PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP INC
S-1/A, 1997-06-04
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4, 1997
                                                  Registration Nos. 333-27943-01
                                                                    333-27943
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

   
                          PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. ^2
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                        --------------------------------
    

                               PFBI CAPITAL TRUST
                         PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
           ----------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact Name of Registrants as Specified in their Charters)


   
           Delaware                                             Requested
           Kentucky                      ^6022                  61-1206757
- ------------------------------  --------------------------- --------------------
(States or Other Jurisdictions  (Primary Standard Industry   (I.R.S. Employer
       of Incorporation         Classification Code Number) Identification Nos.)
       or Organization)
    

               120 N. Hamilton Street, Georgetown, Kentucky 40324
                                 (502) 863-7500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
                  of Registrants' Principal Executive Offices)

                               Mr. J. Howell Kelly
                      President and Chief Executive Officer
                         Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.
               120 N. Hamilton Street, Georgetown, Kentucky 40324
                                 (502) 863-7500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
                   Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

                  Please send copies of all communications to:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                     <C>                      <C>
John J. Spidi, Esq.                     David W. Harper, Esq.    Steven L. Kaplan, Esq.
MALIZIA, SPIDI, SLOANE & FISCH, P.C.    2450 Meidinger Tower     ARNOLD & PORTER
1301 K Street, N.W., Suite 700 East     Louisville, KY 40202     555 Twelfth Street,
Washington, D.C.  20005                                          Washington, D.C. 20004
</TABLE>

                  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED
                SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after
                 this registration statement becomes effective.

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

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

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

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

         The prospectus contained in this Registration Statement will be used in
connection with the offering of the following  securities:  (1)______% Preferred
Securities of PFBI Capital Trust;  (2)______% Junior Subordinated  Debentures of
Premier  Financial  Bancorp,  Inc.;  and (3) a  Guarantee  of Premier  Financial
Bancorp, Inc. of certain obligations under the Preferred Securities.


<PAGE>



                 PART II: INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13.          Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

*        Registration Fees................................          $  8,700
*        Legal Services...................................           150,000
*        Printing and Engraving...........................            25,000
*        Nasdaq Listing Fees..............................            10,600
*        Accounting Fees..................................            15,000
*        Trustee Fees and Expenses........................            20,000
*        Blue Sky Fees and Expenses.......................             5,000
*        Miscellaneous....................................             5,700
                                                                     -------
*        TOTAL............................................          $240,000
                                                                     =======


Item 16.          Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules:

                  The financial  statements  and exhibits  filed as part of this
                  Registration Statement are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>              <C>       <C> 
   
                   (a)     List of Exhibits:

                  1.1      Form of Underwriting Agreement.^
                  3.1      Articles of Incorporation of Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company")
                           (included as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on
                           Form S-1, Registration No. 333-1702, as amended, filed with the Securities and
                           Exchange Commission and incorporated herein by reference).
                  3.2      Bylaws of Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc. (included as Exhibit 3.2 to the
                           Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-1702, filed
                           on February 28, 1996, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
                           incorporated herein by reference).
                  4.1      Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture.*
                  4.2      Form of Junior Subordinated Debenture Certificate.*
                  4.3      Form of Trust Agreement.*
                  4.4      Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement.*
                  4.5      Form of Preferred Security.*
                  4.6      Form of Guarantee.*
                  5.1      Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger.^
                  5.2      Opinion of Malizia, Spidi, Sloane, & Fisch, P.C.^*
                  8.1      Tax Opinion of Malizia, Spidi, Sloane, & Fisch, P.C.^*
                  10.1     Amended and Restated Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of
                           September  29, 1994,  between  First  Guaranty  Bank,
                           Hammon,  Louisiana,  and  the  Company  (included  as
                           Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's  Registration Statement
                           on Form  S-1,  Registration  No.  333-1702,  filed on
                           February 28, 1996,  with the  Securities and Exchange
                           Commission and incorporated herein by reference).
                  10.2     Employment Agreement dated March 16, 1992, between Georgetown Bank &
                           Trust Company and Gardner E. Daniel (included as Exhibit 10.4 to the
                           Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-1702, filed
    
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>              <C>       <C> 
   
                           on  February  28,  1996,   with  the  Securities  and
                           Exchange   Commission  and  incorporated   herein  by
                           reference).
                 10.3      Deferred  Compensation  Agreement  dated December 17,
                           1992,  between  Georgetown  Bank & Trust  Company and
                           Gardner E. Daniel  (included  as Exhibit  10.5 to the
                           Company's   Registration   Statement   on  Form  S-1,
                           Registration  No.  333-1702,  filed on  February  28,
                           1996, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
                           incorporated herein by reference).
                 10.4      Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc. 1996 Employee Stock Ownership Incentive Plan
                           (included as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1,
                           Registration No. 333-1702, filed on February 28, 1996, with the Securities and
                           Exchange Commission and incorporated herein by reference).
                ^10.5      Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 28, 1997, by
                           and between the registrant and the Sabina Bank.
                 23.1      Consent of Eskew & Gresham, P.S.C.*
                 23.2      Consent of McNeal, Williamson & Co.*
                 23.3      Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (included in Exhibit 5.1).
                 23.4      Consent of Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.2).
                 25.1      Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of
                           Bankers Trust Company, as trustee under the Junior Subordinated Indenture, the
                           Amended and Restated Trust Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement relating
                           to PFBI Capital Trust.^

                  (b)      Financial Statements Schedules**
    
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*        Previously filed.
**       All schedules  are omitted  because they are not required or applicable
         or the required information is shown in the financial statements or the
         notes thereto.

   
    


<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


   
         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant has duly caused this  registration  statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized, in Georgetown,  Kentucky,
as of June ^4, 1997.
    

                                  PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.



                                  By:      /s/ J. Howell Kelly
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           J. Howell Kelly
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer
                                           (Duly Authorized Representative)




   
         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this  registration  statement has been signed below by the following  persons in
the capacities indicated as of June ^4, 1997.
    



/s/ J. Howell Kelly                         /s/ Marshall T. Reynolds
- -------------------------------------       ------------------------------------
J. Howell Kelly                             Marshall T. Reynolds
President and Chief Executive Officer       Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive, Financial and
     Accounting Officer)



/s/ Toney K. Adkins                         /s/ E. V. Holder, Jr.
- -------------------------------------       ------------------------------------
Toney K. Adkins                             E. V. Holder, Jr.
Director                                    Secretary and Director



                                            /s/ Wilbur M. Jenkins
- -------------------------------------       ------------------------------------
Gardner E. Daniel                           Wilbur M. Jenkins
Senior Vice President,                      Director
    Assistant Secretary and Director



/s/ Benjamin T. Pugh
- -------------------------------------
Benjamin T. Pugh
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Director


<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE


   
              Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized,  in Georgetown,
Kentucky, as of June ^4, 1997.
    


                              PFBI CAPITAL TRUST

                              By:      PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
                                       as Depositor



                              By:      /s/ J. Howell Kelly
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       J. Howell Kelly
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer





                                   EXHIBIT 1.1
                         Form of Underwriting Agreement


<PAGE>
                                  $25,000,000*

                               PFBI CAPITAL TRUST

                         PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.


                             % Preferred Securities
                 (Liquidation Amount $25 per Preferred Security)


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------


                                                                   June   , 1997

         ADVEST, INC.
         As Representative of the Several
           Underwriters
         One Rockefeller Plaza, 20th Floor
         New York, New York  10020

         Ladies and Gentlemen:

                PFBI Capital Trust (the  "Trust"),  a statutory  business  trust
         organized  under the  Business  Trust Act (the  "Delaware  Act") of the
         State of Delaware (Chapter 38, Title 12, of the Delaware Business Code,
         12 Del. C. Section 3801 et seq.), and Premier Financial Bancorp,  Inc.,
         a Kentucky  corporation (the "Company"),  as depositor of the Trust and
         as guarantor,  hereby  confirms its agreement  with you and the several
         underwriters,  on whose behalf you have been duly  authorized to act as
         their representative (the "Representative"), as follows:

                SECTION 1. Introduction.  The Company agrees, upon the terms and
         conditions set forth in this Underwriting Agreement (this "Agreement"),
         to issue and sell to the several underwriters  identified in Schedule A
         annexed hereto (the  "Underwriters"),  who are acting severally and not
         jointly,  an aggregate  liquidation  amount of  $25,000,000  (the "Firm
         Securities")  of the Trust's %  preferred  securities  (the  "Preferred
         Securities").  The Trust and the Company also propose to issue and sell
         to the Underwriters,  at the Underwriters'  option, up to an additional
         $3,750,000 aggregate

         ----------------------
         * Plus an option to acquire up to an  additional  $3,750,000  aggregate
         liquidation  amount  of  Preferred  Securities  from the Trust to cover
         over-allotments.


<PAGE>










         Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities (the "Option Securities") as
         set forth  herein.  The term  "Preferred  Securities"  as used  herein,
         unless  indicated  otherwise,  shall mean the Firm  Securities  and the
         Option Securities.

                The Preferred  Securities and the Common  Securities (as defined
         herein)  are to be  issued  pursuant  to the  terms of an  Amended  and
         Restated  Trust   Agreement  dated  as  of  June  ,  1997  (the  "Trust
         Agreement"),  among the Company,  as depositor,  and, together with the
         Trust, the "Offerors," and Bankers Trust Company ("Trust  Company"),  a
         New York banking corporation,  as property trustee ("Property Trustee")
         and Bankers Trust  (Delaware)  ("Trust  Delaware"),  a Delaware banking
         corporation,  as Delaware trustee ("Delaware  Trustee") and the holders
         from time to time of  undivided  interests  in the assets of the Trust.
         The  Preferred  Securities  will  be  guaranteed  by the  Company  on a
         subordinated  basis and subject to certain  limitations with respect to
         distributions  and payments upon  liquidation,  redemption or otherwise
         (the "Guarantee")  pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement dated as of June
         , 1997 (the "Guarantee  Agreement"),  between the Company and the Trust
         Company, as Trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee").  The assets of the Trust
         will consist of % junior subordinated  deferrable interest  debentures,
         due , 2027 (the "Subordinated Debentures") of the Company which will be
         issued under a Junior  Subordinated  Indenture  dated as of June , 1997
         (the  "Indenture"),  between  the  Company  and the Trust  Company,  as
         Trustee (the "Indenture  Trustee").  Under certain  circumstances,  the
         Subordinated  Debentures  will  be  distributable  to  the  holders  of
         undivided  beneficial  interests in the assets of the Trust. The entire
         proceeds  from the sale of the  Preferred  Securities  will be combined
         with the entire  proceeds  from the sale by the Trust to the Company of
         the Trust's common  securities (the "Common  Securities"),  and will be
         used by the Trust to purchase an equivalent  amount of the Subordinated
         Debentures.

                The  Offerors  have  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
         Commission  (the  "Commission")  a  registration  statement on Form S-1
         (Nos. 333- and 333- -01) and a related  preliminary  prospectus for the
         registration  of  the  Preferred  Securities,  the  Guarantee  and  the
         Subordinated  Debentures  under the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended
         (the "Securities  Act"), and the rules and regulations  thereunder (the
         "Securities  Act  Regulations").  The Offerors  have prepared and filed
         such  amendments   thereto,   if  any,  and  such  amended  preliminary
         prospectuses, if any, as may have been required to the date hereof, and
         will  file  such  additional   amendments   thereto  and  such  amended
         prospectuses as may hereafter be required.  The registration  statement
         has been declared effective under the Securities Act by the Commission.
         The  registration  statement as amended at the time it became effective
         (including the prospectus and all information deemed to be a part


                                      - 2 -


<PAGE>










         of the registration  statement at the time it became effective pursuant
         to Rule  430A(b) of the  Securities  Act  Regulations)  is  hereinafter
         called the "Registration  Statement," except that, if the Company files
         a post-effective amendment to such registration statement which becomes
         effective prior to the Closing Date (as defined  below),  "Registration
         Statement"  shall refer to such  registration  statement as so amended.
         Each prospectus included in the registration  statement,  or amendments
         thereof,  before it became  effective  under the Securities Act and any
         prospectus filed with the Commission by the Company with the consent of
         the  Underwriters  pursuant  to  Rule  424(a)  of  the  Securities  Act
         Regulations (including the documents incorporated by reference therein)
         is  hereinafter   called  the   "Preliminary   Prospectus."   The  term
         "Prospectus"  means  the  final  prospectus  (including  the  documents
         incorporated  by reference  therein,  if any),  as first filed with the
         Commission  pursuant  to  paragraph  (1) or (4) of Rule  424(b)  of the
         Securities  Act  Regulations.  The  Commission has not issued any order
         preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus.

                SECTION 2.  Representations and Warranties.  Each of the
         Offerors represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the
         Underwriters as follows:

                     (a) The Company is duly  incorporated  and validly existing
         as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
         Kentucky  with full power and authority  (corporate  and other) to own,
         lease, and operate its properties and conduct its business as described
         in the Prospectus (as defined in Section 2(e) of this  Agreement);  the
         Company is duly registered  under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956,
         as amended;  the Company has no subsidiaries  except those described in
         the  Registration  Statement (each a  "Subsidiary");  the Company owns,
         directly  or  indirectly,   beneficially  and  of  record  all  of  the
         outstanding  capital  stock of each  Subsidiary  free and  clear of any
         claim, lien,  encumbrance or security interest,  except as described in
         the  Prospectus.  The  Company  and  each of its  Subsidiaries  is duly
         qualified  to  do  business  and  is  in  good  standing  as a  foreign
         corporation  in each  jurisdiction  in  which  any of them own or lease
         properties, has an office, or in which the business conducted by any of
         them make such qualification necessary,  except where the failure to so
         qualify  would not have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  condition
         (financial or  otherwise),  business,  prospects,  assets,  properties,
         results of operations, or net worth of the Company and its Subsidiaries
         taken as a whole  ("Material  Adverse  Effect");  and no proceeding has
         been instituted in any jurisdiction  revoking,  limiting or curtailing,
         or seeking to revoke,  limit or curtail,  such power and  authority  or
         qualification.



                                      - 3 -


<PAGE>










                     (b) The  Preferred  Securities  have been duly and  validly
         authorized for issuance and sale to the  Underwriters  pursuant to this
         Agreement and, when executed and  authenticated  in accordance with the
         terms of the Trust Agreement and delivered to the Underwriters  against
         payment of the  consideration  set forth herein,  will constitute valid
         and legally binding  obligations of the Trust enforceable in accordance
         with their  terms and  entitled to the  benefits  provided by the Trust
         Agreement (except as such  enforceability  may be limited by applicable
         bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  receivership,  readjustment of
         debt, moratorium,  fraudulent conveyance or similar laws relating to or
         affecting  creditors'  rights  generally or general  equity  principles
         (whether  considered in a proceeding  in equity or at law)).  The Trust
         Agreement  has been duly  authorized  and,  when executed by the proper
         officers of the Trust and  delivered by the Trust,  will have been duly
         executed and delivered by the Trust and will  constitute  the valid and
         legally binding instrument of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with
         its terms (except as such  enforceability  may be limited by applicable
         bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  receivership,  readjustment of
         debt, moratorium,  fraudulent conveyance or similar laws relating to or
         affecting  creditors'  rights  generally or general  equity  principles
         (whether  considered  in a  proceeding  in  equity  or  at  law)).  The
         Subordinated  Debentures  have been  duly and  validly  authorized  for
         delivery by the Company and, when duly authenticated in accordance with
         the terms of the Indenture  and delivered to the Trust against  payment
         of the  consideration  set  forth  herein,  will  constitute  valid and
         legally  binding  obligations  of the Company  enforceable  against the
         Company in accordance  with their terms (except as such  enforceability
         may be limited by applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,
         receivership,  readjustment of debt, moratorium,  fraudulent conveyance
         or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or
         general equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity
         or at law)) and entitled to the benefits provided by the Indenture. The
         Indenture  has been duly  authorized  and,  when executed by the proper
         officers of the Company and  delivered by the  Company,  will have been
         duly  executed  and  delivered by the Company and will  constitute  the
         valid and legally  binding  instrument of the Company,  enforceable  in
         accordance  with  its  terms,  (except  as such  enforceability  may be
         limited   by   applicable   bankruptcy,   insolvency,   reorganization,
         receivership,  readjustment of debt, moratorium,  fraudulent conveyance
         or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or
         general equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity
         or at law)).  The Trust  Agreement,  the Guarantee  Agreement,  and the
         Indenture have been duly qualified  under the Trust  Indenture Act; and
         the Preferred Securities,  the Common Securities,  the Trust Agreement,
         the Guarantee Agreement,  the Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture
         conform in all



                                       - 4 -


<PAGE>










         material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

                     (c) Neither  the Trust nor the  Company or any  Subsidiary,
         is,  or with the  giving of notice or lapse of time or both will be, in
         violation or breach of, or in default under,  nor will the execution or
         delivery of, or the  performance and  consummation of the  transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement  (including the offer, sale, or delivery
         of the Preferred  Securities),  conflict with, or result in a violation
         or breach of, or  constitute  a default  under,  any  provision  of the
         organization  documents of the Trust or the Articles of  Incorporation,
         Bylaws (as amended or  restated)  of the  Company,  or other  governing
         documents  of the  Trust,  the  Company  or any  Subsidiary,  or of any
         provision of any agreement,  contract,  mortgage, deed of trust, lease,
         loan   agreement,   indenture,   note,   bond,  or  other  evidence  of
         indebtedness,  or other  material  agreement or instrument to which the
         Trust, the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them
         is bound or to which any of their  properties is subject,  nor will the
         performance by the Offerors of their obligations  hereunder violate any
         rule,  regulation,  order,  or decree,  applicable  to the  Trust,  the
         Company  or  any  Subsidiary  of any  court  or  any  regulatory  body,
         administrative  agency, or other governmental body having  jurisdiction
         over  the  Trust,  the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  or  any  of  their
         respective properties, or any order of any court or governmental agency
         or authority  entered in any proceeding to which the Trust, the Company
         or any Subsidiary was or is now a party or by which it is bound, except
         those, if any, described in the Prospectus or which are not material to
         the  Company  and the Trust  taken as a whole.  No  consent,  approval,
         filing, authorization, registration, qualification, or order, including
         with or by any bank regulatory  agency,  is required for the execution,
         delivery,  and performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement,  other than such that have
         been obtained or made,  except for compliance  with the Securities Act,
         the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act"),
         and  the  Blue  Sky  Laws  applicable  to the  public  offering  of the
         Preferred  Securities  by  the  Underwriters,  the  clearance  of  such
         offering and the  underwriting  arrangements  evidenced hereby with the
         National  Association of Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  ("NASD"),  and the
         listing of the Preferred  Securities  on the Nasdaq Stock Market.  This
         Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed  and  delivered  by the
         Company and the Trust and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
         the  Company and the Trust and is  enforceable  against the Company and
         the Trust in accordance with its terms.

                     (d) The Commission  has not issued any order  preventing or
         suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus,  and each Preliminary
         Prospectus complies in all material respects


                                       - 5 -


<PAGE>










         with the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act and the  Securities Act
         Regulations.  As of the effective date of the  Registration  Statement,
         and at all  times  subsequent  thereto  up to the  Closing  Date or any
         Option Closing Date (as defined below), the Registration  Statement and
         the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto, contained or
         will  contain all  material  statements  that are required to be stated
         therein in accordance  with the  Securities  Act and the Securities Act
         Regulations  and conformed or will conform in all material  respects to
         the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  and  the  Securities  Act
         Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus,
         nor any  amendment or supplement  thereto  included or will include any
         untrue  statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a
         material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
         statements  therein  not  misleading;   provided,   however,   that  no
         representation  or warranty is made as to  information  contained in or
         omitted  from  the  Registration  Statement,   the  Prospectus  or  any
         amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written
         information  furnished  to the Company and the Trust by or on behalf of
         the Underwriters.

                     (e) Eskew & Gresham, PSC which has audited,  reviewed,  and
         expressed  its  opinion  with  respect  to  certain  of  the  financial
         statements  and  schedules  filed with the  Commission as a part of the
         Registration  Statement and included or to be included, as the case may
         be, in the  Prospectus  and in the  Registration  Statement,  and whose
         report is included in the Prospectus and the Registration Statement are
         independent  accountants  as  required  by the  Securities  Act and the
         Securities Act Regulations.

                     (f) The financial  statements and schedules and the related
         notes  thereto  included or to be included,  as the case may be, in the
         Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus,  and the Prospectus
         present fairly the financial  position of the entities  purported to be
         shown thereby as of the respective  dates of such financial  statements
         and schedules,  and the results of operations and changes in equity and
         in cash flows of the  entities  purported  to be shown  thereby for the
         respective  periods covered  thereby,  all in conformity with generally
         accepted  accounting  principles  consistently  applied  throughout the
         periods  involved,  except as may be disclosed in the  Prospectus.  All
         adjustments  necessary for a fair  presentation  of the results of such
         periods have been made. The Company had an  outstanding  capitalization
         as set forth under  "Capitalization"  in the  Prospectus as of the date
         indicated  therein and there has been no material  change therein since
         such  date  except  as  disclosed  in the  Prospectus.  The  financial,
         operating,  and  statistical  information  set forth in the  Prospectus
         under captions "Summary," "Selected  Consolidated Financial Data," "Use
         of Proceeds,"  "Capitalization,"  "Management's Discussion and Analysis
         of Financial Condition and


                                       - 6 -


<PAGE>










         Results of Operations,"  "Business of the Company" and "Management" are
         fairly  presented and prepared on a basis  consistent  with the audited
         financial statements of the Company.

                     (g)  There is no  litigation  or  governmental  proceeding,
         action,  or investigation  pending or, to the knowledge of the Trust or
         the  Company,  threatened,  to which  the  Trust,  the  Company  or any
         Subsidiary is or may be a party or to which property owned or leased by
         the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  is or may be  subject,  or related to
         environmental  or  discrimination  matters,  which  is  required  to be
         disclosed  in  the  Registration  Statement  or the  Prospectus  by the
         Securities  Act  or  the  Securities  Act  Regulations  and  is  not so
         disclosed,  or which  questions  the validity of this  Agreement or any
         action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto.

                     (h) Either the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be,
         has  good  and  marketable  title in fee  simple  to all  items of real
         property and good and marketable  title to all the personal  properties
         and assets  reflected  as owned by the Company or a  Subsidiary  in the
         Prospectus (or elsewhere in the Registration  Statement),  in each case
         clear of all liens, mortgages, pledges, charges, or encumbrances of any
         kind or  nature  except  those,  if  any,  reflected  in the  financial
         statements described above (or elsewhere in the Registration Statement)
         or which are not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries  taken as
         a whole;  all  properties  held or used by the Company or a  Subsidiary
         under leases, licenses, franchises or other agreements are held by them
         under valid,  existing,  binding,  and enforceable leases,  franchises,
         licenses,  or  other  agreements  with  respect  to  which it is not in
         default.

                     (i) Neither the Trust nor the Company or any Subsidiary has
         taken or will take,  directly  or  indirectly,  any action  designed to
         cause or result in, or which has constituted or which might  reasonably
         be expected to constitute,  stabilization  or  manipulation,  under the
         Exchange Act or otherwise, of the price of the Preferred Securities.

                     (j)  Except  as  reflected  in  or   contemplated   by  the
         Registration  Statement,   since  the  respective  dates  as  of  which
         information  is given in the  Registration  Statement  and prior to the
         Closing  Date and Option  Closing  Date (as such terms are  hereinafter
         defined):

                         (i) neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary has or will
         have  incurred  any  material  liabilities  or  obligations,  direct or
         contingent,  or  entered  into  any  material  transaction  not  in the
         ordinary   course  of  business   without  the  prior  consent  of  the
         Representative;


                                       - 7 -


<PAGE>











                         (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has or will
         have paid or declared any dividend or other  distribution  with respect
         to its capital stock and neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary has or
         will be  delinquent  in the  payment of  principal  or  interest on any
         outstanding debt obligations; and

                         (iii)  there has not been and will not be any change in
         the capital  stock or any material  change in the  indebtedness  of the
         Company or any Subsidiary (except as may result from the closing of the
         transactions  contemplated by this Agreement), or any adverse change in
         the condition (financial or otherwise),  or any development involving a
         prospective  adverse change in their respective  businesses  (resulting
         from  litigation  or  otherwise),   prospects,   properties,  condition
         (financial or otherwise),  net worth, or results of operations which is
         material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                     (k) There is no contract or other document, transaction, or
         relationship required to be described in the Registration Statement, or
         to be  filed  as an  exhibit  to  the  Registration  Statement,  by the
         Securities Act or by the Securities Act  Regulations  that has not been
         described or filed as required.

                     (l)  All  documents  delivered  or to be  delivered  by the
         Offerors  or  any of  their  representatives  in  connection  with  the
         issuance  and sale of the  Preferred  Securities  were on the  dates on
         which they were delivered, or will be on the dates on which they are to
         be delivered, true, complete, and correct in all material respects.

                     (m)  The  Company  and  each   Subsidiary  have  filed  all
         necessary  federal and all state and foreign  income and  franchise tax
         returns and paid all taxes shown as due thereon;  and no tax deficiency
         has been asserted or threatened  against the Company or any  Subsidiary
         that would have a Material  Adverse Effect,  except as described in the
         Prospectus.

                     (n)  Neither  the Trust nor the  Company or any  Subsidiary
         has, directly or indirectly, at any time:

                         (i) made any unlawful contribution to any candidate for
         political office, or failed to disclose any contribution  in  violation
         of law; or

                         (ii) made any payment to any federal,  state, local, or
         foreign  government  officer or official,  or other person charged with
         similar public or quasi-public  duties, other than payments required or
         permitted by the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction  thereof
         or applicable foreign jurisdictions.


                                       - 8 -


<PAGE>











                     (o) The Company or a Subsidiary owns or possesses  adequate
         rights to use all patents,  patent  applications,  trademarks,  service
         marks, trade names, trademark registrations, servicemark registrations,
         copyrights,  and licenses  necessary for the conduct of the business of
         the Company  and the  Subsidiaries  or  ownership  of their  respective
         properties,  and neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary  has  received
         notice of  conflict  with the  asserted  rights  of  others in  respect
         thereof which has not been resolved.

                     (p) The  Company  and each  Subsidiary  have in  place  and
         effective such policies of insurance,  with limits of liability in such
         amounts,  as are normal and prudent in the  ordinary  scope of business
         similar to that of the Company and such  Subsidiary  in the  respective
         jurisdiction in which they conduct business.

                     (q) The Company and each  Subsidiary  have and hold, and at
         the Closing  Date or Option  Closing  Date will have and hold,  and are
         operating in compliance  with,  and have fulfilled and performed all of
         their material obligations with respect to, all permits,  certificates,
         franchises, grants, easements, consents, licenses, approvals, charters,
         registrations,  authorizations,  and orders  (collectively,  "Permits")
         required under all laws,  rules,  and  regulations  in connection  with
         their respective businesses,  and all of such Permits are in full force
         and effect; and there is no pending proceeding, and neither the Company
         nor any  Subsidiary has received  notice of any threatened  proceeding,
         relating to the revocation or modification of any such Permits. Neither
         the Company nor any Subsidiary is (by virtue of any action, omission to
         act,  contract  to which it is a party or by which it is bound,  or any
         occurrence or state of facts whatsoever) in violation of any applicable
         federal, state, municipal, or local statutes, laws, ordinances,  rules,
         regulations and/or orders issued pursuant to foreign,  federal,  state,
         municipal, or local statutes,  laws, ordinances,  rules, or regulations
         (including  those  relating  to any  aspect of  banking,  bank  holding
         companies,  environmental  protection,  occupational safety and health,
         and equal  employment  practices)  heretofore  or  currently in effect,
         except such  violation  that has been fully cured or satisfied  without
         recourse or that is not  reasonably  likely to have a Material  Adverse
         Effect.

                     (r) The  provisions  of any employee  pension  benefit plan
         ("Pension Plan") as defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee  Retirement
         Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), in which the Company
         or any  Subsidiary  is a  participating  employer  are  in  substantial
         compliance with ERISA, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in
         violation of ERISA. The Company,  each Subsidiary,  or the plan sponsor
         thereof, as the case may be, has


                                       - 9 -


<PAGE>










         duly and  timely  filed the  reports  required  to be filed by ERISA in
         connection  with the  maintenance  of any  Pension  Plans in which  the
         Company or any Subsidiary is a  participating  employer,  and no facts,
         including  any   "reportable   event"  as  defined  by  ERISA  and  the
         regulations  thereunder,  exist in connection  with any Pension Plan in
         which the Company or any Subsidiary is a  participating  employer which
         might  constitute  grounds  for the  termination  of  such  plan by the
         Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  or for the  appointment by the
         appropriate  U.S.  District  Court of a trustee to administer  any such
         plan. The provisions of any employee  benefit  welfare plan, as defined
         in Section 3(1) of ERISA,  in which the Company or any  Subsidiary is a
         participating  employer,  are in substantial compliance with ERISA, and
         the Company,  any Subsidiary,  or the plan sponsor thereof, as the case
         may be, has duly and timely  filed the reports  required to be filed by
         ERISA in connection with the maintenance of any such plans.

                     (s)  Neither  the  Company  nor the  Trust  is an  open-end
         investment  company,  unit investment trust or face-amount  certificate
         company that is, or is required to be,  registered  under  Section 8 of
         the  Investment  Company  Act  of  1940,  as  amended,  or  subject  to
         regulation under such Act.

                     (t) The deposits of Georgetown  Bank & Trust Company,  Bank
         of Germantown, Citizens Deposit Bank & Trust, Citizens Bank and Farmers
         Deposit  Bank  are  each  insured  by  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance
         Corporation ("FDIC") up to the legal limits.

                     (u) Neither this Agreement nor any  certificate,  statement
         or other  document  delivered or to be delivered by the Offerors or any
         Subsidiary  contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material
         fact or omits or will  omit to state a  material  fact  required  to be
         stated  therein  or  necessary  to  make  the  statements  therein  not
         misleading.

                Any certificate signed by any director or officer of the Company
         or the Trust,  as the case may be, and delivered to the  Representative
         or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and
         warranty  of the  Company  or the  Trust,  as the case  may be,  to the
         Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.

                Any  certificate  delivered by the Company or the Trust,  as the
         case may be, to their respective  counsel for purposes of enabling such
         counsel  to  render  an  opinion  pursuant  to  Section  8 will also be
         furnished to the  Representative  and counsel for the  Underwriters and
         shall be deemed to be additional  representations and warranties to the
         Underwriters  by the Company  and the Trust as to the  matters  covered
         thereby.



                                       - 10 -


<PAGE>










                SECTION 3. Purchase Sale and Delivery to Underwriters,  Closing.
         On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and
         subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Trust and the
         Company,  as the case may be,  agree that the Trust will issue and sell
         to the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and
         not jointly to purchase from the Trust,  the number of Firm  Securities
         set forth  opposite  the name of such  Underwriter  in  Schedule A at a
         purchase price of $25 per Firm Security.

                Payment of the  purchase  price for,  and  delivery of, the Firm
         Securities shall be made at the offices of Arnold & Porter, 555 Twelfth
         Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.,  or at such other  place as shall be
         agreed upon by the  Representative,  the Trust and the Company, at 9:00
         A.M.  Eastern  Standard  Time,  on  the  fourth  business  day  (unless
         postponed in  accordance  with the  provisions of Section 14) following
         the date of this Agreement,  or such other time not later than ten (10)
         business  days  after  such  date  as  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  the
         Representative,  the  Trust  and the  Company  (such  time  and date of
         payment and delivery being herein called the "Closing Date").

                As  compensation   (the   "Underwriting   Commission")  for  the
         commitments  of the  Underwriters  contained  in this  Section  3,  the
         Company  hereby  agrees to pay to the  Underwriters  an amount equal to
         4.0% of the public  offering  price of the Preferred  Securities.  Such
         payment will be made on the Closing Date or on the Option  Closing Date
         (as defined below) with respect to the Option Securities.

                Payment  for the Firm  Securities  shall be made to the Trust by
         wire transfer of immediately  available funds,  against delivery to the
         Underwriter  of the Firm  Securities  to be  purchased  by it. The Firm
         Securities  shall be issued in the form of one or more fully registered
         global securities (the "Global  Securities") in book-entry form in such
         denominations  and  registered  in  the  name  of  the  nominee  of The
         Depository   Trust  Company  (the  "DTC")  or  in  such  names  as  the
         Representative may request in writing at least two business days before
         the  Closing  Date.  The  Global   Securities   representing  the  Firm
         Securities   shall   be  made   available   for   examination   by  the
         Representative and counsel to the Underwriters not later than 9:30 A.M.
         Eastern  Standard  Time on the last  business  day prior to the Closing
         Date.

                In addition,  on the basis of the  representations,  warranties,
         and  agreements   contained  herein,  but  subject  to  the  terms  and
         conditions   set  forth   herein,   the  Trust  hereby  grants  to  the
         Underwriters an option to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the
         Trust the Option  Securities  in the same  proportion  as the number of
         Preferred Securities set forth opposite their names on


                                       - 11 -


<PAGE>










         Schedule A bears to the total  number of Firm  Securities,  at the same
         purchase  price  per  Preferred  Security  to  be  paid  for  the  Firm
         Securities,  for use solely in covering any over-allotments made by the
         Underwriters in the sale and distribution of the Firm  Securities.  The
         option  granted  hereunder  may be  exercised at any time (but not more
         than once)  within  thirty (30) days after the date of this  Agreement,
         upon  notice by the  Representative  to the Trust  which sets forth the
         aggregate  liquidation  amount  of  Option  Securities  as to which the
         Underwriters are exercising the option, and the time and place at which
         the certificate  representing the Option  Securities will be delivered.
         Such time of  delivery  may not be earlier  than the  Closing  Date and
         herein is called the "Option  Closing  Date." The Option  Closing  Date
         shall be  determined  by the  Representative,  but if at any time other
         than the Closing  Date,  shall not be earlier than three nor later than
         five full  business  days after  delivery of such  notice to  exercise.
         Certificates  for the  Option  Securities  will be made  available  for
         inspection  at least 24 hours prior to the Option  Closing  Date at the
         offices  of the DTC,  or its  designated  custodian,  or at such  other
         location as specified by the Representative.  The manner of payment for
         a delivery of the Option  Securities  shall be the same as for the Firm
         Securities as specified in this Section 3.

                SECTION 4.  Representations  and Warranties of the Underwriters.
         The  Representative,  on behalf  of the  Underwriters,  represents  and
         warrants to the Company  that the  information  set forth on the inside
         front cover page of the Prospectus relating to stabilization and in the
         third and eighth  paragraphs of the section in the Prospectus  entitled
         "Underwriting"  was  the  only  written  information  furnished  to the
         Company  by and on  behalf  of any  Underwriter  expressly  for  use in
         connection with the preparation of the Registration  Statement,  and is
         correct and complete in all material  respects and does not include any
         untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
         required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  to make the  statements
         therein not misleading.

                SECTION  5.  Offering  by the  Underwriters.  The  Trust and the
         Company are advised by the Representative that the Underwriters propose
         to make a public offering of the Preferred Securities, on the terms and
         conditions set forth in the Registration Statement from time to time as
         and  when  the  Underwriters  deem  advisable  after  the  Registration
         Statement becomes  effective.  Because the NASD is expected to view the
         Preferred  Securities as interests in a direct  participation  program,
         the offering of the  Preferred  Securities  is being made in compliance
         with the  applicable  provisions  of Rule  2810 of the  NASD's  Conduct
         Rules.




                                       - 12 -


<PAGE>










                SECTION 6.  Agreements of the Offerors.  Each of the
         Offerors covenants and agrees with the Underwriter that:

                     (a) If any  information  shall have been  omitted  from the
         Registration  Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A, the Company, at the
         earliest possible time, will furnish the Representative  with a copy of
         the  Prospectus  to be filed by the  Offerors  with the  Commission  to
         comply with Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A under the  Securities  Act,  and,
         will file such  Prospectus  with the Commission in compliance with such
         Rules.  Upon compliance with such Rules, the Company will so advise the
         Representative promptly. The Company will advise the Representative and
         counsel to the Underwriters  promptly of the issuance by the Commission
         of any stop order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of the  Registration
         Statement or of the institution of any proceedings for that purpose, or
         of any  notification  received  by the  Company  of the  suspension  of
         qualification of the Preferred  Securities for sale in any jurisdiction
         or the initiation or threatening of any  proceedings  for that purpose,
         or of any  notification  received by the Company of the  suspension  of
         qualification of the Preferred  Securities for sale in any jurisdiction
         or the initiation or threatening of any  proceedings  for that purpose.
         The  Company  also will  advise the  Representative  and counsel to the
         Underwriters promptly of any request of the Commission for amendment or
         supplement  of  the   Registration   Statement,   of  any   Preliminary
         Prospectus,  or of the Prospectus,  or for additional information,  and
         the  Offerors  will  not  file  any  amendment  or  supplement  to  the
         Registration  Statement (either before or after it becomes  effective),
         to any  Preliminary  Prospectus,  or to  the  Prospectus  (including  a
         prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)) if the Representative has not
         been   furnished   with  a  copy  prior  to  such   filing  or  if  the
         Representative reasonably objects to such filing.

                     (b) For the period  during which a  Prospectus  relating to
         the  Preferred  Securities  is  required  to  be  delivered  under  the
         Securities Act, the Offerors shall comply with all requirements imposed
         on them by the Securities Act, as now and hereafter amended, and by the
         Securities Act Regulations, as from time to time in force, so far as is
         necessary  to  permit  the  continuance  of  sales or  dealings  in the
         Preferred  Securities as contemplated by the provisions  hereof and the
         Prospectus.  If any event  occurs as a result of which the  Prospectus,
         including  any  subsequent  amendment or  supplement,  would include an
         untrue  statement  of a  material  fact,  or would  omit to  state  any
         material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
         statements  therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
         were made, not  misleading,  or if it becomes  necessary at any time to
         amend the Prospectus, including any amendment or supplement thereto, to
         comply with the  Securities  Act, the Company  promptly will advise the
         Representative and counsel to the Underwriters thereof and the


                                       - 13 -


<PAGE>










         Offerors  will  promptly  prepare  and  file  with  the  Commission  an
         amendment or supplement that will correct such statement or omission or
         an amendment that will effect such compliance;  and, if any Underwriter
         is required to deliver a  prospectus  nine (9) months or more after the
         effective date of the Registration Statement, the Company, upon request
         of the  Representative  but at the  expense of such  Underwriter,  will
         prepare promptly such prospectus or prospectuses as may be necessary to
         permit  compliance  with the  requirements  of Section  10(a)(3) of the
         Securities Act.

                     (c) The Offerors will not, prior to the Option Closing Date
         or thirty (30) days after the date of this Agreement,  whichever occurs
         first,  without  the prior  consent  of the  Representative,  incur any
         material liability or obligation,  direct or contingent,  or enter into
         any  material  transaction,  other  than  in  the  ordinary  course  of
         business,  or any transaction with a related party which is required to
         be disclosed in the  Prospectus  pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K
         under the Securities Act, except as contemplated by the Prospectus.

                     (d)  The  Company  will  make  generally  available  to its
         security holders and the  Representative  an earnings  statement of the
         Company as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15)
         months after the end of the Company's current fiscal quarter,  covering
         a period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months beginning after the
         effective date of the Registration  Statement,  but beginning not later
         than four (4) months after such effective date,  which will satisfy the
         provisions of the last  subsection  of Section 11(a) of the  Securities
         Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder.

                     (e) During such period as a  prospectus  is required by law
         to be delivered in connection  with sales by an  underwriter or dealer,
         the Company will furnish to the  Representative,  at the expense of the
         Company,  copies of the  Registration  Statement,  the Prospectus,  any
         Preliminary Prospectus,  and all amendments and supplements to any such
         documents in each case as soon as available  and in such  quantities as
         the   Representative   may   reasonably   request,   for  the  purposes
         contemplated by the Securities Act.

                     (f) The  Offerors  will use their  best  efforts to take or
         cause to be taken in cooperation with the Representative and counsel to
         the  Underwriters all actions required in qualifying or registering the
         Preferred  Securities  for  sale  under  the  Blue  Sky  Laws  of  such
         jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate,  provided
         the  Offerors  shall not be  required to qualify  generally  as foreign
         corporations  or as a dealer in securities  or to consent  generally to
         the service of process under the law of


                                       - 14 -


<PAGE>










         any such state  (except  with  respect to the  offering and sale of the
         Preferred  Securities),   and  will  continue  such  qualifications  or
         registrations  in  effect  so  long  as  reasonably  requested  by  the
         Representative  to effect the distribution of the Preferred  Securities
         (including, without limitation,  compliance with all undertakings given
         pursuant to such qualifications or registrations). In each jurisdiction
         where any of the  Preferred  Securities  shall have been  qualified  as
         provided  above,  the Offerors will file such reports and statements as
         may be required to continue such qualification for a period of not less
         than one (1) year from the date of this Agreement.

                     (g) The Company will furnish to its security holders annual
         reports containing  financial  statements audited by independent public
         accountants. During the period ending three (3) years after the date of
         this Agreement,  (i) as soon as practicable after the end of the fiscal
         year, the Company will furnish to the  Representative two copies of the
         annual  report  of the  Company  containing  the  audited  consolidated
         balance  sheet of the  Company as of the close of such  fiscal year and
         corresponding    audited    consolidated    statements   of   earnings,
         stockholders'  equity and cash flows for the year then ended,  and (ii)
         the Company will file  promptly and will furnish to the  Representative
         at or  before  the  filing  thereof  copies  of  all  reports  and  any
         definitive proxy or information  statements required to be filed by the
         Company  with the  Commission  pursuant to Section 13, 14, or 15 of the
         Exchange  Act.  During such  three-year  period the  Company  also will
         furnish to the Representative one copy of the following:

                         (i) as soon as  practicable  after the filing  thereof,
         each other report,  statement,  or other  document filed by the Company
         with the Commission;

                         (ii) as soon as practicable  after the filing  thereof,
         all reports,  statements,  other  documents  and  financial  statements
         furnished  by the  Company to Nasdaq  pursuant  to  requirements  of or
         agreements with Nasdaq; and

                         (iii) as soon as available,  each report, statement, or
         other document of the Company mailed to its stockholders.

                     (h) The Offerors  will use their best efforts to satisfy or
         cause  to be  satisfied  the  conditions  to  the  obligations  of  the
         Underwriters in Section 8 hereof.

                     (i) The  Offerors  shall  deliver the  requisite  notice of
         issuance to the NASD and shall take all necessary or appropriate action
         within  its power to  maintain  the  authorization  for  trading of the
         Preferred Securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market


                                       - 15 -


<PAGE>










         for a period of at least thirty-six (36) months after the date of
         this Agreement.

                     (j)  The  Trust  shall  comply  in all  respects  with  the
         undertakings given by the Trust in connection with the qualification or
         registration  of the Preferred  Securities  for offering and sale under
         the Blue Sky Laws.

                     (k) The Trust shall apply the proceeds from its sale of the
         Preferred  Securities,  combined with the entire proceeds from the sale
         by the  Trust to the  Company  of the  Trust's  Common  Securities,  to
         purchase  an  equivalent  amount of  Subordinated  Debentures.  All the
         proceeds  to  be  received  by  the  Company   from  the  sale  of  the
         Subordinated Debentures will be used in the manner and for the purposes
         specified  under the heading "Use of Proceeds" in the  Prospectus.  The
         Offerors  shall file,  and will furnish or cause to be furnished to the
         Underwriter  and counsel to the  Underwriters  copies of all reports as
         may be required in accordance with Rule 463 under the Securities Act.

                     (l) Except for the sale of Preferred Securities pursuant to
         this Agreement,  neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall, directly
         or indirectly,  offer, sell, contract to sell, issue, distribute, grant
         any option,  right, or warrant to purchase or otherwise  dispose of any
         shares of the Preferred Securities or substantially similar securities,
         in the open market or  otherwise,  for a period of one  hundred  eighty
         (180) days after the later of the  effective  date of the  Registration
         Statement  or the date of this  Agreement,  without the  express  prior
         written consent of the Representative.

                SECTION 7.  Payment of Expenses and Fees

                     (a) Whether or not the transactions  contemplated hereunder
         are consummated, or if this Agreement is terminated for any reason, the
         Company  will pay or cause to be paid the  costs,  fees,  and  expenses
         incurred in connection with the offering of the Preferred Securities as
         follows:

                         (i)  All  costs,   fees,   and  expenses   incurred  in
         connection  with  the  performance  of  the  Company  and  the  Trust's
         obligations  hereunder,  including all fees and expenses of the Company
         and the  Trust's  accountants  and  counsel,  all  costs  and  expenses
         incurred in connection  with the  preparation,  printing,  filing,  and
         distribution   (including   delivery   and   shipping   costs)  of  the
         Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, and the Prospectus
         (including  all  amendments  and  exhibits  thereto  and the  financial
         statements  therein),  and  agreements  and  supplements  provided  for
         herein, this Agreement and other underwriting



                                       - 16 -


<PAGE>










         documents, including various Underwriters' letters, and the Preliminary
         and Supplemental Blue Sky Memoranda.

                         (ii) All filing  and  registration  fees and  expenses,
         including  the legal fees and  disbursements  of  counsel,  incurred in
         connection  with  qualifying  or  registering  all or any  part  of the
         Preferred Securities, the Guarantee and the Subordinated Debentures for
         offer and sale under the Blue Sky Laws.

                         (iii) All fees and expenses of the Offerors'  registrar
         and transfer agent;  all transfer taxes, if any, and all other fees and
         expenses  incurred  in  connection  with the sale and  delivery  of the
         Preferred Securities to the Underwriters.

                         (iv) The filing  fees of the NASD and  applicable  fees
         charged  by  Nasdaq  for  inclusion  of the  Preferred  Securities  for
         quotation on the National Market System, and

                         (v)  All  other  costs  and  expenses  incident  to the
         performance  of the  Company's  and the Trust's  obligations  hereunder
         which are not otherwise provided for in this Section 7(a).

                     (b)  On the consummation of the offering of the
         Preferred Securities, the Company shall pay Advest, Inc. $25,000
         as a financial advisory fee.

                SECTION 8.  Conditions to the  Obligations of the  Underwriters.
         The  obligations  of the  Underwriters  under this  Agreement  shall be
         subject to the accuracy of the  representations  and  warranties on the
         part of the  Company  and the Trust set forth  herein as of the Closing
         Date, and if applicable, as of the Option Closing Date, as the case may
         be, to the accuracy of the  statements of the  Offerors'  directors and
         officers,  to the  performance  by the  Company  and the Trust of their
         obligations  hereunder,  and to the  following  additional  conditions,
         except to the extent expressly waived in writing by the Representative:

                     (a)  The  Registration  Statement  and  all  post-effective
         amendments thereto shall have been declared effective by the Commission
         no later than 5:30 p.m. eastern time, on the date of this Agreement, or
         such later time as shall have been consented to by the  Representative,
         but in any event not later than 5:30 p.m.,  eastern  time, on the third
         full business day following  the date hereof;  if the Offerors  omitted
         information  from the  Registration  Statement  at the  time it  became
         effective  in  reliance  on Rule 430A  under the  Securities  Act,  the
         Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in compliance with
         Rule  424(b)  and Rule 430A  under the  Securities  Act;  no stop order
         suspending  the  effectiveness  of the  Registration  Statement  or any
         amendment or


                                       - 17 -


<PAGE>










         supplement  thereto  shall  have been  issued;  no  proceeding  for the
         issuance of such an order shall have been initiated or shall be pending
         or, to the knowledge of the Offerors or the Representative,  threatened
         or contemplated  by the  Commission;  and any request of the Commission
         for  additional   information  (to  be  included  in  the  Registration
         Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise)  shall have been disclosed to
         the   Representative   and  complied   with  to  the   Representative's
         satisfaction.

                     (b)  The  Preferred  Securities,   the  Guarantee  and  the
         Subordinated  Debentures  shall have been  qualified or registered  for
         sale, or subject to an available  exemption from such  qualification or
         registration,  under the Blue Sky Laws of such  jurisdictions  as shall
         have been reasonably  specified by the  Representative and the offering
         contemplated by this Agreement shall have been cleared by the NASD.

                     (c)  Since the dates as of which information is given
         in the Registration Statement:

                         (i)  There  shall not have  been any  material  adverse
         change,  or any development  involving a prospective  material  adverse
         change,  in the  ability of the  Company or any  Subsidiary  to conduct
         their respective business (whether by reason of any court, legislative,
         other  governmental  action,  order,  decree, or otherwise),  or in the
         general  affairs,   condition   (financial  and  otherwise)   business,
         prospects,  properties,  management,  financial  position or  earnings,
         results of operations,  or net worth of the Company or any  Subsidiary,
         whether or not arising  from  transactions  in the  ordinary  course of
         business; and

                         (ii) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary  shall have
         sustained  any loss or  interference  from any labor  dispute,  strike,
         fire,  flood,  windstorm,  accident,  or other calamity (whether or not
         insured) or from any court or governmental action, order, or decree.

         The effect of which on the Company or any Subsidiary,  in any such case
         described in clause (c)(i) or (ii) above, is in the reasonable  opinion
         of  the   Representative   so  material  and  adverse  as  to  make  it
         impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the
         delivery  of the  Preferred  Securities  on the terms and in the manner
         contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

                     (d) There shall have been  furnished to the  Representative
         on the Closing Date, except as otherwise expressly provided below:




                                       - 18 -


<PAGE>










                         (i) An opinion of Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.,
         counsel to the  Company,  dated as of the  Closing  Date and any Option
         Closing Date, in form and substance  substantially in the form attached
         hereto as Exhibit A.

                         (ii) The favorable opinion,  dated the Closing Date, of
         White  &  Case,  counsel  to the  Trust  Company  and  Trust  Delaware,
         substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

                         (iii) The favorable opinion, dated the Closing Date, of
         Richards,  Layton & Finger, special Delaware counsel to the Company and
         the Trust,  substantially to the effect and in the form attached hereto
         as Exhibit C.

                         (iv) The favorable opinion,  dated the Closing Date, of
         Arnold & Porter,  counsel to the Underwriters as to such matters as the
         Representative shall reasonably request.

                         In rendering such opinions specified in clause (d)(ii),
         (iii) or (iv) above, counsel may rely upon an opinion or opinions, each
         dated  the  Closing  Date,  of other  counsel  retained  by them or the
         Company as to laws of any jurisdiction  other than the United States or
         the State of New York,  provided  that (A) such  reliance is  expressly
         authorized  by each  opinion  so  relied  upon and a copy of each  such
         opinion is delivered to the Representative, and (B) counsel shall state
         in their opinion that they believe that they and the  Underwriters  are
         justified in relying thereon.  Insofar as such opinions involve factual
         matters,  such  counsel  may rely,  to the extent  such  counsel  deems
         proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company,  its subsidiaries
         and the Trust and certificates of public officials.

                     (e) At the time this  Agreement is executed and also on the
         Closing  Date and the Option  Closing  Date,  as the case may be, there
         shall be  delivered  to the  Representative  a letter  addressed to the
         Representative  from Eskew & Gresham,  PSC, the  Company's  independent
         accountants,  the first letter to be dated the date of this  Agreement,
         the second letter to be dated the Closing Date, and the third letter to
         be dated the Option  Closing Date,  if any,  which shall be in form and
         substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Representative  and  shall
         contain  information  as of a date within five days of the date of such
         letter.  There  shall not have been any  change set forth in any letter
         referred  to in this  subsection  (e) that  makes it  impracticable  or
         inadvisable in the judgment of the  Representative  to proceed with the
         public offering or purchase of the Preferred Securities as contemplated
         hereby.

                     (f)  On the  Closing  Date,  a  certificate  signed  by the
         Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice Chairman of the Board


                                       - 19 -


<PAGE>










         or any Executive or Senior Vice  President and the principal  financial
         or  accounting  officer of the Company,  dated the Closing Date, to the
         effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the
         Registration Statement and this Agreement and that:

                         (i) The  representations and warranties of the Offerors
         in this Agreement are true and correct in all material  respects on and
         as of the  Closing  Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing
         Date and the Offerors have  complied in all material  respects with all
         the  agreements  and  satisfied  in  all  material   respects  all  the
         conditions  on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the
         Closing Date; and

                         (ii) The Commission has not issued an order  preventing
         or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any  Preliminary  Prospectus
         or any amendment thereto; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
         the  Registration  Statement has been issued;  and, to the knowledge of
         the  respective  signatories,  no proceeding  for that purpose has been
         instituted or is pending or contemplated under the Securities Act;

                         (iii)  Each  of  the  respective   signatories  of  the
         certificate  has carefully  examined the  Registration  Statement,  the
         Prospectus,  and  any  amendments  or  supplements  thereto,  and  such
         documents contain all material  statements and information  required to
         be  made  therein,  and  neither  the  Registration  Statement  nor any
         amendment or  supplement  thereto  includes  any untrue  statement of a
         material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and,
         since the date on which the Registration Statement was initially filed,
         no event has  occurred  that was required to be set forth in an amended
         or  supplemented  prospectus  or in an  amendment  to the  Registration
         Statement that has not been so set forth;  provided,  however,  that no
         representation  need be made as to information  contained in or omitted
         from the  Registration  Statement  or any  amendment or  supplement  in
         reliance upon and in conformity with written  information  furnished to
         the  Company and the Trust by or on behalf of any  Underwriter  through
         the Representative; and

                         (iv) Since the date on which the Registration Statement
         was  initially  filed  with  the  Commission,  there  has not  been any
         material  adverse  change  or a  development  involving  a  prospective
         material  adverse  change  in  the  business,   properties,   financial
         condition,  or earnings of the Company and its Subsidiaries  taken as a
         whole,  whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course
         of  business,  except as  disclosed  in the  Registration  Statement as
         heretofore  amended  or  (but  only  if  the  Representative  expressly
         consents thereto in


                                       - 20 -


<PAGE>










         writing) as disclosed in an amendment or supplement  thereto filed with
         the Commission and delivered to the Representative  after the execution
         of this Agreement; since such date and except as so disclosed or in the
         ordinary course of business, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has
         incurred any liability or  obligation,  direct or indirect,  or entered
         into  any  transaction   that  is  material  to  the  Company  or  such
         Subsidiary,  as the case may be, not  contemplated  in the  Prospectus;
         since  such  date and  except  as so  disclosed  there has not been any
         change in the outstanding  capital stock of the Company,  or any change
         that is material to the Company and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole
         in  the  short-term  debt  or  long-term  debt  of the  Company  or any
         Subsidiary;  since such date and except as so  disclosed,  neither  the
         Company  nor  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  have  incurred  any  material
         contingent  obligations,  and no material  litigation is pending or, to
         their knowledge threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary;  and,
         since such date and except as so disclosed, neither the Company nor any
         of its  Subsidiaries  have sustained any material loss or  interference
         from any strike,  fire,  flood,  windstorm,  accident or other calamity
         (whether  or not  insured)  or from any court or  governmental  action,
         order, or decree.

                     (g) Prior to the  Closing  Date,  the  Company  shall  have
         furnished to the Representative such further information,  certificates
         and  documents  as  the   Representative   may  reasonably  request  in
         connection with the offering of the Preferred Securities.

                If any  condition  specified in this Section shall not have been
         fulfilled  when and as required to be fulfilled,  this Agreement may be
         terminated by the Underwriters by notice from the Representative to the
         Company at any time without  liability on the part of any Underwriters,
         including the Representative, or the Company, except for expenses to be
         paid by the Company  pursuant to Section 7 hereof or  reimbursed by the
         Company  pursuant  to Section 9 and except to the  extent  provided  in
         Section 11.

                SECTION 9. Reimbursement of Underwriters'  Expenses. If the sale
         of the Preferred  Securities to the Underwriters on the Closing Date is
         not  consummated  because the offering is  terminated  or  indefinitely
         suspended  by the  Company  or by the  Representative  for  any  reason
         permitted by this Agreement,  other than the Underwriter's inability to
         legally act as Underwriter,  the Company will reimburse the Underwriter
         for the Underwriter's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including fees
         and disbursements of its counsel,  that shall have been incurred by the
         Underwriter  in connection  with the proposed  purchase and sale of the
         Preferred  Securities  in an  aggregate  amount not to exceed  $75,000,
         provided,  however,  that, if the offering is terminated by the Company
         due to legislation which adversely affects the federal income tax


                                       - 21 -


<PAGE>










         advantages   to  the   Company  of  the   Securities,   the   Company's
         reimbursement  to the  Underwriter  pursuant to this Section 9 shall be
         limited to $50,000 in the aggregate. Any such termination or suspension
         shall be without  liability  of any party to the other  except that the
         provisions  of this  Section  9, and  Sections  7 and 11  shall  remain
         effective and shall apply.

                SECTION 10. Maintain  Effectiveness  of Registration  Statement.
         The  Representative  and the  Company  will use their  respective  best
         efforts to prevent  the  issuance of any stop order or other such order
         suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and, if such
         stop  order  is  issued,  to  obtain  the  lifting  thereof  as soon as
         possible.

                SECTION 11.  Indemnification and Contribution.

                     (a) The Company  agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
         Underwriter  and each person,  if any,  who  controls  any  Underwriter
         within the meaning of the Securities  Act or the Exchange Act,  against
         any  losses,  claims,  damages,  expenses,  liabilities,  or actions in
         respect thereof ("Claims"),  joint or several to which such Underwriter
         or each such controlling person may become subject under the Securities
         Act, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act Regulations, Blue Sky Laws or
         other federal or state statutory laws or regulations,  at common law or
         otherwise (including payments made in settlement of any litigation,  if
         such  settlement is effected  with the written  consent of the Company,
         which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld),  insofar as such
         Claims arise out of or are based upon the  inaccuracy  or breach of any
         representation,  warranty,  or  covenant  of the  Company  or the Trust
         contained in this  Agreement,  any untrue  statement or alleged  untrue
         statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement,
         any  Preliminary  Prospectus,  the  Prospectus,  or  any  amendment  or
         supplement  thereto, or in any application filed under any Blue Sky Law
         or other  document  executed by the  Offerors for that purpose or based
         upon  written  information  furnished  by the Offerors and filed in any
         state or other  jurisdiction  to qualify or register  any or all of the
         Preferred  Securities  under  the  securities  laws  thereof  (any such
         document,  application, or information being hereinafter called a "Blue
         Sky  Application"),  or arise out of or are based upon the  omission or
         alleged  omission  to state in any of the  foregoing  a  material  fact
         required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  to make the  statements
         therein  not   misleading.   The  Company   agrees  to  reimburse  each
         Underwriter  and each such  controlling  person  promptly for any legal
         fees or  other  expenses  incurred  by  such  Underwriter  or any  such
         controlling  person in connection with  investigating  or defending any
         such Claim or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any
         such Claim; provided,



                                       - 22 -


<PAGE>










         however, that the Company will not be liable in any such  case  to  the
         extent that:

                         (i) Any such  Claim  arises  out of or is based upon an
         untrue  statement  or alleged  untrue  statement or omission or alleged
         omission  made  in  the   Registration   Statement,   any   Preliminary
         Prospectus,  the Prospectus,  or any amendment or supplement thereto or
         in any Blue Sky Application in reliance upon and in conformity with the
         written  information  furnished by or on behalf of the  Underwriters to
         the Offerors  expressly  for use therein  pursuant to Section 4 of this
         Agreement; or

                         (ii) Such  statement or omission was  contained or made
         in any  Preliminary  Prospectus and corrected in the Prospectus and (1)
         any such Claim suffered or incurred by any  Underwriter  (or any person
         who controls such Underwriter)  resulted from an action, claim, or suit
         by any person who purchased  Preferred  Securities that are the subject
         thereof  from  such  Underwriter  in  the  offering  of  the  Preferred
         Securities,  and (2) such  Underwriter  failed to deliver a copy of the
         Prospectus  (as then  amended if the  Offerors  shall have  amended the
         Prospectus) to such person at or prior to the  confirmation of the sale
         of such  Preferred  Securities  in any  case  where  such  delivery  is
         required by the Securities  Act, unless such failure was due to failure
         by the Company to provide  copies of the  Prospectus (as so amended) to
         the Underwriter as required by this Agreement.

                     (b) Each Underwriter severally,  but not jointly, agrees to
         indemnify and hold harmless the Offerors, each of their directors, each
         of their officers who sign the Registration Statement,  and each person
         who  controls  the  Company  or the Trust  within  the  meaning  of the
         Securities  Act,  against any Claim to which the Offerors,  or any such
         director,  officer,  or controlling person may become subject under the
         Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act Regulations,  Blue
         Sky Laws, or other federal or state statutory laws or  regulations,  at
         common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation,  if
         such   settlement  is  effected  with  the  written   consent  of  such
         Underwriter  and  the  Representative,   which  consent  shall  not  be
         unreasonably withheld), insofar as such Claim arises out of or is based
         upon any  untrue or  alleged  untrue  statement  of any  material  fact
         contained in the Registration  Statement,  any Preliminary  Prospectus,
         the Prospectus,  or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue
         Sky  Application,  or arises  out of or is based upon the  omission  or
         alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,  in
         each case to the  extent,  but only to the  extent,  that  such  untrue
         statement or alleged untrue  statement or omission or alleged  omission
         was made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the


                                       - 23 -


<PAGE>










         Prospectus,  or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky
         Application,  in  reliance  upon and in  conformity  with  the  written
         information  furnished  by or on  behalf  of  such  Underwriter  to the
         Offerors pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement. Each Underwriter will
         severally  reimburse  any  legal  fees  or  other  expenses  reasonably
         incurred by the Offerors, or any such director, officer, or controlling
         person in connection  with  investigating  or defending any such Claim,
         and from any and all Claims  resulting from failure of such Underwriter
         to deliver a copy of the Prospectus, if the person asserting such Claim
         purchased Preferred  Securities from such Underwriter and a copy of the
         Prospectus  (as then  amended if the  Offerors  shall have  amended the
         Prospectus)  was not sent or given by or on behalf of such  Underwriter
         to such  person,  if required by law so to have been  delivered,  at or
         prior  to the  written  confirmation  of  the  sale  of  the  Preferred
         Securities to such person,  and if the Prospectus (as so amended) would
         have cured the defect  giving rise to such Claim  (unless  such failure
         was due to a failure by the Company and the Trust to provide sufficient
         copies of the Prospectuses (as so amended) to each Underwriter).

                     (c) Promptly  after receipt by an  indemnified  party under
         subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 11 of notice of the  commencement
         of any action in respect of a Claim,  such indemnified party will, if a
         Claim in respect  thereof is to be made against an  indemnifying  party
         under such subsection,  notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
         commencement  thereof.  In case any such action is brought  against any
         indemnified  party, and such indemnified party notifies an indemnifying
         party of the  commencement  thereof,  the  indemnifying  party  will be
         entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly
         with all other indemnifying  parties,  similarly  notified,  assume the
         defense  thereof,   with  counsel   reasonably   satisfactory  to  such
         indemnified  party;  provided,  however,  if the defendants in any such
         action include both the indemnified  party and the  indemnifying  party
         and the indemnified  party shall have  reasonably  concluded that there
         may be legal defenses  available to the indemnified  party and/or other
         indemnified  parties that are  different  from or  additional  to those
         available to the indemnifying  party, the indemnified  party or parties
         shall have the right to select  separate  counsel to assume  such legal
         defenses and to otherwise  participate in the defense of such action on
         behalf of such indemnified party or parties.

                     (d) Upon receipt of notice from the  indemnifying  party to
         such indemnified  party of the indemnifying  party's election to assume
         the defense of such action and upon approval by the  indemnified  party
         of counsel selected by the indemnifying  party, the indemnifying  party
         will not be liable to such  indemnified  party under  subsection (a) or
         (b) of this Section 11


                                       - 24 -


<PAGE>










         for any legal  fees or other  expenses  subsequently  incurred  by such
         indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless:

                         (i) the indemnified  party shall have employed separate
         counsel  in  connection  with  the  assumption  of  legal  defenses  in
         accordance  with the proviso to the last sentence of subsection  (c) of
         this Section 11 (it being  understood,  however,  that the  indemnified
         party shall not be liable for the legal fees and  expenses of more than
         one   separate   counsel   (plus  local   counsel),   approved  by  the
         Representative  if one or more of the Underwriters or their controlling
         persons are the indemnified parties); or

                         (ii) the  indemnifying  party  shall not have  employed
         counsel  reasonably  satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent
         the  indemnified  party within a reasonable  time after the indemnified
         party's notice to the indemnifying party of commencement of the action;

                     (e) If the indemnification  provided for in this Section 11
         is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient to hold harmless
         an indemnified  party under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 11 in
         respect of any Claim referred to therein, then each indemnifying party,
         in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall,  subject, to the
         limitations  hereinafter  set forth,  contribute  to the amount paid or
         payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Claim:

                         (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
         relative  benefits  received  by the  Offerors  on the one hand and the
         Underwriters  on the other  hand  from the  offering  of the  Preferred
         Securities; or

                         (ii) if the allocation  provided by clause (e)(i) above
         is  not  permitted  by  applicable   law,  in  such  proportion  as  is
         appropriate  to reflect not only the relative  benefits  referred to in
         clause (e)(i) above, but also the relative fault of the Offerors on the
         one hand and the  Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the
         statements  or omissions  that  resulted in such Claim,  as well as any
         other relevant equitable considerations.

                The respective relative benefits received by the Offerors on the
         one hand and the  Underwriters  on the other hand shall be deemed to be
         in such  proportion  that the  Underwriters  are  responsible  for that
         portion of a Claim represented by the percentage that the amount of the
         Underwriting  Commission  bears  to the  public  offering  price of the
         Preferred   Securities,   and  the  Company  (including  the  Company's
         directors,  officers,  and controlling  persons) is responsible for the
         remaining portion of such Claim.


                                       - 25 -


<PAGE>











                The  relative  fault  of the  Offerors  on the one  hand and the
         Underwriters  on the other hand shall be  determined  by reference  to,
         among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
         material  fact or the omission or alleged  omission to state a material
         fact relates to information supplied by the Offerors on the one hand or
         the  Underwriters on the other hand and the parties'  relative  intent,
         knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent
         such  untrue  statement  or  omission.  The amount paid or payable by a
         party as a result of the Claims  referred  to above  shall be deemed to
         include,  subject to the  limitations  set forth in subsections (c) and
         (d) of this Section 11, any legal or other fees or expenses  reasonably
         incurred by such party in connection  with  investigating  or defending
         any action or claim.

                     (f) The Offerors and the  Underwriters  agree that it would
         not be just and equitable if  contribution  pursuant to this Section 11
         were  determined  by pro rata or per capita  allocation or by any other
         method or  allocation  that does not take into  account  the  equitable
         considerations  referred  to in  subsection  (e) of  this  Section  11.
         Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 11, no underwriter
         shall be required to  contribute  any amount in excess of the amount by
         which the total price at which the Preferred Securities underwritten by
         it and  distributed  to the public  exceeds  the amount of any  damages
         which such  Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
         such untrue or alleged untrue omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent
         misrepresentation   (within  the  meaning  of  Section   11(f)  of  the
         Securities Act) shall be entitled to  contribution  from any person who
         was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwriters'
         obligation  to  contribute  pursuant to this  Section 11 are several in
         proportion to their respective underwriting commitments and not joint.

                     (g) The  obligations  of the  Company,  the  Trust  and the
         Underwriters  under  this  Section  11  shall  be in  addition  to  any
         liability that the Company, the Trust or the Underwriters may otherwise
         have.

                     SECTION  12.  Default  of  Underwriters.   It  shall  be  a
condition  to this  Agreement  and to the  obligations  of the Trust to sell and
deliver the  Preferred  Securities  hereunder,  and to the  obligations  of each
Underwriter to purchase the Preferred Securities in the manner described herein,
that,  except  as  hereinafter   provided  in  this  Section  12,  each  of  the
Underwriters  (except a defaulting  Underwriter)  shall purchase and pay for all
the Preferred  Securities  agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter  hereunder
upon tender to the Representative of all such Preferred Securities in accordance
with the terms hereof. If


                                       - 26 -


<PAGE>










         any Underwriter or Underwriters  default in its or their obligations to
         purchase Preferred  Securities  hereunder on either the Closing Date or
         the  Option  Closing  Date  and  the  aggregate   number  of  Preferred
         Securities that such defaulting  Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
         failed to purchase does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the liquidation
         amount of  Preferred  Securities  the  Underwriters  are  obligated  to
         purchase on such Closing Date, the Representative may make arrangements
         for the  purchase  of  such  Preferred  Securities  by  other  persons,
         including any of the Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made
         by  such  Closing  Date  or  Option  Closing  Date  the   nondefaulting
         Underwriters  shall be  obligated  severally,  in  proportion  to their
         respective commitments hereunder,  to purchase the Preferred Securities
         such  defaulting  Underwriters  agreed but failed to  purchase  on such
         Closing Date or Option Closing Date. If any Underwriter or Underwriters
         so default and the  liquidation  amount of  Preferred  Securities  with
         respect to which such  default or  defaults  occur is greater  than the
         above  percentage and arrangements  satisfactory to the  Representative
         for the purchase of such  Preferred  Securities by other person are not
         made within  thirty-six  (36) hours after such default,  this Agreement
         will  terminate  without  liability  on the  part of any  nondefaulting
         Underwriter  or the Company,  except to the extent  provided in Section
         11.

                If  Preferred  Securities  to which a default  relates are to be
         purchased  by the  nondefaulting  Underwriters  or by another  party or
         parties,  the  Representative  or the  Company  shall have the right to
         postpone the Closing Date or Option  Closing  Date, as the case may be,
         for not more than seven (7) business  days in order that the  necessary
         changes,  if any, in the Registration  Statement,  Prospectus,  and any
         other documents, as well as any other arrangements, may be effected. As
         used in this  Agreement,  the term  "Underwriter"  includes  any person
         substituted  for an  Underwriter  under this Section 12. Nothing herein
         will relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

                     SECTION 13.  Effective  Date.  This Agreement  shall become
         effective immediately on the date hereof.

                SECTION 14. Termination. Without limiting the right to terminate
         this Agreement  pursuant to any other provision hereof,  this Agreement
         may be terminated by the  Representative  prior to the Closing Date and
         the option from the Company and the Trust  referred to in Section 3, if
         exercised,  may be canceled by the  Representative at any time prior to
         the Option Closing Date, if:

                     (a)  The  Offerors  shall  have  failed,  refused,  or been
         unable,  at or prior to the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the
         case  may be to  perform  any  agreement  on its  part to be  performed
         hereunder.


                                       - 27 -


<PAGE>











                     (b)  Any  other   condition  to  the   obligations  of  the
         Underwriters hereunder is not fulfilled; or

                     (c) In the Representative's  reasonable  judgment,  payment
         for and delivery of the Preferred Securities is rendered  impracticable
         or inadvisable because:

                         (i) Additional governmental restrictions,  not in force
         and effect on the date hereof,  shall have been imposed upon trading in
         securities  generally  or  minimum or  maximum  prices  shall have been
         generally   established   on  any  national   securities   exchange  or
         over-the-counter  market, or trading in securities generally shall have
         suspended  on any national  securities  exchange or on the Nasdaq Stock
         Market, or a general banking  moratorium shall have been established by
         federal or state authorities;

                         (ii) Any event shall have  occurred or shall exist that
         makes  untrue or incorrect  in any  material  respect any  statement or
         information  contained  in the  Registration  Statement  or that is not
         reflected in the Registration Statement but should be reflected therein
         to make the statements or information  contained therein not misleading
         in any material respect; or

                         (iii) Any outbreak or escalation  of major  hostilities
         or other national or international  calamity or any substantial  change
         in political,  financial or economic  conditions shall have occurred or
         shall  have  accelerated  to  such  extent,  in  the   Representative's
         reasonable  judgment,  as to  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the
         general  securities  market or make it  impracticable or inadvisable to
         proceed  with  completion  of the sale and  payment  for the  Preferred
         Securities as provided in this Agreement.

                Any  termination  pursuant  to this  Section 14 shall be without
         liability on the part of any  Underwriter to the Company or on the part
         of the Company to any  Underwriter  (except for  expenses to be paid by
         the Company pursuant to Section 7 or reimbursed by the Company pursuant
         to Section 9 and except as to  indemnification  and contribution to the
         extent provided in Section 11).

                SECTION 15. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery.
         The respective indemnity and contribution agreements of the Company and
         the Underwriters, and the representations, warranties, covenants, other
         statements  of the  Offerors  and of their  directors  and officers set
         forth in or made pursuant to this  Agreement  will remain in full force
         and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any
         Underwriter,  the Offerors, or any of its or their partners,  officers,
         directors,  or any  controlling  person,  as the case may be,  and will
         survive


                                       - 28 -


<PAGE>










         delivery of and payment for the Preferred  Securities  sold  hereunder.
         The  respective  indemnity  and  contribution  of the  Company  and the
         Underwriters,  the  provisions  of Section  7(a) and  Section 9 of this
         Agreement,  and the representations and warranties of the Offerors will
         survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

                     SECTION 16. Notices. All communications  hereunder shall be
         in  writing  and,  if  sent  to the  Representative,  will  be  mailed,
         delivered,  or telecopied (with receipt confirmed) to Advest,  Inc., at
         One Rockefeller Plaza, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10020, Attention:
         Michael T. Mayes,  Managing  Director (Fax No. (212)  584-4292)  with a
         copy to Steven  Kaplan,  Arnold & Porter,  555  Twelfth  Street,  N.W.,
         Washington,  D.C. 20004,  (Fax No. (202)  942-5999;  and if sent to the
         Company or the Trust will be mailed,  delivered,  or  telecopied  (with
         receipt confirmed) to Premier Financial Bancorp,  Inc., 120 N. Hamilton
         Street,  Georgetown,   Kentucky  40324,  Attention:  J.  Howell  Kelly,
         President and Chief  Executive  Officer (Fax No. (502) 863-7503) with a
         copy to John J.  Spidi,  Malizia,  Spidi,  Sloane  & Fisch,  P.C.,  One
         Franklin Square, 1301 K Street, N.W., Suite 700 East, Washington,  D.C.
         20005 (Fax No. (202) 434-4661).

                SECTION 17. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit
         of  and be  binding  upon  the  parties  hereto  and  their  respective
         successors or assigns, and to the benefit of the directors and officers
         (and their personal  representatives)  and controlling persons referred
         to in Section 11, and no other person  shall  acquire or have any right
         or obligation hereunder.  The terms "successors or assigns," as used in
         this  Agreement,  shall not  include  any  purchaser  of the  Preferred
         Securities from any Underwriter merely by reason of such purchase.

                SECTION   18.   Partial   Unenforceability.   If  any   section,
         subsection,  clause,  or provision of this  Agreement is for any reason
         determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall not
         affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, subsection,
         clause, or provision hereof.

                SECTION 19.  Applicable Law.  This Agreement shall  be  governed
         by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the  State  of
         New York.

                SECTION 20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire
         agreement  among the parties  hereto with  respect to the  transactions
         contemplated  herein,  and there have been and are no agreements  among
         the parties with respect to such  transactions  other than as set forth
         or provided for herein.




                                       - 29 -


<PAGE>










                SECTION 21. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one
         or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed  an  original,  but
         all  of  which  taken  together  shall  constitute  one  and  the  same
         instrument.

                If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
         agreement,  kindly  sign and  return  to us the  enclosed  counterparts
         hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement among the Company,
         the  Trust  and the  Underwriters,  including  the  Representative,  in
         accordance with its terms.

                                Very truly yours,

                                  PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.


                                  By:

                                  Title:


                               PFBI CAPITAL TRUST

                                  By:  PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
                                       as Depositor


                                  By:

                                  Title:

                                  ADVEST, INC.

                                  As representative of the several  Underwriters
                                  listed in Schedule A.

                                  By:

                                  Title:













                                       - 30 -


<PAGE>










                               PFBI CAPITAL TRUST

                         PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.

                                   SCHEDULE A
                                                 Liquidation Amount of
                                                 Firm Securities to be
              Name of Underwriter                      Purchased


              Advest, Inc................................  $















              Aggregate Liquidation Amount...............  $25,000,000



<PAGE>










                                                                       EXHIBIT A


              The  opinion of special  counsel  to the  Company to be  delivered
              pursuant to Section 8(d)(i) of the Underwriting Agreement shall be
              substantially to the effect that:

              1. The  Company is a  corporation  existing  and in good  standing
              under the laws of the  Commonwealth  of Kentucky,  with  requisite
              corporate  power and authority to own its  properties  and conduct
              its business as described in the  Registration  Statement,  except
              for such power and authority the absence of which would not have a
              material adverse effect on the Company,  and is registered as bank
              holding  company  under the Bank Holding  Company Act of 1956,  as
              amended.

              2. The Company and each Subsidiary have been duly  incorporated or
              organized  and are  validly  existing as  corporations  or banking
              associations  in good standing under the laws of the  jurisdiction
              of  organization,  with full corporate power and authority to own,
              lease, and operate their  respective  properties and conduct their
              respective businesses as described in the Registration  Statement;
              the Company and each  Subsidiary  are  qualified to do business as
              foreign   corporations   under  the   corporation   laws  of  each
              jurisdiction in which the Company or such Subsidiary,  as the case
              may be,  owns or leases  properties,  has an  office,  or in which
              business is conducted and such  qualification is required,  except
              where the failure to so qualify would not have a material  adverse
              effect.

              3. The  Company  and the Trust each has full  corporate  power and
              authority  to  execute,  deliver,  and  perform  the  Underwriting
              Agreement and to issue, sell, and deliver the Preferred Securities
              to be sold  by it to the  Underwriters  as  provided  herein;  the
              Underwriting  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed  and
              delivered by the Company and the Trust,  and  constitutes a legal,
              valid, and binding obligation of each of the Company and the Trust
              and is  enforceable  against  each of the Company and the Trust in
              accordance  with  its  terms,  except  as  enforceability  of this
              Agreement    may   be   limited   by    bankruptcy,    insolvency,
              reorganization,  moratorium,  or similar laws affecting creditors'
              rights generally,  and by equitable  principles limiting the right
              to specific  performance or other  equitable  relief and except as
              the  obligations  of the  Company  under the  indemnification  and
              contribution provisions of


<PAGE>










              Section   11  of  the   Agreement   may  be  limited  by  laws  or
              unenforceable as against public policy,  as to which no opinion is
              expressed, and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

              4. The Trust  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed  and
              delivered by the Company, and is a valid and binding obligation of
              the Company,  enforceable  against the Company in accordance  with
              its  terms,  except  as  such  enforceability  may be  limited  by
              applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  receivership,
              readjustment of debt, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or similar
              laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general
              equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or
              at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

              5. The Guarantee Agreement has been duly authorized,  executed and
              delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding  obligation of
              the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
              terms,  except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
              bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, readjustment
              of  debt,  moratorium,   fraudulent  conveyance  or  similar  laws
              relating to or  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally,  general
              equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or
              at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

              6. The Indenture has been duly authorized,  executed and delivered
              by the Company,  has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture
              Act,  and  is a  valid  and  binding  agreement  of  the  Company,
              enforceable  against  the  Company in  accordance  with its terms,
              except  as  such  enforceability  may  be  limited  by  applicable
              bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, readjustment
              of  debt,  moratorium,   fraudulent  conveyance  or  similar  laws
              relating to or  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally,  general
              equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or
              at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

              7. The Subordinated Debentures have been duly authorized, executed
              and  delivered  by the  Company  and when  duly  authenticated  in
              accordance  with  the  Indenture  and  delivered  and  paid for in
              accordance  with  the  Junior   Subordinated   Debenture  Purchase
              Agreement  dated as of June , 1997, by and between the Company and
              the Trust,  will be valid and binding  obligations of the Company,
              entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable  against
              the Company in accordance with their


                                       - 2 -


<PAGE>










              terms,  except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
              bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, readjustment
              of  debt,  moratorium,   fraudulent  conveyance  or  similar  laws
              relating to or  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally,  general
              equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or
              at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

              8.  The  Trust  is  not  an  "investment  company"  or  an  entity
              "controlled" by an "investment company," as such terms are defined
              in Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

              9. The statements set forth in the  Registration  Statement  under
              the  captions   "Supervision  and  Regulation,"   "Description  of
              Preferred   Securities,"   "Description  of  Junior   Subordinated
              Debentures,"  "Description of Guarantee" and  "Relationship  Among
              the Preferred Securities,  the Junior Subordinated  Debentures and
              the Guarantee," insofar as they purport to describe the provisions
              of the laws  referred  to  therein,  fairly  summarize  the  legal
              matters described therein.

              10. The  statements of law or legal  conclusions  and opinions set
              forth in the  Registration  Statement  under the caption  "Certain
              Federal Income Tax  Consequences,"  subject to the assumptions and
              conditions described therein, constitute such counsel's opinion.

              11. The  Registration  Statement was declared  effective under the
              Securities  Act as of the date and time  specified in such opinion
              and, to such counsel's  knowledge and  information,  no stop order
              suspending the  effectiveness  of the  Registration  Statement has
              been issued under the Securities  Act and no proceedings  therefor
              have been initiated or threatened by the Commission.

              12.  The  Registration   Statement  and  the  Prospectus  and  any
              amendment or  supplement  thereto made by the Company prior to the
              Closing Date or any Option  Closing Date (other than the financial
              statements and financial and statistical data included therein, as
              to which no  opinion  need be  rendered),  when it or they  became
              effective or were filed with the  Commission,  as the case may be,
              and in each case at the Closing Date or any Option  Closing  Date,
              complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements
              of the Securities  Act, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable
              rules and regulations under said acts, and such counsel has no


                                       - 3 -


<PAGE>










              reason to believe that the Registration  Statement, at the time it
              became  effective,  contained  any untrue  statement of a material
              fact or  omitted to state a material  fact  necessary  in order to
              make the statements contained therein, not misleading, or that the
              Prospectus, at the time it was filed with the Commission or at the
              Closing  Date or any Option  Closing  Date,  contained  any untrue
              statement of a material  fact or omitted to state a material  fact
              necessary in order to make the statements  contained  therein,  in
              the light of the  circumstances  under  which they were made,  not
              misleading.

              13.  Such  counsel  knows of no  material  legal  or  governmental
              proceedings  pending to which the Company or any  Subsidiary  is a
              party or of which any property of the Company or any Subsidiary is
              the subject which are required to be disclosed in the Registration
              Statement   or  which  would  affect  the   consummation   of  the
              transactions  contemplated in this Agreement, the Indenture or the
              Preferred   Securities;   and  such  counsel   knows  of  no  such
              proceedings  which are threatened or  contemplated by governmental
              authorities or threatened by others.

              14. Such counsel  knows of no  contracts,  indentures,  mortgages,
              loan agreements, notes, leases or other instruments required to be
              described in the Registration Statement or to be filed as exhibits
              thereto   other   than  those   described   therein  or  filed  or
              incorporated   by   reference  as  exhibits   thereto,   and  such
              instruments  as are summarized in the  Registration  Statement are
              fairly summarized in all material respects.

              15.   No   approval,    authorization,    consent,   registration,
              qualification  or  other  order  of any  public  board  or body is
              required in  connection  with the  execution  and delivery of this
              Agreement,  the Trust Agreement,  the Guarantee Agreement, and the
              Indenture or the issuance and sale of the Preferred  Securities or
              the  consummation  by  the  Company  of  the  other   transactions
              contemplated by this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee
              Agreement,  or the  Indenture,  except such as have been  obtained
              under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Trust Indenture
              Act or such as may be  required  under the blue sky or  securities
              laws of various states in connection with the offering and sale of
              the Preferred Securities (as to which such counsel need express no
              opinion).




                                       - 4 -


<PAGE>










              16.  The  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement,  the Trust
              Agreement,  the Guarantee Agreement,  and the Indenture, the issue
              and  sale  of  the  Preferred   Securities  and  the  Subordinated
              Debentures,  the  compliance by the Company with the provisions of
              the  Preferred  Securities,   the  Subordinated  Debentures,   the
              Indenture  and  this  Agreement  and  the   consummation   of  the
              transactions  herein and therein  contemplated  will not  conflict
              with or constitute a breach of, or default under,  the articles of
              incorporation  or  by-laws  of the  Company or a breach or default
              under any contract,  indenture,  mortgage,  loan agreement,  note,
              lease or other  instrument  known to such  counsel to which either
              the  Company or any  Subsidiary  is a party or by which  either of
              them or any of their respective properties may be bound except for
              such breaches as would not have a material  adverse  effect on the
              Company and its  Subsidiaries  considered as one  enterprise,  nor
              will such action  result in a violation on the part of the Company
              or any  Subsidiary of any  applicable  law or regulation or of any
              administrative, regulatory or court decree known to such counsel.































                                       - 5 -


<PAGE>










                                                                       EXHIBIT B


              The opinion of counsel to the Trust Company and Trust  Delaware to
              be  delivered  pursuant to Section  8(d)(ii)  of the  Underwriting
              Agreement shall be substantially to the effect that:

              1. The Trust Company is duly  incorporated and is validly existing
              in good standing as a banking  corporation with trust powers under
              the laws of the State of New York.

              2. The Indenture  Trustee has the requisite power and authority to
              execute,  deliver and perform its obligations under the Indenture,
              and has taken all  necessary  corporate  action to  authorize  the
              execution, delivery and performance by it of the Indenture.

              3. The Guarantee  Trustee has the requisite power and authority to
              execute,  deliver and perform its obligations  under the Guarantee
              Agreement,  and  has  taken  all  necessary  corporate  action  to
              authorize the  execution,  delivery and  performance  by it of the
              Guarantee Agreement.

              4. The Property  Trustee has the requisite  power and authority to
              execute  and  deliver  the  Trust  Agreement,  and has  taken  all
              necessary corporate action to authorize the execution and delivery
              of the Trust Agreement.

              5. Each of the Indenture and the Guarantee Agreement has been duly
              executed and delivered by the Indenture  Trustee and the Guarantee
              Trustee,  respectively, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
              obligation  of the Indenture  Trustee and the  Guarantee  Trustee,
              respectively,  enforceable  against the Indenture  Trustee and the
              Guarantee Trustee,  respectively in accordance with its respective
              terms,  except that certain payment obligations may be enforceable
              solely  against  the  assets  of the Trust  and  except  that such
              enforcement   may   be   limited   by   bankruptcy,    insolvency,
              reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance and
              transfer  or other  similar  laws  affecting  the  enforcement  of
              creditors' rights generally,  and by general principles of equity,
              including,   without   limitation,    concepts   of   materiality,
              reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether
              such  enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
              law), and by the effect of applicable public policy on the


<PAGE>










              enforceability  of  provisions  relating  to  indemnification  or
              contribution.

              6. The Subordinated  Debentures  delivered on the date hereof have
              been duly  authenticated  by the  Indenture  Trustee in accordance
              with the terms of the Indenture.















































                                       - 2 -


<PAGE>










                                                                       EXHIBIT C


              The opinion of counsel, as special Delaware counsel to the Company
              and the Trust to be delivered pursuant to Section 8(d)(iii) of the
              Underwriting Agreement shall be substantially to the effect that:


              1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good
              standing as a business  trust under the  Delaware  Business  Trust
              Act, 12 Del. C. Section 3801 et seq. (the "Delaware Act"), and all
              filings  required  under  the laws of the State of  Delaware  with
              respect  to the  creation  and valid  existence  of the Trust as a
              business trust have been made.

              2. Under the  Delaware Act and the Trust  Agreement  the Trust has
              the  trust  power and  authority  to own its  property  and to its
              conduct its business, all as described in the Prospectus.

              3. The Trust Agreement  constitutes a valid and binding obligation
              of the Company and the Property Trustee and the Delaware  Trustee,
              and is  enforceable  against  the  Company  and the  Trustees,  in
              accordance with its terms.

              4. Under the Delaware Act and the Trust  Agreement,  the Trust has
              the trust  power and  authority  to execute  and  deliver,  and to
              perform its obligations  under, the Underwriting  Agreement and to
              issue and perform its obligations  under the Preferred  Securities
              and the Common Securities.

              5. Under the Delaware Act and the Trust  Agreement,  the execution
              and delivery by the Trust of the Underwriting  Agreement,  and the
              performance by the Trust of its obligations thereunder,  have been
              duly  authorized by all necessary  trust action on the part of the
              Trust.

              6. The Preferred Securities have been duly authorized by the Trust
              Agreement  and are duly and  validly  issued  and,  subject to the
              qualifications  set forth  herein,  fully  paid and  nonassessable
              undivided  beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and are
              entitled to the benefits of the Trust Agreement.  The Holders,  as
              beneficial  owners  of the  Trust,  will be  entitled  to the same
              limitation  of  personal  liability  extended to  stockholders  of
              private  corporations  for  profit  organized  under  the  General
              Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note that the Holders
              may be obligated


<PAGE>










              pursuant to the Trust Agreement,  (i) to provide  indemnity and/or
              security in connection with and pay taxes or governmental  charges
              arising  from  transfers  or  exchanges  of  Preferred  Securities
              Certificates and the issuance of replacement  Preferred Securities
              Certificates,  and  (ii)  to  provide  security  or  indemnity  in
              connection with requests of or directions to the Property  Trustee
              to exercise its rights and powers under the Trust Agreement.

              7. Under the Delaware Act and the Trust Agreement, the issuance of
              the Preferred  Securities and Common  Securities is not subject to
              preemptive rights.

              8. The Common  Securities  have been duly  authorized by the Trust
              Agreement  and are duly and validly  issued  undivided  beneficial
              interests  in the  assets  of the Trust  and are  entitled  to the
              benefits of the Trust Agreement.

              9. The issuance and sale by the Trust of the Preferred  Securities
              and  Common   Securities,   the  purchase  by  the  Trust  of  the
              Subordinated Debentures,  the execution,  delivery and performance
              by the Trust of the  Underwriting  Agreement,  the consummation by
              the Trust of the  transactions  contemplated  by the  Underwriting
              Agreement  and the  compliance  by the Trust with its  obligations
              thereunder  will  not  violate  (i) any of the  provisions  of the
              Certificate of Trust or the Trust Agreement or (ii) any applicable
              Delaware law or administrative regulation.

              10. Trust Delaware is duly incorporated and is validly existing in
              good standing as a banking corporation with trust powers under the
              laws of the State of Delaware.

              11. The Delaware  Trustee has the requisite power and authority to
              execute  and  deliver  the  Trust  Agreement,  and has  taken  all
              necessary corporate action to authorize the execution and delivery
              of the Trust Agreement.












                                       - 2 -




                                   EXHIBIT 5.1
                      Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger




<PAGE>



                     [Richards, Layton & Finger Letterhead]






PFBI Capital Trust
c/o Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.
120 N. Hamilton Street
Georgetown, KY 40234

         Re:      PFBI Capital Trust
                  ------------------  

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have  acted as  special  Delaware  counsel  for PFBI  Capital  Trust,  a
Delaware business trust (the "Trust"),  in connection with the matters set forth
herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.

     For purposes of giving the opinions  hereinafter set forth, our examination
of documents has been limited to the  examination  of originals or copies of the
following:

     (a) The  Certificate  of  Trust  of the  Trust,  dated  May 27,  1997  (the
"Certificate"), as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on May 27, 1997;

     (b) The Trust  Agreement  of the  Trust,  dated as of May 27,  1997,  among
Premier Financial  Bancorp,  Inc., a Kentucky  corporation (the "Company"),  and
Bankers Trust (Delaware), a Delaware banking corporation (the "Trustee");

     (c) The Registration Statement (the "Registration  Statement") on Form S-1,
including a prospectus (the "Prospectus")  relating to the Preferred  Securities
of the Trust representing  undivided  beneficial  interests in the assets of the
Trust  (each,   a  "Preferred   Security"  and   collectively,   the  "Preferred
Securities"),  as filed by the  Company  and the Trust with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission on May 29, 1997;

     (d) A  Certificate  of Good  Standing  for the Trust,  dated May 28,  1997,
obtained from the Secretary of State; and

     (e) A form of Amended and  Restated  Trust  Agreement  of the Trust,  to be
entered into among the Company, the trustees of the Trust named therein, and the
holders,  from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust (the
"Trust Agreement"), attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.


<PAGE>

PFBI Capital Trust
May 30, 1997
Page 2


     Initially  capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used
as defined in the Trust Agreement.

     For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other than
the documents  listed above,  and we have assumed that there exists no provision
in any  document  that we have not reviewed  that bears upon or is  inconsistent
with the  opinions  stated  herein.  We have  conducted no  independent  factual
investigation  of our own but  rather  have  relied  solely  upon the  foregoing
documents,  the statements and  information set forth therein and the additional
matters  recited or  assumed  herein,  all of which we have  assumed to be true,
complete and accurate in all material respects.

     With  respect to all  documents  examined  by us, we have  assumed  (i) the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic  originals,  (ii) the
conformity  with the  originals  of all  documents  submitted to us as copies or
forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.

     For purposes of this opinion,  we have assumed (i) that the Trust Agreement
constitutes  the entire  agreement among the parties thereto with respect to the
subject matter  thereof,  including with respect to the creation,  operation and
termination of the Trust,  and that the Trust  Agreement and the Certificate are
in full force and effect and have not been  amended,  (ii)  except to the extent
provided in  paragraph 1 below,  the due  creation  or due  organization  or due
formation,  as the case may be, and valid  existence  in good  standing  of each
party  to the  documents  examined  by us  under  the  laws of the  jurisdiction
governing its creation,  organization or formation,  (iii) the legal capacity of
natural persons who are parties to the documents  examined by us, (iv) that each
of the parties to the  documents  examined by us has the power and  authority to
execute and deliver,  and to perform its obligations under, such documents,  (v)
the due  authorization,  execution  and  delivery by all parties  thereto of all
documents  examined  by us,  (vi) the receipt by each Person to whom a Preferred
Security is to be issued by the Trust  (collectively,  the  "Preferred  Security
Holders") of a Preferred  Security  Certificate for such Preferred  Security and
the payment for the Preferred  Security  acquired by it, in accordance  with the
Trust Agreement and the Prospectus,  and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are
issued and sold to the Preferred  Security  Holders in accordance with the Trust
Agreement and the Prospectus. We have not participated in the preparation of the
Registration Statement and assume no responsibility for its contents.

     This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the
securities  laws of the  State  of  Delaware),  and we have not  considered  and
express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws
and rules and regulations  relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with
respect to Delaware laws and rules,  regulations and orders thereunder which are
currently in effect.


<PAGE>

PFBI Capital Trust
May 30, 1997
Page 3

     Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law
and  statutes  of the  State of  Delaware  as we hare  considered  necessary  or
appropriate,  and subject to the  assumptions,  qualifications,  limitations and
exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

     1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing
as a business trust under the Delaware  Business Trust Act, 12 Del. C. Section
3801, et seq.                                                  ------
      -- ---
     2. The  Preferred  Securities  will  represent  valid  and,  subject to the
qualifications  set forth in  paragraph  3 below,  fully paid and  nonassessable
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.

     3. The Preferred Security Holders,  as beneficial owners of the Trust, will
be  entitled  to  the  same  limitation  of  personal   liability   extended  to
stockholders  of private  corporations  for profit  organized  under the General
Corporation  Law of the State of Delaware.  We note that the Preferred  Security
Holders may be obligated to make payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.

     We consent to the filing of this opinion with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission as an exhibit to the Registration  Statement.  In addition, we hereby
consent to the use of our name under the heading "Validity of Securities" in the
Prospectus.  In giving the foregoing  consents,  we do not thereby admit that we
come within the category of Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  or the rules and  regulations  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission  thereunder.  Except as stated above, without
our prior  written  consent,  this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or
relied upon by, any other Person for any purpose.

                                            Very truly yours,


 
                                            /s/ Richards, Layton & Finger   
                                            -----------------------------    
                                            







                                  EXHIBIT 10.5
                Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 28, 1997,
               by and between the registrant and the Sabina Bank


<PAGE>

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement"), dated as of May 28, 1997, among
PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC., a Kentucky corporation ("Parent"), PFBI INTERIM
BANK, an Ohio banking  corporation in organization and a wholly owned subsidiary
of Parent ("Merger Sub"), and THE SABINA BANK, an Ohio banking  corporation (the
"Company").

R E C I T A L S:

     A. The Boards of Directors of Parent,  Merger Sub and the Company each have
determined that a business  combination  involving the merger of Merger Sub into
the Company and the Company  becoming a wholly owned  subsidiary of Parent is in
the best interests of their  respective  companies and shareholders and presents
an opportunity for Parent and the Company and their  respective  shareholders to
achieve long-term strategic and financial benefits,  and accordingly have agreed
to effect  the merger  provided  for herein  (the  "Merger")  upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth herein.

     B.   Parent,   Merger  Sub  and  the   Company   desire  to  make   certain
representations,  warranties,  covenants and  agreements in connection  with the
Merger and to prescribe various conditions to the Merger.

     C. For federal income tax purposes,  it is intended that the Merger qualify
as a reorganization  under the provisions of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

         D.       It is intended that the Merger shall be recorded for
accounting purposes as a pooling of interests.

A G R E E M E N T:

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


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

     1.1  Effective  Time  of the  Merger.  Subject  to the  provisions  of this
Agreement,  a certificate of merger (the  "Certificate of Merger") shall be duly
executed and acknowledged by Merger Sub and the Company and thereafter delivered
to the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio,  for filing,  as provided in the
General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio (the "OGCL"), as soon as

                                        1

<PAGE>



practicable on or after the Closing Date (as defined in Section 1.2). The Merger
shall become  effective  upon the filing of the  Certificate  of Merger with the
Secretary  of  State  of the  State  of Ohio or at such  time  thereafter  as is
provided in the Certificate of Merger (the "Effective Time").

     1.2 Closing.  The closing of the Merger (the  "Closing") will take place at
10:00 a.m. on a date to be specified  by the  parties,  which shall be the first
day which is five business days after satisfaction of the latest to occur of the
conditions set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2(b) and 6.3(b) (other than the delivery
of the  officers'  certificates  referred  to in  Sections  6.2(b) and  6.3(b)),
provided that the other closing conditions set forth in Article VI have been met
or waived as  provided in Article VI at or prior to the  Closing  (the  "Closing
Date"),  at the  offices of Vorys,  Sater,  Seymour  and Pease,  221 East Fourth
Street,  Suite 2100,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  unless another time,  date or place is
agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.

     1.3  Effects  of the  Merger.  At the  Effective  Time,  (a)  the  separate
existence of Merger Sub shall cease and Merger Sub shall be merged with and into
the  Company,  (b) the  articles of  incorpora  tion of the Company as in effect
immediately  prior to the Effective Time shall be the articles of  incorporation
of the Surviving  Corporation  until  thereafter  changed or amended as provided
therein or by applicable  law and (c) the code of  regulations of the Company as
in effect  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time shall be the bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or
by applicable law. As used in this Agreement, "Surviving Corporation" shall mean
the Company.  At and after the Effective  Time, the Merger will have the effects
set forth in Section 1701.82 of the OGCL.

                                   ARTICLE II

                EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE STOCK OF THE COMPANY
                    AND MERGER SUB; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

     2.1 Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of the holder of any common stock,  $1.00 par
value, of the Company ("Company Common Stock"):

          (a)  Cancellation of Parent- or Merger Sub-Owned  Shares.  All Company
Common  Stock that is owned by Parent,  Merger Sub or any other  Subsidiary  (as
defined  in Section  3.1(a)) of Parent  (other  than  shares in trust  accounts,
managed accounts and the like that are beneficially  owned by third parties (any
such shares,  "trust  account  shares"))  shall be cancelled  and shall cease to
exist and no shares of common  stock of Parent or other  consideration  shall be
delivered in exchange therefor.


                                        2

<PAGE>



          (b)  Conversion  of Merger  Sub  Common  Stock.  Each of the shares of
common stock of Merger Sub ("Merger Sub Common  Stock")  issued and  outstanding
immediately  prior to the Effective  Time of the Merger shall be converted  into
1,000 shares of common stock of the Surviving  Corporation,  $1.00 par value per
share.

          (c) Conversion of Company Common Stock.  Each of the shares of Company
Common Stock issued and outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective Time of
the Merger  shall be converted  into 4.33 (such number being  referred to as the
"Conversion  Number")  fully paid and  non-assessable  shares of common stock of
Parent,  without par value  ("Parent  Common  Stock"),  all in  accordance  with
Section 2.2.

          (d) Dissenting  Shares.  Notwithstanding  any other provisions of this
Agreement to the contrary,  Company Common Stock that is outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time and which is held by shareholders who shall not have
voted in favor of the Merger or consented  thereto in writing and who shall have
properly  demanded  in writing  appraisal  for such  shares in  accordance  with
Section 1701.85 of the OGCL (collectively, the "Dissenting Shares") shall not be
converted into or represent the right to receive the  consideration  provided in
Section 2.1(c).  Such shareholders  ("Dissenting  Holders") shall be entitled to
receive payment of the appraised value of such Company Common Stock held by them
in accordance  with the provisions of Section  1701.85 of the OGCL,  except that
all Dissenting  Shares held by shareholders  who shall have failed to perfect or
who  effectively  shall have withdrawn or lost their rights to appraisal of such
Company  Common Stock under such Section  1701.85  shall  thereupon be deemed to
have  been  converted  into  and to  have  become  exchangeable  for,  as of the
Effective  Time,  the right to receive  the  consideration  provided  in Section
2.1(c),  without any interest  thereon,  upon  surrender of the  certificate  or
certificates  that formerly  evidenced  such Company  Common Stock in accordance
with Section 2.2.

          (e) Adjustment to Conversion  Number.  If, prior to the Effective Time
of the Merger, Parent shall pay a dividend in, subdivide, combine into a smaller
number of shares or issue by  reclassification  of its shares any Parent  Common
Stock, the Conversion Number shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
which  shall  be the  number  of  shares  of  Parent  Common  Stock  outstanding
immediately  after,  and the  denominator  of which  shall be the number of such
shares  outstanding  immediately  before,  the occurrence of such event, and the
product shall be the Conversion Number for purposes of Section 2.1(c).

     2.2  Exchange of Certificates.

         (a) Exchange  Agent.  Parent shall authorize a commercial bank (or such
other person or persons as shall be acceptable to Parent and the Company) to act
as exchange agent hereunder (the

                                        3

<PAGE>



"Exchange  Agent").  As soon as  practicable,  but not later than three business
days after the Effective Time,  Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent, in
trust for the holders of certificates  which  immediately prior to the Effective
Time  represented  Company  Common Stock  converted in the Merger (the  "Company
Certificates"),  certificates  representing  the shares of Parent  Common  Stock
(such  shares  of  Parent   Common   Stock,   together  with  any  dividends  or
distributions  with respect  thereto in accordance  with Section  2.2(c),  being
hereinafter  referred to as the "Exchange  Fund")  issuable  pursuant to Section
2.1(c) in  exchange  for the  outstanding  Company  Common  Stock  (the  "Parent
Certificates").

          (b)  Exchange Procedures.

               (i) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange
Agent  shall  mail to each  recordholder  of a Company  Certificate  a letter of
transmittal  (which shall specify that delivery  shall be effected,  and risk of
loss and title to the Company Certificates shall pass, only upon actual delivery
thereof  to the  Exchange  Agent  and  shall  contain  instructions  for  use in
effecting  the  surrender  of the  Company  Certificates  in  exchange  for  the
consideration  described in the next sentence).  Upon surrender for cancellation
to the Exchange Agent of all Company  Certificates held by any recordholder of a
Company  Certificate,  together with such letter of  transmittal  duly executed,
such  holder  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  in  exchange  therefor  a Parent
Certificate(s)  representing  the number of whole shares of Parent  Common Stock
into which the Company  Common  Stock  represented  by the  surrendered  Company
Certificate(s)  shall have been converted at the Effective Time pursuant to this
Article  II,  cash in lieu of any  fractional  share of Parent  Common  Stock in
accordance with Section 2.2(e) and certain dividends and other  distributions in
accordance with Section 2.2(c),  and the Company  Certificate(s)  so surrendered
shall  forthwith be  cancelled;  provided,  however,  that Company  Certificates
surrendered  for  exchange  by any person  constituting  an  "affiliate"  of the
Company for purposes of Rule 145(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities  Act"),  shall not be exchanged for Parent  Certificates  until
Parent has received a written  agreement from such person as provided in Section
5.6.

                  (ii) Until Company Certificates have been sur
rendered  and  exchanged  for  Parent  Certificates  as  herein  provided,  each
outstanding  Company Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective
Time to  represent  only the  right to  receive  upon  such  surrender  a Parent
Certificate(s)  representing a whole number of shares of Parent Common Stock and
cash in lieu of any  fractional  share as  contemplated  by this Section 2.2. No
transfer  taxes shall be payable in connection  with any such  exchange,  except
that if any  Parent  Certificate  (or any check  representing  cash in lieu of a
fractional  share)  is to be  issued  in the name  other  than that in which the
Company Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered,  it shall be
a condition of such exchange

                                        4

<PAGE>



that the person  requesting  such exchange  shall pay to the Exchange  Agent any
transfer  or other  taxes  required  by reason  of the  issuance  of the  Parent
Certificate (or check) in a name other than that of the registered holder of the
Company  Certificate,  or shall  establish to the  satisfaction  of the Exchange
Agent that such tax has been paid or is not  applicable.  Parent or the Exchange
Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration  otherwise
payable  pursuant to this  Agreement to any holder of Company  Common Stock such
amounts as Parent or the  Exchange  Agent are  required  to deduct and  withhold
under the Code,  or any  provision  of state,  local or  foreign  tax law,  with
respect  to the  making of such  payment.  To the  extent  that  amounts  are so
withheld by Parent or the Exchange Agent, such withheld amounts shall be treated
for all  purposes  of this  Agreement  as having  been paid to the holder of the
Company Common Stock in respect of whom such deduction and  withholding was made
by Parent or the Exchange Agent.  If outstanding  Company  Certificates  are not
surrendered  prior to six years after the  Effective  Time of the Merger (or, in
any par ticular  case,  prior to such earlier date on which  dividends and other
distributions,  if any, described above would otherwise escheat to or become the
property of any governmental unit or agency),  the amount of dividends and other
distributions,  if any,  that have  become  payable and that  thereafter  become
payable on Parent  Common Stock  evidenced by such Company  Certificates  as pro
vided herein  shall,  to the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  become the
property of Parent (and, to the extent not in its possession, shall be paid over
to it),  free and  clear of all  claims or  interest  of any  person  previously
entitled thereto.

                  (c)  Distributions  with  Respect to  Unexchanged  Shares.  No
dividends or other distributions  declared or made after the Effective Time with
respect to Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall
be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered  Company  Certificate with respect to
the Parent  Common  Stock  represented  thereby,  and no cash payment in lieu of
fraction al shares shall be paid to any such holder  pursuant to Section 2.2(e),
until the holder of such Company  Certificate shall surrender it. Subject to the
effect of applicable laws,  following surrender of any such Company Certificate,
there shall be paid to the holder of the Parent  Certificate  representing whole
shares of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i)
at the time of such  surrender or promptly  thereafter  as is  practicable,  the
amount of any cash payable with respect to a fractional  share of Parent  Common
Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(e) and the amount
of dividends or other  distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
theretofore  paid with respect to such whole  number of shares of Parent  Common
Stock and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to surrender
and a payment date  subsequent  to surrender  payable with respect to such whole
number of shares of Parent Common Stock.

                                        5

<PAGE>



          (d) No Further  Ownership  Rights in Company Common Stock.  All Parent
Common Stock issued upon  conversion of Company Common Stock in accordance  with
the terms hereof  (including any cash paid pursuant to Section  2.2(e)) shall be
deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such
Company  Common  Stock,  subject,   however,  to  the  Surviving   Corporation's
obligation  to pay any dividends or make any other  distributions  with a record
date  prior to the  Effective  Time that may have been  declared  or made by the
Company on Company  Common Stock in accordance  with the terms of this Agreement
on or prior to the Effective Time and which remain unpaid at the Effective Time.
At the Effective  Time,  the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed
to holders of Company Common Stock  immediately  prior to the Effective Time and
no transfer of Company Common Stock by any such holder shall thereaf ter be made
or recognized.  If, after the Effective Time, Company Certificates are presented
to the  Surviving  Corporation  for any  reason,  they  shall be  cancelled  and
exchanged as provided in this Article II.

          (e)  No Fractional Shares.

               (i)  Notwithstanding  any other provision  hereof,  no fractional
share of Parent  Common Stock and no  certificate  or scrip  therefor,  or other
evidence of ownership  thereof,  will be issued, and no right to receive cash in
lieu thereof shall entitle the holder thereof to any voting or other rights of a
holder of shares or fractional share interests.

                  (ii) Each  holder of  Company  Common  Stock  shall be paid an
amount in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying the fractional share
interest to which such holder  (after  taking into account all shares of Company
Common  Stock then held by such  holder)  would  otherwise  be  entitled  by the
midpoint  between  the  highest  "bid" and lowest  "asked"  price for a share of
Parent Common Stock in the  over-the-counter  market for the business day immedi
ately preceding the Closing Date.

          (iii) As soon as practicable  after the determination of the amount of
cash, if any, to be paid to holders of Company  Common Stock with respect to any
fractional share interests, the Exchange Agent shall make available such amounts
to such holders of Company  Common Stock subject to and in  accordance  with the
terms of Section 2.2(b).

          (f)  Termination  of Exchange  Fund.  Any portion of the Exchange Fund
which remains  undistributed  to the  shareholders of the Company for six months
after the  Effective  Time shall be  delivered to Parent,  upon demand,  and any
shareholders of the Company who have not theretofore  complied with this Article
II shall  thereafter  look only to Parent for  payment of their claim for Parent
Common Stock, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of

                                        6

<PAGE>



Parent  Common Stock and any dividends or  distributions  with respect to Parent
Common Stock.

          (g) No  Liability.  Neither  Parent,  Merger Sub,  the Company nor the
Surviving  Corporation shall be liable to any holder of Company Common Stock for
any  amount  paid or  property  delivered  in good  faith to a  public  official
pursuant to any applicable aban doned property, escheat or similar law.

                                   ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     3.1  Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The
Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub that:

          (a)  Organization,  Standing  and  Power.  The  Company  is a  banking
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Ohio. The Company is a bank duly organized under Chapter 1113 of
the Ohio Revised Code validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of
the State of Ohio,  and all of its  deposits  are insured by the Bank  Insurance
Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") to the maximum extent
permitted  by law.  The Company has all  requisite  power and  authority to own,
lease and  operate  its  properties  and to carry on its  business  as now being
conducted,  and is duly  qualified  and in good  standing to do business in each
jurisdiction  in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of
its properties makes such qualification  necessary,  except where the failure to
be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate,  a Material  Adverse  Effect on the  Company.  For  purposes  of this
Agreement:  (i) "Material  Adverse  Change" or "Material  Adverse Effect" means,
when used with respect to Parent, the Company or the Surviving  Corporation,  as
the case may be, any change or effect  that is or would  reasonably  be expected
(so  far  as can be  foreseen  at the  time)  to be  materially  adverse  to the
business, properties, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or
results of the operations of Parent and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole, the
Company, or the Surviving  Corporation,  as the case may be; provided,  however,
that no Material  Adverse  Change or Material  Adverse Effect shall be deemed to
have occurred by reason of a change or effect  resulting  from general  economic
conditions,  general industry conditions, changes in banking laws or regulations
of general applicability or interpretations  thereof, or a general deterioration
in  the  financial  markets;   and  (ii)  "Subsidiary"  means  any  corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other legal entity of which Parent or the Company,
as the  case may be  (either  alone  or  through  or  together  with  any  other
Subsidiary),  owns, directly or indirectly,  50% or more of the capital stock or
other equity  interest the holders of which are  generally  entitled to vote for
the election of

                                        7

<PAGE>



the board of directors or other governing body of such corporation, partnership,
joint venture or other legal entity.

                  (b)  Capital Structure.

               (i) The  authorized  capital  stock of the  Company  con sists of
110,000 shares of Company Common Stock, all of which are outstanding.

               (ii) No bonds,  debentures,  notes or other  indebted ness having
the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities  having the
right to vote) on any  matters on which  shareholders  of the  Company  may vote
("Voting  Debt") are issued or outstanding.  All  outstanding  shares of Company
Common  Stock are, and any Company  Common Stock that may be issued  pursuant to
the exercise of any outstanding  stock option will be, duly authorized,  validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights.

               (iii)  Except as set forth in the letter  dated and  delivered to
Parent  on the  date  hereof  (the  "Company  Letter"),  which  relates  to this
Agreement and is  designated  therein as being the Company  Letter,  there is no
option, warrant, call, right (including any preemptive right), commitment or any
other agreement of any character that the Company is a party to, or may be bound
by,  requiring  it to issue,  transfer,  sell,  purchase or redeem any shares of
capital stock,  any Voting Debt, or any securities or rights  convertible  into,
exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for any shares of capital
stock of the Company, or to provide funds to, or make an investment, in the form
of a loan,  capital  contribution  or  otherwise  (excepting  loans  made in the
ordinary course of a commercial  banking  business),  in any other  corporation,
partnership,  firm, individual, trust or other legal entity (each, and any group
of any two or more of the foregoing, a "Person").

               (iv)  Except  as set  forth in the  Company  Letter,  there is no
voting  trust or other  agreement  or  understanding  to which the  Company is a
party,  or may be bound by, with  respect to the voting of the capital  stock of
the Company.

               (v) Since  December 31, 1994,  except as set forth in the Company
Letter,  the Company has not (A) issued or  permitted to be issued any shares of
capital  stock,  or securities  exercisable  for or  convertible  into shares of
capital stock, of the Company;  (B) repurchased,  redeemed or otherwise acquired
any shares of capital stock of the Company (other than the  acquisition of trust
account shares); or (C) declared, set aside, made or paid to shareholders of the
Company  dividends or other  distributions on the outstanding  shares of capital
stock of the Company,  other than regular  semi-annual  cash dividends at a rate
not in excess of the

                                        8

<PAGE>



regular  semi-annual cash dividends most recently  declared by the Company prior
to March 31, 1997.

          (c)  Authority.

               (i) The Company has all requisite  corporate  power and authority
to execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby.  This Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the
transactions  contemplat ed hereby have been duly and validly  authorized by the
Board of Directors of the Company and no other corporate proceedings on the part
of the Company are necessary to authorize  this  Agreement or to consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby (other than the approval of this Agreement by
the  shareholders  of the Company in accordance  with the OGCL and the Company's
articles of incorpora  tion).  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by the Company and, assuming this Agreement  constitutes the valid
and  binding  agreement  of Parent and Merger  Sub,  consti  tutes the valid and
binding  agreement of the Company,  enforceable  in  accordance  with its terms,
except that the enforcement hereof may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium  or other  similar  laws now or hereafter in effect,
relating  to  creditors'  rights  generally,  (B) general  principles  of equity
(regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or
at law) and (C) judicial discretion.

               (ii) Except as set forth in the Company Letter, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement does not, and the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby (subject to approval by the  shareholders of the Company of
this  Agreement)  will not,  conflict  with or result  in any  violation  of, or
default (with or without  notice or lapse of time, or both) under,  or give rise
to a right of termination,  amendment, cancellation,  acceleration or payment of
any  obligation or the loss of a material  benefit  under,  or the creation of a
lien, pledge, security interest, charge or other encumbrance on assets (any such
conflict,  violation,  default, right of termination,  amendment,  cancellation,
acceleration or payment, loss or creation, a "Violation") pursuant to, any provi
sions of the articles of incorporation or code of regulations of the Company or,
except as set forth in the Company  Letter,  and sub ject to obtaining or making
the consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and
filings  referred to in Subsection  (iii) below,  result in any Violation of any
loan or credit agreement,  note,  mortgage,  indenture,  lease, Benefit Plan (as
defined in Section 3.1(o)) or other agreement,  obligation,  instrument, permit,
concession,   franchise,   license,   judgment,  order,  decree,  statute,  law,
ordinance,  rule or regulation  applicable  to the Company or its  properties or
assets.

               (iii)  No  consent,  approval,  order  or  authorization  of,  or
registration,   declaration   or  filing  with,  any  federal  or  state  court,
administrative  agency  or  commission  or  other  govern  mental  authority  or
instrumentality (a "Governmental  Entity") is required by or with respect to the
Company in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,  or the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, the failure
to obtain which would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company,  except for
(A) the filing by Parent of an  application  with the Board of  Governors of the
Federal  Reserve System (the "Federal  Reserve")  under the Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956,  as amended  ("BHC Act"),  and approval of same,  (B) the filing by
Merger Sub and/or the Company of an application  with the Federal  Reserve under
the Bank  Merger  Act and  approval  of same,  (C) the  filing  by  Parent  of a
Registration  Statement  on Form S-4 ("S-4")  with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"), and the declaration by the SEC of its effectiveness, (D) the
filing by the Company of the  Certificate  of Merger with the Secretary of State
of the State of Ohio, and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of
other states in which the Company is qualified to do business, (E) the filing of
applications  by  Parent  and/or  Merger  Sub with the  Ohio  Superintendent  of
Financial  Institutions (the  "Superintendent"),  and approval thereof,  (F) the
filing of an  application by Parent with the  Commissioner  of the Department of
Financial  Institutions of the Commonwealth of Kentucky  ("KDFI"),  and approval
thereof,  (G)  notices  to or  filings  with the Small  Business  Administration
("SBA"),  or the Internal  Revenue  Service  (the "IRS") or the Pension  Benefit
Guaranty  Corporation  (the "PBGC") with respect to any Benefit  Plans,  and (H)
such  filings  and  approvals  as may be  required  under the "blue sky" laws of
various states.

          (d)  Financial  Statements.  The Company has made avail able to Parent
true and complete copies of the audited statements of financial position and the
related statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows (including
the related notes thereto) of the Company for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994,  certified by Grant Thornton LLP,  independent  certified  public
accountants (the "Company Audited Financial  Statements").  The Company also has
made  available to Parent true and complete  copies of the monthly and quarterly
unaudited  statements  of  financial  position  and the  related  statements  of
operations,  shareholders'  equity and cash flows of the Company for the monthly
and  quarterly  periods ended during the period of January 1, 1997 through April
30, 1997 (the "Company Unaudited  Financial State ments").  (The Company Audited
Financial  Statements,  the Company  Unaudited  Financial  Statements  and those
audited and unaudited  financial  statements  that the Company  hereafter  shall
deliver to Parent  pursuant to Section 5.5 are  collectively  referred to as the
"Company Financial Statements").  Except as set forth in the Company Letter, the
Company  Financial  Statements  are or,  as the  context  requires  shall be, in
compliance  as to form  in all  material  respects  with  applicable  accounting
requirements,  have been (or shall be)  prepared in  accordance  with  generally
accepted accounting  principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods
involved (except as otherwise noted therein) and fairly (or shall

                                        9

<PAGE>



fairly) present  (subject,  in the case of unaudited  financial  statements,  to
normal year-end audit  adjustments and any other  adjustments  described therein
which individually or in the aggregate will not be material in amount or effect)
the financial  position of the Company as of their  respective  dates and the re
sults of its operations and cash flows for the periods presented therein.

          (e) Absence of Certain  Changes or Events.  Except as set forth in the
Company  Letter,  since  December  31,  1996,  the Company has not  incurred any
material liability or obligation (indirect, direct or contingent), except in the
ordinary course of its busi ness  consistent  with past practices,  taken any of
the prohibited  actions set forth in Section 4.1, or suffered any change, or any
event involving a prospective  change, in its business,  financial  condition or
results of operations that has had, or is reasonably  likely to have, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company.

          (f)  Absence of  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except as set forth in the
Company Letter or reflected or reserved against in the Company Audited Financial
Statements  for the 1996 year,  the Company has no  obligations  or  liabilities
(contingent   or  otherwise)   that  might   reasonably  be  expected  to  have,
individually or in the aggregate,  a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The
Company  has set forth in the  Company  Letter,  as of the date  hereof,  all in
terest  rate  and  currency  exchange  agreements,  and  all  trading  positions
regarding any form or type of derivative financial product the value of which is
linked to, or derived from, the value of an underlying asset, rate or index.

          (g)  Allowance for Credit  Losses.  Except as set forth in the Company
Letter,  the  allowance  for  credit  losses  (the  "Allowance")  shown  on  the
statements of financial position of the Company as of April 30, 1997 included in
the Company  Financial  Statements  was, and the Allowance  shown on each of the
statements of condition of the Company as of a date  subsequent to the execution
of this Agreement  will be, in each case as of the dates thereof,  determined in
accordance with safe and sound banking practices and the guidelines and policies
of the FDIC,  and are (and will be)  adequate,  in the  reasonable  judgment  of
management,  to provide for losses relating to or inherent in the loan and lease
portfolios  (including  accrued  interest  receivable)  of the Company and other
extensions of credit (including  letters of credit and commitments to make loans
or extend credit) by the Company.

          (h) Environmental Matters.  Except as set forth in the Company Letter,
to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  neither  the  Company  nor  any  properties
presently  or  previously  owned or  operated  by the  Company has been or is in
violation of or liable under any  Environmental  Law (as  hereinafter  defined).
There are no actions, suits or proceedings,  or demands,  claims, notices or, to
the knowledge of the Company, investigations (including notices,

                                       10

<PAGE>



demand  letters or requests  for  information  from any  environmental  agency),
instituted or pending, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened,  relating
to the  liability of any  properties  owned or operated by the Company under any
Environmental Law.  "Environmental  Law" means any federal,  state or local law,
statute,  ordinance,  rule, regulation,  code, license,  permit,  authorization,
approval,  consent, order, judgment, decree, injunction or agreement between the
Company and any Governmental Entity relating to (i) the protection, preservation
or restoration of the environment  (including,  without  limitation,  air, water
vapor,  surface  water,  ground  water,  drinking  water  supply,  surface soil,
subsurface  soil, plant and animal life or any other natural  resource),  and/or
(ii)  the  use,  storage,  recycling,  treatment,  generation,   transportation,
processing, handling, labeling, production, release or disposal of any substance
presently  listed,  defined,  designated  or  classified  as  hazardous,  toxic,
radioactive  or  dangerous,  or  otherwise  regulated,  whether  by  type  or by
quantity,  including any material  containing any such substance as a component;
and includes,  without limitation,  the Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act,
the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Toxic Substances
Control  Act and the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and
Liability Act.

          (i) Information  Supplied.  None of the information  supplied or to be
supplied by the Company for inclusion in (i) the S-4 to be filed with the SEC by
Parent in  connection  with the  issuance of Parent  Common  Stock in the Merger
will,  at the  time the S-4 is  filed  with  the SEC and at the time it  becomes
effective under the Securities Act,  contain any untrue  statement of a material
fact or omit to state  any  material  fact  required  to be  stated  therein  or
necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances  under
which they were  made,  not mis  leading,  and (ii) the proxy  statement  of the
Company  contained within the S-4 (the "Proxy  Statement")  will, at the date of
mailing  to  shareholders  of the  Company  and at the  time of the  meeting  of
shareholders  of the Company to be held in connection  with the Merger,  contain
any untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state any  material  fact
required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  in order to make the  statements
therein,  in light of the  circum  stances  under  which  they  were  made,  not
misleading.  The Proxy Statement  (except for such portions  thereof that relate
only to Parent and Merger Sub) will comply as to form in all  material  respects
with the  provisions  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended (the
"Exchange  Act"),  and the rules and  regula  tions  thereunder,  to the  extent
applicable.  The  information set forth in the Company Letter by the Company for
purposes of this Agreement is true and accurate in all material respects.

         (j) No Default. Except as set forth in the Company Letter, no Violation
exists  on the part of the  Company  with  respect  to any  term,  condition  or
provision  of (i) its  articles  of  incorporation  or  bylaws,  (ii) any  note,
mortgage, indenture, other

                                       11

<PAGE>



evidence  of  indebtedness,  guaranty,  license,  agreement  or other  contract,
instrument or  contractual  obligation to which the Company is now a party or by
which it or any of its  properties  or assets may be bound,  or (iii) any order,
writ,  injunction  or decree  applicable  to the  Company,  except for  possible
Violations  that,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  do not, and,  insofar as
reasonably  can be  foreseen,  in the future will not,  have a Material  Adverse
Effect on the Company.

          (k) Compliance with Licenses, Permits and Applicable Laws. The Company
has  received  such  certificates,   permits,  licenses,  franchises,  consents,
approvals,  orders,  authorizations and clearances from appropriate governmental
entities  (the  "Company  Permits") as are necessary to own or lease and operate
its  properties  and to conduct its  business as  currently  owned or leased and
conducted,  and all such Company Permits are valid and in full force and effect.
The Company is in compliance in all material respects with its obligations under
the  Company  Permits,  with only such  exceptions  as,  individually  or in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company,  and no event has occurred that allows, or after notice of lapse of
time, or both,  would allow,  revocation or termination of any material  Company
Permit.  Except as set forth in the Company Letter,  the business of the Company
is not being  conducted in violation of any law,  ordinance or regulation of any
Governmental Entity,  except for possible violations that individually or in the
aggregate do not, and in the future will not, have a Material Ad verse Effect on
the Company.  Except for routine  examinations by Governmental  Entities charged
with the  supervision  or regulation  of banks or bank holding  companies or the
insurance  of  bank  deposits  ("Bank  Regulators"),  as of  the  date  of  this
Agreement, to the knowledge of the Company, no investigation by any Governmental
Entity with respect to the Company is pending or threatened.

          (l)  Actions  and  Proceedings.  Except  as set  forth in the  Company
Letter,  there are no  outstanding  orders,  judgments,  injunctions,  awards or
decrees of any Governmental Entity against or affecting the Company,  any of its
current or former directors, employees,  consultants, agents or shareholders, as
such, any of its properties,  assets or business or any Company Benefit Plan (as
defined in Section 3.1(o)). Except as set forth in the Company Letter, there are
no actions, suits or claims or legal,  administrative or arbitration proceedings
or, to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  investigations  pending or  threatened,
against or  affecting  the  Company,  any of its  current  or former  directors,
officers,  employees,  consultants,  agents or shareholders, as such, any of its
properties,  assets or business or any Company  Benefit Plan that if brought (if
not now pending) would  reasonably be expected to have,  individually  or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. There are no actions, suits
or  claims  or  legal,  administrative  or  arbitration  proceedings  or, to the
knowledge of the Company, investigations or labor disputes

                                       12

<PAGE>



pending or threatened,  against or affecting the Company,  any of its current or
former directors, officers, employees,  consultants,  agents or shareholders, as
such,  any of its  properties,  assets or business or any Company  Benefit  Plan
relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (m) Taxes. To the Company's  knowledge,  the Company has filed all tax
returns  required  to be filed  by it and has  paid,  or has set up an  adequate
reserve  for the  payment  of,  all Taxes  required  to be paid as shown on such
returns,  and the most recent Company Financial  Statements  reflect an adequate
reserve for all Taxes  payable by the Company  accrued  through the date of such
financial statements. No material deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed,
asserted or assessed  against the Company that are not adequately  reserved for.
Except with respect to claims for refund,  the federal income tax returns of the
Company  have been  examined  by and  settled  with the IRS,  or the  statute of
limitations  with respect to such years has expired (and no waiver extending the
statute of  limitations  has been  requested or granted),  for all years through
1993.  For the purpose of this  Agreement,  the term  "Taxes"  (including,  with
correlative  meaning,  the term "tax") shall  include,  except where the context
otherwise  requires,  all federal,  state,  local and foreign  income,  profits,
franchise, gross receipts,  payroll, sales, employment,  unemployment (including
unemployment insurance premiums or contributions),  use, property,  withholding,
excise,  occupancy,  and  other  taxes,  duties  or  assessments  of any  nature
whatsoever,  together  with all interest,  penalties and additions  imposed with
respect to such amounts.

          (n) Certain Agreements. Except as set forth in the Company Letter, and
except for this Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement,  the Company is not
a party to any oral or written  (i)  employment  or other  agreement,  contract,
commitment,  program,  policy  or  arrangement  requiring  the  Company  to  pay
compensation  (including any salary,  bonus,  deferred  compensation,  incentive
compensation,  severance,  vacation  or sick pay,  or any other  fringe  benefit
payment) or any other type of  remuneration  to any Person,  (ii)  agreement  or
plan,  including  any stock  option  plan,  any of the benefits of which will be
increased,  or the vesting of the benefits of which will be accelerated,  by the
occurrence of any of the  transactions  contemplated by this  Agreement,  or the
value of any of the benefits of which will be  calculated on the basis of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) contract or agreement not
terminable on 30 days' or less notice  involving the payment of more than $5,000
in any 12 month period;  (iv) contract or agreement that  materially  limits the
ability of Company to compete in any line of  business  or with any Person or in
any  geographic  area or during  any period of time,  or (v) any other  material
contract the  disclosure  and inclusion as an exhibit of which would be required
by Item  601 of  Regulation  S-K of the SEC if the  Company  were a  corporation
making filings with the SEC under

                                       13

<PAGE>



the periodic  reporting  requirements  of Section 13 of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

          (o)  Benefit Plans.

               (i) The Company has disclosed in the Company Letter each employee
benefit plan (including,  without  limitation,  any "em ployee benefit plan," as
defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended,  ("ERISA")) (all the foregoing being herein called "Benefit Plans"),
maintained or contributed to by the Company (the "Company Benefit  Plans").  The
Company  will make  available  to Parent a true and correct copy of (a) the most
recent  annual  report  (Form  5500) filed with the IRS,  (B) each such  Company
Benefit Plan, (C) each trust  agreement  relating to such Company  Benefit Plan,
(D) the most recent summary plan  description  for each Company Benefit Plan for
which a summary  plan  description  is required,  (E) the most recent  actuarial
report or  valuation  relating to a Company  Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of
ERISA  and (F) the  most  recent  determination  letter  issued  by the IRS with
respect to any Company Benefit Plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

               (ii) With respect to the Company Benefit Plans,  individually and
in the  aggregate,  except  as set  forth in the  Company  Letter,  no event has
occurred and, to the knowledge of the Company,  there exists no condition or set
of  circumstances,  in connection with which the Company could be subject to any
liability (except liability for benefits, claims and funding obligations payable
in the ordinary course) under ERISA, the Code or any other applicable law.

          (p)  Subsidiaries.  The Company has no Subsidiaries.

          (q) Agreements With Bank Regulators. The Company is not a party to any
written  agreement  or  memorandum  of  understanding  with,  or a party  to any
commitment  letter  or  similar  undertaking  to,  or  subject  to any  order or
directive  by, nor is it a recipient  of any  extraordinary  supervisory  letter
from, any Bank Regulator which restricts materially the conduct of its business,
or in any manner  relates to its capital  adequacy,  its credit  policies or its
management,  nor has the Company been advised by any Bank  Regulator  that it is
contemplating  issuing or requesting (or is considering the  appropriateness  of
issuing or  requesting)  any such order,  directive,  agreement,  memorandum  of
understanding,  extraordinary  supervisory letter,  commitment letter or similar
submission.

          (r) Vote Required.  The affirmative  vote of the holders of two-thirds
of the  outstanding  shares of Company  Common Stock entitled to vote thereon is
the only vote of the  holders  of any class or series of Company  capital  stock
necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                       14

<PAGE>



          (s)  Properties.

               (i) Except as set forth in the  Company  Letter,  the Company (A)
has good,  valid and marketable title to all the properties and assets reflected
in the latest audited  financial  statements  included in the Company  Financial
Statements  as being owned by the  Company,  or acquired  after the date thereof
(except  properties sold or otherwise  disposed of since the date thereof in the
ordinary course of business), free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, security
interests,  claims, liens, charges,  options or other encumbrances of any nature
whatsoever  (including,  without  limitation,  in the  case  of  real  property,
easements and rights-of-way) (collectively, "Liens"), except (x) statutory Liens
securing  payments not yet due,  (y) Liens on assets of the Company  incurred in
the  ordinary  course of a  commercial  banking  business and (z) such Liens and
imperfections or  irregularities  of title that do not materially affect the use
of the  properties or assets  subject  thereto or affected  thereby or otherwise
materially impair business operations at such properties,  and (B) is the lessee
of all leasehold estates  reflected in the latest audited  financial  statements
included in the Company Financial  Statements or acquired after the date thereof
(except for leases that have expired by their terms since the date  thereof) and
is in possession of the properties  purported to be leased thereunder,  and each
such  lease is  valid  without  default  thereunder  by the  lessee  or,  to the
Company's knowledge, the lessor.

               (ii) The Company  has set forth in the Company  Letter the street
address  of  all  real  property  currently  owned  by  the  Company,  including
properties  held by the Company as a result of  foreclosure or  repossession  or
carried on the  Company's  books as "other real estate owned" (the "Current Real
Properties").  Except as set  forth in the  Company  Letter,  the  Current  Real
Properties  are in generally  good  condition  and have been well  maintained in
accor dance with reasonable and prudent  business  practices  applicable to like
facilities. Except as set forth in the Company Letter, there are no proceedings,
claims,  disputes or conditions  affecting any of the Current Real Properties or
leasehold  interests of the Company that, insofar as reasonably can be foreseen,
may curtail or interfere with the use of such property.

          (t)  Corporate  Documents,  Books and  Records.  The  Company has made
available  to Parent true and complete  copies of the articles of  incorporation
and code of regulations of the Company.  The minute books of the Company contain
complete and accurate records in all material respects of all meetings and other
corporate  actions  of  its  shareholders  and  Board  of  Directors  (including
committees of the Board of Directors). The stock transfer records of the Company
are, to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  complete  and accurate in all material
respects.


                                       15

<PAGE>



          (u)  Insurance.  The  Company  maintains  with  financially  sound and
reputable  insurance  companies  insurance  policies  and bonds in force in such
amounts and against such liabilities and risks as companies engaged in a similar
business,  in  accordance  with good  business  practice,  customarily  would be
insured.  Except as set forth in the Company Letter, to the Company's knowledge,
the Company is not liable for any material,  retroactive  premium  adjust ments.
All such insurance  policies and bonds are valid,  enforceable and in full force
and effect and, except as set forth in the Company  Letter,  the Company has not
received any notice of premium  increases or cancellation  and, to the Company's
knowledge, no grounds for any cancellation notice exists. Except as set forth in
the Company Letter,  since December 31, 1994, the Company has not failed to make
a timely  claim with  respect to any matter  giving rise to a claim or potential
claim under any such  insurance  policies and bonds where such failure to make a
timely claim would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

          (v) Potential Competing Interests.  Except as set forth in the Company
Letter, (i) no director, officer or key employee or, to the Company's knowledge,
any  beneficial  owner  of 10% or more of any  class  of  capital  stock (a "Ten
Percent Owner") of the Company directly or indirectly  beneficially owns a 5% or
more interest in any institution that is engaged in the business of making loans
and/or taking deposits,  (ii) neither the Company, nor any director,  officer or
key  employee  of the  Company  has any  interest,  direct or  indirect,  in any
contract or agreement with, commitment or obligation of or to, or claim against,
the Company  (excluding  contracts,  agreements or  obligations  with respect to
monies borrowed from, or claims for deposits maintained with, the Company in the
ordinary course of a commercial banking business  consistent with safe and sound
banking  practices),  and (iii) the  Company  does not use any real or  personal
property in which any  director,  officer or key employee  or, to the  Company's
knowledge,  Ten Percent Owner of the Company directly or indirectly beneficially
owns a 5% or more interest in any such real or personal property.

          (w) Pooling of Interests. To the Company's knowledge,  the Company has
not taken or failed to take any action that would prevent the accounting for the
Merger as a pooling of interests in accordance with Accounting  Principles Board
Opinion No. 16, the interpretive releases issued pursuant thereto, and the
pronouncements of the SEC.

     3.2  Representations and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub.
Each of Parent and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent and
warrant to the Company as follows:

          (a)  Organization, Standing and Power.  Parent is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Each of Parent's
Subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and

                                       16

<PAGE>



in good standing under the laws of its state of  incorporation  or organization.
Each of Parent and its  Subsidiaries  has all  requisite  power and authority to
own,  lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being
conducted,  and is duly  qualified  and in good  standing to do business in each
jurisdiction  in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of
its properties makes such qualification  necessary,  except where the failure to
be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.

          (b)  Capital Structure.

               (i) The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of 10,000,000
shares of common stock, without par value ("Parent Common Stock"), and 1,000,000
shares of preferred  stock,  without par value ("Parent  Preferred  Stock"),  of
which 4,209,090 shares of Common Stock are outstanding, 100,000 shares of Common
Stock are reserved for issuance  under  Parent's 1996 Employee  Stock  Ownership
Incentive Plan and no shares of Common Stock are held by Parent in its treasury.
There are no shares of Parent Preferred Stock outstanding, reserved for issuance
or held by Parent in its treasury.

               (ii) No Voting  Debt of Parent is  issued or  outstand  ing.  All
outstanding  shares of Parent Common Stock are duly authorized,  validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights.

               (iii) Except as set forth in the Parent SEC Documents (as defined
in Section  3.2(d)) or the letter dated and delivered to the Company on the date
hereof (the "Parent Letter"),  which relates to this Agreement and is designated
therein  as  the  Parent  Letter,  there  is no  option,  warrant,  call,  right
(including  any  preemptive  right),  commitment  or any other  agreement of any
character  that  Parent  or any  Subsidiary  is a party  to, or may be bound by,
requiring it to issue, transfer,  sell, purchase or redeem any shares of capital
stock,  any  Voting  Debt,  or  any  securities  or  rights   convertible  into,
exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for any shares of capital
stock of Parent or any Subsidiary, or to provide funds to, or make an investment
(in the form of a loan,  capital  contribution or otherwise) in, any of Parent's
Subsidiaries  or  (excepting  loans made in the ordinary  course of a commercial
banking business) any other Person.

               (iv)  Except  as set forth in the  Parent  SEC  Documents  or the
Parent Letter, and except for this Agreement,  there is no voting trust or other
agreement or  understanding to which Parent or any Subsidiary is a party, or may
be bound by, with  respect to the voting of the  capital  stock of Parent or any
Subsidiary.


                                       17

<PAGE>



               (v) Since  December 31,  1994,  except as set forth in the Parent
SEC Documents or the Parent Letter, Parent has not (A) issued or permitted to be
issued any shares of capital stock, or securities exercisable for or convertible
into shares of capital  stock,  of Parent or any  Subsidiary;  (B)  repurchased,
redeemed or otherwise  acquired,  directly or indirectly through any Subsidiary,
any  shares  of  capital  stock of  Parent  or any  Subsidiary  (other  than the
acquisition of trust account shares);  or (C) declared,  set aside, made or paid
to shareholders of Parent  dividends or other  distributions  on the outstanding
shares of capital stock of Parent, other than regular quarterly cash dividends.

          (c)  Authority.

               (i) Each of Parent  and Merger  Sub has all  requisite  corporate
power and authority to execute and deliver this  Agreement and to consummate the
transactions  contemplated hereby. This Agreement and the consummation by Parent
and  Merger  Sub of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  have  been duly and
validly  autho rized by the Board of  Directors of Parent and Merger Sub, and by
Parent as the shareholder of Merger Sub, and no other  corporate  proceedings on
the part of Parent or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to
consummate the transactions  contem plated hereby.  This Agreement has been duly
and validly  executed and  delivered by Parent and Merger Sub, and assuming this
Agreement  constitutes  the valid and binding  agreement of the Company,  consti
tutes the valid and binding  agreement of Parent and Merger Sub, en forceable in
accordance with its terms,  except that the enforcement hereof may be limited by
(A) bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganiza tion,  moratorium or other similar laws
now or hereafter in effect, relating to creditors' rights generally, (B) general
principles of equity  (regardless of whether  enforceability  is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law) and (C) judicial discretion.

               (ii) The execution and delivery of this  Agreement  does not, and
the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby will not, create any
Violation  under any  provisions of the articles of  incorporation  or bylaws of
Parent  or any  Subsidiary  or,  except as set forth in the  Parent  Letter  and
subject to obtaining or making the consents, approvals, orders,  authorizations,
registrations,  declarations  and filings referred to in Subsection (iii) below,
result  in any  Violation  of any loan or credit  agree  ment,  note,  mortgage,
indenture,  lease,  Benefit  Plan  (as  defined  in  Section  3.1(o))  or  other
agreement,  obligation,  instrument,  permit,  concession,  franchise,  license,
judgment,  order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable
to Parent or any Subsidiary or their respective properties or assets.

               (iii)  No  consent,  approval,  order  or  authorization  of,  or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required by
or with respect to Parent or any Subsidiary in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, or

                                       18

<PAGE>



the  consummation  by Parent  and Merger  Sub of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby,  the  failure to obtain  which would have a Material  Adverse  Effect on
Parent,  except for (A) the filing by Parent of an application  with the Federal
Reserve  under the BHC Act, and  approval of same,  (B) the filing by Merger Sub
and/or the Company of an  application  with the Federal  Reserve  under the Bank
Merger Act and  approval  of same,  (C) the filing by Parent of the S-4 with the
SEC, and the declaration by the SEC of its effective ness, (D) the filing by the
Company of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Ohio and appropriate  documents with the relevant authorities of other states in
which the Company or any Subsidiary is qualified to do business,  (E) the filing
of  applications  by Parent and/or Merger Sub with the  Superintendent,  and the
approval thereof,  (F) the filing of an application by Parent with the KDFI, and
approval thereof, (G) notices to or filings with the SBA, or the IRS or the PBGC
with respect to any Benefit Plans,  and (H) such filings and approvals as may be
required under the "blue sky" laws of various states.

          (d) SEC Documents:  Financial Statements. Parent has made available to
the Company each document filed by it since December 31, 1994 with the SEC under
the  Securities  Act or the Exchange  Act,  including  without  limitation,  (i)
Parent's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996,  (ii)
Parent's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1997, and
(iii)  Parent's  definitive  proxy  statement  for its 1997  Annual  Meeting  of
Shareholders  held May 6, 1997,  each in the form  (including  exhibits  and any
amendments) filed with the SEC (collectively, the "Parent SEC Documents"). As of
their  respective  dates,  each of the Parent SEC Documents did not, and each of
the Parent SEC Documents  filed with the SEC  subsequent to the date hereof will
not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary to make the  statements  made
therein,  in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading,
provided,  that  Parent  makes no  representation  with  respect to  information
supplied by the Company for use in Parent SEC  Documents  after the date hereof.
Each of the consolidated balance sheets included in or incorporated by reference
into the Parent SEC Documents  (including  their  related  notes and  schedules)
fairly  presents  the  consolidated   financial  condition  of  Parent  and  its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of its date and each of the consolidated statements
of income and of changes in  financial  position  included  or  incorporated  by
reference  into the  Parent  SEC  Documents  (including  any  related  notes and
schedules)  fairly  presents the results of  operations,  retained  earnings and
changes  in  financial  position,  as  the  case  may  be,  of  Parent  and  its
consolidated  Subsidiaries  for the periods set forth therein  (subject,  in the
case of  unaudited  statements  to  normal  year-end  adjustments  and any other
adjustments described therein which individually or in the aggregate will not be
material in amount or effect), in each case in accordance with

                                       19

<PAGE>



generally accepted accounting principals consistently applied during the periods
involved, except as may be noted therein.

          (e) Absence of Certain  Changes or Events.  Except as set forth in the
Parent Letter,  since  December 31, 1996,  neither Parent nor any Subsidiary has
incurred any material liability or obligation (indirect,  direct or contingent),
except in the ordinary course of its business consistent with past practices, or
suffered  any  change,  or any event  involving  a  prospective  change,  in its
business,  financial  condition  or results of  operations  that has had,  or is
reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.

          (f)  Absence of  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except as set forth in the
Parent Letter or disclosed in the Parent SEC  Documents,  neither Parent nor any
Subsidiary has any  obligations or  liabilities  (contingent or otherwise)  that
might  reasonably  be  expected to have,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  a
Material Adverse Effect on Parent. Parent has set forth in the Parent Letter, as
of the date hereof, all interest rate and currency exchange agreements,  and all
trading positions regarding any form or type of derivative financial product the
value of which is linked to, or derived from, the value of an underlying  asset,
rate or index.

          (g) Information  Supplied.  None of the information  supplied or to be
supplied  by Parent  for  inclusion  in (i) the S-4 to be filed  with the SEC by
Parent in  connection  with the  issuance of Parent  Common  Stock in the Merger
will,  at the  time the S-4 is  filed  with  the SEC and at the time it  becomes
effective under the Securities Act,  contain any untrue  statement of a material
fact or omit to state  any  material  fact  required  to be  stated  therein  or
necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of the circum stances under
which they were made, not misleading,  and (ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the
date of mailing to shareholders of the Company and at the time of the meeting of
shareholders  of the Company to be held in connection  with the Merger,  contain
any untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state any  material  fact
required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  in order to make the  statements
therein,  in  light  of the  circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not
misleading.  The Proxy Statement  (except for such portions  thereof that relate
only to the Company)  will comply as to form in all material  respects  with the
provisions  of the Exchange Act and the rules and  regulations  thereunder.  The
information  set  forth in the  Parent  Letter by Parent  for  purposes  of this
Agreement is true and accurate in all material respects.

         (h) Corporate Documents,  Books and Records.  Parent has made available
to the Company true and complete  copies of the  articles of  incorporation  and
bylaws  of Parent  and each  Subsidiary.  The  minute  books of Parent  and each
Subsidiary contain complete and accurate records in all material respects of all
meetings and other

                                       20

<PAGE>



corporate  actions  of  its  shareholders  and  Board  of  Directors  (including
committees of the Board of Directors).  The stock transfer records of Parent and
each  Subsidiary  are, to the knowledge of Parent,  complete and accurate in all
material respects.

          (i) Pooling of Interests.  To Parent's  knowledge,  neither Parent nor
any  Subsidiary  has taken or failed to take any action  that would  prevent the
accounting  for  the  Merger  as a  pooling  of  interests  in  accordance  with
Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion No. 16, the  interpretive  releases issued
pursuant thereto, and the pronouncements of the SEC.

                  (j) Independent Operation.  It has been the practice of Parent
since its formation to maintain the separate  charters of commercial  banks that
become  affiliated  with,  and  Subsidiaries  of,  Parent.  It has also been the
practice of Parent to continue the directorships of directors and the employment
of officers and employees of commercial  banks that become  affiliated with, and
Subsidiaries of, Parent following consummation of transactions resulting in such
affiliations with Parent.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                     CONDUCT OF THE COMPANY PRIOR TO CLOSING

     4.1  Conduct of Business.

          (a) Except as set forth in the Company Letter, the Company agrees that
during the period from the date of this  Agreement to the Effective Time (unless
Parent shall otherwise agree in writing and except as otherwise  contemplated by
this  Agreement),  the Company  will  conduct its  operations  according  to its
ordinary and usual course of business  consistent with past practice and, to the
extent  consistent  therewith,  with no less  diligence and effort than would be
applied in the absence of this  Agreement,  seek to preserve  intact its current
business  organiza tion,  keep  available the service of its current  directors,
officers and employees and preserve its relationships with customers,  suppliers
and others having business dealings with it to the end that goodwill and ongoing
business  shall not be impaired in any material  aspect at the  Effective  Time.
Without  limiting  the  generality  of the  foregoing,  and except as  otherwise
permitted in this  Agreement  prior to the Effective Time or except as set forth
in the Company Letter,  the Company will not,  without the prior written consent
of Parent:

               (i) issue, sell, grant, dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber,
or  authorize  or propose the  issuance,  sale,  disposition  or pledge or other
encumbrance  of (A)  any  additional  shares  of  capital  stock  of  any  class
(including  shares  of  Company  Common  Stock),  or any  securities  or  rights
convertible into,

                                       21

<PAGE>



exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for any shares of capital
stock,  or any  rights,  warrants,  options,  calls,  commitments  or any  other
agreements  of any  character to purchase or acquire any shares of capital stock
or any securities or rights  convertible  into,  exchangeable for, or evidencing
the right to subscribe for, any shares of capital stock,  or any other ownership
interest (including, without limitation, any phantom interest), or (B) any other
securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in substitu tion for, shares of Company
Common Stock outstanding on the date hereof;

               (ii) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, or propose to redeem,
purchase or otherwise  acquire,  any of its outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock (except for the acquisition of trust account shares);

               (iii)  split,  combine,  subdivide  or  reclassify  any shares of
Company Common Stock or declare,  set aside for payment or pay any dividend,  or
make any other actual,  constructive  or deemed  distribution,  whether in cash,
stock,  property or otherwise,  in respect of any shares of Company Common Stock
or otherwise make any payments to shareholders in their capacity as such; except
that if the Effective Time has not occurred before the record date for dividends
on Parent  Common Stock for the  calendar  quarter  ended  December 31, 1997 the
Company may declare a special  dividend  on Company  Common  Stock to holders of
record of such shares as of the record date  established  therefor (which record
date shall be prior to the date of the Effective  Time) with a payment date that
is the same as the Closing  Date, in an amount per share equal to the product of
(x) 4.33  multiplied  by (y) the  dividend per share  declared on Parent  Common
Stock by Parent for the calendar quarter ended December 31, 1997;

               (iv)  adopt  a  plan  of  complete  or  partial   liquida   tion,
dissolution,  merger, consolidation,  restructuring,  recapital ization or other
reorganization of the Company (other than the Merger);

               (v)  adopt any amendments to its articles of
incorporation or code of regulations;

               (vi) make any acquisition or disposition of assets or securities,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;

               (vii) incur any  indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
such  indebtedness or make any loans,  advances or capital  contributions to, or
investments  in,  any  other  Person,  other  than in the  ordinary  course of a
commercial banking business consistent with past practices,  it being understood
and agreed that the  incurrence  of  indebtedness  in the  ordinary  course of a
commercial banking business shall include the creation of deposit

                                       22

<PAGE>



liabilities,  purchases of federal funds,  sales of  certificates of deposit and
entering into repurchase agreements;

               (viii) offer any new deposit or loan product or service or change
its lending,  investment,  liability management,  loan loss provision, loan loss
charge-off or other material banking policies;

               (ix)  grant  any  increases  in  the  compensation  of any of its
directors,  officers or employees, except in the ordinary course of business and
in  accordance  with past practice or as may be approved on a case by case basis
by Parent;

               (x)  pay or  agree  to pay  any  pension,  retirement  allowance,
severance or other employee  benefit not required or  contemplated by any of the
existing Company Benefit Plans or any agreements or arrangements as in effect on
the date  hereof to any such  director,  officer or  employee,  whether  past or
present;

               (xi) enter into any new or amend any existing
employment or severance or termination agreement with any director,
officer or employee;

               (xii) except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with
past  practice  or as may be  required to comply  with  applicable  law,  become
obligated  under any new  Benefit  Plan or amend  any  Company  Benefit  Plan in
existence  on the  date  hereof  if such  amendment  would  have the  effect  of
materially enhancing any benefits thereunder;

               (xiii)  make any  capital  expenditures  or  commitments  for any
capital  expenditures,  other than capital  expenditures  or commitments for any
capital expenditures set forth in the Company Letter;

               (xiv)  make any material changes in its customary
methods of marketing;

               (xv) take, or agree to commit to take, any action that would make
any representation or warranty of the Company contained herein inaccurate in any
respect at, or as of any time prior to, the Effective Time; or

               (xvi) change its method of  accounting  in effect at December 31,
1996, except as required by changes in generally accepted accounting  principles
as concurred in by each party's independent auditors, or change its fiscal year;

               (xvii)  take  any  action  that  would,  or  reasonably  might be
expected to, adversely affect the ability of the Company or Parent to obtain any
of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals (as

                                       23

<PAGE>



defined in Section 6.1(b))  without  imposition of a condition or restriction of
the type referred to in Section 6.1(f);

               (xviii) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to
do any of the foregoing,  or enter into any contract,  agreement,  commitment or
arrangement to do any of the foregoing.

     4.2  Acquisition Proposals.

                  (a) The Company  shall not,  and the Company  shall direct and
use its best efforts to cause its  officers,  directors,  employees,  agents and
representatives   (including  without   limitation  any  attorney,   accountant,
investment banker or other advisor retained by it) not to, initiate,  solicit or
encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the making or implementation
of any proposal or offer (including,  without limitation,  any proposal or offer
to its  shareholders)  with respect to a merger,  acquisition,  consolidation or
similar transaction involving, or any purchase of all or any significant portion
of the assets or any equity  securities  of, the Company  (any such  proposal or
offer being hereinafter  referred to as an "Acquisition  Proposal") or engage in
any negotiations or discussions with, or furnish any information or data to, any
third party relating to an Acquisition  Proposal.  The Company and its officers,
directors,  employees,  agents and  representatives  shall immediately cease any
existing  discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with
respect to any Acquisition Proposal.

                  (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Section  4.2,  the  Company  and the Board of  Directors  of the Company (A) may
furnish  information to, and participate in discussions or negotiations with any
third party that after the date hereof submits an unsolicited  bona fide written
Acquisition  Proposal  to  the  Company  if the  Company's  Board  of  Directors
determines  in good  faith,  based  upon the  written  advice of  outside  legal
counsel,  that the failure to furnish such  information  or  participate in such
discussions or  negotiations  may reasonably  constitute a breach of the Board's
fiduciary  duties under  applica ble law, and (B) shall be permitted to (y) take
and disclose to the Company's shareholders a position with respect to the Merger
or an  Acquisition  Proposal,  or amend or withdraw such  position,  or (z) make
disclosure to the Company's shareholders, in each case either with respect to or
as a result of an  Acquisition  Proposal,  if the  Company's  Board of Directors
determines  in good  faith,  based  upon the  written  advice of  outside  legal
counsel, that the failure to take such action may reasonably constitute a breach
of the Board's fiduciary duties under applicable law; provided, that the Company
shall not enter into any  acquisition  agreement with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal  except   concurrently  with  the  termination  of  this  Agreement  in
accordance  with the  provisions of Section  7.1(d) and shall not enter into any
other agreements with respect to an

                                       24

<PAGE>



Acquisition  Proposal except concurrently with such termination unless, and only
to the extent  that,  such other  agreements  would  facilitate  the  process of
providing  information to, or conducting  discussions or negotiations  with, the
parties submitting such an Acquisition  Proposal,  such as  confidentiality  and
standstill agreements.

                                    ARTICLE V

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     5.1 Access to Information.  Upon reasonable  notice, the Company and Parent
shall each (and Parent shall cause its  Subsidiaries to) afford to the officers,
directors, employees,  accountants, counsel and other authorized representatives
of the other ("Representatives") reasonable access, during normal business hours
throughout  the period prior to the  Effective  Time,  to its books and records,
properties,  officers,  directors,  employees,  counsel,  accountants  and other
representatives,  and,  during such  period,  shall (and Parent  shall cause its
Subsidiaries  to)  make  available  to such  Representatives  (i) a copy of each
report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed or received by
it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal securities laws or
federal or state  banking laws (other than reports or documents  that such party
is  not  permitted  to  disclose  under  applicable  law)  and  (ii)  all  other
information concerning its business,  properties and personnel and all financial
operating and other data as may  reasonably be requested.  The parties will hold
any such information that is non-public in confidence and, without limitation on
its  obligations  under  the  preceding  clause,   Parent  will  hold  any  such
information in confidence to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the
provisions of the Confidentiality  Agreement dated March 26, 1997 between Parent
and the Company (the "Confidentiality Agreement"),  which is incorporated herein
by reference.  No investigation by either Parent or Merger Sub, on the one hand,
or the  Company  on  the  other  hand,  shall  affect  the  representations  and
warranties  of  the  other,  except  to  the  extent  such  representations  and
warranties are by their terms  qualified by information  set forth in the Parent
Letter (in the case of Parent and Merger Sub) or the Company Letter (in the case
of the Company) to the other party.

     5.2  Preparation of S-4 and the Proxy  Statement.  Parent shall prepare and
file with the SEC the S-4,  in which the Proxy  Statement  will be included as a
prospectus.  Parent  shall use all  reasonable  efforts to have the S-4 declared
effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing.
Parent shall also take any action  (other than  qualifying to do business in any
jurisdiction in which it is now not so qualified) required to be taken under any
applicable  state  securities  laws in  connection  with the  issuance of Parent
Common  Stock in the  Merger  and the  Company  shall  furnish  all  information
concerning the Company and the

                                       25

<PAGE>



holders of Company  Common Stock as may be  reasonably  requested in  connection
with any such action.

     5.3  Shareholder  Meeting.  The  Company  shall duly call,  give notice of,
convene  and hold a meeting of its  shareholders  to be held for the  purpose of
voting upon the approval of this  Agreement  and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby.  Unless the Company has determined to recommend an Acquisition  Proposal
in  accordance  with Section  4.2(ii),  the Company  will,  through its Board of
Directors, unanimously recommend to its shareholders approval of this Agree ment
and the transactions  contemplated hereby,  subject to its receipt of a fairness
opinion from its financial  advisor to the effect that the  consideration  to be
received by the shareholders of the Company pursuant to Section 2.1 is fair from
a financial  point of view and such  opinion  shall not have been  withdrawn  or
materially modified. The Company shall cooperate with Parent with respect to the
timing of such  meeting and shall use its best  efforts to hold such  meeting as
soon as  reasonably  practicable  after  the  date  on  which  the  S-4  becomes
effective.

     5.4 Reasonable  Efforts.  Each of the Company and Parent shall,  and Parent
shall cause its  Subsidiaries  to, use all reason able efforts to take, or cause
to be taken, all actions necessary,  proper or advisable to comply promptly with
all legal  requirements  that may be  imposed  on such  party or (in the case of
Parent) its  Subsidiaries  with respect to the Merger and to consummate and make
effective  the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  subject  to the
appropriate  vote of  shareholders  of the Company  described in Section 3.2(r),
including using all reasonable  efforts (i) to obtain (and to cooperate with the
other party to obtain) any  necessary  or  appropriate  consent,  authorization,
order or approval of, or any  exemption by, any  Governmental  Entity and/or any
other  public or  private  third  party in  connection  with the  Merger and the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  (ii) to  effect  all  necessary
registrations, filings and submissions and (iii) to lift any injunction or other
legal bar to the  Merger  (and,  in such  case,  to  proceed  with the Merger as
expeditiously  as possible),  subject,  however,  to the  requisite  vote of the
shareholders of the Company.

     5.5  Post-April 30, 1997 Company Financial  Statements.  The Company  shall
make available to Parent true and complete copies of the following:

          (a)  Unaudited  Financial   Statements.   Any  monthly  and  quarterly
unaudited  balance  sheet and the  related  statements  of  income,  changes  in
shareholders'  equity  and  statements  of cash  flows of the party to which the
foregoing  relate for any monthly or quarterly  period ended subsequent to April
30, 1997 and prior to the Effective Time; and

          (b)  Audited Financial Statements.  Any audited balance sheet and  the
related statements of income, changes in

                                       26

<PAGE>



shareholders'  equity and  statements  of cash flows of the Company for any year
ended after December 31, 1996 and prior to the Effective Time.

     5.6  Affiliates.

          (a) Of the Company.  At least 30 days prior to the Closing  Date,  the
Company  shall  deliver to Parent a list of names and addresses of those persons
who were,  in the  Company's  reason able  judgment,  at the record date for its
meeting of shareholders to approve the Merger,  "affiliates"  (each such person,
an "Affili ate") of the Company  within the meaning of Rule 145 of the rules and
regulations  promulgated  under the  Securities  Act. The Company  shall provide
Parent such  information  and documents as Parent shall  reasonably  request for
purposes of reviewing such list. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to
deliver or cause to be delivered to Parent and the Company, prior to the Closing
Date,  from each of the  Affiliates  of the Company  identified in the foregoing
list, an Affiliate Letter in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 5.6(a).  Parent
shall be entitled to place legends as specified in such Affiliate Letters on the
certificates  evidencing  any  Parent  Common  Stock  to  be  received  by  such
Affiliates  pursuant to the terms of this  Agreement,  and to issue  appropriate
stop  transfer  instructions  to the  transfer  agent for Parent  Common  Stock,
consistent with the terms of such Affiliate Letters.

          (b) Of Parent.  At least 30 days  prior to the  Closing  Date,  Parent
shall  deliver to the Company a list of names and addresses of those persons who
were,  in Parent's  reasonable  judgment,  at the record date for the meeting of
shareholders of the Company to approve the Merger,  Affiliates of Parent. Parent
shall  provide the Company such  information  and documents as the Company shall
reasonably  request for  purposes of reviewing  such list.  Parent shall use all
reasonable  efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered to Parent,  prior to the
Closing Date, from each of the Affiliates of Parent  identified in the foregoing
list, an Affiliate Letter in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 5.6(b).

     5.7  Expenses.  Whether  or not the  Merger is  consummated,  all costs and
expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expense, except as
expressly  provided herein and except that expenses  incurred in connection with
printing and mailing the Proxy  Statement  shall be shared equally by Parent and
the Company.

     5.8  Brokers or Finders.  Except as set forth in the Company  Letter or the
Parent Letter,  each of Parent and the Company  respectively  represents,  as to
itself,  its  Subsidiaries  (in the case of Parent) and its affiliates,  that no
agent, broker, in vestment banker,  financial advisor or other firm or person is
or will be entitled to any broker's or finder's fee or any other

                                       27

<PAGE>



commission  or  similar  fee  in  connection   with  any  of  the   transactions
contemplated by this  Agreement.  Each party agrees to indemnify the other party
and  hold  the  other  party  harmless  from  and  against  any and all  claims,
liabilities  or  obligations  with respect to any fees,  commissions or expenses
asserted by any Person on the basis of any act or statement alleged to have been
made by such first party or its Subsidiary or affiliate.

     5.9 Additional Agreements. In case at any time after the Effective Time any
further  action is  necessary  or  desirable  to carry out the  purposes of this
Agreement  or  to  vest  the  Surviving  Corporation  with  full  title  to  all
properties,  assets, rights,  approvals,  immunities and franchises of either of
the Company or Merger Sub, the proper  officers and directors of the Company and
Merger Sub shall take all such necessary action.

     5.10  Indemnification.  For a period  of three  years  from and  after  the
Effective Time, Parent shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who
is now or who becomes  prior to the  Effective  Time,  an  officer,  director or
employee of the Company (each, an  "Indemnified  Party" and,  collectively,  the
"Indemnified Parties") against (i) all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses,
liabilities  or  judgments  or  amounts  that  are paid in  settlement  with the
approval of Parent (which approval shall not be unreason ably withheld) of or in
connection with any claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding or investigation based in
whole or in part on or  arising  in whole or in part out of the fact  that  such
person  is or was a  director,  officer  or  employee  of the  Company,  whether
pertaining to any matter existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time
and whether  asserted or claimed  prior to, or at or after,  the Ef fective Time
("Indemnified  Liabilities") and (ii) all Indemnified Liabilities based in whole
or in part on,  or  arising  in whole or in part out of, or  pertaining  to this
Agreement  or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  in each case to the full
extent the Company would have been permitted  under Ohio law and its articles of
incor  poration and code of  regulations  to  indemnify  such person (and Parent
shall pay  expenses  in advance of the final  disposition  of any such action or
proceeding to each  Indemnified  Party to the full extent  permitted by law upon
receipt  of any  undertaking  required  by Section  1701.13(E)(5)  of the OGCL).
Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  in the event any such claim,  action,  suit,
proceeding or  investigation  is brought against  Indemnified  Parties  (whether
arising  before or after the Effective  Time),  (i) any counsel  retained by the
Indemnified  Parties for any period after the Effective Time shall be reasonably
satisfactory  to Parent;  (ii) after the  Effective  Time,  Parent shall pay all
reasonable  fees  and  expenses  of such  counsel  for the  Indemnified  Parties
promptly as  statements  therefor are  received;  and (iii) after the  Effective
Time,  Parent will use all reasonable  efforts to assist in the vigorous defense
of any such matter,  provided that Parent shall not be liable for any settlement
of any claim effected without its written consent, which consent, however, shall
not be unreasonably

                                       28

<PAGE>



withheld.  Any  Indemnified  Party wishing to claim  indemnification  under this
Section  5.10,  upon  learning of any such claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding or
investigation, shall promptly notify Parent (but the failure so to notify Parent
shall not  relieve it from any  liability  which it may have under this  Section
5.10 except to the extent such failure materially  prejudices Parent), and shall
deliver to Parent the undertaking,  if any, required by Section 1701.13(E)(5) of
the OGCL.  The  Indemnified  Parties as a group may retain  only one law firm to
represent  them  with  respect  to each  such  matter  unless  there  is,  under
applicable  standards of  professional  conduct,  a conflict on any  significant
issue between the positions of any two or more Indemnified  Parties. In any case
in which the approval by the Surviving Corporation is required to effectuate any
indemnification,  Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to direct, at the
election of any  Indemnified  Party (or, if more than one  Indemnified  Party, a
majority  of the  Indemnified  Parties),  that  the  determination  of any  such
approval  shall be made by  independent  counsel  mutually  satisfactory  to the
Surviving  Corporation and the Indemnified Party (or, if applicable,  a majority
of the Indemnified Parties).

     5.11 Pooling and Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment.  Neither Parent nor the
Company  shall  intentionally  cause to be taken any action,  whether  before or
after the  Effective  Time,  that would  disqualify  the Merger as a "pooling of
interests" for accounting  purposes or as a "reorganization"  within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Code.

         5.12   The Company's ESOP.  After the Effective Time, the Company shall
maintain the Company's Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan ("ESOP") only  for  such
period  of  time and on such terms and conditions as are set  forth  in  Exhibit
5.12.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     6.1  Conditions  to Each  Party's  Obligation  to Effect  the  Merger.  The
respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
satisfaction prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

          (a)  Shareholder Approval.  This Agreement shall have
been respectively approved and adopted by the affirmative vote of
the holders of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock.

          (b) Other  Approvals.  Other  than the  filing of the  Certificate  of
Merger  provided for by Section 1.1, all authoriza  tions,  consents,  orders or
approvals of, or  declarations  or filings with, and all  expirations of waiting
periods imposed by, any Governmental  Entity (all of the foregoing,  "Consents")
that are necessary for the consummation of the Merger, other than immaterial

                                       29

<PAGE>



Consents the failure to obtain which would not have a significant adverse effect
on the consummation of the Merger or on Parent and its Subsidiaries,  taken as a
whole, after consummation of the Merger, shall have been filed, occurred or been
obtained (all such permits, approvals, filings and consents and the lapse of all
such waiting periods being referred to as the "Requisite Regulatory  Approvals")
and all such Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals shall be in full force and effect.
Parent shall have  received all state  securities  or blue sky permits and other
authorizations  necessary  to issue the  Parent  Common  Stock in  exchange  for
Company Common Stock and to consummate the Merger.

          (c) S-4. The S-4 shall have become  effective under the Securities Act
and shall not be the  subject  of any stop  order or  proceeding  seeking a stop
order.

          (d) Pooling.  Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall have received a
letter  from Eskew & Gresham,  P.S.C.,  Parent's  independent  certified  public
accountants,  to the effect that the Merger qualifies for "pooling of interests"
accounting  treatment  under  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion No. 16, the
interpretive releases issued pursuant thereto, and the pronouncements of the SEC
if consummated in accordance with this Agreement.

          (e) No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality. No temporary restraining
order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition (an "Injunction")
preventing  the  consummation  of the Merger  shall be in effect,  nor shall any
proceeding by any  Governmental  Entity seeking any of the foregoing be pending.
There shall not be any action taken, or any statute,  rule,  regulation or order
enacted,  entered,  enforced or deemed applicable to the Merger, which makes the
consummation of the Merger illegal.

          (f) Burdensome Condition.  There shall not be any action taken, or any
statute,  rule,  regulation  or  order  enacted,  entered,  enforced  or  deemed
applicable to the Merger,  by any Governmental  Entity which, in connection with
the  grant of a  Requisite  Regulato  ry  Approval,  imposes  any  condition  or
restriction  upon  Parent or its  Subsidiaries,  the  Company  or the  Surviving
Corporation  that would so materially  adversely impact the economic or business
ben  efits of the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  as to  render
inadvisable the consummation of the Merger.

                  (g) NMS Listing.  The shares of Parent  Common Stock  issuable
pursuant to this  Agreement  shall have been  approved for listing on the NASDAQ
National Market System, subject to official notice of issuance.

       6.2  Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub.  The obligations
of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger are

                                       30

<PAGE>



subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions or waiver by  Parent  on
on or prior to the Closing Date:

                  (a)  Representations  and Warranties.  The representations and
warranties of the Company set forth in this  Agreement  that are qualified as to
materiality shall be true and correct, and the representations and warranties of
the Company set forth in this Agreement that are not so qualified  shall be true
and  correct  in all  material  respects,  in each  case as of the  date of this
Agreement,  and as of the  Closing  Date as though made on and as of the Closing
Date, except to the extent such  representation or warranty expressly relates to
an earlier date (in which case as of such date),  and Parent shall have received
a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer and
the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to such effect.

                  (b)  Performance of  Obligations  of the Company.  The Company
shall have  performed in all material  respects all obliga tions  required to be
performed  by it under this  Agreement,  at or prior to the  Closing  Date,  and
Parent shall have received a certificate  signed on behalf of the Company by the
Chief Executive  Officer and the Chief Financial  Officer of the Company to such
effect.

                  (c) Consents Under Agreements. The Company shall have obtained
the consent or approval of each  person  (other than the  Governmental  Entities
referred to in Section  6.1(b)) whose  consent or approval  shall be required in
order to permit the  succession  by the  Surviving  Corporation  pursuant to the
Merger to any  obligation,  right or interest  of the Company  under any loan or
credit agreement, note, mortgage,  indenture,  lease, license or other agreement
or  instrument,  except  those for which  failure to obtain  such  consents  and
approvals would not, in the reasonable opinion of Parent, individually or in the
aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect on the Surviving  Corporation or upon
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (d) Tax  Opinion.  Parent  shall have  received  an opinion of
Eskew  &  Gresham,  P.S.C.,  dated  the  Closing  Date,  in form  and  substance
satisfactory  to Parent,  to the  effect  that the  Merger  will be treated  for
federal  income tax purposes as a  reorganization  within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code.

                  (e) Letters  from the Company  Affiliates.  Parent  shall have
received from each person named in the letter  referred to in Section  5.6(a) an
executed copy of an agreement in the form of Exhibit 5.6(a).

                  (f)  Appraisal Rights. The holders of not more than 10% of the
issued  and  outstanding  shares of Company Common  Stock  shall  have  properly
demanded appraisal or dissenters rights pursuant to the OGCL.

                                       31

<PAGE>



         6.3 Conditions to  Obligations of the Company.  The obliga tions of the
Company to effect the Merger are  subject to the  satisfaction  or waiver by the
Company on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

                  (a)  Representations  and Warranties.  The representations and
warranties  of  Parent  and  Merger  Sub set  forth in this  Agreement  that are
qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct,  and the  representations
and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement that are not
so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case as
of the date of this  Agreement  and as of the Closing Date as though made on and
as of the Closing  Date,  except to the extent such  representation  or warranty
expressly  relates to  another  date (in which  case as of such  date),  and the
Company shall have received a certificate  signed on behalf of Parent and Merger
Sub by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Parent and
Merger Sub to such effect.

                  (b)  Performance  of  Obligations  of Parent and  Merger  Sub.
Parent  and  Merger  Sub shall  have  performed  in all  material  respects  all
obligations  required to be  performed by them under this Agree ment at or prior
to the Closing Date, and the Company shall have received a certificate signed on
behalf of Parent  and Merger Sub by the Chief  Executive  Officer  and the Chief
Financial Officer of Parent and Merger Sub to such effect.

                  (c)  Consents  Under  Agreements.  Parent and Merger Sub shall
have   obtained  the  consent  or  approval  of  each  person  (other  than  the
Governmental  Entities  referred to in Section 6.1(b)) whose consent or approval
shall be required in connection with the transactions  contemplated hereby under
any loan or credit agree ment,  note,  mortgage,  indenture,  lease,  license or
other  agreement or  instrument,  except those for which  failure to obtain such
consents  and  approvals  would not, in the  reasonable  opinion of the Company,
individually  or in the aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse Effect on Parent or
upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (d) Tax Opinion. The Company shall have received an opinion of
Vorys,  Sater,  Seymour and Pease dated the Closing  Date, in form and substance
satisfactory  to Parent and its  counsel,  to the effect that the Merger will be
treated for federal income tax purposes as a  reorganization  within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Code.

                  (e) Letters  from Parent  Affiliates.  The Company  shall have
received from each person named in the letter  referred to in Section  5.6(b) an
executed copy of an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.6(b).


                                       32

<PAGE>



          (f) Price of Parent Common Stock. The Average Closing Price of a share
of Parent Common Stock shall be $14 or more. For purposes of this Agreement, the
"Average  Closing  Price" of a share of Parent Common Stock shall be the average
of the  high  bid and low  asked  price of a share  of  Parent  Common  Stock as
furnished  by Advest,  Inc.  for the 20  consecutive  trading days ending on the
fifth business day prior the Effective Time of the Merger.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                         TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER

         7.1 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the Effective  Time of the Merger,  whether before or after the approval of this
Agreement by the shareholders of the Company:

                  (a)      by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;

                  (b)      by either Parent or the Company:

                           (i)    if, at a duly held shareholders meeting of the
Company or any adjournment  thereof at which approval of this Agreement is voted
upon,  the  approval  of the  shareholders  of the  Company  shall not have been
obtained;

                           (ii)   if the Merger shall not have been  consummated
on or before  December 31, 1997,  unless the failure to consummate the Merger is
the  result of a willful  and  material  breach of this  Agreement  by the party
seeking to terminate this Agreement;

                           (iii)  if any court of competent jurisdiction or
other Governmental  Entity shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken
any other action permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the
Merger and such order,  decree,  ruling or other  action shall have become final
and non-appealable;

                           (iv)   in the event of a breach by the other party of
any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or other  agreement  contained in this
Agreement  which (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition  set forth in
Section  6.2(a) or 6.2(b) or Section 6.3(a) or 6.3(b),  as  applicable,  and (B)
cannot be or has not been  cured  within 30 days  after  the  giving of  written
notice to the breaching party of such breach ("Material  Breach") (provided that
the  terminating  party is not then in breach of any  representation,  warranty,
covenant  or other  agreement  that would give rise to a failure of a  condition
described in clause (A) above);

                  (c) by either  Parent or the Company in the event that (i) all
the conditions to the obligation of such party to effect the Merger set forth in
Section 6.1 shall have been  satisfied and (ii) any condition to the  obligation
of such party to effect the

                                       33

<PAGE>



Merger set forth in Section  6.2 (in the case of Parent) or Section 6.3 ( in the
case of the  Company)  is not  capable of being  satisfied  prior to the date on
which this Agreement may be terminated pursuant to Section 7.1(b)(ii); or

                  (d) by the Company, subject to Section 7.5(b), if the Board of
Directors  of the Company  shall  concurrently  approve,  and the Company  shall
concurrently enter into, a definitive agreement providing for the implementation
of the transactions contemplated by an Acquisition Proposal;  provided, however,
that (i) the  Company is not then in breach of  Section  4.2 or in breach of any
other representation,  warranty, covenant or agreement that would give rise to a
failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) or 6.2(b);  (ii) the Board of
Directors of the Company shall have  complied with Section  7.5(b) in connection
with such Acquisition Proposal and (iii) no termination pursuant to this Section
7.1(d)  shall be  effective  unless the Company  shall  simultaneously  make the
payment required by Section 7.2(a).

         7.2  Effect of Termination.

                  (a) In the event  that any person  shall  make an  Acquisition
Proposal  with  respect to the  Company and  thereafter  (i) this  Agreement  is
terminated (A) pursuant to Section 7.1(b)(i), (B) pursuant to Section 7.1(b)(ii)
(if  at  the  time  of  termination   (x)  the  Company  is  in  breach  of  any
representation,  warranty, covenant or other agreement that would give rise to a
failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) or 6.2(b) and (y) such breach
cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the Company  becomes  aware
of such  breach or such  shorter  period  that may elapse  between  the date the
Company becomes aware of such breach and the time of termination),  (C) pursuant
to Section  7.1(b)(iii)  (if at the time of  termination  (x) the  Company is in
breach of any representation,  warranty,  covenant or other agreement that would
give rise to a failure of a condition set forth in Section  6.2(a) or 6.2(b) and
(y) such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the Company
becomes aware of such breach or such shorter  period that may elapse between the
date the Company becomes aware of such breach and the time of termination),  (D)
by Parent  pursuant  to Section  7.1(b)(iv),  (E) by Parent  pursuant to Section
7.1(c) or (F) by the Company  pursuant to Section 7.1(d),  and (ii) a definitive
agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal is executed, or an Acquisition
Proposal is  consummated,  at or within 12 months after such  termination,  then
Parent shall be paid a fee of $350,000  (reduced by any amount  actually paid by
the Company  pursuant to Section  7.2(b) in connection  with such  termination),
which  amount  shall be payable by wire  transfer  of same day funds on the date
such agreement is executed,  or such  Acquisition  Proposal is  consummated,  as
applicable.  The Company  acknowledges  that the  agreements  contained  in this
Section  7.2(a) are an integral part of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement,  and that without these agreements,  Parent would not enter into this
Agreement;

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<PAGE>



accordingly,  if the Company  fails to promptly  pay the amount due  pursuant to
this Section 7.2(a),  and, in order to obtain such payment,  Parent  commences a
suit that  results in a judgment  against  the Company for the fees set forth in
this Section 7.2(a), the Company shall also pay to Parent its costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) in connection with such suit.

                  (b) In the event of  termination  of this  Agreement by either
Parent or the Company  pursuant  to Section  7.1(b)(i),  then the Company  shall
reimburse Parent for all its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred
in connection with this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby, up
to a maximum of $100,000, which amount shall be payable by wire transfer of same
day funds  within  three  business  days of  written  demand,  accompanied  by a
reasonably  detailed  statement  of such  expenses  and  appropriate  supporting
documentation therefor.

                  (c) In the event of  termination  of this  Agreement by either
Parent or the Company as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement shall forthwith
become void and have no effect,  without any liability or obligation on the part
of Parent,  Merger Sub or the Company,  other than the provisions of Section 5.1
(penultimate  sentence),  Section  5.7,  this  Section 7.2 and Article  VIII and
except to the extent that such termination results from the willful and material
breach by a party of any its  representations,  warranties,  covenants  or other
agreements set forth in this Agreement.

         7.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time
before  or after the  approval  of this  Agreement  by the  shareholders  of the
Company; provided,  however, that after such approval by the shareholders of the
Company,  there shall be made no amendment  that  pursuant to the OGCL  requires
further approval by the shareholders of the Company without the further approval
of such shareholders.  This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

         7.4 Extension;  Waiver.  At any time prior to the Effective Time of the
Merger,  the parties may (i) extend the time for the  performance  of any of the
obligations or other acts of the other parties;  (ii) waive any  inaccuracies in
the  representations  and  warranties  contained  in  this  Agreement  or in any
document delivered  pursuant to this Agreement;  or (iii) subject to the proviso
of Section  7.3,  waive  compliance  with any of the  agreements  or  conditions
contained in this  Agreement.  Any  agreement on the part of a party to any such
extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of such party.  The failure of any party to this  Agreement  to
assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise  shall not constitute
a waiver of such rights.


                                       35

<PAGE>



         7.5      Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver.

                  (a) A termination of this  Agreement  pursuant to Section 7.1,
an amendment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.3 or an extension or waiver
pursuant to Section 7.4 shall, in order to be effective, require, in the case of
Parent,  Merger Sub or the Company,  action by its Board of Directors or, in the
case of an  extension or waiver  pursuant to Section  7.4,  the duly  authorized
designee of its Board of Directors.

                  (b) The Company shall provide to Parent  written  notice prior
to any termination of this Agreement  pursuant to Section 7.1(d) advising Parent
(i) that the Board of Directors of the Company in the exercise of its good faith
judgment as to its  fiduciary  duties to the  shareholders  of the Company under
applicable  law, after receipt of written  advice of outside legal counsel,  has
determined  (on the  basis of such  Acquisition  Proposal  and the terms of this
Agreement,  as then in effect) that such  termination  is required in connection
with an Acquisition  Proposal that is more favorable to the  shareholders of the
Company  than the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  (taking  into
account all terms of such Acquisition Proposal and this Agreement, including all
conditions) and (ii) as to the material terms of any such Acquisition  Proposal.
At any time after five  business  days  following  receipt of such  notice,  the
Company may terminate  this  Agreement as provided in Section 7.1(d) only if the
Board of Directors of the Company  determines that such Acquisition  Proposal is
more  favorable  to  the  shareholders  of the  Company  than  the  transactions
contemplated  by  this  Agreement   (taking  into  account  all  terms  of  such
Acquisition  Proposal and this Agreement,  including all  conditions,  and which
determination  shall be made in light of any  revised  proposal  made by  Parent
prior to the  expiration  of such five  business  day period)  and  concurrently
enters into a definitive  agreement  providing for the  implementatation  of the
transactions contemplated by such Acquisition Proposal.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS


     8.1   Non-Survival  of   Representations   and  Warranties.   None  of  the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument  delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time of the Merger.  This
Section 8.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties that by its
terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time of the Merger.

     8.2  Notices.  All notices and other communications required
to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given

                                       36

<PAGE>




upon (i) transmitter's confirmation of receipt of a facsimile transmission, (ii)
confirmed  delivery by a standard overnight carrier or when delivered by hand or
(iii)  the  expiration  of five  business  days  after  the day when  mailed  by
certified or registered mail,  postage prepaid,  addressed to the parties at the
following  addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified
by like notice):

 (a)      If to Parent or
          Merger Sub, to:                  Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.
                                           120 N. Hamilton Street
                                           Georgetown, Kentucky 40324
                                           Attn:  J. Howell Kelly,
                                           President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer

                                           Telecopy No. (502) 863-7503

          With a copy to:                  David W. Harper, Esq.
                                           2450 Meidinger Tower
                                           Louisville, Kentucky 40202

                                           Telecopy No. (502) 583-2418
and

     (b)  If to Company, to:               The Sabina Bank
                                           135 N. Howard Street
                                           Sabina, Ohio 45169
                                           Attn:  Garry W. Priest,
                                           President and Chief Executive
                                              Officer

                                           Telecopy No. (937) 584-2494

          With a copy to:                  Terri Reyering Abare, Esq.
                                           Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease
                                           221 E. Fourth, Suite 2100
                                           Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

                                           Telecopy No. (513) 723-4056

     8.3 Interpretation. Unless the context otherwise requires, words describing
the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa,  and words denoting
any gender shall include all genders and words  denoting  natural  persons shall
include  corporations  and other entities and vice versa. The table of contents,
index of terms  and  headings  contained  in this  Agreement  are for  reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or inter  pretation of
this  Agreement.  When a reference is made in this Agreement to any "Section" or
"Exhibit," such reference shall be to

                                       37

<PAGE>




a section or exhibit to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.  Whenever the
words  "include,"  "includes" or "including"  are used in this  Agreement,  they
shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without  limitation."  Whenever the
words "or any Subsidiary",  "or any Subsidiaries,"  "nor any Subsidiary" or "nor
any  Subsidiaries"  are used in this  Agreement in  connection  with a preceding
reference  to  Parent,  they  shall  be  deemed  to  refer  to a  Subsidiary  or
Subsidiaries  Parent.  The phrase "made  available" in this Agreement shall mean
that the  information  referred to has been made  available  if requested by the
party to whom such  information  is to be made  available,  and the  correlative
phrase "make available" shall mean that such information  shall be promptly made
available if so requested.  The phrases "the date of this  Agreement," "the date
hereof"  and terms of similar  import,  unless the context  otherwise  requires,
shall be deemed to refer to May 28, 1997.

     8.4 Assignment;  Binding Effect; Benefit. Neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights,  interests or obligations  hereunder shall be assigned by any of the
parties  hereto  (whether by opera tion of law or  otherwise)  without the prior
written consent of the other parties.  Subject to the preceding  sentence,  this
Agreement  shall be binding  upon and shall  inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their  respective  successors and assigns.  Notwithstand ing anything
contained  in this  Agreement  to the  contrary,  except for the  provisions  of
Article  II and  Section  5.10  (collectively,  the "Third  Party  Provisions"),
nothing in this  Agreement,  express or  implied,  is  intended to confer on any
person  other than the parties  hereto or their  respective  heirs,  successors,
executors,  administrators  and  assigns any rights,  remedies,  obligations  or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement. The Third Party Provisions may
be  enforced  on behalf of the  Company  or the other  respective  beneficiaries
thereof by those  individuals who were the directors of the Company  immediately
prior to the  Effective  Time and also by the  holder of  Company  Common  Stock
converted  in  the  Merger  or  the  Indemnified   Party  that  such  provisions
respectively   are   intended  to  benefit  and  their   respective   heirs  and
representatives.  Parent shall pay all expenses, including attorneys' fees, that
may be incurred by such  directors or other persons in enforcing the Third Party
Provisions.

     8.5  Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance  with the laws of the State of Ohio regardless of the laws that might
otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

     8.6 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed and  delivered  shall be an original,  but all of
which shall together  constitute one and the same  instrument.  Each counterpart
may  consist  of a number of copies  hereof  each  signed by less than all,  but
together signed by

                                       38

<PAGE>




all of the parties  hereto.  It shall not be necessary,  in making proof of this
Agreement or any counterpart  hereof, to produce or account for any of the other
counterparts.

     8.7  Severability.  Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid
or  unenforceable  shall be  ineffective  to the  extent of such  invalidity  or
unenforceability  without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms
and provisions of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad
as to be unenforce  able, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad
as is enforceable.

     8.8  Incorporation  of Documents.  The Company Letter,  Parent Letter,  the
Confidentiality  Agreement,  and all Annexes,  Exhibits and  Schedules,  if any,
attached hereto and referred to herein are hereby incorporated herein and made a
part hereof for all purposes
as if fully set forth herein.

     8.9 Enforcement.  The parties agree that irreparable  damage would occur in
the event that any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  were not performed in
accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly
agreed that the parties shall be entitled to seek an  injunction or  injunctions
to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce  specifically the terms and
provisions of this  Agreement in any court of the United  States  located in the
State of Ohio or in Ohio state court, this being in addition to any other remedy
to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

         8.10  Waivers.  Except as provided in this  Agreement  or in any waiver
pursuant to Section 7.4, no action taken pursuant to this  Agreement,  including
any investigation by or on behalf of any party,  shall be deemed to constitute a
waiver by the party taking such action of compliance  with any  representations,
warranties,  covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement.  The waiver by
any party hereto of a breach of any provision  hereunder shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach of the same or any other
provision hereunder.

     8.11 Entire  Agreement.  This Agreement  constitutes  the entire  agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior  agreements and  understandings,  both written and oral, among the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof.


                                       39

<PAGE>



     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the  parties has caused this Agree ment to be
signed on its behalf by its officers  thereunto duly  authorized,  all as of the
day and year first above written.


                                    PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.


                                    By:
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       J. Howell Kelly, President and Chief
                                       Executive Officer

                                    PFBI INTERIM BANK


                                    By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        J. Howell Kelly, an Incorporator


                                    THE SABINA BANK

 
                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Garry W. Priest, President and
                                       Chief Executive Officer



                                       40






                                  Exhibit 25.1
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                              --------------------
                                    FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY  UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION
DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN  APPLICATION  TO  DETERMINE  ELIGIBILITY  OF A TRUSTEE  PURSUANT  TO
SECTION 305(b)(2) ___________

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

                              BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

NEW YORK                                                       13-4941247
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or                           (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national bank)                   Identification no.)

FOUR ALBANY STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK                                                  10006
(Address of principal                                            (Zip Code)
executive offices)

                              Bankers Trust Company
                                Legal Department
                         130 Liberty Street, 31st Floor
                            New York, New York 10006
                                 (212) 250-2201
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                    <C>                       <C>                                     <C>         
PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.                                  PFBI CAPITAL  TRUST
(Exact name of Registrant as specified                           (Exact name of Registrant as specified
in its charter)                                                  in its charter)

         
KENTUCKY                               61-1206757                DELAWARE                                REQUESTED
(State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. employer          (State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. employer
Incorporation or organization)         Identification no.)       incorporation or organization)          Identification no.)

120 N. HAMILTON STREET                                           c/o PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC.
GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY 40324                                       120 N. HAMILTON STREET
(Address, including zip code                                     GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY 40324  
 of principal executive offices)                                 (Address, including zip code of
                                                                 principal executive offices)

</TABLE>

                   Preferred Securities of PFBI Capital Trust
        Junior Subordinated Debentures of Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.
  Guarantee of Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc. of certain obligations under the
                              Preferred Securities
                       (Title of the indenture securities)


<PAGE>





Item   1.         General Information.
                  Furnish the following information as to the trustee.

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

                  Name                                        Address

                  Federal Reserve Bank (2nd District)          New York, NY
                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation        Washington, D.C.
                  New York State Banking Department            Albany, NY

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

                           Yes.

Item   2.         Affiliations with Obligor.

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

                  None.

Item   3. -15.    Not Applicable

Item  16.         List of Exhibits.

                  Exhibit 1 -      Restated  Organization  Certificate  of
                                   Bankers  Trust Company dated August 7, 1990,
                                   Certificate of Amendment of the Organization
                                   Certificate  of Bankers  Trust Company dated
                                   June  21,  1995  -  Incorporated  herein  by
                                   reference  to  Exhibit 1 filed with Form T-1
                                   Statement,  Registration No.  33-65171,  and
                                   Certificate of Amendment of the Organization
                                   Certificate  of Bankers  Trust Company dated
                                   March 20, 1996, copy attached.

                  Exhibit 2 -      Certificate  of  Authority  to commence
                                   business - Incorporated  herein by reference
                                   to Exhibit 2 filed with Form T-1  Statement,
                                   Registration No. 33-21047.

                  Exhibit 3 -      Authorization of the Trustee to exercise
                                   corporate trust powers - Incorporated  herein
                                   by  reference  to  Exhibit 2 filed with Form
                                   T-1 Statement, Registration No. 33-21047.

                  Exhibit 4 -      Existing   By-Laws  of  Bankers  Trust
                                   Company,  as amended on February  18,  1997 -
                                   incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2
                                   filed with Form T-1 Statement, Registration
                                   No. 333-24509.

                                       -2-


<PAGE>





                  Exhibit 5 -      Not applicable.

                  Exhibit 6 -      Consent  of  Bankers   Trust   Company
                                   required  by  Section  321(b)  of  the  Act.
                                   Incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit
                                   4   filed    with   Form   T-1    Statement,
                                   Registration No. 22-18864.

                  Exhibit 7 -      A copy of the latest report of condition  of
                                   Bankers Trust Company dated as of March 31, 
                                   1997.

                  Exhibit 8 -      Not Applicable.

                  Exhibit 9 -      Not Applicable.

                                       -3-


<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939, as
amended,  the trustee,  Bankers  Trust  Company,  a  corporation  organized  and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement
of  eligibility  to be signed on its behalf by the  undersigned,  thereunto duly
authorized,  all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 2nd day
of June, 1997.

                           BANKERS TRUST COMPANY

                           By:  /s/Kevin Weeks
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                    Kevin Weeks
                                    Assistant Treasurer

                                       -4-





<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                    <C>                         <C>                       <C>                  <C>  
Legal Title of Bank:   Bankers Trust Company       Call Date:   03/31/97     ST-BK:   36-4840     FFIEC 031
Address:               130 Liberty Street          Vendor ID: D              CERT:  00623         Page RC-1
City, State    ZIP:    New York, NY  10006                                                        11
FDIC Certificate No.:  |  0 |  0 |  6 |  2 |  3
</TABLE>

Consolidated Report of Condition for Insured Commercial
and State-Chartered Savings Banks March 31, 1997

All  schedules  are to be reported in  thousands  of dollars.  Unless  otherwise
indicated,  reported the amount  outstanding  as of the last business day of the
quarter.

Schedule RC--Balance Sheet
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      -------------------------
                                                                                                      |  C400                 |
                                                     Dollar Amounts in Thousands       |  RCFD    Bil Mil Thou                |

<S>    <C>                                                                             <C>                                     <C>
ASSETS                                                                                 |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |
  1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule RC-A):        |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |
       a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1) ................       |   0081                     1,589,000 |1.a.
       b. Interest-bearing balances(2) .........................................       |   0071                     2,734,000 |1.b.
  2.   Securities:                                                                     |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |
       a. Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A) ...........       |   1754                             0 |2.a.
       b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)..........       |   1773                     4,433,000 |2.b.
  3    Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to 
       resell...................................................................       |   1350                    26,490,000 |3   
  4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:                                          |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |
        a.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule RC-C)
                                                         RCFD 2122    15,941,000       |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |4.a.
        b.   LESS:   Allowance for loan and lease losses.RCFD  3123      708,000       |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |4.b.
        c.   LESS:   Allocated transfer risk reserve ....RCFD  3128            0       |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |4.c.
        d.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income,                                 |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |
             allowance, and reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c) ...............       |   2125                    15,233,000 |4.d.
  5.   Assets held in trading accounts .........................................       |   3545                    38,115,000 |5.
  6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ................       |   2145                       924,000 |6.
  7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M) ............................       |   2150                       188,000 |7.
  8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies                                        
       (from Schedule RC-M)                                                            |   2130                       175,000 |8.
  9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ............       |   2155                       618,000 |9.
 10.   Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M) ..................................       |   2143                        17,000 |10.
 11.   Other assets (from Schedule RC-F) .......................................       |   2160                     4,424,000 |11.
 12.   Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11) ................................       |   2170                    94,940,000 |12.
                                                                                                      
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------------    
(1)      Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)      Includes time certificates of deposit not held in trading accounts.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C>                   <C>                        <C>                     <C>                       <C>    
Legal Title of Bank:  Bankers Trust Company      Call Date: 03/31/97     ST-BK:    36-4840         FFIEC  031
Address:              130 Liberty Street         Vendor ID: D            CERT:  00623              Page  RC-2
City, State Zip:      New York, NY  10006                                                          12
FDIC Certificate No.: |  0 |  0 |  6 |  2 |  3
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Schedule RC--Continued                                                                 ____________________________________
                                                         Dollar Amounts in Thousands       | / / / / / / / /  Bil Mil Thou __    __|
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
<S> <C>                                                                                <C>                                 <C>    
LIABILITIES                                                                            |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  | 
13. Deposits:                                                                          |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  |
    a.   In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C 
         from Schedule RC-E, part I)                                                   | RCON 2200            14,450,000   |13.a.
         (1)   Noninterest-bearing(1) .....................RCON 6631  2,917,000....... |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  |13.a.(1)
         (2)  Interest-bearing ............................RCON 6636 11,533,000....... |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  |13.a.(2)
    b.   In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs 
         (from Schedule RC-E part II)                                                  | RCFN 2200            23,456,000   |13.b.
         (1)   Noninterest-bearing ........................RCFN 6631  1,062,000....... |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  |13.b.(1)
         (2)   Interest-bearing ...........................RCFN 6636 22,394,000....... |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  |13.b.(2)
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase ....... | RCFD 2800            15,195,000   |14.
15. a.   Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury .................................... | RCON 2840                     0   |15.a.
    b.   Trading liabilities ......................................................... | RCFD 3548            18,911,000   |15.b.
16. Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under
    capitalized leases):.............................................................. |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  |
    a.   With original maturity of one year or less .................................. | RCFD 2332             7,701,000   |16.a.
    b.   With original maturity of more than one year ................................ | RCFD 2333             4,438,000   |16.b.
17. Not Applicable.................................................................... | RCFD 2910                         |17.
18. Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ......................... | RCFD 2920               618,000   |18.
19. Subordinated notes and debentures ................................................ | RCFD 3200             1,226,000   |19.
20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) ........................................... | RCFD 2930             3,971,000   |20.
21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20) ................................... | RCFD 2948            89,966,000   |21.
                                                                                       |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  |
22. Not Applicable.................................................................... |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  |22.
EQUITY CAPITAL                                                                         |  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  |
23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus .................................... | RCFD 3838               600,000   |23.
24. Common stock ..................................................................... | RCFD 3230             1,002,000   |24.
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) ......................... | RCFD 3839               540,000   |25.
26. a.   Undivided profits and capital reserves ...................................... | RCFD 3632             3,241,000   |26.a.
    b.   Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities ...... | RCFD 8434        (       31,000)  |26.b.
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments .............................. | RCFD 3284        (      378,000)  |27.
28. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27) ................................ | RCFD 3210             4,974,000   |28.
29. Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital
    (sum of items 21, 22, and 28) .................................................... | RCFD 3300            94,940,000   |29.
    
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
<S>                                                                               <C>                     <C>          <C>
   1.    Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that
         best describes the most comprehensive level of auditing work performed
         for the bank by independent external                                                                Number
         auditors   as  of  any  date  during   1996   ........................    |   RCFD 6724               1       |  M.1
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>     <C>                                                           <C>    <C>
1    =   Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance         4   = Directors' examination of the bank performed by other
         with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified           external auditors (may be required by state chartering
         public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank           authority)
2    =   Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company        5   = Review of the bank's financial statements by external
         conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing            auditors
         standards by a certified public accounting firm which         6   = Compilation of the bank's financial statements by 
         submits a report on the consolidated holding company                external auditors
         (but not on the bank separately)                              7   = Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)
3    =   Directors' examination of the bank conducted in               8   = No external audit work
         accordance with generally  accepted  auditing  standards 
         by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by 
         state chartering authority)
</TABLE>
- ----------------------
(1) Including  total demand  deposits and  noninterest-bearing  time and savings
    deposits.
<PAGE>


                               State of New York,

                               Banking Department

         I, PETER M. PHILBIN,  Deputy Superintendent of Bank of the State of New
York,  DO HEREBY  APPROVE  the  annexed  Certificate  entitled  "CERTIFICATE  OF
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATE OF BANKERS TRUST COMPANY Under Section
8005 of the Banking  Law," dated March 20,  1996,  providing  for an increase in
authorized  capital stock from  $1,351,666,670  consisting of 85,166,667  shares
with a par value of $10 each  designated  as Common  Stock and 500 shares with a
par  value  of  $1,000,000  each   designated  as  Series   Preferred  Stock  to
$1,501,666,670  consisting  of  100,166,667  shares with a par value of $10 each
designated  as Common Stock and 500 shares with a par value of  $1,000,000  each
designated as Series Preferred Stock.

Witness,  my hand and official seal of the Banking Department at the City of New
York,

                    this 21st day of March in the Year of our Lord one  thousand

                    nine  hundred  and ninety-six.




                                                    Peter M. Philbin
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Deputy Superintendent of Banks


<PAGE>


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                     OF THE

                            ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATE

                                OF BANKERS TRUST

                      Under Section 8005 of the Banking Law

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

         We, James T. Byrne, Jr. and Lea Lahtinen, being respectively a Managing
Director and an Assistant Secretary of Bankers Trust Company, do hereby certify:

         1.   The name of the corporation is Bankers Trust Company.

         2. The  organization  certificate of said  corporation was filed by the
Superintendent of Banks on the 5th of march, 1903.

         3. The organization certificate as heretofore amended is hereby amended
to increase  the  aggregate  number of shares which the  corporation  shall have
authority to issue and to increase the amount of its authorized capital stock in
conformity therewith.

         4. Article III of the  organization  certificate  with reference to the
authorized  capital  stock,  the number of shares into which the  capital  stock
shall be divided, the par value of the shares and the capital stock outstanding,
which reads as follows:

         "III. The amount of capital stock which the corporation is hereafter to
         have is One  Billion,  Three  Hundred  Fifty One  Million,  Six Hundred
         Sixty-Six  Thousand,  Six  Hundred  Seventy  Dollars  ($1,351,666,670),
         divided into Eighty-Five Million,  One Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand,  Six
         Hundred  Sixty-Seven  (85,166,667)  shares with a par value of $10 each
         designated  as  Common  Stock  and 500  shares  with a par value of One
         Million  Dollars  ($1,000,000)  each  designated  as  Series  Preferred
         Stock."

is hereby amended to read as follows:

         "III. The amount of capital stock which the corporation is hereafter to
         have is One Billion,  Five Hundred One Million,  Six Hundred  Sixty-Six
         Thousand,  Six Hundred Seventy Dollars  ($1,501,666,670),  divided into
         One  Hundred  Million,  One  Hundred  Sixty Six  Thousand,  Six Hundred
         Sixty-Seven   (100,166,667)  shares  with  a  par  value  of  $10  each
         designated  as  Common  Stock  and 500  shares  with a par value of One
         Million  Dollars  ($1,000,000)  each  designated  as  Series  Preferred
         Stock."


<PAGE>



         6.  The  foregoing  amendment  of  the  organization   certificate  was
authorized by unanimous  written consent signed by the holder of all outstanding
shares entitled to vote thereon.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  we have made and subscribed this certificate this
20th day of March , 1996.

                               James T. Byrne, Jr.
                               -------------------
                               James T. Byrne, Jr.
                                Managing Director

                                  Lea Lahtinen
                                  ------------
                                  Lea Lahtinen
                               Assistant Secretary

State of New York          )
                                    )  ss:
County of New York         )

         Lea  Lahtinen,  being  fully  sworn,  deposes  and says  that she is an
Assistant Secretary of Bankers Trust Company,  the corporation  described in the
foregoing certificate; that she has read the foregoing certificate and knows the
contents thereof, and that the statements herein contained are true.

                                                             Lea Lahtinen
                                                             -------------------
                                                             Lea Lahtinen

Sworn to before me this 20th day of March, 1996.

         Sandra L. West
- ------------------------------
         Notary Public

           SANDRA L. WEST                        Counterpart filed in the
   Notary Public State of New York               Office of the Superintendent of
           No. 31-4942101                        Banks, State of New York,
    Qualified in New York County                 This 21st day of March, 1996

Commission Expires September 19, 1996


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