SOUTHWEST GAS CORP
8-K, 1996-07-23
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISISON & DISTRIBUTION
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                                UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549



                                   FORM 8-K
                                CURRENT REPORT


    PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) JULY 19, 1996


                          SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


            CALIFORNIA                  1-7850           88-0085720
  (State or other jurisdiction of    (Commission      (I.R.S. Employer 
  incorporation or organization)     File Number)    Identification No.)

     5241 SPRING MOUNTAIN ROAD
       POST OFFICE BOX 98510
         LAS VEGAS, NEVADA                           89193-8510
(Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)


      REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (702) 876-7237







- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       <PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

In January 1996, Southwest Gas Corporation (the Company) entered into an
agreement to sell all of the outstanding common stock of its wholly owned
subsidiary PriMerit Bank (PriMerit or the Bank) to Norwest Corporation.  In
April 1996, Norwest elected to structure the acquisition as a purchase of
substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Bank, rather than a
stock purchase, pursuant to an option in the original agreement.

On July 19, 1996, the Company completed the sale of PriMerit.  In accordance
with the agreement, Norwest paid the Company $191 million in cash for
substantially all of the assets and liabilities of PriMerit.  The intended
use of the net proceeds is to reduce outstanding long-term debt.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(a)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED.
         Not applicable

(b)      PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are filed
with this report:
         Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet              Page F-1
         Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income       Page F-2

The Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects the financial position of
the Company as if the sale of the Bank had been consummated as of
March 31, 1996.  The Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income reflect the
operations of the Company as if the sale of the Bank had been consummated at
the beginning of the quarter ended March 31, 1996 and as if it had been
consummated at the beginning of the year ended December 31, 1995.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements presented herein
are shown for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative
of the effects on the Company or the results of its operations had the proceeds
from the sale of the Bank actually been received on such dates.  It should be
noted that the Company's financial statements will reflect the disposition only
from July 19, 1996, the date of closing.  The unaudited pro forma consolidated
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the historical
financial statements and related notes of the Company.

The pro forma balance sheet reflects the receipt of $191 million, payment of
additional income taxes of $16 million, and elimination of net Bank assets of
$175 million.  Net proceeds of $175 million ($191 million gross sales price
less additional income taxes of $16 million) are distributed assuming such
proceeds are utilized to pay previously accrued taxes and other costs
associated with the sale of the Bank of $12 million and retire long-term debt
($120 million of current maturities and $43 million of other long-term debt at
March 31, 1996).
                                       
                                       <PAGE>
<PAGE>
The pro forma income statements reflect the estimated impact on interest
expense as if approximately $163 million of debt had been retired at the
beginning of each period by using the net proceeds from the sale of the Bank. 
The historical consolidated statements of income already reflect an allocation
to the Bank for interest on debt associated with discontinued operations.  The
amount shown in the adjustments column for net interest deductions is net of
that allocation.  Income taxes are provided at a rate of 40 percent. 

(c)      EXHIBITS

         No.    Description
         ---    -----------
         2.1    Agreement between Southwest Gas Corporation, The Southwest
                Companies, and PriMerit Bank, Federal Savings Bank, as sellers
                and Norwest Corporation as buyer, dated April 10, 1996,
                regarding the sale of assets and liabilities of PriMerit Bank.








                                  SIGNATURES


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



                                        SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION


  
Date: July 19, 1996                        /s/ Edward A. Janov
                            --------------------------------------------------
                                             Edward A. Janov
                            Vice President/Controller/Chief Accounting Officer

                                       <PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                             SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                       (Thousands of dollars)
                                             (Unaudited)
<CAPTION>
                                                                     MARCH 31, 1996
                                                   --------------------------------------------------
                                                   HISTORICAL          ADJUSTMENTS         PRO FORMA
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>                <C>
                                             ASSETS
Utility plant
  Gas plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $ 1,604,299         $        --        $ 1,604,299
  Less:  accumulated depreciation . . . . . . .       (476,960)                 --           (476,960)
  Acquisition adjustments . . . . . . . . . . .          6,189                  --              6,189
  Construction work in progress . . . . . . . .         25,888                  --             25,888
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
    Net utility plant . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1,159,416                  --          1,159,416
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . .          5,932                  --              5,932
  Accounts receivable, net of allowances. . . .         43,446                  --             43,446
  Accrued utility revenue . . . . . . . . . . .         28,071                  --             28,071
  Deferred tax benefit. . . . . . . . . . . . .         17,022                  --             17,022
  Prepaids and other current assets . . . . . .         27,300                  --             27,300
  Net assets of discontinued operations . . . .        175,118            (175,000)               118
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
    Total current assets. . . . . . . . . . . .        296,889            (175,000)           121,889
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Deferred charges and other assets . . . . . . .         76,912                  --             76,912
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $ 1,533,217         $  (175,000)       $ 1,358,217
                                                   ===========         ===========        ===========

                                    CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization
  Common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $    26,355         $        --        $    26,355
  Additional paid-in capital. . . . . . . . . .        316,720                  --            316,720
  Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         27,084                  --             27,084
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
    Total common equity . . . . . . . . . . . .        370,159                  --            370,159
  Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable
   preferred securities of Southwest Gas Capital I      60,000                  --             60,000
  Long-term debt, less current maturities . . .        612,666             (43,000)           569,666
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
    Total capitalization. . . . . . . . . . . .      1,042,825             (43,000)           999,825
                                                   -----------         ------------       -----------
Commitments and contingencies
Current liabilities
  Current maturities of long-term debt. . . . .        120,000            (120,000)                --
  Short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             --                  --                 --
  Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         49,294                  --             49,294
  Accrued taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         45,866                  --             45,866
  Deferred purchased gas costs. . . . . . . . .         34,900                  --             34,900
  Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . .         59,668             (12,000)            47,668
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
    Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . .        309,728            (132,000)           177,728
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Deferred income taxes and other credits
  Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits     140,044                  --            140,044
  Other deferred credits. . . . . . . . . . . .         40,620                  --             40,620
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
    Total deferred income taxes and other credits      180,664                  --            180,664
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Total capitalization and liabilities. . . . . .    $ 1,533,217         $  (175,000)       $ 1,358,217
                                                   ===========         ===========        ===========
</TABLE>

                                      F-1<PAGE>
<PAGE>                                                       
<TABLE>
                             SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                              (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                           (Unaudited)
<CAPTION>
                                                               QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
                                                   --------------------------------------------------
                                                   HISTORICAL          ADJUSTMENTS         PRO FORMA
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>                <C>

Gas operating revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . .    $   188,352         $        --        $   188,352
Net cost of gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         78,469                  --             78,469
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
  Operating margin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        109,883                  --            109,883
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Operating expenses: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  Operations and maintenance. . . . . . . . . .         47,211                  --             47,211
  Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . .         16,539                  --             16,539
  Taxes other than income taxes . . . . . . . .          7,594                  --              7,594
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------  
    Total operating expenses. . . . . . . . . .         71,344                  --             71,344
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Operating income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         38,539                  --             38,539
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------

Other income and (expenses):
   Net interest deductions. . . . . . . . . . .        (12,953)              1,000 (1)        (11,953)
   Preferred securities distributions . . . . .         (1,369)                 --             (1,369)
   Other income (deductions), net . . . . . . .             79                  --                 79
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
     Total other income and (expenses). . . . .        (14,243)              1,000            (13,243)
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         24,296               1,000             25,296
Income tax expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          9,437                 400 (2)          9,837
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Income from continuing operations . . . . . . .    $    14,859         $       600        $    15,459
                                                   ===========         ===========        ===========
Earnings per share from continuing operations .    $      0.60         $      0.03        $      0.63
                                                   ===========         ===========        ===========
Average number of common shares outstanding . .         24,604              24,604             24,604
                                                   ===========         ===========        ===========
</TABLE>

(1)  Reflects the impact of a reduction in average debt outstanding during 
     the quarter of approximately $163 million, offset by interest costs
     previously accrued for discontinued operations.

(2)  Income tax effect, at 40 percent, of the pro forma adjustments.

                                      
                                       F-2<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                             SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                              (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                           (Unaudited)
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                   --------------------------------------------------
                                                   HISTORICAL          ADJUSTMENTS         PRO FORMA
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>                <C>

Gas operating revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . .    $   563,502         $        --        $   563,502
Net cost of gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        227,456                  --            227,456
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
  Operating margin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        336,046                  --            336,046
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Operating expenses:
  Operations and maintenance. . . . . . . . . .        187,969                  --            187,969
  Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . .         62,492                  --             62,492
  Taxes other than income taxes . . . . . . . .         27,173                  --             27,173
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
   Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . .        277,634                  --            277,634
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Operating income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         58,412                  --             58,412
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------

Other income and (expenses):
  Net interest deductions . . . . . . . . . . .        (53,354)              4,000 (1)        (49,354)
  Preferred securities distributions. . . . . .           (913)                 --               (913)
  Other income (deductions), net. . . . . . . .           (652)                 --               (652)
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
   Total other income and (expenses). . . . . .        (54,919)              4,000            (50,919)
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          3,493               4,000              7,493
Income tax expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            839               1,600 (2)          2,439
                                                   -----------         -----------        -----------
Income from continuing operations . . . . . . .    $     2,654         $     2,400        $     5,054
                                                   ===========         ===========        ===========
Preferred stock dividend requirements . . . . .    $       307         $        --        $       307
                                                   ===========         ===========        ===========
Earnings per share from continuing operations .    $      0.10         $      0.10        $      0.20
                                                   ===========         ===========        ===========

Average number of common shares outstanding . .         23,167              23,167             23,167
                                                   ===========         ===========        ===========
</TABLE>

(1)  Reflects the impact of a reduction in average debt outstanding during the
     year of approximately $163 million, offset by interest costs previously
     previously allocated to discontinued operations.

(2)  Income tax effect, at 40 percent, of the pro forma adjustments.

                                       F-3<PAGE>


 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.1
 
                                   AGREEMENT
 
                                    BETWEEN
 
              SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
                 THE SOUTHWEST COMPANIES, A NEVADA CORPORATION
           PRIMERIT BANK, FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK, A FEDERAL SAVING BANK
 
                                   AS SELLERS
 
                                      AND
 
                  NORWEST CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION
 
                                    AS BUYER
 
                                  DATED AS OF
                                 APRIL 10, 1996

<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PAGE
                                                                                       ----
<S>             <C>                                                                    <C>
ARTICLE 1.      DEFINITIONS..........................................................  A-1
   1.1          Definitions..........................................................  A-1
   1.2          Construction and Interpretation......................................  A-8
ARTICLE 2.      PURCHASE AND ASSUMPTION..............................................  A-8
   2.1          Assets to Be Sold....................................................  A-8
   2.2          Assumed Liabilities..................................................  A-8
   2.3          Purchase and Assumption Price........................................  A-8
ARTICLE 3.      THE CLOSING..........................................................  A-10
   3.1          Closing..............................................................  A-10
   3.2          Deliveries by Sellers and Bank.......................................  A-10
   3.3          Deliveries by Buyer and Purchaser....................................  A-10
ARTICLE 4.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS............................  A-10
   4.1          Organization and Related Matters.....................................  A-10
   4.2          Authority; No Violation..............................................  A-11
   4.3          Consents and Approvals...............................................  A-12
   4.4          Title to Property....................................................  A-12
   4.5          Financial Statements.................................................  A-12
   4.6          Material Contracts...................................................  A-13
   4.7          Legal or Other Proceedings...........................................  A-13
   4.8          Undisclosed Liabilities..............................................  A-13
   4.9          Reports and Filings..................................................  A-13
   4.10         Absence of Certain Changes or Events.................................  A-14
   4.11         Taxes and Tax Returns................................................  A-14
   4.12         Compliance with Applicable Law.......................................  A-15
   4.13         Insurance............................................................  A-15
   4.14         Agreements with Regulatory Agencies..................................  A-15
   4.15         Affiliate Transactions...............................................  A-15
   4.16         Intellectual Property................................................  A-15
   4.17         Loan Portfolio.......................................................  A-15
   4.18         Mortgage Banking Licenses and Qualifications.........................  A-16
   4.19         Payment of Taxes, Insurance Premiums, etc. ..........................  A-16
   4.20         Minute Books.........................................................  A-16
   4.21         Employee Benefit Plans and Employment and Labor Contracts............  A-16
   4.22         Investments..........................................................  A-17
   4.23         Broker's or Finder's Fees............................................  A-17
   4.24         Bank Accounts........................................................  A-18
   4.25         Deposits.............................................................  A-18
ARTICLE 5.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER..............................  A-18
   5.1          Organization and Related Matters.....................................  A-18
   5.2          Authority; No Violation..............................................  A-18
   5.3          Consents and Approvals...............................................  A-19
   5.4          Financing; Capital...................................................  A-19
   5.5          Broker's or Finder's Fees............................................  A-19
   5.6          Proxy Statement......................................................  A-19
</TABLE>
 
                                       A-i

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PAGE
                                                                                       ----
<S>             <C>                                                                    <C>
ARTICLE 6.      COVENANTS............................................................  A-19
   6.1          Access...............................................................  A-19
   6.2          Conduct of Business of Bank..........................................  A-20
   6.3          Regulatory Approvals; Consents of Third Parties......................  A-22
   6.4          Public Announcements.................................................  A-23
   6.5          Further Assurances...................................................  A-23
   6.6          Notification of Certain Matters......................................  A-23
   6.7          Corporate Records, Contracts and Financial Statements................  A-24
   6.8          Delivery of Records at Closing.......................................  A-24
   6.9          Shareholder Approval.................................................  A-24
   6.10         Resignations.........................................................  A-24
   6.11         Taxes................................................................  A-24
   6.12         Termination and Amendment of Certain Employee Benefit Plans..........  A-25
   6.13         Amendment of Contracts...............................................  A-25
   6.14         Employees............................................................  A-25
ARTICLE 7.      CONDITIONS TO CLOSING................................................  A-25
   7.1          Reciprocal Conditions................................................  A-25
   7.2          Conditions to Buyer's Obligations....................................  A-26
   7.3          Conditions to Sellers' Obligations...................................  A-26
ARTICLE 8.      TAX MATTERS..........................................................  A-27
   8.1          Liability for Taxes..................................................  A-27
   8.2          Survival.............................................................  A-27
   8.3          Transfer Taxes.......................................................  A-27
   8.4          Tax Cooperation......................................................  A-28
ARTICLE 9.      TERMINATION/SURVIVAL/INDEMNIFICATION/TERMINATION FEE.................  A-28
   9.1          Termination..........................................................  A-28
   9.2          Survival of Representations and Warranties...........................  A-29
   9.3          Indemnification......................................................  A-29
   9.4          Confidentiality Agreement............................................  A-30
   9.5          Limitations on Dividends from SC, Etc................................  A-30
   9.6          Insurance Claims.....................................................  A-30
   9.7          Termination Fee......................................................  A-31
ARTICLE 10.     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS...............................................  A-31
ARTICLE 11.     MISCELLANEOUS........................................................  A-32
  11.1          Expenses; Attorneys' Fees............................................  A-32
  11.2          Amendments...........................................................  A-33
  11.3          Schedules; Exhibits..................................................  A-33
  11.4          Integration..........................................................  A-33
  11.5          Governing Law........................................................  A-33
  11.6          Notices..............................................................  A-33
  11.7          No Assignment........................................................  A-34
  11.8          Headings.............................................................  A-34
  11.9          Counterparts.........................................................  A-34
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-ii

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PAGE
                                                                                       ----
<S>             <C>                                                                    <C>
  11.10         Severability.........................................................  A-34
  11.11         Alternative Dispute Resolution.......................................  A-34

                                         EXHIBITS
Exhibit A       Assumption Agreement
Exhibit B       Bill of Sale
Exhibit C-1     Matters to be Covered in Opinion of O'Melveny & Myers
Exhibit C-2     Matters to be Covered in Opinion of Counsel to Sellers
Exhibit D       Matters to be Covered in Opinion of Counsel to Buyer
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-iii

<PAGE>
 
                                   AGREEMENT
 
     This AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of April 10, 1996, is entered
into by and among SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION, a California corporation
("Parent"), THE SOUTHWEST COMPANIES, a Nevada corporation ("SC"), PRIMERIT BANK,
FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK, a federal savings bank ("Bank"), and NORWEST CORPORATION,
a Delaware corporation ("Buyer"). SC and Parent are collectively referred to
herein as "Sellers" and sometimes individually as a "Seller."
 
                               R E C I T A L S :
 
     A.  Parent owns all the capital stock of SC.
 
     B.  SC owns all of the capital stock of Bank.
 
     C.  Buyer desires to acquire certain of the assets, properties and business
of the Bank and assume certain liabilities of the Bank related to such assets,
all of which assets and liabilities, taken together, constitute substantially as
an entirety a going concern, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and Sellers desire to cause Bank to sell and
transfer to a wholly-owned bank or thrift subsidiary of Buyer to be acquired or
to be formed by Buyer after the date hereof (the "Purchaser") certain of the
assets, properties and business of the Bank, pursuant to and in accordance with
the terms and conditions of this Agreement (such asset purchase and liability
assumption pursuant to the terms of this Agreement being referred to as the
"Purchase and Assumption").
 
     In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, and
of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
 
                                   ARTICLE 1.
 
                                  DEFINITIONS
 
     1.1  Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following definitions
shall apply:
 
     "ACQUISITION AGREEMENT" means the Agreement, dated as of January 8, 1996,
among Parent, Bank and Buyer to which this Agreement is attached as Appendix A.
 
     "ACQUISITION EVENT" has the meaning given such term in Section 6.9.
 
     "ACQUISITION PROPOSAL" has the meaning given such term in Section 6.9.
 
     "AFFILIATE" means any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by, or under common control with, the subject entity through the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such entity whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise. Without limiting the foregoing, the
ownership, direct or indirect, of a 25 percent interest in such entity shall be
deemed to be control.
 
     "AFFILIATED GROUP" means any affiliated group within the meaning of Section
1504 of the Code or any similar group defined under a similar provision of
state, local or foreign law, including any consolidated, unitary or combined
group of companies.
 
     "AGENCY" means HUD, FHA, VA, GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, as applicable.
 
     "AGREEMENT" means this Agreement by and among Sellers, Bank and Buyer, as
amended or supplemented, together with all Exhibits and Schedules, incorporated
by reference or referred to herein.
 
     "APPLICABLE LAW" means any domestic, federal, state or local statute, law,
ordinance, rule, administrative interpretation, regulation, order, writ,
injunction, directive, judgment, decree, policy, guideline or other requirement
of any Governmental Entity applicable to Buyer, Purchaser, Sellers, Bank or the
Subsidiaries.
 
                                       A-1

<PAGE>
 
     "ASSUMED LIABILITIES" means all Branch Deposits and all other obligations
and liabilities, whether actual or contingent, or known or unknown, of Bank as
of the Closing Date (except Retained Liabilities).
 
     "ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT" means the assumption agreement in substantially the
form of Exhibit A.
 
     "ATM" means all automated teller machines owned and currently being used by
Bank.
 
     "BANK REGULATOR" means, one or more of the following, as applicable: the
OTS, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency and the Nevada Commissioner of Financial Institutions.
 
     "BANK SUBSIDIARIES" means PriMerit Investor Services, BSF Trustee, First
Nevada Company, and Home Trustee, Inc.
 
     "BILL OF SALE" means the bill of sale in substantially the form of Exhibit
B.
 
     "BRANCH DEPOSITS" mean all deposits as defined in Section 3(1) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (12 USC sec. 1831(1)), at the
Branches.
 
     "BRANCHES" mean each of the branches, loan production offices, other
banking offices and ATMs of Bank, all of which are listed on Schedule 1.1(a).
 
     "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on
which banks in the state of Nevada or Minnesota are generally closed for regular
banking business.
 
     "CLOSING" means the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
 
     "CLOSING DATE" means the date and time of the Closing.
 
     "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
     "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT" means the Confidentiality Agreement dated
November 29, 1995, between Parent and Buyer.
 
     "CONTRACT" or "CONTRACTS" means any rights and interests arising under or
in connection with any agreement, arrangement, bond, commitment, franchise,
guarantee, indemnity, indenture, instrument, lease, license or understanding,
whether written or oral that will be included in the Purchased Assets.
 
     "DPC PROPERTY" means any voting securities, other personal property or real
property acquired by Bank or a Bank Subsidiary by foreclosure or otherwise, in
the ordinary course of collecting a debt previously contracted in good faith,
retained with the object of sale for a period not longer than the applicable
statutory holding period and recorded in Bank's business records as such.
 
     "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS" mean all employee benefit plans (as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA) maintained or contributed to by Bank and in which the
Employees participate, all of which are listed on Schedule 1.1(b).
 
     "EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS" mean all of Bank's payroll practices, personnel
policies, contracts, plans, and arrangements, if any, providing for bonuses,
deferred compensation, retirement payments, profit sharing, incentive pay,
commissions, vacation pay or other benefits in which any Employees or their
dependents participate, and all employment, severance or other agreements with
any director of the Bank or any Bank Subsidiary or any Employee, all of which
are listed on Schedule 1.1(b).
 
     "EMPLOYEES" mean employees of Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries (including any
such employees on leave or disability who return to work within three months
after the initial date of leave or disability).
 
                                       A-2

<PAGE>
 
     "ENCUMBRANCE" means any lien, pledge, security interest, claim, charge,
easement, limitation, commitment, encroachment, restriction or encumbrance of
any kind or nature whatsoever.
 
     "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW" means the federal Clean Water Act, the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act, the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act,
the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act, each as
amended to the date hereof or any regulations thereunder, or any other
Applicable Law relating to (a) the discharge, spill, disposal, emission, or
other release of any Hazardous Substance; (b) any injury to or death of
individuals or damage to or loss of property caused by or resulting from the
presence of Hazardous Substances; or (c) the generation, storage, handling,
location, disposal or arranging for disposal of Hazardous Substances.
 
     "EQUITY INTERESTS" mean capital stock, partnership interests (limited or
general), joint venture interests or other equity interests or any securities or
other equity interests convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing
or any other rights, warrants or options to acquire or vote any of the
foregoing.
 
     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
 
     "EXCLUDED ASSETS" means collectively: (i) any claims, refunds, credits or
overpayments with respect to any Taxes paid or incurred by the Bank and its
Affiliates, or any related interest received from the relevant taxing authority
for periods ending prior to the Closing Date, and the appropriately prorated
portion thereof for periods commencing prior to the Closing Date and ending on
or after the Closing Date; (ii) the rights of the Sellers and Bank under this
Agreement and the Related Documents, including but not limited to the right to
receive the Purchase Price; (iii) any tax sharing agreement between Bank on the
one hand and Sellers or the Real Estate Subsidiaries on the other hand and any
other Contract (except depository contracts between the Bank or the Bank
Subsidiaries and Sellers and the Real Estate Subsidiaries) between the Bank on
the one hand and Sellers and the Subsidiaries (other than the Bank Subsidiaries)
on the other hand and any claims of the Bank or the Bank Subsidiaries
thereunder; (iv) the Real Estate Subsidiaries; (v) the recorded intangibles
reflected on Schedule 1.1(c); (vi) the Margarita Village Lien, the Stead Real
Property described on Schedule 1.1(d) and the assets and liabilities reflected
on Schedule 1.1(e); (vii) the assets of PriMerit Bank, Federal Savings Bank
Charitable Foundation; and (viii) the Bank's charter, non-transferable
franchises, licenses, permits, authorizations and memberships, corporate seals,
minute books, stock books and other corporate records having to do with the
corporate organization and capitalization of Bank and all income tax records;
provided, however, that copies of such corporate and tax reports shall be
provided to Buyer at Buyer's request; (ix) Bank's books of accounts; provided,
however, that copies of such books of accounts shall be provided to Buyer at
Buyer's request; and (x) all corporate records of Bank with respect to the
Excluded Assets set forth in clauses (i) through (ix) hereof.
 
     "FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.
 
     "FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
     "FHA" means the Federal Housing Administration.
 
     "FHA LOANS" mean Loans which satisfy all applicable rules and requirements
to be insured by FHA and which are insured by FHA.
 
     "FHLB" means the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.
 
     "FHLMC" means the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
 
     "FILINGS" mean all reports, returns, registrations and statements, together
with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that were required
to be filed with (a) the OTS, including, but not limited to, thrift financial
reports, annual reports and proxy statements, (b) the FDIC, and (c) any other
applicable Governmental Entity, including taxing authorities, except where the
failure to file such reports, returns, registrations and statements has not had
and is not reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on Bank and the
Bank Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
 
                                       A-3

<PAGE>
 
     "FINAL TERMINATION DATE" means September 30, 1996.
 
     "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" mean the financial statements of Bank and the
Subsidiaries described in Section 4.5.
 
     "FNMA" means the Federal National Mortgage Association.
 
     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United
States of America as in effect at the time any applicable financial statements
were prepared or any act requiring the application of GAAP was performed.
 
     "GNMA" means the Government National Mortgage Association.
 
     "GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY" means any court, administrative agency or commission
or other governmental authority or instrumentality, including, without
limitation, each Bank Regulator, the SEC, the California Public Utilities
Commission and the Arizona Corporation Commission.
 
     "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES" mean (a) substances that are defined or listed in,
or otherwise classified pursuant to, any Applicable Laws as "hazardous
substances," "hazardous materials," "hazardous wastes," "toxic substances," or
any other formulation intended to define, list or classify substances by reason
of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity,
carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or "EP Toxicity;" (b) oil petroleum or
petroleum derived substances and drilling fluids, produced waters, and other
wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil,
natural gas, or geothermal resources; (c) any flammable substances or
explosives, any radioactive materials, any hazardous wastes or substances, any
toxic wastes or substances or any other materials or pollutants which pose a
hazard to DPC Property or any other property of Bank or any Bank Subsidiary or
to persons on or about such property; and (d) asbestos, other than non-friable
asbestos, or electrical equipment which contains any oil or dielectric fluid
containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per
million.
 
     "HUD" means the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
 
     "INSURER" means a Person who insures or guarantees all or any portion of
the risk of loss upon borrower default on any of the Serviced Mortgage Loans,
including, without limitation the FHA, the VA and any private mortgage insurer,
and providers of life, flood, hazard, disability, title or other insurance with
respect to any of the Serviced Mortgage Loans or the property securing any such
Serviced Mortgage Loan.
 
     "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means all Marks used in connection with the conduct
of business in the ordinary course at any Branch or Operating Site and listed on
Schedule 1.1(f).
 
     "INVESTOR" means any Person who owns (beneficially or of record) a Serviced
Mortgage Loan, or the servicing rights or master servicing rights to a Serviced
Mortgage Loan, subserviced, serviced or master serviced by Bank or any Bank
Subsidiary pursuant to a Mortgage Servicing Agreement.
 
     "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.
 
     "LEASE" means any of the real estate leases, or a sublease of Bank's
interest thereunder, for a Branch or any Operating Site.
 
     "LOANS" mean loans originated by Bank or any Bank Subsidiary or purchased
by Bank or any Bank Subsidiary, including loan commitments and the unfunded
portion of existing commitments.
 
     "LOSS" means any actual cost, expense or liability, including but not
limited to penalties, fines, damages, legal and other professional fees and
expenses reasonably incurred in the investigation, collection, prosecution and
defense of claims and amounts paid in settlement, that are imposed upon or
otherwise incurred or suffered by the relevant party.
 
                                       A-4

<PAGE>
 
     "MARGARITA VILLAGE LIEN" means the superpriority lien and associated loan
on the project described on Schedule 1.1(g).
 
     "MARK" means any brand name, copyright, patent, service mark, trademark,
trade name, state or federal common law usages and all registrations or
applications for registration of any of the foregoing.
 
     "MATERIAL CONTRACTS" mean all Contracts or offers that would become binding
upon acceptance by a third party (a) that obligate Bank or any Bank Subsidiary
to pay or forego receipt of an amount of $50,000 or more in any 12-month period,
other than (i) any Branch Deposit or (ii) any Loan made in the ordinary course
of business; (b) that bind Bank or any Bank Subsidiary and contain a covenant by
Bank or such Bank Subsidiary not to compete; (c) that bind Bank or any Bank
Subsidiary or any of its properties and contain a right of first refusal in
favor of a third party; (d) that relate to Technology Systems; (e) that grant a
power of attorney or similar authorization to act on behalf of Bank or any Bank
Subsidiary to any Person; (f) any agreement or commitment with respect to the
Community Reinvestment Act or similar law with any state or Federal regulatory
authority or any other party; or (g) that are otherwise material to Bank and the
Bank Subsidiaries taken as a whole. All Material Contracts as of the date hereof
are listed on Schedule 1.1(h).
 
     "MORTGAGE" means, with respect to a Mortgage Loan or a Serviced Mortgage
Loan, a mortgage, deed of trust or other security instrument creating a lien
upon real property and any other property described therein which secures a
Mortgage Note, together with any assignment, reinstatement, extension,
endorsement or modification of any thereof.
 
     "MORTGAGE LOAN" means any interest in a Loan secured by a Mortgage.
 
     "MORTGAGE LOAN REGULATIONS" mean (a) all Applicable Laws with respect to
the origination, insuring, purchase, sale, pooling, servicing, subservicing,
master servicing or filing of claims in connection with a Loan, (b) the
responsibilities and obligations set forth in any agreement between Bank or any
of the Bank Subsidiaries and an Investor or private mortgage insurer (including,
without limitation, Mortgage Servicing Agreements and selling and servicing
guides), (c) all Applicable Laws and other requirements of an Agency, and all
rules, regulations and other requirements of an Investor, private mortgage
insurer, public housing program or Investor program with respect to the
origination, insuring, purchase, sale, pooling, servicing, subservicing, master
servicing or filing of claims in connection with a Serviced Mortgage Loan, and
(d) the terms and provisions of the Serviced Mortgage Loan documents.
 
     "MORTGAGE NOTE" means, with respect to a Mortgage Loan or a Serviced
Mortgage Loan, a promissory note or notes, or other evidence of indebtedness,
with respect to such Mortgage Loan or Serviced Mortgage Loan secured by a
Mortgage or Mortgages, together with any assignment, reinstatement, extension,
endorsement or modification thereof.
 
     "MORTGAGE SERVICING AGREEMENTS" mean all contracts or arrangements between
Bank or any of the Bank Subsidiaries and an Investor pursuant to which Bank or
any of the Bank Subsidiaries subservices, services or master services Serviced
Mortgage Loans for such Investor.
 
     "OPERATING SITES" mean the headquarters building, warehouse and other
non-Branch offices of Bank or any of the Bank Subsidiaries, all of which are
listed on Schedule 1.1(i).
 
     "OTS" means the Office of Thrift Supervision.
 
     "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" mean all Encumbrances that are:
 
          (a) disclosed in any title reports, opinions or insurance binders
     delivered or made available to Buyer prior to the execution of this
     Agreement;
 
          (b) for Taxes or assessments, special or otherwise, either not due and
     payable or being contested in good faith and fully accrued or adequately
     provided for;
 
                                       A-5

<PAGE>
 
          (c) representing mechanics', materialmen's, carriers', warehousemen's,
     landlords' and other similar or statutory liens arising in the ordinary
     course of business and fully accrued or adequately provided for; or
 
          (d) rights of parties lawfully in possession and any other defect,
     exception to title or easement or claim of easement which in all cases does
     not materially impair the use, operation or value of the property to which
     it relates.
 
     "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, company, partnership (limited
or general), joint venture, association, limited liability company, trust or
other entity.
 
     "PURCHASE AND ASSUMPTION PURCHASE PRICE" OR "PURCHASE PRICE" means the
purchase price set forth in Section 2.3.
 
     "PURCHASED ASSETS" means all of the assets, properties, rights and business
of the Bank of every type and description, real, personal and mixed, tangible
and intangible, wherever located and whether or not reflected on the books and
records of the Bank, other than the Excluded Assets. Such assets and property
shall include, without limitation, all right, title and interest of the Bank in
all lands, branches, offices, buildings (together with improvements,
appurtenances, licenses and permits), motor vehicles, equipment, furniture and
fixtures, supplies, stationery, cash, loans, the allowance for loan losses ,
accrued interest, securities, certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, cash
management accounts, servicing rights, leases of real and personal property,
prepaid expenses, deposits, licenses and permits, agreements and contracts,
claims against third parties (including warranty claims relating to goods,
equipment or real property sold to the Bank), authorizations and approvals of
any third party, the right to receive mail, payments on loans and accounts
receivable and other communications, prepaid FDIC insurance and assessments and
other prepaid expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and not
related to the Excluded Assets, computer software used in connection with
personal computers (the "Software"), other files and business records,
advertising materials, customer application forms, the right to use the Bank's
ABA transit numbers and other intangible properties and rights to, refunds and
prepayments under Contracts, Marks and the capital stock and assets of the Bank
Subsidiaries, and the payment referred to in Section 6.11, but shall not include
the Excluded Assets.
 
     "REAL ESTATE LIABILITIES" means all liabilities or obligations (absolute or
contingent) of Bank or any Subsidiary to the extent arising out of any real
estate development activities (past or present) of Bank or any of its
Affiliates, all real estate held for development, all Real Estate Subsidiaries,
the ownership or operation of the Real Estate Subsidiaries by Bank or any
Subsidiary, including without limitation, (i) claims of persons who have
purchased properties or assets from Real Estate Subsidiaries or any partnership,
joint venture, association, project or development in which any of the Real
Estate Subsidiaries may have participated at any time, (ii) contractual
obligations, performance bonds, undertakings, guarantees, suretyship
arrangements, or other obligations of Bank or the Subsidiaries with respect to
the business or obligations of the Real Estate Subsidiaries, and (iii)
liabilities or obligations arising out of the ownership, operation, formation,
dissolution, sale or disposition of any Real Estate Subsidiary.
 
     "REAL ESTATE SUBSIDIARIES" means the entities identified on Schedule 1.1(j)
hereto and all interests or investments (equity, debt, or otherwise) of the Bank
or any Subsidiary, direct or indirect, in any of such entities.
 
     "REAL PROPERTY" means all real property of Bank or any Bank Subsidiary,
including fee, leasehold and other interests in real property (including real
property that is DPC Property, but excluding any interest in real property held
solely as a trustee or beneficiary under a deed of trust or mortgagee under a
mortgage).
 
     "RECORDS" mean all records and original documents which pertain to and are
utilized by Bank to administer, reflect, monitor, evidence or record information
respecting the business or conduct of Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries, including
all such records maintained on electronic or magnetic media in the Technology
Systems.
 
                                       A-6

<PAGE>
 
     "REGULATORY AGREEMENT" means, with respect to Bank or any Bank Subsidiary,
any cease-and-desist or other order issued by, or any written agreement, consent
agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or any order or directive by, or
any extraordinary supervisory letter from, or any board resolutions adopted at
the request of any Bank Regulator or other Governmental Entity that restricts
the conduct of Bank's or any Bank Subsidiary's business or that in any manner
relates to its capital adequacy, its credit policies, its management or its
business.
 
     "RELATED DOCUMENTS" means the Bill of Sale and the Assumption Agreement.
 
     "REQUISITE REGULATORY APPROVALS" mean all approvals or consents of or
filings with any Governmental Entity required in order to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, all of which are listed in Schedule
1.1(k).
 
     "RETAINED LIABILITIES" means all obligations and liabilities of Bank,
whether actual or contingent, or known or unknown, consisting of or arising out
of (i) the Real Estate Subsidiaries or any assets or obligations or liabilities
thereof; (ii) Real Estate Liabilities; (iii) any liabilities or obligations
consisting of or arising out of the Excluded Assets; and (iv) all Taxes imposed
on Sellers, Bank and the Subsidiaries (either directly or by virtue of joint and
several liabilities) (A) for any taxable year or period that ends on or before
the Closing Date or (B) with respect to any taxable year or period beginning
before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such taxable year or
period ending on and including the Closing Date; and any liabilities or
obligations consisting of, arising out of, or related to acts occurring after
the Closing Date.
 
     "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
     "SERVICED MORTGAGE LOAN" means any closed Mortgage Loan, whether or not
such Mortgage is included in a securitized portfolio, which is subserviced,
serviced or master serviced by Bank or any of the Bank Subsidiaries pursuant to
Mortgage Servicing Agreements.
 
     "SOFTWARE" means all computer programs, software, firmware and related
documentation used in the operation of the Technology Systems.
 
     "SUBSIDIARY" means any Person, more than 50 percent of the voting power of
which is owned directly or indirectly by Bank or any Person more than 50 percent
of the Equity Interests of which is owned directly or indirectly by Bank, all of
which are listed on Schedule 1.1(l).
 
     "TAXES" means all federal, provincial, territorial, state, municipal,
local, foreign or other taxes, imposts, rates, levies, assessments and other
charges including, without limitation, all income, franchise, gains, capital,
real property, goods and services, transfer, value added, gross receipts,
windfall profits, severance, ad valorem, personal property, production, sales,
use, license, stamp, documentary stamp, mortgage recording, excise, employment,
payroll, social security, unemployment, disability, estimated or withholding
taxes, and all customs and import duties, together with any interest, additions,
fines or penalties with respect thereto or in respect of any failure to comply
with any requirement regarding Tax Returns and any interest in respect of such
additions, fines or penalties.
 
     "TAX RETURN" means any return, report, information statements, schedule or
other document (including any related or supporting information) with respect to
Taxes, including any document required to be retained or provided to any
Governmental Entity pursuant to 31 USC sections 5311-5328 and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
 
                                       A-7

<PAGE>
 
     "TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS" mean all electronic data processing, communications,
telecommunications, disaster recovery services and other computer systems which
are material to the operation of the Branches and the Operating Sites, and to
the servicing of the Loans and Serviced Mortgage Loans and, including (a) any
computer hardware and Software owned, leased or licensed by Bank that is used in
the operation of the Technology Systems, and (b) any Contracts pursuant to which
Bank is granted rights which are used in the operation of the Technology
Systems, including Software licenses and similar agreements.
 
     "VA" means the Veterans Administration.
 
     "VA LOANS" mean Loans which satisfy all applicable rules and regulations to
be guaranteed by the VA and which are guaranteed by the VA.
 
     1.2  Construction and Interpretation.
 
     (a) When used to modify a statement with respect to the Bank or a Bank
Subsidiary, "material," "materially," or similar phrases refer to matters which
are material to the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations
of Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that
such terms shall not include (i) changes in Applicable Law, GAAP, or regulatory
accounting principles, or thrift laws or regulations, or interpretations
thereof, that affect the thrift industry generally or changes in the general
level of interest rates unless such change affects Bank to a materially greater
extent than thrift institutions generally (ii) any assessment imposed on the
Bank in connection with the recapitalization of the Savings Association
Insurance Fund of the FDIC; or (iii) the writeoff of any goodwill on the books
of Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries as a result of the execution of delivery of
this Agreement.
 
     (b) Any reference to the "ordinary course of business" shall refer to the
ordinary course of the business of Bank and the Subsidiaries prior to October
31, 1995.
 
                                   ARTICLE 2.
 
                            PURCHASE AND ASSUMPTION
 
     2.1  Assets to Be Sold. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, at the Closing, the Bank will sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser will
purchase from the Bank the Purchased Assets. Such sale, conveyance, assignment,
transfer and delivery shall be effected by delivery by the Bank to the Purchaser
at the Closing of (i) the duly executed Bill of Sale, (ii) good and sufficient
deeds, in recordable or registrable form, with respect to all Real Property
owned by the Bank and included among the Purchased Assets, (iii) assignments of
mortgages or deeds of trust, security agreements and security interests and
assignments of notes, in recordable form, if applicable, relating to the
Purchased Assets, and (iv) such other instruments of conveyance and transfer as
the Purchaser shall reasonably request.
 
     2.2  Assumed Liabilities. On the Closing Date Purchaser shall assume the
obligations and liabilities of Bank other than the Retained Liabilities. Such
assumption shall be effected by delivery by the Purchaser to the Bank at the
Closing of (i) the duly executed Assumption Agreement, and (ii) such other
instruments and supporting documents as Sellers, Bank or any applicable third
party may reasonably request. The Purchaser shall not assume or be liable for
the Retained Liabilities.
 
     2.3  Purchase and Assumption Price. (a) The Purchase and Assumption
Purchase Price shall be an amount equal to $190,700,000. The Purchase Price
shall be reduced by the after tax amount of any Purchase Price reduction and
increased by the after tax amount of any Purchase Price increase. The amount of
any Purchase Price reduction shall be determined by adding (x) the amount of
Real Estate Liabilities paid in the aggregate by the Bank or any of the Bank
Subsidiaries subsequent to November 30, 1995 but on or prior to the Closing Date
in excess of $1,205,000, and (y) the amount of Taxes paid by the Bank or any of
the Bank Subsidiaries subsequent to October 31, 1995 but on or prior to the
Closing Date (other than for Taxes related to operations
 
                                       A-8

<PAGE>
 
subsequent to October 31, 1995 and prior to the Closing Date) in excess of the
amount of Taxes accrued on the balance sheet of the Bank contained in the
Financial Statements as of October 31, 1995. The amount of any Purchase Price
increase shall be determined by adding (x) any amounts received by the Bank or
any of the Bank Subsidiaries with respect to the Margarita Village Lien or the
Stead Real Property described in Schedule 1.1(d) subsequent to November 30, 1995
and prior to the Closing Date in excess of $200,000, plus the book value of the
Margarita Village Lien and the Stead Real Property on the Bank's Financial
Statements at November 30, 1995, and (y) any amounts received by the Bank or any
of the Bank Subsidiaries subsequent to October 31, 1995 but on or prior to the
Closing Date with respect to Tax refunds attributable to periods on or prior to
October 31, 1995 except for Tax receivables accrued on the balance sheets of the
Bank contained in the Financial Statements of October 31, 1995.
 
     (b) Bank shall prepare an interim closing statement as of a date no more
than five Business Days prior to the Closing Date and as if the Closing had
occurred on such date setting forth the amount of the Purchase Price. The
interim closing statement shall be delivered by Bank to Buyer and Purchaser no
less than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The Purchase Price paid
by the Buyer on the Closing Date shall be the Purchase Price set forth on the
interim closing statement.
 
     (c) Not more than 30 calendar days after the Closing Date, Bank shall
deliver to Buyer and Purchaser a final closing statement setting forth its final
calculation of the amount of the Purchase Price.
 
     (d) If within 30 calendar days after delivery of the final closing
statement to Buyer and Purchaser, the Buyer and Purchaser determine in good
faith that the Purchase Price set forth on the final closing statement was
inaccurate, Buyer and Purchaser shall give notice of such determination to
Sellers and Bank setting forth the amount of the Purchase Price as determined by
Buyer and Purchaser and specifying in reasonable detail the Buyer's and
Purchaser's basis for its disagreement with Bank's determination of the Purchase
Price. The failure by Buyer and Purchaser so to express its disagreement within
such 30-day period shall constitute acceptance of the Purchase Price by Buyer
and Purchaser. If the parties are unable to resolve their disagreement, the
items in dispute shall be referred to KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP ("KPMG") and Arthur
Andersen, LLP ("AA") for determination. KPMG and AA shall make a determination
as to the matter in dispute, which determination shall be in writing, furnished
to each of the parties as promptly as practicable after the matter in dispute
has been referred to KPMG and AA and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon
each of the parties hereto. If KPMG and AA cannot agree, KPMG and AA will
jointly designate another accounting firm to make the determination, which
determination shall be final, conclusive and binding upon each of the parties
hereto. The final closing statement shall thereupon be modified in accordance
with the determination of KPMG and AA. Each of the parties shall pay the fees
and expenses of its accountants and, if a third accountant is appointed as set
forth above, the Sellers, on the one hand, and the Buyer on the other hand shall
share equally the expenses of such third accountant.
 
     (e) If the amount of the Purchase Price paid by Buyer and Purchaser was
less than that set forth on the final closing statement, Buyer and Purchaser
shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(d), promptly pay the difference
to Bank together with interest thereon for each day after the Closing Date to
the date of such payment at the rate of the closing Federal Funds rate per annum
as set forth in the Western Edition of The Wall Street Journal published on the
day prior to the date of payment (the "Interest Rate"). If the amount of the
Purchase Price paid by Buyer and Purchaser was greater than that set forth on
the final closing statement, Bank shall, subject to the provisions of Section
2.3(d), promptly pay the difference to Buyer, together with interest thereon for
each day after the Closing Date to the Date of such payment at the Interest
Rate.
 
                                       A-9

<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE 3.
 
                                  THE CLOSING
 
     3.1  Closing. The Closing shall take place (a) at the offices of Buyer,
Norwest Center, Sixth and Marquette, Minneapolis, MN 55479 within ten (10)
Business Days following the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions in
Article 7 (other than those designating instruments, opinions, certificates or
other documents to be delivered at the Closing), or (b) at such other place and
time as the parties hereto shall agree.
 
     3.2  Delivery by Sellers and Bank. On the Closing Date Sellers and Bank
shall deliver or cause to be delivered the following to Buyer and Purchaser:
 
          (a) copies of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors and
     shareholders of each Seller and Bank authorizing this Agreement and the
     transactions contemplated hereby, certified as of the Closing Date by the
     Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such party; and
 
          (b) the documents required to be delivered by Sellers and Bank
     pursuant to Section 7.2 and such other documentation as may be required by
     this Agreement.
 
     3.3  Deliveries by Buyer and Purchaser. On the Closing Date, Buyer and
Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered the following to Bank and
Sellers:
 
          (a) copies of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors and
     (if applicable) shareholders of Buyer and Purchaser authorizing this
     Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, certified as of the
     Closing Date by a Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such party;
 
          (b) an amount equal to the Purchase and Assumption Purchase Price by
     wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated in
     writing to Buyer and Purchaser by Bank; and
 
          (c) the documents required to be delivered by Buyer and Purchaser
     pursuant to Section 7.3 and such other documents as may be required by this
     Agreement.
 
                                   ARTICLE 4.
 
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
 
     Sellers represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:
 
     4.1  Organization and Related Matters.
 
     (a) Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of California. SC is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Nevada. All of the Bank Stock is owned by SC, beneficially and of record, free
and clear of all Encumbrances, other than net worth maintenance and similar
obligations to Bank Regulators, and there are no other outstanding Equity
Interests of Bank.
 
     (b) Bank is a federal savings bank duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the provisions of the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended (12
USC sec. 1461), and is a member in good standing of the Federal Home Loan Bank
System through the FHLB. The Branch Deposits are insured to applicable limits by
the Savings Association Insurance Fund of the FDIC. Bank has the corporate power
and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted and to own, lease
and operate its properties.
 
     (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1, all of the Equity Interests of the
Bank Subsidiaries are owned beneficially and of record directly or indirectly by
Bank, free and clear of any Encumbrances. Except for the Subsidiaries and as set
forth on Schedule 4.1, neither Bank nor any Bank Subsidiary has a direct or
indirect Equity Interest in any Person, other than DPC Property.
 
                                      A-10

<PAGE>
 
     (d) The Bank Subsidiaries are duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of their organization. Each of the
Bank Subsidiaries has the corporate power and authority to carry on its
respective business as now being conducted and to own, lease and operate its
respective properties. Each of the Bank Subsidiaries is duly qualified and
licensed and in good standing to do business as a foreign corporation in each
jurisdiction in which the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the
nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, except where the failure to be so organized or existing or to have
such power and authority or to be so qualified or licensed would not have a
material adverse effect on Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries taken as a whole. None
of the Bank Subsidiaries has engaged in the real estate development business as
an owner, operator, developer, contractor or otherwise.
 
     (e) Bank is not a party to, and is not obligated by, any commitment, plan
or arrangement to issue or to sell any Equity Interests of Bank or the Bank
Subsidiaries or to sell or otherwise transfer any significant portion of their
assets, except the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and there are no
outstanding subscriptions, contracts, conversion privileges, options, warrants,
calls or preemptive or other rights requiring Bank to sell, dispose of,
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire the capital stock of the Bank.
 
     4.2  Authority; No Violation.
 
     (a) Each Seller and Bank has full corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and the Related Documents to which it is a party and
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Except for the approval of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Parent's common stock, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Related Documents to which it is a party and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been or will be
duly and validly approved by all requisite corporate action on the part of
Sellers and Bank, and, except for a meeting of the shareholders of Parent and
corporate actions to be taken in connection with the transfer of the Bank
Subsidiaries, no other corporate proceedings on the part of Sellers or Bank are
necessary to approve this Agreement and the Related Documents to which it is a
party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement and
the Related Documents to which it is a party have been or will be duly and
validly executed and delivered by Sellers and Bank and (assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and the Related
Documents by Purchaser) constitute a valid and binding obligation of Sellers and
Bank, enforceable against Sellers and Bank in accordance with their respective
terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and except
as may be limited by general principles of equity whether applied in a court of
law or a court of equity.
 
     (b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Sellers and
Bank or the Related Documents to which they are a party nor the consummation by
Sellers and Bank of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
Sellers and Bank with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will (i) violate
any provision of the respective articles of incorporation or charter and By-Laws
of Sellers or Bank or (ii) assuming that the Requisite Regulatory Approvals and
the consents and approvals referred to in Section 4.3 are duly obtained, (x)
violate in any material respect any Applicable Law with respect to either Bank,
Sellers or any Bank Subsidiary, or (y) violate, conflict with, result in a
breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a
default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would
constitute a default) under, result in the termination of or a right of
termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by, or
result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the respective properties
or assets of either Seller, Bank or any of the Bank Subsidiaries under, any of
the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which either Seller, Bank
or any of the Bank Subsidiaries is a party, or by which either Seller, Bank or
any of the Bank Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties or assets,
may be bound or affected, except for (i) such violations which arise from the
legal or regulatory status of Buyer or its Affiliates or the businesses in which
they are or propose to be engaged and
 
                                      A-11

<PAGE>
 
(ii) such consents and approvals the failure of which to obtain will not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Sellers
and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.
 
     4.3  Consents and Approvals. Except for the Requisite Regulatory Approvals
to be obtained by Sellers and Buyer, the consents and approvals to be obtained
by Buyer and Purchaser and the matters set forth on Schedule 4.3, no consents or
approvals of or filings, notices or registrations with any Governmental Entity
or with any Person who is a party to a Material Contract are necessary in
connection with the execution and delivery by Sellers and Bank of this Agreement
or the consummation by Sellers and Bank of the transactions contemplated hereby
(including, without limitation the consummation of the Purchase and Assumption).
 
     4.4  Title to Property.
 
     (a) Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries own or have the right to use all
property used in the operation of their business. Sellers have furnished to
Buyer Schedule 4.4(a) that sets forth a description (including the character of
the interest of Bank and each Bank Subsidiary) of all Real Property. Except as
set forth on Schedule 4.4(a), Bank and each Bank Subsidiary has good and
marketable title to all Real Property owned in fee and all material items of
personal property reflected as owned on its books, in each case free and clear
of all Encumbrances, except Permitted Encumbrances.
 
     (b) All furniture, fixtures and equipment of Bank and each Bank Subsidiary
that are material to the business, financial condition, results of operations or
prospects of Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries taken as a whole, are in a good
state of maintenance and repair, except for ordinary wear and tear, and are
adequate for the conduct of the business of Bank and each Bank Subsidiary as
presently conducted. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.4(a), (i) neither Bank
nor any Bank Subsidiary has entered into any Contract containing a material
obligation to improve any Real Property, (ii) to Seller's knowledge, each Lease
and other Contract under which Bank or any Bank Subsidiary is a lessee or holds
or operates any material property (real, personal or mixed) owned by any third
party is in full force and effect and is a valid and legally binding obligation
of Bank or such Bank Subsidiary and, to Sellers' knowledge, each other party
thereto; (iii) Bank or such Bank Subsidiary and, to Sellers' knowledge, each
other party to any such Lease or other Contract have performed in all material
respects all the obligations required to be performed by them to date under such
Lease or other Contract and are not in default in any material respect under any
such Lease or other Contract and, to Sellers' knowledge, there is no pending or
threatened proceeding that would interfere with the quiet enjoyment of such
leasehold or such material property by Bank or any Bank Subsidiary; (iv) to
Seller's knowledge, there has not been any generation, use, handling,
transportation, treatment, storage, release or disposal of any Hazardous
Substance in connection with the conduct of the business of Bank or such Bank
Subsidiary and there has never been a use of any of the Real Property or any of
the real property formerly owned by the Bank or any Bank Subsidiary for which
the Bank or a Bank Subsidiary has any indemnification obligations that has
created or might reasonably be expected to result in any liability under any
Environmental Law; (v) to Seller's knowledge, no underground storage tanks are
on or in the Real Property; and (vi) to Seller's knowledge, no Hazardous
Substances exist on any real property at any time directly or indirectly owned
or operated, whether as beneficial owner or in a fiduciary capacity, by Bank or
any Bank Subsidiary in a manner that could reasonably be expected to expose Bank
or such Bank Subsidiary as a former owner or operator of such real property to
any liability under any Environmental Law.
 
     (c) Sellers have provided Buyer access to copies of all Leases included on
Schedule 4.4(a) and all appraisals and title insurance policies relating to Real
Property.
 
     4.5  Financial Statements. Sellers have previously delivered to Buyer: (a)
the audited consolidated statement of financial condition of Bank and the
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and related audited consolidated statements
of operations and cash flows for the year ended on such date, including in each
case the related notes and schedules thereto, together with the related opinion
of Arthur Andersen, LLP, independent certified public accountants to Bank; and
(b) the
 
                                      A-12

<PAGE>
 
unaudited consolidated statement of financial condition of Bank and the
Subsidiaries as of October 31, 1995. The Financial Statements referred to in
clause (a) above (including the related notes and schedules thereto), subject to
qualifications, if any, noted in the accompanying opinion, have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP or applicable regulatory accounting principles consistently
applied during the periods involved and fairly present the consolidated
financial condition, consolidated results of operations and consolidated changes
in financial position of Bank and the Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and
for the periods covered thereby. Except for changes in the financial accounting
standards as set forth in Schedule 4.5, the Financial Statements referred to in
clause (b) above have been prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP or applicable regulatory accounting principles applied on a basis
consistent with those at December 31, 1994, except for the omission of normal
recurring year-end audit adjustments (if any) and notes thereto and fairly
present the consolidated financial condition of Bank and the Subsidiaries as of
the date thereof.
 
     4.6  Material Contracts. Except as set forth on Schedules 1.1(h) or 4.4(a),
(a) each Material Contract is a valid and binding obligation of Bank or a Bank
Subsidiary; (b) Bank and each Bank Subsidiary has duly performed all material
obligations under the Material Contracts to be performed by it to the extent
that such obligations to perform have accrued; and (c) to Sellers' knowledge,
there are no breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of
such by any party under any Material Contract. True copies of all Material
Contracts, including all amendments and supplements thereto, have been made
available to Buyer.
 
     4.7  Legal or Other Proceedings. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.7, as of
the date of this Agreement, neither Bank nor any of the Bank Subsidiaries is a
party to any, and there are no pending or, to Sellers' knowledge, threatened,
legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or
governmental or regulatory investigations of any nature against or affecting
Bank, any of the Bank Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or
assets or challenging the validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and there is no injunction, order, judgment or decree imposing
ongoing obligations upon Bank, any of the Bank Subsidiaries or the properties or
assets of Bank or any of the Bank Subsidiaries. Except for customary ongoing
quality control reviews or as set forth in Schedule 4.7, no audit,
investigation, complaint or inquiry of Bank or any of the Bank Subsidiaries by
any Agency, Investor or Insurer is pending or, to the knowledge of Sellers,
threatened.
 
     4.8  Undisclosed Liabilities. Sellers have furnished to Buyer Schedule 4.8
which sets forth all liabilities of Bank or any of the Subsidiaries that are
material to Bank and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, contingent or otherwise,
that are not reflected or reserved against in the Financial Statements dated as
of October 31, 1995, except for liabilities incurred or accrued since October
31, 1995 in the ordinary course of business, none of which, individually or in
the aggregate, has had or may reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on Bank and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
 
     4.9  Reports and Filings. Since January 1, 1993, Bank and each Bank
Subsidiary has filed all Filings. Bank has made available to Buyer all Filings
filed by Bank or any Bank Subsidiary since January 1, 1993, together with copies
of any orders or other administrative actions taken in connection with such
Filings to the extent permitted to do so by Applicable Law. As of their
respective dates, each of such Filings (a) was true and complete in all material
respects (or was amended so as to be so following discovery of any discrepancy);
(b) complied in all material respects with Applicable Law (or was amended so as
to be so following discovery of any such noncompliance); and (c) did 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 therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Any
Financial Statement contained in any of such Filings that was intended to
present the financial position of Bank or any Bank Subsidiary fairly presented
the financial position of Bank or such Bank Subsidiary and was prepared in
accordance with GAAP or applicable regulatory accounting principles consistently
applied, except
 
                                      A-13

<PAGE>
 
as stated therein, required by Applicable Law during the periods involved or as
otherwise set forth in Section 4.5.
 
     4.10  Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as contemplated by
Section 6.2(l) or as set forth on Schedule 4.10, since October 31, 1995, Bank
has not declared, set aside or paid any dividend or other distribution with
respect to, or repurchased any Equity Investments in, Bank. Except as set forth
in Schedule 4.10 or as consented to by Buyer in writing, during the period from
October 31, 1995 to the Closing Date, (a) neither Bank nor the Bank Subsidiaries
has: (i) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any Encumbrance or lease any of the
Real Property, or permitted or suffered any such asset to be subjected to any
Encumbrance or lease, except in the ordinary course of business; (ii) other than
in the ordinary course of business, (A) increased the wages, salaries,
compensation, pension, or other fringe benefits or perquisites payable to any
executive officer, Employee, or director from the amount in effect as of October
31, 1995, or granted any severance or termination pay, (B) entered into any
contract to make or grant any severance or termination pay, or (C) paid any
bonus to any such person; (iii) suffered any strike, work stoppage, slow-down,
or other labor disturbance at the Branches or Operating Sites; (iv) amended,
canceled or terminated any agreement relating to Technology Systems, Software or
Intellectual Property, except in the ordinary course of business; (v) changed
its accounting principles, practices or methods except as required by any change
in Applicable Law, GAAP or regulatory accounting principles; (vi) engaged in any
material sale or purchase of assets, entered into, amended, or terminated any
Material Contract, or engaged in any other material transaction other than for
fair value in the ordinary course of business; or (vii) incurred any damage,
destruction or loss to any of the assets of Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries which
has had or may be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a material adverse effect on Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
and (b) no event has occurred or has failed to occur which has had or is
reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate with any other
event(s), a material adverse effect on Bank and the Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 4.10, no such
material adverse effect shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of (i) any
change in Applicable Law, GAAP or regulatory accounting principles, (ii) changes
in thrift laws or regulations, or interpretations thereof, that affect the
thrift industry generally or changes in the general level of interest rates
unless such change affects Bank to a materially greater extent than thrift
institutions generally, (iii) or any assessment imposed on the Bank in
connection with the recapitalization of the Savings Association Insurance Fund
of the FDIC, or (iv) the write-off of any goodwill on the books of Bank and the
Bank Subsidiaries as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
 
     4.11  Taxes and Tax Returns.
 
     (a) Except as reflected in Schedule 4.11, or otherwise disclosed, Bank and
each Subsidiary, and any Affiliated Group of which any such entity was a member,
has duly filed all Tax Returns required to be filed by it on or prior to the
date of this Agreement (all such returns being accurate and complete in all
material respects), has duly paid or made provisions for the payment of all
Taxes that have been incurred or are due or claimed to be due from it by any
taxing authority on or prior to the date of this Agreement other than Taxes
which are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith (and which are
set forth in Schedule 4.11) and has not executed an extension or waiver of any
statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any Taxes that is
currently in effect. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.11, there is no audit,
examination, deficiency, refund litigation, tax claim, notice of assessment,
notice of proposed assessment or any other matter in controversy with respect to
any Taxes that is reasonably likely to result in a determination materially
adverse to Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
 
     (b) No election under Section 341(f) of the Code has been or hereafter
shall be made to treat Bank or any Bank Subsidiary as a consenting corporation
(as defined in Section 341(f) of the Code).
 
                                      A-14

<PAGE>
 
     4.12  Compliance with Applicable Law. Bank and each of the Bank
Subsidiaries hold, and have at all times held, all material licenses,
franchises, permits and other authorizations necessary for the lawful ownership
and use of their respective assets and the conduct of their respective
businesses and have complied with and are not in default in any material respect
under any Applicable Law material to Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
 
     4.13  Insurance. All insurance policies and indemnity bonds as of the date
of this Agreement providing coverage for Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries are
listed on Schedule 4.13. As of the date hereof each such insurance policy or
bond is in full force and effect, and, as of the date hereof neither Bank nor
any of the Bank Subsidiaries has received written notice or any other indication
from any insurer or agent of any intent to cancel any such insurance policy or
bond.
 
     4.14  Agreements with Regulatory Agencies. Neither Bank nor any of the Bank
Subsidiaries is currently subject to any Regulatory Agreement, nor has Bank or
any of the Bank Subsidiaries been advised by any Bank Regulator or other
Governmental Entity that it is considering issuing or requesting any Regulatory
Agreement.
 
     4.15  Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15, no
Person who is an executive officer, director or Affiliate of Bank is an obligor
or guarantor on any Loan, a lessor with respect to any Lease, or otherwise has
any interest in any asset of, Bank or the Bank Subsidiaries. Except as set forth
on Schedule 4.15, Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis do not
have any other liabilities or obligation of any kind to either Seller or any
Affiliate, other than Bank or a Bank Subsidiary. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.15, there are no intercompany payables owed by or intercompany receivables
owed to Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to or from
Sellers or their Affiliates (other than the Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries).
 
     4.16  Intellectual Property.
 
     (a) Schedule 1.1(f) contains a true and complete list of all Intellectual
Property owned by Bank or any Bank Subsidiary and any licenses or similar
agreements pursuant to which Bank or any Bank Subsidiary is granted rights with
respect to Intellectual Property.
 
     (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 1.1(f), Bank or any Bank Subsidiary has
the unrestricted right to use the Intellectual Property, free and clear of any
claims, by any Person (other than the claims of any licensors under licensing or
similar agreements), and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement will not alter or impair any such right. No claims have been
asserted to either Sellers, Bank or any Bank Subsidiary by any Person with
respect to the use by Bank or any Bank Subsidiary of any Intellectual Property
or challenging or questioning the validity or effectiveness of any license or
similar agreement with respect thereto, and, to the knowledge of Sellers, there
is no basis for any such claim. Except as set forth in Schedule 1.1(f), no
Intellectual Property is subject to any outstanding order, judgment, decree,
stipulation or agreement restricting the use thereof by Bank or any Bank
Subsidiary.
 
     4.17  Loan Portfolio.
 
     (a) Schedule 4.17 sets forth a description, as of October 31, 1995, of (i)
by type and classification, if any, each Loan or lease by Bank in excess of
$500,000; and (ii) by type and classification, all Loans or leases of Bank of
$500,000 or more, that have been classified by its bank examiners, auditors
(external or internal), or credit administration personnel as "Special Mention,"
"Substandard," "Doubtful," "Loss" or any comparable classification.
 
     (b) To Seller's knowledge, each Loan or Serviced Mortgage Loan owned or
held by Bank complied at the time it was made or, if such Loan or Serviced
Mortgage Loan was acquired and not originated by Bank, complied at the time it
was originated, and remains in compliance, in all material respects with
Applicable Law, including the federal Truth-in-Lending Act and other consumer
protection laws, usury, equal credit opportunity, disclosure and recording laws.
 
     (c) Except in the case of Loans which individually and in the aggregate are
not material or for deficiencies which can be cured without the incurrence of
unreasonable expenditures in the
 
                                      A-15

<PAGE>
 
circumstances, to Sellers' knowledge, each Loan included in the Financial
Statements as of October 31, 1995, or acquired since that date (i) is the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the obligor thereunder, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, except (A) as enforcement may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and except as may be limited by general
principles of equity whether applied in a court of law or a court of equity, and
(B) to the extent Applicable Law requires the holder of the note with respect to
the Loan to foreclose against the collateral for such note before seeking
recovery on such note, or prohibits a deficiency judgment or other recovery on
such note against the mortgagor or the grantor of such security interest or any
guarantor of such Loan, (ii) arose in the ordinary course of business and (iii)
is secured by a valid and legally enforceable security interest to the extent
reflected in the loan records with respect thereto except (x) as enforcement may
be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and except as may be limited
by general principles of equity whether applied in a court of law or a court of
equity, and (y) subject to any requirement of Applicable Law that the holder of
the note with respect to the Loan foreclose against the collateral for such note
before seeking recovery on such note, or prohibiting a deficiency judgment or
other recovery on such note against the mortgagor or the grantor of such
security interest or any guarantor of such Loan.
 
     4.18  Mortgage Banking Licenses and Qualifications. Bank (a) is qualified
and or authorized, as appropriate (i) by FHA as a mortgagee and servicer for FHA
Loans, (ii) by VA as a lender and servicer for VA Loans, (iii) by FNMA and FHLMC
as a seller/servicer of first mortgages to FNMA and FHLMC, and (iv) by GNMA as
an authorized issuer and servicer of GNMA-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities;
and (b) has all other certifications, authorizations, licenses, permits and
other approvals necessary to conduct its current business, and is in good
standing under all Applicable Laws and Mortgage Loan Regulations as a mortgage
lender and servicer.
 
     4.19  Payment of Taxes, Insurance Premiums, etc. To Seller's knowledge, the
responsibilities of Bank and all prior servicers and originators of the Serviced
Mortgage Loans with respect to all applicable Taxes (including tax reporting for
the period prior to the Closing), special assessments, ground rents, flood
insurance premiums, hazard insurance premiums and mortgage insurance premiums
that are related to the Serviced Mortgage Loans have been met in all material
respects.
 
     4.20  Minute Books. The copies of the articles of incorporation and bylaws,
including amendments, of Bank and each Bank Subsidiary which have been delivered
to Buyer are true, correct and complete. The minute books of Bank and each Bank
Subsidiary made available to Buyer are true, correct and complete and accurately
reflect all material actions duly taken to date by its respective shareholder or
owner, board of directors and committees.
 
     4.21  Employee Benefit Plans and Employment and Labor Contracts.
 
     (a) Sellers have furnished to Buyer Schedule 1.1(b) that sets forth all
Employee Benefit Plans and any collective bargaining agreements, labor contracts
and Employee Programs in which Bank or any Bank Subsidiary participates, or by
which it is bound. Except as set forth in Schedule 1.1(b), (i) Bank and each
Bank Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable
provisions of ERISA and the regulations and published authorities thereunder
currently in effect with respect to all such Employee Benefit Plans and Employee
Programs; (ii) Bank and each Bank Subsidiary has performed all of its
obligations under all such plans and programs; and (iii) there are no actions,
suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits) pending or, to the
knowledge of Sellers, threatened against any such employee benefit plans or the
assets of such plans, and to the knowledge of Sellers, no facts exist which
could give rise to any actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for
benefits) against such plans or the assets of such plans that might have a
material adverse effect on such plans. True copies of all of the Employee
Benefit Plans and Employee Programs referred to in Schedule 1.1(b), including
all amendments and supplements thereto, and all related summary plan
descriptions have been made available to Buyer.
 
     (b) The Employee Benefit Plans have been duly authorized by the board of
directors of Bank. Each such plan and associated trust intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code has
 
                                      A-16

<PAGE>
 
received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service and
Sellers have no knowledge of any circumstances likely to result in revocation of
any such determination letter. No event has occurred that will or could subject
any such Employee Benefit Plans to tax under Section 511 of the Code. All costs
of any Employee Benefit Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA have been provided
for on the basis of consistent methods in accordance with actuarial assumptions
and practices. Subject to amendments that are required by the Tax Reform Act of
1986 and later legislation, since the last valuation date for each Employee
Benefit Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, there has been no amendment or change
to such Employee Benefit Plan that would increase the amount of benefits
thereunder. Sellers have made available to Buyer for each of the Employee
Benefit Plans, to the extent applicable, (i) a copy of the Form 5500 which was
filed in each of the most recent three plan years, including, without
limitation, all schedules thereto and all financial statements with attached
opinions of independent accountants; (ii) the most recent determination letter
from the IRS; (iii) the statement of assets and liabilities as of the most
recent valuation date; and (iv) the statement of changes in fund balance and in
financial position or the statement of changes in net assets available for
benefits under each Employee Benefit Plan for the most recently ended plan year.
The documents referred to in subdivisions (iii) and (iv) fairly present the
financial condition of each of said Employee Benefit Plans as at such dates and
the results of operations of each of said plans, all in accordance with GAAP or
applicable regulatory accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.
 
     (c) Neither Bank nor any entity with which Bank has been treated as a
single employer under Section 4001(b) of ERISA sponsors or participates, or has
sponsored or participated, in any Employee Benefit Plan that is a "multiemployer
plan" (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA) that would subject such
Person to any liability with respect to any such Employee Benefit Plan.
 
     (d) All group health plans of Bank (within the meaning of Section
5000(b)(1) of the Code) have been operated in compliance in all material
respects with the group health plan continuation coverage requirements of
Section 4980B of the Code and Section 601 through 609 of ERISA, to the extent
such requirements are applicable.
 
     (e) There have been no acts or omissions by Bank that have given rise to or
may give rise to fines, penalties, taxes, or related charges under Sections
502(c), 502(i), 502(1) or 4071 of ERISA or Chapter 43 of the Code which would be
material to Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
 
     (f) Schedule 1.1(b) sets forth the name of each director, officer or
employee of Bank or any Bank Subsidiaries entitled to receive any benefit or any
payment of any amount (including, without limitation, severance, unemployment
compensation, golden parachute or otherwise) under any existing employment
agreement, severance plan or other benefit plan as a result of the consummation
of any transaction contemplated in this Agreement, and with respect to each such
person, the nature of such benefit or the amount of such payment, the event
triggering the benefit or payment, and the date of, and parties to, such
employment agreement, severance plan or other benefit plan.
 
     4.22  Investments. Sellers have furnished to Buyer Schedule 4.22 that,
except for investments that have matured or been sold, sets forth all of the
investments reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of Bank and the Bank
Subsidiaries, contained in the Financial Statements dated October 31, 1995, and
all of the investments made since October 31, 1995 to January 8, 1996. Except as
set forth in Schedule 4.22, (i) all such investments are legal investments under
Applicable Law for federal savings associations, and (ii) none of such
investments is subject to any restriction, contractual, statutory or other, that
would materially impair the ability of the Bank or any Bank Subsidiary holding
such investment to dispose freely of any such investment at any time, except
restrictions on the public distribution or transfer of such investments under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities laws.
 
     4.23  Broker's or Finder's Fees. Except for the fees of Merrill, Lynch &
Co. to be paid by Parent, no agent, broker, investment or commercial banker, or
other Person acting on behalf of
 
                                      A-17

<PAGE>
 
either Seller, will have any claims against Buyer, Bank or Purchaser for any
broker's or finder's fee or any other commission or similar fee directly or
indirectly in connection with any of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement.
 
     4.24  Bank Accounts. Schedule 4.24 sets forth an accurate list of each
bank, trust company, savings association or other financial institution with
which the Bank or any Bank Subsidiary has an account or safe deposit box and the
names and identification of all persons authorized to draw thereon or to have
access thereto.
 
     4.25  Deposits. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.25, none of the Bank's
Branch Deposits is a Brokered Deposit. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.25, no
portion of the Branch Deposits represents a deposit by any Affiliate of Bank.
"Brokered Deposits" shall mean all deposits of Bank for which Bank has paid a
commission or an interest rate substantially above that paid by Bank to the
general depositors of Bank at the time of issuance of the deposit.
 
                                   ARTICLE 5.
 
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
 
     Buyer represents and warrants to Sellers and Bank as follows:
 
     5.1  Organization and Related Matters. Buyer is a corporation duly
organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the state of
Delaware. The Purchaser will, at the time of Closing, be a bank or savings bank
duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization and will have the requisite power and authority to own, operate and
lease its properties and to carry on its business.
 
     5.2  Authority; No Violation.
 
     (a) Buyer has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and at the
Closing Date, each of Purchaser and Buyer will have full corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver the Related Documents to which it is a party
and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly and validly approved by all requisite corporate action on
the part of Buyer, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Buyer are
necessary to approve this Agreement or the Related Documents and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Related Documents will be duly and validly approved by all
requisite corporate action on the part of the Purchaser. This Agreement and the
Related Documents have been or will be duly and validly executed and delivered
by Buyer and Purchaser and (assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Sellers and Bank) constitute a valid and binding
obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their
respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and except
as may be limited by general principles of equity whether applied in a court of
law or a court of equity.
 
     (b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer or the
Related Documents to which Buyer or Purchaser is a party nor the consummation by
Buyer and Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
Buyer with any of the terms or provisions hereof will or the execution or
delivery by the Purchaser or Buyer of the Related Documents to which it is a
party (i) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of
Buyer or Purchaser or (ii) assuming that the Requisite Regulatory Approvals and
consents and approvals referred to in Section 5.3 hereof are duly obtained, (x)
violate in any material respect any Applicable Law applicable to either Buyer or
Purchaser, or any of its respective properties or assets, or (y) violate,
conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit
under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or
both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination of or a right
of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by, or
result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the respective properties
 
                                      A-18

<PAGE>
 
or assets of Buyer or Purchaser under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any Contract to which either Buyer or Purchaser is a party or by
which either Buyer or Purchaser, or any of its properties or assets may be bound
or affected, except for such consents and approvals the failure of which to
obtain will not, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect
the ability of either Buyer or Purchaser to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
 
     5.3  Consents and Approvals. Except for the Requisite Regulatory Approvals
to be obtained by Sellers and Buyer, the consents and approvals to be obtained
by Sellers and the matters set forth on Schedule 5.3, no consents or approvals
of or filings or registrations with any Governmental Entity or with any third
party are necessary in connection with the execution and delivery by Buyer of
this Agreement or the consummation by Buyer or Purchaser of the transactions
contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the consummation of the
Purchase and Assumption).
 
     5.4  Financing; Capital. Buyer has current assets, irrevocable credit
lines, or guaranties or other financial arrangements such that at the Closing,
Buyer (or Purchaser) will have funds sufficient to enable them to carry out
their obligations under this Agreement. After giving effect to the transactions
contemplated hereby, Buyer (or Purchaser) will have sufficient shareholders'
equity to comply with all regulatory capital adequacy requirements and will be
in compliance, in all material respects, with all other banking laws,
regulations, and guidelines applicable to its respective business as of the
Closing.
 
     5.5  Broker's or Finder's Fees. No agent, broker, investment or commercial
banker or other Person acting on behalf of Buyers will have any claim against
Sellers or Bank for any broker's or finder's fee or any other commission or
similar fee directly or indirectly in connection with any of the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement.
 
     5.6  Proxy Statement. None of the information regarding Buyer and its
subsidiaries supplied by Buyer for inclusion in the proxy statement to be used
in connection with the shareholders' meeting at which the Purchase and
Assumption will be considered will on the date mailed be false or misleading
with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading, or at the time of the
shareholders' meeting at which the Purchase and Assumption is considered to be
false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any
material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication
with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for such meeting.
 
                                   ARTICLE 6.
 
                                   COVENANTS
 
     The parties covenant and agree that during the period prior to the Closing
or, to the extent expressly herein provided, thereafter:
 
     6.1  Access. Upon the reasonable request to Parent, Sellers and Bank shall
give Buyer and its representatives reasonable access during normal business
hours to all properties, documents, accounts, books and records of Bank and the
Subsidiaries and furnish Buyer with such financial, operating and environmental
data and other information with respect to the same as Buyer shall from time to
time reasonably request, and provide Buyer with access to Sellers' officers,
employees, accountants, counsel and other representatives, and the officers,
employees, accountants, counsel and other representatives of the Bank and the
Subsidiaries, in each case subject to Applicable Laws relating to the exchange
of information. Buyer shall have the right at its own expense to make copies of
the above-described corporate records, reports and other documents, subject to
Applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information. In addition, except as
may be otherwise agreed by the parties, Sellers shall provide Buyer with Phase I
environmental reports for each parcel of Real Property owned by the Bank
(excluding residential DPC Property). Oral reports of such environmental
assessments shall be delivered to Buyer as soon as practicable, provided Sellers
use their best efforts to provide such reports no later than six (6) weeks from
the date of this Agreement and written reports shall be delivered to Buyer as
soon as practicable, provided Sellers shall use their
 
                                      A-19

<PAGE>
 
best efforts to provide such reports no later than ten (10) weeks from the date
of this Agreement. Sellers shall also obtain (except as may be otherwise agreed
by the parties) Phase II environmental reports for properties identified by
Buyer on the basis of the results of such Phase I environmental reports. The
costs and expenses of all Phase II environmental reports shall be shared equally
by Buyer and Sellers. Bank shall obtain a survey and assessment of all potential
asbestos containing material in owned properties (other than DPC property) and a
written report of the results shall be delivered to Buyer as soon as
practicable, provided Sellers shall use their best efforts to obtain a report
within six (6) weeks of execution of this Agreement. During the period prior to
the Closing, Buyer shall furnish to Sellers such relevant information as Sellers
may reasonably request regarding the ability of Buyer to perform its obligations
under this Agreement.
 
     6.2  Conduct of Business of Bank. During the period from the date of this
Agreement and continuing until the Closing Date, except as required by
Applicable Law or as expressly permitted by this Agreement, or with the prior
written consent of Buyer, Sellers shall cause Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries to
carry on their respective businesses in the usual and ordinary course, in
accordance with present practices and policies and Applicable Law, and to use
commercially reasonable efforts to pursue their relationships with customers,
suppliers and others having business dealings with them and to maintain the
services of the Employees. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and
except as set forth in Schedule 6.2 or as otherwise expressly permitted by this
Agreement or consented to in writing by Buyer, Sellers shall not permit Bank or
any of the Bank Subsidiaries to:
 
          (a) Engage or participate in any material transaction, or incur or
     sustain any material obligation, except in the ordinary course of business;
 
          (b) Except for the Branch to be constructed at Crossroads, Henderson,
     Nevada, open, close or relocate any Branch or Operating Site, or acquire or
     sell or agree to acquire or sell any Branch or Operating Site;
 
          (c) Change its interest rate or fee pricing policies, or materially
     alter the mix of rate, terms and account types, with respect to Branch
     Deposits, other than in the ordinary course of business;
 
          (d) Make or agree to make any improvements to the Branches or the
     Operating Sites, except with respect to commitments for such made on or
     before the date of this Agreement and normal maintenance or refurbishing
     made in the ordinary course of business;
 
          (e) Amend, terminate or cancel, or take any other action that may
     result in an amendment, termination or cancellation of any Lease or any
     other Material Contract of Bank and the Subsidiaries or enter into any
     Material Contract (except for the renewal of Contracts with respect to
     Technology Systems for terms not to exceed June 30, 1996, or for month to
     month periods thereafter);
 
          (f) Foreclose upon or otherwise acquire any real property securing any
     Loan except in accordance with the Bank's customary policy with respect to
     any such Loan;
 
          (g) Deviate in any material respect from policies and procedures
     existing as of the date hereof with respect to (i) classification of
     assets, (ii) accrual of interest on assets, (iii) underwriting, pricing,
     originating, warehousing, selling and servicing or buying or selling rights
     to service, any Loans or Serviced Mortgage Loans, (iv) hedging (which term
     includes both buying futures and forward commitments from financial
     institutions) its mortgage loan positions or commitments, and (v) obtaining
     financing and credit;
 
          (h) Change its method of accounting in effect at October 31, 1995,
     except as required by changes in Applicable Law, GAAP or regulatory
     accounting principles as concurred to by Buyer's independent auditors;
 
          (i) Except as required by Applicable Law or to maintain qualification
     pursuant to the Code and except as required by Section 6.12 of this
     Agreement, (i) adopt, amend, renew or terminate any Employee Benefit Plan
     or Employee Program, between Bank or any of the Bank
 
                                      A-20

<PAGE>
 
     Subsidiaries and one or more of its Employees, except that Bank and the
     Bank Subsidiaries may hire or terminate one or more of its Employees in the
     ordinary course of business, (ii) increase in any manner the compensation
     or fringe benefits of any director, officer or Employee or pay any benefit
     not required by any Employee Program as in effect as of the date hereof,
     except for normal merit increases with respect to Employees in the ordinary
     course of business consistent with past practice, or (iii) enter into or
     modify any Contract providing for the payment to any director, officer or
     Employee of the Bank or any Bank Subsidiaries of compensation or benefits
     contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered, upon the
     occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
     ("Management Contracts"), provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit
     the renewal of any such Management Contracts for a one year term at the
     same terms and conditions as currently in effect; or (iv) increase in any
     manner the compensation of any Person who is a party to a Management
     Contract not required by any Employee Program as in effect on the date
     hereof;
 
          (j) Terminate or unilaterally fail to renew any existing insurance
     coverage or bonds;
 
          (k) Amend or modify its charter or bylaws;
 
          (l) Declare or pay any cash or property dividends or distributions;
     provided that Bank may pay a cash dividend on Bank Stock in an amount not
     to exceed $250,000 for the quarter ending December 31, 1995, $375,000 for
     the quarter ending March 31, 1996 and $375,000 for the quarter ending June
     30, 1996 if the Purchase and Assumption is not consummated by such date,
     and dividends at a rate equal to $1,000,000 for the month ending July 31,
     1996 and $1,250,000 for each of the months ending August 31, 1996 and
     September 30, 1996, which amounts shall be pro rated for each day after
     July 1, 1996 that the Closing Date does not occur;
 
          (m) Declare or distribute any stock dividend, effect any stock split,
     or authorize, issue, or make any distribution of its capital stock or any
     other securities, grant or issue any right or option to acquire any such
     additional securities, or effect any recapitalization, exchange, or
     reclassification of shares;
 
          (n) Merge with or into, consolidate with, any other Person;
 
          (o) Except as contemplated by Section 6.11, make any direct or
     indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any of its Equity
     Interests;
 
          (p) Except for the Branch under construction or to be constructed at
     Crossroads in Henderson, Nevada, make any capital expenditures, including
     any capitalized lease obligation, in amounts individually in excess of
     $50,000 or in the aggregate in excess of $100,000;
 
          (q) Make any new loan having a principal amount of $2,000,000 or more,
     increase the principal amount of any outstanding loan to $2,000,000 or more
     or make any commitment for any such loan or increase; provided, however,
     that Buyer shall be deemed to have consented in writing to any such loan,
     increase or commitment if it has not declined to give its consent within
     three (3) Business Days after receipt by Buyer of a request for such
     consent, accompanied by all of the credit information used by the Bank in
     determining to approve such loan or commitment; provided, that Sellers will
     cause Bank, promptly after the making thereof by Bank, to supply Buyer with
     all reasonably requested information concerning loans in amounts less than
     $2,000,000 but greater than $1,000,000;
 
          (r) Make any investments or enter into any derivative contracts except
     investments made in the ordinary course of business for terms of up to one
     year and in amounts of $100,000 or less or investments made in the ordinary
     course of business with terms of ten Business Days or less;
 
          (s) Authorize or incur any long term debt (other than deposit
     liabilities and Federal Home Loan Bank advances incurred in the ordinary
     course of business, consistent with past practices);
 
                                      A-21

<PAGE>
 
          (t) Mortgage, pledge or subject to lien or other encumbrance any of
     its assets or of any assets of its Bank Subsidiaries, except in the
     ordinary course of business;
 
          (u) Sell or otherwise dispose of any of its or the Bank Subsidiaries'
     assets or properties other than in the ordinary course of business;
 
          (v) Make any capital contribution to any Subsidiary; or
 
          (w) Agree (by contract or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing;
 
     6.3  Regulatory Approvals: Consents of Third Parties.
 
     (a) During the period prior to the Closing, Buyer, Purchaser, Sellers and
Bank shall cooperate, in preparing, submitting and filing all applications for
all Requisite Regulatory Approvals, and obtaining such Requisite Regulatory
Approvals and taking such other actions as may be required by Applicable Laws or
court or administrative proceedings with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain
such approvals and to accomplish such actions as expeditiously as possible. As
promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, Buyer and Sellers
shall prepare, submit and file or cause to be filed the applications for
Requisite Regulatory Approvals set forth on Schedule 1.1(k). Buyer and Sellers
shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent practicable each
will consult the other on, in each case subject to Applicable Laws relating to
the exchange of information, all the information which appears in any filing
made with, or written materials submitted to, any third party or any
Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement other than any portion of such filings or submissions that are
customarily accorded confidential treatment. In exercising the foregoing right,
each of the parties hereto shall act reasonably and as promptly as practicable.
The parties hereto agree that they will consult and cooperate with each other
with respect to the obtaining of all Requisite Regulatory Approvals and consents
or approvals of third parties necessary or advisable to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each party will keep the other
apprised of the status of matters relating to completion of the transactions
contemplated herein. Each of the Sellers and Buyer shall use reasonable efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary to comply promptly with all
legal requirements which may be imposed on such party or the Bank and the
Subsidiaries with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and, subject
to the conditions set forth in Article 7 hereof, to consummate such
transactions. Buyer will furnish to Parent all information concerning Buyer and
Purchaser required for inclusion in a proxy statement or statements to be sent
to the shareholders of Parent or in any statement or application made by Parent
in connection with obtaining any Requisite Regulatory Approvals to be obtained
by it pursuant to this Agreement.
 
     (b) Each party shall, upon request, furnish each other with all information
concerning themselves, their subsidiaries, directors, officers and shareholders
and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection
with any statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of any
party or any of their respective subsidiaries to any Governmental Entity in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
     (c) The parties shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain all approvals,
waivers and/or consents of third parties required to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (it being understood that Sellers shall be
responsible for obtaining all such approvals, waivers and consents from such
parties with whom Bank or any of the Subsidiaries is in contractual privity to
the extent necessary to consummate the Purchase and Assumption). If any required
consent of or waiver by such third parties (excluding Governmental Entities) is
not obtained prior to the Closing, the parties, each without cost, expense or
liability to the other shall cooperate in good faith to develop an alternative
arrangement to achieve the economic results intended, and the failure to obtain
such consent or waiver shall not constitute a failure to satisfy any condition
to Closing set forth in Article 7 of this Agreement, unless material to the
transactions contemplated hereby.
 
                                      A-22

<PAGE>
 
     (d) Each party represents that at the date hereof, it does not know of any
facts that would reasonably cause it to believe that all Requisite Regulatory
Approvals could not be obtained and agrees not to take any action or enter into
any agreement or arrangement that reasonably would be expected to delay or
jeopardize its ability to obtain such Requisite Regulatory Approvals; provided,
however, (i) that nothing herein shall require Buyer to agree to any conditions
to the consummation of the Purchase and Assumption imposed by any Governmental
Entity with jurisdiction over the Purchase and Assumption that are, individually
or together with any other conditions, reasonably deemed by Buyer in good faith
to be unreasonably burdensome upon Buyer or the Purchaser ("Buyer's Burdensome
Conditions") and (ii) that nothing herein shall require Sellers to agree to any
conditions to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement imposed by any Governmental Entity that are, individually or together
with any other condition, reasonably deemed by Parent in good faith to be
unreasonably burdensome upon Sellers or Bank ("Sellers' Burdensome Conditions").
 
     (e) To the extent that the assignment of any contract or any license,
permit, approval or qualification issued or to be issued by any government or
agency or instrumentality thereof relating to the business of the Bank or the
Purchased Assets to be assigned to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement shall
require the consent of any other party, this Agreement shall not constitute a
contract to assign the same if an attempted assignment would constitute a breach
thereof. Sellers and Bank shall use their reasonable efforts at the expense of
Buyer, and shall cooperate with Purchaser where appropriate, to obtain any
consent necessary to any such assignment. If any such consent is not obtained,
then Sellers and the Bank shall cooperate with Buyer and Purchaser at the
expense of Buyer in any reasonable arrangement requested by Purchaser designed
to provide to Purchaser the benefits under any such contract, license, permit,
approval or qualification, including enforcement of any and all rights of the
Bank against the other party thereto arising out of breach or cancellation
thereof by such other party or otherwise. Sellers and Bank shall obtain the
consent of Buyer before incurring any expense in connection with the foregoing
terminations or consents.
 
     (f) At the reasonable request of Buyer, the Bank will give notice to
terminate any Contract to be included in the Purchased Assets, provided that the
Bank shall not be required to terminate any such Contract (i) if it believes
that such termination may unreasonably disrupt the operation of the business of
Bank or any Bank Subsidiary and (ii) unless it obtains satisfactory
indemnification from Buyer and the Purchaser, which shall survive the
termination of this Agreement, against any related costs or liabilities. Sellers
and Bank shall obtain the consent of Buyer before incurring any expense in
connection with the foregoing terminations or consents.
 
     6.4  Public Announcements. Parent and Buyer shall consult with each other
before issuing any press releases or otherwise making any public statements with
respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither
of them shall issue or permit any Affiliate to issue any such press release or
make any such public statement prior to such consultation unless reasonably
satisfactory to the other parties hereto, except as may be required by law or by
the rules or regulations of any Governmental Entity or securities exchange.
 
     6.5  Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Sellers, Bank and Buyer shall, and shall cause Purchaser to, do all
things reasonably necessary or desirable and within their control to effect the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and cause their respective
Affiliates to take such action as is contemplated hereby or required hereunder.
 
     6.6  Notification of Certain Matters. Each party shall give prompt notice
to the other party of (a) the occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event or
existence of any condition that would be likely to cause any of its
representations or warranties contained in this Agreement to be untrue or
inaccurate in any material respect on the Closing Date, and (b) any failure on
its part to comply with or satisfy, in any material respect, any covenant,
condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this
Agreement.
 
                                      A-23

<PAGE>
 
     6.7  Corporate Records, Contracts and Financial Statements. From the date
hereof through the Closing Date:
 
          (a) Bank will promptly furnish Buyer with copies of the minutes of
     each meeting of the shareholder or directors (including committees) of Bank
     or the Bank Subsidiaries held after the date of this Agreement and any
     Material Contract entered into after the date of this Agreement.
 
          (b) Bank will promptly provide Buyer with copies of all regularly
     prepared monthly board reports substantially in the same form as prepared
     at the date of this Agreement and quarterly financial statements of Bank
     and the Bank Subsidiaries for each month and quarterly period ending
     between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date. Such financial
     statements shall be verified by the chief financial officer of Bank and
     will be prepared in accordance with GAAP or applicable regulatory
     accounting principles, except for the omission of normal recurring year-end
     audit adjustments (if any) and notes thereto.
 
     6.8  Delivery of Records at Closing. At or prior to the Closing, to the
extent not otherwise located at any Branch or Operating Site, Sellers shall
deliver to Buyer all Records (other than corporate minutes and organizational
documents) of the Bank and Bank Subsidiaries.
 
     6.9  Shareholder Approval. Parent shall call a meeting of its shareholders
in conformance with California law to be held as soon as practicable, but in any
event prior to July 17, 1996, for the purpose of voting on the approval of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and shall direct that this
Agreement and Purchase and Assumption be submitted to a vote at that meeting.
The board of directors of Parent shall recommend shareholder approval of this
Agreement and such transactions and use its best efforts to solicit from
Parent's shareholders proxies in favor thereof, except to the extent, based upon
the advice of counsel, the board of directors of Parent determines in good faith
that to do so would or is likely to violate its fiduciary duties under
applicable law. Neither Parent, nor any director, officer, representative or
agent thereof, will directly or indirectly, solicit, authorize the solicitation
of or, except to the extent based on the advice of counsel the board of
directors of Parent determines in good faith that failure to do so would or is
likely to violate its fiduciary duties under applicable law, enter into any
discussions with any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group
(other than Buyer) concerning any offer or possible offer (an "Acquisition
Proposal") (i) to purchase any shares of common stock, any option or warrant to
purchase any shares of common stock, any securities convertible into any shares
of such common stock, or any other equity security of Bank (ii) to purchase,
lease or otherwise acquire the assets of Bank or any Bank Subsidiary except in
the ordinary course of business, or (iii) to merge, consolidate or otherwise
combine with Bank or any Bank Subsidiary (an "Acquisition Event"). If any
corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group makes an offer or
inquiry to Sellers or Bank or any Bank Subsidiary concerning any of the
foregoing, Sellers, Bank or such Bank Subsidiary will promptly disclose such
offer or inquiry, including the terms thereof, to Buyer.
 
     6.10  Resignations. Sellers shall obtain the resignations, to be effective
at the Closing, of the directors of the Bank Subsidiaries.
 
     6.11  Taxes. Immediately prior to the Closing Date, Sellers shall make a
cash payment to Bank which shall constitute a Purchased Asset, in an amount
equal to the amount set forth on Schedule 6.11 ("Deferred Tax Amount"). It is
agreed that for purposes of Schedule 6.11, that the contingent tax liability
related to real estate shall not exceed the total contingent tax liability
recorded on the books of Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries. Sellers will, upon
filing of their consolidated Tax Return for the year including the Closing Date,
disclose to Buyer the actual Deferred Tax Amount claimed on said return
("Claimed Amount"). If the Claimed Amount is more than 10% greater or less than
the Deferred Tax Amount shown on Schedule 6.11, then, within 30 days after
filing such return (i) Sellers shall pay to Buyer such amount if greater than
the amount shown on Schedule 6.11 and (ii) Buyer shall pay to Sellers such
amount if less than the amount shown on Schedule 6.11, said payments to be in
immediately available funds.
 
                                      A-24

<PAGE>
 
     6.12  Termination and Amendment of Certain Employee Benefit Plans. At the
request of Buyer, Sellers and the Bank shall use their reasonable efforts, at
the sole cost and expense of Buyer, with respect to the following Employee
Benefit Plans, to terminate the following plans and to the extent necessary
under the terms of the Plans, obtain consent of participants in each for lump
sum distributions:
 
          (i) The Executive Deferral Plan;
 
          (ii) The Director Deferral Plan;
 
          (iii) The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, I;
 
          (iv) The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan II;
 
          (v) Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan; and
 
          (vi) Severance Agreement for Sherman Miller.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a condition of Buyer's obligation
to consummate the Purchase and Assumption that the above-referenced Employee
Benefit Plans are terminated or that the consents of participants for lump sum
distributions are obtained. Sellers shall obtain the consent of Buyer before
incurring any expense in connection with the foregoing terminations.
 
     6.13  Amendment of Contracts. Sellers and Bank shall their reasonable
efforts to take such actions as may be necessary to (i) amend the Agent Bank
Agreement between Bank and National City Bank dated January 3, 1994, as of the
Closing Date, on terms acceptable to the Buyer, to clarify that the
non-competition and/or termination provisions of such contract will not prevent
any of Buyer's Affiliates from issuing credit cards in any state, and (ii) to
terminate as of the Closing Date the contracts listed on Schedule 6.13.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a condition of Buyer's obligation
to consummate the Purchase and Assumption that the Agent Bank Agreement be
amended or the Contacts set forth on Schedule 6.13 be terminated as of the
Closing Date. Sellers shall obtain the consent of Buyer before incurring any
expense in connection with the foregoing terminations.
 
     6.14  Employees. As of the Closing Date, Buyer shall cause Purchaser to
employ each Employee who is employed by the Bank on the day before the Closing
Date. The Assumed Liabilities shall include, among other things, all obligations
of Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries for compensation, wages, bonuses, severance
pay, vacation time, pay in lieu of vacation, sickness and accident benefits,
leaves of absence and similar employee benefits provided by Bank or the Bank
Subsidiaries to the Employees prior to the Closing Date and any obligations
relating to the termination of employment of any such Employee as of the Closing
Date or thereafter.
 
                                   ARTICLE 7.
 
                             CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
 
     7.1  Reciprocal Conditions. The obligations of each of the Sellers, Bank,
Buyer and Purchaser to effect the Closing shall be subject to the following
conditions which, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, may be waived in
writing by such party as a condition to its own obligations:
 
          (a) No legal administrative, arbitration, investigatory or other
     proceedings by any Governmental Entity shall have been instituted and, on
     what otherwise would have been the Closing Date, remain pending, to
     restrain or prohibit in any material respect the transactions contemplated
     by this Agreement, nor shall there be in effect on such date an injunctive
     order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction restraining or
     prohibiting in any material respect the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement.
 
          (b) All Requisite Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained or
     made and shall remain in full force and effect, and all necessary waiting
     periods under Applicable Law shall have
 
                                      A-25

<PAGE>
 
     expired; except in any case for matters not material to the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement. All other material statutory or regulatory
     requirements for the valid consummation of the transactions contemplated by
     this Agreement shall have been satisfied, including any filings required to
     be made under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
     amended, and the expiration of any waiting periods thereunder or under the
     Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or the Savings and Loan
     Holding Company Act or otherwise.
 
          (c) All approvals or consents of any other third party required in
     order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
     have been obtained and remain in full force and effect, except in any case
     for matters not material to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
     and except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 6.3(c).
 
          (d) This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have
     been approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of the percentage of
     the outstanding shares of Parent required for approval of this Agreement in
     accordance with the provisions of Parent's Articles of Incorporation and
     the California General Corporations Law.
 
     7.2  Conditions to Buyer's Obligations. The obligations of Buyer and
Purchaser to effect the Closing shall be subject to the following additional
conditions which may be waived in writing by Buyer:
 
          (a) The representations and warranties of Sellers contained in this
     Agreement shall be true in all material respects as of the date of this
     Agreement and on the Closing Date with the same effect as though made at
     such time; Sellers and Bank shall have performed all obligations and
     complied in all material respects with all covenants and conditions
     required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them at or
     prior to the Closing Date; and Sellers and Bank shall have delivered to
     Buyer and Purchaser a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed in
     their respective names and on their respective behalf by their respective
     chief executive officer and principal financial officer to the foregoing
     effect to the best knowledge of such officers;
 
          (b) Opinions of O'Melveny & Myers, counsel to Sellers and Bank, and of
     Sellers' in-house counsel, covering the matters contemplated by Exhibit C-1
     and C-2, respectively, shall have been delivered to Buyer;
 
          (c) During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Closing
     Date, there shall not have been any material adverse change in Bank and the
     Bank Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or any injunctions, orders, judgments
     or decrees which are material to Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries taken as a
     whole and Buyer shall have received a certificate dated the Closing Date
     signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of
     Bank attesting to such fact to the best knowledge of such officers;
 
          (d) In connection with any Requisite Regulatory Approvals, no Buyer's
     Burdensome Conditions shall be imposed.
 
          (e) Bank shall have duly authorized, executed, and delivered to the
     Purchaser the Bill of Sale dated as of the Closing Date.
 
     7.3  Conditions to Sellers' Obligations. The obligation of Sellers and Bank
to effect the Closing shall be subject to the following additional conditions
which may be waived in writing by Sellers:
 
          (a) The representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this
     Agreement shall be true in all material respects as of the date of this
     Agreement and on the Closing Date with the same effect as though made at
     such time; Buyer and Purchaser shall have performed all obligations and
     complied with all material covenants and conditions required by this
     Agreement to be performed or complied with by them at or prior to the
     Closing Date; and Buyer shall have delivered to Sellers a certificate,
     dated the Closing Date and signed in its name and on its behalf
 
                                      A-26

<PAGE>
 
     by its chief executive and principal financial officer to the foregoing
     effect to the best knowledge of such officers;
 
          (b) Opinion of Buyer's General Counsel or Senior Counsel, covering the
     matters contemplated by Exhibit D, shall have been delivered to Sellers;
     and
 
          (c) In connection with any Requisite Regulatory Approvals, no Sellers'
     Burdensome Conditions shall be imposed.
 
          (d) The Purchaser shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered
     to the Bank the Assumption Agreement dated as of the Closing Date.
 
                                   ARTICLE 8.
 
                                  TAX MATTERS
 
     8.1  Liability for Taxes.
 
     (a) Liability of Sellers. SC and, to the extent permitted by Applicable
Law, Parent and Bank shall be liable for and indemnify Buyer and Purchaser
against all Taxes imposed with respect to the Purchased Assets (i) for any
taxable year or period that ends on or before the Closing Date or (ii) with
respect to any taxable year or period beginning before and ending after the
Closing Date, the portion of such taxable year or period ending on and including
the Closing Date, except to the extent such Taxes are accrued on the balance
sheet of the Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries contained in the Financial
Statements as of October 31, 1995, adjusted to reflect (1) payments or refunds
made or received by Bank or the Bank Subsidiaries after October 31, 1995 and
prior to the Closing Date, (2) payments under Section 6.11, (3) previous
payments or refunds under this Article 8, and (4) accruals for Taxes related to
operations subsequent to October 31, 1995 and prior to the Closing Date.
 
     (b) Liability of Buyer. Buyer shall be liable for and indemnify the Sellers
and Bank against all Taxes imposed with respect to the Purchased Assets for (i)
any taxable year or period that begins after the Closing Date and (ii) with
respect to any taxable year or period beginning before and ending after the
Closing Date, the portion of such taxable year beginning on the day after the
Closing Date.
 
     (c) Accrued Refunds. Buyer shall be entitled to receive any Tax refunds
related to Bank or the Bank Subsidiaries which constitute Tax receivables
accrued on the balance sheet of the Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries contained in
the Financial Statements as of October 31, 1995, adjusted to reflect (1) refunds
received by Bank or the Bank Subsidiaries after October 31, 1995 and prior to
the Closing Date, (2) payments under Section 6.11, and (3) previous payments or
refunds under this Article 8.
 
     (d) Accrued Payments. To the extent that Taxes are accrued on the balance
sheet of the Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries contained in the Financial
Statements as of October 31, 1995, adjusted to reflect (1) payments or refunds
made or received by Bank or the Bank Subsidiaries after October 31, 1995 and
prior to the Closing Date, (2) payments under Section 6.11, (3) previous
payments or refunds under this Article 8, and (4) accruals for Taxes related to
operations subsequent to October 31, 1995 and prior to the Closing Date, Buyer
shall be obligated to make payments for such Taxes.
 
     8.2  Survival. The obligations of the parties under this Article 8 shall
survive until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (or any
extension).
 
     8.3  Transfer Taxes. All stamp, transfer, documentary, sales, use,
registration and other such taxes and fees (including any penalties and
interest) incurred in connection with the Purchase and Assumption Option
(collectively, the "Transfer Taxes") shall be paid by Purchaser and Bank shall
 
                                      A-27

<PAGE>
 
properly file on a timely basis all necessary tax returns and other
documentation with respect to any Transfer Tax.
 
     8.4  Tax Cooperation. Buyer and Purchaser shall: (a) cooperate fully in
preparing for any audits of or disputes with taxing authorities regarding, any
Taxes imposed on Bank or the Bank Subsidiaries with respect to matters arising
prior to the Closing Date or Taxes imposed on Sellers or Bank as a result of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) make available to the
other and to any taxing authority, as reasonably requested by Sellers and Bank,
all information, records and documents relating to Taxes imposed on Bank or the
Bank Subsidiaries with respect to matters arising prior to the Closing Date or
Taxes imposed on Sellers or Bank as a result of the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby; and (c) provide timely notice to Parent in
writing of any pending or threatened audits or assessments relating to Taxes
imposed on the Bank or the Bank Subsidiaries with respect to matters arising
prior to the Closing Date. Sellers, Bank, Purchaser and Buyer shall each (y)
cooperate in the preparation of any Tax Returns which the other is responsible
for preparing and filing; and (z) furnish the other with copies of all
correspondence received from any taxing authority in connection with any audit
or information request with respect to Taxes imposed on the Bank or the Bank
Subsidiaries with respect to matters prior to the Closing Date.
 
                                   ARTICLE 9.
 
              TERMINATION/SURVIVAL/INDEMNIFICATION/TERMINATION FEE
 
     9.1  Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either of the
parties, if the Closing has not yet occurred, on the Final Termination Date
(unless the failure of such occurrence shall be due to the failure of the party
seeking to terminate this Agreement to perform or observe all of the agreements
contained herein required to be performed or observed prior to the Closing),
unless extended by the written consent of Sellers and Buyer, and this Agreement
may be terminated at any other time prior to the Closing Date as follows and in
no other manner:
 
          (a) by consent of the parties evidenced by their written agreement;
 
          (b) by Sellers and Bank or by Buyer, as the case may be, upon written
     notice to the other, if the Bank Regulators, or any other Governmental
     Entity having jurisdiction over the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement, shall notify Buyer or Sellers in writing that by its final
     determination it will refuse to grant an approval or consent to any
     material aspect of the transactions necessary to the consummation thereof,
     unless within 30 days after receipt of notice of such action, the party
     against whom the action was taken shall agree to submit or resubmit an
     application to, or appeal the decision of the Bank Regulator or
     Governmental Entity which denied or refused to grant approval thereof;
 
          (c) by Sellers and Bank upon written notice of termination to Buyer if
     Buyer shall not have filed applications with the Bank Regulators, for
     approval of the Purchase and Assumption by March 22, 1996, unless Buyer's
     failure to file such applications shall be primarily the result of a breach
     of Sellers' covenants under Section 6.3 hereof;
 
          (d) by Sellers and Bank upon written notice of termination to Buyer if
     any event occurs which makes it impossible to satisfy, by the Final
     Termination Date, one or more of the conditions to the obligations of
     Sellers set forth in Section 7.1 or 7.3, and such failure is not waived by
     Sellers;
 
          (e) by Buyer upon written notice of termination to Sellers and Bank if
     any event occurs which makes it impossible to satisfy, by the Final
     Termination Date, one or more of the conditions to the obligations of Buyer
     set forth in Section 7.1 or 7.2, and such failure is not waived by Buyer;
 
        (f) by Buyer pursuant to Section 9.7; and
 
                                      A-28

<PAGE>
 
          (g) by Buyer upon written notice of termination to Sellers and Bank if
     Bank shall not have filed or attempted to file in good faith applications
     with the Bank Regulators set forth on Schedule 9.1(g) by March 22, 1996.
 
     Any such termination shall be without liability to either party, provided
that no such termination shall relieve a party of liability for default in the
performance of any of its obligations or breach of any of its representations
and warranties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Agreement is terminated
for any reason other than as set forth in clause (e) above or Section 9.7, Buyer
shall reimburse Bank for all expense incurred by Bank pursuant to Section 6.12
and 6.13.
 
     9.2  Survival of Representations and Warranties. Except for covenants with
respect to obligations to be performed post-Closing, the respective
representations and warranties and covenants of Sellers, Bank and Buyer
contained herein shall survive for a period of one year after the Closing Date;
provided, however, that any representations and warranties contained in Section
4.11, the covenants of SC and Bank set forth in Section 9.3(c), the covenants
set forth in Section 9.5 and Section 9.6 and the covenants of the parties set
forth in Section 6.14 and Article 8 shall survive the Closing or until the
expiration of any applicable statutes of limitation (as extended). Following
such termination of such representations and warranties and covenants, no party
shall have any liability whatsoever with respect thereto.
 
     9.3  Indemnification.
 
     (a) From and after the Closing Date, each Seller and Bank shall indemnify
Buyer and Purchaser and hold Buyer and Purchaser harmless from and against any
and all Loss that Buyer may suffer, incur or sustain to the extent arising out
of (i) any breach of any representation or warranty made by such Sellers
pursuant to Article 4 of this Agreement, and (ii) any breach of any agreement to
be performed by Sellers or Bank pursuant to this Agreement.
 
     (b) From and after the Closing Date, Buyer and Purchaser shall indemnify
Sellers and Bank and hold them harmless from and against any and all Loss that
either Sellers or Bank may suffer, incur or sustain to the extent arising out of
(i) any representation or warranty made by Buyer pursuant to Article 5 of this
Agreement, (ii) any breach of any agreement to be performed by Buyer or
Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, and (iii) the Assumed Liabilities (except
to the extent such Loss is as a result of a breach of any representation or
warranty made by Sellers pursuant to Article 4 of this Agreement or any breach
of any Agreement to be performed by Sellers or Bank pursuant to this Agreement).
 
     (c) From and after the Closing Date, SC and Bank shall indemnify Buyer and
Purchaser and hold them harmless against any and all Losses relating to or
arising out of the Retained Liabilities. In no event shall SC's or Bank's
obligations hereunder in the aggregate exceed $175,000,000.
 
     (d) To exercise its indemnification rights under Section 9.3 as the result
of the assertion against it of any claim or potential liability for which
indemnification is provided, the indemnified party shall promptly notify the
indemnifying party of the assertion of such claim, discovery of any such
potential liability or the commencement of any action or proceeding in respect
of which indemnity may be sought hereunder. The indemnified party shall afford
the indemnifying party the opportunity, at the indemnifying party's sole cost
and expense, to defend against such claims for liability. In any such action or
proceeding, the indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at its own expense
unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party mutually agree to
the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such suit action,
or proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying
party and the indemnified party, and in the reasonable judgment of the
indemnified party, based upon a written opinion of counsel, representation of
the indemnifying party and the indemnified party by the same counsel would be
inadvisable due to conflicts of interests between them.
 
     (e) The indemnified party shall have the right to settle or compromise any
claim or liability subject to indemnification under Section 9.3, and to be
indemnified from and against all Loss
 
                                      A-29

<PAGE>
 
resulting therefrom, unless the indemnifying party, within 30 calendar days
after receiving written notice of the claim or liability in accordance with
Section 9.3(d) above, notifies the indemnified party that it intends to defend
against such claim or liability and undertakes such defense, or, if required in
a shorter time than 30 calendar days, the indemnifying party makes the requisite
response to such claim or liability asserted. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
neither Buyer nor Bank shall be entitled to settle or compromise any claim or
liability arising out of the Real Estate Liabilities without the written consent
of SC, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
 
     (f) The indemnified party shall at all times use its reasonable efforts (at
the indemnifying party's expense) to mitigate the Loss for which the
indemnifying party may be liable pursuant to this Agreement. With respect to any
matter for which the indemnifying party may be liable pursuant to the provisions
of this Agreement, the indemnified party shall (at the indemnifying party's
expense) diligently pursue (including, without limitation, the commencement and
pursuit of litigation) any and all rights and remedies under agreements and
contracts, including, without limitation, insurance policies, with third parties
pursuant to which the indemnified party has rights of recourse or is indemnified
or the beneficiary of a guaranty.
 
     (g) Sellers and Bank shall not be required to indemnify Buyer or Purchaser
under Section 9.3(a) unless the aggregate of all amounts for which indemnity
would otherwise be payable thereunder by Sellers exceed $1,000,000, and in such
event Sellers shall be responsible only for the amount in excess of such
$1,000,000. In no event shall Sellers' obligations under Section 9.3(a) exceed
$5,000,000.
 
     (h) Buyer and Purchaser shall not be required to indemnify Sellers or Bank
under Section 9.3(b) (i) or (ii) unless the aggregate of all amounts for which
indemnity would otherwise be payable thereunder by Buyer exceed $1,000,000, and
in such event Buyer shall be responsible only for the amount in excess of such
$1,000,000. In no event shall Buyer's and Purchaser's obligations under Sections
9.3(b) (i) and 9.3(b)(ii) exceed $5,000,000 and in no event shall Buyer's
obligations under Section 9.3(b) (iii) exceed $175,000,000 less any amounts paid
by Purchaser or any of its successors and assigns with respect thereto.
 
     (i) Any amounts payable by an indemnifying party hereunder shall be net of
the dollar amount of any insurance proceeds recovered by the indemnified party
with respect to such Loss.
 
     (j) The remedies provided in Article 8 and in this Article 9 shall
constitute the sole and exclusive remedy with respect to the matters set forth
in Section 9.3.
 
     9.4  Confidentiality Agreement. The Confidentiality Agreement shall
terminate on the Closing Date, other than with respect to any Evaluation
Material (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement) concerning Parent, SC or
the Real Estate Subsidiaries.
 
     9.5  Limitations on Dividends from SC, Etc. SC and Bank shall not, and
Parent shall not permit SC or Bank (i) to pay a dividend to Parent or loan the
proceeds of this transaction to Parent in any manner that would cause SC or Bank
to be unable to satisfy its obligations under Sections 8.1(a) or 9.3(c), (ii)
sell SC or otherwise transfer, merge, consolidate or dissolve SC (other than to
or with Bank) or (iii) sell or subject to Encumbrance or otherwise dispose of
any of SC's or Bank's assets other than to SC or Bank unless the proceeds of
such sale, Encumbrance or disposition are retained by SC or Bank or used by SC
or Bank to satisfy its obligations under Sections 8.1(a) or 9.3(c). In the event
that, notwithstanding the foregoing, SC or Bank is unable to satisfy its
obligations under Sections 8.1(a) and 9.3(c) as a result of the payment of a
dividend or loan to Parent or the actions taken in subclauses (ii) or (iii),
Parent shall promptly repay to Bank and SC the amount which Bank or SC are
unable to pay as a result of the payment of such dividends or loan or the
actions taken in subsection (i) or (ii).
 
     9.6  Insurance Claims.
 
     (a) To the extent that any policies of insurance of Sellers provide defense
and/or indemnity for claims or losses which occurred with respect to Bank prior
to the Closing Date, Buyer and
 
                                      A-30

<PAGE>
 
Purchaser will have the right to manage such claims/losses and receive any
protection afforded thereunder. Buyer shall promptly notify Parent, SC and Bank
of all material events which have occurred in connection with the prosecution of
such claims.
 
     (b) At the request of Buyer, Sellers shall use their reasonable efforts to
amend any of Sellers' insurance policies in effect on the date hereof which
provide for coverage only on a "claims made" basis to an "occurrence" basis or
to provide for an extended discovery period thereunder (in either case for a
period not less than seven years following the Closing Date) for Bank
liabilities that are based on acts or omissions occurring on or prior to the
Closing Date, the cost of which shall be the responsibility of Purchaser and
Buyer. In addition, Parent shall provide to Buyer a certified copy of each such
policy. Sellers shall advise Buyer before incurring any out of pocket expense
related to any such amendment.
 
     (c) Nothing in this Article 9 shall be deemed to limit or supercede any
insurance coverage available to or provided on behalf of any party hereto.
 
     (d) Buyer shall cause each Bank Subsidiary to make all claims for Losses
which any Bank Subsidiary may suffer, incur or sustain with respect to matters
covered by insurance policies for which Bank is the insured and which are
disclosed on Schedule 4.13 of which a Bank Subsidiary is aware and in effect on
or prior to the Closing Date and shall do all such things as may be reasonably
requested in connection with the prosecution of such claims. Buyer shall
promptly notify Parent and SC of any such claims which have been filed and of
all material events which occur in connection with the prosecution of such
claims.
 
     9.7  Termination Fee. If (a) an Acquisition Proposal is made, (b) the board
of directors of the Parent fails to recommend shareholder approval of this
Agreement or withdraws or modifies such recommendation in a manner adverse to
Buyer, and (c) either (i) this Agreement is not approved by the affirmative vote
of the holders of the percentage of the outstanding shares of Parent required
for approval of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Parent's
Articles of Incorporation and the California General Corporations Law, or (ii)
the meeting of shareholders of the Parent at which approval of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby is sought does not occur on or before
August 16, 1996, or (d) an Acquisition Event occurs prior to termination of this
Agreement, then Buyer may terminate this Agreement by written notice of
termination to Sellers and Bank, whereupon no party shall have any liability to
any other party except that Sellers shall pay to Buyer, within ten Business Days
after receipt by Sellers of Buyer's written notice of termination or the
occurrence of an Acquisition Event, the amount of $5,250,000, plus documented
expenses incurred by Buyer in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated herein, including reasonable accounting and legal fees
(for a total of all expenses not to exceed $1,250,000) such payments to be in
immediately available funds to an account or accounts specified in writing by
Buyer to Seller.
 
                                   ARTICLE 10
 
                             EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
     Each person who is an employee of Bank as of the Closing Date ("Bank
Employees") shall be eligible for participation in the employee welfare and
retirement plans of Buyer, as in effect from time to time, as follows:
 
     (a) Employee Welfare Benefit Plans. Each Bank Employee shall be eligible
for participation in the employee welfare benefit plans of Buyer listed below
subject to any eligibility requirements applicable to such plans (but not
subject to any pre-existing conditions or exclusions except for the Norwest Long
Term Care Plan) and shall enter each plan not later than the first day of the
calendar quarter which begins at least 32 days after the Closing Date, provided,
however, that until the effective date of coverage for Bank Employees under the
Buyers' employee welfare benefit plans listed below, the employee welfare
benefit plans of Bank, as in effect prior to the Closing Date, shall
 
                                      A-31

<PAGE>
 
be maintained for the benefit of Bank Employees on the terms and conditions
previously in effect, including with respect to employer contributions, to
ensure that no gap in coverage occurs:
 
                   Medical Plan
                   Dental Plan
                   Vision Plan
                   Short Term Disability Plan
                   Long Term Disability Plan
                   Long Term Care Plan
                   Flexible Benefits Plan
                   Basic Group Life Insurance Plan
                   Group Universal Life Insurance Plan
                   Dependent Group Life Insurance Plan
                   Business Travel Accident Insurance Plan
                   Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan
                   Severance Pay Plan
                   Vacation Program
 
For the purpose of determining each Bank Employee's benefits for the year in
which the Closing occurs under Buyer's vacation program, vacation taken by a
Bank Employee in the year in which the Purchase and Assumption occurs will be
deducted from the total Buyer's benefit. After the Closing Date, Bank Employees
will be subject to Buyer's Vacation Program in accordance with the terms of that
Program, with full credit for years of past service to Bank and the Bank's
Subsidiaries. For purposes of the Short Term Disability Plan and Severance
Policy, Bank Employees will receive full credit for years of past service with
Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries. Each Bank Employee whose employment is
terminated on or after the Closing Date shall be eligible to receive benefits
under Buyer's Severance Pay Plan on the terms and conditions stated therein with
full credit for years of past service with Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries.
 
     Bank Employees shall not be entitled to past service credit with regard to
retiree medical benefits.
 
     (b) Employee Retirement Benefit Plans.
 
     Each Bank Employee shall be eligible for participation in the Norwest
Savings Investment Plan (the "SIP"), subject to any eligibility requirements
applicable to the SIP (with full credit for years of past service to Bank to the
extent such service was credited in the Bank 401(k) for the purpose of
satisfying any eligibility and vesting periods applicable to SIP), and shall
enter the SIP not later than the first day of the calendar quarter which begins
at least 32 days after the Closing Date.
 
     Each Bank Employee shall be eligible for participation in the Norwest
Pension Plan under the terms thereof with full credit for years of past service
to Bank and the Bank Subsidiaries to the extent such service was credited in the
Bank Pension Plan for the purpose of satisfying any eligibility and vesting
periods applicable to the Norwest Pension Plan (but not for benefit purposes).
 
                                  ARTICLE 11.
 
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
 
     11.1  Expenses; Attorneys' Fees. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, each party shall bear its own expenses and all fees and out-of-pocket
expenses of outside counsel, independent public accountants, investment bankers,
brokers, finders and other consultants shall be paid or provided for by the
party employing such person; provided that Buyer shall be responsible for any
additional costs incurred in connection with any transaction contemplated by
Buyer after the Purchase and Assumption and Sellers shall be responsible for the
out-of-pocket expenses of outside counsel, independent public accountants,
investment bankers, brokers, finders and other
 
                                      A-32

<PAGE>
 
consultants incurred prior to the Closing Date by Bank in connection with this
Agreement, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement; provided further
Buyer shall reimburse Sellers for any and all documented out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by Sellers or Bank, including reasonable legal and accounting fees and
expenses, in connection with (i) Sellers' or Bank's efforts to obtain the
regulatory approvals set forth in Schedule 1.1(k) required to be obtained by
Sellers or Bank and the approvals, waivers and/or consents of third parties
required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement but not
the Acquisition Agreement and (ii) the Bank ceasing to be regulated as an
insured depository institution or savings and loan association. Sellers shall
use their reasonable efforts to consult with Buyer before incurring any expenses
referred to in the last proviso.
 
     11.2  Amendments. The provisions of this Agreement and any Exhibit or
Schedule attached hereto (or agreement entered into concurrently herewith) may
be amended or waived only in writing by agreement of the parties hereto except
as otherwise provided by law.
 
     11.3  Schedules; Exhibits. Each Schedule and Exhibit delivered in
connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
constitute a part of this Agreement, although such Schedule or Exhibit need not
be attached to each copy of this Agreement. Disclosure of any fact or item in
any Schedule referenced by a particular section of this Agreement shall be
deemed to have been disclosed for any and all purposes under this Agreement. The
specification of any dollar amount in the representations and warranties
contained in this Agreement or the inclusion of any specific items in any
Schedules hereto is not intended to imply that such amounts, or higher or lower
amounts, or the items so included or other items, are or are not material, and
neither party shall use the fact of the setting of such amounts or the inclusion
of any such item in any dispute or controversy between the parties as to whether
any obligation, item or matter not described herein or included in a Schedule,
or otherwise, is or is not material for purposes of this Agreement. Unless
otherwise specified, definitions given to terms in this Agreement or the
Exhibits and Schedules shall apply to all parts of this Agreement including the
Exhibits and Schedules.
 
     11.4  Integration. To the extent provided in Section 9.4, this Agreement
supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings of the parties in
connection herewith or with respect to the subject matter hereof.
 
     11.5  Governing Law. This Agreement, the legal relations between the
parties and the adjudication and the enforcement thereof shall be governed by
and interpreted and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the
State of California, and, to the extent applicable, federal law.
 
     11.6  Notices. All notices hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be
deemed given when (a) delivered in person, (b) transmitted by telecopy, provided
that any notice so given is also mailed as provided in clause (c), or (c) mailed
by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
addressed as follows:
 
           If to Buyer:
 
               Norwest Corporation
               Norwest Center
               Sixth and Marquette
               Minneapolis, MN 55479-1026
               Attention: Secretary
 
           If to Sellers:
 
               Southwest Gas Corporation
               5241 Spring Mountain Road
               Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
               Attention: Chief Financial Officer
 
                                      A-33

<PAGE>
 
           With a copy to:
 
               O'Melveny & Myers
               400 South Hope Street
               Los Angeles, California 90071-2899
               Telecopy: (213) 669-6407
               Attention: Frances E. Lossing, Esq.
 
     11.7  No Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder may be
assigned by any party without the written consent of the other parties hereto;
provided, however, that the Buyer and the Purchaser may assign their respective
rights and obligations (other than Buyer's obligation to pay or cause to be paid
the Purchase and Assumption Purchase Price) hereunder to each other or any of
Buyer's direct or indirect subsidiaries; provided, however, that Buyer shall
guarantee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Sellers, the performance of the
obligations of any of its assignees under this Agreement or any of the Related
Documents.
 
     11.8  Headings. The descriptive headings of the sections of this Agreement
are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this
Agreement.
 
     11.9  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
 
     11.10  Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any Governmental Entity, the remaining
provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, provided
that the essential terms and conditions of this Agreement for both parties
remain valid, binding and enforceable.
 
     11.11  Alternative Dispute Resolution. If a dispute arises between the
parties relating to this Agreement, the following procedure shall be implemented
before either party pursues other available remedies, except that either party
may seek injunctive relief from a court, where appropriate, in order to maintain
the status quo while this procedure is being followed:
 
          (a) The parties shall meet within ten days after either party notifies
     the other party in writing of the existence of a dispute to attempt in good
     faith to negotiate a resolution of the dispute. The meeting shall be
     attended by persons with authority to settle the dispute; provided,
     however, that no such meeting shall be deemed to vitiate or reduce the
     obligations and liabilities of the parties or be deemed a waiver by either
     party of any remedies to which such party otherwise would be entitled.
 
          (b) If within 15 days after such meeting, the parties have not
     succeeded in negotiating a resolution of the dispute, the dispute shall be
     determined by arbitration. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance
     with the United States Arbitration Act (Title 9, U.S. Code) and under the
     Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association; provided,
     however, that with respect to Section 30, failure of any party to appear or
     respond in the arbitration proceeding shall result in a default award
     against such party. The arbitrator(s) shall give effect to statutes of
     limitation in determining any claim. Any controversy concerning whether an
     issue is arbitrable shall be determined by the arbitrator(s). The award
     rendered by the arbitrator(s) shall set forth findings of the facts and
     conclusions of law and shall be final, and the judgment may be entered in
     any court having jurisdiction thereof. A failure by the arbitrator(s) to
     make findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be grounds for
     overturning the award.
 
          (c) In any arbitration proceeding, the arbitrator(s) is (are)
     authorized to apportion costs and expenses, including investigation, legal
     and other expense, which will include, if applicable, a reasonable estimate
     of allocated costs and expense or in-house legal counsel and legal staff.
     Such costs and expenses are to be awarded only after the conclusion of the
     arbitration and will not be advanced during the course of such arbitration.
 
                                      A-34

<PAGE>
 
          (d) Any arbitration hereunder shall take place in the City of Las
     Vegas, Nevada, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date first above written.
 
                                          SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION:
 
                                          /s/  MICHAEL O. MAFFIE
                                          Name: Michael O. Maffie
                                          Title: President and CEO
 
                                          /s/  FAYE J. RINGLER
                                          Name: Faye J. Ringler
                                          Title: Assistant Corporate Secretary
 
                                          THE SOUTHWEST COMPANIES:
 
                                          /s/  MICHAEL O. MAFFIE
                                          Name: Michael O. Maffie
                                          Title: President and CEO
 
                                          /s/  FAYE J. RINGLER
                                          Name: Faye J. Ringler
                                          Title: Assistant Corporate Secretary
 
                                          PRIMERIT BANK, FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK:
 
                                          /s/  DAN J. CHEEVER
                                          Name: Dan J. Cheever
                                          Title: President and CEO
 
                                          /s/  HARRY E. HINDERLITER
                                          Name: Harry E. Hinderliter
                                          Title: Executive Vice President, Chief
                                             Administrative Office & General
                                             Counsel
 
                                          NORWEST CORPORATION:
 
                                          /s/  LES BILLER
                                          Name: Les Biller
                                          Title: Executive Vice President
 
                                      A-35

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
 
                              ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
 
     ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT made as of           , 19  by
                              , an                corporation (the "Purchaser").
 
     WHEREAS, Norwest Corporation has entered into an Agreement dated as of
          , 1996 (the "Purchase Agreement"), among PriMerit Bank, Federal
Savings Bank, a federal savings bank (the "Bank"), The Southwest Companies, a
Nevada corporation, and Southwest Gas Corporation, a California corporation,
which Purchase Agreement provides, inter alia, for the sale to the Purchaser of
the Purchased Assets (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and the due
execution and delivery of this Assumption Agreement by the Purchaser at the
Closing (as defined in the Purchase Agreement);
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Purchaser hereby agrees as follows:
 
     1. Definitions.  Any capitalized term used herein which is not defined
herein but is defined in the Purchase Agreement shall have the meaning specified
in the Purchase Agreement.
 
     2. Assumption.  The Purchaser hereby assumes and agrees to pay and
discharge in accordance with their terms the Assumed Liabilities. With respect
to any legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceeding, claim, action or
governmental or regulatory investigation of any nature against or affecting
Bank, or any of the Bank Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or
assets existing on the date of this Assumption Agreement or subsequently brought
or threatened with respect to or arising out of, or alleged to be with respect
to or arising out of, actions taken or not taken prior to the date of this
Assumption Agreement, other than with respect to the Retained Liabilities, the
Purchaser shall defend and hold Bank and Sellers harmless.
 
     3. Further Assurances.  The Purchaser shall, from time to time after the
delivery of this Agreement, at the Bank's request and without further
consideration, take all steps reasonably necessary to assume the Assumed
Liabilities, and shall execute and deliver such other instruments of assumption
and take such action as the Bank or any applicable third party may reasonably
require more effectively to assume the Assumed Liabilities.
 
     4. Notices.  Any notice, request or other document to be given with respect
hereto shall be given in the manner specified in Section 11.6 of the Purchase
Agreement.
 
     5. Severability.  If any provision of this Assumption Agreement shall be
declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal or unenforceable,
the other provisions shall not be affected, but shall remain in full force and
effect.
 
     6. Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Purchaser has caused this Assumption Agreement to
be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above
written.
 
                                          --------------------------------------
 
                                          By:
                                          --------------------------------------
 
                                          Its:
                                          --------------------------------------
 
                                      A-36

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
 
                                  BILL OF SALE
 
     BILL OF SALE made as of             , 19  by PriMerit Bank, Federal Savings
Bank, a federal savings bank (the "Bank").
 
     WHEREAS, the Bank has entered into an Agreement, dated as of             ,
1996 (the "Purchase Agreement"), among the Bank, Norwest Corporation ("Norwest")
and others, which Purchase Agreement provides, inter alia for the sale by the
Bank to                          , a wholly-owned bank or thrift subsidiary of
Norwest (the "Purchaser") of the Purchased Assets (as defined in the Purchase
Agreement) and the due execution and delivery of this Bill of Sale by the Bank
to the Purchaser at the Closing (as defined in the Purchase Agreement);
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Bank hereby agrees as follows:
 
     1. Definitions.  Any capitalized term used herein which is not defined
herein but is defined in the Purchase Agreement shall have the meaning specified
in the Purchase Agreement.
 
     2. Transfer of the Purchased Assets.  The Bank hereby sells, conveys,
assigns, transfers and delivers to the Purchaser, its successors and assigns,
all of the Bank's right, title and interest in and to the Purchased Assets, to
have and to hold, and all of the Purchased Assets are hereby sold, conveyed,
assigned, transferred and delivered to the Purchaser, its successors and
assigns, forever. The only representations and warranties made in connection
with this Bill of Sale are those expressly set forth in and subject to the terms
of, the Purchase Agreement.
 
     3. Further Assurances.  The Bank shall, from time to time after the
delivery of this Bill of Sale, at the Purchaser's request and without further
consideration, take all steps reasonably necessary to put the Purchaser, or its
successors or assigns, in actual possession and control of the Purchased Assets,
and shall execute and deliver such other instruments of conveyance and transfer,
consents, bills of sale, assignments, releases, powers of attorney and
assurances and take such action as the Purchaser may reasonably require more
effectively to sell, convey, assign, transfer and deliver the Purchased Assets.
 
     4. Notices.  Any notice, request or other document to be given with respect
hereto shall be given in the manner specified in Section 11.6 of the Purchase
Agreement.
 
     5. Severability.  If any provision of this Bill of Sale shall be declared
by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal or unenforceable, the other
provisions shall not be affected, but shall remain in full force and effect.
 
     6. Governing Law.  This Bill of Sale shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Bank has caused this Bill of Sale to be executed by
its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.
 
                                          PriMerit Bank, Federal Savings Bank
 
                                          By:
                                          --------------------------------------
 
                                          Its:
                                          --------------------------------------
 
                                      A-37

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT C-1
 
             MATTERS TO BE COVERED IN OPINION OF O'MELVENY & MYERS
                     (SUBJECT TO CUSTOMARY QUALIFICATIONS)
 
     a. The Agreement and Related Documents have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of Parent, SC and Bank and have been duly
executed and delivered by Parent, SC and Bank. The Agreement constitutes a
legally valid and binding obligation of each of Parent, SC and Bank, enforceable
against each of them in accordance with its terms, except as limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
relating to or affecting purchasers' or creditors' rights generally (including
rights of purchasers or creditors of depository or insured institutions), and
except that the enforceability of the Agreement is subject to the effect of
general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible
unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, regardless of
whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
 
     b. The execution and delivery by Parent, SC and Bank of, and performance on
or before the date of the opinion of their respective obligations under, the
Agreement and Related Documents do not (i) violate the articles of incorporation
or bylaws of Parent or SC or the charter or bylaws of Bank, (ii) violate any
California or federal statute, rule or regulation that such counsel would, in
its experience, reasonably recognize as directly applicable to Parent, SC or
Bank or to transactions of the type contemplated by the Agreement and Related
Documents, (iii) violate, breach or result in a default under, result in the
creation or imposition of any Encumbrance upon any of the assets of Parent, SC
or Bank or result in the ability to accelerate, any Material Contract (after
receipt of all consents referred to in Schedule 4.3), or (iv) breach or
otherwise violate any existing obligation of Parent, SC or Bank under any order,
judgment or decree of any court or governmental authority binding on Parent, SC
or Bank and identified to such counsel by Parent in a certificate, a copy of
which will be delivered with the opinion. Such counsel need express no opinion
with respect to the effect of the performance by Parent or SC or its obligations
in the Agreement on Parent's, SC's or Bank's compliance with financial covenants
contained in any of the Material Contracts referred to above.
 
     c. All Requisite Regulatory Approvals required to be obtained by Parent, SC
and Bank in order to permit the consummation of the Purchase and Assumption have
been obtained and are in full force and effect, and no other orders, consents,
permits or approvals of any California or federal governmental authority that
such counsel would, in its experience, reasonably recognize as directly
applicable to Parent, SC or Bank or to transactions of the type contemplated by
the Agreement and related Documents are required to be obtained by Parent, SC or
Bank for the execution and delivery by Parent, SC and Bank of, and performance
on or before the date of the opinion of their respective obligations under, the
Agreement and Related Documents.
 
     Except for the matters set forth in Schedule 4.7 or in such counsel's
opinion letter, such counsel has not, since January 1, 1995, given substantive
attention on behalf of Bank or any of the Subsidiaries to, or represented Bank
or any of the Subsidiaries in connection with, any actions, suits or proceedings
pending or threatened against Bank or any of the Subsidiaries before any court,
arbitrator or governmental agency. Such counsel may state that its engagement is
limited to specific matters as to which it is consulted by Bank or the
Subsidiaries.
 
                                      A-38

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT C-2
 
             MATTERS TO BE COVERED IN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO SELLERS
                     (SUBJECT TO CUSTOMARY QUALIFICATIONS)
 
     a. Each of Parent and SC has been duly incorporated and is validly existing
in good standing under the laws of the State of California and Nevada,
respectively, with corporate power and corporate authority to enter into and
consummate the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.
 
     b. Bank has been duly incorporated and is validly existing in good standing
under the laws of the United States and has been authorized by the Office of
Thrift Supervision to conduct the business of a federal savings bank; Bank has
the corporate power and corporate authority to enter into and consummate the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement and the Purchase and Assumption; Bank
is a member in good standing of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and
the savings accounts of the depositors in the Bank are insured by the Savings
Association Insurance Fund of the FDIC in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the FDIC.
 
     c. Each of the Subsidiaries has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation.
 
                                      A-39

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT D
 
              MATTERS TO BE COVERED BY OPINION OF COUNSEL TO BUYER
                     (SUBJECT TO CUSTOMARY QUALIFICATIONS)
 
     a. Buyer has been duly incorporated and is validly existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware, with corporate power and corporate authority to enter
into and consummate the transactions contemplated by the Agreement. Purchaser
has been duly incorporated and is validly existing under the laws of the United
States with corporate authority to consummate the transaction contemplated by
the Agreement.
 
     b. The Agreement and the Related Documents have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of Buyer and Purchaser and have been duly
executed and delivered by Buyer and Purchaser. The Agreement constitutes a
legally valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
purchasers' or creditors' rights generally and except that the enforceability of
the Agreement is subject to the effect of general principles of equity
including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good
faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance
or injunctive relief, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity
or law.
 
     c. The execution and delivery by Buyer and Purchaser of, and performance on
or before the date hereof of their obligations under, the Agreement and Related
Documents do not (i) violate the respective certificate of incorporation or
charter or bylaws of Buyer and Purchaser, (ii) violate any state or federal
statute, rule or regulation that such counsel would, in its experience,
reasonably recognize as directly applicable to Buyer and Purchaser or to
transactions of the type contemplated by the Agreement and Related Documents, or
(iii) breach or otherwise violate any existing obligation of Buyer and Purchaser
under any order, judgment or decree of any court or governmental authority
binding on Buyer and Purchaser and known to such counsel upon due inquiry of
appropriate officers of Buyer and Purchaser.
 
     d. All Requisite Regulatory Approvals required to be obtained by Buyer and
Purchaser in order to permit the consummation of the Purchase and Assumption
have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and no other orders,
consents, permits or approvals of any state or federal governmental authority
that such counsel would, in its experience, reasonably recognize as directly
applicable to Buyer and Purchaser or to transactions of the type contemplated by
the Agreement and Related Documents are required to be obtained by Buyer and
Purchaser for the execution and delivery by Buyer and Purchaser of, and
performance on or before the date of the opinion of its obligations under the
Agreement and Related Documents.
 
                                      A-40

<PAGE>



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