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             EXHIBIT 4.0     LENOX BANCORP, INC. 1997 INCENTIVE PLAN




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                              LENOX BANCORP, INC.
                              1997 INCENTIVE PLAN


1.    DEFINITIONS.
      -----------

      (a) "Affiliate"  means (i) a member of a controlled  group of corporations
of which the  Holding  Company  is a member or (ii) an  unincorporated  trade or
business which is under common control with the Holding Company as determined in
accordance  with  Section  414(c)  of  the  Code  and  the  regulations   issued
thereunder. For purposes hereof, a "controlled group of corporations" shall mean
a controlled  group of  corporations  as defined in Section  1563(a) of the Code
determined without regard to Section 1563(a)(4) and (e)(3)(C).

      (b) "Alternate Option Payment  Mechanism" refers to one of several methods
available  to a  Participant  to fund the  exercise of a stock option set out in
Section 11 hereof.  These mechanisms include:  broker assisted cashless exercise
and stock for stock exchange.

      (c)  "Award"  means a  grant  of one or  some  combination  of one or more
Non-statutory Stock Options,  Incentive Stock Options and Stock Awards under the
provisions of this Plan.

      (d)  "Bank" means Lenox Savings Bank.

      (e) "Board of  Directors"  or "Board"  means the board of directors of the
Holding Company or the Bank and Directors Emeritus of the Holding Company or the
Bank.

      (f) "Change in  Control"  means a change in control of the Bank or Holding
Company of a nature  that;  (i) would be  required to be reported in response to
Item 1 of the  current  report  on Form 8-K,  as in  effect on the date  hereof,
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or (ii) results in a Change
in Control  within the meaning of the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933,  as amended
("HOLA")  and the  Rules and  Regulations  promulgated  by the  Office of Thrift
Supervision ("OTS") (or its predecessor agency), as in effect on the date hereof
(provided,  that in applying  the  definition  of change in control as set forth
under such rules and  regulations  the Board shall  substitute  its judgment for
that of the OTS); or (iii) without  limitation such a Change in Control shall be
deemed to have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as the term is used in
Sections  13(d) and 14(d) of the  Exchange  Act) is or becomes  the  "beneficial
owner"  (as  defined  in  Rule  13d-3  under  the  Exchange  Act),  directly  or
indirectly, of securities of the Bank or the Holding Company representing 20% or
more of the Bank's or the Holding  Company's  outstanding  securities except for
any securities of the Bank  purchased by the Holding  Company and any securities
purchased  by any  tax  qualified  employee  benefit  plan of the  Bank;  or (B)
individuals  who constitute the Board of Directors of the Holding Company on the
date hereof (the "Incumbent  Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least
a majority thereof,  provided that any person becoming a director  subsequent to
the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters
of the  directors  comprising  the  Incumbent  Board,  or whose  nomination  for
election by the Holding  Company's  stockholders  was  approved by a  Nominating
Committee  serving  under an  Incumbent  Board,  shall be, for  purposes of this
clause (B), considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board;


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or  (C) a  plan  of  reorganization,  merger,  consolidation,  sale  of  all  or
substantially  all the  assets of the Bank or the  Holding  Company  or  similar
transaction  occurs in which the Bank or Holding  Company  is not the  resulting
entity;  or (D) after a solicitation of shareholders of the Holding Company,  by
someone  other than  current  management  of the Holding  Company,  stockholders
approve a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Holding Company
or Bank or similar  transaction  with one or more  corporations,  as a result of
which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to the plan
would be exchanged  for or  converted  into cash or property or  securities  not
issued by the Bank or the Holding Company; or (E) a tender offer is made for 20%
or more of the voting securities of the Bank or the Holding Company.

      (g) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

      (h)  "Committee"  means a  committee  consisting  of the  entire  Board of
Directors or consisting  solely of two or more members of the Board of Directors
who are defined as  Non-Employee  Directors  as such term is defined  under Rule
16b-3(b)(3)(i)  under the  Exchange Act as  promulgated  by the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission.

      (i) "Common  Stock"  means the Common  Stock of the Holding  Company,  par
value, $.01 per share or any stock exchanged for shares of Common Stock pursuant
to Section 15 hereof.

      (j) "Date of Grant" means the effective date of an Award.

      (k)  "Disability"  means the  permanent  and total  inability by reason of
mental or physical  infirmity,  or both,  of a  Participant  to perform the work
customarily  assigned  to him or , in the  case of a  Director,  to serve on the
Board.  Additionally,  a medical  doctor  selected  or  approved by the Board of
Directors  must advise the Committee that it is either not possible to determine
when such  Disability  will  terminate  or that it  appears  probable  that such
Disability  will  be  permanent  during  the  remainder  of  said  Participant's
lifetime.

      (l) "Effective Date" means July 21, 1997, the effective date of the Plan.

      (m) "Employee"  means any person who is currently  employed by the Holding
Company or an  Affiliate,  including  officers,  but such term shall not include
Outside Directors.

      (n)  "Employee  Participant"  means an Employee  who holds an  outstanding
Award under the terms of the Plan.

      (o) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

      (p)  "Exercise  Price" means the purchase  price per share of Common Stock
deliverable  upon the  exercise  of each  Option in order  for the  option to be
exchanged for shares of Common Stock.



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       (q) "Fair Market  Value" means,  when used in connection  with the Common
Stock on a certain  date,  the  average of the high and low sales  prices of the
Common Stock as reported by a national  securities exchange which is the primary
trading  market  for such  Common  Stock or the  average of the high and low bid
prices of the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq Stock Market  ("NASDAQ") if the
NASDAQ  serves as the  primary  trading  market  for the Common  Stock,  each as
published  in the Wall Street  Journal,  if  published,  on such date or, if the
Common Stock was not traded on such date, on the next preceding day on which the
Common Stock was traded  thereon or the last  previous  date on which a sale was
reported. If the Common Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange or
the NASDAQ or the NYSE,  the Fair Market  Value of the Common Stock is the value
so determined by the Board in good faith, based upon the most recently available
pricing  information  the Board has regarding the recent closing price per share
of the Common Stock,  as reported  over-the  counter  through the National Daily
Quotation Service "Pink Sheet."

      (r)  "Holding Company" means Lenox Bancorp, Inc.

      (s) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option granted by the Committee to a
Participant,  which Option is designated by the Committee as an Incentive  Stock
Option pursuant to Section 7 hereof and is intended to be such under Section 422
of the Code.

      (t)  "Limited  Right"  means the right to  receive an amount of cash based
upon the terms set forth in Section 8 hereof.

      (u) "Non-statutory Stock Option" means an Option to a Participant pursuant
to Section 6 hereof,  which is not  designated  by the Committee as an Incentive
Stock Option or which is redesignated by the Committee as a Non-statutory  Stock
Option or which is designated an Incentive  Stock Option under Section 7 hereof,
but does not meet the requirements of such under Section 422 of the Code.

      (v) "Option"  means the right to buy a fixed amount of Common Stock at the
Exercise  Price within a limited  period of time  designated  as the term of the
option as granted under Section 6 or 7 hereof.

      (w)  "Outside  Director"  means a member  of the Board of  Directors  or a
Director  Emeritus of the Holding Company or its Affiliates,  who is not also an
Employee.

      (x) "Outside Director  Participant" means an Outside Director who holds an
outstanding Award under the terms of the Plan.

      (y) "Participant(s)"  means collectively an Employee Participant and/or an
Outside Director  Participant who hold(s)  outstanding Awards under the terms of
the Plan.


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      (z) "Retirement" with respect to an Employee Participant means termination
of  employment  which  constitutes  retirement  under  any  tax  qualified  plan
maintained  by the  Bank.  However,  "Retirement"  will  not be  deemed  to have
occurred  for  purposes of this Plan if a  Participant  continues  to serve as a
consultant  to or on the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Holding  Company  or its
Affiliates even if such Participant is receiving  retirement  benefits under any
retirement  plan of the Holding  Company or its  Affiliates.  With respect to an
Outside Director Participant, "Retirement" means the termination of service from
the Board of  Directors  of the  Holding  Company  or its  Affiliates  following
written notice to the Board as a whole of such Outside  Director's  intention to
retire,  except that an Outside Director Participant shall not be deemed to have
"retired"  for  purposes  of the Plan in the  event he  continues  to serve as a
consultant  to the  Board  or as an  advisory  director  or  director  emeritus,
including pursuant to any retirement plan of the Holding Company or the Bank.

      (aa) "Stock Awards" are Awards of Common Stock which may vest  immediately
or over a period of time.  Vesting of Stock Awards under Section 9 hereof may be
contingent  upon  the  occurrence  of  specified  events  or the  attainment  of
specified performance goals as determined by the Committee.

      (bb)  "Termination  for  Cause"  shall  mean,  in the case of a  Director,
removal from the Board of Directors, or, in the case of an Employee, termination
of  employment,  in both such  cases as  determined  by the Board of  Directors,
because of Participant's personal dishonesty,  incompetence, willful misconduct,
any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit,  intentional  failure to
perform stated duties,  willful  violation of any law, rule or regulation (other
than traffic violations or similar offenses).

      (cc) "Trust" means a trust  established  by the Board in  connection  with
this Plan to hold Plan assets for the purposes set forth herein.

      (dd)  "Trustee"  means  that  person or  persons  and  entity or  entities
approved  by the Board to hold  legal  title to any of the Trust  assets for the
purposes set forth herein.

2.    ADMINISTRATION.
      --------------

      (a) The Plan shall be  administered  by the  Committee.  The  Committee is
authorized,  subject to the provisions of the Plan, to grant awards to Employees
and establish such rules and  regulations  as it deems  necessary for the proper
administration   of  the  Plan   and  to  make   whatever   determinations   and
interpretations in connection with the Plan it deems necessary or advisable. All
determinations  and  interpretations  made by the Committee shall be binding and
conclusive on all Employee Participants and Outside Director Participants in the
Plan and on their legal representatives and beneficiaries.

      (b) Awards to Outside  Directors of the Holding  Company or its Affiliates
shall be granted by the Board of  Directors  or the  Committee,  pursuant to the
terms of this Plan.



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      (c)  Actual  transference  of the  Award  requires  no,  nor  allows  any,
discretion by the Trustee.

3.    TYPES OF AWARDS AND RELATED RIGHTS.
      ----------------------------------

      The following Awards and related rights as described below in Paragraphs 6
through 9 hereof may be granted under the Plan:

      (a)  Non-statutory Stock Options
      (b)  Incentive Stock Options
      (c)  Limited Right
      (d)  Stock Awards

4.    STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
      -------------------------

      Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15 hereof, the maximum number
of shares of Common Stock  reserved  for Awards under the Plan is 59,594  shares
which number may not be in excess of 14% of the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock determined  immediately as of the Effective Date. Subject to adjustment as
provided  in Section 15 hereof,  the  maximum  number of shares of Common  Stock
reserved   hereby  for  purchase   pursuant  to  the  exercise  of  Options  and
Option-related  Awards granted under the Plan is 42,567 shares, which number may
not be in excess  of 10% of the  outstanding  shares  of Common  Stock as of the
Effective  Date.  26,500 options will qualify as Incentive  Stock  Options.  The
maximum  number of the shares of Common Stock reserved for award as Stock Awards
is 17,027  shares,  which  number may not be in excess of 4% of the  outstanding
shares of Common Stock as of the  Effective  Date.  These shares of Common Stock
may be either  authorized but unissued  shares or authorized  shares  previously
issued and reacquired by the Holding Company or acquired by the Trustee.  To the
extent that  Options and Stock  Awards are  granted  under the Plan,  the shares
underlying  such Awards will be unavailable  for any other use including  future
grants  under the Plan except  that,  to the extent that Stock Awards or Options
terminate,  expire,  or are forfeited without having been exercised (or in cases
where a Limited Right has been granted in connection with an option,  the amount
of such  Limited  Right  received in lieu of the exercise of such  option),  new
Awards may be made with  respect to those  shares  underlying  such  terminated,
expired or forfeited Options or Stock Awards.

5.    ELIGIBILITY.
      -----------

      Subject to the terms herein,  all Employees and Outside Directors shall be
eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.

6.    NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS.
      ---------------------------

      The  Committee  may,  subject  to the  limitations  of the  Plan  and  the
availability of shares reserved but unawarded under the Plan, from time to time,
grant Non-statutory Stock Options to Employees and Outside Directors,  upon such
terms and conditions as the Committee may determine

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and grant  Non-statutory  Stock  Options in exchange  for and upon  surrender of
previously granted Awards under this Plan under such terms and conditions as the
Committee may determine. Non-statutory Stock Options granted under this Plan are
subject to the following terms and conditions:

      (a) Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of each Non-statutory  Stock Option
          --------------
shall be determined by the Committee. Such Exercise Price shall not be less than
100% of the Fair Market Value of the Holding  Company's Common Stock on the Date
of Grant.  Shares of Common Stock underlying a Non-statutory Stock Option may be
purchased  only upon full payment of the Exercise  Price or upon operation of an
Alternate Option Payment Mechanism set out in Section 11 hereof.

      (b) Terms of  Non-statutory  Stock  Options.  The term  during  which each
          ---------------------------------------
Non-statutory  Stock  Option  may  be  exercised  shall  be  determined  by  the
Committee,  but in no event shall a Non-statutory Stock Option be exercisable in
whole or in part more than 10 years from the Date of Grant.  The Committee shall
determine  the  date on which  each  Non-statutory  Stock  Option  shall  become
exercisable.  The Committee may also determine as of the Date of Grant any other
specific conditions or specific  performance goals which must be satisfied prior
to the  Non-statutory  Stock Option becoming  exercisable.  The shares of Common
Stock underlying each Non-statutory Stock Option installment may be purchased in
whole  or in  part  by the  Participant  at any  time  during  the  term of such
Non-statutory  Stock  Option after such  installment  becomes  exercisable.  The
Committee  may,  in its  sole  discretion,  accelerate  the  time at  which  any
Non-statutory  Stock  Option may be  exercised  in whole or in part,  subject to
applicable rules and regulations.  The acceleration of any  Non-statutory  Stock
Option under the authority of this paragraph shall create no right,  expectation
or reliance on the part of any other  Participant  or that  certain  Participant
regarding any other unaccelerated Non-statutory Stock Options. Unless determined
otherwise by the Committee and except in the event of the Participant's death or
pursuant to a domestic  relations  order,  a  Non-statutory  Stock Option is not
transferable  and may be exercisable in his lifetime only by the  Participant to
whom it is  granted.  Upon the death of a  Participant,  a  Non-statutory  Stock
Option is transferable by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

      (c) NSO  Agreement.  The terms and conditions of any  Non-statutory  Stock
          --------------
Option  granted shall be evidenced by an agreement (the "NSO  Agreement")  which
shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

      (d) Termination of Employment or Service.  Unless otherwise  determined by
          ------------------------------------
the Committee, upon the termination of a Participant's employment or service for
any  reason  other  than  Disability,   death  or  Termination  for  Cause,  the
Participant's  Non-statutory Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to those
shares  that were  immediately  exercisable  by the  Participant  at the date of
termination  and only  for a  period  of  three  months  following  termination;
provided  that in the event of  termination  of a  Participant's  employment  or
service due to Retirement,  the Participant  shall have up to one year following
the   Participant's   cessation  of   employment  or  service  to  exercise  the
Participant's immediately exercisable Non-statutory Options. Notwithstanding any
provisions set


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forth  herein  or  contained  in any NSO  Agreement  relating  to an  award of a
Non-statutory  Stock Option,  in the event of termination  of the  Participant's
employment or service for Disability or death, all  Non-statutory  Stock Options
held by such Participant  shall immediately vest and be exercisable for one year
after such termination of service, and, in the event of a Termination for Cause,
all rights under the  Participant's  Non-statutory  Stock  Options  shall expire
immediately  upon such Termination for Cause.  Notwithstanding  the above, in no
event shall any Non-statutory Stock Options be exercisable beyond the expiration
of the Non-Statutory Stock Option term.

7.    INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS.
      -----------------------

      The  Committee  may,  subject  to the  limitations  of the  Plan  and  the
availability of shares reserved but unawarded under the Plan, from time to time,
grant Incentive Stock Options to Employees upon such terms and conditions as the
Committee may determine.  Incentive Stock Options  granted  pursuant to the Plan
shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

      (a) Exercise  Price.  The Exercise  Price of each  Incentive  Stock Option
          ---------------
shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market  Value of the Common Stock on the
Date of Grant.  However,  if at the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted to
an  Employee   Participant,   such  Employee   Participant   owns  Common  Stock
representing  more  than 10% of the  total  combined  voting  securities  of the
Holding  Company (or,  under Section 424(d) of the Code, is deemed to own Common
Stock  representing  more than 10% of the  total  combined  voting  power of all
classes of stock of the  Holding  Company,  by reason of the  ownership  of such
classes of stock, directly or indirectly, by or for any brother, sister, spouse,
ancestor or lineal  descendent  of such Employee  Participant,  or by or for any
corporation,  partnership, estate or trust of which such Employee Participant is
a shareholder,  partner or beneficiary),  ("10% Owner"),  the Exercise Price per
share of Common  Stock  deliverable  upon the exercise of each  Incentive  Stock
Option  shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
on the Date of Grant.  Shares  may be  purchased  only upon  payment of the full
Exercise  Price or upon operation of an Alternate  Option Payment  Mechanism set
out in Section 11 hereof.

      (b) Amounts of Incentive  Stock  Options.  Incentive  Stock Options may be
          ------------------------------------
granted to any Employee in such amounts as determined by the Committee; provided
that the amount granted is consistent with the terms of Section 422 of the Code.
In the case of an Option intended to qualify as an Incentive  Stock Option,  the
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of
the Common  Stock with  respect to which  Incentive  Stock  Options  granted are
exercisable for the first time by the Employee  Participant  during any calendar
year (under all plans of the Employee Participant's employer corporation and its
parent and subsidiary corporations) shall not exceed $100,000. The provisions of
this  Section  7(b) shall be construed  and applied in  accordance  with Section
422(d) of the Code and the regulations,  if any, promulgated thereunder.  To the
extent an Award of an  Incentive  Stock Option under this Section 7 exceeds this
$100,000 limit, the portion of the Award in excess of such limit shall be deemed
a Non-statutory Stock Option. The Committee shall have discretion to redesignate
Options granted as Incentive Stock Options as

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Non-Statutory  Stock Options.  Such Non-statutory Stock Options shall be subject
to Section 6 hereof.

      (c) Terms of Incentive Stock Options. The term during which each Incentive
          --------------------------------
Stock Option may be exercised  shall be determined by the  Committee,  but in no
event shall an Incentive  Stock Option be  exercisable  in whole or in part more
than 10 years from the Date of Grant.  If at the time an Incentive  Stock Option
is granted to an Employee  Participant  who is a 10% Owner,  the Incentive Stock
Option granted to such Employee  Participant  shall not be exercisable after the
expiration  of five years from the Date of Grant.  No Incentive  Stock Option is
transferable  except  by will or the laws of  descent  and  distribution  and is
exercisable  in his  lifetime  only by the  Employee  Participant  to whom it is
granted. The designation of a beneficiary does not constitute a transfer.

      The  Committee  shall  determine  the date on which each  Incentive  Stock
Option shall become exercisable. The Committee may also determine as of the Date
of Grant any other specific conditions or specific  performance goals which must
be satisfied  prior to the  Incentive  Stock Option  becoming  exercisable.  The
shares  comprising each  installment may be purchased in whole or in part at any
time  during the term of such  Incentive  Stock  Option  after such  installment
becomes exercisable.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion,  accelerate the
time at which any  Incentive  Stock Option may be exercised in whole or in part,
subject to applicable rules and  regulations.  The acceleration of any Incentive
Stock Option under the  authority  of this  paragraph  shall not create a right,
expectation  or reliance on the part of any other  Participant  or that  certain
Participant regarding any other unaccelerated Incentive Stock Options.

      (d) ISO Agreement.  The terms and conditions of any Incentive Stock Option
          -------------
granted shall be evidenced by an agreement (the "ISO Agreement")  which shall be
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

      (e)  Termination  of  Employment.   Unless  otherwise  determined  by  the
           ---------------------------
Committee,  upon the termination of an Employee Participant's employment for any
reason  other than  Disability,  death or  Termination  for Cause,  the Employee
Participant's  Incentive  Stock  Options shall be  exercisable  only as to those
shares  that were  immediately  exercisable  by the  Participant  at the date of
termination and only for a period of three months following termination,  except
that in the event of the termination of an Employee Participant's employment due
to  Retirement,  the  Participant  shall  have  up to  one  year  following  the
Participant's  cessation of employment  to exercise any Incentive  Stock Options
exercisable  on that date.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  set forth herein or
contained  in any ISO  Agreement  relating  to an  award of an  Incentive  Stock
Option, in the event of termination of the Employee Participant's employment for
Disability  or  death,  all  Incentive  Stock  Options  held  by  such  Employee
Participant  shall  immediately  vest and be exercisable for one year after such
termination,  and, in the event of Termination  for Cause,  all rights under the
Employee  Participant's  Incentive Stock Options shall expire  immediately  upon
termination.  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  herein to the  contrary,  no
Incentive  Stock Option shall be eligible  for  treatment as an Incentive  Stock
Option in the event such  Incentive  Stock Option is  exercised  more than three
months following the


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date of a Participant's cessation of employment.  In no event shall an Incentive
Stock Option be exercisable  beyond the expiration of the Incentive Stock Option
term.

      (f) Compliance  with Code. The Incentive  Stock Options granted under this
          ---------------------
Section 7 are  intended  to  qualify as  "incentive  stock  options"  within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but the Holding Company makes no warranty as
to the  qualification  of any Option as an  incentive  stock  option  within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code.  All Options that do not so qualify shall be
treated as Non-statutory Stock Options.

8.     LIMITED RIGHT.
       -------------

      Simultaneously  with  the  grant  of  any  Option  to a  Participant,  the
Committee  may grant a Limited  Right with  respect to all or some of the shares
covered by such Option.  Limited  Rights  granted under this Plan are subject to
the following terms and conditions:

      (a) Terms of Rights.  In no event shall a Limited Right be  exercisable in
          ---------------
whole or in part before the  expiration  of six months from the Date of Grant of
the  Limited  Right.  A Limited  Right may be  exercised  only in the event of a
Change in Control.

      The Limited  Right may be  exercised  only when the  underlying  Option is
eligible to be exercised,  and only when the Fair Market Value of the underlying
shares  on the day of  exercise  is  greater  than  the  Exercise  Price  of the
underlying Option.

      Upon exercise of a Limited Right, the underlying  Option shall cease to be
exercisable.  Upon exercise or  termination  of an Option,  any related  Limited
Rights shall  terminate.  The Limited Rights may be for no more than 100% of the
difference  between the  purchase  price and the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock subject to the underlying  option.  The Limited Right is transferable only
when the underlying option is transferable and under the same conditions.

      (b) Payment.  Upon exercise of a Limited Right,  the holder shall promptly
          -------
receive  from the  Holding  Company  an amount of cash  equal to the  difference
between the Exercise Price of the underlying option and the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock subject to the underlying  Option on the date the Limited Right
is  exercised,  multiplied  by the number of shares  with  respect to which such
Limited  Right  is  exercised.   Payments  shall  be  less  any  applicable  tax
withholding as set forth in Section 16 hereof.

9.     STOCK AWARD.
       -----------

      The  Committee  (or in the case of an Outside  Director  Participant,  the
Board of Directors)  may,  subject to the  limitations of the Plan, from time to
time, make an Award of shares of Common Stock to Employees and Outside Directors
("Stock Awards").  The Stock Awards shall be made subject to the following terms
and conditions:


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      (a) Payment of the Stock Award.  The Stock Award may only be made in whole
          --------------------------
shares of Common  Stock.  Stock Awards may only be granted from shares  reserved
under the Plan but unawarded at the time the new Stock Award is made.

      (b) Terms of the Stock Awards.  The Committee shall determine the dates on
          -------------------------
which  Stock  Awards  granted  to a  Participant  shall  vest  and any  specific
conditions or performance  goals which must be satisfied prior to the vesting of
any installment or portion of the Stock Award.  Notwithstanding other paragraphs
in this Section 9, the Committee  may, in its sole  discretion,  accelerate  the
vesting  of any Stock  Award.  The  acceleration  of any Stock  Award  under the
authority of this  paragraph  shall create no right,  expectation or reliance on
the part of any other  Participant  or that certain  Participant  regarding  any
other unaccelerated Stock Awards.

      (c) Stock Award  Agreement.  The terms and  conditions  of any Stock Award
          ----------------------
shall be  evidenced by an agreement  (the "Stock  Award  Agreement")  which such
Stock Award  Agreement  will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
Each Stock Award Agreement shall set forth:

           (i) the period over which the Stock Award will vest;
           (ii)the  performance  goals, if any, which must be satisfied prior to
               the vesting of any installment or portion of the Stock Award. The
               performance  goals may be set by the  Committee on an  individual
               level, for all  Participants,  for all Awards made during a given
               period of time, or for all Awards for indefinite periods;

      (d) Certification of Attainment of the Performance Goal. No Stock Award or
          ---------------------------------------------------
portion  thereof that is subject to a performance  goal is to be  distributed to
the Participant  until the Committee  certifies that the underlying  performance
goal has been achieved.

      (e) Termination of Employment or Service.  Unless otherwise  determined by
          ------------------------------------
the Committee, upon the termination of a Participant's employment or service for
any  reason  other  than  Disability,   death  or  Termination  for  Cause,  the
Participant's  unvested  Stock  Awards  as of the date of  termination  shall be
forfeited and any rights the Participant had to such unvested Stock Awards shall
become  null and  void.  Notwithstanding  any  provisions  set  forth  herein or
contained  in any  Agreement  relating  to an award of a Stock  Option  or Stock
Award,  in  the  event  of  termination  of  the  Participant's  service  due to
Disability or death,  all unvested Stock Awards held by such  Participant  shall
immediately vest and, in the event of the  Participant's  Termination for Cause,
the Participant's unvested Stock Awards as of the date of such termination shall
be forfeited and any rights the  Participant  had to such unvested  Stock Awards
shall become null and void.

      (f)  Non-Transferability.  Except to the extent permitted by the Code, the
           -------------------
rules  promulgated  under  Section  16(b) of the Exchange  Act or any  successor
statutes or rules:

           (i)   The  recipient  of  a  Stock  Award  shall  not sell, transfer,
                 assign,  pledge,  or otherwise  encumber  shares subject to the
                 Stock Award until full vesting of such shares has occurred. For
                 purposes of this Section, the separation of beneficial


                                      10

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                 ownership  and  legal  title  through  the  use of  any  "swap"
                 transaction is deemed to be a prohibited encumbrance.

           (ii)  Unless determined otherwise by the  Committee and except in the
                 event of the  Participant's  death or  pursuant  to a  domestic
                 relations  order, a Stock Award is not  transferable and may be
                 earned in his lifetime  only by the  Participant  to whom it is
                 granted.  Upon the  death of a  Participant,  a Stock  Award is
                 transferable  by will or the laws of descent and  distribution.
                 The  designation  of  a  beneficiary   does  not  constitute  a
                 transfer.

           (iii) If  a recipient  of a  Stock Award is subject to the provisions
                 of  Section  16 of the  Exchange  Act,  shares of Common  Stock
                 subject  to such  Stock  Award  may not,  without  the  written
                 consent of the  Committee  (which  consent  may be given in the
                 Stock Award Agreement), be sold or otherwise disposed of within
                 six months following the date of grant of the Stock Award.

      (g) Accrual of  Dividends.  Whenever  shares of Common Stock  underlying a
          ---------------------
Stock Award are  distributed to a Participant  or beneficiary  thereof under the
Plan, such  Participant or beneficiary  shall also be entitled to receive,  with
respect to each such share distributed, a payment equal to any cash dividends or
distributions  (other  than  distributions  in shares of Common  Stock)  and the
number of shares of Common Stock equal to any stock dividends, declared and paid
with respect to a share of the Common  Stock if the record date for  determining
shareholders  entitled  to receive  such  dividends  falls  between the date the
relevant  Stock  Award was  granted  and the date the  relevant  Stock  Award or
installment  thereof is issued.  There shall also be  distributed an appropriate
amount of net earnings,  if any, of the Trust with respect to any dividends paid
out.

      (h) Voting of Stock  Awards.  After a Stock Award has been granted but for
          -----------------------
which the  shares  covered  by such  Stock  Award  have not yet been  earned and
distributed to the Participant  pursuant to the Plan, the  Participant  shall be
entitled to direct the  Trustee as to the voting of such shares of Common  Stock
which the Stock Award covers subject to the rules and procedures  adopted by the
Committee for this  purpose.  All shares of Common Stock held by the Trust as to
which Participants are not entitled to direct, or have not directed, the voting,
shall be voted by the Trustee in the same proportion as the Common Stock covered
by Stock Awards which have been awarded is voted.

10.   PAYOUT ALTERNATIVES
      -------------------

      Payments due to a Participant upon the exercise or redemption of an Award,
may be made subject to the following terms and conditions:

      (a)  Discretion of the Committee. The Committee has the sole discretion to
determine what form of payment (whether monetary, Common Stock, a combination of
payout  alternatives  or  otherwise)  it shall  use in making  distributions  of
payments for all Awards. If the Committee

                                      11

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requests any or all  Participants to make an election as to form of distribution
or payment, it shall not be considered bound by the election.

      (b)  Payment  in the form of Common  Stock.  Any  shares  of Common  Stock
           -------------------------------------
tendered  in  satisfaction  of an  obligation  arising  under this Plan shall be
valued at the Fair Market  Value of the Common  Stock on the day  preceding  the
date of the issuance of such stock to the Participant.

11.    ALTERNATE OPTION PAYMENT MECHANISM
       ----------------------------------

      The  Committee has sole  discretion  to determine  what form of payment it
will accept for the exercise of an Option. The Committee may indicate acceptable
forms in the ISO or NSO  Agreement  covering  such  Options or may  reserve  its
decision to the time of exercise.  No Option is to be considered exercised until
payment in full is accepted by the Committee or its agent.

      (a)  Cash Payment.  The exercise price may be paid in cash or by certified
           ------------
check.

      (b)  Borrowed  Funds.  To the extent  permitted by law, the  Committee may
           ---------------
permit all or a portion of the  exercise  price of an Option to be paid  through
borrowed funds.

      (c)  Exchange of Common Stock.
           ------------------------

            (i) The Committee may permit  payment by the tendering of previously
                acquired  shares  of  Common  Stock.  This  includes  the use of
                "pyramiding  transactions"  whereby  some  number of Options are
                exercised;  then the shares  gained  through  the  exercise  are
                tendered  back to the  Holding  Company as payment for a greater
                number of Options. This transaction may be repeated as needed to
                exercise all of the Options available.

           (ii) Any shares of Common Stock  tendered in payment of the  exercise
                price of an Option  shall be valued at the Fair Market  Value of
                the Common Stock on the date prior to the date of exercise.

12.   RIGHTS OF A SHAREHOLDER: NONTRANSFERABILITY.
      -------------------------------------------

      No Participant  shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any
shares of Common  Stock  covered by an Option  until the date of  issuance  of a
stock certificate for such shares.  Nothing in this Plan or in any Award granted
confers  on any  person  any right to  continue  in the employ or service of the
Holding Company or its Affiliates or interferes in any way with the right of the
Holding  Company or its Affiliates to terminate a  Participant's  services as an
officer or other employee at any time.

      Except as  permitted  under the Code  (with  respect  to  Incentive  Stock
Options) and the rules promulgated pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act
or any successor statutes or rules, no


                                      12

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Award under the Plan shall be transferable by the Participant other than by will
or the laws of intestate succession or pursuant to a domestic relations order or
unless determined otherwise by the Committee.

13.   AGREEMENT WITH GRANTEES.
      -----------------------

      Each  Award  will  be  evidenced  by  a  written   agreement(s)   (whether
constituting  an NSO  Agreement,  ISO  Agreement,  Stock Award  Agreement or any
combination thereof), executed by the Participant and the Holding Company or its
Affiliates that describes the conditions for receiving the Awards  including the
date of Award, the Exercise Price if any, the terms or other applicable periods,
and other terms and  conditions  as may be required or imposed by the Plan,  the
Committee,  or the Board of  Directors,  and may  describe  or  specify  tax law
considerations or applicable securities law considerations.

14.   DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY.
      --------------------------

      A Participant  may, with the consent of the Committee,  designate a person
or persons to receive, in the event of death, any Award to which the Participant
would then be entitled. Such designation will be made upon forms supplied by and
delivered to the Holding Company and may be revoked in writing. If a Participant
fails effectively to designate a beneficiary, then the Participant's estate will
be deemed to be the beneficiary.

15.   DILUTION AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS.
      ------------------------------

      In the event of any change in the  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock by
reason of any stock dividend or split, recapitalization,  merger, consolidation,
spin-off,  reorganization,  combination or exchange of shares,  or other similar
corporate  change,  or other increase or decrease in such shares without receipt
or payment of consideration  by the Holding  Company,  or in the event a capital
distribution  is made the  Committee  will  make such  adjustments  to Awards to
prevent dilution, diminution or enlargement of the rights of the Participant, as
the Committee deems appropriate, including any or all of the following:

      (a) adjustments in the aggregate  number or kind of shares of Common Stock
or other securities that may underlie future Awards under the Plan;

      (b) adjustments in the aggregate  number or kind of shares of Common Stock
or other securities underlying Awards already made under the Plan;

      (c)  adjustments  in the exercise price of  outstanding  Incentive  and/or
Non-statutory Stock Options, or any Limited Rights attached to such Options.


                                      13

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      Alternatively,  the Committee  could provide the  participant  with a cash
benefit for shares  underlying  vested,  but  unexercised  options,  in order to
achieve the  aforementioned  effect. All Awards under this Plan shall be binding
upon any successors or assigns of the Holding Company.

16.   TAX WITHHOLDING.
      ---------------

      Awards under this Plan shall be subject to tax  withholding  to the extent
required by any governmental  authority.  Any withholding shall comply with Rule
16b-3 or any amendment or successive  rule.  Shares of Common Stock  withheld to
pay for tax  withholding  amounts  shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on
the date the Award is deemed taxable to the Participant.

17.   AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN.
      ---------------------

      The Board of Directors may at any time, and from time to time,  subject to
applicable rules and regulations,  modify or amend the Plan or any Award granted
under  the  Plan,  in any  respect,  prospectively  or  retroactively;  provided
however,  that provisions  governing  grants of Incentive Stock Options,  unless
permitted by the rules and regulations or staff pronouncements promulgated under
the Code shall be submitted for  shareholder  approval to the extent required by
such law, regulation or interpretation.

      Failure to ratify or approve  amendments or  modifications by shareholders
shall be effective only as to the specific  amendment or modification  requiring
such ratification. Other provisions, sections, and subsections of this Plan will
remain in full force and effect.

      No such  termination,  modification or amendment may adversely  affect the
rights  of  a  Participant  under  an  outstanding  Award  without  the  written
permission of such Participant.

18.   EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
      ----------------------

      The Plan shall become  effective upon being presented to shareholders  for
ratification  for the  purpose  of  obtaining  preferential  tax  treatment  for
Incentive Stock Options. The failure to obtain shareholder ratification for such
purpose  will not effect the  validity of the Plan and the  Options  thereunder,
provided,  however,  that if the Plan is not ratified,  the Plan shall remain in
full force and effect,  and any Incentive  Stock Options  granted under the Plan
shall be deemed to be Non-statutory Stock Options.

19.   TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
      -----------------------

      The right to grant Awards under the Plan will  terminate  upon the earlier
of: (i) ten (10) years after the Effective  Date;  (ii) the issuance of a number
of  shares  of  Common  Stock  pursuant  to  the  exercise  of  Options  or  the
distribution  of Stock Awards which together with the exercise of Limited Rights
is equivalent  to the maximum  number of shares  reserved  under the Plan as set
forth in Section 4. The Board of Directors has the right to suspend or terminate
the Plan at any time,  provided that no such action will, without the consent of
a Participant, adversely affect a Participant's vested rights under a previously
granted Award.


                                      14

 15



20.   APPLICABLE LAW.
      --------------

      The Plan will be  administered in accordance with the laws of the State of
Ohio and applicable federal law.

21.   COMPLIANCE WITH FDIC CONVERSION REGULATIONS
      -------------------------------------------

      Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Plan:

      (a)  unless  the  Plan is  approved  by a  majority  vote  of the  Holding
Company's  stockholders at a duly called meeting of stockholders to consider the
Plan, as required by 12 CFR ss.333.4(f)(2),  the Plan shall not become effective
or  implemented  prior to one year from the date of the  Bank's  mutual to stock
conversion;

      (b) no Award  granted prior to one year from the date of the Bank's mutual
to stock  conversion  shall become vested or  exercisable at a rate in excess of
20% of the total number of Stock Awards or Options  (whichever  may be the case)
granted to such Participant,  provided, that Awards shall become fully vested or
immediately  exercisable in the event of a Participant's  termination of service
due to death or Disability;

      (c) no Award granted to any individual employee prior to one year from the
date of the Bank's mutual to stock conversion may exceed 25% of the total amount
of Awards which may be granted under the Plan;

      (d) no Award granted to any individual  Outside Director prior to one year
from the date of the  Bank's  mutual to stock  conversion  may  exceed 5% of the
total amount of Awards which may be granted under the Plan; and

      (e) the aggregate amount of Awards granted to all Outside  Directors prior
to one year  from the date of the  Bank's  mutual  to stock  conversion  may not
exceed 30% of the total amount of Awards which may be granted under the Plan.

22.   DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
      -----------------------

      The Committee may delegate all authority for: the  determination  of forms
of  payment  to be made by or  received  by the  Plan;  the  execution  of Award
agreements;  the  determination of Fair Market Value;  the  determination of all
other aspects of administration  of the plan to the executive  officer(s) of the
Holding  Company  or the  Bank.  The  Committee  may  rely on the  descriptions,
representations,  reports and estimate  provided to it by the  management of the
Holding Company or the Bank for  determinations to be made pursuant to the Plan,
including the attainment of performance goals.  However, only the Committee or a
portion of the Committee may certify the attainment of a performance goal.


                                      15