AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 1, 1998
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                       UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
   AND POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-2143
 
                                --------------
 
 STATE STREET CORPORATION        MASSACHUSETTS              04-2456637
STATE STREET CAPITAL TRUST I       DELAWARE                 13-7147837
STATE STREET CAPITAL TRUST II      DELAWARE                 13-7147835
STATE STREET CAPITAL TRUST III     DELAWARE                 13-7147836
(Exact name of each registrant    (State or other         (I.R.S. Employer 
as specified in its charter)      jurisdiction of       Identification Number)
                                  incorporation or
                                  organization)
  
                                --------------
 
                              225 FRANKLIN STREET
                          BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
                                (617) 786-3000
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                each registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                                --------------
 
                        MAUREEN SCANNELL BATEMAN, ESQ.
                 EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                           STATE STREET CORPORATION
                              225 FRANKLIN STREET
                          BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
                                (617) 786-3000
  (Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
          code, of agent for service of process for each registrant)
 
                                --------------
 
                                WITH COPIES TO:
       ROBERT F. HAYES, ESQ.                   B. ROBBINS KIESSLING, ESQ.
           ROPES & GRAY                          CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
      ONE INTERNATIONAL PLACE              WORLDWIDE PLAZA, 825 EIGHTH AVENUE
    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110                 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
          (617) 951-7000                             (212) 474-1000
 
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined
by market conditions.
 
  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [_]
 
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
 
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering: [_]
 
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
 
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: [X]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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                               AMOUNT TO    PROPOSED MAXIMUM   PROPOSED MAXIMUM   AMOUNT OF
  TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF     BE REGISTERED OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED  (1)(2)(3)(4)    UNIT(4)(5)(6)      PRICE(4)(5)(6)      FEE(3)
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Debt Securities and
 Preferred Stock (no par
 value) of State Street
 Corporation(5).........
- ------------------------------------------------------
Capital Securities of
 State Street Capital
 Trust I................
- ------------------------------------------------------
Capital Securities of
 State Street Capital
 Trust II...............          (8)             (8)                (8)             (8)
- ------------------------------------------------------
Capital Securities of
 State Street Capital
 Trust III..............
- ------------------------------------------------------
Guarantees of Capital
 Securities of State
 Street Capital Trust I,
 State Street Capital
 Trust II and State
 Street Capital Trust
 III by State Street
 Corporation and certain
 back-up
 undertakings(7)........
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total...................     $350,000,000         100%           $350,000,000    $120,689.65(3)

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(1) Or, if any Debt Securities are issued with a principal amount denominated
    in a foreign currency, such principal amount as shall not exceed an
    aggregate initial offering price of, together with that of the Preferred
    Stock, if any, $350,000,000.
(2) Or, if any Debt Securities are issued at original issue discount, such
    greater principal amount as shall not exceed an aggregate initial offering
    price of, together with that of the Preferred Stock, if any, $350,000,000.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, $350,000,000 of
    debt securities and preferred stock are being carried forward from
    Registration Statement No. 333-2143 for inclusion in the Prospectus filed
    herewith. A registration fee of $120,689.65 has been previously paid with
    respect to such debt securities and preferred stock.
(4) Such indeterminate number of Capital Securities of State Street Capital
    Trust I, State Street Capital Trust II and State Street Capital Trust III
    and such indeterminate principal amount of Junior Subordinated Deferrable
    Interest Debentures and Debt Securities and number of shares of Preferred
    Stock of State Street Corporation, as may from time to time be issued at
    indeterminate prices. Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
    may be issued and sold to State Street Capital Trust I, State Street
    Capital Trust II or State Street Capital Trust III. Such Junior
    Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures may later be distributed to
    the holders of Capital Securities upon termination of State Street Capital
    Trust I, State Street Capital Trust II or State Street Capital Trust III
    and the distribution of assets thereof.
(5) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
    pursuant to Rule 457. The aggregate public offering price of the Capital
    Securities of State Street Capital Trust I, State Street Capital Trust II
    and State Street Capital Trust III and the Debt Securities and Preferred
    Stock of State Street Corporation registered hereby will not exceed
    $350,000,000.
(6) Exclusive of accrued interest and distributions, if any.
(7) Includes the obligations of State Street Corporation under (i) the Amended
    and Restated Trust Agreement of each of State Street Capital Trust I,
    State Street Capital Trust II and State Street Capital Trust III, (ii) the
    Guarantees issued with respect to the Capital Securities issued by such
    Trust, (iii) the Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
    purchased by such Trust and the related Indenture, including the agreement
    of State Street Corporation (contained in each Amended and Restated Trust
    Agreement contained in the Supplemental Indenture) to pay all trust
    obligations other than the Capital Securities and the Common Securities,
    all as described in the Base Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement
    included in this Registration Statement. No separate consideration will be
    received for these obligations or for the Guarantees.
(8) Not applicable pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3.
 
                                --------------
 
  THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT, WHICH IS A NEW REGISTRATION STATEMENT, ALSO
CONSTITUTES POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-
2143 OF STATE STREET CORPORATION (THEN CALLED STATE STREET BOSTON CORPORATION)
WHICH WAS DECLARED EFFECTIVE ON APRIL 23, 1996. SUCH POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT
SHALL HEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE CONCURRENTLY WITH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(C) OF THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933. PURSUANT TO RULE 429 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE
PROSPECTUS FILED AS PART OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ALSO CONSTITUTES A
PROSPECTUS FOR REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-2143; THE $350,000,000 AGGREGATE
AMOUNT OF DEBT SECURITIES AND PREFERRED STOCK REMAINING UNSOLD FROM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-2143 WILL BE COMBINED WITH THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES, DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK AND GUARANTEES TO BE REGISTERED
PURSUANT TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO ENABLE STATE STREET CORPORATION TO
OFFER AN AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $350,000,000 OF ANY COMBINATION OF ITS DEBT
SECURITIES AND PREFERRED STOCK AND TO ENABLE STATE STREET CAPITAL TRUST I,
STATE STREET CAPITAL TRUST II AND STATE STREET CAPITAL TRUST III TO OFFER AN
AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $350,000,000 OF CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THIS
COMBINED PROSPECTUS.
 
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
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++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER  +
+TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF +
+THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD +
+BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS  +
+OF ANY SUCH STATE.                                                            +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 1, 1998
 
                                  $350,000,000
 
                            STATE STREET CORPORATION
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                PREFERRED STOCK
 
                                  ----------
 
                          STATE STREET CAPITAL TRUST I
                         STATE STREET CAPITAL TRUST II
                         STATE STREET CAPITAL TRUST III
 
                               CAPITAL SECURITIES
                           FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
                                 GUARANTEED BY
                            STATE STREET CORPORATION
 
                                  ----------
 
  State Street Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation ("State Street" or the
"Corporation"), may from time to time offer in one or more series or issuances
(i) shares of its preferred stock, no par value (the "Preferred Stock"), and
(ii) its unsecured debt securities (the "Debt Securities") which may be either
senior debt securities ("Senior Debt Securities"), subordinated debt securities
("Subordinated Debt Securities") or junior subordinated debentures ("Junior
Subordinated Debentures"). State Street Capital Trust I, State Street Capital
Trust II and State Street Capital Trust III, each a statutory business trust
created under the laws of the State of Delaware (each, an "Issuer Trust" and
collectively, the "Issuer Trusts"), may severally offer, from time to time,
preferred undivided beneficial interests (the "Capital Securities") in the
assets of such Issuer Trust. The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Capital
Securities and Guarantees (as defined herein) are referred to herein
collectively as the "Securities." The Securities may be offered (the "Offered
Securities") as separate series in amounts, at prices, and on terms to be
determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in a supplement to this
Prospectus (the "Prospectus Supplement"), and will be limited to $350,000,000
aggregate public offering price (or its equivalent (based on the applicable
exchange rate at the time of sale) to the extent Debt Securities are issued
with principal amounts denominated in one or more foreign currencies or
currency units). State Street will own all of the common securities (the
"Common Securities" and, together with the Capital Securities, the "Trust
Securities") representing common beneficial ownership interests in each such
Issuer Trust. Holders of the Capital Securities will be entitled to receive
preferential cumulative cash distributions ("Distributions") accumulating from
the date of original issuance and payable periodically as specified in an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Payment of the principal of the Subordinated Debt Securities may be
accelerated only in the case of certain events involving the bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization of State Street. There is otherwise no right of
acceleration in the case of a default in the performance of any covenant of
State Street related to the Subordinated Debt Securities, including the payment
of principal and interest. See "Description of Debt Securities--Events of
Default--The Subordinated Indenture." In addition, unless otherwise indicated
in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to which any Securities are offered, such
Offered Securities and the covenants contained in the indentures pursuant to
which such Offered Securities are issued will not protect holders in the event
of a sudden decline in the creditworthiness of State Street that might result
from a recapitalization, restructuring or other highly leveraged transaction.
See "Description of Debt Securities--General."
 
  If provided in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement, State Street will have
the right to defer payments of interest on any series of Junior Subordinated
Debentures by extending the interest payment period thereon at any time or from
time to time for up to such number of consecutive interest payment periods
(which shall not extend beyond the Stated Maturity (as defined herein) of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures) with respect to each deferral period as may be
specified in such Prospectus Supplement (each, an "Extension Period"). In such
circumstances, however, State Street would not be permitted, subject to certain
exceptions set forth herein, to declare or pay any dividends, distributions or
other payments with respect to, or repay, repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire, State Street's capital stock or debt securities that rank pari passu
with or junior to such series of Junior Subordinated Debentures. See
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option to Defer Interest
Payments" and "--Restrictions on Certain Payments."
 
  Concurrently with the issuance by an Issuer Trust of its Capital Securities,
such Issuer Trust will invest the proceeds thereof and of contributions
received in respect of the Common Securities in a corresponding series of State
Street's Junior Subordinated Debentures (the "Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures") with terms corresponding to the terms of that Issuer Trust's
Capital Securities (the "Related Capital Securities"). Accordingly, if, as
provided in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement, State Street has the right
to defer the payment of interest on a series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, then, if interest payments are so deferred,
Distributions on the Related Capital Securities would also be deferred, but
would continue to accumulate at the rate per annum set forth in the related
Prospectus Supplement. See "Description of Capital Securities--Distributions."
                                                        (continued on next page)
 
                                  ----------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
   EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECU-
    RITIES  AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION
      PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRE-
       SENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE SALES OF SECURITIES UNLESS
ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
 
                                  ----------
 
                   The date of this Prospectus is     , 1998.

 
(continued from cover page)
 
  Taken together, State Street's obligations under each series of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Junior Subordinated
Indenture, the related Trust Agreement and the related Guarantee (each, as
defined herein), in the aggregate, will provide a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of payments of Distributions and other amounts due on
the Related Capital Securities. See "Relationship Among the Capital
Securities, the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and the
Guarantees--Full and Unconditional Guarantee." The payment of Distributions
with respect to the Capital Securities of each Issuer Trust and payments on
liquidation of such Issuer Trust or redemption of such Capital Securities, in
each case out of funds held by such Issuer Trust, will be irrevocably
guaranteed by State Street to the extent described herein (each, a
"Guarantee"). See "Description of Guarantees." The obligations of State Street
under each Guarantee will be unsecured and subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in "Description of Junior
Subordinated Debentures--Subordination") of State Street.
 
  The Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of
each Issuer Trust, and payments under the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be the only revenue of each Issuer Trust. If so provided in an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement, State Street may, upon receipt of approval
of the Federal Reserve (if such approval is then required under the Federal
Reserve's applicable capital guidelines or policies), redeem the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures (and thereby cause the redemption of the Trust
Securities) or may dissolve each Issuer Trust and, after satisfaction of
liabilities to the creditors of such Issuer Trust as required by applicable
law, cause the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed
to the holders of Capital Securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation of
their interests in such Issuer Trust. See "Description of Capital Securities--
Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution."
 
  State Street's principal asset and source of cash revenues is its investment
in State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street Bank"). As a bank
holding company, State Street is a legal entity separate and distinct from
State Street Bank and its nonbank subsidiaries and is subject to supervision
and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the
"Federal Reserve"). State Street's principal source of cash revenues is cash
dividends paid by State Street Bank, and consequently, its ability to satisfy
its financial obligations, including the payment of interest or dividends on
the Securities, is dependent upon State Street Bank's ability to pay cash
dividends or make other distributions to State Street. Payment of dividends to
State Street by State Street Bank is subject to legal restrictions imposed by
the Federal Reserve Act and Massachusetts banking law.
 
  The specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered will be as set forth in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement, such as, where applicable (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the
specific designation, aggregate principal amount, denominations, maturity,
premium, if any, rate (which may be fixed or variable) and time of payment of
interest, if any, terms for redemption at the option of State Street or the
holder, if any, terms for sinking or purchase fund payments, if any, currency
or currencies of denomination and payment, if other than U.S. dollars, the
securities exchanges on which the Debt Securities are to be listed, if any,
and any other terms in connection with the offering and sale of the Debt
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, as well as
the initial public offering price, and the principal amounts, if any, to be
purchased by underwriters; (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific
title and stated value, number of shares or fractional interests therein, any
dividend, liquidation, redemption, voting and other rights, the terms for
conversion into other preferred stock or for exchange for Debt Securities, the
securities exchanges on which such Preferred Stock is to be listed, if any,
the initial public offering price, and the number of shares, if any, to be
purchased by underwriters; (iii) in the case of Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the specified designation, aggregate principal amount,
denominations, Stated Maturity (including any provisions for the shortening or
extension thereof), interest payment dates, interest rate (which may be fixed
or variable) or method of calculating interest, if any, applicable Extension
Period or interest deferral terms, if any, place or places where principal,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be payable, any terms of
redemption, any sinking fund provisions, terms for any conversion or exchange
into other securities, initial offering or purchase price, methods of
distribution and any other special terms; and (iv) in the case of Capital
Securities, the identity of the Issuer Trust, specific title, aggregate stated
liquidation amount, number of securities, Distribution rate or method of
calculating such rate, Distribution payment dates, applicable Distribution
deferral terms, if any, place or places where Distributions will be payable,
any terms of redemption, exchange, initial offering or purchase price, methods
of distribution and any other special terms. The Prospectus Supplement will
also contain information, where applicable, about certain United States
federal income tax considerations relating to the Securities covered by the
Prospectus Supplement. All or a portion of the Debt Securities may be issued
in permanent global form.
 
  The Senior Debt Securities, when issued, will rank on a parity with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of State Street. State
Street's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and subordinate and junior in right
of payment to State Street's Senior Indebtedness and Senior Debt,
respectively, as described herein or as may be described in an accompanying
Prospectus Supplement. See "Description of Debt Securities--Subordination of
Subordinated Debt Securities" and "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Subordination."
 
  The Offered Securities may be sold directly by State Street, through agents
of State Street designated from time to time, to or through underwriters,
through dealers, remarketing firms or agents or through a combination of such
methods. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of
the Securities, the names of such agents, underwriters or dealers and any
applicable commission or discounts will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement with respect to such Securities. The Prospectus Supplement will
state whether the Offered Securities will be listed on any national securities
exchange or automated quotation system. If the Offered Securities are not
listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system,
there can be no assurance that there will be a secondary market for the
Securities. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY STATE
STREET OR ANY OF THE ISSUER TRUSTS TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OR ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE CORPORATION OR ANY OF THE
ISSUER TRUSTS SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                                ---------------
 
                                       2

 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  State Street is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the
Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048 and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 14th Floor, 500 West Madison
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can also be obtained
at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549.
Such material may also be accessed electronically by means of the Commission's
home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, such reports,
proxy statements and other information concerning State Street can be
inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
  State Street and the Issuer Trusts have filed with the Commission a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits
thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the securities offered hereby.
This Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain portions of which have been omitted as
permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information with respect to State Street and the securities offered hereby,
reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and the
financial statements, notes and schedules filed as a part thereof or
incorporated by reference therein, which may be inspected at the public
reference facilities of the Commission at the addresses set forth above or
through the Commission's home page on the Internet. Statements made in this
Prospectus concerning the contents of any documents referred to herein are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance are qualified in all respects by
reference to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
 
  No separate financial statements of any Issuer Trust have been included
herein. State Street and the Issuer Trusts do not consider that such financial
statements would be material to holders of the Capital Securities because each
Issuer Trust is a newly formed special purpose entity, has no operating
history or independent operations and is not engaged in and does not propose
to engage in any activity other than holding as trust assets the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures of State Street and issuing the Trust
Securities. See "The Issuer Trusts," "Description of Capital Securities,"
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of Guarantees." In addition, State
Street does not expect that any of the Issuer Trusts will be filing reports
under the Exchange Act with the Commission.
 
                                       3

 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  State Street's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997, which has been filed with the Commission, is incorporated into this
Prospectus by reference.
 
  Each document or report filed by State Street pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to the
termination of any offering of securities made by this Prospectus shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part
of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such document. Any statement
contained herein, or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of the Registration Statement and this
Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this
Prospectus.
 
  State Street will provide without charge to any person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated by reference herein
(other than exhibits not specifically incorporated by reference into the texts
of such documents). Requests for such documents should be directed to: State
Street Corporation, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110,
Attention: Marketing Services, telephone number (617) 664-3383.
 
                                       4

 
                           STATE STREET CORPORATION
 
  State Street is a bank holding company organized under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a leading provider of services to
institutional investors and investment management worldwide. State Street was
organized in 1970 and conducts its business principally through its
subsidiary, State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street Bank"), which
traces its beginnings to the founding of the Union Bank in 1792. The charter
under which State Street Bank now operates was authorized by a special act of
the Massachusetts Legislature in 1891, and its present name was adopted in
1960. State Street's executive offices are located at 225 Franklin Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110 (telephone (617) 786-3000).
 
                               THE ISSUER TRUSTS
 
  Each Issuer Trust is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law
pursuant to (i) a trust agreement executed by State Street, as Depositor of
the Issuer Trust, and the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee, and the
Administrative Trustees (each as defined herein) of such Issuer Trust, and
(ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of
State. The trust agreement of each Issuer Trust will be amended and restated
in its entirety (each, as so amended and restated, a "Trust Agreement") prior
to the issuance of Capital Securities by such Issuer Trust, substantially in
the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus forms a part. Each Trust Agreement will be qualified as an
indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust
Indenture Act"). Each Issuer Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i)
issuing and selling its Trust Securities, (ii) using the proceeds from the
sale of such Trust Securities to acquire a series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures issued by State Street, and (iii) engaging in only
those other activities necessary or incidental thereto (such as registering
the transfer of Trust Securities). Accordingly, the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of each Issuer Trust, and
payments under the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the
sole revenue of each Issuer Trust.
 
  All of the Common Securities of each Issuer Trust will be owned by State
Street. The Common Securities of an Issuer Trust will rank pari passu, and
payments will be made thereon pro rata with the Capital Securities of each
Issuer Trust, except that upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of
default under a Trust Agreement resulting from an event of default under the
Indenture, the rights of State Street as holder of the Common Securities to
payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation or
redemption will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Capital
Securities of such Issuer Trust. See "Description of Capital Securities--
Subordination of Common Securities." State Street will acquire Common
Securities in an aggregate Liquidation Amount equal to not less than 3% of the
total capital of each Issuer Trust.
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each
Issuer Trust has a term of approximately 55 years, but may dissolve earlier as
provided in the applicable Trust Agreement. Each Issuer Trust's business and
affairs are conducted by its trustees, each appointed by State Street as
holder of the Common Securities. The trustees for each Issuer Trust will be
The First National Bank of Chicago, as the Property Trustee (the "Property
Trustee"), First Chicago Delaware Inc., as the Delaware Trustee (the "Delaware
Trustee"), and two individual trustees (the "Administrative Trustees") who are
employees or officers of or affiliated with State Street (collectively, the
"Issuer Trustees"). The First National Bank of Chicago, as Property Trustee,
will act as sole trustee under each Trust Agreement for purposes of compliance
with the Trust Indenture Act. The First National Bank of Chicago will also act
as trustee under the Guarantees and the Junior Subordinated Indenture. See
"Description of Guarantees" and "Description of Junior Subordinated
Debentures." The holder of the Common Securities of an Issuer Trust, or the
holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Related Capital Securities
if an event of default under the Trust Agreement
 
                                       5

 
for such Issuer Trust has occurred and is continuing, will be entitled to
appoint, remove or replace the Property Trustee and/or the Delaware Trustee
for such Issuer Trust. In no event will the holders of the Capital Securities
have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative
Trustees; such voting rights are vested exclusively in the holder of the
Common Securities. The duties and obligations of each Issuer Trustee are
governed by the applicable Trust Agreement. State Street will pay all fees and
expenses related to each Issuer Trust and the offering of the Capital
Securities and will pay, directly or indirectly, all ongoing costs, expenses
and liabilities of each Issuer Trust.
 
  The principal executive office of each Issuer Trust is c/o State Street Bank
and Trust Company, N.A., 61 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10005,
and each Issuer Trust's telephone number is (212) 612-3000.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The net proceeds from the sale of any Offered Securities will be used for
the purposes specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, which may
include, but are not limited to, being added to State Street's general funds
and being used for general corporate purposes, including investments in the
capital of or extensions of credit to State Street Bank and the repayment or
refinancing of long and short-term debt. Pending such use, the proceeds may be
temporarily invested in short-term securities. State Street expects that it
will engage from time to time in additional financings of a character and in
an amount to be determined. The Corporation and State Street Bank regularly
investigate possible acquisitions. The Corporation and State Street Bank are
currently investigating or in discussions with respect to potential
acquisitions, but have no agreements or understandings with respect thereto.
All of the proceeds to an Issuer Trust from the sale of any Capital Securities
will be invested by the Issuer Trust in the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
 
                                       6

 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of
August 2, 1993 (the "Senior Indenture"), between State Street and U.S. Bank
Trust National Association, as successor Trustee. The Subordinated Debt
Securities (other than the Junior Subordinated Debentures) are to be issued
under a second Indenture (the "Subordinated Indenture") that is expected to be
entered into between State Street and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as
Trustee. The Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be issued under a Junior
Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 15, 1996, as supplemented from
time to time (as so supplemented, the "Junior Subordinated Indenture"),
between State Street and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (the
"Debenture Trustee"). The form of the Subordinated Indenture has been filed
with the Commission as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement. The Senior
Indenture has been filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4 to State Street's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 8, 1993. The Junior Subordinated
Indenture has been filed with the Commission as Exhibit 1 to State Street's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 27, 1997. The Senior Indenture and
the Subordinated Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the
"Indentures." See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--The Junior
Subordinated Indenture" for information on the Junior Subordinated Indenture.
U.S. Bank Trust National Association is hereinafter referred to as the "Senior
Trustee" when referring to it in its capacity as trustee under the Senior
Indenture, as the "Subordinated Trustee" when referring to it in its capacity
as trustee under the Subordinated Indenture, and as the "Trustee" when
referring to it in its capacity as trustee under the Senior Indenture and the
Subordinated Indenture. The following summaries of certain provisions of the
Senior Debt Securities, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Indentures do
not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture applicable to a
particular series of Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities
(the "Applicable Indenture"), including the definitions therein of certain
terms. Article and Section references used herein are references to the
Applicable Indenture. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meaning given to them in the Applicable Indenture. The following sets
forth certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of any specific series
of Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement (the "Applicable Prospectus
Supplement") will be described in such Prospectus Supplement.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Indentures do not limit the amount of Debt Securities that may be issued
thereunder and provide that Debt Securities may be issued thereunder from time
to time in one or more series. The Debt Securities will be unsecured
obligations of State Street. Because State Street is a holding company, the
right of State Street to participate in any distribution of assets of any
subsidiary, including State Street Bank, upon such subsidiary's liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise, is subject to the prior claims of creditors of
the subsidiary, except to the extent State Street may itself be recognized as
a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Debt Securities will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of State
Street's subsidiaries, and holders of Debt Securities should look only to the
assets of State Street for payments on the Debt Securities.
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement,
principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities will be
payable, and the transfer of the Debt Securities will be registrable, at the
office or agency of State Street maintained for such purpose, except that, at
the option of State Street, interest may be paid by mailing a check to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears on the register for the
Debt Securities. The Debt Securities will be issued only in fully registered
form without coupons and, unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable
Prospectus Supplement, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple
thereof. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of the Debt Securities, but State
 
                                       7

 
Street may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
 
  The Applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms of
the Debt Securities offered thereby, to the extent applicable: (1) the title
of the Debt Securities; (2) whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt
Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities; (3) any limit on the aggregate
principal amount of the Debt Securities; (4) the date or dates on which the
Debt Securities will mature; (5) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or
variable) per annum at which the Debt Securities will bear interest, if any,
and the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue; (6) the
dates on which such interest, if any, on the Debt Securities will be payable
and the Regular Record Dates for such Interest Payment Dates; (7) any
mandatory or optional sinking funds or analogous provisions; (8) the date, if
any, after which and the price or prices at which the Debt Securities may,
pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed and
the other detailed terms and provisions of any such optional or mandatory
redemption provision; (9) the obligation of State Street, if any, to redeem or
repurchase the Debt Securities at the option of the Holder; (10) if other than
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations
in which the Debt Securities will be issuable; (11) if other than the
principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Debt
Securities that will be payable upon the declaration of acceleration of the
Maturity thereof; (12) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency of payment of
principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities; (13) any
index used to determine the amount of payment of principal of and any premium
and interest on the Debt Securities; (14) the applicability of the provisions
described under Defeasance with respect to the Debt Securities; (15) if the
Debt will be issuable only in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary or
its nominee with respect to the Debt Securities and the circumstances under
which the Global Security may be registered for transfer or exchange in the
name of a Person other than the Depository or its nominee; (16) the person to
whom any interest on the Debt Securities of the series shall be payable if
other than the person in whose name the Debt Securities is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; (17) the place
or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any Debt
Securities of the series shall be payable; (18) if the principal of or any
premium or interest on any Debt Securities of the series is to be payable, at
the election of State Street or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies
or currency units other than that or those in which such Debt Securities are
stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the
principal of or any premium or interest on such Debt Securities as to which
such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms
and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so
payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined); (19) if the
principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Debt Securities of the
series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the
Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount
of such Debt Securities as of any such date, including the principal amount
thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated
Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to
the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount
deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined); (20) any addition to
or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Debt Securities of the
series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of
such Debt Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable;
(21) any addition to or change in the covenants which applies to Debt
Securities of the series; and (22) any other terms of the Debt Securities.
 
  Both Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued
as discounted Debt Securities (bearing no interest or interest at a rate which
at the time of issuance is below market rates) to be sold at a substantial
discount below their stated principal amount. Federal income tax consequences
and other special considerations applicable to any such discounted Securities
will be described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       8

 
  Both Indentures provide that without the consent of any Holders, State
Street and the Trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures for
certain purposes, including (1) to add to the covenants of State Street for
the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities or to
surrender any right or power conferred upon State Street in the Indentures and
(2) to add any additional Events of Default, in the case of the Senior
Indenture, and Events of Default or Defaults, in the case of the Subordinated
Indenture.
 
  In the event any sinking fund is established for the retirement of Debt
Securities of any series, State Street may satisfy all or any part of the
sinking fund payments with Debt Securities of such series under certain
circumstances and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Debt
Securities.
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
covenants contained in the Indentures and the Debt Securities will not afford
Holders protection in the event of a sudden decline in the creditworthiness of
State Street that might result from a recapitalization, restructuring, or
other highly leveraged transaction.
 
SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
following provisions shall apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
  The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. In certain events of
insolvency, the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
the Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the
Subordinated Indenture, also be subordinated in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Other Financial Obligations. Upon any payment or
distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding
up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of
assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings of State Street,
the holders of all Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive
payment in full of all amounts due or to become due thereon before the Holders
of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled to receive any payment in
respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Subordinated
Debt Securities. If upon any such payment or distribution of assets to
creditors, there remain, after giving effect to such subordination provisions
in favor of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, any amounts of cash, property
or securities available for payment or distribution in respect of Subordinated
Debt Securities ("Excess Proceeds") and if, at such time, any Entitled Persons
in respect of Other Financial Obligations have not received payment in full of
all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of such Other Financial
Obligations, then such Excess Proceeds shall first be applied to pay or
provide for the payment in full of such Other Financial Obligations before any
payment or distribution may be made in respect of the Subordinated Debt
Securities. In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any
Subordinated Debt Securities, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness will
first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become
due thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be
entitled to receive any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities. Accordingly, in case of such an
acceleration, all Senior Indebtedness would have to be repaid before any
payment could be made in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities. No
payments on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of
the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if there shall have occurred and
be continuing a default in any payment with respect to any Senior
Indebtedness, or if any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to
any such default.
 
  By reason of such subordination, in the event of the insolvency of State
Street, creditors of State Street who are not holders of Senior Indebtedness
or the Subordinated Debt Securities may recover
 
                                       9

 
less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness and may recover more,
ratably, than Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities. By reason of the
obligation of the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities to pay over any
Excess Proceeds to Entitled Persons in respect of Other Financial Obligations,
in the event of the insolvency of State Street, holders of Existing
Subordinated Indebtedness (as defined in the Subordinated Indenture) may
recover less, ratably, than Entitled Persons in respect of Other Financial
Obligations and may recover more, ratably, than the Holders of Subordinated
Debt Securities. State Street's obligations under the Subordinated Debt
Securities shall rank pari passu in right of payment with each other and with
the Existing Subordinated Indebtedness, subject to the obligations of the
Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities to pay over any Excess Proceeds to
Entitled Persons in respect of Other Financial Obligations as provided in the
Subordinated Indenture.
 
  The Subordinated Indenture permits, at any time, the modification or
elimination of the rights of Entitled Persons in respect of Other Financial
Obligations described above without the consent of any Entitled Persons in
respect of Other Financial Obligations.
 
  "Senior Indebtedness" is defined in the Subordinated Indenture to mean the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on (1) indebtedness of State
Street (other than the Subordinated Debt Securities) whether or not secured
and whether incurred previously or subsequent to the date of execution of the
Subordinated Indenture (A) for borrowed money, or (B) incurred in connection
with the acquisition by State Street of assets other than in the ordinary
course of business, in each case described in clause (A) or (B) for the
payment of which State Street (or any corporation or person which becomes a
successor to State Street pursuant to the terms of the Subordinated Indenture
described below under the heading "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets")
is liable directly or indirectly by guarantee, letter of credit, obligation to
purchase or acquire or otherwise, unless in the terms of the instrument
creating or evidencing any such indebtedness or pursuant to which it is
outstanding it is specifically provided that such indebtedness is not superior
in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities or ranks pari passu
with the Subordinated Debt Securities and (2) renewals, extensions or
deferrals of any such indebtedness.
 
  "Existing Subordinated Indebtedness" is defined in the Subordinated
Indenture as State Street's 7.75% Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
 
  "Other Financial Obligations" is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as,
unless otherwise determined with respect to any series of Securities pursuant
to terms described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, (a) obligations of
State Street under credit substitutes, (b) obligations and guaranties of State
Street for purchased money or funds, (c) any deferred obligation of, or any
direct or indirect guaranty of any such obligation by, State Street incurred
in connection with the acquisition by State Street of assets, and (d) all
obligations of State Street to make payment pursuant to the terms of financial
instruments, such as (i) securities contracts and foreign currency exchange
contracts, (ii) derivative instruments, such as swap agreements (including
interest rate and foreign exchange rate swap agreements), cap agreements,
floor agreements, collar agreements, interest rate agreements, foreign
exchange rate agreements, options, commodity futures contracts and commodity
option contracts and (iii) financial instruments similar to those set forth in
(d)(i) and (ii); provided that Other Financial Obligations do not include (A)
obligations on account of Senior Indebtedness and (B) obligations on account
of indebtedness for money borrowed ranking pari passu with or subordinate to
the Subordinated Debt Securities including Existing Subordinated Indebtedness.
 
  "Entitled Person" is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as any person who
is entitled to payment pursuant to the terms of Other Financial Obligations.
 
  The Subordinated Indenture will not limit the amount of other indebtedness,
including Senior Indebtedness or Other Financial Obligations, that may be
issued by State Street, State Street Bank
 
                                      10

 
or any of its other Subsidiaries. As of December 31, 1997, State Street had
approximately $253 million of Senior Indebtedness outstanding and no Other
Financial Obligations outstanding.
 
LIMITATION UPON DISPOSITION OF VOTING STOCK OR ASSETS OF STATE STREET BANK
 
  The Senior Indenture contains a covenant by State Street that, so long as
any of the Senior Debt Securities are outstanding, it will not sell, assign,
transfer, grant a security interest in or otherwise dispose of any shares of,
or securities convertible into, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe
for or purchase shares of, Voting Stock of State Street Bank or of any
Subsidiary which owns Voting Stock of State Street Bank, nor will it permit
State Street Bank to issue any shares of, or securities convertible into, or
options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Voting
Stock of State Street Bank (except for mergers, consolidations or combinations
of State Street with State Street Bank or in conjunction with a merger of
State Street and State Street Bank with a third corporation) or to sell, lease
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property, assets and
business, unless (a) any sale, assignment, transfer, grant of a security
interest, lease or other disposition is made for fair market value, as
determined by the Board of Directors of State Street and (b) in the case of
any such sale, assignment, transfer, grant of a security interest or other
disposition of shares of, securities convertible into or options, warrants or
rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of Voting Stock of State Street
Bank or of any such Subsidiary, State Street will own at least 80% of the
issued and outstanding Voting Stock of State Street Bank free and clear of any
security interest after giving effect to such transaction.
 
  The Subordinated Indenture does not contain a similar restriction on State
Street's ability to engage in or permit such transactions to occur.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
 THE SENIOR INDENTURE
 
  The Senior Indenture (with respect to any series of Senior Debt Securities)
defines an Event of Default as any one of the following events: (a) default in
the payment of any interest upon any Senior Security when it becomes due and
payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; (b) default
in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Senior
Security at its Maturity; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment when
due; (d) failure to perform any other covenants or warranties of State Street
in the Senior Indenture (other than a covenant or warrant included in the
Senior Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Senior Debt Securities
thereunder other than that series) continued for a period of 60 days after the
holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt
Securities have given written notice as provided in the Senior Indenture; (e)
acceleration of any indebtedness for borrowed money in an aggregate principal
amount exceeding $20,000,000 of State Street or of State Street Bank, if such
acceleration is not annulled within 30 days after written notice as provided
in the Senior Indenture; (f) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of State Street or State Street Bank; and (g) any other Event
of Default provided with respect to Senior Debt Securities of that series.
 
  If an Event of Default with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of any
series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the Senior
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series may, by notice, declare the
principal amount (or, if the Senior Debt Securities of that series are
Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as
may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities of that series to
be due and payable immediately. At any time after the declaration of
acceleration with respect to Senior Debt Securities of any series has been
made, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration has been obtained,
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Senior
Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and
annul such acceleration.
 
                                      11

 
 THE SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
 
  The Subordinated Indenture defines an Event of Default (with respect to any
series of Subordinated Debt Securities) as certain events involving the
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of State Street.
 
  If an Event of Default with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of any
series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the
Subordinated Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of that series may declare the
principal amount (or, if the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series are
Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as
may be specified in the terms of that series) of all Subordinated Debt
Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. At any time after
a declaration of acceleration with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of
any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree based on the
acceleration has been obtained, Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of that series may, under certain
circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration.
 
  Rights of acceleration are limited to circumstances involving an Event of
Default. The Subordinated Indenture does not provide for any right of
acceleration of the payment of principal of a series of Subordinated Debt
Securities upon a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest or in the performance of any covenant or agreement in the
Subordinated Debt Securities of the particular series or in the Subordinated
Indenture.
 
  The Subordinated Indenture defines a Default as any one of the following
events: (a) an Event of Default; (b) default in the payment of interest on any
Subordinated Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such
default continues for a period of 30 days or in the payment of the principal
of (or premium, if any, on) any Subordinated Security at its Maturity (whether
or not payment is prohibited by the subordinated provisions); (c) failure to
deposit any sinking fund payment when due (whether or not payment is
prohibited by the subordination provisions); (d) failure to perform any other
covenants or warranties of State Street in the Subordinated Indenture (other
than a covenant or warranty included in the Subordinated Indenture solely for
the benefit of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities thereunder other than
that series) continued for a period of 60 days after the holders of at least
10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities have
given written notice as provided in the Subordinated Indenture; (e)
acceleration of any indebtedness for borrowed money in an aggregate principal
amount exceeding $20,000,000 of State Street or of State Street Bank, if such
acceleration is not annulled within 30 days after written notice as provided
in the Subordinated Indenture; (f) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of State Street or State Street Bank; and (g) any other Default
provided with respect to Securities of that series. In case a Default shall
occur and be continuing, the Subordinated Trustee may in its discretion
proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of
Subordinated Debt Securities to the payment of due and unpaid principal and
interest or the performance of such covenant or agreement by appropriate
judicial proceedings as the Subordinated Trustee deems most effectual,
including proceedings seeking the payment by State Street of money damages for
the breach by State Street of its obligations and the execution upon any
judgment entered against State Street. Unless such a Default involved an Event
of Default, the Subordinated Trustee would have no rights of acceleration.
 
 BOTH INDENTURES
 
  Both Indentures provide that, subject to the duty of the Trustee during
default to act with the required standard of care set forth therein, the
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the Indentures at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless
such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity. Subject to such provisions
 
                                      12

 
for the indemnification of the Trustee and to certain other conditions, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Senior Debt
Securities or Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of any series will have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Senior Trustee and Subordinated Trustee,
respectively, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Senior Trustee
and Subordinated Trustee, respectively.
 
  No Holder of any series of Debt Securities will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the Applicable Indenture or for any remedy
thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee
under the Applicable Indenture written notice of a continuing Event of Default
and unless the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request, and
offered reasonable indemnity, to such Trustee to institute such proceeding as
trustee, and such Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
series a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to
institute such proceeding within 60 days. However, such limitations do not
apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for enforcement of
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such
Debt Security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt
Security.
 
  State Street is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as
to the performance by State Street of certain of its obligations under the
Indentures and as to any default in such performance.
 
 MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
  Modifications and amendments of each of the Senior Indenture and the
Subordinated Indenture may be made by State Street and the Trustee under the
Applicable Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than two-
thirds in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series
issued under such Indenture and affected by the modification or amendment;
provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the
consent of the Holders of all Debt Securities affected thereby, (1) change the
Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or
interest on, any Debt Security; (2) reduce the principal amount of or the
premium, if any, or (unless otherwise provided in the Applicable Prospectus
Supplement) interest on, any Debt Security (including in the case of any
discounted Debt Security the amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity
thereof); (3) change the place or currency of payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security; (4) impair the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any
Debt Security; (5) in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, modify the
subordination provisions in a manner adverse to the Holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities; or (6) reduce the percentage in principal amount
of Debt Securities, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification
or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults.
 
  The Holders of at least two-thirds in aggregate principal amount of the
Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities may, on behalf of all
Holders of the Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities,
respectively, waive compliance by State Street with certain restrictive
provisions of the Applicable Indenture. The effect of any such waiver would be
to excuse State Street from complying with such provisions which may include
certain covenants for the benefit of Holders. The Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities or the Subordinated
Debt Securities may, on behalf of all Holders of the Senior Debt Securities or
the Subordinated Debt Securities, respectively, waive any past default under
the Applicable Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal,
premium or interest or in the performance of certain covenants.
 
                                      13

 
 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
  State Street, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt
Securities under the Indentures, may consolidate with or merge into any other
corporation, may transfer or lease its assets substantially as an entirety to
any Person, or may acquire or lease the assets of any Person substantially as
an entirety, or may permit any Person to merge into or consolidate with State
Street, provided that (1) any successor or purchaser is a corporation
organized under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction; (2) any such successor
or purchaser assumes State Street's obligations on such Debt Securities and
under the Indenture; (3) after giving effect to the transaction no Event of
Default in the case of Senior Debt Securities and no Default in the case of
Subordinated Debt Securities, and no event that, after notice or lapse of
time, would become an Event of Default or Default, as the case may be, shall
have occurred and be continuing; and (4) certain other conditions are met.
 
 DEFEASANCE
 
  The Indentures provide that State Street, at State Street's option, will be
discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Debt Securities of
any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer of or to
exchange Debt Securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated
Debt Securities of such series, to maintain paying agencies and hold moneys
for payment in trust) if State Street deposits, in trust, with the Trustee
money or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest
thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide
money in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of, premium, if any,
and interest on the Debt Securities of such series on the dates such payments
are due in accordance with the terms of the Debt Securities of such series.
Such a trust may be established only if, among other things, (i) no Event of
Default under the Senior Indenture or Default under the Subordinated Indenture
or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would
become such an Event of Default under the Senior Indenture or Default under
the Subordinated Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing on the date
of such deposit, (ii) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of
any agreement or instrument to which State Street is a party and (iii) State
Street shall have delivered an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit of defeasance and will be subject to
Federal income tax in the same manner as if such defeasance had not occurred.
 
 CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
  U.S. Bank Trust National Association is the Trustee under both the Senior
Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture. State Street and certain of its
subsidiaries, including State Street Bank, conduct banking transactions with
U.S. Bank Trust National Association and its affiliates in the ordinary course
of business.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  Both Indentures are, and the Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt
Securities will be, governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York.
 
                 DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
  The Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be issued in one or more series
under the Junior Subordinated Indenture. This summary of certain terms and
provisions of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Junior Subordinated Indenture, which
summarizes the material provisions thereof, does not purport to be complete
and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
Junior Subordinated Indenture, a copy of the form
 
                                      14

 
of which is filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement, and the Trust
Indenture Act. The Junior Subordinated Indenture is qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act. Whenever particular defined terms of the Indenture (as
supplemented or amended from time to time) are referred to herein or in a
Prospectus Supplement, such defined terms are incorporated herein or therein
by reference.
 
GENERAL
 
  Each series of Junior Subordinated Debentures will rank pari passu with all
other series of Junior Subordinated Debentures heretofore or hereafter issued
pursuant to the Junior Subordinated Indenture, and will be unsecured and
subordinate and junior in right of payment to the extent and in the manner set
forth in the Junior Subordinated Indenture to all Senior Debt (as defined
below) of State Street. See "--Subordination." Because State Street is a
holding company, the right of State Street to participate in any distribution
of assets of any subsidiary, including State Street Bank, upon such
subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to the
prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent State Street
may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be effectively subordinated to all
existing and future liabilities of State Street's subsidiaries, and holders of
Junior Subordinated Debentures should look only to the assets of State Street
for payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Except as otherwise
provided in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Junior Subordinated
Indenture does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or
unsecured debt of State Street, including Senior Debt Securities and
Subordinated Debt Securities, whether under the Junior Subordinated Indenture,
the Senior Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture, any other existing indenture
or any other indenture that State Street may enter into in the future or
otherwise. See "--Subordination" and the Applicable Prospectus Supplement
relating to any offering of Capital Securities or Junior Subordinated
Debentures.
 
  The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issuable in one or more series
pursuant to an indenture supplemental to the Indenture or a resolution or
State Street's Board of Directors or a committee thereof.
 
  The Applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures offered thereby: (1) the title of such
Junior Subordinated Debentures; (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal
amount of such Junior Subordinated Debentures; (3) the date or dates on which
the principal of such Junior Subordinated Debentures is payable (the "Stated
Maturity") or the method of determination thereof; (4) the rate or rates, if
any, at which any such interest shall be payable (the "Interest Payment
Dates"), the right, if any, of State Street to defer or extend an Interest
Payment Date (the "Regular Record Dates") and the method by which any of the
foregoing shall be determined; (5) the place or places where, subject to the
terms of the Junior Subordinated Indenture as described below under "--Payment
and Paying Agents," the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be payable and where, subject to the terms
of the Junior Subordinated Indenture as described below under "--
Denominations, Registration and Transfer," such Junior Subordinated Debentures
may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange and the place or
places where notices and demands to or upon State Street in respect of such
Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Junior Subordinated Indenture may be
made ("Place of Payment"); (6) any period or periods within which, or date or
dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon
which such Junior Subordinated Debentures may be redeemed, in whole or in
part, at the option of State Street or a holder thereof; (7) the obligation or
the right, if any, of State Street or a holder thereof to redeem, purchase or
repay such Junior Subordinated Debentures and the period or periods within
which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including
currency unit or units) in which and the other terms and conditions upon which
such Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in
whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation or right; (8) the denominations
in
 
                                      15

 
which such Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be issuable; (9) if other than
in U.S. Dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units)
in which the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be payable, or in which such Junior
Subordinated Debentures shall be payable, or in which such Junior Subordinated
Debentures shall be denominated; (10) any additions, modifications or
deletions in the events of default under the Junior Subordinated Indenture or
in the covenants of State Street specified in the Junior Subordinated
Indenture with respect to such Junior Subordinated Debentures; (11) if other
than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of such
Junior Subordinated Debentures that shall be payable upon declaration of
acceleration of the maturity thereof; (12) any additions or changes to the
Junior Subordinated Indenture with respect to such Junior Subordinated
Debentures as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of such
Junior Subordinated Debentures in bearer form, registrable or not registrable
as to principal, and with or without interest coupons; (13) any index or
indices used to determine the amount of payments of principal of and premium,
if any, on such Junior Subordinated Debentures and the manner in which such
amounts will be determined; (14) the terms and conditions relating to the
issuance of a temporary Global Security representing all of such Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the exchange of such temporary Global Security for
definitive Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series; (15) subject to the
terms described herein under "--Global Junior Subordinated Debentures,"
whether such Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the
depositary for such Global Securities, which depositary shall be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act; (16) the appointment of any paying
agent or agents; (17) the terms and conditions of any obligation or right of
State Street or a holder to convert or exchange such Junior Subordinated
Debentures into Capital Securities; (18) the form of Trust Agreement and
Guarantee Agreement, if applicable; and (19) any other terms of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures not inconsistent with the provisions of the Junior
Subordinated Indenture.
 
  Junior Subordinated Debentures may be sold at a substantial discount below
their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which
at the time of issuance is below market rates. Certain United States federal
income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be described in the Applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
  If the purchase price of any of the Junior Subordinated Debentures is
payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if any Junior
Subordinated Debentures are denominated in one or more foreign currencies or
currency units or if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any
Junior Subordinated Debentures is payable in one or more foreign currencies or
currency units, the restrictions, elections, certain United States federal
income tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to
such series of Junior Subordinated Debentures and such foreign currency or
currency units will be set forth in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  If any index is used to determine the amount of payments of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures,
special United States federal income tax, accounting and other considerations
applicable thereto will be described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issuable only in registered form
without coupons. Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series will be
exchangeable for other Junior Subordinated Debentures of the same issue and
series, of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount,
of the same original issue date and stated maturity and bearing the same
interest rate.
 
                                      16

 
  Junior Subordinated Debentures may be presented for exchange as provided
above, and may be presented for registration of transfer (with the form of
transfer endorsed thereon, or a satisfactory written instrument of transfer,
duly executed), at the office of the appropriate securities registrar or at
the office of any transfer agent designated by State Street for such purpose
with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures and referred to
in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, without service charge and upon
payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the Junior
Subordinated Indenture. State Street will appoint the Debenture Trustee as
securities registrar under the Junior Subordinated Indenture. If the
Applicable Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer agents (in addition to
the securities registrar) initially designated by State Street with respect to
any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures, State Street may at any time
rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the
location through which any such transfer agent acts, provided that State
Street maintains a transfer agent in each place of payment of such series.
State Street may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect
to any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures.
 
  In the event of any redemption, neither State Street nor the Debenture
Trustee shall be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange
Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series during a period beginning at the
opening of business 15 days before the day of selection for redemption of
Junior Subordinated Debentures of that series and ending at the close of
business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption or (ii)
transfer or exchange of any Junior Subordinated Debentures so selected for
redemption, except, in the case of any Junior Subordinated Debentures being
redeemed in part, any portion thereof not to be redeemed.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on Junior Subordinated
Debentures (other than any Junior Subordinated Debentures represented by
Global Junior Subordinated Debentures) will be made at the office of the
Debenture Trustee in the City of New York or at the office of such paying
agent or paying agents as State Street may designate from time to time, except
that at the option of State Street payment of any interest may be made (i)
except in the case of Global Junior Subordinated Debentures, by check mailed
to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address such appear in
the securities register or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by the
person entitled thereto as specified in the securities register, provided that
proper transfer instructions have been received by the Regular Record Date.
Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of
any interest on Junior Subordinated Debentures will be made to the person in
whose name such Junior Subordinated Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, except in the case of
defaulted interest. State Street may at any time designate additional paying
agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent; however, State Street
will at all times be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of
payment for each series of Junior Subordinated Debentures.
 
  Any moneys deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any paying agent, or then
held by State Street in trust, for the payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any) or interest on any Junior Subordinated Debenture and
remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any)
or interest has become due and payable shall, at the request of State Street,
be repaid to State Street and the holder of such Junior Subordinated Debenture
shall thereafter look, as a general unsecured creditor, only to State Street
for payment thereof.
 
OPTION TO DEFER INTEREST PAYMENTS
 
  If provided in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, State Street will have
the right at any time and from time to time during the term of any series of
Junior Subordinated Debentures to defer
 
                                      17

 
payment of interest for up to such number of consecutive interest payment
periods as may be specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement (each, an
"Extension Period"), subject to the terms, conditions and covenants, if any,
specified in such Prospectus Supplement, provided, that such Extension Period
may not extend beyond the Stated Maturity of such series of Junior
Subordinated Debentures. Certain United States federal income tax consequences
and special considerations applicable to any such Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
REDEMPTION
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, Junior
Subordinated Debentures will not be subject to any sinking fund.
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, State
Street may, at its option and subject to receipt of prior approval by the
Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or
policies, redeem the Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series in whole at
any time or in part from time to time. If the Junior Subordinated Debentures
of any series are so redeemable only on or after a specified date or upon the
satisfaction of additional conditions, the applicable Prospectus Statement
will specify such date or describe such conditions. Except as otherwise
specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, the redemption price for
any Junior Subordinated Debenture so redeemed shall equal any accrued and
unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date, plus 100% of the principal
amount thereof.
 
  Except as otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, if a
Tax Event (as defined below) in respect of a series of Junior Subordinated
Debentures or an Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event (each as
defined below) shall occur and be continuing, State Street may, at its option
and subject to receipt of prior approval by the Federal Reserve if then
required under applicable capital guidelines or policies, redeem such series
of Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part) at any time
within 90 days following of the occurrence of such Tax Event, Investment
Company Event or Capital Treatment Event, at a redemption price equal to 100%
of the principal amount of such Junior Subordinated Debentures then
outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption,
except as otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Issuer Trust of a series of Capital
Securities of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced
proposed change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or
as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change
is effective or which proposed change, pronouncement or decision is announced
on or after the date of issuance of such Capital Securities, there is more
than an insubstantial risk that (i) such Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90
days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax
with respect to income received or accrued on the corresponding series of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest payable by State
Street on such series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures is not,
or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by
State Street, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax
purposes, or (iii) such Issuer Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date
of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes,
duties or other governmental charges.
 
  "Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Issuer Trust of an
opinion of counsel to the Corporation experienced in such matters to the
effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or
a written change (including any announced prospective change) in
 
                                      18

 
interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body,
court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that the Issuer Trust is or will be considered an
"investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act, which change or prospective change becomes effective or would
become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of
the Capital Securities.
 
  "Capital Treatment Event" means the reasonable determination by State Street
that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any proposed
change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or
any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as a result of any official
or administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which proposed change, pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or
after the date of issuance of the applicable Capital Securities under the
applicable Trust Agreement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that
State Street will not be entitled to treat an amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of the applicable Capital Securities as "Tier I Capital" (or the then
equivalent thereof) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the
Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to State Street.
 
  Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be redeemed at its registered address. Unless State Street
defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date,
interest will cease to accrue on such Junior Subordinated Debentures or
portions thereof called for redemption.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN PAYMENTS
 
  Pursuant to the Junior Subordinated Indenture, State Street has covenanted
with respect to each series of Junior Subordinated Debentures that it will not
(x) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of State Street that rank pari
passu in all respects with or junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures of such series, or (y) declare or pay any dividends or
distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any shares of State Street's capital stock (other than (a)
repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of
State Street in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other
similar arrangement with or for the benefit of any one or more employees,
officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment
or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of
capital stock of State Street (or securities convertible into or exercisable
for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered
into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a result of an exchange
or conversion of any class or series of State Street's capital stock (or any
capital stock of a Subsidiary of State Street) for any class or series of
State Street's capital stock or of any class or series of State Street's
indebtedness for any class or series of State Street's capital stock, (c) the
purchase of fractional interests in shares of State Street's capital stock
pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the
securities being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with any rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other
property under any rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights
pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options
or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise
of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which
the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock),
if at such time (i) there shall have occurred any event (A) of which State
Street has actual knowledge that with the giving of notice or the lapse of
time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures of such series, and (B) which State Street shall not
have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) if the Junior Subordinated
Debentures of such series are held by an Issuer Trust, State Street shall be
in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Guarantee
 
                                      19

 
Agreement relating to the Capital Securities issued by such Issuer Trust, or
(iii) State Street shall have given notice of its election to begin an
Extension Period with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures of such
series and shall not have rescinded such notice, or such Extension Period, or
any extension thereof, shall be continuing.
 
MODIFICATION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
 
  From time to time State Street and the Debenture Trustee may, without the
consent of the holders of any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures, amend,
waive or supplement the Junior Subordinated Indenture for specified purposes,
including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies
(provided that any such action does not materially adversely affect the
interests of the holders of any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures or,
in the case of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the holders of
the Related Capital Securities so long as they remain outstanding) and
qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, the Junior Subordinated
Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Junior Subordinated Indenture
contains provisions permitting State Street and the Debenture Trustee, with
the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
each outstanding series of Junior Subordinated Debentures affected, to modify
the Junior Subordinated Indenture in a manner adversely affecting the rights
of the holders of such series of the Junior Subordinated Debentures in any
material respect; provided, that no such modification may, without the consent
of the holder of each outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures so affected,
(i) change the Stated Maturity of any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures
(except as otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement), or
reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of
payment of interest thereon or (ii) reduce the percentage of principal amount
of Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series, the holders of which are
required to consent to any such modification of the Junior Subordinated
Indenture, provided further that, in the case of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, so long as any Related Capital Securities remain
outstanding, (a) no such modification may be made that adversely affects the
holders of such Capital Securities in any material respect, and no termination
of the Junior Subordinated Indenture may occur, and no waiver of any event of
default or compliance with any covenant under the Junior Subordinated
Indenture may be effective, without the prior consent of the holders of at
least a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all outstanding
Related Capital Securities affected unless and until the principal of the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon have been paid in full and certain other conditions have been
satisfied, and (b) where a consent under the Junior Subordinated Indenture
would require the consent of each holder of Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the
prior consent of each holder of Related Capital Securities.
 
  In addition, State Street and the Debenture Trustee may execute, without the
consent of any holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures, any supplemental
Junior Subordinated Indenture for the purpose of creating any new series of
Junior Subordinated Debentures.
 
DEBENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  The Junior Subordinated Indenture provides that any one or more of the
following described events with respect to a series of Junior Subordinated
Debentures that has occurred and is continuing constitutes a "Debenture Event
of Default" with respect to such series of Junior Subordinated Debentures:
 
    (i)  failure for 30 days to pay any interest on such series of Junior
  Subordinated Debentures when due (subject to the deferral of any interest
  payment in the case of an Extension Period); or
 
    (ii) failure to pay any principal or premium, if any, on such series of
  Junior Subordinated Debentures when due whether at maturity or upon
  redemption; or
 
                                      20

 
    (iii) failure to observe or perform in any material respect certain other
  covenants contained in the Indenture for 90 days after written notice to
  State Street from the Debenture Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
  aggregate outstanding principal amount of such affected series of
  outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures; or
 
    (iv)  certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of State
  Street.
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of
Junior Subordinated Debentures of each series affected have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Debenture Trustee. The Debenture Trustee or the holders of
not less than 25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of Junior
Subordinated Debentures of each series affected may declare the principal due
and payable immediately upon a Debenture Event of Default, and, in the case of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, should the Debenture Trustee or
such holders of such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures fail to make
such declaration, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount
of the Related Capital Securities shall have such right. The holders of a
majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of Junior Subordinated
Debentures of each series affected may annul such declaration. In the case of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, should the holders of such
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures fail to annul such declaration
and waive such default, the holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation
Amount of the Related Capital Securities affected shall have such right.
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of each
series of the Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby may, on behalf
of the holders of all the Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series, waive
any default, except a default in the payment of principal or interest (unless
such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has
been deposited with the Debenture Trustee) or a default in respect of a
covenant or provision which under the Junior Subordinated Indenture cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Junior Subordinated Debenture. In the case of Corresponding Junior Subordinate
Debentures, should the holders of such Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures fail to waive such default, the holders of a majority in aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Related Capital Securities affected shall have such
right. State Street is required to file annually with the Debenture Trustee a
certificate as to whether or not State Street is in compliance with all the
conditions and covenants applicable to it under the Junior Subordinated
Indenture.
 
  In case a Debenture Event of Default shall occur and be continuing as to a
series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee
will have the right to declare the principal of and the interest on such
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, and any other amounts payable
under the Junior Subordinated Indenture, to be forthwith due and payable and
to enforce its other rights as a creditor with respect to such Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures.
 
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  If a Debenture Event of Default with respect to a series of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures has occurred and is continuing and such event
is attributable to the failure of State Street to pay interest or principal on
such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures on the date such interest or
principal is due and payable, a holder of Related Capital Securities may
institute a legal proceeding directly against State Street for enforcement of
payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on such Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the
aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Related Capital Securities of such holder
(a "Direct Action"). State Street may not amend the Indenture to remove the
foregoing right to bring a Direct
 
                                      21

 
Action without the prior written consent of the holders of all of the Capital
Securities outstanding. If the right to bring a Direct Action is removed, the
applicable Issuer Trust may become subject to the reporting obligations under
the Exchange Act. State Street shall have the right under the Junior
Subordinated Indenture to set off any payment made to such holder of Capital
Securities by State Street in connection with a Direct Action.
 
  The holders of the Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly
any remedies other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph available
to the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures unless there shall have
been an event of default under the Trust Agreement. See "Description of
Capital Securities--Events of Default; Notice."
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
  The Junior Subordinated Indenture provides that State Street shall not
consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease
its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and no
Person shall consolidate with or merge into State Street or convey, transfer
or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to State
Street, unless (i) in case State Street consolidates with or merges into
another Person or conveys or transfers its properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to any Person, the successor Person is organized under the laws
of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia, and such
successor Person expressly assumes State Street's obligations on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures issued under the Junior Subordinated Indenture; (ii)
immediately after giving effect thereto, no Debenture Event of Default, and no
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become a Debenture
Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; (iii) in the case of
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, such transaction is permitted
under the related Trust Agreement and Guarantee and does not give rise to any
breach or violation of the related Trust Agreement or Guarantee, and (iv)
certain other conditions as prescribed by the Junior Subordinated Indenture
are met.
 
  The general provisions of the Junior Subordinated Indenture do not afford
holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a
highly leveraged or other transaction involving State Street that may
adversely affect holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
  The Junior Subordinated Indenture provides that when, among other things,
all Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously delivered to the Debenture
Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become
due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, and State Street
deposits or causes to be deposited with the Debenture Trustee funds, in trust,
for the purpose and in an amount in the currency or currencies in which the
Junior Subordinated Debentures are payable sufficient to pay and discharge the
entire indebtedness on the Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously
delivered to the Debenture Trustee for cancellation, for the principal (and
premium, if any) and interest to the date of the deposit or to the Stated
Maturity, as the case may be, then the Junior Subordinated Indenture will
cease to be of further effect (except as to State Street's obligations to pay
all other sums due pursuant to the Junior Subordinated Indenture and to
provide the officers' certificates and opinions of counsel described therein),
and State Street will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the Junior
Subordinated Indenture.
 
CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE
 
  If and to the extent indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series may be convertible or
exchangeable into Junior Subordinated Debentures of another series or into
Capital Securities of another series. The specific terms on which Junior
Subordinated Debentures of any series may be so converted or exchanged will be
set forth in the
 
                                      22

 
Applicable Prospectus Supplement. Such terms may include provisions for
conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at
the option of State Street, in which case the number of shares of Capital
Securities or other securities to be received by the holders of Junior
Subordinated Debentures would be calculated as of a time and in the manner
stated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
  In the Junior Subordinated Indenture, State Street has covenanted and agreed
that any Junior Subordinated Debentures issued thereunder will be subordinate
and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt to the extent provided in
the Junior Subordinated Indenture. Upon any payment or distribution of assets
of State Street upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization,
assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any
bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings in
connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding of State Street, the
holders of Senior Debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Senior Debt
before the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to
receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of (and premium, if
any) or interest, if any, on the Junior Subordinated Debentures; provided,
however, that holders of Senior Debt shall not be entitled to receive payment
of any such amounts to the extent that such holders would be required by the
subordination provisions of such Senior Debt to pay such amounts over to the
obligees on trade accounts payable or other liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of State Street's business.
 
  In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of such
acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts
due thereon (including any amounts due upon acceleration thereof) before the
holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive or
retain any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest, if any, on the Junior Subordinated Debentures; provided, however,
that holders of Senior Debt shall not be entitled to receive payment of any
such amounts to the extent that such holders would be required by the
subordination provisions of such Senior Debt to pay such amounts over to the
obligees on trade accounts payable or other liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of State Street's business.
 
  No payments on accounts of principal (or premium, if any) or interest in
respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be made if there shall have
occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior
Debt or an event of default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the
acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceeding shall be
pending with respect to any such default.
 
  "Debt" means with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a
portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, (i) every
obligation of such Person for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments,
including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with
respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities
issued for the account of such Person; (iv) every obligation of such Person
issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but
excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business); (v) every capital lease obligation of such
Person; (vi) every obligation of such Person for claims in respect of
derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts,
commodity contracts and similar arrangements; and (vii) every obligation of
the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of another Person and all
dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such Person
has guaranteed or is responsible or liable for, directly or indirectly, as
obligor or otherwise.
 
                                      23

 
  "Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if
any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to State Street whether or not such
claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on Debt,
whether incurred on or prior to the date of the Junior Subordinated Indenture
or thereafter incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the
same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such
obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures or to other Debt which is pari passu with, or subordinated to, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures; provided, however, that Senior Debt shall not
be deemed to include (i) any Debt of State Street which when incurred and
without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the United States
Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, was without recourse to State Street,
(ii) any Debt of State Street to any of its subsidiaries, (iii) Debt to any
employee of State Street, (iv) Debt which by its terms is subordinated to
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course
of business to the extent that payments made to the holders of such Debt by
the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures as a result of the
subordination provisions of the Junior Subordinated Indenture would be greater
than such payments otherwise would have been as a result of any obligation of
such holders of such Debt to pay amounts over to the obligees on such trade
accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business as a result of subordination provisions to which such Debt is
subject, and (v) any other debt securities issued pursuant to the Junior
Subordinated Indenture.
 
  The Junior Subordinated Indenture places no limitation on the amount of
Senior Debt that may be incurred by State Street. State Street expects from
time to time to incur additional indebtedness and other obligations
constituting Senior Debt.
 
  The Junior Subordinated Indenture provides that the foregoing subordination
provisions, insofar as they relate to any particular issue of Junior
Subordinated Debentures, may be changed prior to such issuance. Any such
change would be described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Junior Subordinated Indenture is, and the Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be, governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
 
  The Debenture Trustee shall have and be subject to all the duties and
responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the
Trust Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the Debenture Trustee is
under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Junior
Subordinated Indenture at the request of any holder of Junior Subordinated
Debentures, unless offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the
costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. The Debenture
Trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the performance of its duties if the Debenture
Trustee reasonably believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not
reasonably assured to it.
 
CORRESPONDING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
  The Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures may be issued in one or
more series of Junior Subordinated Debentures under the Junior Subordinated
Indenture with terms corresponding to the terms of a series of Related Capital
Securities. In that event, concurrently with the issuance of each Issuer
Trust's Capital Securities, such Issuer Trust will invest the proceeds thereof
and the consideration paid by State Street for the Common Securities of such
Issuer Trust in such series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures
issued by State Street to such Issuer Trust. Each
 
                                      24

 
series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will be in the
principal amount equal to the aggregate stated Liquidation Amount of the
Related Capital Securities and the Common Securities of such Issuer Trust and
will rank pari passu with all other series of Junior Subordinated Debentures.
Holders of the Related Capital Securities for a series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures will have the rights, in connection with modifications
to the Junior Subordinated Indenture or upon occurrence of Debenture Events of
Default, as described under "--Modification of Indenture," "--Debenture Events
of Default" and "--Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Capital
Securities," unless provided otherwise in the Prospectus Supplement for such
Related Capital Securities.
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, if a Tax
Event in respect of an Issuer Trust shall occur and be continuing, State
Street may, at its option and subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve
if then so required under applicable capital guidelines or policies, redeem
the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time within 90 days of
the occurrence of such Tax Event, in whole but not in part, subject to the
provisions of the Junior Subordinated Indenture and whether or not such
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures are then otherwise redeemable at
the option of State Street. The redemption price for any Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures then outstanding plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. For so long as the
applicable Issuer Trust is the holder of all the outstanding Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series, the proceeds of any such
redemption will be used by the Issuer Trust to redeem the corresponding Trust
Securities in accordance with their terms. State Street may not redeem a
series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures in part unless all
accrued and unpaid interest has been paid in full on all outstanding
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series for all interest
proceeds terminating on or prior to the Redemption Date.
 
  State Street will covenant, as to each series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, (i) to maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership
of the Common Securities of the Issuer Trust to which such Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures have been issued, provided that certain
successors which are permitted pursuant to the Junior Subordinated Indenture
may succeed to State Street's ownership of Common Securities, (ii) not to
voluntarily terminate, wind up or liquidate any Issuer Trust, except (a) in
connection with a distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures
to the holders of the Capital Securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation
of such Issuer Trust, or (b) in connection with certain mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the related Trust Agreement, in
either such case, if so specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement upon
prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then so required under applicable
capital guidelines or policies, and (iii) to use its reasonable efforts,
consistent with the terms and provisions of the related Trust Agreement, to
cause such Issuer Trust to remain classified as a grantor trust and not as an
association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes.
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  Each Issuer Trust will issue Capital Securities and Common Securities
pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement for such Issuer Trust. The First
National Bank of Chicago, as Property Trustee, will act as indenture trustee
under each Trust Agreement for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture
Act, and each Trust Agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act. The Capital Securities of a particular issue will
represent beneficial ownership interests in the Issuer Trust and the holders
thereof will be entitled to a preference in certain circumstances with respect
to Distributions and amounts payable on redemption or liquidation over the
Common Securities of such Issuer Trust, as well as other benefits as described
in the corresponding Trust
 
                                      25

 
Agreement. This summary of certain provisions of the Capital Securities and
each Trust Agreement, which summarizes the material terms thereof, does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, all the provisions of each Trust Agreement, including the
definitions therein of certain terms, and the Trust Indenture Act, reference
to each of which is hereby made. Wherever particular defined terms of a Trust
Agreement (as amended or supplemented from time to time) are referred to
herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such terms are incorporated herein or
therein by reference. The form of the Trust Agreement has been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
Each of the Issuer Trusts is a legally separate entity and the assets of one
are not available to satisfy the obligations of any of the others or of any
other statutory business trust whose Common Securities are owned by State
Street.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Capital Securities of an Issuer Trust will rank pari passu, and payments
will be made thereon pro rata, with the Common Securities of that Issuer Trust
except as described under "--Subordination of Common Securities." Legal title
to the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will be held by the
Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the related
Capital Securities and Common Securities. Each Guarantee Agreement executed by
State Street for the benefit of the holders of an Issuer Trust's Trust
Securities (a "Guarantee") will be a guarantee on a subordinated basis with
respect to the related Trust Securities but will not guarantee payment of
Distributions or amounts payable on redemption or liquidation of such Trust
Securities when the related Issuer Trust does not have funds on hand available
to make such payments. See "Descriptions of Guarantees."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative, will accumulate
from the date of original issuance and will be payable on such dates as
specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. In the event that any date
on which Distributions are payable on the Capital Securities is not a Business
Day (as defined below), payment of the Distribution payable on such date will
be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect to any such delay) except that, if such
Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, payment of such
Distribution shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in
either case with the same force and effect as if made on such date (each date
on which Distributions are payable in accordance with the foregoing, a
"Distribution Date"). A "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a
Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in The City of
New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed
or a day on which the corporate trust office of the Property Trustee or the
Debenture Trust is closed for business.
 
  Each Issuer Trust's Capital Securities represent beneficial ownership
interests in the applicable Issuer Trust, and the Distributions on each
Capital Security will by payable at a rate specified in the Applicable
Prospectus Supplement for such Capital Securities. The amount of Distributions
payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus
Supplement. Distributions to which holders of Capital Securities are entitled
will accumulate additional Distributions at the rate per annum if and as
specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. The term "Distributions" as
used herein includes any such additional Distributions unless otherwise
stated.
 
  If provided in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, State Street has the
right under the Junior Subordinated Indenture, pursuant to which it will issue
the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, to defer the payment of
interest at any time or from time to time on any series of the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures for up to such number of consecutive interest
payment periods which will be specified in such Prospectus Supplement relating
to such series (each,
 
                                      26

 
an "Extension Period"), provided, that no Extension Period may extend beyond
the Stated Maturity of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures. As a
consequence of any such deferral, Distributions on the Related Capital
Securities would be deferred (but would continue to accumulate additional
Distributions thereon at the rate per annum set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement for such Capital Securities) by the Issuer Trust of such Capital
Securities during any such Extension Period. During any Extension Period,
State Street may not (i) make any payment of principal of or interest or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of
State Street that rank pari passu in all respects with or junior in interest
to the Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series, or (ii) declare or pay
any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any shares of State Street's capital
stock (other than (a) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares
of capital stock of State Street in connection with any employment contract,
benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of any one
or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a
dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with
the issuance of capital stock of State Street (or securities convertible into
or exercisable for such capital stock) as consideration in an acquisition
transaction entered into prior to the applicable Extension Period, (b) as a
result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of State Street's
capital stock (or any capital stock of a Subsidiary of State Street) for any
class or series of State Street's capital stock or of any class or series of
State Street's indebtedness for any class or series of State Street's capital
stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of State Street's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such
capital stock or the securities being converted or exchanged, (d) any
declaration of a dividend in connection with any rights plan, or the issuance
of rights, stock or other property under any rights plan, or the redemption or
repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of
stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock
issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same
stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks pari passu with or
junior to such stock).
 
  The revenue of each Issuer Trust available for distribution to holders of
its Capital Securities will be limited to payments under the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures in which the Issuer Trust will invest the
proceeds from the issuance and sale of its Trust Securities. See "Description
of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures." If State Street does not make interest payments on such
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee will not
have funds available to pay Distributions on the Related Capital Securities.
The payment of Distributions (if and to the extent the Issuer Trust has funds
legally available for the payment of such Distributions and cash sufficient to
make such payments) is guaranteed by State Street on the basis set forth
herein under "Description of Guarantees."
 
  Distributions on the Capital Securities will be payable to the holders
thereof as they appear on the register of such Issuer Trust on the relevant
record dates, which, as long as the Capital Securities remain in book-entry
form, will be one Business Day prior to the relevant Distribution Date.
Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of the
applicable Trust Agreement, each such payment will be made as described under
"Book-Entry Issuance." In the event any Capital Securities are not in book-
entry form, the relevant record date for such Capital Securities shall be the
date at least 15 days prior to the relevant Distribution Date, as specified in
the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE
 
  Mandatory Redemption. Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in part,
of any Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, whether at maturity or
upon earlier redemption as provided in the Junior Subordinated Indenture, the
proceeds from such repayment or redemption shall be applied by the Property
Trustee to redeem a Like Amount (as defined below) of the Trust
 
                                      27

 
Securities, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at a
redemption price (the "Redemption Price") equal to the aggregate Liquidation
Amount of such Trust Securities plus accumulated but unpaid Distributions
thereon to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Date") and the related
amount of the premium, if any, paid by State Street upon the concurrent
redemption of such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures. See
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Redemption." If less than all
of any series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures are to be repaid
or redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the proceeds from such repayment or
redemption shall be allocated to the redemption pro rata of the Related
Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The amount of premium, if any,
paid by State Street upon the redemption of all or any part of any series of
any Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to be repaid or redeemed on a
Redemption Date shall be allocated to the redemption pro rata of the Related
Capital Securities and the Common Securities.
 
  State Street will have the right to redeem any series of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures (i) on or after such date as may be specified
in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, in whole at any time or in part from
time to time, or (ii) at any time, in whole (but not in part), upon the
occurrence of a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment
Event, in either case subject to receipt of prior approval by the Federal
Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies. See
"Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Redemption."
 
  If a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Capital Treatment Event in
respect of a series of Capital Securities and Common Securities shall occur
and be continuing, State Street shall have the right to redeem the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part) and
thereby cause a mandatory redemption of such Capital Securities and Common
Securities in whole (but not in part) at the Redemption Price within 90 days
following the occurrence of such Tax Event, Investment Company Event or
Capital Treatment Event. In the event a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or
Capital Treatment Event in respect of a series of Capital Securities and
Common Securities has occurred and is continuing and State Street does not
elect to redeem the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and thereby
cause a mandatory redemption of such Capital Securities and Common Securities
or to dissolve the related Issuer Trust and cause the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to holders of such Capital
Securities and Common Securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation of the
Issuer Trust as described below, such Capital Securities will remain
outstanding.
 
  "Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of any series of Trust
Securities, Trust Securities of such series having a Liquidation Amount (as
defined below) equal to that portion of the principal amount of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures to be contemporaneously redeemed in accordance
with the Junior Subordinated Indenture, the proceeds of which will be used to
pay the Redemption Price of such Trust Securities, and (ii) with respect to a
distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of any
series of Trust Securities in exchange therefor in connection with a
dissolution or liquidation of the related Issuer Trust, Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of the Trust Securities of the holder to whom such Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures would be distributed.
 
  "Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount per Trust Security as set forth
in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures. Subject to
State Street's having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve to do so
if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies, State Street
has the right at any time to dissolve any Issuer Trust and, after satisfaction
of the liabilities of creditors of such Issuer Trust as provided by applicable
law, cause such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures in respect of the
Related Capital Securities and
 
                                      28

 
Common Securities issued by such Issuer Trust to be distributed to the holders
of such Related Capital Securities and Common Securities in exchange therefor
upon liquidation of such Issuer Trust.
 
  After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures for any series of Capital Securities (i) such
series of Capital Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii)
the depositary or its nominee, as the record holder of such series of Capital
Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to be delivered
upon such distribution and (iii) any certificates representing such series of
Capital Securities not held by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its
nominee will be deemed to represent the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures having a principal amount equal to the stated Liquidation Amount of
such series of Capital Securities, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in
an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on such series of
Capital Securities until such certificates are presented to the Administrative
Trustees or their agent for transfer or reissuance.
 
  There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Capital Securities
or the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in
exchange for Capital Securities if a dissolution and liquidation of an Issuer
Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the Capital Securities that an investor may
purchase, or the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures that the
investor may receive on dissolution and liquidation of an Issuer Trust, may
trade at a discount to the price that the investor paid to purchase the
Capital Securities offered hereby.
 
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
  Capital Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be redeemed at the
Redemption Price with the applicable proceeds from the contemporaneous
redemption of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures. Redemptions of
the Capital Securities shall be made and the Redemption Price shall be payable
on each Redemption Date only to the extent that the related Issuer Trust has
funds on hand available for the payment of such Redemption Price. See also "--
Subordination of Common Securities."
 
  If an Issuer Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of its Capital
Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date,
to the extent funds are available, the Property Trustee will deposit
irrevocably with DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price
and will give DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption
Price to the Holders of such Capital Securities. See "Book-Entry Issuance." If
such Capital Securities are no longer in book-entry form, the Property
Trustee, to the extent funds are available, will irrevocably deposit with the
paying agent for such Capital Securities funds sufficient to pay the
applicable Redemption Price and will give such paying agent irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the holders thereof
upon surrender of their certificates evidencing such Capital Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on or prior to the
Redemption Date for any Capital Securities called for redemption shall be
payable to the holders of such Capital Securities on the relevant record dates
for the related Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been
given and funds deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit, all
rights of the holders of such Capital Securities so called for redemption will
cease, except the right of the holders of such Capital Securities to receive
the Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and such
Capital Securities will cease to be outstanding. In the event that any date
fixed for redemption of Capital Securities is not a Business Day, then payment
of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or any other
payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day falls
in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day. In the event that payment of the Redemption Price in
respect of Capital Securities called for redemption is improperly withheld or
refused and not paid either by the Issuer Trust or by State Street
 
                                      29

 
pursuant to the relevant Guarantee as described under "Description of
Guarantees," Distributions on such Capital Securities will continue to accrue
at the then applicable rate, from the Redemption Date originally established
by the Issuer Trust for such Capital Securities to the date such Redemption
Price is actually paid, in which case the actual payment date will be the date
fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.
 
  Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, United States
federal securities law), State Street or its subsidiaries may at any time and
from time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the
open market or by private agreement.
 
  Payment of the Redemption Price on the Capital Securities and any
distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of
Capital Securities shall be made to the applicable recordholders thereof as
they appear on the register for such Capital Securities on the relevant record
date, which shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant Redemption Date or
liquidation date, as applicable; provided, however, that in the event that any
Capital Securities are not in book-entry form, the relevant record date for
such Capital Securities shall be a date at least 15 days prior to the
Redemption Date or liquidation date, as applicable, as specified in the
Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  If less than all of the Capital Securities and Common Securities issued by
an Issuer Trust are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of such Capital Securities and Common Securities to be
redeemed shall be allocated pro rata to the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities based upon the relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes. The
particular Capital Securities to be redeemed shall be selected on a pro rata
basis not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Property
Trustee from the outstanding Capital Securities not previously called for
redemption, by such method as the Property Trustee shall deem fair and
appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions
of the Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities in such minimum amounts as
shall be specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Property
Trustee shall promptly notify the trust registrar in writing of the Capital
Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Capital Securities
selected for redemption, the Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed. For
all purposes of each Trust Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires,
all provisions relating to the redemption of Capital Securities shall relate,
in the case of any Capital Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part,
to the portion of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities which
has been or is to be redeemed.
 
  Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of Trust Securities to be
redeemed at its registered address.
 
SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES
 
  Payment of Distributions on, and the Redemption Price of, each Issuer
Trust's Capital Securities and Common Securities, as applicable, shall be made
pro rata based on the Liquidation Amount of such Capital Securities and Common
Securities; provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption
Date a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no
payment of any Distribution on, or Redemption Price of, any of the Issuer
Trust's Common Securities, and no other payment on account of the redemption,
liquidation or other acquisition of such Common Securities, shall be made
unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on
all of the Issuer Trust's outstanding Capital Securities for all Distribution
periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the
Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption Price on all of the Issuer
Trust's outstanding Capital Securities then called for redemption, shall have
been made or provided for, and all funds available to the Property Trustee
shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on,
or Redemption Price of, the Issuer Trust's Capital Securities then due and
payable.
 
                                      30

 
  In the case of any event of default under the applicable Trust Agreement
resulting from a Debenture Event of Default, State Street as holder of such
Issuer Trust's Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any right to
act with respect to any such event of default under the applicable Trust
Agreement until the effect of all such events of default with respect to such
Capital Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all
events of default under applicable Trust Agreement with respect to the Capital
Securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property
Trustee shall act solely on behalf of the holders of such Capital Securities
and not behalf of State Street as holder of the Issuer Trust's Common
Securities, and only the holders of such Capital Securities will have the
right to direct the Property Trustee to act on their behalf.
 
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION
 
  Pursuant to each Trust Agreement, each Issuer Trust shall automatically
dissolve upon expiration of its term and shall dissolve on the first to occur
of: (i) certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation of State
Street; (ii) the distribution of a Like Amount of the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures to the holders of its Trust Securities, if State
Street, as Depositor, has given written direction to the Property Trustee to
dissolve such Issuer Trust (subject to State Street having received prior
approval of the Federal Reserve if so required under applicable capital
guidelines or policies); (iii) redemption of all of the Issuer Trust's Capital
Securities as described under "--Redemption or Exchange--Mandatory
Redemption;" and (iv) the entry of an order for the dissolution of the Issuer
Trust by a court of competent jurisdiction.
 
  If an early dissolution occurs as described in clause (i), (ii) or (iv)
above, the Issuer Trust shall be liquidated by the Issuer Trustees as
expeditiously as the Issuer Trustees determine to be possible by distributing,
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of such Issuer Trust as
provided by applicable law, to the holders of such Trust Securities in
exchange therefor a Like Amount of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures, unless such distribution is determined by the Property Trustee not
to be practical, in which event such holders will be entitled to receive out
of the assets of the Issuer Trust available for distribution to holders, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of such Issuer Trust as provided by
applicable law, an amount equal to, in the case of holders of Capital
Securities, the aggregate Liquidation Amount plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the
"Liquidation Distribution"). If such Liquidation Distribution can be paid only
in part because such Issuer Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in
full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly
by such Issuer Trust on its Capital Securities shall be paid on a pro rata
basis. The holder(s) of such Issuer Trust's Common Securities will be entitled
to receive distributions upon any such liquidation pro rata with the holders
of its Capital Securities, except that if a Debenture Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a priority over
the Common Securities.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE
 
  Any one of the following events shall constitute an "Event of Default" under
the Trust Agreement of an Issuer Trust (whatever the reason for such Event of
Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by
operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
 
    (i)  the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default with respect to the
  Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures held by such Issuer Trust (see
  "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures--Debenture Events of
  Default"); or
 
    (ii) the default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any
  Distribution on any Trust Security of such Issuer Trust when such becomes
  due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of 30 days;
  or
 
                                      31

 
    (iii) the default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any
  Redemption Price of any Trust Security of such Issuer Trust when such
  becomes due and payable; or
 
    (iv)  the default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect,
  of any covenant or warranty of the Issuer Trustees in such Trust Agreement
  (other than a covenant or warranty of default in the performance of which
  or the breach of which is dealt with in clause (ii) or (iii) above), and
  continuation of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there
  has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the defaulting Issuer
  Trustee or Trustees by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate Liquidation
  Amount of the outstanding Capital Securities of the applicable Issuer
  Trust, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it
  to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" under
  such Trust Agreement; or
 
    (v)   the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with
  respect to the Property Trustee and the failure by State Street to appoint
  a successor Property Trustee within 90 days thereof.
 
  Within the ninety days after the occurrence of any Event of Default actually
known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall transmit notice of
such Event of Default to the holders of such Issuer Trust's Capital
Securities, the Administrative Trustees and State Street, as Depositor, unless
such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. State Street, as
Depositor, and the Administrative Trustees are required to file annually with
the Property Trustee a certificate as to whether or not they are in compliance
with all the conditions and covenants applicable to them under each Trust
Agreement.
 
  If a Debenture Event of Default with respect to the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures held by an Issuer Trust has occurred and is
continuing, the Capital Securities of such Issuer Trust shall have a
preference over such Issuer Trust's Common Securities as described above. See
"--Subordination of Common Securities" and "--Liquidation Distribution Upon
Termination." The existence of an Event of Default does not entitle the
holders of Capital Securities to accelerate the maturity thereof.
 
REMOVAL OF ISSUER TRUSTEES
 
  Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
any Issuer Trustee may be removed at any time by the holder of the Common
Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by
the holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital
Securities. In no event will the holders of the Capital Securities have the
right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which
voting rights are vested exclusively in State Street as the holder of the
Common Securities. No resignation or removal of an Issuer Trustee and no
appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of
appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the
applicable Trust Agreement.
 
CO-TRUSTEES AND SEPARATE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
 
  Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any
time or from time to time, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements
of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the
Trust Property may at the time be located, State Street, as the holder of the
Common Securities, and the Administrative Trustees shall have the power to
appoint one or more persons either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the
Property Trustee, of all or any part of such Trust Property, or to act as
separate trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may
be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such person or
persons in such capacity any property, title, right or power deemed necessary
or desirable, subject to the provisions of the
 
                                      32

 
applicable Trust Agreement. In case a Debenture Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make such
appointment.
 
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF ISSUER TRUSTEES
 
  Any Person into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any
Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person may be merged or converted
or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which such Trustee shall be a party, or any
Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of
such Trustee, shall be the successor of such Trustee under each Trust
Agreement, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible.
 
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS OF THE ISSUER TRUSTS
 
  An Issuer Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any State Street or other Person, except as
described below or as otherwise described in the Trust Agreement. An Issuer
Trust may, at the request of State Street, with the consent of the
Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the holders of the Capital
Securities, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, merge with or into,
consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, a trust organized as
such under the laws of any State; provided, that (i) such successor entity
either (a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of such Issuer Trust with
respect to the Capital Securities or (b) substitutes for the Capital
Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Capital
Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities
rank the same as the Capital Securities in priority with respect to
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii)
State Street expressly appoints a trustee of such successor entity possessing
the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee as the holder of the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, (iii) the Successor Securities
are listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of
issuance, on any national securities exchange or other organization on which
the Capital Securities are then listed, if any, (iv) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does
not cause the Capital Securities to be downgraded by any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization, (v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the
rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Capital Securities
(including any Successor Securities) in any material respect, (vi) such
successor entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the Issuer
Trust, (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease, State Street has received an opinion from
independent counsel to the Issuer Trust experienced in such matters to the
effect that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights,
preferences and privileges of the holders of the Capital Securities (including
any Successor Securities) in any material respect, and (b) following such
merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or
lease, neither the Issuer Trust nor such successor entity will be required to
register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "Investment Company Act") and (viii) State Street or any
permitted successor or assignee owns all of the Common Securities of such
successor entity and guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under
the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Issuer Trust shall not, except with the
consent of holders of 100% in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to
any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge
with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Issuer Trust or the
successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes.
 
                                      33

 
VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF EACH TRUST AGREEMENT
 
  Except as provided below and under "Description of Guarantees--Amendments
and Assignment" and as otherwise required by law and the applicable Trust
Agreement, the holders of the Capital Securities will have no voting rights.
 
  Each Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by State Street and
the Administrative Trustees, without the consent of the holders of the Capital
Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in
such Trust Agreement that may be inconsistent with any other provision, or to
make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
such Trust Agreement, which shall not be inconsistent with the other
provisions of such Trust Agreement, or (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any
provisions of such Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to
ensure that the Issuer Trust will be classified for United States federal
income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities
are outstanding or to ensure that the Issuer Trust will not be required to
register as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act;
provided, however, that in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii), such
action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any
holder of Capital Securities, and any such amendments of such Trust Agreement
shall become effective when notice thereof is given to the holders of Trust
Securities. Each Trust Agreement may be amended by the Administrative
Trustees, the Property Trustee and State Street with (i) the consent of
holders representing not less than a majority (based upon Liquidation Amounts)
of the outstanding Trust Securities, and (ii) receipt by the Issuer Trustees
of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of
any power granted to the Issuer Trustees in accordance with such amendment
will not affect the Issuer Trust's status as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes or the Issuer Trust's exemption from status as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act, provided that without
the consent of each holder of Trust Securities, such Trust Agreement may not
be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution required to
be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a specified dates or (ii)
restrict the right of a holder of Trust Securities to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.
 
  So long as any Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the
Property Trustee, the Issuer Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Debenture Trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on the Property
Trustee with respect to such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures,
(ii) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (iii)
exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all
the corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be due and payable or
(iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Junior
Subordinated Indenture or such Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures,
where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the
prior approval of the holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of
all outstanding Capital Securities; provided, however, that where a consent
under the Junior Subordinated Indenture would require the consent of each
holder of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no
such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior consent
of each holder of the corresponding Capital Securities. The Issuer Trustees
shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the
holders of the Capital Securities except by subsequent vote of the holders of
the Capital Securities. The Property Trustee shall notify each holder of the
Capital Securities of any notice of default with respect to the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing
approvals of the holders of the Capital Securities, prior to taking any of the
foregoing actions, the Issuer Trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that such action would not cause the
Issuer Trust to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes.
 
                                      34

 
  Any required approval of holders of Capital Securities may be given at a
meeting of holders of Capital Securities convened for such purpose or pursuant
to written consent. The Property Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at
which holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter
upon which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be
given to each holder of record of Capital Securities in the manner set forth
in each Trust Agreement.
 
  No vote or consent of the holders of Capital Securities will be required for
an Issuer Trust to redeem and cancel its Capital Securities in accordance with
the applicable Trust Agreement.
 
  Notwithstanding that holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote or
consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital
Securities that are owned by State Street, the Issuer Trustees or any
affiliate of State Street or any Issuer Trustees, shall, for purposes of such
vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY
 
  Payments in respect of the Capital Securities shall be made to the
Depositary, which shall credit the relevant accounts at the Depositary on the
applicable Distribution Dates or, if any Issuer Trust's Capital Securities are
not held by the Depositary, such payments shall be made by check mailed to the
address of the holder entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the
Register. Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the paying agent (the "Paying Agent") shall initially be the Property Trustee
and any co-paying agent chosen by the Property Trustee and acceptable to the
Administrative Trustees and State Street. The Paying Agent shall be permitted
to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Property Trustee
and State Street. In the event that the Property Trustee shall no longer be
the Paying Agent, the Administers shall appoint a successor (which shall be a
bank or trust company acceptable to the Administrative Trustees and State
Street) to act as Paying Agent.
 
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Property Trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the Capital
Securities.
 
  Registration of transfers of Capital Securities will be effected without
charge by or on behalf of each Issuer Trust, but upon payment of any tax or
other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer
or exchange. The Issuer Trusts will not be required to register or cause to be
registered the transfer of their Capital Securities after such Capital
Securities have been called for redemption.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
 
  The Property Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an
Event of Default, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically
set forth in each Trust Agreement and, after such Event of Default, must
exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise
or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision,
the Property Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers
vested in it by the applicable Trust Agreement at the request of any holder of
Capital Securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. If no Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and the Property Trustee is required to
decide between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous provisions in
the applicable Trust Agreement or is unsure of the application of any
provision of the applicable Trust Agreement, and the matter is not one on
which holders of
 
                                      35

 
Capital Securities are entitled under such Trust Agreement to vote, then the
Property Trustee shall take such action as is directed by State Street and if
not so directed, shall take such action as it deems advisable and in the best
interests of the holders of the Trust Securities and will have no liability
except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
 
TRUST EXPENSES
 
  Pursuant to the Trust Agreement of each Issuer Trust, State Street, as
Depositor, shall agree to pay all debts and other obligations (other than with
respect to the Capital Securities) and all costs and expenses of each Issuer
Trust (including costs and expenses relating to the organization of each
Issuer Trust, the fees and expenses of the Issuer Trustees and the cost and
expenses relating to the operation of each Issuer Trust) and to pay any and
all taxes and costs and expenses with respect thereto (other than United
States withholding taxes) to which each Issuer Trust might become subject.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  Each Trust Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
  The Administrative Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the
affairs of and to operate the Issuer Trusts in such a way that no Issuer Trust
will be deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under
the Investment Company Act or classified as other than a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes and so that the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of State Street for
United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, State Street
and the Administrative Trustees are authorized to take any action, not
inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of each Issuer
Trust or each Trust Agreement, that State Street and the Administrative
Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such
purposes, as long as such action does not materially adversely affect the
interests of the holders of the related Capital Securities.
 
  Holders of the Capital Securities have no preemptive or similar rights.
 
  No Issuer Trust may borrow money or issue debt or mortgage or pledge any of
its assets.
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES
 
  A Guarantee will be executed and delivered by State Street concurrently with
the issuance by each Issuer Trust of its Capital Securities for the benefit of
the holders from time to time of such Capital Securities and Common
Securities. The First National Bank of Chicago will act as indenture trustee
("Guarantee Trustee") under each Guarantee for the purposes of compliance with
the Trust Indenture Act and each Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of certain provisions of the
Guarantee, which summarizes the material terms thereof, does not purport to be
complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all
of the provisions of each Guarantee, including the definitions therein of
certain terms, and the Trust Indenture Act, to each of which reference is
hereby made. The form of the Guarantee has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Reference in
this summary to Capital Securities means that Issuer Trust's Capital
Securities to which a Guarantee relates. The Guarantee Trustee will hold each
Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the related Issuer Trust's Capital
Securities and Common Securities.
 
                                      36

 
GENERAL
 
  State Street will irrevocably agree to pay in full on a subordinated basis,
to the extent set forth herein, the Guarantee Payments (as defined below) to
the holders of the Trust Securities, as and when due, regardless of any
defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that such Issuer Trust may have or
assert other than the defense of payment. The following payments with respect
to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of the
related Issuer Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the
Guarantee: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on
such Capital Securities, to the extent that such Issuer Trust has funds on
hand available therefor at such time, (ii) the Redemption Price with respect
to any Capital Securities called for redemption, to the extent that such
Issuer Trust has funds on hand available therefor at such time, or (iii) upon
a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of such
Issuer Trust (unless the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures are
distributed to holders of such Capital Securities in exchange therefor), the
lesser of (a) the Liquidation Distribution and (b) the amount of assets of
such Issuer Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of Trust
Securities after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of such Issuer Trust
as required by applicable law. State Street's obligation to make a Guarantee
Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by State
Street to the holders of the applicable Trust Securities or by causing the
Issuer Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
 
  Each Guarantee will be an irrevocable guarantee on a subordinated basis of
the related Issuer Trust's obligations under the Trust Securities, but will
apply only to the extent that such related Issuer Trust has funds sufficient
to make such payments, and is not a guarantee of collection.
 
  If State Street does not make interest payments on the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures held by the Issuer Trust, the Issuer Trust will not be
able to pay Distributions on the Capital Securities and will not have funds
legally available therefor. Each Guarantee will rank subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all Senior Debt of State Street. See "--Status of the
Guarantees." Because State Street is a holding company, the right of State
Street to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary, upon
such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to
the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent State
Street may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly,
State Street's obligations under the Guarantees will be effectively
subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of State Street's
subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of State Street for
payments thereunder. Except as otherwise provided in the Applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Guarantees do not limit the incurrence or issuance of other
secured or unsecured debt of State Street, including Senior Debt, whether
under the Indenture, any other existing indenture or any other indenture that
State Street may enter into in the future or otherwise.
 
  State Street has, through the applicable Guarantee, the applicable Trust
Agreement, the applicable series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated
Debentures and the Junior Subordinated Indenture, taken together, fully,
irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed all of the Issuer Trust's
obligations under the Capital Securities. No single document standing alone or
operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents
constitutes such guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these
documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of the Issuer Trust's obligations under the Capital
Securities. See "Relationship Among the Capital Securities, the Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantees."
 
STATUS OF THE GUARANTEES
 
  Each Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of State Street and
will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt of
State Street in the same manner as the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
 
                                      37

 
  Each Guarantee will rank pari passu with all other Guarantees issued by
State Street. Each Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection (i.e., the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under the Guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or
entity). Each Guarantee will be held for the benefit of the holders of the
related Trust Securities. Each Guarantee will not be discharged except by
payment of the Guarantee Payments in full to the extent not paid by the Issuer
Trust or upon Junior Subordinated Debentures. None of the Guarantees places a
limitation on the amount of additional Senior Debt that may be incurred by
State Street. State Street expects from time to time to incur additional
indebtedness constituting Senior Debt.
 
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
 
  Except with respect to any changes which do not materially adversely affect
the rights of holders of the related Trust Securities (in which case no vote
will be required), no Guarantee may be amended without the prior approval of
the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of
such outstanding Trust Securities. The manner of obtaining any such approval
will be as set forth under "Description of Capital Securities--Voting Rights;
Amendment of Each Trust Agreement." All guarantees and agreements contained in
each Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of State Street and shall inure to the benefit of the holders
of the related Trust Securities then outstanding.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  An event of default under each Guarantee will occur upon the failure of
State Street to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder.
The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
related Trust Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee
in respect of such Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under such Guarantee.
 
  Any holder of the Trust Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly
against State Street to enforce its rights under such Guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer Trust, the Guarantee Trustee
or any other person or entity.
 
  State Street, as guarantor, is required to file annually with the Guarantee
Trustee a certificate as to whether or not State Street is in compliance with
all the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the Guarantee.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
 
  The Guarantee Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of a
default by State Street in performance of any Guarantee, undertakes to perform
only such duties as are specifically set forth in each Guarantee and, after
default with respect to any Guarantee, must exercise the same degree of care
and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or
her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Guarantee Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by any Guarantee at the
request of any holder of any Trust Securities unless it is offered reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred
thereby.
 
TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEES
 
  Each Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon
full payment of the Redemption Price of the related Trust Securities, upon
full payment of the amounts payable upon
 
                                      38

 
liquidation of the related Issuer Trust or upon distribution of Corresponding
Junior Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the related Trust Securities
in exchange therefor. Each Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the related Trust
Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under such Trust Securities
or such Guarantee.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  Each Guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York.
 
         RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE CORRESPONDING
               JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEES
 
FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE
 
  Payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the Capital Securities
(to the extent the Issuer Trust has funds available for the payment of such
Distributions and other amounts) are irrevocably guaranteed by State Street as
and to the extent set forth under "Description of Guarantees." Taken together,
State Street's obligations under each series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, the Junior Subordinated Indenture, the related Trust
Agreement and the related Guarantee provide, in the aggregate, a full,
irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payments of Distributions and other
amounts due on the Related Capital Securities. No single document standing
alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents
constitutes such guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these
documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of the Issuer Trust's obligations under the Related
Capital Securities. If and to the extent that State Street does not make
payments on any series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, such
Issuer Trust will not pay Distributions or other amounts due on the Related
Capital Securities. The Guarantees do not cover payment of Distributions when
the related Issuer Trust does not have sufficient funds to pay such
Distributions. In such event, the remedy of a holder of a series of Capital
Securities is to institute a legal proceeding directly against State Street
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture for enforcement of payment of amounts
equal to such Distributions to such holder. The obligations of State Street
under each Guarantee are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Senior Debt of State Street.
 
SUFFICIENCY OF PAYMENTS
 
  As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on each
series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, such payments will be
sufficient to cover Distributions and other payments due on the Related
Capital Securities, primarily because (i) the aggregate principal amount of
each series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures will be equal to
the sum of the aggregate stated Liquidation Amount of the Related Capital
Securities and the related Common Securities; (ii) the interest rate and
interest and other payment dates on each series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures will match the Distribution rate and Distribution and
other payment dates for the Related Capital Securities; (iii) State Street
shall pay for all and any costs, expenses and liabilities of such Issuer Trust
except the Issuer Trust's obligations to holders of its Capital Securities
under such Capital Securities; and (iv) each Trust Agreement further provides
that the Issuer Trust will not engage in any activity that is not consistent
with the limited purposes of such Issuer Trust.
 
  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Junior Subordinated
Indenture, State Street has the right to set off any payment it is otherwise
required to make thereunder with and to the extent State Street has
theretofore made, or is concurrently on the date of such payment making, a
payment under the related Guarantee.
 
 
                                      39

 
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  A holder of any related Capital Security may institute a legal proceeding
directly against State Street to enforce its rights under the related
Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee
Trustee, the related Issuer Trust or any other person or entity.
 
  A default or event of default under any Senior Debt of State Street would
not constitute a default or Event of Default under the Junior Subordinated
Indenture. However, in the event of payment defaults under, or acceleration
of, Senior Debt of State Street, the subordination provisions of the Junior
Subordinated Indenture provide that no payments may be made in respect of the
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures until such Senior Debt has been
paid in full or any payment default thereunder has been cured or waived.
Failure to make required payments on any series of Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures would constitute an Event of Default under the Junior
Subordinated Indenture.
 
LIMITED PURPOSE OF ISSUER TRUSTS
 
  Each Issuer Trust's Capital Securities evidence a beneficial interest in
such Issuer Trust, and each Issuer Trust exists for the sole purpose of
issuing its Capital Securities and Common Securities and investing the
proceeds thereof in Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures. A principal
difference between the rights of a holder of a Capital Security and a holder
of a Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debenture is that a holder of a
Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debenture is entitled to receive from State
Street the principal amount of and interest accrued on Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures held, while a holder of Capital Securities is entitled
to receive Distributions from such Issuer Trust (or from State Street under
the applicable Guarantee) if and to the extent such Issuer Trust has funds
available for the payment of such Distributions.
 
RIGHTS UPON DISSOLUTION
 
  Upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of
any Issuer Trust involving the liquidation of the Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the
Issuer Trust as required by applicable law, the holders of the related Capital
Securities will be entitled to receive, out of the assets held by such Issuer
Trust, the Liquidation Distribution in cash. See "Description of Capital
Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination." Upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of State Street, the Property Trustee,
as holder of the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures, would be a
subordinated creditor of State Street, subordinated in right of payment to all
Senior Debt as set forth in the Junior Subordinated Indenture, but entitled to
receive payment in full of principal and interest, before any stockholders of
State Street receive payments or distributions. Since State Street is the
guarantor under each Guarantee and has agreed to pay for all costs, expenses
and liabilities of each Issuer Trust (other than the Issuer Trust's
obligations to the holders of its Capital Securities), the positions of a
holder of such Capital Securities and a holder of such Corresponding Junior
Subordinated Debentures relative to other creditors and to stockholders of
State Street in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy of State Street are
expected to be substantially the same.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. Certain terms of any series of the Preferred
Stock offered by any Prospectus Supplement will be described in such
Prospectus Supplement. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the terms
of any series of Preferred Stock may differ from the terms set forth below.
The description of certain provisions of the Preferred Stock set forth below
and in any Prospectus Supplement does not purport to be complete
 
                                      40

 
and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to State Street's
Articles of Organization, including the definitions therein or certain terms,
and the certificate of designation (each a "Certificate of Designation")
relating to each series of the Preferred Stock that will be filed with the
Commission at or prior to the time of the issuance of such series of the
Preferred Stock. State Street's Articles of Organization have been filed as
Exhibit 3.1 to State Street's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and are incorporated by reference thereto into the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is part.
 
  The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the
Preferred Stock to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate.
 
GENERAL
 
  Under State Street's Articles of Organization, State Street is authorized,
without further stockholder action, to issue up to 3,500,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, without par value, in one or more series, with such
designations, voting powers, preferences and relative limitations or
restrictions thereon, as may be stated or expressed in resolutions providing
for the creation and issuance thereof adopted by the Board of Directors of
State Street. Thus, without stockholder approval, the Board of Directors could
authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock with voting, conversion and other
rights that could dilute the voting power and other rights of the holders of
Common Stock. No Preferred Stock is currently outstanding.
 
  The Preferred Stock shall have the dividend, liquidation, redemption and
voting rights set forth below, unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus
Supplement relating to a particular series of the Preferred Stock. Reference
is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of the
Preferred Stock offered hereby for specific terms, including: (i) the
designation and stated value per share of such Preferred Stock and the number
of shares offered; (ii) the amount of liquidation preference per share; (iii)
the initial public offering price at which such Preferred Stock will be
issued; (iv) the dividend rate or rates (or method or methods of calculation),
the dates on which dividends shall be payable and the dates from which
dividends shall commence to cumulate, if any; (v) any redemption or sinking
fund provisions; (vi) any conversion provisions; and (vii) any additional
voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and other rights,
preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.
 
  The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and
holders thereof will have no preemptive rights in connection therewith. Unless
otherwise provided in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, each series of the
Preferred Stock will rank on a parity as to payment of dividends and amounts
upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of State Street. The rights of
holders of shares of each series of the Preferred Stock will be subordinate to
those of State Street's general creditors.
 
RANK
 
  Any series of the Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and
rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution rank (i) senior to all
classes of common stock of State Street and with all equity securities issued
by State Street, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity
securities will rank junior to the Preferred Stock (collectively referred to
as the "Junior Stock"); (ii) on a parity with all equity securities issued by
State Street, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity
securities will rank on a parity with the Preferred Stock (collectively
referred to as the "Parity Securities"); and (iii) junior to all equity
securities issued by State Street, the terms of which specifically provide
that such equity securities will rank on a parity with to the Preferred Stock.
All shares of Preferred Stock, will, regardless of series, be of equal rank.
As used in any Certificate of Designation for these purposes, the term "equity
securities" will not include debt securities convertible into or exchangeable
for equity securities.
 
                                      41

 
DIVIDEND RIGHTS
 
  Holders of each series of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of State Street, out of
funds of State Street legally available therefor, cash dividends on such dates
and at such rates as are set forth in, or as are determined by the method
described in, the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of the
Preferred Stock. Such rate may be fixed or variable or both. Each such
dividend will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on the stock
books of State Street on such record dates, fixed by the Board of Directors of
State Street, as specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
series of the Preferred Stock.
 
  Such dividends may be cumulative or noncumulative, as provided in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred Stock. If the Board
of Directors of State Street fails to declare a dividend payable on a dividend
payment date on any series of Preferred Stock for which dividends are
noncumulative, then the right to receive a dividend in respect of the dividend
period ending on such dividend payment date will be lost, and State Street
will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period, whether
or not dividends on such series are declared payable on any future dividend
payment dates. Dividends on the shares of each series of Preferred Stock for
which dividends are cumulative will accrue from the date on which State Street
initially issues shares of such series or such other dates as may be set forth
in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, so long
as the shares of any series of the Preferred Stock are outstanding, unless (i)
full dividends (including, if such Preferred Stock is cumulative, dividends
for prior dividend periods) have been paid or declared and set apart for
payment on all outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock of such series (other
than Junior Stock) and (ii) State Street is not in default or in arrears with
respect to the mandatory or optional redemption or mandatory repurchase or
other mandatory retirement of, or with respect to any sinking or other
analogous fund for, any shares of Preferred Stock of such series (other than
Junior Stock), State Street may not declare any dividends on any shares of
Junior Stock, or make any payment on account of, or set apart money for, the
purchase, redemption or other retirement of, or for a sinking or other
analogous fund for, any shares of Junior Stock or make any distribution in
respect thereof, whether in cash or property or in obligations or stock of
State Street, other than Junior Stock that is neither convertible into, nor
exchangeable or exercisable for, any securities of State Street other than
Junior Stock and other than as a result of the reclassification of Junior
Stock.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, in the
event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of State Street, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of a series of Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive out of the assets of State Street available for
distribution to stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to the
holders of Junior Stock, the amount set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series of the Preferred Stock. If, upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of State Street, the
amounts payable with respect to the Preferred Stock of any series and any
other shares of preferred stock of State Street (including any other series of
the Preferred Stock) ranking as to the payment of amounts upon the
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of State Street on a party with such
series of the Preferred Stock are not paid in full, the holders of the
Preferred Stock of such series and of such other shares of preferred stock of
State Street will share ratably in any such distribution of assets of State
Street in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they
are entitled. After payment to the holders of the Preferred Stock of each
series of the full preferential amounts of the liquidating distribution to
which they are entitled, the holders of each such series of the Preferred
Stock will be entitled to no further participation in any distribution of
assets by State Street.
 
REDEMPTION
 
  A series of the Preferred Stock may be redeemable, in whole or from time to
time in part, at the option of State Street with prior Federal Reserve Board
approval, and may be subject to mandatory
 
                                      42

 
redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise, in each case upon terms,
at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series. Shares of the Preferred Stock redeemed by
State Street will be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares
of preferred stock of State Street.
 
  In the event that fewer than all of the outstanding shares of a series of
the Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, whether by mandatory or optional
redemption, the number of shares to be redeemed will be determined by lot or
pro rata (subject to rounding to avoid fractional shares) as may be determined
by State Street or by any other method as may be determined by State Street in
its sole discretion to be equitable. From and after the redemption date
(unless default is made by State Street in providing for the payment of the
redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any) dividends will
cease to accumulate on the shares of the Preferred Stock called for redemption
and all rights of the holders thereof (except the right to receive the
redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any) will cease.
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, so long
as any dividends on shares of any series of the Preferred Stock or any other
series of preferred stock of State Street ranking on a parity as to payment of
dividends and amounts upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of State
Street with such series of the Preferred Stock are in arrears, no shares of
any such series of the Preferred Stock or such other series of preferred stock
of State Street will be redeemed (whether by mandatory or optional redemption)
unless all such shares are simultaneously redeemed, and State Street will not
purchase or otherwise acquire any such shares; provided, however, that the
foregoing will not prevent the purchase or acquisition of such shares pursuant
to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all such
shares outstanding.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
  Shares of Preferred Stock of any series offered hereunder may not be
exchanged for or converted (mandatorily or otherwise) into shares of Common
Stock but may be exchanged for or converted (mandatorily or otherwise) into
shares of another series of Preferred Stock.
 
EXCHANGEABILITY
 
  The holders of shares of Preferred Stock of any series may be obligated at
any time or at maturity to exchange such shares for debt securities of State
Street. The terms of any such exchange and any such debt securities will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred
Stock.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
  Except as indicated in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of the Preferred Stock, or except as required by applicable
Massachusetts law or in State Street's Articles of Organization, the holders
of the Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote for any purpose.
 
  Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, if the holders of
shares of any series of Preferred Stock of State Street become entitled to
vote for the election of directors, such series may then be deemed a "class of
voting securities" and a holder of 25% or more of such series (or a holder of
5% if it otherwise exercises a "controlling influence" over State Street) may
then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company in accordance with the
Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. In addition, at such time as
such series is deemed a class of voting securities, (i) any other bank holding
company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board to
acquire or retain 5% or more of such series, and (ii) any person other than a
bank holding company may be required to file with the Federal Reserve Board
under the Change in Bank Control Act to acquire or retain 10% or more of such
series.
 
                                      43

 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement relating thereto,
State Street Bank and Trust Company will be the transfer agent, dividend and
redemption price disbursement agent and registrar for shares of each series of
the Preferred Stock.
 
                               GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
  The Offered Securities of a series that are Debt Securities or Capital
Securities may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully
registered global Offered Securities (respectively, the "Global Debt
Securities" and the "Global Capital Securities," each of which is a "Global
Security," and together which are the "Global Securities") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository (the "Depository") which unless
otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement for such series
will be DTC. Global Capital Securities may be issued in either temporary or
permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for
Offered Securities in definitive form, a Global Security may not be
transferred except as a whole by the Depository for such Global Security to a
nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to such
Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by such Depository or any
such nominee to a successor of such Depository or a nominee of such successor
or in the manner provided in the final paragraph under this heading.
 
  The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any Offered
Securities will be described in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement. State
Street anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all depository
arrangements.
 
  Upon the issuance of a Global Security and the deposit of such Global
Capital Security with or on behalf of the Depository, the Depository for such
Global Security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer
system, the respective principal amounts or aggregate Liquidation Amounts, as
the case may be, of the Offered Securities represented by such Global Security
to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such Depository
("Participant"), which may include Euroclear and Cedel. The accounts to be
credited shall be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents
participating in the distribution of such Offered Securities or by State
Street, if such Offered Securities are offered and sold directly by State
Street. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited
to Participants or persons that may hold interest through Participants.
 
  Ownership of beneficial interest in such Global Security will be shown on,
and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records
maintained by the Depository for such Global Security (with respect to
interests of Participants) or by Participants or persons that hold through
Participants (with respect to interests of persons other than Participants).
The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such
laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in
a Global Security.
 
  So long as the Depository for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
holder of such Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as the case
may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Offered Securities
represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the applicable
Indenture or Trust Agreement, as the case may be. Except as set forth below,
owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to
have Offered Securities of the series represented by such Global Security
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of Offered Securities of such series in definitive form and will not
be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable Indenture or
Trust Agreement, as the case may be.
 
                                      44

 
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Security
must rely on the procedures of the Depository for such Global Security and, if
such person is not a Participant, on the procedures of the Participant through
which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under
the applicable Indenture. State Street understands that under existing
industry practices, if State Street requests any action of holders or if an
owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security desires to give or take
any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable
Indenture, the Depository for such Global Security would authorize the
Participants holding the relevant beneficial interest to give or take such
action, and such Participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through
such Participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the
instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
 
  Payments of principal of or premium, if any, and interest, if any, on
Offered Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the name of
a Depository or its nominee will be made to such Depository or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the registered owner or the holder of the Global Security
representing such Offered Securities. None of State Street, the Trustee for
such Offered Securities, any paying agent for such Offered Securities, the
Property Trustee or the Securities Registrar, as applicable, will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global
Security for such Offered Securities or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
  State Street expects that the Depository for any Offered Securities
represented by a Global Debt Security, upon receipt of any payment of
principal, premium or interest, will credit immediately Participants' accounts
with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial
interests in the principal amount of such Global Debt Security as shown on the
records of such Depository. State Street expects that the Depository for a
series of Capital Securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of
Liquidation Amount, Redemption Price, premium or Distributions in respect of a
permanent Global Capital Security representing any of such Capital Securities,
immediately will credit Participants' accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interest in the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of such Global Capital Security for such Capital Securities
as shown on the records of such Depositary or its nominee. State Street also
expects that payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in
such Global Security held through such Participants will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with
securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in
"street name," and will be the responsibility of such Participants.
 
  No Global Debt Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debt
Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Debt Security in whole or
in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depository
for such Global Debt Security or a nominee thereof unless (a) such Depository
(i) has notified State Street that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depository for such Global Debt Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act, (b) there shall have occurred and be
continuing an Event of Default or a Default, as the case may be, with respect
to such Global Debt Security or (c) there shall exist such circumstances, if
any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for
this purpose as contemplated by the Indentures. (Section 305)
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, if a
Depository for a series of Capital Securities is at any time unwilling, unable
or ineligible to continue as Depository and a successor Depository is not
appointed by the Issuer Trust within 90 days, the Issuer Trust will issue
individual Capital Securities of such series in exchange for the Global
Capital Security representing such series of Capital Securities. In addition,
the Issuer Trust may at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to any
limitations described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Capital
Securities, determine not to have any Capital Securities of such series
represented by one or more
 
                                      45

 
Global Capital Securities and, in such event, will issue individual Capital
Securities of such series in exchange for the Global Capital Security or
Securities representing such series of Capital Securities. Further, if the
Issuer Trust so specifies with respect to the Capital Securities of a series,
an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security representing
Capital Securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to the Issuer
Trust, the Property Trustee and the Depository for such Global Capital
Security, receive individual Capital Securities of such series in exchange for
such beneficial interests, subject to any limitations described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such Capital Securities. In any such
instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Capital Security will
be entitled to a physical delivery of individual Capital Securities of the
series represented by such Global Capital Security equal in principal amount
to such beneficial interest and to have such Capital Securities registered in
its name.
 
BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE
 
  DTC will act as securities Depository for all of the Capital Securities and
the Debt Securities, including the Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless
otherwise referred to in the Prospectus Supplement relating to an offering of
Capital Securities or Debt Securities. The Capital Securities and the Debt
Securities will be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in
the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's nominee). One or more fully-registered global
certificates will be issued for the Capital Securities of each Issuer Trust
and the Debt Securities, representing in the aggregate the total number of
such Issuer Trust's Capital Securities or aggregate principal balance of Debt
Securities, respectively, and will be deposited with the Property Trustee as
custodian for DTC.
 
  DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its Participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates
the settlement among Participants of securities transactions, such as
transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized
book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities certificates. "Direct Participants" include
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its Direct
Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock
Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access
to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and
dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial
relationships with Direct Participants, either directly or indirectly
("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to DTC and its Participants
are on file with the Commission.
 
  Purchases of Capital Securities or Debt Securities within the DTC system
must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit
for the Capital Securities or Debt Securities on DTC's records. The ownership
interest of each actual purchaser of each Capital Security and each Debt
Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and
Indirect Participants' records, including Euroclear and Cedel. Beneficial
Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but
Beneficial Owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing
details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings,
from the Direct or Indirect Participants through which the Beneficial Owners
purchased Capital Securities or Junior Subordinated Debentures. Transfers of
ownership interests in the Capital Securities or Debt Securities are to be
accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants acting on behalf of
Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates
representing their ownership interests in Capital Securities or Debt
Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the
Capital Securities of such Issuer Trust or Debt Securities is discontinued.
 
 
                                      46

 
  Transfers between Participants will be effected in accordance with DTC's
procedures and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between
Participants in Euroclear and Cedel will be effected in the ordinary way in
accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
 
  Cross-market transfers between Participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear
Participants or Cedel Participants, on the other hand, will be effected in DTC
in accordance with DTC's rules on behalf of Euroclear or Cedel, as the case
may be, by its respective Depository; however, such cross-market transaction
will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Cedel, as the case may
be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and
procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such
system. Euroclear or Cedel, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets
its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective Depository
to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or
receiving interests in the Capital Securities or Debt Securities in DTC, and
making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures and Cedel
Participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for
Euroclear or Cedel.
 
  Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or
Cedel Participant purchasing an interest in a Capital Security or Debt
Security from a Participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting
will be reported to the relevant Euroclear Participant or Cedel Participant,
during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day
for Euroclear and Cedel, as the case may be) immediately following the DTC
settlement date. Cash received in Euroclear or Cedel as a result of sales of
interests in a Capital Security or Debt Security by or through a Euroclear or
Cedel Participant to a Participant in DTC will be received with value on the
DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Cedel
cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Cedel following the
DTC settlement date.
 
  DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Capital
Securities or Debt Securities; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the
Direct Participants to whose accounts such Capital Securities or Debt
Securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The
Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on
behalf of their customers.
 
  Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners and the voting
rights of Direct Participants, Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners
will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
 
  Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of
the Capital Securities or Debt Securities. If less than all of an Issuer
Trust's Capital Securities or the Debt Securities are being redeemed, DTC's
current practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each
Direct Participant to be redeemed.
 
  Although voting with respect to the Capital Securities or the Debt
Securities is limited to the holders of record of the Capital Securities or
Debt Securities, in those instances in which a vote is required, neither DTC
nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to Capital Securities
or Debt Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus
proxy (the "Omnibus Proxy") to the relevant Trustee as soon as possible after
the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting
rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts such Capital Securities
or Debt Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing
attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
 
  Distribution payments on the Capital Securities or the Debt Securities will
be made by the relevant Trustee to DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct
Participants' accounts on the relevant
 
                                      47

 
payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's
records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on
such payment date. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the
responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, the relevant Trustee, the
Issuer Trust thereof or State Street, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of Distributions
to DTC is the responsibility of the relevant Trustee, and disbursements of
such payments to the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of Direct and
Indirect Participants.
 
  DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities Depository with
respect to any of the Capital Securities or the Debt Securities at any time by
giving reasonable notice to the relevant Trustee and State Street. In the
event that a successor securities Depository is not obtained, definitive
Capital Security or Junior Subordinated Debenture certificates representing
such Capital Securities or Debt Securities are required to be printed or
delivered. State Street, at its option, may decide to discontinue use of the
system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor Depository). After
a Debenture Event of Default, the holders of a majority in liquidation
preference of Capital Securities or aggregate principal amount of Debt
Securities may determine to discontinue the system of book-entry transfers
through DTC. In any event, definitive certificates for such Capital Securities
or Debt Securities will be printed and delivered.
 
  The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Issuer Trusts and State Street believe
to be accurate, but the Issuer Trusts and State Street assume no
responsibility for the accuracy thereof. Neither the Issuer Trusts nor State
Street has any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its Participants
of their respective obligations as described herein or under the rules and
procedures governing their respective operations.
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Offered Securities may be sold in a public offering to or through
underwriters or dealers designated from time to time. State Street may sell
its Debt Securities or Preferred Stock, and each Issuer Trust may sell its
Capital Securities as soon as practicable after effectiveness of the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The names of any
underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of the such Securities in respect
of which this Prospectus is delivered, the amount or number of such Securities
to be purchased by any such underwriters and any applicable commissions or
discounts will be set forth in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Underwriters may offer and sell Securities at a fixed price or prices, which
may be changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing at the time
of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices. In connection with the sale of Securities, underwriters may be deemed
to have received compensation from State Street and/or the applicable Issuer
Trust in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also
receive commissions. Underwriters may sell Offered Securities to or through
dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions from the underwriters.
 
  Any underwriting compensation paid by State Street and/or the applicable
Issuer Trust to underwriters in connection with the offering of Securities,
and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by such underwriters to
participating dealers, will be described in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. Underwriters and dealers participating in the distribution of
Offered Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and
commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of such
Offered Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions,
under the Securities Act. Underwriters and dealers may be entitled, under
agreement with State Street and the applicable Issuer Trust, to
indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to reimbursement by State
Street for certain expenses.
 
                                      48

 
  In connection with the offering of the Capital Securities of any Issuer
Trust, such Issuer Trust may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase
additional Capital Securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at the initial
public offering price (with an additional underwriting commission), as may be
set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement. If such Issuer Trust
grants any over-allotment option, the terms of such over-allotment option will
be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement for such Capital Securities.
 
  Underwriters and dealers may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, State Street and/or the applicable Issuer Trust and/or any of
their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
  The Offered Securities will be new issues of securities and will have no
established trading market. Any underwriters to whom Offered Securities are
sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such Offered
Securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Such Offered
Securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or the
Nasdaq National Market. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or
the existence of trading markets for any Offered Securities.
 
                            VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus Supplement, certain
matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Capital Securities,
the enforceability of the applicable Trust Agreement and the creation of each
Issuer Trust will be passed upon for State Street and for the Issuer Trusts by
Richards, Layton & Finger P.A., special Delaware counsel to State Street and
the Issuer Trusts. Unless otherwise indicated in the Applicable Prospectus
Supplement, certain legal matters will be passed upon by Ropes & Gray for
State Street and the Issuer Trusts and for the Underwriters by Cravath, Swaine
& Moore. Ropes & Gray will rely as to all matters of New York law on the
opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Truman S. Casner, a director of State
Street, is a partner of Ropes & Gray. Mr. Casner owns beneficially a total of
13,365 shares of Common Stock of State Street. Ropes & Gray performs services
for State Street from time to time. Ropes & Gray and Cravath, Swaine & Moore
will rely on Richards, Layton & Finger P.A. as to all matters of Delaware law.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements and schedules of State Street at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1997, incorporated by reference in State Street's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated therein
and herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and schedules
are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon
the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                      49

 
                                   PART II.
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 

                                                             
   Registration fee under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended.................................................... $120,689.65**
   Blue Sky fees and expenses (including counsel fees).........   20,000.00
   Fees of rating agencies.....................................  100,000.00
   Trustees' fee and expenses..................................   10,000.00
   Printing and engraving......................................   25,000.00
   Accounting services.........................................   10,000.00
   Legal fees of Registrants' counsel..........................  120,000.00
   Miscellaneous...............................................   10,000.00
                                                                -----------
     Total..................................................... $415,689.65
                                                                ===========

- --------
* All the amounts except the Registration Fee are estimated.
** Previously paid.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  Section 67 of Chapter 156B of the General Laws of Massachusetts provides
that to the extent specified in or authorized by the articles of organization,
a by-law adopted by shareholders or a vote adopted by the holders of the
majority of shares of stock entitled to vote on the election of directors, a
corporation can indemnify directors, officers, employees and other agents of
the corporation (and persons who serve at its request as directors, officers,
employees and other agents of another organization or who serve at its request
in any capacity with respect to any employee benefit plan) except as to any
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudicated in any proceeding
not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that the action was
in the best interest of the corporation.
 
  The Articles of Organization of State Street (Article 6) provide the
following:
 
    The corporation shall to the fullest extent legally permissible indemnify
  each person who is or was a director, employee or other agent of the
  corporation and each person who is or was serving at the request of the
  corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee or other agent of
  another corporation or of any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
  benefit plan or other enterprise or organization against all liabilities,
  costs and expenses, including but not limited to amounts paid in
  satisfaction of judgments, in settlement or as fines and penalties, and
  counsel fees and disbursements, reasonably incurred by him in connection
  with the defense or disposition of or otherwise in connection with or
  resulting from any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil,
  criminal, administrative or investigative, before any court or
  administrative or legislative or investigative body, in which he may be or
  may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which he may be or
  may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of his
  being or having been such a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee,
  or by reason of any action taken or not taken in any such capacity, except
  with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally
  adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good
  faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of
  the corporation (any person serving another organization in one or more of
  the indicated capacities at the request of the corporation who shall not
  have been adjudicated in any proceeding not to have acted in good faith in
  the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of such
  other organization shall be deemed so to have acted in good faith with
  respect to the corporation) or to the extent that such matter relates to
  service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in the best interest of
  the participants or beneficiaries of such employee
 
                                      50

 
  benefit plan. Expenses, including but not limited to counsel fees and
  disbursements, so incurred by any such person in defending any such action,
  suit or proceeding, shall be paid from time to time by the corporation in
  advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon
  receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the person indemnified to
  repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that
  indemnification of such expenses is not authorized hereunder.
 
    If, in an action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the name of the
  corporation, a director of the corporation is held not liable for monetary
  damages, whether because that director is relieved of personal liability
  under the provisions of this Article Six of the Articles of Organization,
  or otherwise, that director shall be deemed to have met the standard of
  conduct set forth above and to be entitled to indemnification for expenses
  reasonably incurred in the defense of such action, suit or proceeding.
 
    As to any matter disposed of by settlement by any such person, pursuant
  to a consent decree or otherwise, no such indemnification either for the
  amount of such settlement or for any other expenses shall be provided
  unless such settlement shall be approved as in the best interests of the
  corporation, after notice that it involves such indemnification, (a) by
  vote of a majority of the disinterested directors then in office (even
  though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum), or (b) by any
  disinterested person or persons to whom the question may be referred by
  vote of a majority of such disinterested directors, or (c) by vote of the
  holders of a majority of the outstanding stock at the time entitled to vote
  for directors, voting as a single class, exclusive of any stock owned by
  any interested person, or (d) by any disinterested person or persons to
  whom the question may be referred by vote of the holders of a majority of
  such stock. No such approval shall prevent the recovery from any such
  director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of any amounts paid to him or
  on his behalf as indemnification in accordance with the preceding sentence
  if such person is subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent
  jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that
  his action was in the best interests of the corporation.
 
    The right of indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or
  affect any other rights to which any director, officer, employee, agent or
  trustee may be entitled or which may lawfully be granted to him. As used
  herein, the terms "director," "officer," "employee," "agent" and "trustee"
  include their respective executors, administrators and other legal
  representatives, an "interested" person is one against whom the action,
  suit or other proceeding in question or another action, suit or other
  proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or had been pending or
  threatened, and a "disinterested" person is a person against whom no such
  action, suit or other proceeding is then or had been pending or threatened.
 
    By action of the board of directors, notwithstanding any interest of the
  directors in such action, the corporation may purchase and maintain
  insurance, in such amounts as the board of directors may from time to time
  deem appropriate, on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
  officer, trustee, employee or other agent of the corporation, or is or was
  serving at the requests of the corporation as a director, officer, trustee,
  employee or other agent of another corporation or of any partnership, joint
  venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise or organization
  against any liability incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out
  of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power
  to indemnify him against such liability.
 
    A director of this corporation shall not be personally liable to the
  corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
  fiduciary duty as a director notwithstanding any provision of law imposing
  such liability, provided, however, that this paragraph of Article Six shall
  not eliminate the liability of a director to the extent such liability is
  imposed by applicable law (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
  loyalty to this corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions
  not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
  violation of
 
                                      51

 
  law, (iii) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
  personal benefit, or (iv) for paying a dividend, approving a stock
  repurchase or making loans which are illegal under certain provisions of
  Massachusetts law, as the same exists or hereafter may be amended. If
  Massachusetts law is hereafter amended to authorize the further limitation
  of the legal liability of the directors of this corporation, the liability
  of the directors shall then be deemed to be limited to the fullest extent
  then permitted by Massachusetts law as so amended. Any repeal or
  modification of this paragraph of this Article Six which may hereafter be
  effected by the stockholders of this corporation shall be prospective only,
  and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the liability of a
  director for acts or omissions prior to such repeal or modification.
 
  In addition, State Street maintains a directors' and officers' liability
  insurance policy.
 
  Under the Trust Agreement of each Issuer Trust, State Street will agree to
indemnify each of the Issuer Trustees of such Issuer Trust, and to hold the
Issuer Trustees harmless against, any loss, damage, claims, liability or
expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of
or in connection with the acceptance or administration of such Trust
Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any
claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of
its powers or duties under such Trust Agreement.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 


   EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION
   -----------                            -----------
            
       4.1     Restated Articles of Organization (filed with the Securities and
                Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Annual
                report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and
                incorporated by reference (File No. 0-5108)).
       4.2     Bylaws as amended (filed with the Securities and Exchange
                Commission as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Annual report on Form
                10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991 and incorporated by
                reference).
       4.3     Certificate of Designation, Preference and Rights (filed with
                the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to
                Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                December 31, 1991 and incorporated by reference).
       4.4     The description of Registrant's Common Stock included in the
                Registrant's effective registration statement report on Form
                10, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
                September 3, 1970 and amended on May 12, 1971 and incorporated
                by reference.
       4.5     Rights Agreement dated as of September 15, 1988 between
                Registrant and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights
                Agent (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
                Exhibit 4 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
                September 30, 1988 and incorporated by reference).
       4.6     Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of September 20, 1990
                between Registrant and The First National Bank of Boston,
                Rights Agent (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
                as Exhibit 4 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                the quarter ended September 30, 1990 and incorporated by
                reference).
       4.7     Indenture dated as of May 1, 1983 between Registrant and Morgan
                Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Trustee, relating to
                Registrant 7 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2008
                (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4
                to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on
                April 22, 1983, Commission File No. 2-83251 and incorporated by
                reference).
       4.8     Indenture dated as of August 2, 1993 (the "Senior Indenture")
                between Registrant and The First National Bank of Boston, as
                trustee relating to Registrant's long-term notes (filed with
                the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4 to
                Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 8, 1993
                and incorporated by reference).

 
                                      52

 


   EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION
   -----------                            -----------
            
      4.9      Instrument of Resignation, appointment, and acceptance, dated as
                of February 14, 1996 between Registrant, The First National
                Bank of Boston (resigning trustee) and Fleet National Bank of
                Massachusetts (successor trustee) (filed with the Securities
                and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4.6 to Registrant's Annual
                Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 and
                incorporated by reference).
      4.10     Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of December 15, 1996 (the
                "Junior Subordinated Indenture") between Registrant and the
                First National Bank of Chicago (filed with the Securities and
                Exchange Commission as Exhibit 1 to Registrant's Current Report
                on Form 8-K dated February 27, 1997 and incorporated by
                reference).
      4.11     Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated as of December 15,
                1996 relating to State Street Institutional Capital A (filed
                with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 2 to
                Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 27, 1997
                and incorporated by reference).
      4.12     Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 15,
                1996 between Registrant and The First National Bank of Chicago
                (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3
                to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 27,
                1997 and incorporated by reference).
      4.13     Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated March 11, 1997
                relating to State Street Institutional Capital B (filed with
                the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 2 to the
                Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 1997
                and incorporated by reference).
      4.14     Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement dated March 11,1997
                between registrant and The First National Bank of Chicago
                (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3
                to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 1997
                and incorporated by reference).
      4.15     Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as
                of June 26, 1997 among the Registrant, Fleet National Bank
                (resigning trustee) and First Trust National Association (now
                known as U.S. Bank Trust National Association) (successor
                trustee).
      4.16     Form of Indenture to be entered into by Registrant and the U.S.
                Bank Trust National Association in connection with the issuance
                of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
      4.17     Certificate of Trust of State Street Capital Trust I, as filed
                with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 25, 1998.
      4.18     Certificate of Trust of State Street Capital Trust II, as filed
                with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 25, 1998 .
      4.19     Certificate of Trust of State Street Capital Trust III, as filed
                with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 25, 1998.
      4.20     Declaration of Trust of State Street Capital Trust I among State
                Street Corporation, as Depositor, The First National Bank of
                Chicago, as Property Trustee, First Chicago Delaware Inc., as
                Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named
                therein.
      4.21     Declaration of Trust of State Street Capital Trust II among
                State Street Corporation, as Depositor, The First National Bank
                of Chicago, as Property Trustee, First Chicago Delaware Inc.,
                as Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named
                therein.
      4.22     Declaration of Trust of State Street Capital Trust III among
                State Street Corporation, as Depositor, The First National Bank
                of Chicago, as Property Trustee, First Chicago Delaware Inc.,
                as Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named
                therein.

 
                                       53

 


   EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION
   -----------                            -----------
            
      4.23     Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for each of State
                Street Capital Trust I, State Street Capital Trust II and State
                Street Capital Trust III among State Street Corporation, as
                Depositor, The First National Bank of Chicago, as Property
                Trustee, First Chicago Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, and the
                Administrative Trustees named therein.
      4.24     Form of Capital Security Certificate for each of State Street
                Capital Trust I, State Street Capital Trust II and State Street
                Capital Trust III (included as Exhibit D to Exhibit 4.23).
      4.25     Form of Guarantee Agreement for each of State Street Capital
                Trust I, State Street Capital Trust II and State Street Capital
                Trust III between State Street Corporation, as guarantor, and
                The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee.
      5.1      Opinion of counsel to State Street Corporation as to the
                validity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the
                Guarantees to be issued by the Corporation.
      5.2      Opinion of special Delaware counsel to State Street Corporation
                and State Street Capital Trust I as to validity of the Capital
                Securities to be issued by State Street Capital Trust I.
      5.3      Opinion of special Delaware counsel to State Street Corporation
                and State Street Capital Trust II as to the validity of the
                Capital Securities to be issued by State Street Capital Trust
                II.
      5.4      Opinion of special Delaware counsel to State Street Corporation
                and State Street Capital Trust III as to the validity of the
                Capital Securities to be issued by State Street Capital Trust
                III.
      12.1     Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges (incorporated
                by reference to Exhibit 12.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
                for the year ended December 31, 1997 of State Street
                Corporation).
      23.1     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
      23.2     Consent of Ropes & Gray (included in Exhibit 5.1).
      23.3     Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger P.A. (included in Exhibits
                5.2, 5.3 and 5.4).
      24       Powers of Attorney (included in the signature pages to this
                Registration Statement).
      25.1     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank Trust National
                Association to act as trustee under the Senior Indenture.
      25.2     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibity of The First National Bank of
                Chicago to act as trustee under the Junior Subordinated
                Indeture.
      25.3     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The First National Bank of
                Chicago to act as trustee under the Amended and Restated Trust
                Agreement of State Street Capital Trust I.
      25.4     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The First National Bank of
                Chicago to act as trustee under the Amended and Restated Trust
                Agreement of State Street Capital Trust II.
      25.5     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The First National Bank of
                Chicago to act as trustee under the Amended and Restated Trust
                Agreement of State Street Capital Trust III.
      25.6     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The First National Bank of
                Chicago to act as trustee under the Guarantee for the benefit
                of the holders of Preferred Securities of State Street Capital
                Trust I.
      25.7     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The First National Bank of
                Chicago to act as trustee under the Guarantee for the benefit
                of the holders of Preferred Securities of State Street Capital
                Trust II.
      25.8     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The First National Bank of
                Chicago to act as trustee under the Guarantee for the benefit
                of the holders of Preferred Securities of State Street Capital
                Trust III.

 
                                       54

 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each
filing of a Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
each Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by each Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of each Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, each
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by the controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
 
  Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby also undertakes:
 
    (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
      (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
    Securities Act of 1933;
 
      (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
    the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
    post-effective amendment thereto) which, individually or in the
    aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
    increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
    dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
    registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
    maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
    with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
    changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
    maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
    Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
 
      (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
    distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or
    any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
 
  provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and 1(ii) do not apply if the
  information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
  paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by a Registrant pursuant
  to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
  are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
  to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
  therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
  to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
  any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
  termination of the offering.
 
    (4) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility
  of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust
  Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by
  the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
 
                                      55

 
    (5) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act of 1933:
 
      (i) The information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
    of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained
    in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrants pursuant to Rule
    424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to
    be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared
    effective.
 
      (ii) Each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
    shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the
    securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
    time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      56

 
                       SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE
REGISTRANT CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS
ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF BOSTON, COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS, ON THE 31ST DAY OF MARCH, 1998.
 
                                          State Street Corporation
 
                                                    /s/ Rex S. Schuette
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                REX S. SCHUETTE SENIOR VICE
                                              PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ACCOUNTING
                                                          OFFICER
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
 
  In addition, the undersigned officers and directors of State Street
Corporation, hereby severally constitute and appoint Ronald L. O'Kelley, Rex
S. Schuette, and Maureen Scannell Bateman, and each of them singly, their true
and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign
for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments and any registration
statements relating to the same offering effective upon filing pursuant to
Rule 462(b)) or supplements to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of State
Street Corporation, and generally to do all such things in our name and on our
behalf in our capacities indicated below to enable State Street Corporation to
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming our signatures as they may be required by our said attorneys or any
of them, to any and all said amendments.
 

   
              SIGNATURE                        TITLE
                                                                     DATE
 
       /s/ Marshall N. Carter          Chairman and Chief       March 31, 1998
- -------------------------------------   Executive Officer
         MARSHALL N. CARTER             (Principal
                                        Executive Officer)
 
       /s/ Ronald L. O'Kelley          Executive Vice           March 31, 1998
- -------------------------------------   President, Chief
         RONALD L. O'KELLEY             Financial Officer
                                        and Treasurer
                                        (Principal
                                        Financial Officer)
 
         /s/ Rex S. Schuette           Senior Vice              March 31, 1998
- -------------------------------------   President and Chief
           REX S. SCHUETTE              Accounting Officer
                                        (Principal
                                        Accounting Officer)

 
                                      57

 

   
              SIGNATURE                         TITLE
                                                                     DATE
 
       /s/ Tenley E. Albright           Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
         TENLEY E. ALBRIGHT
 
                                        Director
- -------------------------------------
           JOSEPH A BAUTE
 
      /s/ I. MacAllister Booth          Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
        I. MACALLISTER BOOTH
 
          /s/ James I. Cash             Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
            JAMES I. CASH
 
                                        Director
- -------------------------------------
          TRUMAN S. CASNER
 
                                        Director
- -------------------------------------
         NADER F. DAREHSHORI
 
       /s/ Arthur L. Goldstein          Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
         ARTHUR L. GOLDSTEIN
 
         /s/ David P. Gruber            Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
           DAVID P. GRUBER
 
         /s/ Charles F. Kaye            Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
           CHARLES F. KAYE
 
        /s/ John M. Kucharski           Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
          JOHN M. KUCHARSKI

 
                                       58

 

   
              SIGNATURE                         TITLE
                                                                     DATE
 
       /s/ Charles R. LaMantia          Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
         CHARLES R. LAMANTIA
 
         /s/ David B. Perini            Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
           DAVID B. PERINI
 
        /s/ Dennis J. Picard            Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
          DENNIS J. PICARD
 
           /s/ Alfred Poe               Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
             ALFRED POE
 
       /s/ Bernard W. Reznicek          Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
         BERNARD W. REZNICEK
 
         /s/ David A. Spina             Director                March 19, 1998
- -------------------------------------
           DAVID A. SPINA
 
                                        Director
- -------------------------------------
         DIANE CHAPMAN WALSH
 
                                        Director
- -------------------------------------
         ROBERT E. WEISSMAN

 
                                       59

 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, STATE STREET
CAPITAL TRUST I CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT
MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK
ON THE 27TH DAY OF MARCH, 1998.
 
                                          State Street Capital Trust I
 
                                                    /s/ James E. Murphy
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                  Administrative Trustee
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, STATE STREET
CAPITAL TRUST II CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT
MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK
ON THE 27TH DAY OF MARCH, 1998.
 
                                          State Street Capital Trust II
 
                                                    /s/ James E. Murphy
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                  Administrative Trustee
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, STATE STREET
CAPITAL TRUST III CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT
MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK
ON THE 27TH DAY OF MARCH, 1998.
 
                                          State Street Capital Trust III
 
                                                    /s/ James E. Murphy
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                  Administrative Trustee
 
                                      60