EXHIBIT 10.1



                BRANCH PURCHASE AND DEPOSIT ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

         THIS BRANCH PURCHASE AND DEPOSIT ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement")
is entered  into this the 24th day of March  1998,  between  First  Commonwealth
Bank,  a  state  chartered  commercial  bank  having  its  principal  office  at
Philadelphia and Sixth Streets,  Indiana Pennsylvania 15701 (the "Seller"),  and
Nittany  Financial  Corp.,  a  Pennsylvania  holding  company  organized for the
purpose of forming  and owning  100% of the stock of Nittany  Bank,  a federally
chartered stock savings bank (in formation),  having its principal office at 637
Kennard Road, State College,  Pennsylvania 16801 (the  "Purchaser").  The Seller
and the  Purchaser are  hereinafter  sometimes  collectively  referred to as the
"Parties".

         WHEREAS,  the Seller wishes to sell the deposits and certain assets, as
defined  herein,  of the branch offices  operated under the name Central Bank at
(1) 116 East College  Avenue,  State  College,  Pennsylvania  (the "East College
Branch"),  and (2) 1276 North Atherton Street, State College,  Pennsylvania (the
"North Atherton Branch").

         WHEREAS, the Purchaser wishes to assume the deposits and
purchase certain assets of the Branches, and

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  foregoing,  of the  mutual
agreements,  covenants,  representations,  warranties and  conditions  contained
herein,  and  of  other  good  and  valuable  consideration,   the  receipt  and
sufficiency  of which are hereby  acknowledged,  the Parties  have agreed and do
agree as follows (the "Transaction"):

            DEFINITIONS

         Some of the  capitalized  terms appearing in this Agreement are defined
below.  The  definition of a term expressed in the singular also applies to that
term as used in the plural and vice versa.

         "ATM" means automatic teller machine.

         "Assets" has the meaning set forth in Section 1.02 of this
Agreement.

         "Branches" means the branch offices of Seller at 116 East
College Avenue and 1276 North Atherton Street, State College,
Pennsylvania.

         "Break-Opens"  means,  with respect to safe deposit boxes,  property in
the  possession of Seller as a result of  non-payment of rental fees or pursuant
to a court order, as set forth in Section 1.06 of this Agreement.


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         "Closing"  means  the  purchase  of the  Assets  by  Purchaser  and the
assumption of the Liabilities by Purchaser on the Effective Date.

         "Effective Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 1.01 of
this Agreement.

         "Deposit  Liabilities"  means all  deposits  (as  defined  in 12 U.S.C.
Section 1813(l)) which are booked at the Branches on the Closing Date, including
in each case accrued but unpaid  interest  and both  collected  and  uncollected
funds,  but  excluding  (i)  deposits  held in accounts for which Seller acts as
fiduciary  (other than  deposits held by  retirement  plans),  and (ii) deposits
constituting  official  checks,  travelers  checks,  money  orders or  certified
checks.

         "Fixed Assets" means all fixtures (including signage poles),  leasehold
improvements, furnishings, vaults, safe deposit boxes, equipment (including, for
example,  all ATM machines,  but  excluding  any computer or  telecommunications
equipment),  supplies  (other than forms and other  supplies which bear Seller's
name or logo), and other personal property, which are owned or (to the extent of
Seller's interest as lessee) leased by Seller, which are located at the Branches
on the Closing Date. .

         "Premium" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 of this
Agreement.


                                    ARTICLE I
                TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

1.01 Effective  Date. The closing of the  Transaction  contemplated  hereby (the
"Closing") shall occur as soon as possible following receipt of all approvals of
regulatory authorities necessary for the Purchaser and Seller to consummate such
Transaction  at such time and date as may be  mutually  agreed to by the Parties
(the "Effective Date" or the "Closing Date").  The Closing shall be held at such
place as may be agreed upon by the Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no
event shall the Closing Date be before  seven (7)  calendar  days after the last
date  of  approval  issued  by  the  Office  of  Thrift   Supervision   ("OTS"),
Pennsylvania  Department of Banking  ("PDB") and the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation  ("FDIC")  or later  than 30 days after  receipt of such  approvals.
Determination  of the  Closing  Date  shall  give  consideration  to  timetables
associated  with all conditions and duties of the Parties,  including  obtaining
all necessary  governmental approvals and certifications and coordination of the
transfer of the electronic data processing files and systems.  It is agreed that
time is of the essence with respect to this Transaction.

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1.02 Transfer of Assets and Consideration Therefor.

         (a) Obligations of the Seller.  Except as otherwise  expressly provided
herein,  the sale of the assets is without  warranty  or  guarantee,  express or
implied,  on an  "as-is,  where-is"  basis,  and  without  recourse.  Except  as
otherwise   expressly   provided  herein,   the  assets  are  sold  without  any
representation  or warranty  whatsoever  by  Sellers.  The Seller  agrees  that,
subject to the terms and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  it will validly sell,
assign, transfer, convey and deliver to the Purchaser, on the Effective Date:

               (i)  All of its rights,  title and interest,  as lessee under any
                    and all real estate leases pertaining to the Branches,  (set
                    forth at Schedule 1.02(a)(i)) together  with  all  leasehold
                    improvements  thereon,  including  any security deposits  on
                    such  real  estate  leases  net  of  deductions as specified
                    at Section 8.02;

               (ii) All of its rights,  title and interest,  if any, in all real
                    property  pertaining  to the Branches (set forth at Schedule
                    1.02(a)(ii);

               (iii)All of its rights,  title and  interest in and to all of the
                    furniture,  fixtures and equipment  used in the operation of
                    the Branches, as set forth at Schedule 1.02(a)(iii);

               (iv) All of its rights,  title and  interest to the safe  deposit
                    box  business   conducted  at  the  North  Atherton  Branch,
                    exclusive of "Break-Opens" as hereinafter defined at Section
                    1.06;

               (v)  All petty cash,  vault cash,  automated  teller machine cash
                    and drawer cash ("Branch  Cash")  maintained at the Branches
                    as of  the  Closing  Date,  subject  to  audit  verification
                    conducted by a representative  of each party as of the close
                    of business on the Closing  Date,  and savings and  checking
                    deposit records and customer records relating thereto;

               (vi) All of its  rights,  title  and  interest  in the  Loans  as
                    referred  to at  Section  1.04;  Further,  Seller  agrees to
                    maintain the  Branches and related  property and assets in a
                    manner  conducive to normal  operations from the date of the
                    Agreement through the Closing Date.


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         (b)  Obligations  of the  Purchaser.  The Purchaser  agrees that on the
Effective Date,  subject to the terms and conditions of this  Agreement,  and in
consideration  for the aforesaid  sale,  assignment,  transfer,  conveyance  and
delivery:

               (i)  Purchaser will pay to the Seller the sum of the aggregate of
                    the  following:   the  aggregate   purchase  price  for  the
                    Leasehold Improvements,  Furniture,  Fixtures and Equipment,
                    and the Branch  and ATM Cash,  as  adjusted  by the pro rata
                    rents paid in advance on the rented  safe  deposit boxes and
                    pro rata  adjustments as  provided at Section 1.10; and (ii)
                    (ii) the  Purchaser  will assume and agree  to pay,  perform
                    and discharge all Deposit  Liabilities   of  the  Seller  to
                    transfer  to  Purchaser  as of the  Closing  Date, including
                    accrued interest, attributed on the records of the Seller to
                    the Branches now existing or hereafter arising and  existing
                    on the  Effective  Date as set   forth  at  Schedule 1.02(b)
                    (i)(1) "Schedule of Deposit  Liabilities"  attached  hereto,
                    with only such changes therein as shall have occurred in the
                    ordinary course of business of the  Seller between  the date
                    of  such  schedule and the Effective Date.  The risk of loss
                    for  deposited items in transit as of the Closing Date shall
                    rest with the Seller.  The  purchase  price for the  Prepaid
                    Rent,  Real  Property,  Leasehold  Improvements,  Furniture,
                    Fixtures and Equipment shall  be  equal  to the  book  value
                    of the Seller under generally accepted accounting principles
                    as set forth at Schedule 1.02(b)(i)(2). 

               (ii) Purchaser  will  assume  and  thereafter  fully  and  timely
                    perform and discharge,  in accordance with their terms,  all
                    of the  liabilities and obligations of the Seller arising on
                    and after the Closing Date  related to the leased  property,
                    personal property, furniture, fixtures and equipment, rented
                    safe  deposit  boxes,  exclusive  of  Break-Opens,  and  any
                    related contracts and service  agreements listed in Schedule
                    1.02(b)(ii),  except to the extent that assumption  of  such
                    obligations  is objected to  by  the applicable  third party
                    despite the  assistance   of   Seller's   best  efforts,  or
                    Purchaser  and   Seller   agree   to   modify  or  cancel as
                    appropriate,  such  obligations as of the Closing Date.

1.03 Payment of Premium.

         (a) The Purchaser further agrees that on the Effective Date, subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, it shall pay

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to the Seller a premium in the form of cash  equal to nine  percent  (9%) and in
the form of stock  equal to one percent  (1%) times (X) the Deposit  Liabilities
less Excluded  Deposits as defined herein at the Branches (the  "Premium").  For
purposes  of  calculating  the  Premium,  there  shall  be  subtracted  from the
aggregate balance of Deposit  Liabilities (i) retail  certificates of deposit of
$100,000 or more with negotiated rates ("Retail Jumbo Certificates of Deposit"),
(ii) bid money jumbo  Certificates of Deposits,  (iii) deposit  accounts held by
officers,  directors or  employees of the Seller other than those whose  primary
work  location  is at one of the  Branches  and  who  will  be  employed  by the
Purchaser on the first day following  the Closing  Date,  and (iv) deposits made
with  respect  to  Individual  Retirement  Accounts  and  KEOGH  Accounts  ("IRA
Deposits") (collectively, constituting the "Excluded Deposits").

         (b)  The  amount  to  be  paid  by  the  Seller  to  the  Purchaser  in
consideration  of the  assumption  by the  Purchaser of the Deposit  Liabilities
referred to at Section 1.02(b)(i) and the Premium referred to at Section 1.03(a)
is for the sole purpose of determining  the amounts to be paid by the Seller and
the Purchaser  hereunder and shall not  constitute an allocation of the purchase
price for any particular asset being transferred or liability being assumed.

         (c) Because  certain  components  of the closing  payments  will not be
finally  determinable  until after the Closing  Date,  the Seller  shall pay the
Purchaser by wire transfer of  immediately  available  funds by 2:00 p.m. on the
Closing Date an amount equal to the outstanding balances and accrued interest on
the Deposit Liabilities,  as of the close of business on the second business day
preceding  the Closing Date reduced by the Purchase  Price,  net of  adjustments
(the "Preliminary  Closing Payment").  The Seller shall deliver to the Purchaser
on the  business  day  immediately  preceding  the  Closing  Date a  preliminary
settlement statement setting forth a calculation of the Closing Payment, similar
to that as set forth at Schedule 1.03(c).

         (d) The Seller shall deliver to the Purchaser no later than 30 business
days after the Closing Date a final settlement statement, similar to that as set
forth at Schedule  1.03(d),  setting  forth a  calculation  of the Final Closing
Payment and the difference between the Final Closing Payment and the Preliminary
Closing  Payment.  The  difference  between  the Final  Closing  Payment and the
Preliminary  Closing  Payment  shall  be paid by wire  transfer  of funds by the
Seller to the Purchaser or by the  Purchaser to the Seller,  as  applicable,  no
later than 45 business days after the Closing Date. Any such amount shall accrue
interest  at the  Federal  Funds  Rate in  effect on the  Closing  Date from the
Closing Date to the date of payment.  Further, any errors on Deposit Liabilities
or accrued interest  thereon,  or other amounts  ("Mistakes-in-Fact")  which are
determined as of the date of the final settlement  statement shall be reconciled
as of such date and appropriate

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adjustments  of  payments  shall  be made to the  Seller  or the  Purchaser,  as
appropriate,  at such time.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  or anything  else
herein to the contrary,  any Mistakes-  in-Fact which shall be determined by the
Seller or the Purchaser thereafter related to the Transaction  consummated under
this Agreement shall  nevertheless be reconciled by adjustment or payment to the
Seller or the Purchaser,  as appropriate,  within 30 days of such determination.
The provisions of this Section shall survive beyond the Effective Date.

         (e) If Seller  accepts an item before the Closing  Date,  which item is
returned as uncollectible, and no offset of funds is available to the Purchaser,
then Seller  shall be liable for such item in an amount equal to the portion not
covered by offset.  Adjustment to the Closing  Payment will be made as necessary
to reflect Seller's liability.

1.04 Purchase of Loans.

         (a) In addition to the purchase of assets and assumption of liabilities
described  above,  the Purchaser  shall  purchase on the Effective  Date certain
deposit  related  loans of the Branches  (the  "Loans") at the par value of such
loans on the Closing  Date.  These Loans shall  consist of: (i) loans secured by
deposit  instruments,  including  but  not  limited  to,  savings  accounts  and
certificates,  on the books of the Branches and (ii) unsecured  loans created by
writing a check or similar  instrument  and creating an overdraft and loan on an
account  with an  established  line of credit.  The  Purchaser  will receive all
pertinent  details on these  loans as part of the closing  transaction  at least
thirty  days prior to the  Effective  Date.  Purchase  of these  Loans  shall be
subject to each loan being  acceptable to the  Purchaser in accordance  with the
Purchaser's  underwriting  standards.  (A list of such Loans as of December  31,
1997,  is attached  hereto as Schedule  1.04(a)).  Loans  related to the Deposit
Liabilities  include  loans  secured by  deposits,  overdraft  loans  related to
checking accounts,  and similar loans.  Except as mutually agreed upon, Loans to
be purchased  will not include  loans for which no active  deposit  relationship
exists as a Deposit Liability which shall transfer. Purchaser reserves the right
within its sole  discretion  to reject any such Loans,  provided  notice of such
rejection is given not less than  fourteen  (14) days prior to the Closing Date;
in which case the related Deposit Liabilities, if any, shall not transfer.

1.05 Additional Obligations of the Parties.

         (a)      Actions by Seller at Closing.  On the Effective Date, the
Seller will:

         (i)      deliver to the Purchaser such of the assets purchased as
shall be capable of physical delivery, including, without

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limitation, all assets comprising the safe deposit box business at
the Branches;

         (ii) execute, acknowledge (if appropriate) and deliver to the Purchaser
a Bill of Sale as set forth in Schedule  1.05(a)(ii)  hereto and all such deeds,
endorsements,  assignments or other  instruments  of conveyance,  assignment and
transfer as shall be reasonably  necessary or advisable to  consummate  the sale
and transfer to the Purchaser the purchased assets;

         (iii)  make  available  to the  Purchaser  cash equal to the sum of the
Deposits  Liabilities  plus accrued  interest  assumed by the Purchaser plus the
Deposit and the accrued interest thereon LESS the sum of: (i) the purchase price
for the Loans to be assumed  pursuant to Section  1.04(c);  (ii) the payment for
assets  set forth at  Section  1.02(b)(i);  and (iii) the  Premium  set forth at
Section 1.03(a);

         (iv) assign and deliver to the Purchaser all collateral security of any
nature  whatsoever held by the Seller as collateral  security for any loan being
acquired by the Purchaser;

         (v) assign, transfer and deliver to the Purchaser such of the following
records pertaining to the Deposit Liabilities to be assumed by the Purchaser and
loans  to be  purchased  by the  Purchaser  and  any  other  records  reasonably
requested by the Purchaser as exist and are in the Seller's  possession,  and as
are necessary to enable the Purchaser to service said deposit accounts and loans
on a continuing basis:

               (i)  Signature  cards,  retirement  accounts  files,  orders  and
                    contracts between the Seller and customers of accounts to be
                    transferred   hereunder,   taxpayer   identification  number
                    certifications and records relating thereto;

               (ii) The form of rules and regulations applicable to the accounts
                    to be transferred hereunder; and

               (iii) Loan files and records.

         (b) Preservation of Records. The Purchaser agrees that it will preserve
and safely keep,  for as long as may be required by  applicable  law, all of the
signature  cards,  orders,  contracts,  forms,  taxpayer  identification  number
certifications,  and records  herein above  referred to for the joint benefit of
itself  and  the   Seller,   and  that  it  will   permit  the  Seller  and  its
representatives  to  inspect,  and make  extracts  from or copies  of,  any such
signature cards, orders, files, contracts, forms, taxpayer identification number
certifications  or records,  at any  reasonable  time, and at the expense of the
Seller,  as shall be  reasonably  necessary  to the Seller for  purposes  of its
records. The Seller agrees that it will

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preserve and safely keep,  in  accordance  with its business  practices  for its
other bank offices, all of the files, books of accounts and records as exist and
are in  Seller's  possession  pertaining  to the past  history  of the  accounts
transferred  hereunder,  including deposit slips,  canceled checks or withdrawal
orders,  for the joint  benefit  of itself and the  Purchaser,  and that it will
permit the Purchaser and its representatives to inspect,  and make extracts from
or copies of, any such files,  books of accounts or records,  at any  reasonable
time and at the expense of the  Purchaser,  as shall be reasonably  necessary to
the Purchaser for purposes of its records.

         (c) Deposit List.  At least 30 days prior to the Closing  Date,  Seller
agrees to provide to  Purchaser a list of all Deposit  Liabilities,  identifying
the types of each such deposit,  the amounts thereof,  the interest rate(s) paid
thereon,  the name(s) and  address(es)  of each  depositor  as well as all other
pertinent   information   regarding  each  depositor  and  his  or  her  Deposit
Liabilities. Purchaser shall have the right, prior to the Closing Date to review
the  books and  records  of  Seller  relating  to such  Deposit  Liabilities  in
accordance  with Section  5.01 for the purpose of verifying  the accuracy of the
foregoing list.

         (d) Employment Compensation. Unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties,
Seller shall, in accordance  with its policies and procedures,  pay to employees
of the  Branches as of the  Closing  Date wages  earned and payable  through the
Closing Date, including sums payable, if any, for accrued sick leave or vacation
pay in compliance with Seller's personnel  practices for terminating  employees.
Purchaser shall not assume any financial or legal  liabilities or responsibility
for payment of wages or benefits earned and accrued by employees of Seller prior
to the Closing Date.

         (e) Final Account Statement and Tax Report. Seller shall render a final
statement of account and related tax  reporting to each  depositor  and borrower
whose  accounts are assumed by the  Purchaser  hereunder as of the Closing Date,
including  the  filing  of  such  tax  reporting  with  the  appropriate  taxing
authorities.

         (f) Notice to Automated  Clearing House. The Purchaser  agrees,  at its
expense, to notify all Automated Clearing House originators of the transfers and
assumptions  made pursuant to this Agreement.  Seller agrees to assist Purchaser
in such activities to the extent reasonably requested.

         (g) Notice on Service Contracts. Seller shall give all notices and take
all  other  actions  necessary  and  required,  including  actions  required  by
applicable  laws, in  connection  with  Seller's  assignment of and  Purchaser's
assumption of the liabilities and responsibilities of Seller under any operating

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agreements,  leases and service contracts, with prior notice and consultation by
the Purchaser.

         (h) Environmental Audit. Purchaser shall have thirty (30) days from the
date of  execution  of this  Agreement  to  cause an  independent  environmental
consultant  of its  choice to inspect  and audit the  assets  and real  property
related  to the  Transaction  for the  existence  of any  and all  environmental
conditions  and any and all  violations  of  environmental  laws, as is commonly
referred to as a Phase I environmental study (the "Environmental  Audit"). It is
the current  intention of the  Purchaser  not to cause an  Environmental  Audit,
unless it discovers a need in the completion of its due  diligence.  The cost of
such  Environmental  Audit shall be paid by the  Seller,  with a credit for such
payments  to be given to the  Seller at the  Closing by the  Purchaser.  If such
Environmental  Audit  discovers any  environmental  condition that the Purchaser
reasonably  finds  unacceptable  within  its  sole  discretion   ("Environmental
Condition"),  the Purchaser may terminate  this Agreement by delivery of written
notice of  termination  on or before the day which is thirty  (30) days from the
date of the Agreement, which notice shall identify such Environmental Condition.
Seller  shall have 45 days from the  receipt of such  notice of  termination  to
undertake such actions as are necessary to the  satisfaction of the Purchaser to
cure such defects or conditions in which case such notice of  termination  shall
be deemed withdrawn.  Upon termination of the Agreement for failure of Seller to
cure such defects or conditions,  there shall be no further liability for either
party. The Purchaser shall furnish the Seller with a copy of the results of such
Environmental  Audit within  three (3) business  days of receipt of such report.
The result of such Environmental Audit shall not be disclosed to any third party
without the prior written consent of the Parties.

         (i) Mailing Labels.  Seller shall at its expense furnish Purchaser with
two (2) sets of mailing labels addressed to each account holder and borrower and
similar  information  in  electronic  data  format  as of 45 days  prior  to the
anticipated  Closing  Date and an  additional  set of  mailing  labels as of the
Closing Date in order to facilitate the timely and efficient transition.

         (j) Inspection of Premises.  Purchaser may contract with an independent
firm at its own  expense  to  conduct  structural,  engineering  and  mechanical
inspections of the premises and Leasehold  improvements  within 30 days from the
signing of the  Agreement.  Seller  shall  provide  access to the  property  and
Leasehold  improvements during these time periods. The inspection shall include,
but not be limited  to,  areas of heating,  air  conditioning,  plumbing,  roof,
electric,  basement, well, septic, insulation,  radon, termite, structure of the
premises, banking equipment and related matters. Should the inspection report be
unacceptable to the Purchaser within its sole discretion, Purchaser may void the
Agreement and in the event that Seller shall not agree

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to make the necessary repairs at Seller's expense prior to the Closing Date this
Agreement can be  terminated  with no further  liability by either  party.  Time
periods  of the  inspection  may be  expanded  for a  reasonable  period of time
pending delivery of laboratory results.

         (k) Fire Safety  Certificate.  Seller shall  provide  Purchaser  with a
Certificate of Occupancy and/or a fire safety certificate, as and if applicable,
issued by the appropriate  municipal or county authority as of the Closing Date.
Should repairs be required in order to qualify for the  Certificate of Occupancy
or fire safety  certificate,  Seller shall be responsible  for the costs of such
repairs.

         (l) Easements.  Seller  represents to its best knowledge that there are
no easements  covering the leased property or real property  associated with the
Transaction except easements which exclusively benefit the property which is the
subject of this Agreement.

         (m)  Storage  Tanks.  Seller  represents  that to the best of  Seller's
knowledge,  there exist no underground  storage tanks located on the premises or
sidewalk areas of the leased property with the Transaction.

         (n) Hiring  Employees  of  Seller.  Upon  closing,  the  Purchaser  may
immediately  hire,  or not hire any,  all or none of Seller's  employees  in the
Branches,  subject to receipt of certain  information from Seller regarding such
employees,  which information Seller hereby agrees to provide.  Such information
to be provided by the Seller shall include, but not limited to, a listing of all
persons  currently  employed in the  Branches,  salary  levels of such  persons,
copies of  employment  agreements,  if any, and detailed  information  regarding
employee  health,  welfare and retirement  benefits  currently  provided to such
employees. Purchaser agrees not to contact employees of Seller unless Seller has
given  approval  for the  employee  contact.  (A list  of all  Employees  at the
Branches,  as of the date of the  Agreement,  including the rate of pay,  hiring
date and responsibilities is attached hereto as Schedule 1.05(n)).

1.06 Safe Deposit Boxes. The Purchaser agrees to assume and to discharge, in the
usual course of banking business, the duties and obligations of the Seller; from
and after the Effective  Date,  with respect to the safe deposit box business at
the North  Atherton  Branch,  excluding  property in  possession  of Seller as a
result of  non-payment  of rental fees or  pursuant  to a court  order  ("Break-
Opens"),  and to maintain all necessary  facilities for the use of such boxes by
the  renters  thereof  during the period for which such  persons  have paid rent
therefor  in advance to the  Seller,  subject  to the  provisions  of the rental
agreements between it and the respective renters of such boxes.


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On the  Effective  Date,  the Seller shall  assign,  transfer and deliver to the
Purchaser all records  pertaining to safe deposit  operations at the Branches as
they exist and are available,  including relevant safe deposit contracts, except
where the Purchaser waives  compliance with any document  delivery  contemplated
thereby.

1.07 Safekeeping Items.

         (a) The Seller  agrees to  transfer  and deliver to the  Purchaser  all
securities  and  papers,  if any,  held by the  Seller  in  safekeeping  for its
customers at the Branches, together with all of the records relating thereto.

         (b) The Purchaser  agrees to assume,  honor,  and  discharge,  from and
after the Effective  Date, the duties and obligations of the Seller with respect
to such safekeeping  items and shall be entitled to any right or benefit arising
henceforth from such safekeeping business from and after the Effective Date.

1.08 Certain Transitional Matters.  Following the Effective Date:

         (a) Honor Checks. The Purchaser agrees to honor in accordance with law,
up to the collected  amount on deposit (and any other funds  available by reason
of any agreement  between the depositor and the  Purchaser),  all properly drawn
and  presented  checks,  drafts,  electronic  debits and credits and  withdrawal
orders presented to the Purchaser by mail, over its counters,  through the check
clearing  system,  and  Automated  Clearing  House of the banking  industry,  by
depositors of the accounts assumed,  whether drawn on the checks,  withdrawal or
draft  forms  provided  by the  Seller,  or by the  Purchaser,  and in all other
respects to discharge,  in the usual course of the banking business,  the duties
and  obligations of the Seller with respect to the balances due and owing to the
depositors  whose  accounts  are  assumed  by  the  Purchaser.  The  Purchaser's
obligation  under this  Section to honor  checks,  withdrawal,  draft  forms and
electronic  debits and credits  provided by the Seller and  carrying its imprint
shall  expire  at the  close of  business  on the 90th  business  day  after the
Effective Date or a date mutually agreeable to both Parties.

         (b) Payment Demanded from Seller. If any of such depositors, instead of
accepting  the  obligation  of the  Purchaser  to pay  the  Deposit  Liabilities
assumed,  shall  demand  payment from the Seller for all or any part of any such
assumed Deposit  Liabilities,  the Seller shall not be liable or responsible for
making such payment. Instead, the Seller may, at its discretion,  assume custody
of the check or other item presented for payment, including electronic items, on
an account which has been  transferred  with the Branches,  batch such items and
make them  available  to the  Purchaser  for  pick-up at 10:30 a.m.  of the next
banking day after receipt  thereof by the Seller,  subject to unforeseen  delays
which are outside of the control of either  party.  The Seller shall not, at any
time, be

                                       11





liable  or  responsible  for  making  payment  on such  items by  reason  of its
obtaining custody of them for transmittal to the Purchaser.

In order to reduce  the  continuing  charges  to the  Seller  through  the check
clearing  system of the banking  industry  which will result from check forms of
the Seller being used after the Effective Date by the depositors  whose accounts
are assumed,  the Purchaser agrees,  at its cost and expense,  on or immediately
after (and in no event  without the express  written  consent of the Seller,  if
prior to) the Effective Date, to notify depositors of the Purchaser's assumption
of the Deposit Liabilities and, at its sole cost and expense and without cost to
depositors,  to furnish each depositor of an assumed  account with not less than
fifty (50) checks on the forms of the Purchaser,  with  instructions  to utilize
the  Purchaser's  checks  and to destroy  unused  checks of the Seller as of the
Effective  Date.  The Seller hereby agrees that after the 90th business day or a
date mutually agreeable to both Parties,  it shall, with respect to any check or
other item presented to it for payment on an account which has been  transferred
with the  Branches,  at its sole  option,either:  (i) return such check or other
item with reference to the maker thereof; or (ii) assume custody thereof,  batch
the same and make it available to the  Purchaser  for pick-up and  telephone the
Purchaser of the availability of the same for pick-up prior to 10:30 a.m. of the
next banking day after receipt thereof by the Seller.

         (c) Uncollected Items. The Purchaser agrees, no later than the start of
the second business day after demand by the Seller,  to pay the Seller an amount
equivalent  to the amount of any  uncollected  item  included  in a  depositor's
balance on the Effective  Date which is returned after the Effective Date as not
collected. The Purchaser shall be required to make such payment for an item only
up to the amount on deposit with the  Purchaser at the time the Seller makes the
demand aforesaid.

         (d) Overdrafts and Transitional Action.  Overdrafts paid on the Deposit
Accounts  with  respect  to  ledger  dates  after the  Closing  Date will be the
responsibility and risk of Purchaser. Overdrafts approved with respect to ledger
dates prior to Closing Date will be the responsibility and risk of Seller.

         (e) ATMs and Debit Cards.  (i) Seller shall provide  Purchaser no later
than sixty (60) days prior to the Closing  Date, a test tape,  along with a file
format or file layout and a production  tape thirty (30) days before the Closing
Date,  containing  customer name, card number,  withdrawal  limits,  the Deposit
Accounts  activated  by,  accessible  to or  committed to such cards issue dates
and/or open dates,  last  transaction  dates, and expiration dates as to all ATM
and debit cards issued to customers of the Seller's  processor to deactivate the
operation  of the Seller ATM and debit  cards  completely  or to  deactivate  or
disconnect  the Deposit  Accounts  from such Seller ATM and debit cards no later
than the  business  day cutoff on the date prior to the Closing Date so that all
activity generated by the Seller ATM and debit cards shall

                                       12





have settled prior to the Closing Date. All transactions and activity related to
the Seller ATM and debit cards  following the Closing Date which are received or
forwarded to Seller will be accepted and forwarded by Seller to Purchaser  along
with all corresponding funds. Seller thereafter agrees to immediately notify its
processor to deactivate such ATM and debit cards and to forward all transactions
related thereto directly to Purchaser.

                  (ii)  Seller  agrees to  deactivate  the ATMs  located  at the
Offices on or before  the  business  day cutoff on the day prior to the  Closing
Date.  Thereafter,  Purchaser  shall  reconfigure  the ATMs to its standards for
activation after the business day cutoff on the Closing Date.

                  (iii)  Purchaser and Seller agree to cooperate with each other
to assure that all  transactions  originated  through the ATM or originated with
the ATM Cards prior to or on the Closing Date shall be for the account of Seller
and all transactions  originated after the Closing Date shall be for the account
of  Purchaser.  A post  closing  adjustment  shall be made to  reflect  all such
transactions which cannot be reasonably calculated as of the Closing.

1.09 Indemnification

         (a) The Seller shall indemnify,  hold harmless and defend the Purchaser
from and against all losses and liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and
expenses,  arising out of any actions,  suits or proceedings  commenced prior to
the Effective Date (other than  proceedings to prevent or limit the consummation
of this Agreement) relating to operations at the Branches;  and the Seller shall
indemnify,  hold harmless and defend the  Purchaser  from and against all losses
and liabilities  (including  reasonable  legal fees) arising out of any actions,
suits or  proceeding  commenced on or after the  Effective  Date which relate to
operations  at the  Branches  prior to the  Effective  Date.  The Seller  agrees
further to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser against all claims,
losses,  liabilities (including reasonable legal fees) and obligations resulting
from any material  breach of any agreement,  representation  or warranty made by
the Seller in the  Agreement or in any  certificate  delivered to the  Purchaser
hereunder.  The Purchaser will give the Seller written notice of a threatened or
pending  claim within  thirty (30)  calendar  days (except in the case where the
Purchaser's  first  notice is its receipt of the  Complaint,  in which case such
time for giving Notice shall be fifteen (15) calendar days of its learning about
such threatened or pending  claim),  together with a statement of facts known to
it  regarding  such  threatened  or pending  claim.  The  Seller  will then have
forty-five  (45)  calendar  days  from  the  date it  received  such  notice  to
investigate the threatened or pending claim and determine  whether it will elect
to assume the defense of the matter  involving such threatened or pending claim.
If it does so elect,  the Seller will be given the Purchaser's  full cooperation
and assistance in maintaining  said defense.  The Seller shall not be liable for
any

                                       13





amounts in settlement of a claim or action as described above if such settlement
is effected  without the Seller's  written  consent,  which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. It is understood that the obligations of the Seller under
this paragraph shall survive the Effective Date.

         (b) The Purchaser shall indemnify,  hold harmless and defend the Seller
from and against  all  claims,  losses,  liabilities,  demands and  obligations,
including reasonable legal fees and expenses, real estate, sales and use, social
security and unemployment  taxes,  all accounts  payable and operating  expenses
including  salaries,  rents and utility  charges,  which the Seller may receive,
suffer or incur in connection with operations and  transactions  occurring on or
after  the  Effective  Date,  and  which  involve  the  Branches  or the  assets
transferred  or  liabilities  assumed  pursuant  to this  Agreement,  except  as
otherwise  specifically  provided for in the  Agreement.  To the extent that any
such item has been  prepaid  by the  Seller  for a period  extending  beyond the
Effective Date, there shall be a proportionate  monetary adjustment with respect
thereto  in favor  of the  Seller.  The  Purchaser  agrees  further  to  defend,
indemnify, and hold harmless the Seller against all claims, losses,  liabilities
(including  reasonable  legal fees) and obligations  resulting from any material
breach of any agreement, representation or warranty made by the Purchaser in the
Agreement or in any certificate  delivered to the Seller  hereunder.  The Seller
will give the Purchaser  written  notice of a threatened or pending claim within
thirty (30) calendar days (except in the case where the Seller's first notice is
its  receipt  of a  Complaint,  in which such time for  giving  notice  shall be
fifteen (15)  calendar  days) of its learning  about such  threatened or pending
claim,  together with a statement of facts known to it regarding such threatened
or pending  claim.  The Purchaser will then have  forty-five  (45) calendar days
from the date it receives such notice to  investigate  the threatened or pending
claim to  determine  whether it will  elect to assume the  defense of the matter
involving such threatened or pending claim.  If it does so elect,  the Purchaser
will be given the Seller's full  cooperation and assistance in maintaining  such
defense.  It is understood  that the  obligations  of the  Purchaser  under this
paragraph shall survive the Effective Date.

1.10 Prorata  Adjustment  of Physical  Plant  Expenses.  All real estate  taxes,
utility payments, service contracts, insurance, and similar expenses relating to
the  premises on which the Branches  are located  shall be prorated  between the
Parties as of the Effective Date.


1.11  FDIC  Quarterly  Assessment.  There  shall  be no  proration  of the  FDIC
quarterly  assessment  actually paid by the Seller for the assessment  period in
which the Closing  Date is  included  with  respect to the  Deposit  Liabilities
actually transferred as of the Closing Date.

                                       14






1.12  Notice to Customers/Public Disclosures.

         As mutually agreed upon by the Parties,  Purchaser  and/or Seller shall
notify  holders of all accounts at the Branches prior to the Closing Date of the
Transaction and its impact on such account holders.

         (a) No  Public  Disclosure.  Except  as herein  below  provided  to the
contrary or otherwise herein agreed, the Parties shall make no public disclosure
of this Agreement or any  transaction  contemplated  herein prior to the Closing
Date. Any press release,  public notice or notice to local  officials  regarding
this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated  herein to be made prior to the
Closing  Date shall be approved in writing by all Parties  prior to its release,
unless such release or notice is required in the opinion of the Purchaser or the
Seller by law, regulations or regulatory authority, in which case no approval of
the other party shall be  required.  Where  required,  the approval of any party
shall not be unreasonably withheld. Where approval is not required, the Parties,
nevertheless agree to confer prior to any such release or notice.

         (b) Notice by Purchaser to Customers.  After all applicable  regulatory
approvals  have been  received,  the Purchaser and Seller shall mail a notice to
all depositors and safe deposit  customers of the Branches whose accounts are to
be assumed  notifying  them of the  impending  transaction  and  transfer of the
banking  business for those Branches to the Purchaser.  The Purchaser and Seller
will each pay one-half (1/2) the cost of printing and mailing such notice.


                                   ARTICLE II
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER

         The Seller hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows:

2.01  Corporate  Organization  and  Powers.  The  Seller  is a  state  chartered
commercial bank duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the  Commonwealth of  Pennsylvania  and the rules and regulations of the
Pennsylvania  Department of Banking ("PDB").  The Seller has the corporate power
and authority to own its properties, to effect this transaction and carry on its
business as  presently  conducted.  The Seller'  deposits  are,  subject only to
monetary  limits  established  by law and  regulation,  insured  by the  Banking
Insurance Fund ("BIF") of the FDIC.

2.02 Leases: Title to Property; Encumbrances.

         (a) The Seller has, and at the Effective Date will have, good insurable
and marketable title, or lease to the real property, furnishings,  equipment and
other assets to be transferred to the

                                       15





Purchaser  pursuant to this Agreement,  and in each case subject to no mortgage,
pledge,  lien,  security interest,  conditional sale agreements,  encumbrance or
charge of any nature whatsoever, except as otherwise indicated on Schedule 2.02,
which would interfere with or otherwise  prevent the Purchaser from having quiet
enjoyment of the real estate,  ownership,  possession and quiet enjoyment of the
other assets or ownership of the Deposit Liabilities,  Loans or the safe deposit
business to be transferred in accordance with this Agreement.

         (b) To the  knowledge  of the  Seller  (not  having  made any  specific
investigation for this purpose),  there is no condemnation proceeding pending or
threatened  which would  preclude or impair the use of the Branches as presently
being used in the conduct of the business of the Seller.

         (c) The equipment,  fixtures,  and furniture  being sold are all of the
physical  assets  owned by the Seller and used by it to conduct the  business of
the Branches as of the date hereof; the equipment  comprising part of the assets
being sold is in good operating  condition and repair,  giving  consideration to
its age and use and subject to ordinary wear and tear. The  Purchaser,  however,
acknowledges and agrees that all such property is being sold "as is" and without
any  warranties,  express  or  implied,  other  than  those  specified  in  this
paragraph.

         (d) No notice of any  violation of zoning  laws,  building,  fire,  and
other  regulating  laws,  statutes,  ordinances and regulations  relating to the
Branches  has been  received  by the Seller  and is  currently  outstanding  and
uncured.  With  respect  to the  Branches,  to its  knowledge,  the Seller is in
compliance  with all  federal,  state and  local  laws,  rules  and  regulations
relating to environmental  protection and the Seller has not been notified or is
otherwise  aware that it is  potentially  liable,  or is considered  potentially
liable,  under  the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,   Compensation  and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended,  or any similar state law. To its  knowledge,
no disposal,  release or discharge of hazardous or toxic substances,  pollutants
or contaminants,  including petroleum and gas products, as any of such terms may
be defined under  federal,  state or local law, has occurred on, in, at or about
any of the facilities of the Branches. There are no actions, suits or regulatory
investigations   pending  or   threatened   against   the  Seller   relating  to
environmental protection matters.

2.03 No Violation. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the
consummation  of this sale,  will violate or conflict  with: (i) the Articles of
Incorporation  or Bylaws of the Seller;  (ii) any  provision of any agreement or
any other restriction of any kind to which the Seller is a party or by which the
Seller is bound under any material  lease;  or (iii) any statute,  law,  decree,
regulation or order of any governmental  authority known to the Seller, once the
governmental  approvals and consents referred to in this Agreement are obtained;
or will result in a

                                       16





default under or cause the  acceleration  of the maturity of, any  obligation or
loan to which the Seller is a party.

2.04 Corporate Authority.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the
consummation  of this sale,  have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors
of the Seller. No further  corporate  authorization on the part of the Seller is
necessary to consummate the transaction.

2.05 Disclosure.  No  representation or warranty of the Seller contained in this
Agreement,  nor any  schedule,  exhibit  or other  document  furnished  or to be
furnished  by the Seller,  contains or will  contain any untrue  statement  of a
material fact or omits or will omit a material  fact  necessary in order to make
the statements contained therein not misleading.

2.06 Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation

         (a) Except as  provided  in this  Section  2.06,  for a period of three
years from the Closing Date,  Seller agrees not to open,  acquire,  establish or
operate any new office for the conduct of retail branch banking or other banking
services  within the Borough of State  College and  College,  Ferguson,  Patton,
Harris and Halfmoon Townships.

         (b) The  provisions  of this Section of this  Agreement do not prohibit
the Seller from acquiring another financial  institution (in whole) with offices
in the  areas  designated  in  Paragraph  (a)  or  from  conducting  non-banking
activities such as insurance,  trust  services,  financial  planning,  brokerage
services,  loan  production  offices,  ATMs or cash  dispensing,  or  investment
banking,  from  an  office  located  in  those  areas.  If the  Seller  conducts
non-banking  activities,  the  Seller  would  agree  to  consider  space  at the
Purchaser's location if acceptable to Seller.

         (c)  Except  to the  extent  required  to  service  the  loans or other
non-deposit  products of existing  customers,  Seller will not directly  solicit
customers whose Deposit Liabilities or Loans are located at the Branches and are
being  transferred  hereunder on the Closing Date for a period  beginning on the
date of this Agreement and ending three (3) years after the Closing Date, except
with  respect to the notices  required to this  Agreement.  This Section of this
Agreement is not intended to prohibit general  advertising and soliciting to the
general  public by Unitas  Bank, a Division of First  Commonwealth  Bank (or any
successor entity). From the date of this Agreement and for three years following
the Closing  Date,  Seller will not directly  solicit(s)  deposit  accounts from
customers  whose  Deposit  Liabilities  and/or  loans are assumed or acquired by
Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, or (b) refinancing of loans from borrowers
whose loans are being  acquired by Purchaser  hereunder,  except as may occur in
connection  with  (i)  advertising  or  solicitations  directed  to  the  public
generally,  (ii) solicitations outside the designated market area of the Offices
and

                                       17





(iii) customers or borrowers with a banking or other relationship with Seller or
its  affiliates at offices other than the Offices,  or who have or maintain more
than one place of business.  The covenants and  obligations of Seller  hereunder
shall survive the Closing.

2.07  Limitation  of  Warranties.  Except  as may be  expressly  represented  or
warranted in this Agreement by the Seller,  the Seller makes no  representations
or warranties with regard to any assets being  transferred to the Purchaser,  or
liability or obligation being assumed by the Purchaser.

2.08     Disclosure of Employment Agreements.

         Except as disclosed in Schedule  2.08 attached  hereto,  there exist no
written employment agreements or contracts between Seller and Seller's Employees
at the Branches,  whether written or otherwise related to wages, hours, terms of
employment,  benefits or working  conditions or  accommodations,  except for the
normal policies and procedures of First Commonwealth Bank regarding personnel.

2.9 Non-Solicitation. Officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents
of Seller shall refrain from considering, soliciting, proposing to enter into or
entering into any discussion or negotiations  with other potential buyers of the
Branches  or  substantially  all of the  assets or  Deposit  Liabilities  of the
Branches from the date hereof  through the Closing Date.  Seller shall  promptly
inform Purchaser of the receipt from the date hereof of any proposals, and terms
thereof, from third parties relating to any such potential acquisition.

2.10  No  Litigation.   There  is  no  action,  suit,  proceeding,   inquiry  or
investigation,  at law or in equity,  or before any court,  public board or body
pending,  or to the  knowledge  of the Seller  threatened,  against  the Seller;
wherein  an  unfavorable  decision,  ruling  or  finding  would  materially  and
adversely  affect the  Transaction  contemplated  by this Agreement or adversely
affect  the  validity  or  enforceability  of  this  Agreement  or any  document
necessary to consummate the  Transactions  contemplated  herein or any approval,
consent or permission required to be obtained by the Seller hereunder.


                                   ARTICLE III
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Seller the following:

3.01  Corporate  Organization.  The Purchaser is a corporation  duly  organized,
validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the  Commonwealth  of
Pennsylvania. Upon the receipt of a charter

                                       18





from the OTS and FDIC insurance of account by Nittany Bank (in  formation),  the
Purchaser  will  have the  corporate  power  and  authority  to own or lease its
properties,  to effect the transactions  contemplated hereby and to carry on its
business.

3.02 No Violation.  Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
consummation  of the  Transaction as contemplated by this Agreement will violate
or  conflict  with:  (i) the  Articles  of  Incorporation  or the  Bylaws of the
Purchaser;  (ii) any provision of any agreement or any other  restriction of any
kind to which the Purchaser is a party to or by which the Purchaser is bound; or
(iii)  any  statute,  law,  decree,  regulation  or  order  of any  governmental
authority known to the Purchaser,  once the governmental consents referred to in
this  Agreement are obtained,  or will result in a default  under,  or cause the
acceleration  of the maturity of, any  obligation or loan to which the Purchaser
is a party.

3.03 Corporate Authority.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the
consummation  of the  Transaction  have  been  duly  authorized  by the Board of
Directors  of the  Purchaser.  Upon  receipt of its  charter  from the OTS,  the
Transaction will be approved and authorized by the Board of Directors of Nittany
Bank.

3.04  No  Litigation.   There  is  no  action,  suit,  proceeding,   inquiry  or
investigation,  at law or in equity,  or before any court,  public board or body
pending, or to the knowledge of the Purchaser threatened, against the Purchaser;
wherein  an  unfavorable  decision,  ruling  or  finding  would  materially  and
adversely  affect the  Transaction  contemplated  by this Agreement or adversely
affect  the  validity  or  enforceability  of  this  Agreement  or any  document
necessary to consummate the  Transactions  contemplated  herein or any approval,
consent or permission required to be obtained by the Purchaser hereunder.

3.05 Disclosure.  Neither this Agreement nor any schedule, exhibit,  certificate
or other document furnished or to be furnished by the Purchaser on the Effective
Date  contains or will contain any untrue  statement of a material fact or omits
or will omit a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained
therein not misleading.


                                       19





                                   ARTICLE IV
                 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE EFFECTIVE DATE

4.01 Conduct of Business.  Pending the Effective  Date,  and except as otherwise
consented to by the Purchaser:

         (a) Ordinary Course of Business.  The Seller will use every  reasonable
effort to carry on the business of the Branches  diligently and substantially in
the same manner as on the date hereof,  and the Seller will not,  with regard to
the Branches,  engage in any one or more activities or transactions  which shall
be outside of the  ordinary  course of the business of the Branches as conducted
as of the date hereof,  except for activities or  transactions  contemplated  by
this Agreement;

         (b)  Maintenance  of Staff.  The Seller  will use its every  reasonable
effort to preserve the business  operations  as are  presently  conducted at the
Branches.  Seller shall  maintain in effect the current  staffing  levels at the
Branches from the date of the Agreement to the Closing Date.  The Seller further
agrees to use every reasonable effort to preserve for the Purchaser the goodwill
of its  customers  and  others  having  relations  with  the  business  normally
conducted at the  Branches,  and to cooperate  with and assist the  Purchaser in
assuring  the  orderly  transition  of such  business  from  the  Seller  to the
Purchaser.  Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring the Seller
to engage  in any  activities  or  efforts  outside  of the  ordinary  course of
business as presently conducted.

         (c) Wages.  Seller  shall not increase the wages of any employee of the
Branches other than in accordance with the policies and salary budget guidelines
presently in effect.

         (d) Maintain  Services.  Seller shall not materially alter the products
or services  presently  offered at the Branches or materially  alter the pricing
policy applicable to such products without prior notice to the Purchaser.

         (e) Maintenance of Insurance.  Seller shall use every reasonable effort
to maintain in effect through the Closing Date all property, liability, fire and
casualty  insurance in effect as of the date of the Agreement with regard to the
Branches,   including  the  structures,   leasehold  improvements  and  personal
property.


                                    ARTICLE V
          OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES PRIOR TO AND AFTER EFFECTIVE DATE

5.01 Full  Access.  The  Seller  shall  afford to the  officers  and  authorized
representatives  of the  Purchaser  access  to  properties,  books  and  records
pertaining to the Branches in order that the Purchaser may have full opportunity
to make such  reasonable  investigations  at such  reasonable  times as it shall
desire of the affairs of the Seller  relating to the Branches,  and the officers
of the Seller will furnish the Purchaser with such additional

                                       20





financial  and  operating  data and other  information  as to its  business  and
properties at the Branches as the Purchaser  shall from time to time  reasonably
request and as shall be available,  including, without limitations,  information
required for inclusion in all governmental  applications necessary to effect the
Transaction.  Nothing in this  Section  shall be deemed to require the Seller to
breach any obligation of confidentiality.

5.02  Requirements  of Regulatory  Authorities.  The Seller shall, as soon as is
practicable, notify the proper regulatory authorities of its intent to terminate
operation of the Branches and to  consummate  this  Transaction  and  thereafter
shall:  (i)  comply  with the  normal  and usual  requirements  imposed  by such
authority applicable to effectuate this Transaction; and (ii) use its good faith
efforts to obtain any required approval of such regulatory authority to transfer
the operations of the Branches.

5.03  Regulatory  Application to Effect the Purchase of Assets and Assumption of
Liabilities.  The Purchaser  shall prepare and file,  with the assistance of the
Seller, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 30 days following the
date of this Agreement,  an application,  as required by law, to the appropriate
Federal  and/or  State  regulatory  authorities  for  approval  to  effect  this
Transaction,  and the Parties hereto shall, if required by applicable statute or
regulation,  publish appropriate notice of the Transaction or related regulatory
application.  The Parties  agree to use their good faith  efforts to obtain such
approval in a diligent manner and on a priority basis, and the Purchaser further
agrees to prepare the  application in a diligent manner and on a priority basis.
The  Parties  shall  each pay  one-half  (1/2) of any fees  associated  with the
applications.

5.04 Further Assurance. Both Parties hereby agree to execute and to deliver such
instruments  and take  such  other  actions  as the other  party may  reasonably
require  in order to carry out the  intent  of this  Agreement,  and the  Seller
agrees to give such  bills of sale,  acknowledgments  and other  instruments  or
conveyance and transfer as, in the reasonable  judgment of the Purchaser,  shall
be necessary and  appropriate to vest in the Purchaser legal and equitable title
to the assets of the Seller  being sold  hereunder,  free and clear of all liens
and  encumbrances;  and that Seller  shall assist  Purchaser  as  requested  and
required for Purchaser to perfect any liens or security interest associated with
any assets or collateral being transferred.

5.05 Right to Intervene.  In the event that any litigation is instituted against
the Purchaser under or in connection with this Agreement,  the Seller shall have
the  right  in its sole  discretion  to  intervene  in such  litigation  and the
Purchaser does hereby consent to such intervention.



                                       21





5.06 Customer Data.

         Seller shall provide Purchaser with such data processing computer disks
or tapes encoded with  information  pertaining to deposit  accounts and loans of
the Branches'  customers as Purchaser shall request, or authorizations of Seller
for  Purchaser  to  access  same  from  the  service  bureau   maintaining  such
information  as of the  Closing  Date.  Each  Party  shall pay its own  expenses
associated  with the data  processing  conversion of the customer  records to be
transferred.   Seller  shall  provide   Purchaser  with   reasonably   available
statistical data related to the Branches prior to the Closing Date upon request.

5.07 Press  Releases.  Purchaser and Seller will cooperate and coordinate in the
issuance of any press releases regarding the Transaction.

5.08     Allocation of Purchase Price.

         The  purchase  price  paid and  liabilities  assumed  by the  Purchaser
pursuant to this Agreement shall be allocated in accordance with Section 1060 of
the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended  ("Code").  The Seller and the
Purchaser  shall  cooperate  to  comply  with  all  substantive  and  procedural
requirements of Section 1060 of the Code and any regulations thereunder.

5.09     Operation of the Offices.

         Except as  otherwise  expressly  provided in this  Agreement  after the
Closing Date neither Seller, its subsidiaries,  affiliates or parent corporation
shall be obligated to provide for any managerial,  financial, business, or other
services to the Offices,  including without  limitation any personnel,  employee
benefit,  data processing,  accounting,  risk  management,  or other services or
assistance  that may have been  provided  to the  Offices  prior to the close of
business on the Closing Date, and Purchaser shall take such action as may in its
judgment  appear  to be  necessary  or  advisable  to  provide  for the  ongoing
operation and  management  of, and the provision of services and  assistance to,
the Offices after the Closing Date. Upon the Closing, Purchaser shall change the
legal  name of the  Offices  and,  except  for any  documents  or  materials  in
possession of the customers of the Offices (including but not limited to deposit
tickets  and  checks),  shall not use and shall cause the Offices to cease using
any signs, stationery,  advertising,  documents, or printed or written materials
that refer to the Offices by any name that includes the words "Central" or "FCB"
or the name of any affiliate of First Commonwealth Financial.




                                       22





                                   ARTICLE VI
                      CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS

Each and every  obligation of the Purchaser  under the Agreement to be performed
on or before the  Effective  Date shall be  subject to the  satisfaction,  on or
before the Effective Date, of the following conditions:

6.01 Representations and Warranties True:  Obligations Performed.

         (a) The  representations  and  warranties  made by the  Seller  in this
Agreement  shall  be  true  at and as of  the  Effective  Date  as  though  such
representations  and warranties were made at and as of such time, except for any
changes permitted by the terms hereof or consented to by the Purchaser.

         (b) The Seller shall have  performed  and complied with in all material
respects  all  obligations  and  agreements  required  by this  Agreement  to be
performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Effective Date.

         (c) From the date of this  Agreement  until the Effective  Date,  there
shall have been no  material  adverse  change,  not cured,  in the  business  or
material  conditions  (financial or  otherwise) of the Branches,  except for any
changes permitted by the terms, hereof, or consented to by the Purchaser.

         (d) On the  Effective  Date,  no action,  suit or  proceeding  shall be
pending or  threatened:  (i)  against  the Seller  which  might  materially  and
adversely  affect the business,  properties and assets of the Branches;  or (ii)
against either party which seeks to prohibit consummation of this transaction.

         (e) The Seller shall have  delivered to the Purchaser a certificate  of
its President,  dated the Effective  Date,  certifying to the fulfillment of all
the conditions contained at this Section 6.01.

         (f)  The  Purchaser  and  the  Seller  shall  have  received  from  the
appropriate regulatory authorities approval: (i) to effect this transaction; and
(ii) for the Purchaser to operate the Branches.

         (g) The  Purchaser  shall  have  received  an  opinion  of counsel or a
certification  from the President for the Seller,  dated the Effective  Date, to
the effect that (i) the Seller has been duly organized and is validly  existing,
(ii) the Seller has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the  performance by the Seller of each of its obligations  hereunder,  (iii)
this Agreement and the  instruments  delivered by the Seller pursuant hereto are
valid,  binding  and  enforceable  against the Seller in  accordance  with their
respective  terms (subject only to applicable  bankruptcy laws and principles of
equity), (iv) any

                                       23





consents, approvals, permissions or authorizations required to be obtained under
any law, rule or regulation from any governmental  body, agency or authority for
the consummation by the Seller of its obligations hereunder and the transactions
contemplated  by the Seller  herein  have been  obtained,  and (v) such party is
unaware of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, or investigation, at law or in
equity,  or before  any court,  public  board or body,  pending  or  threatened,
against the Seller  wherein an  unfavorable  decision,  ruling or finding  would
materially and adversely affect the consummation,  validity or enforceability of
the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (h) From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, there shall
have  occurred  no  material  damage to or  destruction  of the  Branches or the
leasehold improvements thereto.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                     CONDITIONS TO THE SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS

Each and every  obligation of the Seller under this Agreement to be performed on
or before the Effective Date shall be subject to the satisfaction,  on or before
the Effective Date, of the following conditions:

7.01 Representations and Warranties True:  Obligations Performed.

         (a) The  representations  and warranties  made by the Purchaser in this
Agreement  shall  be  true  at and as of  the  Effective  Date  as  though  such
representations  and warranties were made at and as of such time, except for any
changes permitted by the terms hereof or consented to by the Seller.

         (b)  The  Purchaser  shall  have  performed  and  complied  with in all
material  respects all obligations and agreements  required by this Agreement to
be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Effective Date.

         (c) The Purchaser  shall have  delivered to the Seller a certificate of
its President,  dated the Effective Date,  certifying to the fulfillment of both
of the foregoing conditions.

         (d)  The  Seller  shall  have  received  an  opinion  of  counsel  or a
certification from the President for the Purchaser, dated the Effective Date, to
the  effect  that (i) the  Purchaser  has been  duly  organized  and is  validly
existing,  (ii) the Purchaser has duly  authorized the execution and delivery of
this  Agreement and the  performance  by the Purchaser of each of its respective
obligations hereunder, (iii) this Agreement and the instruments delivered by the
Purchaser  pursuant  hereto are  valid,  binding  and  enforceable  against  the
Purchaser in  accordance  with their  respective  terms  (subject to  applicable
bankruptcy  laws and  principles  of equity),  (iv) other than the  formation of
Nittany Bank and approval of agencies regulating the Purchaser to buy the assets
and assume the  liabilities  pursuant to this  Agreement  and to  establish  the
Branches contemplated hereby, no other consents, approvals,

                                       24





permissions or authorizations are required to be obtained under any law, rule or
regulation from any governmental  body, agency or authority for the consummation
by the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder and the transactions  contemplated
by the Purchaser herein, and the aforesaid  approvals have been obtained and are
in full force and  effect,  and (v) such party is unaware of any  action,  suit,
proceeding,  inquiry, or investigation at law or in equity, or before any court,
public board or body,  pending or threatened,  against the Purchaser  wherein an
unfavorable  decision,  ruling or finding would  materially and adversely affect
any such  approval,  consent or  permission  or the  consummation,  validity  or
enforceability or the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
           CONDITIONS TO THE SELLER'S AND THE PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS

Each and every obligation of the Parties under this Agreement to be performed on
or before the Effective Date shall be subject to the satisfaction,  on or before
the Effective Date, of the following conditions:

8.01  Approval of  Governmental  Authorities.  The  approval by the  appropriate
regulatory  authorities shall have been obtained  (including the approval of the
Charter and FDIC  insurance  of accounts  by Nittany  Bank);  the consent of the
appropriate  regulatory  authorities to the  establishment  and operation by the
Purchaser  of a branch  bank at the present  location of each Branch  shall have
been obtained;  and termination of branch operations  conducted by the Seller at
each Branch  location and the Seller's  consummation of this sale shall not have
been objected to by the appropriate regulatory authority.

8.02 Consents to Assignment of Leases.  The landlord under any real estate lease
to be assigned hereunder shall have consented to the Seller's assignment of such
lease to the  Purchaser on terms  substantially  similar to the  existing  terms
between  the  Seller and the  landlord.  Further,  landlord  shall  furnish  the
Purchaser  with a statement of the balance of any security  deposits  held under
such lease as of the Closing  Date,  giving  effect to all  deductions  that are
deemed  necessary by the landlord  following an inspection of the property as of
the Closing Date.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   TERMINATION

9.01 Methods of  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time, but
not later than the Effective Date:

         (a)      By mutual agreement of the Boards of Directors of the
Purchaser and the Seller; or

                                       25






         (b) By the Board of Directors of the Purchaser if any of the conditions
provided for in Article VI of this  Agreement  shall not have been met or waived
in writing by the Purchaser; or

         (c) By the Board of  Directors  of the Seller if any of the  conditions
provided for in Article VII of this Agreement  shall not have been met or waived
in writing by the Seller; or

         (d) By the Board of Directors of either party if any of the  conditions
provided for in Article VIII shall not have been met; or

         (e) By the Board of  Directors  of the Seller or the  Purchaser  if the
Effective  Date has not occurred  within the earlier of July 31, 1998 or 30 days
of the receipt of all required final regulatory approvals.

9.02 Procedure Upon Termination. In the event of termination pursuant to Section
9.01 hereof,  written notice thereof shall be given to the other party, and this
Agreement shall  terminate  immediately  upon receipt of such notice,  unless an
extension is consented to by the party or Parties having the right to terminate.
If this Agreement is terminated as provided herein:

         (a) Each party will  redeliver  all  documents,  work  papers and other
materials of the party relating to this transaction,  whether so obtained before
or after the execution hereof, to the party furnishing the same; and

         (b) All information received by either party hereto with respect to the
business of the other party (other than information  which is a matter of public
knowledge  or  which  has  heretofore  been  or is  hereafter  published  in any
publication  for public  distribution  or filed as public  information  with any
governmental  authority) shall not at any time be used for business advantage by
such party or disclosed by such party to third  persons to the  detriment of the
party furnishing such information or if otherwise prohibited by state or federal
law; and

         (c)  Nothing  contained  in this  Article  IX shall be deemed to excuse
either Party for a breach of any of its obligations or agreements  undertaken or
made in this Agreement.

9.03 Retention of Deposit.  If this Agreement is terminated by the Purchaser for
any reason other than the compliance with any of the conditions  provided for in
Articles VI or VIII of this  Agreement  not having been met or waived in writing
by the  Purchaser or failure to satisfy the  conditions of Sections 1.05 (j) and
(l), then the Seller shall retain the Deposit plus all accrued interest thereon.



                                       26





                                    ARTICLE X
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

10.01 Allocation of Purchase Price.  Prior to Closing,  the Purchaser and Seller
shall prepare a schedule  allocating  the total  consideration  paid pursuant to
this Agreement for the purchase of assets under Section 1.02 and premium related
to the  assumption  of the  Deposit  Liabilities  under  Section  1.03  of  this
Agreement.

10.02 First Option to Purchase  Branches if Sale  Contemplated.  For a period of
three years from the Closing Date, if the Seller  decides to sell the two branch
offices of Unitas Bank, a Division of First  Commonwealth  Bank located at Hills
Plaza, South Atherton, State College and in Pine Grove Mills,  Pennsylvania,  it
will offer and negotiate the branch sales with the Purchaser,  prior to offering
the sale to any other institution.  The purchaser must respond within 30 days of
receiving  information on the offices,  with a firm offer, which can be accepted
or declined by the Seller. The Seller agrees to negotiate in good faith with the
Purchaser if an offer is made on these branches. If no offer is forthcoming from
the  purchaser  within 30 days,  the  Seller  may offer  the  branches  to third
parties.  Seller  also  agrees to consider  subsequent  amended  offers from the
Purchaser at any time prior to the sale in an effort to reach an agreement. This
Section is not binding on successors to First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
or First  Commonwealth  Bank, and is not to be construed to effect the merger or
sale of FCB as a whole.

10.03 Entire  Agreement;  Amendment  and  Modification.  This  Agreement and the
exhibits and  schedules  hereto  shall  constitute  the entire  agreement of the
Parties.  The  Parties  hereto,  by  mutual  consent  of their  respective  duly
authorized  officers,  may amend,  modify and supplement  this Agreement in such
manner as may be agreed upon by them in writing.

10.04 Assignment.  Upon the receipt of a charter by Nittany Bank, this Agreement
will be assigned to Nittany  Bank,  which will become a party to the  Agreement.
This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon, and inure
to the  benefit  of, the  Parties  hereto and their  respective  successors  and
permitted assigns,  but neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,  interests
or obligations hereunder shall, except as provided herein, be assigned, prior to
the Effective  Date, by either of the Parties  hereto  without the prior written
consent of the other.

10.05 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


                                       27





10.06 Headings.  The headings of the Sections and Articles of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not constitute a part hereof.

10.07 Survival of Representations and Warranties. The respective representations
and  warranties of the Parties hereto  contained  herein shall not survive after
the Effective Date, unless stated otherwise herein.

10.08 Payment of Expenses.  Each party hereto shall pay for its own expenses and
costs in  connection  with the carrying out of this  Agreement  except as stated
otherwise herein. Each Party shall pay one-half (1/2) any applicable fee payable
to the regulators in connection with applications related to the Transaction.

10.09  Consent  to  Arbitration.  Any  controversy  or claim  arising  out of or
relating  to  this  Agreement,  or the  breach  thereof,  shall  be  settled  by
arbitration  in accordance  with the rules for  commercial  arbitration  then in
effect at the district office of the American  Arbitration  Association  ("AAA")
nearest to the home office of the party initiating said arbitration  proceeding,
and  judgment  upon the  award  rendered  may be  entered  in any  court  having
jurisdiction thereof,  except to the extent that the Parties may otherwise reach
a mutual settlement of such issue.

10.10  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall  be  governed  by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania except to the extent Federal Law controls.

10.11 Public Disclosure:  Advertising. Except as herein provided to the contrary
or as required by law or otherwise  herein  agreed,  any press  release,  public
notice or notice to local officials regarding this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated  herein to be made prior to the Effective Date shall be approved in
writing by all Parties prior to its release; the approval of any party shall not
be  unreasonably  withheld.  Any press  release  or notice  related  only to the
formation of Nittany Bank is not required to be approved by the Seller.

10.12 Deposit Account Servicing. Purchaser shall, as of the Effective Date, have
converted,  by the close of the business  day, all of the  computerized  deposit
account information, onto the Purchaser's data processing system.

10.13 Data  Processing  Services.  Seller's sole and exclusive  responsibilities
concerning  the  provision  of data  processing  services  to or for the Deposit
Accounts of the Offices after the Closing Date, if any, shall be as set forth in
this  Section.  As soon as  practicable  following  the date of this  Agreement,
Seller  shall  provide   Purchaser  with   applicable   product   functions  and
specifications  relating to the data processing support required for the Deposit
Accounts, loans, and sale deposit business (if such

                                       28





data  processing  support  currently is provided with respect to such  business)
maintained  at the  Offices  (such  Deposit  Accounts,  loans  and safe  deposit
business,  if  applicable,  hereinafter  called  the  "Accounts").  As  soon  as
practicable  following  the date of this  Agreement,  Seller  shall  provide  to
Purchaser file formats relating to the Accounts and up to three (3) sets of test
tapes related to the Accounts in generic form which are machine  readable on IBM
(or IBM compatible) equipment. By not later than 2:00 p.m. local time on the day
immediately  following  the  Closing  Date,  Seller  shall  make  the  foregoing
documents  and  materials  available to the  Purchaser,  Seller shall review and
analyze  such  materials  and shall  advise  Seller in writing of any defects or
concerns  relating  thereto not later than 10 business  days  following  receipt
thereof.

10.14  Addresses  for Notice,  etc.  All  notices,  requests,  demands and other
communications  provided for hereunder and under the related  documents shall be
in writing (including  telegraphic  communications) and mailed (by registered or
certified  mail) or  telegraphed  or  delivered to the  applicable  party at the
addresses indicated below.


         If to the Seller:                  George E. Dash
                                            Senior Executive Vice President
                                             and Chief Operating Officer
                                            First Commonwealth Bank
                                            Central Offices
                                            Philadelphia and Sixth Streets
                                            P.O. Box 400
                                            Indiana, Pennsylvania  15701

         With a copy to:                    David R. Tomb, Jr.
                                            General Counsel
                                            First Commonwealth Bank
                                            Central Offices
                                            Philadelphia and Sixth Streets
                                            P.O. Box 400
                                            Indiana, Pennsylvania  15701




                                       29





         If to the Purchaser:               David Richards, President
                                            Nittany Financial Corp.
                                            637 Kennard Road
                                            State College, Pennsylvania  16801

         With a copy to:                    Gregory A. Gehlmann
                                            Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.
                                            1301 K Street, N.W.
                                            Suite 700 East
                                            Washington, D.C.  20005

or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party
in a written notice to each other party  complying as to delivery with the terms
of this Section.


                                       30










                BRANCH PURCHASE AND DEPOSIT ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1

         This shall  constitute  an  Amendment  dated May 13, 1998 to the Branch
Purchase and Deposit  Assumption  Agreement (the  "Agreement")  entered into the
24th day of March 1998,  between  First  Commonwealth  Bank,  a state  chartered
commercial bank having its principal  office at Philadelphia  and Sixth Streets,
Indiana  Pennsylvania  15701 (the  "Seller"),  and Nittany  Financial  Corp.,  a
Pennsylvania  holding  company  organized  for the purpose of forming and owning
100% of the stock of Nittany Bank, a federally  chartered stock savings bank (in
formation),  having its  principal  office at 637 Kennard Road,  State  College,
Pennsylvania  16801  (the  "Purchaser").   The  Seller  and  the  Purchaser  are
hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the "Parties".

         WHEREAS,  pursuant to Section 10.03 of the Agreement,  the Parties,  by
mutual consent of their  respective  duly  authorized  officers,  wish to amend,
modify and supplement the Agreement,

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  and  in  accordance  with  the
provisions of the Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration,  the
receipt  of which is hereby  acknowledged,  the  Parties  hereby  amend  Section
9.01(e) of the Agreement as follows:

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   TERMINATION

9.01 Methods of  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time, but
not later than the Effective Date:

                           . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


         (e) By the Board of  Directors  of the Seller or the  Purchaser  if the
Effective  Date has not occurred  within the earlier of September 30, 1998 or 30
days of the receipt of all required final regulatory approvals,  unless extended
by the mutual consent of the Parties.