DIME BANCORP INC
8-K, 1999-09-24
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): September 15, 1999
                                                  ------------------

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



          Delaware                  001-13094             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.

         As previously announced, on September 15, 1999, Dime Bancorp, Inc. (the
"Registrant") entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger
Agreement") by and between Hudson United Bancorp ("Hudson United") and the
Registrant. In connection with the Merger Agreement, the Registrant and Hudson
United have each granted the other a customary option to purchase 19.9% of its
outstanding common stock under limited circumstances (the "Stock Option
Agreements"). This current report on Form 8-K includes the Merger Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreements.


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

          99.1                  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
                                September 15, 1999 between Hudson United
                                Bancorp and Dime Bancorp, Inc.

          99.2                  Stock Option Agreement, dated as of
                                September 16, 1999 between Hudson United
                                Bancorp and Dime Bancorp, Inc.

          99.3                  Stock Option Agreement, dated as of
                                September 16, 1999 between Dime Bancorp, Inc.
                                and Hudson United Bancorp.


                                       -2-

<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/ Anthony Burriesci
                                               ------------------------------
                                               Name: Anthony Burriesci
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer


Date: September 24, 1999


                                       -3-


<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number          Description
- --------------          -----------

99.1                    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 15,
                        1999 between Hudson United Bancorp and Dime Bancorp,
                        Inc.

99.2                    Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 16, 1999
                        between Hudson United Bancorp and Dime Bancorp, Inc.


99.3                    Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 16,
                        1999 between Dime Bancorp, Inc. and Hudson United
                        Bancorp.



                                       -4-





                                                                    Exhibit 99.1




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



                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



                         dated as of September 15, 1999



                                     between



                              HUDSON UNITED BANCORP


                                       and



                               DIME BANCORP, INC.



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


<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                           PAGE

RECITALS......................................................................1
A.  Dime        ..............................................................1
B.  Hudson      ..............................................................1
C.  The Merger  ..............................................................1
D.  Stock Option Agreements...................................................1
E.  Intention of the Parties..................................................2
F.  Approvals   ..............................................................2
G.  Subsidiary Bank...........................................................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 OF THE
                              SURVIVING CORPORATION

2.1  Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation................3
2.2  By-laws of the Surviving Corporation.....................................3

                                   ARTICLE III

                           CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF THE
                              SURVIVING CORPORATION

3.1  Survival of Article III..................................................4
3.2  Board of Directors of Surviving Corporation..............................4
(a)  Composition  ............................................................4
(b)  Certain Members of the Board of Directors................................4
(c)  Nomination of Directors..................................................4
(d)  Committees of the Board of Directors.....................................5
3.3  Officers of the Surviving Corporation....................................5
(a)  Composition  ............................................................5
(b)  Succession   ............................................................5
(c)  Employment Agreements....................................................5
3.4  Modifications to Corporate Governance Provisions.........................6
3.5  Certificate and By-laws..................................................6


                                       -i-


<PAGE>


                                                                           Page

3.6  Adjustment...............................................................6

                                   ARTICLE IV

                CONVERSION OR CANCELLATION AND EXCHANGE OF SHARES

4.1  Conversion or Cancellation of Shares.....................................7
4.2  Exchange of Old Certificates for New Certificates.  .....................8
(a)  Appointment of Exchange Agent............................................8
(b)  Exchange Procedures......................................................8
(c)  Fractional Shares........................................................9
(d)  Transfers    ............................................................9
(e)  No Liability ...........................................................10
4.3  Hudson Options and Warrants.............................................10
4.4  Dime Options and Warrants...............................................10

                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

5.1  Disclosure Schedules....................................................11
5.2  Standard   .............................................................12
5.3  Representations and Warranties of Dime and Hudson.......................12
(a)  Recitals True...........................................................12
(b)  Corporate Organization and Qualification................................12
(c)  Subsidiaries ...........................................................12
(d)  Capital Stock...........................................................13
(e)  Corporate Authority.....................................................14
(f)  Governmental Filings; No Violations.....................................15
(g)  Reports and Financial Statements........................................16
(h)  Asset Classification....................................................18
(i)  Absence of Certain Events and Changes...................................18
(j)  Properties   ...........................................................18
(k)  Compliance with Laws....................................................18
(l)  Litigation   ...........................................................19
(m)  Taxes        ...........................................................20
(n)  Insurance    ...........................................................21
(o)  Labor Matters...........................................................21
(p)  Employee Benefits.......................................................21
(q)  Environmental Matters...................................................23
(r)  Risk Management Instruments.............................................25
(s)  Material Agreements.....................................................26
(t)  Knowledge as to Conditions..............................................26


                                      -ii-


<PAGE>


                                                                           Page

(u)  Year 2000 Compliance....................................................26
(v)  Brokers and Finders.....................................................27

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    COVENANTS

6.1  Conduct of Business Pending the Effective Time..........................27
6.2  Dividends  .............................................................30
6.3  Acquisition Proposals...................................................30
6.4  Stockholder Approvals; Election of Directors............................30
6.5  Filings; Other Actions..................................................31
6.6  Information Supplied....................................................32
6.7  Accountants' Letters....................................................32
6.8  Access     .............................................................33
6.9  Notification of Certain Matters.........................................33
6.10  Publicity .............................................................34
6.11  Benefit Plans..........................................................34
6.12  Expenses  .............................................................34
6.13  Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance....................35
6.14  Antitakeover Provisions................................................36
6.15  Affiliate Agreements...................................................36
6.16  Stock Exchange Listing.................................................37
6.17  Efforts to Consummate..................................................37
6.18  Reports   .............................................................37
6.19  Accounting and Tax Treatment...........................................37
6.20  Assumptions............................................................37
6.21  Bank Combination and Governance........................................37

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                   CONDITIONS

7.1  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger..............38
(a)  Stockholder Approval....................................................38
(b)  Governmental and Regulatory Consents....................................38
(c)  Third Party Consents....................................................38
(d)  Litigation   ...........................................................39
(e)  Registration Statement..................................................39
(f)  Listing      ...........................................................39
(g)  Accountants' Pooling Letter.............................................39
(h)  Employment Agreements...................................................39
7.2  Conditions to Obligation of Hudson......................................39


                                      -iii-


<PAGE>


                                                                           Page

(a)  Representations and Warranties..........................................39
(b)  Performance of Obligations of Dime......................................40
(c)  Opinion of Counsel......................................................40
(d)  Opinion of Tax Counsel..................................................40
(e)  Accountants' Letters....................................................40
7.3  Conditions to Obligation of Dime........................................40
(a)  Representations and Warranties..........................................40
(b)  Performance of Obligations of Hudson....................................40
(c)  Opinion of Tax Counsel..................................................41
(d)  Accountants' Letters....................................................41

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   TERMINATION

8.1  Termination by Mutual Consent...........................................41
8.2  Termination by Either Dime or Hudson....................................41
8.3  Termination by Hudson...................................................41
8.4  Termination by Dime.....................................................42
8.5  Effect of Termination and Abandonment...................................42

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

9.1  Survival   .............................................................42
9.2  Modification or Amendment...............................................42
9.3  Waiver of Conditions....................................................43
9.4  Counterparts and Facsimile..............................................43
9.5  Governing Law...........................................................43
9.6  Notices    .............................................................43
9.7  Entire Agreement, Etc...................................................44
9.8  Definition of "subsidiary"; Covenants with Respect to Subsidiaries......45
9.9  Captions   .............................................................45
9.10  Severability...........................................................45
9.11  No Third Party Beneficiaries...........................................45


                                      -iv-


<PAGE>


                                     ANNEXES

         1.       Form of Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation
         2.       Form of Amendments to By-laws
         3.       Understanding regarding Committees of Board of Surviving
                  Corporation
         4(a).    Form of Hudson Affiliate Agreement
         4(b).    Form of Dime Affiliate Agreement


                                       -v-


<PAGE>


                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS


                                                                   LOCATION OF
          TERM                                                     DEFINITION
          ----                                                     -----------

Acquisition Proposal.................................................6.3
Affiliates...........................................................6.15
Agreement............................................................Preamble
Antitakeover Provisions..............................................6.14
Asset Classification.................................................5.3(h)
BHCA.................................................................Recital B
Business.............................................................5.3(q)(1)
By-laws..............................................................2.2
Certificate of Incorporation.........................................2.1
Certificates of Merger...............................................1.2(a)
Closing..............................................................1.3
Closing Date.........................................................1.3
Compensation Plans...................................................5.3(p)(1)
Confidentiality Agreements...........................................6.8
Continuing Directors.................................................3.2(c)(2)
Contracts............................................................5.3(f)(2)
Costs................................................................6.13
DGCL.................................................................1.1
Dime.................................................................Preamble
Dime Common Stock....................................................Recital A
Dime Meeting.........................................................6.4
Dime Option..........................................................4.4
Dime Preferred Stock.................................................Recital A
Dime Stock Option Agreement..........................................Recital D
Dime Stock Plans.....................................................5.3(d)(1)
Disclosure Schedule..................................................5.1
Effective Time.......................................................1.2(a)
Employees............................................................5.3(p)(1)
Employment Agreement.................................................3.3(c)
Environmental Law....................................................5.3(q)(1)
ERISA................................................................5.3(p)(1)
ERISA Affiliate......................................................5.3(p)(4)
Exception Shares.....................................................4.1(b)
Exchange Act.........................................................5.3(f)(1)
Exchange Agent.......................................................4.2(a)
Exchange Ratio.......................................................4.1(a)
FDIA.................................................................5.3(c)
FDIC.................................................................5.3(g)(1)
Federal Reserve......................................................5.3(k)(3)
FHLB.................................................................5.3(g)(1)
Financial Statements.................................................5.3(g)(4)


                                      -vi-


<PAGE>


Former Dime Directors................................................3.2(a)
Former Hudson Directors..............................................3.2(a)
Former Hudson Employees..............................................6.11(a)
Former Dime Employees................................................6.11(a)
Governmental Entity..................................................5.3(f)(1)
Hazardous Substances.................................................5.3(q)(1)
HOLA.................................................................Recital A
Hudson...............................................................Preamble
Hudson Common Stock..................................................Recital B
Hudson Meeting.......................................................6.4
Hudson Option........................................................4.3
Hudson Preferred Stock...............................................Recital B
Hudson Stock Option Agreement........................................Recital D
Hudson Stock Plans...................................................5.3(d)(2)
Indemnified Parties..................................................6.13
Internal Revenue Code................................................Recital E
Joint Proxy Statement................................................6.5
Liens................................................................5.3(d)(1)
Material Adverse Effect..............................................5.1(b)
Merger...............................................................Recital C
Minimum Equity Contribution..........................................3.6
NASD.................................................................5.3(f)
New Certificate......................................................4.1(d)
NJBCA................................................................1.1
Nominating Committee.................................................3.2(c)(1)
NYSE.................................................................5.3(f)
Old Certificate......................................................4.1(d)
OTS..................................................................5.3(g)(1)
PCBs.................................................................5.3(q)(1)
Pending Transactions.................................................5.3(t)(2)
Pension Plan.........................................................5.3(p)(3)
Person...............................................................6.1(c)
Plans................................................................5.3(p)(3)
Previously Disclosed.................................................5.1(c)
Registration Statement...............................................6.5
Reports..............................................................5.3(g)(2)
Representatives......................................................6.8
SEC..................................................................5.3(g)(1)
Securities Act.......................................................5.3(f)(1)
Securities Laws......................................................5.3(g)(2)
Special Majority.....................................................3.3(b)
Stock Option Agreements..............................................Recital D
Subject Property.....................................................5.3(q)(1)
subsidiary...........................................................9.8(a)
Subsidiary Bank......................................................Recital G
Surviving Corporation................................................Recital C
Surviving Corporation Common Stock...................................4.1(a)


                                      -vii-


<PAGE>


Tax..................................................................5.3(m)
Termination Date.....................................................3.1
Year 2000 Compliant..................................................5.3(u)(3)


                                     -viii-


<PAGE>


         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of September 15, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), between Hudson United Bancorp ("Hudson") and Dime Bancorp, Inc.
("Dime").

                                    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. As of the date hereof, Dime has
350 million authorized shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Dime
Common Stock"), of which not more than 111,918,002 shares were outstanding as of
August 31, 1999, and 40 million authorized shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share ("Dime Preferred Stock"), none of which is outstanding as of the
date hereof (no other class or series of capital stock being authorized). Dime
is a savings and loan holding company registered under the Home Owners' Loan Act
of 1933, as amended ("HOLA").

         B. Hudson. Hudson has been duly incorporated and is an existing
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, with its
principal executive offices located in Mahwah, New Jersey. As of the date
hereof, Hudson has 100 million authorized shares of common stock, no par value
("Hudson Common Stock"), of which not more than 40,899,905 shares are
outstanding as of the date hereof, and 25 million authorized shares of preferred
stock, no par value ("Hudson Preferred Stock"), none of which is outstanding as
of the date hereof (no other class or series of capital stock being authorized).
Hudson is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act
of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA").

         C. 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 Hudson
with and into Dime, with Dime the surviving corporation of the Merger. At and
after the Effective Time, Dime, as the surviving corporation in the Merger, is
referred to herein as the "Surviving Corporation". The name of the Surviving
Corporation shall be "Dime United Bancorp, Inc."

         D. Stock Option Agreements. As an inducement to and condition of
Hudson's willingness to enter into this Agreement and the Hudson Stock Option
Agreement (as defined in the following sentence), Dime will grant to Hudson an
option pursuant to a Stock Option Agreement (the "Dime Stock Option Agreement").
As an inducement to and condition of Dime's willingness to enter into this
Agreement and the Dime Stock Option Agreement, Hudson will grant to Dime an
option pursuant to a Stock Option Agreement (the "Hudson Stock Option Agreement"
and, together with the Dime Stock Option Agreement, the "Stock Option
Agreements"). The Stock Option Agreements will be entered into immediately
following the execution and delivery hereof.


                                       -1-

<PAGE>


         E. Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the parties to this
Agreement that the Merger (a) shall be accounted for as a "pooling of interests"
under generally accepted accounting principles and (b) shall qualify as a tax
free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code").

         F. Approvals. The Boards of Directors of Dime and Hudson (at meetings
duly called and held) have determined that this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby are in the best interests of Dime and Hudson, respectively,
and their respective stockholders and have approved this Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreements.

         G. Subsidiary Bank. It is the intention of the parties that the
Surviving Corporation shall be a bank holding company registered pursuant to the
BHCA and that the operation of the federal savings bank subsidiary of Dime and
the New Jersey state-chartered commercial bank subsidiary of Hudson shall be
combined, in a manner to be determined, so that the primary depository
institution subsidiary of the Surviving Corporation is a New Jersey
state-chartered commercial bank (the "Subsidiary Bank"). It is the intention of
the parties that the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation and the
Board of Directors of the Subsidiary Bank shall be the same, until otherwise
modified, and that the charter and by-laws of the Subsidiary Bank shall contain
those provisions (or other provisions of similar effect) discussed in Article
III hereof with respect to the Surviving Corporation.

         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. On the terms, and subject to the conditions, of this
Agreement, at the Effective Time, Hudson shall merge with and into Dime, and the
separate corporate existence of Hudson shall thereupon cease. The Surviving
Corporation shall continue to be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
The Merger shall have the effects specified in the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the "DGCL") and the New Jersey Business Corporation Act (the "NJBCA").

         1.2 Effective Time. (a) Subject to the conditions of this Agreement,
the parties to this Agreement will cause certificates of merger to be executed,
acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as
provided in Section 252 of the DGCL, and executed, acknowledged and filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey as provided in

                                       -2-

<PAGE>

Sections 14A: 10-7 and 14A: 10-4.1 of the NJBCA (collectively, the "Certificates
of Merger"). The Merger shall become effective at such time as a Certificate of
Merger has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in
accordance with the provisions of Section 252 of the DGCL and a Certificate of
Merger has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 14A: 10-7 and 14A: 10-4.1 of the
NJBCA, or at such other time as may be specified in the Certificates 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) Dime and Hudson each will use reasonable efforts to cause the
Effective Time to occur on the fifth business day after the date of satisfaction
or waiver of the last of the conditions specified in Sections 7.1(a) and (b) of
this Agreement has occurred. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Section 1.2, Dime and Hudson 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, the NJBCA
and other applicable law.

         1.3 Closing. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place
at the offices of Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York, at 10:00 a.m. on the
date when the Effective Time is to occur or at such other place or time as Dime
and Hudson shall agree. The date upon which the Closing shall occur is herein
referred to as the "Closing Date".


                                   ARTICLE II

                           GOVERNING DOCUMENTS OF THE
                              SURVIVING CORPORATION

         2.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation. At the
Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation of Dime, as then in effect,
shall by virtue of the Merger be amended as set forth in Annex 1; such
certificate of incorporation, as so amended, 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.

         2.2 By-laws of the Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time, the
by-laws of Dime, as then in effect, shall by virtue of the Merger be amended as
set forth in Annex 2, and such by-laws, as so amended, shall be the by-laws of
the Surviving Corporation (the "By-laws"), until duly amended in accordance with
the terms thereof, the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III

                           CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF THE
                              SURVIVING CORPORATION

         3.1 Survival of Article III. Notwithstanding any other provision in
this Agreement, the provisions of this Article III shall survive the Effective
Time and remain continuously in effect until December 31, 2002 (the "Termination
Date"), on which date the provisions of this Article III shall terminate. This
Section 3.1 shall not affect the term of any Employment Agreements referred to
in this Article III.

         3.2 Board of Directors of Surviving Corporation.

         (a) Composition. The Board of Directors will consist of 25 members, 13
of whom shall be designated by Dime ("Former Dime Directors") and 12 of whom
shall be designated by Hudson ("Former Hudson Directors"), in each case, such
designation to occur prior to the Closing Date. Dime will designate four
directors, five directors and four directors to classes one, two and three,
respectively, of directors of the Surviving Corporation and Hudson will
designate four directors to each of the three classes of directors of the
Surviving Corporation.

         (b) Certain Members of the Board of Directors. The current Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Dime, Mr. Lawrence J. Toal, will be a member of the
Board of Directors and will serve as its Chairman. The current Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Hudson, Mr. Kenneth T. Neilson, will be a member of
the Board of Directors.

         (c) Nomination of Directors. (1) Nominees to the Board of Directors
will be recommended to the Board of Directors by a Nominating Committee (A) for
election to the Board of Directors at the stockholder meetings at which
directors are to be elected and (B) to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors
in between such stockholder meetings (a "Nominating Committee"). For any
position on the Board of Directors occupied, or vacated, as the case may be, by
a Former Dime Director, the Nominating Committee shall consist of two Former
Dime Directors and one Former Hudson Director; for any position on the Board of
Directors occupied, or vacated, as the case may be, by a Former Hudson Director,
the Nominating Committee shall consist of two Former Hudson Directors and one
Former Dime Director. A nominee shall need a two-thirds vote of the Nominating
Committee to be recommended for a position on the Board of Directors. Former
Dime Directors on the Nominating Committee will be appointed at the
recommendation of Mr. Toal; Former Hudson Directors on the Nominating Committee
will be appointed at the recommendation of Mr. Neilson; provided, that, should
Mr. Toal or Mr. Neilson be otherwise unable to appoint such members of the
Nominating Committee, the Former Dime Directors will be appointed at the
recommendation of the

                                       -4-

<PAGE>

most senior Former Dime Director then on the Board of Directors and the Former
Hudson Directors will be appointed at the recommendation of the most senior
Former Hudson Director then on the Board of Directors.

         (2) Any person filling a membership position on the Board of Directors
previously occupied or vacated by a Former Dime Director and nominated in
accordance with the previous paragraph shall be considered a "Former Dime
Director"; any person filling a membership position on the Board of Directors
previously occupied or vacated by a Former Hudson Director and nominated in
accordance with the previous paragraph shall be considered a "Former Hudson
Director." Any person who (A) was a Former Dime Director or Former Hudson
Director immediately prior to the Effective Time or (B) has become a Former Dime
Director or Former Hudson Director in accordance with the previous sentence,
shall be a "Continuing Director".

         (d) Committees of the Board of Directors. Annex 3 to this Agreement
sets forth certain agreements of the parties with regard to committees of the
Board of Directors and their composition.

         3.3 Officers of the Surviving Corporation.

         (a) Composition. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of
Directors, Mr. Toal shall be Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving
Corporation as of the Effective Time. Mr. Neilson shall be President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time. Both
Mr. Toal and Mr. Neilson shall serve in the positions described in this Section
3.3(a) until the Termination Date or until otherwise determined in accordance
with this Section 3.3.

         (b) Succession. On the Termination Date or such earlier date (if any)
that Mr. Toal shall cease to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation, Mr. Neilson shall succeed Mr.
Toal in those positions, provided that such succession shall not occur if the
Board of Directors, by a Special Majority (as defined below), shall decide to
the contrary. A "Special Majority" shall mean a majority of the directors
voting, provided that a Special Majority shall also require the vote of at least
16 Continuing Directors, unless the number of Continuing Directors at such time
is less than 25, in which case a Special Majority shall require a vote of at
least that number of Continuing Directors equal to the then existing number of
Former Dime Directors plus three (3) (or if there are less than three Former
Hudson Directors at such time, then plus that number of remaining Former Hudson
Directors).

         (c) Employment Agreements. Dime or its depository institution
subsidiary has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Toal (this
agreement, or any successor agreement, an "Employment Agreement") and

                                       -5-

<PAGE>

Hudson has entered into an employment agreement (concurrently with or
immediately prior to entering into this Agreement) with Mr. Neilson (also an
"Employment Agreement"), each of which will be assumed by the Surviving
Corporation. During the terms of their respective Employment Agreements, Mr.
Toal and Mr. Neilson shall have the respective powers, and perform the
respective duties, set forth in each of their respective Employment Agreements,
along with the duties of their offices as described in this Article III and the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws.

         3.4 Modifications to Corporate Governance Provisions. (a) The
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws will provide that, until the Termination
Date, the following actions will require the approval of a Special Majority:

         (1) the removal of either Mr. Toal or Mr. Neilson from any of his
     executive positions, including by modification of the succession arrange-
     ments described above, or undertaking any action to make a material
     modification or amendment to or to breach the Employment Agreements;

         (2) any change in the size of the Board of Directors or number of
     directors to be Former Dime Directors or the number of directors to be
     Former Hudson Directors; and

         (3) any change or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or
     By-laws relating to or affecting the arrangements discussed in this Article
     III.

         (b) The Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Surviving
Corporation shall also provide that any officer or other person acting on behalf
of the Surviving Corporation in its capacity as sole shareholder of the
Subsidiary Bank may not make any changes or amendment to the by-laws or charter
of the Subsidiary Bank relating to or altering those provisions mirroring the
provisions discussed in this Article III, without the vote of a Special
Majority.

         3.5 Certificate and By-laws. As contemplated by Sections 2.1 and 2.2,
the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws will contain appropriate provisions
giving effect to Sections 3.1 through 3.4.

         3.6 Adjustment. Notwithstanding anything in this Article III or this
Agreement to the contrary, if, at the Effective Time of the Merger, Hudson shall
not have satisfied the Minimum Equity Contribution, then (a) the number of
Former Hudson Directors at the Effective Time shall be reduced by 2 (to 10) and
the total number of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the
Surviving Corporation shall correspondingly be reduced to 23, (b) the number of
Continuing Directors necessary for a Special Majority shall be at least 15 (or
that number of then existing Former Dime Directors plus two), and (c) all
references to the number of directors, Former Hudson Directors and directors

                                       -6-

<PAGE>

constituting a Special Majority shall be changed accordingly throughout this
Agreement and its Annexes (including in determining the directors for the
Subsidiary Bank). The "Minimum Equity Contribution" shall mean a contribution by
Hudson to the Surviving Corporation at the Effective Time of an amount of
consolidated stockholders' equity (calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, without giving effect to the items of Treasury
Stock, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and any reductions in capital
taken in conjunction with this Merger) equal to at least $575 million, provided
that, if the Effective Time has not yet occurred, at March 1, 2000 the Minimum
Equity Contribution shall increase by $6 million, and shall increase by $6
million on the first of each month following March 1, 2000 until the Effective
Time.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  CONVERSION OR
                       CANCELLATION AND EXCHANGE OF SHARES

         4.1 Conversion or Cancellation of Shares. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any stockholder of
either Dime or Hudson:

         (a) Each share of Dime Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
     the Effective Time shall be combined into 0.585 (the "Exchange Ratio")
     fully paid and nonassessable shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per
     share, of the Surviving Corporation ("Surviving Corporation Common Stock").

         (b) Other than Exception Shares, each share of Hudson Common Stock
     outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into
     and constitute one fully paid and nonassessable share of Surviving
     Corporation Common Stock. Each holder of a certificate representing any
     such shares of Hudson Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with
     respect thereto, except that, from and after the Effective Time,
     certificates representing Hudson Common Stock, other than Exception Shares,
     immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed for all purposes to
     represent the number of shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock into
     which they were converted pursuant to this Section. "Exception Shares"
     means shares of Hudson Common Stock held by Hudson or any of its
     subsidiaries or by Dime or any of its subsidiaries, in each case other than
     in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted
     in good faith.

         (c) Each share of Hudson Common Stock constituting an Exception Share
     immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be

                                       -7-



<PAGE>



     canceled and retired at the Effective Time and no consideration shall be
     issued in exchange therefor.

         (d) Holders of certificates formerly representing Hudson Common Stock
     shall not be required to exchange such certificates for certificates
     representing Surviving Corporation Common Stock, provided, however, that if
     an exchange of such certificates is required by law or applicable rule or
     regulation, the parties will cause the Surviving Corporation to arrange for
     such exchange on a one-share-for-one-share basis. Holders of certificates
     representing the Dime Common Stock referred to in Section 4.1(a) ("Old
     Certificates") shall exchange such Old Certificates for certificates
     representing shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock ("New
     Certificates") in the manner described in Section 4.2.

         (e) In the event that, subsequent to the date of this Agreement but
     prior to the Effective Time, the shares of Dime Common Stock or Hudson
     Common Stock issued and outstanding shall, through a reorganization,
     recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse
     stock split, or other similar change in the capitalization of Dime or
     Hudson, as the case may be, increase or decrease in number or be changed
     into or exchanged for a different issue or number of securities, then an
     appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made to the Exchange
     Ratio.

         4.2 Exchange of Old Certificates for New Certificates. (a)
Appointment of Exchange Agent. From the Effective Time until the end of the
one-year period following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
make available to an exchange agent (which may be a subsidiary bank of the
Surviving Corporation) appointed prior to the Effective Time by Dime and Hudson
jointly on behalf of the Surviving Corporation (the "Exchange Agent") New
Certificates and cash in amounts sufficient to allow the Exchange Agent to make
all deliveries of New Certificates and payments that may be required in exchange
for Old Certificates pursuant to this Article IV. At the end of such one-year
period, any such New Certificates and cash remaining in the possession of the
Exchange Agent (together with any dividends or earnings in respect thereof)
shall be returned to the Surviving Corporation. Any former holders of Old
Certificates who have not theretofore exchanged their Old Certificates for New
Certificates and cash pursuant to this Article IV shall thereafter be entitled
to look exclusively to the Surviving Corporation, and only as general creditors
thereof, for the shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock and any cash to
which they become entitled upon exchange of their Old Certificates pursuant to
this Article IV.

         (b) Exchange Procedures. Promptly after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail or deliver to each
person who was, immediately prior to the Effective Time, a holder of record of
Dime Common Stock, a form (mutually agreed upon by Dime and

                                       -8-

<PAGE>

Hudson) of letter of transmittal containing instructions for use in effecting
the surrender of Old Certificates in exchange for New Certificates and any
payments pursuant to this Article IV. Upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of an
Old Certificate for cancellation together with such letter of transmittal, duly
executed and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holder
of such Old Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a New
Certificate representing the shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock, and a
check in the amount, if any, to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this
Article IV, and the Old Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled.
No interest will be paid or will accrue on any amount payable upon surrender of
Old Certificates. If any New Certificate or cash payment is to be issued or made
in a name other than that in which the Old Certificate surrendered in exchange
therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of such exchange that the person
requesting such exchange shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by
reason of the issuance of such New Certificate or the making of such cash
payment in a name other than that of the registered holder of the Old
Certificate surrendered, or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Surviving
Corporation that any such taxes have been paid or are not applicable. An
Affiliate (as defined in Section 6.15) of Dime shall not be entitled to receive
any New Certificate or payment pursuant to this Article IV until such Affiliate
shall have duly executed and delivered an appropriate agreement described in
Section 6.15.

         (c) Fractional Shares. Upon giving effect to the combination and
exchange described in Section 4.1(a), the resulting number of shares of
Surviving Corporation Common Stock of each registered holder of Dime Common
Stock shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number and each such registered
holder shall be entitled to receive from the Surviving Corporation in lieu of
any fractional share of Surviving Corporation Common Stock prior to such
rounding down an amount in cash (without interest) equal to the product obtained
by multiplying (a) the fraction of a share of Surviving Corporation Common Stock
to which such holder would otherwise be entitled and (b) the average of the
closing price per share of Hudson Common Stock for the ten trading days most
recently preceding the Closing Date as reported on the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc. (the "NYSE") Composite Transactions reporting system. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, fractional shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock that would be
issued into a dividend reinvestment plan, 401(k) plan or other similar stock
plan maintained by Dime prior to the Effective Time shall be issued within such
plan as a fractional share of Surviving Corporation Common Stock at the
Effective Time.

         (d) Transfers. At or after the Effective Time, there shall be no
transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares
of Hudson Common Stock which were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>

         (e) No Liability. In the event that any Old Certificate shall have been
lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the
person claiming such Old Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if
required by the Surviving Corporation, the posting by such person of a bond in
such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation may direct as indemnity
against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Old Certifi-
cate, the Surviving Corporation shall, in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed Old Certificate, issue or cause to be issued the shares of Surviving
Corporation Common Stock and pay or cause to be paid the amounts, if any,
deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Article IV.

         4.3 Hudson Options and Warrants. At the Effective Time, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder of any such option
or warrant, each option or warrant granted by Hudson to purchase shares of
Hudson Common Stock (any such option or warrant being referred to as a "Hudson
Option") that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior thereto shall
constitute an option or warrant, as the case may be, to purchase Shares of
Surviving Corporation Common Stock, on the same terms and conditions as are in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.

         4.4 Dime Options and Warrants. At the Effective Time, without any
action on the part of any holder of any such option or warrant, each option or
warrant granted by Dime to purchase shares of Dime Common Stock (any such option
or warrant being referred to as a "Dime Option") that is outstanding and
unexercised immediately prior thereto shall be converted into an option or
warrant, as the case may be, to purchase, on the same terms and conditions as
are in effect for such Dime Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, such
number of shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock at an exercise price
determined as provided below (and otherwise having the same duration and other
terms as the original Dime Option):

         (a) the number of shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock to be
     subject to the new option or warrant shall be equal to the product of (1)
     the number of shares of Dime Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of the
     original Dime Option and (2) the Exchange Ratio, the product being rounded,
     if necessary, up or down, to the nearest whole share; and

         (b) the exercise price per share of Surviving Corporation Common Stock
     under the new option or warrant shall be equal to (1) the exercise price
     per share of Dime Common Stock under the original Dime Option divided by
     (2) the Exchange Ratio, the quotient being rounded, if necessary, up or
     down to the nearest cent.

The terms of each Dime Option shall, in accordance with its terms, be subject to
further adjustment as appropriate to reflect any reorganization,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock
split

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

or other similar change in capitalization of Dime subsequent to the Closing
Date. With respect to any Dime Options that are "incentive stock options" (as
defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code), the foregoing adjustments
shall be effected in a manner consistent with Section 424(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code.


                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         5.1 Disclosure Schedules. (a) On or prior to the date hereof, Dime has
delivered to Hudson and Hudson has delivered to Dime a schedule (respectively,
its "Disclosure Schedule") setting forth, among other things, items the
disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express
disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereof or as an exception to one
or more representations or warranties contained in Section 5.3 or to one or more
of its covenants contained in Article VI; provided that (1) no such item is
required to be set forth in a Disclosure Schedule as an exception to a
representation or warranty if its absence is not reasonably likely to result in
the related representation or warranty being deemed untrue or incorrect under
the standard established by Section 5.2, and (2) the mere inclusion of an item
in a Disclosure Schedule as an exception to a representation or warranty shall
not be deemed an admission by a party that such item represents a material
exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item is reasonably likely
to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (b) "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean with respect to Dime, Hudson
or the Surviving Corporation any effect that (1) is material and adverse to the
financial position, results of operations or business of Dime and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, Hudson and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or
the Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, respectively,
or (2) would materially impair the ability of either Dime or Hudson to perform
its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise materially threaten or
materially impede the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that Material Adverse Effect
shall not be deemed to include the impact of (A) changes in banking and similar
laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or
governmental authorities, (B) changes in generally accepted accounting
principles or regulatory accounting requirements applicable to depository
institutions and their holding companies generally, (C) actions or omissions of
Dime or Hudson taken with the prior written consent of Hudson or Dime, as
applicable, in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (D) any
modifications or changes to valuation policies and practices in connection with
the Merger or restructuring charges taken in connection with the Merger, in each
case in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and (E) the
effects of any change attributable to or resulting from changes in economic

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

conditions applicable to depository institutions or their holding companies
generally or in general levels of interest rates, except to the extent that the
effect of such change is materially more severe for Dime, Hudson or the
Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, than for depository institutions or
their holding companies generally.

         (c) "Previously Disclosed" by a party shall mean information set forth
on its Disclosure Schedule corresponding to the provision of this Agreement to
which such information relates; provided that information which, on its face,
reasonably should indicate to the reader that it relates to another provision of
this Agreement shall also be deemed to be Previously Disclosed with respect to
such other provision.

         5.2 Standard. No representation or warranty of Dime or Hudson contained
in Section 5.3 shall be deemed untrue or incorrect, and no party hereto shall be
deemed to have breached a representation or warranty, as a consequence of the
existence of any fact, circumstance or event unless such fact, circumstance or
event, individually or taken together with all other facts, circumstances or
events inconsistent with any representation or warranty contained in Section 5.3
has had or is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         5.3 Representations and Warranties of Dime and Hudson. Except as
Previously Disclosed, Dime hereby represents and warrants to Hudson, and Hudson
hereby represents and warrants to Dime, that:

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

         (b) Corporate Organization and Qualification. It is a corporation duly
     organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
     jurisdiction of its incorporation and is in good standing as a foreign
     corporation in each jurisdiction where the properties owned, leased or
     operated or the business conducted by it require such qualification. It has
     the requisite corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties
     and assets and to carry on its businesses as they are now being conducted.
     It has made available to the other party hereto a complete and correct copy
     of its certificate of incorporation and by-laws, each as amended to date
     and currently in full force and effect.

         (c) Subsidiaries. It has Previously Disclosed a list of its
     subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement and the amount and percent of
     its ownership thereof. Each of its subsidiaries is duly organized, validly
     existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which
     such subsidiary is incorporated or organized, and is duly qualified to do
     business and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the property
     owned, leased or operated, or the business

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

     conducted, by such subsidiary requires such qualification. Each of its
     subsidiaries has the requisite power and authority to own or lease its
     properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being
     conducted. Each of its subsidiaries that is a depository institution is
     an "insured depository institution" as defined in the Federal Deposit
     Insurance Act ("FDIA") and applicable regulations thereunder.

         (d) Capital Stock. (1) In the case of the representations and
     warranties made by Dime and in addition to the statements set forth in
     Recital A:

              As of the date of this Agreement, there were outstanding under the
         stock option and other plans Previously Disclosed (the "Dime Stock
         Plans"), options or rights to acquire not more than an aggregate of
         8,078,022 shares of Dime Common Stock (subject to adjustment on the
         terms set forth in the Dime Stock Plans). As of the date of this
         Agreement, Dime has no shares of Dime Common Stock reserved for
         issuance, other than 15,954,541 shares reserved for issuance under the
         Dime Stock Plans and the shares reserved for issuance under the Dime
         Stock Option Agreement, and has no shares of Dime Preferred Stock
         reserved for issuance. All the outstanding shares of Dime Common Stock
         have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
         nonassessable. All the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of
         Dime's subsidiaries owned by Dime or a subsidiary of Dime have been
         duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
         nonassessable, and are owned by Dime or a subsidiary of Dime free and
         clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, claims, proxies,
         preemptive or subscriptive rights or other encumbrances or restrictions
         of any kind (collectively, "Liens"). Except as set forth above
         (including in Recital A) or in the Dime Stock Option Agreement or in
         the Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (the "Dime Rights
         Agreement"), dated as of October 20, 1995, between Dime and The First
         National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent, and except for Dime Common
         Stock issued after the date hereof pursuant to the terms of Dime Stock
         Plans, there are no shares of capital stock of Dime authorized, issued
         or outstanding and there are no preemptive rights or any outstanding
         subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, convertible securities or
         other agreements or commitments of Dime or any of its subsidiaries of
         any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other
         securities of Dime or any of its subsidiaries (including, without
         limitation, those relating to the issuance, sale, purchase, redemp-
         tion, conversion, exchange, registration, voting or transfer thereof).
         Other than pursuant to the Hudson Stock Option Agreement, as of the
         date hereof, neither Dime nor any of its subsidiaries beneficially
         owns, directly or indirectly, or is party to

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

         any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
         acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, any shares of Hudson
         Common Stock that are, or if owned would be, Exception Shares.

         (2) In the case of the representations and warranties made by Hudson
     and in addition to the statements set forth in Recital B:

              As of the date of this Agreement, there were outstanding under the
         stock option and other plans Previously Disclosed (the "Hudson Stock
         Plans"), options or rights to acquire not more than an aggregate of
         1,141,768 shares of Hudson Common Stock (subject to adjustment on the
         terms set forth in the Hudson Stock Plans). As of the date of this
         Agreement, Hudson has no shares of Hudson Common Stock reserved for
         issuance, other than 13,736,445 shares reserved for issuance under the
         Hudson Stock Plans and the shares reserved for issuance under the
         Hudson Stock Option Agreement, and has no shares of Hudson Preferred
         Stock reserved for issuance. All the outstanding shares of Hudson
         Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully
         paid and nonassessable. All the outstanding shares of capital stock of
         each of Hudson's subsidiaries owned by Hudson or a subsidiary of Hudson
         have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
         nonassessable and owned by Hudson or a subsidiary of Hudson free and
         clear of all Liens. Except as set forth above (including in Recital B)
         or in the Hudson Stock Option Agreement and except for Hudson Common
         Stock issued after the date hereof pursuant to the terms of the Hudson
         Stock Plans, there are no shares of capital stock of Hudson auth-
         orized, issued or outstanding, and there are no preemptive rights or
         any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, convertible
         securities or other agreements or commitments of Hudson or any of its
         subsidiaries of any character relating to the issued or unissued
         capital stock or other securities of Hudson or any of its subsidiaries
         (including, without limitation, those relating to the issuance, sale,
         purchase, redemption, conversion, exchange, registration, voting or
         transfer thereof). Other than pursuant to the Dime Stock Option
         Agreement, as of the date hereof, neither Hudson nor any of its
         subsidiaries beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or is party to
         any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
         acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, any shares of Dime Common
         Stock.

         (e) Corporate Authority. (1) In the case of the representations and
     warranties made by Dime: It has the requisite corporate power and authority
     and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute and
     deliver this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreements

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

     and, subject only to the adoption by a majority of holders of the
     outstanding shares of Dime Common Stock entitled to vote thereon of the
     agreement of merger (including the amendments to the Certificate of
     Incorporation and By-laws contemplated by Sections 2.1 and 2.2) contained
     in this Agreement insofar as required by Sections 251 and 252 of the DGCL,
     to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement is a
     valid and legally binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with
     the terms hereof. Its Board of Directors (at a meeting duly called and
     held) has by requisite vote (A) authorized and approved this Agreement, the
     Stock Option Agreements and the transactions, including the Merger,
     contemplated hereby and thereby, (B) directed that the agreement of merger
     (as such term is used in Section 252 of the DGCL) contained in this
     Agreement be submitted for consideration to, and adoption by, its
     stockholders in accordance with Sections 251 and 252 of the DGCL and (C)
     approved the execution of the Dime Stock Option Agreement and authorized
     and approved the Merger (prior to the execution by Dime of this Agreement
     and prior to the date of execution of the Dime Stock Option Agreement) in
     accordance with Section 203 of the DGCL.

         (2) In the case of the representations and warranties made by Hudson:
     It has the requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all
     corporate action necessary in order to execute and deliver this Agreement
     and the Stock Option Agreements and, subject only to the adoption by a
     majority of the votes cast by holders of the outstanding shares of Hudson
     Common Stock entitled to vote thereon of the plan of merger contained in
     this Agreement insofar as required by Section 14A: 10-3 of the NJBCA, to
     consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Article IX of its
     certificate of incorporation is not applicable to the Merger or other
     transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement is a valid and legally
     binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.
     Its Board of Directors (at a meeting duly called and held) has by requisite
     vote (A) authorized and approved this Agreement, the Stock Option
     Agreements and the transactions, including the Merger, contemplated hereby
     and thereby, (B) directed that the plan of merger (as such term is used in
     Section 14A: 10-7 of the NJBCA) contained in this Agreement be submitted
     for consideration to, and adoption by, its stockholders in accordance
     Section 14A: 10-3 of the NJBCA and (C) approved the execution of the Hudson
     Stock Option Agreement and authorized and approved the Merger (prior to the
     execution by Hudson of this Agreement and prior to the date of execution of
     the Hudson Stock Option Agreement) in accordance with Section 14A: 10A-5 of
     the NJBCA.

         (f) Governmental Filings; No Violations. (1) Other than the approvals
     Previously Disclosed, and other than as required under the
     Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, the

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

     Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including the rules and
     regulations thereunder, the "Exchange Act"), the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended (including the rules and regulations thereunder, the "Securities
     Act"), state securities laws and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange
     (the "NYSE") or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the
     "NASD"), or under any federal or state banking laws or regulations, no
     notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by it with, nor
     are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations
     required to be obtained by it from, any governmental or regulatory
     authority, agency, court, commission or other entity, domestic or foreign
     ("Governmental Entity"), in connection with the execution, delivery or
     performance of this Agreement by it and the consummation by it of the
     transactions contemplated hereby.

         (2) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not
     and will not, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated
     hereby will not, constitute or result in (A) a breach or violation of, or a
     default under, its certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws, or
     the comparable governing instruments of any of its subsidiaries, or (B) a
     breach or violation of, or a default under, or the acceleration of or the
     creation of a Lien (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time
     or both) pursuant to, any provision of any agreement, lease, contract,
     note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation ("Contracts") of
     it or any of its subsidiaries or any law, rule, ordinance or regulation or
     judgment, decree, order, award or governmental or non-governmental permit
     or license to which it or any of its subsidiaries is subject, or any change
     in the rights or obligations of any party under any Contracts. It has
     Previously Disclosed a list of all consents of third parties required under
     any Contracts to be obtained by it or its subsidiaries prior to
     consummation of the Merger.

         (g) Reports and Financial Statements. (1) With respect to periods since
     January 1, 1997, each of it and its subsidiaries has filed all 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 Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS "),
     (C) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC "), (D) the
     Federal Home Loan Bank System (the "FHLB "), (E) in the case of
     representations and warranties of Hudson, the Federal Reserve (as defined
     in Section 5.3(k)(3)) and the New Jersey Department of Banking and
     Insurance, (F) any other applicable federal or state banking, insurance,
     securities, or other regulatory authorities or (G) the NYSE or the NASD,
     and, as of their respective dates (and, 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), each
     such report or statement, including the financial statements and exhibits
     thereto, complied (or will comply, in the case of

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

     reports or statements filed after the date of this Agreement) as to form in
     all material respects with all applicable statutes, rules and regulations.

         (2) It has delivered to the other of Dime or Hudson each registration
     statement, offering circular, report, definitive proxy statement or
     information statement under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and state
     securities laws (collectively, the "Securities Laws") filed, used or
     circulated by it with respect to periods since January 1, 1997 through the
     date of this Agreement and will promptly deliver each such registration
     statement, offering circular, report, definitive proxy statement or
     information statement filed, used or circulated after the date hereof
     (collectively, its "Reports"), each in the form (including exhibits and any
     amendments thereto) filed with the SEC (or if not so filed, in the form
     used or circulated).

         (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, statements, or circulars 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 its consolidated balance sheets included in or incorporated
     by reference into its Reports, including the related notes and schedules,
     fairly presents the consolidated financial position of it and its
     subsidiaries as of the date of such balance sheet and each of the
     consolidated statements of income, cash flows and stockholders' equity
     included in or incorporated by reference into its Reports, including any
     related notes and schedules, fairly presents the consolidated results of
     operations, retained earnings and cash flows, as the case may be, of it and
     its subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of
     unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments), in each case
     in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
     applied during the periods involved, except as may be noted therein.
     Collectively, its foregoing consolidated balance sheets, statements of
     income, cash flows and stockholders' equity are referred to as its
     "Financial Statements".

         (5) It knows of no reason why the allowance for loan and lease losses
     shown in its consolidated balance sheet dated June 30, 1999 included in its
     Financial Statements was not adequate as of such date to

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

     provide for estimable and probable losses, net of recoveries relating
     to loans previously charged off, inherent in its loan portfolio.

         (h) Asset Classification. It has Previously Disclosed a list, accurate
     and complete in all material respects, of the aggregate amounts of loans,
     extensions of credit and other assets of it and its subsidiaries that have
     been criticized or classified as of June 30, 1999 by it, separated by
     category of classification or criticism (the "Asset Classification"); and
     no amounts of loans, extensions of credit or other assets that have been
     classified or criticized as of the date hereof by any representative of any
     Governmental Entity 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 of loans,
     extensions of credit or other assets that were charged off by it or its
     subsidiaries prior to the date hereof.

         (i) Absence of Certain Events and Changes. Except as disclosed in its
     Reports filed by it with the SEC since December 31, 1998, and, except as
     expressly contemplated by this Agreement, it and its subsidiaries have
     conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary and usual
     course of such businesses and since that date, without giving effect to the
     proviso of Section 5.1(a) or to Section 5.2, there has not been any change
     or development or combination of changes or developments which,
     individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to result in a
     Material Adverse Effect.

         (j) Properties. Except as disclosed or reserved against in its Reports
     or Financial Statements, it and its subsidiaries have good and marketable
     title, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens for current taxes not
     yet delinquent or pledges to secure deposits) to all of the material
     properties and assets, tangible or intangible, reflected in its Reports as
     being owned by it or its subsidiaries as of the dates thereof. All leased
     buildings and all leased fixtures, equipment and other property and assets
     that are material to its business on a consolidated basis are held under
     valid leases or subleases by it or its subsidiaries enforceable in
     accordance with their respective terms (except as may be limited by
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws
     affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equity principles).

         (k) Compliance with Laws. It and each of its subsidiaries:

              (1) is in compliance 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;


                                      -18-

<PAGE>

              (2) has all permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders,
         and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications, and
         registrations with, federal, state, local, and foreign governmental or
         regulatory bodies that are required in order to permit it or such
         subsidiary to carry on its business as it is presently conducted;

              (3) has received since January 1, 1997 no notification or
         communication from any Governmental Entity (including the OTS, the
         FDIC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the
         "Federal Reserve") 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 with any of the statutes,
         regulations or ordinances that such Governmental Entity enforces; (B)
         threatening to revoke any license, franchise, permit or governmental
         authorization; or (C) threatening or contemplating revocation or
         limitation of, or which would have the effect of revoking or limiting,
         FDIC deposit insurance (nor, to its knowledge, do any grounds for any
         of the foregoing exist); and

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

         (l) Litigation. Except as disclosed in its Reports filed with the SEC
     prior to the date hereof, 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
     its knowledge, threatened, against it or any of its subsidiaries; and
     neither it nor any of its subsidiaries (nor any officer, director,
     controlling person or property of it or any of its subsidiaries) is a party
     to or is 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, without limitation, the OTS, the Federal Reserve, the
     FHLB and the FDIC) or the supervision or regulation of it or any of its
     subsidiaries and neither it nor any of its subsidiaries 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.


                                      -19-

<PAGE>

         (m) Taxes. (1) The term "Tax" or "Taxes" includes any tax or similar
     governmental charge, impost or levy (including, without limitation, income
     taxes, franchise taxes, transfer taxes or fees, stamp taxes, sales taxes,
     use taxes, excise taxes, ad valorem taxes, withholding taxes, employee
     withholding taxes, worker's compensation, payroll taxes, unemployment
     insurance, social security, minimum taxes or windfall profits taxes),
     together with any related liabilities, penalties, fines, additions to tax
     or interest, imposed by the United States or any state, county, provincial,
     local or foreign government or subdivision or agency thereof.

         (2) All federal, state and local Tax returns, including all information
     returns, required to be filed by or on behalf of it or any of its
     subsidiaries have been timely filed or requests for extensions have been
     timely filed and any such extension shall have been granted and not have
     expired, and all such filed returns are complete and accurate in all
     material respects. Except as disclosed in its Reports, all Taxes
     attributable to it or any of its subsidiaries that are or were due or
     payable (without regard to whether such Taxes have been assessed) have been
     paid in full or have been adequately provided for on its consolidated
     balance sheet and consolidated statement of earnings or income (in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles). Adequate
     provision in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
     appropriately and consistently applied has been made in the Reports
     relating to all Taxes for the periods covered thereby that were not yet due
     and payable as of the dates thereof, regardless of whether the liability
     for such Taxes is disputed. As of the date of this Agreement and except as
     disclosed in its Reports, there is no outstanding audit examination,
     deficiency, refund litigation or outstanding waivers or agreements
     extending the applicable statute of limitations for the assessment or
     collection of any Taxes for any period with respect to any Taxes of it or
     its subsidiaries. All Taxes, interest, additions and penalties due with
     respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded litigation
     relating to it or any of its subsidiaries have been paid in full or have
     been recorded on its or such subsidiary's balance sheet and consolidated
     statement of earnings or income (in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles). Neither it nor any of its subsidiaries is a party
     to a tax sharing or similar agreement or any agreement pursuant to which it
     or any of its subsidiaries has indemnified any party (other than it or one
     of its subsidiaries) with respect to Taxes. The proper and accurate amounts
     have been or will be withheld from all employees (and timely paid to the
     appropriate Governmental Entity or set aside in an account for such
     purposes) for all periods through the Closing Date in compliance with all
     Tax withholding provisions of applicable federal, state, local and foreign
     laws (including, without limitation, income, social security and employment
     tax withholding for all types of compensation).

                                      -20-

<PAGE>

         (n) Insurance. Each of it and its subsidiaries has taken all requisite
     action (including without limitation 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 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.
     It has Previously Disclosed a list of all directors' and officers'
     liability insurance policies maintained by it or its subsidiaries.

         (o) Labor Matters. Neither it nor any of its 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, nor is
     it or any of its subsidiaries the subject of any material proceeding
     asserting that it or any such subsidiary has committed an unfair labor
     practice or seeking to compel it or such subsidiary to bargain with any
     labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is there
     any strike involving it or any of its subsidiaries pending or, to its
     knowledge, threatened, nor is it aware of any activity involving its or
     any of its subsidiaries' employees seeking to certify a collective
     bargaining unit or engaging in any other organizational activity.

         (p) Employee Benefits. (1) As of the date of this Agreement, it has
     Previously Disclosed a list of all bonus, deferred compensation, pension,
     retirement, profit-sharing, thrift, savings, employee stock ownership,
     stock bonus, stock purchase, restricted stock and stock option plans, all
     material employment or severance contracts, consulting agreements and all
     other material employee benefit plans that cover employees, former
     employees, directors or independent contractors (and their spouses,
     dependents or beneficiaries) of it and its subsidiaries (its "Compensation
     Plans"). True and complete copies of the Compensation Plans (and, as
     applicable, copies of summary plan descriptions, governmental filings (on
     Form 5500 series or otherwise), actuarial reports and reports under
     Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 106 relating thereto)
     and all other benefit plans, contracts or arrangements (regardless of
     whether they are funded or unfunded or foreign or domestic) covering
     current or former employees, directors or independent contractors (and
     their spouses, dependents or beneficiaries) of it or its subsidiaries (its
     "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 the other party.

         (2) Except as disclosed in its Reports or as provided in this
     Agreement, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock
     Option Agreements will not result in the vesting or acceleration of any
     amounts under any Compensation Plan, any material increase in

                                      -21-

<PAGE>

     benefits under any Compensation Plan or payment of any severance or
     similar compensation under any Compensation Plan.

         (3) All of its 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) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, covering Employees
     (collectively, its "Plans") are in compliance with the applicable
     provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, and other applicable
     laws in all material respects. Each of its 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 it is not aware of any circumstances
     likely to result in revocation of any such favorable determination letter.
     There is no pending or, to its knowledge, threatened litigation relating to
     its Plans. Neither it nor any of its subsidiaries has engaged in a
     transaction with respect to any Plan that 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.

         (4) No liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA (other than
     payment of applicable premiums) has been or is expected to be incurred by
     it 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"). It and its subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates
     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), nor has it or any of its subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates been
     notified by any multiemployer plan to which it or any of its subsidiaries
     or ERISA Affiliates is contributing, or may be obligated to contribute,
     that such multiemployer plan is currently in reorganization or insolvency
     under and within the meaning of Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA or that such
     multiemployer plan intends to terminate or has been terminated under
     Section 4041A of ERISA. 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 of
     its Pension Plans or by any of its ERISA Affiliates within the 12-month
     period ending on the date hereof. Neither it, its subsidiaries nor any of
     their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred or is aware of any facts
     that are reasonably likely to result in any liability pursuant to Section
     4069 or 4204 of ERISA.


                                      -22-

<PAGE>

         (5) All material contributions required to be made by it and its
     subsidiaries under the terms of any of its Plans have been timely made or
     have been reflected on its Financial Statements. Neither any of its Pension
     Plans nor any single-employer plan of any of its 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. None
     of it, its subsidiaries or its ERISA Affiliates has provided, or is
     required to provide, security to any Pension Plan or to any single-employer
     plan of an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) or 412(f)(3) of
     the Internal Revenue Code or Section 306, 307 or 4204 of ERISA.

         (6) Under each of its and its ERISA Affiliates' 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 exceed the then current value of the assets of such
     Pension Plan, and to its knowledge, there has been no change in the
     financial condition of such Pension Plan since the last day of the most
     recent plan year which reasonably could be expected to change such
     conclusion. There would be no withdrawal liability of it and its
     subsidiaries under each benefit plan which is a multiemployer plan to which
     it, its subsidiaries or its ERISA Affiliates 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.

         (7) Except as disclosed in its Reports, neither it nor its subsidiaries
     have any obligations for retiree health and life benefits.

         (8) There are no restrictions on the rights of it or its subsidiaries
     to amend or terminate any Plan without incurring any liability thereunder
     in addition to normal liabilities for benefits.

         (q) Environmental Matters. (1) For purposes of this Section 5.3(q), the
     following terms shall have the indicated meaning:

              "Business" means the business conducted by it and its
         subsidiaries.

              "Environmental Law" means any federal, state, local or foreign
         law, regulation, agency policy, order, decree, judgment or judicial
         opinion or any agreement with any Government Entity, presently in
         effect or hereinafter adopted relating to (A) the manufacture,
         generation, transport, use, treatment, storage,

                                      -23-

<PAGE>

         recycling, disposal, release, threatened release or presence of
         Hazardous Substances or (B) the preservation, restoration or protection
         of the environment, natural resources or human health.

              "Hazardous Substances" means substances which are: (A) listed,
         classified or regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law; (B) any
         petroleum products or by-products, asbestos containing material,
         polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs"), radioactive materials or radon gas;
         or (C) any other matter to which exposure is prohibited, limited or
         regulated by any government authority or Environmental Law.

              "Subject Property" means (A) all real property at which the
         businesses of it or any of its subsidiaries have been conducted, all
         property in which it or any of its subsidiaries holds a security or
         other interest (including, without limitation, a fiduciary interest),
         and, where required by the context, includes any such property where
         under any Environmental Law it or any of its subsidiaries constitutes
         the owner or operator of such property, but only with respect to such
         property, (B) any facility in which it or any of its subsidiaries
         participates in the management, including, where required by the
         context, participating in the management of the owner or operator of
         such property, and (C) all other real property which for purposes of
         any Environmental Law it or any of its subsidiaries otherwise could be
         deemed to be an owner or operator or otherwise control.

         (2) To its knowledge, it and each of its subsidiaries and the Subject
     Property are, and have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws and
     there are no circumstances that with the passage of time or the giving of
     notice would be reasonably likely to result in noncompliance.

         (3) To its knowledge, there are no pending or threatened claims,
     actions, investigations, notices of non-compliance, information requests or
     notices of potential responsibility or proceedings involving it or any of
     its subsidiaries or any Subject Property relating to:

              (A) an asserted liability of it or any of its subsidiaries or any
         prior owner, occupier or user of Subject Property under any
         Environmental Law or the terms and conditions of any permit, license,
         authority, settlement, agreement, decree or other obligation arising
         under any Environmental Law;

              (B) the handling, storage, use, transportation, removal or
         disposal of Hazardous Substances;

                                      -24-


<PAGE>

              (C) the actual or threatened discharge, release or emission of
         Hazardous Substances from, on or under or within Subject Property into
         the air, water, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface
         strata; or

              (D) personal injuries or damage to property related to or arising
         out of exposure to Hazardous Substances;

     and, to its knowledge, there is no reasonable basis for any of the
     foregoing.

         (4) To its knowledge, there are no storage tanks underground or
     otherwise present on the Subject Property or, if present, all such tanks
     are not leaking and are in full compliance with any Environmental Law. To
     its knowledge, with respect to any Subject Property, it and its
     subsidiaries do not own, possess or control any PCBs, PCB-contaminated
     fluids, wastes or equipment, and it and its subsidiaries do not own,
     possess or control any asbestos or asbestos-containing material. To its
     knowledge, no Hazardous Substances have been used, handled, stored,
     discharged, released or emitted, or are threatened to be discharged,
     released or emitted, at or on any Subject Property, except for those types
     and quantities of Hazardous Substances typically used in an office
     environment and which have not created conditions requiring remediation
     under any Environmental Law.

         (5) To its knowledge and except for investigation or monitoring by the
     Environmental Protection Agency or similar state agencies in the ordinary
     course, no part of the Subject Property has been or is scheduled for
     investigation or monitoring pursuant to any Environmental Law.

         (r) Risk Management Instruments. All swaps, caps, floors, option
     agreements, futures and forward contracts and other similar risk management
     arrangements, whether entered into for its own account, or for the account
     of one or more of its subsidiaries or their customers, were entered into
     (1) in accordance with prudent business practices and all applicable laws,
     rules, regulations and regulatory policies and (2) with counterparties
     believed to be financially responsible at the time; and each of them
     constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of it or one of its
     subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as
     enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws of general
     applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights or by general
     equity principles), and are in full force and effect. Neither it nor its
     subsidiaries, nor to its knowledge any other party thereto, is in breach of
     any of its obligations under any such agreement or arrangement.


                                      -25-

<PAGE>

         (s) Material Agreements. (1) As of the date of this Agreement, without
     giving effect to the proviso of Section 5.1(a) and to Section 5.2, except
     for (A) the Stock Option Agreements, and (B) arrangements made after the
     date and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, it and its
     subsidiaries are not bound by any material contract (as defined in Item
     601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, but without giving
     effect to the ordinary course of business exception provided for therein)
     to be performed after the date hereof that has not been filed with or
     incorporated by reference in its Reports.

         (2) None of it nor any of its subsidiaries is in default under any
     contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement, indenture, lease, insurance
     policy or other instrument.

         (t) Knowledge as to Conditions. (1) As of the date of this Agreement,
     it knows of no reason why any regulatory approvals and, to the extent
     necessary, any other approvals, authorizations, filings, registrations, and
     notices should not be obtained without the imposition of any condition or
     restriction described in the proviso to Section 7.1(b), or why the
     accountants' letters referred to in Section 7.1(g) or the opinions of tax
     counsel referred to in Sections 7.2(d) and 7.3(c) cannot be obtained.

         (2) In the case of the representations and warranties made by Hudson,
     as of the date hereof, Hudson knows of no reason why either of the
     transactions (the "Pending Transactions") contemplated by (A) the Agreement
     and Plan of Merger, dated June 28, 1999 by and among Hudson, Hudson United
     Bank, a New Jersey bank and wholly owned subsidiary of Hudson, JeffBanks,
     Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, Jefferson Bank, a Pennsylvania bank and
     wholly owned subsidiary of JeffBanks, and Jefferson Bank of New Jersey, a
     New Jersey bank and wholly owned subsidiary of JeffBanks, and (B) the
     Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 28, 1999, by and among Hudson,
     Hudson United Bank and Southern Jersey Bancorp of Delaware, Inc., a
     Delaware corporation, and Farmers and Merchants National Bank, a national
     banking association, should not be consummated. In case either or both of
     the Pending Transactions shall fail to be consummated, such mere failure,
     in and of itself, shall not constitute a breach of any provision of this
     Agreement or give Dime any right of termination hereunder.

         (u) Year 2000 Compliance. (1) All computer software and hardware used
     in its businesses is Year 2000 Compliant (as defined below) or is
     scheduled, according to an internal plan and budget, to be Year 2000
     Compliant prior to December 31, 1999.

         (2) It has disclosed to the other party its plans for evaluating
     whether the business conducted by it or its subsidiaries is Year 2000

                                      -26-

<PAGE>

     Compliant. Neither it or its subsidiaries has received any written notice
     or, to its knowledge, oral notice from any Governmental Entity which
     indicates that such Governmental Entity considers or would consider the
     businesses conducted by it or its subsidiaries not to be Year 2000
     Compliant.

         (3) "Year 2000 Compliant" means, with respect to any computer software
     or hardware and other processing capabilities of a party, that such
     software or hardware and processing capabilities are able, in all material
     respects, accurately to process date and time data (including calculating,
     comparing, and sequencing) from, into and between the years 1999 and 2000
     and leap year calculations, and will not generate erroneous data or cause a
     system to fail because of a date of the year 1999 or greater or spanning
     the years 1999 and 2000.

         (v) Brokers and Finders. None of it, 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 herein, except that Hudson
     has retained Goldman, Sachs & Co. as its financial advisor and Dime has
     retained Credit Suisse First Boston as its financial advisor, the
     arrangements with which have been disclosed in writing to the other party
     prior to the date hereof.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    COVENANTS

         6.1 Conduct of Business Pending the Effective Time. Each of Dime and
Hudson agrees as to 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 or
delayed) or except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the
Stock Option Agreements or as Previously Disclosed:

         (a) The business of it and its subsidiaries will be conducted only in
     the ordinary and usual course and, to the extent consistent therewith, it
     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 and to take no action that would (1) adversely affect
     the ability of any of them to obtain any necessary approvals 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 7.1(b), (2) adversely affect its ability to perform
     its obligations under this Agreement or the Stock Option

                                      -27-


<PAGE>

     Agreements or (3) be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse
     Effect.

         (b) It will not (1) sell or pledge or agree to sell or pledge or permit
     any Lien to exist on any stock owned by it of any of its material subsidi-
     aries; (2) amend its certificate of incorporation or by-laws; (3) split,
     combine or reclassify any outstanding capital stock; (4) other than as
     permitted by Section 6.2, declare, set aside or pay any dividend payable in
     cash, stock or other property with respect to any of its capital stock; or
     (5) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or permit any subsidiary to
     purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its
     capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable for any
     shares of its capital stock (other than such capital stock repurchased
     pursuant to the Dime Stock Plans and the Hudson Stock Plans, as the case
     may be).

         (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.3,
     neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will (1) issue, sell, pledge,
     dispose of or encumber, or authorize or propose the issuance, sale, pledge,
     disposition or encumbrance of, any shares of, or securities convertible or
     exchangeable for, or options, warrants, calls, commitments or rights of
     any kind to acquire, any shares of its capital stock of any class, with the
     exception of Dime Common Stock or Hudson Common Stock issuable as of the
     date hereof pursuant to the Dime Stock Plans or Hudson Stock Plans,
     respectively, consistent with past practice, and the Stock Option
     Agreements; (2) transfer, lease, license, guarantee, sell, mortgage, pledge
     or dispose of any other material property or assets or encumber any
     property or assets other than to a direct or indirect wholly owned
     subsidiary of it; (3) cancel, release, assign or modify any material amount
     of indebtedness of any other individual, corporation or other entity
     (collectively, a "Person") other than in the ordinary and usual course of
     business; or (4) authorize capital expenditures other than in the ordinary
     and usual course of business.

         (d) Except as expressly contemplated in this Agreement and except for
     internal reorganizations involving existing subsidiaries, neither it nor
     any of its subsidiaries will make any material acquisition of, or
     investment in, assets or stock of any other Person not in the ordinary and
     usual course of business.

         (e) Other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
     practice, it will not incur or permit any of its subsidiaries to incur any
     indebtedness for borrowed money or assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise
     as an accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other
     Person or make any loan or advance.


                                      -28-

<PAGE>

         (f) Except as required by agreements or arrangements Previously
     Disclosed or as provided in Section 6.1(k) or as contemplated by Article
     III, neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will (1) grant any increase in
     compensation or benefits to its Employees or to its officers, except for
     normal increases consistent with past practice or as required by law; (2)
     pay any bonus except as consistent with past practice; (3) grant any
     severance or termination pay to any director, officer or other of its
     Employees except as consistent with past practice; (4) enter into or amend
     any employment or severance agreement with any director, officer or other
     of its Employees (provided that this clause (4) shall not prohibit either
     party from approving a renewal or other extension of an existing employment
     or severance agreement in accordance with its terms and in the ordinary
     course of business); (5) grant any increase in fees or other increases in
     compensation or other benefits to any of its present or former directors;
     or (6) effect any change in retirement benefits for any class of its
     Employees or officers (unless such change is required by applicable law or,
     in the written opinion of counsel, is necessary or advisable to maintain
     the tax qualification of any plan under which the retirement benefits are
     provided); provided, however, that nothing in this Section 6.1 shall
     prevent Dime from renegotiating, amending or modifying the current
     Employment Agreement with Mr. Toal provided that (i) any additional
     benefits provided to Mr. Toal thereunder are commensurate with those to be
     provided to Mr. Neilson subsequent to the Effective Time under the
     Employment Agreement with Mr. Neilson and that such amendment or
     modification shall not extend Mr. Toal's employment beyond that permitted
     by the provisions of Article III of this Agreement and (ii) such amendment
     or modification is approved by the Compensation Committee or other similar
     committee of the Board of Directors of Dime.

         (g) Except as provided in Section 6.1(k) and as may be required to
     satisfy contractual obligations existing as of the date hereof and the
     requirements of applicable law, neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will
     establish, adopt, enter into or make any new, or amend any existing,
     collective bargaining, bonus, profit sharing, thrift, compensation, stock
     option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, employee stock ownership,
     deferred compensation, employment, termination, severance or other plan,
     agreement, trust, fund, policy or arrangement for the benefit of any
     directors, officers or employees.

         (h) Neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will implement or adopt any
     change in its accounting principles, practices or methods, other than as
     may be required by generally accepted accounting principles.

         (i) Neither it nor any of its subsidiaries shall make any tax election,
     other than in the ordinary course of business.


                                      -29-

<PAGE>

         (j) Neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will authorize or enter into
     an agreement to take any of the actions referred to in paragraphs (a)
     through (i) above.

         (k) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.1(f) and (g) herein,
     each party hereto shall be permitted to take, or authorize or agree to
     take, any of the actions contemplated in such Sections without the consent
     of the other party, if such action (1) is reasonably necessary to qualify
     for, or preserve, an exemption of certain transactions from the operation
     of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act in accordance with the provisions of
     SEC Rule 16b-3, as amended, or (2) is Previously Disclosed.

         6.2 Dividends. Unless Dime and Hudson otherwise agree in writing,
neither Dime nor Hudson will declare or pay any dividend or distribution on
shares of their capital stock, whether payable in cash, stock or other property,
other than (a) dividends from subsidiaries of Dime or Hudson to Dime or Hudson
or to another subsidiary of Dime or Hudson, as applicable, consistent with past
practice or (b) regular quarterly dividends or distributions, provided that (1)
such dividends or distributions, and their corresponding record dates and
payment dates, are coordinated between the parties and are in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice and (2) such dividends or distributions are
not in amounts exceeding $0.25 per quarter in the case of Hudson and $0.06 per
quarter in the case of Dime, subject to and consistent with each party's normal
practice for scheduled increases in the rate of dividends paid on its common
stock.

         6.3 Acquisition Proposals. Each of Dime and Hudson agrees that neither
it nor any of its subsidiaries nor any of its respective officers and directors
or the officers and directors of its subsidiaries shall, and it shall direct and
use all reasonable efforts to cause its 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, it or any of its subsidiaries (any such
proposal or offer being hereinafter referred to as an "Acquisition Proposal") or
engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information
or data to, or have any discussions with, any such person relating to an
Acquisition Proposal. Hudson will notify Dime, and Dime will notify Hudson,
immediately if any such inquiries or proposals are received by, any such infor-
mation is requested from, or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to
be initiated or continued with, it.

         6.4 Stockholder Approvals; Election of Directors. Each of Dime and
Hudson agrees to take, in accordance with applicable law and its

                                      -30-

<PAGE>

respective certificate of incorporation and by-laws, all action necessary to
convene a meeting of holders of Dime Common Stock (the "Dime Meeting") and
Hudson Common Stock (the "Hudson Meeting"), respectively, as promptly as
practicable after the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 6.5) is
declared effective to consider and vote upon the adoption of the agreement of
merger (within the meaning of Section 252 of the DGCL) or plan of merger (within
the meaning of Section 14A: 10-3 of the NJBCA) contained in this Agreement, and,
with respect to the Dime Meeting, the amendment to its certificate of
incorporation and by-laws to effect amendments contemplated by this Agreement.
The Board of Directors of each of Dime and Hudson will recommend such adoption,
and each of Dime and Hudson will take all reasonable action to solicit such
adoption by its respective stockholders, and the Governance and Nominating
Committee of the Board of Directors of Dime will nominate the Former Hudson
Directors (as designated pursuant to Section 3.2(a)) for, and Dime's Board of
Directors will take all reasonable action necessary for, the election of such
persons as directors of Surviving Corporation prior to or at the Effective Time.

         6.5 Filings; Other Actions. (a) Each of Dime and Hudson agrees to
cooperate in the preparation of a registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed
by Dime with the SEC in connection with the issuance of Surviving Corporation
Common Stock in the Merger (including the joint proxy statement and prospectus
and other proxy solicitation materials of Dime and Hudson constituting a part
thereof (the "Joint Proxy Statement"), the "Registration Statement"). Dime
agrees to use all reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be
declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after
filing thereof. Dime also agrees to use all reasonable efforts to obtain all
necessary state securities law permits and approvals required to carry out the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and Hudson agrees to furnish all
information concerning Hudson and the holders of Hudson Common Stock as may be
reasonably requested in connection with any such action.

         (b) Each of Dime and Hudson agrees to cooperate and consult with the
other and, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, use reasonable efforts to prepare and file all necessary
documentation, to effect all necessary applications, notices, petitions, filings
and other documents, and to obtain all necessary permits, consents, orders,
approvals and authorizations of, or any exemption by, all third parties and
Governmental Entities necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Dime and Hudson shall have the right to
review in advance, and to the extent practicable each will consult with the
other, in each case subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of
information, with respect to all the information relating to the other party,
and any of their respective subsidiaries, which appear in any filing made with,
or written materials submitted to, any third party or any Governmental Entity in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In

                                      -31-

<PAGE>

exercising the foregoing right, each of the parties hereto agrees to act
reasonably and as promptly as practicable. Each party hereto agrees to keep the
other party apprised of the status of matters relating to completion of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         (c) Each party agrees, upon request, to furnish the other party 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 Registration Statement or Joint 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.

         (d) Each of Dime and Hudson agrees to consult and cooperate with the
other in effecting actions and measures for the purpose of ensuring the orderly
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the efficient conduct
of the combined businesses of Dime and Hudson following the Merger. Without
limiting the foregoing, each of Dime and Hudson agrees, to the extent consistent
with applicable law, to consult and cooperate with the other in (1) developing a
joint business plan for periods beginning at the Effective Time and (2) taking
reasonable steps in an effort to enable the Surviving Corporation to achieve the
objectives stated in such joint business plan.

         6.6 Information Supplied. Each of Hudson and Dime agrees, as to itself
and its subsidiaries, that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by
it for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (a) the Registration Statement
will, at the time the Registration Statement and each amendment and supplement
thereto, if any, become effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
(b) the Joint Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto will, at
the date of mailing to stockholders and at the times of the Dime Meeting and the
Hudson Meeting to be held in connection with this Agreement, 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 statement in any
earlier statement in the Joint Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement
thereto. Neither the Joint Proxy Statement nor the Registration Statement shall
be filed, and, prior to the termination of this Agreement, no amendment or
supplement to the Joint Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement shall be
filed, by Dime or Hudson without consultation with the other party and its
counsel.

         6.7 Accountants' Letters. Dime agrees to use all reasonable efforts to
cause to be delivered to Hudson a letter of KPMG LLP, independent

                                      -32-

<PAGE>

auditors to Dime, and Hudson agrees to use all reasonable efforts to cause to be
delivered to Dime a letter of Arthur Andersen, independent auditors to Hudson,
each dated (1) the date on which the Registration Statement shall become
effective and (2) a date shortly prior to or on the Closing Date, and addressed
to such other party in form and substance customary for "comfort" letters
delivered by independent accountants in connection with registration statements
similar to the Registration Statement.

         6.8 Access. Upon reasonable notice, each party agrees to (and shall
cause each of its subsidiaries to) afford the other party's officers, employees,
counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives ("Representatives")
access, during normal business hours throughout the period until the Closing
Date, to its properties, books, contracts and records and, during such period,
shall (and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) furnish promptly to the
other party all information concerning its business, properties and personnel as
may reasonably be requested; provided that no investigation pursuant to this
Section 6.8 shall affect or be deemed to modify any representation or warranty
made by the party furnishing such information. Each party will not, and will
cause its respective Representatives not to, use any information obtained
pursuant to this Section 6.8 for any purpose unrelated to the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Subject to the requirements of
applicable law, pending consummation of the transactions herein contemplated,
each party conducting an investigation hereunder will keep confidential, and
will cause its Representatives to keep confidential, all information and
documents obtained from the other party pursuant to this Section 6.8 or during
the investigation leading up to the execution of this Agreement. The agreements
between Dime and Hudson regarding the confidentiality of such information in
effect at the date hereof (the "Confidentiality Agreements") shall continue and
survive in full force and effect until the Effective Time or, in the event this
Agreement is terminated, shall continue in accordance with the terms thereof.
Upon any termination of this Agreement, each party will collect and deliver to
the other party all nonpublic documents obtained by it or any of its
Representatives and then in their possession and any copies thereof and destroy
or cause to be destroyed all notes, memoranda or other documents in the
possession of it or of its Representatives containing or reflecting any
nonpublic information obtained from the other party, 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.

         6.9 Notification of Certain Matters. Each of Dime and Hudson will give
prompt notice to the other of any fact, event or circumstance known to it that
(a) is reasonably likely to result in any Material Adverse Effect, (b) would
cause or constitute a material breach of any of the representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements of such party contained herein or (c) is reasonably
likely to result in the failure of a condition to consummation set forth in
Article VII to be satisfied on or prior to June 30, 2000.

                                      -33-

<PAGE>

         6.10 Publicity. The initial press release relating hereto will be a
joint press release and thereafter Hudson and Dime shall consult with each other
prior to issuing any press releases or otherwise making public statements with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and prior to making any filings
with any Governmental Entity or with the NYSE or the NASD with respect thereto.

         6.11 Benefit Plans. (a) At or as promptly as practicable following the
Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries will adopt
employee benefit plans (including, without limitation, severance plans) covering
persons who become and remain employees of the Surviving Corporation or its
subsidiaries and who were immediately prior to the Effective Time employees of
Dime or its subsidiaries (the "Former Dime Employees") or employees of Hudson or
its subsidiaries (the "Former Hudson Employees") or will amend existing plans to
provide coverage for Former Dime Employees and Former Hudson Employees. It is
the express understanding and intention of the parties that no Former Dime
Employee or Former Hudson Employee or other person shall be deemed to be a third
party beneficiary, or have or acquire any right to enforce the provisions, of
this Section 6.11(a), and that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to
constitute a Plan or an amendment to a Plan.

         (b) Each of Dime and Hudson agrees, with respect to any Pension Plans
maintained by them or any of their subsidiaries with respect to which the
"remedial amendment period" described in Revenue Procedure 99-23, 1999-16 I.R.B.
5 (4/19/99), and any subsequent pronouncement by the Internal Revenue Service
extending or modifying the remedial amendment period as so described, ends prior
to the Closing Date and with respect to any amendments to such plans required to
be adopted before the end of such remedial amendment period, that to the extent
a determination letter with respect to the qualification of such Pension Plan or
Plans under the Internal Revenue Code reflecting such amendments has not been
obtained, an application for such a letter shall be filed with the Internal
Revenue Service on or before the last day of such remedial amendment period.

         6.12 Expenses. Each of the parties 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, except that Dime
and Hudson each shall bear and pay one-half of the following expenses: (a) the
costs (excluding the fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors and
accountants) incurred in connection with the preparation (including copying and
printing and distribution) of the Registration Statement, the Joint Proxy
Statement and applications to Governmental Entities for the approval of the
Merger and (b) all listing, filing or registration fees, including, without
limitation, fees paid for filing the Registration Statement with the SEC and
fees paid for filings with Governmental Entities.


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<PAGE>

         6.13 Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance. (a) Each of
Dime and Hudson agrees that, from and after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation will indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director
and officer of Dime, Hudson and their respective subsidiaries, determined as of
the Effective Time (the "Indemnified Parties"), against any costs or expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (collectively, "Costs") incurred in connection with any
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to matters
existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, whether asserted or
claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent that
Dime, Hudson or such subsidiary would have been permitted under applicable law
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and the certificate of incorporation or
by-laws of Dime, Hudson or such subsidiary in effect on the date hereof to
indemnify such person (and the Surviving Corporation shall also advance expenses
as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law; provided that
the person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such
advances if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to
indemnification).

         (b) To the extent that paragraph (a) shall not serve to indemnify and
hold harmless an Indemnified Party, for a period of six years after the
Effective Time, each of Dime and Hudson agrees that the Surviving Corporation
shall, subject to the terms set forth herein, indemnify and hold harmless, to
the fullest extent permitted under applicable law (and the Surviving Corporation
shall also advance expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable law, provided that the person to whom expenses are advanced provides
an undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such
person is not entitled to indemnification), each Indemnified Party against any
Costs incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising
out of or pertaining to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In the
event any claim or claims are asserted or made within such six-year period, all
rights to indemnification in respect of any such claim or claims shall continue
until final disposition of any and all such claims.

         (c) For a period of six years from the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall provide that portion of directors' and officers' liability
insurance that serves to reimburse the present and former officers and directors
of Hudson or any of its subsidiaries (determined as of the Effective Time) with
respect to claims against such directors and officers arising from facts or
events which occurred before the Effective Time, which insurance shall contain
at least the same coverage and amounts, and contain terms and conditions no less
advantageous, as that coverage currently provided by Hudson.


                                      -35-

<PAGE>

         (d) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under
Section 6.13(a) or (b), upon learning of any such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, shall promptly notify the Surviving Corporation
thereof, but the failure to so notify shall not relieve the Surviving
Corporation of any liability it may have to such Indemnified Party if such
failure does not materially prejudice the Surviving Corporation. In the event of
any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising
before or after the Effective Time), the Surviving Corporation shall have the
right to assume the defense thereof and the Surviving Corporation 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 the Surviving Corporation
elects not to assume such defense or counsel for the Indemnified Parties advises
that there are issues which raise conflicts of interest between the Surviving
Corporation and the Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties may retain
counsel satisfactory to them, and the Surviving Corporation shall pay all
reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties
promptly as statements therefor are received. If such indemnity is not available
with respect to any Indemnified Party, then the Surviving Corporation and the
Indemnified Party shall contribute to the amount payable in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect relative faults and benefits.

         6.14 Antitakeover Provisions. If any "business combination",
"moratorium", "control share" or other state antitakeover statute or regulation
(collectively, "Antitakeover Provisions") may become applicable to the transac-
tions contemplated hereby, each of Dime and Hudson and the members of their
respective Boards of Directors will grant such approvals and take such actions
as are necessary so that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be
consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and
otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of any Antitakeover Provision
on any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         6.15 Affiliate Agreements. (a) As soon as practicable after the date
hereof, Dime shall identify to Hudson and Hudson shall identify to Dime all
persons who are at the date hereof (or at another reasonably proximate date)
possible "affiliates" of Dime or Hudson, respectively, as that term is used in
paragraphs (c) and (d) of Rule 145 under the Securities Act and/or Accounting
Series Releases 130 and 135, as amended, of the SEC ("Affiliates"). Each of Dime
and Hudson shall use their best efforts to obtain a written agreement in the
form of Annex 4(a) (for Affiliates of Hudson) or 4(b) (for Affiliates of Dime)
from each person who is so identified as a possible Affiliate and shall deliver
copies of such written agreements to the other party as soon as practicable.

         (b) As soon as practicable after the date of the Dime Meeting or Hudson
Meeting, as applicable, Dime shall identify to Hudson and Hudson shall identify
to Dime all persons who were, at the time of the Dime Meeting or the Hudson
Meeting, possible Affiliates of Dime and Hudson, respectively, and

                                      -36-

<PAGE>

who were not previously identified in accordance with Section 6.15(a). Each of
Dime and Hudson shall use their best efforts to obtain a written agreement in
the form of Annex 4(a) or 4(b), as the case may be, from each person who is so
identified and shall deliver copies of such written agreements to the other
party as soon as practicable.

         6.16 Stock Exchange Listing. The parties agree to use all reasonable
efforts to cause to be listed on the NYSE, subject to official notice of
issuance, the shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock to be issued in the
Merger.

         6.17 Efforts to Consummate. On the terms and subject to the conditions
of this Agreement, each of Dime and Hudson agrees to use 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, as soon
as practicable after the date of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated
hereby, including, without limitation, using reasonable efforts to lift or
rescind any injunction or restraining order or other order adversely affecting
the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

         6.18 Reports. Each of Dime and Hudson agrees to file, and to cause its
respective subsidiaries to file, all reports required to be filed with all
Governmental Entities pursuant to the Securities Laws or Federal or state
banking laws between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, and to
deliver to the other party copies of all such reports promptly after the same
are filed.

         6.19 Accounting and Tax Treatment. Neither Dime nor Hudson will take,
cause or to the best of its ability permit to be taken any action that would
adversely affect the qualification of the Merger for pooling-of-interests
accounting treatment or the qualification of the Merger as a "reorganization"
within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code; provided, that
nothing in this Section 6.19 shall preclude either party from exercising its
respective rights under the Stock Option Agreements.

         6.20 Assumptions. The parties agree to take all reasonable action for
the Surviving Corporation to assume any guaranties or indentures to which Hudson
is currently a party, including, without limitation, guaranties and indentures
associated with the Hudson-guarantied mandatorily redeemable preferred capital
securities, Series B, of Hudson Capital Trust I and Hudson Capital Trust II
which hold solely junior subordinated debentures of Hudson.

         6.21 Bank Combination and Governance. The parties agree to take all
reasonable actions necessary prior to the Effective Time to cause the federal
savings bank subsidiary of Dime and New Jersey state-chartered

                                      -37-


<PAGE>


commercial bank subsidiary of Hudson to be combined, in a manner to be
determined, effective as soon as possible after the Effective Time, as the
Subsidiary Bank, so that (a) the Subsidiary Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered
commercial bank, (b) the Board of Directors and executive officers of the
Subsidiary Bank shall be the same persons in the same positions as the Board of
Directors and executive officers of the Surviving Corporation, and (c) the
charter and by-laws of the Subsidiary Bank shall contain those provisions (or
other provisions of similar effect) provided for in Article III hereof with
respect to the Surviving Corporation. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the
Surviving Corporation shall have the right to retain a federally-chartered
savings bank as one of its depository institution subsidiaries.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                                   CONDITIONS

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

         (a) Stockholder Approval. The agreement of merger contained in this
     Agreement shall have been duly adopted by the holders of Dime Common Stock
     and the holders of Hudson Common Stock in accordance with Sections 251 and
     252 of the DGCL and Section 14A: 10-3 of the NJBCA, as the case may be, and
     each such stockholder approval shall be in accordance with other applicable
     law.

         (b) Governmental and Regulatory Consents. All approvals and
     authorizations of, filings and registrations with, and notifications to,
     all Governmental Entities required for the consummation of the Merger and
     for the prevention of any termination of any material right, privilege,
     license or agreement of either Dime or Hudson or their respective
     subsidiaries 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 would result
     in a Material Adverse Effect on the Surviving Corporation.

         (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 is not
     reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
     Adverse Effect on the Surviving Corporation.

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<PAGE>

         (d) Litigation. No Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall
     have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule,
     regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary,
     preliminary or permanent) that prohibits consummation of the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement.

         (e) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have
     become effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the
     effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no
     proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the
     SEC. All permits and other authorizations under the Securities Laws and
     other authorizations necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated
     hereby and to issue the shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock to be
     issued in the Merger shall have been received and be in full force and
     effect.

         (f) Listing. The shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock to be
     issued in the Merger shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE,
     subject to official notice of issuance.

         (g) Accountants' Pooling Letter. Each of Dime and Hudson shall have
     received a letter, dated as of the Effective Time, from KPMG LLP and Arthur
     Andersen, their respective independent auditors, to the effect that the
     Merger will qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment under
     Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and SEC Accounting Series
     Releases 130 and 135, as amended, if consummated in accordance with this
     Agreement.

         (h) Employment Agreements. Unless Mr. Neilson or Mr. Toal is unable or
     unwilling to serve in the capacity or capacities described therein, the
     Employment Agreement for each of Mr. Neilson and Mr. Toal, respectively,
     shall be in full force and effect.

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

         (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
     of Dime set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct 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 shall be true and correct as of such date), and Hudson
     shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf
     of Dime by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of
     Dime to such effect.


                                      -39-

<PAGE>

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

         (c) Opinion of Counsel. Hudson shall have received an opinion, dated
     the Closing Date, of Sullivan & Cromwell, reasonably satisfactory to
     Hudson, to the effect that the shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock
     to be issued in the Merger, when issued in accordance with the terms
     hereof, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
     nonassessable.

         (d) Opinion of Tax Counsel. Hudson shall have received an opinion
     (based on customary assumptions and representations) of Pitney, Hardin,
     Kipp & Szuch, counsel to Hudson, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that
     (1) the Merger is a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)
     of the Internal Revenue Code, (2) Dime and Hudson are parties to such
     "reorganization" and (3) the exchange in the Merger of shares of Hudson
     Common Stock for shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock will not
     result in the recognition of income, gain or loss to Dime, Hudson or the
     stockholders of Hudson in each case for federal income tax purposes
     (subject to customary exceptions and except to the extent of any cash paid
     in lieu of fractional shares or any state and local transfer taxes paid on
     behalf of a stockholder).

         (e) Accountants' Letters. Hudson and its directors and officers who
     sign the Registration Statement shall have received the letters referred to
     in Section 6.7 from KPMG LLP, as Dime's independent auditors.

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

         (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
     of Hudson set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct 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 shall be true and correct as of such date) and Dime shall
     have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of
     Hudson by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of
     Hudson to such effect.

         (b) Performance of Obligations of Hudson. Hudson shall have performed
     in all material respects all obligations required to be per-


                                      -40-

<PAGE>


     formed 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 Hudson by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
     Officer of Hudson to such effect.

         (c) Opinion of Tax Counsel. Dime shall have received an opinion (based
     on customary assumptions and representations) of Sullivan & Cromwell,
     counsel to Dime, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that (1) the Merger
     is a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal
     Revenue Code and (2) Dime and Hudson are parties to such "reorganization".

         (d) Accountants' Letters. Dime and its directors and officers who sign
     the Registration Statement shall have received the letters referred to in
     Section 6.7 from Arthur Andersen, as Hudson's independent auditors.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   TERMINATION

         8.1 Termination by Mutual Consent. This Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, before or
after the approval by the stockholders of Dime and Hudson, respectively, by the
mutual agreement of Dime and Hudson, approved by their respective Boards of
Directors.

         8.2 Termination by Either Dime or Hudson. This Agreement may be
terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by action of the Board of Directors
of either Dime or Hudson if the Merger shall not have been consummated by June
30, 2000 or 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 7.1(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 7.1(b) with respect to, such approval or
authorization (provided, that the terminating party is not then in material
breach of its obligations under Section 6.4).

         8.3 Termination by Hudson. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by action of the
Board of Directors of Hudson (a) before or after the adoption by stockholders of
Hudson referred to in Section 7.1(a), if Dime shall have breached any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein that would
result in the failure to satisfy the closing condition set forth in Section
7.2(a) or 7.2(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

                                      -41-

<PAGE>

(b) before the adoption and approval by stockholders of Hudson referred to in
Section 7.1(a), if the Board of Directors of Dime shall have failed to recommend
to its stockholders the adoption of the plan of merger contained in this
Agreement.

         8.4 Termination by Dime. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by action of the
Board of Directors of Dime (a) before or after the approval by the stockholders
of Dime referred to in Section 7.1(a), if Hudson shall have breached any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein that would
result in the failure to satisfy the closing condition set forth in Section
7.3(a) or 7.3(b) and such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days
after the giving of a written notice to Hudson of such breach or (b) before the
adoption by stockholders of Dime referred to in Section 7.1(a), if the Board of
Directors of Hudson shall have failed to recommend to its stockholders the
adoption of the agreement of merger contained in this Agreement.

         8.5 Effect of Termination and Abandonment. In the event of termination
of this Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this Article
VIII, no party to this Agreement shall have any liability or further obligation
to any other party hereunder except (a) as set forth in Section 9.1, (b) each of
the Stock Option Agreements shall be governed by its own terms as to termination
and (c) termination will not relieve a breaching party from liability for any
breach directly or indirectly giving rise to such termination.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         9.1 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 Section 8.5 shall apply and the agreements of the
parties in Sections 6.8 (excluding the first sentence thereof), 6.10 and 6.12
shall survive such abandonment.

         9.2 Modification or Amendment. (a) Subject to the applicable provisions
of the DGCL and the NJBCA, at any time prior to the Closing Date, 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, Dime and Hudson may enter
into an amendment to this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.2(a)

                                      -42-

<PAGE>

in order to modify the structure of the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated hereby, or the manner of effecting such transactions; provided that
after the adoption of the agreement of merger contained in this Agreement by the
stockholders of Dime and Hudson referred to in Section 7.1(a), no such amendment
shall adversely affect the consideration to be received by the stockholders of
Dime or Hudson, respectively, unless such amendment is approved by such
stockholders of Dime or Hudson, respectively, prior to the Effective Time.

         9.3 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.

         9.4 Counterparts and Facsimile. 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. Executed signature
pages to this Agreement may be delivered by facsimile and such facsimiles shall
be deemed as sufficient as if actual signature pages had been delivered.

         9.5 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE
AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.

         9.6 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 (i) on the date of delivery if delivered person-
ally, or by telecopy or telefacsimile, upon confirmation of receipt, (ii) on the
first business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized
next-day courier service, or (iii) on the third business day following the date
of mailing if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid. All notices 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.

         (a) If to Hudson:

                  Hudson United Bancorp
                  1000 MacArthur Boulevard
                  Mahwah, New Jersey  07430
                  Attention: Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
                  Telecopy: (201) 236-2639


                                      -43-

<PAGE>

             with copies to:

                  Hudson United Bancorp
                  1000 MacArthur Boulevard
                  Mahwah, New Jersey  07430
                  Attention:  General Counsel
                  Telecopy:  (201) 236-2649

                  and

                  Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch
                  200 Campus Drive
                  Florham Park, New Jersey  07932-0950
                  Attention:  Ronald H. Janis, Esq.
                              Michael W. Zelenty, Esq.
                  Telecopy:  (973) 966-1550

         (b) If to Dime:

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

             with copies to:

                  Dime Bancorp, Inc.
                  589 Fifth Avenue
                  New York, New York  10017
                  Attention:  General Counsel
                  Telecopy:  (212) 326-6110

                  and

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

         9.7 Entire Agreement, Etc. (a) This Agreement (including the Annexes
hereto and the Disclosure Letters), the Stock Option Agreements and the
Confidentiality Agreements constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all
other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both
written and oral, between the parties, with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and (b) this Agreement shall not be assignable by operation of law or

                                      -44-

<PAGE>

otherwise (any attempted assignment in contravention hereof being null and
void).

         9.8 Definition of "subsidiary"; Covenants with Respect to Subsidi-
aries. (a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to a subsidiary of a
person, the term "subsidiary" means those corporations, banks, savings banks,
associations and other entities of which such person owns or controls 25% or
more of the outstanding equity securities either directly or through an unbroken
chain of entities as to each of which 25% or more of the outstanding equity
securities is owned directly or indirectly by its parent; provided however,
that, except for purposes of Section 5.3(q), there shall not be included any
such entity to the extent that the equity securities of such entity were
acquired in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted in good faith or are
owned or controlled in a bona fide fiduciary capacity.

         (b) 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 Hudson, as the case may be, to cause such action or omission
to occur.

         9.9 Captions. The Article, Section and paragraph captions herein are
for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and
shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

         9.10 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the
application thereof to any person (including, without limitation, the officers
and directors of Dime and Hudson) or circumstance is determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining
provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to persons or circum
stances other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable,
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance of the
transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially
adverse to any party. Upon such determination, the parties shall negotiate in
good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable substitute
provision to effect the original intent of the parties. Prior to the termination
of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the absence of adoption by the
stockholders of a party hereto shall not render invalid or inoperative any
provision hereof not required to be contained in the agreement of merger to be
adopted by such stockholders pursuant to Sections 251 and 252 of the DGCL, or
Section 14A: 10-3 of the NJBCA, as the case may be, and the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws of such party.

         9.11 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

                                      -45-

<PAGE>

the provisions of Section 4.3 shall inure to the benefit of the holders of stock
options and Article III (subject to the limitations set forth in such Article
III) and Section 6.13 shall inure to the benefit of the persons referred to
therein.


                       [THE NEXT PAGE IS A SIGNATURE PAGE]


                                      -46-


<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto as of the date first
hereinabove written.


                                            HUDSON UNITED BANCORP



                                            By:   /s/Kenneth T. Neilson
                                               --------------------------------
                                            Name:   Kenneth T. Neilson
                                            Title:  President and Chief
                                                    Executive Officer


                                            DIME BANCORP, INC.



                                            By:   /s/ Lawrence Toal
                                               --------------------------------
                                            Name:   Lawrence Toal
                                            Title:  Chief Executive Officer




         STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of September 16, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), between Hudson United Bancorp, a New Jersey corporation
("Grantee"), and Dime Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Issuer").

                                    RECITALS

         A. Merger Agreement. Grantee and Issuer have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 15, 1999 (the "Merger Agreement"),
which agreement was executed and delivered on the day preceding the date of this
Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to which Grantee is to merge with and into
Issuer (the "Merger"); and

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

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

         1. Grant of Option. (a) Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an
unconditional, irrevocable option (the "Option") to purchase, subject to the
terms hereof, up to an aggregate of 22,271,682 fully paid and nonassessable
shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Issuer ("Common
Stock") at a price per share equal to $17 3/4; provided, however, that in no
event shall the number of shares for which this Option is exercisable exceed
19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. The number of shares
of Common Stock that may be received upon the exercise of the Option and the
Option Price are subject to adjustment as herein set forth.

         (b) In the event that any additional shares of Common Stock are issued
or otherwise become outstanding after the date of this Agreement (other than
pursuant to this Agreement and other than pursuant to an event described in
Section 5(a) hereof), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option
shall be increased so that, after such issuance, such number together with any
shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the
number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding without giving
effect to any shares subject or issued pursuant to the Option. Nothing contained
in this Section l(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize
Issuer to issue shares in breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement.

         2. Exercise. (a) The Holder (as hereinafter defined) may exercise the
Option, in whole or part, if, but only if, both an Initial Triggering Event (as
hereinafter defined) and a Subsequent Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined)
shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (as
hereinafter defined), provided


                                       -1-

<PAGE>

that the Holder shall have sent the written notice of such exercise (as provided
in subsection (e) of this Section 2) within six (6) months following such
Subsequent Triggering Event (or such later period as provided in Section 10).
Each of the following shall be an Exercise Termination Event: (i) the Effective
Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Merger; (ii) termination of the
Merger Agreement in accordance with the provisions thereof if such termination
occurs prior to the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event except a
termination by Grantee pursuant to Section 8.3(a) of the Merger Agreement
(unless the breach by Issuer giving rise to such right of termination is
non-volitional) (a "Listed Termination"); or (iii) the passage of eighteen (18)
months (or such longer period as provided in Section 10) after termination of
the Merger Agreement if such termination follows the occurrence of an Initial
Triggering Event or is a Listed Termination. The term "Holder" shall mean the
holder or holders of the Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, the Option may not be exercised at any time when Grantee shall
be in material breach of any of its covenants or agreements contained in the
Merger Agreement such that Issuer shall be entitled to terminate the Merger
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.4(a) thereof.

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

           (i) Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule
      1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
      Commission (the "SEC")) (the "Issuer Subsidiaries"), without having
      received Grantee's prior written consent, shall have entered into an
      agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as hereinafter defined)
      with any person (the term "person" for purposes of this Agreement having
      the meaning assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the
      Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and the
      rules and regulations thereunder) other than Grantee or any of its
      Subsidiaries (each a "Grantee Subsidiary") or the Board of Directors of
      Issuer (the "Issuer Board") shall have recommended that the stockholders
      of Issuer approve or accept any Acquisition Transaction other than as
      contemplated by the Merger Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, (a)
      "Acquisition Transaction" shall mean (x) a merger or consolidation, or any
      similar transaction, involving Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary (other than
      mergers, consolidations or similar transactions involving solely Issuer
      and/or one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Issuer, provided, any
      such transaction is not entered into in violation of the terms of the
      Merger Agreement), (y) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or
      any substantial part of the assets or deposits of Issuer or any Issuer
      Subsidiary, or (z) a purchase or other acquisition (including by way of
      merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) of securities
      representing 10% or more of the voting power of Issuer or any Issuer
      Subsidiary and (b) "Subsidiary" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule
      12b-2 under the 1934 Act;


                                       -2-

<PAGE>

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

         (iii) The stockholders of Issuer shall have voted and failed to approve
      the Merger Agreement and the Merger at a meeting which has been held for
      that purpose or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or such meeting
      shall not have been held in violation of the Merger Agreement or shall
      have been canceled prior to termination of the Merger Agreement if, prior
      to such meeting (or if such meeting shall not have been held or shall have
      been canceled, prior to such termination), it shall have been publicly
      announced that any person (other than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries)
      shall have made, or disclosed an intention to make, a proposal to engage
      in an Acquisition Transaction;

          (iv) The Issuer Board shall have withdrawn, modified or qualified (or
      publicly announced its intention to withdraw, modify or qualify) in any
      manner adverse in any respect to Grantee its recommendation that the
      stockholders of Issuer approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger
      Agreement in anticipation of engaging in an Acquisition Transaction, or
      Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary shall have authorized, recommended,
      proposed (or publicly announced its intention to authorize, recommend or
      propose) an agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction with any
      person other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary;

           (v) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall
      have filed with the SEC a registration statement or tender offer materials
      with respect to a potential exchange or tender offer that would constitute
      an Acquisition Transaction (or filed a preliminary proxy statement with
      the SEC with respect to a potential vote by its stockholders to approve
      the issuance of shares to be offered in such an exchange offer);

          (vi) Issuer shall have willfully breached any covenant or obligation
      contained in the Merger Agreement after an overture is made by a third
      party to Issuer or its stockholders to engage in an Acquisition
      Transaction, and (a) following such breach Grantee would be entitled to
      terminate the Merger Agreement (whether immediately or after the giving of
      notice or passage of time or both) and (b) such breach shall not have been
      cured prior to the Notice Date (as defined in Section 2(e)); or

         (vii) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary, without
      Grantee's prior written consent, shall have filed an application or notice
      with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal
      Reserve Board"), the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS") or other
      federal or state bank regulatory or antitrust authority, which application
      or notice has been accepted for processing, for approval to engage in an
      Acquisition Transaction.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

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

           (i) The acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any Grantee
      Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the then outstanding
      Common Stock; or

          (ii) The occurrence of the Initial Triggering Event described in
      clause (i) of subsection (b) of this Section 2, except that the percentage
      referred to in clause (z) of the second sentence thereof shall be 25%.

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

         (e) In the event the Holder is entitled to and wishes to exercise the
Option (or any portion thereof), it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the
date of which being herein referred to as the "Notice Date") specifying (i) the
total number of shares it will purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a
place and date not earlier than three business days nor later than 60 business
days from the Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the "Closing Date");
provided, that if prior notification to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board
or any other regulatory or antitrust agency is required in connection with such
purchase, the Holder shall promptly file the required notice or application for
approval, shall promptly notify Issuer of such filing and shall expeditiously
process the same and the period of time that otherwise would run pursuant to
this sentence shall run instead from the date on which any required notification
periods have expired or been terminated or such approvals have been obtained and
any requisite waiting period or periods shall have passed. Any exercise of the
Option shall be deemed to occur on the Notice Date relating thereto.

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

         (g) At such closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds as provided in subsection (f) of this Section 2, Issuer shall
deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares of Common Stock purchased by the Holder and, if the Option should be
exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the rights of the Holder thereof
to purchase the balance of the shares purchasable hereunder.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>

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

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

It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the resale restrictions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") in the above legend
shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference
if the Holder shall have delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff
of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Issuer, to the effect that such legend is not required for
purposes of the 1933 Act; (ii) the reference to the provisions of this Agreement
in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s)
without such reference if the shares have been sold or transferred in compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement and under circumstances that do not
require the retention of such reference in the opinion of counsel to the Holder,
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer; and (iii) the
legend shall be removed in its entirety if the conditions in the preceding
clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In addition, such certificates shall
bear any other legend as may be required by law.

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

         3. Covenants of Issuer. Issuer agrees: (i) that it shall at all times
maintain, free from preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued or
treasury shares of Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised without
additional authorization of Common Stock after giving effect to all other
options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights to purchase Common
Stock; (ii) that it will not, by charter amendment or through reorganization,
consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary
act, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the
covenants, stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by
Issuer; (iii) promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required
(including (x) complying with all applicable premerger notification, reporting
and waiting period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. Section 18a and


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

regulations promulgated thereunder and (y) in the event, under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"), the Home Owners' Loan Act, as
amended (the "HOLA") or the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, or
any state or other federal banking law, prior approval of or notice to the
Federal Reserve Board, the OTS or to any state or other federal regulatory
authority is necessary before the Option may be exercised, cooperating fully
with the Holder in preparing such applications or notices and providing such
information to the Federal Reserve Board, the OTS or such state or other federal
regulatory authority as they may require) in order to permit the Holder to
exercise the Option and Issuer duly and effectively to issue shares of Common
Stock pursuant hereto; and (iv) promptly to take all action provided herein to
protect the rights of the Holder against dilution.

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

         5. Certain Adjustments. In addition to the adjustment in the number of
shares of Common Stock that are purchasable upon exercise of the Option pursuant
to Section 1 of this Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable
upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 5. In the event of any
change in Common Stock by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, split-up,
recapitalization, stock combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction,
the type and number of shares or securities subject to the Option, and the
Option Price therefor, shall be adjusted appropriately, and proper provision
shall be made in the agreements governing such transaction so that Grantee shall
receive, upon exercise of the Option, the number and class of shares or other
securities or property that Grantee would have received in respect of Common
Stock if the Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event, or the
record date therefor, as applicable. If any additional shares of Common Stock
are issued after the date of this Agreement (other than pursuant to an event
described in the first sentence of this Section 5), the number of shares of
Common Stock subject to the Option shall be adjusted so that, after such
issuance, it, together with any shares of Common Stock previously issued
pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock then
issued


                                       -6-

<PAGE>

and outstanding, without giving effect to any shares subject to or issued
pursuant to the Option.

         6. Registration Rights. Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent Triggering
Event that occurs prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall, at the
request of Grantee delivered within twelve (12) months (or such later period as
provided in Section 10) of such Subsequent Triggering Event (whether on its own
behalf or on behalf of any subsequent holder of this Option (or part thereof) or
any of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant hereto), promptly prepare,
file and keep current a registration statement under the 1933 Act covering any
shares issued and issuable pursuant to this Option and shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and remain
current in order to permit the sale or other disposition of any shares of Common
Stock issued upon total or partial exercise of this Option ("Option Shares") in
accordance with any plan of disposition requested by Grantee. Issuer will use
its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement promptly to
become effective and then to remain effective for such period not in excess of
180 days from the day such registration statement first becomes effective or
such shorter time as may be reasonably necessary to effect such sales or other
dispositions. Grantee shall have the right to demand two such registrations. The
Issuer shall bear the costs of such registrations (including, but not limited
to, Issuer's attorneys' fees, printing costs and filing fees, except for
underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers' fees and the fees and
disbursements of Grantee's counsel related thereto). The foregoing
notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by Grantee for registration of
Option Shares as provided above, Issuer is in registration with respect to an
underwritten public offering by Issuer of shares of Common Stock, and if in the
good faith judgment of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, or, if
none, the sole underwriter or underwriters, of such offering the offer and sale
of the Option Shares would interfere with the successful marketing of the shares
of Common Stock offered by Issuer, the number of Option Shares otherwise to be
covered in the registration statement contemplated hereby may be reduced;
provided, however, that after any such required reduction the number of Option
Shares to be included in such offering for the account of the Holder shall
constitute at least 33 1/3% of the total number of shares to be sold by the
Holder and Issuer in the aggregate; and provided further, however, that if such
reduction occurs, then Issuer shall file a registration statement for the
balance as promptly as practicable thereafter as to which no reduction pursuant
to this Section 6 shall be permitted or occur and the Holder shall thereafter be
entitled to one additional registration and the twelve (12) month period
referred to in the first sentence of this section shall be increased to
twenty-four (24) months. Each such Holder shall provide all information
reasonably requested by Issuer for inclusion in any registration statement to be
filed hereunder. If requested by any such Holder in connection with such
registration, Issuer shall become a party to any underwriting agreement relating
to the sale of such shares, but only to the extent of obligating itself in
respect of representations, warranties, indemnities and other agreements
customarily included in such underwriting agreements for Issuer. Upon receiving
any request under this Section 6 from any Holder, Issuer agrees to send a copy
thereof to any other person known to Issuer to be entitled to registration
rights under this


                                       -7-


<PAGE>

Section 6, in each case by promptly mailing the same, postage prepaid, to the
address of record of the persons entitled to receive such copies.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall the
number of registrations that Issuer is obligated to effect be increased by
reason of the fact that there shall be more than one Holder as a result of any
assignment or division of this Agreement.

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

         (b) The Holder and the Owner, as the case may be, may exercise its
right to require Issuer to repurchase the Option and any Option Shares pursuant
to this Section 7 by surrendering for such purpose to Issuer, at its principal
office, a copy of this Agreement or certificates for Option Shares, as
applicable, accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the Holder
or the Owner, as the case may be, elects to require Issuer to repurchase this
Option and/or the Option Shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 7. The Holder shall also represent and warrant that it has sole record
and beneficial ownership of such Option Shares and that such Option Shares are
then free and clear of all liens. As promptly as practicable, and in any event
within five (5) business days after the surrender of the Option and/or
certificates representing Option Shares and the receipt of such notice or
notices relating thereto, Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Holder the Option Repurchase Price and/or to the Owner the Option Share
Repurchase Price


                                       -8-

<PAGE>

therefor or the portion thereof that Issuer is not then prohibited under
applicable law and regulation from so delivering.

         (c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from repurchasing the
Option and/or the Option Shares in full, Issuer shall immediately so notify the
Holder and/or the Owner and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from
time to time, to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the
Option Repurchase Price and the Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively,
that it is no longer prohibited from delivering, within five (5) business days
after the date on which Issuer is no longer so prohibited; provided, however,
that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a notice of repurchase pursuant to
paragraph (b) of this Section 7 is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from delivering to the
Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, the Option Repurchase Price and the
Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively, in full (and Issuer hereby
undertakes to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory
and legal approvals and to file any required notices as promptly as practicable
in order to accomplish such repurchase), the Holder or Owner may revoke its
notice of repurchase of the Option and/or the Option Shares whether in whole or
to the extent of the prohibition, whereupon, in the latter case, Issuer shall
promptly (i) deliver to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, that
portion of the Option Repurchase Price and/or the Option Share Repurchase Price
that Issuer is not prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate,
either (A) to the Holder, a new Agreement evidencing the right of the Holder to
purchase that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by multiplying the
number of shares of Common Stock for which the surrendered Agreement was
exercisable at the time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the Option Repurchase Price less the portion thereof
theretofore delivered to the Holder and the denominator of which is the Option
Repurchase Price, and/or (B) to the Owner, a certificate for the Option Shares
it is then so prohibited from repurchasing. If an Exercise Termination Event
shall have occurred prior to the date of the notice by Issuer described in the
first sentence of this subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to occur at any
time before the expiration of a period ending on the thirtieth day after such
date, the Holder shall nonetheless have the right to exercise the Option until
the expiration of such 30-day period.

         (d) For purposes of this Section 7, a "Repurchase Event" shall be
deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of any of the following events or
transactions after the date hereof:

           (i) the acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any Grantee
      Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then outstanding
      Common Stock; or

          (ii) the consummation of any Acquisition Transaction described in
      Section 2(b)(i) hereof, except that the percentage referred to in clause
      (z) shall be 25%.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>

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

         (b) The following terms have the meanings indicated:

           (i) "Acquiring Corporation" shall mean (i) the continuing or
      surviving person of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other than
      Issuer), (ii) the acquiring person in a plan of exchange in which Issuer
      is acquired, (iii) the Issuer in a merger or plan of exchange in which
      Issuer is the continuing or surviving or acquiring person and (iv) the
      transferee of all or a substantial part of Issuer's assets or deposits (or
      the assets or deposits of any Issuer Subsidiary).

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

         (iii) "Assigned Value" shall mean the market/offer price, as defined in
      Section 7.

          (iv) "Average Price" shall mean the average closing price of a share
      of the Substitute Common Stock for one (1) year immediately preceding the
      consolidation, merger or sale in question, but in no event higher than the
      closing price of the shares of Substitute Common Stock on the day
      preceding such consolidation, merger or sale; provided that if Issuer is
      the issuer of the Substitute Option, the Average Price shall be computed
      with respect to a share of common stock issued by the person merging into
      Issuer or by any company which controls or is controlled by such person,
      as the Holder may elect.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>


         (c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option,
provided that if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons,
be the same as the Option, such terms shall be as similar as possible and in no
event less advantageous to the Holder. The issuer of the Substitute Option shall
also enter into an agreement with the then Holder or Holders of the Substitute
Option in substantially the same form as this Agreement (after giving effect for
such purpose to the provisions of Section 9), which agreement shall be
applicable to the Substitute Option.

         (d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of
shares of Substitute Common Stock as is equal to the Assigned Value multiplied
by the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable
immediately prior to the event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a),
divided by the Average Price. The exercise price of the Substitute Option per
share of Substitute Common Stock shall then be equal to the Option Price
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares
of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable immediately prior to the
event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a) and the denominator of
which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the
Substitute Option is exercisable.

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

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

         9. Repurchase of Substitute Option. (a) At the request of the holder of
the Substitute Option (the "Substitute Option Holder"), the Substitute Option
Issuer shall repurchase the Substitute Option from the Substitute Option Holder
at a price (the "Substitute Option Repurchase Price") equal to the amount by
which (i) the Highest Closing Price (as hereinafter defined) exceeds (ii) the
exercise price of the Substitute Option, multiplied by the number of shares of
Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option may then be exercised,
and at the request of the owner (the "Substitute Share Owner") of shares of
Substitute Common Stock (the "Substitute Shares"), the Substitute Option Issuer
shall repurchase the Substitute Shares at a price (the "Substitute Share
Repurchase Price") equal to the Highest Closing Price multiplied by the number
of Substitute Shares so designated. The term "Highest


                                      -11-

<PAGE>

Closing Price" shall mean the highest closing price for shares of Substitute
Common Stock within the six-month period immediately preceding the date the
Substitute Option Holder gives notice of the required repurchase of the
Substitute Option or the Substitute Share Owner gives notice of the required
repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as applicable.

         (b) The Substitute Option Holder and the Substitute Share Owner, as the
case may be, may exercise its respective rights to require the Substitute Option
Issuer to repurchase the Substitute Option and the Substitute Shares pursuant to
this Section 9 by surrendering for such purpose to the Substitute Option Issuer,
at its principal office, the agreement for such Substitute Option (or, in the
absence of such an agreement, a copy of this Agreement) and/or certificates for
Substitute Shares accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the
Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be,
elects to require the Substitute Option Issuer to repurchase the Substitute
Option and/or the Substitute Shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 9. As promptly as practicable and in any event within five (5) business
days after the surrender of the Substitute Option and/or certificates
representing Substitute Shares and the receipt of such notice or notices
relating thereto, the Substitute Option Issuer shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Substitute Option Holder the Substitute Option Repurchase Price
and/or to the Substitute Share Owner the Substitute Share Repurchase Price
therefor or the portion thereof which the Substitute Option Issuer is not then
prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.

         (c) To the extent that the Substitute Option Issuer is prohibited under
applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from
repurchasing the Substitute Option and/or the Substitute Shares in part or in
full, the Substitute Option Issuer shall immediately so notify the Substitute
Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner and thereafter deliver or cause
to be delivered, from time to time, to the Substitute Option Holder and/or the
Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the Substitute Option
Repurchase Price and/or the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively,
which it is no longer prohibited from delivering, within five (5) business days
after the date on which the Substitute Option Issuer is no longer so prohibited;
provided, however, that if the Substitute Option Issuer is at any time after
delivery of a notice of repurchase pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 9
prohibited under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of
administrative policy, from delivering to the Substitute Option Holder and/or
the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, the Substitute Option Repurchase
Price and the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively, in full (and the
Substitute Option Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to receive all
required regulatory and legal approvals as promptly as practicable in order to
accomplish such repurchase), the Substitute Option Holder and/or Substitute
Share Owner may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Substitute Option or the
Substitute Shares either in whole or to the extent of prohibition, whereupon, in
the latter case, the Substitute Option Issuer shall promptly (i) deliver to the
Substitute Option Holder or Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, that portion
of the Substitute Option Repurchase Price or the Substitute Share Repurchase
Price that the Substitute


                                      -12-

<PAGE>

Option Issuer is not prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as
appropriate, either (A) to the Substitute Option Holder, a new Substitute Option
evidencing the right of the Substitute Option Holder to purchase that number of
shares of the Substitute Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of
shares of the Substitute Common Stock for which the surrendered Substitute
Option was exercisable at the time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price less
the portion thereof theretofore delivered to the Substitute Option Holder and
the denominator of which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price, and/or (B)
to the Substitute Share Owner, a certificate for the Substitute Option Shares it
is then so prohibited from repurchasing. If an Exercise Termination Event shall
have occurred prior to the date of the notice by the Substitute Option Issuer
described in the first sentence of this subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to
occur at any time before the expiration of a period ending on the thirtieth day
after such date, the Substitute Option Holder shall nevertheless have the right
to exercise the Substitute Option until the expiration of such 30-day period.

         10. Extension of Periods Under Certain Circumstances. The periods for
exercise of certain rights under Sections 2, 6, 7, 9 and 14 shall be extended:
(i) to the extent necessary to obtain all regulatory approvals for the exercise
of such rights (for so long as the Holder, Owner, Substitute Option Holder or
Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be, is using commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain such regulatory approvals), and for the expiration of all
statutory waiting periods; (ii) to the extent necessary to avoid liability under
Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act by reason of such exercise; and (iii) when there
exists an injunction, order or judgment that prohibits or delays exercise of
such right.

         11. Representations and Warranties. (a) Issuer hereby represents and
warrants to Grantee as follows:

         (i) Issuer has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the
Issuer Board prior to the date hereof and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the
transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by Issuer.

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


                                      -13-

<PAGE>

         (b) Grantee hereby represents and warrants to Issuer as follows:
Grantee has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Grantee and the performance of its obligations
hereunder by the Grantee have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of
Directors of Grantee and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the
Grantee are necessary to authorize this Agreement or for Grantee to perform its
obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by Grantee.

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

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

         13. Filings, Etc. Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its reasonable
best efforts to make all filings with, and to obtain consents of, all third
parties and governmental authorities necessary to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation,
applying to the Federal Reserve Board under the BHCA for approval to acquire the
shares issuable hereunder, but Grantee shall not be obligated to apply to state
banking authorities for approval to acquire the shares of Common Stock issuable
hereunder until such time, if ever, as it deems appropriate to do so.

         14. Surrender of Option. (a) Grantee may, at any time following a
Repurchase Event and prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event
(or such later period as provided in Section 10), relinquish the Option
(together with any Option Shares issued to and then owned by Grantee) to Issuer
in exchange for a cash fee equal to the Surrender Price. The "Surrender Price"
shall be equal to $50 million (i) plus, if applicable, Grantee's purchase price
with respect to any Option Shares and (ii) minus, if applicable, the excess of
(A) the net price, if any, received by Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary pursuant
to the sale of Option Shares (or any other securities into


                                      -14-

<PAGE>

which such Option Shares were converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated party,
over (B) Grantee's purchase price of such Option Shares.

         (b) Grantee may exercise its right to relinquish the Option and any
Option Shares pursuant to this Section 14 by surrendering to Issuer, at its
principal office, a copy of this Agreement together with certificates for Option
Shares, if any, accompanied by a written notice stating (i) that Grantee elects
to relinquish the Option and Option Shares, if any, in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 14 and (ii) the Surrender Price. The Surrender Price
shall be payable in immediately available funds on or before the second business
day following receipt of such notice by Issuer.

         (c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from paying the
Surrender Price to Grantee in full, Issuer shall immediately so notify Grantee
and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to Grantee,
the portion of the Surrender Price that it is no longer prohibited from paying,
within five (5) business days after the date on which Issuer is no longer so
prohibited; provided, however, that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a
notice of surrender pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 14 is prohibited
under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative
policy, from paying to Grantee the Surrender Price in full, (i) Issuer shall (A)
use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory and legal
approvals and to file any required notices as promptly as practicable in order
to make such payments, (B) within five (5) days of the submission or receipt of
any documents relating to any such regulatory and legal approvals, provide
Grantee with copies of the same and (c) keep Grantee advised of both the status
of any such request for regulatory and legal approvals, as well as any
discussions with any relevant regulatory or other third party reasonably related
to the same and (ii) Grantee may revoke such notice of surrender by delivery of
a notice of revocation to Issuer and, upon delivery of such notice of
revocation, the Exercise Termination Date shall be extended to a date six (6)
months from the date on which the Exercise Termination Date would have occurred
if not for the provisions of this Section 14(c) (during which period Grantee may
exercise any of its rights hereunder, including any and all rights pursuant to
this Section 14).

         15. Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that damages
would be an inadequate remedy for a breach of this Agreement by either party
hereto and that the obligations of the parties hereto shall be enforceable by
either party hereto through injunctive or other equitable relief. In connection
therewith, both parties waive the posting of any bond or similar requirement.

         16. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
contained in this Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state regulatory
agency of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions and covenants and restrictions contained in
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any reason such court or regulatory
agency determines that the Holder is not permitted to acquire, or Issuer is not
permitted to repurchase pursuant to Section 7,


                                      -15-

<PAGE>

the full number of shares of Common Stock provided in Section l(a) hereof (as
adjusted pursuant to Section l(b) or Section 5 hereof), it is the express
intention of Issuer to allow the Holder to acquire or to require Issuer to
repurchase such lesser number of shares as may be permissible, without any
amendment or modification hereof.

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

         18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

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

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

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

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



                                      -16-


<PAGE>


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





                                             HUDSON UNITED BANCORP



                                             By:   /s/Kenneth T. Neilson
                                                 ------------------------------
                                             Name:   Kenneth T. Neilson
                                             Title:  President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer


                                             DIME BANCORP, INC.



                                             By:   /s/ Lawrence Toal
                                                 ------------------------------
                                             Name:   Lawrence Toal
                                             Title:  Chief Executive Officer




                                      -17-



                                                                    Exhibit 99.3

         STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of September 16, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), between Dime Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Grantee"),
and Hudson United Bancorp, a New Jersey corporation ("Issuer").

                                    RECITALS

         A. Merger Agreement. Grantee and Issuer have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 15, 1999 (the "Merger Agreement"),
which agreement was executed and delivered on the day preceding the date of this
Stock Option Agreement, pursuant to which Issuer is to merge with and into
Grantee (the "Merger"); and

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

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

         1. Grant of Option. (a) Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an
unconditional, irrevocable option (the "Option") to purchase, subject to the
terms hereof, up to an aggregate of 8,139,081 fully paid and nonassessable
shares of the common stock, no par value per share, of Issuer ("Common Stock")
at a price per share equal to $30 1/8; provided, however, that in no event shall
the number of shares for which this Option is exercisable exceed 19.9% of the
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. The number of shares of Common
Stock that may be received upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price
are subject to adjustment as herein set forth.

         (b) In the event that any additional shares of Common Stock are issued
or otherwise become outstanding after the date of this Agreement (other than
pursuant to this Agreement and other than pursuant to an event described in
Section 5(a) hereof), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option
shall be increased so that, after such issuance, such number together with any
shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the
number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding without giving
effect to any shares subject or issued pursuant to the Option. Nothing contained
in this Section l(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize
Issuer to issue shares in breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement.

         2. Exercise. (a) The Holder (as hereinafter defined) may exercise the
Option, in whole or part, if, but only if, both an Initial Triggering Event (as
hereinafter defined) and a Subsequent Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined)
shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (as
hereinafter defined), provided that the Holder shall have sent the written
notice of such exercise (as provided in



<PAGE>

subsection (e) of this Section 2) within six (6) months following such
Subsequent Triggering Event (or such later period as provided in Section 10).
Each of the following shall be an Exercise Termination Event: (i) the Effective
Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Merger; (ii) termination of the
Merger Agreement in accordance with the provisions thereof if such termination
occurs prior to the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event except a
termination by Grantee pursuant to Section 8.4(a) of the Merger Agreement
(unless the breach by Issuer giving rise to such right of termination is
non-volitional) (a "Listed Termination"); or (iii) the passage of eighteen (18)
months (or such longer period as provided in Section 10) after termination of
the Merger Agreement if such termination follows the occurrence of an Initial
Triggering Event or is a Listed Termination. The term "Holder" shall mean the
holder or holders of the Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, the Option may not be exercised at any time when Grantee shall
be in material breach of any of its covenants or agreements contained in the
Merger Agreement such that Issuer shall be entitled to terminate the Merger
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.3(a) thereof.

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

           (i) Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule
      1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
      Commission (the "SEC")) (the "Issuer Subsidiaries"), without having
      received Grantee's prior written consent, shall have entered into an
      agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as hereinafter defined)
      with any person (the term "person" for purposes of this Agreement having
      the meaning assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the
      Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and the
      rules and regulations thereunder) other than Grantee or any of its
      Subsidiaries (each a "Grantee Subsidiary") or the Board of Directors of
      Issuer (the "Issuer Board") shall have recommended that the stockholders
      of Issuer approve or accept any Acquisition Transaction other than as
      contemplated by the Merger Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, (a)
      "Acquisition Transaction" shall mean (x) a merger or consolidation, or any
      similar transaction, involving Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary (other than
      mergers, consolidations or similar transactions involving solely Issuer
      and/or one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Issuer, provided, any
      such transaction is not entered into in violation of the terms of the
      Merger Agreement), (y) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or
      any substantial part of the assets or deposits of Issuer or any Issuer
      Subsidiary, or (z) a purchase or other acquisition (including by way of
      merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) of securities
      representing 10% or more of the voting power of Issuer or any Issuer
      Subsidiary and (b) "Subsidiary" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule
      12b-2 under the 1934 Act;

          (ii) Any person other than the Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall
      have acquired beneficial ownership or the right to acquire beneficial
      ownership of 10%


                                       -2-

<PAGE>

      or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the term "beneficial
      ownership" for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning assigned
      thereto in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, and the rules and regulations
      thereunder);

         (iii) The stockholders of Issuer shall have voted and failed to approve
      the Merger Agreement and the Merger at a meeting which has been held for
      that purpose or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or such meeting
      shall not have been held in violation of the Merger Agreement or shall
      have been canceled prior to termination of the Merger Agreement if, prior
      to such meeting (or if such meeting shall not have been held or shall have
      been canceled, prior to such termination), it shall have been publicly
      announced that any person (other than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries)
      shall have made, or disclosed an intention to make, a proposal to engage
      in an Acquisition Transaction;

          (iv) The Issuer Board shall have withdrawn, modified or qualified (or
      publicly announced its intention to withdraw, modify or qualify) in any
      manner adverse in any respect to Grantee its recommendation that the
      stockholders of Issuer approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger
      Agreement in anticipation of engaging in an Acquisition Transaction, or
      Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary shall have authorized, recommended,
      proposed (or publicly announced its intention to authorize, recommend or
      propose) an agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction with any
      person other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary;

           (v) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall
      have filed with the SEC a registration statement or tender offer materials
      with respect to a potential exchange or tender offer that would constitute
      an Acquisition Transaction (or filed a preliminary proxy statement with
      the SEC with respect to a potential vote by its stockholders to approve
      the issuance of shares to be offered in such an exchange offer);

          (vi) Issuer shall have willfully breached any covenant or obligation
      contained in the Merger Agreement after an overture is made by a third
      party to Issuer or its stockholders to engage in an Acquisition
      Transaction, and (a) following such breach Grantee would be entitled to
      terminate the Merger Agreement (whether immediately or after the giving of
      notice or passage of time or both) and (b) such breach shall not have been
      cured prior to the Notice Date (as defined in Section 2(e)); or

         (vii) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary, without
      Grantee's prior written consent, shall have filed an application or notice
      with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal
      Reserve Board"), the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS") or other
      federal or state bank regulatory or antitrust authority, which application
      or notice has been accepted for processing, for approval to engage in an
      Acquisition Transaction.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

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

           (i) The acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any Grantee
      Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the then outstanding
      Common Stock; or

          (ii) The occurrence of the Initial Triggering Event described in
      clause (i) of subsection (b) of this Section 2, except that the percentage
      referred to in clause (z) of the second sentence thereof shall be 25%.

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

         (e) In the event the Holder is entitled to and wishes to exercise the
Option (or any portion thereof), it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the
date of which being herein referred to as the "Notice Date") specifying (i) the
total number of shares it will purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a
place and date not earlier than three business days nor later than 60 business
days from the Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the "Closing Date");
provided, that if prior notification to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board
or any other regulatory or antitrust agency is required in connection with such
purchase, the Holder shall promptly file the required notice or application for
approval, shall promptly notify Issuer of such filing and shall expeditiously
process the same and the period of time that otherwise would run pursuant to
this sentence shall run instead from the date on which any required notification
periods have expired or been terminated or such approvals have been obtained and
any requisite waiting period or periods shall have passed. Any exercise of the
Option shall be deemed to occur on the Notice Date relating thereto.

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

         (g) At such closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds as provided in subsection (f) of this Section 2, Issuer shall
deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares of Common Stock purchased by the Holder and, if the Option should be
exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the rights of the Holder thereof
to purchase the balance of the shares purchasable hereunder.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>


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

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

It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the resale restrictions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") in the above legend
shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference
if the Holder shall have delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff
of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Issuer, to the effect that such legend is not required for
purposes of the 1933 Act; (ii) the reference to the provisions of this Agreement
in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s)
without such reference if the shares have been sold or transferred in compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement and under circumstances that do not
require the retention of such reference in the opinion of counsel to the Holder,
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer; and (iii) the
legend shall be removed in its entirety if the conditions in the preceding
clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In addition, such certificates shall
bear any other legend as may be required by law.

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

         3. Covenants of Issuer. Issuer agrees: (i) that it shall at all times
maintain, free from preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued or
treasury shares of Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised without
additional authorization of Common Stock after giving effect to all other
options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights to purchase Common
Stock; (ii) that it will not, by charter amendment or through reorganization,
consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary
act, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the
covenants, stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by
Issuer; (iii) promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required
(including (x) complying with all applicable premerger notification, reporting
and waiting period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. Section 18a and


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

regulations promulgated thereunder and (y) in the event, under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"), the Home Owners' Loan Act, as
amended (the "HOLA") or the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, or
any state or other federal banking law, prior approval of or notice to the
Federal Reserve Board, the OTS or to any state or other federal regulatory
authority is necessary before the Option may be exercised, cooperating fully
with the Holder in preparing such applications or notices and providing such
information to the Federal Reserve Board, the OTS or such state or other federal
regulatory authority as they may require) in order to permit the Holder to
exercise the Option and Issuer duly and effectively to issue shares of Common
Stock pursuant hereto; and (iv) promptly to take all action provided herein to
protect the rights of the Holder against dilution.

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

         5. Certain Adjustments. In addition to the adjustment in the number of
shares of Common Stock that are purchasable upon exercise of the Option pursuant
to Section 1 of this Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable
upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 5. In the event of any
change in Common Stock by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, split-up,
recapitalization, stock combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction,
the type and number of shares or securities subject to the Option, and the
Option Price therefor, shall be adjusted appropriately, and proper provision
shall be made in the agreements governing such transaction so that Grantee shall
receive, upon exercise of the Option, the number and class of shares or other
securities or property that Grantee would have received in respect of Common
Stock if the Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event, or the
record date therefor, as applicable. If any additional shares of Common Stock
are issued after the date of this Agreement (other than pursuant to an event
described in the first sentence of this Section 5), the number of shares of
Common Stock subject to the Option shall be adjusted so that, after such
issuance, it, together with any shares of Common Stock previously issued
pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock then
issued


                                       -6-

<PAGE>

and outstanding, without giving effect to any shares subject to or issued
pursuant to the Option.

         6. Registration Rights. Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent Triggering
Event that occurs prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall, at the
request of Grantee delivered within twelve (12) months (or such later period as
provided in Section 10) of such Subsequent Triggering Event (whether on its own
behalf or on behalf of any subsequent holder of this Option (or part thereof) or
any of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant hereto), promptly prepare,
file and keep current a registration statement under the 1933 Act covering any
shares issued and issuable pursuant to this Option and shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and remain
current in order to permit the sale or other disposition of any shares of Common
Stock issued upon total or partial exercise of this Option ("Option Shares") in
accordance with any plan of disposition requested by Grantee. Issuer will use
its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement promptly to
become effective and then to remain effective for such period not in excess of
180 days from the day such registration statement first becomes effective or
such shorter time as may be reasonably necessary to effect such sales or other
dispositions. Grantee shall have the right to demand two such registrations. The
Issuer shall bear the costs of such registrations (including, but not limited
to, Issuer's attorneys' fees, printing costs and filing fees, except for
underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers' fees and the fees and
disbursements of Grantee's counsel related thereto). The foregoing
notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by Grantee for registration of
Option Shares as provided above, Issuer is in registration with respect to an
underwritten public offering by Issuer of shares of Common Stock, and if in the
good faith judgment of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, or, if
none, the sole underwriter or underwriters, of such offering the offer and sale
of the Option Shares would interfere with the successful marketing of the shares
of Common Stock offered by Issuer, the number of Option Shares otherwise to be
covered in the registration statement contemplated hereby may be reduced;
provided, however, that after any such required reduction the number of Option
Shares to be included in such offering for the account of the Holder shall
constitute at least 33 1/3% of the total number of shares to be sold by the
Holder and Issuer in the aggregate; and provided further, however, that if such
reduction occurs, then Issuer shall file a registration statement for the
balance as promptly as practicable thereafter as to which no reduction pursuant
to this Section 6 shall be permitted or occur and the Holder shall thereafter be
entitled to one additional registration and the twelve (12) month period
referred to in the first sentence of this section shall be increased to
twenty-four (24) months. Each such Holder shall provide all information
reasonably requested by Issuer for inclusion in any registration statement to be
filed hereunder. If requested by any such Holder in connection with such
registration, Issuer shall become a party to any underwriting agreement relating
to the sale of such shares, but only to the extent of obligating itself in
respect of representations, warranties, indemnities and other agreements
customarily included in such underwriting agreements for Issuer. Upon receiving
any request under this Section 6 from any Holder, Issuer agrees to send a copy
thereof to any other person known to Issuer to be entitled to registration
rights under this


                                       -7-

<PAGE>

Section 6, in each case by promptly mailing the same, postage prepaid, to the
address of record of the persons entitled to receive such copies.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall the
number of registrations that Issuer is obligated to effect be increased by
reason of the fact that there shall be more than one Holder as a result of any
assignment or division of this Agreement.

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

         (b) The Holder and the Owner, as the case may be, may exercise its
right to require Issuer to repurchase the Option and any Option Shares pursuant
to this Section 7 by surrendering for such purpose to Issuer, at its principal
office, a copy of this Agreement or certificates for Option Shares, as
applicable, accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the Holder
or the Owner, as the case may be, elects to require Issuer to repurchase this
Option and/or the Option Shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 7. The Holder shall also represent and warrant that it has sole record
and beneficial ownership of such Option Shares and that such Option Shares are
then free and clear of all liens. As promptly as practicable, and in any event
within five (5) business days after the surrender of the Option and/or
certificates representing Option Shares and the receipt of such notice or
notices relating thereto, Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Holder the Option Repurchase Price and/or to the Owner the Option Share
Repurchase Price


                                       -8-

<PAGE>

therefor or the portion thereof that Issuer is not then prohibited under
applicable law and regulation from so delivering.

         (c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from repurchasing the
Option and/or the Option Shares in full, Issuer shall immediately so notify the
Holder and/or the Owner and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from
time to time, to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the
Option Repurchase Price and the Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively,
that it is no longer prohibited from delivering, within five (5) business days
after the date on which Issuer is no longer so prohibited; provided, however,
that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a notice of repurchase pursuant to
paragraph (b) of this Section 7 is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from delivering to the
Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, the Option Repurchase Price and the
Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively, in full (and Issuer hereby
undertakes to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory
and legal approvals and to file any required notices as promptly as practicable
in order to accomplish such repurchase), the Holder or Owner may revoke its
notice of repurchase of the Option and/or the Option Shares whether in whole or
to the extent of the prohibition, whereupon, in the latter case, Issuer shall
promptly (i) deliver to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, that
portion of the Option Repurchase Price and/or the Option Share Repurchase Price
that Issuer is not prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate,
either (A) to the Holder, a new Agreement evidencing the right of the Holder to
purchase that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by multiplying the
number of shares of Common Stock for which the surrendered Agreement was
exercisable at the time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the Option Repurchase Price less the portion thereof
theretofore delivered to the Holder and the denominator of which is the Option
Repurchase Price, and/or (B) to the Owner, a certificate for the Option Shares
it is then so prohibited from repurchasing. If an Exercise Termination Event
shall have occurred prior to the date of the notice by Issuer described in the
first sentence of this subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to occur at any
time before the expiration of a period ending on the thirtieth day after such
date, the Holder shall nonetheless have the right to exercise the Option until
the expiration of such 30-day period.

         (d) For purposes of this Section 7, a "Repurchase Event" shall be
deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of any of the following events or
transactions after the date hereof:

           (i) the acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any Grantee
      Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then outstanding
      Common Stock; or

          (ii) the consummation of any Acquisition Transaction described in
      Section 2(b)(i) hereof, except that the percentage referred to in clause
      (z) shall be 25%.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>

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

         (b) The following terms have the meanings indicated:

           (i) "Acquiring Corporation" shall mean (i) the continuing or
      surviving person of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other than
      Issuer), (ii) the acquiring person in a plan of exchange in which Issuer
      is acquired, (iii) the Issuer in a merger or plan of exchange in which
      Issuer is the continuing or surviving or acquiring person and (iv) the
      transferee of all or a substantial part of Issuer's assets or deposits (or
      the assets or deposits of any Issuer Subsidiary).

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

         (iii) "Assigned Value" shall mean the market/offer price, as defined in
      Section 7.

          (iv) "Average Price" shall mean the average closing price of a share
      of the Substitute Common Stock for one (1) year immediately preceding the
      consolidation, merger or sale in question, but in no event higher than the
      closing price of the shares of Substitute Common Stock on the day
      preceding such consolidation, merger or sale; provided that if Issuer is
      the issuer of the Substitute Option, the Average Price shall be computed
      with respect to a share of common stock issued by the person merging into
      Issuer or by any company which controls or is controlled by such person,
      as the Holder may elect.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>

         (c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option,
provided that if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons,
be the same as the Option, such terms shall be as similar as possible and in no
event less advantageous to the Holder. The issuer of the Substitute Option shall
also enter into an agreement with the then Holder or Holders of the Substitute
Option in substantially the same form as this Agreement (after giving effect for
such purpose to the provisions of Section 9), which agreement shall be
applicable to the Substitute Option.

         (d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of
shares of Substitute Common Stock as is equal to the Assigned Value multiplied
by the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable
immediately prior to the event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a),
divided by the Average Price. The exercise price of the Substitute Option per
share of Substitute Common Stock shall then be equal to the Option Price
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares
of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable immediately prior to the
event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a) and the denominator of
which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the
Substitute Option is exercisable.

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

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

         9. Repurchase of Substitute Option. (a) At the request of the holder of
the Substitute Option (the "Substitute Option Holder"), the Substitute Option
Issuer shall repurchase the Substitute Option from the Substitute Option Holder
at a price (the "Substitute Option Repurchase Price") equal to the amount by
which (i) the Highest Closing Price (as hereinafter defined) exceeds (ii) the
exercise price of the Substitute Option, multiplied by the number of shares of
Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option may then be exercised,
and at the request of the owner (the "Substitute Share Owner") of shares of
Substitute Common Stock (the "Substitute Shares"), the Substitute Option Issuer
shall repurchase the Substitute Shares at a price (the "Substitute Share
Repurchase Price") equal to the Highest Closing Price multiplied by the number
of Substitute Shares so designated. The term "Highest


                                      -11-

<PAGE>

Closing Price" shall mean the highest closing price for shares of Substitute
Common Stock within the six-month period immediately preceding the date the
Substitute Option Holder gives notice of the required repurchase of the
Substitute Option or the Substitute Share Owner gives notice of the required
repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as applicable.

         (b) The Substitute Option Holder and the Substitute Share Owner, as the
case may be, may exercise its respective rights to require the Substitute Option
Issuer to repurchase the Substitute Option and the Substitute Shares pursuant to
this Section 9 by surrendering for such purpose to the Substitute Option Issuer,
at its principal office, the agreement for such Substitute Option (or, in the
absence of such an agreement, a copy of this Agreement) and/or certificates for
Substitute Shares accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the
Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be,
elects to require the Substitute Option Issuer to repurchase the Substitute
Option and/or the Substitute Shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 9. As promptly as practicable and in any event within five (5) business
days after the surrender of the Substitute Option and/or certificates
representing Substitute Shares and the receipt of such notice or notices
relating thereto, the Substitute Option Issuer shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Substitute Option Holder the Substitute Option Repurchase Price
and/or to the Substitute Share Owner the Substitute Share Repurchase Price
therefor or the portion thereof which the Substitute Option Issuer is not then
prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.

         (c) To the extent that the Substitute Option Issuer is prohibited under
applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from
repurchasing the Substitute Option and/or the Substitute Shares in part or in
full, the Substitute Option Issuer shall immediately so notify the Substitute
Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner and thereafter deliver or cause
to be delivered, from time to time, to the Substitute Option Holder and/or the
Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the Substitute Option
Repurchase Price and/or the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively,
which it is no longer prohibited from delivering, within five (5) business days
after the date on which the Substitute Option Issuer is no longer so prohibited;
provided, however, that if the Substitute Option Issuer is at any time after
delivery of a notice of repurchase pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 9
prohibited under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of
administrative policy, from delivering to the Substitute Option Holder and/or
the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, the Substitute Option Repurchase
Price and the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively, in full (and the
Substitute Option Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to receive all
required regulatory and legal approvals as promptly as practicable in order to
accomplish such repurchase), the Substitute Option Holder and/or Substitute
Share Owner may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Substitute Option or the
Substitute Shares either in whole or to the extent of prohibition, whereupon, in
the latter case, the Substitute Option Issuer shall promptly (i) deliver to the
Substitute Option Holder or Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, that portion
of the Substitute Option Repurchase Price or the Substitute Share Repurchase
Price that the Substitute


                                      -12-

<PAGE>

Option Issuer is not prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as
appropriate, either (A) to the Substitute Option Holder, a new Substitute Option
evidencing the right of the Substitute Option Holder to purchase that number of
shares of the Substitute Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of
shares of the Substitute Common Stock for which the surrendered Substitute
Option was exercisable at the time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price less
the portion thereof theretofore delivered to the Substitute Option Holder and
the denominator of which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price, and/or (B)
to the Substitute Share Owner, a certificate for the Substitute Option Shares it
is then so prohibited from repurchasing. If an Exercise Termination Event shall
have occurred prior to the date of the notice by the Substitute Option Issuer
described in the first sentence of this subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to
occur at any time before the expiration of a period ending on the thirtieth day
after such date, the Substitute Option Holder shall nevertheless have the right
to exercise the Substitute Option until the expiration of such 30-day period.

         10. Extension of Periods Under Certain Circumstances. The periods for
exercise of certain rights under Sections 2, 6, 7, 9 and 14 shall be extended:
(i) to the extent necessary to obtain all regulatory approvals for the exercise
of such rights (for so long as the Holder, Owner, Substitute Option Holder or
Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be, is using commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain such regulatory approvals), and for the expiration of all
statutory waiting periods; (ii) to the extent necessary to avoid liability under
Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act by reason of such exercise; and (iii) when there
exists an injunction, order or judgment that prohibits or delays exercise of
such right.

         11. Representations and Warranties. (a) Issuer hereby represents and
warrants to Grantee as follows:

         (i) Issuer has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the
Issuer Board prior to the date hereof and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the
transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by Issuer.

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


                                      -13-

<PAGE>

         (b) Grantee hereby represents and warrants to Issuer as follows:
Grantee has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Grantee and the performance of its obligations
hereunder by the Grantee have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of
Directors of Grantee and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the
Grantee are necessary to authorize this Agreement or for Grantee to perform its
obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by Grantee.

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

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

         13. Filings, Etc. Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its reasonable
best efforts to make all filings with, and to obtain consents of, all third
parties and governmental authorities necessary to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation,
applying to the Federal Reserve Board under the BHCA for approval to acquire the
shares issuable hereunder, but Grantee shall not be obligated to apply to state
banking authorities for approval to acquire the shares of Common Stock issuable
hereunder until such time, if ever, as it deems appropriate to do so.

         14. Surrender of Option. (a) Grantee may, at any time following a
Repurchase Event and prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event
(or such later period as provided in Section 10), relinquish the Option
(together with any Option Shares issued to and then owned by Grantee) to Issuer
in exchange for a cash fee equal to the Surrender Price. The "Surrender Price"
shall be equal to $50 million (i) plus, if applicable, Grantee's purchase price
with respect to any Option Shares and (ii) minus, if applicable, the excess of
(A) the net price, if any, received by Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary pursuant
to the sale of Option Shares (or any other securities into


                                      -14-

<PAGE>

which such Option Shares were converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated party,
over (B) Grantee's purchase price of such Option Shares.

         (b) Grantee may exercise its right to relinquish the Option and any
Option Shares pursuant to this Section 14 by surrendering to Issuer, at its
principal office, a copy of this Agreement together with certificates for Option
Shares, if any, accompanied by a written notice stating (i) that Grantee elects
to relinquish the Option and Option Shares, if any, in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 14 and (ii) the Surrender Price. The Surrender Price
shall be payable in immediately available funds on or before the second business
day following receipt of such notice by Issuer.

         (c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from paying the
Surrender Price to Grantee in full, Issuer shall immediately so notify Grantee
and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to Grantee,
the portion of the Surrender Price that it is no longer prohibited from paying,
within five (5) business days after the date on which Issuer is no longer so
prohibited; provided, however, that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a
notice of surrender pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 14 is prohibited
under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative
policy, from paying to Grantee the Surrender Price in full, (i) Issuer shall (A)
use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory and legal
approvals and to file any required notices as promptly as practicable in order
to make such payments, (B) within five (5) days of the submission or receipt of
any documents relating to any such regulatory and legal approvals, provide
Grantee with copies of the same and (c) keep Grantee advised of both the status
of any such request for regulatory and legal approvals, as well as any
discussions with any relevant regulatory or other third party reasonably related
to the same and (ii) Grantee may revoke such notice of surrender by delivery of
a notice of revocation to Issuer and, upon delivery of such notice of
revocation, the Exercise Termination Date shall be extended to a date six (6)
months from the date on which the Exercise Termination Date would have occurred
if not for the provisions of this Section 14(c) (during which period Grantee may
exercise any of its rights hereunder, including any and all rights pursuant to
this Section 14).

         15. Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that damages
would be an inadequate remedy for a breach of this Agreement by either party
hereto and that the obligations of the parties hereto shall be enforceable by
either party hereto through injunctive or other equitable relief. In connection
therewith, both parties waive the posting of any bond or similar requirement.

         16. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
contained in this Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state regulatory
agency of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions and covenants and restrictions contained in
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any reason such court or regulatory
agency determines that the Holder is not permitted to acquire, or Issuer is not
permitted to repurchase pursuant to Section 7,


                                      -15-

<PAGE>

the full number of shares of Common Stock provided in Section l(a) hereof (as
adjusted pursuant to Section l(b) or Section 5 hereof), it is the express
intention of Issuer to allow the Holder to acquire or to require Issuer to
repurchase such lesser number of shares as may be permissible, without any
amendment or modification hereof.

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

         18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

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

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

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

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



                                      -16-

<PAGE>


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

                                             DIME BANCORP, INC.



                                             By:   /s/ Lawrence Toal
                                                 ------------------------------
                                             Name:   Lawrence Toal
                                             Title:  Chief Executive Officer



                                             HUDSON UNITED BANCORP



                                             By:   /s/Kenneth T. Neilson
                                                 ------------------------------
                                             Name:   Kenneth T. Neilson
                                             Title:  President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer





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