AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEW JERSEY, INC.
                             2005 STOCK OPTION PLAN

         1. Purpose of the Plan. The Plan shall be known as the American Bancorp
            -------------------
of New Jersey, Inc. ("Company") 2005 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). The purpose
of the Plan is to attract  and  retain  qualified  personnel  for  positions  of
substantial  responsibility  and to provide  additional  incentive  to officers,
directors, employees and other persons providing services to the Company, or any
present or future  parent or subsidiary of the Company to promote the success of
the business.  The Plan is intended to provide for the grant of "Incentive Stock
Options,"  within the meaning of Section  422 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code") and Non-Incentive  Stock Options,  options that do
not so qualify.  The provisions of the Plan relating to Incentive  Stock Options
shall be interpreted to conform to the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

         2. Definitions.  The following words and phrases when used in this Plan
            -----------
with an initial capital letter,  unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,
shall have the meaning as set forth below. Wherever  appropriate,  the masculine
pronoun  shall include the feminine  pronoun and the singular  shall include the
plural.

                  "Award" means the grant by the Committee of an Incentive Stock
Option or a Non-Incentive Stock Option, or any combination  thereof, as provided
in the Plan.

                  "Bank"  shall  mean  American  Bank  of  New  Jersey,  or  any
successor corporation thereto.

                  "Board"  shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company,  or
any successor or parent corporation thereto.

                  "Change in  Control"  shall  mean:  (i) the sale of all,  or a
material  portion,  of the assets of the Company or its  Subsidiaries;  (ii) the
merger  or  recapitalization  of the  Company  whereby  the  Company  is not the
surviving entity; (iii) a change in control of the Company, as otherwise defined
or determined by the Office of Thrift Supervision or regulations  promulgated by
it; or (iv) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of the beneficial ownership
(within  the  meaning  of  that  term  as it is used  in  Section  13(d)  of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  and the  rules  and  regulations  promulgated
thereunder)  of  twenty-five  percent  (25%) or more of the  outstanding  voting
securities of the Company by any person, trust, entity or group. This limitation
shall not apply to the purchase of shares by  underwriters  in connection with a
public  offering of Company stock, or the purchase of shares of up to 25% of any
class of securities  of the Company by a  tax-qualified  employee  stock benefit
plan which is exempt from the approval  requirements,  set forth under 12 C.F.R.
Section  574.3(c)(1)(vii)  as now in effect or as may hereafter be amended.  The
term  "person"  refers to an individual or a  corporation,  partnership,  trust,
association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated
organization or any other form of entity not specifically listed herein.

                  "Code"  shall  mean the  Internal  Revenue  Code of  1986,  as
amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "Committee" shall mean the Board or the Stock Option Committee
appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 5(a) of the Plan.

                                       1



                  "Common Stock" shall mean common stock of the Company,  or any
successor or parent corporation thereto.

                  "Company" shall mean the American Bancorp of New Jersey, Inc.,
the parent corporation of the Bank, or any successor or Parent thereof.

                  "Continuous  Employment" or "Continuous Status as an Employee"
shall mean the absence of any interruption or termination of employment with the
Company or any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Employment
shall not be considered interrupted in the case of sick leave, military leave or
any other leave of absence  approved by the Company or in the case of  transfers
between payroll  locations,  of the Company or between the Company,  its Parent,
its Subsidiaries or a successor.

                  "Director" shall mean a member of the Board of the Company, or
any successor or parent corporation thereto.

                  "Director  Emeritus" shall mean a person serving as a director
emeritus,  advisory director,  consulting  director or other similar position as
may be  appointed by the Board of Directors of the Bank or the Company from time
to time.

                  "Disability"   means  (a)  with  respect  to  Incentive  Stock
Options,  the "permanent  and total  disability" of the Employee as such term is
defined at Section  22(e)(3) of the Code; and (b) with respect to  Non-Incentive
Stock Options,  any physical or mental  impairment which renders the Participant
incapable of continuing  in the  employment or service of the Bank or the Parent
in his then current capacity as determined by the Committee.

                  "Effective  Date"  shall mean the date of approval of the Plan
by the stockholders of the Company.

                  "Employee"  shall mean any person  employed by the  Company or
any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

                  "Fair  Market  Value"  shall mean:  (i) if the Common Stock is
traded otherwise than on a national  securities  exchange,  then the Fair Market
Value per Share shall be equal to the mean between the last bid and ask price of
such  Common  Stock on such  date or,  if there is no bid and ask  price on said
date,  then on the  immediately  prior business day on which there was a bid and
ask price. If no such bid and ask price is available, then the Fair Market Value
shall be determined by the Committee in good faith;  or (ii) if the Common Stock
is listed on a national  securities  exchange,  including  the  Nasdaq  National
Market,  then the Fair Market Value per Share shall be not less than the average
of the highest and lowest selling price of such Common Stock on such exchange on
such date,  or if there were no sales on said date,  then the Fair Market  Value
shall be not less than the mean between the last bid and ask price on such date.
If no such bid and ask price is  available,  then the Fair Market Value shall be
determined by the Committee in good faith.

                  "Incentive  Stock  Option"  or "ISO"  shall  mean an option to
purchase  Shares granted by the Committee  pursuant to Section 8 hereof which is
subject to the limitations and  restrictions of Section 8 hereof and is intended
to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

                                       2



                  "Non-Incentive Stock Option" or "Non-ISO" shall mean an option
to purchase  Shares  granted  pursuant to Section 9 hereof,  which option is not
intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code.

                  "Option" shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Incentive
Stock Option  granted  pursuant to this Plan providing the holder of such Option
with the right to purchase Common Stock.

                  "Optioned Stock" shall mean stock subject to an Option granted
pursuant to the Plan.

                  "Optionee"  shall mean any person  who  receives  an Option or
Award pursuant to the Plan.

                  "Parent"  shall mean any present or future  corporation  which
would  be a  "parent  corporation"  of the Bank or the  Company  as  defined  in
Sections 424(e) and (g) of the Code.

                  "Participant"  means any Director,  officer or Employee of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or any other person providing
a service to the Company who is selected by the  Committee  to receive an Award,
or who by the express terms of the Plan is granted an Award.

                  "Plan" shall  mean  the  American  Bancorp of New Jersey, Inc.
2005 Stock Option Plan.

                  "Share" shall mean one share of the Common Stock.

                  "Subsidiary"  shall  mean any  present  or future  corporation
which  constitutes  a  "subsidiary  corporation"  of the  Company  as defined in
Sections 424(f) and (g) of the Code, including the Bank.

         3. Shares  Subject to the Plan.  Except as  otherwise  required by  the
            ---------------------------
provisions  of Section 13 hereof,  the  aggregate  number of Shares which may be
issued  pursuant to the Plan with  respect to Awards made  thereunder  shall not
exceed 694,314 Shares ("Share  Limit").  The aggregate number of Shares that may
be issued upon the exercise of Incentive  Stock Options under the Plan shall not
exceed this Share Limit.  Such Shares may either be from authorized but unissued
shares,  treasury shares or shares purchased in the market for Plan purposes. If
an Award shall  expire,  become  unexercisable,  or be forfeited  for any reason
prior to its exercise,  new Awards may be granted under the Plan with respect to
the number of Shares as to which such expiration has occurred.

         4. Six Month  Holding  Period.  Subject  to  vesting  requirements,  if
            --------------------------
applicable,  except in the event of death or  Disability  of the  Optionee  or a
Change in Control of the  Company,  a minimum of six months must elapse  between
the date of the grant of an Option and the date of the sale of the Common  Stock
received through the exercise of such Option.

         5. Administration of the Plan.
            --------------------------

                  (a)   Composition  of  the   Committee.   The  Plan  shall  be
administered by the Board of Directors of the Company or a Committee which shall
consist of not less than two Directors of the Company appointed by the Board and
serving at the pleasure of the Board.  All persons  designated as members of the
Committee shall meet the  requirements of a "Non-Employee  Director"  within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as
found at 17 C.F.R. Section 240.16b-3.

                                       3



                  (b) Powers of the Committee.  The Committee is authorized (but
only to the extent not  contrary  to the  express  provisions  of the Plan or to
resolutions adopted by the Board) to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and
rescind  rules and  regulations  relating to the Plan, to determine the form and
content of Awards to be issued  under the Plan and to make other  determinations
necessary or advisable for the  administration  of the Plan,  and shall have and
may  exercise  such other power and  authority  as may be delegated to it by the
Board from time to time. A majority of the entire  Committee shall  constitute a
quorum and the action of a majority  of the  members  present at any  meeting at
which a quorum is present  shall be deemed the  action of the  Committee.  In no
event may the Committee  revoke  outstanding  Awards  without the consent of the
Participant.

                           The President of the Company and such other  officers
as shall be designated by the Committee are hereby authorized to execute written
agreements  evidencing  Awards on behalf of the  Company and to cause them to be
delivered  to the  Participants.  Such  agreements  shall set  forth the  Option
exercise price, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Option, the
expiration  date  of  such  Options,  and  such  other  terms  and  restrictions
applicable to such Award as are  determined  in accordance  with the Plan or the
actions of the Committee.

                  (c)   Effect   of   Committee's   Decision.   All   decisions,
determinations  and   interpretations  of  the  Committee  shall  be  final  and
conclusive on all persons affected thereby.

         6. Eligibility for Awards and Limitations.
            --------------------------------------

                  (a) The  Committee  shall  from  time to  time  determine  the
Participants who shall be granted Awards under the Plan, the number of Awards to
be granted to each such  Participant,  and whether  Awards  granted to each such
Participant  under  the  Plan  shall be  Incentive  and/or  Non-Incentive  Stock
Options.  In selecting  Participants  and in determining the number of Shares of
Common Stock to be granted to each such Participant,  the Committee may consider
the nature of the prior and anticipated  future  services  rendered by each such
Participant,  each such Participant's current and potential  contribution to the
Company and such other  factors as the  Committee  may, in its sole  discretion,
deem  relevant.  Participants  who have been  granted an Award may, if otherwise
eligible, be granted additional Awards.

                  (b) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date
the Option is  granted)  of the Shares  with  respect to which  Incentive  Stock
Options are  exercisable for the first time by each Employee during any calendar
year (under all Incentive  Stock Option plans,  as defined in Section 422 of the
Code,  of the  Company or any  present  or future  Parent or  Subsidiary  of the
Company) shall not exceed $100,000. Notwithstanding the prior provisions of this
Section  6,  the  Committee  may  grant  Options  in  excess  of  the  foregoing
limitations,  provided said Options shall be clearly and specifically designated
as not being Incentive Stock Options.

                  (c) In no event  shall  Shares  subject to Options  granted to
non-employee  Directors in the aggregate under this Plan exceed more than 30% of
the total number of Shares  authorized  for delivery under this Plan pursuant to
Section 3 herein or more than 5% to any individual  non-employee Director. In no
event shall Shares subject to Options  granted to any Employee  exceed more than
25% of the total number of Shares authorized for delivery under the Plan.

         7. Term of the Plan.  The Plan shall  continue  in effect for a term of
            ----------------
ten (10) years from the Effective  Date,  unless sooner  terminated  pursuant to
Section 18  hereof.  No Option  shall be  granted  under the Plan after ten (10)
years from the Effective Date.

                                       4



         8. Terms and  Conditions of Incentive  Stock Options.  Incentive  Stock
            -------------------------------------------------
Options may be granted only to  Participants  who are Employees.  Each Incentive
Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an instrument in
such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve. Each Incentive Stock
Option  granted  pursuant to the Plan shall comply with,  and be subject to, the
following terms and conditions:

                  (a) Option Price.

                           (i) The price per Share at which each Incentive Stock
Option granted by the Committee under the Plan may be exercised shall not, as to
any particular Incentive Stock Option, be less than the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock on the date that such  Incentive  Stock Option is granted.

                           (ii) In the case of an Employee who owns Common Stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding  Common Stock at the
time the Incentive Stock Option is granted,  the Incentive Stock Option exercise
price  shall not be less than one  hundred  and ten  percent  (110%) of the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock on the date that the Incentive  Stock Option is
granted.

                  (b)  Payment.  Full  payment  for each  Share of Common  Stock
purchased upon the exercise of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan
shall be made at the time of exercise of each such  Incentive  Stock  Option and
shall be paid in cash (in United States Dollars),  Common Stock or a combination
of cash and Common Stock.  Common Stock  utilized in full or partial  payment of
the exercise price must have been owned by the party  exercising such Option for
not less than six months prior to the date of exercise of such Option,  and such
Common  Stock shall be valued at the Fair Market  Value at the date of exercise.
The Company  shall  accept full or partial  payment in Common  Stock only to the
extent  permitted by  applicable  law. No Shares of Common Stock shall be issued
until full payment has been received by the Company,  and no Optionee shall have
any of the rights of a  stockholder  of the Company until Shares of Common Stock
are issued to the Optionee.

                  (c) Term of Incentive Stock Option. The term of exercisability
of each Incentive  Stock Option  granted  pursuant to the Plan shall be not more
than ten (10) years from the date each such  Incentive  Stock Option is granted,
provided that in the case of an Employee who owns stock  representing  more than
ten percent  (10%) of the Common  Stock  outstanding  at the time the  Incentive
Stock  Option is granted,  the term of  exercisability  of the  Incentive  Stock
Option shall not exceed five (5) years.

                  (d)  Exercise  Generally.  Except  as  otherwise  provided  in
Section  10 hereof,  no  Incentive  Stock  Option  may be  exercised  unless the
Optionee  shall have been in the employ of the  Company at all times  during the
period  beginning with the date of grant of any such Incentive  Stock Option and
ending on the date three (3) months  prior to the date of  exercise  of any such
Incentive Stock Option. The Committee may impose additional  conditions upon the
right of an Optionee to exercise any Incentive  Stock Option  granted  hereunder
which are not  inconsistent  with the terms of the Plan or the  requirements for
qualification as an Incentive Stock Option.  Except as otherwise provided by the
terms of the Plan or by action of the  Committee at the time of the grant of the
Options,  the Options  will be first  exercisable  at the rate of 20% on the one
year  anniversary of the date of grant and 20% annually  thereafter  during such
periods of service as an Employee, Director or Director Emeritus.

                  (e) Cashless  Exercise.  Subject to vesting  requirements,  if
applicable,  an Optionee who has held an Incentive Stock Option for at least six
months may engage in the

                                       5



"cashless exercise" of the Option.  Upon a cashless exercise,  an Optionee gives
the Company  written notice of the exercise of the Option together with an order
to a registered  broker-dealer or equivalent third party, to sell part or all of
the Optioned  Stock and to deliver  enough of the proceeds to the Company to pay
the Option exercise price and any applicable  withholding taxes. If the Optionee
does  not  sell  the  Optioned  Stock  through  a  registered  broker-dealer  or
equivalent  third party, the Optionee can give the Company written notice of the
exercise of the Option and the third party purchaser of the Optioned Stock shall
pay the Option  exercise  price  plus any  applicable  withholding  taxes to the
Company. The Option shall not be deemed exercised until the Company has received
full payment for the exercise price of such Option.

                  (f)   Transferability.   An  Incentive  Stock  Option  granted
pursuant to the Plan shall be exercised  during an  Optionee's  lifetime only by
the Optionee to whom it was granted and shall not be assignable or  transferable
otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

         9. Terms  and   Conditions  of   Non-Incentive   Stock  Options.   Each
            ------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an
instrument in such form as the Committee  shall from time to time approve.  Each
Non-Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall comply with and be
subject to the following terms and conditions.

                  (a) Options  Granted to Directors.  Subject to the limitations
of Section 6(c), Non-Incentive Stock Options to purchase 34,716 shares of Common
Stock  will  be  granted  to  each  Director  who is not an  Employee  as of the
Effective  Date,  at an exercise  price  equal to the Fair  Market  Value of the
Common Stock on such date of grant. The Options will be first exercisable at the
rate of 20% on the one year  anniversary  of the Effective Date and 20% annually
thereafter  during such  periods of service as a Director or Director  Emeritus.
Upon the death or Disability of the Director or Director  Emeritus,  such Option
shall be deemed immediately 100% exercisable.  Such Options shall continue to be
exercisable for a period of ten years following the date of grant without regard
to the continued  services of such Director as a Director or Director  Emeritus.
In the event of the  Optionee's  death,  such  Options may be  exercised  by the
personal  representative  of his  estate or person or persons to whom his rights
under  such  Option  shall  have  passed by will or by the laws of  descent  and
distribution.  Options may be granted to newly appointed or elected non-employee
Directors  within the sole  discretion of the Committee.  The exercise price per
Share of such  Options  granted  shall be equal to the Fair Market  Value of the
Common Stock at the time such Options are granted.  All outstanding Awards shall
become  immediately  exercisable in the event of a Change in Control of the Bank
or  the  Company.  Unless  otherwise  inapplicable,  or  inconsistent  with  the
provisions of this paragraph,  the Options to be granted to Directors  hereunder
shall be subject to all other provisions of this Plan.

                  (b) Option Price. The exercise price per Share of Common Stock
for each  Non-Incentive  Stock Option  granted  pursuant to the Plan shall be at
such price as the  Committee  may  determine in its sole  discretion,  but in no
event less than the Fair Market  Value of such Common Stock on the date of grant
as determined by the Committee in good faith.

                  (c)  Payment.  Full  payment  for each  Share of Common  Stock
purchased upon the exercise of any Non-Incentive  Stock Option granted under the
Plan  shall be made at the time of  exercise  of each such  Non-Incentive  Stock
Option and shall be paid in cash (in United States  Dollars),  Common Stock or a
combination  of cash and Common Stock.  Common Stock utilized in full or partial
payment of the exercise price must have been owned by the party  exercising such
Option  for not less  than six  months  prior  to the date of  exercise  of such
Option,  and such Common  Stock shall be valued at the Fair Market  Value at the
date of exercise.  The Company  shall  accept full or partial  payment in Common
Stock only to the extent  permitted by applicable law. No Shares of Common Stock
shall be issued  until full  payment  has been  received  by the  Company and no
Optionee  shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company until the
Shares of Common Stock are issued to the Optionee.

                                       6



                  (d) Term.  The term of  exercisability  of each  Non-Incentive
Stock Option granted  pursuant to the Plan shall be not more than ten (10) years
from the date each such Non-Incentive Stock Option is granted.

                  (e) Exercise  Generally.  The Committee may impose  additional
conditions upon the right of any Participant to exercise any Non-Incentive Stock
Option granted  hereunder which is not inconsistent  with the terms of the Plan.
Except  as  otherwise  provided  by the  terms of the Plan or by  action  of the
Committee  at the time of the grant of the  Options,  the Options  will be first
exercisable at the rate of 20% on the one year  anniversary of the date of grant
and 20%  annually  thereafter  during  such  periods of service as an  Employee,
Director or Director Emeritus.

                  (f) Cashless  Exercise.  Subject to vesting  requirements,  if
applicable,  an Optionee who has held a Non-Incentive  Stock Option for at least
six months may engage in the "cashless  exercise" of the Option. Upon a cashless
exercise,  an Optionee  gives the Company  written notice of the exercise of the
Option together with an order to a registered  broker-dealer or equivalent third
party,  to sell part or all of the Optioned  Stock and to deliver  enough of the
proceeds  to the  Company to pay the Option  exercise  price and any  applicable
withholding  taxes.  If the Optionee does not sell the Optioned  Stock through a
registered  broker-dealer  or equivalent  third party, the Optionee can give the
Company  written  notice of the  exercise  of the  Option  and the  third  party
purchaser of the  Optioned  Stock shall pay the Option  exercise  price plus any
applicable  withholding  taxes to the  Company.  Such Option shall not be deemed
exercised  until the Company has received full payment for the exercise price of
such Option.

                  (g)  Transferability.  Any Non-Incentive  Stock Option granted
pursuant to the Plan shall be exercised  during an  Optionee's  lifetime only by
the Optionee to whom it was granted and shall not be assignable or  transferable
otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

         10.  Effect of  Termination  of  Employment,  Disability  or  Death  on
              ------------------------------------------------------------------
              Incentive Stock Options.
              ------------------------

                  (a)   Termination  of  Employment.   In  the  event  that  any
Optionee's  employment  with the Company shall  terminate for any reason,  other
than Disability or death,  all of any such  Optionee's  Incentive Stock Options,
and all of any such  Optionee's  rights to purchase or receive  Shares of Common
Stock pursuant thereto, shall automatically  terminate on (A) the earlier of (i)
or  (ii):  (i) the  respective  expiration  dates of any  such  Incentive  Stock
Options, or (ii) the expiration of not more than three (3) months after the date
of such termination of employment; or (B) at such later date as is determined by
the  Committee at the time of the grant of such Award based upon the  Optionee's
continuing status as a Director or Director Emeritus of the Bank or the Company,
but only if, and to the extent  that,  the Optionee was entitled to exercise any
such Incentive Stock Options at the date of such termination of employment,  and
further that such Award shall thereafter be deemed a Non-Incentive Stock Option.
In the event that a  Subsidiary  ceases to be a Subsidiary  of the Company,  the
employment of all of its employees who are not immediately  thereafter employees
of the Company  shall be deemed to terminate  upon the date such  Subsidiary  so
ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company.

                  (b)  Disability.  In the event that any Optionee's  employment
with the  Company  shall  terminate  as the  result  of the  Disability  of such
Optionee,  such Optionee may exercise any Incentive Stock Options granted to the
Optionee  pursuant  to the Plan at any  time  prior  to the  earlier

                                       7



of (i) the respective  expiration  dates of any such Incentive  Stock Options or
(ii)  the  date  which is one (1) year  after  the date of such  termination  of
employment,  but only if, and to the extent  that,  the Optionee was entitled to
exercise any such  Incentive  Stock Options at the date of such  termination  of
employment.

                  (c)  Death.  In the  event of the  death of an  Optionee,  any
Incentive  Stock Options granted to such Optionee may be exercised by the person
or persons to whom the Optionee's  rights under any such Incentive Stock Options
pass  by  will  or by the  laws  of  descent  and  distribution  (including  the
Optionee's estate during the period of  administration) at any time prior to the
earlier  of (i) the  respective  expiration  dates of any such  Incentive  Stock
Options or (ii) the date which is two (2) years  after the date of death of such
Optionee  but only if, and to the extent  that,  the  Optionee  was  entitled to
exercise any such Incentive Stock Options at the date of death.  For purposes of
this Section  10(c),  any  Incentive  Stock Option held by an Optionee  shall be
considered  exercisable  at the  date  of his  death  if  the  only  unsatisfied
condition  precedent to the exercisability of such Incentive Stock Option at the
date of death is the passage of a specified period of time. At the discretion of
the Committee,  upon exercise of such Options the Optionee may receive Shares or
cash or a  combination  thereof.  If cash shall be paid in lieu of Shares,  such
cash shall be equal to the  difference  between  the Fair  Market  Value of such
Shares and the exercise price of such Options on the exercise date.

                  (d) Incentive Stock Options Deemed  Exercisable.  For purposes
of Sections 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c) above, any Incentive Stock Option held by any
Optionee  shall  be  considered  exercisable  at  the  date  of  termination  of
employment if any such  Incentive  Stock Option would have been  exercisable  at
such date of termination of employment without regard to the Disability or death
of the Participant.

                  (e) Termination of Incentive  Stock Options.  Except as may be
specified by the Committee at the time of grant of an Option, to the extent that
any  Incentive  Stock  Option  granted  under  the  Plan to any  Optionee  whose
employment with the Company  terminates shall not have been exercised within the
applicable period set forth in this Section 10, any such Incentive Stock Option,
and all rights to purchase or receive Shares of Common Stock  pursuant  thereto,
as the case may be, shall terminate on the last day of the applicable period.

         11.  Effect  of  Termination  of  Employment,  Disability  or Death on
              ------------------------------------------------------------------
              Non-Incentive Stock Options.
              ---------------------------

         The terms and conditions of Non-Incentive Stock Options relating to the
effect of the termination of an Optionee's employment or service,  Disability of
an  Optionee or his death shall be such terms and  conditions  as the  Committee
shall, in its sole discretion,  determine at the time of termination of service,
unless  specifically  provided for by the terms of the  Agreement at the time of
grant of the award,  and provided further that any such terms and conditions may
not be  inconsistent  with  applicable  regulations  of  the  Office  of  Thrift
Supervision or other appropriate banking regulatory agency.

         12.  Withholding  Tax. The Company  shall have the right to deduct from
              ----------------
all amounts paid in cash with  respect to the  cashless  exercise of Options any
taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such cash payments. Where a
Participant  or other  person is  entitled  to receive  Shares  pursuant  to the
exercise  of an  Option,  the  Company  shall  have  the  right to  require  the
Participant  or such  other  person to pay the  Company  the amount of any taxes
which the Company is required to withhold  with respect to such  Shares,  or, in
lieu  thereof,  to retain,  or to sell without  notice,  a number of such Shares
sufficient to cover the amount required to be withheld.

                                       8



         13.  Recapitalization,  Merger,  Consolidation,  Change in Control  and
              ------------------------------------------------------------------
              Other Transactions.
              -------------------

                 (a)  Adjustment.   Subject  to  any  required  action  by  the
stockholders of the Company,  within the sole  discretion of the Committee,  the
aggregate  number of Shares of Common  Stock for which  Options  may be  granted
hereunder,  the number of Shares of Common  Stock  covered  by each  outstanding
Option,  and the  exercise  price per Share of Common Stock of each such Option,
shall all be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number
of issued and outstanding Shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision or
consolidation   of  Shares   (whether   by  reason  of  merger,   consolidation,
recapitalization,   reclassification,   split-up,   combination  of  shares,  or
otherwise) or the payment of a stock  dividend (but only on the Common Stock) or
any other  increase or  decrease  in the number of such  Shares of Common  Stock
effected  without the receipt or payment of  consideration by the Company (other
than Shares held by dissenting stockholders).

                  (b) Change in Control.  All  outstanding  Awards  shall become
immediately  exercisable  in the event of a Change in Control of the  Company or
the Bank. In the event of such a Change in Control,  the Committee and the Board
of Directors  will take one or more of the following  actions to be effective as
of the date of such Change in Control:

                           (i) provide  that such Options  shall be assumed,  or
equivalent options shall be substituted, ("Substitute Options") by the acquiring
or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), provided that: (A) any such
Substitute  Options  exchanged  for  Incentive  Stock  Options  shall  meet  the
requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, and (B) the shares of stock issuable
upon  the  exercise  of such  Substitute  Options  shall  constitute  securities
registered in accordance  with the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  ("1933
Act") or such  securities  shall be exempt from such  registration in accordance
with  Sections  3(a)(2) or 3(a)(5) of the 1933 Act,  (collectively,  "Registered
Securities"),  or in  the  alternative,  if the  securities  issuable  upon  the
exercise of such Substitute Options shall not constitute Registered  Securities,
then the Optionee  will receive  upon the exercise of the  Substitute  Options a
cash payment for each Option surrendered equal to the difference between (1) the
Fair Market Value of the  consideration  to be received for each share of Common
Stock in the Change in Control  transaction times the number of shares of Common
Stock subject to such surrendered  Options, and (2) the aggregate exercise price
of all such surrendered Options, or

                           (ii) in the event of a transaction under the terms of
which  the  holders  of the  Common  Stock  of the  Company  will  receive  upon
consummation  thereof a cash  payment  (the  "Merger  Price")  for each share of
Common  Stock  exchanged  in the  Change in Control  transaction,  to make or to
provide for a cash payment to the Optionees equal to the difference  between (A)
the  Merger  Price  times the number of shares of Common  Stock  subject to such
Options held by each Optionee (to the extent then  exercisable  at prices not in
excess of the Merger  Price) and (B) the  aggregate  exercise  price of all such
surrendered Options in exchange for such surrendered Options.

                  (c)  Extraordinary   Corporate  Action.   Notwithstanding  any
provisions  of the Plan to the contrary,  subject to any required  action by the
stockholders   of  the  Company,   in  the  event  of  any  Change  in  Control,
recapitalization,   merger,   consolidation,   exchange  of  Shares,   spin-off,
reorganization,   tender  offer,   partial  or  complete  liquidation  or  other
extraordinary  corporate action or event, the Committee, in its sole discretion,
shall have the power, prior or subsequent to such action or event to:

                           (i)  appropriately  adjust  the  number  of Shares of
Common Stock  subject to each  Option,  the Option  exercise  price per Share of
Common Stock, and the  consideration to be given or received by the Company upon
the exercise of any outstanding Option;

                                       9



                           (ii) cancel any or all  previously  granted  Options,
provided that  appropriate  consideration  is paid to the Optionee in connection
therewith; and/or

                           (iii) make such other  adjustments in connection with
the Plan as the Committee, in its sole discretion,  deems necessary,  desirable,
appropriate or advisable;  provided,  however,  that no action shall be taken by
the Committee which would cause Incentive Stock Options granted  pursuant to the
Plan to fail to meet the  requirements  of Section  422 of the Code  without the
consent of the Optionee.

                  (d)  Acceleration.  The Committee  shall at all times have the
power to accelerate  the exercise date of Options  previously  granted under the
Plan;  provided  that such action is not contrary to  regulations  of the OTS or
other appropriate banking regulatory agency then in effect.

                  (e) Non-recurring  Dividends.  Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary,  upon the payment of a special or  non-recurring  dividend that
has the  effect of a return of capital  distribution  to the  stockholders,  the
Company shall, within the discretion of the Committee, either:

                           (i) adjust the Option  exercise  price per share in a
proportionate  and  equitable  manner to reflect  the  payment  of such  capital
distribution, or

                           (ii) make an equivalent  payment to each  Participant
holding an outstanding  Option as of the dividend  record date of such dividend.
Such payment shall be made at substantially  the same time, in substantially the
same  form  and in  substantially  the same  amount  per  Optioned  Stock as the
dividend  or  other  distribution  paid  with  respect  to  outstanding  Shares;
provided, however, that if any dividend or distribution on outstanding Shares is
paid in property other than cash, the Company,  in the  Committee's  discretion,
may make such payment in a cash amount per  Optioned  Stock equal in fair market
value to the fair market value of the non-cash dividend or distribution; or

                           (iii) take the action  described in Section  13(e)(i)
with respect to certain  outstanding Options and the action described in Section
13(e)(ii) with respect to the remaining outstanding Options.

                  Except as expressly  provided in Sections 13(a) and 13(b),  no
Optionee  shall have any rights by reason of the occurrence of any of the events
described in this Section 13.

         14. Time of Granting Options.  The date of grant of an Option under the
             ------------------------
Plan  shall,  for all  purposes,  be the date on which the  Committee  makes the
determination of granting such Option. Notice of the grant of an Option shall be
given to each  individual  to whom an Option is so granted  within a  reasonable
time after the date of such grant in a form determined by the Committee.

         15. Effective  Date. The  Plan shall become  effective upon the date of
             ---------------
approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company,  subject to approval or
non-objection by the Office of Thrift Supervision,  if applicable. The Committee
may make a determination related to Awards prior to the Effective Date with such
Awards to be effective upon the date of stockholder approval of the Plan.

         16. Approval  by  Stockholders.  The  Plan  shall  be  approved  by  an
             --------------------------
affirmative  vote of a majority vote of the total votes eligible to be cast at a
meeting of  stockholders of the Company held within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is approved by the Board.

                                       10



         17. Modification  of Options.  At  any time and from time to time,  the
             ------------------------
Board may  authorize  the  Committee to direct the  execution  of an  instrument
providing  for the  modification  of any  outstanding  Option,  provided no such
modification, extension or renewal shall confer on the holder of said Option any
right or benefit  which could not be conferred on the Optionee by the grant of a
new  Option  at such  time,  or shall not  materially  decrease  the  Optionee's
benefits  under the Option  without  the  consent  of the holder of the  Option,
except as otherwise permitted under Section 18 hereof.

       18. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
           -------------------------------------

                  (a)  Action by the  Board.  The Board may  alter,  suspend  or
discontinue  the Plan,  except that no action of the Board may  increase  (other
than as provided in Section 13 hereof) the maximum number of Shares permitted to
be  issued  under  the  Plan,  materially  increase  the  benefits  accruing  to
Participants   under  the  Plan  or  materially   modify  the  requirements  for
eligibility for  participation in the Plan unless such action of the Board shall
be subject to approval  or  ratification  by the  stockholders  of the  Company.
Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Board or
the  Committee  amend the Plan or amend an Award under the Plan which allows the
exercise price of any Option granted under the Plan to be reduced after the date
of grant,  except as otherwise  permitted in  accordance  with Section 13 of the
Plan, without stockholder approval of such action.

                  (b)  Change  in  Applicable  Law.  Notwithstanding  any  other
provision  contained  in the Plan,  in the event of a change in any  federal  or
state law,  rule,  regulation  or policy which would make the exercise of all or
part of any  previously  granted  Option  unlawful or subject the Company to any
penalty, the Committee may restrict any such exercise without the consent of the
Optionee or other holder  thereof in order to comply with any such law,  rule or
regulation or to avoid any such penalty.

         19. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares; Limitations on Option Exercise;
             -------------------------------------------------------------------
             Cancellation of Option Rights.
             -----------------------------

                  (a)  Shares  shall not be issued  with  respect  to any Option
granted  under the Plan unless the  issuance  and  delivery of such Shares shall
comply with all  relevant  provisions  of  applicable  law,  including,  without
limitation,  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  the rules and  regulations
promulgated   thereunder,   any  applicable   state   securities  laws  and  the
requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed.

                  (b) The  inability  of the  Company  to obtain  any  necessary
authorizations,  approvals or letters of non-objection  from any regulatory body
or  authority  deemed by the  Company's  counsel to be  necessary  to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares issuable  hereunder shall relieve the Company of
any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of such Shares.

                  (c)  As a  condition  to  the  exercise  of an  Option  or the
delivery of the Shares, the Company may require the person exercising the Option
or receiving delivery of the Shares to make such  representations and warranties
as may be  necessary  to  assure  the  availability  of an  exemption  from  the
registration requirements of federal or state securities law.

                  (d) Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, upon the
termination  of  employment  or service  of an  Optionee  by the  Company or its
Subsidiaries  for "cause" as defined at 12 C.F.R.  563.39(b)(1) as determined by
the Board of Directors or the  Committee,  all Options held

                                       11



by  such  Participant  shall  cease  to be  exercisable  as of the  date of such
termination of employment or service.

                (e) Upon the  exercise  of an  Option by an  Optionee  (or the
Optionee's  personal  representative),  the Committee,  in its sole and absolute
discretion,  may make a cash payment to the  Optionee,  in whole or in part,  in
lieu of the delivery of shares of Common Stock.  Such cash payment to be paid in
lieu of delivery of Common  Stock shall be equal to the  difference  between the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of the Option exercise and the
exercise  price per share of the Option.  Such cash payment shall be in exchange
for the cancellation of such Option.  Such cash payment shall not be made in the
event that such  transaction  would  result in  liability to the Optionee or the
Company under Section 16(b) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  (f) In the  event  that the Bank  shall be  deemed  critically
undercapitalized  (as  defined  at 12  C.F.R.  Section  565.4),  is  subject  to
enforcement  action by the Office of Thrift  Supervision,  or receives a capital
directive under 12 C.F.R.  Section 565.7,  then all Options awarded to executive
officers or  directors of the Company or its  Subsidiaries  must  exercise  such
options or forfeit such Options.

         20. Reservation  of Shares.  During the term of the Plan,  the  Company
             ----------------------
will  reserve and keep  available a number of Shares  sufficient  to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan.

         21. Unsecured Obligation.  No Participant under the Plan shall have any
             --------------------
interest  in any fund or special  asset of the  Company by reason of the Plan or
the grant of any  Option  under the Plan.  No trust  fund  shall be  created  in
connection with the Plan or any grant of any Option hereunder and there shall be
no required funding of amounts which may become payable to any Participant.

         22. No Employment  Rights. No Director,  Employee or other person shall
             ---------------------
have a right to be selected as a  Participant  under the Plan.  Neither the Plan
nor any action  taken by the  Committee in  administration  of the Plan shall be
construed  as giving  any person any rights of  employment  or  retention  as an
Employee, Director, Director Emeritus or in any other capacity with the Company,
the Bank or other Subsidiaries.

         23. Governing  Law.  The Plan shall be  governed by  and  construed  in
             --------------
accordance  with the laws of the State of New Jersey,  except to the extent that
federal law shall be deemed to apply.