PURCHASE AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

                                   dated as of

                                  March 5, 1997

                                     between

                             WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

                                       and

               KLAMATH FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION















                                List of Schedules

Schedule 1.1(a)                     Assumed Severance Obligations
Schedule 1.1(b)                     Branches/Real Properties
Schedule 3.6(a)                     Form of Deed
Schedule 3.6(b)                     Form of Bill of Sale
Schedule 3.6(c)                     Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Schedule 3.6(d)                     Form of Assignment of Lease and Assumption
Schedule 3.6(e)                     Form of Landlord Consent
Schedule 3.6(g)                     Form of Certificate of Officer,
                                         Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
Schedule 3.7(d)                     Form of Certificate of Officer [Purchaser]
Schedule 5.4                        Tenant Leases
Schedule 5.6                        Litigation and Undisclosed Liabilities
Schedule 5.16                       Environmental Matters
Schedule 8.1                        Outstanding Tax Liabilities


         This  PURCHASE AND  ASSUMPTION  AGREEMENT,  dated as of this 5th day of
March,  1997 (this  "Agreement"),  is by and  between  Wells  Fargo  Bank,  N.A.
("Seller") and Klamath First Federal Savings and Loan Association ("Purchaser").

                                    RECITALS

           A.       Seller.  As of the date hereof, Seller is a national banking
association,  organized  under the laws of the United States, with its principal
office located in San Francisco, California.

           B.       Purchaser.  Purchaser is a corporation,  organized under the
laws of the United States, with its principal office located in Klamath Falls,
Oregon.

         C.         Purchaser desires to acquire from Seller, and Seller desires
to  transfer  to  Purchaser,  certain  banking  premises  and  certain  deposits
associated therewith, located in the State of Oregon, all in accordance with and
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  the  mutual
promises and obligations set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE 1
                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         1.1      Certain Definitions.  The terms set forth below are used in
this Agreement with the following meanings:

         "Accrued  Interest"  means,  as of any date, with respect to a Deposit,
interest which is accrued on such Deposit to but excluding such date and not yet
posted to the relevant deposit account.

         "ACH  Direct  Deposit  Cut-Off  Date"  has  the  meaning  set forth in
Section 4.3.

         "Adjusted Payment Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3

         "Adjustment Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

         "Affiliate"  means,  with  respect  to any  person,  any  other  person
directly or indirectly  controlling,  controlled by or under common control with
such person.

         "Agreement" means this Purchase and Assumption Agreement, including all
schedules, exhibits and addenda, each as amended from time to time in accordance
with the terms hereof.

         "Allocation Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a).

         "Asbestos  Hazard"  means the presence of asbestos in a parcel of Owned
Real Property or the  improvements  thereon as of the date hereof  which,  under
applicable laws, must be immediately  remediated in order to allow  continuation
of the current operation of the Branch within such Owned Real Property using the
current  improvements  thereon and the cost of such  remediation,  as reasonably
determined  by the  Environmental  Consultant,  shall be more  than One  Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

         "Assets" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

         "Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement"  has  the meaning set forth in
Section 3.6(c).

         "Assumed Severance  Obligations" means those duties,  responsibilities,
obligations and  liabilities of Seller or of its Affiliates  under the severance
and similar  plans  described in Schedule  1.1(a) to pay  severance  and provide
benefits to any Branch Employee or Transferred Employee.

         "Branch  Employees"  means,  the employees of the Seller working at the
Branches on the Closing Date (including, without limitation, those employees who
on the Closing Date are on family and medical leave,  military leave or personal
or  pregnancy  leave  and who are  eligible  to return  to work  under  Seller's
policies),  subject to any  transfers  permitted  pursuant  to  Section  7.1 and
replacement  in the  ordinary  course of  business  of  employees  who may leave
Seller's employ between the date hereof and the Closing Date.

         "Branch  Leases" means the leases under which Seller leases land and/or
buildings used as Branches, including without limitation ground leases.

         "Branches"  means each of the branch  banking  offices of Seller at the
locations identified on Schedule 1.1(b) hereto.

         "Burdensome Condition" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(a).

         "Business  Day"  means a day on  which  banks  are  generally  open for
business and which is not a Saturday or Sunday.

         "Cash on Hand"  means,  as of any date,  all petty  cash,  vault  cash,
teller cash, ATM cash, prepaid postage and cash equivalents held at a Branch.

         "Closing"  and  "Closing   Date"  refer  to  the  closing  of  the  P&A
Transaction,  which is to be held at such time and date as provided in Article 3
hereof.

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

         "Deeds" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(a).

         "Deposit(s)" means deposit liabilities with respect to deposit accounts
booked by Seller at the  Branches,  as of the close of business of the day prior
to the Closing Date,  which  constitute  "deposits"  for purposes of the Federal
Deposit  Insurance  Act.  12  U.S.C.   section  1813,  including  collected  and
uncollected  deposits  and Accrued  Interest,  BUT  EXCLUDING:  (a) all Excluded
Deposits;  (b) deposit  liabilities  with respect to accounts  registered in the
name of a trust for which Seller serves as trustee (other than  non-excluded IRA
and SEP accounts);  (c) deposit  liabilities  with respect to accounts booked by
Seller at any Branch for which  Seller  serves as guardian or  custodian  (other
than non-excluded IRA and SEP accounts); (d) all Keogh Accounts; (e) any IRA and
SEP accounts which hold investments in non-deposit instruments;  (f) any deposit
account associated with any merchant card banking relationship;  (g) any deposit
account  which serves as security for a loan or which serves as security for any
credit card or overdraft  protection;  (h) any remittance  account;  and (i) any
deposit account which has an automatic sweep to a third party.

         "Draft Closing Statement" means a draft closing statement,  prepared by
Seller,  as of the close of business of the third (3rd)  business day  preceding
the Closing Date setting  forth an  estimated  calculation  of both the Purchase
Price and the Estimated Payment Amount.

         "Encumbrances"   means   all   mortgages,   claims,   charges,   liens,
encumbrances, easements,  limitations,  restrictions, commitments  and  security
interests, except for statutory liens securing tax and/or other payments not yet
due,  liens  incurred in the  ordinary  course of  business,  including  without
limitation  liens in favor of  mechanics or  materialmen,  and such other liens,
charges,  security  interests or encumbrances as do not materially  detract from
the value or materially and adversely affect the use of the properties or assets
subject thereto or affected thereby or which otherwise do not materially  impair
the  value  of  or  business  operations  at  such  properties  and  except  for
obligations  pursuant to escheat and  unclaimed  property  laws  relating to the
Escheat Deposits.

         "Environmental Consultant" has the meaning specified in Section 10.1(b)

         "Environmental Hazard" means the presence of any Hazardous Substance in
violation of, and reasonably likely to require material remediation costs under,
applicable  Environmental  Laws;  provided,  however,  that  the  definition  of
Environmental   Hazard  shall  not  include  asbestos  and   asbestos-containing
materials, unless, with respect to any single parcel of Owned Real Property, the
cost of remediation,  as reasonably determined by the Environmental  Consultant,
shall  be  more  than  One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars   ($100,000).   Any  such
determination  shall be based  upon a  "risk-based  approach"  of what  would be
necessary  to obtain the  equivalent  of a "no further  action  letter" from the
applicable  regulatory agency or agencies with no deed restrictions  which would
adversely affect the commercial use of the parcel of Owned Real Property.

         "Environmental  Law" means any  Federal or state  law,  statute,  rule,
regulation,  code,  order,  judgment,  decree,  injunction or agreement with any
Federal  or  state  governmental  authority,  (x)  relating  to the  protection,
preservation or restoration of the environment  (including,  without limitation,
air, water vapor,  surface water,  groundwater,  drinking water supply,  surface
land,  subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural  resource) or
to  human  health  or  safety  or (y) the  exposure  to,  or the  use,  storage,
recycling,  treatment,   generation,   transportation,   processing,   handling,
labeling,  production, release or disposal of hazardous substances, in each case
as amended and now in effect.  Environmental Laws include,  without  limitation,
the  Clean  Air  Act  (42  U.S.C.  section  7401  et  seq.);  the  Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. section 9601 et
seq.); the Resource  Conservation  and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C.  section 96901 et
seq.); the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. section 1251 et seq.);
the  Occupational  Safety  and  Health  Act (29  U.S.C.  section  651 et  seq.);
provided,  however, that the definition of "Environmental Law" shall not include
any Federal or state law, statute,  rule,  regulation,  code,  order,  judgment,
decree,  injunction or agreement  with any  governmental  authority  relating to
asbestos or asbestos-containing materials.

         "ERISA"  means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of  1974, as
amended.

         "Escheat Deposits" means, as of any date, Deposits and safe deposit box
contents, in each case held on such date at the Branches which become subject to
escheat,  in the  calendar  year  in  which  the  Closing  occurs,  pursuant  to
applicable escheat and unclaimed property laws.

         "Estimated Payment Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).

         "Estimated Purchase Price" means the Purchase Price as set forth on the
Draft Closing Statement.

         "Excluded  IRA/Keogh  Account  Deposits"  has  the meaning set forth in
Section 2.4(c).

         "Excluded Deposits" means: (i) all wholesale commercial deposits (i.e.,
with  account  analysis  or cash management services); and (ii) certain business
related deposit liabilities excluded by Seller.

         "FDIA" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended.

         "FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

         "Federal  Funds  Rate" on any day means the per annum rate of  interest
(rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) which is the weighted average of the
rates on overnight federal funds  transactions  arranged on such day or, if such
day is not a Business  Day, the previous  Business Day, by federal funds brokers
computed and released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any successor)
in substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve Bank currently computes
and releases the weighted  average it refers to as the "Federal Funds  Effective
Rate" at the date of this Agreement.

         "Federal Reserve Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.

         "FedWire  Direct  Deposit  Cut-off  Date"  has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.3.

         "Final Closing Statement" means a final closing statement,  prepared by
Seller,  as of the ninetieth (90th) day following the Closing Date setting forth
both the Purchase Price and the Adjusted Payment Amount.

         "Hazardous Substance" means any substance, whether liquid, solid or gas
(a) listed,  identified  or  designated  as  hazardous or toxic to a level which
requires  remediation under any Environmental Law; (b) which,  applying criteria
specified in any  Environmental  Law, is  hazardous or toxic;  or (c) the use or
disposal of which is regulated under Environmental Law.

         "IRA"  means an  "individual  retirement  account"  or similar  account
created  by  a  trust  for  the  exclusive  benefit  of  an  individual  or  his
beneficiaries in accordance with the provisions of Section 408 of the Code.

         "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

         "Keogh  Account" means an account created by a trust for the benefit of
employees (some or all of whom are  owner-employees)  and that complies with the
provisions of Section 401 of the Code. No Keogh Accounts are being sold.

         "Landlord Consents" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(e).

         "Lease  Agreement"  means a lease  entered  into  pursuant  to  Section
10.1(c) upon such specific terms and conditions as  contemplated by such Section
and such other commercially  reasonable terms and conditions as are customary in
a "triple net" lease of a bank branch facility.

         "Lease Assignment" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(d).

         "Liabilities" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

         "Loss"  means the amount of  losses,  liabilities,  damages  (including
forgiveness or cancellation of obligations) and expenses  (including  reasonable
expenses  of  investigation  and  reasonable  attorneys'  fees and  expenses  in
connection  with any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  incurred or suffered by the
indemnified  party or its Affiliates in connection with the matters described in
Section  12.1,  less  the  amount  of  the  economic  benefit  (if  any)  to the
indemnified party or its Affiliates occurring or reasonably anticipated to occur
in connection with any such damage,  loss,  liability or expense  (including Tax
benefits  obtainable  under  applicable law,  amounts  recovered under insurance
policies net of  deductibles,  recovery by setoffs or  counterclaims,  and other
economic benefits).

         "Material  Adverse Effect" means (a) with respect to Seller, a material
adverse effect on the business or direct  economic  results of operations of the
Branches, taken as a whole, or on the ability of Seller timely to consummate the
P&A  Transaction  as  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  and (b) with respect to
Purchaser,  a material adverse effect on the ability of Purchaser to perform any
of its  financial  or other  obligations  under this  Agreement,  including  the
ability of Purchaser  timely to consummate the P&A  Transaction  contemplated by
this  Agreement.  In determining  whether there has occurred a Material  Adverse
Effect  there  shall be  excluded  the  effect of any change in Federal or state
banking  laws or  regulations,  any  change  in GAAP  or  regulatory  accounting
principles, any adverse change in general economic conditions, including without
limitation  the interest  rate  environment,  or in the  depository  institution
industry generally.

         "OCC" means the Office of the  Comptroller of the Currency.

         "Order" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b).

         "Owned Real  Property"  means Real Property  where Seller owns both the
real property and improvements thereon that are used for Branches.

         "P&A  Transaction"  means  the  purchase  and  sale of  Assets  and the
assumption of Liabilities described in Sections 2.1 and 2.2.

         "Personal  Property" means the personal property of Seller,  located in
the  Branches,  which is defined on the personal  property and fixed assets list
previously provided to Purchaser;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, NONE OF THE FOLLOWING ARE
BEING SOLD: (1) teller terminals, Teller Vision and related equipment; (2) phone
equipment and related equipment;  and (3) personal property or equipment subject
to Personal  Property Lease, each of which such Personal Property Lease shall be
terminated  as of the  Closing.  In  addition,  all ATM's at the Branches may be
replaced,  at the option of Seller,  with IBM (Model Number  3624-12) or similar
machine prior to Closing Such replacement  ATM's  ("Replacement  ATM's") will be
sold at a fixed price per ATM unit of $10,000.00. If, prior to the Closing Date,
an item of Personal  Property is stolen,  destroyed or otherwise lost, such item
shall be excluded from the P&A Transaction,  and the term "Personal Property" as
used herein shall  exclude such item.  If, prior to the Closing Date, an item of
Personal Property is damaged by fire or other casualty, such item, if reasonably
repairable,  shall be sold to  Purchaser  (in  accordance  with  the  provisions
hereof) and the  insurance  proceeds  relating to such item shall be assigned to
Purchaser, it being understood that if such item is not reasonably repairable or
is  underinsured  or uninsured,  it shall be excluded from the P&A  Transaction.
Personal  Property,  for  purposes  of what is being  sold  hereunder,  does not
include any personal  property of Seller  located in the Real Property  which is
not in the branch  banking  office and is not  necessary to the operation of the
branch  banking  office (e.g.,  personal  property  associated  with  non-branch
banking offices of Seller which may be located in the Real Property).

         "Personal  Property  Leases" means the leases under which Seller leases
certain Personal  Property in the Branch.  Seller shall cancel all such Personal
Property Leases as of the Closing.

         "Purchase Price" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

         "Real  Property"  means  the  parcels  of real  property  on which  the
Branches listed on Schedule 1.1(b) are located,  including any  improvements and
tenant improvements and trade fixtures thereon, which Schedule indicates whether
or not such real property is Owned Real Property.

         "Records"  means all paper  records and  original  documents,  or where
reasonable and appropriate copies thereof,  in Seller's  possession that pertain
to and are  utilized  by Seller to  administer,  reflect,  monitor,  evidence or
record information respecting the business or conduct of the Branches (including
transaction tickets through the Closing Date and all records for closed accounts
located in Branches and excluding any other transaction  tickets and records for
closed  accounts)  and  all  such  records  and  original  documents,  or  where
reasonable  and  appropriate  copies  thereof,  regarding  the  Assets,  or  the
Deposits,  or to comply with  applicable  laws and  governmental  regulations to
which the Deposits are subject,  including but not limited to unclaimed property
and escheat laws.  Notwithstanding  the above,  Seller may provide copies of all
Records.   Seller  is  not   required   to  deliver  any  data   processing   or
electronic/image  type records commingled with other records of Seller unrelated
to the Branches and Seller is not required to deliver any account  history which
is prior to forty-five  (45) days prior to Closing.  In addition,  Seller is not
required  to  deliver  any  risk-management   information  regarding  customers,
including  without  limitation  credit-scoring  formulas,  daylight  over  draft
limits,  stop payment or overdraft  history more than forty-five (45) days prior
to Closing.

         "Regulatory Approvals" means all approvals, authorizations,  waivers or
consents of or notices to any governmental  agencies or authorities required for
or in connection with consummation of the P&A Transaction.

         "Safe Deposit Agreements" means the agreements relating to safe deposit
boxes located in the Branches.

         "Seller's knowledge" or other similar phrases means information that is
actually  known to any  officer  of Seller  who  holds the title of Senior  Vice
President  or  above  and has  responsibility  with  respect  to  management  of
operations conducted at the Branches.

         "Tax  Returns"  means any return or other  report  required to be filed
with respect to any Tax, including  declaration of estimated tax and information
returns.

         "Taxes" means any federal,  state,  local, or foreign taxes,  including
but not limited to taxes on or measured by income, estimated income,  franchise,
capital stock,  employee's withholding,  non-resident alien withholding,  backup
withholding, social security, occupation, unemployment,  disability, value added
taxes, taxes on services, real property,  personal property, sales, use, excise,
transfer,  gross receipts,  inventory and merchandise,  business privilege,  and
other taxes or governmental  fees or charges or amounts  required to be withheld
and paid over to any  government  in respect of any tax or  governmental  fee or
charge, including any interest,  penalties, or additions to tax on the foregoing
whether or not disputed.

         "Tenant  Leases" means leases or subleases  between Seller and tenants,
if any, listed on Schedule 5.4.

         "Title Company" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(a).

         "Title Policy" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(b).

         "Title Reports" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(a).

         "Transaction Account" means any account at a Branch in respect of which
deposits  therein are  withdrawable  in practice upon demand or upon which third
party  drafts  may  be  drawn  by the  depositor,  including  checking  account,
negotiable order of withdrawal accounts and money market deposit accounts.

         "Transferred Employees" means Branch Employees employed by Purchaser on
and after the Closing Date.

         1.2 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not otherwise defined herein
shall  have  the  respective  meanings  assigned  to  them  in  accordance  with
consistently applied generally accepted accounting  principles as in effect from
time to time in the United States of America ("GAAP").

         1.3 Interpretation.  The captions or headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and in no way define,  limit or describe the scope
or intent of any  provisions or Sections of this  Agreement.  All  references in
this Agreement to particular Articles or Sections are references to the Articles
or Sections of this Agreement, unless some other reference is clearly indicated.
In this Agreement,  unless the context otherwise requires,  (i) words describing
the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa, (ii) words denoting
any gender shall include all genders and (iii) the word  "including"  shall mean
"including without  limitation." The rule of construction  against the draftsman
shall not be applied in interpreting and construing this Agreement.


                                    ARTICLE 2
                               THE P&A TRANSACTION

         2.1  Purchase  and  Sale  of  Assets.  (a)  Subject  to the  terms  and
conditions  set forth in this  Agreement,  at the  Closing,  Seller shall grant,
sell,  convey,  assign,  transfer and deliver to Purchaser,  and Purchaser shall
purchase and accept from Seller, all of Seller's right,  title and interest,  as
of the Closing Date, in and to the following (collectively, the "Assets"):
                   (i)     Cash on Hand;
                  (ii)     the Owned Real Property;
                 (iii)     the Personal Property
                  (iv)     the Branch Leases and Tenant Leases;
                   (v)     the Safe Deposit Agreements; and
                  (vi)     the Records

         (b) Purchaser  understands  and agrees that it is  purchasing  only the
Assets (and  assuming only the  Liabilities)  specified in this  Agreement  and,
except as may be expressly  provided  for in this  Agreement,  Purchaser  has no
interest in or right to any other  business  relationship  which Seller may have
with any customer of the Branches, including without limitation: (i) any deposit
account or other  service of Seller at any other  office of Seller  which may be
linked to the Deposits; (ii) any deposit account which sweeps from the Branch to
a third party;  (iii) any merchant card banking  business or any deposit account
associated  with any merchant  card banking  relationship;  and/or (iv) any cash
management service (e.g., sweep accounts, cash concentrator accounts, controlled
disbursement accounts) which Seller may provide to any customer of the Branches.
No credit card  relationships  are being sold. No loans are being sold. No right
to the use of any sign,  trade  name,  trademark  or service  mark,  if any,  of
Seller,  Wells  Fargo & Company  (parent of  Seller) or any of their  respective
Affiliates is being sold.

         2.2 Assumption of Liabilities.  (a) Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in this  Agreement,  at the  Closing,  Purchaser  shall  assume,  pay,
perform and discharge all duties,  responsibilities,  obligations or liabilities
of  Seller  (whether  accrued,   contingent  or  otherwise)  to  be  discharged,
performed,  satisfied or paid on or after the Closing Date,  with respect to the
following (collectively, the "Liabilities"):
                   (i)     the Deposits,  including  the  IRA  and  SEP accounts
             (except  those IRA and SEP accounts which are  excluded  under  the
             definition of Deposits) to the extent contemplated by Section 2.4;
                  (ii)     the Branch Leases, and Tenant Leases;
                 (iii)     the Safe Deposit Agreements; and
                  (iv)     the Assumed Severance Obligations.

         (b) Notwithstanding  anything  to  the  contrary  in  this  Agreement,
Purchaser  shall  not  assume  or be  bound  by  any  duties,  responsibilities,
obligations or liabilities of Seller, or of any of Seller's  Affiliates,  of any
kind or  nature,  known,  unknown,  contingent  or  otherwise,  other  than  the
Liabilities.

         2.3      Purchase Price.  The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for the
Assets shall be the sum of:

         (a) An amount equal to 6.51% of the average  daily  balance  (including
Accrued  Interest) of the Deposits  for the period  commencing  thirty (30) days
prior to and  inclusive  of the day prior to the Closing  Date and ending on the
day prior to the Closing Date;

         (b) The aggregate amount of Cash on Hand as of the Closing Date;

         (c) The aggregate net book value of all the Assets,  other than Cash on
Hand,  as  reflected  on the books of Seller as of the close of  business of the
month-end day most recently preceding the Closing Date;

         (d) The sum of $10,000.00 for each Replacement ATM; and

         (e) If,  through no material  fault of the Seller,  the Closing has not
occurred by September 18, 1997, the sum of $75,000.00 per Branch.

Purchaser has,  concurrently with Seller's  execution of this Agreement,  made a
good faith deposit to Seller, as consideration for entering into this Agreement,
in the amount of  Seventy-Five  Thousand  Dollars  ($75,000) per branch for each
Branch  which is the  subject of this  Agreement.  If the  Closing  occurs on or
before  July 18,  1997,  such good faith  deposit  shall be applied  against the
Purchase  Price.  If the  Closing  occurs  after July 18,  1997,  the good faith
deposit shall be retained by Seller  without  credit  against the Purchase Price
unless,  such  failure  to close by July 18,  1997  was the  result  of:(i)  the
material fault of Seller:(ii) regulatory moratorium,or (iii) delay by regulatory
authoriies,  provided that Purchaser, with the cooperation of Seller shall have
filed all requisite  regulatory  applications  within 15 calendar days after the
date of this  Agreement  (or, if a legal  holiday,  the next  business  day) and
Purchaser shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain such regulatory approval as
required by Section 7.3 of the Agreement.  Subject to the  foregoing,  such good
faith deposit shall be returned to purchaser if this Aggreement is terminated at
any time for a reason  other  than the  default  of  Purchaser.  Such good faith
deposit is  consideration  for entering into this Agreement,  is not intended as
liquidated  damages  and  shall  not in any way limit  Seller's  remedies  for a
default by Purchaser  hereunder.  No interest  shall be paid on such  good-faith
deposit.

         2.4 Assumption of IRA Account Deposits. (a) With respect to Deposits in
IRAs and SEPs (except  those IRA and SEP accounts  which are excluded  under the
definition of Deposits),  Seller will use reasonable  efforts and will cooperate
with Purchaser in taking any action  reasonably  necessary to accomplish  either
the  appointment  of  Purchaser  as successor  custodian  or the  delegation  to
Purchaser   (or  an  Affiliate  of   Purchaser)   of  Seller's   authority   and
responsibility  as custodian of all such IRA deposits except  self-directed  IRA
deposits,  including,  but not limited  to,  sending to the  depositors  thereof
appropriate   notices,   cooperating  with  Purchaser  (or  such  Affiliate)  in
soliciting   consents  from  such   depositors,   and  filing  any   appropriate
applications with applicable regulatory  authorities.  If any such delegation is
made to Purchaser  (or such  Affiliates),  Purchaser  (or such  Affiliate)  will
perform  all of the duties so  delegated  and comply  with the terms of Seller's
agreement with the depositor of the IRA deposits affected thereby.

         (b)  If,  notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  as  of  the  Closing  Date,
Purchaser  shall be unable to retain  deposit  liabilities  in respect of an IRA
Account,  such deposit  liabilities shall be excluded from Deposits for purposes
of this Agreement and shall constitute "Excluded IRA Account Deposits." No Keogh
Accounts are being sold.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                         CLOSING PROCEDURE; ADJUSTMENTS

         3.1 Closing. (a)  The Closing will be held at the offices of Seller at
420 Montgomery Street,  San Francisco  or such place as may be agreed to by the
parties.

         (b) The Closing Date shall be July 18, 1997,  or, if the Closing cannot
occur on such date, on a date and time as soon thereafter as practicable,  which
shall be no later than thirty (30) Business Days after receipt of all Regulatory
Approvals.

         3.2 Payment at Closing.  (a) At Closing,  Seller shall pay to Purchaser
the amount by which the aggregate  balance  (including  Accrued Interest) of the
Deposits exceeds the Estimated  Purchase Price (the "Estimated  Payment Amount")
or,  Purchaser  shall pay to Seller the amount by which the  Estimated  Purchase
Price  exceeds  the  aggregate  balance  (including  Accrued  Interest)  of  the
Deposits,  each as set  forth on the Draft  Closing  Statement  as  agreed  upon
between Seller and Purchaser.

         (b) All  payments to be made  hereunder by one party to the other shall
be made by wire  transfer  of  immediately  available  funds (in all cases to an
account specified in writing by Seller or Purchaser,  as the case may be, to the
other not later than the third (3rd)  Business Day prior to the Closing Date) on
or before  11:00 A.M.  local time on the date of  payment.  If any payment to be
made  hereunder  on the Closing Date (or any other date) shall not be made on or
before 11:00 A.M.  local time on such date,  and the amount  thereof  shall have
been agreed to in writing by the  parties  at  the  Closing  Date (or such other
payment date), the party responsible therefor may make such payment on or before
11:00 A.M. local time on the next Business Day  together  with  interest thereon
at the Federal Funds  Rate  applicable  from  the  Closing  Date  (or such other
payment date) to the  date  such  payment  is actually  made,  which in no event
shall be later than the fifth (5th) business day after such payment was due.

         (c) If any instrument of transfer contemplated herein shall be recorded
in any public  record  before the  Closing  and  thereafter  the  Closing is not
completed,  then at the request of such transferring  party the other party will
deliver (or execute and deliver) such  instruments and take such other action as
such  transferring  party  shall  reasonably  request to revoke  such  purported
transfer.

         3.3  Adjustment of Purchase  Price.  (a) On or before 12:00 noon on the
sixtieth (60th) day following the Closing Date (the "Adjustment  Date"),  Seller
shall deliver to Purchaser the Final Closing  Statement and shall make available
such work  papers,  schedules  and other  supporting  data as may be  reasonably
requested by Purchaser to enable it to verify the amounts set forth in the Final
Closing  Statement.  The Final Closing Statement shall also set forth the amount
(the  "Adjusted  Payment  Amount")  by which the  aggregate  amount of  Deposits
(including  Accrued  Interest) shown on the Final Closing Statement differs from
the Estimated Purchase Price.

         (b) The determination of the Adjusted Payment Amount shall be final and
binding on the parties  hereto  unless  within thirty (30) days after receipt by
Purchaser of the Final Closing  Statement,  Purchaser shall notify the Seller in
writing  of its  disagreement  with  any  amount  included  therein  or  omitted
therefrom,  in which case,  if the  parties  are unable to resolve the  disputed
items within ten (10)  Business  Days of the receipt by Seller of notice of such
disagreement,  such items shall be determined by an independent  accounting firm
selected by mutual agreement  between Seller and Purchaser;  provided,  however,
that in the event the fees of such firm as  estimated  by such firm would exceed
fifty  percent  (50%) of the net amount in dispute,  the parties agree that such
firm will not be  engaged  by either  party and that such net  amount in dispute
will be equally apportioned  between Seller and Purchaser.  Such accounting firm
shall be instructed to resolve the disputed  items within ten (10) Business Days
of engagement,  to the extent reasonably practicable.  The determination of such
accounting  firm shall be final and binding on the parties  hereto.  The fees of
any such accounting firm shall be divided equally between Seller and Purchaser.

         (c) On or before 12:00 Noon on the tenth (10th)  Business Day after the
Adjustment Date or, in the case of a dispute,  the date of the resolution of the
dispute  pursuant to subsection  3.3(b) above,  Seller shall pay to Purchaser an
amount  equal to the amount by which the  Adjusted  Payment  Amount  exceeds the
Estimated  Payment Amount,  plus interest on such excess amount from the Closing
Date to but  excluding  the payment  date,  at the Federal Funds Rate or, if the
Estimated  Payment Amount exceeds the Adjusted  Payment Amount,  Purchaser shall
pay to Seller an amount equal to such  excess,  plus  interest  from the Closing
Date to but excluding the payment date, at the Federal Funds Rate.  Any payments
required  by  Section  3.5 shall be made  contemporaneously  with the  foregoing
payment.

         3.4 Allocation of Purchase  Price.  (a) Purchaser and Seller agree that
upon final  determination  of the Purchase  Price,  the Purchase  Price shall be
allocated in a manner as  determined  by Purchaser  subject to Seller's  consent
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), after taking into
account any applicable  Treasury  Regulations  and the fair market value of such
items  and to be set  forth in a  statement,  dated  the  Adjustment  Date  (the
"Allocation Statement") prepared by Purchaser.

         (b) Purchaser and Seller shall report the  transaction  contemplated by
this Agreement (including income tax reporting  requirements imposed pursuant to
Section 1060 of the Code) in  accordance  with the  allocation  specified in the
Allocation Statement.  In the event any party hereto receives notice of an audit
in respect of the allocation of the Purchase Price specified herein,  such party
shall  immediately  notify the other party in writing as to the date and subject
of such audit.

         (c) If any Tax Return  filed by  Purchaser  or Seller  relating  to the
transactions  contemplated  hereby is  challenged by the taxing  authority  with
which such Tax Return was filed on the basis of the  allocation set forth in the
Allocation  Statement,  as finally  adjusted,  the filing party shall assert and
maintain in good faith the validity and  correctness of such  allocation  during
the audit  thereof  until the  issuance  by the  taxing  authority  of a "30 Day
Letter",  or a determination  of liability  equivalent  thereto,  to such party;
provided,  however,  that at any time such party shall, in its sole  discretion,
have the right to pay,  compromise,  settle,  dispute or otherwise deal with its
alleged tax liability.  If such a Tax Return is challenged as herein  described,
the party  filing  such Tax Return  shall keep the other  party  apprised of its
decisions and the current status and progress of all administrative and judicial
proceedings, if any, that are undertaken at the election of such party.

         3.5 Proration; Other Closing Date Adjustments.  (a) Except as otherwise
specifically provided in this Agreement, it is the intention of the parties that
Seller  will  operate  the  Branches  for  its own  account  until  11:59  P.M.,
California  time, the day prior to the Closing Date,  and that  Purchaser  shall
operate the  Branches,  hold the Assets and assume the  Liabilities  for its own
account on and after the Closing Date.  Thus,  except as otherwise  specifically
provided in this  Agreement,  items of income and  expense,  as defined  herein,
shall be  prorated  as of 11:59  P.M.,  California  time,  the day  prior to the
Closing  Date,  and settled  between  Seller and  Purchaser on the Closing Date,
whether or not such adjustment  would normally be made as of such time. Items of
proration  will be handled at Closing as an  adjustment  to the  Purchase  Price
unless otherwise agreed by the parties hereto.

         (b) For  purposes  of this  Agreement,  items of  proration  and  other
adjustments shall include, without limitation:  (i) rental payments and security
deposits under the Branch Leases and the Tenant Leases; (ii) sales and use taxes
and  personal  and real  property  taxes and  assessments;  (iii)  FDIC  deposit
insurance assessments;  (iv) wages, salaries and employee benefits and expenses;
(v) trustee or  custodian  fees on IRA  Accounts;  (vi)  adjustments  reflecting
exclusions from the Personal Property as provided for in the definition thereof;
and (vii) other prepaid  expenses and items and accrued but unpaid  liabilities,
as of the close of business on the day prior to the Closing  Date.  Safe deposit
rental payments previously received by Seller shall not be prorated.

         3.6      Seller Deliveries.  At the Closing, Seller shall  deliver  to
Purchaser:

         (a) Deeds in  substantially  the form of  Schedule  3.6(a)  (except  as
otherwise  required  by local  state  law),  pursuant  to which the  Owned  Real
Property  shall be  transferred  to Purchaser  "AS IS",  "WHERE IS" and with all
faults (the "Grant Deeds");

         (b) A bill of sale in substantially the form of Schedule 3.6(b) (except
as  otherwise  required  by local state  law),  pursuant  to which the  Personal
Property  shall be  transferred  to Purchaser  "AS IS",  "WHERE IS" and with all
faults;

         (c) An assignment and assumption agreement in substantially the form of
Schedule 3.6(c) (except as otherwise  required by local state law), with respect
to the Liabilities (the "Assignment and Assumption Agreement");

         (d) Lease  assignment and assumption  agreements in  substantially  the
form of Schedule  3.6(d) (except as otherwise  required by local state law) with
respect to each of the Branch Leases (the "Lease Assignments");

         (e)  Subject  to the  provisions  of  Section  7.4,  such  consents  of
landlords under the Branch Leases, as shall be required pursuant to the terms of
such Branch  Leases,  to the  assignment  of the Branch  Leases to  Purchaser in
substantially the form of Schedule 3.6(e) (except as otherwise required by local
state law), (the "Landlord Consents");

         (f) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, such consents as shall be
required  pursuant to the terms of the Tenant  Leases and the Personal  Property
Leases in connection with the assignments thereof to Purchaser;

         (g)      An Officer's Certificate in substantially the form of Schedule
 3.6(g);

         (h) An opinion of Seller's in-house counsel, dated the Closing Date, in
form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to Purchaser  substantially  to the
effect that:
                   (i) Seller is a national banking association,  duly organized
         and  validly  existing  under the laws of the United  States,  with all
         requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform
         this Agreement;

                  (ii) all Regulatory  Approvals  required to have been obtained
         by Seller or its  Affiliates  have been  obtained and are in full force
         and effect; and

                 (iii) this  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed and
         delivered by Seller and  (assuming  due  authorization,  execution  and
         delivery by  Purchaser)  is a valid and legally  binding  obligation of
         Seller enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,
         insolvency,  fraudulent  transfers,   reorganization,   moratorium  and
         similar  laws  of  general  applicability   relating  to  or  affecting
         creditors' rights and to general equity principles;

         (i)      The Draft Closing Statement;

         (j) Seller's resignation as trustee or custodian,  as applicable,  with
respect  to each  IRA  Account  included  in the  Deposits  and  designation  of
Purchaser as successor trustee or custodian with respect thereto as contemplated
by Section 2.4;

         (k) All  documentation  required to exempt Seller from the  withholding
requirement of Section 1445 of the Code,  consisting of an affidavit from Seller
to Purchaser  under  penalty of perjury that Seller is not a foreign  person and
providing Seller's U.S. taxpayer identification number; and

         (l)      Such  other documents as the parties determine are reasonably
necessary to consummate the P&A Transaction as contemplated hereby.

         3.7      Purchaser Deliveries.  At the Closing, Purchaser shall deliver
 to Seller:

         (a)      The Assignment and Assumption Agreement;

         (b) Purchaser's  acceptance of its appointment as successor  trustee or
custodian,  as  applicable,  of the IRA  Accounts  included in the  Deposits and
assumption of the fiduciary obligations of the trustee or custodian with respect
thereto, as contemplated by Section 2.4;

         (c) The Lease  Assignments  and, as  contemplated  by Section 7.4, such
other  instruments  and  documents  as any  landlord  under a Branch  Lease  may
reasonably require as necessary or desirable for providing for the assumption by
Purchaser of a Branch Lease,  each such  instrument and document in the form and
substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  parties and dated as of the Closing
Date;

         (d)    An Officer's Certificate in the form of Schedule 3.7(d) attached
 hereto;

         (e) An opinion of Purchaser's  in-house or outside  counsel,  dated the
Closing  Date,  in  form  and  substance  reasonably   satisfactory  to  Seller,
substantially to the effect that:

                   (i) Purchaser is a  corporation,  duly  organized and validly
         existing  under  the laws of the  United  States,  with  all  requisite
         corporate  power and  authority  to execute,  deliver and perform  this
         Agreement;

                  (ii) all Regulatory  Approvals  required to have been obtained
         by Purchaser or its Affiliates have been obtained and are in full force
         and effect; and

                 (iii) this  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed and
         delivered by Purchaser and (assuming due  authorization,  execution and
         delivery  by  Seller)  is a valid and  legally  binding  obligation  of
         Purchaser   enforceable  in  accordance  with  its  terms,  subject  to
         bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium
         and similar  laws of general  applicability  relating  to or  affecting
         creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and

         (f)      Such  other documents as the parties determine are reasonably
necessary to consummate the P&A Transaction as contemplated hereby.

         3.8      [intentionally left blank]

         3.9 Owned  Real  Property  Filings.  On or prior to the  Closing  Date,
Seller  shall  file or  record,  or cause to be filed or  recorded,  any and all
documents  (including,  without  limitation,  deeds) necessary in order that the
legal  and  equitable  title to Owned  Real  Property  shall be duly  vested  in
Purchaser as of the Closing Date.  Any expenses or  documentary  transfer  taxes
with  respect to such  filings  and all escrow  closing  costs shall be borne by
Purchaser.

         3.10 Title  Policies.  (a)  Purchaser has  previously  been provided by
Seller, at its own expense, a preliminary title report (the "Title Reports") for
all the Owned  Real  Property  issued  by  Chicago  Title  Company  (the  "Title
Company"),  Purchaser  has had an  opportunity  to review such Title Reports and
Purchaser  hereby  approves the condition of title with respect to all the Owned
Real Property being purchased hereunder.

         (b) Purchaser shall, at its own expense,  obtain as of the Closing Date
an ALTA (standard  coverage) title insurance  policy (i.e.,  the equivalent of a
CLTA  owner's  title  policy)  from the Title  Company (a "Title  Policy")  with
respect to all the Owned Real Property.  Seller will cooperate with Purchaser in
assisting  Purchaser to obtain (at  Purchaser's  expense)  such Title  Policies,
including  without  limitation  only  such  endorsements  as may  be  reasonably
necessary  to insure  that such  Owned  Real  Property  is free and clear of any
Encumbrance not shown on the Title Reports which would  materially and adversely
affect the value or marketability of title thereto.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                              TRANSITIONAL MATTERS

         4.1      Transitional  Arrangements.   Seller  and   Purchaser agree to
cooperate and to proceed as follows  to  effect  the transfer of account  record
responsibility for the Branches:

         (a)  Not  later  than  thirty  (30)  days  after  the  signing  of this
Agreement,  Seller will meet with  Purchaser to  investigate,  confirm and agree
upon mutually acceptable  transaction  settlement procedures and specifications,
files,   procedures   and   schedules,   for  the  transfer  of  account  record
responsibility;  provided, however it being understood and agreed that Seller is
not obligated  under this Agreement to provide  Purchaser any system  conversion
files  regarding  the  Deposits  other  than a standard  format  IBM  compatible
standard  label  tape  conversion  tape  (i.e.,  not one  which is  specifically
formatted for Purchaser's systems specifications);  and provided,  further, that
Seller is not  obligated to provide  Purchaser  with any  information  regarding
Seller's  relationship  with the customers  outside of the Branch  (e.g.,  other
customer products, house-holding information).

         (b)      [intentionally left blank]

         4.2      Customers.  (a)  Not later than thirty (30) days prior  to the
Closing Date (unless earlier required by law),

                   (i)  Seller  will  notify  the  holders  of  Deposits  to  be
         transferred  on  the  Closing  Date  that,  subject  to the  terms  and
         conditions of this Agreement,  Purchaser will be assuming liability for
         such Deposits;

                  (ii) each of Seller and Purchaser  shall  provide,  or join in
         providing where  appropriate,  all notices to customers of the Branches
         and other  persons  that  Seller or  Purchaser,  as the case may be, is
         required  to  give  under  applicable  law or the  terms  of any  other
         agreement  between  Seller  and any  customer  in  connection  with the
         transactions contemplated hereby; and

                 (iii) following or concurrently  with the notice referred to in
         clause  (i)  above,   Purchaser  may   communicate   with  and  deliver
         information,   brochures,   bulletins  and  other   communications   to
         depositors  and other  customers  of the  Branches  concerning  the P&A
         Transaction and the business of Purchaser. A party proposing to send or
         publish any notice or  communication  pursuant to any paragraph of this
         Section  4.2 shall  furnish to the other  party a copy of the  proposed
         form of such notice or  communication at least five (5) days in advance
         of  the  proposed  date  of  the  first  mailing,   posting,  or  other
         dissemination  thereof to customers,  and shall not unreasonably refuse
         to amend such notice to  incorporate  any  changes  that the other such
         party  proposes as necessary to comply with  applicable  law. All costs
         and  expenses  of any  notice or  communication  sent or  published  by
         Purchaser or Seller shall be the  responsibility  of the party  sending
         such notice or  communication  and all costs and  expenses of any joint
         notice  or  communication   shall  be  shared  equally  by  Seller  and
         Purchaser.  As soon as reasonably  practicable  and in any event within
         forty-five  (45)  days of the date  hereof,  Seller  shall  provide  to
         Purchaser  a report  of the names and  addresses  of the  owners of the
         Deposits and the lessees of the safe deposit boxes in  connection  with
         the mailing of such materials,  which report shall be current as of the
         date hereof.

         (b)  Following  the giving of any notice  described  in  paragraph  (a)
above,  Purchaser  and Seller  shall  deliver to each new customer at any of the
Branches  such notice or notices as may be  reasonably  necessary to notify such
new customers of  Purchaser's  pending  assumption of liability for the Deposits
and to comply with  applicable  law. The cost of such  notices  shall be paid by
Purchaser. As soon as practicable after the execution of this Agreement,  Seller
will provide  Purchaser with account  information,  including  complete  mailing
addresses for each of the  depositors  of the Deposits as of a recent date,  and
upon  reasonable  request  shall  provide  an updated  version of such  records;
provided,  however,  that Seller  shall not be obligated to provide such updated
records more than twice.

         (c)  Notwithstanding  the provisions of Section 7.6, neither  Purchaser
nor Seller shall object to the use, by depositors  of the  Deposits,  of payment
orders issued to or ordered by such  depositors on or prior to the Closing Date,
which payment orders bear the name, or any logo, trademark,  service mark, trade
name or the proprietary mark of Wells Fargo Bank or any of its Affiliates.

         4.3 Direct Deposits. Seller will use all reasonable efforts to transfer
to  Purchaser  on the Closing  Date all of those  automated  clearing  house and
FedWire  direct  deposit  arrangements  related (by agreement or other  standing
arrangement)  to Deposits.  On each Business Day for a period of four (4) months
following the Closing,  in the case of automated  clearing house direct deposits
to accounts containing Deposits (the final Business Day of such period being the
"ACH Direct  Deposit  Cut-Off  Date"),  Seller shall  transfer to Purchaser  all
received  ACH Direct  Deposits  three times each  Business Day at: 6:30 am, 2:30
p.m. and midnight,  Pacific  Standard Time.  Such transfers shall contain Direct
Deposits  effective  for that  Business Day only.  On each  Business  Day, for a
period of thirty (30) days following the Closing Date (the final Business Day of
such period being the "FedWire Direct Deposit Cut-Off Date"),  FedWires received
by Seller  shall be  returned  (as soon as is  possible  after  receipt)  to the
originator  with  an  indication  of  Purchaser's   correct  Wire  Room  contact
information  and an  instruction  that  such wire  should be sent to  Purchaser.
Compensation for ACH direct deposits or FedWire direct deposits not forwarded to
Purchaser on the same  Business  Day as that on which  Seller has received  such
deposits will be handled in accordance with the rules  established by the United
States Council on  International  Banking.  After the applicable  Direct Deposit
Cut-Off Date, Seller may discontinue accepting and forwarding automated clearing
house and  FedWire  entries  and funds and return  such  direct  deposits to the
originators  marked  "Account  Closed."  Seller  shall  not be  liable  for  any
overdrafts  that may thereby be created.  Purchaser  and Seller shall agree on a
reasonable  period of time prior to the  Closing  during  which  Seller  will no
longer be obligated  to accept new direct  deposit  arrangements  related to the
Branches.  At the time of each  Direct  Deposit  Cut-off  Date,  Purchaser  will
provide automated clearing housing  originators with account numbers relating to
Deposits.

         4.4  Direct  Debit.  As soon as  practicable  after  execution  of this
Agreement,  and after the notice provided in Section 4.2(a), Purchaser will send
appropriate  notice to all customers having accounts  constituting  Deposits the
terms of which  provide  for direct  debit of such  accounts  by third  parties,
instructing  such  customers   concerning  transfer  of  customer  direct  debit
authorizations  from Seller to Purchaser.  Seller shall  cooperate in soliciting
the transfer of such authorizations. Such notice shall be in a form agreed to by
the parties.  For a period of four (4) months following the Closing Date, Seller
shall transfer to Purchaser all received direct debits on accounts  constituting
Deposits  three times each  Business  Day: at 6:30 am; 2:30 p.m.;  and midnight,
Pacific  Standard Time. Such transfers shall contain direct debits effective for
that  Business Day only.  Thereafter,  Seller may  discontinue  forwarding  such
entries and return them to the originators  marked "Account  Closed."  Purchaser
and Seller  shall  agree on a  reasonable  period of time  prior to the  Closing
during  which  Seller  will no longer be  obligated  to accept new direct  debit
arrangements  related to the  Branches.  On the  Closing  Date,  Purchaser  will
provide automated  clearing house originators of such direct debits with account
numbers.

         4.5     Escheat Deposits. After Closing no currently escheated deposits
are being sold.  Purchaser  shall be solely responsible for the proper reporting
and transmission to the appropriate of such Escheat Deposits.

         4.6  Maintenance  of Records.  Through the  Closing  Date,  Seller will
maintain the Records  relating to the Assets and  Liabilities in the same manner
and with the same  care  that the  Records  have  been  maintained  prior to the
execution of this Agreement. Purchaser may, at its own expense, make such copies
of and excerpts from the Records as it may deem desirable.  All Records, whether
held by  Purchaser  or  Seller,  shall be  maintained  for such  periods  as are
required by law, unless the parties shall,  applicable law permitting,  agree in
writing to a  different  period.  From and after the Closing  Date,  each of the
parties shall permit the other  reasonable  access to any applicable  Records in
its  possession  relating to matters  arising on or before the Closing  Date and
reasonably necessary in connection with any claim,  action,  litigation or other
proceeding  involving  the  party  requesting  access  to  such  Records  or  in
connection with any legal obligation owed by such party to any present or former
depositor or other customer.

         4.7  Interest  Reporting  and  Withholding.  (a) Seller  will report to
applicable  taxing  authorities  and holders of  Deposits,  with  respect to the
period  from  January  1 of the year in which the  Closing  occurs  through  the
Closing Date, all interest  (including for purposes  hereof  dividends and other
distributions  with respect to money market accounts) credited to, withheld from
and any early  withdrawal  penalties  imposed upon the Deposits.  Purchaser will
report to the  applicable  taxing  authorities  and  holders of  Deposits,  with
respect to all periods from the day after the Closing  Date,  all such  interest
credited to,  withheld  from and early  withdrawal  penalties  imposed upon such
Deposits.  Any amounts required by any governmental agencies to be withheld from
any of the  Deposits  through  the  Closing  Date will be  withheld by Seller in
accordance  with  applicable  law or  appropriate  notice from any  governmental
agency and will be remitted by Seller to the  appropriate  agency on or prior to
the applicable due date. Any such withholding  required to be made subsequent to
the Closing Date shall be withheld by Purchaser in  accordance  with  applicable
law or the appropriate notice from any governmental  agency and will be remitted
by Purchaser to the  appropriate  agency on or prior to the applicable due date.
Promptly  after the Closing Date,  but in no event later than the date Purchaser
is obligated to remit such amounts to the applicable governmental agency, Seller
will pay to Purchaser  that portion of any sums  theretofore  withheld by Seller
from any Deposits which are required to be remitted by Purchaser pursuant to the
foregoing and shall directly remit to the  applicable  governmental  agency that
portion of any such sums which are required to be remitted by Seller.

         (b)  Seller  shall be  responsible  for  delivering  to payees  all IRS
notices with respect to  information  reporting and tax  identification  numbers
required to be delivered  through the Closing Date with respect to the Deposits,
and Purchaser  shall be  responsible  for  delivering to payees all such notices
required  to be  delivered  following  the  Closing  Date  with  respect  to the
Deposits.  Purchaser  and Seller shall,  prior to the Closing Date,  consult and
Seller shall take reasonable actions as are necessary to permit Purchaser timely
to deliver such IRS notices required to be delivered following the Closing Date.

         4.8 Negotiable  Instruments.  Seller will remove any supply of Seller's
money  orders,  official  checks,  gift checks,  travelers'  checks or any other
negotiable instruments located at each of the Branches on the Closing Date.

         4.9 ATM/Debit  Cards; POS Cards.  Seller will provide  Purchaser with a
list of ATM access/debit cards and Point-of-Sale  ("POS") cards issued by Seller
to  depositors  of any  Deposits,  and a record  thereof in a format  reasonably
agreed  to by  the  parties  containing  all  addresses  therefor,  as  soon  as
practicable after execution of this Agreement. At or promptly after the Closing,
Seller will provide  Purchaser  with a revised  record  through the Closing.  In
instances where a depositor of a Deposit made an assertion of error regarding an
account constituting  Deposits pursuant to the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and
Federal Reserve Board Regulation E, and Seller, prior to the Closing, recredited
the  disputed  amount to the  relevant  account  during the conduct of the error
investigation,  Purchaser agrees to comply with a written request from Seller to
debit such  account in a stated  amount and remit such amount to Seller,  to the
extent of the  balance of funds  available  in the  accounts.  Seller  agrees to
indemnify  Purchaser  for any  claims or losses  that  Purchaser  may incur as a
result of complying  with such request from Seller.  Seller will not be required
to disclose to Purchaser customers' PINs or algorithms or logic used to generate
PINs.  Purchaser  shall  reissue ATM  access/debit  cards to  depositors  of any
Deposits  prior to the Closing  Date,  which cards shall be  effective as of the
Closing Date.  Purchaser and Seller agree to settle any and all ATM transactions
and POS transactions effected on or before the Closing Date, but processed after
the  Closing  Date,  as soon as  practicable.  In  addition,  Purchaser  assumes
responsibility  for and  agrees  to pay on  presentation  all  POS  transactions
initiated before or after the Closing with Visa Gold Check Cards and MasterMoney
Cards issued by Seller to access Trasaction Accounts.

         4.10    Leasing of Personal Property.  Seller shall cancel or terminate
any Personal Property Leases as of the Closing Date.

         4.11 Handling of Certain Items.  (a) As soon as  practicable  after the
Closing Date, Purchaser shall mail to each depositor in respect of a Transaction
Account (i) a letter approved by Seller requesting that such depositor  promptly
cease writing  Seller's  drafts  against such  Transaction  Account and (ii) new
drafts which such depositor may draw upon Purchaser for the purpose of effecting
transactions with respect to such Transaction Accounts. The parties hereto shall
use their best efforts to develop procedures which cause Seller's drafts against
Transaction  Accounts  which are  received  after the Closing Date to be cleared
through Purchaser's then-current clearing procedures. During the ninety (90) day
period  after the  Closing  Date,  if it is not  possible  to clear  Transaction
Account drafts through  Purchaser's  then-current  clearing  procedures,  Seller
shall  forward to  Purchaser  as soon as  practicable  but in no event more than
three (3)  Business  Days after  receipt all  Transaction  Account  drafts drawn
against  Transaction  Accounts.  Seller  shall  have no  obligation  to pay such
forwarded  Transaction  Account drafts.  Upon the expiration of such ninety (90)
day period,  Seller shall cease forwarding drafts against Transaction  Accounts.
Seller shall be  compensated  for its processing of the drafts during the ninety
(90) day period  following  the Closing Date in  accordance  with  Schedule 4.11
hereto.

         (b) Any items that were  credited  for  deposit to or cashed  against a
Deposit  prior to the Closing and are  returned  unpaid on or within  sixty (60)
days after the  Closing  Date  ("Returned  Items")  will be handled as set forth
herein.  If Seller's bank account is charged for the Returned Item, Seller shall
forward such  Returned Item to Purchaser.  If upon  Purchaser's  receipt of such
Returned Item there are  sufficient  funds in the Deposit to which such Returned
Item was credited or any other Deposit  transferred  at the Closing  standing in
the name of the party liable for such Returned Item, Purchaser will debit any or
all of such Deposits an amount equal in the aggregate to the Returned  Item, and
shall  repay that  amount to Seller.  If there are not  sufficient  funds in the
Deposit  because of  Purchaser's  failure to honor holds placed on such Deposit,
Purchaser shall repay the amount of the Returned Item to Seller.  Any items that
were credited for deposit to or cashed  against an account at the Branches to be
transferred  at the Closing  prior to the Closing and are  returned  unpaid more
than sixty (60) days after the Closing will be the  responsibility of Purchaser,
except that for a period of eighteen (18) months after the Closing  checks drawn
on  the  United  States  Treasury,   checks  issued  by  state  governments  and
municipalities  and checks returned for endorsement  irregularities  will be the
responsibility of Seller.


                                    ARTICLE 5
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

         Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows:

         5.1 Corporate Organization and Authority. As of the date hereof, Seller
is a national banking  association,  duly organized and validly existing in good
standing  under the laws of the United  States of America and has the  requisite
power and authority to conduct the business now being conducted at the Branches.
Seller  has the  requisite  corporate  power  and  authority  and has  taken all
corporate action necessary in order to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby. This Agreement is a valid and
binding agreement of Seller enforceable in accordance with its terms subject, as
to enforcement, to bankruptcy,  insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium  and similar laws of general  applicability  relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

         5.2 No  Conflicts.  The  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this
Agreement  by Seller does not,  and will not,  (i) violate any  provision of its
charter or by-laws or (ii) violate or constitute a breach of, or default  under,
any law,  rule,  regulation,  judgment,  decree,  ruling or order of any  court,
government  or  governmental  agency  to which  Seller is  subject  or under any
agreement  or  instrument  of Seller,  or to which Seller is subject or by which
Seller is otherwise  bound,  which violation,  breach,  contravention or default
referred to in this clause (ii), individually or in the aggregate,  would have a
Material  Adverse  Effect  (assuming  the  receipt of any  required  consents of
lessors under the Branch Leases and Personal  Property  Leases).  Seller has all
material  licenses,  franchises,  permits,  certificates of public  convenience,
orders and other authorizations of all federal,  state and local governments and
governmental  authorities  necessary  for the lawful  conduct of its business at
each of the  Branches  as now  conducted  and  all  such  licenses,  franchises,
permits,  certificates of public convenience,  orders and other  authorizations,
are valid and in good  standing and, to Sellers'  knowledge,  are not subject to
any suspension, modification or revocation or proceedings related thereto.

         5.3 Approvals and Consents.  Other than the Regulatory  Approvals or as
otherwise  disclosed in writing to Purchaser by Seller prior to the date hereof,
no notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by Seller with, nor
are any consents,  registrations,  approvals, permits or authorizations required
to be obtained by Seller from, any governmental or regulatory authorities of the
United  States  or the  several  States in  connection  with the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement by Seller and the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby by  Seller,  the  failure  to make or obtain  any or all of
which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

         5.4  Tenants.  Except for the tenants  listed on Schedule  5.4 attached
hereto, there are no tenants or other occupants of the Real Property.

         5.5 Leases.  Each Branch Lease and each Personal  Property Lease is the
valid and binding obligation of Seller and, to Seller's knowledge, of each other
party  thereto;  and there does not exist with  respect to Seller's  obligations
thereunder,  or, to Seller's  knowledge,  with respect to the obligations of the
lessor thereof,  any material  default,  or event or condition which constitutes
or, after notice or passage of time or both, would constitute a material default
on the part of Seller or the  lessor  under any such  Branch  Lease or  Personal
Property Lease. As used in the immediately preceding sentence, the term "lessor"
includes any  sub-lessor  of the property to Seller.  Each Branch Lease and each
material Personal Property Lease is current and all rents,  expenses and charges
payable by Seller  thereunder  have been paid or accrued  pursuant  to the terms
thereof  (except  for  any  payments  not  yet  delinquent  or as to  which  the
obligation  to make such payment is being  contested  in good  faith).  Accurate
copies of each Branch Lease have heretofore been made available to Purchaser.

         5.6  Litigation  and  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except as set forth in
Schedule 5.6, there are no actions,  suits or proceedings that have a reasonable
likelihood  of an  adverse  determination  pending  or, to  Seller's  knowledge,
threatened against Seller or any of the Branches,  or obligations or liabilities
(whether or not accrued,  contingent  or  otherwise)  or to Seller's  knowledge,
facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in any claims
against or obligations or  liabilities  of Seller that,  individually  or in the
aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

         5.7 Regulatory Matters.  (a) Except as previously  disclosed in writing
to  Purchaser,  there  are no  pending,  or to  Seller's  knowledge  threatened,
disputes  or  controversies  between  Seller  and any  federal,  state  or local
governmental agency or authority that,  individually or in the aggregate,  would
have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (b) Seller is not a party to any written  order,  decree,  agreement or
memorandum or understanding with, or commitment letter or similar submission to,
any  federal  or  state  governmental  agency  or  authority  charged  with  the
supervision  or  regulation  of  depository  institutions,  nor has Seller  been
advised by any such  agency or  authority  that it is  contemplating  issuing or
requesting (or is considering the  appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any
such order, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding, commitment letter of
submission, in each case which,  individually or in the aggregate,  would have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         5.9 Compliance With Laws. The banking business of the Branches has been
conducted in compliance with all federal,  state and local laws, regulations and
ordinances applicable thereto, except for any failures to comply that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         5.10     [intentionally omitted]

         5.11     Financial and Deposit Data. To Seller's knowledge, all written
financial and Deposit  information regarding the Assets and Liabilities provided
to Purchaser by Seller was  accurate  in  all  material  respects as of the date
thereof.

         5.12 Records. The Records respecting the operations of the Branches and
the Assets and Liabilities  accurately  reflect in all material respects the net
book  value  of the  Assets  and  Liabilities  being  transferred  to  Purchaser
hereunder.  The Records include all information  reasonably necessary to service
the Deposits on an ongoing basis.

         5.13  Title to  Assets.  Subject  to the terms and  conditions  of this
Agreement, on the Closing Date Purchaser will acquire, good and marketable title
to all of the material  Assets,  free and clear of any  Encumbrances;  provided,
however,  that this  representation  does not cover  Owned Real  Property  (with
respect to which Seller has  provided a Title Report and  Purchaser is to obtain
its own Title Policy pursuant to Section 3.10), Branch Leases or Tenant Leases.

         5.14 Branch  Leases.  The Branch Leases give Seller the right to occupy
the building and land  comprising  the related  Branch.  Accurate  copies of all
Branch  Leases  and  all  attachments,   amendments  and  addenda  thereto  have
heretofore been made available to Purchaser.  To Seller's knowledge,  the Branch
Leases  constitute  valid and legally  binding  leasehold  interests  of Seller.
Except  as  described  on  Schedule  5.4,   there  are  no  leases,   subleases,
occupancies, tenancies or rights of first refusal relating to any Branch created
or suffered to exist by Seller or, to Seller's knowledge, created or suffered to
exist by any other person.

         5.15 Deposits.  All of the Deposit accounts have been administered and,
to Seller's  knowledge,  originated,  in compliance with the documents governing
the  relevant  type of Deposit  account  and all  applicable  laws.  The Deposit
accounts  are insured by the Bank  Insurance  Fund of the FDIC up to the current
applicable maximum limits,  and no action is pending or, to Seller's  knowledge,
threatened by the FDIC with respect to the termination of such insurance.

         5.16 Environmental Laws; Hazardous  Substances.  To Seller's knowledge,
except as disclosed on Schedule  5.16, or as would not,  individually  or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, each parcel of Real Property:

         (a)   has  been  operated  by Seller in compliance  with all applicable
Environmental Laws;

         (b)   is not  the  subject  of  any  pending  written  notice  from any
governmental authority alleging the violation of  any  applicable  Environmental
Laws;

         (c)   is not currently subject to any court order, administrative order
or decree arising under any Environmental Law;

         (d) has not been used  during  the  period  of  Seller's  ownership  or
occupancy of such Real Property for the disposal of Hazardous  Substances and is
not contaminated with any Hazardous Substances  requiring  remediation under any
applicable Environmental Law; and

         (e) has not,  during the period of Seller's  ownership  or occupancy of
such Real Property,  had any release of Hazardous Substances except as permitted
under applicable Environmental Laws.

         For purposes of this Section  5.16,  with respect to the parcels  which
are subject to Branch Leases and Tenant Leases,  "Seller's knowledge" shall mean
that an officer of Seller who holds the title of Senior Vice  President or above
and has responsibility with respect to management of operations conducted at the
Branches on such parcels has received  actual  written  notice from the landlord
that any one of the representations in (a) through (e) above is not correct.

         5.17    Broker's Fees.  Except for Montgomery Securities, no broker has
been employed by or on behalf  of  Seller  in  connection  with the transactions
contemplated  by  this  Agreement.   Seller  will  pay  the  fees  of Montgomery
Securities.

         5.18  Limitations on  Representations  and Warranties.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary  contained  herein Seller makes no  representations  or
warranties  to Purchaser in this  Agreement or in any  agreement,  instrument or
other document executed in connection with any of the transactions  contemplated
hereby or provided or prepared  pursuant hereto or in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated hereby:

         (a) As to title to Owned Real Property or as to the physical  condition
(including,  without  limitation,  ability to withstand  seismic  events) of the
Branches or Personal  Property,  all of which are being sold "AS IS", "WHERE IS"
and with all faults at the Closing Date; or

         (b) As to whether,  or the length of time during  which,  any  accounts
will be maintained by the depositors at the Branches after the Closing Date.


                                    ARTICLE 6
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

         Purchaser represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

         6.1 Corporate  Organization and Authority.  Purchaser is a corporation,
duly organized and validly  existing under the laws of the United States and has
the  requisite  power and  authority  to conduct the  business  conducted at the
Branches  substantially  as  currently  conducted by Seller.  Purchaser  has the
requisite  corporate  power and  authority  and has taken all  corporate  action
necessary in order to execute and deliver this  Agreement and to consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  This  Agreement  is  a  valid  and  binding
agreement of Purchaser  enforceable in accordance with its terms subject,  as to
enforcement,  to bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent transfer,  reorganization,
moratorium  and similar laws of general  applicability  relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

         6.2 No  Conflicts.  The  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this
Agreement by Purchaser  does not, and will not, (i) violate any provision of its
charter or by-laws or (ii) violate or constitute a breach of, or default  under,
any law,  rule,  regulation,  judgment,  decree,  ruling or order of any  court,
government  or  governmental  agency to which  Purchaser is subject or under any
agreement or  instrument of  Purchaser,  or to which  Purchaser is subject or by
which Purchaser is otherwise bound,  which violation,  breach,  contravention or
default referred to in this clause (ii), individually or in the aggregate, would
have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.3 Approvals and Consents.  Other than the Regulatory  Approvals or as
otherwise  disclosed in writing to Seller by Purchaser prior to the date hereof,
no notices,  reports or other filings are required to be made by Purchaser with,
nor  are any  consents,  registrations,  approvals,  permits  or  authorizations
required  to be  obtained  by  Purchaser  from any  governmental  or  regulatory
authorities   of  the  United   States,   the  several  States  or  any  foreign
jurisdictions in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Purchaser  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  by
Purchaser, the failure to make or obtain any or all of which, individually or in
the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

         6.4 Regulatory Matters.  (a) Except as previously  disclosed in writing
to  Seller,  there  are no  pending,  or to  Purchaser's  knowledge  threatened,
disputes or  controversies  between  Purchaser  and any federal,  state or local
governmental agency or authority that,  individually or in the aggregate,  would
have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (b) Purchaser is not a party to any written order, decree, agreement or
memorandum of understanding with, or commitment letter or similar submission to,
any  federal  or  state  governmental  agency  or  authority  charged  with  the
supervision  or regulation of depository  institutions,  nor has Purchaser  been
advised by any such  agency or  authority  that it is  contemplating  issuing or
requesting (or is considering the  appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any
such order, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding, commitment letter or
submission, in each case which,  individually or in the aggregate,  would have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         (c)  Purchaser  is, and on a pro forma basis  giving  effect to the P&A
Transaction  will be, (i) at least  "adequately  capitalized",  as  defined  for
purposes of the FDIA,  and (ii) in  compliance  with all  capital  requirements,
standards  and ratios  required  by each state or federal  bank  regulator  with
jurisdiction  over Purchaser,  including,  without  limitation,  any such higher
requirements,  standard or ratio as shall apply to institutions  engaging in the
acquisition of insured  institution  deposits,  assets or branches,  and no such
regulator  is likely to, or has  indicated  that it will,  condition  any of the
Regulatory  Approvals upon an increase in Purchaser's capital or compliance with
any capital requirements, standard or ratio.

         (d)  Purchaser  has no  knowledge  that it will be  required  to divest
deposit  liabilities,  branches,  loans or any business or line of business as a
condition to the receipt of any of the Regulatory Approvals.

         (e) Each of the  subsidiaries  or  Affiliates  of Purchaser  that is an
insured  depository   institution  was  rated  "Satisfactory"  or  "Outstanding"
following  its  most  recent  Community  Reinvestment  Act  examination  by  the
regulatory  agency  responsible for its  supervision.  Purchaser has received no
notice of and has no  knowledge  of any planned or  threatened  objection by any
community group to the transactions contemplated hereby.

         6.5 Litigation and Undisclosed Liabilities. There are no actions, suits
or  proceedings  that have a reasonable  likelihood of an adverse  determination
pending  or,  to  Purchaser's  knowledge,   threatened  against  Purchaser,   or
obligations or liabilities (whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise) or,
to  Purchaser's  knowledge,  facts or  circumstances  that could  reasonably  be
expected  to result in any  claims  against or  obligations  or  liabilities  of
Purchaser that, individually or in the aggregate,  would have a Material Adverse
Effect.

         6.6      Financing Available.   Purchaser's  ability to  consummate the
transactions contemplated by this  Agreement  is  not  contingent on raising any
equity capital, obtaining specific financing thereof, consent of  any  lender or
any other matter.

         6.7 Broker's  Fees.  Purchaser has not employed any broker or finder or
incurred any liability for any brokerage  fees,  commissions or finder's fees in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for fees
and commissions for which Purchaser shall be solely liable.


                                    ARTICLE 7
                            COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

         7.1 Activity in the Ordinary Course. Until the Closing Date, (a) Seller
shall  conduct the  business of the  Branches  (including,  without  limitation,
filling open positions at the Branches and  job-posting in the Branches for open
positions  at other  offices  of  Seller) in the  ordinary  and usual  course of
business consistent with past practice and giving effect to the fact that Seller
is engaged in certain systems conversions and office closings arising out of its
recent merger with First  Interstate Bank, and (b) Seller shall not, without the
prior written consent of Purchaser:

                   (i) Increase or agree to increase the salary, remuneration or
         compensation of any Branch  Employee (or make any material  increase or
         decrease in the number of such persons,  or transfer such persons to or
         from any  Branch)  other  than in  accordance  with  Seller's  existing
         customary  policies  generally  applicable to employees  having similar
         rank or  duties,  or pay or agree to pay any  uncommitted  bonus to any
         Branch  Employee  other than  regular  bonuses  granted in the ordinary
         course of Seller's business (which bonuses,  in any event, shall be the
         responsibility  of  Seller);  or,  except at the request of such Branch
         Employee,  transfer any Branch Employee to another branch or office, of
         Seller or any of its Affiliates;

                  (ii) Offer interest rates or terms on any category of deposits
         at a Branch except as determined in a manner  consistent  with Seller's
         practice with respect to its branches which are not being sold;

                 (iii) Transfer to or from any Branch to or from any of Seller's
         other  operations  or branches  any  material  Assets or any  Deposits,
         except (A) in the  ordinary  course of business or as  contemplated  in
         this Agreement,  or (B) upon the unsolicited  request of a depositor or
         customer;

                  (iv) Sell, transfer,  assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of
         or  enter  into  any  contract,  agreement  or  understanding  to sell,
         transfer,  assign, encumber or dispose of any of the Assets existing on
         the date hereof,  except in the  ordinary  course of business and in an
         immaterial  aggregate  amount;  provided,  however,  that in any event,
         Seller  shall not  knowingly  take any  action  that  would  create any
         Encumbrance on any of the Real Property or the Branch Leases;

                   (v) Make or agree to make any  material  improvements  to the
         Owned Real Property,  except with respect to commitments  for such made
         on or before the date of this  Agreement (and  heretofore  disclosed in
         writing to Purchaser) and normal  maintenance,  repair or  refurbishing
         purchased or made in the ordinary course of business;

                  (vi)    File any application or give any notice to relocate or
         close any Branch or relocate or close any Branch;

                 (vii) Amend,  terminate  or extend in any material  respect any
         Branch  Lease,  Tenant  Lease or  Personal  Property  Lease;  provided,
         however,  Seller may extend any Branch Lease,  Tenant Lease or Personal
         Property Lease, in its reasonable  business judgment (including without
         limitation  pursuant  to the terms and  conditions  of any  contractual
         option to extend in any Branch Lease, Tenant Lease or Personal Property
         Lease) if Seller  determines such extension is necessary to deliver the
         Branch  on  the  Closing  Date  as a  fully  operative  branch  banking
         operation.

         7.2 Access and  Confidentiality.  (a) Until the  Closing  Date,  Seller
shall  afford  to  Purchaser  and  its  officers  and   authorized   agents  and
representatives reasonable access to the properties,  books, records, contracts,
documents,  files  and  other  information  of or  relating  to the  Assets  and
Liabilities.  Purchaser and Seller each will  identify to the other,  within ten
(10) days after the date hereof, a selected group of their  respective  salaried
personnel  that shall  constitute a "transition  group" who will be available to
Seller and  Purchaser,  respectively,  at  reasonable  times  (limited to normal
operating  hours) to provide  information  and  assistance  in  connection  with
Purchaser's  investigation  of matters  relating to the Assets and  Liabilities.
Seller shall cause other  personnel to be  reasonably  available  during  normal
business hours, to an extent not disruptive of ongoing operations,  for the same
purposes.  Any investigation  pursuant to this Section 7.2 shall be conducted in
such manner as not to  interfere  unreasonably  with the conduct of the Seller's
business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall not be required to provide
access to or disclose  information  where such access or disclosure would impose
an unreasonable  burden on Seller, or any employee of Seller or would violate or
prejudice the rights of customers,  jeopardize any attorney-client  privilege or
contravene any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree, fiduciary duty or
binding agreement entered into prior to the date of this Agreement.  The parties
hereto  shall  make  appropriate   substitute   disclosure   arrangements  under
circumstances in which the restrictions of the preceding sentence apply.

         (b) EACH  PARTY TO THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL  HOLD,  AND  SHALL  CAUSE ITS
RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS,  OFFICERS,  EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, CONSULTANTS AND ADVISORS TO
HOLD, IN STRICT CONFIDENCE,  UNLESS DISCLOSURE TO A BANK REGULATORY AUTHORITY IS
NECESSARY OR  DESIRABLE IN  CONNECTION  WITH ANY  REGULATORY  APPROVAL OR UNLESS
COMPELLED TO DISCLOSE BY JUDICIAL OR  ADMINISTRATIVE  PROCESS OR, IN THE WRITTEN
OPINION  OF ITS  COUNSEL,  BY  OTHER  REQUIREMENTS  OF  LAW  OR  THE  APPLICABLE
REQUIREMENTS OF ANY REGULATORY AGENCY OR RELEVANT STOCK EXCHANGE, ALL NON-PUBLIC
RECORDS,  BOOKS,  CONTRACTS,  INSTRUMENTS,  COMPUTER  DATA  AND  OTHER  DATA AND
INFORMATION  (COLLECTIVELY,  "INFORMATION")  CONCERNING  THE OTHER PARTY (OR, IF
REQUIRED UNDER A CONTRACT WITH A THIRD PARTY,  SUCH THIRD PARTY) FURNISHED IT BY
SUCH OTHER PARTY OR ITS  REPRESENTATIVES  PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT  (EXCEPT TO
THE EXTENT THAT SUCH  INFORMATION CAN BE SHOWN TO HAVE BEEN (i) PREVIOUSLY KNOWN
BY SUCH PARTY ON A NON-CONFIDENTIAL  BASIS, (ii) IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN THROUGH NO
FAULT OF SUCH PARTY OR (iii) LATER  LAWFULLY  ACQUIRED FROM OTHER SOURCES BY THE
PARTY TO WHICH IT WAS  FURNISHED),  AND NEITHER  PARTY SHALL RELEASE OR DISCLOSE
SUCH INFORMATION TO ANY OTHER PERSON, EXCEPT ITS AUDITORS, ATTORNEYS,  FINANCIAL
ADVISORS,  BANKERS,  OTHER CONSULTANTS AND ADVISORS AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED
ABOVE, TO BANK REGULATORY AUTHORITIES.

         7.3 Regulatory Approvals. As soon as practicable after the date of this
Agreement,  Purchaser  shall  prepare  and file any  applications,  notices  and
filings  required in order to obtain the Regulatory  Approvals.  Purchaser shall
use all  reasonable  efforts  to  obtain  each  such  approval  as  promptly  as
reasonably  practicable  and,  to the  extent  possible,  in order to permit the
Closing  to occur not  later  than  July 18,  1997.  Seller  will  cooperate  in
connection  therewith  (including  the  furnishing  of any  information  and any
reasonable  undertaking  or  commitments  which may be  required  to obtain  the
Regulatory  Approvals).  Each party will  provide  the other with  copies of any
applications and all correspondence relating thereto prior to filing, other than
material filed in connection therewith under a claim of confidentiality.

         7.4 Consents.  Seller agrees to use reasonable commercial efforts (such
efforts not to include making  payments to third parties) to obtain from lessors
and any other  parties  to any Branch  Leases or  Personal  Property  Leases any
required  consents to the assignment of the Branch Leases and Personal  Property
Leases to Purchaser on the Closing Date; provided,  however, Seller shall not be
obligated to incur any monetary obligations or expenditures to the parties whose
consent is required in connection with the utilization of its reasonable efforts
to obtain any such required  consents.  If any such required  consent  cannot be
obtained, notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Assets and Liabilities
associated  with the subject  Branch,  other than any such  Branch  Lease or any
Personal  Property  Lease or as to  which  consent  cannot  be  obtained,  shall
nevertheless  be  transferred  to Purchaser at the Closing and the parties shall
negotiate in good faith and Seller and Purchaser  shall use  reasonable  efforts
(such  efforts  not to  include  making  payments  to  third  parties)  to  make
alternative arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Seller and Purchaser. In the
event Seller does not obtain  consent from the lessors and any other  parties to
any Branch Lease or Personal  Property  Lease,  Seller shall not be obligated to
deliver  physical  possession  of the subject  Branch or the  personal  property
subject to such Personal Property Lease to Purchaser at the Closing.

         7.5      Efforts to Consummate; Further Assurances.  (a)  Purchaser and
Seller agree to use all  reasonable  efforts to satisfy or cause to be satisfied
as soon as practicable their respective obligations hereunder and the conditions
precedent to the Closing.

         (b) Seller will duly  execute and deliver  such  assignments,  bills of
sale, deeds, acknowledgments and other instruments of conveyance and transfer as
shall at any time be necessary  or  appropriate  to vest in  Purchaser  the full
legal and equitable title to the Assets.

         (c) On and after the Closing Date, each party will promptly  deliver to
the other all mail and other communications  properly addressable or deliverable
to the other as a consequence of the P&A Transaction;  and without limitation of
the foregoing,  on and after the Closing Date, Seller shall promptly forward any
mail,  communications  or other material  relating to the Deposits or the Assets
transferred on the Closing Date, including,  but not limited to, that portion of
any IRS "B" tapes that relates to such Deposits,  to such employees of Purchaser
at such addresses as may from time to time be specified by Purchaser in writing.

         (d) The costs incurred by a party in performing its  obligations to the
other (x) under Sections 7.5(a) and (c) shall be borne by the initial  recipient
and (y)  otherwise  under this Section 7.5 shall be borne by  Purchaser.  Seller
will cooperate with Purchaser to minimize the costs referred to in clause (y).

         7.6 Solicitation.  (a) Until the Closing Date and for an additional six
(6) months  following the Closing  Date,  Seller agrees that it will not solicit
deposits  (but may solicit  loans,  mutual fund  purchases  or other  investment
products,  or other business) from or to persons or entities who were depositors
at the  Branches  on the date  hereof by  personal  contact,  by  telephone,  by
facsimile, by mail or other similar solicitation, or in any other way except for
general  solicitations  and  solicitations  that are not  directed  primarily to
persons or entities  who were  depositors  of the  Branches on the date  hereof;
provided,  however,  (i) Seller may, prior to Closing,  solicit those  customers
whose  accounts are not  domiciled in the  Branches,  but who  regularly use the
Branches for their deposit and  withdrawal  transactions,  to move their Deposit
accounts into the Branches prior to Closing,  (ii) Seller may solicit depositors
who as of the date of this  Agreement  have  existing  accounts  originating  at
branches or other  offices of Seller or its  Affiliates  other than the Branches
pursuant to  solicitations  which arise from their  status as a customer at such
other  branches or offices;  and (iii)  Seller may  solicit  major or  statewide
depositors  (such as, for example,  a company with more than one location or the
state government or any agency or instrumentality  thereof) without  restriction
hereunder.

         (b)  Prior  to the  Closing  Date,  Purchaser  agrees  that it will not
attempt to  solicit  Branch  customers  through  advertising  nor  transact  its
business in a way which would induce such Branch  customers to close any account
and open  accounts  directly  with  Purchaser  or would  otherwise  result  in a
transfer of all or a portion of an existing  account from Seller to Purchaser or
to any other  financial  institution.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing  sentence,
Purchaser and its Affiliates  shall be permitted to: (i) engage in  advertising,
solicitations  or marketing  campaigns not primarily  directed to or targeted at
such Branch customers;  (ii) engage in lending,  deposit, safe deposit, trust or
other financial services relationships existing as of the date hereof which such
Branch  customers  through other branch  offices of Purchaser;  (iii) respond to
unsolicited  inquiries by such Branch customers with respect to banking or other
financial services;  and (iv) provide notices or communications  relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the provisions hereof.

         7.7  Insurance.  Seller will  maintain in effect until the Closing Date
all  casualty  and public  liabilities  policies  relating to the  Branches  and
maintained  by  Seller  on the date  hereof or  procure  comparable  replacement
policies  and  maintain  such  replacement  policies in effect until the Closing
Date.  Purchaser shall provide all casualty and public  liability  insurance for
the Branches subsequent to the Closing Date.

         7.8 No Servicing and Maintenance  Contracts.  No existing  contracts of
Seller with respect to the service,  maintenance  and physical  operation of the
Branches  will be assumed at the  Closing by  Purchaser.  All such  service  and
maintenance shall be provided by Purchaser,  subsequent to the Closing, pursuant
to its own contracts.

         7.9 Signage. Purchaser shall, at its own expense, remove and dispose of
all Wells Fargo Bank signage as soon as practicable after the Closing.


                                    ARTICLE 8
                           TAXES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

         8.1   Tax Representations.  Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser
 as follows:

         (a) Except as set forth in Schedule  8.1,  all Tax Returns with respect
to the  Assets or income  therefrom,  the  Liabilities  or  payments  in respect
thereof or the operation of the Branches,  that are required to be filed (taking
into  account any  extension  of time within  which to file)  before the Closing
Date, have been or will be duly filed, and all Taxes shown to be due on such Tax
Returns have been or will be paid in full.

         (b) With respect to the Deposits, Seller is in compliance with the Code
and regulations thereunder relative to obtaining form depositors of the Deposits
executed  IRS Forms W-8 and W-9.  With  respect  to the  Deposits  opened  after
December 31, 1983,  Seller has either obtained a properly  completed Form W-8 or
W-9  (or a  substitute  form  meeting  applicable  requirements)  or is  back-up
withholding on such account.

         8.2 Proration of Taxes.  Except as otherwise  agreed to by the parties,
whenever it is necessary to determine the liability for Taxes for a portion of a
taxable year or period that begins before and ends on or after the Closing Date,
the  determination of the Taxes for the portion of the year or period ending on,
and the portion of the year or period  beginning  on or after,  the Closing Date
shall be  determined  by assuming that the taxable year or period ended at 11:59
P.M. California time on the day prior to the Closing Date.

         8.3 Sales and Transfer  Taxes.  Except as set forth in Section 3.9, all
excise, sales, use and transfer taxes that are payable or that arise as a result
of the  consummation  of the purchase and sale  contemplated  by this  Agreement
shall be paid by  Purchaser  and  Purchaser  shall  indemnify  and  hold  Seller
harmless from and against any such taxes.

         8.4  Information  Returns.  At the Closing or as soon  thereafter as is
practicable,  Seller  shall  provide  Purchaser  with a list of all Deposits for
which  Seller  has not  received  a  properly  completed  Form W-8 and W-9 (or a
substitute form meeting  applicable  requirements) or on which Seller is back-up
withholding as of the Closing Date.  Seller agrees to indemnify  Purchaser in an
amount equal to any penalty and interest imposed upon Purchaser by the IRS which
Purchaser is thereafter required to, and does, pay to the IRS where such penalty
and interest  arises out of actions taken or omitted to be taken by Purchaser in
reasonable  reliance upon  information  provided under this Section 8.4 and such
penalty and interest  does not result from an act or omission of  Purchaser  not
made in  reasonable  reliance upon such  information.  The term  "interest"  for
purposes of this  Section  8.4 means  interest  accrued  prior to the receipt by
Purchaser of a notice of Penalty from the IRS regarding Forms W-8 or W-9 for the
Deposits.  Purchaser  shall timely notify Seller of such penalty notice prior to
Purchaser's payment of any penalty or interest. Seller has the right, at its own
expense,  to protest such penalty and interest.  Purchaser shall cooperate fully
with respect to Seller's protest, including furnishing all relevant information,
records, and documents.

         8.5  Payment  of Amount Due Under  Article 8. Any  payment by Seller to
Purchaser,  or to Seller  from  Purchaser,  under  this  Article  8 (other  than
payments required by Section 8.3) to the extent due at the Closing may be offset
against any payment due the other party at the Closing.  All subsequent payments
under this Article 8 shall be made as soon as determinable and shall be made and
bear  interest  from the date due to the date of payment as  provided in Section
3.2(b).

         8.6      Assistance and Cooperation.   After the  Closing Date, each of
Seller and Purchaser shall:

         (a)  Make  available  to  the  other  and to any  taxing  authority  as
reasonably requested all relevant  information,  records, and documents relating
to Taxes with  respect to the Assets or income  therefrom,  the  Liabilities  or
payments in respect thereof, or the operation of the Branches;

         (b)  Provide  timely  notice to the other in writing of any  pending or
proposed Tax audits (with copies of all relevant  correspondence  received  from
any Taxing authority in connection with any Tax audit or information request) or
Tax  assessments  with  respect  to the  Assets  or the  income  therefrom,  the
Liabilities or payments in respect thereof, or the operation of the Branches for
taxable  periods for which the other may have a liability  under this Article 8;
and

         (c) The party requesting assistance or cooperation shall bear the other
party's out-of-pocket expenses in complying with such request to the extent that
those expenses are  attributable to fees and other costs of  unaffiliated  third
party service providers.

         8.7 Employees.  (a) As soon as reasonably  practicable and in any event
within thirty (30) days of the date hereof,  Seller shall deliver to Purchaser a
true  and  complete  list of all  Branch  Employees  by  name,  date of hire and
position,  as of the date hereof,  together  with their most recent  performance
evaluations,  current salaries and other  compensation  arrangements;  provided,
however,  that Seller shall not release a performance  evaluation without having
first obtained the written consent of the respective Branch Employee.  Purchaser
may, at its discretion,  interview any and all Branch Employees. Purchaser shall
make employment  available to all Branch  Employees on the Closing Date upon the
terms and conditions  described below. Seller shall promptly inform Purchaser of
any Branch  Employee  who resigns  prior to the Closing  Date.  On and after the
Closing  Date,  Branch  Employees  employed  by  Purchaser  shall be  defined as
Transferred Employees for all purposes hereof. Subject to the provisions of this
Section 8.7,  Transferred  Employees  shall be subject to the employment  terms,
conditions  and  rules  applicable  to other  employees  of  Purchaser.  Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be construed as an employment contract between
Purchaser and any Branch Employee or Transferred Employee.

         (b) Purchaser  may interview  Branch  Employees  during normal  working
hours. Purchaser shall be solely responsible for any activity in connection with
interviewing Branch Employees.  Purchaser  indemnifies and holds Seller harmless
from and against any claim,  liability,  losses,  costs or  expenses,  including
reasonable  attorneys'  fees,  resulting  or arising  from  Purchaser's  acts or
omissions in connection with said interviews.

         (c)Purchaser shall be responsible for the Assumed Severance Obligations
with respect to all Branch Employees.

         (d) Each Transferred  Employee shall be provided  employment subject to
the following terms and conditions:

                   (i) Base salary rate shall be at least equivalent to the rate
         of base  salary paid by Seller to such  Transferred  Employee as of the
         close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date.

                  (ii)  Except  as  specifically  provided  herein,  Transferred
         Employees  shall  be  provided  employee  benefits  that  are  no  less
         favorable in the aggregate  than those  provided to similarly  situated
         employees  of  Purchaser.  Purchaser  shall  provide  such  Transferred
         Employee with credit for the Transferred  Employee's  period of service
         with Seller  (including any service credited from First Interstate Bank
         as  a  predecessor   entity  to  Seller)  towards  the  calculation  of
         eligibility for such purposes as vacation, severance and other benefits
         and  participation  and  vesting in  Purchaser's  qualified  pension or
         profit sharing plan, as such plans may exist (but,  except as set forth
         in (v) below and for  vacation,  not for  purpose of benefit  accruals,
         including  without  limitation,  funding of  accrued  pension or profit
         sharing plans for such Transferred  Employee with respect to any period
         prior to the Closing Date).

                 (iii)  Each   Transferred   Employee   shall  be   eligible  to
         participate in the medical, dental or other welfare plans of Purchaser,
         as such  plans may  exist,  effective  as of the  Closing  Date and any
         pre-existing  conditions  provisions of such plans shall be waived with
         respect  to  such  Transferred  Employee;  provided,  however,  that if
         Purchaser's  relevant health or disability insurance policy or plan has
         a  pre-existing  condition  limitation  and  a  Transferred  Employee's
         condition  is  being  excluded  (as  a  pre-existing  condition)  under
         Seller's  plan  as of  the  Closing  Date,  Purchaser  may  treat  such
         condition as a  pre-existing  condition  for the period such  condition
         would have been treated as a pre-existing condition under Seller's plan
         under which such Transferred Employee would have been covered.

                  (iv) With respect to any Transferred  Employee on a short-term
         disability or temporary leave of absence, upon conclusion of his or her
         short-term  disability  or temporary  leave of absence,  subject to the
         terms  and  conditions  of  the  Purchaser's  plans  and  policies  and
         applicable law, each  Transferred  Employee on such leave shall receive
         the  salary  and  vacation  benefits  in effect  when he or she went on
         leave, shall otherwise be treated as a Transferred Employee and, to the
         extent  practicable,  shall  be  offered  by  Purchaser  the  same or a
         substantially  equivalent  position to his or her position  with Seller
         prior to having gone on leave.

                   (v) Until April 1, 1998, each  Transferred  Employee shall be
         eligible for benefits under the severance and similar plans referred to
         in Schedule 1.1(a) copies of which have been provided to Purchaser (the
         "Assumed Severance Obligations"). After April 1, 1998, each Transferred
         Employee,  who is continuously  employed by Purchaser as of the Closing
         Date,  shall be eligible  for benefits  under any  severance or similar
         plans  maintained  by Purchaser  with credit for the period of years of
         credited service with Seller towards the calculation of benefits.

         (e) Except as  provided  herein,  Seller  shall pay,  discharge  and be
responsible  for (i) all salary and wages,  arising  out of or  relating  to the
employment of the Branch Employees before the Closing Date and (ii) any employee
benefits  (including,  but not  limited  to,  accrued  vacation)  arising  under
Seller's  employee benefit plans and employee programs prior to the Closing Date
(but not including any future retiree medical benefits), including benefits with
respect to claims  incurred  prior to the Closing  Date but  reported  after the
Closing Date. From and after the Closing Date,  Purchaser  shall pay,  discharge
and be responsible for all salary, wages and benefits arising out of or relating
to the  employment  of the  Transferred  Employees by Purchaser on and after the
Closing Date,  including,  without  limitation,  all claims for welfare  benefit
plans incurred on or after the Closing Date.  Claims are incurred as of the date
services are provided or disability payments are accrued,  notwithstanding  when
the injury or illness may have occurred.

         (f) To the extent permitted under  Purchaser's  401(k) plan, Seller and
Purchaser  shall  cooperate in arranging for the transfer to Purchaser's  401(k)
plan,  as soon as  practicable  after  the  Closing  Date and in a  manner  that
satisfies  sections  414(l) and  411(d)(6) of the Code,  of those  accounts held
under Seller's 401(k) plan on behalf of Transferred Employees.

         (g) For a period of twelve (12)  months  following  the  Closing  Date,
Seller shall not solicit any  Transferred  Employee hired by Purchaser as of the
Closing  Date to again  become an employee  of Seller or any of its  Affiliates;
provided, however, that Seller shall not be prohibited from hiring a Transferred
Employee if such  Transferred  Employee  contacts  Seller to seek such hiring or
retention, whether in response to general advertising or otherwise. For purposes
of this Section 8.7, the term "Seller"  shall  include Wells Fargo & Company,  a
Delaware corporation and their Affiliates.

         8.8      Branch Employee Representations.   (a)  Seller  represents and
warrants to Purchaser, to Seller's knowledge, as follows:

                   (i)     none of the Branch Employees is a member of any labor
         union;

                  (ii) Seller is not a party to any individual contract, written
         or oral, express or implied, for the employment of any Branch Employee,
         and Seller is not subject to any collective bargaining arrangement with
         respect to any Branch Employee;

                 (iii)     Seller's 401(k) Plan is in compliance in all material
         respects with applicable law;

                  (iv) no liabilities exist or are reasonably  expected to exist
         under any employee benefit plan of Seller that,  individually or in the
         aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect; and (v) Seller has not
         entered into any individual  agreement or otherwise made any individual
         commitment to any Branch Employee with respect to continued  employment
         by Purchaser.

         (b) Seller shall indemnify and hold Purchaser harmless from and against
any claims, losses, damages or expenses (including attorney's fee) suffered as a
result of any failure to give any notice to its Branch Employees required by the
Worker  Adjustment and Retraining  Notification  Act (the "WARN Act"),  provided
such  notice is  required  as a result of action by Seller  prior to the Closing
Date.


                                    ARTICLE 9
                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

         9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser. Unless waived in writing by
Purchaser,  the  obligation of Purchaser to consummate  the P&A  Transaction  is
conditioned upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

         (a) Regulatory  Approvals.  All consents,  approvals and authorizations
required to be obtained  prior to the Closing from  governmental  and regulatory
authorities in connection  with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby to be consummated at
the  Closing,  including  the  Regulatory  Approvals,  shall  have  been made or
obtained,  and shall  remain in full force and effect,  and all waiting  periods
applicable to the consummation of the P&A Transaction shall have expired or been
terminated;  provided,  however,  that no Regulatory Approval shall have imposed
any condition or requirement (a "Burdensome Condition") that would (i) result in
any Material Adverse Effect or (ii) require  Purchaser to effect any divestiture
that would constitute a substantial portion of the business or properties of the
Branches, taken as a whole.

         (b)  Orders.   No  court  or   governmental   authority   of  competent
jurisdiction shall have enacted,  issued,  promulgated,  enforced or entered any
statute, rule, regulation,  judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether
temporary, preliminary or permanent) (any of the foregoing, an "Order") which is
in effect and prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the P&A Transaction
or would otherwise result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c)   Representations   and   Warranties;   Covenants.   Each   of  the
representations  and warranties of Seller  contained in this Agreement  shall be
true in all material  respects  when made and as of the Closing  Date,  with the
same effect as though such  representations  and warranties had been made on and
as of the Closing Date (except that  representations  and warranties relating to
Assets and  Liabilities  transferred at the Closing Date shall only be made, and
need only be true in all  material  respects,  on and as of the  Closing  Date).
Purchaser  shall have received at Closing a certificate  to that effect dated as
of such  Closing  Date and  executed  by the  President  or any  Executive  Vice
President  of  Seller.  Each of the  covenants  and  agreements  of Seller to be
performed on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been duly  performed in all
material  respects.  Purchaser  shall have received at Closing a certificate  to
that effect dated as of such  Closing Date and executed by the  President or any
Executive Vice President of Seller.

         Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Agreement,  if there shall
be a failure of any condition  specified in this Section 9.1 to the  obligations
of Purchaser in respect of the  acquisition  of any specific  Branch or Branches
the aggregate Deposits of which as of the date hereof shall constitute less than
25% of the Deposits in all of the Branches  subject to this  Agreement as of the
date hereof,  Purchaser  nevertheless  shall be obligated to consummate  the P&A
Transaction but may, upon written notice to Seller, exclude from the transaction
the Branch or Branches in respect of which the failure of condition shall exist,
in which case,  appropriate adjustment shall be made in the schedules hereto and
the other  documents to be delivered  pursuant  hereto so as to duly reflect the
deletion of such Branch or Branches from the  transactions  contemplated  hereby
(and,  consequently,  to  the  calculation  of  the  Estimated  Purchase  Price,
Estimated  Payment Amount,  Purchase Price and Adjusted Payment Amount).  If any
Branch is excluded from this  Agreement or if Purchaser  nevertheless  elects to
purchase  any Branch  which would  otherwise  be so excluded  and such Branch is
transferred  to Purchaser at the Closing  (subject to  Purchaser's  rights under
Section 12.1(a)), any event that would otherwise constitute a breach of warranty
or  failure  of  condition  in respect of such  Branch  arising  solely  from or
relating to the  operation of this  paragraph  shall not  constitute a breach of
warranty or failure of condition.

         9.2 Conditions to  Obligations  of Seller.  Unless waived in writing by
Seller,   the  obligation  of  Seller  to  consummate  the  P&A  Transaction  is
conditioned upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

         (a) Regulatory  Approvals.  All consents,  approvals and authorizations
required to be obtained  prior to the Closing from  governmental  and regulatory
authorities in connection  with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby to be consummated at
the  Closing,  including  the  Regulatory  Approvals,  shall  have  been made or
obtained,  and shall remain in full force and effect,  and all statutory waiting
periods applicable to the consummation of the P&A Transaction shall have expired
or been terminated.

         (b)      Orders.  No Order shall be in effect that prohibits  or  makes
illegal the consummation of the P&A Transaction.

         (c)   Representations   and   Warranties;   Covenants.   Each   of  the
representations and warranties of Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall be
true in all material  respects  when made and as of the Closing  Date,  with the
same effect as though such  representations  and warranties had been made on and
as of the Closing Date (except that representations and warranties that are made
as of a  specific  date need be true in all  material  respects  only as of such
date).  Seller shall have received at Closing a certificate to that effect dated
as of such  Closing Date and executed by the  President  or any  Executive  Vice
President of Purchaser.  Each of the covenants and agreements of Purchaser to be
performed on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been duly  performed in all
material  respects.  Seller shall have received at Closing a certificate to that
effect  dated as of such  Closing  Date and  executed  by the  President  or any
Executive Vice President of Purchaser.


                                   ARTICLE 10
                              ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

         10.1  Environmental  Matters.  (a) Seller has provided to Purchaser and
Purchaser hereby  acknowledges  receipt of copies of Phase I environmental  site
assessments for all Owned Real Property and asbestos reports with respect to all
the Real  Property,  except for Real Property where the  improvements  have been
completed after December 31, 1978. Such Phase I environmental  site  assessments
for all Owned  Real  Property  have been  dated  (or  supplemented)  on or after
January 1, 1996.

         (b) If such Phase I site  assessments and asbestos  reports  reasonably
indicate the necessity or  desirability  of further  investigation  to determine
whether or not an Environmental Hazard or an Asbestos Hazard exists at such Real
Property, Purchaser may elect, not later than thirty (30) days after the signing
of this  Agreement,  to have Clayton  Environmental  or Building  Analytics (the
"Environmental Consultant"),  to the extent reasonable and appropriate,  conduct
Phase II environmental site assessments and additional asbestos  investigations,
the cost of which  shall be shared  equally  by the  parties.  Any such  further
investigation  or  testing  shall be  conducted  in such a  manner  so as not to
interfere with the normal operation of the Branch(s) involved. All such Phase II
environmental site assessments and additional  asbestos reports shall be treated
as  information  subject to Section  7.2(b) and shall be completed not less than
ninety (90) days after the signing of this Agreement.

         (c) In the event that the  Environmental  Consultant  has discovered an
Environmental   Hazard,  and/or  Asbestos  Hazard,  during  any  such  Phase  II
environmental  site assessment at any single parcel of Owned Real Property,  the
remediation  of  which,  in  the  reasonable   judgment  of  the   Environmental
Consultant,  is or would be the responsibility of Seller, or Purchaser should it
acquire such Owned Real Property, and will cost $100,000 or more for such single
parcel of Owned Real  Property,  Purchaser  shall  lease from Seller such single
parcel of Owned Real Property  pursuant to a Lease  Agreement that shall provide
as follows:
                   (i)  Such  Lease  Agreement  shall  be for a term  of two (2)
         years,  with no obligation or right to renew (it being the intention of
         Seller that Purchaser locate an alternative branch site during such two
         years), at a rental equal to a fair market rental value;

                  (ii)   Seller may sell such Owned Real Property to any person,
         subject to such Lease Agreement, for any price;

                 (iii)  During  the term of such Lease  Agreement,  in the event
         that  Seller  shall  deliver  to  Purchaser  a  report  of a  qualified
         environmental  engineer or consultant certifying that the Environmental
         Hazard,  and/or  Asbestos  Hazard,  at or on any such leased  parcel of
         Owned Real Property has been  remediated to the extent  required  under
         applicable  Environmental Laws, Purchaser shall be required to purchase
         such  parcel of Owned  Real  Property  at the net book  value as of the
         close of business of the  month-end  day most  recently  preceding  the
         Closing Date; and

                  (iv) Other terms and conditions of the Lease  Agreement  shall
         be typical to such branch  leases in the market as  negotiated  between
         Seller and Purchaser.

         If the remediation  cost is less than $100,000 for any single parcel of
Owned Real Property,  Purchaser shall acquire such parcel and such cost shall be
borne by Purchaser without indemnity or price adjustment under this Agreement.

         (d) Purchaser  agrees that it and its  Environmental  Consultant  shall
conduct any Phase II  environmental  site  assessments  or other  investigations
pursuant to this Section with reasonable care and subject to customary practices
among environmental  consultants and engineers,  including,  without limitation,
following  completion  thereof,  the  restoration  of any  site  to  the  extent
practicable to its condition prior to such site assessment or investigation  and
the removal of all monitoring wells.

         (e) Any lease of a parcel of Owned Real Property under Section  10.1(c)
shall in no way affect the  transfer  of any Assets or  Liabilities,  other than
such parcel of Owned Real Property, to the Purchaser at the Closing.



                                   ARTICLE 11
                                   TERMINATION

         11.1    Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
 to the Closing Date:

         (a)      By the mutual written agreement of Purchaser and Seller;

         (b) By Seller or  Purchaser,  in the event of a material  breach by the
other of any representation, warranty or agreement contained herein which is not
cured or cannot be cured within  thirty (30) days after  written  notice of such
termination has been delivered to the breaching party;  provided,  however, that
termination  pursuant to this Section  11.1(b)  shall not relieve the  breaching
party of liability arising out of or related to such breach;

         (c) By  Seller or  Purchaser,  in the event  that the  Closing  has not
occurred by November 30, 1997 unless the failure to so  consummate  by such time
is due to a breach of this Agreement by the party seeking to terminate;

         (d) By Seller or Purchaser  at any time after the denial or  revocation
of any  Regulatory  Approval  or by  Purchaser  if any  such  approval  has been
obtained which contains a Burdensome Condition; or

         (e) By Seller if, at any time prior to the Closing Date, an appropriate
official of any  governmental  agency or authority  whose  consent,  approval or
authorization  is required in order for Purchaser to consummate the transactions
contemplated  hereby shall have advised that such  authority will not grant such
consent,  approval  or  authorization  or will grant the same only  subject to a
Burdensome  Condition (unless Purchaser shall have waived the condition provided
for in the  proviso to Section  9.1(a)),  or where  there shall be in effect any
Order,  or if there shall exist any  proceeding  which,  in Seller's  reasonable
judgment, would result in an Order; provided, however, that Purchaser shall have
fifteen  (15) days  following  receipt of notice  from Seller to remedy any such
situation or to provide  assurances  reasonably  acceptable  to Seller that such
situation will be remedied by the Closing Date.

         11.2  Effect  of  Termination.  In the  event  of  termination  of this
Agreement and abandonment of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby pursuant to
Section 11.1,  no party hereto (or any of its  directors,  officers,  employees,
agents or  Affiliates)  shall have any  liability or further  obligation  to any
other party, except as provided in Section 7.2(b) and except that nothing herein
will relieve any party from liability for any breach of this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE 12
                       INDEMNIFICATION AND OTHER REMEDIES

         12.1  Indemnification.  (a)  Subject  to  Section  13.1,  Seller  shall
indemnify  and hold  harmless  Purchaser  and any person  directly or indirectly
controlling  Purchaser  from and against any and all Losses which  Purchaser may
suffer, incur or sustain arising out of or attributable to (i) any breach of any
representation  or warranty made by Seller in this Agreement,  (ii) any material
breach of any covenant or  agreement to be performed by Seller  pursuant to this
Agreement,  (iii) any claim,  penalty  asserted,  legal action or administrative
proceeding  based  upon any  action  taken or  omitted  to be taken by Seller or
conditions  existing prior to the Closing Date, relating in any such case to the
operation of the Branches, the Assets or the Liabilities; or (iv) any liability,
obligation or duty of Seller that is not a Liability.

         (b)  Subject  to  Section  13.1,  Purchaser  shall  indemnify  and hold
harmless  Seller and any person directly or indirectly  controlling  Seller from
and against any and all Losses which Seller may suffer, incur or sustain arising
out of (i) any breach of any  representation  or warranty  made by  Purchaser in
this  Agreement,  (ii) any  material  breach of any  covenant or agreement to be
performed  by  Purchaser   pursuant  to  this  Agreement,   including,   without
limitation,  the covenants  contained in Section 10.2 above, or (iii) any claim,
penalty  asserted,  legal  action or  administrative  proceeding  based upon any
action taken or omitted to be taken by  Purchaser on or after the Closing  Date,
relating in any such case to the  operation  of the  Branches or the Assets,  or
(iv) the Liabilities.

         (c) To exercise its indemnification rights under this Section 12.1 as a
result of the assertion against it of any claim or potential liability for which
indemnification  is provided,  the  indemnified  party shall promptly notify the
indemnifying  party  of the  assertion  of such  claim,  discovery  of any  such
potential  liability or the  commencement of any action or proceeding in respect
of which indemnity may be sought hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in no event shall
notice of original claim for indemnification under this Agreement be given later
than the expiration of one (1) year from the Closing Date (excluding only claims
related to the  covenants in Section 10.2 above).  The  indemnified  party shall
advise the indemnifying party of all facts relating to such assertion within the
knowledge of the indemnified  party, and shall afford the indemnifying party the
opportunity,  at the  indemnifying  party's  sole  cost and  expense,  to defend
against  such  claims  for  liability.  In any such  action or  proceeding,  the
indemnified  party shall have the right to retain its own counsel,  but the fees
and  expenses  of such  counsel  shall  be at its  own  expense  unless  (i) the
indemnifying  party and the indemnified party mutually agree to the retention of
such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such suit,  action,  or proceeding
(including any impleaded  parties) include both the  indemnifying  party and the
indemnified  party,  and in the reasonable  judgment of the  indemnified  party,
representation  of the indemnifying  party and the indemnified party by the same
counsel would be inadvisable  due to actual or potential  differing  defenses or
conflicts of interests between them.

         (d) The indemnified  party shall have the right to settle or compromise
any claim or liability subject to indemnification  under this Section, and to be
indemnified  from  and  against  all  Losses  resulting  therefrom,  unless  the
indemnifying  party,  within sixty (60)  calendar days after  receiving  written
notice of the claim or  liability in  accordance  with  Section  12.1(c)  above,
notifies the  indemnified  party that it intends to defend against such claim or
liability and  undertakes  such defense,  or, if required in a shorter time than
sixty (60) calendar days, the indemnifying party makes the requisite response to
such claim or liability asserted.

         (e)  Notwithstanding   anything  to  the  contrary  contained  in  this
Agreement, an indemnifying party shall not be liable under this Section 12.1 for
any Losses  sustained by the  indemnified  party unless and until the  aggregate
amount of all  indemnifiable  Losses  sustained by the  indemnified  party shall
exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) times the number of Branches being
purchased  hereunder,  in which  event  the  indemnifying  party  shall  provide
indemnification  hereunder in respect of all such indemnifiable Losses in excess
of Twenty-Five  Thousand  Dollars  ($25,000)  times the number of Branches being
purchased   hereunder,   provided,   however,   that  the  aggregate  amount  of
indemnification  payments  payable  pursuant to this Section  12.1,  shall in no
event exceed the amount of the Purchase Price.  An indemnifying  party shall not
be liable  under this  Section  12.1 for any  settlement  effected,  without its
consent,  of any claim or liability or  proceeding  for which  indemnity  may be
sought  hereunder except in the case of a settlement in an amount which does not
exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) times the number of Branches being
purchased hereunder;  provided,  however, the provisions of this Section 12.1(e)
shall not apply to  Purchaser's  obligation to indemnify  Seller for a breach of
Purchaser's  covenants contained in Section 10.2 above. In no event shall either
party  hereto be entitled to  consequential  or punitive  damages or damages for
lost profits in any action relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

         12.2 Purchase Price Adjustment.  Any amount paid by Seller or Purchaser
under this Article 12 will be treated as an  adjustment  to the  Purchase  Price
unless and to the extent that a  "determination"  (as defined in Section 1313(a)
of the Code)  causes any such  amount not to  constitute  an  adjustment  to the
Purchase Price for federal Tax purposes.

         12.3  Exclusivity.  After the  Closing,  Article  12 will  provide  the
exclusive  remedy for any  misrepresentation,  breach of  warranty,  covenant or
other agreement or other claim arising out of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         12.4 AS-IS Sale;  Waiver of Warranties.  Except as otherwise  expressly
set  forth  in this  Agreement,  Purchaser  acknowledges  that  the  Assets  and
Liabilities are being sold and accepted on an  "AS-IS-WHERE-IS"  basis,  and are
being accepted without any  representation  or warranty.  As part of Purchaser's
agreement to purchase and accept the Assets and Liabilities AS-IS-WHERE-IS,  and
not as a limitation on such agreement,  TO THE FULLEST EXTENT  PERMITTED BY LAW,
SELLER HEREBY  DISCLAIMS AND PURCHASER  HEREBY  UNCONDITIONALLY  AND IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES AND RELEASES ANY AND ALL ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL  RIGHTS PURCHASER MIGHT HAVE
AGAINST SELLER OR ANY PERSON DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CONTROLLING SELLER REGARDING
ANY FORM OF WARRANTY,  EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,  OF ANY KIND OR TYPE, RELATING TO THE
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  EXCEPT THOSE SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 5 AND SECTIONS 8.1 AND
8.8.  SUCH  WAIVER AND  RELEASE  IS, TO THE  FULLEST  EXTENT  PERMITTED  BY LAW,
ABSOLUTE,  COMPLETE,  TOTAL AND  UNLIMITED IN EVERY WAY. SUCH WAIVER AND RELEASE
INCLUDES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, A WAIVER
AND  RELEASE  OF  EXPRESS  WARRANTIES  (EXCEPT  THOSE SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 5 AND
SECTIONS  8.1  AND  8.8),  IMPLIED  WARRANTIES,  WARRANTIES  OF  FITNESS  FOR  A
PARTICULAR  USE,  WARRANTIES OF  MERCHANTABILITY,  WARRANTIES  OF  HABITABILITY,
STRICT  LIABILITY  RIGHTS AND CLAIMS OF EVERY KIND AND TYPE,  INCLUDING  BUT NOT
LIMITED TO CLAIMS REGARDING DEFECTS WHICH WERE NOT OR ARE NOT DISCOVERABLE,  ALL
OTHER  EXTANT  OR LATER  CREATED  OR  CONCEIVED  OF STRICT  LIABILITY  OR STRICT
LIABILITY TYPE CLAIMS AND RIGHTS.


                                   ARTICLE 13
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         13.1  Survival.   (a)  The  parties'  respective   representations  and
warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive until the first anniversary
of the Closing Date, and thereafter neither party may claim any Loss in relation
to a breach  thereof.  The agreements and covenants  contained in this Agreement
shall not survive the Closing except to the extent expressly set forth herein.

         (b) No claim  based on any  breach of any  representation  or  warranty
shall be valid or made unless  written  notice with respect  thereto is given to
Seller in  accordance  with this  Agreement  on or before the date  specified in
Section 12.1(c);  provided,  however,  that the provisions of this Section shall
not apply to claims based on Purchaser's breach of Section 10.2 above.

         13.2  Assignment.  Neither  this  Agreement  nor  any  of  the  rights,
interests  or  obligations  of  either  party may be  assigned  by either of the
parties  hereto  without the prior written  consent of the other party,  and any
purported assignment in contravention of this Section 13.2 shall be void.

         13.3   Binding Effect.  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.

         13.4 Public Notice.  Prior to the Closing Date,  neither  Purchaser nor
Seller shall  directly or indirectly  make or cause to be made any press release
for general  circulation,  public announcement or disclosure or issue any notice
or general  communication  to employees with respect to any of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby without the prior written consent of the other party (which
consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld or delayed).  Purchaser agrees that,
without Seller's prior written consent,  it shall not release or disclose any of
the terms or conditions  of the  transactions  contemplated  herein to any other
person.   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  each  party  may  make  such  public
disclosure  as, in the  opinion of its  counsel,  may be  required  by law or as
necessary to obtain the Regulatory Approvals.

         13.5  Notices.  All  notices,  requests,  demands,  consents  and other
communications  given or required to be given under this Agreement and under the
related  documents shall be in writing and delivered to the applicable  party at
the address indicated below:

          If to Seller, to:         Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
                                    420 Montgomery Street
                                    San Francisco, CA 94104
                                    Attention: Guy Rounsaville, Jr., Esq.
                                               Executive Vice President,
                                               Chief Counsel & Secretary
                                    Fax:  (415) 975-7151

          If to Purchaser, to:      Klamath First Federal Savings & Loan Assoc.
                                    540 Main Street
                                    Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601
                                    Attention: Gerald V. Brown, President/CEO

or, as to each party at such other  address as shall be designated by such party
in a written  notice to the other party  complying as to delivery with the terms
of this  Section.  Any notices  shall be in writing,  including  telegraphic  or
facsimile communication, and may be sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by fax, or by overnight delivery service.
Notice shall be effective upon actual receipt thereof.

         13.6  Expenses.   Except  as  expressly   provided  otherwise  in  this
Agreement, each party shall bear any and all costs and expenses which it incurs,
or which may be incurred on its behalf,  in connection  with the  preparation of
this Agreement and consummation of the transactions  described  herein,  and the
expenses,  fees,  and  costs  necessary  for any  approvals  of the  appropriate
regulatory authorities.

         13.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted
in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

         13.8 Entire  Agreement;  Amendments.  (a) This  Agreement  contains the
entire  understanding  of and all  agreements  between the  parties  hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous
agreement  or  understanding,  oral or written,  pertaining  to any such matters
which  agreements  or  understandings  shall be of no force  or  effect  for any
purpose;  provided,  however,  that the terms of any  confidentiality  agreement
between  the  parties  hereto  previously   entered  into,  to  the  extent  not
inconsistent with any provisions of this Agreement, shall continue to apply.
         (b) This  Agreement  may not be amended or  supplemented  in any manner
except by mutual  agreement of the parties and as set forth in a writing  signed
by the parties hereto or their respective successors in interest.  The waiver of
any breach of any  provision  under  this  Agreement  by any party  shall not be
deemed  to be a  waiver  of  any  preceding  or  subsequent  breach  under  this
Agreement. No such waiver shall be effective unless in writing.

         13.9    Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement shall not benefit or
create any right or cause of  action  in or  on  behalf of any person other than
Seller and Purchaser.

         13.10  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in any number of
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         13.11  Headings.  The headings used in this  Agreement are inserted for
purposes  of  convenience  of  reference  only and shall not limit or define the
meaning of any provisions of this Agreement.

         13.12  Consent to  Jurisdiction;  Waiver of Jury Trial.  (a) EACH PARTY
HERETO  HEREBY  SUBMITS  TO THE  JURISDICTION  OF THE  COURTS  OF THE  STATE  OF
CALIFORNIA  AND THE UNITED STATES  DISTRICT  COURT FOR THE NORTHERN  DISTRICT OF
CALIFORNIA,  AS WELL AS TO THE  JURISDICTION  OF ALL COURTS FROM WHICH AN APPEAL
MAY BE TAKEN OR OTHER REVIEW SOUGHT FROM THE AFORESAID  COURTS,  FOR THE PURPOSE
OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF SUCH PARTY'S  OBLIGATIONS
UNDER OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS, INSTRUMENTS OR
DOCUMENTS  CONTEMPLATED  HEREBY,  AND,  TO THE  EXTENT  IT  LAWFULLY  MAY DO SO,
EXPRESSLY  WAIVES ANY AND ALL  OBJECTIONS IT MAY HAVE AS TO VENUE IN ANY OF SUCH
COURTS.

         (b) EACH PARTY HERETO  HEREBY  WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
ACTION,  PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM  ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONCERNED WITH
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS,  INSTRUMENTS OR DOCUMENTS  CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY. NO PARTY HERETO, NOR ANY ASSIGNEE OR SUCCESSOR OF A PARTY HERETO,  SHALL
SEEK  A JURY  TRIAL  IN  ANY  LAWSUIT,  PROCEEDING,  COUNTERCLAIM  OR ANY  OTHER
LITIGATION PROCEDURE BASED UPON, OR ARISING OUT OF, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE
AGREEMENTS,  INSTRUMENTS OR DOCUMENTS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. NO PARTY WILL SEEK TO
CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN WAIVED WITH ANY OTHER
ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. THE PROVISIONS OR
THIS  SECTION  HAVE  BEEN  FULLY  CONSIDERED  BY THE  PARTIES  HERETO,  AND  THE
PROVISIONS  SHALL BE  SUBJECT TO NO  EXCEPTIONS.  NO PARTY HAS IN ANY WAY AGREED
WITH OR  REPRESENTED TO ANY OTHER PARTY THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION WILL
NOT BE FULLY ENFORCED IN ALL INSTANCES.

         13.13 Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement,  as applied to
any party or circumstance,  shall be judged by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be void, invalid or unenforceable,  the same shall in no way effect any other
provision of this Agreement, the application of any such provision and any other
circumstances or the validity or  enforceability of the other provisions of this
Agreement.

         13.14 Legal Action.  If either Seller or Purchaser  shall institute any
legal action to enforce this  Agreement or any  provision  hereof,  it is agreed
that the prevailing party shall be entitled to collect reasonable attorneys fees
and costs incurred in connection therewith.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly  authorized  officers as of the date and year first above
written.

                                WELLS FARGO BANK,
                                 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                By:/s/ James K. Ketcham   
                                   ------------------------- 
                                      Name: James K. Ketcham
                                      Title: EVP


                                By:
                                      Name:
                                      Title:



                                 PURCHASER


                                 By: /s/ Robert A. Tucker
                                     -------------------------
                                      Name: Robert A. Tucker
                                      Title: Sr. Vice President/ COO


                                 By: /s/ Marshall J. Alexander
                                     --------------------------
                                      Name: Marshall J. Alexander
                                      Title: Vice President/ CFO








                                 SCHEDULE 1.1(a)

                          Assumed Severance Obligations


1.   First Interstate Bancorp Broad-Based Change in Control Severance Pay Plan.

2.   First Interstate Bancorp Middle Management Change in Control Severance Pay
     Plan.

3.   Wells Fargo & Company Separation Pay Plan, as amended.








                                 SCHEDULE 1.1(b)
                            Branches/Real Properties


Branch Name ...   Branch Address              City             Lease/Own
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Brookings .....   721 Chetco Ave.             Brookings        Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Burns .........   293 N. Broadway             Burns            Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Condon ........   103 S. Main St.             Condon           Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Coquille ......   259 N. Adams                Coquille         Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Enterprise ....   106 SW 1st St.              Enterprise       Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Fossil ........   555 1st St.                 Fossil           Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Garibaldi .....   708 Garibaldi               Garibaldi        Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Gold Beach ....   29804 Ellensburg Ave.       Gold Beach       Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Heppner .......   111 N. Main St.             Heppner          Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Hermiston .....   810 S. Highway 395          Hermiston        Leased
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
John Day ......   200 W. Main St.             John Day         Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Lakeview ......   1 S "E" Street              Lakeview         Owned/Sign Leased
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Merrill .......   206 E. Front St.            Merrill          Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Monroe ........   165 N. 5th St.              Monroe           Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Moro ..........   NW 4th and Main St.         Moro             Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Nyssa .........   217 Main St.                Nyssa            Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Oakridge ......   48257 E. 1st St.            Oakridge         Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Pilot Rock ....   227 W. Main St.             Pilot Rock       Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Port Orford ...   716 N. Highway 101          Port Orford      Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Prairie City ..   178 NW Front Street         Prairie City     Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Riddle ........   315 N. Main St.             Riddle           Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Scio ..........   38770 N. Main St.           Scio             Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Union .........   144 S. Main St.             Union            Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Yamhill .......   165 N. Maple                Yamhill          Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------
Carlton .......   SW Corner Main & Pin        Yamhill          Owned
- ---------------   -------------------------   --------------   -----------------







                                 SCHEDULE 1.1(c)

                                    (DELETED)








                                 SCHEDULE 1.1(d)

                                    (DELETED)










                                 SCHEDULE 3.6(a)

                                  FORM OF DEED

Recording Requested by:

When Recorded Mail to:


                       DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX $ ________________

( ) COMPUTED ON FULL VALUE OF PROPERTY CONVEYED, OR ( ) COMPUTED ON FULL VALUE
LESS LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES REMAINING THEREON AT TIME OF SALE.


Signature of declarant or agent determining tax - Firm Name

               (  ) Unincorporated Area           (  ) City of ________________

Assessor's parcel No. ________________

                  WELLS  FARGO BANK,  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  with its  principal
office located in San Francisco,  California,  the  undersigned  grantor,  for a
valuable  consideration,  receipt of which is hereby  acknowledged,  does hereby
remise,  release and forever grant to [NAME OF GRANTEE(S)] a  _________________,
with  its  principal  office  located  in  __________________,  all of the  real
property in the City of  ____________________,  County of  ____________________,
State of ___________, described in Attachment A hereto.


Date: ___________________                WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION



                                         By: _______________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                         MAIL TAX STATEMENTS TO GRANTEE
                                AT ADDRESS ABOVE





                                  Attachment A

                                    Property








                                 SCHEDULE 3.6(b)

                              FORM OF BILL OF SALE


         BILL OF SALE, dated as of _________________,  1997 by WELLS FARGO BANK,
NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  with its  principal  office  located  in San  Francisco,
California ("Seller"), to _______________________________________________,  with
its  principal  office  located in  ___________________________________________,
("Purchaser").  Capitalized  terms not otherwise  defined  herein shall have the
same meanings as set forth in the Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of
__________________,  1997 (the "P&A  Agreement"),  between Seller and Purchaser,
unless the context herein otherwise requires.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  set forth in the P&A
Agreement, Seller has agreed to transfer to Purchaser the Assets;

         NOW, THEREFORE,  for good and valuable  consideration,  the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,  Seller does hereby convey, grant,
bargain, sell, transfer, set over, assign,  alienate,  remise, release,  deliver
and confirm unto Purchaser, its successors and assigns, forever, all of Seller's
right,  title,  interest  and claim in and to the Personal  Property  (including
without  limitation,  the items  described in Attachment A hereto),  as of 11:59
P.M., California time, the day prior to the date hereof.

         TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and singular of the foregoing (the "Transferred
Properties")  unto Purchaser,  its successors and assigns,  to its and their own
use and enjoyment forever.

                 SELLER FURTHER COVENANTS AND AGREES AS FOLLOWS:

         1. This instrument  shall not constitute an assignment of any covenant,
obligation,   liability,  contract,  agreement,  license,  lease  or  commitment
pertaining  to the  Transferred  Properties if an attempted  assignment  thereof
without the consent of any other party thereto or with an interest therein would
constitute a breach thereof or would  materially and adversely affect the rights
of Seller  thereunder.  If any such consent is not obtained  with respect to any
such covenant,  obligation,  liability,  contract,  agreement, license, lease or
commitment,  or if  an  attempted  assignment  with  respect  thereto  would  be
ineffective  or would impair the rights of Seller  thereunder so that  Purchaser
would not in fact  receive  the benefit of all such  rights,  then  Seller,  its
successors and assigns,  shall act as  Purchaser's  agent in order to obtain for
Purchaser, its successors and assigns, the benefits thereunder,  and Seller will
cooperate with Purchaser in any other reasonable arrangement designed to provide
such benefits for Purchaser.

         2.       The Transferred Properties are being delivered "AS IS", "WHERE
IS" and with all faults.

         3. From time to time, Seller, its successor and assigns,  shall execute
and deliver all such further bills of sale,  assignments or other instruments of
conveyance and transfer as Purchaser,  its successors or assigns, may reasonably
request more  effectively  to transfer to and vest in Purchaser  all of Seller's
interest in the Transferred Properties.

         4.  This Bill of Sale is made  pursuant  to the  provisions  of the P&A
Agreement,  and, except as herein otherwise  provided,  the transfer of property
hereunder is made subject to the terms and provisions of the P&A Agreement.

         5. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and  interpreted in accordance
with the laws of the State of California  applicable to contracts made and to be
performed entirely within such State.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Seller has duly executed and delivered this Bill of
Sale as of the day and year first above written.

                     WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                   By:_______________________________________
                      Name:
                      Title:


                               PURCHASER:
                   By:_______________________________________
                      Name:
                      Title:











                                  Attachment A

                                Personal Property


                                [To be provided]










                                 SCHEDULE 3.6(c)

                   FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT


         ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of __________, 1997 (this
"Agreement"),  between WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  organized under
the  laws of the  United  States,  with  its  principal  office  located  in San
Francisco,  California ("Seller"), and  _____________________________,  with its
principal  office  located  in  ________________________________  ("Purchaser").
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth
in the Purchase and  Assumption  Agreement,  dated as of  _____________________,
(the "P&A Agreement"),  between Seller and Purchaser,  unless the context herein
otherwise requires.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  set forth in the P&A
Agreement,  Seller has agreed to assign, and Purchaser has agreed to assume, the
Liabilities;

         NOW, THEREFORE,  for good and valuable  consideration,  the receipt and
sufficiency  of which are  hereby  acknowledged,  the  parties  hereto  agree as
follows:

         1. Seller hereby sells, assigns,  conveys,  transfers and delivers, and
Purchaser assumes,  without warranty or representation,  express or implied,  or
recourse to,  Seller,  except as expressly  provided in the P&A  Agreement,  the
Liabilities, other than the Branch Leases, as set forth in the P&A Agreement.

         2.  Seller  hereby (a)  resigns as the  trustee  or  custodian  of each
Deposit in an IRA of which it is the  trustee or  custodian,  and (b) the extent
permitted  by the  documentation  governing  such  IRA,  appoints  Purchaser  as
successor  trustee or custodian of each such IRA, and Purchaser  hereby  accepts
each such  trusteeship or  custodianship  and assumes all fiduciary  obligations
with respect thereto.

         3. This  Agreement  shall not constitute an assignment or assumption of
any covenant,  fiduciary or other obligation,  liability,  contract,  agreement,
license,  lease  or  commitment  pertaining  to any  Liability  if an  attempted
assignment or assumption  thereof without the consent of any other party thereto
or with  an  interest  therein  would  constitute  a  breach  thereof  or  would
materially  and adversely  affect the rights of Seller  thereunder.  If any such
consent is not obtained  with respect to any such  covenant,  fiduciary or other
obligation,  liability, contract, agreement, license, lease or commitment, or if
an  attempted  assignment  or  assumption  of any  covenant,  fiduciary or other
obligation,   liability,  contract,  agreement,  license,  lease  or  commitment
pertaining to any Liability  would be  ineffective or would impair the rights of
Seller thereunder so that Purchaser would not in fact receive the benefit of all
such rights,  then Seller,  its  successors and assigns shall act as Purchaser's
agent in order to obtain for Purchaser, its successors and assigns, the benefits
thereunder,  and Seller will cooperate  with  Purchaser in any other  reasonable
arrangement designed to provide such benefits for Purchaser.

         4. This  Agreement  and all of the  provisions  hereof shall be binding
upon and  inure to the  benefit  of the  parties  hereto  and  their  respective
permitted  successors  and  permitted  assigns;   provided,  that  neither  this
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations of either party may be
assigned by either party hereto  without the prior written  consent of the other
party, and any purported  assignment in contradiction of this Section 4 shall be
void.

         5.  This  Agreement  is  made  pursuant  to the  provisions  of the P&A
Agreement  and,  except  as  herein  otherwise  provided,   the  assignment  and
assumption of any other Liabilities  hereunder are made subject to the terms and
provisions of the P&A Agreement.

         6.  Except  as  otherwise  provided  herein,  all of  the  transactions
provided for herein shall be effective as of 11:59 p.m.,  California  time,  the
day prior to the date hereof.

         7. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and  interpreted in accordance
with the laws of the State of California  applicable to contracts made and to be
performed entirely within such State.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered
this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


                           WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                   By:_______________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


                            [PURCHASER]:


                                    By:_______________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:










                                 SCHEDULE 3.6(d)

                   FORM OF ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE AND ASSUMPTION


         KNOW THAT WELLS  FARGO BANK,  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  a national  bank,
organized  under the laws of the United States,  having its principal  office in
San Francisco,  California ("Assignor"),  in consideration of One Dollar ($1.00)
and     other     good     and      valuable      consideration      paid     by
_____________________________________,  with its  principal  office  located  in
_________________,  ("Assignee"),  hereby  assigns  unto  the  Assignee  all  of
Assignor's  right,  title and  interest  as tenant  under a certain  lease  more
particularly  described on Attachment A hereto,  covering premises  described on
such attachment and in such Lease (the "Lease").

         TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same unto Assignee,  its successors and assigns
from and after 11:59  P.M.,  California  time,  the day prior to the date hereof
(the  "Effective  Time"),  subject  to  the  terms,  covenants,  conditions  and
provisions set forth in the Lease.

         ASSIGNEE  hereby  assumes,  effective  as of the  Effective  Time,  the
performance of all terms,  covenants and obligations of the Lease on the part of
Assignor to be performed under the Lease.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Assignor and Assignee have executed this Agreement
as of the ____ day of _____________, 1997.


                     WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                   By:_______________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


                               [ASSIGNEE]:


                                   By:_______________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:






                                  Attachment A

                                      Lease








                                 SCHEDULE 3.6(e)

                            FORM OF LANDLORD CONSENT


         CONSENT,  dated as of  ________________,  1997, of  __________________,
with its principal office located in  _______________________  ("Landlord"),  in
favor of WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION  organized under the laws of the
United States,  with its principal  office located in San Francisco,  California
("Seller").


                                               W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  Landlord  is the owner of certain  premises  and a party to a
certain lease, each described on Attachment A hereto (the "Lease"); and

         WHEREAS,  Seller  desires  to assign its  entire  interest  (including,
without    limitation,    renewal   rights,    if   any)   in   the   Lease   to
_____________________________,    with   its   principal   office   located   in
__________________, ("Purchaser"); and

         WHEREAS, Seller has requested Landlord's consent to said assignment and
to  Purchaser's  use of said  premises  as a  banking  office  and for all other
purposes authorized under the Lease for the balance of the term of the Lease and
Landlord  desires  to consent to the same for all  purposes  required  under the
Lease.

         NOW, THEREFORE,

         1. Subject to the limitations set forth below, Landlord hereby consents
to the assignment of the Lease by Seller to Purchaser and to Purchaser's  use of
said premises as a banking  office and for all other purposes  authorized  under
the Lease for the  balance of the term of the  Lease;  provided  that  Purchaser
shall agree to assume all of the  obligations  of Seller arising under the Lease
from and after the effective date of the assignment.

         2. Except for the  aforementioned  assignment  by Seller to  Purchaser,
nothing contained herein shall constitute a waiver of the obligation, if any, of
the  holder  of the  leasehold  interest  created  under  the  Lease  to  obtain
Landlord's  consent  to future  assignments  of the Lease or a  sublease  of the
premises demised thereunder.

         3. Nothing  contained  herein shall be construed to obligate  Seller to
assign the Lease to Purchaser,  it being understood and acknowledged by Landlord
that the  execution  and  delivery of this  Consent is in  anticipation  of said
assignment,  which  may or may not be  effected.  If said  assignment  shall  be
effected,  Seller or  Purchaser  shall  promptly  provide  to  Landlord  a fully
executed  counterpart of said  assignment  and notify  Landlord of the effective
date thereof.

         4. Landlord  acknowledges and certifies that, except for the conditions
contained  herein,  all  conditions  set  forth  in the  Lease,  if any,  to the
effectiveness  of the  aforementioned  assignment  or to the consent of Landlord
contained herein have been either waived by Landlord or satisfied.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned  has duly executed and delivered
this instrument as of the day and year first above written.


                              [LANDLORD]


                                   By:____________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:






                                  Attachment A

                                      Lease








                                 SCHEDULE 3.6(g)

                         FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF OFFICER
                     WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


         The undersigned,  the [title of officer] of WELLS FARGO BANK,  NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION,  a bank,  organized under the laws of the United States of America,
with its  principal  office  located in San  Francisco,  California  ("Seller"),
hereby certifies, to the best of [his] [her] knowledge after reasonable inquiry,
as follows:

         1. Each of the  representations  and  warranties  made by Seller in the
Purchase and Assumption  Agreement,  dated as of _____________,  1997, (the "P&A
Agreement"),  between  Seller  and  _________________________________,  with its
principal  office  located in  __________________,  California,  are true in all
material respects, as of the date hereof.

         2. Each of the covenants and agreements of Seller to be performed on or
 prior to the date hereof have been duly performed in all material respects.

         3. Attached  hereto are true and correct  copies of the  resolutions of
the Seller's Board of Directors,  dated as of _____________,  1997,  authorizing
the execution,  delivery and performance of the transactions contemplated by the
P&A Agreement,  which  resolutions were duly adopted and, as of the date hereof,
remain in full force and effect without amendment or modification.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name this ____ day of
________________, 1997.


                     WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                   By:____________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:







                                 SCHEDULE 3.7(d)

                         FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF OFFICER


         The      undersigned,      the      [title     of      officer]      of
_________________________________,   with  its  principal   office   located  in
____________________,  ("Purchaser"),  hereby  certifies,  to the  best of [his]
[her] knowledge after reasonable inquiry, as follows:

         1. Each of the  representations and warranties made by Purchaser in the
Purchase and  Assumption  Agreement,  dated as of  ____________,  1997 (the "P&A
Agreement"),  between  Purchaser  and Wells  Fargo Bank,  National  Association,
organized under the laws of the United States, with its principal office located
in Los Angeles,  California,  are true in all material respects,  as of the date
hereof (except for representations and warranties that are made as of a specific
date).

         2. Each of the covenants and agreements of Purchaser to be performed on
or prior to the date hereof have been duly performed in all material respects.

         3. Attached  hereto are true and correct  copies of the  resolutions of
the  Purchaser's  Board  of  Directors,  dated  as of  _________________,  1997,
authorizing  the  execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  the  transactions
contemplated by the P&A Agreement,  which  resolutions were duly adopted and, as
of the date  hereof,  remain  in full  force and  effect  without  amendment  or
modification.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name this ____ day of
________________, 1997.


                             [PURCHASER]:

                                   By:____________________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:









                                  SCHEDULE 4.11

            COMPENSATION TO SELLER FOR CERTAIN POST CLOSING SERVICES
                 -----------------------------------------------










                                  SCHEDULE 5.4

                                  Tenant Leases


Prop. #        Property         Sub-Tenant Name           Sq.         Lease
                                                          Ft.         Expires










                                  SCHEDULE 5.6

                     Litigation and Undisclosed Liabilities



None.









                              SCHEDULE 5.10(a)(ix)


                                    (DELETED)












                               SCHEDULE 5.10(f)(i)


                                    (DELETED)









                                  SCHEDULE 5.16

                              Environmental Matters


See  asbestos  reports and Phase I Reports (as updated)  previously  provided to
Purchaser.









                                  SCHEDULE 8.1

                           Outstanding Tax Liabilities



None.






                                  March 5, 1997



BY FACSIMILE AND FEDERAL EXPRESS

Klamath First Federal Savings &
         Loan Association
540 Main Street
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601
Attn:  Mr. Marshall Alexander

         Re: Branch Purchase

Dear Mr. Alexander:

         This will confirm the  understanding  of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("Wells
Fargo")  and  Klamath  First  Federal  Savings  & Loan  Association  ("Klamath")
regarding  the  Automatic  Teller  Machines  ("ATMs")  at the  twenty-five  (25)
branches  being  purchased  by Klamath  pursuant to that  certain  Purchase  and
Assumption Agreement ("P&A Agreement") executed between Klamath and Wells Fargo.

         Notwithstanding anything in the P&A Agreement to the contrary,  Klamath
shall  install its own ATMs in the branches at Closing  under the P&A  Agreement
rather than purchase ATMs from Wells Fargo at Closing. Consequently, Wells Fargo
shall remove all ATMs at each of the branches subject to the P&A Agreement at or
before  Closing and Klamath shall pay to Wells Fargo at Closing a flat amount of
Five Thousand  Dollars ($5,000) per ATM to reimburse Wells Fargo for the expense
of removing each such ATM.

        Please  acknowledge  your  agreement  to the  matters set forth above by
executing  this letter in the space  provided  below and  returning one executed
copy to my attention.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               Well Fargo Bank, N.A.

                                              By: /s/ James K. Ketcham
                                                  ---------------------
                                                      James K. Ketcham         
                                                  Its: EVP

Acknowledged and Agreed

Klamath First Federal Savings &
         Loan Association

By:      /s/ Marshall J. Alexander
         --------------------------
             Marshall J. Alexander    
        Its: Vice President and Chief
             Financial Officer