DIME BANCORP INC
8-K, 1996-12-11
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549




                                    FORM 8-K




                                 CURRENT REPORT



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


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 3, 1996


                               Dime Bancorp, Inc.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)




     Delaware                       1-13094                  11-3197414
(State or Other Jurisdiction)     (Commission              (IRS Employer
                                   File Number)          Identification No.)


     589 Fifth Avenue
     New York, New York                                       10017
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                   (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 326-6170


                                 Not applicable
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)




<PAGE>



Item 5.   Other Events.

          On December 3, 1996, Dime Bancorp, Inc. ("Dime") and BFS Bankorp, Inc.
("BFS") entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement").
The Merger Agreement provides for the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of
Dime with and into BFS, with BFS as the surviving corporation becoming a wholly
owned subsidiary of Dime (the "Merger").

          Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share ("BFS Common Stock"), of BFS issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"),
other than certain excepted shares, will be converted into the right to receive
$52.00 in cash, without interest, from Dime (the "Merger Consideration");
provided, that if the Effective Time occurs after June 1, 1997, the Merger
Consideration payable per share will increase by $0.01 per day during the period
beginning on but excluding June 1, 1997 through and including the date on which
the Effective Time occurs. The Merger Agreement may be terminated according to
the circumstances set forth therein, including by either Dime or BFS if the
Effective Time has not occurred on or prior to July 31, 1997.

          The Merger is subject to regulatory approvals, the approval of the
stockholders of BFS and the satisfaction of other certain terms and conditions
as set forth in the Merger Agreement.

          As an inducement and condition to Dime's entering into the Merger
Agreement, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of BFS Common
Stock entered into agreements with Dime in which they agreed to vote in favor of
the Merger and, in some cases, to make payments to Dime should BFS consummate an
acquisition transaction with a third party. In addition, the Merger Agreement
provides for the payment by BFS of a fee of $3 million if the Merger Agreement
is terminated under certain circumstances and within 18 months BFS takes certain
actions concerning an acquisition transaction with a third party.

          On December 3, 1996, Dime also announced a program to repurchase up
to 5% of its outstanding common stock (approximately five million shares) and a
plan to sell a total of approximately $950 million of mortgage-backed
securities, with the proceeds of the sales used to reduce borrowings. Dime
announced that it expected to further reduce its portfolio of mortgage-backed
securities by not reinvesting the proceeds of an additional $300 million in such
securities scheduled to mature in the fourth quarter of 1996. No time limit has
been set to complete the stock repurchase, and the shares will be purchased at
prevailing prices in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>




          Copies of the Merger Agreement and Dime's press release, dated
December 3, 1996, in connection with the Merger and the other actions described
in this Current Report are attached as exhibits and are incorporated herein by
reference. The foregoing description of such documents is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text thereof.

Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial
          Information and Exhibits.

(a)-(b)   Not applicable.

    (c)   Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

          Exhibit Number              Description

                 2                   Agreement and Plan of
                                     Merger, dated as of the 3rd
                                     day of December, 1996, by
                                     and among Dime Bancorp,
                                     Inc., Fifth Avenue Property
                                     Corp. and BFS Bankorp,
                                     Inc., including all annexes
                                     to the Agreement.

                99                   Press release, dated December 3,
                                     1996, issued by Dime Bancorp, Inc.




                                       -3-

<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, thereunto duly authorized.


                                            DIME BANCORP, INC.





                                            By: /s/ James M. Large, Jr.
                                                -----------------------
                                                Name: James M. Large, Jr.
                                                Title: Chairman and Chief
                                                        Executive Officer


Date: December 11, 1996



                                       -4-

<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

          Exhibit Number              Description

                 2                   Agreement and Plan of
                                     Merger, dated as of the 3rd
                                     day of December, 1996, by
                                     and among Dime Bancorp,
                                     Inc., Fifth Avenue Property
                                     Corp. and BFS Bankorp,
                                     Inc., including all annexes
                                     to the Agreement.

                99                   Press release, dated December 3,
                                     1996, issued by Dime Bancorp, Inc.



                                       -5-

                                                                Conformed Copy
















================================================================================








                          ----------------------------
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                          ----------------------------




                    dated as of the 3rd day of December, 1996


                                  by and among


                               DIME BANCORP, INC.


                           FIFTH AVENUE PROPERTY CORP.


                                       and


                                BFS BANKORP, INC.








================================================================================



<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                           Page

                                    RECITALS

A.   Dime...................................................................  1
B.   Merger Sub.............................................................  1
C.   BFS....................................................................  1
D.   The Merger.............................................................  1
E.   The Bank Merger........................................................  1
F.   Certain Arrangements...................................................  2
G.   Approvals..............................................................  2

                                    ARTICLE I

                       The Merger; Effective Time; Closing

1.1  The Merger.............................................................  2
1.2  Effective Time.........................................................  2
1.3  Closing................................................................  3

                                   ARTICLE II

                    Governing Documents; Directors; Officers

2.1  Certificate of Incorporation...........................................  3
2.2  By-laws................................................................  4
2.3  Directors..............................................................  4
2.4  Officers...............................................................  4

                                   ARTICLE III

                           Effect of Merger on Shares;
                    Merger Consideration; Payment for Shares

3.1  Effect of the Merger on Shares of BFS Common Stock.....................  4
3.2  Payment for Shares.....................................................  5
3.3  Dissenters' Shares.....................................................  7

                                   ARTICLE IV

                         Representations and Warranties

4.1  Representations and Warranties of BFS..................................  7
4.2  Representations and Warranties of Dime................................. 25



<PAGE>



                                                                           Page

                                    ARTICLE V

                                    Covenants

5.1  Conduct of Business Pending the Effective Time......................... 27
5.2  Acquisition Proposals.................................................. 31
5.3  Certain Policies of BFS................................................ 32
5.4  Employees; Employee Benefit Plans...................................... 32
5.5  Access and Information................................................. 33
5.6  Options................................................................ 35
5.7  Stockholder Approval................................................... 35
5.8  Efforts to Consummate; Proxy Statement; Other Filings.................. 36
5.9  Information Supplied................................................... 37
5.10 Publicity.............................................................. 37
5.11 Notification of Certain Matters........................................ 38
5.12 Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance.................... 38
5.13 Bank Merger............................................................ 40
5.14 Forbearance by Dime.................................................... 40
5.15 Advisory Board......................................................... 40

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                   Conditions

6.1  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to
       Effect the Merger.................................................... 41
6.2  Conditions to Obligation of Dime....................................... 42
6.3  Conditions to Obligation of BFS........................................ 42

                                   ARTICLE VII

                        Termination, Amendment and Waiver

7.1  Termination............................................................  43
7.2  Effect of Termination..................................................  44
7.3  Termination Fee........................................................  44

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               General Provisions

8.1  Survival............................................................... 45
8.2  Expenses............................................................... 45
8.3  Modification or Amendment.............................................. 45
8.4  Waiver of Conditions................................................... 46
8.5  Notices................................................................ 46

                                      -ii-



<PAGE>



                                                                           Page

8.6  Certain Definitions; Interpretation.................................... 47
8.7  Entire Agreement....................................................... 49
8.8  Assignment............................................................. 49
8.9  No Third-Party Beneficiaries........................................... 49
8.10 Governing Law.......................................................... 49
8.11 Counterparts........................................................... 49


                                     ANNEXES

Annex 1  -  Form of Bank Merger Agreement
Annex 2  -  Form of Gould Agreement
Annex 3  -  Form of President Agreement

                                    SCHEDULES

Schedule 4.1(c)      -  Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.1(d)      -  Stock Option Plans
Schedule 4.1(g)      -  Certain Agreements
Schedule 4.1(i)      -  Certain Loans
Schedule 4.1(j)(1)   -  Certain Changes
Schedule 4.1(j)(2)   -  Certain Liabilities
Schedule 4.1(k)      -  Title to Assets; Encumbrances
Schedule 4.1(l)      -  Certain Conflicts
Schedule 4.1(m)      -  Certain Litigation
Schedule 4.1(n)      -  Certain Tax Matters
Schedule 4.1(o)      -  Insurance
Schedule 4.1(q)      -  Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 4.1(r)      -  Certain Environmental Matters
Schedule 4.1(s)      -  Material Agreements
Schedule 4.1(v)      -  Derivative Securities
Schedule 4.1(w)      -  Certain Controls
Schedule 5.1         -  Certain Actions
Schedule 5.1(b)(16)  -  Certain Bonus Payments; Salary Increases
Schedule 5.3         -  Certain Policies and Reserves



                                      -iii-



<PAGE>



                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

                                                                  Location of
         Term                                                     Definition

1993 Agreement.....................................................4.1(d)(3)
Acquisition Proposal...............................................5.2
Acquisition Transaction............................................7.3(b)
Agreement..........................................................Preamble
Asset Classification...............................................4.1(i)(2)
Balance Sheet......................................................4.1(j)(2)
Banking Regulators.................................................4.1(l)(7)
Bank Merger........................................................Recital E
Bank Merger Approvals..............................................Recital E
BFS................................................................Preamble
BFS Bank...........................................................Recital E
BFS Common Stock...................................................Recital C
BFS Employees......................................................5.4(a)
BFS ESOP...........................................................5.4(c)
BFS Meeting........................................................5.7
BFS Options........................................................5.6
BFS Stock Plans....................................................4.1(d)(2)
Certificate........................................................3.1(a)
Certificate of Incorporation.......................................2.1
Certificate of Merger..............................................1.2(a)
Claim..............................................................5.12(a)
Closing............................................................1.3
Closing Date.......................................................1.3
Compensation Plans.................................................4.1(q)(1)
Contracts..........................................................4.1(g)(2)
Derivative Securities..............................................4.1(v)(1)
DGCL...............................................................1.1
Dime...............................................................Preamble
Dime Savings.......................................................Recital E
Dissenters' Shares.................................................3.1
Effective Time.....................................................1.2(a)
Employees..........................................................4.1(q)(1)
Encumbrances.......................................................4.1(c)(3)
Environmental Law..................................................4.1(r)(1)
ERISA..............................................................4.1(q)(1)
ERISA Affiliate....................................................4.1(q)(3)
Exception Shares...................................................3.1
Exchange Act.......................................................4.1(f)
FDI Act............................................................Recital E
FDIC...............................................................4.1(c)(2)
FHLB...............................................................4.1(h)(1)
Gould Agreement....................................................Recital F
Governing Documents................................................4.1(b)
Governmental Entities..............................................4.1(f)
Hazardous Substances...............................................4.1(r)(1)
HOLA...............................................................Recital A

                                      -iv-



<PAGE>


                                                                  Location of
         Term                                                     Definition


Indemnified Parties................................................5.12(a)
individually or in the aggregate...................................8.6(a)
Insurance Amount...................................................5.12(c)
Internal Revenue Code..............................................4.1(n)(4)
Lending Laws.......................................................4.1(l)(1)
Liabilities........................................................4.1(j)(2)
Loans..............................................................4.1(i)(2)
material...........................................................8.6(a)
Material Adverse Effect............................................8.6(a)
Merger.............................................................Recital D
Merger Consideration...............................................3.1(a)
Merger Sub.........................................................Preamble
NASD...............................................................4.1(f)
OREO...............................................................4.1(i)(4)
OTS................................................................Recital E
Paying Agent.......................................................3.2(a)
PCBs...............................................................4.1(r)(1)
Pension Plan.......................................................4.1(q)(2)
Person.............................................................8.6(a)
Plans..............................................................4.1(q)(2)
President Agreement................................................Recital F
prior consultation.................................................8.6(a)
Proxy Statement....................................................5.8(b)(1)
Regulatory Approvals...............................................Recital G
Reports............................................................4.1(h)(2)
Representatives....................................................5.5
SAIF...............................................................4.1(c)(2)
Shares.............................................................3.1(a)
SEC................................................................4.1(h)(1)
Securities Act.....................................................4.1(h)(2)
Securities Laws....................................................4.1(h)(2)
significant subsidiary.............................................7.3(b)(1)
subsidiary.........................................................8.6(a)
Surviving Bank.....................................................Recital E
Surviving Corporation..............................................Recital D
Tax................................................................4.1(n)(1)
Trigger Event......................................................7.3(a)

                                       -v-



<PAGE>



          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of the 3rd day of December,
1996 (this "Agreement"), by and among Dime Bancorp, Inc. ("Dime"), Fifth Avenue
Property Corp. ("Merger Sub") and BFS Bankorp, Inc. ("BFS").


                                    RECITALS

          A.   Dime. Dime has been duly incorporated and is an existing
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its
principal executive offices located in New York, New York. Dime is a savings and
loan holding company registered under the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended
("HOLA").

          B.   Merger Sub. Merger Sub has been duly incorporated and is an
existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
with its principal executive offices located in New York, New York. Merger Sub
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dime.

          C.   BFS. BFS has been duly incorporated and is an existing 
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its
principal executive offices located in New York, New York. As of the date
hereof, BFS has 6,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, par value $.01 per
share ("BFS Common Stock"), of which no more than 1,635,480 shares are
outstanding as of the date hereof, and 2,000,000 authorized shares of preferred
stock, par value $.01 per share, of which no shares are issued or outstanding as
of the date hereof (no other class or series of capital stock being authorized).
BFS is a savings and loan holding company registered under HOLA.

          D.   The Merger. At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2), 
the parties to this Agreement intend to effect the merger (the "Merger") of
Merger Sub with and into BFS, with BFS the corporation surviving the Merger.
BFS, as the surviving corporation, is sometimes referred to in this Agreement as
the "Surviving Corporation".

          E.   The Bank Merger. Immediately following the Effective Time, Dime 
and BFS intend that Dime and the Surviving Corporation will effect the merger
(the "Bank Merger") of Bankers Federal Savings FSB, a wholly owned federal
savings bank subsidiary of BFS ("BFS Bank"), with and into The Dime Savings Bank
of New York, FSB, a wholly owned federal savings bank subsidiary of Dime ("Dime
Savings"). The Bank Merger shall be effected pursuant to an agreement and plan
of merger in substantially the form of Annex 1 to this Agreement and is subject,
among other conditions set forth therein, to the prior approval (including any



<PAGE>



requisite waiting periods, the "Bank Merger Approvals") of the Office of Thrift
Supervision (the "OTS") under Sections 5(d)(3) and 18(c) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act, as amended (the "FDI Act"). Dime Savings, as the surviving
federal savings bank in the Merger, is sometimes referred to in this Agreement
as the "Surviving Bank".

          F.   Certain Arrangements. As an inducement to and condition of Dime's
willingness to enter into this agreement, (1) Fredric H. Gould and Gould
Investors, L.P. have entered into an agreement with Dime, substantially in the
form of Annex 2 to this Agreement (the "Gould Agreement"), and (2) James A.
Randall, President and Chief Executive Officer of BFS, has entered into an
agreement with Dime, substantially in the form of Annex 3 to this Agreement (the
"President Agreement").

          G.   Approvals. The Boards of Directors of Dime and BFS (at meetings
duly called and held) have determined that this Agreement, the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby are in the best interests of Dime and
BFS, respectively, and their respective stockholders and have approved this
Agreement. Consummation of the Merger is subject to (1) the prior approval of
the stockholders of BFS, (2) the prior approval of the OTS under Section 10(e)
of HOLA and (3) the Bank Merger Approvals (items (2) and (3), collectively, the
"Regulatory Approvals"), among other conditions specified herein.

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


                                    ARTICLE I

          The Merger; Effective Time; Closing

          1.1  The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this 
Agreement, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall merge with and into BFS, and
the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease. The Merger
shall have the effects specified in the Delaware General Corporation Law (the
"DGCL").

          1.2  Effective Time. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the parties to this Agreement will cause a certificate of merger to
be executed, acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware



                                      -2-



<PAGE>



as provided in Section 251 of the DGCL (the "Certificate of Merger"). The Merger
shall become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger has been filed
with such Secretary of the State, or at such other time as may be specified in
the Certificate of Merger in accordance with applicable law. The date and time
when the Merger shall become effective is herein referred to as the "Effective
Time".

          (b)  The parties to this agreement will use all reasonable efforts to
cause the Effective Time to occur at a time and date specified by Dime, which
time and date shall be not later than the opening of business on the first
business day of the month next commencing after the date of satisfaction or
waiver of the last of the conditions specified in Sections 6.1(a) and (b) of
this Agreement; provided, that if such day is to occur fewer than 10 days after
such date of satisfaction or waiver, the Effective Time shall be not later than
the opening of business on the first business day of the next succeeding month.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.2, the parties hereto
may cause the Effective Time to occur on such earlier or later day following the
satisfaction or waiver of such conditions as they may agree in writing,
consistent with the provisions of the DGCL.

          1.3  Closing. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take
place at such place within The City of New York as the parties hereto shall
agree, at 8:00 a.m. on the date when the Effective Time is to occur. The date
upon which the Closing shall occur is herein referred to as the "Closing Date".

                                   ARTICLE II

                    Governing Documents; Directors; Officers

          2.1  Certificate of Incorporation. By virtue of the Merger, the
certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and
restated to read in its entirety as the certificate of incorporation of the
Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that
Article I thereof shall be further amended to replace the reference to "Fifth
Avenue Property Corp." therein with "BFS Bankorp, Inc."; such certificate of
incorporation, as so amended and restated, shall be the certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation"),
until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and the DGCL.



                                      -3-



<PAGE>



          2.2  By-laws. By virtue of the Merger, the by-laws of the Surviving
Corporation shall be amended and restated to read in their entirety as the
by-laws of the Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time,
until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof, the Certificate of
Incorporation and the DGCL.

          2.3  Directors. By virtue of the Merger, the Board of Directors of the
Surviving Corporation shall consist of the directors of the Merger Sub serving
immediately prior to the Effective Time, and such directors, together with any
additional directors as may thereafter be elected, shall hold such office until
their successors are elected and qualified in accordance with the terms of the
DGCL and the Certificate of Incorporation and the by-laws of the Surviving
Corporation.

          2.4  Officers. By virtue of the Merger, the officers of the Surviving
Corporation shall be the officers of the Merger Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time, and such officers, together with any additional officers as may
be agreed upon prior thereto by Dime and BFS or as may be appointed thereafter,
shall serve in accordance with the terms of the DGCL and the Certificate of
Incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE III

                           Effect of Merger on Shares;
                    Merger Consideration; Payment for Shares

          3.1  Effect of the Merger on Shares of BFS Common Stock. At the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of
any stockholder:

          (a)  Each share of BFS Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
     prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the "Shares"), other than
     Exception Shares (as defined below), shall be converted into the right to
     receive, without interest, an amount in cash equal to $52.00 (the "Merger
     Consideration"); provided, that if the Effective Time occurs after June 1,
     1997, the Merger Consideration payable per Share shall be increased by an
     amount equal to the product of $.01 and the number of days elapsed during
     the period beginning on but excluding June 1, 1997, through and including
     the date on which the Effective Time occurs, and all references herein to
     the Merger Consideration shall be deemed to include such increase. All such
     Shares, other than Exception Shares, shall cease to be outstanding, shall
     be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a
     certificate formerly representing such Shares (a "Certificate") shall
     thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such Shares, except the



                                      -4-



<PAGE>



     right to receive the Merger Consideration upon exchange of such Certificate
     in accordance with Section 3.2.

          (b)  Each Exception Share, other than Dissenters' Shares (as defined
     below), shall cease to be outstanding, shall be cancelled and retired and
     shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be payable with respect
     thereto.

          (c)  Each share of capital stock of the Merger Sub issued and
     outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into
     a share of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation having the same par
     value and denomination, and such shares shall thereafter constitute all of
     the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving
     Corporation.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Exception Shares" means (1) Shares owned, other
than in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously
contracted in good faith, by Dime or a subsidiary (as defined in Section 8.6) of
Dime, (2) Shares that have not been voted in favor of approval of the Merger and
with respect to which appraisal rights have been perfected in accordance with
Section 262 of the DGCL ("Dissenters' Shares") and (3) shares of BFS Common
Stock held by BFS or a subsidiary of BFS in treasury.

          3.2  Payment for Shares. (a) Appointment of Paying Agent. For the
six-month period commencing on the Effective Time, Dime shall cause to be made
available to a paying agent (which may be a subsidiary of Dime) appointed by
Dime (the "Paying Agent") funds sufficient in the aggregate to allow the Paying
Agent to make payments of the Merger Consideration to former holders of Shares
in accordance with Section 3.1. At the end of such six-month period, Dime shall
be entitled to cause the Paying Agent to deliver to it any of such funds
(including any interest received in respect thereof) that have not then been
disbursed to former holders of Shares. Any former holders of Shares who have not
theretofore surrendered their Certificates for payment pursuant to this Article
III shall thereafter be entitled to look exclusively to Dime, and only as
general creditors thereof, for any payment due upon surrender of their
Certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Paying Agent nor any
party hereto shall be liable to any former holder of Shares for any amount



                                      -5-



<PAGE>



properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar laws.

          (b)  Procedures for Surrender. Promptly after the Effective Time, Dime
shall cause the Paying Agent to mail or deliver to each person who was,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, a holder of record of Shares (other
than Exception Shares) a form of letter of transmittal containing instructions
for use in effecting the surrender of Certificates in exchange for payment
pursuant to this Article III. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a
Certificate for cancellation, together with such letter of transmittal duly
executed and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holder
of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a check in
the amount to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Article III, after
giving effect to any required tax withholdings, and the Certificate so
surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. No interest will accrue or be paid on
any amount payable upon surrender of Certificates. If any payment is to be made
to a person other than the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered
therefor, it shall be a condition of such payment that the Certificate be
properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person
requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason
of the making of such payment to a person other than the registered holder of
the Certificate surrendered (or shall establish to the satisfaction of Dime that
any such taxes have been paid or are not applicable).

          (c)  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. If 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 Dime, the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as
Dime may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with
respect to such Certificate, Dime shall, in exchange for such lost, stolen or 
destroyed Certificate, cause to be paid the amount deliverable in respect 
thereof pursuant to this Article III.

          (d)  Transfers. At and after the Effective Time, there shall be no
further registration or transfers of shares of BFS Common Stock, and the stock
ledgers of BFS shall be closed. After the Effective Time, Certificates presented
to the Surviving Corporation for transfer shall be cancelled and exchanged for
the payment to which the holder thereof is entitled pursuant to this Article III
(any certificates representing Dissenters' Shares so presented for transfer
shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.3).



                                       -6-



<PAGE>



          3.3  Dissenters' Shares. The Surviving Corporation shall pay for any
Dissenters' Shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL, and the holders
thereof shall not be entitled to receive any Merger Consideration; provided,
that if appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL with respect to any
Dissenters' Shares shall have been effectively withdrawn or lost, such shares
will thereupon cease to be treated as Exception Shares and shall be converted
into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 3.1(a).


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         Representations and Warranties

          4.1 Representations and Warranties of BFS. BFS hereby represents and
warrants to Dime that:

          (a)  Recitals True. The statements of fact set forth in Recitals C and
     G of this Agreement with respect to BFS and BFS Bank are true.

          (b)  Organization and Qualification. Each of BFS and its subsidiaries
     has the requisite corporate power and authority to own or lease its
     material properties and material assets and to carry on its business in all
     material respects as it is now being conducted and is duly qualified to do
     business and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the properties
     owned, leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it require such
     qualification, except for any failure to be so qualified that, individually
     or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined
     in Section 8.6) on it. BFS has made available to Dime a complete and
     correct copy of the Governing Documents (as defined below) of BFS and each
     of its subsidiaries, each as amended to date and currently in full force
     and effect. "Governing Documents" means, with respect to any organization,
     (1) those instruments that constitute its charter as filed or recorded
     under the general corporation or other applicable law of the jurisdiction
     of its incorporation or organization, including the articles or
     certificates of its incorporation or association, any amendments thereto
     and any articles or certificates of merger or consolidation, and (2) its
     by-laws.

          (c)  Subsidiaries. (1) Schedule 4.1(c) lists all of the subsidiaries 
     of BFS and its percent ownership thereof. Except as so listed or as 
     otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.1(c), none of BFS or any of its 
     subsidiaries owns



                                      -7-



<PAGE>



     any stock, partnership, joint venture or limited liability company interest
     or any other equity security issued by any Person (as defined in Section
     8.6) (or any security convertible into, or right to acquire, any of the
     preceding) other than in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction
     of a debt previously contracted in good faith.

          (2)  BFS Bank is the only subsidiary of BFS that accepts demand
     deposits. BFS Bank is a federal savings bank duly organized under the laws
     of the United States, an "insured depository institution" as defined in the
     FDI Act and applicable regulations thereunder and is a member of the
     Savings Association Insurance Fund (the "SAIF") of the Federal Deposit
     Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"). All of its deposits are subject to
     assessments payable to the SAIF.

          (3)  All the outstanding shares of capital stock of BFS Bank are owned
     directly and of record by BFS, free and clear of all liens, pledges,
     security interests, claims, proxies, preemptive or subscriptive rights or
     other encumbrances or restrictions of any kind (collectively,
     "Encumbrances"). All the shares of capital stock indicated as owned by BFS
     or a subsidiary of BFS on Schedule 4.1(c) are owned directly and of record
     by BFS or a subsidiary of BFS, free and clear of all Encumbrances.

          (d)  Capital Stock. (1) All of the issued and outstanding shares of
     capital stock of BFS and BFS Bank, and all of the shares of capital stock
     of BFS's other subsidiaries that are owned by BFS or a subsidiary of BFS,
     have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
     nonassessable.

          (2)  As of the date of this Agreement, there were outstanding under 
     the stock option and other plans identified in Schedule 4.1(d)
     (collectively, the "BFS Stock Plans"), options or rights to acquire an
     aggregate of 159,220 shares of BFS Common Stock, at an average exercise
     price of $9.65 and on the other terms set forth in Schedule 4.1(d) (subject
     to adjustment on the terms set forth in the BFS Stock Plans). As of the
     date of this Agreement, BFS has no shares of BFS Common Stock reserved for
     issuance, other than 17,474 shares reserved for issuance under the BFS
     Stock Plans, and has no shares of preferred stock reserved for issuance.



                                       -8-



<PAGE>


          (3)  Except as set forth in Recital C and except for shares of BFS
     Common Stock to be issued after the date hereof pursuant to the options
     outstanding as of the date hereof under the BFS Stock Plans, there are no
     shares of capital stock of BFS authorized, issued or outstanding. There are
     no preemptive rights or any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants,
     rights, convertible securities or other agreements or commitments of BFS or
     any of its subsidiaries of any character relating to the issued or unissued
     capital stock or other securities of BFS or any of its subsidiaries
     (including those relating to the issuance, sale, purchase, redemption,
     conversion, exchange, redemption, voting or transfer thereof), other than
     (A) the Agreement, dated as of April 3, 1993, between BFS, Fredric H.
     Gould, Gould Investors, L.P. and the other persons and entities identified
     therein, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto (as so amended, the "1993
     Agreement"), (B) the Gould Agreement, (C) the President Agreement or (D) as
     set forth in Section 4.1(d)(2).

          (e)  Corporate Authority. (1) BFS has the requisite corporate power 
     and authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to
     execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject only to the adoption by the
     holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of BFS Common
     Stock of the agreement of merger contained in this Agreement insofar as
     required by Section 251 of the DGCL, to consummate the transactions
     contemplated hereby. This Agreement is a valid and legally binding
     agreement of BFS enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
     enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization,
     fraudulent transfer and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally
     and to general equitable principles.

          (2)  The Board of Directors of BFS (at a meeting duly called and held)
     has by requisite vote authorized and approved this Agreement and the
     transactions, including the Merger, contemplated hereby and directed that
     the agreement of merger (as such term is used in Section 251 of the DGCL)
     contained in this Agreement be submitted for consideration to, and adoption
     by, its stockholders in accordance with Section 251 of the DGCL.

          (3)  BFS has taken all action required, if any, to exempt irrevocably
     this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby
     from the provisions of Article Eighth of its certificate of incorporation



                                      -9-



<PAGE>



     and the requirements of any "business combination", "moratorium", "control
     share" or any other state antitakeover statute or regulation, including
     Section 203 of the DGCL.

          (f)  Governmental Filings. Other than the Regulatory Approvals, as
     provided in Section 1.2 and as required under the Securities and Exchange
     Act of 1934, as amended (including the rules and regulations thereunder,
     the "Exchange Act"), state securities and "Blue Sky" laws or the rules of
     the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"), no
     notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by BFS with, nor
     are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations
     required to be obtained by BFS from, any domestic or foreign governmental
     or regulatory authority, agency, court, commission or other entity
     (collectively, "Governmental Entities"), in connection with the execution,
     delivery or performance of this Agreement by BFS and the consummation by it
     of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, other than
     those the failure of which to obtain or make (1) will not have,
     individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on BFS and (2)
     could not prevent, materially delay or materially burden, or permit any
     Person to enjoin the consummation of, the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement.

          (g)  No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this
     Agreement by BFS does not and will not, and (upon receipt of the Regulatory
     Approvals, the expiration of any related waiting period, compliance with
     the other requirements identified in Section 4.1(f) and the adoption of
     shareholders referred to in Section 4.1(e)(1)) the consummation by it of
     the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will not, with or
     without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both:

               (1)  Conflict with or violate the Governing Documents of BFS or
          any subsidiary of BFS;

               (2)  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(g), constitute or result
          in a breach of or default under, permit the termination of or permit
          the acceleration of the performance required by, any agreement, lease,
          contract, note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation



                                      -10-



<PAGE>



          (collectively, "Contracts") of BFS or any subsidiary of BFS (or to
          which their respective properties are subject);

               (3)  Result in the creation or imposition, pursuant to any
          Contract, of any Encumbrance on any of the properties or assets of BFS
          or any subsidiary of BFS; or

               (4)  Violate or breach any law, rule, ordinance, regulation,
          judgment, decree, order, award or governmental or non-governmental
          permit or license to which BFS or any subsidiary of BFS (or any of
          their respective properties) is subject or permit the termination of
          any of the foregoing;

     except, in the cases of clauses (2) through (4), for such breaches,
     defaults, Encumbrances, violations or terminations that, individually or in
     the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (h)  Reports and Financial Statements. (1) With respect to periods
     since September 30, 1994, each of BFS and its subsidiaries has timely
     filed, and has paid all fees or assessments due or payable in connection
     with, all material reports and statements, together with any amendments
     required to be made with respect thereto, that it was required to file with
     (A) the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), (B) the OTS, (C)
     the FDIC, (D) the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (the "FHLB"), (E) any
     other applicable federal or state banking, insurance, securities, or other
     regulatory authorities or (F) the NASD. Each such report or statement,
     including the financial statements and exhibits thereto, complied (or will
     comply, in the case of reports or statements filed after the date of this
     Agreement) as to form with all applicable statutes, rules and regulations
     as of the (in the case of reports or statements filed prior to the date
     hereof, without giving effect to any amendments or modifications filed
     after the date of this Agreement) date thereof, except for such failures to
     comply that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
     Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (2)  BFS has made available to Dime a true and complete copy of each
     registration statement, offering circular, report, definitive proxy
     statement or information statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended (including the rules and regulations thereunder, the "Securities
     Act"), the Exchange Act, 12 C.F.R. Parts 563d and 563g and state securities


                                      -11-



<PAGE>



     and "Blue Sky" laws (collectively, the "Securities Laws") filed, used or
     circulated by BFS or any subsidiary of BFS with respect to periods since
     September 30, 1994 through the date of this Agreement, and will promptly
     deliver to Dime each such document or statement filed, used or circulated
     after the date hereof (collectively, the "Reports"), each in the form
     (including exhibits and any amendments thereto) filed with the SEC or the
     OTS (or if not so filed, in the form used or circulated), including BFS's
     Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995 and
     its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended December 31, 1995,
     March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996.

          (3)  As of their respective dates (and without giving effect to any
     amendments or modifications filed after the date of this Agreement), each
     of the Reports, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules
     thereto, filed, used or circulated prior to the date hereof complied (and
     each of the Reports filed after the date of this Agreement, will comply) in
     all material respects with the applicable Securities Laws and did not (or
     in the case of Reports filed after the date of this Agreement, will not)
     contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
     fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading.

          (4) Each of BFS's consolidated balance sheets included in the Reports
     fairly presents (or, in the case of Reports filed after the date of this
     Agreement, will fairly present) in all material respects the consolidated
     financial position of BFS and its subsidiaries as of the date of such
     balance sheet and each of the consolidated income statements and statements
     of changes in stockholders' equity included in the Reports fairly presents
     (or, in the case of Reports filed after the date of this Agreement, will
     fairly present) in all material respects the consolidated results of
     operations and retained earnings, as the case may be, of BFS and its
     subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of
     interim statements, to normal year-end adjustments that are not material in
     amount or effect), in each case in conformity with generally accepted
     accounting principles consistently applied during the periods involved,
     except as may be noted therein.



                                       -12-



<PAGE>



          (i)  Loans; OREO. (1) The allowance for possible loan losses shown on
     the Balance Sheet (as defined below) was, and such allowance shown on each
     of the consolidated balance sheets of BFS that is as of a date after the
     date hereof and contained in any Report will be, adequate in all material
     respects, as of the date of such balance sheet, to provide for estimable
     and probable losses, net of recoveries relating to loans previously charged
     off, inherent in its loan portfolio. The term "Balance Sheet" means the
     consolidated balance sheet of BFS at June 30, 1996 included in its
     Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period then ended, as filed with the
     SEC prior to the date hereof.

          (2)  Schedule 4.1(i) sets forth a list, accurate and complete in all
     material respects, of all Loans (as defined below), other than any such
     loans, leases, extensions of credit, commitments or other assets the unpaid
     principal balance of which does not exceed $100,000, of BFS and its
     subsidiaries that have been criticized or classified as of September 30,
     1996 by it or any such subsidiary, separated by category of classification
     or criticism (the "Asset Classification"); no amounts of such Loans that
     have been classified or criticized as of the date hereof by any
     representative of any Banking Regulator (as defined in Section 4.1(l)) as
     "Other Loans Especially Mentioned", "Substandard", "Doubtful", "Loss" or
     words of similar import are excluded from the amounts disclosed in the
     Asset Classification, other than amounts that were charged off by BFS or
     its subsidiaries prior to the date hereof; and no such Loans as of
     September 30, 1996 that have been or, to its knowledge, should have been
     classified as "non-accrual", "restructured", "90 days past due", "still
     accruing and doubtful of collection" or any comparable classification are
     excluded from the amounts disclosed in the Asset Classification. For
     purposes of this Agreement, the term "Loans" shall mean loans, leases,
     extensions of credit, commitments to extend credit and other assets.

          (3)  Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
     Material Adverse Effect on BFS, each loan or extension of credit of BFS or
     any of its subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement (A) is evidenced
     by notes, agreements or other evidences of indebtedness that are true and
     genuine, (B) is secured to the extent contemplated by the terms thereof,
     (C) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor named
     therein, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
     enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization,



                                      -13-



<PAGE>



     fraudulent transfer and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally
     and to general equity principles, and (D) to BFS's knowledge, is not
     subject to any defenses that may be asserted against BFS or any of its
     subsidiaries.

          (4)  The Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") included in any
     non-performing assets of BFS or its subsidiaries is carried net of reserves
     at the lower of cost or market value based on current independent
     appraisals or current management appraisals.

          (j)  Absence of Certain Events and Changes. (1) Except as set forth in
     Schedule 4.1(j)(1), since June 30, 1996, BFS and its subsidiaries have
     conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary and usual course
     of such businesses and there has not been any change, development or
     combination of changes or developments that, individually or in the
     aggregate, constitutes or has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (2)  BFS and its subsidiaries have no obligations or liabilities
     (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise, whether
     due or to become due, and regardless of when asserted), including for any
     Tax (as defined in Section 4.1(n)) (collectively, "Liabilities"), except:
     (A) as reflected on the Balance Sheet, (B) Liabilities that have arisen in
     the ordinary and usual course of business after the date of such Balance
     Sheet, and which will be included in the next following Report of it
     provided to Dime, (C) as set forth in Schedule 4.1(j)(2) or (D) any
     Liability that, either alone or when combined with all other such
     Liabilities, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (k)  Properties. Except as disclosed or reserved against in its 
     Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof or in the Balance Sheet
     or as set forth in Schedule 4.1(k), BFS and its subsidiaries have good and
     valid title to all of the properties and assets, tangible and intangible,
     reflected on the Balance Sheet or acquired since the date thereof (other
     than real property reflected on the Balance Sheet as OREO), free and clear
     of all Encumbrances, except for Encumbrances that, individually or in the
     aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS and property
     disposed of since the date of the Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of
     business.



                                      -14-



<PAGE>



          (l) Compliance with Laws. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(l), each
     of BFS and its subsidiaries:

               (1)  Except for any failure so to comply that, individually or in
          the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS, has
          been since September 30, 1994 in compliance, in the conduct of its
          business, with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign
          statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders or
          decrees applicable thereto or to the employees conducting such
          businesses, including (A) Sections 22(h), 23A and 23B of the Federal
          Reserve Act and (B) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing
          Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act
          and all other applicable fair lending laws or other laws relating to
          discrimination (clause (B), collectively, the "Lending Laws");

               (2)  Has all permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders
          and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and
          registrations with, Governmental Entities that are required in order
          to permit it to carry on its business in all material respects as it
          is presently conducted and the absence of which, individually or in
          the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS;

               (3)  Has received since September 30, 1994 no notification or
          communication from any Governmental Entity (including the OTS and any
          other bank, insurance or securities regulatory authorities) or the
          staff thereof (A) asserting that it or any of its subsidiaries is not
          in compliance in any material respect with any of the statutes,
          regulations or ordinances that such Governmental Entity enforces; (B)
          threatening to revoke any material license, franchise, permit or
          governmental authorization; or (C) threatening or contemplating
          termination of FDIC deposit insurance (nor, to its knowledge, do any
          grounds for any of the foregoing exist);

               (4)  Is not required to give prior notice to any federal banking
          agency of the proposed addition of an individual to its board of
          directors or the employment of an individual as a senior executive;



                                       -15-



<PAGE>



               (5)  Is not subject to the limitations on acceptance of deposits
          set forth in Section 29 of the FDI Act;

               (6)  With respect to BFS Bank, has been assigned a rating of
          "outstanding record of meeting community credit needs" or
          "satisfactory record of meeting community credit needs" in its most
          recent examination under Section 4 of the Community Reinvestment Act
          (no other subsidiary of BFS being an "insured depositary institution"
          as defined in the FDI Act); and

               (7)  Is not a party or subject to (nor is any officer, director,
          controlling Person or property of it or any of its subsidiaries a
          party or subject to) any order, decree, agreement, memorandum of
          understanding or similar arrangement with, or a commitment letter or
          similar submission to, any Governmental Entity charged with the
          supervision or regulation of depository institutions or engaged in the
          insurance of deposits, including the OTS and the FDIC (collectively,
          the "Banking Regulators"), or the supervision or regulation of BFS or
          any subsidiary of BFS, and neither BFS nor any subsidiary of BFS has
          been advised by any such Governmental Entity that such Governmental
          Entity is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the
          appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any such order, decree,
          agreement, memorandum of understanding, commitment letter or similar
          submission.

          (m)  Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(m), there are no
     criminal or administrative investigations or hearings of, before or by any
     Governmental Entity, or civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits,
     claims or proceedings of, before or by any Person (including any
     Governmental Entity) pending or, to BFS's knowledge, threatened or
     contemplated against BFS or any of its subsidiaries (including under or
     relating to any of the Lending Laws or Securities Laws or relating to any
     Plan (as defined in Section 4.1(g)) of BFS or its subsidiaries) that are
     reasonably likely to result in a determination that, individually or in the
     aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (n)  Taxes. (1) For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "Tax"
     shall mean any tax or governmental charge, withholding obligation,
     assessment, impost or levy (including, without limitation, any income,



                                      -16-



<PAGE>



     gross receipts, deposit, license, payroll, employee withholding, foreign 
     or domestic withholding, backup withholding, excise, severance, stamp,
     occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, capital stock,
     franchise, disability, real or personal property, sales, use, transfer, ad
     valorem, alternative or add-on minimum or other taxes, any customs duty,
     unemployment insurance, social security and workers' compensation),
     together with any related liabilities, penalties, fines, additions to tax
     or interest (including any penalties, fines or similar amounts related to
     any information return or reporting obligations, notwithstanding that no
     Tax is payable if such obligations are properly discharged), imposed by the
     United States or any state, county, provincial, local or foreign government
     or subdivision or agency thereof.

          (2)  Each of BFS and its subsidiaries has filed or will file all
     material Tax returns or reports (including all Tax-related information
     returns or reports) required to be filed (taking into account permissible
     extensions) by them on or prior to the Effective Time. All such Tax returns
     are (or, with respect to Tax Returns filed after the date of this
     Agreement, will be) correct and complete in all material respects. Each of
     BFS and its subsidiaries has paid or will pay in a timely manner and as
     required by law all material Taxes due and payable by it or which it is
     obligated to withhold from amounts owing to any employee or third party
     (whether or not shown on any Tax return). All material Taxes which will be
     due and payable, whether now or hereafter, for any period ending on, prior
     to or including the Effective Time shall have been paid by or on behalf of
     BFS and its subsidiaries or shall be reflected on the books of it and its
     subsidiaries as an accrued Tax liability determined in a manner which is
     consistent with past practices and the Balance Sheet.

          (3)  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(n), (A) neither BFS nor any 
     of its subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations with respect to
     Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to Taxes or agreed to
     any extension of time with respect to an assessment or deficiency for
     Taxes; (B) no Tax returns or reports of BFS or its subsidiaries have to its
     knowledge been audited by any Governmental Entity; and (C) there are no
     material unresolved questions, material claims or material disputes claimed
     or raised by any relevant taxing authority concerning the liability for
     Taxes of BFS or any of its subsidiaries.



                                       -17-



<PAGE>



          (4)  Neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries has made an election 
     under Section 341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
     "Internal Revenue Code"), for any taxable years not yet closed for statute
     of limitations purposes. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(n), there is
     no material dispute or material claim concerning BFS or any of its
     subsidiaries claimed or raised by any relevant taxing authority with
     respect to any Taxes arising out of membership or participation in any
     consolidated, affiliated, combined or unitary group of which it or any of
     such subsidiaries was at any time a member.

          (o)  Insurance. (1) Each of BFS and its subsidiaries has taken all
     requisite action (including the making of claims and the giving of notices)
     pursuant to its directors' and officers' liability insurance policy or
     policies in order to preserve all material rights thereunder with respect
     to all matters (other than matters arising in connection with this
     Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby) that are known to it.
     Schedule 4.1(o) contains a list of all directors' and officers' liability
     insurance policies maintained by BFS or its subsidiaries as of the date of
     this Agreement.

          (2)  BFS and its subsidiaries are, and since September 30, 1994 have
     been, insured for amounts management of BFS believes to be reasonable,
     against such risks as companies engaged in a similar business customarily
     are insured.

          (3)  All of the insurance policies and bonds maintained by BFS and its
     subsidiaries are in full force and effect, it and its subsidiaries are not
     in default thereunder, except for any defaults that could not result in the
     cancellation or loss of material benefits thereunder, and all material
     claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion.

          (p)  Labor Matters. Neither BFS nor any of BFS's subsidiaries is a
     party to, or is bound by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract or
     other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organization.
     Neither BFS nor any of BFS's subsidiaries is the subject of any material
     proceeding asserting that it has committed an unfair labor practice or
     seeking to compel it to bargain with any labor organization as to wages or
     conditions of employment, nor is there any strike involving BFS or any of
     BFS's subsidiaries pending or, to BFS's knowledge, threatened, nor, to



                                      -18-



<PAGE>



     BFS's knowledge, is there any activity involving employees of BFS or any of
     its subsidiaries seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or
     engaging in any other organizational activity, in each case, either as of
     the date of this Agreement or as would, individually or in the aggregate,
     have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (q)  Employee Benefits. (1) Schedule 4.1(q) sets forth a list of all
     bonus, deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit-sharing, thrift,
     savings, welfare, employee stock ownership, severance, stock bonus, stock
     purchase, restricted stock and stock option plans and all employment,
     severance or change in control agreements that cover employees or former
     employees of BFS and its subsidiaries (the "Compensation Plans"). True and
     complete copies of the Compensation Plans and all other benefit plans,
     contracts or arrangements covering current or former employees or directors
     of it or its subsidiaries (the "Employees"), including, but not limited to,
     "employee benefit plans" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee
     Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and all
     amendments thereto, have been made available to Dime.

          (2)  All of BFS's and its subsidiaries' employee benefit plans, within
     the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, other than "multiemployer plans"
     within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA, covering Employees
     (collectively, its "Plans"), to the extent subject to ERISA, are in all
     material respects in compliance with ERISA. Each of the Plans which is an
     "employee pension benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA
     ("Pension Plan") and which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
     of the Internal Revenue Code, has received a favorable determination letter
     from the Internal Revenue Service, and to BFS's knowledge there are no
     circumstances likely to result in revocation of any such favorable
     determination letter. Neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries has engaged
     in a transaction with respect to any Plan that, assuming the taxable period
     of such transaction expired as of the date hereof, could subject it or any
     of its subsidiaries to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of
     the Internal Revenue Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA in an amount that
     would be material to BFS.

          (3)  No material liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA
     (other than payment of applicable premiums) has been or is expected to be



                                      -19-



<PAGE>



     incurred by BFS or any of its subsidiaries with respect to any ongoing,
     frozen or terminated "single-employer plan", within the meaning of Section
     4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or formerly maintained by any of them, or
     the single- employer plan of any entity which is considered one employer
     with it under Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Internal
     Revenue Code (an "ERISA Affiliate"). BFS and its subsidiaries have not
     incurred and do not expect to incur any material withdrawal liability with
     respect to a multiemployer plan under Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA
     (regardless of whether based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate). No
     notice of a "reportable event", within the meaning of Section 4043 of
     ERISA, for which the 30-day reporting requirement has not been waived, has
     been required to be filed for any Pension Plan or by any of BFS's ERISA
     Affiliates within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof.

          (4)  All material contributions required to be made by BFS and its
     subsidiaries under the terms of any of its Plans have been timely made or
     have been reflected on the Balance Sheet. Neither any of the Pension Plans
     nor any single-employer plan of any of BFS's ERISA Affiliates has an
     "accumulated funding deficiency" (whether or not waived) within the meaning
     of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA.
     Neither BFS nor its subsidiaries has provided, or is required to provide,
     security to any Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA
     Affiliate pursuant to Sections 401(a)(29) of the Internal Revenue Code.

          (5)  Under each of the Pension Plans which is a single-employer plan,
     as of the last day of the most recent plan year ended prior to the date of
     this Agreement, the actuarially determined present value of all "benefit
     liabilities", within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA (as
     determined on the basis of the actuarial assumptions contained in the
     Pension Plan's most recent actuarial valuation), did not materially exceed
     the then current value of the assets of such Pension Plan, and to BFS's
     knowledge, there has been no materially adverse change in the financial
     condition of such Pension Plan since the last day of the most recent plan
     year. To BFS's knowledge, there would be no material withdrawal liability
     of BFS and its subsidiaries under each Compensation Plan which is a
     multiemployer plan to which it, its subsidiaries or its ERISA Affiliates



                                      -20-



<PAGE>



     has contributed during the preceding 12 months, if such withdrawal
     liability were determined as if a "complete withdrawal", within the meaning
     of Section 4203 of ERISA, had occurred as of the date hereof.

          (6)  Except as disclosed in its Reports or as set forth in Schedule
     4.1(q), neither BFS nor its subsidiaries has any obligations for retiree
     health and life benefits under any Compensation Plan. To BFS's knowledge,
     BFS or its subsidiaries may amend or terminate any Compensation Plan
     providing retiree health and life benefits without incurring any liability
     thereunder.

          (7)  Except as provided in this Agreement or as identified in Schedule
     4.1(q), the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in
     the vesting or acceleration of any amounts under any Compensation Plan, any
     material increase in benefits under any Compensation Plan or payment of any
     severance or similar compensation under any Compensation Plan.

          (r)  Environmental Matters. (1) For purposes of this Section 4.1(r),
     the following terms shall have the indicated meaning:

               "Environmental Law" means any Federal or state law, statute,
          rule, regulation, code, order, judgment, decree, injunction, common
          law or agreement with any Federal or state governmental authority
          relating to (A) the protection, preservation or restoration of the
          environment (including air, water vapor, surface water, groundwater,
          drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal
          life or any other natural resource), (B) human health or safety or (C)
          exposure to, or the use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation,
          transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, release or
          disposal of, hazardous substances, in each case as amended and now in
          effect.

               "Hazardous Substances" means substances that are listed,
          classified or otherwise regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law,
          including any petroleum products or by-products, polychlorinated
          biphenyls ("PCBs"), asbestos, lead paint or plumbing or radioactive
          materials.

          (2)  To BFS's knowledge, except as identified in Schedule 4.1(r) and
     except to the extent that there would not reasonably be expected to result
     therefrom a Material Adverse Effect on BFS:



                                      -21-



<PAGE>



               (A)  BFS and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all
          Environmental Laws;

               (B)  No real property owned or operated by BFS or any of its
          subsidiaries is contaminated with any Hazardous Substances;

               (C)  No real property formerly owned or operated by BFS or any of
          its subsidiaries was contaminated with any Hazardous Substances during
          the period of ownership or operation by it or such subsidiaries; and

               (D)  BFS and its subsidiaries are not subject to liability under
          any Environmental Law for any off-site disposal or contamination of
          Hazardous Substances.

          (3)  BFS and its subsidiaries have not received any claims or notices
     concerning any, direct or indirect, potential or actual liability or loss
     of BFS or any of its subsidiaries under any Environmental Law that,
     individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on
     BFS.

          (4)  To BFS's knowledge, there are no circumstances or conditions
     involving BFS or its subsidiaries or their properties (including any
     participation in the management of, or the holding of a security interest
     in, a borrower or any other third party or property or otherwise in a role
     as mortgagor, trustee or fiduciary) that could reasonably be expected to
     result in any claims, liabilities, costs or restrictions on the ownership,
     use or transfer of any property pursuant to any Environmental Law that, if
     adversely determined, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a
     Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (5)  BFS and its subsidiaries have delivered or made available to Dime
     true and complete copies of all environmental reports, studies, sampling
     data, permits, government filings and any other environmental information
     in its possession or reasonably available to it relating to BFS or any of
     its subsidiaries or any of their current or former properties or
     operations.

          (s)  Material Agreements. (1) Except for this Agreement or as set 
     forth in Schedule 4.1(s) or filed as an exhibit to its Reports filed with
     the SEC


                                      -22-



<PAGE>



     prior to the date hereof, neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries (A) is a
     party to any written or oral (w) contract for the employment of any
     officer, individual employee or other person on a full-time or consulting
     basis, or relating to severance or change-in-control related benefits for
     any such person, (x) agreement or understanding to repurchase assets
     previously sold (or to indemnify or otherwise compensate the purchaser in
     respect of such assets), except for securities sold under a repurchase
     agreement that has been entered into in the ordinary course of business for
     normal funding purposes and that provides a repurchase date 30 days or less
     after the purchase date, (y) contract or group of related contracts with
     the same Person for the purchase or sale of products or services under
     which the undelivered balance of such products or services has a purchase
     price in excess of $50,000 for any individual contract or $50,000 for any
     group of related contracts in the aggregate (including any lease that
     involves a remaining aggregate balance of lease payments payable of more
     than $50,000 or any group of related leases which involves a remaining
     aggregate balance of lease payments payable of more than $50,000) or (z)
     contract that is material to it and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole or
     (B) has any commitments for capital expenditures in excess of $50,000.

          (2)  Except to the extent set forth in Schedule 4.1(s) and except to 
     an extent that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
     Adverse Effect on BFS:

               (A)  Each of BFS and its subsidiaries has performed all
          obligations required to be performed by it prior to the date hereof in
          connection with the contracts or commitments set forth in Schedule
          4.1(s);

               (B)  None of BFS or any of its subsidiaries is in receipt of any
          claim of default under any such contract or commitment or has any
          present expectation or intention of not fully performing any
          obligation pursuant to any such contract or commitment; and

               (C)  There has been no cancellation, breach or anticipated breach
          by any other party to any such contract or commitment.



                                      -23-



<PAGE>



          (3)  Neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to, or
     obligated under, any agreement, arrangement or understanding that
     materially restricts the ability of BFS or any of its subsidiaries, or
     would materially restrict the ability of any successor of the preceding, to
     engage in any and all activities permissible for federal savings banks or
     savings and loan holding companies under applicable laws and regulations.

          (t)  Knowledge as to Conditions. As of the date of this Agreement, to
     BFS's knowledge, there is no reason why the Regulatory Approvals and, to
     the extent necessary for the consummation of the Merger, any other
     approvals, authorizations, filings, registrations and notices cannot be
     obtained without the imposition of any condition or restriction described
     in the proviso to Section 6.1(b).

          (u)  Brokers and Finders. None of BFS, its subsidiaries or any of 
     their officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder 
     or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finder's
     fees in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, except that
     BFS has retained Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. as its financial advisor
     pursuant to a letter agreement BFS has made available to Dime, as amended
     to date and currently in full force and effect.

          (v)  Interest Rate Risk Management Instruments; Derivatives; Certain
     Other Securities. (1) Schedule 4.1(v) sets forth a true and complete list
     as of the date of this Agreement of (A) all interest rate swaps, caps,
     floors, option agreements and other interest rate risk management
     arrangements and other instruments generally known as "derivatives" to
     which BFS or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their
     properties or assets may be subject and (B) all securities owned by BFS or
     its subsidiaries that are generally known as "structured notes", "high risk
     mortgage derivatives", "capped floating rate notes" or "capped floating
     rate mortgage derivatives" (instruments or agreements of the type referred
     to in clauses (A) and (B), collectively, "Derivative Securities").

          (2) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
     Material Adverse Effect on BFS:

               (A)  All Derivative Securities to which BFS or any of its
          subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their properties or assets



                                      -24-



<PAGE>



          may be subject were entered into in the ordinary course of business
          and, to its knowledge, in accordance with prudent banking practice and
          applicable rules, regulations and policies of the Banking Regulators
          and with counterparties believed to be financially responsible at the
          time;

               (B)  All such Derivative Securities are legal, valid and binding
          obligations enforceable in accordance with their terms (except, as to
          enforceability, as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
          moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of
          creditors generally, and the availability of equitable remedies) and
          are in full force and effect; and

               (C)  BFS and each of its subsidiaries has duly performed in all
          material respects all of its obligations thereunder, and, to its
          knowledge, there are no breaches, violations or defaults or
          allegations or assertions of such by any party thereunder.

          (w)  Accounting Controls. Each of BFS and its subsidiaries has devised
     and maintained systems of internal accounting controls sufficient to
     provide reasonable assurances, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of
     Directors of BFS, that (1) all material transactions are executed in
     accordance with management's general or specific authorization (except as
     set forth in Schedule 4.1(w)); (2) all material transactions are recorded
     as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in
     conformity with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
     applied; (3) access to the material property and assets of BFS and its
     subsidiaries is permitted only in accordance with management's general or
     specific authorization; and (4) the recorded accountability for items is
     compared with the actual levels at reasonable intervals and appropriate
     action is taken with respect to any differences.

          4.2 Representations and Warranties of Dime. Dime hereby represents 
and warrants to BFS that:

          (a)  Recitals True. The statements of fact set forth in Recitals A, B
     and G of this Agreement with respect to Dime and Merger Sub are true.



                                      -25-



<PAGE>



          (b)  Organization and Qualification. Each of Dime and Merger Sub has
     the requisite corporate power and authority to own or lease its material
     properties and material assets and to carry on its business in all material
     respects as it is now being conducted and is duly qualified to do business
     and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the properties owned,
     leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it require such
     qualification, except for any failure to be so qualified that,
     individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect
     on it.

          (c)  Corporate Authority. Each of Dime and Merger Sub has the 
     requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate action
     necessary in order to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate
     the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement is a valid and legally
     binding agreement of each of Dime and Merger Sub enforceable in accordance
     with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency,
     moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent transfer and other laws affecting
     creditors' rights generally and to general equitable principles.

          (d)  Governmental Filings. Other than the Regulatory Approvals, as
     provided in Section 1.2 and as required under the Exchange Act, the state
     securities and "Blue Sky" laws or the rules of the NASD, no notices,
     reports or other filings are required to be made by Dime or Merger Sub
     with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or
     authorizations required to be obtained by Dime or Merger Sub from, any
     Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery or
     performance of this Agreement by Dime or the Merger Sub and the
     consummation by them of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
     hereby, other than those the failure of which to obtain or make could not
     prevent, materially delay, or materially burden, or permit any Person to
     enjoin the consummation of, the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement.

          (e)  No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this
     Agreement by Dime and Merger Sub does not and will not, and (upon receipt
     of the Regulatory Approvals, the expiration of any related waiting period
     and compliance with the other requirements of Section 4.2(d)) the
     consummation by them of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
     hereby, will not, with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time
     or both:



                                      -26-



<PAGE>



               (1)  Conflict with or violate the Governing Documents of Dime or
          Merger Sub or any other subsidiary of Dime;

               (2)  Constitute or result in a breach of or default under, permit
          the termination of or acceleration of the performance required by, any
          Contracts of Dime or Merger Sub or any other subsidiary of Dime; or

               (3)  Violate or breach any law, rule, ordinance, regulation,
          judgment, decree, order, award or governmental or non-governmental
          permit or license to which Dime or Merger Sub or any other subsidiary
          of Dime is subject;

     except, in the cases of clauses (2) and (3), for such breaches, default or
     violations that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
     Material Adverse Effect on Dime.

          (f)  Knowledge as to Conditions. As of the date of this Agreement, to
     Dime's knowledge, there is no reason why the Regulatory Approvals and, to
     the extent necessary for consummation of the Merger, any other approvals,
     authorizations, filings, registrations and notices cannot be obtained
     without the imposition of any condition or restriction described in the
     proviso to Section 6.1(b).

          (g)  Financing. Dime has available, or at the Effective Time will have
     available, sufficient funds, available lines of credit or other sources of
     immediately available funds sufficient to enable it to consummate the
     Merger on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Dime and Merger Sub's
     obligations hereunder are not subject to any conditions regarding Dime's
     ability to obtain financing for the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated herein.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                    Covenants

          5.1  Conduct of Business Pending the Effective Time. BFS agrees as to
itself and its subsidiaries that, from and after the date hereof until the
Effective Time, except insofar as Dime shall otherwise consent in writing (which



                                      -27-



<PAGE>



consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or except as otherwise expressly
contemplated by this Agreement or set forth in Schedule 5.1:

          (a)  Conduct of Business in the Ordinary and Usual Course. BFS and its
     subsidiaries will conduct their respective businesses (including the
     underwriting and making of any loan or advance) only in the ordinary and
     usual course, and, to the extent consistent therewith, BFS and its
     subsidiaries will use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their
     business organizations and assets and maintain their rights, franchises and
     existing relations with customers, suppliers, employees and business
     associates.

          (b)  Forbearance. BFS will not, and will cause each of its 
     subsidiaries not to:

          (1)  Declare, set aside or pay any dividend payable in cash, stock or
     other property with respect to any of its capital stock, other than
     dividends by direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of BFS;

          (2)  Repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly,
     any shares of its capital stock;

          (3)  Grant, issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or permit any Encumbrance
     to be placed on (A) any shares of its capital stock of any class, other
     than issuance of BFS Common Stock pursuant to the BFS Stock Plans, (B)
     securities convertible or exchangeable for such shares of capital stock,
     (C) stock appreciation rights with respect to such shares or (D) options,
     warrants, calls, commitments or rights of any kind to acquire any of such
     shares;

          (4)  Effect any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split or
     like exchange in capitalization;

          (5)  Enter into, or take any action to cause any stockholders of BFS 
     to enter into, any agreement, understanding or commitment relating to the
     right of stockholders of BFS to vote any shares of its capital stock,
     except for the 1993 Agreement or as set forth in Recital F, or cooperate in
     any formation of any voting trust relating to such shares;

          (6)  Amend its Governing Documents;

          (7)  Merge or consolidate with, or, except in satisfaction of a debt
     previously contracted in good faith, make any material acquisition of or



                                      -28-



<PAGE>



     investment in the assets, stock or securities (including partnership, joint
     venture or limited liability company interests) of, any other Person;

          (8)  Make any change in accounting principles or methods from those
     currently employed, except as required by generally accepted accounting
     principles or applicable regulatory requirements, as concurred in by BFS's
     independent auditors;

          (9)  Sell, transfer, lease, securitize, swap, license, pledge or
     otherwise dispose or permit any Encumbrance to be placed on any material
     amount of its properties or assets (including loans, advances or securities
     constituting assets of it), except in the ordinary course of business
     consistent with past practice (including FHLB advances in the ordinary
     course of business consistent with past practice);

          (10) Other than with respect to loan transactions, enter into,
     accelerate, terminate or cancel any contract, lease or license relating to
     amounts in excess of $50,000 for any individual contract, lease or license
     or $50,000 for any group of related contracts, leases or licenses other
     than entering into such contracts, leases or licenses that can be
     terminated without penalty on notice of 90 days or less;

          (11) Amend, modify, waive or fail to enforce any provision of, or its
     rights under, the 1993 Agreement;

          (12) Incur any material amount of indebtedness, other than deposits
     taken and other indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business
     consistent with past practice (including FHLB advances in the ordinary
     course of business consistent with past practice);

          (13) Other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
     past practice, (A) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an
     accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other Person or
     (B) cancel, release, assign or modify any material amount of indebtedness
     of any other Person;

          (14) Make any loan or advance (A) in excess of $250,000 or (B) other
     than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;



                                      -29-



<PAGE>



          (15) Authorize or make any capital expenditures, other than in the
     ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and other than
     capital expenditures for replacements and repairs in amounts less than
     $50,000 in the aggregate;

          (16) Enter into or modify any employment, severance or similar
     agreements or arrangements with, or grant any bonuses, wage, salary, fee or
     compensation increases, increases in fringe benefits or severance or
     termination pay to, or promote, any director, officer, employee, group of
     employees or consultant or hire any employee, except that it may (A) hire
     "at will" employees with an annual salary of less than $50,000 as
     replacements for terminating employees and (B) grant compensation
     increases, bonuses or promotions in the ordinary course of business and
     consistent with past practice to non-executive employees, provided that
     such grants do not result in increases in compensation that exceed 3% per
     annum on average, and (C) grant those salary increases, year-end bonuses
     and retention bonuses set forth on Schedule 5.1(b)(16);

          (17) Release or otherwise terminate the employment of any employee
     of it, except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
     practice;

          (18) Establish, adopt or enter into any new, or amend any existing, or
     extend coverage of or waive eligibility requirements with respect to any,
     Compensation Plans (including profit sharing, bonus, director and officer
     incentive compensation, severance, retirement, medical, hospitalization,
     life or other insurance plans, agreements and commitments), except in each
     case for amendments or modifications necessary to comply with applicable
     law (after prior consultation with Dime);

          (19) Knowingly take any action that would materially and adversely
     affect the ability of any party hereto to obtain, on or before July 31,
     1997, any necessary approvals, consents or waivers of Governmental Entities
     required for the transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a
     condition or restriction of the type referred to in the proviso to Section
     6.1(b) or perform its obligations under this Agreement or that is
     reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material
     Adverse Effect on it; or



                                      -30-



<PAGE>


          (20) Authorize or enter into an agreement to take any of the foregoing
     actions.

          (c)  Certain Settlements. Without prior consultation with Dime, 
     neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries shall enter into any settlement or
     similar agreement (other than such a settlement or agreement involving no
     admission of wrongdoing and requiring only the payment of immaterial
     monetary damages) with respect to, or take any other significant action
     with respect to the conduct of, any action, suit, proceeding, order or
     investigation against or affecting BFS or any of its subsidiaries that is
     set forth in Schedule 4.1(m) or to which BFS or any of such subsidiaries
     becomes a party after the date of this Agreement (other than any action,
     suit, proceeding or order that is related solely to the collection of any
     loan or other extension of credit in default or to the realization on any
     related collateral).

          5.2  Acquisition Proposals. BFS agrees that neither BFS nor any of its
subsidiaries shall, and that BFS and its subsidiaries shall direct and use all
reasonable efforts to cause their respective directors, officers, employees,
agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any investment
banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any of its subsidiaries) not
to, initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the
making or implementation of any proposal or offer with respect to a merger,
acquisition, consolidation or similar transaction involving, or any purchase of
all or any substantial part of the assets or any equity securities of, BFS or
any of its subsidiaries (any such proposal or offer being hereinafter referred
to as an "Acquisition Proposal") or engage in any discussions or negotiations
with, or provide any confidential information or data to, any Person relating to
an Acquisition Proposal; provided, that, if BFS is not otherwise in violation of
this Section 5.2, the Board of Directors of BFS may furnish or cause to be
furnished information and may participate in such discussions and negotiations
directly or through its representatives if such Board of Directors, after having
consulted with and considered the written advice of outside counsel, has
determined that the failure to provide such information or participate in such
negotiations and discussions would constitute a breach of their fiduciary duties
under Delaware law. If any such inquiries or proposals are received by, any such
information is requested from, or any such negotiations or discussions are
sought to be initiated or continued with, BFS or any of its subsidiaries, BFS
will immediately notify Dime. BFS will immediately cease and cause to be



                                      -31-



<PAGE>



terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties
conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, will enforce any
confidentiality agreements and will take the necessary steps to inform the
appropriate individuals or entities referred to in the first sentence of this
Section 5.2 of the obligations undertaken in this Section 5.2.

          5.3  Certain Policies of BFS. Subject to Schedule 5.3 and upon the
request of Dime, BFS shall, consistent with generally accepted accounting
principles and regulatory accounting principles, use its best efforts to record
any accounting adjustments required to conform the loan, litigation and other
reserve and real estate valuation policies and practices (including loan
classifications and levels of reserves) of BFS and its subsidiaries so as to
reflect consistently on a mutually satisfactory basis the policies and practices
of Dime; provided, however, that BFS shall not be obligated to record any such
accounting adjustments pursuant to this Section 5.3 (A) unless and until BFS
shall be satisfied that the conditions to the obligation of the parties to
consummate the Merger will be satisfied or waived on or before the Effective
Time, and (B) in no event until the day prior to the Effective Date. BFS's
representations, warranties (including Section 4.1(i)(1)) and covenants
contained in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be untrue or breached in any
respect for any purpose as a consequence of any modifications or changes
undertaken solely on account of this Section 5.3.

          5.4  Employees; Employee Benefit Plans. (a) Dime agrees that, as of 
the Effective Time, the employees of BFS and its subsidiaries at such time ("BFS
Employees") shall be employed upon terms and conditions (including retiree and
other benefits) no less favorable than those generally afforded to other
employees of Dime and its subsidiaries holding similar positions; provided, that
service with BFS or its subsidiaries or any predecessor thereto prior to the
Effective Time shall be treated as service with Dime or its subsidiaries for
purposes of any length-of-service requirements, waiting periods, eligibility
periods, vesting periods or differential benefits based upon length-of-service
requirements (but not for pension benefit accrual purposes), including
length-of-service requirements used to determine the number of weeks of vacation
to which a BFS Employee is entitled under the relevant Dime policy and to
satisfy any waiting periods concerning "preexisting conditions" and any
"copayment" or deductible requirements); and provided, further, that nothing
herein shall (1) prevent the amendment or termination of any Compensation Plan
of BFS in accordance with its terms, (2) require the Surviving Corporation to



                                      -32-



<PAGE>



maintain an employee stock ownership plan or to provide or permit investment in
the securities of BFS or the Surviving Corporation or (3) limit or restrict the
ability of the Surviving Corporation to terminate the employment of any officer
or employee.

          (b)  Dime agrees to honor in accordance with their terms all
employment, severance and termination contracts, agreements and arrangements and
employee benefit plans set forth in Schedule 4.1(q); provided, that the
foregoing shall not prevent the Surviving Corporation from amending or
terminating any such plan, contract, agreement, arrangement or plan in
accordance with its terms. It is Dime's present intention that current
recipients of retiree medical benefits from BFS and its subsidiaries will
receive retiree medical benefits no less favorable than those generally afforded
to employees of Dime and its subsidiaries holding similar positions; provided,
that service with BFS or its subsidiaries or any predecessor thereto prior to
the Effective Time shall be treated as service with Dime or its subsidiaries;
and provided, further, that such recipients shall not be required to make any
contribution in respect of such benefits unless required in good faith by Dime
for reasons related to the accounting by Dime for postemployment benefits other
than pensions under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106 (or any
amendment or successor thereto).

          (c)  BFS shall take such action as is necessary to terminate the BFS
Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("BFS ESOP") effective as of the Effective Time.
Subject to applicable laws and regulations, prior to the Effective Time, BFS
shall cause the BFS ESOP to be amended to provide that, in the event of the
termination of the BFS ESOP, participants in the BFS ESOP shall be entitled to
rollover the amounts then credited to their respective accounts under the BFS
ESOP to the 401(k) Savings Plan maintained by Dime. Dime shall use reasonable
efforts to have the 401(k) Savings Plan accept such rollovers in the form of
cash or cash equivalents.

          5.5  Access and Information. (a) Upon reasonable notice and subject to
applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, BFS agrees to (and
shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) afford Dime's officers, employees,
counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives (collectively, its
"Representatives") reasonable access (together with the right to copy), during
normal business hours throughout the period until the Closing Date, to its
books, properties, contracts and records (including loan and credit files, tax
returns and work papers of independent auditors) and, during such period, shall
(and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) furnish to Dime and its



                                      -33-



<PAGE>



Representatives all information concerning its business, property and personnel
as may reasonably be requested and instruct its officers, employees, counsel and
accountants to be available for, and respond to reasonable questions of, Dime
and its Representatives at reasonable hours and with reasonable notice and to
cooperate with Dime in planning for the integration of the business of BFS and
its subsidiaries with the business of Dime and its subsidiaries. Neither BFS 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 BFS's customers, jeopardize the attorney-client privilege of the
institution in possession or control of such information 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)  Each of Dime and BFS agree that it and its subsidiaries will not,
and will cause their Representatives not to, use any nonpublic information
obtained from the other party in connection with or relating to this Agreement,
the investigation leading up to its execution or the transactions contemplated
hereby (including by Dime pursuant to Section 5.5(a)) for any purpose unrelated
to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Pending
consummation of the transactions herein contemplated, each of Dime and BFS
agrees that it and each of its subsidiaries will keep confidential, and will
cause its Representatives to keep confidential, all nonpublic information and
documents so obtained from the other party; provided, that the obligation to
keep such information or documents confidential shall not apply to (1) any
information or document that (A) was already in Dime or BFS's possession prior
to the disclosure thereof by the other party, (B) was then generally known to
the public, (C) became known to the public through no fault of Dime or BFS, as
the case may be, or (D) was disclosed to Dime or BFS, as the case may be, by a
third party not bound by an obligation of confidentiality or (2) disclosures
required by law, governmental or regulatory authority. Upon any termination of
this Agreement, each party will collect and deliver to the other party all
nonpublic documents obtained by any of it, its subsidiaries or any of their
Representatives and then in their possession (other than documents of the type
described in the proviso to the preceding sentence) and any copies thereof and
destroy or cause to be destroyed all notes, memoranda or other documents in the



                                      -34-



<PAGE>



possession of it, its subsidiaries or their Representatives containing or
reflecting any nonpublic information obtained from the other party (other than
information of the type described in the proviso to the preceding sentence),
except to the extent that any such information may be embodied in minutes of the
meetings of such party's Board of Directors or in filings, reports or
submissions to or with any Governmental Entity. Promptly after any such
termination, each of Dime and BFS shall deliver to the other a certificate
signed on its behalf by a senior executive officer to the effect of its
compliance with the agreements of it set forth in the preceding sentence.

          (c)  Without in any way limiting the provisions of Section 5.5(a), BFS
shall provide to Dime within 30 days of the end of each calendar month between
the date hereof and the Closing Date (1) consolidated financial statements
(including a balance sheet and income statement) as of, and for the period
ended, on such month-end, in the form in which such statements are prepared for
use by BFS's management, and (2) such other information customarily prepared by
BFS as may be reasonably requested by Dime.

          (d)  No investigation, whether pursuant to this Section 5.5 or
otherwise, shall affect or be deemed to modify any representation or warranty
herein.

          5.6  Options. BFS shall terminate at its sole cost and expense the BFS
Stock Plans listed on Schedule 4.1(d), effective as of the Effective Time;
provided, however, that immediately prior to the Effective Time, BFS shall take
such action as may be necessary so that all options to purchase BFS Common Stock
granted by BFS under the BFS Stock Plans and that are outstanding at the
Effective Time (collectively, the "BFS Options"), whether or not then
exercisable, shall be cancelled by BFS and shall thereafter represent the right
to receive (immediately prior to the Effective Time) in lieu of each share of
BFS Common Stock that would otherwise have been issuable upon exercise thereof,
consideration in an amount computed by multiplying (a) the excess, if any, of
the Merger Consideration over the per share exercise price under such BFS Option
by (b) the number of shares subject to such BFS Option.

          5.7  Stockholder Approval. BFS agrees to take, subject to and in
accordance with applicable law and its Governing Documents, all action necessary
to convene a meeting of holders of BFS Common Stock (the "BFS Meeting") as
promptly as practicable to consider and vote upon the adoption of the agreement
of merger (within the meaning of Section 251 of the DGCL) contained in this



                                      -35-



<PAGE>



Agreement. Subject to the next sentence, the Board of Directors of BFS will
recommend such approval, and BFS will take all reasonable lawful action to
solicit such approval by its stockholders. The Board of Directors of BFS may
fail to make such a recommendation, or withdraw, modify or change any such
recommendation only if such Board of Directors, after having consulted with and
considered the written advice of outside counsel to such Board, has determined
that the making of such recommendation, or the failure so to withdraw, modify or
change its recommendation, would constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of
such directors under Delaware law.

          5.8  Efforts to Consummate; Proxy Statement; Other Filings. (a) 
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and applicable law, each
of Dime and BFS shall use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement as soon as practicable, including such actions or
things as the other party may reasonably request in order to cause any of the
conditions to such party's obligation to consummate the Merger specified in
Article VI of this Agreement to be fully satisfied.

          (b)  Without limiting the generality of Section 5.8(a):

          (1)  BFS shall prepare as promptly as practicable after the date 
     hereof a proxy statement and the other proxy solicitation materials
     constituting a part thereof or, in the alternative, an information
     statement (as determined by mutual agreement of BFS and Dime) for the BFS
     Meeting (collectively, the "Proxy Statement"). BFS agrees to use all
     reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to holders of
     record of BFS Common Stock as promptly as practicable after the date
     hereof.

          (2)  Dime and BFS agree to cooperate and, subject to the terms and
     conditions set forth in this Agreement, use reasonable efforts to (A)
     prepare and file all necessary documentation, (B) effect all necessary
     applications, notices, petitions, filings and other documents, (C) obtain
     all necessary permits, consents, orders, approvals and authorizations of,



                                      -36-



<PAGE>



     or any exemption by, all third parties and Governmental Entities, including
     the Regulatory Approvals, to make effective the Merger and the other
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as practicable.

          (3)  Each of Dime and BFS agrees, upon request, to furnish the other
     with all information concerning itself, its subsidiaries, directors,
     officers and stockholders and such other matters as may be reasonably
     necessary or advisable in connection with the Proxy Statement or any other
     statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of such other
     party or any of its subsidiaries to any Governmental Entity in connection
     with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          5.9  Information Supplied. Each of Dime and BFS agrees that none of 
the information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or incorporation
by reference in the Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto
will, at the date of mailing to the stockholders of BFS and at the time of the
BFS Meeting, contain any statement which, in the light of the circumstances
under which such statement is made, will be false or misleading with respect to
any material fact, or which will omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein not false or misleading or necessary to
correct any earlier statement in the Proxy Statement or any amendment or
supplement thereto which has become false or misleading. The Proxy Statement
shall not be filed with the SEC or used, and, prior to the termination of this
Agreement, no amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement shall be used or so
filed, by BFS without the prior consent of Dime and its counsel, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned (including in a
manner that would interfere with the taking by the Board of Directors of BFS of
the actions contemplated by the third sentence of Section 5.7).

          5.10 Publicity. Dime and BFS shall consult with each other (a) prior
to issuing any press releases or otherwise making public statements with respect
to the transactions contemplated hereby, (b) prior to making any filings with
any Governmental Entity (including any self-regulatory organization) with
respect to such transactions and (c) prior to issuing any press releases or
otherwise making public statements with respect to significant regulatory
developments. In any press release or other public statement, each of Dime and
BFS warrants that neither it nor any of its authorized officers has made or will
make, regarding the Merger or any Acquisition Proposal, any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the



                                      -37-



<PAGE>



statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.

          5.11 Notification of Certain Matters. Each of Dime and BFS will give
prompt notice to the other upon its discovery of the occurrence or failure to
occur of any fact, event or circumstance that would, individually or in the
aggregate, result in (a) a Material Adverse Effect on it, (b) any of the
representations or warranties of such party contained herein being untrue or
inaccurate when made, at the Effective Time or at any time prior to the
Effective Time, (c) a material breach of any of the covenants or agreements of
such party contained herein or (d) the preclusion of the satisfaction of any
condition to consummation set forth in Article VI. Each of Dime and BFS will
give prompt notice to the other of any notice or other communication from any
Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          5.12 Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance. (a) From and
after the Effective Time through the sixth anniversary thereof, Dime agrees to
indemnify, defend and hold harmless each present and former director and officer
of BFS and its subsidiaries determined as of the Effective Time (the
"Indemnified Parties") against all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees), liabilities or judgments of or in
connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising out
of matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (a "Claim")
in which an Indemnified Party is, or is threatened to be made, a party or a
witness based in whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of, the
fact that such person is or was a director or officer of BFS or any of its
subsidiaries, regardless of whether such Claim is asserted or claimed prior to,
at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent to which directors and
officers of BFS are entitled under Delaware or other applicable law as in effect
on the date hereof (and Dime shall pay expenses in advance of the final
disposition of any such action or proceeding to each Indemnified Party to the 
extent permissible to a Delaware corporation under Delaware law as in effect on 
the date hereof; provided, that the person to whom expenses are advanced 
provides an undertaking to repay such expenses if it is ultimately determined
that such person is not entitled to indemnification). All rights to
indemnification in respect of a Claim asserted or made within the period 
described in the preceding sentence shall continue until the final disposition 
of such Claim.



                                      -38-



<PAGE>



          (b)  Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under
Section 5.12(a), upon learning of any Claim, shall promptly notify Dime, but the
failure to so notify shall not relieve Dime of any liability it may have to such
Indemnified Party except to the extent that such failure materially prejudices
Dime. In the event of any Claim, (1) Dime shall have the right to assume the
defense thereof and shall not be liable to such Indemnified Parties for any
legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by
such Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense thereof, except that, if
Dime elects not to assume such defense or counsel for the Indemnified Parties
advises that there are issues which raise conflicts of interest between Dime and
the Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel satisfactory
to them, and Dime shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for
the Indemnified Parties promptly as statements therefor are received, (2) the
Indemnified Parties will cooperate in the defense of any such Claim and (3) Dime
shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its prior written
consent (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld).

          (c)  Dime shall use all reasonable efforts to cause the persons 
serving as officers and directors of BFS immediately prior to the Effective Time
to be covered for a period of three years from the Effective Time by the
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy maintained by BFS (provided
that Dime 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 Dime be required to expend more
than 200% of the current amount expended by BFS (the "Insurance Amount") to
maintain or procure insurance coverage pursuant hereto; and provided, further,
that if Dime is unable to maintain or obtain the insurance called for by this
Section 5.12(c), Dime shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain as much
comparable insurance as is available for the Insurance Amount.

          (d)  In the event Dime or any of is successors or assigns (1)
consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not continue or
survive such consolidation or merger, or (2) 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 Dime assume the obligations set forth in this Section
5.12.


                                      -39-



<PAGE>




          (e)  The provisions of this Section 5.12 are intended to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and his or her
heirs and representatives.

          5.13 Bank Merger. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, Dime and BFS
will take all action necessary and appropriate to cause the Bank Merger to occur
immediately after or, if the Bank Merger cannot be effected immediately after,
as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Section 5.14, Dime and BFS may cause the Bank Merger to
occur on such later date as may be agreed in writing.

          5.14 Forbearance by Dime. Dime agrees that, from and after the date
hereof until the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly contemplated by
this Agreement, Dime will not, and will cause each of its subsidiaries not to,
knowingly take any action that would materially and adversely affect the ability
of any party hereto to obtain, on or before July 31, 1997, any necessary
approvals, consents or waivers of Governmental Entities required for the
transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a condition or
restriction of the type referred to in the proviso to Section 6.1(b) or perform
its obligations under this Agreement.

          5.15 Advisory Board. Dime agrees, promptly following the Effective
Time, to cause the members of BFS's board of directors immediately prior to the
Effective Time who are (a) not officers or employees of BFS or any of its
subsidiaries, (b) nominated by BFS and (c) are willing so to serve to be elected
or appointed as members of a newly formed advisory board to Dime Savings, the
function of which shall be as determined by the Board of Directors of Dime
Savings from time to time; provided, however, that Dime Savings may request the
resignation of any member of the advisory board, and such member promptly shall
so resign, if Dime Savings reasonably determines that such member has a conflict
of interest or other circumstances exist that compromise such member's ability
to effectively serve as a member of the advisory board. The advisory board shall
terminate on the first anniversary of the Effective Time. The members of the
advisory board shall receive a retainer fee of $25,000 for their year of
service.



                                      -40-



<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                   Conditions

          6.1  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger. The
respective obligation of each of Dime, Merger Sub and BFS to consummate the
Merger is subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by each of Dime and BFS
of each of the following conditions prior to the Effective Time:

          (a)  Stockholder Approval. The agreement of merger contained in this
     Agreement shall have been duly adopted by the requisite vote of the holders
     of the outstanding shares of BFS Common Stock in accordance with Section
     251 of the DGCL, other applicable law and the Governing Documents of BFS.

          (b)  Governmental and Regulatory Consents. The Regulatory Approvals
     shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect and all
     related waiting periods shall have expired; and all other material
     approvals and authorizations of, filings and registrations with, and
     notifications to, all Governmental Entities required for the consummation
     of the Merger shall have been obtained or made and shall be in full force
     and effect and all waiting periods required by law shall have expired;
     provided, however, that none of the preceding shall be deemed obtained or
     made if it shall be conditioned or restricted in a manner that,
     individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect
     on the Surviving Corporation or the Surviving Bank.

          (c)  Third Party Consents. All consents or approvals of all Persons
     (other than Governmental Entities) required for or in connection with the
     execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation
     of the Merger shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and
     effect, unless the failure to obtain any such consent or approval,
     individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse
     Effect on the Surviving Corporation or the Surviving Bank.

          (d)  No Prohibition. No jurisdiction or Governmental Entity shall have
     enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule,
     regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary,



                                      -41-



<PAGE>



     preliminary or permanent) which is in effect and prohibits consummation of
     the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          6.2  Conditions to Obligation of Dime. The obligation of Dime and
Merger Sub to consummate the Merger is also subject to the fulfillment or
written waiver by Dime of each of the following conditions prior to the
Effective Time:

          (a)  Representations and Warranties. The representations and 
     warranties of BFS set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as
     of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on
     and as of the Closing Date, except that representations and warranties that
     by their terms speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date
     certain shall be true and correct as of such date; and Dime shall have
     received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of BFS by
     its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to such effect.

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

          6.3  Conditions to Obligation of BFS. The obligation of BFS to
consummate the Merger is also subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by
BFS of each of the following conditions prior to the Effective Time:

          (a)  Representations and Warranties. The representations and 
     warranties of Dime set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as
     of the date of this Agreement and as of Closing Date as though made on and
     as of the Closing Date, except that representations and warranties that by
     their terms speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date
     certain shall be true and correct as of such date, and BFS shall have
     received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of Dime by
     a senior officer of Dime to such effect.

          (b)  Performance of Covenants. Dime shall have performed in all
     material respects all covenants required to be performed by it under this
     Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and BFS shall have received a



                                      -42-



<PAGE>



     certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of Dime by a senior
     officer of Dime to such effect.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                        Termination, Amendment and Waiver

          7.1  Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, either before or after the
approval by the stockholders of BFS of the Merger:

          (a)  By the mutual written consent of Dime and BFS;

          (b)  By either Dime or BFS, if (1) the Effective Time shall not have
     occurred on or prior to July 31, 1997, (2) any approval or authorization of
     any Governmental Entity, the lack of which would result in the failure to
     satisfy the closing condition set forth in Section 6.1(b), shall have been
     denied by such Governmental Entity or such Governmental Entity shall have
     requested the withdrawal of any application therefor or indicated an
     intention to deny, or impose a condition of a type referred to in the
     proviso to Section 6.1(b) with respect to, such approval or authorization
     or (3) the approval of the stockholders of BFS referred to in Section
     6.1(a) shall not have been obtained at the BFS Meeting or at any
     adjournment thereof; provided, however, that the right to terminate this
     Agreement under this Section 7.1(b) shall not be available to any party
     whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement shall have
     been the cause of, or shall have resulted in, either the failure of the
     Effective Time to occur on or prior to such date or such action by such
     Governmental Entity or the stockholders of BFS, as the case may be;

          (c)  By Dime, if (1) BFS shall have breached any representation,
     warranty or covenant contained herein that would result in the failure to
     satisfy the closing condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) or 6.2(b) and
     such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving
     of a written notice to BFS of such breach, (2) as provided in Section 5.7,
     the Board of Directors of BFS withdraws its recommendation of this
     Agreement, fails to make such recommendation or modifies or qualifies its
     recommendation in a manner adverse to Dime or (3) as provided in Section
     5.2, the Board of Directors of BFS participates in (or authorizes



                                      -43-



<PAGE>



     participation in) negotiations regarding the substantive terms of a formal
     Acquisition Proposal; or

          (d)  By BFS, if (1) Dime shall have breached any representation,
     warranty or covenant contained herein that would result in the failure to
     satisfy the closing condition set forth in Section 6.3(a) or 6.3(b) and
     such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving
     of a written notice to Dime of such breach or (2) without breaching Section
     5.2, BFS shall have entered into a definitive agreement with a third party
     providing for an Acquisition Transaction (as defined in Section 7.3(b)(1)
     hereof) on terms determined by the Board of Directors of BFS, in its sole
     discretion, after consultation with and considering the advice of its legal
     and financial advisors, to be more favorable to the stockholders of BFS
     than the Merger; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under
     Section 7.1(d)(2) shall not be available to BFS unless it delivers to Dime
     simultaneously with such termination the fee referred to in Section 7.3;

provided, that to the extent required by Section 251(d) of the DGCL, any
termination of the Agreement after the approval of the Merger by the
stockholders of BFS shall be by action of the Board of Directors of Dime or BFS,
as the case may be.

          7.2  Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to Section 7.1, no party to
this Agreement shall have any liability or further obligation to any other party
hereunder except (a) as set forth in Sections 7.3 and 8.1 and (b) such
termination will not relieve a breaching party of liability for any breach
directly or indirectly giving rise to such termination.

          7.3  Termination Fee. (a) If this Agreement (1) is terminated by Dime
pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(2) or by BFS pursuant to Section 7.1(d)(2) and (2)
prior thereto or within eighteen months after such termination:

          (A)  BFS shall have entered into an agreement to engage in an
     Acquisition Transaction or an Acquisition Transaction shall have occurred;
     or


          (B)  The Board of Directors of BFS shall have authorized or approved 
     an Acquisition Transaction or shall have publicly announced an intention to
     authorize or approve an Acquisition Transaction or shall have recommended



                                      -44-



<PAGE>



     that the stockholders of BFS approve or accept an Acquisition Transaction
     (each of the events set forth in clause (A) or (B), a "Trigger Event");

BFS shall pay to Dime, and Dime shall be entitled to payment of, a fee of
$3,000,000.

          (b)  The term "Acquisition Transaction" means (1) a merger or
consolidation, or any similar transaction, involving BFS or any of its
significant subsidiaries (the term "significant subsidiary" for purposes of this
definition having the meaning assigned thereto in Regulation S-X promulgated by
the SEC), (2) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or substantially all
of the assets or deposits of BFS or any of its significant subsidiaries or (3) a
purchase or other acquisition (including by way of merger, consolidation, share
exchange or otherwise) of securities representing 25% or more of the voting
power of BFS or any of its significant subsidiaries, in each case other than
with or by Dime or a subsidiary of Dime.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               General Provisions

          8.1  Survival. Only those agreements and covenants of the parties that
by their express terms apply in whole or in part after the Effective Time shall
survive the Effective Time. All other representations, warranties, agreements
and covenants shall be deemed only to be conditions of the Merger and shall not
survive the Effective Time. If the Merger shall be abandoned and this Agreement
terminated, the provisions of Sections 7.2 and 7.3 shall apply and the
agreements of the parties in Sections 5.5(b) and (d), 5.10 and 8.2 shall survive
such abandonment.

          8.2  Expenses. Each of Dime and BFS 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 or
other consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel; provided,
however, that the costs and expenses of preparing, printing and mailing the
Proxy Statement and all filing and other fees paid to the SEC in connection with
the Merger shall be borne equally by Dime and BFS.

          8.3  Modification or Amendment. (a) Subject to the applicable
provisions of the DGCL, at any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties
hereto may modify or amend this Agreement by written agreement executed and
delivered by duly authorized officers of the respective parties.



                                      -45-



<PAGE>



          (b)  At any time prior to the Effective Time, Dime shall be entitled 
to revise the structure of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated
hereby or the manner of effecting such transactions; provided, that each of the
transactions comprising such revised structure or manner shall not, as a result
of such revision, (1) subject any of the stockholders of BFS (or, prior to the
Effective Time, BFS) to adverse Tax consequences, (2) adversely affect the
consideration to be received by any such stockholder or (3) result in any
material delay in the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This
Agreement and any related documents shall be appropriately amended in order to
reflect any such revised structure.

          8.4  Waiver of Conditions. The conditions to each party's obligation 
to consummate the Merger are for the sole benefit of such party and may be
waived by such party in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable
law. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in a writing signed by a duly
authorized officer of the waiving party that makes express reference to the
provision or provisions subject to such waiver.

          8.5  Notices. Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be
given hereunder by any party to the other shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given (1) on the date of delivery if delivered
personally or by telefacsimile upon confirmation of receipt, (2) on the first
business day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered next-day
courier service or (3) on the third business day following the date of mailing
if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid. All notices, requests, instructions or other documents to be given
hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other
instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such
notice, request, instruction or document:


          (a)  If to Dime:

               Dime Bancorp, Inc.
               589 Fifth Avenue
               New York, New York  10017
               Attention:  Chief Executive Officer
               Facsimile:  (212) 326-6194



                                      -46-



<PAGE>



               with a copy to:

               Mitchell S. Eitel, Esq.
               Sullivan & Cromwell
               125 Broad Street
               New York, New York   10004
               Facsimile:  (212) 558-3588

          (b)  If to BFS:

               BFS Bankorp, Inc.
               110 William Street
               New York, New York  10038
               Attention:  James A. Randall
                   President and Chief
                                    Executive Officer
               Facsimile:  (212) 267-2723

               with copies to:

               John J. Gorman, Esq.
               Luse, Lehman, Gorman,
                 Pomerenk & Schick
               5335 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
               Washington, D.C.   20015
               Facsimile:  (202) 362-2902

               and

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

          8.6  Certain Definitions; Interpretation. (a) As used in this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

          "individually or in the aggregate", when used in or with respect to
     Articles IV, V or VI, includes all events, occurrences and circumstances
     described in any Section of that Article and is not limited to any specific
     Section.

          "material" means, with respect to a Person, material to such Person
     and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.



                                      -47-



<PAGE>



          "Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to a Person, a material
     adverse effect upon (1) the present or prospective financial condition,
     business or results of operations of such Person and its subsidiaries,
     taken as a whole (provided, that in relation to the prospective condition,
     business or results such effect must be reasonably likely to occur), or (2)
     the ability of any party hereto to perform its material obligations under
     this Agreement; provided, that in determining whether a Material Adverse
     Effect has occurred there shall be excluded any effect on the referenced
     party the cause of which is (1) any change in banking and similar laws,
     rules or regulations of general applicability or interpretations thereof by
     courts or governmental authorities, (2) any change in generally accepted
     accounting principles or regulatory accounting requirements applicable to
     thrift institutions or their holding companies generally or (3) any changes
     in general economic conditions (including changes in interests rates)
     affecting generally thrift institutions in the Greater New York
     metropolitan area and their holding companies (provided, that such economic
     conditions shall not (A) affect BFS and its subsidiaries to any
     substantially greater extent than thrift institutions in the Greater New
     York metropolitan area and their holding companies generally or (B) cause
     the total stockholder's equity of BFS at any date (calculated in accordance
     with past practice and the Balance Sheet but determined without regard to
     any modification or change undertaken solely on the account of Section 5.3)
     to be less than the amount publicly disclosed as such at September 30, 1996
     by BFS in its press release dated October 29, 1996).

          "Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership,
     association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

          "prior consultation" means, with respect to any action, advance notice
     of such action and a reasonable opportunity to discuss such action in good
     faith prior to the taking thereof.

          "subsidiary" with respect to a Person, means any other person
     controlled (as defined in Section 10 of the HOLA) by such Person.

          (b)  When a reference is made in this Agreement to Articles or
Sections, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents, index of defined terms and
headings contained in this Agreement are for ease of reference only and shall



                                      -48-



<PAGE>



not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words
"include", "includes", or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be
deemed followed by the words "without limitation". Any singular term in this
Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the
singular.

          (c)  Insofar as any provision of this Agreement shall require a
subsidiary to take or omit to take any action, such provision shall be deemed a
covenant by Dime or BFS, as the case may be, to cause such action or omission to
occur.

          (d)  It is the intention of the parties that this Agreement shall not
be construed more strictly with regard to one party than with regard to any
other party.

          8.7  Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Annexes and
Schedules thereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and
undertakings, both written and oral.

          8.8  Assignment. Without the prior written consent of the other party
hereto, this Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise
(any attempted assignment in contravention hereof being null and void).

          8.9  No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing contained in this 
Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any person or entity
other than the parties hereto, any benefit right or remedies, except that the
provisions of Section 5.6 shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the BFS
Options, Section 5.12 shall inure to the benefit of the persons referred to
therein and Section 5.15 shall inure to the benefit of the members of the
advisory board referred to therein.

          8.10 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements
made and to be performed entirely within such State.

          8.11 Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties hereto, this
Agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each such
counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts
shall together constitute the same agreement.



                                      -49-



<PAGE>


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


                                         DIME BANCORP, INC.



                                         By: /s/  James M. Large Jr.
                                             Name:  James M. Large, Jr.
                                             Title: Chairman and Chief 
                                                    Executive Officer




                                         FIFTH AVENUE PROPERTY CORP.



                                         By: /s/  David E. Sparks
                                             Name:  David E. Sparks
                                             Title: President




                                         BFS BANKORP, INC.



                                         By: /s/  James A. Randall
                                             Name:  James A. Randall
                                             Title: President and Chief
                                                    Executive Officer



                                      -50-

<PAGE>


                                                                      Annex 1



          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of the [day] day of [month],
199[6] (this "Agreement"), by and between Bankers Federal Savings FSB ("BFS
Bank") and The Dime Savings Bank of New York, FSB ("Dime Savings").

                                    RECITALS

          A.   BFS Bank. BFS Bank is a federal savings bank and a wholly owned
subsidiary of BFS Bankorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("BFS").

          B.   Dime Savings. Dime Savings is a federal savings bank and a wholly
owned subsidiary of Dime Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Dime").

          C.   The Merger. BFS and Dime have entered into an Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of the 3rd day of December, 1996 (the "Merger Agreement"),
pursuant to which BFS and Dime intend to effect the merger (the "Merger") of a
wholly owned subsidiary of Dime with and into BFS, with BFS the corporation
surviving the merger.

          D.   The Bank Merger. At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 
1.2), which is subject, and shall not occur prior, to the effective time of the
Merger (as defined in Section 1.2 of the Merger Agreement), the parties to this
Agreement intend to effect a merger of BFS Bank with and into Dime Savings (the
"Bank Merger"), with Dime Savings the federal savings bank surviving the Bank
Merger (as such, the "Surviving Bank").

          E.   Approvals. The respective Boards of Directors of BFS Bank and 
Dime Savings (at meetings duly called and held) have determined by at least a
two-thirds vote of the entire Board that this Agreement and the transactions
described herein are in the best interests of BFS Bank and Dime Savings,
respectively, and their respective stockholders and have approved this
Agreement. The stockholder of each of BFS Bank and Dime Savings has duly
approved and adopted this Agreement and the Bank Merger.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and in
the Merger Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:



<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE I

                                The Bank Merger;
                             Effective Time; Closing

          1.1  The Bank Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, at the Effective Time, BFS Bank shall merge with and into Dime
Savings, and the separate existence of BFS Bank shall cease. Dime Savings shall
be the Surviving Bank in the Bank Merger and shall continue to exist as a
federal stock savings bank. The Bank Merger shall have the effects specified in
the regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS") codified at
Section 552.13 of Title 12, Code of Federal Regulations (1996) ("Section
552.13").

          1.2  Effective Time. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, two
copies of articles of combination consisting of this Agreement, together with
any and all other information or documents required under applicable law and
regulation to effectuate the Bank Merger, shall be duly prepared, executed and
acknowledged by each of BFS Bank and Dime Savings and thereafter submitted to
the OTS for approval, as provided in Section 552.13. The Bank Merger shall
become effective upon the first business day following the last to occur of the
conditions listed in Section 5.1 (or, if the condition specified in Section
5.1(a) is the last to occur, immediately thereafter). The date and time when the
Bank Merger shall become effective is referred to herein as the "Effective
Time". Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.2, BFS Bank
and Dime Savings may cause the Effective Time to occur on such later date as
they may agree in writing.

          1.3  Closing. The closing of the Bank Merger (the "Closing") shall 
take place at such time and place within The City of New York as BFS Bank and
Dime Savings shall agree, on the date when the Effective Time is to occur. The
date upon which the Closing shall occur is referred to herein as the "Closing
Date".



                                       -2-


<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE II

                 Name, Governing Documents, Directors, Officers
                        and Offices of the Surviving Bank

          2.1  Name. The name of the Surviving Bank shall be "The Dime Savings
Bank of New York, FSB".

          2.2  Governing Documents. The federal stock charter and by-laws of 
Dime Savings, as in effect immediately before the Effective Time, shall remain
unchanged by virtue of the Bank Merger and shall continue as the federal stock
charter and by-laws of the Surviving Bank on and after the Effective Time, until
duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and applicable law and
regulation.

          2.3  Directors. The directors of Dime Savings immediately before the
Effective Time shall continue as the directors of the Surviving Bank and,
together with such additional directors as may thereafter be elected, shall hold
such office until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Surviving
Bank or until such time as their successors are elected and qualified. The
residence of each such member of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Bank is
set forth beside his or her name in Exhibit A to this Agreement.

          2.4  Officers. The officers of Dime Savings immediately before the
Effective Time shall continue as the officers of the Surviving Corporation and
shall, together with such additional officers as may be appointed thereafter,
serve in accordance with the terms of the federal stock charter and by-laws of
the Surviving Corporation and applicable law and regulation.

          2.5  Home Office and Other Offices. At the Effective Time, the
Surviving Bank shall maintain its home office in the Greater New York
metropolitan area and shall maintain other offices at the locations of the other
offices currently maintained by each of Dime Savings and BFS Bank, as listed in
Exhibit B to this Agreement (as well as any office established by either party
after the date of this Agreement but excluding any office disposed of or closed
by either party prior to the Effective Time).



                                       -3-

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE III

                Merger Consideration; Conversion or Cancellation
                          of Shares in the Bank Merger

          3.1  Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Bank Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of
common stock of BFS Bank (the "BFS Bank Common Stock") or common stock of Dime
Savings (the "Dime Savings Common Stock"):

          (a)  All shares of BFS Bank Common Stock or Dime Savings Common Stock
     that are held as treasury stock by either BFS Bank or Dime Savings,
     respectively, shall be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and
     no stock of the Surviving Bank or other consideration shall be delivered in
     exchange therefor.

          (b)  The issued and outstanding shares of Dime Savings Common Stock
     (other than shares to be cancelled in accordance with Section 3.1(a)) shall
     collectively be converted into 50 fully paid and nonassessable shares of
     Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Surviving Bank (the
     "Surviving Bank Common Stock"). All such shares of Dime Savings Common
     Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled
     and retired and shall cease to exist.

          (c)  The issued and outstanding shares of BFS Bank Common Stock (other
     than shares to be cancelled in accordance with Section 3.1(a)) shall
     collectively be converted into 50 fully paid and nonassessable shares of
     Surviving Bank Common Stock. All such shares of BFS Bank Common Stock shall
     no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired
     and shall cease to exist.

At the Effective Time, 100 shares of Surviving Bank Common Stock will be issued
and outstanding.

          3.2  Exchange of Certificates. As of the Effective Time, the Surviving
Bank shall deliver a certificate or certificates representing the shares of
Surviving Bank Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section 3.1(b) or 3.1(c) to the
then holders of the BFS Bank Common Stock and the Dime Savings Common Stock in
exchange for, and upon delivery of, the certificate or certificates theretofore
representing the outstanding shares of such Common Stock.



                                       -4-

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    Covenants

          4.1  Covenants of BFS Bank and Dime Savings. Each of BFS Bank and Dime
Savings covenants and agrees on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries that, from
and after the date hereof until the Effective Time, except insofar as the other
party shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld):

          (a)  Observe Merger Agreement. It and each of its subsidiaries shall
     observe and perform all agreements and covenants of BFS or Dime in the
     Merger Agreement that pertain or are applicable to it, each of which
     agreements and covenants are incorporated herein by reference.

          (b)  Articles of Combination. It shall cooperate with the other party
     to prepare articles of combination, in such form, containing such
     information and duly executed as provided for by Section 552.13 to be filed
     with the Secretary of the OTS.

          (c)  Efforts to Consummate. Each of the parties hereto agrees to use
     all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do,
     or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to
     consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement, subject to and in accordance with the applicable provisions of
     the Merger Agreement.


                                    ARTICLE V

                              Conditions Precedent

          5.1  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To Effect the Bank Merger.
The Bank Merger and the respective obligations of each party to consummate the
Bank Merger is subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by each of Dime
Savings and BFS Bank of each of the following conditions prior to the Effective
Time:

          (a)  The effective time (as defined in Section 1.2 of the Merger
     Agreement) of the Merger shall have occurred.

          (b)  The approvals of the OTS under Sections 5(d)(3) and 18(c) of the
     Federal Reserve Act and Sections 211 and 563.22(a) of Title 12, Code of
     Federal Regulations (1996) shall have been obtained and shall be in full


                                      -5-


<PAGE>


     force and effect and all related waiting periods shall have expired; and
     all other material approvals and authorizations of, filings and
     registrations with, and notifications to, all governmental authorities
     required for the consummation of the Bank Merger shall have been obtained
     or made and shall be in full force and effect and all waiting periods
     required by law shall have expired.

          (c)  No jurisdiction or governmental authority shall have enacted,
     issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation,
     judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary
     or permanent) which is in effect and prohibits consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                            Termination and Amendment

          6.1  Termination. (a) This Agreement shall terminate, and the Bank
Merger may be abandoned, immediately and without any action on the part of BFS
Bank or Dime Savings upon any termination of the Merger Agreement.

          (b)  This Agreement may be terminated, and the Bank Merger may be
abandoned, at any time prior to the Effective Time by an instrument duly
executed by each of BFS Bank and Dime Savings.

          6.2  Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement and abandonment of the Bank Merger pursuant to Section 6.1, no party
to this Agreement shall have any liability or further obligation to any other
party hereunder, except such termination will not relieve a breaching party of
liability for any breach directly or indirectly giving rise to such termination.

          6.3  Amendment. (a) Subject to applicable laws, at any time prior to
the Effective Time, the parties hereto may modify or amend this Agreement by
written agreement executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of the
respective parties.

          (b) At any time prior to the Effective Time, BFS Bank and Dime Savings
may enter into an amendment to this Agreement in accordance with Section 6.3(a)
in order to modify the structure of the Bank Merger or the manner of effecting
the Bank Merger.


                                       -6-

<PAGE>




                                   ARTICLE VII

                               General Provisions

          7.1  Survival. The representations, warranties, agreements and
covenants in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall be deemed only to be conditions of the Bank Merger and shall not
survive the Effective Time, except to the extent set forth in the Merger
Agreement.

          7.2  Notices. Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be
given hereunder by any party to the other shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given (1) on the date of delivery if delivered
personally or by telefacsimile upon confirmation of receipt, (2) on the first
business day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered next-day
courier service or (3) on the third business day following the date of mailing
if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid. All notices, requests, instructions or other documents to be given
hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other
instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such
notice, request, instruction or document:

          (a)  If to Dime Savings:

               The Dime Savings Bank of New York, FSB
               c/o Dime Bancorp, Inc.
               589 Fifth Avenue
               New York, New York  10017
               Attention:  Chief Executive Officer
               Facsimile:  (212) 326-6194

               with a copy to:

               Mitchell S. Eitel, Esq.
               Sullivan & Cromwell
               125 Broad Street
               New York, New York 10004
               Facsimile: (212) 558-3588



                                       -7-

<PAGE>



          (b)  If to BFS Bank:

               Bankers Federal Savings, FSB
               c/o BFS Bankorp, Inc.
               110 William Street
               New York, New York 10038
               Attention:   James A. Randall
                            President and Chief
                            Executive Officer
               Facsimile:   (212) 267-2723

               with copies to:

               John J. Gorman, Esq.
               Luse, Lehman, Gorman, Pomerenk
                & Schick
               5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
               Washington, D.C. 20015
               Facsimile: (202) 362-2902

               and

               William S. Rubenstein, Esq.
               Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
               919 Third Avenue
               New York, New York 10022
               Facsimile: (212) 735-3000

          7.3. Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties hereto, this
Agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each such
counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts
shall together constitute the same agreement.

          7.4  Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto)
and the Merger Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, and
understandings, both written and oral.

          7.5  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements
made and to be performed entirely within such state, except to the extent that
the federal laws of the United States shall be applicable hereto.

          7.6  Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns.



                                       -8-

<PAGE>



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



                                            BANKERS FEDERAL SAVINGS FSB



                                            By: __________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:



                                            THE DIME SAVINGS BANK OF
                                                     NEW YORK, FSB


                                            By: __________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:


                                       -9-

<PAGE>



                                    Exhibit A

                                    Directors


                                       -10-

<PAGE>


                                    Exhibit B

                          Offices and Branch Locations


                                      -11-

<PAGE>
                                                                        Annex 2


                                         December 3, 1996



Dime Bancorp, Inc.,
   589 Fifth Avenue,
      New York, New York  10017.


           Re:  Agreement and Plan of Merger by
                and between Dime Bancorp, Inc. and
                BFS Bankorp, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          The undersigned understand that Dime Bancorp, Inc. ("Dime") is
considering entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, to be dated as of the
date hereof (the "Merger Agreement"), with BFS Bankorp, Inc. ("BFS") and
providing for the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of Dime with and into BFS
(the "Merger"). In consideration of the substantial expenses and other
obligations Dime will incur in connection with the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement and in order to induce Dime to execute the Merger Agreement
and to proceed to incur such expenses, the undersigned agree and undertake as
follows:

          1.   The undersigned represent and warrant that they collectively are
     the beneficial owners of not less than 891,297 shares (the "Shares") of
     common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of BFS. The
     Shares are held of record by the undersigned directly and by Gould BFS,
     Inc. (of which Fredric H. Gould is the President and sole Director and
     Gould Investors, L.P. is the sole stockholder).

          2.   The undersigned hereby waive, with respect to the Merger 
Agreement and the Merger, the conditions set forth in the proviso to Section
5(a) of the 1993 Agreement (the "Bidding Conditions"). The undersigned agree
that the Merger Agreement is the type of agreement contemplated by Section 5(a)
of the 1993 Agreement and agree to comply with Section 5 of the 1993 Agreement
with respect to the Merger Agreement and the Merger (in all respects as if the
Bidding Conditions were satisfied). For purposes hereof, the "1993 Agreement"
shall mean the Agreement, dated as of April 3, 1993,



<PAGE>


Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                     Page 2



     between BFS, Fredric H. Gould, Gould Investors, L.P. and the other persons
     and entities identified therein, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto (a
     true and complete copy of which has been attached to this letter agreement
     by the undersigned upon execution hereof).

          3.   The undersigned agree not to amend, terminate, or otherwise 
     modify, or take any action that would have the effect of amending,
     terminating or modifying, the terms of the 1993 Agreement, without the
     express written consent of Dime. If the 1993 Agreement terminates for any
     reason before termination of this letter agreement (including as a result
     of the acquisition by the undersigned of additional shares of Common
     Stock), the undersigned agree to continue to be bound by Section 5 of the
     1993 Agreement (as in effect prior to such termination) for purposes of,
     and after giving effect to, this letter agreement.

          4.   The undersigned agree not to, directly or indirectly, sell,
     transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any
     contract, option, commitment or other arrangement or understanding with
     respect to the sale, transfer, pledge, assignment or other disposition of,
     any of the Shares (including as part of a transaction involving the sale of
     BFS). In the case of any transfer by operation of law, this letter
     agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the transferee. Any transfer
     or other disposition in violation of the terms of this paragraph 4 shall be
     null and void.

          5.   The undersigned agree that they shall not, and shall direct and 
     use all reasonably efforts to cause their respective directors, officers,
     employees, agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any
     investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by them) not to, (a)
     initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries with
     respect to, or the making or implementation of, any Acquisition Proposal
     (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or engage in any discussions or
     negotiations with, or provide any confidential information or data to, any
     person relating to any such Acquisition Proposal; provided that, if the
     undersigned are not otherwise in violation of this paragraph 5, the
     undersigned may furnish or cause to be furnished information and may
     participate in such discussions or negotiations directly or through its



<PAGE>


Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                     Page 3



     representatives following a determination by the Board of Directors of BFS
     (other than the undersigned and any of their affiliates who are members of
     such Board) that it is required to take the actions contemplated by the
     proviso to Section 5.2 of the Merger Agreement.

          6.   As stockholders of BFS, the undersigned shall cooperate with Dime
     and BFS in (a) preparing and filing documentation, (b) effecting
     applications, notices, petitions, filings and other documents and (c)
     obtaining permits, consents, orders, approvals and authorizations necessary
     to make effective the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the
     Merger Agreement and, except as otherwise permitted under this letter
     agreement or the Merger Agreement, shall not wilfully take, or cause to be
     taken, any action that could significantly impair the prospects of
     completing the Merger in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

          7.   If the Merger Agreement shall terminate in any manner described 
     in Section 7.3(a) of the Merger Agreement and prior to or within eighteen
     months after the date of such termination:

               (1)  An Acquisition Transaction (as defined in Section 7.3 of the
          Merger Agreement) shall be consummated or any of the undersigned shall
          transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock to
          any person or group (such terms having the meaning assigned thereto
          under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that has,
          or as a result thereof will have, a reporting obligation under Section
          13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the
          Common Stock; and

               (2)  As a result of, or in connection with, an event or
          transaction of the type described in the preceding clause, the
          undersigned (directly or indirectly) received or will receive, in
          exchange for or otherwise in respect of shares of Common Stock
          beneficially owned by them, property the fair market value of which
          per share exceeds the Applicable Consideration (such fair market value
          being determined in a mutually agreed upon manner),



<PAGE>


Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                     Page 4



          then the undersigned will, jointly and severally, pay to Dime at the
          time of consummation of such transaction an amount equal to the excess
          of the fair market value per share of such property over the
          Applicable Consideration. The amount paid shall be either in cash or
          in the form of any other property received by the undersigned in such
          transaction, at the election of Dime; provided, that Dime shall make
          its election before the consummation of any such transaction if it has
          reasonable notice thereof (or, in any other case, shall make its
          election promptly upon the receipt of notice); and provided, further,
          that if the undersigned shall receive property other than cash and
          Dime shall elect a cash payment, then the amount paid will be net of
          reasonable and customary expenses actually incurred in the sale of
          such property (solely in an amount necessary to comply with the terms
          of this letter agreement) by the undersigned. The "Applicable
          Consideration" for purposes of this letter agreement shall mean
          $52.00; provided, that if the event or transaction referred to in
          paragraph 7(1) of this letter agreement occurs after June 1, 1997, the
          Applicable Consideration shall be increased by an amount equal to the
          product of $.01 and the number of days elapsed during the period
          beginning on but excluding June 1, 1997, through and including the
          date on which such event or transaction occurs.

               8.   The undersigned agree to cause those other persons and
          entities that are parties to the 1993 Agreement (other than BFS), or
          successors to such parties, to comply with this letter agreement as if
          they were a party hereto.

               9.   Except for paragraphs 7 and 8, which shall survive the
          termination of this letter agreement for the period specified in
          paragraph 7, this letter agreement shall terminate at the time of the
          termination of the Merger Agreement, except that any such termination
          shall be without prejudice to your rights arising out of any breach of
          any agreement or representation contained herein.



<PAGE>


Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                     Page 5



          This letter agreement constitutes the complete understanding between
the undersigned and Dime concerning the subject matter hereof. This Letter
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of
the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely
within such state.

                                          Very truly yours,


                                          FREDRIC H. GOULD


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



                                          GOULD INVESTORS, L.P.,
                                            a Delaware limited partnership

                                            By: Georgetown Partners, Inc.,
                                                its Managing General Partner


                                            By: ---------------------
                                                Name:  Fredric H. Gould
                                                Title:  Chairman


Accepted:

DIME BANCORP, INC.




By: ------------------------
    Name:  James M. Large, Jr.
    Title:  Chairman and Chief
            Executive Officer


<PAGE>
                                                                       Annex 3



                                            December 3, 1996



Dime Bancorp, Inc.,
   589 Fifth Avenue,
      New York, New York  10017.


          Re:  Agreement and Plan of Merger by
               and between Dime Bancorp, Inc. and
               BFS Bankorp, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          The undersigned understands that Dime Bancorp, Inc. ("Dime") is
considering entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, to be dated as of the
date hereof (the "Merger Agreement"), with BFS Bankorp, Inc. ("BFS") and
providing for the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of Dime with and into BFS
(the "Merger"). In consideration of the substantial expenses and other
obligations Dime will incur in connection with the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement and in order to induce Dime to execute the Merger Agreement
and to proceed to incur such expenses, the undersigned agrees and undertakes as
follows:

          1.   The undersigned represents and warrants that he is the beneficial
     and record owner of 55,188 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share
     (the "Common Stock"), of BFS.

          2.   The undersigned will vote or cause to be voted for approval of 
     the Merger all shares of Common Stock that, on the record date therefor,
     are beneficially owned by the undersigned or with respect to which the
     undersigned has the power to vote.

          3.   The undersigned agrees not to, directly or indirectly, sell,
     transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any
     contract, option, commitment or other arrangement or understanding with
     respect to the sale, transfer, pledge, assignment or other disposition of,
     any shares of Common Stock now or hereafter beneficially owned by the
     undersigned (including as part of a transaction involving the sale of BFS);
     provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prohibit the


<PAGE>


Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                    Page 2



     undersigned from pledging any of such shares pursuant to a standard margin
     contract or arrangement. In the case of any transfer by operation of law,
     this letter agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the transferee.
     Any transfer or other disposition in violation of the terms of this
     paragraph 3 shall be null and void.

          4.   In his capacity as a stockholder of BFS, the undersigned shall
     cooperate with Dime and BFS in (a) preparing and filing documentation, (b)
     effecting applications, notices, petitions, filings and other documents and
     (c) obtaining permits, consents, orders, approvals and authorizations
     necessary to make effective the Merger and the other transactions
     contemplated by the Merger Agreement and, except as permitted by this
     letter agreement or the Merger Agreement, shall not wilfully take, or cause
     to be taken, any action that could significantly impair the prospects of
     completing the Merger in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

          5.   This letter agreement shall terminate at the time of the
     termination of the Merger Agreement, except that any such termination shall
     be without prejudice to your rights arising out of any breach of any
     agreement or representation contained herein.



<PAGE>


Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                   Page 3



          This letter agreement constitutes the complete understanding between
the undersigned and Dime concerning the subject matter hereof. This Letter
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of
the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely
within such state.

                                           Very truly yours,


                                           JAMES A. RANDALL


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

Accepted:

DIME BANCORP, INC.



By: ------------------------
    Name:  James M. Large, Jr.
    Title:  Chairman and Chief
            Executive Officer


DIME.                        DIME BANCORP, INC.

589 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y.  10017

                                                     NEWS

                                          Contact:   Franklin L. Wright
                                                     (212) 326-6170

                                                              or

                                                     McDonough & Associates
                                                     (212) 334-0033

December 3, 1996
96/9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                   DIME BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF
          BFS BANKORP, INC.; $1.2 BILLION BALANCE SHEET RESTRUCTURING;
                            AND STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN

     New York, NY - December 3, 1996 -- Dime Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: DME), parent
company of The Dime Savings Bank of New York, FSB, today announced three
complementary actions designed to strengthen its balance sheet and enhance the
level and quality of core earnings. Dime reported that:

     o  It has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire BFS Bankorp, Inc.
(NASDAQ: BFSI), the parent company of Bankers Federal Savings FSB, at a cash
price of $52.00 per common share (subject to adjustment in certain
circumstances);

     o  It will downsize its balance sheet by reducing its mortgage-backed
securities portfolio by $1.2 billion, with no loss expected; and

     o  It has adopted a plan to repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding common
stock.

     James M. Large, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dime, said,
"We expect that the three actions announced today, once completed, will be
accretive to earnings per share and that, taken together, can be expected to
improve our net interest margin, reduce our interest rate risk and enhance our
earnings stability."

                                     -more-



<PAGE>



BFS Acquisition

     Commenting on the BFS acquisition, Mr. Large said, "The acquisition of BFS,
with its $410 million of deposits and its $585 million loan portfolio, furthers
our objective of increasing deposits and loans. We anticipate that the
acquisition will be immediately accretive, due to BFS's strong earnings and the
significant cost savings expected from the transaction. After cost savings of
approximately 40% of BFS's operating expenses, we expect a $0.05 annual benefit
to Dime's earnings per share."

     Lawrence J. Toal, President and Chief Operating Officer of Dime, commented,
"In addition to improving our financial outlook, the acquisition of Bankers
Federal, with its five retail offices, increases our retail banking presence in
Manhattan and Queens and strengthens our existing franchise in Brooklyn. With
our extensive product offerings, we expect to generate additional revenues by
deepening customer relationships and attracting new business to Bankers
Federal's existing offices. Their focus on multifamily lending is expected to
allow us to further diversify our loan portfolio as well as benefit from the
relatively high yields generated by their multifamily loan portfolio. Overall,
this acquisition, together with the other actions we announced today, advances
our progress towards achievement of our strategic goals."

     Under the terms of the agreement, holders of BFS common stock will receive
$52.00 in cash for each of their shares (subject to adjustment in certain
circumstances). The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the
Boards of Directors of both Dime and BFS, is valued at approximately $91.8
million. Dime said that the transaction would be accounted for as a purchase and
estimated that the intangibles created in the transaction would be approximately
$50 million. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and approval by
BFS shareholders. In connection with the acquisition agreement, Dime has entered
into agreements with the holders of a majority of BFS shares regarding their
voting in favor of the acquisition and, in certain cases, their making payments
to Dime if BFS consummates an acquisition transaction with a party other than
Dime. The acquisition agreement also provides for the payment by BFS of a $3
million termination fee under certain circumstances. The acquisition is planned
to be completed in the second quarter of 1997. Upon completion of the
acquisition, the five branches operated by Bankers Federal will become branches
of The Dime.

     At September 30, 1996, BFS reported total assets of $643 million, loans of
$585 million and deposits of $410 million. Bankers Federal operates five branch
offices: Manhattan (2), Queens (2) and Brooklyn (1). For its fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996, and exclusive of a one-time SAIF special assessment, BFS
reported earnings of $10.6 million and a return on average assets and return on
average equity of 1.81% and 23.10% respectively.

Balance Sheet Restructuring

         As another step in its ongoing balance sheet restructuring program,
Dime plans to sell a total of approximately $950 million of mortgage-backed
securities, with the proceeds of the sales used to reduce borrowings. Under
existing market conditions, no loss is expected to be realized on these sales.
In addition, Dime expects to further reduce its mortgage-backed securities
portfolio during the fourth quarter of 1996 by an additional $300 million by not
reinvesting the proceeds of maturing mortgage-backed securities in other
mortgage-backed securities. At September 30, 1996, Dime held $7.6 billion of
mortgage-backed securities, including $3.1 billion that were held as "available
for sale."
                                     -more-



<PAGE>


     On a pro forma basis, assuming completion of the BFS acquisition and the
balance sheet restructuring announced today, Dime will have, since year-end
1995, reduced its portfolio of mortgage-backed securities by $2.6 billion, or
29%, and its borrowings by $1.9 billion, or 29%. During that same period, Dime
has increased its loan portfolio by $1.3 billion, or 13%, and its deposits by
$0.5 billion, or 4%.

Stock Repurchase Program

     Dime's Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase up to 5% of its
outstanding common stock, or approximately five million shares. No time limit
has been set to complete the stock buy-back, and the shares will be purchased at
prevailing prices in the open market or in privately-negotiated transactions.
Earlier this year, Dime completed a program to repurchase two million shares of
its common stock and had, at September 30, 1996, 106.4 million shares
outstanding.

     Dime said that the balance sheet restructuring and the stock repurchase
program are subject to general economic conditions, Dime's operating results and
the market price of Dime common stock.

     Dime, at September 30, 1996, had assets of $19.7 billion and deposits of
$12.7 billion. The Bank operates 85 branches in the New York City metropolitan
area and one branch in Florida. Dime originates loans in selected regions
throughout the country.


     Certain statements in this press release are forward looking and are
identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "expect,"
"expects," "expected," "anticipates," "planned," and "plans." These
forward-looking statements are based on Dime's current expectations. The Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for such
forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe
harbor, Dime notes that a variety of factors could cause Dime's actual results
and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other
expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. The risks and
uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and
results of Dime's business include interest rates movements, competition from
both financial and non-financial institutions, changes in applicable laws and
regulations, the timing and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of transactions and
events that may be subject to circumstances beyond Dime's control, and general
economic conditions.


                                       ###




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