WESTCO BANCORP INC
8-K, 1998-08-24
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August 17, 1998

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

            Delaware                     0-19985                 36-3823760
(State or other Jurisdiction of        (Commission             (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)         File Number)          Identification No.)

              2121 South Manheim Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (708) 865-1100
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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













                                  Page 1 of 92


<PAGE>


ITEM 5.  Other Events.
         ------------

            On August 17, 1998, Westco Bancorp, Inc. ("Westco") announced that
it has agreed to be acquired by MAF Bancorp, Inc. ("MAF") in an all-stock
transaction and that the respective boards of directors of MAF and Westco
unanimously approved a definitive agreement to merge the two institutions, with
MAF to be the surviving corporation. Subject to the terms and conditions of the
merger agreement, on the effective date of the merger, each of the issued and
outstanding shares of Westco common stock will be converted pursuant to a fixed
exchange ratio into the right to receive 1.395 shares of MAF common stock. The
transaction, which is to be accounted for as a pooling of interests and treated
as a tax-free reorganization, is subject to regulatory approvals and approval by
the stockholders of Westco. Attached as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the joint
press release relating to the merger, which is incorporated herein by reference.

            In order to facilitate its acquisition of Westco pursuant to the
merger agreement, MAF also entered into an Option Agreement with Westco dated as
of August 17, 1998, pursuant to which Westco granted MAF an option to purchase
newly issued shares of Westco in an amount up to 19.9% of Westco's issued and
outstanding shares, giving effect to the option exercise, subject to certain
terms and conditions. The option is exercisable at $26.35 per share.

                           Forward-Looking Information
                           ---------------------------

Statements contained in or incorporated by reference in this report that are not
historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning
of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) which involve significant
risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results
discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a
difference include, but are not limited to: (1) inability to realize cost
savings from the merger to the full extent expected or within the expected time
frame; (2) lower than expected revenues following the merger; (3) significant
increases in competitive pressures among depository institutions; (4) higher
than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of the business
of Westco; (5) changes in the interest rate environment that result in reduced
interest rate margins; (6) deterioration of general economic conditions, either
nationally or in the Company's market area; and (7) adoption of legislation or
regulatory changes that adversely affect the business of the combined company.

ITEM 7(C).  Exhibits.
            --------

Exhibit 2.1     Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between MAF Bancorp,
                Inc. and Westco Bancorp, Inc. dated as of August 17, 1998.

Exhibit 2.2     Option Agreement by and between MAF Bancorp, Inc. and Westco
                Bancorp, Inc. dated as of August 17, 1998.

Exhibit 99.1    Press Release dated August 17, 1998.


                                  Page 2 of 92


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                       WESTCO BANCORP, INC.

Dated:   August 21, 1998               By: /s/ Richard A. Brechlin
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Richard A. Brechlin
                                           Executive Vice President,
                                           Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


                                  Page 3 of 92


<PAGE>



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                -----------------




Exhibit
- -------

2.1   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between MAF Bancorp, Inc. and
      Westco Bancorp, Inc. dated as of August 17, 1998

2.2   Option Agreement by and between MAF Bancorp, Inc. and Westco Bancorp, Inc.
      dated as of August 17, 1998

99.1  Press Release dated August 17, 1998



                                  Page 4 of 92


                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.1










                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                                MAF BANCORP, INC.

                                       AND

                              WESTCO BANCORP, INC.


                           DATED AS OF AUGUST 17, 1998













                                  Page 5 of 92


<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS......................................................iv

I.     THE MERGER............................................................1
       1.1   Effects of the Merger...........................................1
       1.2   Effect of Merger on Capital Stock...............................2
       1.3   Stock Option Plans..............................................3
       1.4   Consummation of the Merger; Effective Time......................4
       1.5   Exchange of Bancorp Common Stock................................5

II.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MAF.................................7
       2.1   Organization....................................................7
       2.2   Authorization...................................................8
       2.3   Conflicts.......................................................9
       2.4   Capitalization..................................................9
       2.5   MAF Financial Statements; Material Changes.....................10
       2.6   MAF Subsidiaries...............................................11
       2.7   MAF Filings....................................................11
       2.8   MAF Reports....................................................11
       2.9   Compliance With Laws...........................................12
       2.10  Disclosure.....................................................12
       2.11  Litigation.....................................................12
       2.12  Licenses.......................................................12
       2.13  Insurance......................................................13
       2.14  Defaults.......................................................13
       2.15  Undisclosed Liabilities........................................13
       2.16  Assets.........................................................13
       2.17  Tax............................................................14
       2.18  Advice of Changes..............................................14
       2.19  Fairness Opinion...............................................14
       2.20  Environmental Matters..........................................14
       2.21  Millennium Compliance..........................................15
       2.22  Consents.......................................................16
       2.23  Taxes..........................................................16
       2.24  Employee Benefit Plans.........................................17
       2.25  Fees...........................................................18

III.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BANCORP............................18
       3.1   Organization...................................................18
       3.2   Authorization..................................................19
       3.3   Conflicts......................................................19
       3.4   Antitakeover Provisions Inapplicable...........................20
       3.5   Capitalization and Stockholders................................20
       3.6   Bancorp Financial Statements; Material Changes.................21
       3.7   Bancorp Subsidiaries...........................................22


                                  Page 6 of 92


<PAGE>


       3.8   Bancorp Filings................................................23
       3.9   Bancorp Reports................................................23
       3.10  Compliance With Laws...........................................24
       3.11  Disclosure.....................................................24
       3.12  Litigation.....................................................25
       3.13  Licenses.......................................................25
       3.14  Taxes..........................................................25
       3.15  Insurance......................................................26
       3.16  Loans; Investments.............................................27
       3.17  Interest Rate Risk Management Arrangements.....................28
       3.18  Allowance for Possible Loan Losses.............................28
       3.19  Bancorp Benefit Plans..........................................29
       3.20  Environmental Matters..........................................32
       3.21  Disclosure Schedule of Bancorp.................................33
       3.22  Defaults.......................................................36
       3.23  Operations Since December 31, 1997.............................37
       3.24  Corporate Records..............................................39
       3.25  Undisclosed Liabilities........................................39
       3.26  Assets.........................................................39
       3.27  Indemnification................................................40
       3.28  Insider Interests..............................................40
       3.29  Pooling and Tax................................................40
       3.30  Opinion........................................................40
       3.31  Advice of Changes..............................................40
       3.32  Millennium Compliance..........................................40
       3.33  Consents and Approvals.........................................41

IV.    COVENANTS............................................................41
       4.1   Conduct of Business by Bancorp Until the Effective Time........41
       4.2   Conduct of Business by MAF Until the Effective Time............46
       4.3   Environmental Investigation....................................47
       4.4   Execution of the Stock Option Agreement........................47
       4.5   Capital Stock..................................................48
       4.6   Certain Actions................................................48
       4.7   Title to Real Estate...........................................49

V.     ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS................................................49
       5.1   Inspection of Records; Confidentiality.........................49
       5.2   Meetings of Bancorp............................................50
       5.3   Merger of Subsidiary Banks.....................................50
       5.4   Recommendation of Merger to Stockholders.......................50
       5.5   Registration Statement; Stockholder Approval...................50
       5.6   Director and Officer Liability Insurance.......................51
       5.7   Indemnification................................................51
       5.8   Affiliate Letters..............................................51


                                       ii


                                  Page 7 of 94


<PAGE>



       5.9   Brokers........................................................51
       5.10  Cooperation....................................................52
       5.11  Regulatory Applications........................................52
       5.12  Financial Statements and Reports...............................52
       5.13  Notice.........................................................53
       5.14  Press Releases.................................................53
       5.15  Delivery of Supplements to Disclosure Schedules................53
       5.16  Litigation Matters.............................................54
       5.17  Tax Opinion....................................................54
       5.18  Resolution of Bancorp Benefit Plans............................54
       5.19  Accounting and Tax Treatment...................................56
       5.20  Appointment to MAF Board of Directors..........................57
       5.21  Advisory Board.................................................57
       5.22  Publication of Financial Statements............................57

VI.    CONDITIONS...........................................................57
       6.1   Conditions to the Obligations of MAF...........................57
       6.2   Conditions to the Obligations of Bancorp.......................59
       6.3   Conditions to the Obligations of the Parties...................60
       6.4   Listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market.............................60

VII.   TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER.......................................61
       7.1   Termination....................................................61
       7.2   Termination Fee................................................62
       7.3   Expenses.......................................................63
       7.4   Survival of Agreements.........................................63
       7.5   Amendment......................................................63
       7.6   Waiver.........................................................63

VIII.  GENERAL PROVISIONS...................................................64
       8.1   Survival.......................................................64
       8.2   Notice.........................................................64
       8.3   Specific Enforceability........................................65
       8.4   Applicable Law.................................................65
       8.5   Headings, Etc..................................................65
       8.6   Severability...................................................65
       8.7   Entire Agreement; Binding Effect; Nonassignment; Counterparts..65
       8.8   Standards......................................................66

EXHIBITS    ................................................................67


                                       iii


                                  Page 8 of 92

<PAGE>


                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
                             ----------------------

TERM                                                                   SECTION
- ----                                                                   -------

Acquisition Transaction..................................................4.6(b)
Advisory Board.............................................................5.21
Agreement..............................................................Preamble
Applicable Governmental Authorities.........................................2.3
ARP Plans................................................................3.5(b)
Bancorp................................................................Preamble
Bancorp Benefit Plans...................................................3.19(a)
Bancorp Common Stock.....................................................1.2(b)
Bancorp Disclosure Schedule..............................................3.5(c)
Bancorp Employees.......................................................5.18(b)
Bancorp Financial Statements................................................3.6
Bancorp Permitted Lien..................................................3.23(c)
Bancorp Properties......................................................3.20(a)
Bancorp REO.............................................................3.20(a)
Bancorp Qualified Plans.................................................3.19(b)
Bancorp Stock Option Plans...............................................3.5(b)
Bancorp Subsidiaries.....................................................3.7(c)
Bank Merger............................................................Preamble
Bank Merger Agreement.......................................................5.3
BMA........................................................................2.22
CERCLA..............................................................2.20(a)(ii)
Certificate..............................................................1.5(a)
Certificate of Merger.......................................................1.4
Change in Control Benefit...............................................3.19(a)
Closing Date................................................................1.4
Code...................................................................Preamble
DGCL...................................................................Preamble
DPC Shares...............................................................1.2(g)
Effective Time..............................................................1.4
Environmental Law(s).................................................2.20(a)(i)
ESOP....................................................................3.19(h)
ESOP Participants.......................................................5.18(e)
Exchange Agent...........................................................1.5(a)
Exchange Ratio...........................................................1.2(b)
FDI Act.....................................................................2.9
FDIC.....................................................................2.1(b)
Final Determination Letter..............................................5.18(e)
First Federal..........................................................Preamble
Hazardous Material(s)...............................................2.20(a)(ii)
HOLA...................................................................Preamble
HSR Act....................................................................2.22
Intellectual Property...................................................3.21(o)

                                       iv


                                  Page 9 of 92


<PAGE>


IRS.....................................................................5.18(e)
Letter of Understanding.................................................5.18(c)
Liabilities................................................................2.15
MAF....................................................................Preamble
MAF Bank...............................................................Preamble
MAF Base Price Per Share..............................................1.2(c)(i)
MAF Benefit Plans.......................................................5.18(b)
MAF Closing Stock Price..................................................1.5(e)
MAF Common Stock.........................................................1.2(a)
MAF Common Stock Price Per Share.........................................1.2(d)
MAF Corporate Subsidiaries...............................................2.1(c)
MAF Employee Plans.........................................................2.24
MAF Financial Statements....................................................2.5
MAF Pension Plan...........................................................2.24
MAF Properties.....................................................2.20(a)(iii)
MAF REO............................................................2.20(a)(iii)
MAF Stock Option Plans...................................................2.4(b)
MAF Subsidiaries.........................................................2.1(d)
MAF Subsidiary...........................................................2.1(d)
Mailing Date................................................................5.5
Merger.................................................................Preamble
Merger Consideration.....................................................1.2(b)
Millennium Compliant.......................................................2.21
Option(s)................................................................1.3(a)
OTS.........................................................................2.3
Phase I..................................................................4.3(a)
Plan.....................................................................1.3(a)
Pricing Period.......................................................1.2(c)(ii)
Proxy Statement.............................................................2.3
RCRA................................................................2.20(a)(ii)
Registration Statement......................................................2.3
Reorganization.........................................................Preamble
SAIF.....................................................................2.1(b)
SEC.........................................................................2.3
Securities Act..............................................................2.7
Securities Exchange Act.....................................................2.7
Significant Subsidiary...................................................4.6(b)
Stockholders' Meeting.......................................................5.5
Stock Option Agreement......................................................4.4
Surviving Bank..............................................................5.3
Surviving Corporation....................................................1.1(a)
Systems....................................................................2.21
Tax Opinion................................................................5.17
Termination Fee..........................................................7.2(a)
Trust Account Shares.....................................................1.2(g)


                                        v


                                  Page 10 of 92


<PAGE>


                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

            This Agreement and Plan of Reorganization ("Agreement") is made and
entered into as of the 17th day of August, 1998, by and among MAF Bancorp, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation ("MAF"), and Westco Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Bancorp").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

            WHEREAS, MAF is a registered savings and loan holding company under
the Home Owners' Loan Act ("HOLA");

            WHEREAS, Bancorp is a registered savings and loan holding company
under HOLA;

            WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of MAF and Bancorp deem it
advisable that Bancorp be merged with and into MAF in accordance with the
Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL") and this Agreement;

            WHEREAS, immediately upon the Merger of Bancorp with and into MAF
(the "Merger"), MAF and Bancorp intend that First Federal Savings and Loan
Association of Westchester, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancorp ("First
Federal"), shall merge (the "Bank Merger", and such transaction together with
the Merger is hereafter referred to as the "Reorganization") with and into Mid
America Bank, fsb, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MAF ("MAF Bank"); and

            WHEREAS, MAF and Bancorp intend the Merger to qualify as a "pooling
of interests" for accounting purposes and as a tax-free reorganization under
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code").

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                       I.

                                   THE MERGER

         1.1 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER.

                  (a) Surviving Corporation. Subject to the terms and conditions
         of this Agreement, the separate existence of Bancorp shall cease and
         shall be merged with and into, and under the Certificate of
         Incorporation of, MAF at the Effective Time (as defined below) in
         accordance with the DGCL, with MAF being the continuing and surviving
         corporation (sometimes referred to hereinafter as the "Surviving
         Corporation"). At and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have
         the further effects as set forth in Sections 254, 260 and 261 of the
         DGCL.


                                  Page 11 of 92


<PAGE>


                  (b) Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of
         Incorporation of MAF shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the
         Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with the provisions
         thereof and the DGCL.

                  (c) By-laws. The By-laws of MAF in effect immediately prior to
         the Effective Time shall be the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation
         until altered, amended or repealed as provided therein, or in
         accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
         Corporation and the DGCL.

                  (d) Directors and Officers. The directors of the Surviving
         Corporation shall be the persons who were directors of MAF immediately
         prior to the Effective Time. The officers of the Surviving Corporation
         shall be the persons who were officers of MAF immediately prior to the
         Effective Time in addition to the officer who becomes an officer of MAF
         following the Effective Time as set forth in Section 5.20 below.

         1.2 EFFECT OF MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK. At the Effective Time, by virtue
of the Merger and without any action on the part of MAF, Bancorp or the holders
of MAF Common Stock (defined below) or Bancorp Common Stock (defined below), the
following shall occur:

                  (a) MAF Common Stock. Each share of the common stock, par
         value $0.01 per share, of MAF ("MAF Common Stock") issued and
         outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain
         outstanding and shall be unchanged after the Merger.

                  (b) Bancorp Common Stock. Each share of the common stock, par
         value $0.01 per share, of Bancorp ("Bancorp Common Stock") issued and
         outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than any
         shares held by Bancorp or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, or by
         MAF or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, (but in each case other
         than Trust Account Shares, or DPC Shares (each as defined below)),
         which shall be cancelled), shall be converted into the right to receive
         1.395 (the "Exchange Ratio") fully paid and nonassessable shares of MAF
         Common Stock (the value of which is referred to herein as the "Merger
         Consideration"). If subsequent to the date of this Agreement but prior
         to the Effective Time, MAF should split or combine shares of MAF Common
         Stock, or pay a dividend or other distribution in MAF Common Stock,
         then the Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately further adjusted to
         reflect such split, combination, dividend or distribution. If
         subsequent to the date of this Agreement, but prior to the Effective
         Time, Bancorp should split or combine shares of Bancorp Common Stock,
         or pay a dividend or other distribution in Bancorp Common Stock, then
         the Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately further adjusted to reflect
         such split, combination, dividend or distribution.

                  (c) Bancorp shall not be obligated to consummate the Merger if
         the MAF Common Stock Price Per Share (as defined below) is less than
         $18.886 (the "MAF Base Price Per Share") for each of the ten (10)
         business days immediately preceding the fifth business day prior to the
         Closing Date (the "Pricing Period"). The "MAF Common Stock


                                        2


                                  Page 12 of 92


<PAGE>


         Price Per Share" as of any particular date shall be the dollar amount
         equal to the volume weighted average price of all transactions for MAF
         Common Stock on that date reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market for the
         Pricing Period.

                  (d) If the condition set forth in Section 1.2(c) exists,
         Bancorp may, at its sole option: (i) terminate this Agreement; (ii)
         renegotiate with MAF over the payment terms described herein; or (iii)
         proceed with the Merger pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. If
         Bancorp elects to exercise this termination right, it will give prompt
         written notice to MAF as of the close of business on the second
         business day after the end of the Pricing Period.

                  (e) Stock Held by Bancorp or MAF. All shares of Bancorp Common
         Stock that are owned by Bancorp as treasury stock and all shares of
         Bancorp Common Stock that are owned directly or indirectly by MAF or
         Bancorp or any of their respective wholly-owned subsidiaries, other
         than (i) shares of Bancorp Common Stock held directly or indirectly in
         trust accounts, managed accounts and the like or otherwise held in a
         fiduciary capacity that are beneficially owned by third parties (any
         such shares, and shares of MAF Common Stock which are similarly held,
         whether held directly or indirectly by MAF or Bancorp or any of their
         respective wholly-owned subsidiaries, as the case may be, being
         referred to herein as "Trust Account Shares"), and (ii) any shares of
         Bancorp Common Stock held by MAF or Bancorp or any of their respective
         wholly-owned subsidiaries in respect of a debt previously contracted
         (any such shares of Bancorp Common Stock, and shares of MAF Common
         Stock which are similarly held, whether held directly or indirectly by
         MAF or Bancorp or any of their respective wholly-owned subsidiaries,
         being referred to herein as "DPC Shares"), shall be cancelled and shall
         constitute authorized but unissued MAF Common Stock and no stock of MAF
         or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor. All
         shares of MAF Common Stock that are owned by Bancorp or any of its
         wholly-owned subsidiaries (other than Trust Account Shares and DPC
         Shares) shall become treasury stock of MAF.

         1.3 STOCK OPTION PLANS.

                  (a) At the Effective Time, each option granted by Bancorp to
         purchase shares of Bancorp Common Stock (each an "Option," and
         collectively, "Options"), which is outstanding and unexercised
         immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be converted into an
         option to purchase shares of MAF Common Stock in such number and at
         such exercise price as provided below and otherwise having the same
         terms and conditions as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
         Time (except to the extent that such terms, conditions and


                                        3


                                  Page 13 of 92


<PAGE>


         restrictions may be altered in accordance with their terms as a result
         of the Merger contemplated hereby):

                           (i) the number of shares of MAF Common Stock to be
                  subject to the converted Option shall be equal to the product
                  of (x) the number of shares of Bancorp Common Stock subject to
                  the original Option and (y) the Exchange Ratio;

                           (ii) the exercise price per share of MAF Common Stock
                  under the converted Option shall be equal to (x) the exercise
                  price per share of Bancorp Common Stock under the original
                  Option divided by (y) the Exchange Ratio; and

                           (iii) upon each exercise of Options by a holder
                  thereof, the aggregate number of shares of MAF Common Stock
                  deliverable upon such exercise shall be rounded down, if
                  necessary, to the nearest whole share and the aggregate
                  exercise price shall be rounded up, if necessary, to the
                  nearest cent.

         The adjustments provided herein with respect to any Options which are
         "incentive stock options" (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) shall
         be effected in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section
         424(a) of the Code.

                  (b) Each limited right related to an Option which is
         outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time
         shall be converted along with the assumption and conversion of the
         Option pursuant to Section 1.3(a) above, and shall otherwise have the
         same terms and conditions as in effect immediately prior to the
         Effective Time (except to the extent that such terms, conditions and
         restrictions may be altered in accordance with their terms as a result
         of the Merger contemplated hereby); provided, however, that the benefit
         payable upon the exercise of a limited right shall not be paid in cash,
         and in lieu thereof, such benefit shall be paid in MAF Common Stock
         having a fair market value equal to the cash that would otherwise have
         been payable thereunder.

                  (c) Prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of
         Bancorp and the committee or committees established under the Plans
         shall take such actions or make such determinations as may be required
         under such Plans, subject to the approval of MAF, to effect the
         provisions of this Agreement.

         1.4 CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER; EFFECTIVE TIME. The delivery of the
closing schedules, certificates and opinions called for by this Agreement shall
take place at the offices of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, 222 North
LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois, or such other location and such time as shall
be fixed by mutual agreement of MAF and Bancorp as promptly as practicable, but
not later than 15 days (unless otherwise agreed to by both parties, such
agreement not to be unreasonably withheld), following the latest of: (i)
approval of the transactions required to effect the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement by all the


                                        4


                                  Page 14 of 92


<PAGE>


Applicable Governmental Authorities (defined below) and the approval, consent or
other action of such other governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the
transactions governed by this Agreement as may be required (provided that any
such approval, consent or other action shall have been granted without the
imposition of any condition which would have a material adverse effect on MAF);
(ii) the expiration of any waiting period imposed by law; (iii) the date of the
Bancorp stockholder meeting at which such stockholders approved the Merger, the
execution of this Agreement, and the other transactions contemplated hereby; and
(iv) satisfaction or waiver of all conditions precedent to the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The parties hereto shall cause
the Merger to become effective on the date of the closing (the "Closing Date")
by executing, acknowledging and filing on that date, in accordance with Sections
103 and 251 of the DGCL, a Certificate of Merger substantially in the form of
Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (the "Certificate of Merger").
The date and time on which the Merger becomes effective shall be referred to
herein as the "Effective Time."

         1.5 EXCHANGE OF BANCORP COMMON STOCK.

                  (a) Surrender of Certificates. As soon as practicable after
         the Effective Time but in no event later than three (3) business days
         following the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent (defined below) shall
         deliver to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates which
         as of the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Bancorp
         Common Stock (each, a "Certificate"): (i) a form letter of transmittal
         which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss
         and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the
         Certificates (or a lost certificate affidavit and bond in a form
         reasonably acceptable to the Exchange Agent) to the Exchange Agent; and
         (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the
         Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration. Upon surrender
         of a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent (or a lost
         certificate affidavit and bond in a form reasonably acceptable to the
         Exchange Agent), together with such letter of transmittal, duly
         executed, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive,
         in exchange therefor, MAF Common Stock representing the number of
         shares of MAF Common Stock into which the shares of Bancorp Common
         Stock, theretofore represented by the Certificate so surrendered, shall
         have been converted pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2, and the
         Certificate so surrendered shall be cancelled. MAF shall direct the
         Exchange Agent to make such payments within five business days of the
         receipt of all required documentation. If any payment for shares of
         Bancorp Common Stock is to be made in a name other than that in which
         the Certificate for Bancorp Common Stock surrendered for exchange is
         registered, it shall be a condition to the payment that the certificate
         so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form
         for transfer, that all signatures shall be guaranteed by a member firm
         of any national securities exchange in the United States or the
         National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or by a commercial
         bank or trust company or other financial institution acceptable to MAF
         having an office in the United States, and that the person requesting
         the payment shall either (a) pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or
         other taxes required by reason of the payment to a person other than
         the registered holder of the certificate surrendered, or (b) establish
         to the satisfaction of


                                        5


                                  Page 15 of 92


<PAGE>


         the Exchange Agent that such taxes have been paid or are not payable.
         From and after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the
         stock transfer books of Bancorp of any shares of Bancorp Common Stock
         outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and any such shares
         of Bancorp Common Stock presented to the Exchange Agent shall be
         cancelled in exchange for the aggregate Merger Consideration payable
         with respect thereto as provided in Section 1.2 above. As used herein,
         "Exchange Agent" means Harris Trust and Savings Bank, or such other
         bank or trust company selected by MAF and reasonably acceptable to
         Bancorp to effect the exchange of Certificates.

                  (b) Escheat. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
         contrary, neither the Exchange Agent nor any party hereto shall be
         liable to a former holder of Bancorp Common Stock for any consideration
         delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable escheat or
         abandoned property laws.

                  (c) Failure to Exchange Bancorp Common Stock. No dividends or
         other distributions declared after the Effective Time with respect to
         MAF Common Stock payable to the holders of record thereof after the
         Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered
         Certificate with respect to MAF Common Stock represented thereby and no
         cash payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to any holder
         until the holder of record shall surrender such Certificate. Subject to
         the effect, if any, of applicable law, after the subsequent surrender
         and exchange of a Certificate, the holder thereof shall be entitled to
         receive any such dividends or distributions, without interest thereon,
         which theretofore became payable with respect to the MAF Common Stock
         represented by such Certificate. All dividends or other distributions
         declared on or after the Effective Time with respect to the MAF Common
         Stock and payable to the holders of record thereof on or after the
         Effective Time which are payable to the holder of a Certificate not
         theretofore surrendered and exchanged for MAF Common Stock pursuant to
         this Section 1.5(c) shall be paid or delivered by MAF to the Exchange
         Agent, in trust, for the benefit of such holders. All such dividends
         and distributions held by the Exchange Agent for payment or delivery to
         the holders of unsurrendered Certificates unclaimed at the end of one
         (1) year from the Effective Time shall be repaid or redelivered by the
         Exchange Agent to MAF after which time any holder of Certificates who
         has not theretofore surrendered such Certificates to the Exchange
         Agent, subject to applicable law, shall look as a general creditor only
         to MAF for payment or delivery of such dividends or distributions, as
         the case may be. Any shares of MAF Common Stock or other amounts
         delivered or made available to the Exchange Agent pursuant to this
         Section 1.5(c) and not exchanged for Certificates within one (1) year
         after the Effective Time pursuant to this Section 1.5(c) shall be
         returned by the Exchange Agent to MAF which shall thereafter act as
         Exchange Agent subject to the rights of holders of unsurrendered
         Certificates hereunder.

                  (d) Full Payment. The Merger Consideration paid pursuant to
         this Article I, including all shares of MAF Common Stock issued upon
         the surrender for exchange of


                                        6


                                  Page 16 of 92


<PAGE>


         Bancorp Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, shall be
         delivered and paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
         such shares of Bancorp Common Stock.

                  (e) Fractional Shares. No certificates or scrip representing
         fractional shares of MAF Common Stock shall be issued upon the
         surrender for exchange of Certificates, no dividend or distribution of
         MAF shall relate to any fractional share, and such fractional share
         interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or assert any
         rights of a stockholder of MAF. In lieu of any fractional share, the
         Exchange Agent or MAF as the case may be, shall pay to each holder of
         shares of Bancorp Common Stock who otherwise would be entitled to
         receive a fractional share of MAF Common Stock an amount of cash
         (without interest) equal to the product achieved when such fraction is
         multiplied by the product of (i) the Exchange Ratio multiplied by (ii)
         the mean of the reported closing bid and asked quotations of one share
         of MAF Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market (or in the
         absence thereof, from such other source upon which MAF and Bancorp
         shall mutually agree) for the last Business Day preceding the Closing
         Date ("MAF Closing Stock Price").

                  (f) List of Bancorp Stockholders. Prior to the Effective Time,
         but within three (3) business days thereof, Bancorp shall deliver a
         certified copy of a list of its stockholders to the Exchange Agent,
         after which there shall be no further registrations or transfers on the
         stock transfer books of Bancorp of the shares of Bancorp Common Stock
         that were outstanding immediately prior thereto. If, after the
         Effective Time, Certificates representing such shares are presented to
         Bancorp, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this
         Article I.

                                       II.

                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MAF

         MAF represents and warrants to Bancorp that:

         2.1 ORGANIZATION.

                  (a) MAF is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
         in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all
         requisite power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to own, operate
         and lease its assets, properties and businesses and to carry on its
         businesses substantially as they have been and are now being conducted.
         MAF is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each
         jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned or leased by
         it or the nature of the business transacted by it requires that it be
         so qualified, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a
         material adverse effect on MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries (defined
         below), taken as a whole, or its ability to consummate the transactions
         contemplated herein or in the Certificate of Merger. MAF has all
         requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement,
         the Certificate of Merger and the Stock Option


                                        7


                                  Page 17 of 92


<PAGE>


         Agreement (as defined below) and, upon the approval of all requisite
         state and federal regulatory agencies as hereinafter provided, to
         consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. MAF is
         duly registered as a unitary savings and loan holding company under
         HOLA.

                  (b) MAF Bank is a federally-chartered stock savings bank duly
         organized and in existence under the laws of the United States, the
         deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
         Corporation ("FDIC") through the Savings Association Insurance Fund
         ("SAIF") to the full extent permitted under applicable laws. MAF Bank
         is a "qualified thrift lender" (as that term is used in Section 10(m)
         of HOLA). MAF Bank has all requisite corporate power and authority to
         enter into the Bank Merger Agreement (defined below) and, upon the
         approval of all requisite state and federal regulatory agencies and the
         majority of the stockholders of MAF Bank, to consummate the
         transactions contemplated thereby.

                  (c) MAF has no direct or indirect subsidiaries other than MAF
         Developments, Inc., Mid America Development Services, Inc., Mid America
         Finance Corporation, Mid America Insurance Agency, Inc., Mid America
         Mortgage Securities, Inc., N.W. Financial Corporation, Northwestern
         Acceptance Corporation, Ambria Development Corporation, Reigate Woods
         Development Corporation, Randall Road Development Corporation, Centre
         Point Title Corporation (the "MAF Corporate Subsidiaries") and MAF
         Bank. Each of the MAF Corporate Subsidiaries is either wholly-owned by
         MAF, MAF Bank or by wholly-owned subsidiaries of MAF Bank, and is a
         duly organized and validly existing corporation in good standing under
         the laws of the State of Illinois or Delaware, with corporate power and
         authority to own, operate and lease its assets and properties, and
         carry on its business substantially as it has been and is now being
         conducted.

                  (d) MAF and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (each
         an "MAF Subsidiary" and collectively the "MAF Subsidiaries") hold all
         licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and rights from all
         appropriate federal, state or other public authorities necessary for
         the conduct of its and their respective businesses, except where the
         failure to so hold would not have a material adverse effect on MAF and
         the MAF Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         2.2 AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, the Certificate of Merger, and the Stock Option Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly
and unanimously approved and authorized by MAF's Board of Directors, and all
necessary corporate action on the part of MAF has been taken. This Agreement has
been, and the Stock Option Agreement and the Certificate of Merger will be, duly
executed and delivered by MAF and, subject to the approval of all requisite
state and federal regulatory agencies and, will constitute the valid and binding
obligations of MAF, except to the extent that enforceability thereof may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws or equitable principles and doctrines. Neither the Certificate of
Incorporation nor the By-laws of MAF will need to be amended to effectuate the


                                        8


                                  Page 18 of 92


<PAGE>


transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and MAF's Board of Directors has
the authority to increase the number of directors of MAF without any such
amendment.

         2.3 CONFLICTS. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
Certificate of Merger and the Stock Option Agreement do not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not,
conflict with or result in any violation of the Certificate of Incorporation or
By-laws of MAF or similar documents of any MAF Subsidiary. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the Stock Option
Agreement do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby will not, conflict with or result in any violation, breach or
termination of, or default or loss of a material benefit under, or permit the
acceleration of, any obligation or result in the creation of any material lien,
charge or encumbrance on any of the property or assets under any provision of
any mortgage, indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument, permit,
concession, grant, franchise, license, judgment, order, decree, statute, law,
ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to MAF or any MAF Subsidiary or their
respective properties, other than any such conflicts, violations or defaults
which (i) individually or in the aggregate do not have a material adverse effect
on MAF, or (ii) will be cured or waived prior to the Effective Time. No consent,
approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing
with, any Federal or state governmental authority is required by or with respect
to MAF in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
Certificate of Merger or the Stock Option Agreement or the consummation by MAF
of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the absence of which would
have a material adverse effect upon MAF, except for: the filings by MAF of any
application or notice with the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS"), the FDIC,
and any other federal or state regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over
the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively, the "Applicable Governmental
Authorities"); the filing by MAF of the Registration Statement relating to the
MAF Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement (the "Registration
Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and various
blue sky authorities, which Registration Statement shall include the proxy
statement for use in connection with the meeting of the stockholders of Bancorp
(the "Proxy Statement") to be called pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof; the filing
of the Certificate of Merger with respect to the Merger with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware; any filings, approvals or no-action letters with
or from state securities authorities; and (e) any antitrust filings, consents,
waivers or approvals.

         2.4 CAPITALIZATION.

                  (a) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of MAF
         consists of the following:


      CLASS OF      PAR
       STOCK       VALUE     AUTHORIZED      ISSUED     OUTSTANDING    TREASURY
       -----       -----     ----------      ------     -----------    --------
       Common      $0.01     40,000,000    25,420,678    22,608,471   2,812,207
     Preferred     $0.01      5,000,000             0             0           0


                                        9


                                  Page 19 of 92


<PAGE>


         All of the issued and outstanding shares of MAF Common Stock have been,
         and all of the shares of MAF to be issued in the Merger will be, at the
         Effective Time, duly and validly authorized and issued, and are, or
         upon issuance in the Merger will be, as the case may be, fully paid and
         non-assessable. None of the outstanding shares of MAF Common Stock has
         been issued in violation of any preemptive rights and none of the
         outstanding shares of MAF Common Stock is or will be entitled to any
         preemptive rights in respect of the Merger or any of the other
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement. MAF will, at the Effective
         Time, have a number of authorized but unissued shares of MAF Common
         Stock sufficient to pay the Merger Consideration in accordance with
         Section 1.2(b) above. The shares of MAF Common Stock to be issued
         pursuant to this Agreement are duly authorized and will be, when issued
         in accordance with the terms hereof, validly issued, fully paid and
         nonassessable and subject to no preemptive rights.

                  (b) As of the date hereof, MAF had reserved 2,533,531 shares
         of MAF Common Stock for issuance under stock option plans for the
         benefit of employees of MAF, pursuant to which options covering
         1,766,181 shares of MAF Common Stock were outstanding as of the date
         hereof (the "MAF Stock Option Plans"). Except as contemplated herein or
         as provided for in the MAF Bancorp, Inc. 1990 Incentive Stock Option
         Plan, the N.S. Bancorp Inc. 1990 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the MAF
         Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Premium Price Stock Option
         Plan, the Mid America Federal Savings Bank Directors' Deferred
         Compensation Plan and the Mid America Federal Savings Bank Executive
         Deferred Compensation Plan, there are no shares of capital stock of MAF
         subject to options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or
         commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or
         rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of the capital
         stock of MAF, or contracts, commitments, understandings, or
         arrangements by which MAF is or may be bound to issue additional shares
         of its capital stock or options, warrants, or rights to purchase or
         acquire any additional shares of its capital stock.

         2.5 MAF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; MATERIAL CHANGES. MAF has heretofore
delivered to Bancorp its audited consolidated financial statements for the years
ended December 31, 1997, June 30, 1996, and June 30, 1995, the six months ended
December 31, 1996, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 (the "MAF Financial Statements"). The MAF
Financial Statements (x) are true and correct in all material respects; (y) have
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be
indicated in the notes thereto and, in the case of the unaudited consolidated
financial statements, except for the absence of footnotes and for normal and
recurring year-end adjustments which are not material); and (z) fairly present
the consolidated statement of financial condition of MAF as of the dates thereof
and the related consolidated statement of operations, changes in stockholders'
equity and cash flows for the periods then ended. Since December 31, 1997 to the
date hereof, MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not undergone
or suffered any changes in their condition (financial or otherwise), properties,
assets, liabilities, business or operations which have been, in any case or in
the aggregate, materially adverse to MAF on a consolidated basis except


                                       10


                                  Page 20 of 92


<PAGE>


as contemplated herein. Since January 1, 1998, MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries have
conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary course consistent
with past practices. No facts or circumstances have been discovered from which
it reasonably appears that there is a significant risk and reasonable
probability that MAF will suffer or experience a material adverse effect.

         2.6 MAF SUBSIDIARIES. MAF owns directly or indirectly all of the issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock of the MAF Subsidiaries. No capital
stock of any of the MAF Subsidiaries is or may become required to be issued
(other than to MAF) by reason of any options, warrants, scrip, rights to
subscribe to, calls, or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or
securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of the capital
stock of any MAF Subsidiary. There are no contracts, commitments, understandings
or arrangements relating to the rights of MAF to vote or to dispose of shares of
the capital stock of any MAF Subsidiary. All of the shares of capital stock of
each MAF Subsidiary held by MAF are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned
by MAF free and clear of any claim, lien or encumbrance.

         2.7 MAF FILINGS. MAF has previously made available to Bancorp true and
complete copies of its (i) proxy statements relating to all meetings of its
stockholders (whether special or annual) held or currently scheduled to be held
during the calendar years 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and (ii) all other reports
or filings, as may have been amended, filed under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Securities Exchange Act"), by MAF with the SEC and OTS
since January 1, 1995, including without limitation reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q
and 8-K, and filings with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the "Securities Act").

            2.8 MAF REPORTS. Since January 1, 1995, each of MAF and the MAF
Subsidiaries has timely filed all reports and statements, together with any
amendment required to be made with respect thereto, that was required to be
filed with (i) the SEC, including, but not limited to Forms 10- K, 10-Q and 8-K,
and proxy statements, (ii) the OTS, (iii) the FDIC, (iv) any applicable state
banking, insurance, securities, or other regulatory authorities (except filings
which are not material), and (v) the National Association of Securities Dealers.
As of their respective dates (and without giving effect to any amendments or
modifications filed after the date of this Agreement with respect to reports and
documents filed before the date of this Agreement), each of such reports and
documents, including the financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto,
complied in all material respects with all of the statutes, rules, and
regulations enforced or promulgated by the authority with which they were filed
and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Except for
normal examinations conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of
Labor, state, and local taxing authorities or the OTS or the FDIC in the regular
course of the business of MAF or the MAF Subsidiaries, no federal, state or
local governmental agency, commission or other entity has initiated any
proceeding or, to the best knowledge of MAF, investigation into the business or
operations of MAF or the MAF Subsidiaries within the past three (3) years. There
is no unresolved violation, criticism or exception by the SEC, the OTS or other
agency, commission or entity with respect to any report or statement referred to
herein that has had or

                                       11


                                  Page 21 of 92


<PAGE>


is expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
earnings or business of MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         2.9 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries are each in
compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations that
regulate or are concerned in any way with the business of a savings bank,
including, without limitation, HOLA and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("FDI
Act"), and MAF and each of the MAF Subsidiaries are in compliance with all other
applicable laws and regulations, except in each case where the failure to comply
would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, earnings or
business of MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         2.10 DISCLOSURE. None of the information supplied by MAF for inclusion
in the Proxy Statement or the information relating to MAF and the MAF
Subsidiaries in the Registration Statement will, in the case of the Proxy
Statement or any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, at the time of the
meeting of Bancorp's stockholders to be held in connection with the Merger
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or, in the case of the
Registration Statement, at the time it becomes effective contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading. The Registration Statement (except
for such portions thereof that relate only to Bancorp or any of its
subsidiaries) will comply as to form in all material respects with the
provisions of the Securities Act.

         2.11 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed on MAF's Form 10-Q for the period
ending June 30, 1998, there is no suit, action, investigation or proceeding,
legal, quasi-judicial, administrative or otherwise, pending or, to the best
knowledge of MAF, threatened against or affecting MAF or any MAF Subsidiary, or
any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents, in their
capacities as such, which, if adversely determined, would have a material
adverse effect on MAF or which would materially affect the ability of MAF to
consummate the transactions contemplated herein or which is seeking to enjoin
consummation of the transactions provided for herein or to obtain other relief
in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any
court, governmental department, commission, agency, instrumentality or
arbitrator outstanding against MAF or any MAF Subsidiary or any of their
respective officers, directors, employees or agents, in their capacities as
such, having, or which could reasonably be foreseen to have in the future, any
such effect.

         2.12 LICENSES. MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries hold all licenses,
certificates, permits, franchises and all patents, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, copyrights or rights thereto, and adequate authorizations,
approvals, consents, licenses, clearances and orders or registrations with all
appropriate federal, state or other authorities that are material to the conduct
of their respective businesses as now conducted and as presently proposed to be
conducted.


                                       12


                                  Page 22 of 92


<PAGE>


         2.13 INSURANCE. MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries maintain insurance with an
insurer, which in the best judgment of management of MAF is sound and reputable,
on their respective assets, and upon their respective businesses and operations,
against loss or damage, risks, hazards and liabilities of the kinds customarily
insured against by prudent corporations engaged in the same or similar
businesses. MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries maintain in effect all insurance
required to be carried by law or by any agreement by which they are bound. All
material claims under all policies of insurance maintained by MAF and the MAF
Subsidiaries have been filed in due and timely fashion.

         2.14 DEFAULTS. There has not been any default, or the occurrence of an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default, in
any obligation to be performed by MAF or any MAF Subsidiary under any contract
or commitment, and neither MAF nor any MAF Subsidiary has waived any right under
any contract or commitment, except in each case where any such default or
waiver, singly or in the aggregate with any other such defaults or waivers,
would not have a material adverse effect on MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries taken
as a whole. To the best knowledge of MAF, no other party to any material
contract or commitment is in default in any material obligation to be performed
by such party.

         2.15 UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. All of the obligations or liabilities
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise, whether due
or becoming due, and regardless of when asserted) arising out of transactions or
events heretofore entered into, or any action or inaction, including taxes with
respect to or based upon transactions or events heretofore occurring, that are
required to be reflected, disclosed or reserved against in the audited
consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("Liabilities") have, in the case of MAF and the MAF
Subsidiaries, been so reflected, disclosed or reserved against in the audited
consolidated financial statements of MAF as of December 31, 1997 or in the notes
thereto, and MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries have no other material liabilities
except Liabilities incurred since December 31, 1997, in the ordinary course of
business and except for the transactions contemplated herein.

         2.16 ASSETS.

                  (a) MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries have good, sufficient and
         marketable title to their real properties, including leaseholds, and
         their other assets and properties, all as reflected as owned by MAF or
         any MAF Subsidiary in the MAF financial statement dated as of December
         31, 1997 except for (i) assets and properties disposed of since such
         date in the ordinary course of business and (ii) liens, none of which,
         in the aggregate, are material to the assets of MAF on a consolidated
         basis. MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries have title or other rights to its
         assets sufficient in all material respects or the conduct of their
         respective businesses as presently conducted, and are free, clear and
         discharged of and from any and all liens, charges, encumbrances,
         security interests and/or equities which are material to MAF and its
         subsidiaries, taken as a whole.


                                       13


                                  Page 23 of 92


<PAGE>


                  (b) All leases pursuant to which MAF or any MAF Subsidiary, as
         lessee, leases real or personal property which are material to the
         business of MAF on a consolidated basis are, to the best of the
         knowledge of MAF, valid, effective, and enforceable against the lessor
         in accordance with their respective terms. There is not under any of
         such leases any existing default, or any event which with notice or
         lapse of time or both would constitute a default, by either MAF or any
         MAF Subsidiary, or to the best knowledge of MAF, the other party,
         except for any defaults the consequences of which would not have a
         material adverse effect on MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries, taken as a
         whole.

         2.17 TAX. To the best of the knowledge of MAF, neither it nor any MAF
Subsidiary has engaged in any act that would preclude or adversely affect the
Merger from qualifying as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Code.

         2.18 ADVICE OF CHANGES. Between the date hereof and the Effective Time,
MAF shall promptly advise Bancorp in writing of any fact or occurrence (other
than as contemplated herein) which, if existing or known as of the date hereof,
would have been required to be set forth or disclosed pursuant to this Agreement
or of any fact which, if existing or known as of the date hereof, would have
made any of the representations contained herein materially untrue.

         2.19 FAIRNESS OPINION. MAF has received an opinion, dated the date of
this Agreement, from Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, that, subject to
the terms, conditions and qualifications set forth therein, the Merger is fair
to MAF's stockholders from a financial point of view.

         2.20 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

                  (a) For purposes of Sections 2.20 and 3.20, the following
         terms shall have the following respective meanings:

                           (i) "Environmental Law(s)" means any law, regulation,
                  rule, ordinance or similar requirement which governs or
                  protects the environment enacted by the United States, any
                  state, or any county, city or agency or subdivision of the
                  United States or any state.

                           (ii) "Hazardous Material(s)" means any material or
                  substance: (1) which is a "hazardous substance," "pollutant"
                  or "contaminant," pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental
                  Response Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") (42 U.S.C.
                  9601 et seq.) as amended, and regulations promulgated
                  thereunder; (2) containing gasoline, oil, diesel fuel or other
                  petroleum products; (3) which is "hazardous waste" pursuant to
                  the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA")
                  (42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.) as amended, and regulations
                  promulgated thereunder; (4) containing polychlorinated
                  biphenyls (PCBs); (5) containing asbestos; (6) which is
                  radioactive; (7) the presence of which requires investigation
                  or remediation under any Environmental Law (defined


                                       14


                                  Page 24 of 92


<PAGE>


                  above); or (8) which is defined or identified as a "hazardous
                  waste," "hazardous substance," "pollutant," "contaminant," or
                  "biologically Hazardous Material" under any Environmental Law.

                           (iii) "MAF Properties" means (1) the real estate
                  owned or leased by MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries and used as a
                  banking related facility; (2) other real estate owned ("MAF
                  REO") by MAF or the MAF Subsidiaries as defined by any other
                  federal or state financial institution regulatory agency with
                  regulatory authority for MAF or the MAF Subsidiaries; (3) real
                  estate that is in the process of pending foreclosure or
                  forfeiture proceedings conducted by MAF or the MAF
                  Subsidiaries; (4) real estate that is held in trust for others
                  by the MAF Subsidiaries; and (5) real estate owned or leased
                  by a partnership or joint venture in which MAF or an MAF
                  Subsidiary has an ownership interest.

                  (b) To the best knowledge of MAF after such inquiry and
         investigation as MAF deems appropriate, there are no present or past
         conditions on the MAF Properties, involving or resulting from a past or
         present storage, spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape,
         dumping or release of any kind whatsoever of any Hazardous Materials or
         from any generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, use
         or handling of any Hazardous Materials, that may reasonably be expected
         to result in a material adverse effect on MAF's consolidated business,
         financial condition or prospects.

                  (c) MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries are in compliance in all
         material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, and neither
         MAF nor the MAF Subsidiaries have received notice of, nor to the best
         of their knowledge are there outstanding or pending, any public or
         private claims, lawsuits, citations, penalties, unsatisfied abatement
         obligations or notices or orders of non-compliance relating to the
         environmental condition of the MAF Properties, which have or may
         reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on MAF's
         consolidated business, financial condition or prospects.

                  (d) To the best knowledge of MAF after such inquiry and
         investigation as MAF deems appropriate, no MAF Properties are currently
         undergoing remediation or cleanup of Hazardous Materials or other
         environmental conditions, the actual or estimated cost of which may
         have a material adverse effect on MAF's consolidated business,
         financial condition or prospects.

                  (e) To the best knowledge of MAF after such inquiry and
         investigation as MAF deems appropriate, MAF and the MAF Subsidiaries
         have all governmental permits, licenses, certificates of inspection and
         other authorizations governing or protecting the environment necessary
         to conduct its present business.

         2.21 MILLENNIUM COMPLIANCE. MAF represents and warrants to Bancorp
that: (a) MAF's computer hardware and software systems used for the storage and
processing of data (as used in this Section 2.21, "Systems") are, or will be by
March 31, 1999, Millennium Compliant;


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(b) to the best of MAF's knowledge, none of MAF's or any MAF Subsidiary's
Systems, operations or business functions will be materially adversely affected
by any third party's failure to be Millennium Compliant; (c) to the best of
MAF's knowledge, all of its suppliers, customers and third party providers will
be Millennium Compliant; and (d) MAF is taking, or has taken, all necessary and
appropriate action to address and remedy any deficiencies in MAF's Systems from
becoming Millennium Compliant. As used in this Section 2.21, "Millennium
Compliant" shall mean the ability of Systems to provide the following functions,
without human intervention, individually and in combination with other products
or systems: (i) consistently handle date information before, during and after
January 1, 2000, including but not limited to accepting date input, providing
date output and performing calculations on dates or portions of dates, (ii)
function accurately and without interruption before, during and after January 1,
2000 (including leap year computations), without any change in operations
associated with the advent of a new century in a disclosed, defined and
predetermined manner; and (iv) store and provide output of date information in
ways that are unambiguous as to century.

         2.22 CONSENTS. Except as referred to herein or in connection, or in
compliance with the provisions of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act"), the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act,
the HOLA, the Bank Merger Act, as amended (the "BMA"), the FDI Act, the rules
and regulations of the OTS, and the environmental, corporation, securities or
blue sky laws or regulations of the various states, no filing or registration
with, or authorization, consent or approval of, any other party is necessary for
the consummation by MAF or MAF Bank of the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. As of the date hereof, MAF knows of no reason
why the approvals, consents and waivers of governmental authorities referred to
in this Section 2.22 that are required to be obtained should not be obtained
without the imposition of any material condition or restriction.

         2.23 TAXES.

                  (a) MAF and each MAF Subsidiary have each timely filed all tax
         and information returns, including but not limited to all required
         Forms 1099, 1098 and 5498, required to be filed (all such returns being
         correct and complete in all material respects) and have paid (or MAF
         has paid on behalf of each MAF Subsidiary), or have accrued on their
         respective books and set up an adequate reserve for the payment of, all
         taxes required to be paid in respect of the periods covered by such
         returns and have accrued on their respective books and set up an
         adequate reserve for the payment of all income and other taxes
         anticipated to be payable in respect of periods through the end of the
         calendar month next preceding the date hereof. Neither MAF nor any MAF
         Subsidiary is delinquent in the payment of any tax, assessment or
         governmental charge. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.23(a) (i) to the
         MAF Disclosure Schedule, no deficiencies for any taxes have been
         proposed, asserted or assessed against MAF or any MAF Subsidiary that
         have not been resolved or settled and no requests for waivers of the
         time to assess any such tax are pending or have been agreed to. Except
         as set forth on Schedule 2.23(a) (ii) to the MAF Disclosure Schedule,
         the income tax returns of MAF and each MAF Subsidiary have not been
         audited by either the Internal Revenue Service, the Illinois


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<PAGE>


         Department of Revenue, the Delaware Department of Revenue, or any other
         state or local taxing authorities, for any of the last ten (10) years.
         Neither MAF nor any MAF Subsidiary is a party to any action or
         proceeding by any governmental authority for the assessment or the
         collection of taxes. Deferred taxes of MAF have been accounted for in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent
         requested, MAF and each MAF Subsidiary have made available to Bancorp
         correct and complete copies of all federal and state income tax returns
         and supporting schedules for all tax years since December 31, 1992.

                  (b) MAF has not filed any consolidated federal income tax
         return with an "affiliated group" (within the meaning of Section 1504
         of the Code) where MAF was not the common parent of the group. Neither
         MAF nor any MAF Subsidiary is, or has been, a party to any tax
         allocation agreement or arrangement pursuant to which it has any
         contingent or outstanding liability to anyone other than MAF or any MAF
         Subsidiary.

                  (c) MAF and each MAF Subsidiary have each withheld amounts
         from its employees or holders of deposit accounts in compliance with
         the tax withholding provisions of applicable federal, state and local
         laws, has filed all federal, state and local returns and reports for
         all years for which any such return or report would be due with respect
         to employee income tax withholding, social security, unemployment
         taxes, income and other taxes and all payments or deposits with respect
         to such taxes have been timely made.

         2.24 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. All retirement, stock option, stock
purchase, stock ownership, savings, stock appreciation right, profit sharing,
deferred compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance, severance and other
benefit plans, contracts, agreements, arrangements, including, but not limited
to, "employee benefit plans," as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, incentive and
welfare policies, contracts, plans and arrangements and all trust agreements
related thereto with respect to any present or former directors, officers, or
other employees of MAF or any of the MAF Subsidiaries are hereinafter referred
to collectively as the "MAF Employee Plans." All of the MAF Employee Plans
comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements of ERISA, the
Code and other applicable laws; there has occurred no "prohibited transaction"
(as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) which is likely
to result in the imposition of any penalties or taxes under Section 502(i) of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code upon MAF or any of its subsidiaries. Neither
MAF, the MAF Subsidiaries, nor any entity which is considered one employer with
MAF under Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code has contributed
to any "multi-employer plan," as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, on or after
September 26, 1980. Neither MAF nor the MAF Subsidiaries currently maintain a
"single-employer plan" (as defined in Section 4001(a) of ERISA). Each MAF
Employee Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code
has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS and MAF and the MAF
Subsidiaries are not aware of any circumstances likely to result in revocation
of any such favorable determination letter. There is no pending or, to the
knowledge of MAF, threatened litigation, administrative action or proceeding
relating to any MAF Employee Plan.


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         2.25 FEES. Other than the financial advisory services performed for MAF
by Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Incorporated, neither MAF, MAF Bank nor any of the
MAF Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or
agents, has employed a broker or finder or incurred any liability for any
financial advisory fees, brokerage fees, commissions, or finder's fees, and no
broker or finder has acted directly or indirectly for the purchase of any MAF
Subsidiary in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.

                                      III.

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BANCORP

         Bancorp represents and warrants to MAF that:

         3.1 ORGANIZATION.

                  (a) Bancorp is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
         and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
         all requisite power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to own,
         operate and lease its assets, properties and businesses and to carry on
         its businesses substantially as they have been and are now being
         conducted. Bancorp is duly qualified to do business and is in good
         standing in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties
         owned or leased by it or the nature of the business transacted by it
         requires that it be so qualified, except where the failure to so
         qualify would not have a material adverse effect on Bancorp or its
         ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein, in the
         Certificate of Merger or in the Stock Option Agreement. Bancorp has all
         requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement,
         the Certificate of Merger and the Stock Option Agreement and, upon the
         approval of all requisite state and federal regulatory agencies and in
         the case of this Agreement, the majority of the stockholders of Bancorp
         as hereinafter provided, to consummate the transactions contemplated
         hereby and thereby. Bancorp is duly registered as a unitary savings and
         loan holding company under HOLA.

                  (b) First Federal is a federally-chartered stock savings bank
         duly organized and in existence under the laws of the United States,
         the deposits of which are insured by FDIC through SAIF to the full
         extent permitted under applicable laws. First Federal has all requisite
         corporate power and authority to enter into the Bank Merger Agreement
         and, upon the approval of all requisite state and federal regulatory
         agencies and the majority of the stockholders of First Federal, to
         consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. First Federal is a
         "qualified thrift lender" (as that term is used in Section 10(m) of
         HOLA).

                  (c) Westco, Inc. is a corporation duly organized, validly
         existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Illinois
         and has all requisite power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to
         own, operate and lease its assets, properties and businesses and


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                                  Page 28 of 92


<PAGE>


         to carry on its businesses substantially as they have been and are now
         being conducted. Westco, Inc. is duly qualified to do business and is
         in good standing in each jurisdiction where the character of the
         properties owned or leased by it or the nature of the business
         transacted by it requires that it be so qualified, except where the
         failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on
         Westco, Inc. Bancorp has no direct or indirect subsidiaries other than
         Westco, Inc. and First Federal.

                  (d) Bancorp, First Federal and Westco, Inc. hold all licenses,
         certificates, permits, franchises and rights from all appropriate
         federal, state or other public authorities necessary for the conduct of
         its and their respective business, except where the failure to so hold
         would not have a material adverse effect on Bancorp, First Federal and
         Westco Inc. taken as a whole.

         3.2 AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the Stock Option Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly
and unanimously approved and authorized by Bancorp's Board of Directors, and all
necessary corporate action on the part of Bancorp has been taken, subject to the
approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of Bancorp. This Agreement has
been, and the Certificate of Merger and the Stock Option Agreement will be, duly
executed and delivered by Bancorp and, subject to the approval of all requisite
state and federal regulatory agencies, and, in the case of this Agreement, the
approval by the stockholders of Bancorp, constitutes the valid and binding
obligation of Bancorp (except to the extent that enforceability thereof may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws or equitable principles or doctrines). Neither the Certificate of
Incorporation nor the by-laws of Bancorp will need to be amended to effectuate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         3.3 CONFLICTS. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
Certificate of Merger and the Stock Option Agreement do not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not,
conflict with or result in any violation of the Certificate of Incorporation or
By-laws of Bancorp or similar documents of any Bancorp Subsidiary (as defined
below). The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger
and the Stock Option Agreement do not, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will not, conflict with or result in any
violation, breach or termination of, or default or loss of a material benefit
under, or permit the acceleration of, any obligation or result in the creation
of any material lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets under any
provision of any mortgage, indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument,
permit, concession, grant, franchise, license, judgment, order, decree, statute,
law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Bancorp or any Bancorp
Subsidiary or their respective properties other than any such conflicts,
violations or defaults which (i) individually or in the aggregate do not have a
material adverse effect on Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, or (ii) will be
cured or waived prior to the Effective Time. No consent, approval, order or
authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any federal or
state governmental authority is required by or with respect to Bancorp in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Stock


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                                  Page 29 of 92


<PAGE>



Option Agreement or the consummation by Bancorp of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby, the absence of which would have a material adverse effect
upon Bancorp except for: the filings by MAF of applications or notices with the
Applicable Government Authorities; the filing by MAF of the Registration
Statement with the SEC; the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; (d) any required filings with,
approvals from or notices to applicable state securities authorities; and (e)
any necessary antitrust filings, consents, waivers or approvals.

         3.4 ANTITAKEOVER PROVISIONS INAPPLICABLE. Except for Article FOURTH,
Section C of Bancorp's Certificate of Incorporation, no "business combination,"
"moratorium," "control share" or other state antitakeover statute or regulation,
nor any provision in Bancorp's Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, (i)
prohibits or restricts Bancorp's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, the Certificate of Merger or the Stock Option Agreement, or its
ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (ii)
would have the effect of invalidating or voiding this Agreement, the Certificate
of Merger or the Stock Option Agreement, or any provision hereof or thereof, or
(iii) would subject MAF to any material impediment or condition in connection
with the exercise of any of its rights under this Agreement, the Certificate of
Merger or the Stock Option Agreement.

         3.5 CAPITALIZATION AND STOCKHOLDERS.

                  (a) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of
         Bancorp consists of the following:


      CLASS OF       PAR
       STOCK        VALUE    AUTHORIZED    ISSUED      OUTSTANDING    TREASURY
       -----        -----    ----------    ------      -----------    --------
       Common       $0.01    5,000,000    3,525,070     2,486,263     1,038,807
      Preferred     $0.01    1,000,000            0             0             0

         All of the issued and outstanding shares of Bancorp Common Stock have
         been duly and validly authorized and issued, and are fully paid and
         non-assessable. None of the outstanding shares of Bancorp Common Stock
         are subject to any preemptive rights of the current or past
         stockholders of Bancorp. All of the issued and outstanding shares of
         Bancorp Common Stock will be entitled to vote to approve the Agreement.

                  (b) As of the date hereof, Bancorp has 245,479 shares of
         Bancorp Common Stock reserved for issuance under the stock option plans
         for the benefit of employees and directors of Bancorp or Bancorp
         Subsidiaries ("Bancorp Stock Option Plans") pursuant to which Bancorp
         Stock Options covering an aggregate of 245,479 shares of Bancorp Common
         Stock are outstanding as of the date hereof. As of the date hereof, all
         of the shares of Bancorp Common Stock authorized to be issued under
         Bancorp's Recognition and Retention Plans ("ARP Plans") are awarded and
         vested. Except as set forth in this Section 3.5 and except for the
         transactions herein and as provided under the Stock Option


                                       20


                                  Page 30 of 92


<PAGE>


         Agreement, there are no shares of capital stock or other equity
         securities of Bancorp outstanding and no outstanding options, warrants,
         scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character
         whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or
         exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock of Bancorp, or contracts,
         commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which Bancorp is or may
         be bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or options,
         warrants, or rights to purchase or acquire any additional shares of its
         capital stock. Each Bancorp Stock Option is exercisable or will be
         exercisable as of the date set forth in Schedule 3.5(b) to the Bancorp
         Disclosure Schedule and has an exercise price in the amount set forth
         in Schedule 3.5(b) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule.

                  (c) Schedule 3.5(c) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule (as
         defined below) accurately identifies the names and addresses of all of
         the stockholders who, to Bancorp's knowledge, beneficially own more
         than 5% of the shares of Bancorp Common Stock and the number of shares
         of common stock of Bancorp held by each such stockholder and by each
         director and senior officer of Bancorp. From the date hereof until the
         Effective Time, Bancorp shall, upon request, provide MAF with a
         complete list of all of its stockholders of record, including the
         names, addresses and number of shares of Bancorp Common Stock held by
         each stockholder. Without the advance written consent of Bancorp, MAF
         will not disclose or make use of the information provided by Bancorp
         pursuant hereto except as may be required in connection with regulatory
         or other filings permitted by this Agreement, the mailing of the Proxy
         Statement or as is otherwise specifically permitted by this Agreement.
         The "Bancorp Disclosure Schedule" shall consist of the agreements,
         lists, instruments and other documentation described or referred to in
         this Agreement. The Bancorp Disclosure Schedule was delivered to MAF in
         final and complete form prior to Bancorp's execution of this Agreement.

         3.6 BANCORP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; MATERIAL CHANGES. Bancorp has
heretofore delivered to MAF its audited consolidated financial statements for
the years ended December 31, 1997, December 31, 1996, and December 31, 1995, and
the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June
30, 1998 (the "Bancorp Financial Statements"). The Bancorp Financial Statements
(x) are true and correct in all material respects; (y) have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes
thereto and, except in the case of the unaudited consolidated financial
statements for the absence of footnotes and for normal and recurring year-end
adjustments which are not material); and (z) fairly present the consolidated
statement of financial condition of Bancorp as of the dates thereof and the
related consolidated statement of operations, changes in stockholders' equity
and cash flows for the periods then ended. Since December 31, 1997, Bancorp and
the Bancorp Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not undergone or suffered any
changes in their respective condition (financial or otherwise), properties,
assets, liabilities, business or operations which have been, in any case or in
the aggregate, materially adverse to Bancorp on a consolidated basis. Since
January 1, 1998, Bancorp and the Bancorp Subsidiaries have conducted their
respective businesses only in the ordinary course consistent with past
practices. No facts or circumstances have been discovered


                                       21


                                  Page 31 of 92


<PAGE>


from which it reasonably appears that there is a significant risk and reasonable
probability that Bancorp will suffer or experience a material adverse effect.

         3.7 BANCORP SUBSIDIARIES.

                  (a) All of the Bancorp Subsidiaries as of the date of this
         Agreement are listed on Schedule 3.7(a) to the Bancorp Disclosure
         Schedule. Bancorp owns directly or indirectly all of the issued and
         outstanding shares of capital stock of the Bancorp Subsidiaries.
         Schedule 3.7(a) of the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule accurately
         identifies the number of shares of authorized and outstanding capital
         stock of the Bancorp Subsidiaries, and a description of the business of
         each Bancorp Subsidiary. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.7(a) to the
         Bancorp Disclosure Schedule, neither Bancorp nor the Bancorp
         Subsidiaries own directly or indirectly any debt or equity securities,
         or other proprietary interest in any other corporation, joint venture,
         partnership, entity, association or other business. No capital stock of
         any of the Bancorp Subsidiaries is or may become required to be issued
         (other than to Bancorp) by reason of any options, warrants, scrip,
         rights to subscribe to, calls, or commitments of any character
         whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or
         exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock of the Bancorp
         Subsidiaries. There are no contracts, commitments, understandings or
         arrangements relating to the rights of Bancorp to vote or to dispose of
         shares of the capital stock of a Bancorp Subsidiary. All of the shares
         of capital stock of each Bancorp Subsidiary held by Bancorp or a
         Bancorp Subsidiary are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by
         Bancorp or such Bancorp Subsidiary free and clear of any claim, lien or
         encumbrance.

                  (b) Each Bancorp Subsidiary is either a stock savings bank or
         a corporation as indicated on Schedule 3.7(b) to the Bancorp Disclosure
         Schedule and is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
         under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or
         organized, and is duly qualified to do business and in good standing in
         each jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned or leased
         by it or the nature of the business transacted by it requires it to be
         so qualified, except where the failure to so qualify, either
         individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse
         effect on Bancorp and the Bancorp Subsidiaries taken as a whole or its
         ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein or in the
         Stock Option Agreement. Each Bancorp Subsidiary has the corporate power
         and authority necessary for it to own, operate or lease its assets,
         properties and business and to carry on its business substantially as
         they have been and are now being conducted.

                  (c) For purposes of this Agreement, "Bancorp Subsidiaries"
         shall mean corporations, savings banks and other entities of which
         Bancorp owns or controls 5% or more of the outstanding equity
         securities either directly or through an unbroken chain of entities as
         to each of which 5% or more of the outstanding equity securities is
         owned directly or indirectly by its parent and any joint ventures in
         which Bancorp has an equity interest including, without limitation,
         First Federal and Westco, Inc.; provided, however,


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<PAGE>


         there shall not be included any such entity acquired in good faith
         through foreclosure, or any such entity to the extent that the equity
         securities of such entity are owned or controlled in a bona fide
         fiduciary capacity, through a small business investment corporation, or
         otherwise as an investment by an entity that invests in unaffiliated
         companies in the ordinary course of business. The term "Bancorp
         Subsidiary" shall mean any single subsidiary constituting one of the
         several Bancorp Subsidiaries.

                  (d) First Federal is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of
         Chicago. The liquidation account established by First Federal in
         connection with the conversion was established and has been maintained
         since its establishment in accordance with applicable laws and the
         records with respect to said account are complete and accurate in all
         material respects. None of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement would constitute a complete liquidation of First Federal so
         as to require the distribution of such liquidation account of First
         Federal to any existing or former savings or demand account holders of
         First Federal.

         3.8 BANCORP FILINGS. Bancorp has previously made available to MAF true
and complete copies of its (i) proxy statements relating to all meetings of its
stockholders (whether special or annual) (of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary)
held or currently scheduled to be held during the calendar years 1995, 1996,
1997 and 1998, and (ii) all other reports or filings, in each case as may have
been amended, required to be filed under the Securities Exchange Act by Bancorp
or any Bancorp Subsidiary with the SEC or the OTS since January 1, 1995,
including without limitation reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K.

         3.9 BANCORP REPORTS. Since January 1, 1995, each of Bancorp and the
Bancorp Subsidiaries has timely filed all reports and statements, together with
any amendment required to be made with respect thereto, that it was required to
file with (i) the SEC, including, but not limited to Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K,
and proxy statements, (ii) the OTS, (iii) the FDIC, (iv) any other applicable
federal or state banking, insurance, securities, or other regulatory authorities
(except filings which are not material), and (v) the NASD. As of their
respective dates (and without giving effect to any amendments or modifications
filed after the date of this Agreement with respect to reports and documents
filed before the date of this Agreement), each of such reports and documents,
including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, complied in
all material respects with all of the statutes, rules, and regulations enforced
or promulgated by the authority with which they were filed and did not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made not misleading. Except for normal
examinations conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor,
state and local taxing authorities, the FDIC or the OTS in the regular course of
the business of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, no federal, state or local
governmental agency, commission or other entity has initiated any proceeding or,
to the best knowledge of Bancorp, investigation into the business or operations
of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary within the past three years except as set
forth on Schedule 3.9 to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule. There is no unresolved
violation, criticism or exception by the SEC, the OTS, the FDIC or other agency,
commission


                                       23


                                  Page 33 of 92


<PAGE>


or entity with respect to any report or statement referred to herein that has or
is expected to have a material adverse effect on Bancorp or any Bancorp
Subsidiary.

         3.10 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

                  (a) The businesses of Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary are
         not being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of
         any governmental entity, including, without limitation, HOLA, the FDI
         Act, any laws affecting financial institutions (including those
         pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act, the investment of funds, the
         lending of money, the collection of interest and the extension of
         credit), federal and state securities laws, laws and regulations
         relating to financial statements and reports, truth-in-lending,
         truth-in-savings, fair debt collection practices, usury, fair credit
         reporting, consumer protection, occupational safety, fair employment
         practices, fair labor standards and laws and regulations relating to
         employee benefits, and any statutes or ordinances relating to the
         properties occupied or used by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary,
         except for possible violations which either singly or in the aggregate
         do not and, insofar as reasonably can be foreseen in the future, will
         not have a material adverse effect on Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary.

                  (b) The policies, programs and practices of Bancorp and each
         Bancorp Subsidiary relating to wages, hours of work, and other terms
         and conditions of employment are in compliance in all material respects
         with applicable laws, orders, regulations, public policies and
         ordinances governing employment and terms and conditions of employment.
         There are no disputes, claims, or charges, pending or, to Bancorp's
         knowledge, threatened, against Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary
         alleging breach of any express or implied employment contract or
         commitment, or material breach of any applicable law, order,
         regulation, public policy or ordinance relating to employment or terms
         and conditions of employment, and, to the best of the knowledge of
         Bancorp, there is no basis for any valid claim or charge with regard to
         such matters.

                  (c) No investigation or review by any governmental entity with
         respect to Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary is pending or, to the best
         of the knowledge of Bancorp, threatened, nor has any governmental
         entity indicated to Bancorp an intention to conduct the same, other
         than normal bank regulatory examinations and those the outcome of which
         will not have a materially adverse effect on Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary.

                  (d) Schedule 3.10(d) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule sets
         forth Westco Saving's rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of
         1977 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

         3.11 DISCLOSURE. None of the information to be supplied by Bancorp for
inclusion or to be incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement or the
information relating to Bancorp and the Bancorp Subsidiaries in the Registration
Statement, will, in the case of the Proxy Statement


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or any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, at the time of the meeting of
Bancorp's stockholders to be held for purposes of approving the Merger, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading or, in the case of the Registration
Statement, at the time it becomes effective and at the Effective Time contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. The portions
of the Proxy Statement relating to Bancorp which are incorporated by reference
to Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed by Bancorp under the Securities Exchange Act
comply and will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions
of the Securities Exchange Act.

         3.12 LITIGATION. There is no suit, action, investigation or proceeding,
legal, quasi-judicial, administrative or otherwise, pending or, to the best of
the knowledge of Bancorp, threatened against or affecting Bancorp or any Bancorp
Subsidiary, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents,
in their capacities as such, which is seeking damages against Bancorp, any
Bancorp Subsidiary, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or
agents, in their capacities as such, in excess of $50,000, or which would
materially affect the ability of Bancorp to consummate the transactions
contemplated herein or in the Stock Option Agreement or which is seeking to
enjoin consummation of the transactions provided for herein or in the Stock
Option Agreement or to obtain other relief in connection with this Agreement or
the Stock Option Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
and judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any court, governmental
department, commission, agency, instrumentality or arbitrator outstanding
against Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary or any of their respective officers,
directors, employees or agents, in their capacities as such, having, or which
could reasonably be foreseen to have in the future, any such effect.

         3.13 LICENSES. Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary hold all licenses,
certificates, permits, franchises and all patents, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, copyrights or rights thereto, and adequate authorizations,
approvals, consents, licenses, clearances and orders or registrations with all
appropriate federal, state or other authorities that are material to the conduct
of their respective businesses as now conducted and as presently proposed to be
conducted.

         3.14 TAXES.

                  (a) Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary have each timely filed
         all tax and information returns, including but not limited to all
         required Forms 1099, 1098 and 5498, required to be filed (all such
         returns being correct and complete in all material respects) and have
         paid (or Bancorp has paid on behalf of each Bancorp Subsidiary), or
         have accrued on their respective books and set up an adequate reserve
         for the payment of, all taxes required to be paid in respect of the
         periods covered by such returns and have accrued on their respective
         books and set up an adequate reserve for the payment of all income and
         other taxes anticipated to be payable in respect of periods through the
         end of the calendar month next preceding the date hereof. Neither
         Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary is delinquent in the payment of any
         tax, assessment or governmental charge.


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         No deficiencies for any taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed
         against Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary that have not been resolved
         or settled and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any such
         tax are pending or have been agreed to. Except as set forth on Schedule
         3.14(a) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule, the income tax returns of
         Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary have not been audited by either the
         Internal Revenue Service, the Illinois Department of Revenue, the
         Delaware Department of Revenue, or any other state or local taxing
         authorities, for any of the last ten years. Neither Bancorp nor any
         Bancorp Subsidiary is a party to any action or proceeding by any
         governmental authority for the assessment or the collection of taxes.
         Deferred taxes of Bancorp have been accounted for in accordance with
         generally accepted accounting principles. Bancorp and each Bancorp
         Subsidiary have delivered to MAF correct and complete copies of all
         federal and state income tax returns and supporting schedules for all
         tax years since December 31, 1992.

                  (b) Bancorp has not filed any consolidated federal income tax
         return with an "affiliated group" (within the meaning of Section 1504
         of the Code) where Bancorp was not the common parent of the group.
         Neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary is, or has been, a party to
         any tax allocation agreement or arrangement pursuant to which it has
         any contingent or outstanding liability to anyone other than Bancorp or
         any Bancorp Subsidiary.

                  (c) Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary have each withheld
         amounts from its employees, stockholders or holders of deposit accounts
         in compliance with the tax withholding provisions of applicable
         federal, state and local laws, has filed all federal, state and local
         returns and reports for all years for which any such return or report
         would be due with respect to employee income tax withholding, social
         security, unemployment taxes, income and other taxes and all payments
         or deposits with respect to such taxes have been timely made and,
         except as set forth in Schedule 3.14(c) to the Bancorp Disclosure
         Schedule, has notified all employees, stockholders and holders of
         public deposit accounts of their obligations to file all forms,
         statements or reports with it in accordance with applicable federal,
         state and local tax laws and has taken reasonable steps to insure that
         such employees, stockholders and holders of public deposit accounts
         have filed all such forms, statements and reports with it.

         3.15 INSURANCE. Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary maintain insurance
with an insurer which in the best judgment of management of Bancorp is sound and
reputable, on their respective assets, and upon their respective businesses and
operations, against loss or damage, risks, hazards and liabilities of the kinds
customarily insured against by prudent corporations engaged in the same or
similar businesses. Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary maintain in effect all
insurance required to be carried by law or by any agreement by which they are
bound. All material claims under all policies of insurance maintained by Bancorp
and First Federal have been filed in due and timely fashion. Neither Bancorp nor
any Bancorp Subsidiary has had an insurance policy cancelled by the issuer of
the policy within the past five (5) years.


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         3.16 LOANS; INVESTMENTS.

                  (a) Except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 3.16 to the
         Bancorp Disclosure Schedule, each loan reflected as an asset on the
         Bancorp Financial Statements is evidenced by appropriate and sufficient
         documentation in all material respects and constitutes, to the best of
         the knowledge of Bancorp, the legal, valid and binding obligation of
         the obligor named therein, enforceable in accordance with its terms
         except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by
         bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
         relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally
         or equitable principles or doctrines; to the best of the knowledge of
         Bancorp, no obligor named therein is seeking to avoid the
         enforceability of the terms of any loan under any such laws or
         equitable principles or doctrines and no loan is subject to any
         defense, offset or counterclaim. All such loans originated by Bancorp
         or any Bancorp Subsidiary and all such loans purchased by Bancorp or
         any Bancorp Subsidiary, were made or purchased in accordance with
         customary lending standards of Bancorp and any Bancorp Subsidiary and
         in the ordinary course of business of Bancorp and each Bancorp
         Subsidiary. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16(a) to the Bancorp
         Disclosure Schedule, all such loans are, and at the Effective Time will
         be, free and clear of any security interest, lien, encumbrance or other
         charge, and Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary have complied, and at
         the Effective Time will have complied, in all material respects, with
         all laws and regulations relating to such loans. Set forth on Schedule
         3.16(a) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule is a complete list of
         Bancorp's and First Federal REO as of March 31, 1998.

                  (b) All guarantees of indebtedness owed to Bancorp or any
         Bancorp Subsidiary, including but not limited to those of the Federal
         Housing Administration, the Small Business Administration, and other
         state and federal agencies, are, to the best of the knowledge of
         Bancorp, valid and enforceable, except to the extent enforceability
         thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the
         enforcement of creditors rights generally or equitable principles or
         doctrines and except as would not be material to Bancorp on a
         consolidated basis.

                  (c) In originating, underwriting, servicing, and discharging
         loans, mortgages, land contracts, and contractual obligations relating
         thereto, either for their own account or for the account of others,
         Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary have complied with all applicable
         terms and conditions of such obligations and with all applicable laws,
         regulations, rules, contractual requirements, and procedures with
         respect to such servicing, except where the failure to comply would not
         have a material adverse effect on Bancorp.

                  (d) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16(d) to the Bancorp
         Disclosure Schedule and except for pledges to secure public and trust
         deposits, none of the investments reflected in the Bancorp Financial
         Statements under the heading "Investment Securities," and none of the
         investments made by Bancorp since December 31, 1997, is subject to any


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<PAGE>



         restriction, whether contractual or statutory, which materially impairs
         the ability of Bancorp freely to dispose of such investment at any
         time. With respect to all material repurchase agreements to which
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary is a party, Bancorp or such Bancorp
         Subsidiary has a valid, perfected first lien or security interest in
         the government securities or other collateral securing each such
         repurchase agreement, and the value of the collateral securing each
         such repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the amount of the debt
         secured by such collateral under such agreement. Except as set forth in
         Schedule 3.16(d) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule, and except for
         transactions involving repurchase agreements in the investment
         portfolio effected in the ordinary course of business, neither Bancorp
         nor any Bancorp Subsidiary has sold or otherwise disposed of any assets
         in a transaction in which the acquiror of such assets or other person
         has the right, either conditionally or absolutely, to require Bancorp
         or any Bancorp Subsidiary to repurchase or otherwise reacquire any such
         assets. Set forth on Schedule 3.16(d) to the Bancorp Disclosure
         Schedule is a complete and accurate list of each investment and debt
         security, mortgage-backed and related securities, marketable equity
         securities and securities purchased under agreements to resell owned by
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, showing as of July 31, 1998, the
         carrying values and estimated fair values of investment and debt
         securities, the gross carrying value and estimated fair value of the
         mortgage-backed and related securities and the estimated cost and
         estimated fair value of the marketable equity securities.

                  (e) All United States Treasury securities, obligations of
         other United States Government agencies and corporations, obligations
         of States of the United States and their political subdivisions, and
         other investment securities classified as "held to maturity,"
         "available for sale" and "trading" held by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary, as reflected in the Bancorp Financial Statements were
         classified and accounted for in accordance with F.A.S.B. 115 and the
         intentions of management.

         3.17 INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.17 to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule, neither Bancorp nor any
Bancorp Subsidiary is a party to any, nor has any property bound by, any
interest rate swaps, caps, floors and option agreements or other interest rate
risk management arrangements.

         3.18 ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES. The allowance for possible
loan losses shown on the Bancorp Financial Statements (and as shown on any
financial statements to be delivered by Bancorp to MAF pursuant to Section 5.12
hereof), as of such date was (and will be as of such subsequent financial
statement dates) in the reasonable judgment of Bancorp, adequate in all respects
to provide for possible or specific losses, net of recoveries relating to loans
previously charged off, on loans outstanding, and contained an additional amount
of unallocated reserves for unanticipated future losses at a level considered
adequate under the standards applied by applicable federal and/or state
regulatory authorities and based upon generally accepted practices applicable to
financial institutions. The aggregate principal amount of loans contained in the
loan portfolio of Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary as of June 30, 1998, in
excess of such reserve, was fully collectible.


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         3.19 BANCORP BENEFIT PLANS.

                  (a) Schedule 3.19(a)(i) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule
         contains a list and a true and correct copy (or, a description with
         respect to any oral employee benefit plan, practice, policy or
         arrangement), including all amendments thereto, of each compensation,
         consulting, employment, termination or collective bargaining agreement,
         and each stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation right,
         recognition and retention, life, health, accident or other insurance,
         bonus, deferred or incentive compensation, severance or separation
         agreement or any agreement providing any payment or benefit resulting
         from a change in control, profit sharing, retirement, or other employee
         benefit plan, practice, policy or arrangement of any kind, oral or
         written, covering employees, former employees, directors or former
         directors of Bancorp or each Bancorp Subsidiary or their respective
         beneficiaries, including, but not limited to, any employee benefit
         plans within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, which Bancorp or any
         Bancorp Subsidiary maintains, to which Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary contributes, or under which any employee, former employee,
         director or former director of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary is
         covered or has benefit rights and pursuant to which any liability of
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary exists or is reasonably likely to
         occur (the "Bancorp Benefit Plans"), and current summary plan
         descriptions, trust agreements, and insurance contracts and Internal
         Revenue Service Form 5500 or 5500-C (for the three most recently
         completed plan years) with respect thereto. Except as set forth on
         Schedule 3.19(a)(ii) of the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule, Bancorp
         neither maintains nor has entered into any Bancorp Benefit Plan or
         other document, plan or agreement which contains any change in control
         provisions which would cause an increase or acceleration of benefits or
         benefit entitlements to employees or former employees of Bancorp or any
         Bancorp Subsidiary or their respective beneficiaries, or other
         provisions, which would cause an increase in the liability of Bancorp
         or any Bancorp Subsidiary or to MAF as a result of the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement or any related action thereafter (as
         used in this Section 3.19, a "Change in Control Benefit"). The term
         "Bancorp Benefit Plans" as used herein refers to all plans contemplated
         under the preceding sentences of this Section 3.19, provided that the
         term "Plan" or "Plans" is used in this Agreement for convenience only
         and does not constitute an acknowledgment that a particular arrangement
         is an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of
         ERISA. No Bancorp Benefit Plan is a multiemployer plan within the
         meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA. Neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp
         Subsidiary has been notified by any Applicable Governmental Authority
         to amend any payments or other compensation paid or payable by Bancorp
         or any Bancorp Subsidiary under this Agreement, any Bancorp Benefit
         Plan or otherwise, to or for the benefit of any employee or director of
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary and to the best knowledge of Bancorp
         or all Bancorp Subsidiaries, all such payments are in compliance with
         all applicable rules, regulations and bulletins promulgated by the
         Applicable Governmental Authorities.


                                       29


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<PAGE>


                  (b) Each of the Bancorp Benefit Plans that is intended to be a
         pension, profit sharing, stock bonus, thrift, savings or employee stock
         ownership plan that is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code
         ("Bancorp Qualified Plans") has been determined by the Internal Revenue
         Service to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code, or an application
         for determination of such qualification will be timely made to the
         Internal Revenue Service prior to the end of the applicable remedial
         amendment period under Section 401(b) of the Code (a copy of each such
         determination letter or pending application is included in Schedule
         3.19(b) of the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule), and, to the best of
         Bancorp's knowledge, there exist no circumstances likely to materially
         adversely affect the qualified status of any such Bancorp Qualified
         Plan. All such Bancorp Qualified Plans established or maintained by
         Bancorp or each Bancorp Subsidiary or to which Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary contribute are in compliance in all material respects with
         all applicable requirements of ERISA, and are in compliance in all
         material respects with all applicable requirements (including
         qualification and non-discrimination requirements in effect as of the
         Effective Time) of the Code for obtaining the tax benefits the Code
         thereupon permits with respect to such Bancorp Qualified Plans. Except
         as set forth on Schedule 3.19(b), no Bancorp Qualified Plan is a
         defined benefit pension plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA. All
         accrued contributions and other payments required to be made by Bancorp
         or each Bancorp Subsidiary to any Bancorp Benefit Plan through the date
         hereof, have been made or reserves adequate for such purposes as of the
         date hereof, have been set aside therefor and reflected in the Bancorp
         Financial Statements. Neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary has
         accumulated any funding deficiency under Section 412 of the Code. For
         each Bancorp Qualified Plan that is a defined benefit pension plan, the
         net fair market value of assets under the Plan exceeds the actuarial
         present value of the accumulated Plan benefits, both vested and
         non-vested, as determined on the basis of the actuarial methods and
         assumptions used for purposes of the most recent actuarial report for
         the Plan filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Neither Bancorp nor
         any Bancorp Subsidiary is in material default in performing any of its
         respective contractual obligations under any of the Bancorp Benefit
         Plans or any related trust agreement or insurance contract, and there
         are no material outstanding liabilities of any such Plan other than
         liabilities for benefits to be paid to participants in such Plan and
         their beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of such Plan.

                  (c) There is no pending or, to the best knowledge of Bancorp,
         threatened litigation or pending claim (other than benefit claims made
         in the ordinary course) by or on behalf of or against any of the
         Bancorp Benefit Plans (or with respect to the administration of any of
         such Plans) now or heretofore maintained by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary which allege violations of applicable state or federal law
         or the terms of the Plan which are reasonably likely to result in a
         liability on the part of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary or any such
         Plan.

                  (d) Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary and all other persons
         having fiduciary or other responsibilities or duties with respect to
         any Bancorp Benefit Plan are,


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<PAGE>


         and since the inception of each such Plan have been, in substantial
         compliance with, and each such Plan is and has been operated in
         substantial accordance with, its provisions and in substantial
         compliance with the applicable laws, rules and regulations governing
         such Plan, including, without limitation, the rules and regulations
         promulgated by the Department of Labor, the PBGC and the Internal
         Revenue Service under ERISA, the Code or any other applicable law. No
         "reportable event" (as defined in Section 4043(b) of ERISA) has
         occurred with respect to any Bancorp Benefit Plan. No Bancorp Benefit
         Plan has engaged in or been a party to a "prohibited transaction" (as
         defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975(c) of the Code) without
         an exemption thereto under Section 408 of ERISA or 4975(d) of the Code.
         All Bancorp Benefit Plans that are group health plans have been
         operated in compliance with the group health plan continuation
         requirements of Section 4980B of the Code and Section 601 of ERISA and
         with the certification of prior coverage and other requirements of
         Section 701 of ERISA.

                  (e) Neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary has incurred,
         nor to the best knowledge of Bancorp or such Bancorp Subsidiary is
         reasonably likely to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA in
         connection with any Plan subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA
         now or heretofore maintained or contributed to by it or by First
         Federal.

                  (f) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19(f) to the Bancorp
         Disclosure Schedule, neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary has
         made any payments, or is or has been a party to any agreement or any
         Bancorp Benefit Plan, that under any circumstances could
         obligate it, First Federal, or any successor of either of them, to make
         any payment that is not or will not be deductible in full because of
         Section 162(m) or 280G of the Code.

                  (g) Schedule 3.19(g) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule
         describes any obligation that Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary has to
         provide health or welfare benefits to retirees or other former
         employees, directors or their dependents (other than rights under
         Section 4980B of the Code or Section 601 of ERISA), including
         information as to the number of retirees, other former employees or
         directors and dependents entitled to such coverages and their ages.

                  (h) Schedule 3.19(h) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule lists:
         (i) each officer and director of Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary
         who is eligible to receive a Change in Control Benefit, showing the
         amount of each such Change in Control Benefit and the basis of the
         calculation thereof, estimated compensation for 1998 based upon
         compensation received to the date of this Agreement, and the
         individual's rate of salary in effect on the date of this Agreement,
         the individual's participation in any bonus or other employee benefit
         plan, and such individual's compensation from Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary for each of the calendar years 1993 through 1997 as reported
         by Bancorp or each Bancorp Subsidiary on Form W-2 or Form 1099; (ii)
         each other employee of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary who may be
         eligible for a Change in Control Benefit, showing the number of years
         of service of each such employee together


                                       31


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<PAGE>


         with his or her estimated salary for 1998; (iii) a listing of each
         Option, showing the holder thereof, the number of shares, the exercise
         price per share and a copy of the option agreements relating thereto;
         (iv) a listing of the participants in the First Federal Employee Stock
         Ownership Plan ("ESOP"), showing the number of outstanding shares of
         Bancorp Common Stock credited to each participant, the vesting dates
         thereof, and the unpaid balance of any loans owing by the ESOP to
         Bancorp or any party as of the date hereof (the "ESOP Loan"), the
         number of unallocated shares of Bancorp Common Stock held by such
         trusts; and (v) each officer or director for whom a supplemental
         executive retirement, salary continuation or deferred compensation plan
         or agreement is maintained, showing the calculations of the amounts due
         under each such plan or agreement and the payment schedule thereof, and
         the amounts accrued in the Bancorp Financial Statements with respect
         thereto.

                  (i) Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary have filed or caused
         to be filed, and will continue to file or cause to be filed, in a
         timely manner all filings pertaining to each Bancorp Benefit Plan with
         the Internal Revenue Service, the PBGC, the Department of Labor, as
         prescribed by the Code or ERISA, or regulations issued thereunder. All
         such filings, as amended, were complete and accurate in all material
         respects as of the dates of such filings, and there were no
         misstatements or omissions in any such filing which would be material
         to the financial condition of Bancorp on a consolidated basis.

                  (j) Neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary is a party to
         or bound by any collective bargaining agreement and, to the best of
         Bancorp's knowledge, no labor union claims to or is seeking to
         represent any employees of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary.

         3.20 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

                  (a) For purposes of this Section 3.20, "Bancorp Properties"
         means (i) the real estate owned or leased by Bancorp or First Federal
         and used as a banking related facility; (ii) other real estate owned,
         if any ("Bancorp REO"), by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary as defined
         by any other federal or state financial institution regulatory agency
         with regulatory authority for Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary; (iii)
         real estate that is in the process of pending foreclosure or forfeiture
         proceedings conducted by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary; (iv) real
         estate that is held in trust for others by First Federal; and (5) real
         estate owned or leased by a partnership or joint venture in which
         Bancorp or a Bancorp Subsidiary has an ownership interest.

                  (b) To the best knowledge of Bancorp after such inquiry and
         investigation as Bancorp deems appropriate, there are no present or
         past conditions on the Bancorp Properties, involving or resulting from
         a past or present storage, spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection,
         escape, dumping or release of any kind whatsoever of any Hazardous
         Materials or from any generation, transportation, treatment, storage,
         disposal, use or handling of any Hazardous Materials, that may
         reasonably be expected to result in a 


                                       32


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<PAGE>


         Material Adverse Effect on Bancorp's consolidated business, financial
         condition or prospects.

                  (c) Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary are in compliance in
         all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws. Neither
         Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary have received notice of, nor to the
         best of their knowledge are there outstanding or pending, any public or
         private claims, lawsuits, citations, penalties, unsatisfied abatement
         obligations or notices or orders of non-compliance relating to the
         environmental condition of the Bancorp Properties, which have or may
         have a material adverse effect on Bancorp's consolidated business,
         financial condition or prospects.

                  (d) To the best knowledge of Bancorp after such inquiry and
         investigation as Bancorp deems appropriate, no Bancorp Properties are
         currently undergoing remediation or cleanup of Hazardous Materials or
         other environmental conditions, the actual or estimated cost of which
         may have a material adverse effect on Bancorp's consolidated business,
         financial condition or prospects.

                  (e) To the best knowledge of Bancorp after such inquiry and
         investigation as Bancorp deems appropriate, Bancorp and each Bancorp
         Subsidiary have all governmental permits, licenses, certificates of
         inspection and other authorizations governing or protecting the
         environment necessary to conduct its present business. Further, Bancorp
         warrants and represents that these permits, licenses, certificates of
         inspection and other authorizations are fully transferrable, to the
         extent permitted by law, to MAF.

         3.21 DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE OF BANCORP. Schedule 3.21 to the Bancorp
Disclosure Schedule contains, and shall be supplemented by Bancorp as required
by Section 5.15 hereof, so as to contain at the Closing Date the following
information and copies of the following documents, certified by an officer of
Bancorp to be true and correct copies of such documents on the dates of such
certificates, if and to the extent any of the following are not specifically
included in other Schedules to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule:

                  (a) A list and description of each outstanding loan agreement,
         mortgage, pledge agreement or other similar document or commitments to
         extend credit to any senior officer or director of Bancorp or any
         Bancorp Subsidiary, as well as a listing of all deposits or deposit
         surrogates, including the amount, type and interest being paid thereon,
         to which Bancorp or each Bancorp Subsidiary is a party under which it
         may (contingently or otherwise) have any liability involving any
         officer or director of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary.

                  (b) A list and description of each outstanding letter of
         credit and each commitment to issue a letter of credit in excess of
         $25,000 to which Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary is a party and/or
         under which it may (contingently or otherwise) have any liability.


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                  (c) A list and description of each material contract or
         agreement (not otherwise included in the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule or
         specifically excluded therefrom in accordance with the terms of this
         Agreement) involving goods, services or occupancy and which (i) has a
         term of more than six months; (ii) cannot be terminated on thirty days,
         (or less) written notice without penalty; and (iii) involves an annual
         expenditure by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary in excess of $25,000.

                  (d) A list and description of each contract or commitment
         (other than Bancorp Permitted Liens as defined below) hereof affecting
         ownership of, title to, use of, or any interest in real estate which is
         currently owned by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, and a list and
         description of all real estate owned, leased or licensed by Bancorp or
         any Bancorp Subsidiary.

                  (e) A list and description of each material commitment made by
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary to or with any director, officer or
         employee of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary extending for a period of
         more than three months from the date hereof or providing for earlier
         termination only upon the payment of a penalty or equivalent thereto.

                  (f) Complete and correct copies of the Certificate of
         Incorporation, Charter and By-laws and specimen certificates of each
         type of security issued by Bancorp and any Bancorp Subsidiary.

                  (g) A list and description of each other contract or
         commitment providing for commissions, payments or any other
         remuneration based in any manner upon outstanding loans or profits of
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, including, without limitation, joint
         venture arrangements.

                  (h) A list and description of all powers of attorney granted
         by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary which are currently in force.

                  (i) A list and description of all policies of insurance
         currently maintained by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary and a list
         and description of all unsettled or outstanding claims of Bancorp or
         any Bancorp Subsidiary which have been, or to the best knowledge of
         Bancorp, will be, filed with the companies providing insurance coverage
         for Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary (except for routine claims for
         health benefits).

                  (j) A list and description of all policies of insurance
         maintained by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary during the past five
         years.

                  (k) A copy of any collective bargaining agreement to which
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary is a party and all affirmative action
         plans or programs covering employees of Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary, as well as all employee handbooks,


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         policy manuals, rules and standards of employment promulgated by
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary.

                  (l) Each lease or material license with respect to real or
         personal property, whether as lessor, lessee, licensor or licensee, to
         which Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary is a party, and all employment,
         consulting and professional services contracts to which Bancorp or any
         Bancorp Subsidiary is a party.

                  (m) All judgments, orders, injunctions, court decrees or
         settlement agreements arising out of or relating to the labor and
         employment practices or decisions of Bancorp or each Bancorp Subsidiary
         which, by their terms, continue to bind or affect Bancorp or such
         Bancorp Subsidiary.

                  (n) All orders, decrees, memoranda, agreements or
         understandings with regulatory agencies binding upon or affecting the
         current operations of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary or any of their
         directors or officers in their capacities as such.

                  (o) All trademarks, trade names, service marks, patents, or
         copyrights, whether registered or the subject of an application for
         registration, which are owned by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary or
         licensed from a third party (excluding computer software programs,
         source codes and related materials) (collectively, the "Intellectual
         Property"). With respect to each item of Intellectual Property owned by
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, Bancorp or such Bancorp Subsidiary
         possesses all right, title and interest in and to the item, free and
         clear of any lien, claim, royalty interest or encumbrance. With respect
         to each item of Intellectual Property that Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary is licensed or authorized to use, the license, sublicense,
         agreement or permission covering such item is legal, valid, binding,
         enforceable and in full force and effect and has not been breached by
         any party thereto. Neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary has ever
         received any charge, complaint, claim, demand or notice alleging any
         interference, infringement, misappropriation or violation with or of
         any intellectual property rights of a third party (including any claims
         that Bancorp or such Bancorp Subsidiary must license or refrain from
         using any intellectual property rights of a third party). To the
         knowledge of Bancorp, neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary has
         interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into
         conflict with any intellectual property rights of third parties and no
         third party has interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated or
         otherwise come into conflict with any intellectual property rights of
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary.

                  (p) All policies formally adopted by the Board of Directors of
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary as currently in effect and, with
         respect to environmental matters, copies of all policies that have been
         in effect during the last five years regarding the performance of
         environmental investigations of properties accepted as collateral for
         loans, including the effective dates of all such policies.


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                  (q) All agreements which require or will require the consent
         or approval of, or notice to, any other party as a result of, in
         connection with or in order to consummate the Merger or the Bank
         Merger.

                  (r) All other agreements to which Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary is a party (which do not expire within six months from the
         date hereof and cannot be terminated upon thirty days, (or less)
         written notice without penalty) which individually during its term
         could commit Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary to an expenditure
         (either individually or through a series of installments) in excess of
         $25,000 or which create a material right or benefit to receive
         payments, goods or services not referred to elsewhere in this Section
         3.21 including without limitation:

                           (i) all agreements of guaranty or indemnification
                  running to any person;

                           (ii) all agreements containing any covenant limiting
                  the right of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary to engage in
                  any line of business or to compete with any person;

                           (iii) all agreements with respect to licenses,
                  permits and similar matters that are necessary to the
                  operations of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary;

                           (iv) all contracts or agreements, including but not
                  limited to contracts or agreements pursuant to which Bancorp
                  or any Bancorp Subsidiary has sold, transferred, assigned or
                  agreed to service any loan, which provide for any recourse or
                  indemnification obligation on the part of Bancorp or any
                  Bancorp Subsidiary; the name and address of each person who
                  might or could be entitled to recourse against or
                  indemnification from Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary; and
                  the monetary amount of each actual or potential recourse or
                  indemnification obligation under each such contract or
                  agreement.

                  (s) All agreements relating to the servicing of loans and all
         mortgage forward commitments and similar agreements pursuant to which
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary sells mortgages which it originates
         to others or purchases mortgages from others.

         3.22 DEFAULTS. There has not been any default, or the occurrence of an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default, in
any obligation to be performed by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary under any
contract or commitment, and neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary has
waived any right under any contract or commitment, except in each case where any
such default or waiver, singly or in the aggregate, with any other such defaults
or waivers, would not have a material adverse effect on Bancorp. To the best of
the knowledge of Bancorp, no other party to any contract or commitment is in
material default in any material obligation to be performed by such party.


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         3.23 OPERATIONS SINCE DECEMBER 31, 1997. Between December 31, 1997, and
the date hereof, there has not been, except as set forth on Schedule 3.23 to the
Bancorp Disclosure Schedule:

                  (a) any increase in the compensation payable or to become
         payable by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary to any executive officer
         or director;

                  (b) any payment of dividends by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary or any distribution by any of them, whether directly or
         indirectly, of any assets of any kind whatsoever, on or in redemption
         or as the purchase price of, any of their respective capital stocks, or
         any prepayment of any indebtedness to any stockholder, except that
         Bancorp has paid a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share, as reflected
         on Schedule 3.23(b) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule;

                  (c) any mortgage, pledge or subjection to lien, charge or
         encumbrance of any kind of or on any asset, tangible or intangible, of
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, except the following (each of which,
         whether arising before or after the date hereof, is herein referred to
         as a "Bancorp Permitted Lien"): (i) liens arising out of judgments or
         awards in respect of which Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary is in good
         faith prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and in respect of
         which it has secured a subsisting stay of execution pending such appeal
         or proceedings; (ii) liens for taxes, assessments, and other
         governmental charges or levies the payment of which is not past due, or
         as to which Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary is diligently contesting
         in good faith and by appropriate proceedings either the amount thereof
         or the liability therefor or both; (iii) deposits, liens or pledges to
         secure payments of worker's compensation, unemployment insurance,
         pensions, or other social security obligations, or the performance of
         bids, tenders, leases, contracts (other than contracts for the payment
         of money), public or statutory obligations, surety, stay or appeal
         bonds, or similar obligations arising in the ordinary course of
         business; (iv) zoning restrictions, easements, licenses and other
         restrictions on the use of real property or any interest therein, or
         minor irregularities in title thereto, which do not materially impair
         the use of such property in the operation of the business of Bancorp or
         any Bancorp Subsidiary or the merchantability or the value of such
         property or interest therein for the purpose of such business; (v)
         purchase money mortgages or other purchase money or vendor's liens or
         security interests (including, without limitation, finance leases),
         provided that no such mortgage, lien or security interest shall extend
         to or cover any other property of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary
         other than that so purchased; and (vi) pledges and liens given to
         secure deposits and other liabilities of Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of banking business;

                  (d) any creation or assumption of indebtedness (including the
         extension or renewal of any existing indebtedness, or the increase
         thereof), by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary for borrowed money, or
         otherwise, other than in the ordinary course of 


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         business, none of which (except those which are being disputed in good
         faith) is in default;

                  (e) the establishment of any new, or increase in the formula
         for or rate of contributions to or benefits under any existing,
         retirement, pension, profit sharing, stock bonus, employee stock
         ownership, savings or thrift plan, or any similar plan of deferred
         compensation, whether funded or unfunded and whether qualified or
         unqualified (within the meaning of the Code) by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary;

                  (f) any action by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary seeking
         any cancellation of, or decrease in the insured limit under, or
         increase in the deductible amount or the insured's retention (whether
         pursuant to coinsurance or otherwise) of or under, any policy of
         insurance maintained directly or indirectly by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary on any of their respective assets or businesses, including
         but not by way of limitation, fire and other hazard insurance on its
         assets, automobile liability insurance, general public liability
         insurance, and directors and officers liability insurance; and if an
         insurer takes any such action, Bancorp shall promptly notify MAF.

                  (g) any change in independent auditors, historic methods or
         practices of accounting of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary (other
         than as required by generally accepted accounting principles or
         regulatory accounting principles), or in its system for maintaining its
         equipment and real estate;

                  (h) any purchase, whether for cash or secured or unsecured
         obligations (including finance leases), by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary of any fixed asset which either (i) has a purchase price
         individually or in the aggregate in excess of $25,000 or (ii) is
         outside of the ordinary course of business;

                  (i) any sale or transfer of any asset in excess of $25,000 of
         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary or outside of the ordinary course of
         business with the exception of loans and marketable securities sold in
         the ordinary course of business at market prices;

                  (j) any cancellation or compromise of any debt to, claim by or
         right of, Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary except in the ordinary
         course of business;

                  (k) any amendment or termination of any material contract or
         commitment to which Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary is a party, other
         than in the ordinary course of business;

                  (l) there has not been any agreement, contract or commitment
         entered into, or agreed to be entered into, except for those in the
         ordinary course of business; or

                  (m) any event, occurrence or condition of any character (other
         than changes in legal, economic or other conditions which are not
         specifically or uniquely applicable to

  
                                       38


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         Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary) having, or which may reasonably be
         expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, operations
         or financial condition of Bancorp and any Bancorp Subsidiary taken as a
         whole.

         3.24 CORPORATE RECORDS. The corporate record books, transfer books and
stock ledgers of Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary are complete and accurate
in all material respects and reflect all meetings, consents and other material
actions of the organizers, incorporators, stockholders, Boards of Directors and
committees of the Boards of Directors of Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary,
and all transactions in their respective capital stocks, since their respective
inceptions.

         3.25 UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. All of Liabilities have, in the case of
First Federal, been reflected, disclosed or reserved against in the consolidated
financial statements of Bancorp as at December 31, 1997 or in the notes thereto,
and Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary have no other Liabilities except (a)
Liabilities incurred since December 31, 1997 in the ordinary course of business,
or (b) as disclosed in Schedule 3.25 to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule.

         3.26 ASSETS.

                  (a) Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary have good, sufficient
         and marketable title to their real properties, including any leaseholds
         and ground leases, and their other assets and properties, all as
         reflected as owned by Bancorp or each Bancorp Subsidiary in the Bancorp
         Financial Statements dated as of December 31, 1997 except for (i)
         assets and properties disposed of since such date in the ordinary
         course of business and (ii) Bancorp Permitted Liens, none of which, in
         the aggregate, or except as set forth in Schedule 3.26(a) to the
         Bancorp Disclosure Schedule, are material to the assets of Bancorp on a
         consolidated basis. All buildings, structures, fixtures and
         appurtenances comprising part of the real properties of Bancorp or any
         Bancorp Subsidiary (whether owned or leased by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary) are in good operating condition and have been well
         maintained, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Title to all real
         property listed as being owned by Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary on
         the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule is held in fee simple. Bancorp and each
         Bancorp Subsidiary have title or other rights to its assets sufficient
         in all material respects for the conduct of their respective businesses
         as presently conducted, and such assets are free, clear and discharged
         of, and from any and all liens, charges, encumbrances, security
         interests and/or equities which are material to Bancorp on a
         consolidated basis.

                  (b) All leases pursuant to which Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary, as lessee, leases real or personal property which are
         material to the business of Bancorp on a consolidated basis are, to the
         best of the knowledge of Bancorp, valid, effective, and enforceable
         against the lessor in accordance with their respective terms. There is
         not under any of such leases any existing default, or any event which
         with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default, with
         respect to either Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, or to the best
         knowledge of Bancorp, the other party. None of such leases 


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         contains a prohibition against assignment by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary, by operation of law or otherwise, or any other provision
         which would preclude Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary from possessing
         and using the leased premises for the same purposes and upon the same
         rental and other terms upon the consummation of the Merger as are
         applicable to the possession and use by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary as of the date of this Agreement. Neither Bancorp nor any
         Bancorp Subsidiary has made a prior assignment for collateral purposes
         of any such lease.

         3.27 INDEMNIFICATION. To the best of the knowledge of Bancorp, no
action or failure to take action by any director, officer, employee or agent of
Bancorp or each Bancorp Subsidiary has occurred which would give rise to a claim
or a potential claim by any such person for indemnification from Bancorp or any
Bancorp Subsidiary under the corporate indemnification provisions of Bancorp or
any Bancorp Subsidiary in effect on the date of this Agreement.

         3.28 INSIDER INTERESTS. All outstanding loans and other contractual
arrangements (including deposit relationships) between Bancorp or any Bancorp
Subsidiary and any officer, director or employee of Bancorp or any Bancorp
Subsidiary conform to the applicable rules and regulations and requirements of
all applicable regulatory agencies which were in effect when such loans and
other contractual arrangements were entered into. No officer, director or
employee of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary has any material interest in any
property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the
business of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary.

         3.29 POOLING AND TAX. Neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary has
engaged in any act that would preclude or adversely affect the Merger from
qualifying for pooling of interests accounting treatment or as a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.

         3.30 OPINION. Bancorp has received an opinion, dated the date of this
Agreement, from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. to the effect that, subject to the
terms, conditions and qualifications set forth therein, as of the date thereof
the Merger Consideration to be received by the shareholders of Bancorp pursuant
to the Merger is fair to such stockholders from a financial point of view.

         3.31 ADVICE OF CHANGES. Between the date hereof and the Effective Time,
Bancorp shall promptly advise MAF in writing of any fact which, if existing or
known as of the date hereof, would have been required to be set forth or
disclosed in or pursuant to this Agreement or of any fact which, if existing or
known as of the date hereof, would have made any of the representations
contained herein untrue.

         3.32 MILLENNIUM COMPLIANCE. Bancorp represents and warrants to MAF
that: (a) Bancorp's and the Bancorp Subsidiaries' computer hardware and software
systems used for the storage and processing of data (as used in this Section
3.32, "Systems") are Millennium Compliant; (b) to the best of Bancorp's
knowledge, none of the Systems, operations or business functions of Bancorp or
any Bancorp Subsidiaries will be materially adversely affected by any


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third party's failure to be Millennium Compliant; (c) to the best of Bancorp's
knowledge after due inquiry, all of its suppliers, customers and third party
providers will be Millennium Compliant; and (d) Bancorp is taking, or has taken,
all necessary and appropriate action to address and remedy any deficiencies in
Bancorp's Systems from becoming Millennium Compliant. As used in this Section
3.32, "Millennium Compliant" shall mean the ability of Systems to provide the
following functions, without human intervention, individually and in combination
with other products or systems: (i) consistently handle date information before,
during and after January 1, 2000, including but not limited to accepting date
input, providing date output and performing calculations on dates or portions of
dates; (ii) function accurately and without interruption before, during and
after January 1, 2000 (including leap year computations), without any change in
operations associated with the advent of a new century; (iii) respond to
two-digit date input in a way that resolves any ambiguity as to century in a
disclosed, defined and predetermined manner; and (iv) store and provide output
of date information in ways that are unambiguous as to century.

         3.33 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except as referred to herein or in
connection, or in compliance, with the provisions of the HSR Act, the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act, the BMA, the FDI Act, the rules and regulations of the
OTS, and the environmental, corporation, securities or "blue sky" laws or
regulations of the various states, no filing or registration with, or
authorization, consent or approval of, any other party is necessary for the
consummation by Bancorp of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. As of the date hereof, Bancorp knows of no reason why the
approvals, consents and waivers of governmental authorities referred to in this
Section that are required to be obtained should not be obtained without the
imposition of any condition or restriction.

                                       IV.

                                    COVENANTS

         4.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY BANCORP UNTIL THE EFFECTIVE TIME. During the
period commencing on the date hereof and continuing until the Effective Time,
Bancorp agrees (except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or to the
extent that MAF shall otherwise consent in writing which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld) that:

                  (a) Except as contemplated by this Agreement, Bancorp and each
         Bancorp Subsidiary will carry on their respective businesses in, and
         only in, the usual, regular and ordinary course in substantially the
         same manner as heretofore conducted, maintain their respective books in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, conduct their
         respective businesses and operations only in accordance with safe and
         sound banking and business practices, and, to the extent consistent
         with such businesses, use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact
         their present business organizations, to generally keep available the
         services of their present officers and employees and to preserve their
         relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business
         dealings with them to


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         the end that their respective goodwill and going businesses shall be
         unimpaired at the Effective Time.

                  (b) Bancorp will, and will cause each Bancorp Subsidiary to,
         use their best efforts to comply promptly with all requirements which
         federal or state law may impose on any of them with respect to the
         Merger and will promptly cooperate with and furnish information to MAF
         in connection with any such requirements imposed upon any of them in
         connection with the Merger.

                  (c) Bancorp will, and will cause each Bancorp Subsidiary to,
         use their best efforts to obtain (and to cooperate with MAF in
         obtaining) any consent, authorization or approval of, or any exemption
         by, any governmental authority or agency, or other third party,
         required to be obtained or made by any of them in connection with the
         Merger or the taking of any action contemplated hereby. Bancorp will
         not, nor will it permit any of the Bancorp Subsidiaries to, knowingly
         or willfully take any action that would adversely affect the ability of
         such party to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Stock
         Option Agreement.

                  (d) Bancorp (i) will not declare or pay any dividends on or
         make other distributions with respect to capital stock, except that
         Bancorp will be permitted to declare and pay a regular quarterly
         dividend per share not exceeding $0.17, and (ii) except as provided
         below, will not declare or pay any dividends or make any distributions
         on Bancorp Common Stock in the calendar quarter in which the Effective
         Time shall occur and in which the holders of Bancorp Common Stock are
         entitled to receive regular quarterly dividends on the shares of MAF
         Common Stock into which the shares of Bancorp Common Stock have been
         converted. It is the intent of clause (ii) of this Subsection to
         provide that the holders of Bancorp Common Stock will receive either
         payment of dividends on their shares of Bancorp Common Stock as
         permitted under (i) of this Subsection or the payment of cash dividends
         as the holders of shares of MAF Common Stock received in exchange for
         the shares of Bancorp Common Stock for the calendar quarter during
         which the Effective Time shall occur, but will not receive and will not
         become entitled to receive for the same calendar quarter both the
         payment of a permitted dividend as shareholders of Bancorp and the
         payment of a cash dividend as the holders of the shares of MAF Common
         Stock received in exchange for the shares of Bancorp Common Stock. In
         the event that Bancorp does not declare and pay permitted dividends on
         Bancorp Common Stock in a particular calendar quarter because of
         Bancorp's expectation that the Effective Time would occur in said
         calendar quarter wherein the holders of Bancorp Common Stock would have
         become entitled to receive cash dividends for such calendar quarter of
         the shares of MAF Common Stock to have been exchanged for the shares of
         Bancorp Common Stock, and the Effective Time does not in fact occur in
         said calendar quarter, then, as a result thereof, Bancorp shall be
         entitled to declare and pay a permitted dividend (within the
         limitations of this Section) on said shares of Bancorp Common Stock for
         said calendar quarter as soon as reasonably practicable. Bancorp shall
         not make any changes in its normal practice of establishing


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         dividend record or dividend payment dates. Bancorp shall not pay a
         dividend during the quarter that the Merger is to be consummated if
         Bancorp's stockholders would be entitled to receive a dividend from MAF
         during that quarter.

                  (e) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any assets, except
         in the ordinary course of business, which are material, individually or
         in the aggregate, to the business or financial condition of Bancorp on
         a consolidated basis.

                  (f) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, acquire by merging or consolidating with, purchasing
         substantially all of the assets of or otherwise, any business or any
         corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or
         division thereof.

                  (g) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, issue, sell, authorize or propose the issuance or sale
         of, or purchase or propose the purchase of, permit the conversion of or
         otherwise acquire or transfer for any consideration any shares of their
         respective capital stocks of any class or securities convertible into,
         or rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares or other
         convertible securities, or to increase or decrease the number of shares
         of capital stock by split-up, reclassification, reverse split, stock
         dividend or change in par or stated value, except as contemplated
         herein, in the Stock Option Agreement or pursuant to outstanding
         Options.

                  (h) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, incur any indebtedness for money borrowed or issue or
         sell any debt securities other than in the ordinary course of business
         or consistent with past practices as to inter-company borrowings or
         permit or suffer the imposition on any shares of stock held by it or by
         any Bancorp Subsidiary of any material lien, charge or encumbrance.

                  (i) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, grant to any director, officer or employee any increase
         in compensation (except in accordance with past practices for those
         employees who are not executive or senior management), make
         contributions to any Bancorp Benefit Plan (except in accordance with
         past practices or the terms of such plans or agreements as currently in
         effect as of the date of this Agreement or as contemplated to be
         amended in this Agreement, provided that no contributions shall be made
         to any Bancorp Qualified Plan that is a defined benefit plan) or pay
         any bonus (except in accordance with past practices or plans or
         agreements with respect to employees other than executive or senior
         management) or increase in any severance or termination pay, or enter
         into or amend any employment, special termination, retention, covenant
         not to compete or severance agreement with any such person except as
         contemplated in this Agreement; provided, however, that Bancorp and the
         Bancorp Subsidiaries may continue to accrue for bonuses at the current
         rate as reflected in Schedule 4(i) to the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule
         and may pay such bonuses prior to Closing.


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                  (j) Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.1(j) to the Bancorp
         Disclosure Schedule, neither Bancorp, nor any Bancorp Subsidiary, will
         enter into any material lease or license with respect to any property,
         whether real or personal, or any other contract, agreement or
         commitment for goods or services which has a term of six months after
         the date hereof and involves the payment by Bancorp or any Bancorp
         Subsidiary of more than $35,000 in the aggregate.

                  (k) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, adopt or amend in any material respect any collective
         bargaining, employee pension, profit-sharing, retirement, employee
         stock ownership, insurance, incentive compensation, severance,
         vacation, stock option, or other plan, agreement, trust, fund or
         arrangement for the benefit of employees, except as contemplated
         herein.

                  (l) Bancorp will, and will cause each Bancorp Subsidiary to,
         use their best efforts to maintain their respective properties and
         assets in their present states of repair, order and condition,
         reasonable wear and tear excepted, and to maintain and keep in full
         force and effect all policies of insurance presently in effect,
         including the insurance of accounts with the FDIC. Bancorp will, and
         will cause each Bancorp Subsidiary to, take all requisite action
         (including without limitation the making of claims and the giving of
         notices) pursuant to their directors' and officers' liability insurance
         policies in order to preserve all rights thereunder with respect to all
         matters known by Bancorp which could reasonably give rise to a claim
         prior to the Effective Time.

                  (m) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, amend their respective Certificates of Incorporation,
         Charters, or by-laws, except as contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (n) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, enter into, renew or increase any loan or credit
         commitment (including letters of credit) to, or invest or agree to
         invest in, any person or entity or modify any of the material
         provisions or renew or otherwise extend the maturity date of any
         existing loan or credit commitment: (i) to any person or entity in an
         amount in excess of $200,000, or in any amount which, when aggregated
         with any and all loans or credit commitments of Bancorp and First
         Federal to such person or entity, would be in excess of $500,000; (ii)
         to any person other than in accordance with its lending policies as in
         effect on the date hereof; or (iii) to any person or entity any of the
         loans or other extensions of credit to which, or investments in which,
         are on a "watch list" or similar internal report of Bancorp or First
         Federal; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall
         prohibit Bancorp or First Federal from honoring any contractual
         obligation in existence on the date of this Agreement.

                  (o) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, take any action which would, or fail to take any action
         contemplated by this Agreement if such


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         failure would, disqualify the Merger as a "pooling of interests" for
         accounting purposes or as a tax-free reorganization under Section
         368(a) of the Code.

                  (p) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, materially restructure or change its investment
         securities portfolio, through purchases, sales or otherwise, or the
         manner in which the portfolio is classified or reported (in accordance
         with FAS 115 or otherwise), or execute individual investment
         transactions.

                  (q) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, enter into any new, or modify, amend or extend the terms
         of any existing, contracts relating to the purchase or sale of
         financial or other futures, or any put or call option relating to cash,
         securities or commodities or any interest rate swap agreements or other
         agreements relating to the hedging of interest rate risks.

                  (r) Bancorp will not, and will not permit any Bancorp
         Subsidiary to, enter into, increase or renew any loan or credit
         commitment (including letters of credit) to any executive officer or
         director of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, any five percent
         stockholder of Bancorp, or any entity controlled, directly or
         indirectly, by any of the foregoing or engage in any transaction with
         any of the foregoing which is of the type of nature sought to be
         regulated in 12 U.S.C. 371c and 12 U.S.C. 371c-1. For purposes of this
         Subsection, "control" shall have the meaning associated with that term
         under 12 U.S.C. 371c.

                  (s) Bancorp will promptly advise MAF orally and in writing of
         any event or series of events which has resulted in a material adverse
         effect or which may have a materially adverse effect on Bancorp or any
         Bancorp Subsidiary or which may adversely affect the satisfaction of
         any condition to the consummation of the Merger or the ability of
         Bancorp to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Stock
         Option Agreement.

                  (t) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, at or immediately
         prior to the Effective Time, if and as so requested by MAF, First
         Federal (i) shall cause to be repaid to Bancorp any outstanding
         inter-company debt, and (ii) cause dividends to be paid to Bancorp in
         such amounts as specified by MAF, which payments or dividends may be
         paid in kind.

                  (u) Bancorp covenants and agrees with MAF that it will
         execute, acknowledge where appropriate and deliver, or cause to be
         executed, acknowledged where appropriate and delivered, from time to
         time, at the request of MAF, all such instruments or documents relating
         to Millennium Compliance as in the opinion of MAF are reasonably
         necessary or advisable to carry out the intent or purpose of this
         Agreement or the documents delivered pursuant hereto or as part of the
         transaction contemplated hereby. Bancorp further covenants and agrees
         with MAF that MAF may from time to time request a statement of
         Bancorp's Chief Financial Officer to the effect that Bancorp and the


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         Bancorp Subsidiaries are in compliance with their Year 2000 compliance
         strategy. Bancorp further covenants and agrees with MAF that it will
         permit MAF, at all reasonable times upon notice, to perform such
         inspections and audits as MAF may deem necessary to establish
         compliance with the foregoing covenants.

         4.2 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY MAF UNTIL THE EFFECTIVE TIME. During the
period commencing on the date hereof and continuing until the Effective Time,
MAF agrees (except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or to the extent
that Bancorp shall otherwise consent in writing, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld) that:

                  (a) Except as contemplated by this Agreement, MAF and the MAF
         Subsidiaries will carry on their respective businesses in, and only in,
         the usual, regular and ordinary course in substantially the same manner
         as heretofore conducted, maintain their respective books in accordance
         with generally accepted accounting principles, conduct their respective
         businesses and operations only in accordance with safe and sound
         banking and business practices, and, to the extent consistent with such
         businesses, use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their present
         business organizations, to generally keep available the services of
         their present officers and employees and to preserve their
         relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business
         dealings with them to the end that their respective goodwill and going
         businesses shall be unimpaired at the Effective Time.

                  (b) MAF will, and will cause the MAF Subsidiaries to, use
         their best efforts to comply promptly with all requirements which
         federal or state law may impose on any of them with respect to the
         Merger and will promptly cooperate with and furnish information to
         Bancorp in connection with any such requirements imposed upon any of
         them in connection with the Merger.

                  (c) MAF will, and will cause the MAF Subsidiaries to, use
         their best efforts to obtain (and to cooperate with Bancorp in
         obtaining) any consent, authorization or approval of, or any exemption
         by, any governmental authority or agency, or other third party,
         required to be obtained or made by any of them in connection with the
         Merger or the taking of any action contemplated hereby. MAF will not,
         nor will it permit any of the MAF Subsidiaries to, knowingly or
         willfully take any action that would adversely affect their ability to
         perform their obligations under this Agreement or the Stock Option
         Agreement.

                  (d) MAF will not, and will not permit any MAF Subsidiary to,
         take any action which would, or fail to take any action contemplated by
         this Agreement if such failure would, disqualify the Merger as a
         "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes or as a tax-free
         reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.

                  (e) MAF shall cooperate with Bancorp to coordinate the record
         and payment dates of their cash dividends for the quarter the Merger is
         consummated as provided in Section 4.1(d) hereof.


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         4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION.

                  (a) MAF shall engage a mutually acceptable environmental
         consultant to conduct a preliminary ("Phase I") environmental
         assessment of each of the parcels of real estate used in the operation
         of the businesses of Bancorp and First Federal and any other real
         estate owned by Bancorp. The fees and expenses of the consultant with
         respect to the Phase I assessments shall be paid by MAF. The consultant
         shall complete and deliver the Phase I assessments not later than sixty
         (60) days after the date of this Agreement. If any environmental
         conditions are found or suspected or would tend to be indicated by the
         report of the consultant which may be contrary to the representations
         and warranties of Bancorp set forth herein without regard to any
         exceptions that may be contained in the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule,
         then the parties shall obtain from one or more mutually acceptable
         consultants or contractors, as appropriate, an estimate of the cost of
         any further environmental investigation, sampling, analysis,
         remediation, or other follow-up work that may be necessary to address
         those conditions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

                  (b) Upon receipt of the estimate of the costs of all follow-up
         work to the Phase I assessments or any subsequent investigation phases
         that may be conducted, the parties shall attempt to agree upon a course
         of action for further investigation and remediation of any
         environmental condition suspected, found to exist, or that would tend
         to be indicated by the report of the consultant. All post-Phase I
         investigations or assessments (the cost of which shall be paid by MAF),
         all work plans for any post-Phase I assessments or remediation and any
         removal or remediation actions that may be performed shall be mutually
         satisfactory to MAF and Bancorp. If the work plans or removal or
         remediation actions would cost more than $100,000 (individually or in
         the aggregate) to complete, MAF and Bancorp shall discuss a mutually
         acceptable modification of this Agreement. MAF and Bancorp shall
         cooperate in the review, approval and implementation of all work plans.

                  (c) If the parties are unable to agree upon a course of action
         for further investigation and remediation of an environmental condition
         or issue raised by an environmental assessment and/or a mutually
         acceptable modification to this Agreement, and the condition or issue
         is not one for which it can be determined to a reasonable degree of
         certainty that the risk and expense to which the Surviving Corporation
         and its subsidiaries would be subject as owner of the property involved
         can be quantified, in good faith, and limited to an amount less than
         $500,000 then MAF may abandon this Agreement as soon as possible but in
         no event more than 120 days after the receipt of the Phase I
         assessments.

         4.4 EXECUTION OF THE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT. Simultaneously with the
execution of this Agreement and as a condition thereto, MAF and Bancorp have
approved the execution and delivery of a stock option agreement (the "Stock
Option Agreement"), which grants to MAF an

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option to acquire up to 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Bancorp
Common Stock upon the occurrence of certain circumstances, substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

         4.5 CAPITAL STOCK. Except for or as otherwise permitted in or
contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement, without the prior
written consent of MAF, from the date of this Agreement to the earlier of the
Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, Bancorp shall not, and
shall not enter into any agreement to, issue, sell or otherwise permit to become
outstanding any additional shares of Bancorp Common Stock, preferred stock or
any other capital stock of Bancorp, or any stock appreciation rights, or any
option, warrant, conversion or other right to acquire any such stock, or any
security convertible into any such stock. No additional shares of Bancorp Common
Stock shall become subject to new grants of employee stock options, stock
appreciation rights or similar stock-based employee compensation rights,
including, but not limited to, grants under the ARP Plans.

         4.6 CERTAIN ACTIONS.

                  (a) None of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary or their
         directors, officers or employees (i) shall solicit, initiate,
         participate in discussions of, or encourage or take any other action to
         facilitate (including by way of the disclosing or furnishing of any
         information that it is not legally obligated to disclose or furnish)
         any inquiry or the making of any proposal relating to an Acquisition
         Transaction (as defined below) or a potential Acquisition Transaction
         with respect to itself or any Bancorp Subsidiary, or (ii) shall enter
         into any agreement, arrangement, or understanding (whether written or
         oral), regarding any proposal or transaction providing for or requiring
         it to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate this Agreement, or
         compensating it or any Bancorp Subsidiary under any of the instances
         described in this clause. Bancorp shall immediately instruct and
         otherwise use its best efforts to cause its agents, advisors
         (including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney or
         accountant retained by it or any Bancorp Subsidiary), consultants and
         other representatives to comply with such prohibitions. Bancorp shall
         immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities,
         discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with
         respect to such activities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Bancorp may
         provide information at the request of or enter into negotiations with a
         third party with respect to an Acquisition Transaction if the Board of
         Directors of Bancorp determines, in good faith, that the exercise of
         its fiduciary duties to Bancorp's stockholders under applicable law, as
         advised by Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette, requires it to take such action,
         and, provided further, that Bancorp may not, in any event, provide to
         such third party any information which it has not provided to MAF.
         Bancorp shall promptly notify MAF orally and in writing in the event it
         receives any such inquiry or proposal and shall provide reasonable
         detail of all relevant facts relating to such inquiries, along with a
         summary of the advice provided by Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette.


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                  (b) "Acquisition Transaction" shall, with respect to Bancorp,
         mean any of the following: (i) a merger or consolidation, or any
         similar transaction (other than the Merger) of any company with either
         Bancorp or any significant subsidiary (as defined in Rule 1.2 of
         Regulation S-X of the SEC) (a "Significant Subsidiary") of Bancorp;
         (ii) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or substantially all
         the assets of either Bancorp or any Significant Subsidiary of Bancorp;
         (iii) a purchase or other acquisition of "beneficial ownership" by any
         "person" or "group" (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d)(3) of
         the Securities Exchange Act) (including by way of merger,
         consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) which would cause such
         person or group to become the beneficial owner of securities
         representing 10% or more of the voting power of either Bancorp or any
         Significant Subsidiary of Bancorp; (iv) a tender or exchange offer to
         acquire securities representing 10% or more of the voting power of
         Bancorp; (v) a public proxy or consent solicitation made to
         stockholders of Bancorp seeking proxies in opposition to any proposal
         relating to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that
         has been recommended by the Board of Directors of Bancorp; (vi) the
         filing of an application or notice with the OTS or any other federal or
         state regulatory authority (which application has been accepted for
         processing) seeking approval to engage in one or more of the
         transactions referenced in clauses (i) through (iv) above; or (vii) the
         making of a bona fide proposal to Bancorp or its stockholders, by
         public announcement or written communication, that is or becomes the
         subject of public disclosure, to engage in one or more of the
         transactions referenced in clauses (i) through (v) above.

         4.7 TITLE TO REAL ESTATE. As soon as practical after the date hereof,
but in any event no later than thirty (30) days after the date hereof, Bancorp,
at its own expense, shall obtain and deliver to MAF, with respect to all real
estate owned or held pursuant to a ground lease by Bancorp and any Bancorp
Subsidiary, an owner's preliminary report of title covering a date subsequent to
the date hereof, issued by Chicago Title and Trust or such other title insurance
company as is reasonably acceptable to MAF, showing fee simple title in Bancorp
or such Bancorp Subsidiary in such real estate or the appropriate leasehold
interest of Bancorp or such Bancorp Subsidiary subject only to (i) the standard
exceptions to title customarily contained in a policy on ALTA 1970 Owner's Form
B; (ii) liens of current state and local property taxes which are not delinquent
or subject to penalty; and (iii) other liens, encumbrances, restrictions and
conditions of record that do not materially adversely affect the value or use of
such real estate.

                                       V.

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

         5.1 INSPECTION OF RECORDS; CONFIDENTIALITY.

                  (a) Bancorp shall afford to MAF and MAF's accountants, counsel
         and other representatives full access during normal business hours
         during the period prior to the Effective Time to all of its properties,
         books, contracts, commitments and records,


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         including all attorneys' responses to auditors' requests for
         information and accountants' work papers, developed by Bancorp or any
         Bancorp Subsidiary or their accountants or attorneys, and will permit
         Bancorp's representatives to discuss such information directly with
         MAF's officers, directors, employees, attorneys and accountants and (b)
         in the event that this Agreement is terminated, each party shall return
         all nonpublic documents furnished to it hereunder, shall destroy all
         documents or portions thereof that contain nonpublic information
         furnished by the other party pursuant hereto and, in any event, shall
         hold all nonpublic information received pursuant hereto in the same
         degree of confidence with which it maintains its own like information
         unless or until such information is or becomes a matter of public
         knowledge or is or becomes known to the party receiving the information
         through persons other than the party providing such information.

         5.2 MEETINGS OF BANCORP. Bancorp shall provide to MAF the agenda for or
a summary of the business proposed to be discussed at: (i) all meetings of the
Boards of Directors of Bancorp and each Bancorp Subsidiary, and (ii) all
meetings of the committees of each such Board, including without limitation the
audit and executive committees thereof. Bancorp shall provide to MAF all
information provided to the directors on all such Boards and committees in
connection with all such meetings of directors, when the same are provided to
such directors, including minutes of prior meetings with any discussion relating
to this Agreement or the merits of an Acquisition Proposal, financial reports
and any other analyses prepared by senior management of Bancorp. All such
information provided to MAF shall be treated in confidence as provided in
Section 5.1 hereof.

         5.3 MERGER OF SUBSIDIARY BANKS. Bancorp and MAF intend to take all
action necessary and appropriate to cause to be entered into a plan and
agreement of merger (the "Bank Merger Agreement"), substantially on the terms
and in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C pursuant to which MAF Bank and
First Federal shall merge simultaneously with or, if such Bank Merger cannot be
effected simultaneously, immediately after the consummation of the Merger, with
MAF Bank being the surviving bank thereof (the "Surviving Bank") pursuant to the
provisions of applicable law. At the effective time of the Bank Merger, the
charter and by-laws of the Surviving Bank shall be the articles of association
and by-laws of MAF Bank in effect immediately prior to the effective time of the
Bank Merger. At the effective date of the Bank Merger, the directors and
officers of the Surviving Bank shall be the directors and officers of MAF Bank
immediately prior to the effective date of the Bank Merger and MAF Bank will add
David C. Burba to its board of directors.

         5.4 RECOMMENDATION OF MERGER TO STOCKHOLDERS. Subject to its fiduciary
duties, the Board of Directors of Bancorp will unanimously recommend to its
stockholders in the Proxy Statement approval of the Merger and all transactions
related thereto and such other matters as may be submitted in connection with
this Agreement to all stockholders of Bancorp entitled to vote thereon.

         5.5 REGISTRATION STATEMENT; STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. As soon as
practicable after the date hereof, MAF shall prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement on Form S-4

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covering the MAF Common Stock to be issued to holders of Bancorp Common Stock in
the Merger, and Bancorp and MAF shall use their best efforts to cause the
Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act. MAF will
take any action required to be taken under the applicable blue sky or securities
laws in connection with the issuance of the shares of MAF Common Stock in the
Merger. Each party shall furnish all information concerning it and the holders
of its capital stock as the other party may reasonably request in connection
with such action. Bancorp shall call a stockholders' meeting to be held as soon
as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement for the purpose of
voting upon this Agreement and the Merger (the "Stockholders' Meeting"). In
connection with the Stockholders' Meeting, (i) Bancorp shall prepare and mail
the Proxy Statement to its stockholders, on a date mutually acceptable to the
parties hereto (the "Mailing Date"); (ii) subject to its fiduciary duties, the
Board of Directors of Bancorp shall unanimously recommend to its stockholders
the approval of this Agreement and the Merger; and (iii) the Board of Directors
of Bancorp shall otherwise use its best efforts to the extent consistent with
its fiduciary duties to obtain such stockholders' approval.

         5.6 DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY INSURANCE. MAF agrees that, prior to
or at the Effective Time, it will provide under its directors' and officers'
liability insurance prior errors and omissions coverage for current and former
directors and officers of Bancorp for three (3) years.

         5.7 INDEMNIFICATION. Except as may be limited by applicable law, MAF
shall maintain all rights of indemnification and advancement of expenses
currently provided by Bancorp and the Bancorp Subsidiaries in favor of their
current and former employees, directors, officers and agents on terms no less
favorable than those provided in the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of
Bancorp or otherwise in effect on the date of this Agreement for three (3) years
from the Effective Time with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective
Time.

         5.8 AFFILIATE LETTERS. Bancorp shall obtain and deliver to MAF on the
date hereof a signed representation letter as to certain restrictions on resale
substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto from each executive officer and
director of Bancorp and each stockholder of Bancorp who may reasonably be deemed
an "affiliate" of Bancorp within the meaning of such term as used in Rule 145
under the Securities Act, and shall obtain and deliver to MAF a signed
representation letter substantially in the form of Exhibit D from any person who
becomes an executive officer or director of Bancorp or any stockholder who
becomes such an "affiliate" after the date hereof as promptly as practicable
after (and shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain and deliver within
five (5) business days after) such person achieves such status.

         5.9 BROKERS. Bancorp represents, as to itself and each subsidiary, that
no agent, broker, investment banker or other firm or person or officer or
director of either is or will be entitled to any broker's or finder's fee or any
other commission, bonus or similar fee in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except that Bancorp may pay fees to
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., as set forth in the letter dated August 1, 1998
and delivered to MAF.


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         5.10 COOPERATION. Each of MAF and Bancorp covenants that, unless this
Agreement is terminated as provided herein, it will use its best efforts to
bring about the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as
practicable, and that it will not willfully or intentionally breach this
Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each of MAF and
Bancorp agrees to use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or
advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including but not limited to
any action for the transaction to comply with "pooling of interests" accounting.
In case at any time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out
the purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers and/or directors of MAF or
Bancorp, as the case may be, shall take all such necessary action. If necessary
to expedite the Closing of the Merger and any other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, the parties agree that each will take or perform any additional
reasonably necessary or advisable steps to restructure the transactions
contemplated hereby, provided that any such restructuring will not result in any
change in the Merger Consideration. Each party shall use its reasonable best
efforts to preserve for itself and each other party each available legal
privilege with respect to confidentiality of their negotiations and related
communications including the attorney-client privilege.

         5.11 REGULATORY APPLICATIONS. MAF shall, as soon as practicable, file
applications or notices with the Applicable Regulatory Agencies, and shall use
its best efforts to respond as promptly as practicable to all inquiries received
concerning said applications; provided, however, that MAF shall have no
obligation to accept nonstandard conditions or restrictions with respect to the
aforesaid approvals of governmental authorities if it shall reasonably determine
that such conditions or restrictions would have a material adverse effect on MAF
or the Surviving Corporation. In the event of an adverse or unfavorable
determination by any regulatory authority, or in the event the Merger is
challenged or opposed by any administrative or legal proceeding, whether by the
United States Department of Justice or otherwise, the determination of whether
and to what extent to seek appeal or review, administrative or otherwise, or
other appropriate remedies shall be made by MAF after consultation with Bancorp.
MAF shall deliver a draft of the nonconfidential portions of all regulatory
applications to Bancorp prior to filing them and copies of the nonconfidential
portions of all responses from or written communications from regulatory
authorities relating to the Merger or this Agreement (to the extent permitted by
law), and MAF shall deliver a final copy of the nonconfidential portions of all
regulatory applications to Bancorp promptly after they are filed with the
appropriate regulatory authority.

         5.12 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS. From the date of this Agreement
and prior to the Effective Time: (a) each party will deliver to the other, not
later than ninety days after the end of any fiscal year, its Annual Report on
Form 10-K (and all schedules and exhibits thereto) for the fiscal period then
ended as filed with the SEC, which shall be prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the
SEC; (b) Bancorp will deliver to MAF not later than thirty days after the end of
any fiscal quarter, the quarterly Reports filed with the OTS by First Federal
which shall be prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the OTS;
(c) each party will deliver to the other not


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later than forty-five days after the end of each quarter, its Report on Form
10-Q for such quarter as filed with the SEC which shall be prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and
regulations of the SEC; (d) Bancorp will deliver to MAF any and all other
material reports filed with the SEC, the FDIC, the OTS or any other regulatory
agency within five (5) business days of the filing of any such report; and (e)
Bancorp will deliver to MAF monthly financial statements which shall include a
summary of the investment securities acquired in the ordinary course of
business.

         5.13 NOTICE. At all times prior to the Effective Time, each party shall
give prompt notice to the other of the occurrence or its knowledge of any event
or condition that would cause any of its representations or warranties set forth
in this Agreement not to be true and correct in all material respects as of the
date of this Agreement or as of the Effective Time or any of its obligations set
forth in this Agreement required to be performed at or prior to the Effective
Time not to be performed in all material respects at or prior to the Effective
Time, including without limitation, any event, condition, change or occurrence
which individually, or in the aggregate with any other events, conditions or
changes that have occurred after the date hereof, has resulted or which, so far
as reasonably can be foreseen at the time of its occurrence, is reasonably
likely to result in a material adverse effect on it. After receipt of any such
notice disclosing a material breach, the nondisclosing party may, within two
business days thereof, notify the disclosing party of its intent to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(d); provided, however, that the
disclosing party shall have the right to cure such breach within 30 days thereof
but no later than the Effective Time. In the event the nondisclosing party fails
to notify the disclosing party of its intent to terminate within two business
days after receipt of any notice hereunder, the nondisclosing party shall be
deemed to have waived its right of termination as to any such breach arising out
of or with respect to the events, conditions, change or occurrence described in
such notice; provided, however, that any particular breach that is deemed to
have been waived by the nondisclosing party may thereafter be considered by the
nondisclosing party in determining the aggregate contribution of all events,
conditions, changes and occurrences described by the disclosing party pursuant
to this Section 5.13 toward the occurrence of a material breach by the closing
party.

         5.14 PRESS RELEASES. MAF and Bancorp shall coordinate all publicity
relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and, except as
otherwise required by law, or with respect to employee meetings, neither party
shall issue any press release, publicity statement or other public notice
relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby
without obtaining the prior consent of the other, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. Bancorp shall obtain the prior consent of MAF to the
content of any communication to its stockholders.

         5.15 DELIVERY OF SUPPLEMENTS TO DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES. Five (5) business
days prior to the Effective Time, Bancorp will supplement or amend the Bancorp
Disclosure Schedule with respect to any matter hereafter arising which, if
existing or occurring at or prior to the date of this Agreement, would have been
required to be set forth or described in such Disclosure Schedule or which is
necessary to correct any information in the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule


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or in any representation and warranty made by the disclosing party which has
been rendered inaccurate thereby. For purposes of determining the accuracy of
the representations and warranties of Bancorp contained in Article III hereof
and in order to determine the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Article
VI hereof as of the Effective Time, the Bancorp Disclosure Schedule shall be
deemed to include only the information contained therein on the date hereof and
any information previously disclosed by Bancorp pursuant to Section 5.13 as to
which MAF is deemed to have waived its right of termination; provided, however,
that delivery of such supplements containing information which causes any
representation or warranty of Bancorp to be false or materially misleading will
not cure any breach hereunder of such representations or warranties.

         5.16 LITIGATION MATTERS. Bancorp will consult with MAF about any
proposed settlement, or any disposition of any litigation involving amounts in
excess of $25,000.

         5.17 TAX OPINION. MAF and Bancorp shall obtain a written opinion ("Tax
Opinion") of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz addressed to MAF and Bancorp,
dated the Closing Date, subject to the customary representations and assumptions
referred to therein, and substantially to the effect that (a) the Merger will
constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code, and MAF and Bancorp will each be a party to such reorganization; (b) the
exchange in the Merger of MAF Common Stock for Bancorp Common Stock will not
give rise to the recognition of any income, gain or loss to MAF Bancorp, or the
stockholders of Bancorp with respect to such exchange except, with respect to
the stockholders of Bancorp, to the extent of cash received for fractional
shares; (c) the adjusted tax basis of the MAF Common Stock received by Bancorp
stockholders in the Merger will equal the adjusted tax basis of the Bancorp
Common Stock exchanged therefor decreased by the amount of money received in the
exchange and increased by the amount of gain recognized in the exchange; (d) the
holding period of the MAF Common Stock received in the Merger will include the
period during which the shares of Bancorp Common Stock surrendered in exchange
therefor were held, provided such shares of Bancorp Common Stock were held as a
capital asset at the Effective Time; (e) the adjusted tax basis of the assets of
Bancorp in the hands of MAF will be the same as the adjusted tax basis of such
assets in the hands of Bancorp immediately prior to the exchange; and (f) the
holding period of the assets of Bancorp transferred to MAF will include the
period during which such assets were held by Bancorp prior to the exchange.

         5.18 RESOLUTION OF BANCORP BENEFIT PLANS. Bancorp and MAF shall
cooperate in effecting the following treatment of the Bancorp Benefit Plans,
except as mutually agreed upon by MAF and Bancorp prior to the Effective Time:

                  (a) At the Effective Time, MAF (or an MAF Subsidiary) shall be
         substituted for Bancorp as the sponsoring employer under those Bancorp
         Benefit Plans with respect to which Bancorp or First Federal is a
         sponsoring employer immediately prior to the Effective Time, and shall
         assume and be vested with all of the powers, rights, duties,
         obligations and liabilities previously vested in Bancorp or First
         Federal with respect to each such plan. Except as otherwise provided
         herein, each such plan and any Bancorp


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         Benefit Plan sponsored by Bancorp or First Federal shall be continued
         in effect by MAF or any applicable MAF Subsidiary after the Effective
         Time without a termination or discontinuance thereof as a result of the
         Merger, subject to the power reserved to MAF or any applicable MAF
         Subsidiary under each such plan to subsequently amend or terminate the
         plan, which amendments or terminations shall comply with applicable
         law. Bancorp, First Federal and MAF will use all reasonable efforts (i)
         to effect said substitutions and assumptions, and take such other
         actions contemplated under this Agreement, and (ii) to amend such plans
         as to the extent necessary to provide for said substitutions and
         assumptions, and such other actions contemplated under this Agreement.

                  (b) At or as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time
         as MAF shall reasonably determine, MAF shall provide, or cause any MAF
         Subsidiary to provide, to each employee of Bancorp and First Federal as
         of the Effective Time ("Bancorp Employees") the opportunity to
         participate in each employee benefit plan and program maintained by MAF
         or the MAF Subsidiaries for similarly situated employees (the "MAF
         Benefit Plans"); provided, however, that with respect to such MAF
         Benefit Plans, Bancorp Employees shall be given credit for service with
         Bancorp or First Federal in determining eligibility for and vesting in
         benefits thereunder, but not for purposes of benefit accrual; provided
         further that Bancorp Employees shall not be subject to any waiting
         periods or pre-existing condition exclusions under the MAF Benefit
         Plans to the extent that such periods are longer or restrictions impose
         a greater limitation than the periods or limitations imposed under the
         Bancorp Benefit Plans; provided further, that to the extent that the
         initial period of coverage for Bancorp Employees under any MAF Benefit
         Plan that is an "employee welfare benefit plan" as defined in Section
         3(1) of ERISA is not a full 12-month period of coverage, Bancorp
         Employees shall be given credit under the applicable MAF Benefit Plans
         for any deductibles and co-insurance payments made by such Bancorp
         Employees under the Bancorp Benefit Plans during the balance of such
         12-month period of coverage. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall
         obligate MAF to provide or cause to be provided any benefits
         duplicative of those provided under any Bancorp Benefit Plan continued
         pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, including, but not limited to,
         extending participation in any MAF Benefit Plan which is an "employee
         pension benefit plan" under ERISA with respect to any year during which
         benefits are accrued by Bancorp Employees under the Bancorp defined
         benefit plan or allocations are made to Bancorp Employees under the
         ESOP. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the power of MAF
         or any First Federal or MAF Subsidiary to amend or terminate any
         benefit plan or program, including any Bancorp Benefit Plan, shall not
         be altered or affected. Moreover, this Agreement shall not confer upon
         any Bancorp Employee any rights or remedies hereunder and shall not
         constitute a contract of employment or create the rights, to be
         retained or otherwise, in employment with MAF, First Federal or any MAF
         Subsidiary.

                  (c) Concurrently with or immediately after the execution of
         this Agreement, Bancorp shall use its best efforts to obtain from each
         officer of Bancorp who is a party to an employment agreement or special
         termination agreement with Bancorp or First Federal a Letter of
         Understanding with MAF substantially in the form of Exhibit E 


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         attached hereto (the "Letter of Understanding"), relating to such
         executive's employment after the Effective Date and to certain matters
         pertaining to such executive's employment agreement or special
         termination agreement and benefits payable thereunder.

                  (d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
         contrary, all retention, severance, covenant not to compete,
         termination payments, acceleration of benefit vesting, and other
         compensation paid by Bancorp or First Federal, or as provided for in
         this Agreement, any Letter of Understanding, any Bancorp Benefit Plan
         or otherwise, including, but not limited to, any Change in Control
         Benefit, shall not violate any prohibitions which are imposed by the
         Applicable Governmental Authorities, or which the Applicable
         Governmental Authorities otherwise deem to constitute unsafe and
         unsound banking practices or unreasonable compensation giving effect to
         any obligations of MAF or the MAF Subsidiary as provided herein or in
         any Letter of Understanding.

                  (e) From and after the date of this Agreement through the
         Effective Time, Bancorp and/or First Federal may make such
         contributions to the ESOP as shall reasonably be determined to repay
         the ESOP Loan in full prior to the Effective Time; provided, however,
         that all such contributions shall be deductible by Bancorp or First
         Federal under Section 404 of the Code, and in compliance with Section
         415 of the Code and shall be in compliance with the letter agreement
         referred to in paragraph (f) below. Upon the earlier of the repayment
         of the ESOP Loan or the Effective Time, the ESOP shall be amended to
         provide that all accounts thereunder shall be fully vested and
         nonforfeitable and that the MAF Common Stock issued upon the conversion
         of the Bancorp Common Stock in the Merger shall become the qualifying
         employee security for purposes of the ESOP. From and after the
         Effective Time, MAF shall make, or shall cause a MAF Subsidiary to make
         such maximum annual contributions to the ESOP, as permitted by Sections
         404 and 415 of the Code, so as to repay the ESOP Loan as promptly as
         practicable and to maintain the ESOP as a separate plan for the benefit
         of the Bancorp Employees, it being the intention of the parties that in
         no event will benefits under the ESOP be allocated to persons other
         than those persons employed by Bancorp or First Federal prior to the
         Effective Time. As soon as is reasonably practicable after payment in
         full of the ESOP Loan, MAF shall cause the ESOP to be merged into the
         MAF ESOP in compliance with Section 414(l) of the Code.

                  (f) MAF and Bancorp agree to take certain other actions with
         respect to the Bancorp Benefit Plans as set forth in the letter
         agreement of even date herewith between MAF and Bancorp.

         5.19 ACCOUNTING AND TAX TREATMENT. Neither Bancorp or First Federal nor
MAF or any of the MAF Subsidiaries, nor any of their affiliates, shall
voluntarily take any action which would cause the Merger to fail to qualify as a
"pooling of interests" for accounting purposes and as a tax-free reorganization
under Section 368(a) of the Code. The exercise by MAF of its rights under the
Stock Option Agreement shall not be deemed a violation of this Section. In
addition, MAF and Bancorp agree to take any and all necessary or advisable steps
to restructure or modify 

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the terms of the transaction contemplated hereby, if such steps are necessary or
advisable to qualify the transaction contemplated hereby as a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code; provided, however, nothing
contained in this Section 5.19 shall be deemed to require MAF to take any steps
which will increase the Merger Consideration provided for in Section 1.2 above.

         5.20 APPOINTMENT TO MAF BOARD OF DIRECTORS. MAF shall, as soon as
practicable after the Merger, cause David C. Burba to become a director of MAF
and MAF Bank and elect Mr. Burba as an Executive Vice President of MAF, and in
connection therewith, shall extend to Mr. Burba an Employment Agreement in form
and substance acceptable to the parties thereto.

         5.21 ADVISORY BOARD. MAF shall cause MAF Bank to create an advisory
board (the "Advisory Board") to (a) assist in and advise with respect to
integration of the operations of First Federal into those of the MAF Bank, and
(b) advise with respect to the operations of MAF Bank. Other than David C.
Burba, the Advisory Board shall consist of all current members of the Board of
Directors of First Federal who are members of such Board as of the Effective
Time, each of whom shall be entitled to receive per meeting fees (without
reimbursement for travel expenses) equal to those currently in effect at Bancorp
provided that the Advisory Board shall meet (or for purposes hereof shall be
deemed to have met) at least quarterly, and may meet more frequently at the
request of MAF. The Board of Directors of MAF shall review the Advisory Board
function annually to consider its continuation.

         5.22 PUBLICATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. MAF shall publish financial
results covering at least 30 days of combined operations of MAF and Bancorp as
soon after the Closing as reasonably practicable.

                                       VI.

                                   CONDITIONS

         6.1 CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF MAF. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the obligations of MAF to consummate the Merger are
subject to the following conditions precedent:

                  (a) All of the representations and warranties made by Bancorp
         in this Agreement and in any documents or certificates provided by
         Bancorp shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of
         the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made
         at and as of the Effective Time.

                  (b) Bancorp shall have performed in all material respects all
         obligations and shall have complied in all material respects with all
         agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or
         complied with by it prior to or at the Effective Time.


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                  (c) Except as specifically contemplated herein, there shall
         not have been any action taken, or any statute, rule, regulation or
         order enacted, promulgated or issued or deemed applicable to the Merger
         by any federal or state government or governmental agency or
         instrumentality or court, which would prohibit MAF's ownership or
         operation of all or a material portion of Bancorp's business or assets,
         whether immediately at the Effective Time or as of some future date,
         whether specified or to be specified, or would compel MAF to dispose of
         or hold separate all or a material portion of Bancorp's business or
         assets, whether immediately at the Effective Time or as of some future
         date, whether specified or to be specified as a result of this
         Agreement, or which would render MAF or Bancorp unable to consummate
         the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (d) To the extent any material lease, license, loan or
         financing agreement or other contract or agreement to which Bancorp or
         any Bancorp Subsidiary, as the case may be, is a party requires the
         consent of or waiver from the other party thereto as a result of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement, such consent or waiver
         shall have been obtained, unless the failure to obtain such consent or
         waiver would not have a material adverse effect on Bancorp.

                  (e) As of the Closing Date, there shall have been no material
         adverse change in the operations or financial condition of Bancorp or
         any Bancorp Subsidiary from that which was represented and warranted on
         the date of this Agreement pursuant to this Agreement and the Bancorp
         Disclosure Schedules provided on the date of this Agreement, it being
         understood that any updates provided pursuant to Section 5.15 hereof do
         not constitute a waiver or other consent to any such material adverse
         change in Bancorp, except in accordance with Section 5.13.

                  (f) MAF shall have received a certificate signed by the
         President and Chief Executive Officer of Bancorp, dated as of the
         Effective Time, certifying that based upon his knowledge, the
         conditions set forth in Sections 6.1(a) and 6.1(b) hereto have been
         satisfied.

                  (g) Neither Bancorp nor any Bancorp Subsidiary shall be made a
         party to, or to the knowledge of Bancorp, threatened by, any actions,
         suits, proceedings, litigation or legal proceedings which, in the
         reasonable opinion of MAF, have or are likely to have a material
         adverse effect on the consolidated assets, properties, business,
         operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of Bancorp or the
         assets, properties, business, operations or condition, financial or
         otherwise, of any Bancorp Subsidiary, nor shall any director or officer
         or former director or officer of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary be
         made a party to, or threatened by, any actions, suits, proceedings,
         litigation or legal proceedings relating to their performance or
         nonperformance of their legal or fiduciary duties as directors and
         officers of Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary which in the reasonable
         opinion of the Board of Directors of MAF is likely to have a material
         adverse effect on Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary. No action, suit,
         proceeding or claim shall have been instituted, made or threatened by
         any person relating to the Merger or the validity or 


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         propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
         Bank Merger Agreement which would make consummation of the
         Reorganization inadvisable in the reasonable opinion of MAF.

                  (h) The Bank Merger Agreement shall have been duly authorized
         and approved by Bancorp and First Federal and the other terms and
         conditions of the Bank Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied so as
         to permit the Bank Merger to be consummated as contemplated thereby.

                  (i) Bancorp shall have caused to be delivered to MAF letters
         from Bancorp's independent public accountants, Cobitz, VandenBerg and
         Fennessy, dated the date on which the Registration Statement shall
         become effective, and dated the Effective Time, and addressed to MAF
         and Bancorp, with respect to Bancorp's consolidated financial position
         and results of operations, and which describes procedures which shall
         be consistent with applicable professional standards for "comfort"
         letters delivered by independent accountants in connection with
         comparable transactions.

                  (j) MAF shall have received an opinion of Muldoon, Murphy &
         Faucette, counsel for Bancorp, substantially in the form of Exhibit F
         hereto.

                  (k) MAF shall have received an opinion from each of (i) KPMG
         Peat Marwick LLP, as independent public accountants of MAF, in form and
         content acceptable to MAF, and (ii) Cobitz, VandenBerg and Fennessy
         ("Cobitz"), as independent public accountants of Bancorp, in form and
         content acceptable to KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, in each case to the effect
         that the Merger qualifies for "pooling of interests" accounting
         treatment if consummated in accordance herewith.

         6.2 CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF BANCORP. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the obligations of Bancorp to consummate the Merger
are subject to the following conditions precedent:

                  (a) All of the representations and warranties made by MAF in
         this Agreement and in any documents or certificates provided by MAF
         shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of the
         date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on
         and as of the Effective Time.

                  (b) MAF shall have performed in all material respects all
         obligations and shall have complied in all material respects with all
         agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or
         complied with by it prior to or at the Effective Time.

                  (c) Bancorp shall have received a certificate signed by the
         Chief Executive Officer of MAF, dated as of the Effective Time, that
         based upon such Chief Executive Officer's best knowledge, the
         conditions set forth in Sections 6.2(a) and (b) have been satisfied.


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                  (d) Bancorp shall have received an opinion of Vedder, Price,
         Kaufman & Kammholz, special counsel for MAF, substantially in the form
         of Exhibit G hereto.

                  (e) The Bank Merger Agreement shall have been duly authorized
         and approved by MAF and MAF Bank and the other terms and conditions of
         the Bank Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied so as to permit the
         Bank Merger to be consummated as contemplated thereby.

                  (f) Bancorp shall have received an opinion from Cobitz to the
         effect that the Merger qualifies for "pooling of interests" accounting
         treatment if consummated in accordance herewith.

         6.3 CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, the obligations of MAF on the one hand, and
Bancorp on the other hand, to consummate the Merger are subject to the following
conditions precedent:

                  (a) No preliminary or permanent injunction or other order by
         any federal or state court which prevents the consummation of the
         Merger shall have been issued and shall remain in effect.

                  (b) This Agreement and the Merger shall have been duly
         approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of Bancorp at a
         meeting duly called and held for such purpose.

                  (c) MAF shall have received approvals of the Applicable
         Governmental Authorities as set forth in Section 1.4(i) to acquire
         Bancorp and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and all
         required waiting periods relating thereto shall have expired.

                  (d) The Registration Statement shall have been declared
         effective under the Securities Act and no stop orders shall be in
         effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending or
         threatened by the SEC.

                  (e) Each party shall have received the Tax Opinion (as
         contemplated in Section 5.17 above).

         6.4 LISTING ON THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET. The shares of MAF Common Stock
which shall be issued to the stockholders of Bancorp upon consummation of the
Merger shall have been authorized for listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market,
subject to official notice of issuance.


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                                      VII.

                         TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER

         7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the Effective Time:

                  (a) By mutual written consent of the Board of Directors of MAF
         and the Board of Directors of Bancorp;

                  (b) At any time prior to the Effective Time, by MAF or Bancorp
         if there shall have been a final judicial or regulatory determination
         (as to which all periods for appeal shall have expired and no appeal
         shall be pending) that any material provision of this Agreement is
         illegal, invalid or unenforceable (unless the enforcement thereof is
         waived by the affected party) or denying any regulatory application,
         the approval of which is a condition precedent to either party's
         obligations hereunder;

                  (c) By either party at any time after the stockholders of
         Bancorp fail to approve this Agreement and the Merger in a vote taken
         at a meeting duly convened for that purpose;

                  (d) By MAF or Bancorp in the event of the material breach by
         the other party of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement
         contained herein or in any schedule or document delivered pursuant
         hereto, which breach would result in the failure to satisfy the
         closing conditions set forth in Section 6.1 hereof, in the case of MAF,
         or Section 6.2 hereof, the case of Bancorp, except in each case, for
         any such breach which has been disclosed pursuant to Section 5.13 and
         waived by the non-disclosing party pursuant to Section 5.13 or cured by
         the disclosing party prior to the Effective Time and within the time
         period specified in Section 5.13;

                  (e) By either party on or after June 30, 1999, in the event
         the Merger has not been consummated by such date (provided that the
         terminating party is not then in material breach of any representation,
         warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein);

                  (f) by Bancorp in accordance with Section 1.2(d) upon notice
         to MAF; or

                  (g) by MAF pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.3 hereof
         relating to the parties' being unable to agree on a course of action
         regarding certain environmental matters.


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         7.2 TERMINATION FEE.

                  (a) In consideration of the expenses and forgone opportunities
         of MAF, as a condition and inducement to MAF's willingness to enter
         into and perform this Agreement, provided that Bancorp has not validly
         terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(d), Bancorp shall pay
         to MAF immediately upon demand a fee of Two Million Five Hundred
         Thousand dollars ($2,500,000) (the "Termination Fee") upon the earliest
         to occur of the following:

                           (i) (A) the Board of Directors of Bancorp (1) shall
                  have withdrawn, modified or amended in any respect its
                  approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the
                  transactions contemplated hereby, (2) shall not at the
                  appropriate time have unanimously recommended or shall have
                  withdrawn, modified or amended in any respect its
                  recommendation that its stockholders vote in favor of this
                  Agreement, or (3) shall not have included such recommendation
                  in the Proxy Statement, or (B) the Board of Directors of
                  Bancorp shall have resolved to do any of the foregoing;

                           (ii) (A) Bancorp enters into an agreement or
                  understanding with a party other than MAF providing for (1)
                  the acquisition by any person, other than MAF or any MAF
                  Subsidiaries, alone or together with such person's affiliates
                  and associates or any group, of beneficial ownership of 10% or
                  more of Bancorp Common Stock (for purposes of this Section
                  7.2(a)(2), the terms "group" and "beneficial ownership" shall
                  be as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and
                  regulations promulgated thereunder and as interpreted
                  thereunder); (2) a merger, consolidation, liquidation or
                  dissolution, share exchange, business combination or any other
                  similar transaction involving Bancorp or any Bancorp
                  Subsidiary; (3) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge,
                  transfer or other disposition of 25% or more of the assets of
                  Bancorp or any Bancorp Subsidiary, in a single transaction or
                  series of transactions, or (B) the public announcement of
                  negotiations relating to or the occurrence of any of the
                  above; or

                           (iii) the announcement of a tender or exchange offer
                  with the intent to accomplish any of the foregoing, which
                  offer the Bancorp Board of Directors does not reject.

                  (b) In the event this Agreement is terminated prior to the
         Effective Time for any reason other than mutual agreement of the
         parties pursuant to Section 7.1(a) above, a valid termination by
         Bancorp pursuant to Section 7.1(d), or a valid termination by MAF
         pursuant to Section 7.1(g), the Termination Fee shall continue to be
         payable by Bancorp to MAF for a period of two years from the date
         hereof upon the occurrence of any of the events set forth in Section
         7.2(a) above.


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         7.3 EXPENSES. Except as provided elsewhere herein, MAF and Bancorp
shall each bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including fees and
expenses of its own financial or other consultants, investment bankers,
accountants and counsel. In the event one of the parties hereto files suit to
enforce this Section or a suit seeking to recover costs and expenses or damages
for breach of this Agreement, the costs, fees, charges and expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses) of the prevailing party in such litigation (and
any related litigation) shall be borne by the losing party.

         7.4 SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENTS. In the event of termination of this
Agreement by either MAF or Bancorp as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement
shall forthwith become void and have no effect except that (i) the agreements
contained in Sections 5.1, 5.10, 7.2 and 7.3 hereof shall survive the
termination hereof; (ii) the Stock Option Agreement shall be governed by its own
termination provisions; and (iii) a termination pursuant to Section 7.1(d)
hereof shall not relieve a breaching party from any liability for any breach
giving rise to such termination.

         7.5 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto by
action taken by their respective Boards of Directors at any time before or after
approval hereof by the stockholders of Bancorp but, after such approval, no
amendment shall be made which changes the form of consideration or adversely
affects or decreases the value of the consideration to be received by the
stockholders of Bancorp without the further approval of such stockholders or
which in any other way adversely affects the rights of stockholders of either
Bancorp or MAF without the further required approval of the stockholders so
affected. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto. MAF and Bancorp may, without
approval of their respective Boards of Directors, make such technical changes to
this Agreement, not inconsistent with the purposes hereof and thereof, as may be
required to effect or facilitate any governmental approval or acceptance of the
Merger or of this Agreement or to effect or facilitate any filing or recording
required for the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         7.6 WAIVER. Any term, provision or condition of this Agreement (other
than requirements for stockholders' approval and required approvals of the
Applicable Governmental Authorities) may be waived in writing at any time by the
party which is, or the stockholders of which are, entitled to the benefits
hereof. Each and every right granted to any party hereunder, or under any other
document delivered in connection herewith or therewith, and each and every right
allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time
to time. The failure of either party at any time or times to require performance
of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect such party's right at a later
time to enforce the same except as provided in Section 5.13. No waiver by any
party of a condition or of the breach of any term, covenant, representation or
warranty contained in this Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any
one or more instances shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or
continuing waiver of any such condition or breach or a waiver of any other
condition or of the breach of any other term, covenant, representation or
warranty of this Agreement. No investigation, review or audit by MAF of Bancorp
or Bancorp of MAF prior to or after the date hereof shall estop or prevent
either party from exercising any right hereunder or be deemed to be a waiver of
any such right.


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                                      VIII.

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

         8.1 SURVIVAL. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
of the parties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered by the parties
pursuant to this Agreement (other than the agreements, covenants and obligations
set forth herein which are contemplated to be performed after the Effective
Time) shall not survive the Effective Time except as provided for in Section
7.4.

         8.2 NOTICE. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, by facsimile
transmission or by registered or certified mail to the parties at the following
addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like
notice) and shall be deemed to be delivered on the date so delivered:

                  (a) if to MAF:     Allen H. Koranda
                                     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                     MAF Bancorp, Inc.
                                     55th & Holmes Avenue
                                     Clarendon Hills, Illinois 60514
                                     Telephone Number: (630) 325-7300
                                     Facsimile Number: (630) 325-0407

                      copy to:       Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz
                                     222 North LaSalle Street
                                     Chicago, Illinois  60603
                                     Attention:   Jennifer R. Evans, Esq.
                                     or           Daniel C. McKay, II, Esq.
                                     Telephone Number: (312) 609-7500
                                     Facsimile Number: (312) 609-5005

                  (b) if to Bancorp: David C. Burba
                                     President
                                     Westco Bancorp, Inc.
                                     2121 South Mannheim Road
                                     Westchester, Illinois 60154
                                     Telephone Number: (708) 865-1100
                                     Facsimile Number: (708) 865-1135


                                       64


                                  Page 74 of 92


<PAGE>


                      copy to:       Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette
                                     5101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
                                     Washington, D.C.  20016
                                     Attention:  Lori M. Beresford, Esq.
                                     Telephone Number: (202) 362-0840
                                     Facsimile Number: (202) 966-9409

         8.3 SPECIFIC ENFORCEABILITY. The parties recognize and hereby
acknowledge that it may be impossible to measure in money the damages that would
result to a party by reason of the failure of either of the parties to perform
any of the obligations imposed on it by this Agreement and that in any event
damages would be an inadequate remedy in this instance. Accordingly, if any
party should institute an action or proceeding seeking specific enforcement of
the provisions hereof, the party against which such action or proceeding is
brought hereby waives the claim or defense that the party instituting such
action or proceeding has an adequate remedy at law and hereby agrees not to
assert in any such action or proceeding the claim or defense that such a remedy
at law exists and shall waive or not assert any requirement to post bond in
connection with seeking specific performance. The parties hereto agree that this
provision is without prejudice to any other rights that the parties hereto may
have for any failure to perform this Agreement.

         8.4 APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted
in all respects, including validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of
the State of Delaware with respect to matters of corporate laws and, with
respect to all other matters, by the laws of the State of Illinois, except to
the extent that the federal laws of the United States apply.

         8.5 HEADINGS, ETC. The article headings and section headings contained
in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any
way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         8.6 SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
contained in this Agreement is held by a final and unappealable order of a court
of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, then the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained in this
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated unless the effect would be to cause this
Agreement to not achieve its essential purposes.

         8.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; BINDING EFFECT; NONASSIGNMENT; COUNTERPARTS.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement (including the
documents and instruments referred to herein) (a) constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all other prior agreements
and undertakings, both written and oral, between the parties, with respect to
the subject matter hereof; and (b) is not intended to confer upon any other
person any rights or remedies hereunder except as specifically provided herein.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
named herein and their respective successors. Neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned


                                       65


                                 Page 75 of 92


<PAGE>


by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party
hereto. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts which
together shall constitute a single agreement.

         8.8 STANDARDS.

                  (a) Either party's representations, warranties and covenants
         contained in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be untrue or
         breached as a result of effects arising solely from actions taken in
         compliance with a written request by the other party or as directed
         under this Agreement; (b) as used in this Agreement, the term "material
         adverse effect" means an effect which is material and adverse to the
         business, financial condition or results of operations of Bancorp or
         MAF, as the context may dictate, and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
         provided, however, that any such effects resulting from any changes in
         law, rule or regulation or generally accepted accounting principles or
         interpretations thereof that apply to both MAF and MAF Bank or Bancorp
         and First Federal, as the case may be, shall not be considered in
         determining if a material adverse effect has occurred; and (c) for
         purposes of this Agreement, "knowledge" shall mean, with respect to a
         party hereto, actual knowledge of any of the members of the Board of
         Directors of that party, its counsel or any officer of that party with
         the title ranking not less than senior vice president.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                       MAF Bancorp, Inc.

                                       By:       /s/ ALLEN H. KORANDA
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Its: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
/s/       CAROLYN PIHERA
- ----------------------------------
            Secretary

                                       Westco Bancorp, Inc.

                                       By:       /s/ DAVID C. BURBA
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Its: President

/s/       MARY S. SUFFI
- ----------------------------------
            Secretary


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                                  Page 76 of 92


<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBITS


                           DESCRIPTION                    SECTION REFERENCE
                           -----------                    -----------------
Exhibit A             Certificate of Merger                     1.4
Exhibit B             Option Agreement                          4.4
Exhibit C             Bank Merger Agreement                     5.3
Exhibit D             Affiliate Letters                         5.8
Exhibit E             Letters of Understanding                  5.18(c)
Exhibit F             Opinion Letter - Bancorp                  6.1(j)
Exhibit G             Opinion Letter - MAF                      6.2(d)


                               [OMITTED HEREFROM]


                                       67


                                  Page 77 of 92



                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.2

                                OPTION AGREEMENT

         This Option Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of August
17, 1998, by and between Westco Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Bancorp"), and MAF Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("MAF").

         WHEREAS, MAF and Bancorp have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization dated as of August 17, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement") providing,
among other things, for the merger ("Merger") of Bancorp with and into MAF, with
MAF as the surviving corporation;

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, each share of outstanding
common stock of Bancorp, par value $0.01 per share ("Bancorp Common Stock"),
would be converted into the right to receive 1.395 shares of common stock of
MAF, par value $0.01 per share ("Merger Consideration");

         WHEREAS, MAF has expressly indicated to Bancorp that it would be
unwilling to enter into the Merger Agreement and consummate the transactions
contemplated thereby without the benefit of this Option Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, in order to encourage MAF to proceed with the Merger and to
prepare required federal and state applications for approvals and filings from
the Applicable Governmental Authorities and to incur substantial expense in
connection therewith, Bancorp has determined that it is in its best interests to
grant to MAF an option to purchase additional shares of its authorized but
unissued Bancorp Common Stock. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meanings given to them in the Merger Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, Bancorp and MAF agree as follows:

         1. GRANT OF OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, Bancorp hereby grants to MAF an option (the "Option") to purchase up to
617,685 fully paid and nonassessable shares (the "Option Shares") of Bancorp
Common Stock at a purchase price of $26.35 per share (such price, as adjusted if
applicable, the "Purchase Price"). Notwithstanding anything contained herein or
in the Merger Agreement to the contrary, the amount that MAF (including any
successor-in-interest, affiliate or transferee) shall be entitled to receive,
whether as (a) consideration for the Option Shares or the Option (including,
without limitation, any payments in the form of Repurchase Consideration) from
any Person, including Bancorp (whether in a single transaction or a series of
transactions), less any Purchase Price actually paid by MAF, or (b) costs, fees
and expenses or other reimbursement amounts paid to MAF pursuant to Section 7.2
of the Merger Agreement shall not exceed $4,000,000 in the aggregate (the
"Limit"). In the event that MAF receives or is entitled to receive consideration
and/or payments described in (a) and (b) above in excess of the Limit, such
excess amount shall be deemed to be held in constructive trust by MAF for the
benefit of Bancorp and shall be immediately paid by MAF to Bancorp at the time
and in the form such amount is received by MAF. Each certificate evidencing
Option Shares issued to MAF upon exercise of the Option shall bear a legend in
form


                                  Page 78 of 92


<PAGE>


and substance acceptable to Bancorp to the effect that such shares are subject
to the foregoing restrictions. The foregoing restrictions with respect to the
Limit shall expire and be of no further force and effect on the day after the
second anniversary of the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as defined below).

         2. EXERCISE OF OPTION.

                  (a) The Option may be exercised in whole or in part prior to
         the termination of this Agreement and after the occurrence of a
         Triggering Event, as defined in Section 4 hereof. In the event that MAF
         desires to exercise the Option at any time, MAF shall notify Bancorp as
         to the number of shares of Common Stock it wishes to purchase and a
         place and date, not less than 2 business days nor more than 10 business
         days after the date such notice is given (the "Closing Date"), for the
         closing of such purchase; provided, however, that notwithstanding the
         establishment of such Closing Date, the consummation of the exercise of
         the Option may take place only after all regulatory or supervisory
         agency approvals required by any applicable law, rule or regulation
         shall have been obtained and each such approval shall have become
         final. Bancorp shall fully cooperate with MAF in the filing of the
         required notice or application for approval and the obtaining of any
         such approval.

                  (b) On the Closing Date, MAF shall (i) pay to Bancorp, in
         immediately available funds by wire transfer to a bank account
         designated by Bancorp, an amount equal to the Purchase Price multiplied
         by the number of Option Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date, and
         (ii) present and surrender this Agreement to Bancorp at the address of
         Bancorp specified in Section 11(f) hereof.

                  (c) On the Closing Date, simultaneously with the delivery of
         immediately available funds and surrender of this Agreement as provided
         in Section 2(b) above, (i) Bancorp shall deliver to MAF a certificate
         or certificates representing the Option Shares to be purchased at such
         Closing, which Option Shares shall be free and clear of all liens,
         claims, charges and encumbrances of any kind whatsoever, and, if the
         Option is exercised in part only, an executed agreement with the same
         terms as this Agreement evidencing the right to purchase the balance of
         the Option Shares hereunder, and (ii) MAF shall deliver to Bancorp a
         letter agreeing that MAF shall not offer to sell or otherwise dispose
         of the Option Shares in violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

                  (d) Certificates for the Option Shares delivered at each
         Closing shall be endorsed with a restrictive legend which shall read
         substantially as follows:

         THE TRANSFER OF THE STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO
         RESTRICTIONS ARISING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
         STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF AN OPTION AGREEMENT
         DATED AS OF AUGUST 17, 1998. A COPY OF SUCH OPTION AGREEMENT WILL BE
         PROVIDED TO THE HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE UPON RECEIPT BY WESTCO
         BANCORP, INC. OF A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR.


                                        2


                                  Page 79 of 92


<PAGE>


         The above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute
         certificate(s) without the legend if MAF shall deliver to Bancorp a
         copy of a letter from the staff of the Securities and Exchange
         Commission, or an opinion of counsel in form and substance reasonably
         satisfactory to Bancorp and its counsel, to the effect that the legend
         is not required for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
         (the "1933 Act").

                  (e) Upon the giving of written notice of exercise by MAF to
         Bancorp and the tender of the applicable purchase price in immediately
         available funds, MAF shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the
         shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise, notwithstanding
         that the stock transfer books of Bancorp shall then be closed or that
         certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall not then be
         actually delivered to MAF. Bancorp shall pay all expenses, and any and
         all federal, state and local taxes and other charges that may be
         payable in connection with the preparation, issue and delivery of stock
         certificates under this Section 2 in the name of MAF or its assignee,
         transferee or designee.

         3. TERMINATION OF OPTION. The Option shall terminate and be of no
further force and effect upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the Effective Time
(as defined in the Merger Agreement), (ii) twenty-four (24) months after the
occurrence of a Triggering Event (as defined below), (iii) valid termination of
the Merger Agreement by Bancorp pursuant to Section 7.1(d) of the Merger
Agreement, (iv) termination of the Merger Agreement by MAF pursuant to Section
7.1(g) of the Merger Agreement, (v) termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant
to Section 7.1(a) of the Merger Agreement, or (vi) twelve (12) months after the
termination of the Merger Agreement for any other reason.

         4. CONDITIONS TO EXERCISE. MAF may exercise the Option, in whole or in
part, at any time prior to its termination following the occurrence of a
Triggering Event. The term "Triggering Event" shall mean the occurrence of any
of the following events:

                  (a) if the Board of Directors of Bancorp shall withdraw its
         support of the Merger by resolution or by authorization of specific
         action inconsistent with consummation of the Merger, or if it fails to
         recommend approval of the Merger;

                  (b) a Person (as defined by Section 13(d)(3)(e) of the 1933
         Act), other than MAF or an affiliate of MAF:

                           (i) acquires beneficial ownership (as such term is
                  defined in Rule 13d-3 as promulgated under the Securities and
                  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) of ten
                  percent (10%) or more of the then outstanding Common Stock of
                  Bancorp or securities representing, or the right or option to
                  acquire beneficial ownership of, or to vote securities
                  representing, ten percent (10%) or more of the then
                  outstanding Common Stock of Bancorp, and after the occurrence
                  of such acquisition the Board of Directors of Bancorp (A)
                  recommends such acquisition to its stockholders for
                  acceptance, (B) fails to undertake such acts as MAF reasonably
                  requests to oppose such acquisition (provided that in so doing
                  Bancorp does not incur significant legal expense), or (C)
                  fails to recommend or withdraws its approval of the Merger
                  Agreement to the stockholders of Bancorp;


                                        3


                                  Page 80 of 92


<PAGE>


                           (ii) enters into an agreement with Bancorp pursuant
                  to which such Person or any affiliate of such Person would (A)
                  merge or consolidate, or enter into any similar transaction,
                  with Bancorp or (B) acquire all or substantially all of the
                  assets of Bancorp; or

                           (iii) makes a bona fide proposal (a "Proposal") for
                  any merger, consolidation or acquisition of all or
                  substantially all the assets of Bancorp or other business
                  combination involving Bancorp, and thereafter, but before such
                  Proposal has been Publicly Withdrawn (defined below), Bancorp
                  willfully commits any material breach of any covenant of the
                  Merger Agreement and such breach (A) would entitle MAF to
                  terminate the Merger Agreement without regard to the cure
                  periods provided for therein, (B) is not cured and (C) would
                  materially interfere with Bancorp's ability to consummate the
                  Merger or materially reduce the value of the transaction to
                  MAF.

The phrase "Publicly Withdrawn" for purposes of clause (iii) above shall mean an
unconditional bona fide withdrawal of the Proposal or a formal rejection of such
Proposal by Bancorp in writing. Bancorp shall notify MAF promptly in writing of
the occurrence of any of the events set forth in paragraphs (b)(i), (ii), or
(iii) above, it being understood that the giving of such notice by Bancorp shall
not be a condition to the right of MAF to transfer or exercise the Option.

         5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BANCORP. Bancorp hereby represents
and warrants to MAF as follows:

                  (a) Bancorp has all requisite corporate power and authority to
         enter into this Agreement and, subject to any approvals referred to
         herein (including, without limitation, the approval of OTS, if
         necessary), to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
         execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all
         necessary corporate action on the part of Bancorp. This Agreement has
         been duly executed and delivered by Bancorp.

                  (b) Bancorp has taken all necessary corporate and other action
         to authorize and reserve and to permit it to issue, and, at all times
         from the date hereof until the obligation to deliver the Option Shares
         upon the exercise of the Option terminates, will have reserved for
         issuance, upon exercise of the Option, shares of Common Stock necessary
         for MAF to exercise the Option, and Bancorp will take all necessary
         corporate action to authorize and reserve for issuance all additional
         shares of Common Stock or other securities which may be issued upon
         exercise of the Option. The Option Shares, including all additional
         shares of Bancorp Common Stock or other securities which may be
         issuable pursuant to Section 7 hereof, upon issuance pursuant hereto
         and payment therefor, shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
         nonassessable, and shall be delivered free and clear of all liens,
         claims, charges and encumbrances of any kind or nature whatsoever,
         including any preemptive rights of any stockholder of Bancorp.

                  (c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
         does not or will not, and the consummation by Bancorp of any of the
         transactions contemplated hereby 


                                        4


                                  Page 81 of 92


<PAGE>


         will not, constitute or result in (i) a breach or violation of, or a
         default under, its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or the
         comparable governing instruments of any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) a
         breach or violation of, or a default under, any agreement, lease,
         contract, note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation of
         it or any of its subsidiaries (with or without the giving of notice,
         the lapse of time or both) or under any law, rule, ordinance or
         regulation or judgment, decree, order, award or governmental or
         nongovernmental permit or license to which it or any of its
         subsidiaries is subject, that would, in any case referred to in this
         clause (ii), give any other person the ability to prevent or enjoin
         Bancorp's performance under this Agreement.

                  (d) Bancorp agrees: (i) that it shall at all times maintain,
         free from preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued or
         treasury shares of Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised
         without additional authorization of Common Stock after giving effect to
         all other options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights to
         purchase Common Stock; (ii) that it will not, by charter amendment or
         through reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of
         assets, or by any other voluntary act, avoid or seek to avoid the
         observance or performance of any of the covenants, stipulations or
         conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by Bancorp except
         pursuant to the Merger; (iii) promptly to take all action as may from
         time to time be required (including (x) complying with all premerger
         notification, reporting and waiting period requirements specified in 15
         U.S.C. Section 18a and regulations promulgated thereunder and (y) in
         the event, under the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended, or the Change
         in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, or any state banking law,
         prior approval of or notice to the OTS or to any federal or state
         regulatory authority is necessary before the Option may be exercised,
         cooperating fully with MAF in preparing such applications or notices
         and providing such information to the OTS or such federal or state
         regulatory authority as it may require) in order to permit MAF to
         exercise the Option and Bancorp duly and effectively to issue shares of
         Common Stock pursuant hereto; and (iv) promptly to take all action
         provided herein to protect the rights of MAF against dilution on or
         prior to the Closing Date.

         6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MAF. MAF hereby represents and
warrants to Bancorp that:

                  (a) MAF has all requisite corporate power and authority to
         enter into this Agreement and, subject to any approvals or consents
         referred to herein, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
         This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by MAF.

                  (b) The Option is not being, and any Option Shares or other
         securities acquired by MAF upon exercise of the Option will not be,
         acquired with a view to the public distribution thereof and will not be
         transferred or otherwise disposed of except in a transaction registered
         or exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, as amended.


                                        5


                                  Page 82 of 92


<PAGE>


         7. ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION; REPURCHASE OF OPTION.

                  (a) In the event of any change in Bancorp Common Stock by
         reason of a stock dividend, stock split, split-up, recapitalization,
         combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction, the type and
         number of shares or securities subject to the Option, and the Purchase
         Price therefor, shall be adjusted appropriately, and proper provision
         shall be made in the agreements governing such transaction so that MAF
         shall receive, upon exercise of the Option, the number and class of
         shares or other securities or property that MAF would have received in
         respect of Bancorp Common Stock if the Option had been exercised
         immediately prior to such event, or the record date therefor, as
         applicable. If any additional shares of Bancorp Common Stock are issued
         after the date of this Agreement (other than pursuant to an event
         described in the first sentence of this Section 7(a)), the number of
         shares of Bancorp Common Stock subject to the Option shall be adjusted
         so that, after such issuance, it, together with any shares of Bancorp
         Common Stock previously issued pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the
         number of shares of Bancorp Common Stock then issued and outstanding,
         after giving effect to any shares subject to or issued pursuant to the
         Option.

                  (b) If a Triggering Event described in Section 4(b) shall
         occur and the transaction that is the subject of such Triggering Event
         is consummated, or if any Person other than MAF or an Affiliate of MAF
         acquires beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then outstanding
         shares of Bancorp Common Stock, Bancorp, if requested by MAF, shall pay
         to MAF, in lieu of delivery of the Option Shares, an amount in cash
         equal to the Spread multiplied by the total number of Option Shares for
         which the Option is exercisable (such aggregate amount is referred to
         as the "Repurchase Consideration"). As used herein, "Spread" shall mean
         the excess, if any, over the Purchase Price (as defined in Section 1)
         of the higher of (i) highest closing price per share of Bancorp Common
         Stock as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market ("NASDAQ") within six
         months immediately preceding the date that MAF requests cash in lieu of
         shares pursuant to this Section (the "Request Date"), (ii) the price
         per share of Common Stock at which a tender offer or an exchange offer
         therefor has been made, (iii) the price per share of Common Stock to be
         paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement with Bancorp, or (iv)
         in the event of a sale of all or a substantial portion of Bancorp's
         assets the sum of the price paid in such sale for such assets and the
         current market value of the remaining assets of Bancorp determined by a
         nationally recognized investment banking firm mutually selected by MAF,
         on the one hand, and Bancorp, on the other, divided by the number of
         shares of Common Stock of Bancorp outstanding at the time of such sale.
         In determining the Repurchase Consideration, the value of consideration
         other than cash shall be determined by a nationally recognized
         investment banking firm mutually selected by MAF, on the one hand, and
         Bancorp on the other.

                  (c) Upon exercise of its right to receive cash pursuant to
         this Section, any and all obligations of MAF to make payment pursuant
         to Section 2(b) and all obligations of Bancorp to deliver a certificate
         or certificates representing shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section
         2(b) shall be terminated. If MAF exercises its rights under this
         Section 7, Bancorp shall, within 10 business days after the Request
         Date, pay the Repurchase Consideration to MAF in immediately available
         funds, and MAF shall 

                                        6


                                  Page 83 of 92


<PAGE>


         surrender to Bancorp the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the
         extent that prior notification to or approval of the OTS or other
         regulatory authority is required in connection with the payment of all
         or any portion of the Repurchase Consideration, MAF shall have the
         ongoing option to revoke its request for repurchase pursuant to Section
         7(b) or to require that Bancorp deliver from time to time that portion
         of the Repurchase Consideration that it is not then so prohibited from
         paying and promptly file the required notice or application for
         approval and expeditiously process the same (and Bancorp shall
         cooperate with MAF in the filing of any such notice or application and
         the obtaining of any such approval). If the OTS or any other regulatory
         authority disapproves of any part of Bancorp's proposed repurchase
         pursuant to Section 7(b), Bancorp shall promptly give notice of such
         fact to MAF and MAF shall have the right to exercise the Option as to
         the number of Option Shares for which the Option was exercisable at the
         Request Date.

         8. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

                  (a) Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event Bancorp shall,
         at the request of MAF delivered at the time of and together with a
         written notice of exercise in accordance with Section 2 hereof and
         promptly prepare, file and keep current a registration statement under
         the 1933 Act covering any shares issued or issuable pursuant to this
         Option and shall use its best efforts to cause such registration
         statement to become effective and to remain effective for up to 180
         days from the day such registration statement first becomes effective
         or such shorter time as may be reasonably necessary in order to permit
         the sale or other disposition of any shares of Bancorp Common Stock
         issued upon total or partial exercise of this Option in accordance with
         any plan of disposition requested by MAF. MAF will provide such
         information as may be necessary for Bancorp's preparation of such a
         registration statement, and any such information will not contain any
         statement which, at the time and in light of the circumstances under
         which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material
         fact nor will such information omit to state any material facts with
         respect to MAF or its intended plan of disposition of Option Shares.
         The foregoing notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by MAF
         for registration of Option Shares as provided above, Bancorp is in
         registration with respect to an underwritten public offering of shares
         of Common Stock, and if in the good faith reasonable judgment of the
         managing underwriter or managing underwriters, or, if none, the sole
         underwriter or underwriters, of such offering the inclusion of MAF's
         Option or Option Shares would interfere with the successful marketing
         of the shares of Common Stock offered by Bancorp, the number of Option
         Shares otherwise to be covered in the registration statement
         contemplated hereby may be reduced ("Underwriter Reduction"); provided,
         however, that after any such required reduction, the number of Option
         Shares to be included in such offering for the account of MAF shall
         constitute at least 50% of the total number of shares to be sold by MAF
         and Bancorp in the aggregate; provided, further, however, that if such
         reduction occurs, then Bancorp shall file a registration statement for
         the balance as promptly as practical and no reduction shall thereafter
         occur. If requested by MAF in connection with such registration,
         Bancorp shall become a party to any underwriting agreement relating to
         the sale of such shares, but only to the extent of obligating itself in
         respect of representations, warranties, indemnities and other
         agreements customarily included in such underwriting agreements for
         Bancorp.


                                        7


                                  Page 84 of 92


<PAGE>


                  (b) If after the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Bancorp
         effects a registration under the 1933 Act of Bancorp Common Stock for
         its own account or for any other stockholders of Bancorp (other than on
         Form S-4 or Form S-8, or any successor forms or any form with respect
         to a dividend reinvestment or similar plan), it shall allow MAF the
         right to participate in such registration, and such participation shall
         not affect the obligation of Bancorp to effect a registration statement
         for MAF under Section 8(a) above; provided, however, that if the
         circumstances give rise to an Underwriter Reduction as provided in 8(a)
         above then the procedure set forth in Section 8(a) governing the number
         of Option Shares to be included in such registration shall apply.

                  (c) In connection with any registration pursuant to this
         Section 8, Bancorp and MAF shall provide each other and any underwriter
         of the offering with customary representations, warranties, covenants,
         indemnification and contribution in connection with such registration.
         Any registration statement prepared and filed under this Section 8 and
         any sale covered thereby shall be at Bancorp's expense except for
         underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers' fees, taxes and the
         fees and disbursements of MAF's counsel related thereto.

         9. SUBSTITUTE OPTION.

                  (a) In the event that prior to the termination of the Option,
         Bancorp shall enter into an agreement (i) to consolidate with or merge
         into any person, other than MAF or one of its subsidiaries, and shall
         not be the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or
         merger, (ii) to permit any person, other than MAF or one of its
         subsidiaries, to merge into Bancorp and Bancorp shall be the continuing
         or surviving corporation, but, in connection with such merger, the then
         outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged
         for stock or other securities of any other person or cash or any other
         property or the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall after
         such merger represent less than 50% of the outstanding shares and share
         equivalents of the merged company, or (iii) to sell or otherwise
         transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any person, other
         than MAF or one of its subsidiaries, then, and in each such case, the
         agreement governing such transaction shall make proper provision so
         that the Option shall, upon the consummation of any such transaction
         and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, be converted into,
         or exchanged for, an option (the "Substitute Option"), at the election
         of MAF, of either (x) the Acquiring Corporation (as hereinafter
         defined) or (y) any person that controls the Acquiring Corporation.

                  (b) The following terms have the meanings indicated:

                           (1) "Acquiring Corporation" shall mean (i) the
                  continuing or surviving corporation of a consolidation or
                  merger with Bancorp (if other than Bancorp), (ii) Bancorp in a
                  merger in which Bancorp is the continuing or surviving person,
                  and (iii) the transferee of all or substantially all of
                  Bancorp's assets.

                           (2) "Substitute Common Stock" shall mean the shares
                  of capital stock (or similar equity interest) with the
                  greatest voting power in respect of the election

                                        8


                                  Page 85 of 92


<PAGE>


                  of directors (or other persons similarly responsible for
                  direction of the business and affairs) of the issuer of the
                  Substitute Option.

                           (3) "Assigned Value" shall mean the highest of (i)
                  the price per share of common stock at which a tender offer or
                  exchange offer therefor has been made, (ii) the price per
                  share of common stock to be paid by any third party pursuant
                  to an agreement with Bancorp, or (iii) in the event of a sale
                  of all or substantially all of Bancorp's assets, the sum of
                  the price paid in such sale for such assets and the current
                  market value of the remaining assets of Bancorp as determined
                  by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by
                  MAF divided by the number of shares of Common Stock of Bancorp
                  outstanding at the time of such sale. In determining the
                  market/offer price, the value of consideration other than cash
                  shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment
                  banking firm selected by MAF.

                           (4) "Average Price" shall mean the average closing
                  price of a share of the Substitute Common Stock for the six
                  months immediately preceding the consolidation, merger or sale
                  in question, but in no event higher than the closing price of
                  the shares of Substitute Common Stock on the day preceding
                  such consolidation, merger or sale; provided, however, that if
                  Bancorp is the issuer of the Substitute Option, the Average
                  Price shall be computed with respect to a share of common
                  stock issued by the person merging into Bancorp or by any
                  company which controls or is controlled by such person, as MAF
                  may elect.

                  (c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms and
         conditions as the Option, provided, that if any term or condition of
         the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons, be the same as the
         Option, such term or condition shall be as similar as possible and in
         no event less advantageous to MAF. The issuer of the Substitute Option
         shall also enter into an agreement with MAF in substantially the same
         form as this Agreement, which shall be applicable to the Substitute
         Option.

                  (d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number
         of shares of Substitute Common Stock as is equal to (i) the product of
         (A) the Assigned Value and (B) the number of shares of Common Stock for
         which the Option is then exercisable, divided by (ii) the Average
         Price. The exercise price of the Substitute Option per share of
         Substitute Common Stock shall then be equal to the Option Price
         multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of
         shares of Common Stock for which the Option is then exercisable and the
         denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common
         Stock for which the Substitute Option is exercisable.

                  (e) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs,
         shall the Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the
         shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the
         Substitute Option.

                  (f) Bancorp shall not enter into any transaction described in
         subsection (a) of this Section 9 unless the Acquiring Corporation and
         any person that controls the Acquiring Corporation assume in writing
         all the obligations of Bancorp hereunder.


                                        9


                                  Page 86 of 92


<PAGE>


         10. LISTING. If Bancorp Common Stock to be acquired upon exercise of
the Option is then authorized for listing on the NASDAQ or on any other national
securities exchange or automated quotation system, Bancorp will promptly file an
application to authorize for listing the shares of Bancorp Common Stock to be
acquired upon exercise of the Option on the NASDAQ or such other securities
exchange or quotation system and will use its best efforts to obtain approval of
such listing as soon as practicable.

         11. MISCELLANEOUS.

                  (a) Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8, each
         of the parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses
         incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions
         contemplated hereunder, including fees and expenses of its own
         financial consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel.

                  (b) Waiver and Amendment. Any provision of this Agreement may
         be waived at any time by the party that is entitled to the benefits of
         such provision. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or
         supplemented except upon the execution and delivery of a written
         agreement executed by the parties hereto.

                  (c) Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiary;
         Severability. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and
         supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and
         oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
         is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto
         any rights or remedies hereunder. If any term, provision, covenant or
         restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent
         jurisdiction or a federal or state regulatory agency to be invalid,
         void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
         covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force
         and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. If
         for any reason such court or regulatory agency determines that the
         Option does not permit MAF to acquire, or does not require Bancorp to
         repurchase, the full number of shares of Bancorp Common Stock as
         provided herein, it is the express intention of Bancorp to allow MAF to
         acquire or to require Bancorp to repurchase such lesser number of
         shares as may be permissible without any amendment or modification
         hereof.

                  (d) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and
         construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without
         regard to any applicable conflicts of law rules.

                  (e) Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings contained
         herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in
         any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

                  (f) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
         shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally,
         telecopied (with confirmation) or mailed by registered or certified
         mail (return receipt requested) to the parties at the following
         addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified
         by like notice):


                                       10


                                  Page 87 of 92


<PAGE>


         If to MAF, addressed to:

                  MAF Bancorp, Inc.
                  55th & Holmes
                  Clarendon Hills, Illinois 60514
                  Telecopy: (630) 325-0407
                  Attention: Mr. Allen H. Koranda

         with a copy to:

                  Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz
                  222 North LaSalle Street
                  Chicago, Illinois 60601-1003
                  Telecopy:  (312) 609-5005
                  Attention:  Jennifer R. Evans, Esq.
                              Daniel C. McKay II, Esq.

         If to Bancorp, addressed to:

                  Westco Bancorp, Inc.
                  2121 South Mannheim Road
                  Westchester, Illinois  60154
                  Telecopy:  (708) 865-1135
                  Attention:  David C. Burba, President

         with a copy to:

                  Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette
                  5101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
                  Washington, D.C.  20016
                  Attention:  Lori M. Beresford, Esq.
                  Telephone Number:  (202) 362-0840
                  Facsimile Number:  (202) 966-9409

         or to such other place and with such other copies as either party may
         designate as to itself by written notice to the others.

                  (g) Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments hereto may
         be executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be considered one
         and the same agreement and shall become effective when both
         counterparts have been signed, it being understood that both parties
         need not sign the same counterpart.

                  (h) Assignment. TRANSFER OF THIS AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO
         CERTAIN PROVISIONS CONTAINED HEREIN AND TO RESALE RESTRICTIONS UNDER
         THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. Neither this Agreement nor any
         of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder or under the Option
         may be 

                                       11


                                  Page 88 of 92


<PAGE>


         assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of law or
         otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party, except
         that MAF may assign this Agreement to a wholly owned subsidiary of MAF.
         This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be
         enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and
         permitted assigns.

                  (i) Further Assurances. In the event of any exercise of the
         Option by MAF, Bancorp and MAF shall execute and deliver all other
         documents and instruments and take all other action that may be
         reasonably necessary in order to consummate the transactions provided
         for by such exercise.

                  (j) Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that this
         Agreement may be enforced by either party through specific performance,
         injunctive relief and other equitable relief. Both parties further
         agree to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond
         in connection with the obtaining of any such equitable relief and that
         this provision is without prejudice to any other rights that the
         parties hereto may have for any failure to perform this Agreement.


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Bancorp and MAF have caused this Option Agreement
to be signed by their respective officers, all as of the day and year first
written above.


                                       MAF Bancorp, Inc.

                                       By:       /s/ ALLEN H. KORANDA
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Its: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
/s/       CAROLYN PIHERA
- ----------------------------------
            Secretary

                                       Westco Bancorp, Inc.

                                       By:       /s/ DAVID C. BURBA
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Its: President

/s/       MARY S. SUFFI
- ----------------------------------
            Secretary


                                        12


                                  Page 89 of 92





                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------

FOR:        MAF Bancorp, Inc.                   Westco Bancorp, Inc.
            55th Street & Holmes Avenue         2121 S. Mannheim Road
            Clarendon Hills, IL 60514           Westchester, IL 60154

CONTACTS:   Allen H. Koranda, Chairman          David C. Burba, Chairman
              and Chief Executive Officer         and President

            Jerry A. Weberling, EVP and         Richard A. Brechlin, EVP and
              Chief Financial Officer             Treasurer
            (630) 887-5999                      (708) 865-1100

            Michael  Janssen, SVP
            (630) 986-7544



                MAF BANCORP, INC. TO ACQUIRE WESTCO BANCORP, INC.


Clarendon Hills, Illinois, August 17, 1998 - MAF Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAFB),
has agreed to acquire Westco Bancorp, Inc. in an all-stock transaction valued at
$84.3 million. In a joint release today, Allen Koranda, Chairman of the Board of
MAF Bancorp, Inc. and David Burba, Chairman of the Board of Westco Bancorp, Inc.
announced that their respective boards of directors have approved a definitive
agreement under which Westco will merge with MAF. The merger agreement provides
for a fixed exchange ratio pursuant to which each share of Westco common stock
will be exchanged for 1.395 shares of MAF common stock. Based on the closing
price of MAF common stock of $22.125 on August 14, 1998, the transaction has a
current value of $30.86 per Westco share.

Concurrent with the execution of the definitive agreement, Westco has granted
MAF an option to purchase an amount of shares equal to 19.9% of its outstanding
common stock, giving effect to the option, which option is exercisable in
certain circumstances. The transaction will be accounted for as a pooling of
interests for financial accounting purposes and treated as a tax-free
reorganization. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and the
approval of Westco shareholders, is currently expected to close in December 1998
or January 1999. In connection with the merger, Westco's bank subsidiary, First
Federal Savings and Loan Association of Westchester, will be merged with Mid
America Bank, a subsidiary of MAF.


                                  Page 90 of 92


<PAGE>


Allen Koranda, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MAF Bancorp, said, "This
is an excellent in-market acquisition for MAF. It allows us to enhance our
market share in western Cook County with a transaction that is consistent with
our financial goals. With combined deposits of $365 million in the
Westchester-LaGrange Park area, we will be the market share leader. It also
improves our overall strong market share position in western Cook and DuPage
Counties."

David Burba, Chairman of Westco, said, "We are excited about the opportunity to
partner with MAF, a strong community-oriented bank which has a proven track
record of delivering superior returns to shareholders. We believe the
transaction will benefit customers through the offering of additional products
and services, while providing employees with the opportunity to join a growing
organization. Shareholders of Westco have enjoyed an excellent return on their
investment over the past six years. As new investors in MAF, we believe they
will continue to benefit from a company that is committed to enhancing
shareholder value." Burba will join MAF as a director and serve as an executive
vice president of MAF following the acquisition.

MAF expects to achieve significant cost savings following the integration of the
two companies' respective operations. The data processing conversion is expected
to be completed by mid-February 1999. Revenue enhancement opportunities were
identified in the areas of deposit account and brokerage services fee income,
redeployment of excess liquidity, deposit base repricing and moderate leveraging
of the increased capital base. MAF expects the transaction to result in only
nominal dilution to 1999 earnings per share and to be accretive to earnings per
share thereafter. Additionally, the transaction is expected to be accretive to
tangible book value per share, taking into account various merger-related
expenses which are currently estimated at approximately $5.0 million, on an
after-tax basis. This merger charge will be recorded in the quarter in which the
transaction closes.

MAF and Westco also announced today that each company's board of directors has
rescinded its previously announced stock repurchase program.

As of June 30, 1998, Westco Bancorp, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary,
First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Westchester, had approximately
$320 million in assets, $260 million in deposits and $50 million in
stockholders' equity. Westco operates one office and a drive-up facility in
Westchester, IL. The common stock of Westco Bancorp, Inc. is traded on the
Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol WCBI.

MAF is the parent company of Mid America Bank, a federally chartered stock
savings bank headquartered in Clarendon Hills, IL. At June 30, 1998 the company
had assets of $3.6 billion, deposits of $2.4 billion and stockholders' equity of
$280 million. The Bank operates a network of 23 retail banking offices primarily
in Chicago and its western suburbs. The Company's common stock trades on the
Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol MAFB.


                                  Page 91 of 92


<PAGE>


                           Forward-Looking Information
                           ---------------------------

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may
constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) which involve significant risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed
in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference
include, but are not limited to: (1) inability to realize cost savings from the
merger to the full extent expected or within the expected time frame; (2) lower
than expected revenues following the merger; (3) significant increases in
competitive pressures among depository institutions; (4) higher than expected
costs or difficulties related to the integration of the business of Westco; (5)
changes in the interest rate environment that result in reduced interest rate
margins; (6) deterioration of general economic conditions, either nationally or
in the Company's market area; and (7) adoption of legislation or regulatory
changes that adversely affect the business of the combined company.


                                  Page 92 of 92



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