Exhibit 10.29

                          ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                   EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICER

     This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
December 1, 2003 by and between ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a business
corporation organized and operating under the laws of the State of Delaware and
having an office at One Astoria Federal Plaza, Lake Success, New York 11042-1085
(the "Company"), and GARY T. MCCANN, an individual residing at 17 Shoreham Road,
Massapequa, New York 11758 (the "Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the Executive currently serves the Company in the capacity of
Executive Vice President and as Executive Vice President of its wholly owned
subsidiary, ASTORIA FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION (the "Association");
and

     WHEREAS, the Executive currently has a Change of Control Severance
Agreement with the Company dated January 1, 2000 which the Executive and the
Company wish to terminate and replace with this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to assure for itself the continued
availability of the Executive's services and the ability of the Executive to
perform such services with a minimum of personal distraction in the event of a
pending or threatened Change of Control (as hereinafter defined); and

     WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to continue to serve the Company on the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Company and the Executive hereby
terminate in its entirety the Change of Control Severance Agreement by and
between the Company and the Executive dated as of January 1, 2000 and replace
such Change of Control Severance Agreement in all respects and manner with this
Agreement so as to provide as follows from and after the date hereof:

     Section 1. Employment.

     The Company agrees to continue to employ the Executive, and the Executive
hereby agrees to such continued employment, during the period and upon the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     Section 2. Employment Period; Remaining Unexpired Employment Period.


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     (a)  The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be and remain in
          effect during the period of employment established under this Section
          2 (the "Employment Period"). The Employment Period shall be for an
          initial term of three years beginning on the date of this Agreement
          and ending on the day before the third anniversary date of this
          Agreement, plus such extensions, if any, as are provided by the Board
          of Directors of the Company (the "Board") pursuant to Section 2(b).

     (b)  Beginning on the date of this Agreement, the Employment Period shall
          automatically be extended for one (1) additional day each day, unless
          either the Company or the Executive elects not to extend the Agreement
          further by giving written notice to the other party, in which case the
          Employment Period shall end on the day before the third anniversary of
          the date on which such written notice is given. For all purposes of
          this Agreement, the term "Remaining Unexpired Employment Period" as of
          any date shall mean the period beginning on such date and ending on:

          (i)  if a notice of non-extension has been given in accordance with
               this Section 2(b), the day before the third anniversary of the
               date on which such notice is given; and

          (ii) in all other cases, the day before the third anniversary of the
               date as of which the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period is
               being determined.

          Upon termination of the Executive's employment with the Company for
          any reason whatsoever, any daily extensions provided pursuant to this
          Section 2(b), if not previously discontinued, shall automatically
          cease.

     (c)  Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Company from
          terminating the Executive's employment at any time during the
          Employment Period with or without notice for any reason; provided,
          however, that the relative rights and obligations of the Company and
          the Executive in the event of any such termination shall be determined
          pursuant to this Agreement.

     Section 3. Duties.

     The Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President of the Company,
having such power, authority and responsibility and performing such duties as
are prescribed by or pursuant to the By-Laws of the Company and as are
customarily associated with such position. The Executive shall devote his or her
full business time and attention (other than during weekends, holidays, approved
vacation periods, and periods of illness or approved leaves of absence) to the
business and affairs of the Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries and shall
use his or her best efforts to advance the interests of the Company.


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     Section 4. Cash Compensation.

     In consideration for the services to be rendered by the Executive
hereunder, the Company shall pay to him or her a salary at an initial annual
rate of TWO HUNDRED TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($212,000), payable in approximately
equal installments in accordance with the Company's customary payroll practices
for senior officers. At least annually during the Employment Period, the Board
shall review the Executive's annual rate of salary and may, in its discretion,
approve an increase therein. In no event shall the Executive's annual rate of
salary under this Agreement in effect at a particular time be reduced without
his or her prior written consent and any such reduction in the absence of such
consent shall be a material breach of this Agreement. In addition to salary, the
Executive may receive other cash compensation from the Company for services
hereunder at such times, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as the
Board may determine from time to time.

     Section 5. Employee Benefit Plans and Programs.

     During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be treated as an employee
of the Company and shall be entitled to participate in and receive benefits
under any and all qualified or non-qualified retirement, pension, savings,
profit-sharing or stock bonus plans, any and all group life, health (including
hospitalization, medical and major medical), dental, accident and long term
disability insurance plans, and any other employee benefit and compensation
plans (including, but not limited to, any incentive compensation plans or
programs, stock option and appreciation rights plans and restricted stock plans)
as may from time to time be maintained by, or cover employees of, the Company,
in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit plans and
programs and compensation plans and programs and consistent with the Company's
customary practices.

     Section 6. Indemnification and Insurance.

     (a)  During the Employment Period and for a period of six (6) years
          thereafter, the Company shall cause the Executive to be covered by and
          named as an insured under any policy or contract of insurance obtained
          by it to insure its directors and officers against personal liability
          for acts or omissions in connection with service as an officer or
          director of the Company or service in other capacities at the request
          of the Company. The coverage provided to the Executive pursuant to
          this Section 6 shall be of the same scope and on the same terms and
          conditions as the coverage (if any) provided to other officers or
          directors of the Company.

     (b)  To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, during the
          Employment Period and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, the
          Company shall indemnify the Executive against, and hold him or her
          harmless from, any costs, liabilities, losses and exposures to the
          fullest extent and on the most favorable terms and conditions


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          that similar indemnification is offered to any director or officer of
          the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.

     Section 7. Other Activities.

     (a)  The Executive may serve as a member of the boards of directors of such
          business, community and charitable organizations as he or she may
          disclose to and as may be approved by the Board (which approval shall
          not be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that such service
          shall not materially interfere with the performance of his or her
          duties under this Agreement. The Executive may also engage in personal
          business and investment activities which do not materially interfere
          with the performance of his or her duties hereunder; provided,
          however, that such activities are not prohibited under any code of
          conduct or investment or securities trading policy established by the
          Company and generally applicable to all similarly situated executives.

     (b)  The Executive may also serve as an officer or director of the
          Association on such terms and conditions as the Company and the
          Association may mutually agree upon, and such service shall not be
          deemed to materially interfere with the Executive's performance of his
          or her duties hereunder or otherwise result in a material breach of
          this Agreement. If the Executive is discharged or suspended, or is
          subject to any regulatory prohibition or restriction with respect to
          participation in the affairs of the Association, he or she shall
          (subject to the Company's powers of termination hereunder) continue to
          perform services for the Company in accordance with this Agreement but
          shall not directly or indirectly provide services to or participate in
          the affairs of the Association in a manner inconsistent with the terms
          of such discharge or suspension or any applicable regulatory order.

     Section 8. Working Facilities and Expenses.

     The Executive's principal place of employment shall be at the Company's
executive offices at the address first above written, or at such other location
within Queens County or Nassau County, New York at which the Company shall
maintain its principal executive offices, or at such other location as the
Company and the Executive may mutually agree upon. The Company shall provide the
Executive at his or her principal place of employment with a private office,
secretarial services and other support services and facilities suitable to his
or her position with the Company and necessary or appropriate in connection with
the performance of his or her assigned duties under this Agreement. The Company
shall provide to the Executive for his or her exclusive use an automobile owned
or leased by the Company and appropriate to his or her position, to be used in
the performance of his or her duties hereunder, including commuting to and from
his or her personal residence. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for his
or her ordinary and necessary business expenses, including, without limitation,
all expenses associated with his or her business use of the aforementioned
automobile, fees for memberships in such clubs and organizations as the
Executive


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and the Company shall mutually agree are necessary and appropriate for business
purposes, and his or her travel and entertainment expenses incurred in
connection with the performance of his or her duties under this Agreement, in
each case upon presentation to the Company of an itemized account of such
expenses in such form as the Company may reasonably require.

     Section 9. Termination of Employment with Severance Benefits.

     (a)  The Executive shall be entitled to the severance benefits described
          herein in the event that his or her employment with the Company
          terminates during the Employment Period under any of the following
          circumstances:

          (i)  the Executive's voluntary resignation from employment with the
               Company within six (6) months following:

               (A)  the failure of the Board to appoint or re-appoint or elect
                    or re-elect the Executive to the office of Executive Vice
                    President (or a more senior office) of the Company;

               (B)  if the Executive is or becomes a member of the Board, the
                    failure of the stockholders of the Company to elect or
                    re-elect the Executive to the Board or the failure of the
                    Board (or the nominating committee thereof) to nominate the
                    Executive for such election or re-election;

               (C)  the expiration of a thirty (30) day period following the
                    date on which the Executive gives written notice to the
                    Company of its material failure, whether by amendment of the
                    Company's Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, action of
                    the Board or the Company's stockholders or otherwise, to
                    vest in the Executive the functions, duties, or
                    responsibilities prescribed in Section 3 of this Agreement
                    as of the date hereof, unless, during such thirty (30) day
                    period, the Company cures such failure in a manner
                    determined by the Executive, in his or her discretion, to be
                    satisfactory;

               (D)  the expiration of a thirty (30) day period following the
                    date on which the Executive gives written notice to the
                    Company of its material breach of any term, condition or
                    covenant contained in this Agreement (including, without
                    limitation, any reduction of the Executive's rate of base
                    salary in effect from time to time and any change in the
                    terms and conditions of any compensation or benefit program
                    in which the Executive participates which, either
                    individually or together with other changes, has a material
                    adverse effect on the aggregate value of his or her total
                    compensation package), unless, during such thirty (30) day
                    period, the Company


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                    cures such failure in a manner determined by the Executive,
                    in his or her discretion, to be satisfactory; or

               (E)  the relocation of the Executive's principal place of
                    employment, without his or her written consent, to a
                    location outside of Nassau County and Queens County, New
                    York;

          (ii) the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company
               for any other reason not described in Section 10(a).

          In such event, the Company shall provide the benefits and pay to the
          Executive the amounts described in Section 9(b).

     (b)  Upon the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company
          under circumstances described in Section 9(a) of this Agreement, the
          Company shall pay and provide to the Executive (or, in the event of
          the Executive's death following the Executive's termination of
          employment, to his or her estate):

          (i)  his or her earned but unpaid compensation (including, without
               limitation, all items which constitute wages under Section 190.1
               of the New York Labor Law and the payment of which is not
               otherwise provided for under this Section 9(b)) as of the date of
               the termination of his or her employment with the Company, such
               payment to be made at the time and in the manner prescribed by
               law applicable to the payment of wages but in any event not later
               than thirty (30) days after termination of employment;

          (ii) the benefits, if any, to which he or she is entitled as a former
               employee under the employee benefit plans and programs and
               compensation plans and programs maintained for the benefit of the
               Company's officers and employees;

          (iii) continued group life, health (including hospitalization, medical
               and major medical), dental, accident and long term disability
               insurance benefits, in addition to that provided pursuant to
               Section 9(b)(ii), and after taking into account the coverage
               provided by any subsequent employer, if and to the extent
               necessary to provide for the Executive, for the Remaining
               Unexpired Employment Period, coverage (including any co-payments
               and deductibles, but excluding any premium sharing arrangements,
               it being the intention of the parties to this Agreement that the
               premiums for such insurance benefits shall be the sole cost and
               expense of the Company) equivalent to the coverage to which he or
               she would have been entitled under such plans (as in effect on
               the date of his or her termination of employment, or, if his or
               her termination of employment occurs after a Change of Control,
               on the date of such Change of Control, whichever benefits are
               greater), if he or she had continued


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               working for the Company during the Remaining Unexpired Employment
               Period at the highest annual rate of salary or compensation, as
               applicable, achieved during that portion of the Employment Period
               which is prior to the Executive's termination of employment with
               the Company;

          (iv) within thirty (30) days following the Executive's termination of
               employment with the Company, a lump sum payment in an amount
               representing an estimate of the salary that the Executive would
               have earned if he or she had continued working for the Company
               during the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period at the highest
               annual rate of salary achieved during that portion of the
               Employment Period which is prior to the Executive's termination
               of employment with the Company (the "Salary Severance Payment").
               The Salary Severance Payment shall be computed using the
               following formula:

                    SSP = BS x NY

               where:

               "SSP" is the amount of the Salary Severance Payment, before the
               deduction of applicable federal, state and local withholding
               taxes;

               "BS" is the highest annual rate of salary achieved during that
               portion of the Employment Period which is prior to the
               Executive's termination of employment with the Company;

               "NY" is the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period expressed as a
               number of years (rounded, if such period is not a whole number,
               to the next highest whole number).

               The Salary Severance Payment shall be paid in lieu of all other
               payments of salary provided for under this Agreement in respect
               of the period following any such termination.

          (v)  within thirty (30) days following the Executive's termination of
               employment with the Company, a lump sum payment (the "DB
               Severance Payment") in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of:

               (A)  the present value of the aggregate benefits to which he or
                    she would be entitled under any and all qualified and
                    non-qualified defined benefit pension plans maintained by,
                    or covering employees of, the Company, if he or she were
                    100% vested thereunder and had continued working for the
                    Company during the Remaining Unexpired


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                    Employment Period, such benefits to be determined as of the
                    date of termination of employment by adding to the service
                    actually recognized under such plans an additional period
                    equal to the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period and by
                    adding to the compensation recognized under such plans for
                    the most recent year recognized all amounts payable pursuant
                    to Sections 9(b)(i), (iv), (vii), (viii) and (ix) of this
                    Agreement; over

               (B)  the present value of the benefits to which he or she is
                    actually entitled under such defined benefit pension plans
                    as of the date of his or her termination;

               The DB Severance Payment shall be computed using the following
               formula:

                    DBSP = SEVLS - LS

               where:

               "DBSP" is the amount of the DB Severance Payment, before the
               deduction of applicable federal, state and local withholding
               taxes;

               "SEVLS" is the sum of the present value of the defined benefit
               pension benefits that have been or would be accrued by the
               Executive under all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit
               pension plans of which the Company or any of its affiliates or
               subsidiaries are a sponsor and in which the Executive is or, but
               for the completion of any service requirement that would have
               been completed during the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period,
               would be a participant utilizing the following assumptions:

                    (I)  the executive is 100% vested in the plans regardless of
                         actual service,

                    (II) the benefit to be valued shall be a single life annuity
                         with monthly payments due on the first day of each
                         month and with a guaranteed payout of not less than 120
                         monthly payments,

                    (III) the calculation shall be made utilizing the same
                         mortality table and interest rate as would be utilized
                         by the plan on the date of termination as if the
                         calculation were being made pursuant to Section
                         417(e)(3)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code, as
                         amended, (the "Code");


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                    (IV) for purpose of calculating the Executive's monthly or
                         annual benefit under the defined benefit plans,
                         additional service equal to the Remaining Unexpired
                         Employment Period (rounded up to the next whole year if
                         such period is not a whole number when expressed in
                         years) shall be added to the Executive's actual service
                         to calculate the amount of the benefit; and

                    (V)  for purpose of calculating the Executive's monthly or
                         annual benefit under the defined benefit plans, the
                         following sums shall be added to the Executive's
                         compensation recognized under such plans for the most
                         recent year recognized:

                         (1) payments made pursuant to Section 9(b)(i);
                         (2) the Salary Severance Payment;
                         (3) the Bonus Severance Payment;
                         (4) the Option Surrender Payment; and
                         (5) the RRP Surrender Payment.

               "LS" is the sum of the present value of the defined benefit
               pension benefits that are vested benefits actually accrued by the
               Executive under all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit
               pension plans maintained by, or covering employees of, the
               Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries in which the
               Executive is or, but for the completion of any service
               requirement, would be a participant utilizing the following
               assumptions:

                    (I)  the benefit to be valued shall be a single life annuity
                         with monthly payments due on the first day of each
                         month and with a guaranteed payout of not less than 120
                         monthly payments, and

                    (II) the calculation shall be made utilizing the same
                         mortality table and interest rate as would be utilized
                         by the plan on the date of termination as if the
                         calculation were being made pursuant to Section
                         417(e)(3)(A)(ii) of the Code;

          (vi) within thirty (30) days following the Executive's termination of
               employment with the Company, a lump sum payment (the "Defined
               Contribution Severance Payment") equal to the sum of:

               (A)  an estimate of the additional employer contributions to
                    which he or she would have been entitled under any and all
                    qualified and non-qualified defined contribution pension
                    plans, excluding the employee


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                    stock ownership plans, maintained by, or covering employees
                    of, the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries as
                    if he or she were 100% vested thereunder and had continued
                    working for the Company during the Remaining Unexpired
                    Employment Period (the "401K Severance Payment"); and

               (B)  an estimate of the value of the additional assets which
                    would have been allocable to him or her through debt service
                    or otherwise under any and all qualified and non-qualified
                    employee stock ownership plans, maintained by, or covering
                    employees of, the Company or any of its affiliates or
                    subsidiaries as if he or she were 100% vested thereunder and
                    had continued working for the Company during the Remaining
                    Unexpired Employment Period, based on the fair market value
                    of such assets at termination of employment (the "ESOP
                    Severance Payment").

               The Defined Contribution Severance Payment shall be calculated as
               follows:

                    DCSP = 401KSP + ESOPSP

               where:

               "DCSP" is the amount of the Defined Contribution Severance
               Payment, before the deduction of applicable federal, state and
               local withholding taxes;

               "401KSP" is the amount of the 401K Severance Payment, before the
               deduction of applicable federal, state and local withholding
               taxes; and

               "ESOPSP" is the amount of the ESOP Severance Payment, before the
               deduction of applicable federal, state and local withholding
               taxes.

               The 401KSP shall be calculated as follows:

                    401KSP = (401KC x NY) + UVB

               where

               "401KC" is the sum of the Company Contributions as defined in the
               Association's Incentive Savings Plan or, if made under another
               defined contribution pension plan other than an employee stock
               ownership plan, the comparable contribution made for the benefit
               of the Executive during the one year period which shall end on
               the date of his or her termination of his or her employment with
               the Company;


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               "NY" is the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period expressed as a
               number of years (rounded, if such period is not a whole number,
               to the next highest whole number); and

               "UVB" is the actual balance credited to the Executive's account
               under the applicable plan at the date of his or her termination
               of employment that is not vested and does not become vested as a
               consequence of such termination of employment.

               The ESOPSP shall be calculated as follows:

                    ESOPSP = (((ALL x FMV) + C) x NY) + UVB

               where:

               "ALL" is the sum of the number of shares of the Company's common
               stock or, if applicable, phantom shares of such stock by whatever
               term it is described allocated to the Executive's accounts under
               all qualified and non-qualified employee stock ownership plans
               maintained by the Company or any of its affiliates or
               subsidiaries during or for the last complete plan year in which
               the Executive participated in such plans and received such an
               allocation whether the allocation occurred as a result of
               contributions made by the Company, the payment by the Company or
               any of its affiliates or subsidiaries of any loan payments under
               a leveraged employee stock ownership plan, the allocation of
               forfeitures under the terms of such plan or as a result of the
               use of cash or earnings allocated to the Executive's account
               during such plan year to make loan payments that result in share
               allocations, provided however, that excluded shall be any shares
               or phantom shares allocated to the Executive's account under any
               qualified and non-qualified employee stock ownership plans
               maintained by the Company or any of its affiliates or
               subsidiaries solely as a result of the termination of such plans,
               provided further, that if the shares allocated are not shares of
               the Association's common stock or phantom shares of such stock
               than shares of whatever securities are so allocated shall be
               utilized, and provided further, that in the event that there
               shall be any shares or phantom shares allocated during the then
               current plan year or the last complete plan year to the
               Executive's account under any qualified and non-qualified
               employee stock ownership plans maintained by the Association or
               any of its affiliates or subsidiaries solely as a result of the
               termination of such plans, the ALL shall be reduced (but not to
               an amount less than zero (0)) by an amount calculated by
               multiplying the number of shares or phantom shares allocated to
               the Executive's account solely as a result of the termination of
               such plans times the FMV utilized to calculate the ESOPSP;


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               "C" is the sum of all cash allocated to the Executive's accounts
               under all qualified and non-qualified employee stock ownership
               plans maintained by the Company during or for the last complete
               plan year in which the Executive participated in such plans
               whether the allocation occurred as a result of contributions made
               by the Company, the payment by the Company or the Association of
               any loan payments under a leveraged employee stock ownership plan
               or the allocation of forfeitures under the terms of such plan
               during such plan year;

               "FMV" is the closing price of the Company's common stock on the
               New York Stock Exchange or on whatever other stock exchange or
               market such stock is publicly traded on the date the Executive's
               employment terminates or, if such day is not a day on which such
               securities are traded, on the most recent preceding trading day
               on which a trade occurs, provided however that if the security
               allocated to the Executive's account during the last completed
               plan year is other than the Company's common stock the closing
               price of such other security on the date the Executive's
               employment terminates shall be utilized.

               "NY" is the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period expressed as a
               number of years (rounded, if such period is not a whole number,
               to the next highest whole number); and

               "UVB" is the actual balance credited to the Executive's account
               under the applicable plan at the date of his or her termination
               of employment that is not vested and does not become vested as a
               consequence of such termination of employment.

          (vii) within thirty (30) days following the Executive's termination of
               employment with the Company, the Company shall make a lump sum
               payment to the Executive in an amount equal to the estimated
               potential annual bonuses or incentive compensation that the
               Executive could have earned if the Executive had continued
               working for the Company during the Unexpired Employment Period at
               the highest annual rate of salary achieved during that portion of
               the Employment Period which is prior to the Executive's
               termination of employment with the Company (the "Bonus Severance
               Payment"). The Bonus Severance Payment shall be computed using
               the following formula:

                    BSP = ( BS x TIO x AP x NY)

               where:

               "BSP" is the amount of the Bonus Severance Payment, before the
               deduction


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               of applicable federal, state and local withholding taxes;

               "BS" is the highest annual rate of salary achieved during that
               portion of the Employment Period which is prior to the
               Executive's termination of employment with the Company;

               "TIO" is the highest target incentive opportunity (expressed as a
               percentage of base salary) established by the Compensation
               Committee of the Board for the Executive pursuant to the Astoria
               Financial Corporation Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan
               during that portion of the Employment Period which is prior to
               the Executive's termination of employment with the Company;

               "AP" is the highest award percentage available to the Executive
               with respect to the financial performance of the Company
               (expressed as a percentage of the TIO) established by the
               Compensation Committee of the Board for the Executive pursuant to
               the Astoria Financial Corporation Executive Officer Annual
               Incentive Plan during the period during that portion of the
               Employment Period which is prior to the Executive's termination
               of employment with the Company; and

               "NY" is the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period expressed as a
               number of years (rounded, if such period is not a whole number,
               to the next highest whole number).

        (viii) at the election of the Company made within thirty (30) days
               following the Executive's termination of employment with the
               Company, upon the surrender of options or appreciation rights
               issued to the Executive under any stock option and appreciation
               rights plan or program maintained by, or covering employees of,
               the Company, a lump sum payment (the "Option Surrender Payment").
               The Option Surrender Payment shall be calculated as follows:

                              OSP = (FMV - EP) x N

               where:

               "OSP" is the amount of the Option Surrender Payment, before the
               deduction of applicable federal, state and local withholding
               taxes;

               "FMV" is the closing price of the Company's common stock on the
               New York Stock Exchange, or on whatever other stock exchange or
               market such stock is publicly traded, on the date the Executive's
               employment terminates


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               or, if such day is not a day on which such securities are traded,
               on the most recent preceding trading day on which a trade occurs,
               provided however that if the option or stock appreciation right
               is for a security other than the Company's common stock, the fair
               market value of a share of stock of the same class as the stock
               subject to the option or appreciation right, determined as of the
               date of termination of employment shall be utilized;

               "EP" is the exercise price per share for such option or
               appreciation right, as specified in or under the relevant plan or
               program; and

               "N" is the number of shares with respect to which options or
               appreciation rights are being surrendered.

               For purposes of determining the Option Severance Payment and for
               purposes of determining the Executive's right following his or
               her termination of employment with the Company to exercise any
               options or appreciation rights not surrendered pursuant hereto,
               the Executive shall be deemed fully vested in all options and
               appreciation rights under any stock option or appreciation rights
               plan or program maintained by, or covering employees of, the
               Company, even if he or she is not vested under such plan or
               program;

          (ix) at the election of the Company made within thirty (30) days
               following the Executive's termination of employment with the
               Company, upon the surrender of any shares awarded to the
               Executive under any restricted stock plan maintained by, or
               covering employees of, the Company, a lump sum payment (the "RRP
               Surrender Payment") The RRP Surrender Payment shall be calculated
               as follows:

                    RSP = FMV x N

               where:

               "RSP" is the amount of the RRP Surrender Payment, before the
               deduction of applicable federal, state and local withholding
               taxes;

               "FMV" is the closing price of the Company's common stock on the
               New York Stock Exchange, or on whatever other stock exchange or
               market such stock is publicly traded, on the date the Executive's
               employment terminates or, if such day is not a day on which such
               securities are traded, on the preceding trading day on which a
               trade occurs, provided however that if the restricted stock is a
               security other than the Company's common stock, the fair market
               value of a share of stock of the same class as the stock granted
               under such plan, determined as of the date of termination of
               employment shall be


                                 Page 14 of 31







               utilized; and

               "N" is the number of shares which are being surrendered.

               For purposes of determining the RRP Surrender Payment and for
               purposes of determining the Executive's right following his or
               her termination of employment with the Company to any stock not
               surrendered pursuant hereto, the Executive shall be deemed fully
               vested in all shares awarded under any restricted stock plan
               maintained by, or covering employees of, the Company, even if he
               or she is not vested under such plan.

          The Salary Severance Payment, the DB Severance Payment, the Defined
          Contribution Severance Payment, the Bonus Severance Payment, the
          Option Surrender Payment and the RRP Surrender Payment shall be
          computed at the expense of the Company by an attorney of the firm of
          Thacher Proffitt & Wood, Two World Financial Center, New York, New
          York 10281 or, if such firm is unavailable or unwilling to perform
          such calculation, by a firm of independent certified public
          accountants selected by the Executive and reasonably satisfactory to
          the Company (the "Computation Advisor"). The determination of the
          Computation Advisor as to the amount of such payments shall be final
          and binding in the absence of manifest error.

          The Company and the Executive hereby stipulate that the damages which
          may be incurred by the Executive following any such termination of
          employment are not capable of accurate measurement as of the date
          first above written and that the payments and benefits contemplated by
          this Section 9(b) constitute reasonable damages under the
          circumstances and shall be payable without any requirement of proof of
          actual damage and without regard to the Executive's efforts, if any,
          to mitigate damages. The Company and the Executive further agree that
          the Company may condition the payment of the Salary Severance Payment,
          the DB Severance Payment, the Defined Contribution Severance Payment,
          the Bonus Severance Payment, the Option Surrender Payment and the RRP
          Surrender Payment on the receipt of the Executive's resignation from
          any and all positions which he or she holds as an officer, director or
          committee member with respect to the Company, the Association or any
          subsidiary or affiliate of either of them.

     Section 10. Termination without Additional Company Liability.

     (a)  In the event that the Executive's employment with the Company shall
          terminate during the Employment Period on account of:

          (i)  the discharge of the Executive for Cause, which, for purposes of
               this Agreement shall mean:


                                 Page 15 of 31







               (A)  the Executive intentionally engages in dishonest conduct in
                    connection with the Executive's performance of services for
                    the Company resulting in the Executive's conviction of a
                    felony;

               (B)  the Executive is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo
                    contendere to, a felony or any crime involving moral
                    turpitude;

               (C)  the Executive willfully fails or refuses to perform the
                    Executive's duties under this Agreement and fails to cure
                    such breach within sixty (60) days following written notice
                    thereof from the Company;

               (D)  the Executive breaches the Executive's fiduciary duties to
                    the Company for personal profit;

               (E)  the Executive's willful breach or violation of any law, rule
                    or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar
                    offenses), or final cease and desist order in connection
                    with the Executive's performance of services for the
                    Company; or

               (F)  the Executive's material breach of any material provision of
                    this Agreement which is not substantially cured within 60
                    days after written notice of such breach is received by the
                    Executive from the Company.

          (ii)  the Executive's voluntary resignation from employment with the
                Company for reasons other than those specified in Section 9(a)
                or 11(b);

          (iii) the Executive's death;

          (iv)  a determination that the Executive is Disabled;

          (v)   the Executive's termination of employment for any reason at or
                after attainment of mandatory retirement age under the Company's
                mandatory retirement policy for executive officers in effect as
                of the date of this Agreement;

          then the Company, except as otherwise specifically provided herein,
          shall have no further obligations under this Agreement, other than the
          payment to the Executive (or, in the event of his or her death, to his
          or her estate) of the amounts or benefits provided in Section 9(b)(i)
          and (ii) of this Agreement (the "Standard Termination Entitlements").

     (b)  For purposes of Section 10(a)(i), no act or failure to act, on the
          part of the Executive,


                                 Page 16 of 31







          shall be considered "intentional" or "willful" unless it is done, or
          omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without
          reasonable belief that the Executive's action or omission was in the
          best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon
          authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or
          based upon the written advice of counsel for the Company shall be
          conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the
          Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
          Except as specifically provided below, the cessation of employment of
          the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause within the meaning
          of Section 10(a)(i) unless and until:

          (i)   the Board, by the affirmative vote of 75% of its entire
                membership, determines that the Executive is guilty of the
                conduct described in Section 10(a)(i) above measured against
                standards generally prevailing at the relevant time in the
                savings and community banking industry;

          (ii)  prior to the vote contemplated by Section 10(b)(i), the Board
                shall provide the Executive with notice of the Company's intent
                to discharge the Executive for Cause, detailing with
                particularity the facts and circumstances which are alleged to
                constitute Cause (the "Notice of Intent to Discharge"); and

          (iii) after the giving of the Notice of Intent to Discharge and before
                the taking of the vote contemplated by Section 10(b)(i), the
                Executive, together with the Executive's legal counsel, if the
                Executive so desires, are afforded a reasonable opportunity to
                make both written and oral presentations before the Board for
                the purpose of refuting the alleged grounds for Cause for the
                Executive's discharge; and

          (iv)  after the vote contemplated by Section 10(b)(i), the Company has
                furnished to the Executive a notice of termination which shall
                specify the effective date of the Executive's termination of
                employment (which shall in no event be earlier than the date on
                which such notice is deemed given) and include a copy of a
                resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board, certified by
                its corporate secretary, authorizing the termination of the
                Executive's employment with Cause and stating with particularity
                the facts and circumstances found to constitute Cause for the
                Executive's discharge (the "Final Discharge Notice").

          If the Executive, during the 90 (ninety) day period commencing on the
          delivery by the Company to the Executive of the Notice of Intent to
          Discharge specified in Section 10(b)(ii), resigns his or her
          employment with the Company prior to the delivery to the Executive by
          the Company of the Final Discharge Notice specified in Section
          10(b)(iv), then the cessation of employment of the Executive shall be
          deemed to be for Cause.


                                 Page 17 of 31







          Following the giving of a Notice of Intent to Discharge, the Bank may
          temporarily suspend the Executive's duties and authority and, in such
          event, may also suspend the payment of salary and other cash
          compensation, but not the Executive's participation in retirement,
          insurance and other employee benefit plans. If the Executive is not
          discharged or is discharged without Cause within forty-five (45) days
          after the giving of a Notice of Intent to Discharge, payments of
          salary and cash compensation shall resume, and all payments withheld
          during the period of suspension shall be promptly restored. If the
          Executive is discharged with Cause not later than forty-five (45) days
          after the giving of the Notice of Intent to Discharge, all payments
          withheld during the period of suspension shall be deemed forfeited and
          shall not be included in the Standard Termination Entitlements. If a
          Final Discharge Notice is given later than forty-five (45) days, but
          sooner than ninety (90) days, after the giving of the Notice of Intent
          to Discharge, all payments made to the Executive during the period
          beginning with the giving of the Notice of Intent to Discharge and
          ending with the Executive's discharge with Cause shall be retained by
          the Executive and shall not be applied to offset the Standard
          Termination Entitlements. If the Bank does not give a Final Discharge
          Notice to the Executive within ninety (90) days after giving a Notice
          of Intent to Discharge, the Notice of Intent to Discharge shall be
          deemed withdrawn and any future action to discharge the Executive with
          Cause shall require the giving of a new Notice of Intent to Discharge.
          If the Executive resigns pursuant to Section 10(b), the Executive
          shall forfeit his or her right to suspended amounts that have not been
          restored as of the date of the Executive's resignation or notice of
          resignation, whichever is earlier.

     (c)  The Company may terminate the Executive's employment on the basis that
          the Executive is Disabled during the Employment Period upon a
          determination by the Board, by the affirmative vote of 75% of its
          entire membership, acting in reliance on the written advice of a
          medical professional acceptable to it, that the Executive is suffering
          from a physical or mental impairment which, at the date of the
          determination, has prevented the Executive from performing the
          Executive's assigned duties on a substantially full-time basis for a
          period of at least one hundred and eighty (180) days during the period
          of one (1) year ending with the date of the determination or is likely
          to result in death or prevent the Executive from performing the
          Executive's assigned duties on a substantially full-time basis for a
          period of at least one hundred and eighty (180) days during the period
          of one (1) year beginning with the date of the determination. In such
          event:

               (A)  The Company shall pay and provide the Standard Termination
                    Entitlements to the Executive;

               (B)  In addition to the Standard Termination Entitlements,
                    the Company shall continue to pay to the Executive the
                    Executive's base salary, at the annual rate in effect for
                    the Executive immediately prior to the


                                 Page 18 of 31







                    termination of the Executive's employment, during a period
                    ending on the earliest of:

                    (I)   the expiration of one hundred and eighty (180) days
                          after the date of termination of the Executive's
                          employment;

                    (II)  the date on which long-term disability insurance
                          benefits are first payable to the Executive under any
                          long-term disability insurance plan covering the
                          Executive; or

                    (III) the date of the Executive's death.

               A termination of employment due to Disability under this Section
               shall be effected by a notice of termination given to the
               Executive by the Company and shall take effect on the later of
               the effective date of termination specified in such notice or, if
               no such date is specified, the date on which the notice of
               termination is deemed given to the Executive.

     Section 11. Termination Upon or Following a Change of Control.

     (a)  A Change of Control of the Company ("Change of Control") shall be
          deemed to have occurred upon the happening of any of the following
          events:

          (i)  approval by the stockholders of the Company of a transaction that
               would result in the reorganization, merger or consolidation of
               the Company with one or more other persons, other than a
               transaction following which:

               (A)  at least 51% of the equity ownership interests of the entity
                    resulting from such transaction are beneficially owned
                    (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
                    Act")) in substantially the same relative proportions by
                    persons who, immediately prior to such transaction,
                    beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
                    promulgated under the Exchange Act) at least 51% of the
                    outstanding equity ownership interests in the Company; and

               (B)  at least 51% of the securities entitled to vote generally in
                    the election of directors of the entity resulting from such
                    transaction are beneficially owned (within the meaning of
                    Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) in
                    substantially the same relative proportions by persons who,
                    immediately prior to such transaction, beneficially owned
                    (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated


                                 Page 19 of 31







                    under the Exchange Act) at least 51 % of the securities
                    entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of
                    the Company;

          (ii)  the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of
                the Company or beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
                Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more
                of the outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote
                generally in the election of directors by any person or by any
                persons acting in concert, or approval by the stockholders of
                the Company of any transaction which would result in such an
                acquisition;

          (iii) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or
                approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan for such
                liquidation or dissolution;

          (iv)  the occurrence of any event if, immediately following such
                event, at least 50% of the members of the Board do not belong
                to any of the following groups:

               (A)  individuals who were members of the Board on the date of
                    this Agreement; or

               (B)  individuals who first became members of the Board after the
                    date of this Agreement either:

                    (I)  upon election to serve as a member of the Board by
                         affirmative vote of three-quarters of the members of
                         such Board, or of a nominating committee thereof, in
                         office at the time of such first election; or

                    (II) upon election by the stockholders of the Company to
                         serve as a member of the Board, but only if nominated
                         for election by affirmative vote of three-quarters of
                         the members of the Board, or of a nominating committee
                         thereof, in office at the time of such first
                         nomination;

                    provided, however, that such individual's election or
                    nomination did not result from an actual or threatened
                    election contest (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of
                    Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other
                    actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents
                    (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A
                    promulgated under the Exchange Act) other than by or on
                    behalf of the Board; or

          (v)  any event which would be described in Section 11(a)(i), (ii),
               (iii) or (iv) if the


                                 Page 20 of 31







               term "Association" were substituted for the term "Company"
               therein or the term "Board of Directors of the Association" were
               substituted for the term "Board".

          In no event, however, shall a Change of Control be deemed to have
          occurred as a result of any acquisition of securities or assets of the
          Company, the Association, or an affiliate or subsidiary of either of
          them, by the Company, the Association, or a subsidiary of either of
          them, or by any employee benefit plan maintained by any of them. For
          purposes of this Section 11 (a), the term "person" shall have the
          meaning assigned to it under Sections 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
          Exchange Act.

     (b)  In the event of a Change of Control, the Executive shall be entitled
          to the payments and benefits contemplated by Section 9(b) in the event
          of his or her termination of employment with the Company under any of
          the circumstances described in Section 9(a) of this Agreement or under
          any of the following circumstances:

          (i)   resignation, voluntary or otherwise, by the Executive at any
                time during the Employment Period within six (6) months
                following his or her demotion, loss of title, office or
                significant authority or responsibility or following any
                reduction in any element of his or her package of compensation
                and benefits;

          (ii)  resignation, voluntary or otherwise, by the Executive at any
                time during the Employment Period within six (6) months
                following any relocation of his or her principal place of
                employment or any change in working conditions at such
                principal place of employment which the Executive, in his or
                her reasonable discretion, determines to be embarrassing,
                derogatory or otherwise adverse;

          (iii) resignation, voluntary or otherwise, by the Executive at any
                time during the Employment Period within six (6) months
                following the failure of any successor to the Company in the
                Change of Control to include the Executive in any compensation
                or benefit program maintained by it or covering any of its
                executive officers, unless the Executive is already covered
                by a substantially similar plan of the Company which is at
                least as favorable to him or her; or

          (iv)  resignation, voluntary or otherwise, for any reason whatsoever
                during the Employment Period within six months following the
                effective date of the Change of Control.

     Section 12. Tax Indemnification.

     (a)  This Section 12 shall apply if the Executive's employment is
          terminated upon or


                                 Page 21 of 31







          following:

          (i)  a Change of Control (as defined in Section 11 of this Agreement);
               or

          (ii) a change "in the ownership or effective control" of the Company
               or the Association or "in the ownership of a substantial portion
               of the assets" of the Company or the Association within the
               meaning of Section 28OG of the Code.

          If this Section 12 applies, then, if for any taxable year, the
          Executive shall be liable for the payment of an excise tax under
          Section 4999 of the Code with respect to any payment in the nature of
          compensation made by the Company, the Association or any direct or
          indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or the Association to
          (or for the benefit of) the Executive, the Company shall pay to the
          Executive an amount intended to indemnify the Executive against the
          financial effects of the excise tax imposed on excess parachute
          payments under Section 28OG of the Code (the "Tax Indemnity Payment").
          The Tax Indemnity Payment shall be determined under the following
          formula:

                                           E x P
               TIP   =   ----------------------------------------
                         1 - (( FI x ( 1 - SLI )) + SLI + E + M )

          where:

          "TIP" is the Tax Indemnity Payment, before the deduction of applicable
          federal, state and local withholding taxes;

          "E" is the percentage rate at which an excise tax is assessed under
          Section 4999 of the Code;

          "P" is the amount with respect to which such excise tax is assessed,
          determined without regard to any amount payable pursuant to this
          Section 12;

          "FI" is the highest marginal rate of income tax applicable to the
          Executive under the Code for the taxable year in question;

          "SLI" is the sum of the highest marginal rates of income tax
          applicable to the Executive under all applicable state and local laws
          for the taxable year in question; and

          "M" is the highest marginal rate of Medicare tax applicable to the
          Executive under the Code for the taxable year in question.


                                 Page 22 of 31







     (b)  The computation of the Tax Indemnity Payment shall be made at the
          expense of the Company by the Computation Advisor and shall be based
          on the following assumptions:

          (i)   that a change in ownership, a change in effective ownership or
                control or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of
                the assets of the Association or the Company has occurred within
                the meaning of Section 28OG of the Code (a "28OG Change of
                Control");

          (ii)  that all direct or indirect payments made to or benefits
                conferred upon the Executive on account of the Executive's
                termination of employment are "parachute payments" within the
                meaning of Section 28OG of the Code; and

          (iii) that no portion of such payments is reasonable compensation for
                services rendered prior to the Executive's termination of
                employment.

     (c)  With respect to any payment that is presumed to be a parachute payment
          for purposes of Section 28OG of the Code, the Tax Indemnity Payment
          shall be made to the Executive on the earlier of the date the Company,
          the Association or any direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of
          the Company or the Association is required to withhold such tax or the
          date the tax is required to be paid by the Executive, unless, prior to
          such date, the Company delivers to the Executive the written opinion
          (the "Opinion Letter"), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
          to the Executive, of the Computation Advisor or, if the Computation
          Advisor is unable to provide such opinion, of an attorney or firm of
          independent certified public accountants selected by the Company and
          reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, to the effect that the
          Executive has a reasonable basis on which to conclude that:

          (i)   no 28OG Change in Control has occurred, or

          (ii)  all or part of the payment or benefit in question is not a
                parachute payment for purposes of Section 28OG of the Code, or

          (iii) all or a part of such payment or benefit constitutes reasonable
                compensation for services rendered prior to the 28OG Change of
                Control, or

          (iv)  for some other reason which shall be set forth in detail in such
                letter, no excise tax is due under Section 4999 of the Code with
                respect to such payment or benefit.

          If the Company delivers an Opinion Letter, the Computation Advisor
          shall re-compute, and the Company shall make, the Tax Indemnity
          Payment, if any, in reliance on the information contained in the
          Opinion Letter.


                                 Page 23 of 31







     (d)  In the event that the Executive's liability for the excise tax under
          Section 4999 of the Code for a taxable year is subsequently determined
          to be different than the amount with respect to which the Tax
          Indemnity Payment is made, the Executive or the Company, as the case
          may be, shall pay to the other party at the time that the amount of
          such excise tax is finally determined, an appropriate amount, plus
          interest, such that the payment made pursuant to Sections 12(a) and
          12(c), when increased by the amount of the payment made to the
          Executive pursuant to this Section 12(d), or when reduced by the
          amount of the payment made to the Company pursuant to this Section
          12(d), equals the amount that should have properly been paid to the
          Executive under Sections 12(a) and 12(c). The interest paid to the
          Company under this Section 12(d) shall be determined at the rate
          provided under Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. The payment made to
          the Executive shall include such amount of interest as is necessary to
          satisfy any interest assessment made by the Internal Revenue Service
          and an additional amount equal to any monetary penalties assessed by
          the Internal Revenue Service on account of an underpayment of the
          excise tax. To confirm that the proper amount, if any, was paid to the
          Executive under this Section 12, the Executive shall furnish to the
          Company a copy of each tax return which reflects a liability for an
          excise tax, at least 20 days before the date on which such return is
          required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Nothing in
          this Agreement shall give the Company any right to control or
          otherwise participate in any action, suit or proceeding to which the
          Executive is a party as a result of positions taken on the Executive's
          federal income tax return with respect to the Executive's liability
          for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code.

     (e)  The provisions of this Section 12 are designed to reflect the
          provisions of applicable federal, state and local tax laws in effect
          on the date of this Agreement. If, after the date hereof, there shall
          be any change in any such laws, this Section 12 shall be modified in
          such manner as the Executive and the Company may mutually agree upon
          if and to the extent necessary to assure that the Executive is fully
          indemnified against the economic effects of the tax imposed under
          Section 4999 of the Code or any similar federal, state or local tax.

     Section 13. Covenant Not To Compete.

     The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, in the event of his or her
termination of employment with the Company prior to the expiration of the
Employment Period, for a period of one (1) year following the date of his or her
termination of employment with the Company (or, if less, for the Remaining
Unexpired Employment Period), the Executive shall not, without the written
consent of the Company, become an officer, employee, consultant, director or
trustee of any savings bank, savings and loan association, savings and loan
holding company, bank or bank holding company, or any direct or indirect
subsidiary or affiliate of any such entity, that entails working in any city,
town or county in which the Association or the Company has an office or has
filed an application for regulatory approval to establish an office, determined
as of the effective date of the


                                 Page 24 of 31







Executive's termination of employment; provided, however, that this Section 13
shall not apply if the Executive's employment is terminated for the reasons set
forth in Section 9(a); and provided, further, that if the Executive's employment
shall be terminated on account of Disability as provided in Section 10(c) of
this Agreement, this Section 13 shall not prevent the Executive from accepting
any position or performing any services if:

     (a)  he or she first offers, by written notice, to accept a similar
          position with or perform similar services for the Company on
          substantially the same terms and conditions and

     (b)  the Company declines to accept such offer within ten (10) days after
          such notice is given.

     Section 14. Confidentiality.

     Unless the Executive obtains the prior written consent of the Company, the
Executive shall keep confidential and shall refrain from using for the benefit
of the Executive or any person or entity other than the Company, any entity
which is a subsidiary of the Company or any entity which the Company is a
subsidiary of, any material document or information obtained from the Company,
or from its affiliates or subsidiaries, in the course of the Executive's
employment with any of them concerning their properties, operations or business
(unless such document or information is readily ascertainable from public or
published information or trade sources or has otherwise been made available to
the public through no fault of his or her own) until the same ceases to be
material (or becomes so ascertainable or available); provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 14 shall prevent the Executive, with or without the
Company's consent, from participating in or disclosing documents or information
in connection with any judicial or administrative investigation, inquiry or
proceeding to the extent that such participation or disclosure is required under
applicable law.

     Section 15. Solicitation.

     The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, for a period of one (1)
year following the Executive's termination of employment with the Company, he or
she shall not, without the written consent of the Company, either directly or
indirectly:

     (a)  solicit, offer employment to or take any other action intended, or
          that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect, to
          have the effect of causing any officer or employee of the Company, the
          Association or any affiliate or subsidiary of ether of them, to
          terminate his or her employment and accept employment or become
          affiliated with, or provide services for compensation in any capacity
          whatsoever to, any savings bank, savings and loan association, bank,
          bank holding company, savings and loan holding company, or other
          institution engaged in the business of accepting deposits and making
          loans, doing business in any city, town or county in which the
          Association or the Company has an office or has filed an application
          for regulatory approval to establish an office;


                                 Page 25 of 31







     (b)  provide any information, advice or recommendation with respect to any
          such officer or employee to any savings bank, savings and loan
          association, bank, bank holding company, savings and loan holding
          company, or other institution engaged in the business of accepting
          deposits and making loans, doing business in any city, town or county
          in which the Association or the Company has an office or has filed an
          application for regulatory approval to establish an office that is
          intended, or that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances
          would expect, to have the effect of causing any officer or employee of
          the Company, the Association, or any affiliate or subsidiary of either
          of them, to terminate his or her employment and accept employment,
          become affiliated with or provide services for compensation in any
          capacity whatsoever to any such savings bank, savings and loan
          association, bank, bank holding company, savings and loan holding
          company or other institution engaged in the business of accepting
          deposits and making loans; or

     (c)  solicit, provide any information, advice or recommendation or take any
          other action intended, or that a reasonable person acting in like
          circumstances would expect, to have the effect of causing any customer
          of the Company, the Association, or any affiliate or subsidiary of
          either of them to terminate an existing business or commercial
          relationship with the Company, the Association, or any affiliate or
          subsidiary of either of them.

     Section 16. No Effect on Employee Benefit Plans or Programs.

     The termination of the Executive's employment during the term of this
Agreement or thereafter, whether by the Company or by the Executive, shall have
no effect on the rights and obligations of the parties hereto under the
Company's qualified or non-qualified retirement, pension, savings, thrift,
profit-sharing or stock bonus plans, group life, health (including
hospitalization, medical and major medical), dental, accident and long term
disability insurance plans or such other employee benefit plans or programs, or
compensation plans or programs, as may be maintained by, or cover employees of,
the Company from time to time.

     Section 17. Successors and Assigns.

     This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Executive, his or her legal representatives and testate or intestate
distributees, and the Company and its successors and assigns, including any
successor by merger or consolidation or a statutory receiver or any other person
or firm or corporation to which all or substantially all of the assets and
business of the Company may be sold or otherwise transferred. Failure of the
Company to obtain from any successor its express written assumption of the
Company's obligations under this Agreement at least sixty (60) days in advance
of the scheduled effective date of any such succession shall be deemed a
material breach of this Agreement.


                                 Page 26 of 31







     Section 18. Notices.

     Any communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement,
including any notice, direction, designation, consent, instruction, objection or
waiver, shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given at such time
as it is delivered personally, or five (5) days after mailing if mailed, postage
prepaid, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to
such party at the address listed below or at such other address as one such
party may by written notice specify to the other party:

     If to the Executive:

     Gary T. McCann
     17 Shoreham Road
     Massapequa, New York 11758

     If to the Company:

     Astoria Financial Corporation
     One Astoria Federal Plaza
     Lake Success, New York 11042-1085

     Attention: General Counsel

     with a copy to:

     Thacher Proffitt & Wood
     Two World Financial Center
     New York, New York 10281

     Attention: W. Edward Bright, Esq.

     Section 19. Indemnification for Attorneys' Fees.

     The Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Executive against
reasonable costs, including legal fees, incurred by him or her in connection
with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he or she may be
involved, as a result of his or her efforts, in good faith, to defend or enforce
the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that in the case of any action,
suit or proceeding instituted prior to a Change of Control, the Executive shall
have substantially prevailed on the merits pursuant to a judgment, decree or
order of a court of competent jurisdiction or of an arbitrator in an arbitration
proceeding, or in a settlement. For purposes of this Agreement, any settlement
agreement which provides for payment of any amounts in settlement of the
Company's obligations hereunder shall be conclusive evidence of the Executive's
entitlement to


                                 Page 27 of 31







indemnification hereunder, and any such indemnification payments shall be in
addition to amounts payable pursuant to such settlement agreement, unless such
settlement agreement expressly provides otherwise.

     Section 20. Severability.

     A determination that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or
unenforceable shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision hereof.

     Section 21. Waiver.

     Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants
or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, or
condition. A waiver of any provision of this Agreement must be made in writing,
designated as a waiver, and signed by the party against whom its enforcement is
sought. Any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power hereunder at any one
or more times shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or
power at any other time or times.

     Section 22. Counterparts.

     This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, and all of which shall constitute one and the
same Agreement.

     Section 23. Governing Law.

     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the federal laws of the United States and, to the extent that
federal law is inapplicable, in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York applicable to contracts entered into and to be performed entirely within
the State of New York.

     Section 24. Headings and Construction.

     The headings of sections in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and are not intended to qualify the meaning of any section. Any reference
to a section number shall refer to a section of this Agreement, unless otherwise
stated.

     Section 25. Entire Agreement: Modifications.

     This instrument contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to
the subject matter hereof, and supersedes in its entirety any and all prior
agreements, understandings or representations relating to the subject matter
hereof. No modifications of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing
and signed by the parties hereto.


                                 Page 28 of 31







     Section 26. Guarantee.

     The Company hereby agrees to guarantee the payment by the Association of
any benefits and compensation to which the Executive is or may be entitled to
under the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement dated as of the lst
day of December, 2003 between the Association and the Executive.

     Section 27. Non-duplication.

     In the event that the Executive shall perform services for the Association
or any other affiliate or subsidiary of the Company, any compensation or
benefits provided to the Executive by such other employer shall be applied to
offset the obligations of the Company hereunder, it being intended that this
Agreement set forth the aggregate compensation and benefits payable to the
Executive for all services to the Company and all of its affiliates and
subsidiaries.

     Section 28. Survival.

     The provisions of any sections of this Agreement which by its terms
contemplates performance after the expiration or termination of this Agreement
(including, but not limited to, Sections 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
18, 19, 21, 26, 27, 29, 30 and 31) shall survive the expiration of the
Employment Period or termination of this Agreement.

     Section 29. Equitable Remedies.

     The Company and the Executive hereby stipulate that money damages are an
inadequate remedy for violations of Sections 6(a), 13, 14 or 15 of this
Agreement and agree that equitable remedies, including, without limitations, the
remedies of specific performance and injunctive relief, shall be available with
respect to the enforcement of such provisions.

     Section 30. Required Regulatory Provisions.

     Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, any payments to
the Executive by the Company, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise,
are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k), and any regulations
promulgated thereunder.

     Section 31. No Offset or Recoupment; No Attachment.

     The Company's obligation to make the payments provided for in this
Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall
not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
claim, right or action which the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries may have against the Executive. In no event shall the Executive be
obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation
of the amounts payable to


                                 Page 29 of 31







the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.
Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement
shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment,
encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment,
levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt,
voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null, void, and of
no effect.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
and the Executive has hereunto set his or her hand, all as of the day and year
first above written.

ATTEST:                                  ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION


/s/ Alan P. Eggleston                    By: /s/ George L. Engelke, Jr.
- --------------------------------------       -----------------------------------
Alan P. Eggleston                        Name: George L. Engelke, Jr.
                                         Title: Chairman, President and Chief
                                                Executive Officer

[Seal]


                                         /s/ Gary T. McCann
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         GARY T. MCCANN


                                 Page 30 of 31







STATE OF NEW YORK   )
                    )   ss.:
COUNTY OF NASSAU    )

     On this 1st day of December, 2003, before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared Gary T. McCann, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of
satisfactory evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed
to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the
same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on
the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which the
individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.


                                         /s/ Anna Knice
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Notary Public
                                         Anna Knice
                                         Notary Public, State of New York
                                         NOP. 4980431
                                         Qualified in Suffolk County
                                         Commission Expires April 22, 2007

STATE OF NEW YORK )
                  )   ss.:
COUNTY OF NASSAU  )

     On this 1st day of December, 2003, before me, the undersigned, personally
appeared George L. Engelke, Jr., personally known to me or proved to me on the
basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are)
subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they
executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their
signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of
which the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.


                                         /s/ Anna Knice
                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Notary Public
                                         Anna Knice
                                         Notary Public, State of New York
                                         NOP. 4980431
                                         Qualified in Suffolk County
                                         Commission Expires April 22, 2007


                                 Page 31 of 31