;

              (r)  Not  agree,  in  writing  or  otherwise,  to do  any  of  the
foregoing; and

              (s) Not  cause or permit  any of the  things  listed  in  Sections
3.11(b) through (q) to occur.

For purposes of this Section 5.4,  Bancorp shall not  unreasonably  withhold its
consent and its consent  shall be deemed given if not refused in writing  within
seven  calendar days after receipt by Bancorp of a written  request by FPSB (and
Bancorp  will make  reasonable  efforts  to reply  sooner),  provided  that FPSB
furnishes  Bancorp  with  complete  information  and an  opportunity  to consult
concerning  the subject of the consent as early as  reasonably  possible  before
requesting the consent.

       5.5  MONTEREY  PARK  PROJECT.  Notwithstanding  the  representations  and
covenants in Sections  5.4 and  elsewhere  in this  Agreement,  Bancorp and FPSB
agree that reasonable  preliminary planning expenses may be incurred and paid as
reasonably   necessary  by  FPSB  (including  but  not  limited  to  demolition,
engineering,  architectural and other planning and design services) with respect
to contingent  plans to construct a new Head Office in Monterey  Park;  provided
that (a) such total  expenses  incurred or paid  between the date hereof and the
Closing related to this project shall not exceed $100,000 and (b) FPSB shall not
undertake  or commit  to  undertake  or pay for any  activities  related  to the
project other than such  preliminary  planning matters without the prior written
consent of Bancorp.

       5.6 ACCESS TO INFORMATION.  During the period of this Agreement and until
the  Effective  Time,  FPSB shall  furnish and use its best efforts to cause its
independent auditor and any service bureau under

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contract  to it to furnish,  to Bancorp or its  authorized  representatives,  on
reasonable  notice  and  during  ordinary  business  hours,  full  access to its
premises  and all of its  books,  records  and  properties,  including,  but not
limited to, all loan, investment, accounting, tax and property records and files
including,   without  limitation,  all  files,  computer  records  and  customer
information,  whether  held by FPSB,  the  independent  auditor  or any  service
bureau.  FPSB shall provide  reasonable  access to allow Bancorp to  communicate
with  FPSB's   employees.   FPSB  shall  provide   Bancorp  and  its  authorized
representatives  with access to any and all real properties  securing loans made
by it, to the extent legally  permissible.  Such examination  shall be made in a
manner that will not unreasonably  interfere with the conduct of the business of
the party being  examined  and shall not affect any of the  representations  and
warranties  hereunder.  FPSB shall provide and use its best efforts to cause its
independent  auditor  and any  service  bureau to  provide,  adequate  space and
facilities and the cooperation of their personnel,  including copying facilities
to the end that such examination  shall be completed  expeditiously,  completely
and accurately.  Without limitation of the foregoing,  Bancorp or its authorized
representatives shall be specifically entitled to conduct environmental reviews,
investigation and testing as to the presence of Hazardous Materials in or on any
Property.

       5.7  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Except as  contemplated  by this  Agreement  or as
necessary to carry out the transactions  contemplated herein, all information or
documents  furnished  hereunder  by any party to any other  party  shall be kept
confidential  by the party to whom it is  furnished,  and shall not use the same
for  its  advantage  until  such  time  as  such  information  becomes  publicly
available,  except to the  extent  (a) it was  known by such  other  party  when
received,  or (b) it is or thereafter  becomes  lawfully  obtainable  from other
sources  (except  through  a  breach  by a  party),  or (c) it is  necessary  or
appropriate to disclose the same to any regulatory authority having jurisdiction
over the parties or their subsidiaries or as otherwise may be required by law or
(d)  such  duty  of  confidentiality  is  waived  by the  other  party.  If such
transactions  are not  consummated,  each  party  shall  return to the other all
information  and documents  furnished  hereunder and shall return or destroy all
summaries and excerpts  therefrom.  Without limiting the foregoing,  information
and  documents  furnished by FPSB  hereunder  may be disclosed by Bancorp to the
FRB, FDIC, the OTS, the Superintendent  and any other governmental  agency whose
approval,   consent,   authorization  or  other  action  is  necessary  for  the
consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby.

       5.8  MEETING  OF  SHAREHOLDERS.  FPSB  shall  duly call a meeting  of its
Shareholders  for the purpose of obtaining the approval by the  Shareholders  of
the Merger, this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and all other matters necessary
to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by this  Agreement,  which meeting
shall  be held  not  later  than 45 days  following  the  date  upon  which  the
Registration  Statement shall have been declared  effective.  In connection with
such  meeting,  the Board of Directors of FPSB shall,  to the extent  consistent
with their fiduciary duties, recommend approval of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and indicate the determination by the

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<PAGE>



Board of Directors that the Merger is in the best interests of the Shareholders.
Notice  of  the  meeting  to be  held  by  FPSB  shall  be  accompanied  by  the
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement.  Prior to mailing the  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement,
FPSB shall  deliver  to Bancorp a comfort  letter  from its  accountants  to the
effect set forth in Section 6.3(d), and dated as of a date not earlier than five
days prior to the date of such mailing of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.

       5.9 COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATORY AUTHORITIES.  In obtaining the approval of
Shareholders  referred to in Section 5.8,  FPSB and its  officers and  directors
will,  in all  respects,  comply  with  the  provisions  of and  the  rules  and
regulations  under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and other  applicable
laws  and   regulations  of  the  OTS.  In  connection  with  that  approval  of
Shareholders,  Bancorp and its officers  will, in all respects,  comply with the
provisions of and the rules and  regulations  under the  Securities  Act and the
Exchange Act and other  applicable  laws and  regulations  of the FRB,  FDIC and
State of  California.  Bancorp and CB shall not fail in any material  respect to
comply with any  regulation  or  directive  of, or any  commitments  made or any
corrective  action  plans  or  program  presented  to,  the  FRB,  FDIC,  or the
Superintendent.

       5.10 BANCORP STOCK  LISTING.  Bancorp shall use its best efforts to list,
prior to the Effective Time, on the Nasdaq National Market System,  subject only
to  official  notice  of  issuance,  the  shares of  Bancorp  Stock to be issued
pursuant to the Merger.

       5.11  NOTIFICATION.  Each party to this Agreement shall notify each other
party  promptly  after  becoming aware of the occurrence of, or the impending or
threatened  occurrence of, any event that would  constitute a breach on its part
of any obligation under this Agreement or the occurrence of any event that would
cause  any  representation  or  warranty  made  by  it  herein  to be  false  or
misleading,  or if it becomes a party or is threatened  with becoming a party to
any legal or equitable  proceeding  or  governmental  investigation  or upon the
occurrence  of any event that in each case would result in a material  change in
the circumstances of such party described in the  representations and warranties
contained herein.

       5.12 NO SHOPPING.  Except as otherwise  required by law or  determined in
good  faith  by the  Board  of  Directors  of FPSB to be  required  in  order to
discharge its fiduciary duties, FPSB shall not, directly or indirectly,  through
any  officer,  director or agent or  otherwise,  solicit,  initiate,  encourage,
participate in any negotiation in respect of or cooperate with (including by way
of furnishing any nonpublic information  concerning the business,  properties or
assets of FPSB) any Acquisition  Proposal (as defined in Section  8.2(c)).  FPSB
will notify Bancorp promptly by telephone,  and thereafter promptly confirm such
notification  in writing,  if any such  information  is requested  from,  or any
Acquisition  Proposal or inquiry  with  respect to any  Acquisition  Proposal is
received by, FPSB.

       5.13  FUTURE  INFORMATION.  FPSB  shall  provide  to  Bancorp  as soon as
practicable  and to the extent  permitted  by law, but in no event later than 30
days following the end of each calendar month from the date

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<PAGE>



hereof  through the Closing Date,  copies of all financial  statements and other
written information  provided to the Board of Directors of FPSB, and all reports
filed with federal or state regulatory agencies.

       5.14 DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' LIABILITY INSURANCE. FPSB will use its best
efforts to obtain  insurance  coverage  for five years from the  Effective  Date
(with at least as much dollar  coverage as FPSB's  directors  and officers  have
under their current policy) for prior acts for all current and former  directors
of FPSB; provided,  however, that FPSB, Bancorp and CB shall not be obligated to
make  premium  payments  for such  insurance  to the extent such annual  premium
payments  would  exceed 200 percent of the annual  premium  payments of FPSB for
such insurance  during the year prior to the Effective Time. If such coverage is
not  available,  Bancorp and CB will use their best  efforts to purchase  "prior
acts"  coverage for such five-year  period and will maintain  FPSB's current and
former  directors  and  officers as  "Additional  Insureds" on Bancorp's or CB's
"prior acts" coverage also for such five-year period;  provided,  however,  that
Bancorp  and CB  shall  not be  obligated  to make  premium  payments  for  such
insurance to the extent such annual premium payments would exceed 200 percent of
the annual premium  payments of CB for such  insurance  during the year prior to
the Effective Time.

       5.15 FURTHER ASSURANCES.  At the request of Bancorp,  including after the
Closing  and  without  payment  or  any  additional   consideration  other  than
reimbursement  for  authorized  and documented  out-of-pocket  expenses,  FPSB's
directors and officers shall execute and deliver such further documents and take
such further actions as may be reasonably  requested by Bancorp in order to give
effect to the  provisions of this  Agreement or to assist  Bancorp in connection
with any lawsuit, inquiry,  proceeding or other matter, whether or not currently
pending, which arises out of events or circumstances that precede the Closing.

       5.16  AFFILIATES.  At least 40 days before the Closing  Date,  FPSB shall
deliver to Bancorp a letter  identifying  all  persons who are, at the time this
Agreement is submitted for approval to the  Shareholders,  "affiliates"  of FPSB
for  purposes  of Rule 145 under the  Securities  Act.  FPSB  shall use its best
efforts to cause each person  named on the letter  delivered by it to deliver to
Bancorp  at  least  30  days  before  the  Closing  Date  a  written   agreement
substantially  in the form  provided to FPSB by Bancorp  relating to  compliance
with the requirements of Rule 145.

       5.17 BENEFIT  PLANS.  Before the Closing  Date,  FPSB shall  terminate or
cause the termination of any Plan in which members of the Boards of Directors of
FPSB or FPSC participate,  provided that after the Closing, Bancorp and CB agree
to honor and effect the payment  election  option that each vested FPSB director
under the FPSB Directors'  Retirement Plan shall select before the Closing Date.
Before the Closing Date,  FPSB shall  terminate or cause the  termination of any
401(k) Plan  maintained  for employees of FPSB or FPSC.  FPSB shall consult with
Bancorp in connection  with such  terminations  and shall comply with applicable
law and all related reasonable limitations specified by Bancorp.  Bancorp agrees
that with  respect  to any  pension,  savings,  vacation,  health  and  welfare,
disability benefits,

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<PAGE>



compensation,  incentive and bonus  arrangements of Bancorp or CB, including the
"Cathay  Employee  Incentive  Stock  Ownership  Plan and Trust,"  Bancorp  shall
recognize,  or cause CB to recognize,  under its or CB's employee  benefit plans
and  compensation  arrangements,  the service of any  employee of FPSB with FPSB
(counted  from the original date of hire) if employed by Bancorp or CB after the
Effective Time for purposes of participation,  eligibility and vesting,  but not
for purposes of benefit accrual or calculation.

       5.18 BANCORP  STOCK.  From the date hereof to and including the Effective
Time, unless FPSB otherwise consents in writing (which shall not be unreasonably
or  untimely  withheld),  Bancorp  shall  refrain  from  issuing  or  selling or
obligating  itself  to issue  or sell any  shares  of its  capital  stock or any
warrants,  rights or options to acquire or any securities  convertible into, any
of its capital  stock  (other than  pursuant  to this  Agreement  and other than
pursuant to Bancorp's  existing  option and purchase  arrangements  and dividend
reinvestment plan), and shall neither take or agree to take any action before or
after the Effective  Time that would prevent the  transactions  contemplated  by
this Agreement from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code.

       5.19 LOAN LOSS  RESERVE.  After the receipt of all  Regulatory  Approvals
(subject to the expiration of any applicable  waiting  periods) and the approval
of the Merger by the Shareholders, and effective immediately before the Closing,
FPSB shall increase its reserve for possible loan losses by the amount specified
by Bancorp, provided that such action (a) shall not be deemed to have a Material
Adverse Effect and (b) shall not be deemed to be a determination by the Board of
Directors of FPSB that FPSB's reserve for possible loan losses is not adequate.


VI.    CONDITIONS TO CLOSING


       6.1 MUTUAL  CONDITIONS TO PARTIES'  OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.  The  respective
obligations of Bancorp, CB and FPSB to consummate the transactions  contemplated
by this  Agreement  are subject to the  satisfaction  or waiver on or before the
Closing  Date  (or  as  otherwise  provided  below)  of  all  of  the  following
conditions:

              (a) Regulatory  Approvals.  All the  Regulatory  Approvals for the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained without the
imposition of any  condition  (i) which  Bancorp in good faith  determines to be
materially  burdensome  upon the conduct of the business of Bancorp or CB as the
same is being conducted at the time such approval is granted,  or as the same is
then anticipated to be conducted in the future and (ii) with which determination
FPSB concurs in writing (which concurrence shall not be unreasonably  withheld);
such approvals shall be in effect and no proceedings  shall have been instituted
or threatened with respect thereto;  all applicable waiting periods with respect
to such  approvals  shall have  expired;  and all  conditions  and  requirements
prescribed by law or by such Regulatory Approvals shall have been satisfied.

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<PAGE>




              (b) Registration Statement.  The Registration Statement, as it may
have been amended, required in connection with the shares of Bancorp Stock to be
issued to Shareholders  pursuant to Section 1.2 and as described in Section 5.1,
shall have become  effective and no stop order  suspending the  effectiveness of
such  Registration  Statement shall have been issued and shall remain in effect,
and no  proceedings  for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by
the SEC the basis for which shall remain in effect.

              (c) No  Violation of Law. The  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement  shall not  violate  any  order,  decree or  judgment  of any court or
governmental body having competent jurisdiction,  and no law, rule or regulation
shall have been  adopted by any such body that  prohibits or enjoins the actions
contemplated by this Agreement.  No action,  suit or proceeding before any court
or governmental body shall be pending or threatened  challenging the legality of
the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  or seeking to restrain their
consummation.

              (d) Federal Tax  Opinion.  FPSB shall have  received  (and Bancorp
shall have  received a copy of) an  opinion  of  Pillsbury  Madison & Sutro LLP,
special counsel to FPSB, in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to FPSB,
including  provisions  permitting reliance on the opinion by FPSB, to the effect
that for federal income tax purposes:  (i) the transactions  contemplated hereby
will  constitute a  reorganization  within the meaning of Section  368(a) of the
Code;  (ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the  Shareholders  who receive
solely  Bancorp Stock in exchange for their FPSB Stock in the Merger;  (iii) the
tax basis of a  Shareholder  in the  Bancorp  Stock  received  in the  Merger in
exchange for his or her FPSB Stock will be the same as the tax basis of the FPSB
Stock  surrendered  in exchange  therefor;  and (iv) the  holding  period of the
shares of Bancorp Stock  received in the Merger by a Shareholder in exchange for
his or her FPSB Stock will include the holding  period of the shares of the FPSB
Stock  surrendered  therefor provided that such FPSB Stock was held as a capital
asset by such  Shareholder.  The  parties  understand  and  agree  that said tax
opinion  shall rely upon  customary  representations  by the parties  and/or the
Shareholders (or assumptions) as to certain factual matters,  including (without
limitation) a representation (or assumption) that a minimum of 50 percent of all
currently  outstanding  FPSB Stock will be  exchanged  for Bancorp  Stock in the
Merger,   with  no  intention  to  dispose  of  such  Bancorp   Stock  and  that
substantially all of the assets of FPSB will be acquired by CB.

              (e) Stock Listing. Nasdaq shall have confirmed to Bancorp that the
shares of Bancorp Stock expected to be issued in connection  with the Merger are
authorized for listing on the Nasdaq National Market System.

       6.2 CONDITIONS TO FPSB'S  OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.  The obligation of FPSB to
consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement is subject to the
satisfaction  or waiver on or before the Closing Date (or as otherwise  provided
below) of all of the following conditions:


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<PAGE>



              (a) Continued  Accuracy of  Warranties  and  Representations.  All
representations  and  warranties  of Bancorp and CB contained in this  Agreement
shall be true in all  material  respects on and as of the Closing  Date with the
same effect as though such  representations  and warranties had been made on and
as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties
expressly speak as of an earlier date);  Bancorp and CB shall have performed and
satisfied in all material respects all covenants and conditions required by this
Agreement  to be  performed  and  satisfied by either of them at or prior to the
Closing Date; and there shall have been delivered to FPSB on the Closing Date, a
certificate executed by a duly authorized officer of Bancorp and CB, certifying,
to the best of the officer's  knowledge,  compliance  with all the provisions of
this Section 6.2(a).

              (b)   Board and Shareholder Approval.

                    (i)  The   Shareholders  of  more  than  two-thirds  of  the
outstanding  shares of FPSB Stock  entitled  to vote shall  have  approved  this
Agreement,  the Merger,  the Merger Agreement and the transactions  contemplated
hereby and

                    (ii) Bancorp shall have furnished FPSB with:

                           (A) a certified copy of each of the resolutions  duly
              adopted by the Boards of  Directors  of Bancorp  and CB  approving
              this  Agreement,   the  Merger,   the  Merger  Agreement  and  the
              transactions contemplated hereby; and

                           (B) a certified copy of  resolutions  duly adopted by
              Bancorp,  as the  sole  holder  of the  outstanding  shares  of CB
              entitled to vote thereon,  approving this  Agreement,  the Merger,
              the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

              (c)  Opinion  of  Counsel.  FPSB shall  have  received  an opinion
addressed to it of Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe,  counsel to Bancorp, dated
the Closing Date,  expressing the legal opinions,  containing the qualifications
and making the assumptions that are customary for similar transactions.

              (d) Calculation  Date Bancorp Stock Price.  The  Calculation  Date
Bancorp Stock Price shall be equal to at least $11.00.

              (e)  Fairness  Opinion.  FPSB shall have  received  the opinion of
Montgomery  Securities in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to FPSB to
the effect that the Total Consideration Value to be received by the Shareholders
is fair  from a  financial  point  of view to the  Shareholders  receiving  such
consideration.

       6.3  CONDITIONS  TO BANCORP'S  OBLIGATION  TO CLOSE.  The  obligation  of
Bancorp and CB to consummate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement is
subject  to the  satisfaction  or waiver on or before  the  Closing  Date (or as
otherwise provided below) of all of the following conditions:


                                       40

<PAGE>



              (a) Continued  Accuracy of  Warranties  and  Representations.  All
warranties and representations of FPSB contained in this Agreement shall be true
in all  material  respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as
though  such  representations  and  warranties  had  been  made on and as of the
Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly
speak as of an earlier  date);  FPSB shall have  performed  and satisfied in all
material respects all covenants and conditions  required by this Agreement to be
performed and  satisfied by it at or prior to the Closing Date;  and there shall
have been delivered to Bancorp and CB on the Closing Date a certificate executed
by the  Chairman of the Board of Directors  of FPSB  certifying,  to the best of
such  officer's  knowledge,  compliance  with all the provisions of this Section
6.3(a).

              (b)   Board and Shareholder Approval.

                    (i)    FPSB shall have furnished Bancorp and CB with:

                           (A) a certified copy of the resolutions  duly adopted
       by the Board of Directors of FPSB approving this  Agreement,  the Merger,
       the  Merger  Agreement  and  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and
       directing the submission thereof to a vote of the Shareholders; and

                           (B) a certified copy of  resolutions  duly adopted by
       the holders of more than  two-thirds  of the  outstanding  shares of FPSB
       entitled to vote thereon approving this Agreement, the Merger, the Merger
       Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

                    (ii) The conditions  described in Section  6.2(b)(ii)(A) and
(B) shall have been fulfilled.

              (c)  Opinion of  Counsel.  Bancorp  and CB shall have  received an
opinion  addressed  to them of Pillsbury  Madison & Sutro LLP,  counsel to FPSB,
dated  the  Closing  Date,   expressing  the  legal  opinions,   containing  the
qualifications  and  making  the  assumptions  that are  customary  for  similar
transactions.

              (d) Comfort Letter. Bancorp shall have received a "comfort" letter
from the  independent  auditor  for FPSB,  dated as of a date not more than five
days before the Closing Date, in form and substance  satisfactory to Bancorp and
substantially to the effect that:

                    (i) it is an independent public accounting firm with respect
       to FPSB within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and
       the rules and  regulations  of the SEC  thereunder,  and the  information
       appearing  in the  Registration  Statement  as it relates to such firm is
       correct;

                    (ii) in its opinion the audited financial statements of FPSB
       examined by it and included in the Registration Statement or incorporated
       therein by reference comply as to form in all material  respects with the
       applicable  requirements  of the  Securities Act and the Exchange Act and
       the applicable published rules and regulations

                                       41

<PAGE>



       of the SEC thereunder with respect to registration statements on the form
       employed;

                    (iii) on the  basis of  specified  procedures,  which do not
       constitute an examination in accordance with generally  accepted auditing
       standards  but  which do  include a reading  of the  unaudited  financial
       statements,  if any, of FPSB,  included or  incorporated  by reference in
       such  Registration  Statement  and  of  the  latest  available  unaudited
       financial  statements  of FPSB,  inquiries  of officers  responsible  for
       financial and accounting  matters of FPSB and a reading of the minutes of
       meetings of shareholders and the Board of Directors of FPSB,  nothing has
       come to its  attention  that causes it to believe (A) that the  unaudited
       financial  statements,  if  any,  of FPSB  included  or  incorporated  by
       reference in such Registration  Statement do not comply as to form in all
       material  respects with the  applicable  accounting  requirements  of the
       Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and  regulations of the
       SEC thereunder,  (B) that the unaudited financial statements of FPSB from
       which any unaudited  quarterly  financial  information  set forth in such
       Registration  Statement  has been  derived and the then latest  available
       unaudited  financial  statements  of FPSB  are not  fairly  presented  in
       conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  on a basis
       substantially consistent with that of prior audited financial statements,
       or (C) that,  as of a designated  date not more than five  business  days
       prior to the Closing Date, there has been any change in the capital stock
       of FPSB, or any decrease in excess of five percent in total shareholders'
       equity  (excluding any costs associated with the Merger) of FPSB, in each
       case in comparison with the amounts shown for each of the foregoing items
       in the most recent  information  presented in the Registration  Statement
       and in the Financial Statements; and

                    (iv) it has compared with the general  accounting records of
       FPSB and other  data  prepared  by FPSB to the extent  specified  in such
       letter,  certain  information of an accounting,  financial or statistical
       nature  (which  is  limited  to  accounting,   financial  or  statistical
       information derived from general accounting records of FPSB) set forth in
       the Registration  Statement and, except as set forth in such letter,  has
       found such amounts and percentages constituting such information to be in
       agreement.

              (e) Dissenting Shares Limitation.  Not more than 10 percent of the
issued  and  outstanding  shares of FPSB  Stock at the  Effective  Time shall be
Dissenting Shares.

              (f)  Benefit  Plans.  The Plans  required  by  Section  5.17 to be
terminated  shall have been terminated in accordance with applicable law and the
reasonable limitations specified by Bancorp.

              (g) Loan Loss  Reserve.  As required by Section  5.19,  FPSB shall
have  increased its reserve for possible loan losses by the amount  specified by
Bancorp.



                                       42

<PAGE>



VII.          INDEMNIFICATION

       7.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF BANCORP INDEMNITEES. FPSB shall indemnify and hold
harmless Bancorp and all of its affiliates,  directors,  officers, employees and
agents  (collectively,  the "Bancorp  Indemnitees") from and against any and all
claims, losses, judgments, liabilities, settlements, fines, penalties, interest,
costs and expenses (including all reasonable  attorneys' fees and disbursements,
whether incurred in resolving indemnification issues between or among parties to
this Agreement or in defending  third-party  claims,  and collectively with such
claims,  etc.,  "Losses")  that  constitute,  result  from,  arise out of or are
connected:  (a) with any  obligations or liabilities of FPSB,  whether  accrued,
absolute,  contingent,  known or unknown that were required to be, but were not,
disclosed in this Agreement,  (b) any breach of any representation,  warranty or
covenant of FPSB set forth in this Agreement or (c) any material misstatement or
omission to state any fact which is required to be disclosed for purposes of the
inclusion of such  information  in any  regulatory  filing made on behalf of the
parties  hereto  for the  purpose  of  effecting  the  terms of this  Agreement,
including,  but not limited to, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement and any amendment thereto.

       7.2    INDEMNIFICATION OF FPSB INDEMNITEES.

              (a) Bancorp shall  indemnify and hold harmless FPSB and all of its
affiliates,  directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively,  the "FPSB
Indemnitees")  from and against all Losses that  constitute,  result from, arise
out of or are  connected  with any  breach of any  representation,  warranty  or
covenant of Bancorp forth in this Agreement and from and against all Losses that
constitute, result from, arise out of or are connected: (a) with any obligations
or liabilities of Bancorp or CB, whether accrued, absolute, contingent, known or
unknown that were required to be, but were not, disclosed in this Agreement, (b)
any breach of any  representation,  warranty  or  covenant  of Bancorp or CB set
forth in this  Agreement or (c) any material  misstatement  or omission to state
any fact which is required to be disclosed for purposes of the inclusion of such
information  in any  regulatory  filing made on behalf of the parties hereto for
the purpose of effecting the terms of this Agreement, including, but not limited
to, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus/Proxy Statement and any amendment
thereto.

              (b) In addition to the covenants and  obligations in Section 5.14,
from and after the Effective Time, until the fifth  anniversary of the Effective
Time,  Bancorp will, to the fullest  extent  permitted by then  applicable  law,
indemnify  current  and  former  directors  and  officers  of FPSB  (also  "FPSB
Indemnitees") as though they had been directors and/or officers of Bancorp,  for
all Losses arising out of acts or omissions  occurring  prior to, and including,
the  Effective  Time and,  to the  extent  consistent  with the  Certificate  of
Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Bancorp and CB, shall pay
all reasonable  expenses in advance of the final  disposition of any such claims
or potential liabilities,  which payments must be immediately repaid by the FPSB
Indemnitee if such payments are later

                                       43

<PAGE>



deemed not required by this Agreement or are not allowed by law. Notwithstanding
the foregoing,  no FPSB Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification  for any
conduct which involved: (i) intentional misconduct,  (ii) a knowing violation of
law by the FPSB Indemnitee, (iii) conduct or circumstances where indemnification
would not be permitted under Section 317 of the California Corporations Code (as
if such statute  applied) or (iv) any transaction from which the FPSB Indemnitee
has  personally  received a benefit in money,  property or services to which the
FPSB Indemnitee was not legally entitled.

       7.3  DIMINUTION.  It is expressly  understood that "Losses" may include a
diminution  in value even absent a claim by another  person  against any Bancorp
Indemnitees  or  FPSB   Indemnitees   (collectively,   the   "Indemnitees"   or,
individually, an "Indemnitee").

       7.4  INDEMNIFICATION  PROCEDURE FOR THIRD-PARTY  CLAIMS. If any action or
claim (a "Third-Party Claim") is or shall be commenced against any Indemnitee in
respect of which an Indemnitee  seeks or will seek  indemnification  from one or
more of the indemnitors under Section 7.1 or 7.2 (collectively,  as appropriate,
the  "Indemnitors"),  the Indemnitee  shall notify the Indemnitor in writing and
summarize  the  nature of the  Third-Party  Claim and the  basis  upon  which it
appears  to have been  asserted.  Any delay in  giving  such a notice  shall not
affect the rights of the Indemnitee under this Article VII unless the Indemnitor
demonstrates that such delay materially  prejudiced the rights of the Indemnitor
with  respect  to the  Third-Party  Claim.  Within  10  business  days  after an
Indemnitee  gives such a notice,  the Indemnitor  shall notify the Indemnitee in
writing  whether  the  Indemnitor  will  defend the  Third-Party  Claim.  If the
Indemnitor  elects to defend,  it will not settle or compromise the  Third-Party
Claim without the Indemnitee's prior written consent.  That consent shall not be
unreasonably  withheld. If the Indemnitor does not defend the Third-Party Claim,
the Indemnitee shall be entitled,  but not obligated,  to defend the Third-Party
Claim. Whether or not the Indemnitor defends, the Indemnitor shall pay and shall
currently  fund  all  costs  and  expenses  of  the  defense.  Moreover,  if the
Indemnitor  does not timely elect to defend or does so elect but does not defend
the Third-Party Claim in good faith, the Indemnitee, after giving the Indemnitor
at least 10 business days' prior written notice of its intention to proceed with
a  settlement,  need not consult the  Indemnitor  regarding  any  settlement  or
compromise.

       7.5  SURVIVAL.  The  representations  and  warranties  contained  in this
Agreement  shall not survive the Closing.  The  representations  and  warranties
shall be of no further  force and effect  after the  Closing,  unless and to the
extent that a claim (or claims) for indemnification has been asserted in writing
to the  Indemnitor on or before the Closing.  The covenants of the parties shall
survive until fully performed or discharged.  The Merger Agreement shall survive
the Closing.


VIII.         TERMINATION



                                       44

<PAGE>



       8.1  TERMINATION.  This  Agreement  and the  obligations  of the  parties
hereunder may be terminated:

              (a) By mutual  written  consent of the parties at any time whether
or not previously approved by the Shareholders;

              (b) By any party  upon the  expiration  of 15 days  after the FRB,
FDIC,  the  Superintendent,  OTS  or any  other  governmental  authority  having
jurisdiction over any of the transactions set forth herein, in writing denies or
refuses to grant any approval,  consent,  qualification or ruling required to be
obtained under applicable law or refuses to accept or process further  Bancorp's
or CB's  application,  or Bancorp or CB withdraws its  application  and does not
promptly resubmit the application;

              (c) Immediately  upon the expiration of 30 days from the date that
Bancorp has given notice to FPSB of FPSB's material misrepresentation in respect
of or  material  breach  of or  failure  to  satisfy  any  condition,  warranty,
representation or agreement herein; provided,  however, that no such termination
shall take effect unless it is  reasonably  evident that FPSB cannot or will not
fully and  completely  correct the grounds for  termination  as specified in the
aforementioned notice on or before the Closing Date;

              (d) Immediately  upon the expiration of 30 days from the date that
FPSB has given  notice to Bancorp of  Bancorp's  material  misrepresentation  in
respect of or material breach of or failure to satisfy any condition,  warranty,
representation or agreement contained herein;  provided,  however,  that no such
termination  shall take effect  unless it is  reasonably  evident  that  Bancorp
cannot or will not fully and completely  correct the grounds for  termination as
specified in the aforementioned notice on or before the Closing Date;

              (e) Prior to the approval of this  Agreement by the requisite vote
of the  Shareholders,  by the Board of Directors of FPSB if there exists at such
time an  Acquisition  Proposal (as defined  below) and such Board of  Directors,
after having  consulted with and considered the advice of outside legal counsel,
reasonably  determines  in good  faith  that  such  action is  necessary  in the
exercise of its fiduciary duties under applicable laws;

              (f) By FPSB if the  Calculation  Date  Bancorp  Stock Price is not
equal to at least $11.00; and

              (g)  Immediately  by  a  party  hereto  that  is  not  in  default
hereunder, if the Closing has not occurred on or before February 1, 1997.

       8.2    EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

              (a) If this  Agreement  is  terminated  under  Section  8.1,  this
Agreement  shall become void, and there shall be no liability on the part of any
party or any of such  party's  directors,  officers,  employees or agents to the
other party or such other party's shareholders; provided that the obligations of
Sections 5.7, 8.2(b),

                                       45

<PAGE>



9.8 and 9.10 and Article VII shall survive the  termination  of this  Agreement;
and provided  further that a termination  under Section  8.1(c) or (d) shall not
relieve  any party of any  liability  for  breach of this  Agreement  or for any
misrepresentation  hereunder  or be deemed to  constitute a waiver of any remedy
available for such breach or misrepresentation.

              (b) If this Agreement is terminated prior to or concurrently  with
the occurrence of any of the following events,  FPSB shall pay to Bancorp a cash
fee of $875,000 in immediately  available funds on or before the second business
day following such termination:

                    (i) FPSB (or its Board of Directors) shall have entered into
       an  agreement  with  respect  to, or  authorized,  approved,  proposed or
       publicly announced its intention to enter into, any Acquisition Proposal;

                    (ii)  any  person   (together   with  its   affiliates   and
       associates)  or group (as such  terms are used for  purposes  of  Section
       13(d) of the  Exchange  Act) (other  than  Bancorp)  shall have  acquired
       beneficial ownership of 50 percent or more of the then outstanding shares
       of the FPSB Stock then  entitled  to vote  generally  in the  election of
       directors of FPSB; or

                    (iii) following the making of an Acquisition Proposal,  FPSB
       shall have breached any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement
       such that Bancorp  would be entitled to terminate  this  Agreement  under
       Section 8.1(c) thereof  (without  regard to any grace period provided for
       therein)  unless  such  breach is  promptly  cured  without  jeopardizing
       consummation of the Merger pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

FPSB  acknowledges  that its obligations under this Section 8.2(b) are necessary
in  order  to  induce  Bancorp  to  enter  into  this  Agreement  and  Bancorp's
undertaking of efforts in furtherance of the Merger.

              (c) "Acquisition  Proposal" shall mean any (i) publicly  announced
proposal,  (ii)  regulatory  application  or notice  (whether  in draft or final
form), (iii) agreement or understanding, (iv) disclosure of an intention to make
a proposal, or (v) amendment to any of the foregoing,  made or filed on or after
the date hereof, in each case with respect to any of the following  transactions
with a counterparty other than Bancorp or any of its subsidiaries:  (A) a merger
or consolidation,  or any similar  transaction,  involving FPSB; (B) a purchase,
lease or other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or deposits
of FPSB or (C) a  purchase  or other  acquisition  (including  by way of merger,
consolidation,  share  exchange or  otherwise)  of  securities  representing  20
percent or more of the voting power of FPSB.



                                       46

<PAGE>



IX. MISCELLANEOUS


       9.1  NOTICES.  Any notice or other  communication  required or  permitted
hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be delivered  personally or sent by
an  overnight  delivery or courier  service,  by certified  or  registered  mail
(postage prepaid), by telegraph or by facsimile transmission as follows:

       To Bancorp or CB:                Cathay Bancorp, Inc.
                                        777 North Broadway
                                        Los Angeles, CA  90012
                                        Attn:  Dunson K. Cheng
                                               Chairman and President
                                        Fax:   (213) 625-1368


       With a copy to:                  Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe
                                        601 South Figueroa Street
                                        Los Angeles, CA  90017-5758
                                        Attn:  Steven O. Weise, Esq.
                                        Fax:   (213) 614-1868


       To FPSB:                         First Public Savings Bank, F.S.B.
                                        977 North Broadway, Suite 308
                                        Los Angeles, CA  90012
                                        Attn:  Jack C. Lee
                                               Chairman
                                        Fax:   (213) 620-0485


       With a copy to:                  Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
                                        725 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 1200
                                        Los Angeles, CA  90017-5443
                                        Attn:  T. J. Grasmick, Esq.
                                        Fax:   (213) 629-1033


Such  notice or other  communication  shall be deemed  given  when so  delivered
personally,  telegraphed  or  sent by  facsimile  transmission,  or,  if sent by
overnight delivery or courier service, the day after sent from within the United
States,  or if mailed,  four days after the date of deposit in the United States
mail.

       9.2 GOVERNING  LAW. This  Agreement and the legal  relations  between the
parties shall be governed by and construed in accordance  with the internal laws
of the State of  California  without  taking into account  provisions  regarding
choice of law,  except to the extent certain matters may be governed as a matter
of law by the law of the State of  Delaware  (as the state of  incorporation  of
Bancorp).

       9.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The parties intend that the terms of this Agreement
shall be the final  expression  of their  agreement  with respect to the subject
matter hereof and may not be contradicted by

                                       47

<PAGE>



evidence of any prior or contemporaneous  agreement.  The parties further intend
that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of its
terms  and  that no  extrinsic  evidence  whatsoever  may be  introduced  in any
judicial,  administrative  or other legal  proceeding  involving this Agreement.
This  Agreement,  including all schedules and exhibits  hereto,  constitutes the
entire  agreement  between the parties and  supersedes  all prior  negotiations,
undertakings, representations and agreements, if any, of the parties hereto.

       9.4 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. This Agreement may not be amended except upon
the written  consent of all parties  hereto.  By an instrument  in writing,  any
party may waive compliance by any other party with any term or provision of this
Agreement  that such other party was or is  obligated to comply with or perform;
provided,  however,  that such  waiver  shall  not  operate  as a waiver  of, or
estoppel  with  respect  to,  any other or  subsequent  failure.  No  failure to
exercise and no delay in exercising any right,  remedy or power  hereunder shall
operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any single or partial  exercise  of any
right,  remedy or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof
or the exercise of any other right, remedy or power provided herein or by law or
in  equity.  The waiver by any party of the time for  performance  of any act or
condition hereunder does not constitute a waiver of the act or condition itself.

       9.5 SEVERABILITY.  If any provision of this Agreement, or the application
thereof  to any  person,  place  or  circumstance,  shall  be held by a court of
competent  jurisdiction to be invalid,  unenforceable  or void, the remainder of
this  Agreement  and such  provisions  as applied to other  persons,  places and
circumstances shall remain in full force and effect.

       9.6 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

       9.7  HEADINGS.  The  article,  section  and other  headings  used in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not constitute a part hereof
or affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

       9.8 EXPENSES.  Subject to Section 8.2 hereof, the parties agree that fees
and  out-of-pocket  expenses  incurred  by the  parties in  connection  with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid as follows:

              (a) Fees and disbursements of counsel, consultants and accountants
(including  the fees  and  disbursements  in  connection  with the  accountant's
comfort letters required by Sections 5.7 and 6.3(d) hereof) shall be paid by the
party  employing  such  persons.  FPSB shall  arrange for such persons to render
statements for such fees and  disbursements not less frequently than monthly and
final  statements no later than five days after the Closing Date. FPSB shall pay
for its own  reasonable  costs,  fees and  expenses.  FPSB  agrees  not to incur
unnecessary or unreasonable costs, fees and expenses not otherwise customary for
comparable transactions and not within the business

                                       48

<PAGE>



judgment  and  fiduciary  responsibilities  of the Board of Directors of FPSB in
satisfying FPSB's obligations under this Agreement.

              (b) Other expenses in connection with any necessary qualifications
of  Bancorp  Stock  under  state  securities  or Blue Sky laws  shall be paid by
Bancorp.

              (c) Except as otherwise  provided  above,  expenses in  connection
with the printing of this Agreement and related  documents and the  Registration
Statement and  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement shall be divided equally between FPSB
and Bancorp,  except that legal expenses and the expenses  referred to in clause
(a) above shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.

              (d)  All  other  fees  and  out-of-pocket   expenses  incurred  in
connection with the transactions  contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party
incurring such expenses.

              (e) For purposes of this  Section  9.8, the term "costs,  fees and
expenses" do not include  damages that may otherwise be recoverable by any party
as a result of the material breach of this Agreement by any other party.

       9.9    CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

              (a) "Material  Adverse  Effect" shall mean any change in or effect
on the  business  of FPSB or  Bancorp,  as the case may be,  that is  materially
adverse to the business,  operations,  properties or financial condition of FPSB
taken as a whole or  Bancorp  taken as a whole,  as the case may be,  or that is
materially  adverse to the  ability of such  entity to perform  its  obligations
under this  Agreement  in a timely  manner;  provided,  however,  that  Material
Adverse Effect shall not include such changes resulting from market and economic
conditions that generally  affect the bank or savings bank industries as a whole
or any  legislation  or  regulations  relating  to bad debt  reserve  recapture,
federal deposit insurance assessments or exit fees.

              (b) A  "subsidiary"  of an entity  shall mean any  corporation,  a
majority of the  outstanding  voting  securities of which are owned  directly or
indirectly by such entity.

              (c) The term "person" shall include any  individual,  partnership,
joint venture,  corporation,  trust or  unincorporated  organization,  any other
business entity and any government or any department or agency thereof,  whether
acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

       9.10 ATTORNEYS' FEES. If any legal action or other formal proceeding,  or
any informal  effort is brought or made for the enforcement of this Agreement or
because  of an  alleged  dispute,  breach or  default  in  connection  with this
Agreement,  the party that  substantially  prevails shall be entitled to recover
reasonable  attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in such action,  proceeding
or effort in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled,  from the
party or parties that do not substantially prevail.

                                       49

<PAGE>




       9.11  PUBLICITY.  The parties  hereto will  consult  with each other with
regard to the terms and substance of any and all press  releases,  announcements
or other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
The parties agree further that none of them will release any such press release,
announcement or other public  statement  without the prior approval of the other
parties, unless such release is required by law and the parties cannot approve a
mutually  acceptable  form of release,  in which event the party  releasing  the
information,  announcement  or  public  statement  shall  not be deemed to be in
breach of this Agreement.  The parties agree further that such approval will not
be unreasonably  withheld,  and they pledge to make a good faith effort to reach
agreement expeditiously on the terms of any such press release,  announcement or
other public statement.

       9.12 BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the  benefit  of the  parties  hereto  and their  respective  successors  and
assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be assigned by any party
without the prior written consent of the other parties.

       9.13 THIRD PARTY.  Except as  specifically  provided  herein,  each party
intends  that this  Agreement  shall not benefit or create any right or cause of
action in any person other than the parties to this Agreement.

       9.14 GENDER; NUMBER. Whenever the context of this Agreement requires, the
masculine  gender shall include the feminine or neuter,  and the singular number
shall include the plural, and vice versa.

                   [balance of page intentionally left blank]


                                       50

<PAGE>



              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.


                                 CATHAY BANCORP, INC.



                                 By      /s/ Dunson K. Cheng
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                        Dunson K. Cheng
                                        President and Chairman of
                                        the Board of Directors



                                 CATHAY BANK



                                 By      /s/ Dunson K. Cheng
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                        Dunson K. Cheng
                                        President and Chairman of
                                        the Board of Directors



                                 FIRST PUBLIC SAVINGS BANK, F.S.B.


                                 By      /s/ Jack C. Lee
                                    -----------------------------------------
                                        Jack C. Lee
                                        Chairman of the Board
                                        of Directors


                                       51

<PAGE>



                                                          EXHIBIT A to Agreement
                                                              and Plan of Merger


                                MERGER AGREEMENT




              THIS IS A MERGER AGREEMENT (this "Merger  Agreement")  dated as of
_________________,   1996  by  and  among  CATHAY  BANCORP,   INC.,  a  Delaware
corporation  ("Bancorp"),  CATHAY BANK, a California  state banking  corporation
("CB"), with its principal place of business at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles,
California 90012, and FIRST PUBLIC SAVINGS BANK, F.S.B., a United States federal
stock savings bank ("FPSB"),  with its principal  place of business at 977 North
Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012.


                                    RECITALS


              WHEREAS,  Bancorp,  CB and FPSB have entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the  "Agreement"),  dated as of May __, 1996,  providing for the
merger of FPSB into CB on the terms and conditions provided in the Agreement and
this Merger  Agreement and in accordance  with Sections 4880 through 4891 of the
California  Financial Code and 12 C.F.R.  Sections 303.3, 552.13 and 563.22 (the
"Merger");

              WHEREAS, FPSB has authorized capital stock of 10,000,000 shares of
common  stock,  $1.00 par value per share ("FPSB  Stock"),  of which at the date
hereof [4,000,000] shares are outstanding; and

              WHEREAS, CB has authorized capital stock of [__________] shares of
common  stock,  $ _____  par  value  per  share,  of which  at the  date  hereof
[________] shares are outstanding;

              WHEREAS, Bancorp has authorized capital stock of 25,000,000 shares
of common stock,  $0.01 par value per share ("Bancorp  Stock"),  of which at the
date  hereof  [__________]  shares are  outstanding,  and  10,000,000  shares of
preferred  stock,  $0.01  par value per  share,  of which at the date  hereof no
shares are outstanding and

              WHEREAS, the directors, or a majority of them, of each constituent
entity,  respectively,  deem  it  advisable  and in the  best  interests  of the
respective  constituent  banks and their respective  shareholders or shareholder
that the Merger be so consummated.

              NOW,  THEREFORE,  Bancorp,  CB and FPSB, subject to the conditions
set forth in the Agreement,  in  consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants  and  agreements  contained  therein and herein and of the benefits to
accrue to them,  hereby agree that the constituent banks be merged into a single
bank which shall be CB and hereby  agree,  prescribe  and set forth (among other
provisions)  the terms and  conditions  of the Merger,  the mode of carrying the
same into


<PAGE>



effect  and the manner and basis of  converting  the shares of each  constituent
bank as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                     MERGER

       1.1 Subject to the conditions  set forth in the Agreement,  FPSB shall be
merged into CB in  accordance  with the  applicable  provisions of Sections 4880
through 4891 of the California Financial Code and 12 C.F.R.  Sections 552.13 and
563.22 upon the filing of this Merger Agreement with the  Superintendent,  after
approval by the California State Superintendent of Banks (the  "Superintendent")
and  certification  by the California  Secretary of State.  The date and time of
such filing is referred to as the "Effective  Time." At the Effective  Time, the
separate  existence of FPSB shall cease except to the extent  provided by law in
the case of a corporation after its merger into another corporation and CB shall
continue  under the laws of  California as the  surviving  bank (the  "surviving
bank").

       1.2  The name of the surviving bank shall be "Cathay Bank."

       1.3 The home office of the  surviving  bank shall be 777 North  Broadway,
Los Angeles, California 90012.


                                   ARTICLE II

                          ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND
                            BYLAWS OF SURVIVING BANK


       2.1 The Articles of Incorporation of CB as in effect  immediately  before
the  Effective  Time shall  continue in full force and effect as the Articles of
Incorporation of the surviving bank until thereafter duly amended.

       2.2 The Bylaws of CB as in effect  immediately  before the Effective Time
shall  continue  in full force and effect as the  Bylaws of the  surviving  bank
until thereafter duly amended.


                                   ARTICLE III

                             BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND
                           OFFICERS OF SURVIVING BANK


       3.1 All directors of CB serving  immediately  before the  Effective  Time
shall  continue  to serve for the terms to which  they were  elected  before the
Effective Time.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



       3.2 All  officers of CB serving  immediately  before the  Effective  Time
shall  continue  to serve for the terms to which  they were  elected  before the
Effective Time.



                                   ARTICLE IV

                           MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES
                          OF STOCK OF CONSTITUENT BANKS


       4.1 As of the  Effective  Time,  each  share  of  FPSB  Stock,  excluding
Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section 4.2),  outstanding  immediately  before
the Effective Time shall,  by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of the holders of the FPSB Stock,  be  converted  into the right to receive
cash and shares of Bancorp Stock as provided in Section 1.2 of the Agreement.

       4.2 A  "Dissenter"  is a  Shareholder  who is  entitled  to dissent  from
corporate  action under 12 C.F.R.  Section  552.14 and who exercises  that right
when and in the manner required by that regulation.  Each  outstanding  share of
FPSB Stock that is held by a Dissenter (a "Dissenting Share") shall be converted
into the right to receive payment pursuant to 12 C.F.R. Section 552.14.


                                    ARTICLE V

                  SUBMISSION TO SHAREHOLDERS AND EFFECTIVENESS


       5.1 This Merger Agreement shall be submitted for  consideration  and vote
by the  shareholders  of each  constituent  bank as required  by the  California
Financial Code and the regulations of the OTS. If adopted by the requisite votes
of the  shareholders  of each  constituent  bank,  subject to the conditions set
forth  in the  Agreement,  this  Merger  Agreement  shall  be  delivered  to the
Superintendent,  the California  Secretary of State and the OTS for filing.  The
officers of the  constituent  bank shall  execute all such other  documents  and
shall take all such other  actions as may be  necessary  to effect the Merger in
accordance with this Merger Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                       TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES



       6.1 Upon and after the Effective  Time,  the surviving bank shall possess
all the rights,  privileges,  powers and franchises, of a public as well as of a
private nature, and be subject to all the restrictions, disabilities and duties,
of the constituent banks; and

                                       -3-

<PAGE>



all the rights, privileges,  powers and franchises of the constituent banks, and
all property,  real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to either constituent
bank on whatever account, as well for stock subscriptions as all other things in
action or belonging to each  constituent  bank shall be vested in the  surviving
bank; and all property, rights,  privileges,  powers and franchises, and all and
every other  interest,  shall be thereafter as  effectually  the property of the
surviving bank as they were constituent  banks, and the title to any real estate
vested by deed or otherwise in either constituent bank shall not revert or be in
any way impaired by reason of the Merger;  but all rights of  creditors  and all
liens  upon  any  property  of  either   constituent  bank  shall  be  preserved
unimpaired, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the constituent banks shall
thenceforth  attach to the surviving bank, and may be enforced against it to the
same  extent as if said  debts,  liabilities  and  duties had been  incurred  or
contracted by it.

       6.2 If at any time  after the  Effective  Time the  surviving  bank shall
consider or be advised that any further deeds,  assignments or assurances in law
or any other  things  are  necessary,  desirable  or proper to vest,  perfect or
confirm,  of  record  or  otherwise,  in the  surviving  bank,  the title to any
property or rights of the constituent banks acquired or to be acquired by reason
of,  or as a result  of,  the  Merger,  the  constituent  banks  agree  that the
surviving bank and its proper  officers and directors  shall execute and deliver
all such property,  deeds,  assignments  and assurances in law and do all things
necessary,  desirable  or  proper  to vest,  perfect  or  confirm  title to such
property or rights in the surviving bank and otherwise to carry out the purposes
of this Merger  Agreement,  and that the proper  officers  and  directors of the
constituent  banks and the proper  officers and directors of the surviving  bank
are fully  authorized in the name of the constituent  banks or otherwise to take
any and all such action.


                                   ARTICLE VII

               TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT AND ABANDONMENT OF MERGER


       7.1 This  Merger  Agreement  and the  Merger  contemplated  hereby may be
terminated and abandoned,  as provided in the Agreement, at any time before this
Merger  Agreement  has been filed as provided  herein,  whether  before or after
approval of this Merger  Agreement by the shareholders of FPSB or CB, or both of
them, and shall automatically  terminate without further action by either of the
parties hereto if the Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

       7.2 At any time  before the filing of this Merger  Agreement  as provided
herein, the parties hereto may, by written agreement approved by their Boards of
Directors and subject to Article VIII of the Agreement,  (i) extend the time for
the  performance of any of the  obligations or other acts of the parties hereto,
(ii) waive compliance with any of the conditions, covenants or agreements

                                       -4-

<PAGE>



contained  in  this  Merger  Agreement  or  (iii)  amend  or  modify  any of the
provisions of this Merger Agreement.

       7.3 If for any reason this Merger Agreement ceases to be binding upon the
constituent  banks because of  termination as provided  herein or otherwise,  it
shall  thereafter be void without  further action by the  shareholders of either
constituent bank.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS


       8.1 This Merger Agreement may be executed in several  counterparts,  each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which counterparts collectively
shall constitute one instrument representing the Merger Agreement.

       8.2 Except as otherwise provided in this Merger Agreement, nothing herein
expressed or implied is intended, or shall be construed,  to confer upon or give
any person,  firm or bank, other than the constituent banks and their respective
security holders and their successors and assigns,  any rights or remedies under
or by reason of this Merger Agreement.

       8.3 This Merger  Agreement  and the legal  relations  between the parties
shall be governed by and construed in  accordance  with the internal laws of the
State of California without taking into account  provisions  regarding choice of
law,  except to the extent certain matters may be governed as a matter of law by
the law of the State of Delaware (as the state of incorporation of Bancorp).

                   [balance of page intentionally left blank]

                                       -5-

<PAGE>



       IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Bancorp,  CB and  FPSB  have  caused  this  Merger
Agreement to be signed as of the date first above written.

                              CATHAY BANCORP, INC.

Attest:

                                          By ______________________________
______________________________                     Dunson K. Cheng
Secretary                                          President and Chairman of the
                                                   Board of Directors


                                          CATHAY BANK

Attest:

                                          By ______________________________
______________________________                     Dunson K. Cheng
Secretary                                          President and Chairman of the
                                                   Board of Directors


                                          FIRST PUBLIC SAVINGS BANK, F.S.B.

Attest:

                                          By ______________________________
______________________________                     Jack C. Lee
Secretary                                          Chairman of the
                                                   Board of Directors


                                       -6-





                                   EXHIBIT 99

                   Press release of Cathay Bancorp, Inc. dated
                   May 30, 1996

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:           Dunson Cheng                       Jack C. Lee
                    Chairman of the Board              Chairman of the Board
                    213-625-4800                       213-346-0888
                    Cathay Bancorp, Inc.               First Public Savings Bank


               CATHAY BANCORP TO ACQUIRE FIRST PUBLIC SAVINGS BANK

Los Angeles,  California,  May 30, 1996:  Cathay Bancorp Inc.  (Cathay) (NASDAQ:
CATY) and First Public Savings Bank, F.S.B.  (First Public) announced today that
they have signed a definitive  agreement for the  acquisition of First Public by
Cathay.

At their  respective  board of  directors'  meetings,  each board  approved  the
definitive  agreement  under which First  Public will merge into Cathay  Bank, a
subsidiary  of Cathay  Bancorp,  Inc.  The  purchase  price for the First Public
shares  will be  approximately  $31.6  million  or $7.90 per  share,  subject to
adjustment  based upon the market  price of Cathay  common  stock.  First Public
shareholders  may  elect to  receive  either  cash or  common  shares  of Cathay
Bancorp,  Inc., subject to an allocation procedure by which 51% of the aggregate
consideration will be received in Cathay common stock and 49% in cash.

At  March  31,  1996,  the  two   institutions  had  combined  total  assets  of
approximately $1.5 billion and total deposits of $1.3 billion. Both institutions
are  known  for  their  strong  levels of  capital,  devoted  management  teams,
consistent records of asset growth and exceptional customer service.

"First  Public has a record of  excellent  financial  performance.  Adding First
Public to our  organization  will allow us to expand our group of depositors and
enhance our lending  activities,"  said Dunson  Cheng,  Chairman of the Board of
Cathay Bancorp, Inc. "Not only does First Public possess a similar customer base
to our own, but it has been a consistent  and growing  performer over the years.
We expect the  transaction  to be  immediately  accretive  to our  earnings  per
share."

Cheng added, "These characteristics, along with First Public's deep roots in the
community  and focus on customer  service,  make First Public a perfect fit with
our organization.  We look forward to continued years of growth and success with
the  combined  resources  of Cathay Bank and First  Public,  and  welcome  First
Public's shareholders to the Cathay family."

Jack C. Lee,  Chairman of the Board of First Public  Savings Bank stated,  "This
transaction is in the best interests of both our shareholders and our customers.
Cathay Bank has shown that it has the same  commitments  to financial  strength,
customer service and community

                                       -1-

<PAGE>


involvement  that we do. This transaction  will not only  significantly  enhance
shareholder  value,  but will  provide  First  Public  customers  with a strong,
service-oriented and responsive  institution to do business with.  Together,  we
will  increase our market  presence  while  continuing  our strong  tradition of
serving the community."

The merger,  which is expected to close  during the fourth  quarter of 1996,  is
subject to regulatory approvals,  as well as the approval of the shareholders of
First Public.  Merrill Lynch & Co. acted as financial advisor to Cathay Bancorp,
Inc. and Montgomery Securities served as financial advisor to First Public.

Cathay Bancorp,  Inc. is the holding company for Cathay Bank. The Bank currently
operates  ten  branches  in  Southern  California,  five  branches  in  Northern
California, and two overseas offices in Taiwan and Hong Kong. At March 31, 1996,
Cathay had total assets of $1.2 billion,  and total common  stockholders' equity
of $94.4  million.  For the year ended  December 31, 1995,  Cathay  reported net
income of $10.6 million.

First Public is a federally  chartered savings bank and currently  operates five
branches in  Southern  California.  At March 31,  1996,  First  Public had total
assets of $273.3 million and total common shareholders' equity of $22.8 million.
For the year ended December 31, 1995,  First Public  reported net income of $2.9
million.



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