COASTAL FINANCIAL CORP /DE
8-K, 1999-11-12
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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<PAGE> 1


                                  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) November 4, 1999
                                                         ----------------


                          COASTAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                          -----------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                   0-19684                   57-0925911
          --------                   -------                   ----------
(State or other Jurisdiction of    (Commission               (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)     File Number)              Identification No.)

               2619 Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577
               ---------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (843) 448-5151
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not Applicable
                                 --------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)








<PAGE> 2



ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.
         -------------

      On November 4, 1999, Coastal Federal Savings Bank, Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant, and First Federal
Savings & Loan Association of Cheraw, Cheraw, South Carolina, the wholly-owned
subsidiary of Great Pee Dee Bancorp, Inc., entered into a definitive agreement
providing for the sale of Coastal Federal's branch office located in Florence,
South Carolina. The deposits of the Florence branch totaled approximately $23
million as of the date of the agreement.

      A copy of the definitive agreement (without exhibits) is attached as
Exhibit 2.1.

      A copy of the Registrant's press release announcing the definitive
agreement is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER EXHIBITS.
         ---------------------------------------

      Exhibit 2.1 Agreement to Purchase Assets and Assume Liabilities (without
exhibits)

      Exhibit 99.1  Press Release dated November 5, 1999




                                        2

<PAGE> 3



                                   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.


Dated: November 9, 1999            By:   /s/ Michael C. Gerald
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Michael C. Gerald
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer







                                        3

<PAGE> 1






EXHIBIT 2.1  AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE ASSETS AND ASSUME LIABILITIES
             (WITHOUT EXHIBITS)



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











                          AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE ASSETS
                             AND ASSUME LIABILITIES
                                     BETWEEN
                          COASTAL FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
                                       AND
                          FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS & LOAN
                              ASSOCIATION OF CHERAW


                             DATED: NOVEMBER 4, 1999








THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS AN ARBITRATION PROVISION PURSUANT TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNIFORM ARBITRATION ACT, S.C. CODE SECTIONS 15-48-10 ET. SEQ.
- -------------------------------------------------------------




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




<PAGE> 2



               AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE ASSETS AND ASSUME LIABILITIES
                      BETWEEN COASTAL FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
             AND FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION OF CHERAW

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          Page

Recitals................................................................     1

ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS
1.1   Defined Terms.....................................................     1
1.2   Other Definitional Provisions.....................................     4

ARTICLE II - TERMS OF PURCHASE
2.1   Purchase and Sale of Assets.......................................     4
2.2   Purchase Price....................................................     4
2.3   Names and Marks...................................................     4
2.4   Assumption of Liabilities.........................................     5
2.5   Premium...........................................................     5
2.6   Reimbursement for Target Deposits.................................     6
2.7   Prorations........................................................     6

ARTICLE III - TRANSFER OF ASSETS
3.1   Acceptable Assets.................................................     6
3.2   Cash on Hand......................................................     6
3.3   Loans.............................................................     6
3.4   Records...........................................................     6

ARTICLE IV - CLOSING
4.1   Closing...........................................................     7
4.2   Closing Payment...................................................     7
4.3   Deliveries by Buyer and Seller....................................     8

ARTICLE V - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
5.1   Organization and Authority........................................     8
5.2   Binding Agreement.................................................     8
5.3   Litigation........................................................     9
5.4   Governmental Notices..............................................     9
5.5   Consents..........................................................     9
5.6   Brokers and Finders...............................................     9
5.7   Regulatory Capital and Condition..................................     9
5.8   Government Proceedings............................................     9
5.9   Year 2000 Matters.................................................     9


                                      i

<PAGE> 3


5.10  Community Reinvestment Act........................................    10
5.11  Advise of Changes.................................................    10

ARTICLE VI - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
6.1   Organization and Authority........................................    10
6.2   Binding Agreement.................................................    10
6.3   Litigation........................................................    10
6.4   Title to Assets and Branch Office.................................    10
6.5   Governmental Notices..............................................    11
6.6   Consents..........................................................    11
6.7   Brokers and Finders...............................................    11
6.8   Loans.............................................................    11
6.9   Compliance with Laws..............................................    11
6.10  Deposit Liabilities...............................................    11
6.11  Deposit Insurance.................................................    12
6.12  Regulatory Capital and Condition..................................    12
6.13  Government Proceedings............................................    12
6.14  Community Reinvestment Act........................................    12
6.15  Environmental Proceedings.........................................    12
6.16  Employee Matters..................................................    12
6.17  Advise of Changes.................................................    13

ARTICLE VII - COVENANTS OF BUYER
7.1   Assistance in Obtaining Regulatory Approvals......................    13
7.2   Regulatory Approvals..............................................    13
7.3   Performance of Liabilities........................................    13
7.4   Further Assurances................................................    13
7.5   Consents..........................................................    13
7.6   Due Diligence.....................................................    13
7.7   Use of Seller's Name..............................................    14
7.8   Communications with Customers or Employees........................    14

ARTICLE VIII - COVENANTS OF SELLER
8.1   Access to Records and Information; Personnel; Customers...........    14
8.2   Conduct of Business Pending Closing...............................    14
8.3   Assistance in Obtaining Regulatory Approvals......................    15
8.4   Regulatory Approvals and Consents.................................    15
8.5   Books and Records.................................................    15
8.6   Signs.............................................................    16
8.7   Services and Maintenance Contracts................................    16
8.8   Environmental Matters.............................................    16
8.9   Real Estate, Title and Surveys....................................    16
8.10  Transfer of Data..................................................    17
8.11  Forms.............................................................    18

                                      ii

<PAGE> 4


8.12  Further Assurance.................................................    18
8.13  Covenant Not To Compete...........................................    18
8.14  Best Efforts to Satisfy Conditions................................    19

ARTICLE IX - CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
9.1   Conditions to the Obligations of Seller...........................    19
9.2   Conditions to the Obligations of Buyer............................    20

ARTICLE X - TERMINATION.................................................    22

ARTICLE XI - EMPLOYEES
11.1  Hiring of Employees...............................................    22
11.2  Salaries, Bonuses, etc............................................    23
11.3  Hirings...........................................................    23

ARTICLE XII - OTHER AGREEMENTS
12.1  Checking Deposit Account Owners...................................    23
12.2  Seller and Buyer Processing Duties................................    23
12.3  Returned Items....................................................    24
12.4  Settlement........................................................    24
12.5  Interest Reporting................................................    25
12.6  Notices to Depositors.............................................    25
12.7  Deposit Histories.................................................    25
12.8  ATM Cards.........................................................    25
12.9  Backup Withholding................................................    25
12.10 Electronic Installation...........................................    26

ARTICLE XIII - GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1  Survival..........................................................    27
13.2  Indemnification...................................................    27
13.3  Arbitration.......................................................    28
13.4  Public Announcements..............................................    29
13.5  Incorporation of Exhibits.........................................    29
13.6  Expenses..........................................................    29
13.7  Notices...........................................................    29
13.8  Assignment........................................................    30
13.9  Successors and Assigns............................................    30
13.10 Governing Law.....................................................    30
13.11 Entire Agreement..................................................    30
13.12 Headings..........................................................    30
13.13 Severability......................................................    30
13.14 Waiver............................................................    30
13.15 Amendment.........................................................    30
13.16 Singular and Plural...............................................    31

                                       iii

<PAGE> 5



13.17 Counterparts......................................................    31
13.18 Confidentiality...................................................    31
13.19 Third Parties.....................................................    31



                                       iv


<PAGE> 6



               AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE ASSETS AND ASSUME LIABILITIES

      This Agreement to Purchase Assets and Assume Liabilities (the "Agreement")
                                                                     ---------
is made and entered into this 4th day of November  1999, by and between  Coastal
Federal Savings Bank (the "Seller"),  a federally  chartered  savings bank, with
                           ------
its home office at 2619 Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577 and First
Federal Savings & Loan Association of Cheraw (the "Buyer") a federally chartered
                                                   -----
savings and loan  association  with its principal  office at 515 Market  Street,
Cheraw, South Carolina 29520.

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------


      A. Buyer desires to acquire certain assets and assume certain  liabilities
of Seller and Seller desires to transfer to Buyer such assets and liabilities as
described in detail below.

      B. Buyer and Seller propose to apply to the OTS, as  hereinafter  defined,
and any other  regulatory  agency  for the  requisite  approvals  needed for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

      C. Buyer and Seller wish to consummate the  transactions  contemplated  by
this Agreement in a timely and effective manner.

      In consideration of the foregoing and the  representations,  covenants and
agreements set forth in this Agreement the parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS

      1.1 Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement the following terms have the
          -------------
definitions indicated:

      "Accrued  Deposit  Interest" means interest on Target Deposits accrued but
unposted through the Closing Date.

      "ACH" means automated clearing house.

      "ACH Items"  means ACH debits and  credits,  including  but not limited to
Social Security payments, Federal recurring payments, and other payments debited
and/or  credited  on a regularly  scheduled  basis to or from  Deposit  accounts
pursuant  to  arrangements  between  the owner of the  account and a third party
directly making the credits or debits.

      "Affiliate"  of  a  party  means  any  person,  partnership,  corporation,
association or other legal entity directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by or under common control with that party.

      "Agreement"   means  this   Agreement   to  Purchase   Assets  and  Assume
Liabilities,  and all  Exhibits  hereto  as the same  may  from  time to time be
amended or supplemented by the parties hereto.

                                        1

<PAGE> 7



      "Acceptable Assets" means the building, land, furniture and fixtures, safe
deposit boxes (exclusive of contents) and bank equipment (including ATM), except
software relating to branch teller and platform automation  equipment (which may
be included with the consent of the software providers), as set forth in Exhibit
2.2A at the amount set forth therein.  Acceptable  Assets shall also include (i)
the Lease and (ii) the parcel of land adjacent to the Branch Office as set forth
in more detail in Exhibit 2.2A.

      "ATM" means automated teller machine.

      "Branch  Office" means the banking  office of Seller located at 1385 Alice
Drive in Florence, South Carolina and, except as the context otherwise requires,
shall include the Acceptable  Assets set forth in Exhibit 2.2A and the Loans set
forth in Exhibit 2.2D.

      "Business  Day" means a day on which Seller is open for business and which
is not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday.

      "Cash on Hand" means all petty cash, vault cash, ATM cash, teller cash and
similar cash items located at the Branch Office.

      "Closing" means the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby
on the Closing Date.

      "Closing  Date"  means the date on which the  Closing  occurs  pursuant to
Article IV hereof.

      "Closing  Time" means 11:59 p.m.,  Florence,  South  Carolina  time on the
Closing Date.

      "Closing Payment" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 4.2(a).

      "Depository  Institution"  means any bank or savings  association as those
terms are defined in Sections 3(a)(1) and 3(b)(1),  respectively, of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act, as amended.

      "Deposit,"   "Deposit  accounts"  and  "Deposits"  means  insured  deposit
accounts, as defined in Section 3(m)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as
amended,  without regard to whether the same are collected or uncollected  funds
and without  regard to whether  the balance in any such  account is in excess of
the limit of the amount of FDIC deposit insurance coverage for the account.

      "Encumbrances"  means all  material  mortgages,  claims,  charges,  liens,
encumbrances,  easements,  restrictions,  options,  pledges, calls, commitments,
security interests, conditional sales agreements, title retention agreements and
other material restrictions of any kind.

      "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended.

      "Federal  Funds Rate"  means the  closing  bid price for federal  funds as
quoted in the Wall Street Journal for the date in question.


                                      2

<PAGE> 8



      "FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

      "GAAP"  means  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,   consistently
applied.

      "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

      "Lease" means Seller's leasehold interest pursuant to the lease agreement,
dated  November 1, 1995 by and between  Richard L.  Granger and Coastal  Federal
Savings Bank.

      "Loans"  means  all loans of  Seller  (excluding  any loan 60 days or more
delinquent  or otherwise  on  nonaccural  status as of the Closing  Date) as set
forth in more detail in Exhibit 2.2D.

      "Name"  means  "Coastal  Federal  Savings  Bank,"  including  any logos in
stylized form or the letters in stylized form.

      "OTS" means Office of Thrift Supervision.

      "Premium Amount" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.5.

      "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.2.

      "Records" means (i) records and original documents specifically pertaining
to the Branch Office,  Acceptable Assets and Loans and (ii) records and original
documents specifically relating to the Target Deposits.

      "Reimbursement  for Target  Deposits"  shall have the meaning  assigned in
Section 2.6.

      "Returned Items" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 12.3.

      "Target Cost of Funds Rate" means 5.00%, adjusted for the normal change in
market  interest  rates,  which  shall be  computed  as 50% of the change in the
one-year  Treasury Bill from the rate as of October 4, 1999, which was 5.23%, to
the rate as of the Closing Date. An example of the  calculation  is set forth in
Exhibit 2.5.

      "Target  Deposits"  shall mean the  aggregate  outstanding  balance of all
Deposit  accounts at the Branch Office as of the Closing  Time.  For purposes of
calculating the Premium Amount  pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof,  Target Deposits
shall not include  Accrued Deposit  Interest and the outstanding  balance of any
brokered deposits.


                                       3

<PAGE> 9


      "TIN" means tax identification number.

      1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. The terms defined in Section 1.1 hereof
          -----------------------------
do not comprise all the defined terms contained in this  Agreement.  Capitalized
terms used in this  Agreement  but not defined in Section 1.1 hereof  shall have
the meanings  ascribed to them elsewhere  herein.  Accounting terms used in this
Agreement but not defined  herein shall have the  respective  meanings  given to
them under GAAP.  The words  "hereof",  "herein"  and  "hereunder"  and words of
similar  import when used in this  Agreement  shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and shall not be limited to any particular provision.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                TERMS OF PURCHASE

      2.1 Purchase  and Sale of Assets.  At the Closing and subject to the terms
          ----------------------------
and  conditions  set forth in this  Agreement,  Seller shall convey,  assign and
transfer to Buyer and Buyer shall  purchase  from Seller all of Seller's  right,
title and interest in and to the Branch Office.

      2.2 Purchase Price.  Seller shall pay to Buyer, in cash and at Closing, an
          --------------
amount equal to the  Reimbursement for Target Deposits as defined in Section 2.6
minus an amount (the "Purchase Price") computed as follows:
                      --------------
            (a) A sum  equal  to  the  net  book  value  of the  Branch  Office,
including  the  Acceptable  Assets as set forth in Exhibit 2.2A, as shown on the
books of Seller as of August 31, 1999,  excluding the loans which are dealt with
in Section 2.2(d) below;

            (b) A sum  equal to the  amount  of all  Cash on Hand at the  Branch
Office as of the Closing Time;

            (c) A sum equal to the Premium  Amount called for by Section 2.5, of
which  $250,000  shall be allocated to Seller's  covenants not to compete as set
forth in Section 8.13; and

            (d) A sum equal to the  principal  balance,  including  accrued  but
unpaid  interest,  as of the Closing  Date, of the Loans as set forth in Exhibit
2.2D.

      2.3  Names  and  Marks.  Seller  is  not  selling,  assigning,  conveying,
           -----------------
transferring  or  delivering,  nor shall Buyer acquire any rights to or interest
in: (i) the Name of Seller or any combination or derivation thereof; or (ii) any
logos,  service  marks or  trademarks,  advertising  materials or slogans or any
similar items used before,  on or after the Closing Date by Seller in connection
with its business.


                                      4

<PAGE> 10



      2.4   Assumption of Liabilities.
            -------------------------

            (a)  Target  Deposits.  At the  Closing,  subject  to the  terms and
                 ----------------
conditions  set forth in this  Agreement,  Buyer shall assume  liability for the
payment and performance of Seller's obligations on the Target Deposits as of the
Closing Time in accordance  with the terms of such Target  Deposits in effect at
the Closing Time;  provided,  however,  nothing herein shall preclude Buyer from
thereafter  changing  the terms and  conditions  of such Target  Deposits to the
extent that it can do so in  accordance  with the terms of the  agreements  with
customers  associated with the Target Deposits and in accordance with applicable
law.

            (b) Related Assets and Obligations.  On the Closing Date, Buyer will
                ------------------------------
assume all  obligations of Seller to provide  services  incidental to the Target
Deposits  from and  after  the  Closing  Time,  including  but not  limited  to,
obligations  with  regard to ACH Items  pursuant to the terms of the Records and
other documents  establishing  such customer  relationships,  and Buyer shall be
responsible for modifying the terms of such customer relationships  effective as
of the Closing Time as necessary to conform to Buyer's practices.

            (c) Actions With Respect to IRA and Keogh Plan Deposit  Liabilities.
                ---------------------------------------------------------------
Seller shall (i) resign as of the Closing Time as the  Trustee/Custodian of each
IRA Deposit  Liability and as the  Trustee/Custodian  of each Keogh Plan Deposit
Liability of which it is the Trustee/Custodian,  (ii) to the extent permitted by
the  documentation  governing  each  such IRA or Keogh  Plan,  appoint  Buyer as
successor  Trustee/Custodian of each such IRA or Keogh Plan, and Buyer agrees to
accept each such  trusteeship/custodianship and assume all fiduciary obligations
with respect thereto as of the Closing Time, and (iii) deliver to the grantor or
named fiduciary of each such IRA or Keogh Plan, respectively, such notice of the
foregoing as is required by the documentation governing each IRA or Keogh Plan.

            (d) No  Other  Debts,  Obligations  or  Liabilities  Assumed.  It is
                --------------------------------------------------------
expressly  understood  and agreed that,  except as  expressly  set forth in this
Section  2.4,  Buyer  shall  not  assume  or be  liable  for  any of the  debts,
obligations or liabilities of Seller of any kind and nature whatsoever, known or
unknown,  contingent  or  otherwise,  including,  but not limited to, any tax or
debt, any liability for unfair labor  practices,  any liability or obligation of
Seller  arising out of any  threatened or pending  litigation,  or any liability
with respect to personal  injury or property  damage  claims,  or any  liability
under the Environmental Laws (as defined in Section 6.15).

      2.5 Premium Amount.  Buyer shall pay to Seller a premium, in cash, for the
          --------------
Target  Deposits  and for  Seller's  covenants  not to  compete  as set forth in
Section  8.13,  equal to 8.75%  (the  "Premium  Rate") of the total  outstanding
                                       -------------
balance of the Target  Deposits in the Branch Office as of the Closing Time (the
"Premium Amount"). The Premium Amount shall be paid on the balance of the Target
 --------------
Deposits as of the  Closing  Date,  not to exceed  twenty-four  million  dollars
($24,000,000).  It is anticipated that the cost of funds for the Target Deposits
shall not exceed the Target Cost of Funds Rate. If the cost of funds exceeds the
Target Cost of Funds Rate,  each basis point above the Target Cost of Funds Rate
shall  reduce  the  Premium  Rate by a  factor  of  three.  An  example  of this
calculation is provided in Exhibit 2.5.

                                      5

<PAGE> 11



      2.6  Reimbursement  for  Target  Deposits.  To  compensate  Buyer  for the
           ------------------------------------
assumption of the Target Deposits, Seller shall reimburse Buyer in cash equal to
the aggregate amount of the Target Deposits,  plus Accrued Deposit Interest,  as
of the Closing Time (the "Reimbursement for Target Deposits").
                          ---------------------------------

      2.7  Prorations.  It is the  intention  of the parties  hereto that Seller
           ----------
shall  operate the Branch  Office and Target  Deposits for its own account until
the  Closing  Time and that Buyer  shall  operate  the Branch  Office and Target
Deposits  for its own account from and after the Closing  Time.  Notwithstanding
the preceding sentence, items of income and expense related to the Branch Office
including,  but not limited to, taxes,  including  real estate  taxes,  rentals,
utilities and water and sewage charges,  shall be the  responsibility  of Seller
through the Closing Time and the responsibility of Buyer thereafter. Any charges
for  insurance  assessments  paid to the FDIC on account of the Target  Deposits
shall be prorated based upon the actual  aggregate amount of the Target Deposits
as of the Closing Time. Any items susceptible of being prorated but which cannot
be  prorated by the  Closing  Date shall be  prorated  as soon as the  requisite
information becomes available.  In the event Seller receives,  after the Closing
Time, a refund or rebate of all or any portion of an expense prorated hereunder,
including without  limitation a refund or rebate of FDIC insurance  assessments,
Seller shall pay Buyer a pro rata share of such refund or rebate within five (5)
Business Days of Seller's receipt thereof.

                                   ARTICLE III
                               TRANSFER OF ASSETS

      3.1 Acceptable Assets and Branch Office. At the Closing,  Seller agrees to
          -----------------------------------
assign to Buyer all of Seller's  right,  title and interest in and to the Branch
Office,  including  Acceptable  Assets set forth on Exhibit  2.2A.  Seller shall
cause a bill of sale  substantially  in the form attached  hereto as Exhibit 3.1
and  an  inventory  of the  Acceptable  Assets  effecting  such  transfer  to be
delivered to Buyer and shall cause a general  warranty deed of ownership for the
parcel of real  property  adjacent  to the Branch  Office,  as set forth in more
detail in Exhibit 2.2.A to be delivered to Buyer.

      3.2 Cash on Hand.  At the  Closing  Time,  Seller  agrees  to  execute  an
          ------------
assignment  to Buyer in the form of Exhibit 3.2  effecting the transfer to Buyer
of the Cash on Hand,  which  shall  specify  the  amount  of Cash on Hand at the
Closing Time at the Branch Office.

      3.3  Loans.  At the  Closing,  Seller  agrees  to  assign  to Buyer all of
           -----
Seller's right, title and interest in and to the contracts, agreements and other
documents  related to the Loans as set forth in Exhibit 2.2D. Seller shall cause
an assignment of assets substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 3.3
to be delivered to Buyer.

      3.4 Records. At the Closing, Seller agrees to deliver to Buyer the Records
          -------
related to the Branch  Office and Target  Deposits,  unless Seller has delivered
such Records to Buyer before the Closing Date.


                                      6

<PAGE> 12


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                     CLOSING

      4.1 Closing. The Closing shall take place at the main office of the Seller
          -------
at a time and on a date mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto,  which shall
be within ten (10) Business Days following (i)  satisfaction or waiver of all of
the  pre-closing  conditions  and  conditions  precedent to Closing set forth in
Article  IX  hereof,  (ii)  satisfaction  or  waiver  of all of the  pre-closing
conditions  contained  in any  approval of the OTS or any other state or federal
regulatory  approval  required to be obtained  with respect to the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;  and (iii) expiration of all applicable  waiting
periods. The Closing shall be deemed to occur, and the transaction  contemplated
hereby shall be deemed to be effective, at the Closing Time.

      4.2 Closing Payment. The Closing Payment between Buyer and Seller shall be
          ---------------
made as follows:

      (a) Amount.  Seller shall pay to Buyer an amount (the  "Closing  Payment")
          ------                                              ----------------
equal to the Reimbursement  for Target Deposits  (pursuant to Section 2.6) minus
the Purchase  Price  required to be paid by Buyer  (pursuant to Section 2.2), as
adjusted for pro rata payments pursuant to Section 2.7.

      (b) Method of  Payment.  Because  the  parties  acknowledge  that  certain
          ------------------
amounts to be paid may not be finally determinable until after the Closing Date,
the Closing Payment will be paid as follows:

            (i)   On the Closing  Date,  Seller  will transfer to Buyer, by wire
                  transfer  of  immediately  available  funds,  an amount  which
                  Seller  estimates to be the amount of the Closing Payment (the
                  "Estimated  Closing  Payment") based on Seller's Records as of
                   ---------------------------
                  Seller's  close of  business  on a Business  Day not more than
                  five (5)  Business  Days  prior to the  Closing  Date.  Seller
                  agrees  to  effect  the wire  transfer  payment  provided  for
                  hereunder  by no later  than 2:00 p.m.  on the  Closing  Date,
                  provided all other  conditions  required for  consummating the
                  Closing have been satisfied by no later than 12:00 noon on the
                  Closing Date, and, in the event all other conditions  required
                  for  consummating the Closing have not been satisfied by 12:00
                  noon on the Closing  Date,  Seller agrees to make a good faith
                  reasonable effort to effect the wire transfer payment provided
                  for hereunder  within one hour following the  satisfaction  on
                  the Closing Date of such other conditions.

            (ii)  Not  later  than  ten (10) Business Days following the Closing
                  Date (the  "Provisional  Settlement  Date"),  Seller and Buyer
                              -----------------------------
                  shall  determine the actual Closing Payment and, based on such
                  determination,  Seller shall pay to Buyer,  or Buyer shall pay
                  to Seller, as appropriate,  in immediately  available funds no
                  later than 2:00 p.m. on the date of payment,  by wire transfer
                  effected in accordance  with the written  instructions  of the
                  party  entitled  to receive  payment,  an amount  equal to the
                  difference  between  the  Estimated  Closing


                                        7

<PAGE> 13



                  Payment and the actual  Closing  Payment plus interest on such
                  difference  for the number of days elapsed from but  excluding
                  the Closing Date to and including the  Provisional  Settlement
                  Date, at the Federal Funds Rate on the Closing Date.

            (iii) Buyer  and  Seller  agree  to  recalculate  and   adjust    by
                  appropriate  payment in immediately  available  funds, by wire
                  transfer effected in accordance with the written  instructions
                  of the party  entitled to receive  such  payment,  thirty (30)
                  Business  Days after the Closing  Date (the "Final  Settlement
                                                               -----------------
                  Date"),  the Closing  Payment if the parties  shall  determine
                  ----
                  that  the  amount  previously  paid to  Buyer  as the  Closing
                  Payment  should be  adjusted.  Any  payment  made  based on an
                  adjustment of the Closing Payment by either party to the other
                  shall include interest on the amount of the adjustment for the
                  number of days elapsed from but  excluding the Closing Date to
                  and including the Final  Settlement Date by no later than 2:00
                  p.m. on the date of payment,  at the Federal Funds Rate on the
                  Closing Date.

      4.3  Deliveries  by Buyer  and  Seller.  Delivery  of the  instruments  of
           ---------------------------------
assignment and transfer to be delivered by Seller,  delivery of the  instruments
of  assumption  to be  delivered  by Buyer,  and the other  transactions  herein
contemplated to take place concurrently with such deliveries,  assumptions,  and
payments  shall  take  place at the  Closing.  Any  deliveries,  assignments  or
transfers required under this Agreement, other than the foregoing, shall be made
at the time and date specified in this Agreement or, where not specified, in the
manner and place as may be reasonably  requested in writing by the party that is
to receive such delivery, assignment, or transfer.

                                    ARTICLE V
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

      Buyer represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

      5.1 Organization and Authority. Buyer is a federally chartered savings and
          --------------------------
loan association duly organized,  validly  existing,  and in good standing under
the laws of the United  States,  with full power and  authority  to carry on its
business as now being  conducted and to own and operate the properties  which it
now owns and operates. The execution,  delivery and performance by Buyer of this
Agreement are within Buyer's  corporate power,  have been duly authorized by all
necessary  corporate  action  on the part of  Buyer,  and do not  contravene  or
constitute a default under any  provision of applicable  law or regulation or of
Buyer's charter or bylaws or any judgment,  injunction,  order, decree, material
agreement or material instrument binding upon Buyer.

      5.2  Binding  Agreement.  This  Agreement  is a legal,  valid and  binding
           ------------------
obligation  of  Buyer,  enforceable  in  accordance  with its  terms.  The other
documents  delivered at Closing  will,  on the Closing  Date,  when executed and
delivered,  be legal,  valid and binding  obligations  of Buyer  enforceable  in
accordance with their respective terms,  subject to applicable state and federal
laws and regulations governing Buyer and except as enforceability may be limited
under any applicable


                                      8

<PAGE> 14



law pertaining to bankruptcy, receivership,  reorganization, fraudulent transfer
or  insolvency  or similar laws  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally and to
general principles of equity.

      5.3  Litigation.  There is no action,  suit or proceeding  pending against
           ----------
Buyer or to the knowledge of Buyer threatened against or affecting Buyer, before
any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official which could
materially  adversely  affect the  ability of Buyer to perform  its  obligations
under this  Agreement  or which in any manner  questions  the  validity  of this
Agreement.

      5.4 Governmental  Notices.  Buyer has received no notice and has no reason
          ---------------------
to believe that any federal,  state or other governmental agency would oppose or
not grant or issue its consent or  approval,  if  required,  with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby.

      5.5  Consents.  Buyer has or will  obtain  prior to the  Closing  Date all
           --------
consents,  approvals  or  authorizations  of  all  governmental  authorities  or
agencies or third parties  required for the execution,  delivery and performance
by  Buyer  of this  Agreement  and the  consummation  by it of any  transactions
contemplated hereby.

      5.6  Brokers, Finders and Advisors. Buyer will pay the expenses related to
           -----------------------------
any broker,  finder,  financial  advisor,  legal counsel,  accountant or similar
agent engaged by Buyer in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions
contemplated herein and Buyer will indemnify Seller from any such costs.

      5.7  Regulatory  Capital and  Condition.  Buyer is in compliance  with all
           ----------------------------------
applicable  capital standards as of the date hereof and has no reason to believe
that it will be unable to  obtain  the  required  regulatory  approvals  for the
transactions  contemplated  herein  solely as a result of its  current  level of
regulatory capital.

      5.8  Government Proceedings.  As of the date hereof, there are no pending,
           ----------------------
or  to  the  best  of  Buyer's  knowledge,   threatened  legal  or  governmental
proceedings  against Buyer or any  affiliate of Buyer that would affect  Buyer's
ability to obtain the  required  regulatory  approvals  or to satisfy any of the
other   conditions   required  to  be  satisfied  in  order  to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated hereby.

      5.9  Year 2000 Matters.  Buyer  has  completed  a review  of its  computer
           -----------------
systems to identify  systems that could be affected by the "Year 2000" issue and
reasonably  believes  it has  identified  all such Year 2000  problems.  Buyer's
management  has  developed  and  commenced  implementation  of a plan  which  is
designed to complete any required  initial  changes to its computer  systems and
has completed  testing of those changes.  Between the date of this Agreement and
the Closing Date, Buyer shall use commercially  practicable efforts to implement
and/or  continue to  undertake  such plan.  Year 2000 issues are not  reasonably
expected to prevent Buyer's ability to obtain the required regulatory  approvals
or to  satisfy  any of the  conditions  required  to be  satisfied  in  order to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                      9

<PAGE> 15



      5.10 Community  Reinvestment  Act. The most recent CRA rating  received by
           ----------------------------
Buyer was not less than "satisfactory."

      5.11  Advise of Changes.  Between  the date  hereof and the Closing  Date,
            -----------------
Buyer shall promptly  advise Seller in writing of any fact which, if existing or
known  as of the  date  hereof,  would  have  made  any  of the  representations
contained herein inaccurate or untrue in any material respect.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

      Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

      6.1 Organization and Authority.  Seller is a federally  chartered  savings
          --------------------------
bank duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
United  States,  with full power and  authority  to carry on its business as now
being  conducted  and to own and  operate the  properties  which it now owns and
operates.  The execution,  delivery and  performance by Seller of this Agreement
are within Seller's  corporate power, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate  action  and do not  contravene  or  constitute  a  default  under any
provision of applicable  law or  regulation or of Seller's  charter or bylaws or
any  judgment,   injunction,  order,  decree,  material  agreement  or  material
instrument  binding upon Seller or to which any of the assets to be  transferred
hereby are subject to or result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance
on the Branch Office.

      6.2  Binding  Agreement.  This  Agreement  is a legal,  valid and  binding
           ------------------
obligation of Seller  enforceable  in accordance  with its terms,  and the other
documents  delivered at Closing  will,  on the Closing  Date,  when executed and
delivered,  be legal,  valid and binding  obligations  of Seller  enforceable in
accordance with their  respective  terms subject to applicable state and federal
laws and  regulations  governing  Seller and all laws  pertaining to bankruptcy,
receivership,  reorganization,  fraudulent  transfer or  insolvency or affecting
creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity.

      6.3  Litigation.  There is no action,  suit or proceeding  pending against
           ----------
Seller,  or to the knowledge of Seller  threatened  against or affecting Seller,
before any court or  arbitrator  or any  governmental  body,  agency or official
which relates to the Branch Office taken as a whole  (including  the  Acceptable
Assets,  Loans and the Target  Deposits),  the  ability of Seller to perform its
obligations  under this  Agreement,  or in any manner  questions the validity of
this Agreement.

      6.4  Title to Assets and Branch Office.  Seller has  acquired,  and on the
           ---------------------------------
Closing Date Buyer will acquire,  good and  marketable  title to the  Acceptable
Assets and Loans, free and clear of all  Encumbrances.  Delivery to Buyer of the
instruments  of transfer of ownership  contemplated  by this Agreement will vest
good and marketable title to the Acceptable  Assets and Loans in Buyer, free and
clear of all Encumbrances.  The Branch Office is in good operating condition and
repair, normal wear and tear excepted, does not have any material defects and is
served by all reasonably necessary utilities.  Seller enjoys peaceful possession
of all of the Branch Office.  The Branch Office is in conformity in all material
respects  with all  zoning  ordinances  applicable  to it and all  certificates,


                                      10

<PAGE> 16



licenses and permits  required for the lawful use and occupancy of such property
have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

      6.5 Governmental Notices.  Seller has received no notice and has no reason
          --------------------
to believe that any federal,  state or other governmental agency would oppose or
not grant or issue its consent or  approval,  if  required,  with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby.

      6.6  Consents.  Seller has or will obtain  prior to the  Closing  Date all
           --------
consents,  approvals  or  authorizations  of  all  governmental  authorities  or
agencies or third parties  required for the execution,  delivery and performance
by Seller  of this  Agreement  and the  consummation  by it of any  transactions
contemplated hereby.

      6.7  Brokers, Finders and other Advisors.  All costs for services provided
           -----------------------------------
by any broker, finder,  financial advisor, legal counsel,  accountant or similar
agent hired by Seller in connection  with this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  herein will be paid by Seller and Seller will indemnify Buyer from
any such costs.

      6.8  Loans. Each Loan and every extension of credit made pursuant thereto,
           -----
and all actions in connection  therewith,  comply in all material  respects with
all applicable lending laws. To the best of Seller's  knowledge,  each Loan: (i)
is a legal,  valid and  binding  obligation  of the  obligor,  maker,  co-maker,
guarantor,  endorser or debtor (such Persons  referred to herein as  "Obligors")
                                                                      --------
thereof or thereunder and is evidenced by legal,  valid and binding  instruments
(such  instruments,  which  will be  delivered  to  Buyer on the  Closing  Date,
referred  to  herein  as the  "Loan  Instruments")  executed  by the  respective
                               -----------------
Obligors,  each of whom at the time of such  execution had capacity to contract,
and any signature on any Loan Instrument is the true signature of the Obligor on
the loan involved;  (ii) is enforceable in accordance  with its terms (except as
enforceability  may be  limited  by  bankruptcy  laws and other  laws of similar
nature relating to creditors' rights);  and (iii) is not subject to any defense,
counterclaim  or set-off of any kind. Each Loan may be assigned to Buyer without
the approval or consent of Obligor. Within five (5) Business Days of the Closing
Date,  Seller  will have  delivered  to Buyer the  originals  of all of the Loan
Instruments,  including  without  limitation  the  promissory  notes  and  other
documentation relating to the Loans.

      6.9 Compliance  with Law. The business and operations of the Branch Office
          --------------------
are being  conducted in all material  respects in accordance with all applicable
laws, rules, and regulations of all authorities,  including without  limitation,
the Federal  Truth-in-Lending Act and all regulations  pertaining to the receipt
of customer  information  required by state and federal law concerning  taxpayer
identification numbers, social security numbers and the like.

      6.10  Deposit Liabilities. All of the Deposit accounts were originated and
            -------------------
are in material  compliance  with the  documents  governing the relevant type of
Deposit account and all applicable  federal and state laws, rules,  regulations,
orders, judgments,  injunctions, decrees and awards. Seller has properly accrued
interest on the Target  Deposits and the records  respecting the Target Deposits
accurately reflect such accruals of interest. The aggregate dollar amount of the
Target Deposits,  including unpaid accrued interest, is equal to or greater than
$23 million as of the date of this


                                      11

<PAGE> 17



Agreement. Seller has delivered to Buyer a true and complete copy of each of the
documents  governing  the Target  Deposits  and a true and  correct  copy of the
current account forms for each of the types of Target Deposits offered by Seller
out of the Branch Office.

      6.11  Deposit Insurance.  The Deposit accounts of Seller are insured up to
            -----------------
applicable limits by the FDIC, as provided by law.

      6.12  Regulatory  Capital and Condition.  Seller is in compliance with all
            ---------------------------------
applicable  capital standards as of the date hereof and has no reason to believe
that it will be unable to  obtain  the  required  regulatory  approvals  for the
transactions  contemplated  herein  solely as a result of its  current  level of
regulatory capital.

      6.13  Government Proceeding.  As of the date hereof,  there are no pending
            ---------------------
or,  to the  best  of  Seller's  knowledge,  threatened  legal  or  governmental
proceedings against Seller or any affiliate of Seller that would affect Seller's
ability to obtain the  required  regulatory  approvals  or to satisfy any of the
other   conditions   required  to  be  satisfied  in  order  to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated hereby.

      6.14 Community Reinvestment Act. The most recent rating from the Office of
           --------------------------
Thrift Supervision  received by Seller under the Community  Reinvestment Act was
not less than "satisfactory."

      6.15 Environmental Proceedings.  Seller has not used the Branch Office for
           -------------------------
the purpose of, nor has Seller  caused any surface or  subsurface  contamination
due to, the manufacture, generation, handling, storage, disposal or treatment of
any hazardous,  toxic or dangerous  substance,  waste or material  (specifically
including for purposes of this  Agreement any petroleum or crude oil or fraction
thereof,  friable  asbestos  or  asbestos-containing  material,  polychlorinated
biphenyls or urea formaldehyde  foam insulation),  defined as such in, regulated
by or for the  purpose  of, or in  violation  of,  any  federal,  state or local
environmental laws, rules, codes, regulations, orders or directives of any kind,
including   without   limitation  the  Comprehensive   Environmental   Response,
Compensation  and Liability  Act, as amended,  12 U.S.C.  9601 et seq.,  and the
                                                               -------
Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended,  42 U.S.C. 6921 et.
                                                                             ---
seq.  (collectively,  the  "Environmental  Laws");  and to the best of  Seller's
- ----                        -------------------
knowledge,  neither  Seller  not its  agents  have  received  any  notice of any
asserted  present or past  failure by Seller or by any tenant under any lease or
by any other prior tenant of owner to comply with any  Environmental  Law or any
rule or  regulation  adopted  pursuant  thereto  in  connection  with the Branch
Office.

      6.16 Employee  Matters.  There are no employment  contracts between Seller
           -----------------
and any of the  employees  of the  Branch  Office.  Seller is not a party to any
contract or arrangement with any union relating to the business conducted at the
Branch Office, and Seller is not aware of any pending  organizational efforts at
the  Branch  Office.  To the  best of  Seller's  knowledge,  there  has  been no
indication to Seller that a union organizational  effort or labor disturbance is
likely at the Branch Office prior to the Closing Date. To the extent required by
law, as of the Closing Date, Seller will have provided all required notification
under the Consolidated  Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation  Act

                                      12

<PAGE> 18



of 1985  ("COBRA") to all former  employees of Seller at the Branch Office after
           -----
the Closing Date and to all other persons who became  "qualified  beneficiaries"
under COBRA with respect to any group health plans  maintained by Seller for its
employees, and Seller will have provided any required COBRA coverage to all such
former  employees and other  qualified  beneficiaries  of Seller who elect COBRA
coverage  within  the  time  period  specified  by  COBRA  and  the  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

      6.17  Advise of Changes.  Between  the date  hereof and the Closing  Date,
            -----------------
Seller shall promptly  advise Buyer in writing of any fact which, if existing or
known  as of the  date  hereof,  would  have  made  any  of the  representations
contained herein inaccurate or untrue in any material respect.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                               COVENANTS OF BUYER

      7.1  Assistance in Obtaining Regulatory Approvals. Buyer agrees to use all
           --------------------------------------------
reasonable  efforts  to  assist  Seller in  obtaining  any  regulatory  approval
necessary for Seller to sell the Branch Office, and Buyer will provide to Seller
or the appropriate  regulatory authorities all information within its possession
reasonably required to be submitted by Seller in connection with such approvals.

     7.2  Regulatory Approvals. Within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of
          --------------------
this Agreement,  or as soon thereafter as is practicable,  Buyer shall apply for
approval  of  all  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  to  all
governmental  agencies having  jurisdiction of either Buyer or the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

      7.3  Performance of  Liabilities.  From and after the Closing Time,  Buyer
           ---------------------------
agrees to pay,  to the extent of  sufficient  available  funds on  deposit,  all
properly  drawn  checks  and drafts  timely  presented  to it by mail,  over its
counters or through  clearings by depositors whose deposits or accounts on which
such items are drawn are Target  Deposits,  whether  drawn on the check or draft
forms  provided  by  Seller,  for at least  sixty (60)  calendar  days after the
Closing Date.

      7.4  Further Assurances.  On and after the Closing Date,  Buyer shall give
           ------------------
such further  assurances  to Seller and upon  Seller's  request  shall  execute,
acknowledge and deliver all such  acknowledgments and other instruments and take
such further action as may be necessary and  appropriate to effectively  relieve
and discharge  Seller from any obligations  remaining with respect to the Target
Deposits assumed by Buyer.

      7.5  Consents.  Buyer will use its best  efforts  to obtain all  consents,
           --------
approvals or authorizations of all governmental authorities or agencies or third
parties  required for the execution,  delivery and  performance by Buyer of this
Agreement and the consummation by it of all transactions contemplated hereby.

      7.6  Due Diligence.  During a period of ten (10)  Business  Days after the
           -------------
date of this  Agreement,  Buyer will have the right to  conduct a due  diligence
examination of the Branch Office,

                                      13

<PAGE> 19



including  the right to  interview  Branch  Office  personnel.  Within  five (5)
Business  days of the end of said 10 days,  but no later than November 14, 1999,
Buyer,  may, by written  notice,  terminate this Agreement or indicate any other
conditions  that  must be  satisfied  by  Seller as a  prerequisite  to  Buyer's
consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement.  Seller may
terminate  this  Agreement  upon  receipt of such  notice or may attempt to cure
Buyer's concerns. If Buyer fails to provide such notice on a timely basis, Buyer
shall not be permitted to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.6.

      7.7 Use of Seller's  Name. On and after the Closing Date,  Buyer shall not
          ---------------------
use the name of Seller in any manner in  connection  with the  operation  of the
Branch Office. No activity conducted by Buyer on or after the Closing Date shall
state or imply that Seller is in any way involved as a partner,  joint  venturer
or otherwise in the business of Buyer.

      7.8 Communications with Customers or Employees. Buyer shall not, except as
          ------------------------------------------
otherwise set forth or contemplated  herein or with the prior written consent of
Seller,  communicate  directly or  indirectly  with the  customers of the Branch
Office in any manner  before the Closing  Date.  Buyer and Seller shall agree on
the timing and  general  content of all of Buyer's  communications  directly  or
indirectly  with any  employee  of the Branch  Office in any  manner  before the
Closing Date;  provided,  however,  that Seller shall allow Buyer to communicate
with  employees  of the Branch  Office by not later than the time  notice of the
transaction is given to customers pursuant to Section 12 hereof.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               COVENANTS OF SELLER

      8.1   Access to Records and Information; Personnel; Customers.
            -------------------------------------------------------

            (a) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date,  Seller
shall: (i) afford to Buyer and its authorized  agents and  representatives  full
access, upon twenty-four (24) hours notice, during normal business hours, to the
properties,   operations,   books,  Records,  contracts,   documents  and  other
information  of, or relating to, the Target  Deposits and Branch Office.  Seller
shall  cause  its   personnel  to  provide   assistance   to  Buyer  in  Buyer's
investigation  of matters  relating to the Target  Deposits  and Branch  Office;
provided,  however,  that Buyer's  investigations shall be conducted in a manner
which does not unreasonably interfere with Seller's normal operations, customers
and employee relations.

            (b) Subject to Section 13.4 of this Agreement,  Buyer, with Seller's
prior review, shall, at its own expense, be entitled upon regulatory approval of
the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement to communicate with and deliver
information,  brochures,  bulletins,  press releases and other communications to
Target Deposit accountholders  concerning the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.

      8.2  Conduct  of  Business  Prior to  Closing.  Seller  will  carry on the
           ----------------------------------------
business of the Branch Office diligently and substantially in the same manner as
on the date  hereof,  and Seller will not,  with


                                      14

<PAGE> 20


respect  to  the  Branch  Office,  engage  in  any  one or  more  activities  or
transactions  that are outside the ordinary course of the business of the Branch
Office,  as  conducted  as  of  the  date  hereof,   except  for  activities  or
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

      In addition,  Seller shall use its reasonable efforts: (i) to preserve its
business  operations  as  conducted at the Branch  Office,  (ii) to preserve for
Buyer the goodwill of its  customers  and others doing  business with the Branch
Office;  (iii)  maintain and preserve  intact its  relationship  with the Branch
Office personnel;  and (iv) to cooperate with and assist in assuring the orderly
transition  of such  business  from  Seller to Buyer.  Nothing  herein  shall be
construed as requiring Seller to engage in any activities or efforts outside the
ordinary course of business as presently conducted.

      Except as may be required by  regulatory  authorities,  Seller  shall not,
without the prior consent of Buyer:  (a) transfer to Seller's other branches any
Acceptable  Assets or Loans; (b) transfer to Seller's other branches any Deposit
accounts at the Branch Office except upon the unsolicited request of a depositor
in the ordinary course of business; (c) transfer,  assign, encumber or otherwise
dispose of or enter into any contract, agreement or understanding,  or negotiate
with  any  party  with  respect  to  entering  into  a  contract,  agreement  or
understanding,  to transfer, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of any or all
of the Acceptable Assets, Loans or Target Deposits except in the ordinary course
of business or pursuant  to this  Agreement;  (d) invest in any fixed  assets or
improvements  to the Branch Office which requires  aggregate  future payments in
excess of $2,500; or (e) enter into any new contract, commitment, lease or other
transaction  relating  to the Branch  Office  which  requires  aggregate  future
payments in excess of $2,500.

      8.3 Assistance in Obtaining Regulatory Approvals. Seller agrees to use all
          --------------------------------------------
reasonable  efforts  to  assist  Buyer in  obtaining  all  regulatory  approvals
necessary  to complete the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  and Seller will
provide to Buyer or to the  appropriate  regulatory  authorities all information
within its possession reasonably required to be submitted by Buyer in connection
with such approvals.

      8.4 Regulatory  Approvals and Consents.  Seller shall cooperate with Buyer
          ----------------------------------
to apply  for  regulatory  approval  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement as set forth in Section 7.2 of this  Agreement.  Further,  Seller will
use its best efforts to obtain all consents,  approvals or authorizations of all
governmental   authorities  or  agencies  or  third  parties  required  for  the
execution,  delivery  and  performance  by  Seller  of  this  Agreement  and the
consummation by it of any transactions contemplated hereby.

      8.5  Records.  Seller  shall  retain all  Records  relating  to the Target
           -------
Deposits  which are not  ordinarily  maintained at the Branch Office and are not
otherwise  required to be  transferred  to Buyer under this  Agreement and Buyer
shall  receive  possession  of, and right,  title and  interest  to, and in, all
Records  which are  ordinarily  maintained at the Branch  Office.  In each case,
copies of the Records directly relating to Branch Office operations,  assets and
liabilities  prior to the Closing  Time which are  retained  by Seller  shall be
provided,  within a reasonable  time period after a request is received for such
Books and  Records,  to Buyer and its  authorized  agents,  representatives  and
regulators  during  regular  business  hours after the Closing Time. All Records
relating to the Target

                                      15

<PAGE> 21


Deposits prior to the Closing Time shall be maintained  for the period  required
by law.  Should one party's audit or  inspection  of records in another  party's
possession result in the second party's employees or agents having to devote any
substantial  amount of time or such  party  having  to  allocate  facilities  or
equipment or having to incur any substantial  costs, then the second party shall
be entitled to reasonable reimbursement for all such costs incurred.

      8.6  Signs. Seller shall remove,  at its own cost, any or all interior and
           -----
exterior signs at the Branch Office identifying Seller. Signs will be removed by
6:00 p.m. on the Closing Date.

      8.7 Services and Maintenance Contracts. With respect to services performed
          ----------------------------------
and  contracts  related to the Branch  Office  which are  outstanding  as of the
Closing  Date,  Seller  shall,  if requested  by Buyer,  use its best efforts to
continue to make such services and the benefits of any such contracts  available
to Buyer and Buyer shall pay the  contract  rate for any desired  services to be
rendered to it after the Closing Date, pursuant to any existing contract between
Seller and third  parties.  With  respect to any such  contract  relating to the
Branch  Office,  Buyer shall,  not later than thirty (30) calendar days prior to
the Closing Date hereof,  notify  Seller of those  contracts  which it elects to
assume (to the extent  permitted by the relevant  contracts and law), and Seller
shall assign all of its rights,  title and interest in such contracts so assumed
to Buyer at the Closing.

      8.8  Environmental  Matters.  Seller  shall  permit  Buyer to inspect  and
           ----------------------
review,  solely at Buyer's expense,  the physical condition of the Branch Office
and all legal and contractual  matters  relating to the Branch Office during the
period  beginning on the date of this  Agreement.  Seller shall deliver to Buyer
all documents and  information  requested by Buyer  pursuant to this Section and
shall otherwise cooperate with Buyer in the making of its inspections.

      8.9   Real Estate, Title and Surveys.
            ------------------------------

            (a) At least thirty (30)  calendar  days prior to the Closing  Date,
Seller shall  deliver to Buyer a copy of the deed which it shall  deliver on the
Closing Date which shall be a general warranty deed. Seller will convey good and
marketable  title to the real estate  adjacent to the Branch Office as set forth
in more  detail in Exhibit  2.2.A.  (the  "Real  Estate")  to Buyer,  subject to
                                           ------------
Permitted Exceptions (as hereinafter defined).

            (b) Not more than thirty (30)  calendar  days after the date hereof,
Seller shall deliver to Buyer,  at Seller's  expense,  a Commitment  for an ALTA
Owner's Form B Title  Insurance  Policy (the "Title  Policy")  issued by a title
                                              -------------
insurer reasonably approved by Buyer (the "Title Insurer"),  with respect to the
                                           -------------
Real  Estate  and  designating   Buyer  as  the  proposed  insured  (the  "Title
                                                                           -----
Commitment"). The Title Commitment shall:
- ----------

            (i) include so-called  "extended  coverage," that is, insurance over
      rights of parties in  possession  (other  than  tenants  under any lease),
      questions  of  survey,  mechanics'  liens,  easements,  taxes and  special
      assessments,  and the  other  general  exceptions  otherwise  set forth in
      Schedule B of such form policy;

                                      16

<PAGE> 22


            (ii) include an ALTA Form 3.1 zoning endorsement with respect to the
      Real Estate (including parking); and

            (iii) be subject only to Permitted Exceptions.

For  purposes of the Title  Commitment,  "Permitted  Exceptions"  shall mean any
exceptions  shown on the Title  Commitment  to which  Buyer  does not  object in
writing  within five (5) Business  Days of its receipt of the Title  Commitment.
Seller shall  deliver the Title  Commitment  to Buyer upon the execution of this
Agreement.  If the Title  Commitment  delivered  pursuant  to this  Section  8.9
discloses title  exceptions other than Permitted  Exceptions,  Seller shall have
thirty (30)  calendar  days from the date of receipt of notice  thereof (and the
parties  shall  postpone the Closing  Date,  if  necessary  to enable  Seller to
undertake  such  activities ) to have such  exceptions  cleared,  or to have the
Title Insurer  commit to insure against loss or damage that may be occasioned by
such  exceptions by an endorsement in form and substance  satisfactory to Buyer.
If the  exceptions are not removed or  endorsements  over the exceptions are not
obtained,  Buyer,  upon notice to Seller within fifteen (15) calendar days after
the  expiration  of the 30-day  cure  period,  may elect (i) to  terminate  this
Agreement  in which case this  Agreement  shall be null and void and the parties
shall be under no  obligation  to each  other;  or (ii)  Buyer may elect to take
title  notwithstanding  the  exception  and such  exception  shall  be  deemed a
Permitted Exception.

            (c) The Title Policy in the amount of eighty five  thousand  dollars
($85,000) shall be paid for by Seller and issued to Buyer upon delivery of deed.

            (d) Not more than thirty (30)  calendar  days after the date hereof,
Seller shall deliver to Buyer, at Seller's expense, a current survey of the Real
Estate (the "Survey"), which current survey (i) shall include easements, if any,
             ------
that are for the benefit of all or any portion of the Real Estate; (ii) shall be
dated on or after the date  hereof;  (iii) shall be prepared  and  certified  to
Buyer,  the Title  Insurer  and such  other  persons as Buyer  shall  reasonably
request by a registered  South Carolina land surveyor as having been prepared in
accordance with the current Minimum  Standard Detail  Requirements for ALTA/ACSM
Land  Surveys as adopted by the  American  Land Title  Association  and American
Congress on  Surveying  and Mapping for Class  A-Urban  Surveys;  and (iv) shall
confirm  that the Real  Estate  is in a Zone  C-Area  of  Minimal  Flood  Hazard
according to the Flood  Insurance  Rate Maps  prepared by the Federal  Emergency
Management Agency.

      8.10 Transfer of Data. Seller  acknowledges that Buyer may either manually
           ----------------
convert all of the Target Deposit account data or with the mutual consent of the
parties,  electronically  transfer  the data.  From the date hereof  through the
Closing Date,  Seller shall  cooperate and work with Buyer to complete the tasks
required  to  facilitate  the  conversion  of the  Target  Deposits.  Such tasks
include,  but are not limited to, providing Buyer with updated reports and other
items as are necessary to complete the  conversion  process and related  testing
procedures.  Seller  shall  provide,  at its sole cost and expense not to exceed
$5,000:  (i) a  written  report  to  Buyer,  in a format  acceptable  to  Buyer,
detailing  Target  Deposit  account  data on the Closing  Date;  and (ii) within
thirty (30) calendar days from the date hereof,  Seller shall provide Buyer with
initial reports and related  documentation  of the Deposit  accounts in a format
acceptable  to Buyer.  Any  expenses  incurred by Seller to collect such

                                      17

<PAGE> 23



data in excess of $5,000 shall be borne by Buyer.  Seller  agrees to  reasonably
cooperate in resolving any conversion-related issues arising from the conversion
of the Target  Deposits for a period of ninety (90) calendar days  following the
date that the conversion is completed.

      8.11  Forms.  Within  thirty  (30)  calendar  days  from  the date of this
            -----
Agreement,  Seller  will  provide  Buyer with  copies of the forms of  signature
cards,  deposit  account  forms,  Regulation  E  disclosures,   Truth-in-Savings
disclosures,   deposit  account   agreements,   and  IRA  trust  agreements  and
beneficiary  designations,  as well as the  forms of any  other  instruments  or
agreements  presently in use at the Branch Office in connection  with the Target
Deposits. For purposes of this paragraph,  all referenced documents shall be the
forms used by Seller as of the date of this Agreement for new customers.

      8.12 Further Assurances.  On and after the Closing Date, Seller shall give
           ------------------
such further  assistance  to Buyer and,  upon Buyer's  request,  shall  execute,
acknowledge and deliver all such  acknowledgments and other instruments and take
such further action as may be necessary and appropriate to effectively  transfer
the Branch Office and the Target Deposits to Buyer.

      8.13  Covenants Not to Compete.  Seller hereby covenants and agrees that:
            ------------------------

            (a) For a period  of three (3) years  commencing  as of the  Closing
            Date, neither Seller nor any affiliate shall establish,  purchase or
            acquire any  banking  office used for  mortgage  banking  operations
            within  Florence   County,   South   Carolina,   nor  establish  any
            correspondent   relationship   with  a  mortgage  banking  operation
            headquartered  in Florence County,  South Carolina.  Nothing in this
            Section 8.13(i), however, shall prevent Seller or any affiliate from
            originating  loans to residents of Florence County,  South Carolina,
            at any of  Seller's  branch  offices  located  outside  of  Florence
            County,  South  Carolina.  It is  understood  and  agreed  that this
            Section  8.13(i)  shall not  prevent  the  acquisition  of Seller by
            another  depository  institution  or financial  institution  (or its
            holding  company) having a mortgage  banking facility then operating
            under its separate name within Florence County,  South Carolina,  or
            the  acquisition by Seller of a depository  institution or financial
            institution  (or its  holding  company)  having a  mortgage  banking
            facility  then  operating  under its separate  name within  Florence
            County, South Carolina.

            (b) For a period  of four (4)  years  commencing  as of the  Closing
            Date,  neither  Seller nor any affiliate  shall  establish a de novo
            branch  office or purchase or acquire a branch  office from  another
            depository  institution or financial  institution for the purpose of
            accepting  or  soliciting  any  deposits in Florence  County,  South
            Carolina.  Nothing in this Section 8.13(ii),  however, shall prevent
            Seller from accepting  deposits from  residents of Florence  County,
            South  Carolina,  at any of its branch  offices  located  outside of
            Florence  County,  South Carolina.  It is also understood and agreed
            that this  Section  8.13(ii)  shall not prevent the  acquisition  of
            Seller by a depository  institution or financial institution (or its
            holding  company)  having a branch facility then operating under its
            separate  name  within  Florence  County,  South


                                      18

<PAGE> 24


            Carolina,  or the acquisition by Seller of a depository  institution
            or financial  institution  (or its holding  company) having a branch
            facility  then  operating  under its separate  name within  Florence
            County, South Carolina.

            (c) For a period  of three (3) years  commencing  as of the  Closing
            Date, neither Seller nor any affiliate shall establish an electronic
            funds transfer terminal  (including any ATM) within Florence County,
            South Carolina.

            (d) For a period  of three (3) years  commencing  as of the  Closing
            Date,  neither Seller nor any affiliate  shall  directly  solicit by
            direct  mail or  telephone  any persons who on or before the Closing
            Date  had  any  Target  Deposit  account  with  the  Branch  Office;
            provided,  however, that the foregoing provision shall not limit the
            right of Seller to: (i)  advertise  or solicit for banking  business
            from the public  generally or from customers at other branch offices
            of Seller, or (ii) direct random mailings or engage in telemarketing
            in accordance with Seller's normal direct mail or telemarketing
            operations, provided that Seller may not use the customer lists from
            the Branch Office for any purpose.

      8.14  Best Efforts to Satisfy Conditions. Seller covenants and agrees that
            ----------------------------------
it:  (a) will use its best  efforts  to  satisfy  the  conditions  to which  the
obligations  of Buyer are subject  pursuant to this Agreement on or prior to the
Closing Date; and (b) will fully cooperate to facilitate the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

      9.1 Conditions to the  Obligations of Seller.  Unless waived in writing by
          ----------------------------------------
Seller, the obligations of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of the
following conditions:

            (a)  Performance.  Each of the acts and  undertakings of Buyer to be
                 -----------
performed at or before the Closing  pursuant to this  Agreement  shall have been
duly performed in all material respects;

            (b)   Representations   and  Warranties.   The  representations  and
                  ---------------------------------
warranties of Buyer  contained in Article V of this Agreement  shall be true and
correct on and as of the  Closing  Date,  with the same effect as though made on
and as of the Closing Date. A Certificate in the form of Exhibit 9.1(b) shall be
signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Buyer dated as of the Closing Date.

            (c)  Regulatory  Approvals  and Third Party  Consents.  All required
                 ------------------------------------------------
licenses,  approvals  and  consents  of any  relevant  state,  federal  or other
regulatory  agencies or third parties shall have been  obtained;  all applicable
waiting periods shall have expired; and all necessary pre-closing  conditions of
those licenses, approvals and consents shall have been fully satisfied.



                                      19

<PAGE> 25



            (e)  Documents.  Seller shall have received the following  documents
                 ---------
from Buyer:

                  (1)   Resolutions of Buyer's Board of Directors,  certified by
                        its Secretary,  authorizing  the signing and delivery of
                        this Agreement and the  consummation of the transactions
                        contemplated hereby.

                  (2)   A  certificate  of  the  Secretary  of  Buyer  as to the
                        incumbency and signatures of officers.

                  (3)   A certificate  signed by the Chief Executive  Officer of
                        Buyer stating that the  conditions set forth in Sections
                        9.1(a), (b) and (c) have been fulfilled.

                  (4)   The Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in
                        the form of Exhibit  4.4(a)  hereto,  duly  executed  by
                        Buyer.

                  (5)   The Assignment of Assets substantially in  the  form  of
                        Exhibit 3.3 hereto, duly executed by Buyer.

                  (6)   The Assignment and Assumption of Lease  substantially in
                        the form of Exhibit 3.4 hereto.

                  (7)   Opinion  of counsel  to Buyer  in the form set  forth in
                        Exhibit 9.1(e).

                  (8)   Such  other  documents  and  instruments  as Seller  may
                        reasonably request.

      9.2 Conditions to the  Obligations  of Buyer.  Unless waived in writing by
          ----------------------------------------
Buyer, the obligations of Buyer to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of the
following conditions:

            (a)  Performance.  Each of the acts and undertakings of Seller to be
                 -----------
performed at or before the Closing  pursuant to this  Agreement  shall have been
duly performed in all material respects.

            (b)   Representations   and  Warranties.   The  representations  and
                  ---------------------------------
warranties of Seller contained in Article VI of this Agreement shall be true and
correct on and as of the  Closing  Date,  with the same effect as though made on
and as of the Closing Date. A Certificate  in the form of 9.2(b) shall be signed
by the Chief Executive Officer of Seller dated as of the Closing Date.

            (c) Access to Information. Seller shall have permitted Buyer and its
                ---------------------
authorized  representatives and agents to have reasonable access, after the date
of this Agreement,  to all such properties,  assets and Records of Seller as are
relevant to this Agreement.

                                      20

<PAGE> 26



            (d)  Regulatory  Approvals  and Third Party  Consents.  All required
                 ------------------------------------------------
licenses,  approvals  and  consents  of any  relevant  state,  federal  or other
regulatory  agencies  or other  third  parties  shall  have been  obtained;  all
applicable  waiting  periods shall have expired;  and all necessary  pre-closing
conditions  of those  licenses,  approvals  and  consents  shall have been fully
satisfied.

            (e) No Material  Adverse  Change.  No material  adverse change shall
                ----------------------------
have occurred in the reasonable opinion of Seller and Buyer affecting the Branch
Office or the ability to conduct banking operations at the Branch Office.

            (f)  Documents.  Buyer shall have received the  following  documents
                 ---------
from Seller:

                  (1)   Resolutions of Seller's Board of Directors, certified by
                        its Secretary,  authorizing  the signing and delivery of
                        this Agreement and the  consummation of the transactions
                        contemplated hereby.

                  (2)   A  certificate  from the  Secretary  of Seller as to the
                        incumbency and signatures of officers.

                  (3)   A certificate  signed by the Chief Executive  Officer of
                        Seller stating that the conditions set forth in Sections
                        9.2(a), (b), (d), (e) and (f) and have been satisfied.

                  (4)   An Assignment and Assumption Agreement, substantially in
                        the form of Exhibit  4.4(a)  hereto,  duly  executed  on
                        behalf of Seller.

                  (5)   The Assignment substantially in the form of Exhibit  3.3
                        hereto, duly executed by Seller.

                  (6)   The Assignment and Assumption of Lease  substantially in
                        the form of Exhibit 3.4 hereto.

                  (7)   Opinion of  counsel  to  Seller in the form set forth in
                        Exhibit 9.1(e).

                  (8)   Such  other   documents  or  instruments  as  Buyer  may
                        reasonably request.

            (g) Target  Deposits.  The  balance of the  Target  Deposits  on the
                ----------------
Closing Date shall not exceed twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000).


                                      21

<PAGE> 27


                                    ARTICLE X
                                   TERMINATION

      This  Agreement  shall  terminate  and be of no further force or effect as
between the parties, except as to liability for breach of any duty or obligation
arising  prior to the date of  termination,  upon the  occurrence  of any of the
following:

      (a) The  expiration of thirty (30)  calendar  days after any  governmental
(federal or state) agency shall have denied or refused to grant the approvals or
consents required to be obtained pursuant to this Agreement,  unless within said
thirty (30)  calendar day period Buyer and Seller agree to submit or resubmit an
application to, or appeal the decision of, the regulatory authority which denied
or refused to grant approval thereof.

      (b) The expiration of fifteen (15) Business Days from the date that either
party has given notice to the other party of such other party's  material breach
or misrepresentation of any condition,  warranty,  representation or covenant in
this Agreement; provided, however, that no such termination shall take effect if
within said  fifteen (15)  Business Day period the party so notified  shall have
fully and completely  corrected the grounds for termination as specified in such
notice.

      (c) Upon  the  failure  to close  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement  on or before  February  29,  2000,  unless  such date is  extended in
writing by mutual agreement of the parties.

      (d) Upon mutual consent of the parties in writing.

      Notwithstanding   anything  to  the  contrary  herein  contained  in  this
Agreement, neither party hereto shall have the right to terminate this Agreement
on account of its own breach or any immaterial breach by the other party.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                    EMPLOYEES

      11.1  Hiring of Employees.
            -------------------

            (a) Buyer  agrees to hire on an "at will"  basis all  Branch  Office
personnel of Seller who are actively  performing  their job duties at the Branch
Office on the Closing Date and retain such  personnel  for at least  one-hundred
eighty (180) days following the Closing Date,  except for termination for cause.
The names, positions,  dates of hire and current salary levels of such personnel
are set forth in Exhibit 11.1(a).

            (b) All  personnel of Seller  hired by Buyer shall be provided  with
the same health and other benefits that Buyer  provides to its  employees.  Such
personnel  of Seller  shall be credited  with prior years of service with Seller
for purposes of eligibility (but not benefits  accrual) under Buyer's health and
other benefits plans. Prior to the Closing Date, Buyer shall provide Seller with
copies  of the  summary  plan  descriptions  of all  employee  benefit  plans of
Purchaser.


                                       22



<PAGE> 28



      11.2  Salaries, Bonuses, etc.
            ----------------------

            (a) Seller  remains  liable for and shall pay within sixty (60) days
after the Closing Date any salaries,  wages,  bonuses or  commissions  earned or
accrued  prior to the  Closing  Date.  Buyer  shall be liable for any  salaries,
wages, bonuses or commissions earned or accrued on and after the Closing Date.

            (b) Seller  shall pay to all  personnel  all  amounts due them under
Seller's pension plan and any other  retirement plan at the earliest  terminated
employee distribution date under the terms of such plans as of the Closing Date.

      11.3  Hirings.
            -------

            (a)  During  the  period  of time  from the  date of this  Agreement
through the Closing  Date,  Seller shall not increase the number of employees or
the level of employee  compensation  and benefits of the employees of the Branch
Office other than increases  that would have otherwise  occurred in the ordinary
course of business.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                                OTHER AGREEMENTS

      12.1  Checking Deposit Account Owners.
            -------------------------------

            (a) Customer  Notification.  After receipt of regulatory approval of
                ----------------------
the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement but prior to the Closing Date,
Buyer will  notify all Target  Deposit  account  holders  that  checks or drafts
written after sixty (60) calendar days after the Closing Date on Seller's  check
or draft  forms  will  not be  honored.  Such  notice  shall be made at  Buyer's
expense.

            (b)  Customers'  New Check and Draft  Forms.  On or within  five (5)
                 --------------------------------------
business  days  after the  Closing  Date,  Buyer will  supply  holders of Target
Deposits  which may be accessed by checks with Buyer's own check or draft forms.
At Buyer's reasonable request, Seller will cooperate fully with Buyer to provide
necessary  information for Buyer to supply such checks and drafts. Buyer will be
fully  responsible  for all costs of the new check  and draft  forms,  including
postage and notifications.

      12.2  Seller and Buyer Processing Duties.
            ----------------------------------

            (a) Checks,  Drafts,  and  Negotiable  Orders of  Withdrawal.  For a
                --------------------------------------------------------
period not to exceed sixty (60)  calendar  days after the Closing  Date,  Seller
agrees to act as Buyer's  limited  correspondent  for the  processing of checks,
drafts,  and Negotiable  Orders of Withdrawal  ("NOW") drawn before or after the
                                                 ---
Closing  on forms  provided  by Seller  on any such  accounts  assumed  by Buyer
hereunder.


                                       23


<PAGE> 29



            (b) Holds and Stop Payments. Seller will deliver to Buyer at Closing
                -----------------------
a  schedule  of  holds  and  stop-payments  placed  on  particular  accounts  or
individual  checks at the Branch  Office and the terms of such holds.  Except as
otherwise  required  by  applicable  law,  Buyer  will  continue  such holds and
stop-payments  under the same terms  Seller  shows on the  schedule of holds and
stop-payments.

            (c) Risk of Loss.  After the Closing,  any risk of loss with respect
                ------------
to stop  payments  and  funds  availability  and other  holds  shall be the sole
responsibility  of  Buyer,  provided  that:  (i) in the  case  of  stop-payments
instituted prior to Closing, Seller has advised Buyer of the existence and terms
of such stop-payments at the Closing; and (ii) in the case of funds availability
and other holds  instituted  prior to Closing,  Seller has advised  Buyer of the
existence and terms of such holds at the Closing.

            (d) Processing of Electronic  Items.  Seller will provide Buyer,  at
                -------------------------------
least twenty (20)  Business  Days prior to Closing,  the list of ACH entries for
electronic  transfer  accounts  domiciled  at the  Branch  Office.  Buyer  shall
continue such ACH  arrangements  and such recurring  debit  arrangements  as are
originated and  administered  by third parties and for which Buyer need act only
as processor.  Buyer shall have no obligation to continue any such  arrangements
that were originated and  administered by Seller and Seller shall terminate such
arrangements  on or prior to the  Closing  Date.  Within  thirty (30) days after
Closing,  Buyer shall notify ACH originators  with respect to Target Deposits to
change the routing  numbers and account numbers from those of Seller to those of
Buyer.  Seller  will  continue  to accept and  forward to Buyer ACH  entries and
corresponding  funds for sixty (60)  calendar  days  following  Closing.  Seller
agrees that any daily  magnetic  tapes or electronic  transmissions  provided to
Buyer shall include a record of all such  recurring  ACH  transfers  received by
Seller on the previous Business Day. After the sixty (60) day period, Seller may
discontinue  accepting and  forwarding  ACH entries and funds and return them to
the originators marked "Account Closed."

            (e) Account  Statements.  Within thirty (30) calendar days after the
                -------------------
Closing  Date,  Seller,  at its own  expense,  shall mail to each  depositor  in
respect  of a checking  account,  NOW  account,  money  market  account or other
account which permits  deposits to be  transferred  to third parties by means of
drafts drawn on such Target Deposit account, a final account statement as of the
Closing Time.

      12.3 Returned Items. An appropriate allocation or adjustment between Buyer
           --------------
and Seller  shall be made for any items  that were  credited  for  deposit to an
account at the Branch Office and are returned  unpaid within sixty (60) calendar
days after the Closing (the "Returned  Items"),  if after  reasonable  diligence
                             ---------------
payment for the Returned Item cannot be recovered,  including by offset  against
an  account  of  obligor.  Such  allocation  and  adjustment  shall  be  made by
appropriate payment from Buyer to Seller or Seller to Buyer as soon as feasible.

      12.4  Settlement. In settlement of the transactions  described in Sections
            ----------
12.2 and 12.3,  Buyer and Seller agree that by 1:00 p.m. on each  Business  Day,
Seller  shall  provide  Buyer  with a daily net  settlement  figure for all such
transactions  then pending to the knowledge of Seller and


                                       24


<PAGE> 30



Buyer shall provide an equivalent  figure for all such transactions then pending
to the knowledge of Buyer.  The parties agree that the party  obligated to remit
any funds  thereunder  shall do so by 3:00 p.m. of such day. Any such settlement
shall be provisional  pending receipt by Buyer of the physical items relating to
such  settlement;  Buyer shall adjust the next daily  settlement  to reflect any
adjustments resulting from its receipt of the physical items.

      12.5  Interest  Reporting.  Seller  shall report from the first day of the
            -------------------
calendar  year of closing  through the Closing  Date all  interest  credited to,
interest  withheld from, and early  withdrawal  penalties  charged to the Target
Deposits  which are assumed by Buyer under this  Agreement.  Buyer shall  report
from the day after the Closing  Date  through the end of the  calendar  year all
interest  credited to, interest  withheld from, and early  withdrawal  penalties
charged to the Target Deposits  assumed by Buyer.  Said reports shall be made to
the holders of these accounts and to the applicable federal and state regulatory
agencies.  Buyer assumes no responsibility  for reports with respect to Deposits
other than Target Deposits.

       12.6  Notices  to   Depositors.   Seller  shall  provide  Buyer  with  an
             ------------------------
intermediate  customer list on the Target  Deposits  together  with  information
regarding those  customers'  accounts as of a date that is mutually agreed to by
Buyer and Seller and which is prior to the mailing  referred to in this  Section
12.6. After the receipt of regulatory approval of the transactions  contemplated
by the Agreement  but prior to the Closing  Date,  Seller and Buyer shall notify
the  holders  of  the  Target  Deposits   accounts  that,   subject  to  closing
requirements, Buyer will be assuming liability for the Target Deposits and Buyer
shall disclose the details of Buyer's  administration  of the assumed  accounts,
provided  Buyer may,  but shall not be  required  to include in such  notice any
information  concerning  plans Buyer may have to change rates or other terms and
conditions of the Target  Deposits  following the Closing Time. Each party shall
obtain the approval of the other on its notification letter and each party shall
be solely  responsible  for any costs or  expenses  incurred in  performing  the
actions required by this Section 12.6.

      12.7  Deposit  Histories. In the case of any dispute with or inquiry by an
            ------------------
account holder whose Target Deposit is subject to this Agreement,  which dispute
or inquiry  relates to the  servicing of such Target  Deposit by Seller prior to
the date for which a Target Deposit  history has been provided to Buyer,  Seller
will provide Buyer with the appropriate information regarding the Target Deposit
and copies of pertinent documents or instruments with respect to such dispute or
inquiry so as to permit Buyer to respond to the account  holder  within ten (10)
Business Days and in a manner which would comply with standard banking practices
and customs.

      12.8  ATM  Cards.  After  the  receipt  of  regulatory   approval  of  the
            ----------
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement but at least fifteen (15) calendar
days before the Closing  Date,  Seller  shall  notify  depositors  at the Branch
Office that their  existing ATM cards may not be used to access  Target  Deposit
accounts at the Branch Office as of the Closing Time.

      12.9 Backup Withholding. Any amounts required by any governmental agencies
           ------------------
to be withheld from any of the Target Deposits (the  "Withholding  Obligations")
                                                      ------------------------
will be handled as follows:


                                       25

<PAGE> 31


            (a)  Any  Withholding  Obligations  required  to  be  remitted  to a
governmental  agency  on or prior  to the  Closing  Time  will be  withheld  and
remitted by Seller prior to the Closing Date.

            (b) Any Withholding  Obligations  with respect to interest  payments
posted on or before the Closing Time, which are not required to be remitted to a
government  agency until after the Closing Time,  shall be remitted by Buyer. At
the Closing,  Seller will remit to Buyer all sums withheld by Seller pursuant to
Withholding  Obligations  which funds are or may be required to be remitted to a
governmental agency on or after the Closing Time.

            (c) Any Withholding  Obligations  with respect to interest  payments
posted after the Closing Time will be remitted by Buyer.

            (d) Any  penalties  described  on "B"  notices  from  the IRS or any
similar  penalties that relate to Target  Deposits opened by Seller prior to the
Closing  Time  will be paid by  Seller  promptly  upon  receipt  of the  notice,
provided  such penalty  assessment  resulted  from  Seller's  acts,  policies or
omissions.

      12.10  Electronic  Installation.  Buyer shall have a  reasonable  right to
             ------------------------
enter the Branch  Office in the thirty  (30)  calendar  day period  prior to the
Closing Date for the purpose of installing  necessary  wiring for Buyer's teller
terminals  and data  processing  equipment  to be  utilized  after the  Closing,
subject to satisfaction by Buyer of the following conditions:

            (a)  reasonable  advance  notice  of such  entry  shall  be given to
Seller,  such entry shall comply with Seller's  security  procedures  and Seller
shall have the right to have its employees or contractors present to inspect the
work being done;

            (b) all such work shall be done so as not to unreasonably  interfere
with Seller's business in the Branch Office; and

            (c) all  such  work  will be done in  compliance  with  the laws and
applicable  governmental  regulations  and Buyer  shall be  responsible  for the
procurement,  at Buyer's expense, of all required governmental or administrative
permits and approvals.

      Buyer  agrees  that  if  for  any  reason  the  transactions  contemplated
hereunder are not consummated,  Buyer will, at its sole cost and expense, remove
any  installations  it shall have made in the Branch Office and shall repair and
restore  the  Branch  Office  to  its  condition   immediately   prior  to  such
installation.




                                      26

<PAGE> 32



                                  ARTICLE XIII
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

      13.1 Survival.  The  representations and warranties made by the parties in
           --------
this Agreement, and their respective obligations to be performed under the terms
hereof  at,  prior to, or after  the  Closing,  shall  not  expire  with,  or be
terminated or extinguished by, the Closing,  notwithstanding  any investigations
of the facts constituting the basis of the representations and warranties of any
party by the other party hereto.

      13.2  Indemnification.
            ---------------

            (a) Seller shall indemnify,  hold harmless and defend Buyer (and its
affiliates) from and against any and all damage, loss, liability, cost, penalty,
claim or expense  (including  legal fees and  expenses)  incurred or suffered by
Buyer (or its affiliates) in connection with:

                  (1)   any misrepresentation or breach of warranty, covenant or
                        agreement made or to be performed by Seller  pursuant to
                        this Agreement, or

                  (2)   any action  taken or  omitted to be taken by Seller,  or
                        any  transaction  or any  event  occurring  prior to the
                        Closing Time,  relating to the  operations of the Branch
                        Office and Target Deposits, and any suits or proceedings
                        commenced in connection therewith, or

                  (3)   any liability of Seller not assumed by Buyer pursuant to
                        Section 2.4.

            (b) Buyer shall indemnify,  hold harmless and defend Seller (and its
affiliates) from and against any and all damage, loss, liability, cost, penalty,
claim or expense  (including  legal fees and  expenses)  incurred or suffered by
Seller (or its affiliates) in connection with:

                  (1)   any misrepresentation or breach of warranty, covenant or
                        agreement  made or to be performed by Buyer  pursuant to
                        this Agreement, or

                  (2)   the installation by Buyer of wiring and other electronic
                        equipment  pursuant to Section 12.10 of this  Agreement,
                        or

                  (3)   any action taken or omitted to be taken by Buyer, or any
                        transaction  or any  event  occurring  from or after the
                        Closing Time,  relating to the  operations of the Branch
                        Office and  Target  Deposits,  to the  extent  that such
                        operations are assumed by or transferred to Buyer.

            (c) A party  seeking  indemnification  pursuant to this Section 13.2
(an  "indemnified  party")  shall give prompt notice to the party from whom such
      ------------------
indemnification  is sought (the  "indemnifying  party") of the  assertion of any
                                  -------------------
claim,  or the  commencement  of any action or  proceeding,  in respect of which
indemnity  may be sought  hereunder.  The  indemnified  party  shall  assist the
indemnifying  party  in the  defense  of any  such  action  or  proceeding.  The
indemnifying party

                                      27

<PAGE> 33



shall have the right to,  and shall at the  request  of the  indemnified  party,
assume the defense of any such action or proceeding  at its own expense.  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:

                  (1)   the indemnifying  party and the indemnified  party shall
                        have  mutually  agreed to the retention of such counsel;
                        or

                  (2)   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,
                        representation of both parties by the same counsel would
                        be  inappropriate  due to actual or potential  differing
                        interests between them.

            (d) An  indemnifying  party shall not be liable  under this  Section
13.2 for any settlement effected without its consent of any claim, litigation or
proceeding  in  respect  of  which  indemnity  may  be  sought  hereunder.   The
indemnifying  party may settle any claim without the consent of the  indemnified
party,  but only if the sole relief awarded is monetary damages that are paid in
full by the indemnifying  party,  and includes as an unconditional  term thereof
the giving by the claimant or plaintiff of a release of the  indemnified  party,
in form and substance  satisfactory  to the  indemnified  party and its counsel,
from all liability  with respect to such claim,  action suit or  proceeding.  An
indemnified  party  shall,   subject  to  its  reasonable  business  needs,  use
reasonable efforts to minimize the indemnification  sought from the indemnifying
party  hereunder.   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,   no  investigation  by  an
indemnified party at or prior to the Closing shall relieve an indemnifying party
of any liability  hereunder,  unless the  indemnified  party seeks  indemnity in
respect of a representation  or warranty which it actually had reason to believe
to be  incorrect as a result of its  investigation  prior to the Closing and the
indemnified party intentionally  failed to bring such belief to the attention of
the indemnifying party prior to the Closing.

      13.3  Arbitration.  The parties to this  Agreement  hereby  agree that any
            -----------
claim or  dispute  under  this  Agreement  shall  be  resolved  by  arbitration.
Arbitration  shall be by single  arbitrator  experienced in the matters at issue
and  selected by the mutual  consent of the parties and in  accordance  with the
Commercial  Arbitration Rules of the American  Arbitration  Association.  In the
event the parties  cannot  agree on an  arbitrator,  each party shall  select an
arbitrator and the two arbitrators  shall select a third. The arbitration  shall
be held in such  place as may be  specified  by the  arbitrator(s)  or any place
agreed to by Seller,  Buyer and the  arbitrator(s),  and shall be  conducted  in
accordance with the Commercial  Arbitration  Rules in effect at the date thereof
of the American Arbitration Association to the extent not inconsistent with this
Agreement.  The decision of the  arbitrator(s)  shall be final and binding as to
any matters  submitted,  and any judgment  thereon  promptly shall be satisfied;
provided,  however,  that, if necessary,  such decision and  satisfaction may be
enforced by either  Buyer or Seller in any court of record  having  jurisdiction
over the subject matter or over any of the parties to this Agreement.  All costs
and expenses  incurred in connection

                                      28

<PAGE> 34



with any such  arbitration  proceeding  shall be borne by the party against whom
the final decision is rendered,  or, if no final decision is rendered, or if the
final decision is a compromise, equally by Buyer and Seller.

      13.4 Public Announcements. Neither Buyer nor Seller shall cause to be made
           --------------------
any  advertisement,  solicitation  or public  announcement  (including,  without
limitation any  advertisement,  solicitation  or  announcement to the depositors
whose  accounts have been  maintained at the Branch Office at any time beginning
with the date of this  Agreement)  regarding this Agreement or the  transactions
contemplated  hereby  between the date hereof and the Closing  Date  without the
prior  approval of the other party,  except as may otherwise be provided in this
Agreement or as may be required by law. In either such event, the other party to
this Agreement shall be provided a reasonable  opportunity to review and comment
upon  such  advertisement,  solicitation  or  public  announcement  prior to its
dissemination.  Any consent or approval  required by this Section 13.4 shall not
be unreasonably withheld.

      13.5  Incorporation of Exhibits. All exhibits attached hereto and referred
            -------------------------
to herein are incorporated in this Agreement as though fully set forth herein.

      13.6  Expenses. Except as otherwise  stated herein,  each party shall bear
            --------
the cost of its own attorney's  fees and other  expenses  incurred in connection
with the  preparation of this  Agreement and  consummation  of the  transactions
described  herein.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  in any action  between  the
parties seeking enforcement of any of the terms and provisions of this Agreement
or in connection with any of the property described herein, the prevailing party
in such action  shall be awarded,  in  addition to damage,  injunctive  or other
relief,  its  reasonable  costs and  expenses,  not limited to taxable costs and
reasonable attorney fees.

      13.7   Notices.  All notices,  requests,  demands  and other communication
             -------
given or  required to be given under this  Agreement  shall be in writing,  duly
addressed to the parties as follows:

      To Buyer:         First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Cheraw
                        515 Market Street
                        Cheraw, South Carolina  29520
                        Attention:  Herbert H. Watts,
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer

      With a copy to:   Luse Lehman Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.
                        5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
                        Washington, D.C.  20015
                        Attention: John J. Gorman, Esq.

      To Seller:        Coastal Federal Savings Bank
                        2619 Oak Street
                        Myrtle Beach, South Carolina  29577
                        Attention:  Michael C. Gerald,
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer


                                       29


<PAGE> 35




      With copy to:     Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP
                        5101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
                        Washington, DC  20016
                        Attention:  Paul M. Aguggia, Esq.

      Any such notice sent by  registered  or  certified  mail,  return  receipt
requested, shall be deemed to have been duly given and received forty-eight (48)
hours after the same is so  addressed  and mailed with postage  prepaid.  Notice
sent by any other manner shall be effective only upon actual receipt thereof.

      13.8  Assignment.  This  Agreement  may not be  assigned  by either  party
            ----------
without  the  prior  written  consent  of the  other  party  and  any  attempted
assignment in violation of this section is void.

      13.9  Successors  and Assigns.  This  Agreement  shall be binding upon the
            -----------------------
parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors or representatives.

      13.10  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
             -------------
accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina.

      13.11 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement  contains all of the agreements of
            ----------------
the parties to it with respect to the matters  contained  herein and no prior or
contemporaneous agreement or understanding,  oral or written,  pertaining to any
such matters shall be effective for any purpose.  No provision of this Agreement
may be  amended  or added to except by an  agreement  in  writing  signed by the
parties hereto or their respective  successors in interest and expressly stating
that it is an amendment of this Agreement.

      13.12  Headings.  The  headings  of this  Agreement  are for  purposes  of
             --------
reference  only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the  provisions  of
this Agreement.

      13.13  Severability. If any paragraph, section, sentence, clause or phrase
             ------------
contained in this Agreement shall become illegal, null or void or against public
policy, for any reason, or shall be held by any court of competent  jurisdiction
to be illegal,  null or void or against public policy, the remaining paragraphs,
sections, sentences, clauses or phrases contained in this Agreement shall not be
affected thereby.

      13.14  Waiver.  The  waiver of any  breach  of any  provision  under  this
             ------
Agreement  by any  party  hereto  shall  not be  deemed  to be a  waiver  of any
preceding or subsequent breach under this Agreement.

      13.15 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument
            ---------
in writing, signed by duly authorized officers, on behalf of the parties hereto.
Any duly  authorized  officer of Seller or Buyer may make,  execute  and deliver
such amendment or amendments,  modifications or supplements to this Agreement as
any one of such officers signing any such amendment,  modification or supplement
on behalf of a party may  approve,  as shall be  conclusively


                                       30

<PAGE> 36



evidenced by his signature to any such amendment,  modification or supplement in
such manner as may be agreed upon by them in writing at any time.

      13.16  Singular  and Plural.  Whenever  the context of this  Agreement  so
             --------------------
requires,  the singular  includes the plural,  the plural includes the singular,
and the whole includes any part thereof.

      13.17  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in any  number of
             ------------
counterparts,  each  of  which  shall  be an  original  but all of  which  shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

      13.18  Confidentiality.  Buyer and  Seller  acknowledge  that,  during the
             ---------------
period between the date hereof and the Closing Date,  each will be provided with
access to certain  information  of the other that is considered by such party to
be  confidential  and/or  proprietary in nature.  Each of Buyer and Seller agree
that they will keep confidential any information  (unless readily  ascertainable
from public or published information or sources) that belongs to the other party
or any of its  agents,  employees  or  representatives.  In the event  that this
Agreement  is  terminated  and  the  transactions  contemplated  herein  are not
completed,  then  promptly  after such  termination,  Seller and Buyer  agree to
return to the other party hereto all  documents,  or other written  materials or
electronically  encoded information,  that belongs to such other party or any of
its agents,  employees or  representatives in connection with this Agreement and
not previously made public (including all copies thereof).  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  nothing in this Agreement shall restrict the ability of either party
hereto to disclose confidential and/or proprietary  information of the other if,
and only to the extent that, such party is required to do so by law.

      13.19  Third  Parties.  Nothing in this Agreement,  whether  expressed  or
             --------------
implied, is intended to confer any rights or remedies under or by reason of this
Agreement  on any  persons  other than the  parties  to it and their  respective
successors and assigns, nor is anything in this Agreement intended to relieve or
discharge the  obligation or liability of any third persons to any party to this
Agreement,  nor  shall  any  provision  give  any  third  persons  any  right of
subrogation or action over against any party to this Agreement.

                            [Signature page follows]



                                       31

<PAGE> 37



      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have duly authorized and executed
this Agreement as of the date first above written.

COASTAL FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK                FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS & LOAN
                                            ASSOCIATION OF CHERAW


By: /s/ Michael Gerald                      By: /s/ Herbert W. Watts
    --------------------------------------      --------------------------------
Title: President & Chief Executive Officer  Title: Chief Executive Officer


Attest                                      Attest


By: /s/ Jerry Rexroad                       By: /s/ John S. Long
    --------------------------------------      --------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President and         Title: Chief Operating Officer
       Chief Financial Officer




                                       32

<PAGE> 1




EXHIBIT 99.1  PRESS RELEASE


<PAGE> 2




FIRST FEDERAL                             COASTAL FEDERAL
CHERAW                                    SAVINGS BANK
515 MARKET STREET                         2619 OAK STREET
CHERAW, SOUTH CAROLINA 29520              MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA 29577

NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE:             NOVEMBER 5, 1999

CONTACT:          FIRST FEDERAL                     COASTAL FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
                  -------------                     ----------------------------
                  HERBERT W. WATTS                  MICHAEL C. GERALD
                  PRESIDENT AND                     PRESIDENT AND
                  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER           CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

TO:               NEWS MEDIA

RELEASE DATE:     IMMEDIATE

COASTAL FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK AND FIRST FEDERAL CHERAW ANNOUNCE
AGREEMENT ON SALE OF FLORENCE OFFICE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., (November 5, 1999).... Coastal Federal Savings Bank, a
subsidiary of Coastal Financial Corporation (Nasdaq CFCP) and First Federal
Savings & Loan Association of Cheraw, a subsidiary of Great Pee Dee Bancorp,
Inc. (Nasdaq PEDE), today announced the signing of a definitive agreement by
which First Federal Cheraw will purchase the Florence, South Carolina branch
office from Coastal Federal Savings Bank. The Florence branch office of Coastal
Federal Savings Bank has total deposits of approximately $23 million. The
transaction is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2000,
pending regulatory approvals and certain other conditions of closing. The terms
of the transaction were not disclosed.

Herbert W. Watts, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Federal Cheraw,
stated that the two banks will work closely to ensure that the transition is
orderly. Watts continued, "First Federal Cheraw is excited to have the
opportunity to serve additional customers in the Florence market. Our style of
banking is oriented toward personal service to each customer or business, so
customers should appreciate the individual attention that we provide." John S.
Long, COO, added, "This addition fits right in with our growth plans that were
put in place last year. The combined products and services will allow us to
better serve our current customer base in Cheraw, as well as enhance the
financial services currently being offered to our new customers in the Florence
area."


<PAGE> 3


Michael C. Gerald,  President and Chief  Executive  Officer of Coastal  Federal,
said,  "We are pleased that the  purchaser of our Florence  branch is focused on
the goal of serving the banking needs of the residents of the Pee Dee area.  Our
decision to sell the Florence office in no way reflects a shift in our community
banking  strategy,  but merely permits  Coastal Federal to focus our efforts and
gain efficiency improvements."

Coastal Financial Corporation, headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,
offers a broad range of commercial, consumer and mortgage financial services
through two subsidiaries, Coastal Federal Savings Bank and Coastal Investor
Services. Coastal Federal, with assets over $700 million, is a federally
chartered and FDIC insured community bank with eleven offices serving the
communities of Horry, Florence and Georgetown Counties, South Carolina and
Brunswick County, North Carolina. Coastal Investor Services engages in the sale
of alternative financial products. Additional information about Coastal Federal
is available on its web site at www.coastalfederal.com .



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