INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE                         DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
P.O. BOX 2508
CINCINNATI, OH 45201

DATE:    MARCH 31, 2004                          EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
                                                   22-3284250


AMERICAN SAVINGS BANK OF NJ                      DLN:
C/O JOSEPH S. KENDY III                            17007274112023
PENTEGRA SERVICES INC                            Person to Contact:
108 CORPORATE PARK DR                            ANITA WILLIAMS        ID# 95094
WHITE PLAINS, NY 10604                           Contact Telephone Number:
                                                 (877) 829-5500
                                                 Plan Name:
                                                 AMERICAN SAVINGS BANK OF NJ
                                                 SAVINGS AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
                                                 Plan Number: 003

Dear Applicant:

         We have made a favorable  determination  on the plan  identified  above
based on the  information  you have  supplied.  Please  keep  this  letter,  the
application forms submitted to request this letter and all  correspondence  with
the Internal  Revenue  Service  regarding your  application  for a determination
letter in your permanent  records.  You must retain this information to preserve
your reliance on this letter.

         Continued  qualification of the plan under its present form will depend
on its  effect in  operation.  See  section  1.401-1(b)  (3) of the  Income  Tax
Regulations. We will review the status of the plan in operation periodically.

         The enclosed Publication 794 explains the significance and the scope of
this favorable determination letter based on the determination requests selected
on your application  forms.  Publication 794 describes the information that must
be  retained  to have  reliance  on this  favorable  determination  letter.  The
publication  also  provide  examples of the effect of a plan's  operation on its
qualified  status and discusses the reporting  requirements for qualified plans.
Please read Publication 794.

         This letter  relates only to the status of your plan under the Internal
Revenue Code. It is not a determination regarding the effect of other federal or
local statutes.

                                                              Letter 835 (DO/CG)

                                      -2-


         This determination  letter is applicable for the amendment(s)  executed
on January 17, 2003 and December 16, 2002.

         This determination letter is also applicable for the amendment(s) dated
on September 24, 2003 and March 31, 2003.

         This letter considers the changes in qualification requirements made by
the Uruguay  Round  Agreements  Act,  Pub. L.  103-465,  the Small  Business Job
Protection Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-188,  the Uniformed Services  Employment and
Reemployment  Rights Act of 1994,  Pub. L. 103-353,  the Taxpayer  Relief Act of
1997, Pub. L. 105-34, the Internal Revenue Service  Restructuring and Reform Act
of 1998, Pub. L. 105-206, and the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, Pub.
L. 106-554.

         This  letter  may not be relied on with  respect  to  whether  the plan
satisfies  the  requirements  of section  401(a) of the Code,  as amended by the
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-16.

         The  requirement  for  employee  benefits  plans to file  summary  plan
descriptions  (SPD) with the U.S.  Department of Labor was eliminated  effective
August 5, 1997. For more details call  1-800-998-7542 for a free copy of the SPD
card.

         The  information  on the enclosed  addendum is an integral part of this
determination. Please be sure to read and keep it with this letter.

         We have sent a copy of this letter to your  representative as indicated
in the power of attorney.

         If you have questions concerning this matter, please contact the person
whose name and telephone number are shown above.

         This  determination  letter  acknowledges  receipt  of  the  provisions
intended to satisfy the  requirements  of section 401(a) of the Code, as amended
by the  Economic  Growth  and Tax Relief  Reconciliation  Act of 2001,  Pub.  L.
107-16.

         This determination letter is also applicable for the amendment(s) dated
on August 18, 1994 and January 12, 1994.

                                                              Letter 835 (DO/CG)

                                      -3-




         The following  amendments  are covered by this letter:  the  amendments
dated August 16, 1995, October 21, 1996 and July 14, 1997.

         This  letter  also  includes a ruling on the Trust  Document  signed on
February 3, 2003.


                                             Sincerely yours,


                                             /s/ Paul T. Shultz
                                             Paul T. Shultz
                                             Director,
                                             Employee Plans Rulings & Agreements


Enclosures:
Publication 794
Addendum


                                                              Letter 835 (DO/CG)

                                      -3-