RELIANCE BANCORP INC
8-K, 1999-08-31
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
Previous: FOCAL CORP, 10QSB, 1999-08-31
Next: CALPINE CORP, SC 14D1, 1999-08-31



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form 8-K

                                 Current Report


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

                     Date of Report (Date of earliest event
                            reported) August 30, 1999

                          COMMISSION FILE NO.: 0-23126


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


                        Delaware                           11-3187176
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation         (IRS Employer or
 organization)                                       Identification No.)


   585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York                11530
(Address of principal executive officer)                 (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:     (516) 222-9300
                                                        --------------












<PAGE>



Item 5.           Other Events


     On August  30,  1999,  Reliance  Bancorp,  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation,
("Reliance")  announced  that it had signed a definitive  Agreement  and Plan of
Merger,  dated as of August 30, 1999 (the "Merger  Agreement"),  with North Fork
Bancorporation,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("NFB"). NFB is the bank holding
company parent of North Fork Bank and Trust Company,  a New York State chartered
stock commercial bank. The Merger Agreement  provides,  among other things, that
Reliance will merge with and into NFB, with NFB being the surviving  corporation
("Merger").  A copy of the Merger  Agreement is attached  hereto as Exhibit 2.1.
Capitalized  terms which are used but not defined herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

     Pursuant to the Merger Agreement,  each share of Reliance common stock, par
value  $0.01  per  share  ("Reliance  Common  Stock"),  issued  and  outstanding
immediately  prior to the Effective  Time will be converted  into and become the
right to receive 2.0 shares of NFB common stock, par value $2.50 per share ("NFB
Common  Stock").  The  exchange  ratio was based  upon the price of NFBs  stock
utilizing  its  closing  price on August 27, 1999 of $19.06 for a total value to
Reliance shareholders of $38.12 per share.

     The Merger  will be  structured  as a tax-free  reorganization  and will be
accounted under the purchase method of accounting. Consummation of the Merger is
subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions,  including approval
of the Merger  Agreement  by the  stockholders  of Reliance  and approval of the
appropriate regulatory agencies.

     Reliance  has the right to  terminate  the Merger  Agreement  if should the
closing price of NFB's shares decline beyond a specified price and index, unless
NFB elects to increase  the Merger  Consideration  to be received by  Reliance's
stockholders as set forth in the Merger Agreement.

     The Merger  Agreement  also  provides  that  options to purchase  shares of
Reliance Common Stock under  Reliance's  stock option plans that are outstanding
at the Effective Time shall be converted into options to purchase  shares of NFB
Common Stock in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Merger Agreement.
In connection with the Merger Agreement,  Reliance granted to NFB a stock option
pursuant to a Stock Option Agreement,  dated as of August 30, 1999, which, under
certain  defined  circumstances,  would  enable NFB to  purchase  up to 19.9% of
Reliance's  issued and  outstanding  shares of common  stock.  The Stock  Option
Agreement  provides that the total profit  receivable  thereunder may not exceed
$17.4 million plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. A copy of the Stock Option
Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1.

     Following  consummation  of the  Merger,  Mr.  Raymond A.  Nielsen  will be
appointed  to the Board of  Directors  of NFB.  Apart  from Mr.  Nielsen,  those
persons who are  members of the Board of  Directors  of  Reliance  and Gerald M.
Sauvigne,  as of the  consummation  of the  Merger,  will be  invited  to become
members of the NFB Advisory Board.

     Reliance and NFB publicly  announced  the Merger in a press  release  dated
August 30, 1999, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

     The press  release  incorporated  by reference  herein may contain  certain
forward-looking  statements with respect to the financial condition,  results of
operations  and  business  of NFB  following  the  consummation  of the  Merger,
including  statements  relating  to (a) the  expected  cost  savings and revenue
enhancements  to be realized  from the Merger and (b)  projected  2000 pro forma
earnings per share.  Factors that may cause actual results to differ  materially
from  those  contemplated  by such  forward-looking  statements  include,  among
others,  the  following  possibilities:  (1)  expected  cost  savings or revenue
enhancements  from the Merger cannot be fully realized;  (2) deposit  attrition,
customer loss or revenue loss following the Merger is greater than expected; (3)
competitive  pressure in the banking and financial  services industry  increases
significantly;  (4) changes in the interest rate environment reduce margins; (5)
general economic conditions,  either nationally or in the State of New York, are
less favorable than expected;  (6) changes in real estate values; (7) changes in
accounting  principles;  (8)  changes  in  legislation;  (9)  changes  in  other
economic,  governmental,  regulatory and  technological  factors  affecting each
company's operations, pricing, products and services; and (10) the impact of the
Year 2000.

     The  summaries of the Merger  Agreement  and the Option  Agreement  are not
complete and are qualified in their  entirety by reference to the complete texts
of such  documents  filed  as  exhibits  herewith  and  incorporated  herein  by
reference.

Item 7 (c).       Exhibits

Exhibit 2.1  Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated as of August 30, 1999, by and
between North Fork Bancorporation, Inc. and Reliance Bancorp, Inc.

Exhibit 4.1 Stock Option Agreement,  dated August 30, 1999, by and between North
Fork Bancorporation, Inc. and Reliance Bancorp, Inc.

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated August 30, 1999  announcing  definitive  merger
agreement  whereby  North  Fork  Bancorporation,  Inc.  would  acquire  Reliance
Bancorp, Inc.

Exhibit 99.2 Press  Release dated July 22, 1999  reporting the Company's  fourth
quarter and fiscal year end 1999 results.
























<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES

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





                                   By:    /s/  Raymond A. Nielsen
                                          ------------------------
                                          Raymond A. Nielsen
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer



Dated:    August 31, 1999









                                                  Exhibit 2.1

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                     Between

                         NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.

                                       and

                             RELIANCE BANCORP, INC.


                           Dated as of August 30, 1999





<PAGE>



                                TABLE of CONTENTS

                                                                         Page
 ARTICLE I
      THE MERGER.............................................................1
      1.1.  The Merger ......................................................1
      1.2.  Effective Time ..................................................2
      1.3.  Effects of the Merger........................................... 2
      1.4.  Conversion of Company Common Stock ..............................2
      1.5.  Stock Options................................................... 3
      1.6.  Buyer Common Stock.............................................. 5
      1.7.  Certificate of Incorporation.....................................5
      1.8.  By-Laws..........................................................5
      1.9.  Directors and Officers...........................................5
      1.10.  Tax Consequences ...............................................5

 ARTICLE II
      EXCHANGE OF SHARES.....................................................5
      2.1.  Buyer to Make Shares Available...................................5
      2.2.  Exchange of Shares ..............................................6

 ARTICLE III
      DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES; STANDARDS
      FOR REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.....................................9
      3.1. Disclosure Schedules..............................................9
      3.2. Standards.........................................................9

 ARTICLE IV
      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.........................10
      4.1.  Corporate Organization..........................................11
      4.2.  Capitalization .................................................12
      4.3.  Authority; No Violation.........................................13
      4.4.  Consents and Approvals .........................................15
      4.5.  Reports.........................................................16
      4.6.  Financial Statements............................................16
      4.7.  Broker's Fees...................................................18
      4.8.  Absence of Certain Changes or Events ...........................18
      4.9.  Legal Proceedings...............................................19
      4.10.  Taxes..........................................................19
      4.11.  Employees .....................................................21
      4.12.  SEC Reports....................................................23
      4.13.  Company Information............................................23
      4.14.  Compliance with Applicable Law.................................24
      4.15.  Certain Contracts..............................................24
      4.16.  Agreements with Regulatory Agencies............................25


<PAGE>



      4.17.  Investment Securities..........................................25
      4.18  State Takeover Laws; Business Combination Provision.............25
      4.19.  Environmental Matters .........................................26
      4.20.  Derivative Transactions........................................27
      4.21.  Opinion........................................................27
      4.22.  Approvals......................................................28
      4.23.  Loan Portfolio.................................................28
      4.24.  Property.......................................................29
      4.25.  Reorganization.................................................30
      4.26.  Company Rights Agreement.......................................30
      4.27.  Equity and Real Estate Investments.............................30
      4.28.  Year 2000 Matters..............................................30

 ARTICLE V
      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
      OF BUYER .............................................................31
      5.1.  Corporate Organization .........................................31
      5.2.  Capitalization..................................................32
      5.3.  Authority; No Violation.........................................33
      5.4.  Consents and Approvals..........................................34
      5.5.  Reports.........................................................35
      5.6.  Financial Statements............................................35
      5.7.  Broker's Fees...................................................36
      5.8.  Absence of Certain Changes or Events............................37
      5.9.  Legal Proceedings...............................................37
      5.10.  Taxes..........................................................37
      5.11.  Employees......................................................38
      5.12.  SEC Reports....................................................40
      5.13.  Buyer Information .............................................41
      5.14.  Compliance with Applicable Law.................................41
      5.15.  Ownership of Company Common Stock..............................41
      5.16.  Agreements with Regulatory Agencies............................42
      5.17.  Approvals......................................................42
      5.18.  Tax Treatment for the Merger;
               Reorganization...............................................42
      5.19.  Environmental Matters .........................................42
      5.20.  Loan Portfolio.................................................43
      5.21.  Property.......................................................44
      5.22.  Derivative Transactions........................................45
      5.23.  Year 2000 Matters..............................................45
      5.24.  Insurance......................................................45

 ARTICLE VI
      COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
      6.1.  Covenants of the Company........................................46


<PAGE>



      6.2.  Covenants of Buyer..............................................50

 ARTICLE VII
      ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
      7.1.  Regulatory Matters..............................................51
      7.2.  Access to Information...........................................53
      7.3.  Stockholder Meetings ...........................................55
      7.4.  Legal Conditions to Merger......................................55
      7.5.  Affiliates .....................................................56
      7.6.  Stock Exchange Listing..........................................56
      7.7.  Employee Benefit Plans; Existing Agreements.....................56
      7.8.  Indemnification.................................................58
      7.9.  Additional Agreements...........................................61
      7.10.  Advice of Changes .............................................61
      7.11.  Current Information............................................61
      7.12.  Execution and Authorization of Bank Merger Agreement...........62
      7.13.  Coordination of Dividends......................................62
      7.14.  Directorship...................................................63
      7.15.  Accountants' Letter ...........................................63
      7.16.  Certain Revaluations, Changes and Adjustments..................63
      7.17.  Year 2000 .....................................................64
      7.19.  Advisory Board.................................................64

 ARTICLE VIII
      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT..................................................64
      8.1.  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To Effect the Merger......64
      8.2.  Conditions to Obligations of Buyer..............................65
      8.3.  Conditions to Obligations of the Company .......................67

 ARTICLE IX
      TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT.............................................68
      9.1.  Termination.....................................................68
      9.2.  Effect of Termination; Expenses.................................73
      9.3.  Amendment.......................................................73
      9.4.  Extension; Waiver...............................................74

 ARTICLE X
      GENERAL PROVISIONS....................................................74
      10.1.  Closing .......................................................74
      10.2.  Alternative Structure..........................................75
      10.3.  Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements......75
      10.4.  Expenses.......................................................75
      10.5.  Notices........................................................75
      10.6.  Interpretation  ...............................................77
      10.7.  Counterparts...................................................77


<PAGE>



      10.8.  Entire Agreement...............................................77
      10.9.  Governing Law..................................................77
      10.10.  Enforcement of Agreement .....................................77
      10.11.  Severability..................................................78
      10.12.  Publicity.....................................................78
      10.13.  Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries .....................78




<PAGE>



                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


           AGREEMENT  AND PLAN OF  MERGER,  dated as of August  30,  1999  (this
 "Agreement"),  by and  between  North  Fork  Bancorporation,  Inc.,  a Delaware
 corporation ("Buyer"),  and Reliance Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
 "Company"). Buyer and the Company are sometimes collectively referred to herein
 as the "Constituent Corporations".

           WHEREAS,  the  Boards  of  Directors  of Buyer and the  Company  have
 determined that it is in the best interests of their  respective  companies and
 their stockholders to consummate the business combination  transaction provided
 for herein in which the Company will,  subject to the terms and  conditions set
 forth herein, merge (the "Merger") with and into Buyer; and

           WHEREAS,   the  parties  desire  to  make  certain   representations,
 warranties and  agreements in connection  with the Merger and also to prescribe
 certain conditions to the Merger.

           NOW,   THEREFORE,   in   consideration   of  the  mutual   covenants,
 representations,  warranties and agreements  contained herein, and intending to
 be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:


                                 ARTICLE I
                                 THE MERGER

           1.1.  The  Merger.  Subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  of  this
 Agreement,  in  accordance  with  the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law (the
 "DGCL"), at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2 hereof),  the Company
 shall  merge with and into  Buyer.  Buyer  shall be the  surviving  corporation
 (hereinafter  sometimes called the "Surviving  Corporation") in the Merger, and
 shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Delaware.
 The  name  of  the  Surviving  Corporation  shall  continue  to be  North  Fork
 Bancorporation,  Inc. Upon consummation of the Merger,  the separate  corporate
 existence of the Company shall terminate.

           1.2.  Effective Time. The Merger shall become  effective as set forth
 in the certificate of merger (the "Certificate of Merger") which shall be filed
 with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the  "Secretary")  on the
 Closing Date (as defined in Section 10.1  hereof).  The term  "Effective  Time"
 shall be the date and time when the Merger becomes  effective,  as set forth in
 the Certificate of Merger.


                                                       1

<PAGE>



           1.3.  Effects of the Merger.  At and after the  Effective  Time,  the
 Merger shall have the effects set forth in Sections 259 and 261 of the DGCL.

           1.4.  Conversion of Company Common Stock.  (a) At the Effective Time,
 subject to Section 2.2(e) and Section  9.1(h) hereof,  each share of the common
 stock,  par value $0.01 per share,  of the Company (the "Company Common Stock")
 issued and outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than (x)
 shares of Company  Common Stock held in the Company's  treasury,  (y) shares of
 Company Common Stock held directly or indirectly by Buyer or the Company or any
 of their  respective  Subsidiaries (as defined below) (except for Trust Account
 Shares and DPC shares, as such terms are defined in Section 1.4(b) hereof),  or
 (z)  unallocated   shares  of  Company  Common  Stock  held  in  the  Company's
 Recognition  and  Retention  Plans)  together with the related  Company  Rights
 issued  pursuant to the Company  Rights  Agreement  (each as defined in Section
 4.2(a) hereof) shall, by virtue of this Agreement and without any action on the
 part of the holder  thereof,  be converted  into and  exchangeable  for 2 (two)
 shares (the "Exchange  Ratio") of the common stock,  par value $2.50 per share,
 of Buyer  ("Buyer  Common  Stock").  All of the shares of Company  Common Stock
 converted into Buyer Common Stock pursuant to this Article I shall no longer be
 outstanding and shall  automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and
 each certificate (each a "Certificate") previously representing any such shares
 of Company  Common Stock shall  thereafter  only represent the right to receive
 (i) the number of whole  shares of Buyer Common Stock and (ii) the cash in lieu
 of fractional  shares into which the shares of Company Common Stock represented
 by such  Certificate  have been  converted  pursuant to this Section 1.4(a) and
 Section 2.2(e) hereof.  Certificates  previously representing shares of Company
 Common Stock shall be exchanged for certificates  representing  whole shares of
 Buyer  Common  Stock  and  cash  in  lieu  of   fractional   shares  issued  in
 consideration  therefor upon the surrender of such  Certificates  in accordance
 with Section 2.2 hereof,  without any interest thereon. If, between the date of
 this  Agreement and the Effective  Time, the shares of Buyer Common Stock shall
 be  changed  into a  different  number  or class of  shares  by  reason  of any
 reclassification,  recapitalization,  spilt-up, combination, exchange of shares
 or  readjustment,  or a stock dividend  thereon shall be declared with a record
 date within said period, the Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted accordingly.

                (b) At the Effective  Time,  all shares of Company  Common Stock
 that are owned by the Company as treasury stock, all shares of

                                                         2

<PAGE>



 Company  Common  Stock that are owned  directly or  indirectly  by Buyer or the
 Company or any of their respective  Subsidiaries  (other than shares of Company
 Common  Stock  (x) held  directly  or  indirectly  in trust  accounts,  managed
 accounts and the like or otherwise held in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit
 of third  parties (any such shares,  and shares of Buyer Common Stock which are
 similarly held, whether held directly or indirectly by Buyer or the Company, as
 the case may be, being  referred to herein as "Trust  Account  Shares") and (y)
 held by Buyer or the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries in respect
 of a debt previously  contracted (any such shares of Company Common Stock,  and
 shares of Buyer Common Stock which are similarly held, whether held directly or
 indirectly by Buyer or the Company,  being  referred to herein as "DPC Shares")
 and all  unallocated  shares  of  Company  Common  Stock  that  are held in the
 Company's  Recognition and Retention  Plans) shall be cancelled and shall cease
 to exist and no stock of Buyer or other  consideration  shall be  delivered  in
 exchange  therefor.  All  shares of Buyer  Common  Stock  that are owned by the
 Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other than Trust  Account  Shares and DPC
 Shares) shall become treasury stock of Buyer.

           1.5. Stock Options. At the Effective Time, each option granted by the
 Company to purchase  shares of Company Common Stock (a "Company  Option") which
 is  outstanding  and  unexercised  immediately  prior  thereto  shall  cease to
 represent  a right to  acquire  shares  of  Company  Common  Stock and shall be
 converted automatically into an option to purchase shares of Buyer Common Stock
 in an amount  and at an  exercise  price  determined  as  provided  below  (and
 otherwise  subject to the terms of the  Company's  Amended  and  Restated  1996
 Incentive  Stock Option Plan,  1994 Incentive  Stock Option Plan or Amended and
 Restated  1994 Stock  Option  Plan for  Outside  Directors  (collectively,  the
 "Company Option Plans"), the agreements  evidencing grants thereunder,  and any
 other  agreements  between  the  Company  and  an  optionee  regarding  Company
 Options):

                (1) the number of shares of Buyer  Common Stock to be subject to
      the new  option  shall be equal to the  product of the number of shares of
      Company  Common  Stock  subject to the  original  option and the  Exchange
      Ratio,  provided that any fractional share of Buyer Common Stock resulting
      from such multiplication shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share;
      and

                (2) the exercise price per share of Buyer Common Stock under the
      new  option  shall be equal to the  exercise  price per  share of  Company
      Common Stock under the  original  option  divided by the  Exchange  Ratio,
      provided that such exercise price shall be

                                                         3

<PAGE>



      rounded up to the nearest cent.

 The adjustment  provided  herein with respect to any options which are intended
 to be  "incentive  stock  options"  (as defined in Section 422 of the  Internal
 Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code"))  shall be and is intended to be
 effected in a manner which is consistent  with Section  424(a) of the Code, and
 to the extent it is not so consistent,  such Section 424(a) shall override such
 adjustment. The duration and other terms of the new option shall be the same as
 the original option,  except that all references to the Company shall be deemed
 to be references to Buyer, it being understood that any option that is intended
 to be an incentive  stock  option and which is  exercised by the option  holder
 more than 3 (three) months from the date of the option holder's  termination of
 employment  from  the  Company  or  its  Subsidiaries  or  from  Buyer  or  its
 Subsidiaries shall be treated as a non-statutory option.

           1.6.  Buyer  Common  Stock.  Except for shares of Buyer  Common Stock
 owned by the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other  than  Trust  Account
 Shares and DPC Shares),  which shall be converted  into treasury stock of Buyer
 as contemplated by Section 1.4 hereof,  the shares of Buyer Common Stock issued
 and outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be unaffected by
 the Merger and such shares shall remain issued and outstanding.

           1.7.  Certificate  of  Incorporation.  At  the  Effective  Time,  the
 Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation of Buyer, as in effect at the Effective
 Time, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.

           1.8.  By-Laws.  At the Effective  Time,  the By-Laws of Buyer,  as in
 effect  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time,  shall be the By-Laws of the
 Surviving  Corporation  until thereafter  amended in accordance with applicable
 law.

           1.9.  Directors  and  Officers.  Except as provided  in Section  7.14
 hereof,  the directors and officers of Buyer immediately prior to the Effective
 Time shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation,  each to
 hold office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation  and By-Laws of
 the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors are duly elected or
 appointed and qualified.

           1.10.  Tax Consequences.  It is intended that the Merger shall
 constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the

                                                         4

<PAGE>



 Code, and that this Agreement shall constitute a "plan of  reorganization"  for
 the purposes of Section 368 of the Code.


                                 ARTICLE II
                             EXCHANGE OF SHARES

           2.1.  Buyer to Make Shares  Available.  At or prior to the  Effective
 Time, Buyer shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with a bank or trust
 company (which may be a Subsidiary of Buyer) (the "Exchange Agent") selected by
 Buyer and  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Company,  for the  benefit  of the
 holders of  Certificates,  for  exchange in  accordance  with this  Article II,
 certificates representing the shares of Buyer Common Stock and the cash in lieu
 of  fractional  shares (such cash and  certificates  for shares of Buyer Common
 Stock, together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto, being
 hereinafter  referred  to as the  "Exchange  Fund")  to be issued  pursuant  to
 Section 1.4 and paid  pursuant to Section  2.2(a) in exchange  for  outstanding
 shares of Company Common Stock.

           2.2.  Exchange  of  Shares.  (a) As soon  as  practicable  after  the
 Effective Time, and in no event more than three business days  thereafter,  the
 Exchange  Agent  shall  mail to each  holder  of  record  of a  Certificate  or
 Certificates  a form letter of  transmittal  (which shall specify that delivery
 shall be effected,  and risk of loss and title to the Certificates  shall pass,
 only upon delivery of the  Certificates to the Exchange Agent) and instructions
 for  use in  effecting  the  surrender  of the  Certificates  in  exchange  for
 certificates representing the shares of Buyer Common Stock and the cash in lieu
 of fractional  shares into which the shares of Company Common Stock represented
 by such Certificate or Certificates  shall have been converted pursuant to this
 Agreement. Upon surrender of a Certificate for exchange and cancellation to the
 Exchange Agent,  together with such letter of transmittal,  duly executed,  the
 holder of such  Certificate  shall be entitled to receive in exchange  therefor
 (x) a  certificate  representing  that number of whole  shares of Buyer  Common
 Stock to which such holder of Company  Common Stock shall have become  entitled
 pursuant to the provisions of Article I hereof and (y) a check representing the
 amount of cash in lieu of fractional  shares, if any, which such holder has the
 right to  receive in respect of the  Certificate  surrendered  pursuant  to the
 provisions  of this  Article  II,  and the  Certificate  so  surrendered  shall
 forthwith be cancelled. No interest will be paid or accrued on the cash in lieu
 of fractional shares and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, payable to
 holders of Certificates.


                                                         5

<PAGE>



                (b) No  dividends  or other  distributions  declared  after  the
 Effective Time with respect to Buyer Common Stock and payable to the holders of
 record  thereof  shall be paid to the holder of any  unsurrendered  Certificate
 until the holder thereof shall  surrender such  Certificate in accordance  with
 this Article II. After the surrender of a Certificate  in accordance  with this
 Article  II, the record  holder  thereof  shall be entitled to receive any such
 dividends  or  other  distributions,   without  any  interest  thereon,   which
 theretofore  had become  payable  with  respect to shares of Buyer Common Stock
 represented  by such  Certificate.  No holder of an  unsurrendered  Certificate
 shall be entitled, until the surrender of such Certificate,  to vote the shares
 of Buyer  Common  Stock into which his  Company  Common  Stock  shall have been
 converted.

                (c) If any certificate representing shares of Buyer Common Stock
 is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Certificate  surrendered
 in exchange  therefor is  registered,  it shall be a condition  of the issuance
 thereof that the  Certificate  so  surrendered  shall be properly  endorsed (or
 accompanied by an  appropriate  instrument of transfer) and otherwise in proper
 form for transfer,  and that the person  requesting  such exchange shall pay to
 the Exchange Agent in advance any transfer or other taxes required by reason of
 the issuance of a certificate  representing shares of Buyer Common Stock in any
 name other than that of the registered  holder of the Certificate  surrendered,
 or required for any other reason, or shall establish to the satisfaction of the
 Exchange Agent that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

                (d) After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the
 stock transfer books of the Company of the shares of Company Common Stock which
 were issued and outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after
 the Effective  Time,  Certificates  representing  such shares are presented for
 transfer to the Exchange  Agent,  they shall be  cancelled  and  exchanged  for
 certificates  representing  shares of Buyer  Common  Stock as  provided in this
 Article II.

                (e)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained herein,
 no certificates or scrip  representing  fractional shares of Buyer Common Stock
 shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates, no dividend or
 distribution  with  respect to Buyer  Common  Stock shall be payable on or with
 respect to any fractional  share, and such fractional share interests shall not
 entitle the owner  thereof to vote or to any other rights of a  shareholder  of
 Buyer. In lieu of the issuance of any such fractional share, Buyer shall pay to
 each  former  stockholder  of the Company  who  otherwise  would be entitled to
 receive a fractional share

                                                         6

<PAGE>



 of Buyer  Common  Stock an amount in cash  determined  by  multiplying  (i) the
 average of the closing  sale prices of Buyer Common Stock on the New York Stock
 Exchange  (the  "NYSE") as  reported  by The Wall  Street  Journal for the five
 trading days  immediately  preceding the date on which the Effective Time shall
 occur by (ii) the  fraction  of a share of  Buyer  Common  Stock to which  such
 holder would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof.

                (f) Any portion of the Exchange  Fund that remains  unclaimed by
 the  stockholders  of the Company for six months after the Effective Time shall
 be paid to Buyer.  Any  stockholders  of the Company  who have not  theretofore
 complied with this Article II shall  thereafter  look only to Buyer for payment
 of their shares of Buyer Common Stock,  cash in lieu of  fractional  shares and
 unpaid  dividends and  distributions  on the Buyer Common Stock  deliverable in
 respect  of each  share of  Company  Common  Stock  such  stockholder  holds as
 determined  pursuant to this  Agreement,  in each case,  without  any  interest
 thereon.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  none of  Buyer,  the  Company,  the
 Exchange  Agent or any other  person  shall be liable to any  former  holder of
 shares of Company  Common Stock for any amount  properly  delivered to a public
 official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

                (g) In the event any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or
 destroyed,  upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
 such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Buyer, the
 posting  by such  person  of a bond in such  amount  as  Buyer  may  direct  as
 indemnity  against any claim that may be made  against it with  respect to such
 Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or
 destroyed  Certificate  the  shares of Buyer  Common  Stock and cash in lieu of
 fractional shares deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement.


                                ARTICLE III
                      DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES; STANDARDS
                     FOR REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

           3.1.  Disclosure  Schedules.  Prior to the  execution and delivery of
 this Agreement,  the Company has delivered to Buyer, and Buyer has delivered to
 the Company,  a schedule (in the case of the Company,  the "Company  Disclosure
 Schedule," and in the case of Buyer, the "Buyer Disclosure  Schedule")  setting
 forth,  among other  things,  items the  disclosure  of which is  necessary  or
 appropriate either in response to an

                                                         7

<PAGE>



 express  disclosure  requirement  contained  in a  provision  hereof  or  as an
 exception  to one  or  more  of  such  party's  representations  or  warranties
 contained in Article IV, in the case of the Company,  or Article V, in the case
 of Buyer, or to one or more of such party's covenants  contained in Article VI;
 provided,  however,  that  notwithstanding  anything in this  Agreement  to the
 contrary  (a) no such  item  is  required  to be set  forth  in the  Disclosure
 Schedule  as an  exception  to a  representation  or  warranty  (other  than  a
 representation or warranty contained in Sections 4.2, 4.3(a),  4.3(b)(i),  4.6,
 4.7, 4.8(a)(ii),  4.8(b),  4.11(a),  4.12, 4.15(a),  4.18, 4.21, 4.26 and 4.27,
 with  respect to the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  or Sections  5.2,  5.3(a),
 5.3(b),  5.3(c)(i),  5.6, 5.7, 5.8(ii),  5.11(a) 5.12 and 5.15, with respect to
 the Buyer  Disclosure  Schedule) if its absence would not result in the related
 representation  or warranty being deemed untrue or incorrect under the standard
 established  by  Section  3.2,  and  (b)  the  mere  inclusion  of an item in a
 Disclosure  Schedule as an exception to a representation  or warranty shall not
 be  deemed  an  admission  by a party  that such  item  represents  a  material
 exception or material fact,  event or circumstance or that such item has had or
 is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined herein) with
 respect to either the Company or Buyer, respectively.

           3.2.  Standards.  (a) No  representation  or  warranty of the Company
 contained  in  Article  IV  (other  than  the  representations  and  warranties
 contained in Sections 4.2, 4.3(a),  4.3(b)(i),  4.6, 4.7,  4.8(a)(ii),  4.8(b),
 4.11(a),  4.12,  4.15(a),  4.18,  4.21, 4.26 and 4.27) or of Buyer contained in
 Article V (other than the representations and warranties  contained in Sections
 5.2, 5.3(a),  5.3(b),  5.3(c)(i),  5.6, 5.7, 5.8(ii),  5.11(a),  5.12 and 5.15)
 shall be deemed untrue or incorrect for any purpose under this  Agreement,  and
 no party hereto shall be deemed to have  breached  any such  representation  or
 warranty for any purpose under this Agreement,  in any case as a consequence of
 the existence or absence of any fact,  circumstance  or event unless such fact,
 circumstance  or event,  individually  or when  taken  together  with all other
 facts,  circumstances  or  events  inconsistent  with  any  representations  or
 warranties  contained in Article IV, in the case of the Company,  or Article V,
 in the  case of  Buyer,  has had or is  reasonably  likely  to have a  Material
 Adverse Effect with respect to the Company or Buyer, respectively.

                (b) As  used in  this  Agreement,  the  term  "Material  Adverse
 Effect"  means,  with  respect to Buyer or the  Company,  as the case may be, a
 material adverse effect on (i) the business,  assets,  liabilities,  results of
 operations or financial condition of such party and its Subsidiaries taken as a
 whole, other than any such effect attributable to or resulting

                                                         8

<PAGE>



 from (x) any change in banking or similar laws, rules or regulations of general
 applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or governmental authorities,
 (y) any change in GAAP (as defined herein) or regulatory accounting principles,
 in each case which affects banks, thrifts or their holding companies generally,
 except to the extent any such condition or change affects the referenced  party
 to a materially  greater extent than banks,  thrifts or their holding companies
 generally,  or (z) any change in interest rates, provided, that any such change
 in interest rates shall not affect the referenced party to a materially greater
 extent than banks, thrifts or their holding companies  generally,  and provided
 further, that any such change shall not have a materially adverse effect on the
 credit  quality of such party's  assets,  or (ii) the ability of such party and
 its Subsidiaries to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                 ARTICLE IV
               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

           Subject to Article  III hereof and except as set forth in the Company
 Disclosure  Schedule,  the Company  hereby  represents and warrants to Buyer as
 follows:

           4.1.  Corporate  Organization.  (a) The Company is a corporation duly
 organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
 Delaware. The Company has the corporate power and authority to own or lease all
 of its  properties  and assets and to carry on its  business as it is now being
 conducted,   and  is  duly  licensed  or  qualified  to  do  business  in  each
 jurisdiction  in  which  the  nature  of the  business  conducted  by it or the
 character or location of the  properties and assets owned or leased by it makes
 such licensing or qualification  necessary. The Company is duly registered as a
 non-diversified unitary savings and loan holding company under the Home Owners'
 Loan Act of 1933, as amended.  The Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  and
 By-laws of the Company,  copies of which have previously been made available to
 Buyer,  are true and correct  copies of such  documents  as in effect as of the
 date of this Agreement.  As used in this Agreement,  the word "Subsidiary" when
 used with  respect to any party  means any  corporation,  partnership  or other
 organization,  whether  incorporated or  unincorporated,  which is consolidated
 with such party for financial reporting purposes.

                (b)  Reliance  Federal  Savings Bank (the  "Company  Bank") is a
 stock savings bank duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing under
 the laws of the United States of America. The deposit accounts of

                                                         9

<PAGE>



 the Company Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation (the
 "FDIC")  through the Savings  Association  Insurance Fund to the fullest extent
 permitted  by law,  and all  premiums  and  assessments  required to be paid in
 connection  therewith  have been paid when  due.  Each of the  Company's  other
 Subsidiaries  is a corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good
 standing under the laws of its  jurisdiction of  incorporation or organization.
 Each of the Company's Subsidiaries has the corporate power and authority to own
 or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is
 now being  conducted  and is duly  licensed or qualified to do business in each
 jurisdiction  in  which  the  nature  of the  business  conducted  by it or the
 character  or the location of the  properties  and assets owned or leased by it
 makes such licensing or qualification necessary. The articles of incorporation,
 by-laws and similar  governing  documents  of each  Subsidiary  of the Company,
 copies of which have  previously  been made  available  to Buyer,  are true and
 correct copies of such documents as in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

                (c) The minute books of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
 contain true and correct  records of all meetings and other  corporate  actions
 held or taken since  December  31, 1996 of their  respective  stockholders  and
 Boards  of  Directors  (including  committees  of their  respective  Boards  of
 Directors).

           4.2. Capitalization.  (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company
 consists of 20,000,000  shares of Company Common Stock and 4,000,000  shares of
 preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Company Preferred  Stock").  As
 of the date of this Agreement, there are (x) 8,584,410 shares of Company Common
 Stock  outstanding  and  2,166,410  shares of Company  Common Stock held in the
 Company's treasury, (y) no shares of Company Common Stock reserved for issuance
 upon  exercise  of  outstanding  stock  options  or  otherwise  except  for (i)
 1,080,876 shares of Company Common Stock reserved for issuance  pursuant to the
 Company Option Plans and described in Section 4.2(a) of the Company  Disclosure
 Schedule,  (ii) 1,708,297  shares of Company Common Stock reserved for issuance
 upon  exercise  of the  option  issued to Buyer  pursuant  to the Stock  Option
 Agreement,  dated August 30, 1999,  between  Buyer and the Company (the "Option
 Agreement")  and (iii)  approximately  25,000  shares of Company  Common  Stock
 issuable  pursuant to an agreement between the Company and Continental Bank and
 (z) no shares of Company  Preferred  Stock issued or  outstanding,  held in the
 Company's  treasury or reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock
 options or otherwise,  except for [150,000]  shares of Company  Series A Junior
 Participating Preferred Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the rights
 (the "Company Rights") distributed to holders of Company Common

                                                        10

<PAGE>



 Stock pursuant to the Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement,  dated September
 18, 1996 between the Company and  Registrar  and Transfer  Co., as Rights Agent
 (the "Company Rights  Agreement").  All of the issued and outstanding shares of
 Company Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully
 paid,  nonassessable and free of preemptive rights,  with no personal liability
 attaching to the ownership thereof. Except as referred to above or reflected in
 Section 4.2(a) of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  and except for the Option
 Agreement,  the  Company  does  not have  and is not  bound by any  outstanding
 subscriptions,  options,  warrants,  calls,  commitments  or  agreements of any
 character  calling for the purchase or issuance of any shares of Company Common
 Stock or Company Preferred Stock or any other equity security of the Company or
 any  securities  representing  the right to purchase or  otherwise  receive any
 shares of Company Common Stock or any other equity security of the Company. The
 names of the  optionees,  the date of each  option to purchase  Company  Common
 Stock granted, the number of shares subject to each such option, the expiration
 date of each such  option,  and the  price at which  each  such  option  may be
 exercised under the Company Option Plans are set forth in Section 4.2(a) of the
 Company Disclosure Schedule.

                (b) Section 4.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth
 a true and correct list of all of the  Subsidiaries  of the Company.  Except as
 set forth in Section  4.2(b) of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  the Company
 owns,  directly or indirectly,  all of the issued and outstanding shares of the
 capital  stock  of each of such  Subsidiaries,  free and  clear  of all  liens,
 charges, encumbrances and security interests whatsoever, and all of such shares
 are duly  authorized and validly issued and are fully paid,  nonassessable  and
 free  of  preemptive  rights,  with  no  personal  liability  attaching  to the
 ownership  thereof.  No  Subsidiary  of  the  Company  has or is  bound  by any
 outstanding subscriptions,  options, warrants, calls, commitments or agreements
 of any character  calling for the purchase or issuance of any shares of capital
 stock  or any  other  equity  security  of such  Subsidiary  or any  securities
 representing  the right to purchase or otherwise  receive any shares of capital
 stock or any other equity security of such Subsidiary.  Assuming  compliance by
 Buyer with Section 1.5 hereof,  at the  Effective  Time,  there will not be any
 outstanding subscriptions,  options, warrants, calls, commitments or agreements
 of any character by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries  will be bound
 calling for the purchase or issuance of any shares of the capital  stock of the
 Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

           4.3.  Authority; No Violation.  (a)  The Company has full
 corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the

                                                        11

<PAGE>



 Option Agreement (this Agreement and the Option  Agreement,  collectively,  the
 "Company Documents") and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
 thereby.  The execution  and delivery of each of the Company  Documents and the
 consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly
 and validly  approved by the Board of Directors  of the  Company.  The Board of
 Directors of the Company has directed that this Agreement and the  transactions
 contemplated hereby be submitted to the Company's  stockholders for approval at
 a meeting of such  stockholders  and,  except for the  approval and adoption of
 this  Agreement  by the  affirmative  vote of the  holders of a majority of the
 outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock, no other corporate  proceedings
 on the part of the Company are  necessary to approve the Company  Documents and
 to consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby.  Each of the
 Company  Documents  has been duly and validly  executed  and  delivered  by the
 Company, and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Buyer) this
 Agreement   constitutes  a  valid  and  binding   obligation  of  the  Company,
 enforceable  against  the  Company  in  accordance  with its  terms,  except as
 enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity whether applied in a
 court of law or a court of equity and by  bankruptcy,  insolvency  and  similar
 laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally.

                (b)  Except  as set  forth  in  Section  4.3(b)  of the  Company
 Disclosure  Schedule,  neither  the  execution  and  delivery  of  the  Company
 Documents  by  the  Company,  nor  the  consummation  by  the  Company  of  the
 transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by the Company with any of the
 terms or provisions  hereof,  will (i) violate any provision of the Certificate
 of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or the certificate of incorporation,
 by-laws or similar  governing  documents  of any of its  Subsidiaries,  or (ii)
 assuming that the consents and approvals  referred to in Section 4.4 hereof are
 duly obtained,  (x) violate any statute,  code,  ordinance,  rule,  regulation,
 judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to the Company or any of
 its  Subsidiaries,  or any of their  respective  properties  or assets,  or (y)
 violate,  conflict with,  result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of
 any benefit  under,  constitute  a default (or an event  which,  with notice or
 lapse of time,  or both,  would  constitute  a  default)  under,  result in the
 termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under,  accelerate the
 performance  required  by,  or  result in the  creation  of any  lien,  pledge,
 security  interest,  charge  or other  encumbrance  upon any of the  respective
 properties or assets of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  under,  any of
 the terms,  conditions or provisions of any note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,
 deed of trust, license,  lease,  agreement or other instrument or obligation to
 which the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party,  or by which they or
 any of their

                                                        12

<PAGE>



 respective properties or assets may be bound or affected.

           4.4.  Consents  and  Approvals.  Except  for  (a)  the  filing  of an
 application  with the Board of  Governors  of the Federal  Reserve  System (the
 "Federal Reserve Board") under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended
 (the  "BHC  Act")  and  approval  of such  application,  (b) the  filing  of an
 application  with the FDIC  under  the Bank  Merger  Act and  approval  of such
 application,  in the event the parties enter into the Bank Merger Agreement (as
 defined  in  Section  7.12) (c) the  filing of  applications  and  notices,  as
 applicable,  with the Office of Thrift  Supervision (the "OTS") and approval of
 such  applications  and notices,  (d) the filing of an application with the New
 York State Banking  Department (the "Banking  Department")  and the approval of
 such  application,  (e) the filing with the Securities and Exchange  Commission
 (the "SEC") of a proxy  statement in definitive form relating to the meeting of
 the Company's stockholders to be held in connection with this Agreement and the
 transactions  contemplated  hereby (the "Proxy  Statement")  and the filing and
 declaration of  effectiveness  of the  registration  statement on Form S-4 (the
 "S-4") in which the Proxy  Statement will be included as a prospectus,  (f) the
 approval of this  Agreement by the requisite  vote of the  stockholders  of the
 Company,  (g) the  filing  of the  Certificate  of  Merger  with the  Secretary
 pursuant to the DGCL, (h) such filings and approvals as are required to be made
 or  obtained  under the  securities  or "Blue  Sky" Laws of  various  states in
 connection  with the issuance of the shares of Buyer  Common Stock  pursuant to
 this  Agreement,  (i)  approval of the listing of the Buyer  Common Stock to be
 issued in the  Merger  on the NYSE,  and (j) such  filings,  authorizations  or
 approvals  as  may be set  forth  in  Section  4.4  of the  Company  Disclosure
 Schedule,  no consents or  approvals  of or filings or  registrations  with any
 court,  administrative agency or commission or other governmental  authority or
 instrumentality  (each a  "Governmental  Entity")  or with any third  party are
 necessary in  connection  with the execution and delivery by the Company of the
 Company  Documents  or the  consummation  by the  Company of the Merger and the
 other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

           4.5.  Reports.  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries  have timely
 filed all reports,  registrations and statements,  together with any amendments
 required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file since
 December  31,  1996 with (i) the OTS,  (ii) the FDIC,  (iii) any state  banking
 commissions or any other state regulatory  authority (each a "State Regulator")
 and (iv) any other self-regulatory organization ("SRO") (collectively, with the
 Federal Reserve Board, the "Regulatory  Agencies"),  and have paid all fees and
 assessments  due  and  payable  in  connection  therewith.  Except  for  normal
 examinations conducted by a

                                                        13

<PAGE>



 Regulatory  Agency in the regular course of the business of the Company and its
 Subsidiaries,  and except as set forth in Section 4.5 of the Company Disclosure
 Schedule,  no  Regulatory  Agency  has  initiated  any  proceeding  or,  to the
 knowledge of the Company,  investigation into the business or operations of the
 Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  since  December  31,  1996.  There  is no
 unresolved  violation,  criticism,  or exception by any Regulatory  Agency with
 respect to any report or statement  relating to any examinations of the Company
 or any of its Subsidiaries.

           4.6. Financial Statements.  The Company has previously made available
 to Buyer copies of (a) the consolidated  statements of condition of the Company
 and its  Subsidiaries as of June 30 for the fiscal years 1997 and 1998, and the
 related consolidated  statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and
 cash flows for the fiscal years 1996 through  1998,  inclusive,  as reported in
 the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended June 30,
 1998 filed with the SEC under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
 (the "Exchange Act"), in each case accompanied by the audit report of KPMG LLP,
 independent public  accountants with respect to the Company,  (b) the unaudited
 consolidated  statements of condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
 March 31,  1998 and  March  31,  1999 and the  related  unaudited  consolidated
 statements of income,  cash flows and changes in  stockholders'  equity for the
 nine-month periods then ended as reported in the Company's  Quarterly Report on
 Form 10-Q for the  period  ended  March 31,  1999  filed with the SEC under the
 Exchange Act, and (c) the  consolidated  statements of condition of the Company
 and its  Subsidiaries as of June 30 for the fiscal years 1998 and 1999, and the
 related consolidated  statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and
 cash flows for the fiscal years 1997 through  1999,  inclusive,  as reported in
 the draft of the  Company's  Annual  Report for the fiscal  year ended June 30,
 1999 to be filed with the SEC (the "Draft  Financials").  The June 30, 1998 and
 June 30, 1999  consolidated  statements of condition of the Company  (including
 the related notes, where applicable) fairly present the consolidated  financial
 position of the Company and its  Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof,  and the
 other  financial  statements  referred to in this  Section 4.6  (including  the
 related notes, where applicable) fairly present,  and the financial  statements
 to be filed by the Company with the SEC after the date of this  Agreement  will
 fairly present (subject, in the case of the unaudited statements,  to recurring
 audit adjustments normal in nature and amount), the results of the consolidated
 operations  and  consolidated   financial  position  of  the  Company  and  its
 Subsidiaries  for the respective  fiscal periods or as of the respective  dates
 therein set forth; each of such statements  (including the related notes, where
 applicable)  complies,  and the financial statements to be filed by the Company
 with the SEC after

                                                        14

<PAGE>



 the date of this Agreement will comply, with applicable accounting requirements
 and with the published rules and  regulations of the SEC with respect  thereto;
 and each of such statements (including the related notes, where applicable) has
 been,  and the  financial  statements  to be filed by the Company  with the SEC
 after the date of this Agreement will be, prepared in accordance with generally
 accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") consistently applied during the periods
 involved, except as indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
 statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q. The books and records of the Company and
 its Subsidiaries  have been, and are being,  maintained in accordance with GAAP
 and any other  applicable  legal and accounting  requirements  and reflect only
 actual transactions.

           Section 4.6 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a true and
 correct description of the Company's "Borrowed Funds" as reflected in the Draft
 Financials.

           4.7.  Broker's  Fees.  Neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary of the
 Company nor any of their  respective  officers or  directors  has  employed any
 broker or finder or incurred any liability for any broker's  fees,  commissions
 or finder's fees in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by the
 Company Documents,  except that the Company has engaged,  and will pay a fee or
 commission  to,  Sandler,  O'Neill &  Partners,  L.P.  ("Sandler  O'Neill")  in
 accordance with the terms of a letter agreement between Sandler O'Neill and the
 Company, a true and correct copy of which has been previously  delivered by the
 Company to Buyer.

           4.8.  Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  (a) Except as may be set
 forth in Section 4.8(a) of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule or as disclosed in
 any  Company  Report  filed  with the SEC prior to the date of this  Agreement,
 since June 30, 1998,  (i) neither the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has
 incurred  any  liability,  except  in the  ordinary  course  of their  business
 consistent  with  their  past  practices,  and (ii) there has been no change or
 development  or  combination  of changes or  developments  which has had, or is
 reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
 Effect on the Company.

                (b)  Except  as set  forth  in  Section  4.8(b)  of the  Company
 Disclosure  Schedule or as disclosed  in any Company  Report filed with the SEC
 prior to the date of this  Agreement,  since June 30, 1998, the Company and its
 Subsidiaries have carried on their respective businesses in the ordinary course
 consistent with their past practices.


                                                        15

<PAGE>



                (c)  Except  as set  forth  in  Section  4.8(c)  of the  Company
 Disclosure  Schedule,  since June 30, 1999,  neither the Company nor any of its
 Subsidiaries has (i) increased the wages, salaries,  compensation,  pension, or
 other  fringe  benefits  or  perquisites  payable  to  any  executive  officer,
 employee,  or  director  from the amount  thereof in effect as of June 30, 1999
 (which amounts have been previously disclosed to Buyer),  granted any severance
 or termination pay, entered into any contract to make or grant any severance or
 termination  pay, or paid any bonus,  (ii) suffered any strike,  work stoppage,
 slow-down,  or other  labor  disturbance,  (iii)  been a party to a  collective
 bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor
 union or organization, or (iv) had any union organizing activities.

           4.9. Legal Proceedings. (a) Except as set forth in Section 4.9 of the
 Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
 a party to any,  and  there are no  pending  or,  to the  Company's  knowledge,
 threatened,  legal,  administrative,  arbitral  or other  proceedings,  claims,
 actions or governmental or regulatory  investigations of any nature against the
 Company or any of its  Subsidiaries or challenging the validity or propriety of
 the transactions contemplated by any of the Company Documents.

                (b)  There  is  no  injunction,   order,  judgment,  decree,  or
 regulatory restriction imposed upon the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or the
 assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

           4.10.  Taxes.  (a)  Except as set  forth in  Section  4.10(a)  of the
 Company Disclosure  Schedule,  each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has (i)
 duly and timely filed (including applicable extensions granted without penalty)
 all Tax Returns (as  hereinafter  defined)  required to be filed at or prior to
 the Effective Time, and such Tax Returns are true and correct, and (ii) paid in
 full or made adequate provision in the financial  statements of the Company (in
 accordance with GAAP) for all Taxes (as hereinafter  defined).  No deficiencies
 for any Taxes have been  proposed,  asserted,  assessed or, to the knowledge of
 the  Company,  threatened  against or with respect to the Company or any of its
 Subsidiaries.  Except as set forth in Section 4.10(a) of the Company Disclosure
 Schedule,  (i)  there  are no liens for  Taxes  upon the  assets of either  the
 Company or its  Subsidiaries  except for statutory  liens for current Taxes not
 yet due, (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has requested any
 extension of time within which to file any Tax Returns in respect of any fiscal
 year which have not since been filed and no request  for waivers of the time to
 assess any Taxes are pending or outstanding, (iii) with respect to each

                                                        16

<PAGE>



 taxable  period of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries,  the  federal and state
 income Tax Returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been audited by the
 Internal  Revenue Service or appropriate  state tax authorities or the time for
 assessing  and  collecting  income Tax with respect to such taxable  period has
 closed and such  taxable  period is not  subject to review,  (iv)  neither  the
 Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has filed or been included in a combined,
 consolidated  or unitary  income Tax Return other than one in which the Company
 was the parent of the group filing such Tax Return, (v) neither the Company nor
 any of  its  Subsidiaries  is a  party  to  any  agreement  providing  for  the
 allocation  or sharing of Taxes (other than the  allocation  of federal  income
 taxes as provided by Regulation  1.1552-1(a)(1)  under the Code),  (vi) neither
 the  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is required to include in income any
 adjustment  pursuant  to  Section  481(a)  of  the  Code  (or  any  similar  or
 corresponding  provision or requirement  of state,  local or foreign income Tax
 law),  by reason of the  voluntary  change in  accounting  method  (nor has any
 taxing authority proposed any such adjustment or change of accounting  method),
 (vii)  neither  the  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has filed a consent
 pursuant to Section  341(f) of the Code, and (viii) neither the Company nor any
 of its  Subsidiaries  has made any  payment or  provided  any benefit or may be
 obligated to make any payment or provide any benefit (by contract or otherwise)
 which will not be deductible by reason of Section 280G or Section 162(m) of the
 Code.

                (b)  Except  as set  forth in  Section  4.10(b)  of the  Company
 Disclosure  Schedule,  neither the Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  owns,
 directly or indirectly  (including,  without limitation,  through partnerships,
 corporations,  trusts or other  entities),  interests in real  property  ("Real
 Property  Interests")  situated in (A) New York  State,  which by reason of the
 Merger would be subject to either (i) the New York State Real Property Transfer
 Tax, or (ii) the New York City Real Property  Transfer Tax  (collectively,  the
 "New York Transfer Taxes"), or (B) any state other than New York State which by
 reason  of the  Merger  would be  subject  to any tax  similar  to the New York
 Transfer Taxes. For purposes of this Section 4.10(b),  Real Property  Interests
 include,  without limitation,  titles in fee, leasehold  interests,  beneficial
 interests,  encumbrances,  developments  rights or any other interests with the
 right to use or occupy real property or the right to receive rents,  profits or
 other income  derived  therefrom,  or any options or contracts to purchase real
 property.

                (c) For the purposes of this  Agreement,  "Taxes" shall mean all
 taxes,  charges,  fees, levies,  penalties or other assessments  imposed by any
 United States federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority, including, but
 not limited to income, excise, property, sales, transfer,

                                                        17

<PAGE>



 franchise, payroll, withholding,  social security or other taxes, including any
 interest,  penalties or additions  attributable  thereto.  For purposes of this
 Agreement,  "Tax Return" shall mean any return,  report,  information return or
 other document  (including any related or supporting  information) with respect
 to Taxes.

           4.11.  Employees.  (a)  Section  4.11(a)  of the  Company  Disclosure
 Schedule sets forth a true and correct list of each deferred compensation plan,
 incentive  compensation plan, equity compensation plan, "welfare" plan, fund or
 program (within the meaning of Section 3(1) of the Employee  Retirement  Income
 Security Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA"));  "pension"  plan, fund or program
 (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA); each employment,  termination or
 severance  agreement;  and each other  employee  benefit plan,  fund,  program,
 agreement  or  arrangement,  in each case,  that is  sponsored,  maintained  or
 contributed  to or required to be  contributed to (the "Plans") by the Company,
 any  of  its  Subsidiaries  or  by  any  trade  or  business,  whether  or  not
 incorporated  (an "ERISA  Affiliate"),  all of which  together with the Company
 would be deemed a "single  employer"  within the meaning of Section 4001 of the
 Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),  for the
 benefit of any employee or former employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

                (b) The Company has heretofore  made available to Buyer true and
 correct  copies of each of the Plans and all related  documents,  including but
 not limited to (i) the actuarial  report for such Plan (if applicable) for each
 of the last two years, and (ii) the most recent  determination  letter from the
 Internal Revenue Service (if applicable) for such Plan.

                (c)  Except  as set  forth in  Section  4.11(c)  of the  Company
 Disclosure  Schedule,  (i) each of the Plans has been operated and administered
 in all  material  respects in  accordance  with its terms and  applicable  law,
 including  but not  limited  to ERISA  and the  Code,  (ii)  each of the  Plans
 intended to be  "qualified"  within the  meaning of Section  401(a) of the Code
 either (1) has received a favorable  determination  letter from the IRS, or (2)
 is or will be the  subject  of an  application  for a  favorable  determination
 letter,  and the Company is not aware of any circumstances  likely to result in
 the revocation or denial of any such favorable determination letter, (iii) with
 respect to each Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA,  the present  value
 of accrued benefits under such Plan, based upon the actuarial  assumptions used
 for  funding  purposes  in the most recent  actuarial  report  prepared by such
 Plan's actuary with respect to such Plan,  did not, as of its latest  valuation
 date,  exceed the then  current  value of the assets of such Plan  allocable to
 such  accrued  benefits,  (iv) no Plan  provides  benefits,  including  without
 limitation

                                                        18

<PAGE>



 death or medical benefits (whether or not insured),  with respect to current or
 former employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate beyond
 their  retirement  or other  termination  of service,  other than (w)  coverage
 mandated by applicable law, (x) death benefits or retirement benefits under any
 "employee  pension plan," as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, (y)
 deferred  compensation  benefits  accrued  as  liabilities  on the books of the
 Company, its Subsidiaries or the ERISA Affiliates or (z) benefits the full cost
 of which is borne by the current or former employee (or his  beneficiary),  (v)
 no  liability  under Title IV of ERISA has been  incurred by the  Company,  its
 Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate that has not been satisfied in full, and no
 condition exists that presents a material risk to the Company, its Subsidiaries
 or an ERISA  Affiliate of incurring a material  liability  thereunder,  (vi) no
 Plan is a  "multiemployer  pension  plan," as such term is  defined  in Section
 3(37) of  ERISA,  (vii)  all  contributions  or other  amounts  payable  by the
 Company, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliates as of the Effective Time with
 respect  to each Plan in  respect of current or prior plan years have been paid
 or accrued in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  practices and
 Section 412 of the Code,  (viii) neither the Company,  its Subsidiaries nor any
 ERISA  Affiliate  has engaged in a  transaction  in  connection  with which the
 Company,  its  Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate could be subject to either a
 civil  penalty  assessed  pursuant  to Section  409 or 502(i) of ERISA or a tax
 imposed  pursuant  to  Section  4975 or 4976 of the  Code,  (ix)  there  are no
 pending,  or, to the best  knowledge of the Company,  threatened or anticipated
 claims or proceedings (other than routine claims for benefits) by, on behalf of
 or  against  any of the  Plans  or any  trusts  related  thereto  and  (x)  the
 consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement will not (y)
 entitle any  current or former  employee or officer of the Company or any ERISA
 Affiliate to severance  pay,  termination  pay or any other payment or benefit,
 except as expressly  provided in this  Agreement or (z)  accelerate the time of
 payment or vesting or increase the amount or value of  compensation or benefits
 due any such employee or officer.

           4.12. SEC Reports. The Company has previously made available to Buyer
 a true and correct copy of each (a) final registration  statement,  prospectus,
 report,  schedule and definitive proxy statement filed since January 1, 1997 by
 the Company with the SEC  pursuant to the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended
 (the  "Securities  Act") or the Exchange Act (the  "Company  Reports")  and (b)
 communication  mailed by the Company to its stockholders since January 1, 1997,
 and  no  such  registration  statement,  prospectus,  report,  schedule,  proxy
 statement or communication contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
 omitted to state any material fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary
 in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which
 they were made,  not  misleading.  The  Company  has timely  filed all  Company
 Reports and other

                                                        19

<PAGE>



 documents  required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange
 Act, and, as of their  respective  dates, all Company Reports complied with the
 published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto.

           4.13. Company  Information.  The information  relating to the Company
 and its  Subsidiaries  which is  provided to Buyer by the Company or any of its
 affiliates or representatives for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and the S-4,
 or in any other document filed with any other  regulatory  agency in connection
 herewith,  will not contain any untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to
 state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
 circumstances  in which  they are made,  not  misleading.  The Proxy  Statement
 (except  for such  portions  thereof  that  relate  only to Buyer or any of its
 Subsidiaries) will comply with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules
 and regulations thereunder.

           4.14.  Compliance  with  Applicable  Law. The Company and each of its
 Subsidiaries  hold,  and have at all  times  held,  all  licenses,  franchises,
 permits and authorizations necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective
 businesses  under and  pursuant to all, and have  complied  with and are not in
 default in any  respect  under  any,  applicable  law,  statute,  order,  rule,
 regulation,  policy and/or guideline of any Governmental Entity relating to the
 Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  and  neither  the  Company nor any of its
 Subsidiaries  knows of, or has received notice of, any violations of any of the
 above.

           4.15. Certain  Contracts.  (a) Except as set forth in Section 4.15(a)
 of  the  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  neither  the  Company  nor  any of its
 Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any contract, arrangement, commitment or
 understanding  (whether  written or oral) (i) with respect to the employment of
 any  directors,  officers,  employees  or  consultants,  (ii)  which,  upon the
 consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  will (either
 alone or upon the  occurrence of any  additional  acts or events) result in any
 payment or benefits  (whether of severance pay or  otherwise)  becoming due, or
 any increase in the amount of or  acceleration  or vesting of any rights to any
 payment or benefits,  from Buyer, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or any
 of  their  respective  Subsidiaries  to  any  director,  officer,  employee  or
 consultant  thereof,  (iii)  which is a material  contract  (as defined in Item
 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) to be performed after the date of this
 Agreement that has not been filed or  incorporated  by reference in the Company
 Reports,  (iv) which is a  consulting  agreement  (including  data  processing,
 software programming and licensing contracts) not terminable on 60 days or less
 notice  involving  the payment of more than  $100,000  per annum,  or (v) which
 materially restricts

                                                        20

<PAGE>



 the conduct of any line of business by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries.
 Each contract,  arrangement,  commitment or understanding of the type described
 in this  Section  4.15(a),  whether or not set forth in Section  4.15(a) of the
 Company Disclosure Schedule, is referred to herein as a "Company Contract." The
 Company has  previously  delivered or made  available to Buyer true and correct
 copies of each Company Contract.

                (b)  Except  as set  forth in  Section  4.15(b)  of the  Company
 Disclosure Schedule, (i) each Company Contract is valid and binding and in full
 force and effect,  (ii) the Company and each of its  Subsidiaries has performed
 all  obligations  required  to be  performed  by it to date under each  Company
 Contract, (iii) no event or condition exists which constitutes or, after notice
 or  lapse of time or  both,  would  constitute,  a  default  on the part of the
 Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  under any  Company  Contract,  and (iv) no
 other party to such Company  Contract is, to the  knowledge of the Company,  in
 default in any respect thereunder.

           4.16.  Agreements  with Regulatory  Agencies.  Except as set forth in
 Section 4.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of
 its Subsidiaries is subject to any  cease-and-desist  or other order issued by,
 or is a party to any written  agreement,  consent  agreement or  memorandum  of
 understanding  with,  or  is a  party  to  any  commitment  letter  or  similar
 undertaking  to, or is subject to any order or directive  by, or is a recipient
 of any  extraordinary  supervisory  letter  from,  or  has  adopted  any  board
 resolutions  at the request of (each,  whether or not set forth on Section 4.16
 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, a "Regulatory  Agreement"),  any Regulatory
 Agency or other Governmental  Entity that restricts the conduct of its business
 or that in any manner relates to its capital adequacy, its credit policies, its
 management or its business, nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries been
 advised  by any  Regulatory  Agency  or other  Governmental  Entity  that it is
 considering issuing or requesting any Regulatory Agreement.

           4.17. Investment  Securities.  Section 4.17 of the Company Disclosure
 Schedule  sets  forth  the book  and  market  value as of July 31,  1999 of the
 investment securities,  mortgage backed securities and securities held for sale
 of the Company and its  Subsidiaries.  Section  4.17 of the Company  Disclosure
 Schedule sets forth,  with respect to such  securities,  descriptions  thereof,
 CUSIP numbers, pool face values and coupon rates.

           4.18. State Takeover Laws; Business Combination Provision.  The Board
 of Directors of the Company has approved the transactions  contemplated by this
 Agreement and the Option  Agreement  such that the provisions of Section 203 of
 the DGCL and Article VIII of the Company's

                                                        21

<PAGE>



 Certificate  of   Incorporation   will  not,   assuming  the  accuracy  of  the
 representations  contained in Section 5.15 hereof,  apply to this  Agreement or
 the Option Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

           4.19.  Environmental Matters.  Except as set forth in Section
 4.19 of the Company Disclosure Schedule:

                (a)  Each  of the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  and,  to the
 knowledge of the Company,  each of the  Participation  Facilities  and the Loan
 Properties  (each as hereinafter  defined) are and have been in compliance with
 all applicable federal,  state and local laws including common law, regulations
 and  ordinances  and  with  all  applicable  decrees,  orders  and  contractual
 obligations relating to pollution or the discharge of, or exposure to Hazardous
 Materials   (as   hereinafter   defined)  in  the   environment   or  workplace
 ("Environmental Laws");

                (b) There is no suit, claim,  action or proceeding,  pending or,
 to the knowledge of the Company, threatened,  before any Governmental Entity or
 other forum in which the Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries,  any Participation
 Facility  or any Loan  Property,  has  been  or,  with  respect  to  threatened
 proceedings,  may  be,  named  as a  defendant  (x) for  alleged  noncompliance
 (including by any predecessor), with any Environmental Laws, or (y) relating to
 the release,  threatened  release or exposure to any Hazardous Material whether
 or not  occurring  at or on a site owned,  leased or operated by the Company or
 any of its Subsidiaries, any Participation Facility or any Loan Property;

                (c)  During  the  period  of  (x)  the  Company's  or any of its
 Subsidiaries'  ownership  or operation  of any of their  respective  current or
 former properties, (y) the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries'  participation
 in the management of any Participation Facility, or (z) to the knowledge of the
 Company, the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' interest in a Loan Property,
 there has been no release of Hazardous Materials in, on, under or affecting any
 such property. To the knowledge of the Company,  prior to the period of (x) the
 Company's  or any of its  Subsidiaries'  ownership or operation of any of their
 respective  current  or  former  properties,  (y) the  Company's  or any of its
 Subsidiaries' participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or
 (z) the  Company's  or any of its  Subsidiaries'  interest in a Loan  Property,
 there was no release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials in, on, under
 or affecting any such property, Participation Facility or Loan Property; and

                (d) The following definitions apply for purposes of this

                                                        22

<PAGE>



 Section  4.19:  (x)  "Hazardous  Materials"  means any  chemicals,  pollutants,
 contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, petroleum or other regulated substances
 or materials,  (y) "Loan  Property"  means any property in which the Company or
 any of its Subsidiaries holds a security  interest,  and, where required by the
 context,  said term  means  the owner or  operator  of such  property;  and (z)
 "Participation  Facility" means any facility in which the Company or any of its
 Subsidiaries participates in the management and, where required by the context,
 said term means the owner or operator of such property.

           4.20. Derivative Transactions. Except as set forth in Section 4.20 of
 the Company Disclosure  Schedule,  since June 30, 1998, neither Company nor any
 of its  Subsidiaries  has engaged in  transactions  in or  involving  forwards,
 futures,  options on futures,  swaps or other derivative instruments except (i)
 as agent on the order and for the account of others,  or (ii) as principal  for
 purposes of hedging  interest rate risk on U.S.  dollar-denominated  securities
 and other financial instruments.  None of the counterparties to any contract or
 agreement  with  respect to any such  instrument  is in default with respect to
 such contract or agreement  and no such contract or agreement,  were it to be a
 Loan (as defined below) held by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  would
 be  classified  as  "Other  Loans  Specially  Mentioned",   "Special  Mention",
 "Substandard",  "Doubtful",  "Loss", "Classified",  "Criticized",  "Credit Risk
 Assets",  "Concerned Loans" or words of similar import.  The financial position
 of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis under or with
 respect to each such  instrument has been reflected in the books and records of
 the Company and such Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP consistently applied,
 and no open exposure of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries  with respect to
 any such  instrument (or with respect to multiple  instruments  with respect to
 any single counterparty) exceeds $250,000.

           4.21. Opinion. Prior to the execution of this Agreement,  the Company
 has received an opinion from Sandler  O'Neill to the effect that as of the date
 thereof  and based  upon and  subject to the  matters  set forth  therein,  the
 Exchange  Ratio is fair to the  stockholders  of the  Company  from a financial
 point of view. Such opinion has not been amended or rescinded as of the date of
 this Agreement.

           4.22. Approvals. As of the date of this Agreement,  the Company knows
 of no reason why all regulatory  approvals required for the consummation of the
 transactions contemplated hereby should not be obtained.

           4.23.  Loan Portfolio.  (a) Except as set forth in Section 4.23
 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its

                                                        23

<PAGE>



 Subsidiaries  is a party to any  written  or oral (i) loan  agreement,  note or
 borrowing   arrangement   (including,   without  limitation,   leases,   credit
 enhancements,    commitments,    guarantees   and   interest-bearing    assets)
 (collectively,  "Loans"),  other than any Loan the unpaid principal  balance of
 which does not exceed $100,000, under the terms of which the obligor was, as of
 June 30, 1999,  over 90 days  delinquent in payment of principal or interest or
 in default of any other  provision,  or (ii) Loan with any director,  executive
 officer or five  percent or greater  stockholder  of the  Company or any of its
 Subsidiaries,  or to the knowledge of the Company,  any person,  corporation or
 enterprise  controlling,  controlled by or under common control with any of the
 foregoing.  Section 4.23 of the Company Disclosure  Schedule sets forth (i) all
 of the Loans in original  principal amount in excess of $100,000 of the Company
 or any of its  Subsidiaries  that as of June 30, 1999,  were  classified by any
 bank  examiner  (whether  regulatory  or internal)  as "Other  Loans  Specially
 Mentioned", "Special Mention", "Substandard", "Doubtful", "Loss", "Classified",
 "Criticized", "Credit Risk Assets", "Concerned Loans", "Watch List" or words of
 similar  import,  together with the principal  amount of and accrued and unpaid
 interest on each such Loan and the identity of the borrower thereunder, (ii) by
 category of Loan (i.e., commercial,  consumer, etc.), all of the other Loans of
 the Company and its  Subsidiaries  that as of June 30, 1999, were classified as
 such,  together with the aggregate  principal  amount of and accrued and unpaid
 interest on such Loans by category  and (iii) each asset of the Company that as
 of June 30,  1999,  was  classified  as "Other Real Estate  Owned" and the book
 value thereof.  The Company shall promptly  inform Buyer in writing of any Loan
 that becomes  classified in the manner described in the previous  sentence,  or
 any Loan the classification of which is changed,  at any time after the date of
 this Agreement.

                (b) Each Loan in original principal amount in excess of $250,000
 (i) is evidenced by notes,  agreements or other evidences of indebtedness which
 are true, genuine and what they purport to be, (ii) to the extent secured,  has
 been secured by valid liens and security  interests  which have been  perfected
 and (iii) is the legal,  valid and  binding  obligation  of the  obligor  named
 therein,  enforceable  in  accordance  with its terms,  subject to  bankruptcy,
 insolvency,  fraudulent  conveyance  and other  laws of  general  applicability
 relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

           4.24. Property. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has good and
 marketable title free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, mortgages, pledges,
 charges,  defaults or equitable  interests to all of the properties and assets,
 real  and  personal,  tangible  or  intangible,  which  are  reflected  on  the
 consolidated  statement  of  financial  condition of the Company as of June 30,
 1999 or acquired after such date, except (i) liens

                                                        24

<PAGE>



 for taxes not yet due and  payable or  contested  in good faith by  appropriate
 proceedings,  (ii) pledges to secure  deposits and other liens  incurred in the
 ordinary course of business,  (iii) such imperfections of title,  easements and
 encumbrances,  if any, as do not interfere with the use of the property as such
 property  is used on the  date of this  Agreement,  (iv) for  dispositions  and
 encumbrances  of, or on, such  properties  or assets in the ordinary  course of
 business   or   (v)   mechanics',   materialmen's,    workmen's,   repairmen's,
 warehousemen's,  carrier's and other similar liens and encumbrances  arising in
 the ordinary  course of business.  All leases  pursuant to which the Company or
 any Subsidiary of the Company, as lessee,  leases real or personal property are
 valid and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms and neither the
 Company nor any of its Subsidiaries  nor, to the knowledge of the Company,  any
 other party thereto is in default thereunder.

           4.25.  Reorganization.  As of the date of this Agreement, the Company
 has  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  Merger  will  fail  to  qualify  as  a
 reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.

           4.26. Company Rights Agreement. The Company has (a) duly entered into
 an  appropriate  amendment to the Company  Rights  Agreement  and (b) taken all
 other action  necessary or  appropriate,  in each case so that the execution of
 this  Agreement  and the Stock Option  Agreement  and the  consummation  of the
 transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby  (including,  without limitation,
 the Merger) do not and will not result in the ability of any person to exercise
 any rights under the Company Rights  Agreement or enable or require the Company
 Rights to separate  from the shares of Company  Common  Stock to which they are
 attached or to be triggered or become exercisable.

           4.27.  Equity  and Real  Estate  Investments.  Except as set forth in
 Section 4.27 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of
 its  Subsidiaries has (i) equity  investments  other than investments in wholly
 owned   Subsidiaries  or  (ii)  investments  in  real  estate  or  real  estate
 development  projects,  other than  assets  classified  as "other  real  estate
 owned."

           4.28.  Year 2000  Matters.  Section  4.28 of the  Company  Disclosure
 Schedule  contains a true and correct copy of the Company's plan for addressing
 year 2000  computer  issues (the "Year 2000 Plan").  The Company is in material
 compliance  with the Company's Year 2000 Plan. The Company has been examined by
 the OTS with respect to being "Year 2000 Compliant" and the Company's Year 2000
 Plan has been reviewed by the OTS and the Company has received a "satisfactory"
 rating in  connection  therewith,  and neither the Company nor the Company Bank
 has received any written

                                                        25

<PAGE>



 communication from the OTS commenting  adversely with respect to the ability of
 the Company to become Year 2000 compliant.


                                 ARTICLE V
                       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                  OF BUYER

           Subject  to  Article  III hereof and except as set forth in the Buyer
 Disclosure  Schedule,  Buyer hereby  represents  and warrants to the Company as
 follows:

           5.1.  Corporate  Organization.   (a)  Buyer  is  a  corporation  duly
 organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
 Delaware.  Buyer has the  corporate  power and authority to own or lease all of
 its  properties  and  assets  and to carry on its  business  as it is now being
 conducted,   and  is  duly  licensed  or  qualified  to  do  business  in  each
 jurisdiction  in  which  the  nature  of the  business  conducted  by it or the
 character or location of the  properties and assets owned or leased by it makes
 such licensing or qualification  necessary.  Buyer is duly registered as a bank
 holding  company under the BHC Act. The Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation
 and By-laws of Buyer,  copies of which have  previously  been made available to
 the Company,  are true and correct  copies of such documents as in effect as of
 the date of this Agreement.

                (b) North Fork Bank  ("Buyer  Bank") is a  commercial  bank duly
 organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
 New York.  The deposit  accounts of Buyer Bank are insured by the FDIC  through
 the  Bank  Insurance  Fund to the  fullest  extent  permitted  by law,  and all
 premiums and assessments  required in connection  therewith have been paid when
 due.  Each of Buyer's  other  Subsidiaries  is a  corporation  duly  organized,
 validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
 incorporation.  Each  Subsidiary of Buyer has the corporate power and authority
 to own or lease all of its  properties  and assets and to carry on its business
 as it is now being conducted,  and is duly licensed or qualified to do business
 in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the
 character or location of the  properties and assets owned or leased by it makes
 such licensing or  qualification  necessary.  The articles of organization  and
 by-laws of Buyer Bank,  copies of which have  previously been made available to
 the Company,  are true and correct  copies of such documents as in effect as of
 the date of this Agreement.

                (c) The  minute  books  of Buyer  and  each of its  Subsidiaries
 contain true and correct records of all meetings and other corporate

                                                        26

<PAGE>



 actions held or taken since December 31, 1996 of their respective  stockholders
 and Boards of Directors  (including  committees of their  respective  Boards of
 Directors).

           5.2.  Capitalization.  (a) As of the  date  of  this  Agreement,  the
 authorized  capital  stock of Buyer  consists  of  200,000,000  shares of Buyer
 Common  Stock and  10,000,000  shares of preferred  stock,  par value $1.00 per
 share ("Buyer Preferred Stock").  As of August 23, 1999, (i) 135,802,670 shares
 of Buyer  Common  Stock were  issued and  outstanding,  (ii) no shares of Buyer
 Preferred  Stock were issued and  outstanding,  (iii) no shares of Buyer Common
 Stock were reserved for issuance,  except that 2,000,000 shares of Buyer Common
 Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to the Buyer Dividend  Investment and
 Stock Purchase Plan,  1,973,140  shares of Buyer Common Stock were reserved for
 issuance pursuant to the Buyer 1985 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the Buyer 1987
 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Buyer 1989 Executive  Management and Compensation
 Plan, the Buyer 1994 Key Employee Stock Plan, the Buyer 1997 Non-Officer  Stock
 Plan and the Buyer 1998 Stock Compensation Plan (the "Buyer Stock Plans"),  and
 31,000,000  shares of Buyer Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to
 the  Agreement and Plan of Merger,  dated as of August 16, 1999,  between Buyer
 and JSB Financial,  Inc., (iv) no shares of Buyer Preferred Stock were reserved
 for issuance and (v) 9,323,852  shares of Buyer Common Stock were held by Buyer
 in its treasury or by Buyer's  Subsidiaries.  All of the issued and outstanding
 shares of Buyer Common Stock have been duly  authorized  and validly issued and
 are fully paid,  nonassessable and free of preemptive rights,  with no personal
 liability attaching to the ownership thereof. As of the date of this Agreement,
 except  as  referred  to above or  reflected  in  Section  5.2(a)  of the Buyer
 Disclosure  Schedule,  Buyer does not have and is not bound by any  outstanding
 subscriptions,  options,  warrants,  calls,  commitments  or  agreements of any
 character  calling for the  purchase or issuance of any shares of Buyer  Common
 Stock or Buyer Preferred  Stock or any other equity  securities of Buyer or any
 securities  representing the right to purchase or otherwise  receive any shares
 of Buyer Common Stock or Buyer  Preferred Stock or any other equity security of
 the Buyer. The shares of Buyer Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger
 will be duly authorized and validly issued and, at the Effective Time, all such
 shares will be fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, with no
 personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof.

                (b) Section 5.2(b) of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
 true and correct list of all of the Subsidiaries of the Buyer as of the date of
 this Agreement.  Except as set forth in Section 5.2(b) of the Buyer  Disclosure
 Schedule, as of the date of this Agreement, Buyer owns, directly or indirectly,
 all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital

                                                        27

<PAGE>



 stock  of each of the  Subsidiaries  of  Buyer,  free and  clear of all  liens,
 charges, encumbrances and security interests whatsoever, and all of such shares
 are duly  authorized and validly issued and are fully paid,  nonassessable  and
 free  of  preemptive  rights,  with  no  personal  liability  attaching  to the
 ownership thereof. As of the date of this Agreement, no Subsidiary of Buyer has
 or is  bound  by  any  outstanding  subscriptions,  options,  warrants,  calls,
 commitments  or agreements of any character with any party that is not a direct
 or indirect  Subsidiary  of Buyer  calling for the  purchase or issuance of any
 shares of capital stock or any other equity  security of such Subsidiary or any
 securities  representing the right to purchase or otherwise  receive any shares
 of capital stock or any other equity security of such Subsidiary.

           5.3. Authority; No Violation.  (a) Buyer has full corporate power and
 authority  to  execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and  to  consummate  the
 transactions  contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
 and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
 validly  approved by the Board of  Directors of Buyer,  and no other  corporate
 proceedings on the part of Buyer are necessary to approve this Agreement and to
 consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby. This Agreement has been duly
 and validly  executed and delivered by Buyer and  (assuming due  authorization,
 execution and delivery by the Company) this  Agreement  constitutes a valid and
 binding obligation of Buyer,  enforceable  against Buyer in accordance with its
 terms,  except as  enforcement  may be limited by general  principles of equity
 whether  applied  in a court of law or a court  of  equity  and by  bankruptcy,
 insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally.

                (b)  Except  as  set  forth  in  Section  5.3(b)  of  the  Buyer
 Disclosure  Schedule,  neither the execution and delivery of this  Agreement by
 Buyer nor the  consummation by Buyer of the transactions  contemplated  hereby,
 nor  compliance by Buyer with any of the terms or provisions  hereof,  will (i)
 violate any provision of the Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation or By-Laws
 of Buyer,  or the  articles of  incorporation  or by-laws or similar  governing
 documents of any of its  Subsidiaries  or (ii)  assuming  that the consents and
 approvals  referred  to in  Section  4.4 are duly  obtained,  (x)  violate  any
 statute, code, ordinance,  rule, regulation,  judgment,  order, writ, decree or
 injunction  applicable  to  Buyer  or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any of their
 respective  properties or assets,  or (y) violate,  conflict with,  result in a
 breach of any  provision  of or the loss of any  benefit  under,  constitute  a
 default  (or an event  which,  with  notice  or lapse of time,  or both,  would
 constitute  a  default)  under,  result  in the  termination  of or a right  of
 termination or cancellation under,  accelerate the performance  required by, or
 result in the creation of any lien, pledge, security interest,  charge or other
 encumbrance upon any of the respective

                                                        28

<PAGE>



 properties  or assets  of Buyer or any of its  Subsidiaries  under,  any of the
 terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of
 trust,  license,  lease,  agreement or other  instrument or obligation to which
 Buyer or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party, or by which they or any of their
 respective properties or assets may be bound or affected.

           5.4.  Consents  and  Approvals.  Except  for  (a)  the  filing  of an
 application  with the Federal  Reserve Board under the BHC Act, and approval of
 such application, (b) the filing of an application with the FDIC under the Bank
 Merger Act and  approval of such  application,  in the event the parties  enter
 into the Bank Merger  Agreement (as defined in Section 7.12), (c) the filing of
 applications  and  notices,  as  applicable,  with the OTS and approval of such
 applications and notices, (d) the State Banking Approvals,  (e) the filing with
 the SEC of the Proxy Statement and the filing and declaration of  effectiveness
 of the S-4, (f) the approval of this  Agreement  by the  requisite  vote of the
 stockholders  of the Company,  (g) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with
 the  Secretary,  (h) such  filings and  approvals as are required to be made or
 obtained  under  the  securities  or  "Blue  Sky"  laws of  various  states  in
 connection  with the issuance of the shares of Buyer  Common Stock  pursuant to
 this  Agreement,  (i)  approval of the listing of the Buyer  Common Stock to be
 issued in the  Merger  on the NYSE,  and (j) such  filings,  authorizations  or
 approvals as may be set forth in Section 5.4 of the Buyer Disclosure  Schedule,
 no consents or approvals of or filings or  registrations  with any Governmental
 Entity or with any third party are necessary in  connection  with the execution
 and  delivery by Buyer of this  Agreement or the  consummation  by Buyer of the
 Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

           5.5.  Reports.  Buyer and each of its Subsidiaries  have timely filed
 all  reports,  registrations  and  statements,  together  with  any  amendments
 required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file since
 December  31,  1996  with any  Regulatory  Agency,  and have  paid all fees and
 assessments  due  and  payable  in  connection  therewith.  Except  for  normal
 examinations  conducted  by a  Regulatory  Agency in the regular  course of the
 business of Buyer and its Subsidiaries,  and except as set forth in Section 5.5
 of the Buyer  Disclosure  Schedule,  no  Regulatory  Agency has  initiated  any
 proceeding  or, to the knowledge of Buyer,  investigation  into the business or
 operations of Buyer or any of its  Subsidiaries  since December 31, 1996. There
 is no unresolved  violation,  criticism,  or exception by any Regulatory Agency
 with respect to any report or statement  relating to any  examinations of Buyer
 or any of its Subsidiaries.

           5.6.  Financial Statements.  Buyer has previously made available
 to the Company copies of (a) the consolidated statements of financial

                                                        29

<PAGE>



 condition of Buyer and its  Subsidiaries as of December 31 for the fiscal years
 1997 and 1998 and the related  consolidated  statements  of income,  changes in
 stockholders'  equity and cash flows for the fiscal  years 1996  through  1998,
 inclusive,  as  reported in Buyer's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
 year ended December 31, 1998 filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act, in each
 case  accompanied  by  the  audit  report  of  KPMG  LLP,   independent  public
 accountants  with  respect  to  Buyer,  and  (b)  the  unaudited   consolidated
 statements of financial condition of Buyer and its Subsidiaries as of March 31,
 1998 and March 31, 1999 and the related  unaudited  consolidated  statements of
 income,  changes in  stockholder's  equity  and cash flows for the  three-month
 periods then ended as reported in Buyer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
 period  ended March 31,  1999 filed with the SEC under the  Exchange  Act.  The
 December  31, 1998  consolidated  statements  of  financial  condition of Buyer
 (including  the  related  notes,   where   applicable)   fairly   presents  the
 consolidated  financial  position of Buyer and its  Subsidiaries as of the date
 thereof,  and the other  financial  statements  referred to in this Section 5.6
 (including  the  related  notes,  where  applicable)  fairly  present,  and the
 financial  statements  to be filed by Buyer with the SEC after the date of this
 Agreement  will  fairly  present  (subject,   in  the  case  of  the  unaudited
 statements,  to recurring audit adjustments  normal in nature and amount),  the
 results of the consolidated  operations and changes in stockholders' equity and
 consolidated   financial  position  of  Buyer  and  its  Subsidiaries  for  the
 respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates therein set forth; each
 of such statements  (including the related notes,  where applicable)  complies,
 and the  financial  statements to be filed by Buyer with the SEC after the date
 of this Agreement will comply, with applicable accounting requirements and with
 the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect  thereto;  and each
 of such statements  (including the related notes,  where  applicable) has been,
 and the  financial  statements to be filed by Buyer with the SEC after the date
 of this  Agreement  will be,  prepared  in  accordance  with GAAP  consistently
 applied during the periods  involved,  except as indicated in the notes thereto
 or, in the case of unaudited  statements,  as permitted by Form 10-Q. The books
 and records of Buyer and its Subsidiaries have been, and are being,  maintained
 in  accordance  with  GAAP  and  any  other  applicable  legal  and  accounting
 requirements and reflect only actual transactions.

           5.7.  Broker's Fees.  Neither Buyer nor any Subsidiary of Buyer,  nor
 any of their  respective  officers or  directors,  has  employed  any broker or
 finder or incurred any liability for any broker's fees, commissions or finder's
 fees in connection with any of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
 or the Option Agreement,  except that Buyer has engaged,  and will pay a fee or
 commission to, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.

                                                        30

<PAGE>




           5.8.  Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  (a) Except as may be set
 forth in Section 5.8(a) of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed in any
 Buyer  Report  filed  with the SEC prior to the date of this  Agreement,  since
 December 31, 1998, (i) neither Buyer nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has incurred
 any liability,  except in the ordinary course of their business consistent with
 their  past  practices,  and (ii)  there has been no change or  development  or
 combination of changes or developments  which has had, or is reasonably  likely
 to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer.

                (b) Except as  disclosed  in any Buyer Report filed with the SEC
 prior to the date of this Agreement, since December 31, 1998, the Buyer and its
 Subsidiaries have carried on their respective businesses in the ordinary course
 consistent with prudent banking practices.

                (c) Since  December 31,  1998,  neither the Buyer nor any of its
 Subsidiaries  has (i)suffered any strike,  work stoppage,  slow-down,  or other
 labor  disturbance,  (ii) been a party to a  collective  bargaining  agreement,
 contract  or  other   agreement  or   understanding   with  a  labor  union  or
 organization, or (iii) had any union organizing activities.

           5.9. Legal Proceedings. (a) Except as set forth in Section 5.9 of the
 Buyer Disclosure Schedule, neither Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party
 to any and there are no pending or, to Buyer's  knowledge,  threatened,  legal,
 administrative,  arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental
 or  regulatory  investigations  of  any  nature  against  Buyer  or  any of its
 Subsidiaries  or  challenging  the validity or  propriety  of the  transactions
 contemplated by this Agreement.

                (b)  There  is  no  injunction,   order,  judgment,  decree,  or
 regulatory  restriction  imposed  upon Buyer,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or the
 assets of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries.

           5.10.  Taxes.  Except  as set  forth  in  Section  5.10 of the  Buyer
 Disclosure Schedule, each of Buyer and its Subsidiaries has (i) duly and timely
 filed (including applicable extensions granted without penalty) all Tax Returns
 required to be filed at or prior to the  Effective  Time,  and such Tax Returns
 are true and correct,  and (ii) paid in full or made adequate  provision in the
 financial  statements  of Buyer (in  accordance  with GAAP) for all  Taxes.  No
 deficiencies  for any Taxes have been proposed,  asserted,  assessed or, to the
 best knowledge of Buyer,  threatened against or with respect to Buyer or any of
 its  Subsidiaries.  Except as set forth in Section 5.10 of the Buyer Disclosure
 Schedule,  (i) there are no liens for Taxes upon the assets of either  Buyer or
 its Subsidiaries except for

                                                        31

<PAGE>



 statutory  liens for current  Taxes not yet due,  (ii) neither Buyer nor any of
 its  Subsidiaries  has requested any extension of time within which to file any
 Tax  Returns in respect of any fiscal  year which have not since been filed and
 no  request  for  waivers  of the time to  assess  any  Taxes  are  pending  or
 outstanding,  (iii)  with  respect  to each  taxable  period  of Buyer  and its
 Subsidiaries,  the  federal  and  state  income  Tax  Returns  of Buyer and its
 Subsidiaries  have been audited by the Internal  Revenue Service or appropriate
 state tax authorities or the time for assessing and collecting  income Tax with
 respect  to such  taxable  period has  closed  and such  taxable  period is not
 subject to review,  (iv) neither Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries has filed or
 been included in a combined,  consolidated  or unitary  income Tax Return other
 than one in which Buyer was the parent of the group filing such Tax Return, (v)
 neither Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement providing
 for the  allocation  or sharing of Taxes (other than the  allocation of federal
 income taxes as provided by  Regulation  1.1552-1(a)(1)  under the Code),  (vi)
 neither Buyer nor any of its  Subsidiaries is required to include in income any
 adjustment  pursuant  to  Section  481(a)  of  the  Code  (or  any  similar  or
 corresponding  provision or requirement  of state,  local or foreign income Tax
 law),  by reason of the  voluntary  change in  accounting  method  (nor has any
 taxing  authority  proposed  in  writing  any  such  adjustment  or  change  of
 accounting  method),  and (vii) neither Buyer nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has
 filed a consent pursuant to Section 341(f) of the Code.

           5.11. Employees. (a) Section 5.11(a) of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule
 sets  forth  a true  and  correct  list  of each  deferred  compensation  plan,
 incentive  compensation plan, equity compensation plan, "welfare" plan, fund or
 program (within the meaning of section 3(1) of the ERISA); "pension" plan, fund
 or program  (within the  meaning of section  3(2) of ERISA);  each  employment,
 termination or severance agreement; and each other employee benefit plan, fund,
 program, agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is sponsored,  maintained
 or  contributed  to or  required  to be  contributed  to as of the date of this
 Agreement (the "Buyer Plans") by Buyer, any of its Subsidiaries or by any trade
 or business,  whether or not incorporated (a "Buyer ERISA  Affiliate"),  all of
 which  together  with  Buyer  would be deemed a "single  employer"  within  the
 meaning of Section  4001 of ERISA,  for the  benefit of any  employee or former
 employee of Buyer, any Subsidiary or any Buyer ERISA Affiliate.

           (b)  Except as set forth in Section  5.11(b) of the Buyer  Disclosure
 Schedule,  (i) each of the Buyer Plans has been  operated and  administered  in
 accordance  with its terms and  applicable  law,  including  but not limited to
 ERISA and the Code,  (ii) each of the Buyer Plans  intended  to be  "qualified"
 within  the  meaning of  Section  401(a) of the Code has either (1)  received a
 favorable determination letter from the IRS, or (2) is or

                                                        32

<PAGE>



 will be the subject of an application for a favorable determination letter, and
 Buyer is not aware of any  circumstances  likely to result in the revocation or
 denial of any such favorable  determination  letter, (iii) with respect to each
 Buyer Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA,  the present value of accrued
 benefits under such Buyer Plan,  based upon the actuarial  assumptions used for
 funding  purposes in the most recent  actuarial  report  prepared by such Buyer
 Plan's  actuary  with  respect to such Buyer  Plan,  did not,  as of its latest
 valuation date,  exceed the then current value of the assets of such Buyer Plan
 allocable to such accrued benefits,  (iv) no Plan provides benefits,  including
 without  limitation  death or medical benefits  (whether or not insured),  with
 respect to current or former  employees of Buyer, its Subsidiaries or any Buyer
 ERISA Affiliate beyond their retirement or other termination of service,  other
 than (w) coverage  mandated by applicable law, (x) death benefits or retirement
 benefits under any "employee  pension plan," as that term is defined in Section
 3(2) of ERISA, (y) deferred compensation benefits accrued as liabilities on the
 books of Buyer,  its  Subsidiaries or the ERISA  Affiliates or (z) benefits the
 full  cost of  which  is  borne  by the  current  or  former  employee  (or his
 beneficiary),  (v) no  liability  under Title IV of ERISA has been  incurred by
 Buyer,  its  Subsidiaries  or any  Buyer  ERISA  Affiliate  that  has not  been
 satisfied in full and no condition  exists that presents a material risk to the
 Buyer, its Subsidiaries or an ERISA Affiliate of incurring a material liability
 thereunder,  (vi) no Buyer Plan is a "multiemployer pension plan," as such term
 is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA,  (vii) all contributions or other amounts
 payable by Buyer,  its  Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate as of the Effective
 Time with  respect  to each Plan in respect of current or prior plan years have
 been paid or accrued in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices
 and Section 412 of the Code,  (viii) neither Buyer,  its  Subsidiaries  nor any
 Buyer ERISA  Affiliate  has engaged in a transaction  in connection  with which
 Buyer, its Subsidiaries or any Buyer ERISA Affiliate could be subject to either
 a civil  penalty  assessed  pursuant to Section 409 or 502(i) of ERISA or a tax
 imposed  pursuant  to  Section  4975 or 4976 of the  Code,  (ix)  there  are no
 pending,  or, to the best knowledge of Buyer,  threatened or anticipated claims
 or  proceedings  (other than routine  claims for  benefits) by, on behalf of or
 against  any of the  Buyer  Plans or any  trusts  related  thereto  and (x) the
 consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement will not (y)
 entitle any  current or former  employee or officer of Buyer or any Buyer ERISA
 Affiliate to severance  pay,  termination  pay or any other payment or benefit,
 except as expressly  provided in this  Agreement or (z)  accelerate the time of
 payment or  vesting  or  increase  in the  amount or value of  compensation  or
 benefits due any such employee or officer.

           5.12. SEC Reports. Buyer has previously made available to the Company
 a true and correct copy of each (a) final registration statement,

                                                        33

<PAGE>



 prospectus, report, schedule and definitive proxy statement filed since January
 1, 1997 by Buyer with the SEC  pursuant to the  Securities  Act or the Exchange
 Act  (the  "Buyer  Reports")  and (b)  communication  mailed  by  Buyer  to its
 stockholders  since  January  1,  1997,  and no  such  registration  statement,
 prospectus,  report,  schedule,  proxy statement or communication contained any
 untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omitted  to state any  material  fact
 required  to be stated  therein or  necessary  in order to make the  statements
 therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
 Buyer has timely  filed all Buyer  Reports and other  documents  required to be
 filed by it under the  Securities  Act and the Exchange  Act,  and, as of their
 respective  dates,  all Buyer Reports  complied  with the  published  rules and
 regulations of the SEC with respect thereto.

           5.13. Buyer  Information.  The information  relating to Buyer and its
 Subsidiaries  to be  contained  in the Proxy  Statement  and the S-4, or in any
 other document filed with any other regulatory  agency in connection  herewith,
 will not contain  any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state a
 material  fact  necessary  to make  the  statements  therein,  in  light of the
 circumstances in which they are made, not misleading.  The S-4 will comply with
 the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

           5.14.   Compliance  with  Applicable  Law.  Buyer  and  each  of  its
 Subsidiaries  hold,  and have at all  times  held,  all  licenses,  franchises,
 permits and authorizations necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective
 businesses  under and  pursuant to all, and have  complied  with and are not in
 default in any  respect  under  any,  applicable  law,  statute,  order,  rule,
 regulation,  policy and/or  guideline of any  Governmental  Entity  relating to
 Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries, and neither Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries
 knows of, or has received  notice of violation of, any violations of any of the
 above.

           5.15.  Ownership of Company  Common Stock.  (a) Except for the Option
 Agreement  and 55,000  shares of Company  Common  Stock  beneficially  owned by
 Buyer, neither Buyer nor any of its affiliates or associates (as such terms are
 defined under the Exchange Act), (i) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,
 or (ii) is a party  to any  agreement,  arrangement  or  understanding  for the
 purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, in each case, any shares
 of  capital  stock of the  Company  (other  than Trust  Account  Shares and DPC
 Shares).

                (b) Neither Buyer nor any of its  Subsidiaries is an "affiliate"
 (as such term is defined in DGCL section  203(c)(1)) or an "associate"  (within
 the  meaning  of DGCL  section  203(c)(2))  of the  Company  or an  "Interested
 Stockholder" (as such term is defined in Article VIII of

                                                        34

<PAGE>



 the Company's Certificate of Incorporation).

           5.16.  Agreements with Regulatory Agencies.  Neither Buyer nor any of
 its Subsidiaries is subject to any  cease-and-desist  or other order issued by,
 or is a party to any written  agreement,  consent  agreement or  memorandum  of
 understanding  with,  or  is a  party  to  any  commitment  letter  or  similar
 undertaking  to, or is subject to any order or directive  by, or is a recipient
 of any  extraordinary  supervisory  letter  from,  or  has  adopted  any  board
 resolutions  at the request of (each,  whether or not set forth in Section 5.16
 of  the  Buyer  Disclosure  Schedule,  a  "Buyer  Regulatory  Agreement"),  any
 Regulatory  Agency or other  Governmental  Entity that restricts the conduct of
 its business or that in any manner relates to its capital adequacy,  its credit
 policies,  its  management  or  its  business,  nor  has  Buyer  or  any of its
 Subsidiaries been advised by any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity
 that it is considering issuing or requesting any Regulatory Agreement.

           5.17. Approvals. As of the date of this Agreement,  Buyer knows of no
 reason  why all  regulatory  approvals  required  for the  consummation  of the
 transactions contemplated hereby should not be obtained.

           5.18. Tax Treatment for the Merger; Reorganization. As of the date of
 this  Agreement,  Buyer has no reason to believe  that the Merger  will fail to
 qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.

           5.19.  Environmental Matters.  Except as set forth in Section
 5.19 of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule:

                (a) Each of Buyer and its Subsidiaries  and, to the knowledge of
 the Buyer, each of the  Participation  Facilities and the Loan Properties (each
 as hereinafter  defined) are and have been in compliance with all Environmental
 Laws;

                (b) There is no suit, claim,  action or proceeding,  pending or,
 to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened,  before any Governmental Entity or other
 forum in which Buyer, any of its Subsidiaries,  any  Participation  Facility or
 any Loan Property, has been or, with respect to threatened proceedings, may be,
 named  as  a  defendant  (x)  for  alleged  noncompliance   (including  by  any
 predecessor)  with any  Environmental  Laws,  or (y)  relating to the  release,
 threatened  release  or  exposure  to any  Hazardous  Material  whether  or not
 occurring  at or on a site  owned,  leased or  operated  by Buyer or any of its
 Subsidiaries,  any Participation Facility or any Loan Property. As used in this
 Section  5.19,   "Hazardous   Materials"   means  any  chemicals,   pollutants,
 contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, petroleum or other regulated substances
 or materials;

                                                        35

<PAGE>




                (c) During the period of (x) Buyer's or any of its Subsidiaries'
 ownership or operation of any of their respective current or former properties,
 (y) Buyer's or any of its Subsidiaries'  participation in the management of any
 Participation Facility, or (z) to the knowledge of the Buyer, Buyer's or any of
 its  Subsidiaries'  interest in a Loan  Property,  there has been no release of
 Hazardous  Materials  in, on,  under or  affecting  any such  property.  To the
 knowledge  of the  Buyer,  prior to the  period  of (x)  Buyer's  or any of its
 Subsidiaries'  ownership  or operation  of any of their  respective  current or
 former properties, (y) Buyer's or any of its Subsidiaries' participation in the
 management  of  any  Participation  Facility,  or  (z)  Buyer's  or  any of its
 Subsidiaries'  interest in a Loan  Property,  there was no release of Hazardous
 Materials in, on, under or affecting any such property,  Participation Facility
 or Loan Property; and

                (d) The following definitions apply for purposes of this Section
 5.19:  (x) "Loan  Property"  means any  property  in which  Buyer or any of its
 Subsidiaries  holds a security  interest,  and,  where required by the context,
 said term means the owner or operator of such property;  and (y) "Participation
 Facility"  means  any  facility  in  which  Buyer  or any  of its  Subsidiaries
 participates  in the management  and, where required by the context,  said term
 means the owner or operator of such property.

           5.20. Loan Portfolio.  Section 5.20 of the Buyer Disclosure  Schedule
 sets forth,  by  category,  the  aggregate  book value amount of (i) all of the
 Loans in original principal amount in excess of $100,000 of the Buyer or any of
 its Subsidiaries that as of July 31, 1999, were classified by any bank examiner
 (whether regulatory or internal) as "Other Loans Specially Mentioned", "Special
 Mention",  "Substandard",   "Doubtful",  "Loss",  "Classified",   "Criticized",
 "Credit  Risk  Assets",  "Concerned  Loans",  "Watch  List" or words of similar
 import,  together with the principal  amount of and accrued and unpaid interest
 on each such Loan and the  identity  of the  borrower  thereunder  and (ii) all
 assets of the Buyer that as of June 30, 1999,  were  classified  as "Other Real
 Estate Owned".

                (b) Each Loan in original principal amount in excess of $250,000
 (i) is evidenced by notes,  agreements or other evidences of indebtedness which
 are true, genuine and what they purport to be, (ii) to the extent secured,  has
 been secured by valid liens and security  interests  which have been  perfected
 and (iii) is the legal,  valid and  binding  obligation  of the  obligor  named
 therein,  enforceable  in  accordance  with its terms,  subject to  bankruptcy,
 insolvency,  fraudulent  conveyance  and other  laws of  general  applicability
 relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.


                                                        36

<PAGE>



           5.21.  Property.  Each of the Buyer and its Subsidiaries has good and
 marketable title free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, mortgages, pledges,
 charges,  defaults or equitable  interests to all of the properties and assets,
 real  and  personal,  tangible  or  intangible,  which  are  reflected  on  the
 consolidated  statement of financial condition of the Buyer as of June 30, 1999
 or acquired after such date, except (i) liens for taxes not yet due and payable
 or contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings,  (ii) pledges to secure
 deposits  and other liens  incurred in the ordinary  course of business,  (iii)
 such  imperfections  of title,  easements and  encumbrances,  if any, as do not
 interfere  with the use of the property as such property is used on the date of
 this  Agreement,  (iv)  for  dispositions  and  encumbrances  of,  or on,  such
 properties  or assets in the  ordinary  course of business  or (v)  mechanics',
 materialmen's,  workmen's,  repairmen's,  warehousemen's,  carrier's  and other
 similar liens and encumbrances arising in the ordinary course of business.  All
 leases  pursuant to which the Buyer or any Subsidiary of the Buyer,  as lessee,
 leases real or personal  property are valid and  enforceable in accordance with
 their respective  terms and neither the Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries  nor,
 to  the  knowledge  of  the  Buyer,  any  other  party  thereto  is in  default
 thereunder.

           5.22. Derivative Transactions. Except as set forth in Section 5.22 of
 the Buyer Disclosure  Schedule,  since December 31, 1998, neither Buyer nor any
 of its  Subsidiaries  has engaged in  transactions  in or  involving  forwards,
 futures,  options on futures,  swaps or other derivative instruments except (i)
 as agent on the order and for the account of others,  or (ii) as principal  for
 purposes of hedging  interest rate risk on U.S.  dollar-denominated  securities
 and other financial instruments.  None of the counterparties to any contract or
 agreement  with  respect to any such  instrument  is in default with respect to
 such contract or agreement  and no such contract or agreement,  were it to be a
 Loan (as defined below) held by the Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries,  would be
 classified   as  "Other  Loans   Specially   Mentioned",   "Special   Mention",
 "Substandard",  "Doubtful",  "Loss", "Classified",  "Criticized",  "Credit Risk
 Assets",  "Concerned Loans" or words of similar import.  The financial position
 of Buyer and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis under or with respect to
 each such  instrument  has been reflected in the books and records of Buyer and
 such  Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP  consistently  applied,  and no open
 exposure  of  Buyer  or  any of  its  Subsidiaries  with  respect  to any  such
 instrument (or with respect to multiple  instruments with respect to any single
 counterparty) exceeds $250,000.

           5.23.  Year 2000 Matters.  Section 5.23 of the Buyer Disclosure
 Schedule contains a true and correct copy of the Buyer's plan for
 addressing year 2000 computer issues (the "Year 2000 Plan").  The Buyer is

                                                        37

<PAGE>



 in material compliance with the Buyer's Year 2000 Plan.

           5.24.  Insurance.  The  Buyer  and  its  Subsidiaries  are  presently
 insured, and since December 31, 1998, have been insured, for reasonable amounts
 with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, against such risks as
 companies engaged in a similar business would, in accordance with good business
 practice,  customarily  be insured.  All of the  insurance  policies  and bonds
 maintained by the Buyer and its Subsidiaries are in full force and effect,  the
 Buyer and its  Subsidiaries  are not in  default  thereunder  and all  material
 claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion.


                                 ARTICLE VI
                 COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

           6.1.  Covenants  of the  Company.  During the period from the date of
 this Agreement and  continuing  until the Effective  Time,  except as expressly
 contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or the Option Agreement or with the
 prior written consent of Buyer, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall carry on
 their  respective  businesses  in the  ordinary  course  consistent  with  past
 practice and consistent with prudent banking practice. The Company will use its
 best  efforts  to (x)  preserve  its  business  organization  and  that  of its
 Subsidiaries  intact,  (y) keep  available  to itself  and  Buyer  the  present
 services of the employees of the Company and its  Subsidiaries and (z) preserve
 for itself and Buyer the  goodwill  of the  customers  of the  Company  and its
 Subsidiaries  and  others  with  whom  business  relationships  exist.  Without
 limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  and except as set forth in Section
 6.1 of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule or as otherwise  contemplated  by this
 Agreement or consented to in writing by Buyer, the Company shall not, and shall
 not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

                (a)  solely  in the  case  of the  Company,  declare  or pay any
 dividends  on, or make other  distributions  in respect  of, any of its capital
 stock,  other than normal quarterly  dividends not in excess of $0.21 per share
 of Company Common Stock;

                (b) (i) split,  combine or reclassify  any shares of its capital
 stock or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other  securities in
 respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock, (ii)
 repurchase,  redeem or otherwise  acquire  (except for the acquisition of Trust
 Account  Shares and DPC  Shares,  as such terms are  defined in Section  1.4(b)
 hereof) any shares of the capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the
 Company, or any securities convertible

                                                        38

<PAGE>



 into or  exercisable  for any shares of the capital stock of the Company or any
 Subsidiary  of the Company;  or (iii) issue,  deliver or sell,  or authorize or
 propose the  issuance,  delivery or sale of, any shares of its capital stock or
 any securities convertible into or exercisable for, or any rights,  warrants or
 options to acquire,  any such shares,  or enter into any agreement with respect
 to any of the foregoing,  except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), for the
 issuance of Company  Common Stock upon the exercise or fulfillment of rights or
 options  issued or existing  pursuant to employee  benefit  plans,  programs or
 arrangements,  all to the extent  outstanding  and in  existence on the date of
 this Agreement and in accordance with their present terms;

                (c) amend its  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  By-laws or other
 similar governing documents;

                (d)  authorize  any of its  officers,  directors,  or  agents to
 directly or indirectly  solicit,  initiate or encourage any inquiries  relating
 to, or the making of any proposal which constitutes,  a "takeover proposal" (as
 defined below), or recommend or endorse any takeover  proposal,  or participate
 in any discussions or negotiations, or provide third parties with any nonpublic
 information,  relating to any such inquiry or proposal or otherwise  facilitate
 any effort or  attempt to make or  implement  a  takeover  proposal;  provided,
 however,  that the Company may communicate  information about any such takeover
 proposal to its  stockholders  if, in the  judgment of the  Company's  Board of
 Directors,  based upon the advice of outside  counsel,  such  communication  is
 required  under  applicable  law;  provided  further,   however,  that  nothing
 contained in this Section  6.1(d)  shall  prohibit the Company from  furnishing
 information to, or entering into  discussions or negotiations  with, any person
 or  entity  that  makes  an  unsolicited,  bona  fide  takeover  proposal  that
 constitutes a Superior Proposal (as defined below) in each case if, and only to
 the  extent  that (A) such  actions  occur at a time prior to  approval  of the
 Merger Agreement by the Company's  stockholders,  (B) the Board of Directors of
 the Company concludes in good faith, after consultation with and based upon the
 advice of outside counsel, that it is required to do so in order to comply with
 its fiduciary  duties to the Company's  stockholders  under applicable law, and
 (C) prior to taking  such  action,  the  Company  receives  from such person or
 entity  an  executed  confidentiality  agreement  and  an  executed  standstill
 agreement,  each in reasonably  customary form  (provided that such  agreements
 shall  contain  terms that are no less  restrictive  than the terms of any such
 agreement  between  Buyer and the  Company).  For  purposes of this  Agreement,
 "Superior  Proposal"  means any bona fide written  takeover  proposal for or in
 respect of all of the outstanding  shares of Company Common Stock, (i) on terms
 that  the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company  determines  in its good  faith
 judgment (after consultation with a

                                                        39

<PAGE>



 financial advisor of nationally  recognized  reputation and taking into account
 all the terms and conditions of the takeover  proposal  deemed relevant by such
 Board of Directors,  including the  consideration to be paid pursuant  thereto,
 any  break-up   fees,   expense   reimbursement   provisions,   conditions   to
 consummation,  and the  ability of the party  making  such  proposal  to obtain
 financing  therefor) are more favorable  from a financial  point of view to its
 stockholders than the Merger,  and (ii) that constitutes a transaction that, in
 such  Board of  Directors'  good faith  judgment,  is  reasonably  likely to be
 consummated on the terms set forth,  taking into account all legal,  financial,
 regulatory  and other aspects of such  proposal.  The Company will  immediately
 cease  and cause to be  terminated  any  existing  activities,  discussions  or
 negotiations  previously  conducted  with any  parties  other  than  Buyer with
 respect to any of the foregoing. The Company will take all actions necessary or
 advisable to inform the appropriate  individuals or entities referred to in the
 first sentence hereof of the obligations undertaken in this Section 6.1(d). The
 Company  will  notify  Buyer  immediately  if any such  inquiries  or  takeover
 proposals are received by, any such  information is requested from, or any such
 negotiations  or discussions  are sought to be initiated or continued with, the
 Company,  and the Company will  promptly  inform Buyer in writing of all of the
 relevant  details with  respect to the  foregoing.  As used in this  Agreement,
 "takeover  proposal"  shall mean any tender or exchange  offer,  proposal for a
 merger,  consolidation or other business  combination  involving the Company or
 any Subsidiary of the Company or any proposal or offer to acquire in any manner
 a substantial  equity  interest in, or a substantial  portion of the assets of,
 the  Company or any  Subsidiary  of the  Company  other  than the  transactions
 contemplated or permitted by this Agreement and the Option Agreement;

                (e) make any capital expenditures other than those which (i) are
 made in the ordinary  course of business or are necessary to maintain  existing
 assets  in good  repair  and (ii) in any event are in an amount of no more than
 $500,000 in the aggregate;

                (f)  enter into any new line of business;

                (g)  acquire or agree to  acquire,  by merging or  consolidating
 with,  or by  purchasing  a  substantial  equity  interest in or a  substantial
 portion  of the  assets  of,  or by  any  other  manner,  any  business  or any
 corporation,   partnership,  association  or  other  business  organization  or
 division  thereof or  otherwise  acquire any assets,  which would be  material,
 individually or in the aggregate, to the Company, other than in connection with
 foreclosures,  settlements  in lieu of  foreclosure  or  troubled  loan or debt
 restructurings  in the  ordinary  course of business  consistent  with  prudent
 banking practices;

                                                        40

<PAGE>




                (h)  take any  action  that is  intended  or may  reasonably  be
 expected to result in any of its  representations  and  warranties set forth in
 this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material  respect,  or in any of
 the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VIII not being satisfied;

                (i) change its methods of  accounting in effect at June 30, 1998
 except as required by changes in GAAP or  regulatory  accounting  principles as
 concurred to by the Company's independent auditors;

                (j) (i) except as required by  applicable  law or as required to
 maintain  qualification  pursuant to the Code, adopt, amend, renew or terminate
 any employee  benefit plan  (including,  without  limitation,  any Plan) or any
 agreement, arrangement, plan or policy between the Company or any Subsidiary of
 the  Company and one or more of its  current or former  directors,  officers or
 employees  or (ii)  except  for  normal  increases  in the  ordinary  course of
 business consistent with past practice or except as required by applicable law,
 increase in any manner the  compensation  or fringe  benefits of any  director,
 officer or employee or pay any benefit not required by any Plan or agreement as
 in effect as of the date hereof (including, without limitation, the granting of
 stock options,  stock appreciation rights,  restricted stock,  restricted stock
 units or performance units or shares);

                (k) take or cause to be taken any action which would  disqualify
 the Merger as a tax free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code;

                (l) other than  activities  in the  ordinary  course of business
 consistent  with past  practice,  sell,  lease,  encumber,  assign or otherwise
 dispose of, or agree to sell, lease, encumber,  assign or otherwise dispose of,
 any of its material assets, properties or other rights or agreements;

                (m) other than in the  ordinary  course of  business  consistent
 with past  practice,  incur any  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money or  assume,
 guarantee,  endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the
 obligations of any other individual, corporation or other entity;

                (n) file any application to relocate or terminate the operations
 of any banking office of it or any of its Subsidiaries;

                (o) make any equity investment or commitment to make such

                                                        41

<PAGE>



 an investment in real estate or in any real estate development  project,  other
 than in connection  with  foreclosures,  settlements  in lieu of foreclosure or
 troubled  loan  or debt  restructurings  in the  ordinary  course  of  business
 consistent with prudent banking practices;

                (p)  create,  renew,  amend or  terminate  or give  notice  of a
 proposed renewal, amendment or termination of, any material contract, agreement
 or lease for goods, services or office space to which the Company or any of its
 Subsidiaries  is a party or by which the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries or
 their respective properties is bound;

                (q) other than in prior consultation with Buyer,  restructure or
 materially change its investment securities portfolio, through purchases, sales
 or  otherwise,  or the manner in which the portfolio is classified or reported;
 or

                (r) agree to do any of the foregoing.

           6.2.  Covenants  of Buyer.  During the  period  from the date of this
 Agreement  and  continuing  until  the  Effective  Time,  except  as  expressly
 contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or the Option Agreement or with the
 prior written consent of the Company, Buyer and its Subsidiaries shall carry on
 their  respective  businesses in the ordinary  course  consistent  with prudent
 banking  practice.  Except as set forth in Section 6.2 of the Buyer  Disclosure
 Schedule or as  otherwise  contemplated  by this  Agreement  or consented to in
 writing  by the  Company,  Buyer  shall  not,  and shall not  permit any of its
 Subsidiaries to:

                (a)   solely  in  the  case  of  Buyer,   declare   or  pay  any
 extraordinary  or  special  dividends  on or make any  other  extraordinary  or
 special  distributions  in  respect  of  any of its  capital  stock;  provided,
 however, that nothing contained herein shall prohibit Buyer from increasing the
 quarterly cash dividend on the Buyer Common Stock;

                (b)  take any  action  that is  intended  or may  reasonably  be
 expected to result in any of its  representations  and  warranties set forth in
 this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material  respect,  or in any of
 the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VIII not being satisfied;

                (c) change its methods of  accounting  in effect at December 31,
 1998,  except in  accordance  with  changes  in GAAP or  regulatory  accounting
 principles as concurred to by Buyer's independent auditors;

                (d) take or cause to be taken any action which would

                                                        42

<PAGE>



 disqualify the Merger as a tax free reorganization under Section 368(a) of
 the Code; or

                (e) change any provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of
 the Buyer,  other than as disclosed in Section  6.2(e) of the Buyer  Disclosure
 Schedule;

                (f) agree to do any of the foregoing.


                                ARTICLE VII
                           ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

           7.1. Regulatory  Matters.  (a) The Company shall promptly prepare and
 file with the SEC the Proxy Statement and Buyer shall promptly prepare and file
 with the SEC the S-4,  in which  the  Proxy  Statement  will be  included  as a
 prospectus.  Each of the Company and Buyer shall use all reasonable  efforts to
 have the S-4  declared  effective  under  the  Securities  Act as  promptly  as
 practicable after such filing,  and the Company shall thereafter mail the Proxy
 Statement to its stockholders.  Buyer shall also use all reasonable  efforts to
 obtain all necessary  state  securities law or "Blue Sky" permits and approvals
 required to carry out the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement, and the
 Company shall furnish all information concerning the Company and the holders of
 Company Common Stock as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such
 action.

                (b) The parties  hereto shall  cooperate with each other and use
 their  reasonable  best  efforts to  promptly  prepare  and file all  necessary
 documentation, to effect all applications,  notices, petitions and filings, and
 to obtain as promptly as  practicable  all  permits,  consents,  approvals  and
 authorizations  of all  third  parties  and  Governmental  Entities  which  are
 necessary or advisable to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
 Agreement. The Company and Buyer shall have the right to review in advance, and
 to the extent  practicable each will consult the other on, in each case subject
 to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, all the information
 relating  to the  Company  or  Buyer,  as the  case  may be,  and any of  their
 respective  Subsidiaries,  which  appears in any filing  made with,  or written
 materials  submitted  to,  any  third  party  or  any  Governmental  Entity  in
 connection with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement. In exercising
 the foregoing  right,  each of the parties  hereto shall act  reasonably and as
 promptly as  practicable.  The parties hereto agree that they will consult with
 each other with respect to the  obtaining of all permits,  consents,  approvals
 and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental  Entities necessary or
 advisable to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and
 each party

                                                        43

<PAGE>



 will keep the other apprised of the status of matters relating to completion of
 the transactions contemplated herein.

                (c) Buyer and the Company  shall,  upon  request,  furnish  each
 other  with  all  information   concerning   themselves,   their  Subsidiaries,
 directors,  officers  and  stockholders  and  such  other  matters  as  may  be
 reasonably  necessary or advisable in connection with the Proxy Statement,  the
 S-4 or any other statement,  filing, notice or application made by or on behalf
 of  Buyer,  the  Company  or  any  of  their  respective  Subsidiaries  to  any
 Governmental  Entity in connection  with the Merger and the other  transactions
 contemplated by this Agreement.

                (d) Buyer and the Company shall promptly furnish each other with
 copies of written communications  received by Buyer or the Company, as the case
 may be, or any of their respective  Subsidiaries,  Affiliates or Associates (as
 such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the
 date of this  Agreement)  from,  or delivered by any of the  foregoing  to, any
 Governmental Entity in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby.

           7.2. Access to Information. (a) Upon reasonable notice and subject to
 applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, the Company shall, and
 shall cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, afford to the  officers,  employees,
 accountants,  counsel and other representatives of Buyer, access, during normal
 business  hours  during  the period  prior to the  Effective  Time,  to all its
 properties,  books,  contracts,   commitments,  records,  officers,  employees,
 accountants,  counsel and other  representatives  and, during such period,  the
 Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, make available to Buyer (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 which the Company is not permitted to disclose under  applicable law)
 and  (ii)  all  other  information  concerning  its  business,  properties  and
 personnel as Buyer may reasonably  request.  Neither the Company nor any of its
 Subsidiaries shall be required to provide access to or to disclose  information
 where such access or  disclosure  would  violate or prejudice the rights of the
 Company's customers, jeopardize any attorney-client privilege or contravene any
 law,  rule,  regulation,  order,  judgment,  decree,  fiduciary duty or binding
 agreement entered into prior to the date of this Agreement.  The parties hereto
 will make appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements under circumstances in
 which the restrictions of the preceding sentence apply.

                (b)  Upon reasonable notice and subject to applicable laws

                                                        44

<PAGE>



 relating  to the  exchange of  information,  Buyer  shall,  and shall cause its
 Subsidiaries to, afford to the officers,  employees,  accountants,  counsel and
 other  representatives  of the Company,  access,  during normal  business hours
 during the period prior to the Effective  Time, to such  information  regarding
 Buyer and its Subsidiaries as shall be reasonably  necessary for the Company to
 fulfill its obligations pursuant to this Agreement to assist in the preparation
 of the Proxy Statement or which may be reasonably  necessary for the Company to
 confirm that the  representations  and warranties of Buyer contained herein are
 true and correct and that the  covenants  of Buyer  contained  herein have been
 performed in all material  respects.  Neither Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries
 shall be required to provide  access to or to disclose  information  where such
 access  or  disclosure  would  violate  or  prejudice  the  rights  of  Buyer's
 customers,  jeopardize  any  attorney-client  privilege or contravene  any law,
 rule, regulation,  order, judgment, decree, fiduciary duty or binding agreement
 entered into prior to the date of this Agreement.  The parties hereto will make
 appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements under circumstances in which the
 restrictions of the preceding sentence apply.

                (c) All information furnished by either party to the other party
 or its representatives pursuant hereto shall be treated as the sole property of
 the delivery party and, if the Merger shall not occur,  the receiving party and
 its  representatives  shall return to the delivering  party all of such written
 information and all documents,  notes, summaries or other materials containing,
 reflecting or referring to, or derived from,  such  information.  The receiving
 party shall,  and shall use its best efforts to cause its  representatives  to,
 keep  confidential all such  information,  and shall not directly or indirectly
 use such  information  for any  competitive or other  commercial  purpose.  The
 obligation to keep such information  confidential  shall continue for ten years
 from the date the proposed  Merger is abandoned  and shall not apply to (i) any
 information which (x) was already in the receiving party's  possession prior to
 the disclosure thereof by the delivering party; (y) was then generally known to
 the public;  or (z) was disclosed to the  receiving  party by a third party not
 bound by an obligation of  confidentiality or (ii) disclosures made as required
 by law. It is further  agreed that, if in the absence of a protective  order or
 the receipt of a waiver  hereunder the receiving party is  nonetheless,  in the
 opinion of its counsel, compelled to disclose information concerning delivering
 party to any tribunal or  governmental  body or agency or else stand liable for
 contempt or suffer other censure or penalty,  the receiving  party may disclose
 such  information  to such  tribunal  or  governmental  body or agency  without
 liability hereunder.

                (d)  No   investigation  by  either  of  the  parties  or  their
 respective representatives shall affect the representations, warranties,

                                                        45

<PAGE>



 covenants or agreements of the other set forth herein.

           7.3. Stockholder Meetings. The Company shall take all steps necessary
 to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders to
 be held as soon as is  reasonably  practicable  after the date on which the S-4
 becomes effective for the purpose of voting upon the approval of this Agreement
 and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company will,
 through its Board of Directors,  recommend to its stockholders approval of this
 Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and such other matters as
 may be  submitted  to its  stockholders  in  connection  with  this  Agreement;
 provided,  however,  that nothing shall  prohibit the Board of Directors of the
 Company  from  withdrawing  or  modifying  in a manner  adverse  to Buyer  such
 recommendation  to the  Company's  stockholders  if (a) the  Company  is not in
 breach of, and has not breached,  any of the provisions of Section 6.1(d),  (b)
 the Company receives an unsolicited,  bona fide written takeover proposal which
 constitutes a Superior  Proposal (each as defined in Section  6.1(d)),  and (c)
 the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  determines  in good  faith that it is
 required to take such action,  but only after consultation with outside counsel
 and only if such  outside  counsel  concludes  and  advises  the Board that the
 failure to take such action would result in a violation of its fiduciary duties
 under applicable law.

           7.4. Legal Conditions to Merger. Each of Buyer and the Company shall,
 and shall cause its  Subsidiaries  to, use their reasonable best efforts (a) to
 take,  or cause to be taken,  all actions  necessary,  proper or  advisable  to
 comply promptly with all legal  requirements which may be imposed on such party
 or its  Subsidiaries  with respect to the Merger and, subject to the conditions
 set forth in Article VIII hereof,  to consummate the transactions  contemplated
 by this  Agreement and (b) to obtain (and to cooperate  with the other party to
 obtain) any consent, authorization,  order or approval of, or any exemption by,
 any  Governmental  Entity and any other  third  party  which is  required to be
 obtained by the  Company or Buyer or any of their  respective  Subsidiaries  in
 connection  with the Merger  and the other  transactions  contemplated  by this
 Agreement,  and to  comply  with the  terms  and  conditions  of such  consent,
 authorization, order or approval.

           7.5. Affiliates. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
 cause each director,  executive  officer and other person who is an "affiliate"
 (for purposes of Rule 145 under the  Securities  Act) of the Company to deliver
 to Buyer, as soon as practicable  after the date of this  Agreement,  a written
 agreement, in the form of Exhibit 7.5 hereto.

           7.6.  Stock Exchange Listing.  Buyer shall use all reasonable
 efforts to cause the shares of Buyer Common Stock to be issued in the

                                                        46

<PAGE>



 Merger to be approved  for listing on the NYSE,  subject to official  notice of
 issuance, as of the Effective Time.

           7.7.  Employee  Benefit Plans;  Existing  Agreements.  (a) As soon as
 practicable  following the Effective Time, the employees of the Company and its
 Subsidiaries  (the "Company  Employees")  shall be eligible to  participate  in
 Buyer's employee benefit plans in which similarly  situated  employees of Buyer
 or Buyer Bank participate,  to the same extent as similarly-situated  employees
 of Buyer or Buyer Bank (it being understood that inclusion of Company Employees
 in Buyer's  employee benefit plans may occur at different times with respect to
 different  plans) provided,  however,  that Buyer shall continue the comparable
 plans of Company  and its  Subsidiaries  for the  exclusive  benefit of Company
 Employees until such time Company  Employees  become eligible to participate in
 the plans of Buyer or Buyer  Bank.  Company's  ESOP shall  terminate  as of the
 Effective Time and prior to such time Company shall make  contributions  to the
 ESOP  sufficient  to  enable  the  trustee  of the  plan to  repay  in full all
 outstanding acquisition loans of the plan. If Company cannot make contributions
 sufficient  to enable the trustee to repay such loans in full by reasons of the
 operation of Section  415(c) of the Code then, in accordance  with the terms of
 the ESOP,  the trustee  shall sell a number of shares  sufficient  to repay the
 remaining portion of the loan. All shares of stock and cash held by the plan as
 of the  Effective  Time  shall  be  allocated  to  participants  of the ESOP in
 accordance with its terms.

           (b) With  respect  to each Buyer  Plan that is an  "employee  benefit
 plan," as  defined  in  Section  3(3)of  ERISA,  for  purposes  of  determining
 eligibility to participate, vesting, and entitlement to benefits, including for
 severance  benefits  and vacation  entitlement  (but not for accrual of pension
 benefits),  service with the Company and its  Subsidiaries  shall be treated as
 service with Buyer; provided however, that such service shall not be recognized
 to the extent that such recognition  would result in a duplication of benefits.
 Such service also shall apply for purposes of satisfying  any waiting  periods,
 evidence of  insurability  requirements,  or the application of any preexisting
 condition limitations. Company Employees shall be given credit for amounts paid
 under a  corresponding  benefit  plan  during the same  period for  purposes of
 applying  deductibles,  copayments  and  out-of-pocket  maximums as though such
 amounts had been paid in accordance  with the terms and conditions of the Buyer
 Plan.

           (c) Buyer shall honor and shall cause the appropriate Subsidiaries of
 Buyer to honor and Company shall pay at the Closing  Date,  in accordance  with
 their terms all  employment,  severance and other  compensation  agreements and
 arrangements  existing  prior to the  execution  of this  Agreement  which  are
 between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and

                                                        47

<PAGE>



 any director,  officer or employee thereof and which have been disclosed in the
 Company  Disclosure  Schedule and previously have been delivered to Buyer.  All
 payments  under  employment  and change in control  agreements,  identified  in
 Section 4.15(a) of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule between the Company or its
 Subsidiaries  and  individual  officers  and  employees  of the  Company or its
 Subsidiaries  shall be paid by the Company at the Closing  Date  regardless  of
 whether  or not such  individual  continues  in  employment  with  Buyer or its
 Subsidiaries.  The Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the reasonable,  good
 faith  estimates of amounts payable under  employment and severance  agreements
 between the Company or its Subsidiaries and certain individuals and the amounts
 shown and  methodology  used in preparing such  estimates  shall be followed in
 determining the actual amounts payable under such agreements.

           (d) Employees of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  shall be entitled
 to receive  payment for accrued  but unused  vacation  days and any accrued but
 unused vacation days of employees of the Company or its  Subsidiaries as of the
 Closing Date shall, at the employee's option,  either be paid immediately prior
 to the Closing Date or taken as vacation as soon as  practicable  following the
 Closing Date; provided,  however,  that the Company shall deliver to Buyer, not
 later than  fifteen  (15)  business  days after the date of this  Agreement,  a
 schedule of employees  indicating  their accrued but unused vacation days as of
 the most recent date practicable.

           (e) The Company or its  Subsidiaries  shall pay bonuses in accordance
 with its past practices  through December 31, 1999, and the  compensation  with
 respect to which bonuses are paid for any individual shall be for the period of
 time that has elapsed since the payment of the last bonus.  At the Closing Date
 each Company  Employee  shall be entitled to receive a bonus equal to the bonus
 received by such Company Employee for the period ended as of December 31, 1999,
 multiplied  by a fraction,  the  numerator of which shall be the number of days
 from  December  31 through  the date on which the  Closing  Date occurs and the
 denominator  of which is 366 (in the case of  employees  who were  paid  annual
 bonuses as of December 31) and 180 days (in the case of employees  who received
 semi annual bonuses as of both June 30 and December 31), as the case may be.

           7.8.  Indemnification.  (a) In the event of any  threatened or actual
 claim, action, suit,  proceeding or investigation,  whether civil,  criminal or
 administrative,  including,  without limitation,  any such claim, action, suit,
 proceeding or  investigation in which any person who is now, or has been at any
 time prior to the date of this Agreement, or who becomes prior to the Effective
 Time,  a director  or officer of the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (the
 "Indemnified  Parties") is, or is threatened to be, made a party based in whole
 or in part on, or arising in whole or in part

                                                        48

<PAGE>



 out of, or  pertaining  to (i) the fact that he is or was a director or officer
 of the  Company,  any of  the  Subsidiaries  of  the  Company  or any of  their
 respective  predecessors  or (ii)  this  Agreement  or any of the  transactions
 contemplated  hereby,  whether in any case asserted or arising  before or after
 the Effective  Time,  the parties  hereto agree to cooperate and use their best
 efforts to defend against and respond thereto. It is understood and agreed that
 after the Effective Time,  Buyer shall  indemnify and hold harmless,  as and to
 the extent  permitted by law, each such  Indemnified  Party against any losses,
 claims, damages, liabilities,  costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney's
 fees and  expenses  in advance  of the final  disposition  of any claim,  suit,
 proceeding or  investigation  to each  Indemnified  Party to the fullest extent
 permitted by law upon receipt of any undertaking  required by applicable  law),
 judgments,  fines and amounts paid in settlement  in  connection  with any such
 threatened or actual claim, action, suit,  proceeding or investigation,  and in
 the event of any such threatened or actual claim, action,  suit,  proceeding or
 investigation (whether asserted or arising before or after the Effective Time),
 the  Indemnified  Parties may retain counsel  reasonably  satisfactory  to them
 after consultation with Buyer; provided, however, that (1) Buyer shall have the
 right to assume the defense thereof with counsel  reasonably  acceptable to the
 Indemnified  party and upon such  assumption  Buyer  shall not be liable to any
 Indemnified Party for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses
 subsequently  incurred by any Indemnified  Party in connection with the defense
 thereof,  except that if Buyer elects not to assume such defense or counsel for
 the Indemnified  Parties  reasonably  advises that there are issues which raise
 conflicts  of  interest  between  Buyer  and  the  Indemnified   Parties,   the
 Indemnified  Parties may retain counsel  reasonably  satisfactory to them after
 consultation  with Buyer,  and Buyer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses
 of such counsel for the  Indemnified  Parties,  (2) Buyer shall in all cases be
 obligated  pursuant to this  paragraph to pay for only one firm of counsel with
 respect to any claim,  action or suit for all  Indemnified  Parties,  (3) Buyer
 shall not be liable  for any  settlement  effected  without  its prior  written
 consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld) and (4) Buyer shall
 have no obligation  hereunder to any  Indemnified  Party when and if a court of
 competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine, and such determination shall
 have become final and nonappealable,  that  indemnification of such Indemnified
 Party in the manner  contemplated  hereby is prohibited by applicable  law. Any
 Indemnified Party wishing to claim Indemnification under this Section 7.8, upon
 learning of any such claim,  action, suit,  proceeding or investigation,  shall
 notify promptly Buyer thereof, provided that the failure to so notify shall not
 affect the  obligations  of Buyer  under this  Section 7.8 except to the extent
 such failure to notify prejudices Buyer. Buyer's obligations under this Section
 7.8 shall  continue in full force and effect for a period of six (6) years from
 the Effective Time; provided, however, that all rights to

                                                        49

<PAGE>



 indemnification  in respect of any claim (a  "Claim")  asserted  or made within
 such period shall continue until the final disposition of such Claim.

                (b) Buyer  shall  cause the  persons  serving  as  officers  and
 directors of the Company  immediately prior to the Effective Time to be covered
 for a period of six (6) years from the  Effective  Time by the  directors'  and
 officers'  liability  insurance policy maintained by the Company (provided that
 Buyer  may  substitute  therefor  policies  of at least the same  coverage  and
 amounts  containing terms and conditions which are not less  advantageous  than
 such policy) with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective
 Time which were  committed by such officers and directors in their  capacity as
 such; provided,  however, that in no event shall Buyer be required to expend on
 an annual  basis more than 175% of the current  amount  expended by the Company
 (the "Insurance Amount") to maintain or procure insurance coverage, and further
 provided that if Buyer is unable to maintain or obtain the insurance called for
 by this Section 7.8(b) Buyer shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain as much
 comparable insurance as is available for the Insurance Amount.

                (c) In the event Buyer or any of its  successors  or assigns (i)
 consolidates  with or  merges  into  any  other  person  and  shall  not be the
 continuing or surviving  corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger,
 or (ii)  transfers or conveys all or  substantially  all of its  properties and
 assets to any person,  then,  and in each such case,  to the extent  necessary,
 proper  provision  shall be made so that the  successors  and  assigns of Buyer
 assume the obligations set forth in this section.

                (d) The  provisions  of this  Section 7.8 are intended to be for
 the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified  Party and his or
 her heirs and representatives.

           7.9. 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 any of the
 parties to the Merger,  the proper officers and directors of each party to this
 Agreement  and their  respective  Subsidiaries  shall  take all such  necessary
 action as may be reasonably requested by Buyer.

           7.10. Advice of Changes.  Buyer and the Company shall promptly advise
 the other party of any change or event having a Material  Adverse  Effect on it
 or which it believes would or would be reasonably likely to cause or constitute
 a  material  breach  of any of its  representations,  warranties  or  covenants
 contained herein. From time to time prior to the

                                                        50

<PAGE>



 Effective  Time (and on the date prior to the  Closing  Date),  each party will
 supplement or amend its Disclosure  Schedules  delivered in connection with the
 execution of this Agreement to reflect any matter which, if existing, occurring
 or known at the date of this  Agreement,  would  have been  required  to be set
 forth or  described  in such  Disclosure  Schedules  or which is  necessary  to
 correct any  information in such  Disclosure  Schedules which has been rendered
 inaccurate  thereby.  No supplement or amendment to such  Disclosure  Schedules
 shall have any  effect  for the  purpose  of  determining  satisfaction  of the
 conditions set forth in Sections  8.2(a) or 8.3(a) hereof,  as the case may be,
 or the  compliance  by the  Company  or  Buyer,  as the case  may be,  with the
 respective covenants and agreements of such parties contained herein.

           7.11.  Current  Information.  (a) During the period  from the date of
 this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company will cause one or more of its
 designated  representatives to confer on a regular and frequent basis (not less
 than monthly) with representatives of Buyer and to report the general status of
 the ongoing  operations of the Company and its  Subsidiaries.  The Company will
 promptly  notify Buyer of any material  change in the normal course of business
 or in the operation of the properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
 and  of  any   governmental   complaints,   investigations   or  hearings   (or
 communications   indicating  that  the  same  may  be  contemplated),   or  the
 institution  or the threat of significant  litigation  involving the Company or
 any of its Subsidiaries, and will keep Buyer fully informed of such events.

                  (b) During the period from the date of this  Agreement  to the
 Effective Time,  Buyer shall inform the Company of any proposed  acquisition or
 merger transaction involving Buyer.

           7.12.  Execution and Authorization of Bank Merger Agreement.  As soon
 as reasonably  practicable  following a request made by Buyer,  (a) Buyer shall
 (i) cause the Board of Directors of Buyer Bank to approve an Agreement and Plan
 of Merger  providing  for the merger of Company Bank into Buyer Bank (the "Bank
 Merger  Agreement"),  (ii) cause  Buyer Bank to execute  and  deliver  the Bank
 Merger  Agreement,  and (iii)  approve  the Bank Merger  Agreement  as the sole
 stockholder  of Buyer Bank,  and (b) the  Company  shall (i) cause the Board of
 Directors of the Company Bank to approve the Bank Merger Agreement,  (ii) cause
 the Company  Bank to execute and deliver the Bank Merger  Agreement,  and (iii)
 approve the Bank Merger  Agreement as the sole stockholder of the Company Bank.
 The Bank Merger  Agreement shall contain terms that are normal and customary in
 light of the transactions  contemplated hereby and such additional terms as are
 necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.


                                                        51

<PAGE>



           7.13.  Coordination of Dividends.  From the date of this Agreement to
 the Effective  Time,  each of Buyer and the Company shall  coordinate  with the
 other the  declaration,  record and payment  dates with respect to dividends in
 respect of the Buyer Common  Stock and the Company  Common Stock and the record
 dates and  payments  dates  relating  thereto,  it being the  intention  of the
 parties that the holders of Buyer  Common  Stock or Company  Common Stock shall
 not receive more than one dividend,  or fail to receive one  dividend,  for any
 single  calendar  quarter  with  respect to their  shares of Buyer Common Stock
 and/or  Company Common Stock and any shares of Buyer Common Stock any holder of
 Company Common Stock receives in exchange therefor in the Merger.

           7.14.  Directorship.  Effective as of the Effective Time, Buyer shall
 cause its Board of  Directors  to be expanded  by one member and shall  appoint
 Raymond A. Nielsen to fill the vacancy on Buyer's Board of Directors created by
 such  increase  as of the  Effective  Time and shall  cause Mr.  Nielsen  to be
 nominated  for  election to the Board of  Directors  for a period not less than
 three (3) years.

           7.15.  Accountants'  Letter.  The  Company  shall use its  reasonable
 efforts to cause to be  delivered to Buyer a letter of its  independent  public
 accountants dated (i) the date on which the S-4 shall become effective and (ii)
 a date shortly prior to the Effective Time, and addressed to Buyer, in form and
 substance customary for "comfort" letters delivered by independent  accountants
 in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 72.

           7.16. Certain Revaluations, Changes and Adjustments. At or before the
 Effective Time, upon the request of Buyer,  the Company shall,  consistent with
 GAAP, modify and change its loan, litigation and real estate valuation policies
 and practices  (including loan classifications and levels of reserves) so as to
 be applied  consistently on a mutually  satisfactory  basis with those of Buyer
 and  establish  such  accruals  and  reserves as shall be  necessary to reflect
 Merger-related expenses and costs incurred by the Company,  provided,  however,
 that the  Company  shall not be  required  to take such  action  unless  Parent
 acknowledges  in writing  that all  conditions  to closing set forth in Article
 VIII have been  satisfied or waived  (other than those  conditions  relating to
 delivery of documents on the Closing Date); provided further,  however, that no
 accrual or reserve  made by the Company or any Company  Subsidiary  pursuant to
 this Section 7.16 shall constitute or be deemed to be a breach, violation of or
 failure to satisfy any representation,  warranty,  covenant, condition or other
 provision of this Agreement or otherwise be considered in  determining  whether
 any such breach, violation or failure to satisfy shall have occurred.

                                                        52

<PAGE>




           7.17.  Year  2000.  Each of  Buyer  and  the  Company  shall  use its
 commercially  reasonable  efforts to implement its  respective Y2K Plan. At the
 request of the other party,  each of Buyer and the Company  shall  periodically
 update the other party regarding its process with respect to its Y2K Plan.

           7.18.  It is  understood  by the  parties  that the  Merger  shall be
 accounted for under the Purchase Method of accounting. Accordingly, the parties
 agree to use all reasonable  efforts to cause the Effective Time to occur prior
 to the consummation of the Merger of Buyer with JSB Financial, Inc. pursuant to
 the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger  between such parties dated as of August 16,
 1999.

           7.19.  Advisory Board.  Buyer shall, as of the Effective Time, invite
 Gerald M. Sauvigne and all of the members of the  Company's  Board of Directors
 as of the date of this Agreement,  other than Mr.  Nielsen,  who are willing to
 serve to be  appointed  as  members of Buyer's  advisory  board (the  "Advisory
 Board"). The members of the Advisory Board who are willing to so serve shall be
 elected to a term of three (3) years  beginning  on the Closing  Date and shall
 receive an annual  retainer  fee in the amount set forth in Section 7.19 of the
 Buyer Disclosure Schedule.


                                ARTICLE VIII
                            CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

           8.1.  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To Effect the Merger. The
 respective  obligations  of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to
 the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

                (a)  Stockholder  Approval.   This  Agreement  shall  have  been
 approved and adopted by the  requisite  vote of the holders of the  outstanding
 shares of Company Common Stock under applicable law.

                (b) NYSE  Listing.  The shares of Buyer Common Stock which shall
 be issued to the  stockholders  of the Company upon  consummation of the Merger
 shall have been authorized for listing on the NYSE,  subject to official notice
 of issuance.

                (c)  Other  Approvals.  All  regulatory  approvals  required  to
 consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby  (including the Merger) shall
 have been  obtained and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory
 waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired (all such

                                                        53

<PAGE>



 approvals  and the  expiration of all such waiting  periods  being  referred to
 herein as the "Requisite Regulatory Approvals").

                (d)  S-4.  The  S-4  shall  have  become   effective  under  the
 Securities Act and no stop order suspending the  effectiveness of the S-4 shall
 have been issued and no proceedings  for that purpose shall have been initiated
 or threatened by the SEC.

                (e)  No  Injunctions  or  Restraints;   Illegality.   No  order,
 injunction or decree issued by any court or agency of competent jurisdiction or
 other  legal  restraint  or  prohibition  (an   "Injunction")   preventing  the
 consummation of the Merger shall be in effect.  No statute,  rule,  regulation,
 order,  injunction or decree shall have been enacted,  entered,  promulgated or
 enforced by any Governmental Entity which prohibits, restricts or makes illegal
 consummation of the Merger.

           8.2.  Conditions to Obligations of Buyer.  The obligation of Buyer to
 effect the Merger is also subject to the  satisfaction or waiver by Buyer at or
 prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

                (a) Representations and Warranties.  (i) Subject to Section 3.2,
 the  representations  and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement
 (other than those set forth in  Sections  4.2,  4.3(a),  4.3(b)(i),  4.6,  4.7,
 4.8(a)(ii), 4.8(b), 4.11(a), 4.12, 4.15(a), 4.18, 4.21, 4.26 and 4.27) shall be
 true and  correct as of the date of this  Agreement  and  (except to the extent
 such  representations  and  warranties  speak as of an earlier  date) as of the
 Closing  Date as  though  made on and as of the  Closing  Date;  and  (ii)  the
 representations  and  warranties  of the  Company  set forth in  Sections  4.2,
 4.3(a), 4.3(b)(i), 4.6, 4.7, 4.8(a)(ii),  4.8(b), 4.11(a), 4.12, 4.15(a), 4.18,
 4.21, 4.26 and 4.27 of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
 respects  (without  giving  effect to Section 3.2 of this  Agreement) as of the
 date of this  Agreement  and  (except to the extent  such  representations  and
 warranties  speak as of an earlier  date) as of the Closing Date as though made
 on and as of the Closing Date.  Buyer 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 the foregoing effect.

                (b) Performance of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall
 have  performed  in  all  material  respects  all  obligations  required  to be
 performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and Buyer
 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.


                                                        54

<PAGE>



                (c) Consents Under Agreements.  The consent,  approval or waiver
 of each person  (other than the  Governmental  Entities  referred to in Section
 8.1(c))  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 or any  Subsidiary of the Company
 under any loan or credit agreement, note, mortgage,  indenture,  lease, license
 or other  agreement or instrument  shall have been  obtained,  except where the
 failure to obtain such  consent,  approval or waiver  would not have a Material
 Adverse Effect on the Company.

                (d)  No Pending Governmental Actions.  No proceeding
 initiated by any Governmental Entity seeking an Injunction shall be
 pending.

                (e) Federal  Income Tax  Opinion.  Buyer shall have  received an
 opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to Buyer ("Buyer's
 Counsel"),   dated  the  Effective  Date,  in  form  and  substance  reasonably
 satisfactory to Buyer, substantially to the effect that, on the basis of facts,
 representations  and assumptions set forth in such opinion which are consistent
 with the state of facts  existing  at the  Effective  Time,  the Merger will be
 treated as a  reorganization  within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
 In  rendering  such  opinion,   Buyer's  Counsel  may  require  and  rely  upon
 representations  and covenants,  including  those  contained in certificates of
 officers of Buyer, the Company and others  reasonably  satisfactory in form and
 substance to such counsel.

           8.3. Conditions to Obligations of the Company.  The obligation of the
 Company to effect the Merger is also subject to the  satisfaction  or waiver by
 the Company at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

                (a) Representations and Warranties.  (i) Subject to Section 3.2,
 the  representations  and  warranties  of Buyer  (other than those set forth in
 Sections 5.2, 5.3(a), 5.3(b),  5.3(c)(i),  5.6, 5.7, 5.8(ii), 5.11(a), 5.12 and
 5.15) set forth in this  Agreement  shall be true and correct as of the date of
 this  Agreement and (except to the extent such  representations  and warranties
 speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of
 the Closing  Date;  and (ii) the  representations  and  warranties of Buyer set
 forth in Sections 5.2, 5.3(a), 5.3(b),  5.3(c)(i),  5.6, 5.7, 5.8(ii), 5.11(a),
 5.12 and 5.15 of this  Agreement  shall be true  and  correct  in all  material
 respects  (without  giving  effect to Section 3.2 of this  Agreement) as of the
 date of this  Agreement  and  (except to the extent  such  representations  and
 warranties  speak as of an earlier  date) as of the Closing Date as though made
 on and as of the Closing Date. The Company shall have received a certificate

                                                        55

<PAGE>



 signed  on  behalf  of Buyer  by the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and the  Chief
 Financial Officer of Buyer to the foregoing effect.

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

                (c) Consents Under Agreements.  The consent,  approval or waiver
 of each person  (other than the  Governmental  Entities  referred to in Section
 8.1(c))  whose  consent or approval  shall be required in  connection  with the
 transactions  contemplated  hereby  under any loan or credit  agreement,  note,
 mortgage,  indenture,  lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which
 Buyer or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party or is otherwise  bound shall have
 been obtained, except where failure to obtain such consents and approvals would
 not, individually or in the aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer
 and its Subsidiaries  taken as a whole (after giving effect to the transactions
 contemplated hereby).

                (d)  No Pending Governmental Actions.  No proceeding
 initiated by any Governmental Entity seeking an Injunction shall be
 pending.

                (e) Federal Income Tax Opinion.  The Company shall have received
 an opinion of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP (the "Company's Counsel"), in form
 and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, dated the Effective Date,
 substantially  to the effect that, on the basis of facts,  representations  and
 assumptions  set forth in such opinion which are  consistent  with the state of
 facts  existing  at the  Effective  Time,  the  Merger  will  be  treated  as a
 reorganization  within the meaning of Section  368(a) of the Code. In rendering
 such opinion,  the Company's Counsel may require and rely upon  representations
 and covenants,  including those contained in certificates of officers of Buyer,
 the Company and others,  reasonably  satisfactory in form and substance to such
 counsel.


                                 ARTICLE IX
                         TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

           9.1. Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
 to the  Effective  Time,  whether  before  or  after  approval  of the  matters
 presented in connection with the Merger by the stockholders of the Company:


                                                        56

<PAGE>



                (a) by  mutual  consent  of the  Company  and Buyer in a written
 instrument,  if the Board of  Directors  of each so  determines  by a vote of a
 majority of the members of its entire Board;

                (b) by either Buyer or the Company  upon  written  notice to the
 other party (i) 60 days after the date on which any request or application  for
 a Requisite  Regulatory  Approval  shall have been denied or  withdrawn  at the
 request or  recommendation  of the  Governmental  Entity  which must grant such
 Requisite Regulatory  Approval,  unless within the 60-day period following such
 denial or  withdrawal a petition for  rehearing or an amended  application  has
 been filed with the applicable Governmental Entity, provided,  however, that no
 party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
 9.1(b)(i) if such denial or request or  recommendation  for withdrawal shall be
 due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate  this Agreement to perform
 or observe the covenants and  agreements of such party set forth herein or (ii)
 if any Governmental Entity of competent  jurisdiction shall have issued a final
 nonappealable order enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger;

                (c) by either  Buyer or the Company if the Merger shall not have
 been consummated on or before June 30, 2000,  unless the failure of the Closing
 to occur by such  date  shall be due to the  failure  of the party  seeking  to
 terminate  this Agreement to perform or observe the covenants and agreements of
 such party set forth herein;

                (d)  by  either  Buyer  or  the  Company   (provided   that  the
 terminating  party  shall not be in material  breach of any of its  obligations
 under Section 7.3) if any approval of the  stockholders of the Company required
 for the  consummation  of the Merger shall not have been  obtained by reason of
 the  failure  to  obtain  the  required  vote at a duly  held  meeting  of such
 stockholders or at any adjournment or postponement thereof;

                (e)  by  either  Buyer  or  the  Company   (provided   that  the
 terminating  party  is not  then  in  material  breach  of any  representation,
 warranty,  covenant or other  agreement  contained  herein) if there shall have
 been a material breach of any of the representations or warranties set forth in
 this Agreement on the part of the other party, which breach is not cured within
 thirty days following  written notice to the party  committing such breach,  or
 which breach,  by its nature,  cannot be cured prior to the Closing;  provided,
 however,  that neither party shall have the right to terminate  this  Agreement
 pursuant  to this  Section  9.1(e)  unless  the  breach  of  representation  or
 warranty,  together  with all other  such  breaches,  would  entitle  the party
 receiving such  representation not to consummate the transactions  contemplated
 hereby  under  Section  8.2(a)  (in the case of a breach of  representation  or
 warranty by the Company) or Section 8.3(a) (in

                                                        57

<PAGE>



 the case of a breach of representation or warranty by Buyer);

                (f)  by  either  Buyer  or  the  Company   (provided   that  the
 terminating  party  is not  then  in  material  breach  of any  representation,
 warranty,  covenant or other  agreement  contained  herein) if there shall have
 been a material  breach of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this
 Agreement  on the part of the other  party,  which  breach  shall not have been
 cured within thirty days  following  receipt by the breaching  party of written
 notice of such breach  from the other party  hereto,  or which  breach,  by its
 nature, cannot be cured prior to the Closing;

                (g) by Buyer,  if the Board of Directors of the Company does not
 publicly  recommend  in the Proxy  Statement  that the  Company's  stockholders
 approve  and  adopt  this  Agreement  or if,  after  recommending  in the Proxy
 Statement  that  stockholders  approve and adopt this  Agreement,  the Board of
 Directors  of the  Company  shall have  withdrawn,  modified  or  amended  such
 recommendation in any manner adverse to Buyer; or

                (h) by the  Company  at any time  during  the five  business-day
 period  commencing on the first business day after the  Determination  Date (as
 defined below), if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

           (1) the Average  Closing Price (as defined  below) shall be less than
      $16.20 and

           (2) (i) the number  obtained by dividing the Average Closing Price by
      the Starting  Price (such  number  being  referred to herein as the "Buyer
      Ratio") shall be less than (ii) the number  obtained by dividing the Index
      Price on the  Determination  Date by the Index Price on the Starting  Date
      and  subtracting  0.15 from such quotient  (such number being  referred to
      herein as the "Index Ratio"),

 subject to the  following  provisions.  If the Company  elects to exercise  its
 termination right pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, it shall give
 prompt  written  notice to Buyer;  provided  that such  notice of  election  to
 terminate  may  be  withdrawn  at  any  time  within  the  aforementioned  five
 business-day  period.  During the five business-day  period commencing with its
 receipt of such notice,  Buyer shall have the option of adjusting  the Exchange
 Ratio to equal the lesser of (i) a number  equal to a quotient  (rounded to the
 nearest one-ten-thousandth), the numerator of which is the product of 0.85, the
 Starting Price and the Exchange  Ratio (as then in effect) and the  denominator
 of which is the Average  Closing  Price,  and (ii) a number equal to a quotient
 (rounded  to the nearest  one-ten-thousandth),  the  numerator  of which is the
 Index  Ratio  multiplied  by the  Exchange  Ratio (as then in  effect)  and the
 denominator of which is the Buyer Ratio. If

                                                        58

<PAGE>



 Buyer makes the election  contemplated by the preceding  sentence,  within such
 five business-day period, it shall give prompt written notice to the Company of
 such election and the revised  Exchange Ratio,  whereupon no termination  shall
 have occurred  pursuant to this Section 9.1(h) and this Agreement  shall remain
 in effect in accordance with its terms (except as the Exchange Ratio shall have
 been so modified),  and any  references in this  Agreement to "Exchange  Ratio"
 shall thereafter be deemed to refer to the Exchange Ratio as adjusted  pursuant
 to this Section  9.1(h).  For purposes of this Section  9.1(h),  the  following
 terms shall have the meanings indicated:

           "Average  Closing  Price" means the average of the last reported sale
 prices per share of Buyer  Common Stock as reported on NYSE (as reported in The
 Wall Street Journal or, if not reported  therein,  in another  mutually  agreed
 upon  authoritative  source) for the 20  consecutive  trading  days on the NYSE
 ending at the close of trading on the Determination Date.

           "Determination  Date"  means  the  business  day prior to the date on
 which the last of the Requisite  Regulatory Approvals shall have been received,
 without regard to any requisite waiting periods in respect thereof.

           "Index  Group"  means the group of each of the  twenty-one  (21) bank
 holding  companies  listed  below,  the common  stock of each of which shall be
 publicly  traded and as to which there shall not have been,  since the Starting
 Date and before the Determination  Date, an announcement of a proposal for such
 company  to be  acquired  or for such  company to  acquire  another  company or
 companies in transactions  with a value exceeding 25% of the acquiror's  market
 capitalization  as of the Starting  Date. In the event that, on or prior to the
 date immediately preceding the Determination Date, the common stock of any such
 company  ceases to be  publicly  traded or any such  announcement  is made with
 respect to any such company, such company will be removed from the Index Group,
 and the weights (which have been determined  based on the number of outstanding
 shares  of  common  stock)   redistributed   proportionately  for  purposes  of
 determining the Index Price. The twenty-one (21) bank holding companies and the
 weights attributed to them are as follows:


 Company                                         Symbol           Weighting

 Astoria Financial Corporation                   ASFC             5.67%
 CCB Financial Corporation                       CCB              5.71%
 Charter One Financial, Inc.                     COFI            12.05%
 Chittenden Corporation                          CHZ              2.25%

                                                        59

<PAGE>



 Commerce Bancorp, Inc./NJ                       CBH              3.53%
 Dime Bancorp, Inc.                              DME              6.52%
 First Commonwealth Financial Corporation        FCF              2.01%
 FirstMerit Corporation                          FMER             7.00%
 Fulton Financial Corporation                    FULT             4.04%
 GreenPoint Financial Corp.                      GPT              9.27%
 Independence Community Bank Corp.               ICBC             2.62%
 Keystone Financial, Inc.                        KSTN             3.86%
 M & T Bank Corporation                          MTB             10.89%
 Peoples Heritage Financial Group, Inc.          PHBK             5.33%
 Queens County Bancorp, Inc.                     QCSB             1.70%
 Richmond County Financial Corp.                 RCBK             1.88%
 Roslyn Bancorp, Inc.                            RSLN             3.91%
 Staten Island Bancorp, Inc.                     SIB              2.14%
 Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.                    SUSQ             1.81%
 Valley National Bancorp                         VLY              4.77%
 Webster Financial Corporation                   WBST             3.03%
                                                                 -------
                                                                 99.99%


           "Index Price" on a given date means the weighted average (weighted in
 accordance  with  the  factors  listed  above)  of the  closing  prices  of the
 companies comprising the Index Group.

           "Starting Date" means August 27, 1999.

           "Starting Price" shall mean the last reported sale price per share of
 Buyer Common Stock on the  Starting  Date,  as reported by NYSE (as reported in
 The Wall Street Journal or, if not reported therein, in another mutually agreed
 upon authoritative source).

           If Buyer of any  company  belonging  to the Index  Group  declares or
 effects  a  stock  dividend,  reclassification,   recapitalization,   split-up,
 combination,  exchange of shares or similar  transaction  between the  Starting
 Date and the  Determination  Date,  the  prices  for the  common  stock of such
 company or Buyer shall be  appropriately  adjusted for the purposes of applying
 this Section 9.1(h).

           9.2. Effect of Termination;  Expenses. In the event of termination of
 this  Agreement by either Buyer or the Company as provided in Section 9.1, this
 Agreement  shall  forthwith  become  void and have no  effect  except  that (i)
 Sections 7.2(c),  9.2 and 10.4 shall survive any termination of this Agreement,
 and (ii) notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
 no party shall be relieved or released from

                                                        60

<PAGE>



 any liabilities or damages arising out of its willful breach of any
 provision of this Agreement.

           9.3.  Amendment.  Subject to  compliance  with  applicable  law, this
 Agreement may be amended by the parties  hereto,  by action taken or authorized
 by their respective  Boards of Directors,  at any time before or after approval
 of the matters  presented in connection with the Merger by the  stockholders of
 the Company;  provided,  however,  that after any approval of the  transactions
 contemplated by this Agreement by the Company's stockholders, there may not be,
 without further approval of such stockholders,  any amendment of this Agreement
 which  reduces  the  amount  or  changes  the form of the  consideration  to be
 delivered to the Company  stockholders  hereunder other than as contemplated by
 this  Agreement.  This  Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
 writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

           9.4. Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, each
 of the parties hereto, by action taken or authorized by its Board of Directors,
 may, to the extent legally allowed,  (a) extend the time for the performance of
 any of the  obligations or other acts of the other party hereto,  (b) waive any
 inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party contained
 herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance by
 the  other  party  with  any of  its  agreements  contained  herein,  or  waive
 compliance  with  any  of the  conditions  to its  obligations  hereunder.  Any
 agreement on the part of a party  hereto to any such  extension or waiver shall
 be valid  only if set  forth in a written  instrument  signed on behalf of such
 party,  but such extension or waiver or failure to insist on strict  compliance
 with an  obligation,  covenant,  agreement or condition  shall not operate as a
 waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.


                                 ARTICLE X
                             GENERAL PROVISIONS

           10.1. Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
 the closing of the Merger (the  "Closing") will take place at 10:00 a.m. on the
 first  day which is (a) the last  business  day of a month and (b) at least two
 business days after the  satisfaction  or waiver (subject to applicable law) of
 the latest to occur of the  conditions  set forth in Article VIII hereof (other
 than those  conditions  which relate to actions to be taken at the Closing)(the
 "Closing Date"), at the offices of Buyer's Counsel unless another time, date or
 place is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.


                                                        61

<PAGE>



           10.2. Alternative Structure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
 contained  in this  Agreement,  prior to the  Effective  Time,  Buyer  shall be
 entitled to revise the  structure  of the Merger and the  related  transactions
 contemplated  hereby  (including,   without  limitation,   (x)  substituting  a
 subsidiary of Buyer as a Constituent  Corporation in the Merger,  (y) providing
 that a different entity shall be the Surviving  Corporation in the Merger,  and
 (z) providing for the merger of Company Bank into Buyer Bank in accordance with
 a Bank Merger  Agreement),  provided that each of the  transactions  comprising
 such revised  structure shall (i) fully qualify as, or fully be treated as part
 of, one or more tax-free  reorganizations  within the meaning of Section 368(a)
 of the Code, (ii) not change the amount of  consideration to be received by the
 stockholders of the Company,  and (iii) be capable of consummation in as timely
 a manner as the structure  contemplated  herein. This Agreement and any related
 documents shall be  appropriately  amended in order to reflect any such revised
 structure.

           10.3. Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. None
 of the representations,  warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement
 or in any instrument  delivered pursuant to this Agreement (other than pursuant
 to the Option  Agreement  which shall  terminate in accordance  with its terms)
 shall survive the Effective  Time,  except for those  covenants and  agreements
 contained  herein and  therein  which by their  terms apply in whole or in part
 after the Effective Time.

           10.4.  Expenses.  All costs and expenses  incurred in connection with
 this Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby shall be paid by the
 party incurring such expense, provided, however, that the costs and expenses of
 printing and mailing the Proxy Statement to the stockholders of the Company and
 Buyer, and all filing and other fees paid to the SEC or any other  Governmental
 Entity in connection  with the Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated
 hereby,  shall be borne  equally by Buyer and the  Company,  provided  further,
 however,  that nothing  contained  herein shall limit either  party's rights to
 recover any  liabilities  or damages  arising out of the other party's  willful
 breach of any provision of this Agreement.

           10.5. Notices. All notices and other  communications  hereunder shall
 be in writing and shall be deemed  given if  delivered  personally,  telecopied
 (with  confirmation),  mailed by registered or certified  mail (return  receipt
 requested)  or  delivered  by an express  courier  (with  confirmation)  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 Buyer, to:

                                                        62

<PAGE>




                     North Fork Bancorporation, Inc.
                     275 Broad Hollow Road
                     Melville, New York  11747
                     Facsimile:  (516) 844-1471
                     Attention:  Mr. John Adam Kanas
                                 Chairman, President and
                                  Chief Executive Officer

                     with a copy to:

                     William S. Rubenstein, Esq.
                     Skadden, Arps Slate, Meagher
                     & Flom LLP
                     919 Third Avenue
                     New York, New York 10022
                     Facsimile:  (212) 735-2000

      and

                (b)  if to the Company, to:

                     Reliance Bancorp, Inc.
                     585 Stewart Avenue
                     Garden City, New York  11530
                     Facsimile:  (516) 222-1805
                     Attention:  Mr. Raymond A. Nielsen
                                 President and Chief
                                  Executive Officer

                     with a copy to:

                     Lawrence M.F. Spaccasi
                     Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette
                     5101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
                     Washington, D.C.  20016
                     Facsimile:  (202) 966-9409

           10.6.  Interpretation.  When a reference is made in this Agreement to
 Sections,  Exhibits or Schedules,  such  reference  shall be to a Section of or
 Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.  The table of
 contents and headings  contained in this  Agreement are for reference  purposes
 only and shall not  affect in any way the  meaning  or  interpretation  of this
 Agreement. Whenever the words "include",  "includes" or "including" are used in
 this Agreement, they shall be deemed

                                                        63

<PAGE>



 to be followed by the words "without limitation". 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 August 30, 1999.

           10.7.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
 all of which shall be  considered  one and the same  agreement and shall become
 effective  when  counterparts  have  been  signed  by each of the  parties  and
 delivered to the other parties,  it being  understood that all parties need not
 sign the same counterpart.

           10.8. Entire Agreement.  This Agreement  (including the documents and
 the  instruments  referred  to  herein),  together  with the Option  Agreement,
 constitutes  the entire  agreement  and  supersedes  all prior  agreements  and
 understandings,  both  written and oral,  among the parties with respect to the
 subject matter hereof.

           10.9.  Governing Law. This Agreement  shall be governed and construed
 in  accordance  with the laws of the State of New York,  without  regard to any
 applicable conflicts of law.

           10.10.  Enforcement  of  Agreement.  The  parties  hereto  agree that
 irreparable  damage would occur in the event that the  provisions  contained in
 and Section 7.2(c) of this Agreement were not performed in accordance  with its
 specific terms or was otherwise  breached.  It is  accordingly  agreed that the
 parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions  to prevent  breaches
 of Section 7.2(c) of this Agreement and to enforce  specifically  the terms and
 provisions  thereof  in any court of the  United  States  or any  state  having
 jurisdiction,  this  being in  addition  to any other  remedy to which they are
 entitled at law or in equity.

           10.11. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
 invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
 ineffective  to the  extent  of such  invalidity  or  unenforceability  without
 rendering  invalid or unenforceable  the remaining terms and provisions of this
 Agreement or affecting  the validity or  enforceability  of any of the terms or
 provisions  of this  Agreement in any other  jurisdiction.  If any provision of
 this  Agreement  is so broad as to be  unenforceable,  the  provision  shall be
 interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

           10.12. Publicity. Except as otherwise required by law or by the rules
 of the NYSE or The NASDAQ Stock Market, so long as this Agreement is in effect,
 neither Buyer nor the Company  shall,  or shall permit any of its  Subsidiaries
 to,  issue or cause  the  publication  of any  press  release  or other  public
 announcement with respect to, or otherwise make any public

                                                        64

<PAGE>



 statement concerning,  the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement without
 the  consent  of the other  party,  which  consent  shall  not be  unreasonably
 withheld.

           10.13.  Assignment;  No  Third  Party  Beneficiaries.   Neither  this
 Agreement nor any of the rights,  interests or obligations  hereunder  shall be
 assigned  by  any  of  the  parties  hereto  (whether  by  operation  of law or
 otherwise)  without the prior written consent of the other parties.  Subject to
 the preceding  sentence,  this  Agreement  will be binding  upon,  inure to the
 benefit of and be  enforceable by the parties and their  respective  successors
 and assigns.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided  herein,  this Agreement
 (including the documents and instruments referred to herein) is not intended to
 confer  upon any person  other than the  parties  hereto any rights or remedies
 hereunder.


           IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Buyer and the Company have caused this Agreement
 to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the
 date first above written.

                           NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.


                           By:   /s/ John Adam Kanas
                                --------------------------
                                John Adam Kanas
                                Chairman of the Board,
                                  President and Chief Executive Officer


                           RELIANCE BANCORP, INC.


                           By:   /s/ Raymond A. Nielsen
                                ----------------------------
                                Raymond A. Nielsen
                                President and Chief Executive
                                  Officer



                                                                 65




                                                                 Exhibit 4.1
                THE TRANSFER OF THIS AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO
                 CERTAIN PROVISIONS CONTAINED HEREIN AND TO
                       RESALE RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE
                     SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED


           STOCK  OPTION  AGREEMENT,  dated August 30,  1999,  between  Reliance
 Bancorp,   Inc.,   a   Delaware   corporation   ("Issuer"),   and  North   Fork
 Bancorporation, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Grantee").

                            W I T N E S S E T H:

           WHEREAS,  Grantee and Issuer have entered into an Agreement  and Plan
 of Merger of even date herewith (the "Merger  Agreement"),  which agreement has
 been  executed by the parties  hereto  immediately  prior to this Stock  Option
 Agreement (this "Agreement"); and

           WHEREAS,  as a  condition  to  Grantee's  entering  into  the  Merger
 Agreement and in consideration therefor, Issuer has agreed to grant Grantee the
 Option (as hereinafter defined);

           NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  foregoing and the mutual
 covenants  and  agreements  set forth herein and in the Merger  Agreement,  the
 parties hereto agree as follows:

           1. (a) Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an unconditional,  irrevocable
 option (the "Option") to purchase, subject to the terms hereof, up to 1,708,297
 fully paid and  nonassessable  shares of Issuer's Common Stock, par value $0.01
 per share  ("Common  Stock"),  at a price of  $29.00  per  share  (the  "Option
 Price");  provided,  however,  that in no event  shall the  number of shares of
 Common Stock for which this Option is exercisable  exceed 19.9% of the Issuer's
 issued and  outstanding  shares of Common Stock  without  giving  effect to any
 shares  subject to or issued  pursuant to the  Option.  The number of shares of
 Common  Stock  that may be  received  upon the  exercise  of the Option and the
 Option Price are subject to adjustment as herein set forth.

           (b) In the event  that any  additional  shares  of  Common  Stock are
 either  (i)  issued  or  otherwise  become  outstanding  after the date of this
 Agreement   (other  than  pursuant  to  this   Agreement)  or  (ii)   redeemed,
 repurchased,  retired or otherwise  cease to be  outstanding  after the date of
 this  Agreement,  the  number of shares of Common  Stock  subject to the Option
 shall be increased or decreased, as appropriate,  so that, after such issuance,
 such number equals 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock

                                                        66

<PAGE>



 then issued and  outstanding  without  giving  effect to any shares  subject or
 issued  pursuant to the  Option.  Nothing  contained  in this  Section  1(b) or
 elsewhere in this Agreement  shall be deemed to authorize  Issuer or Grantee to
 breach any provision of the Merger Agreement.

           2. (a) The Holder (as  hereinafter  defined) may exercise the Option,
 in whole or part,  and from  time to time,  if,  but only if,  both an  Initial
 Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined) and a Subsequent Triggering Event (as
 hereinafter defined) shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise
 Termination  Event (as  hereinafter  defined) and the Holder is not in material
 beach of the agreements or covenants  contained in this Agreement or the Merger
 Agreement,  provided that the Holder shall have sent the written notice of such
 exercise  (as provided in  subsection  (e) of this Section 2) within six months
 following such Subsequent  Triggering  Event (or such longer period as provided
 in  Section  10),  provided  further,  however,  that if the  Option  cannot be
 exercised  on any day  because of any  injunction,  order or similar  restraint
 issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, the period during which the Option
 may be  exercised  shall be extended so that the Option shall expire no earlier
 than on the tenth business day after such injunction,  order or restraint shall
 have been  dissolved or when such  injunction,  order or  restraint  shall have
 become  permanent and no longer subject to appeal,  as the case may be. Each of
 the following shall be an "Exercise  Termination Event": (i) the Effective Time
 (as defined in the Merger  Agreement) of the Merger;  (ii)  termination  of the
 Merger Agreement in accordance with the provisions  thereof if such termination
 occurs  prior  to the  occurrence  of an  Initial  Triggering  Event  except  a
 termination  by  Grantee  pursuant  to Section  9.1(f) of the Merger  Agreement
 (unless  the  breach by Issuer  giving  rise to such  right of  termination  is
 non-volitional);  or (iii) the passage of 15 months  after  termination  of the
 Merger  Agreement  if such  termination  follows the  occurrence  of an Initial
 Triggering  Event or is a termination by Grantee  pursuant to Section 9.1(f) of
 the Merger Agreement  (unless the breach by Issuer giving rise to such right of
 termination is  non-volitional).  Notwithstanding  any other  provision of this
 Agreement,  in no event shall any of Issuer's  obligations under this Agreement
 continue six months  beyond an Exercise  Termination  Event.  The term "Holder"
 shall mean the holder or holders of the Option.

           (b)  The  term  "Initial  Triggering  Event"  shall  mean  any of the
 following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:

               (i)  Issuer  or  any  of  its   Subsidiaries   (each  an  "Issuer
      Subsidiary"),  without having received  Grantee's  prior written  consent,
      shall  have  entered  into  an  agreement  to  engage  in  an  Acquisition
      Transaction (as hereinafter defined) with any person (the term

                                                        67

<PAGE>



      "person"  for  purposes  of this  Agreement  having the  meaning  assigned
      thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of
      1934,  as  amended  (the  "1934  Act"),  and  the  rules  and  regulations
      thereunder) other than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries (each a "Grantee
      Subsidiary")  or the Board of Directors  of Issuer shall have  recommended
      that  the  stockholders  of  Issuer  approve  or  accept  any  Acquisition
      Transaction with any person other than Grantee or a Subsidiary of Grantee.
      For purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition Transaction" shall mean (w) a
      merger or consolidation,  or any similar transaction,  involving Issuer or
      any  Significant  Subsidiary  (as defined in Rule 1-02 of  Regulation  S-X
      promulgated  by the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC")) of
      Issuer, (x) a purchase, lease or other acquisition or assumption of all or
      a  substantial  portion  of  the  assets  or  deposits  of  Issuer  or any
      Significant  Subsidiary  of Issuer,  (y) a purchase  or other  acquisition
      (including by way of merger,  consolidation,  share exchange or otherwise)
      of securities  representing 10% or more of the voting power of Issuer,  or
      (z) any substantially similar transaction;  provided,  however, that in no
      event shall any  merger,  consolidation,  purchase or similar  transaction
      involving only the Issuer and one or more of its Subsidiaries or involving
      only two or more of such  Subsidiaries,  be  deemed  to be an  Acquisition
      Transaction,  provided  that any such  transaction  is not entered into in
      violation of the terms of the Merger Agreement;

              (ii)  Issuer or any Issuer  Subsidiary,  without  having  received
      Grantee's  prior  written  consent,  shall have  authorized,  recommended,
      proposed or publicly  announced its  intention to authorize,  recommend or
      propose, an Acquisition  Transaction with any person other than Grantee or
      a Grantee  Subsidiary,  or the Board of  Directors  of Issuer  shall  have
      publicly  withdrawn  or  modified,  or  publicly  announced  its intent to
      withdraw or modify, in any manner adverse to Grantee,  its  recommendation
      that the stockholders of Issuer approve the  transactions  contemplated by
      the Merger Agreement;

             (iii) Any person, other than Grantee, any Grantee Subsidiary or any
      Issuer Subsidiary acting in a fiduciary capacity in the ordinary course of
      its  business,  shall have acquired  beneficial  ownership or the right to
      acquire  beneficial  ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of
      Common  Stock  (the  term  "beneficial  ownership"  for  purposes  of this
      Agreement having the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13(d) of the 1934
      Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder);

              (iv) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary

                                                        68

<PAGE>



      shall  have made a bona fide  proposal  to Issuer or its  stockholders  by
      public  announcement  or  written  communication  that is or  becomes  the
      subject of public disclosure to engage in an Acquisition Transaction;

               (v) After a  proposal  is made by a third  party to Issuer or its
      stockholders  to engage in an Acquisition  Transaction,  Issuer shall have
      breached any covenant or obligation  contained in the Merger Agreement and
      such breach (x) would entitle  Grantee to terminate  the Merger  Agreement
      and (y) shall not have been  cured  prior to the Notice  Date (as  defined
      below); or

              (vi) Any person  other than  Grantee  or any  Grantee  Subsidiary,
      other than in connection with a transaction to which Grantee has given its
      prior written consent,  shall have filed an application or notice with the
      Federal  Reserve  Board,  the  Office of Thrift  Supervision  or any other
      federal or state bank  regulatory  authority  for approval to engage in an
      Acquisition Transaction.

           (c) The term "Subsequent  Triggering  Event" shall mean either of the
 following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:

              (i) The  acquisition by any person of beneficial  ownership of 20%
      or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock; or

              (ii) The occurrence of the Initial  Triggering  Event described in
      paragraph  (i) of  subsection  (b) of this  Section  2,  except  that  the
      percentage referred to in clause (y) shall be 20%.

           (d) Issuer shall notify Grantee promptly in writing of the occurrence
 of any Initial Triggering Event or Subsequent  Triggering Event of which it has
 notice (together, a "Triggering Event"), it being understood that the giving of
 such notice by Issuer  shall not be a  condition  to the right of the Holder to
 exercise the Option.

           (e) In the event the Holder is entitled to and wishes to exercise the
 Option,  it shall  send to Issuer a  written  notice  (the date of which  being
 herein  referred to as the "Notice  Date")  specifying  (i) the total number of
 shares it will purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a place and date not
 earlier  than  three  business  days nor later than 60  business  days from the
 Notice Date for the closing of such  purchase (the  "Closing  Date");  provided
 that if prior  notification  to or approval of the Federal  Reserve Board,  the
 Office of Thrift  Supervision  (the  "OTS") or any other  regulatory  agency is
 required in connection  with such purchase,  the Holder shall promptly file the
 required notice or application for approval and shall expeditiously process the
 same and the period of time that

                                                        69

<PAGE>



 otherwise  would run pursuant to this sentence  shall run instead from the date
 on which any required  notification  periods have expired or been terminated or
 such approvals  have been obtained and any requisite  waiting period or periods
 shall have  passed.  Any exercise of the Option shall be deemed to occur on the
 Notice Date relating thereto.

           (f) At the closing  referred to in subsection  (e) of this Section 2,
 the Holder shall pay to Issuer the aggregate  purchase  price for the shares of
 Common Stock  purchased  pursuant to the exercise of the Option in  immediately
 available  funds by wire  transfer  to a bank  account  designated  by  Issuer,
 provided  that  failure or refusal of Issuer to  designate  such a bank account
 shall not preclude the Holder from exercising the Option.

           (g) At such closing,  simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
 available  funds as provided in subsection  (f) of this Section 2, Issuer shall
 deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates  representing the number of
 shares of Common  Stock  purchased  by the Holder and, if the Option  should be
 exercised  in part  only,  a new  Option  evidencing  the  rights of the Holder
 thereof to purchase the balance of the shares  purchasable  hereunder,  and the
 Holder shall deliver to Issuer this  Agreement  and a letter  agreeing that the
 Holder will not offer to sell or otherwise  dispose of such shares in violation
 of applicable law or the provisions of this Agreement.

           (h)  Certificates  for Common Stock delivered at a closing  hereunder
 may be endorsed  with a  restrictive  legend that shall read  substantially  as
 follows:

           "The  transfer  of the  shares  represented  by this  certificate  is
           subject to certain  provisions of an agreement between the registered
           holder hereof and Issuer and to resale restrictions arising under the
           Securities  Act of 1933, as amended.  A copy of such  agreement is on
           file at the  principal  office of Issuer and will be  provided to the
           holder  hereof  without  charge  upon  receipt by Issuer of a written
           request therefor."

 It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the resale  restrictions
 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), in the above legend
 shall  be  removed  by  delivery  of  substitute  certificate(s)  without  such
 reference if the Holder shall have  delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from
 the  staff  of the  SEC,  or an  opinion  of  counsel,  in form  and  substance
 reasonably  satisfactory  to  Issuer,  to the  effect  that such  legend is not
 required for purposes of the 1933 Act; (ii) the reference to the  provisions to
 this  Agreement in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of  substitute
 certificate(s) without such reference if the shares

                                                        70

<PAGE>



 have  been  sold or  transferred  in  compliance  with the  provisions  of this
 Agreement  and under  circumstances  that do not require the  retention of such
 reference;  and  (iii) the  legend  shall be  removed  in its  entirety  if the
 conditions  in the  preceding  clauses  (i) and  (ii) are  both  satisfied.  In
 addition,  such certificates  shall bear any other legend as may be required by
 law.

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

           3. Issuer agrees: (i) that it shall at all times maintain,  free from
 preemptive  rights,  sufficient  authorized but unissued or treasury  shares of
 Common  Stock  so  that  the  Option  may  be  exercised   without   additional
 authorization  of Common  Stock  after  giving  effect  to all  other  options,
 warrants,  convertible  securities  and other rights to purchase  Common Stock;
 (ii)  that it  will  not,  by  charter  amendment  or  through  reorganization,
 consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary
 act,  avoid  or seek to  avoid  the  observance  or  performance  of any of the
 covenants,  stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by
 Issuer;  (iii) promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required
 (including (x) complying with all premerger notification, reporting and waiting
 period  requirements  specified  in  15  U.S.C.  section  18a  and  regulations
 promulgated thereunder and (y) in the event, under the Bank Holding Company Act
 of 1956, as amended, the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, or any
 other federal or state banking law,  prior approval of or notice to the Federal
 Reserve Board, the OTS or to any state regulatory authority is necessary before
 the Option may be  exercised,  cooperating  fully with the Holder in  preparing
 such  applications  or notices and providing  such  information  to the Federal
 Reserve Board, the OTS or such state regulatory  authority as they may require)
 in order to permit the  Holder to  exercise  the  Option  and  Issuer  duly and
 effectively to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant hereto;  and (iv) promptly
 to take all action  provided herein to protect the rights of the Holder against
 dilution.


                                                        71

<PAGE>



           4. This Agreement (and the Option granted  hereby) are  exchangeable,
 without expense,  at the option of the Holder,  upon presentation and surrender
 of this  Agreement  at the  principal  office of Issuer,  for other  Agreements
 providing for Options of different  denominations  entitling the holder thereof
 to purchase,  on the same terms and subject to the same  conditions  as are set
 forth  herein,  in the  aggregate  the same  number of  shares of Common  Stock
 purchasable  hereunder.  The terms  "Agreement"  and  "Option"  as used  herein
 include  any Stock  Option  Agreements  and  related  Options  for  which  this
 Agreement  (and the Option  granted  hereby) may be exchanged.  Upon receipt by
 Issuer  of  evidence  reasonably   satisfactory  to  it  of  the  loss,  theft,
 destruction or mutilation of this Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or
 destruction) of reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and
 cancellation of this Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a
 new  Agreement  of like tenor and date.  Any such new  Agreement  executed  and
 delivered shall constitute an additional  contractual obligation on the part of
 Issuer,  whether or not the Agreement so lost,  stolen,  destroyed or mutilated
 shall at any time be enforceable by anyone.

           5. In  addition to the  adjustment  in the number of shares of Common
 Stock that are purchasable upon exercise of the Option pursuant to Section 1 of
 this  Agreement,  the  number of shares of Common  Stock  purchasable  upon the
 exercise of the Option and the Option Price shall be subject to adjustment from
 time to time as provided  in this  Section 5. In the event of any change in, or
 distributions  in respect  of, the Common  Stock by reason of stock  dividends,
 split-ups, mergers, recapitalizations, combinations, subdivisions, conversions,
 exchanges  of shares,  distributions  on or in respect of the Common Stock that
 would be prohibited under the terms of the Merger  Agreement,  or the like, the
 type and number of shares of Common Stock  purchasable upon exercise hereof and
 the Option Price shall be appropriately  adjusted in such manner as shall fully
 preserve the economic benefits provided hereunder and proper provision shall be
 made in any agreement governing any such transaction to provide for such proper
 adjustment and the full satisfaction of the Issuer's obligations hereunder.

           6. Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent  Triggering  Event that occurs
 prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall, at the request of Grantee
 (whether on its own behalf or on behalf of any subsequent holder of this Option
 (or part thereof) or any of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant  hereto)
 delivered within six months of such Subsequent Triggering Event (or such longer
 period as provided in Section 10),  promptly  prepare,  file and keep current a
 shelf  registration  statement  under the 1933 Act covering this Option and any
 shares issued

                                                        72

<PAGE>



 and issuable  pursuant to this Option and shall use its reasonable best efforts
 to cause such registration  statement to become effective and remain current in
 order to permit the sale or other  disposition of this Option and any shares of
 Common  Stock  issued upon total or partial  exercise  of this Option  ("Option
 Shares")  in  accordance  with any plan of  disposition  requested  by Grantee.
 Issuer  will  use its  reasonable  best  efforts  to  cause  such  registration
 statement  first to  become  effective  and then to remain  effective  for such
 period not in excess of 180 days from the day such registration statement first
 becomes effective or such shorter time as may be reasonably necessary to effect
 such sales or other  dispositions.  Grantee  shall have the right to demand two
 such  registrations.  The  foregoing  notwithstanding,  if,  at the time of any
 request by Grantee for  registration of the Option or Option Shares as provided
 above,  Issuer  is in  registration  with  respect  to an  underwritten  public
 offering of shares of Common  Stock,  and if in the good faith  judgment of the
 managing  underwriter  or  managing   underwriters,   or,  if  none,  the  sole
 underwriter  or  underwriters,  of such  offering the inclusion of the Holder's
 Option or Option Shares would  interfere with the  successful  marketing of the
 shares of Common Stock offered by Issuer, the number of Option Shares otherwise
 to be covered in the registration statement contemplated hereby may be reduced;
 provided,  however, that after any such required reduction the number of Option
 Shares to be included  in such  offering  for the  account of the Holder  shall
 constitute  at least 25% of the total number of shares to be sold by the Holder
 and  Issuer in the  aggregate;  and  provided  further,  however,  that if such
 reduction occurs,  then the Issuer shall file a registration  statement for the
 balance as promptly as practicable  and no reduction  shall  thereafter  occur.
 Each such Holder shall provide all information  reasonably  requested by Issuer
 for inclusion in any registration statement to be filed hereunder. If requested
 by any such Holder in connection with such registration,  Issuer shall become a
 party to any underwriting  agreement  relating to the sale of such shares,  but
 only  to the  extent  of  obligating  itself  in  respect  of  representations,
 warranties,  indemnities and other agreements customarily included in secondary
 offering  underwriting  agreements  for the Issuer.  Upon receiving any request
 under this Section 6 from any Holder,  Issuer  agrees to send a copy thereof to
 any other  person known to Issuer to be entitled to  registration  rights under
 this Section 6, in each case by promptly mailing the same, postage prepaid,  to
 the  address  of  record  of the  persons  entitled  to  receive  such  copies.
 Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained  herein, in no event shall
 Issuer be  obligated  to effect  more than two  registrations  pursuant to this
 Section 6 by reason of the fact that there  shall be more than one Grantee as a
 result of any assignment or division of this Agreement.

           7. (a) Immediately prior to the occurrence of a Repurchase Event

                                                        73

<PAGE>



 (as  defined  below) and prior to twelve  months  thereafter,  (i)  following a
 request of the Holder, delivered prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer
 (or any successor  thereto)  shall  repurchase  the Option from the Holder at a
 price  (the  "Option  Repurchase  Price")  equal to the amount by which (A) the
 Market/Offer Price (as defined below) exceeds (B) the Option Price,  multiplied
 by the number of shares for which this Option may then be exercised and (ii) at
 the  request  of the owner of Option  Shares  from time to time (the  "Owner"),
 delivered  within 90 days of such occurrence (or such longer period as provided
 in Section 10),  Issuer shall  repurchase such number of the Option Shares from
 the Owner as the Owner shall designate at a price (the "Option Share Repurchase
 Price")  equal to the  Market/Offer  Price  multiplied  by the number of Option
 Shares so designated.  The term "Market/Offer  Price" shall mean the highest of
 (i) the price per share of  Common  Stock at which a tender  offer or  exchange
 offer  therefor  has been made,  (ii) the price per share of Common Stock to be
 paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement with Issuer, (iii) the highest
 closing  price  for  shares  of  Common  Stock  within  the  six-month   period
 immediately  preceding  the  date  the  Holder  gives  notice  of the  required
 repurchase of this Option or the Owner gives notice of the required  repurchase
 of Option Shares,  as the case may be, or (iv) in the event of a sale of all or
 a  substantial  portion of Issuer's  assets,  the sum of the price paid in such
 sale for such assets and the current  market value of the  remaining  assets of
 Issuer  as  determined  by a  nationally  recognized  investment  banking  firm
 selected  by the  Holder  or the  Owner,  as the  case may be,  and  reasonably
 acceptable to Issuer, divided by the number of shares of Common Stock of Issuer
 outstanding at the time of such sale. In determining  the  Market/Offer  Price,
 the value of consideration  other than cash shall be determined by a nationally
 recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder or Owner, as the case
 may be, and reasonably acceptable to Issuer.

           (b) The Holder and the Owner,  as the case may be, may  exercise  its
 right to require Issuer to repurchase the Option and any Option Shares pursuant
 to this Section 7 by surrendering for such purpose to Issuer,  at its principal
 office,  this  Agreement or  certificates  for Option  Shares,  as  applicable,
 accompanied  by a written  notice or  notices  stating  that the  Holder or the
 Owner,  as the case may be, elects to require Issuer to repurchase  this Option
 and/or the Option Shares in accordance  with the  provisions of this Section 7.
 Within the latter to occur of (x) five business days after the surrender of the
 Option and/or  certificates  representing Option Shares and the receipt of such
 notice or notices relating  thereto and (y) the time that is immediately  prior
 to the  occurrence of a Repurchase  Event,  Issuer shall deliver or cause to be
 delivered  to the Holder the Option  Repurchase  Price  and/or to the Owner the
 Option Share Repurchase Price therefor or the portion thereof that

                                                        74

<PAGE>



 Issuer is not then  prohibited  under  applicable  law and  regulation  from so
 delivering.

           (c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited  under  applicable law or
 regulation  from  repurchasing  the Option  and/or  the Option  Shares in full,
 Issuer shall  immediately  so notify the Holder and/or the Owner and thereafter
 deliver or cause to be  delivered,  from time to time, to the Holder and/or the
 Owner,  as  appropriate,  the  portion of the Option  Repurchase  Price and the
 Option Share Repurchase  Price,  respectively,  that it is no longer prohibited
 from delivering, within five business days after the date on which Issuer is no
 longer so  prohibited;  provided,  however,  that if  Issuer at any time  after
 delivery of a notice of repurchase  pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 7
 is prohibited  under applicable law or regulation from delivering to the Holder
 and/or the Owner, as appropriate,  the Option  Repurchase  Price and the Option
 Share Repurchase Price, respectively,  in full (and Issuer hereby undertakes to
 use its best efforts to obtain all required  regulatory and legal approvals and
 to file any required  notices as promptly as practicable in order to accomplish
 such  repurchase),  the Holder or Owner may revoke its notice of  repurchase of
 the  Option  or the  Option  Shares  either  in whole or to the  extent  of the
 prohibition,  whereupon,  in the latter case, Issuer shall promptly (i) deliver
 to the Holder  and/or the Owner,  as  appropriate,  that  portion of the Option
 Repurchase  Price or the  Option  Share  Repurchase  Price  that  Issuer is not
 prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate, either (A) to the
 Holder,  a new Stock  Option  Agreement  evidencing  the right of the Holder to
 purchase  that number of shares of Common  Stock  obtained by  multiplying  the
 number  of shares of Common  Stock  for  which  the  surrendered  Stock  Option
 Agreement was  exercisable  at the time of delivery of the notice of repurchase
 by a fraction,  the numerator of which is the Option  Repurchase Price less the
 portion  thereof  theretofore  delivered to the Holder and the  denominator  of
 which is the Option  Repurchase  Price,  or (B) to the Owner, a certificate for
 the Option Shares it is then so prohibited from repurchasing.

           (d) For  purposes  of this  Section 7, a  Repurchase  Event  shall be
 deemed to have occurred (i) upon the consummation of any merger,  consolidation
 or  similar  transaction  involving  Issuer  or any  purchase,  lease  or other
 acquisition of all or a substantial portion of the assets of Issuer, other than
 any such  transaction  which would not  constitute an  Acquisition  Transaction
 pursuant to the provisos to Section 2(b)(i) hereof or (ii) upon the acquisition
 by any person of  beneficial  ownership of 50% or more of the then  outstanding
 shares  of  Common  Stock,  provided  that no such  event  shall  constitute  a
 Repurchase Event unless a Subsequent Triggering Event shall have occurred prior
 to an Exercise  Termination  Event.  The  parties  hereto  agree that  Issuer's
 obligations to repurchase

                                                        75

<PAGE>



 the Option or Option Shares under this Section 7 shall not  terminate  upon the
 occurrence of an Exercise  Termination  Event unless no  Subsequent  Triggering
 Event shall have occurred  prior to the  occurrence of an Exercise  Termination
 Event.

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

           (b) The following terms have the meanings indicated:

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

               (2) "Substitute  Common Stock" shall mean the common stock issued
      by the issuer of the  Substitute  Option upon  exercise of the  Substitute
      Option.

               (3)  "Assigned  Value"  shall mean the Market/  Offer  Price,  as
      defined in Section 7.

               (4)  "Average  Price" shall mean the average  closing  price of a
      share  of the  Substitute  Common  Stock  for  the  one  year  immediately
      preceding the consolidation,  merger or sale in question,  but in no event
      higher than the closing price of the shares of Substitute

                                                        76

<PAGE>



      Common  Stock on the day  preceding  such  consolidation,  merger or sale;
      provided  that if  Issuer  is the  issuer of the  Substitute  Option,  the
      Average  Price shall be computed  with  respect to a share of common stock
      issued by the person  merging into Issuer or by any company which controls
      or is controlled by such person, as the Holder may elect.

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

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

           (e) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing  paragraphs,  shall
 the  Substitute  Option be  exercisable  for more than  19.9% of the  shares of
 Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the Substitute Option.
 In the event that the  Substitute  Option  would be  exercisable  for more than
 19.9% of the shares of Substitute  Common Stock  outstanding  prior to exercise
 but for this clause (e), the issuer of the Substitute  Option (the  "Substitute
 Option  Issuer") shall make a cash payment to Holder equal to the excess of (i)
 the value of the  Substitute  Option without giving effect to the limitation in
 this  clause  (e) over (ii) the value of the  Substitute  Option  after  giving
 effect to the limitation in this clause (e). This  difference in value shall be
 determined by a nationally  recognized  investment banking firm selected by the
 Holder or the  Owner,  as the case may be,  and  reasonably  acceptable  to the
 Acquiring Corporation.

           (f)  Issuer  shall  not  enter  into  any  transaction  described  in
 subsection  (a) of this  Section 8 unless  the  Acquiring  Corporation  and any
 person  that  controls  the  Acquiring  Corporation  assume in writing  all the
 obligations of Issuer hereunder.


                                                        77

<PAGE>



           9. (a) At the  request of the holder of the  Substitute  Option  (the
 "Substitute Option Holder"),  the Substitute Option Issuer shall repurchase the
 Substitute Option from the Substitute Option Holder at a price (the "Substitute
 Option Repurchase  Price") equal to the amount by which (i) the Highest Closing
 Price  (as  hereinafter  defined)  exceeds  (ii)  the  exercise  price  of  the
 Substitute  Option,  multiplied  by the number of shares of  Substitute  Common
 Stock for which the Substitute Option may then be exercised, and at the request
 of the owner (the  "Substitute  Share  Owner") of shares of  Substitute  Common
 Stock (the "Substitute Shares"),  the Substitute Option Issuer shall repurchase
 the Substitute  Shares at a price (the  "Substitute  Share  Repurchase  Price")
 equal to the  Highest  Closing  Price  multiplied  by the number of  Substitute
 Shares so designated.  The term "Highest  Closing Price" shall mean the highest
 closing price for shares of Substitute Common Stock within the six-month period
 immediately preceding the date the Substitute Option Holder gives notice of the
 required  repurchase of the  Substitute  Option or the  Substitute  Share Owner
 gives  notice  of  the  required   repurchase  of  the  Substitute  Shares,  as
 applicable.

           (b) The Substitute  Option Holder and the Substitute  Share Owner, as
 the case may be, may exercise its  respective  right to require the  Substitute
 Option Issuer to repurchase  the Substitute  Option and the  Substitute  Shares
 pursuant to this Section 9 by  surrendering  for such purpose to the Substitute
 Option  Issuer,  at its principal  office,  the  agreement for such  Substitute
 Option (or, in the absence of such an agreement,  a copy of this Agreement) and
 certificates for Substitute  Shares  accompanied by a written notice or notices
 stating that the Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share Owner, as the
 case may be, elects to require the  Substitute  Option Issuer to repurchase the
 Substitute   Option  and/or  the  Substitute  Shares  in  accordance  with  the
 provisions  of this  Section 9. As  promptly as  practicable,  and in any event
 within five business days after the surrender of the  Substitute  Option and/or
 certificates  representing  Substitute Shares and the receipt of such notice or
 notices relating  thereto,  the Substitute Option Issuer shall deliver or cause
 to  be  delivered  to  the  Substitute  Option  Holder  the  Substitute  Option
 Repurchase  Price and/or to the  Substitute  Share Owner the  Substitute  Share
 Repurchase  Price  therefor or, in either case,  the portion  thereof which the
 Substitute  Option  Issuer  is not then  prohibited  under  applicable  law and
 regulation from so delivering.

           (c) To the extent that the  Substitute  Option  Issuer is  prohibited
 under  applicable law or regulation  from  repurchasing  the Substitute  Option
 and/or the Substitute  Shares in part or in full, the Substitute  Option Issuer
 following a request for repurchase pursuant to this Section 9 shall immediately
 so notify the Substitute Option Holder

                                                        78

<PAGE>



 and/ or the  Substitute  Share  Owner  and  thereafter  deliver  or cause to be
 delivered,  from time to time,  to the  Substitute  Option  Holder  and/or  the
 Substitute  Share Owner,  as appropriate,  the portion of the Substitute  Share
 Repurchase  Price,  respectively,   which  it  is  no  longer  prohibited  from
 delivering,  within five business  days after the date on which the  Substitute
 Option  Issuer is no  longer  so  prohibited;  provided,  however,  that if the
 Substitute  Option  Issuer  is at  any  time  after  delivery  of a  notice  of
 repurchase  pursuant  to  subsection  (b) of this  Section 9  prohibited  under
 applicable law or regulation  from  delivering to the Substitute  Option Holder
 and/or the  Substitute  Share Owner,  as  appropriate,  the  Substitute  Option
 Repurchase Price and the Substitute Share Repurchase  Price,  respectively,  in
 full (and the  Substitute  Option  Issuer shall use its best efforts to receive
 all required regulatory and legal approvals as promptly as practicable in order
 to accomplish  such  repurchase),  the  Substitute  Option Holder or Substitute
 Share Owner may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Substitute Option or the
 Substitute  Shares  either  in  whole  or to the  extent  of  the  prohibition,
 whereupon,  in the latter case, the Substitute Option Issuer shall promptly (i)
 deliver  to  the  Substitute  Option  Holder  or  Substitute  Share  Owner,  as
 appropriate,  that portion of the  Substitute  Option  Repurchase  Price or the
 Substitute  Share  Repurchase  Price that the  Substitute  Option Issuer is not
 prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate, either (A) to the
 Substitute  Option Holder, a new Substitute  Option evidencing the right of the
 Substitute  Option Holder to purchase  that number of shares of the  Substitute
 Common Stock  obtained by  multiplying  the number of shares of the  Substitute
 Common Stock for which the surrendered Substitute Option was exercisable at the
 time of delivery of the notice of  repurchase  by a fraction,  the numerator of
 which is the  Substitute  Option  Repurchase  Price  less the  portion  thereof
 theretofore  delivered to the Substitute  Option Holder and the  denominator of
 which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price, or (B) to the Substitute Share
 Owner, a certificate for the Substitute  Common Shares it is then so prohibited
 from repurchasing.

           10. The 90-day or  six-month  period for  exercise of certain  rights
 under Sections 2, 6, 7 and 14 shall be extended: (i) to the extent necessary to
 obtain all  regulatory  approvals for the exercise of such rights,  and for the
 expiration of all statutory  waiting periods;  and (ii) to the extent necessary
 to avoid  liability  under  Section  16(b) of the  1934 Act by  reason  of such
 exercise.

           11. Issuer hereby represents and warrants to Grantee as follows:

           (a) Issuer has full  corporate  power and  authority  to execute  and
 deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions  contemplated hereby.
 The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation

                                                        79

<PAGE>



 of the transactions  contemplated  hereby have been duly and validly authorized
 by the Board of Directors of Issuer and no other  corporate  proceedings on the
 part of Issuer are necessary to authorize  this  Agreement or to consummate the
 transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
 and delivered by Issuer.

           (b) Issuer has taken all necessary  corporate action to authorize and
 reserve  and to  permit  it to issue,  and at all  times  from the date  hereof
 through the  termination  of this  Agreement in accordance  with its terms will
 have  reserved  for issuance  upon the  exercise of the Option,  that number of
 shares of Common Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock at
 any time and from time to time issuable  hereunder,  and all such shares,  upon
 issuance pursuant hereto, will be duly authorized,  validly issued, fully paid,
 nonassessable,  and will be  delivered  free and  clear of all  claims,  liens,
 encumbrance and security interests and not subject to any preemptive rights.

           (c) Issuer has taken all action (including if required  redeeming all
 of the Rights or  amending or  terminating  the Rights  Agreement)  so that the
 entering into of this Option  Agreement,  the  acquisition  of shares of Common
 Stock hereunder and the other transactions  contemplated hereby do not and will
 not result in the grant of any rights to any person under the Rights  Agreement
 or enable or require the Rights to be exercised, distributed or triggered.

           12. Grantee hereby represents and warrants to Issuer that:

           (a) Grantee has all requisite  corporate power and authority to enter
 into this  Agreement  and,  subject to any  approvals  or consents  referred to
 herein, to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby. The execution and
 delivery  of  this  Agreement  and  the   consummation   of  the   transactions
 contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
 on the part of Grantee.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
 Grantee.

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

           13. (a) Grantee  may, at any time  following a  Repurchase  Event and
 prior to the occurrence of an Exercise  Termination Event (or such later period
 as provided in Section 10),  relinquish  the Option  (together  with any Option
 Shares issued to and then owned by Grantee) to Issuer in

                                                        80

<PAGE>



 exchange  for a cash fee  equal to the  Surrender  Price  (as  defined  below);
 provided,  however,  that Grantee may not exercise its rights  pursuant to this
 Section 13 if Issuer has repurchased the Option (or any portion thereof) or any
 Option Shares  pursuant to Section 7. The  "Surrender  Price" shall be equal to
 $13,880,000 (i) plus, if applicable,  Grantee's  purchase price with respect to
 any Option Shares and (ii) minus,  if applicable,  the sum of (A) the excess of
 (1) the net cash  amounts,  if any,  received by Grantee  pursuant to the arms'
 length sale of Option  Shares (or any other  securities  into which such Option
 Shares  were  converted  or  exchanged)  to any  unaffiliated  party,  over (2)
 Grantee's purchase price of such Option Shares and (B) the net cash amounts, if
 any,  received by Grantee  pursuant to an arms' length sale of a portion of the
 Option to any unaffiliated party.

           (b) Grantee may exercise its right to  relinquish  the Option and any
 Option Shares  pursuant to this Section 13 by  surrendering  to Issuer,  at its
 principal office,  this Agreement together with certificates for Option Shares,
 if any,  accompanied  by a written  notice  stating (i) that Grantee  elects to
 relinquish  the  Option and  Option  Shares,  if any,  in  accordance  with the
 provisions of this Section 13 and (ii) the Surrender Price. The Surrender Price
 shall be  payable  in  immediately  available  funds on or  before  the  second
 business day following receipt of such notice by Issuer.

           (c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited  under  applicable law or
 regulation,  or as a  consequence  of  administrative  policy,  from paying the
 Surrender Price to Grantee in full,  Issuer shall immediately so notify Grantee
 and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to Grantee,
 the portion of the Surrender Price that it is no longer prohibited from paying,
 within  five  business  days  after  the date on which  Issuer  is no longer so
 prohibited,  provided,  however, that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a
 notice of surrender  pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 13 is prohibited
 under  applicable  law or  regulation,  or as a consequence  of  administrative
 policy,  from paying to Grantee the Surrender  Price in full,  (i) Issuer shall
 (A) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory and legal
 approvals and to file any required  notices as promptly as practicable in order
 to make such payments, (B) within five days of the submission or receipt of any
 documents relating to any such regulatory and legal approvals,  provide Grantee
 with copies of the same, and (c) keep Grantee advised of both the status of any
 such request for regulatory  and legal  approvals,  as well as any  discussions
 with any relevant  regulatory  or other third party  reasonably  related to the
 same and (ii)  Grantee  may revoke such  notice of  surrender  by delivery of a
 notice of revocation to Issuer and, upon delivery of such notice of revocation,
 the Exercise Termination Date shall

                                                        81

<PAGE>



 be  extended  to a date  six  months  from  the  date  on  which  the  Exercise
 Termination  Date would have occurred if not for the provisions of this Section
 13(c)  (during which period  Grantee may exercise any of its rights  hereunder,
 including any and all rights pursuant to this Section 13).

           14.  Neither  of the  parties  hereto may assign any of its rights or
 obligations  under this Agreement or the Option created  hereunder to any other
 person,  without the express written consent of the other party, except that in
 the  event a  Subsequent  Triggering  Event  shall  have  occurred  prior to an
 Exercise Termination Event, Grantee,  subject to the express provisions hereof,
 may assign in whole or in part its rights and obligations  hereunder  within 90
 days  following  such  Subsequent  Triggering  Event (or such longer  period as
 provided  in  Section  10);  provided,  however,  that  until  the date 15 days
 following  the  date  on  which  the  Federal  Reserve  Board  or the  OTS,  as
 applicable,  approves an application by Grantee to acquire the shares of Common
 Stock subject to the Option, Grantee may not assign its rights under the Option
 except in (i) a widely dispersed public distribution,  (ii) a private placement
 in which no one party  acquires  the right to  purchase  in excess of 2% of the
 voting shares of Issuer,  (iii) an assignment to a single party (e.g., a broker
 or investment  banker) for the purpose of conducting a widely  dispersed public
 distribution  on Grantee's  behalf,  or (iv) any other  manner  approved by the
 Federal Reserve Board or the OTS, as applicable.

           15. Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its best  efforts to make all
 filings with,  and to obtain  consents of, all third  parties and  governmental
 authorities  necessary to the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by
 this Agreement,  including without  limitation  making  application to list the
 shares of Common  Stock  issuable  hereunder  on the  National  Association  of
 Securities Dealers Automated  Quotation/National Market Securities (NASDAQ/NMS)
 upon  official  notice of issuance  and applying to the Federal  Reserve  Board
 and/or the OTS, as  applicable,  for  approval  to acquire the shares  issuable
 hereunder,  but  Grantee  shall  not be  obligated  to apply  to state  banking
 authorities  for  approval  to  acquire  the  shares of Common  Stock  issuable
 hereunder until such time, if ever, as it deems appropriate to do so.

           16. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,  in no
 event  shall  the  Grantee's  Total  Profit  (as  hereinafter  defined)  exceed
 $17,350,000 and, if it otherwise would exceed such amount, the Grantee,  at its
 sole  election,  shall  either (i) reduce the number of shares of Common  Stock
 subject to this  Option,  (ii)  deliver to the Issuer for  cancellation  Option
 Shares previously  purchased by Grantee,  (iii) pay cash to the Issuer, or (iv)
 any combination thereof, so that Grantee's actually realized Total Profit shall
 not exceed $17,350,000 after taking

                                                        82

<PAGE>



 into account the foregoing actions.

           (b)  Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this  Agreement,  this
 Option may not be exercised for a number of shares as would,  as of the date of
 exercise,  result in a Notional  Total  Profit (as defined  below) of more than
 $17,350,000;  provided,  that  nothing  in this  sentence  shall  restrict  any
 exercise of the Option permitted hereby on any subsequent date.

           (c) As used herein,  the term "Total Profit" shall mean the aggregate
 amount  (before  taxes) of the  following:  (i) the amount  received by Grantee
 pursuant to Issuer's repurchase of the Option (or any portion thereof) pursuant
 to Section 7 of this Agreement, (ii)(x) the amount received by Grantee pursuant
 to Issuer's  repurchase  of Option  Shares  pursuant to Section 7, less (y) the
 Grantee's purchase price for such Option Shares,  (iii)(x) the net cash amounts
 received  by  Grantee  pursuant  to the sale of  Option  Shares  (or any  other
 securities  into which such Option  Shares are  converted or  exchanged) to any
 unaffiliated  party,  less (y) the  Grantee's  purchase  price  of such  Option
 Shares,  (iv) any amounts received by Grantee on the transfer of the Option (or
 any portion thereof) to any unaffiliated  party, and (v) any equivalent  amount
 with respect to the Substitute Option.

           (d) As used herein,  the term "Notional Total Profit" with respect to
 any number of shares as to which  Grantee may  propose to exercise  this Option
 shall be the Total Profit  determined as of the date of such proposed  exercise
 assuming that this Option were exercised on such date for such number of shares
 and assuming  that such shares,  together  with all other Option Shares held by
 Grantee and its  affiliates as of such date,  were sold for cash at the closing
 market price for the Common Stock as of the close of business on the  preceding
 trading day (less customary brokerage commissions).

           17.  The  parties  hereto   acknowledge  that  damages  would  be  an
 inadequate  remedy for a breach of this  Agreement  by either  party hereto and
 that the obligations of the parties hereto shall be enforceable by either party
 hereto through injunctive or other equitable relief.

           18. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this
 Agreement  is held by a court  or a  federal  or  state  regulatory  agency  of
 competent  jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable,  the remainder of
 the  terms,  provisions  and  covenants  and  restrictions  contained  in  this
 Agreement  shall  remain  in full  force  and  effect,  and  shall in no way be
 affected,  impaired or invalidated.  If for any reason such court or regulatory
 agency determines that the Holder is not

                                                        83

<PAGE>



 permitted  to acquire,  or Issuer is not  permitted to  repurchase  pursuant to
 Section 7, the full number of shares of Common  Stock  provided in Section 1(a)
 hereof (as adjusted  pursuant to Section  1(b) or 5 hereof),  it is the express
 intention  of Issuer to allow the Holder to  acquire  or to  require  Issuer to
 repurchase  such  lesser  number of shares as may be  permissible,  without any
 amendment or modification hereof.

           19. All notices,  requests,  claims, demands and other communications
 hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person,  by
 cable, telegram, telecopy or telex, or by registered or certified mail (postage
 prepaid,  return receipt requested) at the respective  addresses of the parties
 set forth in the Merger Agreement.

           20. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in accordance
 with the laws of the  State of  Delaware,  regardless  of the laws  that  might
 otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

           21. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which
 shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of which shall  constitute  one and
 the same agreement.

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

           23. Except as otherwise  expressly  provided  herein or in the Merger
 Agreement,  this Agreement  contains the entire  agreement  between the parties
 with respect to the  transactions  contemplated  hereunder and  supersedes  all
 prior arrangements or understandings with respect thereof, written or oral. The
 terms and  conditions  of this  Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of and be
 binding upon the parties hereto and their  respective  successors and permitted
 assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer
 upon any party, other than the parties hereto, and their respective  successors
 and permitted assigns, any rights,  remedies,  obligations or liabilities under
 or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.

           24.  Capitalized  terms used in this Agreement and not defined herein
 shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Merger Agreement.



                                                        84

<PAGE>



           IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  each of the parties has caused this Agreement to
 be executed on its behalf by its officers thereunto duly authorized,  all as of
 the date first above written.


                                       RELIANCE BANCORP, INC.


                                       By:  /s/ Raymond A. Nielsen
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Raymond A. Nielsen
                                          President and Chief Executive
                                            Officer


                                       NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.


                                       By:  /s/ John Adam Kanas
                                          --------------------------------
                                          John Adam Kanas
                                          Chairman of the Board, President
                                            and Chief Executive Officer


                                                       85




                          EXHIBIT 99.1

RELIANCE BANCORP, INC.
585 STEWART AVENUE                                                (516) 222-9300
GARDEN CITY, NY 11530                                    FAX:     (516) 222-1997

                                                                  NEWS RELEASE

For Information Contact:
Reliance Bancorp, Inc.                  North Fork Bancorporation
Paul D. Hagan                           Daniel M. Healy
Senior Vice President and CFO           Executive Vice President & CFO
(516) 222-9308 extension 215            (516) 844-1258


                   NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC. TO PURCHASE
                             RELIANCE BANCORP, INC.
              IN A COMMON STOCK TRANSACTION VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY
                                  $352 MILLION

     Melville,  N.Y. - August 30,  1999 - Reliance  Bancorp,  Inc.  (NASDAQ/NMS:
RELY) and North Fork  Bancorporation,  Inc. (NYSE:  NFB) jointly announced today
that  they  have  signed  a  definitive  merger  agreement  whereby  North  Fork
Bancorporation,  Inc.  ("North  Fork")  would  acquire  Reliance  Bancorp,  Inc.
("Reliance") in a stock-for-stock  merger valued at approximately  $352 million.
Reliance Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Reliance Federal Savings Bank,
a savings  institution with banking locations in the Queens,  Nassau and Suffolk
counties of New York,  all of which are located  within  North  Fork's  existing
marketplace.  Under the terms of the  agreement,  each share of Reliance will be
converted  into North Fork common stock at a fixed exchange ratio of 2 shares of
North Fork for each share of  Reliance.  In  connection  with this  transaction,
North Fork  simultaneously  announced  that its Board of Directors  approved the
purchase  of up to fifty  percent  (50%) of the common  shares  issuable  in the
acquisition  or 8.5 million North Fork shares.  Purchases will be made from time
to time in open market or in privately  negotiated  transactions  preceding  the
closing of the  Reliance  transaction  which is  expected  to occur in the first
quarter of 2000.  The  acquisition  will be treated as a purchase for  financial
reporting   purposes  and  will  be  a  tax-free   reorganization  for  Reliance
shareholders.  Approximately  17  million  common  shares of North  Fork will be
issued.  The  exchange  ratio was based  upon the  price of North  Fork's  stock
utilizing  its  closing  price on August 27, 1999 of $19.06 for a total value to
Reliance  shareholders of $38.12 per share.  The closing price of Reliance stock
on that  date  was  $33.88.  The  merger  is  subject  to  customary  regulatory
approvals,  the approval from Reliance  shareholders and will close  immediately
preceding North Fork's pending  acquisition of JSB Financial,  Inc. (NYSE: JSB),
the parent of Jamaica  Savings Bank, FSB, that was announced on August 16, 1999.
Due diligence by both companies has been completed.  The agreement provides that
North Fork receives an option to acquire up to 19.9% of  Reliance's  outstanding
shares at $29.00 per share should certain events occur. Also, Reliance

                                                        86

<PAGE>



has a right to terminate the agreement  should the closing price of North Fork's
shares decline beyond a specified  price and index,  unless North Fork elects to
increase the exchange ratio.

     At June 30, 1999,  Reliance,  with 29 banking offices,  had total assets of
$2.5 billion, deposits of $1.6 billion and shareholders' equity of $172 million.
Raymond A. Nielsen,  President and Chief Executive Officer of Reliance will join
North  Fork's  Board of  Directors.  "Our  primary  motivation  has always  been
directed toward building  shareholder value. The opportunity to merge with North
Fork, a company  dedicated to creating and  building  shareholder  value,  was a
compelling  reason for our decision to merge with North Fork. We see nothing but
greater  opportunities  for our  shareholders,  customers and the communities we
serve," said Mr. Nielsen.

     On a pro forma basis the combined companies will have total assets of $15.5
billion,  deposits of $9.2 billion and shareholders' equity of $1.2 billion. The
pro forma stated and tangible book value will be approximately  $7.22 and $5.17,
respectively which assumes the 50% share repurchase in the Reliance transaction.
The pro forma  leverage  ratio will be  approximately  7.43%.  At June 30, 1999,
North  Fork on a  separate  company  basis  had total  assets of $11.5  billion,
deposits of $6.5 billion and shareholders' equity of $804 million. On that date,
its stated and  tangible  book value and  leverage  ratio were 5.79%,  5.20% and
8.50%,  respectively.  North Fork  indicated  the  accretion  from the  Reliance
transaction  is expected to be earnings per share  ("EPS")  accretive  for North
Fork in excess of the  previously  announced  estimates  of accretion in the JSB
acquisition from both a generally  accepted  accounting  principal or GAAP basis
and from a cash basis of reporting  EPS.  North Fork has also indicated that the
accretion from the Reliance merger will come from  anticipated  cost savings and
revenue  enhancements  without giving effect to leveraging any excess of the pro
forma   capitalization   and  a  number  of  branch   closures   are   expected.

     Reliance Bancorp,  Inc. and Reliance Federal Savings Bank are headquartered
in Garden City, New York.  Reliance Federal is a community bank  specializing in
providing deposit and credit services for its consumer and commercial customers.
Additional  information on the Company and Bank can be found on our Internet web
site at www.reliance-federal.com.

     This  release may contain  certain  forward-looking  statements  and may be
identified  by the use of  such  words  as  "believe,"  "expect,"  "anticipate,"
"should," "planned,"  "estimated," and "potential."  Examples of forward looking
statements  include,  but are not  limited  to,  estimates  with  respect to the
financial condition,  results of operations and business of the Company that are
subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially
from these  estimates.  These factors  include,  but are not limited to, general
economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real
estate values, and competition;  changes in accounting principles,  policies, or
guidelines;   changes  in  legislation  or  regulation;   and  other   economic,
competitive,  governmental,  regulatory, and technological factors affecting the
Company's operations, pricing, products, and services.

                                                       87


                                                  Exhibit 99.2

RELIANCE BANCORP, INC.
585 STEWART AVENUE                                    (516) 222-9300
GARDEN CITY, NY 11530                        FAX:     (516) 222-1997

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                       July 22, 1999
                                             For Information Contact:
                                             Paul D. Hagan
                                             Senior Vice President and CFO
                                             (516) 222-9308 extension 215


                RELIANCE BANCORP, INC. REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND
                          FISCAL YEAR END 1999 RESULTS

Garden City, New York, July 22, 1999

Reliance  Bancorp,  Inc.  (NASDAQ/NMS:RELY),  the holding  company for  Reliance
Federal Savings Bank,  today reported net income of $5.1 million for the quarter
ended June 30, 1999,  an increase of $642,000,  or 14.4%,  from $4.4 million for
the prior year  quarter  ended June 30,  1998.  On a diluted  earnings per share
basis,  earnings  rose 28.3% to $0.59 for the  quarter  ended June 30, 1999 from
$0.46 for the prior year quarter ended June 30, 1998. Return on average tangible
equity increased 19.2% to 16.36% for the quarter ended June 30, 1999 from 13.72%
for the quarter  ended June 30, 1998.  Net income for the fiscal year ended June
30, 1999 was $20.2  million,  an increase of $1.4 million,  or 7.6%,  from $18.7
million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998. On a diluted earnings per share
basis,  earnings rose 13.6% to $2.26 for the year ended June 30, 1999 from $1.99
for the prior year ended June 30, 1998.

Cash earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 1999 were $6.7 million, an increase
of $330,000,  or 5.1% from $6.4 million recorded in the prior year quarter. On a
diluted cash earnings per share basis,  earnings rose 18.2% to $0.78 per diluted
cash  earnings  per share from $0.66  recorded in the prior year  quarter.  Cash
earnings  for the year ended June 30,  1999 were $27.2  million,  an increase of
$1.3 million, or 4.9% from $25.9 million recorded in the prior fiscal year. On a
diluted cash earnings per share basis,  earnings rose 10.9% to $3.05 per diluted
cash  earnings  per share from $2.75  recorded  in the prior  fiscal  year.  The
Company's cash earnings are  determined by adding back to reported  earnings the
non-cash  expenses  related to the allocation of ESOP ("Employee Stock Ownership
Plan") stock and the earned portion of RRP  ("Recognition  and Retention  Plan")
stock,  net of associated tax benefits,  and amortization of excess of cost over
fair value of net assets acquired ("goodwill").

As of June 30, 1999, total assets were $2.5 billion,  deposits were $1.5 billion
and total stockholders' equity was $171.7 million. At June 30, 1999, the Company
had 8,586,210  common shares  outstanding  with a tangible book value per common
share of $13.66.

On June 16,  1999,  the Board of Directors  declared a regular cash  dividend of
$0.21 per common share for the quarter  ending June 30,  1999.  The dividend was
paid on July 16, 1999 to stockholders of record on July 2, 1999.



<PAGE>




Net  income  was  $5.1  million  for the  quarter  ended  June 30,  1999,  which
represents an annualized return on average assets and average tangible equity of
0.83% and 16.36%,  respectively.  Net interest income increased to $17.0 million
for the quarter  ended June 30,  1999,  an increase of $253,000,  or 1.5%,  from
$16.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 1998.  The increase in net interest
income was attributable to the growth in average interest-earning assets to $2.4
billion  for the quarter  ended June 30, 1999 from $2.2  billion for the quarter
ended June 30, 1998. The growth in average interest-earning assets resulted from
increased  investments  in  mortgage-backed  securities.  As a result of a lower
interest  rate  environment,   coupled  with  accelerated  loan  and  securities
prepayments,  partially  offset by an overall  decline in deposit and  borrowing
costs,  and the leveraging of the proceeds from the trust preferred  securities,
the Bank's net interest spread declined to 2.59% from 2.79% and its net interest
margin declined to 2.89% from 3.09%,  respectively,  for the quarters ended June
30,  1999  and  1998.  For the  quarter  ended  June  30,  1999,  the  yield  on
interest-earning  assets was 6.89% and the cost of interest-bearing  liabilities
was 4.30% as compared to 7.36% and 4.57%,  respectively,  for the quarter  ended
June 30, 1998.

For the quarter  ended June 30,  1999,  the Company  had no  provision  for loan
losses as compared to $150,000 in the prior fiscal year quarter. The decrease in
the provision is due to the lower level of non-performing loans.

Non-interest income increased $493,000, or 24.9%, to $2.5 million in the quarter
ended June 30, 1999 from $2.0 million in the prior year quarter. The increase is
mainly the result of additional fee income from annuity sales, ATM transactions,
money  center  fees and loan  prepayment  penalties.  In  addition,  the Company
recognized  $100,000 in securities  gains during the quarter ended June 30, 1999
primarily from the sale of debt and equity securities.

Non-interest  expense totaled $10.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 1999,
a decrease of $122,000,  or 1.2% from $10.4  million  recorded in the prior year
quarter.  As a result of an increased asset base and limited expense growth, the
general and  administrative  expenses to average  assets ratio improved to 1.49%
from 1.60% in the prior year period. The slight decrease in non-interest expense
is mainly due to lower  compensation and benefits expense offset by increases in
advertising  and  other  general  and  administrative  costs.  Compensation  and
benefits expense decreased  $600,000,  or 10.8%, to $4.9 million for the quarter
ended June 30, 1999 from $5.5 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease in
compensation  and  benefits is due to reduced  costs  associated  with  employee
benefit plans.  Advertising  increased $181,000, or 62.4%, for the quarter ended
June 30,  1999 as a result of the Bank  promoting  its new call  center for home
equity lending and other consumer loans.

                            Fiscal year ended Results

Net income for the fiscal  year  ended  June 30,  1999 was $20.2  million  which
represents an annualized return on average assets and average tangible equity of
0.81% and 16.40%,  respectively.  Net interest income increased to $69.3 million
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999, an increase of $2.3  million,  or 3.5%,
from $67.0 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998.  The increase in net
interest  income was  attributable  to the  growth in  average  interest-earning
assets to $2.3 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 from $2.0 billion
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998. The growth in  interest-earning  assets
resulted  from  assets  acquired  from  the  Continental  Bank  acquisition  and
increased  purchases of  mortgage-backed  and debt securities.  As a result of a
lower interest rate  environment,  coupled with  accelerated loan and securities
prepayments,  partially  offset by an slight  decline in deposit  and  borrowing
costs,  and the  leveraging  of the $50  million  of  proceeds  from  the  trust
preferred securities that were issued in April 1998,



<PAGE>



the net interest  rate spread  declined to 2.67% from 2.98% and the net interest
margin  declined  to 2.95% from 3.28%,  respectively,  for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1999 and 1998. The yield on  interest-earning  assets was 7.13% for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was
4.46% as  compared to 7.52% and 4.54%,  respectively,  for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1998.

For the year ended June 30,  1999,  the  Company  provision  for loan losses was
$650,000 as compared to $1.7 million in the prior  fiscal year.  The decrease in
the provision is due to the lower level of non-performing loans.

Non-interest  expense  totalled $41.0 million for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1999 as compared to $39.7  million for the fiscal year ended June 30,  1998,  an
increase of $1.3 million,  or 3.3%.  Occupancy and equipment  expense  increased
$533,000,  or 8.2%, from $6.5 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 to
$7.1  million  for the fiscal year ended June 30,  1999  primarily  due to costs
associated  with the full year  operation  of two new  banking  offices and five
check cashing facilities which were acquired from Continental Bank.

For the  fiscal  year ended  June 30,  1999,  real  estate  operations,  net was
$111,000  as compared to $218,000  in the prior  fiscal  year.  The  decrease is
mainly the result of a lower  provision for REO losses and lower expenses due to
faster  disposition  of  properties  during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999, the Bank established a provision for
REO losses of $34,500 as compared to $93,000 in the prior fiscal year.

                               Financial Condition

As of June 30, 1999, total assets were $2.5 billion, a decrease of $34.0 million
from June 30, 1998.  Investment  securities  decreased $24.1 million,  or 13.8%,
from  $175.1  million at June 30,  1998 to $151.0  million at June 30, 1999 as a
result of sales and calls of debt securities.

Deposits decreased $78.9 million, or 4.8%, during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1999 as a result  of a  reduction  in  certificate  of  deposit  products  while
borrowings  increased $72.2 million,  or 11.5%,  from $630.2 million at June 30,
1998 to $702.4 million at June 30, 1999 as a result of additional FHLB advances.

Treasury stock increased from $24.0 million at June 30, 1998 to $50.6 million at
June 30, 1999 as a result of 1.0 million shares repurchased net of stock options
exercised during the fiscal year ended.  During the quarter ended June 30, 1999,
the Company repurchased 110,000 shares at an aggregate cost of $3.1 million.

Non-performing assets

Non-performing  loans totaled $6.6 million,  or 0.67% of total loans at June 30,
1999 as compared to $9.3  million,  or 0.95% of total  loans,  at June 30, 1998.
Non-performing  loans at June 30, 1999 were  comprised  of $4.0 million of loans
secured by one- to  four-family  residences,  $1.9  million of  commercial  real
estate loans,  $433,000 of commercial  loans and $255,000 of guaranteed  student
and other loans.

For the quarter  ended June 30,  1999,  the Company  had no  provision  for loan
losses due to the improved level of  non-performing  loans.  For the fiscal year
ended June 30,  1999,  the  Company's  loan loss  provision  was  $650,000.  Net
charge-offs were $203,000 and $471,000, respectively, for the quarter and fiscal
year ended June 30, 1999. The Company's  allowance for loan losses totalled $9.1
million at June 30, 1999 as



<PAGE>



compared to $8.9 million at June 30, 1998 which  represents a ratio of allowance
for loan losses to non-performing  loans and to total loans of 139.08% and 0.93%
at June 30, 1999  compared to 96.12% and 0.91% at June 30,  1998,  respectively.
Management  believes the  allowance for loan losses at June 30, 1999 is adequate
and   sufficient   reserves  are   presently   maintained  to  cover  losses  on
non-performing loans.

Reliance  Bancorp,  Inc. and Reliance Federal Savings Bank are  headquartered in
Garden City,  New York.  Reliance  Federal is a community bank  specializing  in
providing deposit and credit services for its consumer and commercial customers.
Reliance  Federal  Savings  Bank serves its  customers  from 29 banking  offices
located in the New York  counties  of Queens,  Nassau  and  Suffolk.  Additional
information  on the  Company and Bank can be found on our  Internet  web site at
www.reliance-federal.com.

This  release  may  contain  certain  forward-looking   statements  and  may  be
identified  by the use of  such  words  as  "believe,"  "expect,"  "anticipate,"
"should," "planned,"  "estimated," and "potential."  Examples of forward looking
statements  include,  but are not  limited  to,  estimates  with  respect to the
financial condition,  results of operations and business of the Company that are
subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially
from these  estimates.  These factors  include,  but are not limited to, general
economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real
estate values, and competition;  changes in accounting principles,  policies, or
guidelines;   changes  in  legislation  or  regulation;   and  other   economic,
competitive,  governmental,  regulatory, and technological factors affecting the
Company's operations, pricing, products, and services.




<PAGE>



                      RELIANCE BANCORP, INC. and SUBSIDIARY
                      Consolidated Statements of Condition
                                   (Unaudited)
             (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
<TABLE>
                                                                                          June 30,         June 30,
Assets                                                                                     1999              1998
- ------                                                                                    --------         -------
<S>                                                                                       <C>             <C>
Cash and due from banks...........................................................        $ 33,255        $ 37,596
Money market investments..........................................................              --           9,500
Debt and equity securities available-for-sale.....................................         122,168         134,907
Debt and equity securities held-to-maturity (with estimated
   market values of $28,840 and $40,509, respectively)............................          28,835          40,189
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale.....................................         935,038         940,347
Mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity (with estimated
   market values of $252,233 and $252,332, respectively)..........................         255,917         249,259
Loans receivable:
     Mortgage loans...............................................................         810,894         790,951
     Commercial loans.............................................................          44,949          49,887
     Consumer and other loans.....................................................         127,350         137,900
       Less allowance for loan losses.............................................          (9,120)         (8,941)
                                                                                          ---------       ---------
             Loans receivable, net................................................         974,073         969,797
Accrued interest receivable, net..................................................          13,095          14,958
Office properties and equipment, net..............................................          16,368          15,436
Prepaid expenses and other assets.................................................          16,960          11,732
Mortgage servicing rights.........................................................           1,514           2,317
Excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired.............................          54,373          58,936
Real estate owned, net............................................................             177             755
                                                                                           -------     -----------
             Total assets.........................................................     $ 2,451,773     $ 2,485,729
                                                                                         =========       =========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Deposits..........................................................................     $ 1,549,419     $ 1,628,298
Borrowed Funds....................................................................         702,434         630,206
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance.............................           6,399           9,806
Accrued expenses and other liabilities............................................          21,854          22,555
                                                                                          --------       ---------
             Total liabilities....................................................       2,280,106       2,290,865
                                                                                         ---------       ---------

Commitments Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 4,000,000 shares
  authorized; none issued.........................................................              --              --
Common stock, $.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares
  authorized; 10,750,820 shares issued; 8,586,210 and 9,564,988
    outstanding, respectively.....................................................             108             108
Additional paid-in capital........................................................         121,037         117,909
Retained earnings, substantially restricted.......................................         115,976         102,305
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
   Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on securities
    available-for-sale, net of taxes..............................................         (10,546)          4,212
Less:
Unallocated common stock held by ESOP.............................................          (3,726)         (4,554)
Unearned common stock held by RRP.................................................             (66)           (713)
Common stock held by SERP (at cost)...............................................            (550)           (373)
Treasury stock, at cost (2,164,610 and 1,185,832 shares, respectively)............         (50,566)        (24,030)
                                                                                          ---------        --------
     Total stockholders' equity...................................................         171,667         194,864
                                                                                          --------         -------
            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity............................     $ 2,451,773     $ 2,485,729
                                                                                         =========       =========







<PAGE>



                      RELIANCE BANCORP, INC. and SUBSIDIARY
                        Consolidated Statements of Income
                                   (Unaudited)
                      (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                                    Three Months Ended       Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                          June 30,                 June 30,
                                                                  ----------------------     --------------------
                                                                    1999          1998         1999          1998
                                                                  --------      --------     --------      ------
Interest income:
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
   First mortgage loans........................................    $15,274     $ 15,880      $ 62,182     $ 63,573
   Commercial loans............................................      1,102        1,392         4,892        3,916
   Consumer and other loans....................................      2,513        2,958        10,730       12,130
   Mortgage-backed securities..................................     19,369       16,996        78,948       67,185
   Money market investments....................................         30          277           284          615
   Debt and equity securities..................................      2,341        2,421        10,274        6,400
                                                                    ------       ------      --------     --------
      Total interest income....................................     40,629       39,924       167,310      153,819
                                                                    ------       ------       -------      -------

Interest expense:
   Deposits....................................................     14,176       16,279        61,972       63,432
   Borrowed funds..............................................      9,433        6,878        36,034       23,396
                                                                    ------      -------        ------       ------
      Total interest expense...................................     23,609       23,157        98,006       86,828
                                                                    ------       ------        ------       ------
      Net interest income before provision for loan losses.....     17,020       16,767        69,304       66,991
   Provision for loan losses...................................         --          150           650        1,650
                                                                  --------      -------       -------      -------
      Net interest income after provision for loan losses......     17,020       16,617        68,654       65,341
                                                                    ------       ------        ------       ------

Non-interest income:
   Loan fees and service charges...............................        505          329         1,352        1,047
   Other operating income......................................      1,150          978         4,279        3,452
   Income from Money Centers...................................        720          675         2,650        1,882
   Condemnation award on joint venture.........................         --           --            --        1,483
   Net gain (loss) on securities...............................        100           --           119           (5)
                                                                    ------      -------        ------     ---------
      Total non-interest income................................      2,475        1,982         8,400        7,859
                                                                     -----        -----         -----        -----

Non-interest expense:
   Compensation and benefits...................................      4,933        5,533        20,373       20,297
   Occupancy and equipment.....................................      1,782        1,746         7,064        6,531
   Federal deposit insurance premiums..........................        232          231           930          921
   Advertising.................................................        471          290         1,247        1,202
   Other operating expenses....................................      1,762        1,475         6,675        6,274
                                                                     -----        -----         -----        -----
      Total general and administrative expenses................      9,180        9,275        36,289       35,225
   Real estate operations, net.................................         21           48           111          218
   Amortization of excess of cost over fair value
     of net assets acquired....................................      1,141        1,141         4,563        4,218
                                                                    ------      -------        ------      -------
   Total non-interest expense..................................     10,342       10,464        40,963       39,661
                                                                    ------       ------        ------       ------

Income before income taxes.....................................      9,153        8,135        36,091       33,539
Income tax expense ............................................      4,068        3,692        15,940       14,810
                                                                     -----        -----        ------       ------

Net income.....................................................   $  5,085      $ 4,443      $ 20,151     $ 18,729
                                                                    ======        =====        ======       ======

Net income per common share:
                 Basic.........................................      $ 0.62      $ 0.48        $ 2.38       $ 2.11
                                                                       ====        ====          ====         ====
                 Diluted.......................................      $ 0.59      $ 0.46        $ 2.26       $ 1.99
                                                                       ====        ====          ====         ====







<PAGE>


                                       RELIANCE BANCORP, INC. and SUBSIDIARY
                                             Selected Financial Ratios
                                                    (Unaudited)

                                                                      At or for the             At or for the
                                                                   Three Months Ended        Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                          June 30,                  June 30,
                                                                   ---------------------     ---------------------
                                                                     1999         1998         1999          1998
                                                                   --------     --------     -------        ------
Performance ratios:
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Return on average assets.......................................       0.83%        0.77%        0.81%         0.86%
Cash return on average assets..................................       1.09%        1.11%        1.10%         1.19%
Return on average equity (2)...................................      11.34%        9.39%       11.22%        10.42%
Cash return on average equity (2)..............................      15.04%       13.56%       15.13%        14.42%
Return on average tangible equity (2)..........................      16.36%       13.72%       16.40%        15.14%
Average equity  to average assets..............................       7.14%        8.36%        7.30%         8.45%
Equity to total assets.........................................       7.00%        7.84%        7.00%         7.84%
Tangible equity to tangible assets.............................       4.89%        5.60%        4.89%         5.60%
Core deposits to total deposits................................      39.94%       36.91%       39.94%        36.91%
Net interest spread............................................       2.59%        2.79%        2.67%         2.98%
Net interest margin............................................       2.89%        3.09%        2.95%         3.28%
General and administrative expenses to average assets..........       1.49%        1.60%        1.47%         1.62%
Cash general and administrative
   expenses to average assets..................................       1.39%        1.43%        1.34%         1.45%
Operating income to average assets (1).........................       0.39%        0.34%        0.33%         0.29%
Average interest-earning assets to average
   interest-bearing liabilities................................       1.07X        1.07X        1.07X         1.07X
Cash net income per diluted common share.......................    $ 0.78       $ 0.66       $ 3.05        $ 2.75


                                                                                           At               At
                                                                                          June 30,         June 30,
                                                                                           1999             1998
                                                                                        ---------         ------
Assets quality ratios:
<S>                                                                                         <C>               <C>
Non-performing loans to total loans...............................................          0.67%             0.95%
Non-performing loans to total assets..............................................          0.27%             0.37%
Non-performing assets to total assets.............................................          0.27%             0.40%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans..........................................          0.93%             0.91%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans.................................        139.08%            96.12%


(1)  Operating income represents non-interest income less (plus) net gain (loss)
     on securities and condemnation award from joint venture.

(2)  For purposes of these  calculations,  average  equity and average  tangible
     equity  exclude  the effect of changes in the net  unrealized  appreciation
     (depreciation) on securities available for sale, net of taxes.





</TABLE>



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission