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                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.2

                    2,600,000 Cumulative Preferred Securities

                                 Flagstar Trust

                       __% Cumulative Preferred Securities

        (Liquidation Amount of $25.00 per Cumulative Preferred Security)

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

Roney Capital Markets,
a division of First Chicago
Capital Markets, Inc.
McDonald Investments Inc.
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
JW Genesis Capital Markets, L.L.C.
As representatives of the several
   Underwriters named in Schedule A
c/o Roney Capital Markets
One Griswold Street
Detroit, Michigan  48226

Dear Sirs:

         Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the "Company") and its
financing subsidiary, Flagstar Trust, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust,"
and hereinafter together with the Company, the "Offerors"), propose that the
Trust issue and sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule A (the
"Underwriters"), (who are acting severally and not jointly) pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement, 2,600,000 shares of the Trust's __% Cumulative
Preferred Securities, with a liquidation amount of $25.00 per preferred security
(the "Preferred Securities"), to be issued under the Trust Agreement (as
hereinafter defined), the terms of which are more fully described in the
Prospectus (as hereinafter defined). The aforementioned 2,600,000 Preferred
Securities to be sold to the Underwriters are herein called the "Firm Preferred
Securities." Solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of
the Firm Preferred Securities, the Offerors further propose that the Trust issue
and sell to the Underwriters, at their option, up to an additional 390,000
Preferred Securities (the "Option Preferred Securities") upon exercise of the
over-allotment option granted in Section 1 hereof. The Firm Preferred Securities
and any Option Preferred Securities are herein collectively referred to as the
"Designated Preferred Securities."

         The Offerors hereby confirm as follows their agreement with the several
Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase of the Designated
Preferred Securities.

1.       SALE, PURCHASE AND DELIVERY OF PREFERRED SECURITIES; DESCRIPTION OF 
PREFERRED SECURITIES.

(a)      On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein
         contained, and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth,
         the Offerors hereby 


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         agree that the Trust shall issue and sell to the several Underwriters,
         and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from
         the Trust, at a purchase price of $25.00 per Preferred Security (the
         "Purchase Price"), the Firm Preferred Securities each in the amount set
         forth in Schedule A. Because the proceeds from the sale of the
         Preferred Securities will be used to purchase from the Company its
         Debentures (as hereinafter defined and as described in the Prospectus),
         the Company shall pay to the Underwriters a commission as described in
         Section 3 (the "Preferred Securities Commission").

                  In addition, on the basis of the representations, warranties
         and agreements herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions
         herein set forth, the Trust hereby grants to the Underwriters an option
         to purchase all or any portion of the 390,000 Option Preferred
         Securities, and upon the exercise of such option in accordance with
         this Section 1, the Offerors hereby agree that the Trust shall issue
         and sell to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters agree to purchase
         from the Trust, all or any portion of the Option Preferred Securities
         at the same Purchase Price per Preferred Security paid for the Firm
         Preferred Securities. Because the proceeds from the sale of the Firm
         Preferred Securities will be used to purchase from the Company its
         Debentures, the Company shall pay to the Underwriters the Preferred
         Securities Commission described in Section 3 for each Option Preferred
         Security purchased. The option hereby granted (the "Option") shall
         expire 30 days after the date upon which the Registration Statement (as
         hereinafter defined) becomes effective and may be exercised only for
         the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be made in connection
         with the offering and distribution of the Firm Preferred Securities,
         and may only be exercised with the express written consent of Roney
         Capital Markets, a division of First Chicago Capital Markets, Inc. (the
         "Representative"). The Option may be exercised in whole or in part at
         any time (but not more than once) by the Underwriters by the
         Representative giving notice (confirmed in writing) to the Trust
         setting forth the number of Option Preferred Securities as to which the
         Underwriters are exercising the Option and the time, date and place for
         payment and delivery of certificates for such Option Preferred
         Securities. Such time and date of payment and delivery for the Option
         Preferred Securities (the "Option Closing Date") shall be determined by
         the Underwriters, but shall not be earlier than two nor later than five
         full business days after the exercise of such Option, nor in any event
         prior to the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined). The Option Closing
         Date may be the same as the Closing Date.

                  Payment of the Purchase Price and the Preferred Securities
         Commission and delivery of certificates for the Firm Preferred
         Securities shall be made at the offices of Honigman Miller Schwartz and
         Cohn, counsel for the Underwriters, 2290 First National Building,
         Detroit, Michigan 48226, or such other place as shall be agreed to by
         the Underwriters and the Offerors, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on
         ___________, 1999, or at such other time not more than five full
         business days thereafter as the Offerors and the Underwriters shall
         determine (the "Closing Date"). If the Underwriters exercise the Option
         to purchase any or all of the Option Preferred Securities, payment of
         the Purchase Price and the Preferred Securities Commission and delivery
         of certificates for such Option Preferred Securities shall be made on
         the Option Closing Date at the Underwriter's offices, or at such other
         place as the Offerors and the Underwriter shall determine. Such
         payments shall be made to an account designated or on behalf of by the
         Trust by wire transfer or certified or bank cashier's check, in
         clearing house or similar 


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         next day available funds in the amount of the Purchase Price therefor,
         against delivery by or on behalf of the Trust to the Underwriters of
         certificates for the Designated Preferred Securities to be purchased by
         the Underwriters.

                  The Agreement contained herein with respect to the timing of
         the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date is intended to, and does,
         constitute an express agreement, as described in Rule 15c6-1(c) and (d)
         promulgated under the 1934 Act (as defined herein), for a settlement
         date other than four business days after the date of the contract.

                  Certificates for Designated Preferred Securities to be
         purchased hereunder shall be in book-entry form and registered in the
         name of Cede & Co. not later than 12:00 noon, Eastern time, two
         business days prior to the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option
         Closing Date. Delivery of the Preferred Securities may be made by
         credit through full fast transfer to the accounts at The Depository
         Trust Company ("DTC") designated by you and if not made by such credit
         delivery with will be made to DTC. Certificates for Designated
         Preferred Securities to be purchased by or on behalf of the
         Underwriters and registered in the name of Cede & Co. shall be made
         available by the Offerors to the Underwriters for inspection, checking
         and packaging at such office as the Underwriters may designate in
         writing not later than 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the last business
         day prior to the Closing Date, and, if applicable, on the last business
         day prior to the Option Closing Date.

                  Time shall be of the essence, and delivery of the certificates
         for the Designated Preferred Securities at the time and place specified
         pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligations of
         the Underwriters hereunder.

                  (b)     The Offerors propose that the Trust issue the 
         Designated Preferred Securities pursuant to a Trust Agreement among,
         ______________ Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee,
         _____________________________, as the Property Trustee, the
         Administrative Trustees named therein, (collectively, the "Trustees"),
         and the Company, in substantially the form heretofore delivered to the
         Underwriters, said Agreement being hereinafter referred to as the
         "Trust Agreement." In connection with the issuance of the Designated
         Preferred Securities, the Company proposes (i) to issue its Junior
         Subordinated Debentures (the "Debentures") pursuant to an Indenture, to
         be dated as of __________________, 1999, between the Company and
         _____________________, as Trustee (the "Indenture") and (ii) to
         guarantee certain payments on the Preferred Securities pursuant to a
         Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between the Company and
         ______________________, as Guarantee Trustee (the "Guarantee"), to the
         extent described therein.

                  (c)     The Representative hereby represents and warrants to 
         the Offerors that it has the authority to enter into this Agreement on
         behalf of the several Underwriters and that the Underwriters have
         indicated their intention to the Representative their willingness to
         purchase severally and not jointly Designated Preferred Securities as
         provided herein.


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2.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

         (a)      The Offerors jointly and severally represent and warrant to, 
and agree with, the several Underwriters that:

                          (i)     The reports filed with the Securities and 
                  Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by the Company under
                  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
                  Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "1934 Act
                  Regulations") and incorporated into the Prospectus by
                  reference, at the time they were filed with the Commission,
                  complied as to form in all material respects with the
                  requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations and
                  did not contain an untrue statement of fact or omit to state
                  any fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
                  the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which
                  they were made, not misleading.

                          (ii)    The Offerors have prepared and filed with the 
                  Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 (File Number
                  333-______) for the registration of $65,000,000 aggregate
                  amount of the Designated Preferred Securities, the Guarantee
                  and Debentures under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
                  (the "1933 Act"), including the related preliminary prospectus
                  subject to completion included therein, and one or more
                  amendments or supplements to such registration statement may
                  have been so filed, in each case in conformity with the
                  requirements of the 1933 Act, the rules and regulations
                  promulgated thereunder (the "1933 Act Regulations") and the
                  Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture
                  Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder. Copies of such
                  registration statement, including any amendments thereto, each
                  Preliminary Prospectus (as defined herein) contained therein
                  and the exhibits, financial statements and schedules to such
                  registration statement, as finally amended and revised, have
                  heretofore been delivered by the Offerors to the Underwriters.
                  After the execution of this Agreement, the Offerors will file
                  with the Commission (A) if such registration statement, as it
                  may have been amended, has been declared by the Commission to
                  be effective under the 1933 Act, a prospectus in the form most
                  recently included in an amendment to such registration
                  statement (or, if no such amendment shall have been filed, in
                  such registration statement), with such changes or insertions
                  as are required by Rule 430A of the 1933 Act Regulations
                  ("Rule 430A") or permitted by Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act
                  Regulations ("Rule 424(b)") and as have been provided to and
                  not objected to by the Underwriters prior to (or as are agreed
                  to by the Underwriters subsequent to) the execution of this
                  Agreement, or (B) if such registration statement, as it may
                  have been amended, has not been declared by the Commission to
                  be effective under the 1933 Act, an amendment to such
                  registration statement, including a form of final prospectus,
                  necessary to permit such registration statement to become
                  effective, a copy of which amendment has been furnished to and
                  not objected to by the Underwriters prior to (or is agreed to
                  by the Underwriters subsequent to) the execution of this
                  Agreement. Except as required by applicable law as evidenced
                  by a written opinion of counsel relating thereto, the Offerors
                  will not file any amendment to the registration statement or
                  any amended Preliminary Prospectus 


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                  or any amendment thereto, of which the Underwriters have not
                  been previously furnished a copy or to which the Underwriters
                  or counsel thereto shall have reasonably objected in writing.
                  As used in this Agreement, the term "Registration Statement"
                  means such registration statement, as amended at the time when
                  it was or is declared effective under the 1933 Act, including
                  (1) all financial schedules and exhibits thereto, (2) all
                  documents (or portions thereof) incorporated by reference
                  therein filed under the 1934 Act, and (3) any information
                  omitted therefrom pursuant to Rule 430A and included in the
                  Prospectus (as hereinafter defined); the term "Preliminary
                  Prospectus" means each preliminary prospectus subject to
                  completion filed with such registration statement or any
                  amendment thereto including all documents (or portions
                  thereof) incorporated by reference therein to documents filed
                  under the 1934 Act (including the preliminary prospectus
                  subject to completion, if any, included in the Registration
                  Statement and each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(a)
                  under the 1933 Act); and the term "Prospectus" means the
                  prospectus first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
                  424(b)(1) or (4) if no prospectus is required to be filed
                  pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), the prospectus included in
                  the Registration Statement, in each case including the
                  financial schedules and all documents (or portions thereof)
                  incorporated by reference therein to documents filed under the
                  1934 Act. The date on which the Registration Statement becomes
                  effective under the 1933 Act is hereinafter referred to as the
                  "Effective Date."

                          (iii)   The documents incorporated by reference in the
                  Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus when they became
                  effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may
                  be, complied in all material respects with the requirements of
                  the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations, and when read
                  together and with the other information in the Preliminary
                  Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, at the time the
                  Registration Statement became or becomes effective and at the
                  Closing Date and any Option Closing Date, did not or will not,
                  as the case may be, contain an untrue statement of a material
                  fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
                  therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light
                  of the circumstances under which they were made, not
                  misleading.

                          (iv)    No order  preventing or suspending  the use of
                  any Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
                  most recent Preliminary Prospectus) has been issued by the
                  Commission, nor has the Commission, to the knowledge of the
                  Offerors, threatened to issue such an order or instituted
                  proceedings for that purpose. Each Preliminary Prospectus, at
                  the time of filing thereof, (A) complied in all material
                  respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933
                  Act Regulations and (B) did not contain an untrue statement of
                  fact or omit to state any fact required to be stated therein
                  or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
                  circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
                  provided, however, that this representation and warranty does
                  not apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and
                  in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
                  Offerors by the Underwriters expressly for inclusion in the
                  Prospectus beneath the heading "Underwriting" and on the cover



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                  page of the Prospectus with respect to price, underwriting
                  discount and terms of the offering (such information referred
                  to herein as the "Underwriter Information").

                          (v)     At the Effective Date and at all times 
                  subsequent thereto, up to and including the Closing Date and,
                  if applicable, the Option Closing Date, the Registration
                  Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (A)
                  complied and will comply in all material respects with the
                  requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations and the
                  Trust Indenture Act (and the rules and regulations thereunder)
                  and (B) did not and will not contain an untrue statement of
                  fact or omit to state any fact required to be stated therein
                  or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
                  circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. At
                  the Effective Date and at all times when the Prospectus is
                  required to be delivered in connection with offers and sales
                  of Designated Preferred Securities, including, without
                  limitation, the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option
                  Closing Date, the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, (1)
                  complied and will comply in all material respects with the
                  requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and
                  the Trust Indenture Act (and the rules and regulations
                  thereunder) and (2) did not contain and will not contain an
                  untrue statement of fact or omit to state any fact required to
                  be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
                  in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
                  misleading; provided, however, that this representation and
                  warranty does not apply to Underwriter Information. (vi) The
                  Company is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
                  standing under the laws of the State of Michigan, with full
                  corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
                  properties and conduct its business as described in and
                  contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
                  (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
                  Preliminary Prospectus) and as currently being conducted.

                          (vii)   The Trust has been duly created and is validly
                  existing as a statutory business trust in good standing under
                  the Delaware Business Trust Act with the power and authority
                  (trust and other) to own its property and conduct its business
                  as described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, to
                  issue and sell its common securities (the "Common Securities")
                  to the Company pursuant to the Trust Agreement, to issue and
                  sell the Designated Preferred Securities, to enter into and
                  perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate
                  the transactions herein contemplated; the Trust has no
                  subsidiaries and is duly qualified to transact business and is
                  in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of
                  its business or the ownership of its property requires such
                  qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so
                  qualified or to be in good standing would not have a material
                  adverse effect on the Trust; the Trust has conducted and will
                  conduct no business other than the transactions contemplated
                  by this Agreement and described in the Prospectus; the Trust
                  is not a party to or bound by any agreement or instrument
                  other than this Agreement, the Trust Agreement and the
                  agreements and instruments contemplated by the Trust 



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                  Agreement and described in the Prospectus; the Trust has no
                  liabilities or obligations other than those arising out of the
                  transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Trust
                  Agreement and described in the Prospectus; the Trust is not a
                  party to or subject to any action, suit or proceeding of any
                  nature; the Trust is not, and at the Closing Date or any
                  Option Closing Date will not be, to the knowledge of the
                  Offerors, classified as an association taxable as a
                  corporation for United States federal income tax purposes; and
                  the Trust is, and as of the Closing Date or any Option Closing
                  Date will be, treated as a consolidated subsidiary of the
                  Company pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles.

                          (viii)  The Company has six subsidiaries,  Flagstar 
                  Bank, FSB (the "Bank"), the Trust, Douglas Insurance Agency,
                  Inc. ("DIA"), FSSB Real Estate Development Corporation
                  ("REDC"), Mortgage Video Network, Inc. ("Video"), and First
                  Security Investment Group, Inc. ("Investment"). The Bank, the
                  Trust, DIA, REDC, Video and Investment are hereinafter
                  collectively referred to as the "Subsidiaries". The Company
                  does not own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5%
                  of any class of equity security of any corporation,
                  association or other entity other than the Subsidiaries. The
                  Bank is a federally chartered stock savings bank, validly
                  existing and in good standing under the federal Home Owners'
                  Loan Act. The Bank has full corporate power and authority to
                  own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
                  business as described in and contemplated by the Registration
                  Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
                  existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) and as
                  currently being conducted. The Bank is a member of the Federal
                  Reserve System, and no proceedings for the termination or
                  revocation of such membership are pending, or, to the
                  knowledge of the Company, threatened. The deposit accounts of
                  the Bank are insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund
                  ("SAIF") administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance
                  Corporation (the "FDIC") up to the maximum amount provided by
                  law; and no proceedings for the modification, termination or
                  revocation of any such insurance are pending or, to the
                  knowledge of the Offerors, threatened.

                          (ix)    The Company, the Bank, DIA, REDC, Video and 
                  Investment are each duly qualified to transact business as a
                  foreign corporation and are each in good standing in each
                  other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases property or
                  conducts its business so as to require such qualification and
                  in which the failure to so qualify would, individually or in
                  the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the financial
                  condition, earnings, business, prospects or results of
                  operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries on a
                  consolidated basis. All of the issued and outstanding shares
                  of capital stock of the Subsidiaries (A) have been duly
                  authorized and are validly issued, (B) are fully paid and
                  nonassessable and (C) except as disclosed in the Prospectus
                  (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
                  Preliminary Prospectus), are directly owned by the Company
                  free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge,
                  lien, encumbrance, restriction upon voting or transfer,
                  preemptive rights, claim or equity. Except as disclosed in the
                  Prospectus, there are no outstanding rights, warrants or
                  options to acquire or 


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                  instruments convertible into or exchangeable for any capital
                  stock or equity securities of the Subsidiaries.

                          (x)     The capital stock of the Company and the 
                  equity securities of the Trust conform to the description
                  thereof contained in the Prospectus or the financial
                  information included therein (or, if the Prospectus is not in
                  existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus). The
                  outstanding shares of capital stock and equity securities of
                  each Offeror have been duly authorized and validly issued and
                  are fully paid and nonassessable, and no such shares were
                  issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any
                  security holder of an Offeror; no person has any preemptive or
                  similar right to purchase any shares of capital stock or
                  equity securities of the Offerors. Except as disclosed in the
                  Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
                  most recent Preliminary Prospectus), there are no outstanding
                  rights, options or warrants to acquire from the Offerors any
                  securities of the Offerors other than options and warrants
                  issued under the Company's 1997 Employees and Directors Stock
                  Option Plan, and there are no outstanding securities
                  convertible into or exchangeable for any such securities and
                  no restrictions upon the voting or transfer of any capital
                  stock of the Company or equity securities of the Trust
                  pursuant to the Company's corporate charter or bylaws, the
                  Trust Agreement or any agreement or other instrument to which
                  an Offeror is a party or by which an Offeror is bound.

                          (xi)    (A)     The Trust has all  requisite  power 
                          and authority to issue, sell and deliver the
                          Designated Preferred Securities in accordance with and
                          upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
                          Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Registration
                          Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is
                          not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
                          Prospectus). All corporate and trust action required
                          to be taken by the Offerors for the authorization,
                          issuance, sale and delivery of the Designated
                          Preferred Securities in accordance with such terms and
                          conditions has been validly and sufficiently taken.
                          The Designated Preferred Securities, when delivered in
                          accordance with this Agreement, will be duly and
                          validly issued and outstanding, will be fully paid and
                          nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the
                          assets of the Trust, will be entitled to the benefits
                          of the Trust Agreement, will not be issued in
                          violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar
                          rights, and will conform in all material respects to
                          the description thereof in the Registration Statement
                          and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
                          existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) and
                          the Trust Agreement. None of the Designated Preferred
                          Securities, immediately prior to delivery, will be
                          subject to any security interest, lien, mortgage,
                          pledge, encumbrance, restriction upon voting or
                          transfer, preemptive rights, claim, equity or other
                          defect.

                                  (B)     The Debentures have been duly and 
                          validly authorized, and, when duly and validly
                          executed, authenticated and issued as provided in the
                          Indenture and delivered to the Trust pursuant to the
                          Trust Agreement, will constitute valid and legally
                          binding obligations of the 


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                          Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and
                          will conform in all material respects to the
                          description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

                                  (C)     The Guarantee has been duly and 
                          validly authorized, and, when duly and validly
                          executed and delivered to the Guarantee Trustee for
                          the benefit of the Trust, will constitute a valid and
                          legally binding obligation of the Company and will
                          conform in all material respects to the description
                          thereof contained in the Prospectus.

                                  (D)     The Agreement as to Expenses and 
                          Liabilities (the "Expense Agreement") has been duly
                          and validly authorized, and, when duly and validly
                          executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute
                          a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company
                          and will conform in all material respects to the
                          description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

                          (xii)   The Offerors and the Subsidiaries have 
                  complied with all federal, state and local statutes,
                  regulations, ordinances and rules applicable to the ownership
                  and operation of their properties or the conduct of their
                  businesses as described in and contemplated by the
                  Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the
                  Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
                  Prospectus) and as currently being conducted except for such
                  matters as would not be expected to have a materially adverse
                  effect thereon.

                         (xiii)   The Offerors and the Subsidiaries have all 
                  governmental and regulatory permits, easements, consents,
                  licenses, franchises and other authorizations from all
                  appropriate federal, state, local or other public authorities
                  ("Permits") as are necessary to own and lease their properties
                  and conduct their businesses in the manner described in and
                  contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
                  (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
                  Preliminary Prospectus) and as currently being conducted,
                  except as such matters that would not have a material adverse
                  effect on the Offerors and the Subsidiaries or their financial
                  condition, earnings, business, prospects or results of
                  operations. All such Permits are in full force and effect and
                  each of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries are complying
                  therewith in all material respects, and no event has occurred
                  that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow,
                  revocation or termination thereof or will result in any other
                  impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Permit,
                  subject in each case to such qualification as may be
                  adequately disclosed in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus
                  is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus)
                  except as such matters that would not have a material adverse
                  effect on the Offerors and the Subsidiaries or their financial
                  condition, earnings, business, prospects or results of
                  operations. Such Permits contain no restrictions that would
                  materially impair the ability of the Company or the
                  Subsidiaries to conduct their businesses in the manner
                  consistent with their past practices. Neither of the Offerors
                  nor any of the Subsidiaries has received notice or otherwise
                  has knowledge of any proceeding or action relating to the
                  revocation or modification of any such Permit.


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                         (xiv)    Neither of the Offerors nor any of the 
                  Subsidiaries is in breach or violation of their corporate
                  charter, bylaws or other governing documents (including
                  without limitation, the Trust Agreement). Neither of the
                  Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries is, and to the knowledge
                  of the Offerors no other party is, in violation, breach or
                  default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) in
                  the performance or observance of any term, covenant,
                  agreement, obligation, representation, warranty or condition
                  contained in (A) any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of
                  trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease, franchise,
                  license, Permit or any other agreement or instrument to which
                  it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be
                  bound, which such breach, violation or default would
                  reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
                  the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and
                  to the knowledge of the Offerors, no other party has asserted
                  that the Offerors or any of the Subsidiaries is in such
                  violation, breach or default (provided that the foregoing
                  representations in clause (A) shall not apply to defaults by
                  borrowers from the Bank), or (B) except as disclosed in the
                  Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
                  most recent Preliminary Prospectus), any order, decree,
                  judgment, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator,
                  government, or governmental agency or instrumentality,
                  domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Offerors or
                  the Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties the
                  breach, violation or default of which would have a material
                  adverse effect on the financial condition, earnings, business,
                  prospects or results of operations of the Offerors and the
                  Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

                         (xv)     The execution,  delivery and performance of 
                  this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
                  contemplated by this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the
                  Guarantee, the Expense Agreement, the Registration Statement
                  and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence,
                  the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) do not and will not
                  conflict with, result in the creation or imposition of any
                  lien, claim, charge, encumbrance or restriction upon any
                  property or assets of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or the
                  Designated Preferred Securities pursuant to, constitute a
                  breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, with or
                  without notice or lapse of time or both, any of the terms,
                  provisions or conditions of the charter or bylaws of the
                  Company or the Subsidiaries, the Trust Agreement, the
                  Guarantee, the Expense Agreement, the Indenture, any contract,
                  indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement,
                  note, lease, franchise, license, Permit or any other agreement
                  or instrument to which the Offerors or the Subsidiaries is a
                  party or by which any of them or any of their respective
                  properties may be bound or any order, decree, judgment, rule
                  or regulation of any court, arbitrator, government, or
                  governmental agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign,
                  having jurisdiction over the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or
                  any of their respective properties which conflict, creation,
                  imposition, breach, violation or default would have either
                  singly or in the aggregate a material adverse effect on the
                  financial condition, earnings, business, prospects or results
                  of operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a
                  consolidated basis. No authorization, approval, consent or
                  order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any
                  person (including, without limitation, any 


                                       10
   11

                  court, governmental body or authority) is required in
                  connection with the transactions contemplated by this
                  Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Indenture, the Guarantee,
                  the Expense Agreement, the Registration Statement and the
                  Prospectus, except such as may be required by, and have been
                  obtained under, the 1933 Act, the Trust Indenture Act, state
                  securities laws, Interpretations or Rules of the National
                  Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") in connection
                  with the purchase and distribution of the Designated Preferred
                  Securities by the Underwriters, and from the Nasdaq Stock
                  Market's National Market relating to the listing of the
                  Designated Preferred Securities.

                         (xvi)    The Offerors have all requisite  corporate  
                  power and authority to enter into this Agreement and this
                  Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and
                  delivered by the Offerors and constitutes the legal, valid and
                  binding agreement of the Offerors, enforceable against the
                  Offerors in accordance with its terms, except as the
                  enforcement thereof may be limited by general principles of
                  equity and by bankruptcy, moratorium, reorganization,
                  fraudulent conveyance or other laws relating to or affecting
                  creditors' rights generally and except as any indemnification
                  or contribution provisions thereof may be limited under
                  applicable securities laws or public policy. Each of the
                  Indenture, the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee and the Expense
                  Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company, and, when
                  executed and delivered by the Company on the Closing Date,
                  each of said agreements will constitute a valid and legally
                  binding obligation of the Company and will be enforceable
                  against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as
                  the enforcement thereof may be limited by general principles
                  of equity and by bankruptcy, moratorium, reorganization,
                  fraudulent transfer or other laws relating to or affecting
                  creditors, rights generally and except as any indemnification
                  or contribution provisions thereof may be limited under
                  applicable securities laws or public policy. Each of the
                  Indenture, the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee has been duly
                  qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and will conform in
                  all material respects to the description thereof contained in
                  the Prospectus.

                         (xvii)   The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and
                  marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good
                  title to all personal property owned by them, in each case
                  free and clear of all security interests, liens, mortgages,
                  pledges, encumbrances, restrictions, claims, equities and
                  other defects except such as are referred to in or are
                  incorporated by reference into the Prospectus (or, if the
                  Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
                  Prospectus) or such as do not materially affect the value of
                  such property in the aggregate and do not materially interfere
                  with the use made or proposed to be made of such property; and
                  all of the leases under which the Company or the Subsidiaries
                  hold real or personal property are valid, existing and
                  enforceable leases and in full force and effect and do not
                  interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such
                  real or personal property, and neither the Company nor any of
                  the Subsidiaries is in default of any of the terms or
                  provisions of any leases, except as such matters that would
                  not have a material adverse effect on the Offerors and the
                  Subsidiaries or their financial condition, earnings, business,
                  prospects or results of operations.


                                       11
   12

                         (xviii)  Grant Thornton LLP, who have certified certain
                  of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and
                  the Subsidiaries including the notes thereto, included in the
                  Registration Statement and Prospectus, are independent public
                  accountants with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries,
                  as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                         (xix)    The consolidated financial statements 
                  including the notes thereto, included in or incorporated by
                  reference or otherwise in the Registration Statement and the
                  Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
                  most recent Preliminary Prospectus) with respect to the
                  Company and the Subsidiaries comply with the 1933 Act and the
                  1933 Act Regulations and present fairly the consolidated
                  financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of
                  the dates indicated and the consolidated results of
                  operations, cash flows and shareholders' equity of the Company
                  and the Subsidiaries for the periods specified and have been
                  prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
                  principles applied on a consistent basis. The selected and
                  summary consolidated financial data concerning the Offerors
                  and the Subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement
                  and the Prospectus (or such Preliminary Prospectus) comply
                  with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, present fairly
                  the information set forth therein, and have been compiled on a
                  basis consistent with that of the consolidated financial
                  statements of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries in the
                  Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or such Preliminary
                  Prospectus). The other financial, statistical and numerical
                  information with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries
                  included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or
                  such Preliminary Prospectus) comply with the 1933 Act and the
                  1933 Act Regulations, present fairly the information shown
                  therein, and to the extent applicable have been compiled on a
                  basis consistent with the consolidated financial statements of
                  the Company and the Subsidiaries included in the Registration
                  Statement and the Prospectus (or such Preliminary Prospectus).

                         (xx)     Since the respective dates as of which 
                  information is given in the Registration Statement and the
                  Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
                  most recent Preliminary Prospectus), except as otherwise
                  stated therein:

                                  (A)     neither of the Offerors nor any of the
                          Subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference
                          with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other
                          calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from
                          any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
                          order or decree which would have a material adverse
                          effect on the financial condition, earnings, business,
                          prospects or results of operations of the Offerors and
                          the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;

                                  (B)     there has not been any change in, or 
                          any development which is likely to have a material
                          adverse effect on, the financial condition, earnings,
                          business, prospects or results of operations of the


                                       12
   13

                          Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis,
                          whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
                          business;

                                  (C)     neither of the Offerors nor any of the
                          Subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or
                          obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any
                          transactions, other than in the ordinary course of
                          business which would have a material adverse effect on
                          the financial condition, earnings, business, prospects
                          or results of operations of the Offerors and the
                          Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;

                                  (D)     neither of the Offerors has declared 
                          or paid any dividend and neither of the Offerors nor
                          any of the Subsidiaries has become delinquent in the
                          payment of principal or interest on any outstanding
                          borrowings; and

                                  (E)     there has not been any change in the 
                          capital stock (except for the exercise of employee
                          stock options issued under the Company's 1997
                          Employees and Directors Stock Option Plan, and
                          disclosed as outstanding), equity securities,
                          long-term debt, obligations under capital leases or,
                          other than in the ordinary course of business,
                          short-term borrowings of the Offerors or the
                          Subsidiaries.

                          (xxi)   Except as set forth in the Registration 
                  Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
                  existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus), no
                  investigation, action, suit or proceeding is pending or, to
                  the knowledge of the Offerors, threatened, against or
                  affecting the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or any of their
                  respective properties before or by any court or any
                  regulatory, administrative or governmental official,
                  commission, board, agency or other authority or body, or any
                  arbitrator, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding
                  would have a material adverse effect on the consummation of
                  this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein or the
                  financial condition, earnings, business, prospects or results
                  of operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a
                  consolidated basis or which is required to be disclosed in the
                  Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or such Preliminary
                  Prospectus) and is not so disclosed.

                         (xxii)   There are no contracts or other documents 
                  required to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement
                  under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or the Trust
                  Indenture Act (or any rules or regulations thereunder) which
                  have not been filed as exhibits or incorporated by reference
                  to the Registration Statement, or that are required to be
                  summarized in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in
                  existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) that are
                  not so summarized.

                         (xxiii)  Neither of the Offerors has taken, directly
                  or indirectly, any action designed to result in or which has
                  constituted or which might cause or result in stabilization or
                  manipulation of the price of any security of the Offerors to


                                       13
   14

                  facilitate the sale or resale of the Designated Preferred
                  Securities, and neither of the Offerors is aware of any such
                  action taken or to be taken by any affiliate of the Offerors.

                         (xxiv)   The Offerors and the Subsidiaries own, or
                  possess adequate rights to use, all patents, copyrights,
                  trademarks, service marks, trade names and other rights
                  necessary to conduct the businesses now conducted by them or
                  as described in the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not
                  in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) and
                  neither of the Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries has
                  received any notice of infringement or conflict with asserted
                  rights of others with respect to any patents, copyrights,
                  trademarks, service marks, trade names or other rights which,
                  individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an
                  unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a material
                  adverse effect on the financial condition, earnings, business,
                  prospects or results of operations of the Offerors and the
                  Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and the Offerors do not
                  know of any basis for any such infringement or conflict.

                         (xxv)    Except as adequately disclosed in the
                  Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
                  most recent Preliminary Prospectus), no labor dispute
                  involving the Company or the Subsidiaries exists or, to the
                  knowledge of the Offerors, is imminent which would reasonably
                  be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial
                  condition, earnings, business, prospects or results of
                  operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a
                  consolidated basis or which is required to be disclosed in the
                  Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is not in existence, the
                  most recent Preliminary Prospectus). Neither the Company nor
                  any of the Subsidiaries has received notice of any existing or
                  threatened labor dispute by the employees of any of its
                  principal suppliers, customers or contractors which might be
                  expected to have an adverse effect on the condition (financial
                  or otherwise), earnings, affairs, business, prospects or
                  results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries on a
                  consolidated basis.

                         (xxvi)   Each of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries has
                  timely and properly prepared and filed all necessary federal,
                  state, local and foreign tax returns which are required to be
                  filed and has paid all taxes shown as due thereon and has paid
                  all other taxes and assessments to the extent that the same
                  shall have become due, except such as are being contested in
                  good faith or where the failure to so timely and properly
                  prepare and file would not have a material adverse effect on
                  the financial condition, earnings, business, prospects or
                  results of operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on
                  a consolidated basis. The Offerors have no knowledge of any
                  tax deficiency which has been or might be assessed against the
                  Offerors or the Subsidiaries which, if the subject of an
                  unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a material
                  adverse effect on the financial condition, earnings, business,
                  prospects or results of operations of the Offerors and the
                  Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

                          (xxvii) Each of the contracts, agreements and
                  instruments described or referred to in the Registration
                  Statement or the Prospectus (or, if the Prospectus is 


                                       14
   15

                  not in existence, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus) and
                  each contract, agreement and instrument filed as an exhibit to
                  the Registration Statement is in full force and effect and is
                  the legal, valid and binding agreement of the Offerors or the
                  Subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except
                  as the enforcement thereof may be limited by general
                  principles of equity and by bankruptcy, moratorium,
                  reorganization, fraudulent transfer or other laws relating to
                  or affecting creditors rights generally, except as such
                  matters that would not have a material adverse effect on the
                  Offerors or their financial condition, earnings, business,
                  prospects or results of operations. Except as disclosed in the
                  Prospectus (or such Preliminary Prospectus), to the knowledge
                  of the Offerors, no other party to any such agreement is (with
                  or without notice or lapse of time or both) in breach or
                  default thereunder, except as to such matters that would not
                  have a material adverse effect on the Offerors or their
                  financial condition, earnings, business, prospects or results
                  of operations; provided however, that the foregoing shall not
                  apply to defaults by borrowers from the Bank.

                         (xxviii) No relationship, direct or indirect, exists
                  between or among the Offerors or the Subsidiaries, on the one
                  hand, and the directors, officers, trustees, shareholders,
                  customers or suppliers of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries, on
                  the other hand, which is required to be described in the
                  Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the
                  Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
                  Prospectus) which is not adequately described therein.

                         (xxix)   Except as adequately disclosed in the
                  Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or, if the
                  Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent Preliminary
                  Prospectus), persons with the right to request or require the
                  Offerors or the Subsidiaries to register any securities for
                  offering and sale under the 1933 Act by reason of the filing
                  of the Registration Statement with the Commission or the
                  issuance and sale of the Designated Preferred Securities have
                  executed waivers of such rights.

                         (xxx) The Designated Preferred Securities have been
                  approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market subject
                  to official notice of issuance.

                         (xxxi) Except as described in the Prospectus (or, if
                  the Prospectus is not in existence, the most recent
                  Preliminary Prospectus), there are no contractual encumbrances
                  or restrictions or legal restrictions on the ability of the
                  Subsidiaries (A) to pay dividends or make any other
                  distributions on its capital stock or to pay any indebtedness
                  owed to the Offerors, (B) to make any loans or advances to, or
                  investments in, the Offerors or (C) to transfer any of its
                  property or assets to the Offerors.

                         (xxxii) Neither of the Offerors is an "investment
                  company" or a company "controlled" by an investment company as
                  such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
                  as amended (the "Investment Company Act").


                                       15
   16

                         (xxxiii) Other than due diligence material
                  distributed to the Underwriters, the Offerors have not
                  distributed and will not distribute prior to the Closing Date
                  any prospectus in connection with the offering of the
                  Designated Preferred Securities, other than a Preliminary
                  Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement and the
                  other materials permitted by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
                  Regulations and reviewed by the Underwriters.

          3.      OFFERING BY THE UNDERWRITERS. After the Registration Statement
becomes effective or, if the Registration Statement is already effective, after
this Agreement becomes effective, the Underwriters propose severally and not
jointly to offer the Designated Preferred Securities for sale to the public upon
the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus. Each Underwriter may from
time to time thereafter reduce the public offering price and change the other
selling terms, provided that the proceeds to the Trust shall not be reduced as a
result of such reduction or change.

         Each Underwriter shall be entitled to a commission from the Company of
$0.7875 per Firm Preferred Security sold by such Underwriter. Each Underwriter
shall be entitled to a commission of $0.7875 per Option Preferred Security sold
by such Underwriter.

         Each Underwriter may reserve and sell such of the Designated Preferred
Securities purchased by such Underwriter as such Underwriter may elect to
dealers chosen by it (the "Selected Dealers") at the public offering price set
forth in the Prospectus less the applicable Selected Dealers' concessions set
forth therein, for re-offering by Selected Dealers to the public at the public
offering price. The Underwriters may allow, and Selected Dealers may re-allow, a
concession set forth in the Prospectus to certain other brokers and dealers.

         4.      CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE OFFERORS. The Offerors jointly and 
severally covenant with the several Underwriters as follows:

                 (a)     The Offerors shall use their best efforts to cause the 
         Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, if not effective at
         the time of execution of this Agreement, to become effective as
         promptly after execution as possible. If the Registration Statement has
         become or becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A and information has
         been omitted therefrom in reliance on Rule 430A, then the Offerors will
         prepare and file in accordance with Rule 430A and Rule 424(b) copies of
         the Prospectus or, if required by Rule 430A, a post-effective amendment
         to the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus) containing all
         information so omitted and will provide evidence satisfactory to the
         Underwriters of such timely filing.

                 (b)     The Offerors shall notify the Underwriters immediately,
         and confirm such notice in writing:

                         (i)      when the Registration Statement, or any 
                  post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, has
                  become effective, or when the Prospectus or any supplement to
                  the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed with
                  the Commission;


                                       16
   17

                         (ii)     of the receipt of any comments or requests 
                  from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement and
                  any 1934 Act documents incorporated by reference therein;

                         (iii)    of any request of the Commission to amend or 
                  supplement the Registration Statement, any Preliminary
                  Prospectus, the Prospectus or the 1934 Act documents
                  incorporated therein by reference or for additional
                  information relating thereto; and

                         (iv)     of the issuance by the Commission or any state
                  or other regulatory body of any stop order or other order
                  suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement,
                  preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus
                  or the Prospectus, or suspending the qualification of any of
                  the Designated Preferred Securities for offering or sale in
                  any jurisdiction or the institution or threat of institution
                  of any proceedings for any of such purposes. The Offerors
                  shall use their best efforts to prevent the issuance of any
                  such stop order or of any other such order and if any such
                  order is issued, to cause such order to be withdrawn or lifted
                  as soon as possible.

                  (c)      The Offerors shall furnish to the Underwriters, from 
         time to time without charge, as soon as available, as many copies as
         the Underwriters may reasonably request of (i) the registration
         statement as originally filed and of all amendments thereto, in
         executed form, including exhibits, whether filed before or after the
         Registration Statement becomes effective, (ii) all exhibits and
         documents incorporated therein or filed therewith, (iii) all consents
         and certificates of experts in executed form, (iv) each Preliminary
         Prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto, and (v) the
         Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto.

                  (d)     During the time when a prospectus is required to be 
         delivered under the 1933 Act, the Offerors shall comply with the 1933
         Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act
         Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the
         Preferred Securities as contemplated herein and in the Trust Agreement
         and the Prospectus. Except as required by applicable law as evidenced
         by a written opinion of counsel relating thereto, the Offerors shall
         not file any amendment to the registration statement as originally
         filed or to the Registration Statement and shall not file any amendment
         thereto or make any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary
         Prospectus or to the Prospectus of which the Underwriters shall not
         previously have been advised in writing and provided a copy a
         reasonable time prior to the proposed filings thereof or to which the
         Underwriters or counsel to the Underwriters shall reasonably object. If
         it is necessary, in the Underwriters' reasonable opinion or in the
         reasonable written opinion of counsel to the Underwriters to amend or
         supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in connection
         with the distribution of the Designated Preferred Securities, the
         Offerors shall forthwith amend or supplement the Registration Statement
         or the Prospectus, as the case may be, by preparing and filing with the
         Commission and furnishing to the Underwriters, such number of copies as
         the Underwriters may reasonably request of an amendment or amendments
         of, or a supplement or supplements to, the Registration Statement or
         the Prospectus, as the case 


                                       17
   18

         may be (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
         Underwriters and counsel to the Underwriters). If any event shall occur
         as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the
         Prospectus to correct an untrue statement of fact or to include any
         fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
         circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if for any
         reason it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the
         Prospectus to comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations,
         the Offerors shall, subject to the second sentence of this subsection
         (d), forthwith amend or supplement the Prospectus by preparing and
         filing with the Commission, and furnishing to the Underwriters, such
         number of copies as the Underwriters may reasonably request of an
         amendment or amendments of, or a supplement or supplements to, the
         Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters and
         counsel to the Underwriters) so that, as so amended or supplemented,
         the Prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of fact or omit to
         state any fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
         the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  (e)    The Offerors shall cooperate with the Underwriters and 
         counsel to the Underwriters in order to qualify the Designated
         Preferred Securities for offering and sale under the securities or blue
         sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters may reasonably
         request and shall continue such qualifications in effect so long as may
         be advisable for distribution of the Designated Preferred Securities;
         provided, however, that the Offerors shall not be required to qualify
         to do business as a foreign corporation or file a general consent to
         service of process in any jurisdiction in connection with the
         foregoing. The Offerors shall file such statements and reports as may
         be required by the laws of each jurisdiction in which the Designated
         Preferred Securities have been qualified as above. The Offerors will
         notify the Underwriters immediately of, and confirm in writing, the
         suspension of qualification of the Preferred Securities or threat
         thereof in any jurisdiction.

                  (f)    The Offerors shall make generally available to their 
         security holders in the manner contemplated by Rule 158 of the 1933 Act
         Regulations and furnish to the Underwriters as soon as practicable, but
         in any event not later than 16 months after the Effective Date, a
         consolidated earnings statement of the Offerors conforming with the
         requirements of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158.

                  (g)    The Offerors shall use the proceeds from the sale of 
         the Designated Preferred Securities to be sold by the Trust hereunder
         in the manner specified in the Prospectus under the caption "Use of
         Proceeds."

                  (h)    For five years from the Effective Date, the Offerors 
         shall furnish to the Underwriters copies of all reports and
         communications (financial or otherwise) furnished by the Offerors to
         the holders of the Designated Preferred Securities as a class, copies
         of all reports and financial statements filed with or furnished to the
         Commission (other than portions for which confidential treatment has
         been obtained from the commission) or with any national securities
         exchange or the Nasdaq National Market.


                                       18
   19

                  (i) For a period of 180 days from the Effective Date, the 
         Offerors, the Bank and their executive officers and directors shall
         not, directly or indirectly, offer for sale, sell or agree to sell or
         otherwise dispose of any Designated Preferred Securities other than
         pursuant to this Agreement, any other beneficial interests in the
         assets of the Trust or any securities of the Trust or the Company that
         are substantially similar to the Preferred Securities, including any
         guarantee of such beneficial interests or substantially similar
         securities, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for or that
         represent the right to receive any such beneficial interest or
         substantially similar securities, without the Representative's prior
         written consent.

                  (j)    The Offerors shall use their best efforts to cause the 
         Designated Preferred Securities to become quoted on the Nasdaq National
         Market, or in lieu thereof a national securities exchange, and to
         remain so quoted for at least five years from the Effective Date or for
         such shorter period as may be specified in a written consent of the
         Underwriters, provided this shall not prevent the Company from
         redeeming the Designated Preferred Securities pursuant to the terms of
         the Trust Agreement. If the Designated Preferred Securities are
         exchanged for Debentures, the Company will use its best efforts to have
         the Debentures promptly listed on the Nasdaq National Market or other
         organization on which the Designated Preferred Securities are then
         listed, and to have the Debentures promptly registered under Section 12
         of the Exchange Act.

                  (k)    The Offerors shall not, for a period of 180 days after 
         the date hereof, without the Representative's prior written consent,
         purchase, redeem or call for redemption, or prepay or give notice of
         prepayment (or announce any redemption or call for redemption, or any
         repayment or notice of prepayment) of the Offerors' securities;
         provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent an employee
         from delivering the Company's securities in payment of the exercise
         price of options issued under the Company's 1997 Employees and
         Directors Stock Option Plan.

                  (l)    The Offerors shall not take, directly or indirectly, 
         any action designed to result in or which has constituted or which
         might cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of
         any security of the Offerors to facilitate the sale or resale of the
         Designated Preferred Securities and the Offerors are not aware of any
         such action taken or to be taken by any affiliate of the Offerors.

                  (m)    Prior to the Closing Date, the Offerors will not issue 
         any press release or other communication directly or indirectly or hold
         any press conference with respect to the Offerors, the Subsidiaries or
         the offering of the Designated Preferred Securities (the "Offering")
         without the Representative's prior written consent, which will not be
         unreasonably withheld.

         5.       PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. Whether or not this Agreement is 
terminated or the sale of the Designated Preferred Securities to the
Underwriters is consummated, each of the Company, the Bank and the Trust,
jointly and severally, covenants and agrees that it will pay or cause to be paid
(directly or by reimbursement) all costs and expenses incident to the
performance of the obligations of the Offerors under this Agreement, including:


                                       19
   20

                  (a)    the preparation, printing, filing, delivery and 
         shipping of the initial registration statement, the Preliminary
         Prospectus or Prospectuses, the Registration Statement and the
         Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and the printing,
         delivery and shipping of this Agreement and any other underwriting
         documents (including, without limitation, selected dealers agreements),
         the certificates for the Designated Preferred Securities and the
         Preliminary and Final Blue Sky Memoranda and any legal investment
         surveys and any supplements thereto;

                  (b)    all fees, expenses and disbursements of the Offerors' 
         counsel and accountants;

                  (c)    with respect to the Trust only, all fees and expenses 
         incurred in connection with the qualification of the Designated
         Preferred Securities, Debentures and the Guarantee under the securities
         or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters may request,
         including all filing fees and reasonable fees and disbursements of
         counsel to the Underwriters in connection therewith, including, without
         limitation, in connection with the preparation of the Preliminary and
         Final Blue Sky Memoranda and any legal investment surveys and any
         supplements thereto;

                  (d)    payment to the Representative of its documented 
         expenses up to $75,000 for legal counsel and up to $25,000 for all
         other expenses;

                  (e)    all fees and expenses incurred in connection with 
         filings made with the NASD;

                  (f)    any applicable fees and other expenses incurred in 
         connection with the listing of the Designated Preferred Securities and,
         if applicable, the Guarantee and the Debentures on the Nasdaq National
         Market;

                  (g)    the cost of furnishing to the Underwriters copies of 
         the initial registration statements, any Preliminary Prospectus, the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus and all amendments or
         supplements thereto;

                  (h)    the costs and charges of any transfer agent or 
         registrar and the fees and disbursements of counsel to any transfer
         agent or registrar;

                  (i)    all costs and expenses (including stock transfer taxes)
         incurred in connection with the printing, issuance and delivery of the
         Designated Preferred Securities to the Underwriters;

                  (j)    all expenses incident to the preparation, execution and
         delivery of the Trust Agreement, the Indenture, the Guarantee and the
         Expense Agreement; and

                  (k)    all other costs and expenses incident to the 
         performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder and under the
         Trust Agreement that are not otherwise specifically provided for in
         this Section 5.


                                       20
   21

         If the sale of Designated Preferred Securities contemplated by this
Agreement is not completed due to a default of this Agreement by the Company
(including a termination pursuant to Section 8(a), (b) or (c)), the Company will
pay the Underwriters their accountable out-of-pocket expenses in connection
herewith or in contemplation of the performance of the Underwriters' obligations
hereunder, including without limitation travel expenses, reasonable fees,
expenses and disbursements of counsel or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by the Underwriters in connection with any discussion of the Offering or the
contents of the Registration Statement, any investigation of the Offerors and
the Subsidiaries, or any preparation for the marketing, purchase, sale or
delivery of the Designated Preferred Securities, in each case following
presentation of reasonably detailed invoices therefor.

         6.       CONDITIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS' OBLIGATIONS. The obligations 
of each of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm Preferred
Securities and, following exercise of the Option granted by the Offerors in
Section 1 of this Agreement, the Option Preferred Securities, as set forth in
Schedule A, are subject to the accuracy of and compliance with the
representations and warranties and agreements of the Offerors herein as of the
date hereof and as of the Closing Date (or in the case of the Option Preferred
Securities, if any, as of the Option Closing Date), to the accuracy of the
written statements of the Offerors made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to
the performance by the Offerors of their covenants and obligations hereunder and
to the following additional conditions:

                  (a)    If the  Registration  Statement or any amendment  
         thereto filed prior to the Closing Date has not been declared effective
         prior to the time of execution hereof, the Registration Statement shall
         become effective not later than 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the first
         business day following the time of execution of this Agreement, or at
         such later time and date as the Underwriters may agree to in writing.
         If required, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto
         shall have been timely filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and Rule
         430A under the 1933 Act and Section 4(a) hereof. No stop order
         suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any
         amendment or supplement thereto shall have been issued under the 1933
         Act or any applicable state securities laws and no proceedings for that
         purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending, or, to the
         knowledge of the Offerors or the Underwriters, shall be contemplated by
         the Commission or any state authority. Any request on the part of the
         Commission or any state authority for additional information (to be
         included in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or otherwise)
         shall have been disclosed to the Underwriters and complied with to the
         Underwriters' reasonable satisfaction and to the reasonable
         satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters.

                  (b)    The Underwriters shall not have advised the Company at 
         or before the Closing Date (and, if applicable, the Option Closing
         Date) that the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
         thereto, or the Prospectus (including any 1934 Act document
         incorporated by reference therein) or any amendment or supplement
         thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact which, in the
         Underwriters' opinion, is material or omits to state any fact which, in
         the Underwriters' opinion, is material and is required to be stated
         therein or is necessary to make statements therein (in the case of the
         Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, in light of the
         circumstances under which they 


                                       21
   22

         were made) not misleading or, if so advised, the Company shall have
         cured such disclosure to the satisfaction of the Underwriters.

                  (c)    All corporate proceedings and other legal matters 
         incident to the authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the
         Trust Agreement, and the Designated Preferred Securities, and the
         authorization and form of the Registration Statement and Prospectus,
         other than financial statements and other financial data, and all other
         legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions
         contemplated hereby or by the Trust Agreement shall be reasonably
         satisfactory in all respects to counsel to the Underwriters, and the
         Offerors and the Subsidiaries shall have furnished to such counsel all
         documents and information relating thereto that they may reasonably
         request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

                  (d)    Kutak Rock, counsel to the Offerors, shall have 
         furnished to the Underwriters their opinion, dated the Closing Date, or
         the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance
         reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Underwriters, to the effect
         that:

                         (i)      The Company has been duly incorporated and is 
                  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
                  State of Michigan, and is duly registered as a bank holding
                  company under the BHC Act. Each of the Subsidiaries is duly
                  incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the
                  laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization.
                  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has full corporate
                  and trust power and authority to own or lease its properties
                  and to conduct its business as such business is described in
                  the Prospectus and is currently conducted. All outstanding
                  shares of capital stock of the Subsidiaries have been duly
                  authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
                  nonassessable and, except as disclosed in the Prospectus,
                  there are no outstanding rights, options or warrants to
                  purchase any such shares or securities convertible into or
                  exchangeable for any such shares. The Bank is a member of the
                  Federal Reserve System, and no proceedings for termination or
                  revocation of such membership are pending or, to the best
                  knowledge of such counsel, threatened. The deposit accounts of
                  the Bank are insured by the SAIF up to the maximum amount
                  provided by law, and no proceedings for the termination or
                  revocation of such insurance are pending or, to the best
                  knowledge of such counsel, threatened.

                         (ii)     The capital stock, Debentures and Guarantee of
                  the Company and the equity securities of the Trust conform in
                  all material respects to the description thereof contained in
                  the Prospectus. The capital stock of the Company authorized
                  and issued as of __________________ is as set forth under the
                  caption "Capitalization" in the Prospectus, has been duly
                  authorized and validly issued, and is fully paid and
                  nonassessable. The form of certificates to evidence the
                  Designated Preferred Securities has been approved by or on
                  behalf of the Trust and is in due and proper form and complies
                  with all applicable requirements. There are no outstanding
                  rights, options or warrants to purchase from the Company, no
                  other outstanding securities convertible into or 


                                       22
   23

                  exchangeable for, and no commitments, plans or arrangements to
                  issue, any shares of capital stock of the Company or equity
                  securities of the Trust, except as described in the
                  Prospectus.

                         (iii)    The Offerors have all requisite corporate 
                  power and authority to issue, sell and deliver the Designated
                  Preferred Securities and Debentures in accordance with and
                  upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
                  Indenture, the Trust Agreement, the Registration Statement and
                  the Prospectus. All corporate or trust action required to be
                  taken by the Offerors for the authorization, issuance, sale
                  and delivery of the Designated Preferred Securities and
                  Debentures in accordance with such terms and conditions has
                  been validly and sufficiently taken. All of the Designated
                  Preferred Securities have been duly and validly authorized
                  and, when delivered in accordance with this Agreement will be
                  duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and
                  will conform in all material respects to the description
                  thereof in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the
                  Trust Agreement. The Designated Preferred Securities have been
                  approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market subject
                  to official notice of issuance. There are no preemptive or
                  other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, and other than
                  as disclosed in the Prospectus no restrictions upon the voting
                  or transfer of, any shares of capital stock or equity
                  securities of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries pursuant to the
                  corporate charter, bylaws or other governing documents
                  (including without limitation, the Trust Agreement) of the
                  Offerors or the Subsidiaries, or, to such counsel's knowledge,
                  any agreement or other instrument to which either Offeror or
                  any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which either Offeror
                  or any of the Subsidiaries may be bound.

                         (iv)     The Offerors have all requisite corporate and 
                  trust power to enter into and perform their obligations under 
                  this Agreement, and this Agreement has been duly and validly 
                  authorized, executed and delivered by the Offerors and 
                  constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the 
                  Offerors enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as 
                  the enforcement hereof or thereof may be limited by general 
                  principles of equity and by bankruptcy, insolvency, 
                  reorganization, receivership, fraudulent transfer, moratorium 
                  or other laws relating to or affecting creditors rights 
                  generally, and except as the indemnification and contribution 
                  provisions hereof may be limited under applicable laws and 
                  public policy and certain remedies may not be available in the
                  case of a non-material breach.

                         (v)      Each of the Indenture, the Trust Agreement 
                  and the Guarantee has been duly qualified under the Trust
                  Indenture Act, has been duly authorized, executed and
                  delivered by the Company, and is a valid and legally binding
                  obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its
                  terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency,
                  reorganization, receivership, fraudulent transfer, moratorium
                  or other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors
                  generally and of general principles of equity and public
                  policy.


                                       23
   24

                         (vi)     The Debentures have been duly authorized, 
                  executed, authenticated and delivered by the Company, are
                  entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and are legal, valid
                  and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the
                  Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the effect
                  of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership,
                  fraudulent transfer, moratorium and other laws affecting the
                  rights and remedies of creditors generally and of general
                  principles of equity and public policy.

                         (vii)    The Expense Agreement has been duly 
                  authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and is a
                  valid and legally binding obligation of the Company
                  enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the
                  effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
                  receivership, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and other laws
                  affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and
                  of general principles of equity and public policy.

                         (viii)   To such counsel's knowledge, neither of the 
                  Offerors nor any of the Subsidiaries is in breach or violation
                  of, or default under, with or without notice or lapse of time
                  or both, its corporate charter, bylaws or governing document
                  (including without limitation, the Trust Agreement). The
                  execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
                  consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
                  Agreement, the Indenture, the Guarantee, the Expense Agreement
                  and the Trust Agreement do not and will not conflict with,
                  result in the creation or imposition of any lien, claim,
                  charge, encumbrance or restriction upon any property or assets
                  of the Offerors or any of the Subsidiaries or the Designated
                  Preferred Securities pursuant to, or constitute a breach or
                  violation of, or constitute a default under, with or without
                  notice or lapse of time or both, any of the terms, provisions
                  or conditions of the charter, bylaws or governing document
                  (including, without limitation, the Trust Agreement) of the
                  Offerors or the Subsidiaries, or to such counsel's knowledge,
                  any material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
                  loan or credit agreement, note, lease, franchise, license or
                  any other agreement or instrument to which either Offeror or
                  the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of
                  their respective properties may be bound or any order, decree,
                  judgment, franchise, license, Permit, rule or regulation of
                  any court, arbitrator, government, or governmental agency or
                  instrumentality, domestic or foreign, known to such counsel
                  having jurisdiction over the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or
                  any of their respective properties. No authorization,
                  approval, consent or order of, or filing, registration or
                  qualification with, any person (including, without limitation,
                  any court, governmental body or authority) is required under
                  Michigan or Delaware law in connection with the transactions
                  contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the purchase
                  and distribution of the Designated Preferred Securities by the
                  Underwriters.

                         (ix)     To such counsel's knowledge, holders of 
                  securities of the Offerors either do not have any right that,
                  if exercised, would require the Offerors to cause such
                  securities to be included in the Registration Statement or
                  have waived such right. To such counsel's knowledge, neither
                  the Offerors nor any of the 


                                       24
   25

                  Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement or other instrument
                  which grants rights for or relating to the registration of any
                  securities of the Offerors.

                         (x)      Except as set forth in the Registration 
                  Statement and the Prospectus, (A) no action, suit or
                  proceeding at law or in equity is pending or threatened in
                  writing to which any of the Offerors or the Subsidiaries is or
                  may be a party, and (B) no action, suit or proceeding is
                  pending or threatened in writing against or affecting any of
                  the Offerors or the Subsidiaries or any of their properties,
                  before or by any court or governmental official, commission,
                  board or other administrative agency, authority or body, or
                  any arbitrator, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or
                  finding would have a material adverse effect on the
                  consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
                  Agreement or the issuance and sale of the Designated Preferred
                  Securities as contemplated herein or the financial condition,
                  earnings, business, or results of operations of the Offerors
                  and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or which is
                  required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement or the
                  Prospectus and is not so disclosed.

                         (xi)     No authorization, approval, consent or order 
                  of or filing, registration or qualification with, any person
                  (including, without limitation, any court, governmental body
                  or authority) is required in connection with the transactions
                  contemplated by this Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the
                  Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except such as may
                  be required by, and have been obtained under, the 1933 Act,
                  the Trust Indenture Act, state securities laws, or
                  Interpretations or Rules of the NASD in connection with the
                  purchase and distribution of the Designated Preferred
                  Securities by the Underwriters, and from the Nasdaq Stock
                  Market's National Market relating to the listing of the
                  Designated Preferred Securities.

                         (xii)    The Registration Statement and the Prospectus 
                  and any amendments or supplements thereto and any documents
                  incorporated therein by reference (other than the financial
                  statements or other financial and/or statistical data included
                  therein or omitted therefrom and Underwriter Information, as
                  to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to
                  form with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
                  Regulations as of their respective dates of effectiveness.

                         (xiii)   There are no contracts, agreements, leases or 
                  other documents of a character required to be disclosed in the
                  Registration Statement or Prospectus or to be filed as
                  exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not so
                  disclosed or filed.

                         (xiv)    The statements under the captions 
                  "Capitalization," "Description of the Preferred Securities,"
                  "Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures,"
                  "Description of Guarantee," "Relationship Among the Preferred
                  Securities, the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the
                  Guarantee," "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences," "ERISA
                  Considerations," "Supervision and Regulation," "Bank Holding
                  Company Regulation" and "Regulatory Capital Requirements" in


                                       25
   26

                  the Prospectus or incorporated therein by reference in the
                  Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                  December 31, 1998, insofar as such statements constitute a
                  summary of legal and regulatory matters, documents,
                  instruments or proceedings referred to therein are accurate
                  descriptions of the matters summarized therein and fairly
                  present in all material respects the information called for
                  with respect to such legal and regulatory matters, documents,
                  instruments and proceedings, other than financial and
                  statistical data as to which said counsel expresses no opinion
                  or belief.

                         (xv)     Such counsel has been advised by the staff of 
                  the Commission that the Registration Statement has become
                  effective under the 1933 Act; any required filing of the
                  Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made within the
                  time period required by Rule 424(b); to such counsel's
                  knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
                  Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for
                  a stop order are pending or threatened by the Commission.

                         (xvi)    Except as set forth in the Prospectus, to such
                  counsel's knowledge, there are no contractual encumbrances or
                  restrictions, or legal restrictions (excluding any
                  encumbrances or restrictions of general application to state
                  banks contained in laws, rules and regulations of applicable
                  regulatory authorities) on the ability of the Subsidiaries (A)
                  to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its
                  capital stock or to pay indebtedness owed to the Offerors, (B)
                  to make any loans or advances to, or investments in, the
                  Offerors or (C) to transfer any of its property or assets to
                  the Offerors.

                         (xvii)   The Trust will be classified for United States
                  federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an
                  association taxable as a corporation for United States federal
                  income tax purposes, and as a result, each beneficial owner of
                  Preferred Securities (a "Securityholder") will be treated as
                  owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Junior
                  Subordinated Debentures.

                         (xviii)  Unless the Company exercises its option to
                  extend the interest payment period, stated interest on the
                  Junior Subordinated Debentures generally will be included in
                  income by a Securityholder at the time such interest income is
                  paid or accrued in accordance with the Securityholder's
                  regular method of tax accounting.

                         (xix)    Gain or loss will be recognized by a
                  Securityholder on a sale of Preferred Securities (including a
                  redemption for cash) in an amount equal to the difference
                  between the amount realized (which for this purpose, will
                  exclude amounts attributable to accrued interest or original
                  issue discount not previously included in income) and the
                  Securityholder's adjusted tax basis in the Preferred
                  Securities sold or so redeemed. Gain or loss recognized by the
                  Securityholder on Preferred Securities held for more than one
                  year will generally be taxable as long-term capital gain or
                  loss.


                                       26
   27

                  In giving the above opinion, such counsel may state that,
         insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied upon
         certificates of officers of the Offerors including, without limitation,
         certificates as to the identity of any and all contracts, indentures,
         mortgages, deeds of trust, loans or credit agreements, notes, leases,
         franchises, licenses or other agreements or instruments, and all
         permits, easements, consents, licenses, franchises and government
         regulatory authorizations, for purposes of paragraphs (viii), (xiii)
         and (xvii) hereof and certificates of public officials. In giving such
         opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters of Delaware law upon the
         opinion of _______________ described herein.

                  Such counsel shall also confirm that, in connection with the
         preparation of the Registration Statement and Prospectus, such counsel
         has participated in conferences with officers and representatives of
         the Offerors and with their independent public accountants and with the
         Underwriters and counsel to the Underwriters, at which conferences such
         counsel made inquiries of such officers, representatives and
         accountants and discussed in detail the contents of the Registration
         Statement and Prospectus and the documents incorporated therein by
         reference and such counsel has no reason to believe (A) that the
         Registration Statement or any amendment thereto (except for the
         financial statements and related schedules and financial and
         statistical data included therein or omitted therefrom or Underwriter
         Information, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), at the
         time the Registration Statement or any such amendment became effective,
         contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
         were made, not misleading or (B) that the Prospectus or any amendment
         or supplement thereto or the documents contained therein by reference
         (except for the financial statements and related schedules and
         financial and statistical data included therein or omitted therefrom or
         Underwriter Information, as to which such counsel need express no
         opinion), at the time the Registration Statement became effective (or,
         if the term "Prospectus" refers to the prospectus first filed pursuant
         to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations, at the time the Prospectus
         was issued), at the time any such amended or supplemented Prospectus
         was issued, at the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing
         Date, contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
         omitted or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein
         or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of
         the circumstances under which they were made, or (C) that there is any
         amendment to the Registration Statement required to be filed that has
         not already been filed.

                  (e) ____________________, special Delaware counsel to the 
         Offerors, shall have furnished to the Underwriters their signed
         opinion, dated as of Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the
         case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to such counsel, to the
         effect that:

                         (i)      The Trust has been duly created and is validly
                  existing in good standing as a business trust under the
                  Delaware Business Trust Act and, under the Trust Agreement and
                  the Delaware Business Trust Act, has the trust power and
                  authority to conduct its business as described in the
                  Prospectus.


                                       27
   28

                         (ii)     The Trust Agreement is a legal, valid and 
                  binding agreement of the Trust and the Trustees, and is
                  enforceable against the Company, as sponsor, and the Trustees,
                  in accordance with its terms.

                         (iii)    Under the Trust Agreement and the Delaware 
                  Business Trust Act, the execution and delivery of the
                  Underwriting Agreement by the Trust, and the performance by
                  the Trust of its obligations thereunder, have been authorized
                  by all requisite trust action on the part of the Trust.

                         (iv)     The Designated Preferred Securities have been 
                  duly authorized by the Trust Agreement, and when issued and
                  sold in accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Designated
                  Preferred Securities will be, subject to the qualifications
                  set forth in paragraph (v) below, fully paid and nonassessable
                  beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust and entitled to
                  the benefits of the Trust Agreement. The form of certificates
                  to evidence the Designated Preferred Securities has been
                  approved by the Trust and is in due and proper form and
                  complies with all applicable requirements of the Delaware
                  Business Trust Act.

                         (v)      Holders of Designated Preferred Securities, as
                  beneficial owners of the Trust, will be entitled to the same
                  limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of
                  private, for-profit corporations organized under the General
                  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Such opinion may
                  note that the holders of Designated Preferred Securities may
                  be obligated to make payments as set forth in the Trust
                  Agreement.

                         (vi)     Under the Delaware Business Trust Act and the 
                  Trust Agreement, the issuance of the Designated Preferred
                  Securities is not subject to preemptive rights.

                         (vii)    The issuance and sale by the Trust of the 
                  Designated Preferred Securities and the Common Securities, the
                  execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of this
                  Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
                  contemplated by this Agreement, do not violate (A) the Trust
                  Agreement, or (B) any applicable Delaware law, rule or
                  regulation.

                  Such opinion may state that it is limited to the laws of the
         State of Delaware and that the opinion expressed in paragraph (ii)
         above is subject to the effect upon the Trust Agreement of (i)
         bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, receivership, reorganization,
         liquidation, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws relating to
         or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally, (ii)
         principles of equity, including applicable law relating to fiduciary
         duties (regardless of whether considered and applied in a proceeding in
         equity or at law), and (iii) the effect of applicable public policy on
         the enforceability of provisions relating to indemnification or
         contribution.

                  (f)    Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, counsel to the 
         Underwriters, shall have furnished to the Underwriters their opinion,
         dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be,
         with respect to the sufficiency of all corporate 


                                       28
   29

         proceedings and other legal matters relating to this Agreement, the
         validity of the Designated Preferred Securities, the Registration
         Statement, the Prospectus and such other related matters as the
         Underwriters may reasonably request and there shall have been furnished
         to such counsel such documents and other information as they may
         request to enable them to pass on such matters. In giving such opinion,
         Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn may rely as to matters of fact upon
         statements and certifications of officers of the Offerors and of other
         appropriate persons and may rely as to matters of law, other than law
         of the United States and the State of Michigan, upon the opinion of
         _________________ described herein. 

                  (g)    On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, 
         the Underwriters shall have received from Grant Thornton LLP a letter,
         dated the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date (and, if
         applicable, any Option Closing Date), respectively, in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, confirming that they are
         independent public accountants with respect to the Company and the
         Bank, within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations,
         and stating in effect that:

                         (i)      In their opinion, the consolidated financial 
                  statements of the Company and the Bank audited by them and
                  included in the Registration Statement comply as to form with
                  the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the
                  1933 Act Regulations.

                         (ii)     On the basis of the procedures specified by 
                  the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as
                  described in SAS No. 71, "Interim Financial Information,"
                  inquiries of officials of the Company and the Bank responsible
                  for financial and accounting matters, and such other inquiries
                  and procedures as may be specified in such letter, which
                  procedures do not constitute an audit in accordance with U.S.
                  generally accepted auditing standards, nothing came to their
                  attention that caused them to believe that, if applicable, the
                  unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the
                  Company and its subsidiary included in the Registration
                  Statement do not comply as to form with the applicable
                  accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and 1933 Act
                  Regulations or are not in conformity with U.S. generally
                  accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
                  substantially consistent, except as noted in the Registration
                  Statement, with the basis for the audited consolidated
                  financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary
                  included in the Registration Statement.

                         (iii)    On the basis of limited procedures, not 
                  constituting an audit in accordance with U.S. generally
                  accepted auditing standards, consisting of a reading of the
                  unaudited interim financial statements and other information
                  referred to below, a reading of the latest available unaudited
                  condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company and
                  its subsidiary, inspection of the minute books of the Company
                  and the Bank since the date of the latest audited financial
                  statements of the Company and its subsidiary included in the
                  Registration Statement, inquiries of officials of the Company
                  and the Bank responsible for financial and accounting matters
                  and such other inquiries and 



                                       29
   30

                  procedures as may be specified in such letter, nothing came to
                  their attention that caused them to believe that:

                                  (A)     as of a specified date not more than 
                         five days prior to the date of such letter, there have
                         been any changes in the consolidated capital stock,
                         allowance for loan losses, or net loans receivable of
                         the Company and its subsidiary, any increase in the
                         consolidated long-term debt, short term borrowings,
                         obligations under capital leases or real estate owned
                         of the Company and its subsidiary, any decreases in
                         consolidated total assets or shareholders equity of the
                         Company and its subsidiary, or any changes, decreases
                         or increases in other items specified by the
                         Underwriters, in each case as compared with amounts
                         shown in the latest unaudited interim consolidated
                         statement of financial condition of the Company and its
                         subsidiary included in the Registration Statement
                         except in each case for changes, increases or decreases
                         which the Registration Statement specifically
                         discloses, have occurred or may occur or which are
                         described in such letter; and

                                  (B)     for the period from the date of the 
                         latest unaudited interim consolidated financial
                         statements included in the Registration Statement to
                         the specified date referred to in clause (iii)(A),
                         there were any decreases in the consolidated interest
                         income, net interest income, other operating income or
                         net income of the Company and its subsidiary or in the
                         per share amount of net income of the Company and its
                         subsidiary, any increase in consolidated other
                         operating expense of the Company and its subsidiary, or
                         any changes, decreases or increases in any other items
                         specified by the Underwriters, in each case as compared
                         with the comparable period of the preceding year and
                         with any other period of corresponding length specified
                         by the Underwriters, except in each case for increases
                         or decreases which the Registration Statement discloses
                         have occurred or may occur, or which are described in
                         such letter.

                         (iv)     In addition to the audit referred to in their 
                  report included in the Registration Statement and the limited
                  procedures, inspection of minute books, inquiries and other
                  procedures referred to in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above,
                  they have carried out certain specified procedures, not
                  constituting an audit in accordance with U.S. generally
                  accepted auditing standards, with respect to certain amounts,
                  percentages and financial information specified by the
                  Underwriters which are derived from the general accounting
                  records and consolidated financial statements of the Company
                  and its subsidiary which appear in the Registration Statement
                  specified by the Underwriters in the Registration Statement,
                  and have compared such amounts, percentages and financial
                  information with the accounting records and the material
                  derived from such records and consolidated financial
                  statements of the Company and its subsidiary have found them
                  to be in agreement.


                                       30
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                  In the event that the letters to be delivered referred to
         above set forth any such changes, decreases or increases as specified
         in Clauses (iii)(A) or (iii)(B) above, or any exceptions from such
         agreement specified in Clause (iv) above, it shall be a further
         condition to the obligations of the Underwriters that the Underwriters
         shall have determined, after discussions with officers of the Company
         and the Bank responsible for financial and accounting matters, that
         such changes, decreases, increases or exceptions as are set forth in
         such letters do not (x) reflect an adverse change in the items
         specified in Clause (iii)(A) above as compared with the amounts shown
         in the latest unaudited consolidated statement of financial condition
         of the Company and its subsidiary included in the Registration
         Statement, (y) reflect an adverse change in the items specified in
         Clause (iii)(B) above as compared with the corresponding periods of the
         prior year or other period specified by the Underwriters, or (z)
         reflect a material change in items specified in Clause (iv) above from
         the amounts shown in the Preliminary Prospectus distributed by the
         Underwriters in connection with the offering contemplated hereby or
         from the amounts shown in the Prospectus.

                  (h)    At the Closing Date (and, if applicable, the Option 
         Closing Date), the Underwriters shall have received certificates of the
         chief executive officer and the chief financial and accounting officer
         of the Company, which certificates shall be deemed to be made on behalf
         of the Company dated as of the Closing Date (and, if applicable, the
         Option Closing Date), evidencing satisfaction of the conditions of
         Section 6(a) and stating that (i) the representations and warranties of
         the Company set forth in Section 2(a) hereof are accurate as of the
         Closing Date (and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date), and that
         the Offerors have complied in all material respects with all agreements
         and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied
         at or prior to such Closing Date; (ii) since the respective dates as of
         which information is given in the Registration Statement and the
         Prospectus, there has not been any material adverse change in the
         financial condition, earnings, business, prospects or results of
         operations of the Offerors and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated
         basis; (iii) since such dates there has not been any transaction
         entered into by the Offerors or the Subsidiaries other than
         transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (iv) they have
         carefully examined the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as
         amended or supplemented and nothing has come to their attention that
         would lead them to believe that either the Registration Statement or
         the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto as of their
         respective effective or issue dates, contained, and the Prospectus as
         amended or supplemented at such Closing Date (and, if applicable, the
         Option Closing Date), contains any untrue statement of a material fact,
         or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
         necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
         circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The officers
         certificate of the Company shall further state that no stop order
         affecting the Registration Statement is in effect or, to their
         knowledge, threatened.

                  (i) At the Closing Date (and, if applicable, the Option 
         Closing Date), the Underwriters shall have received a certificate of an
         authorized representative of the Trust to the effect that to the best
         of his or her knowledge after due investigation, the representations
         and warranties of the Trust in this Agreement are true and correct as
         though made on and as of the Closing Date (and, if applicable, the
         Option Closing Date);


                                       31
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         the Trust has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the
         conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or satisfied by
         the Trust on or prior to the Closing Date and since the most recent
         date as of which information is given in the Prospectus, except as
         contemplated by the Prospectus, the Trust has not incurred any
         liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any
         transactions not in the ordinary course of business and there has not
         been any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of
         the Trust.

                  (j) On the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received 
         duly executed counterparts of the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee, the
         Indenture and the Expense Agreement.

                  (k) The NASD, upon review of the terms of the public offering 
         of the Preferred Securities, shall not have objected to the
         Underwriters' participation in such offering.

                  (l) Prior to the Closing Date, the Offerors shall have 
         furnished to the Underwriters and counsel to the Underwriters all such
         other documents, certificates and opinions as they have reasonably
         requested.

         All opinions, certificates, letters and other documents shall be in
compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are reasonably satisfactory
in form and substance to the Underwriters. Any certificate signed by an officer
of an Offeror and delivered to the Underwriters pursuant hereto shall also be
deemed to be a representation and warranty of such Offeror to the Underwriters
as to the statements made therein. The Offerors shall furnish to the
Underwriters conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and other
documents as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

         If any of the conditions referred to in this Section 6 shall not have
been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement, this Agreement and all of
the several Underwriters' obligations hereunder may be terminated by the
Underwriters on notice to the Company at, or at any time before, the Closing
Date or the Option Closing Date. Any such termination shall be without liability
of the Underwriters to the Offerors.

         7.       INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

                  (a)    The Offerors agree to jointly and severally indemnify 
         and hold harmless each of the Underwriters, each of their directors,
         officers and agents, and each person, if any, who controls any
         Underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act,
         against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses
         (including reasonable costs of investigation and reasonable attorney
         fees and expenses), joint or several, arising out of or based (i) upon
         any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of fact made by the
         Company or the Trust contained in the Registration Statement, any
         Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or
         supplement thereto, (ii) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
         statement of fact made by the Company or the Trust upon any blue sky
         application or other document executed by the Company or the Trust
         specifically for that purpose or based upon written information
         furnished by the Company 


                                       32
   33

         or the Trust filed in any state or other jurisdiction in order to
         qualify any of the Designated Preferred Securities under the securities
         laws thereof (any such application, document or information being
         hereinafter referred to as a "Blue Sky Application"), (iii) any
         omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in the
         Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus,
         or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky
         Application required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein not misleading, and against any and all losses,
         claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable costs
         of investigation and attorney fees), arising out of or based upon any
         untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
         contained in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any
         amendment or supplement thereto, or arising out of or based upon any
         omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
         to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
         the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
         misleading or (iv) the enforcement of this indemnification provision or
         the contribution provisions of Section 7(d); and shall reimburse each
         such indemnified party for any reasonable legal or other expenses as
         incurred, but in no event less frequently than 30 days after each
         invoice is submitted, incurred by them in connection with investigating
         or defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action,
         notwithstanding the possibility that payments for such expenses might
         later be held to be improper, in which case such payments shall be
         promptly refunded; provided, however, that the Offerors shall not be
         liable in any such case to the extent, but only to the extent, that any
         such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses arise out of or
         are based upon any untrue statement or omission or allegation thereof
         that has been made therein or omitted therefrom in reliance upon and in
         conformity with the Underwriter Information; provided further that the
         indemnification contained in this paragraph with respect to any
         Preliminary Prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any
         Underwriter (or of any person controlling such Underwriter) to the
         extent any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses result
         from the fact that such Underwriter sold Designated Preferred
         Securities to a person to whom there was not sent or given, at or prior
         to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the Prospectus (as
         amended or supplemented if any amendments or supplements thereto shall
         have been furnished to such Underwriter in sufficient time to
         distribute same with or prior to the written confirmation of the sale
         involved), if required by law, and if such loss, claim, damage,
         liability or expense would not have arisen but for the failure to give
         or send such person such document. The foregoing indemnity agreement is
         in addition to any liability the Company or the Trust may otherwise
         have to any such indemnified party.

                  (b)    Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold
         harmless each Offeror, each of its directors, each of its officers who
         signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls
         an Offeror within the meaning of the 1933 Act, to the same extent as
         required by the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the
         Underwriters, but only with respect to the Underwriter Information or
         information furnished by an Underwriter in a Blue Sky Application and
         only for failure to deliver a final prospectus to investors in
         accordance with the 1933 Act. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in
         addition to any liability which any such Underwriter may otherwise have
         to any such indemnified party.


                                       33
   34

                  (c)    If any action or claim shall be brought or asserted 
         against any indemnified party or any person controlling an indemnified
         party in respect of which indemnity may be sought from the indemnifying
         party, such indemnified party or controlling person shall promptly
         notify the indemnifying party in writing, and the indemnifying party
         shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel
         reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and the payment of all
         expenses; provided, however, that the failure so to notify the
         indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may
         have to an indemnified party otherwise than under such paragraph, and
         further, shall only relieve it from liability under such paragraph to
         the extent prejudiced thereby. Any indemnified party or any such
         controlling person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in
         any such action and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
         and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such
         indemnified party or such controlling person unless (i) the employment
         thereof as separate counsel and the payment of such counsel's fees has
         been specifically authorized by the indemnifying party in writing, (ii)
         the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense or to employ
         counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or (iii) the
         named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties)
         include both such indemnified party or such controlling person and the
         indemnifying party and such indemnified party or such controlling
         person shall have been advised in writing by such counsel that the
         representation of both parties by the same counsel would be
         inappropriate due to the actual or potential differing interests
         between them (in which case, if such indemnified party or controlling
         person notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to
         employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the
         indemnifying party shall not be required to assume the defense of such
         action on behalf of such indemnified party or such controlling person)
         it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in
         connection with any one such action or separate but substantially
         similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the
         same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable
         fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any
         time and for all such indemnified party and controlling persons, which
         firm shall be designated in writing by the indemnified party and shall
         be reasonably acceptable to the indemnifying party. Each indemnified
         party and each controlling person, as a condition of such indemnity,
         shall use reasonable best efforts to cooperate with the indemnifying
         party in the defense of any such action or claim. The indemnifying
         party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action
         effected without its prior written consent, but if there be a final
         judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party
         agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party and any
         such controlling person from and against any loss, claim, damage,
         liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment.

                  An indemnifying party shall not, without the prior written
         consent of each indemnified party, settle, compromise or consent to the
         entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action, suit
         or proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder
         (whether or not such indemnified party or any person who controls such
         indemnified party within the meaning of the 1933 Act is a party to such
         claim, action, suit or proceeding), unless such settlement, compromise
         or consent includes a release of each such indemnified party reasonably
         satisfactory to each such indemnified party and each such controlling
         person from all liability arising out of such 


                                       34
   35

         claim, action, suit or proceeding or unless the indemnifying party
         shall confirm in a written agreement with each indemnified party, that
         notwithstanding any federal, state or common law, such settlement,
         compromise or consent shall not alter the right of any indemnified
         party or controlling person to indemnification or contribution as
         provided in this Agreement.

                  (d)    If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 
         is legally unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified
         party under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) hereof in respect of any losses,
         claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each
         indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party,
         shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
         party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
         expenses (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
         relative benefits received by the Offerors on the one hand and the
         Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Designated Preferred
         Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is
         not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate
         to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
         above but also the relative fault of the Offerors on the one hand and
         the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or
         omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
         expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
         relative benefits received by the Offerors on the one hand and the
         Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion
         as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Designated Preferred
         Securities (before deducting expenses) received by the Offerors bear to
         the total underwriting discounts, commissions and compensation received
         by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the
         cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Offerors on the
         one hand and of the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by
         reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue
         statement of fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a fact
         relates to information supplied by the Offerors or by the Underwriters
         and the parties, relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
         opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission.
         The Offerors and each of the Underwriters agree that it would not be
         just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this paragraph (d) were
         determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation
         that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred
         to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
         result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses
         referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (d) shall be deemed
         to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or
         other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
         connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
         Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), an Underwriter
         shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount
         by which the total price at which the Designated Preferred Securities
         underwritten by such Underwriter and distributed to the public were
         offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such
         Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue
         or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person
         guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
         11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any
         person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.


                                       35
   36

                  For purposes of this paragraph (d), each person who controls
         an Underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act shall have the same
         rights to contribution as the Underwriters, and each person who
         controls an Offeror within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1934
         Act, each officer and trustee of an Offeror who shall have signed the
         Registration Statement and each director of an Offeror shall have the
         same rights to contribution as the Offerors subject in each case to the
         preceding sentence. The obligations of the Offerors under this
         paragraph (d) shall be in addition to any liability which the Offerors
         may otherwise have and the obligations of the Underwriters under this
         paragraph (d) shall be in addition to any liability that the
         Underwriters may otherwise have.

                  (e)    The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in 
         this Section 7 and the representations and warranties of the Offerors
         set forth in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force
         and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of
         the Underwriters or any person controlling an Underwriter or by or on
         behalf of the Offerors, or such directors, trustees or officers (or any
         person controlling an Offeror), (ii) acceptance of any Designated
         Preferred Securities and payment therefor hereunder and (iii) any
         termination of this Agreement. A successor of an Underwriter or of an
         Offeror, such directors, trustees or officers (or of any person
         controlling an Underwriter or an Offeror) shall be entitled to the
         benefits of the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements
         contained in this Section 7.

                  (f)    The Company agrees to indemnify the Trust against any 
         and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities that may become due from
         the Trust under this Section 7.

         8.       TERMINATION. The Underwriters shall have the right to 
terminate this Agreement at any time at or prior to the Closing Date or, with
respect to the Underwriters' option to purchase the Option Preferred Securities,
at any time at or prior to the Option Closing Date, without liability on the
part of the Underwriters to the Offerors, if:

                  (a)    either Offeror shall have failed, refused, or been 
         unable to perform any agreement on its part to be performed under this
         Agreement, or any of the conditions referred to in Section 6 shall not
         have been fulfilled, when and as required by this Agreement;

                  (b)    the Offerors or any of the Subsidiaries shall have 
         sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire,
         explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by
         insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
         order or decree which in the judgment of the Underwriters impairs in
         any material respect the investment quality of the Designated Preferred
         Securities;

                  (c)    there has been since the respective dates as of which 
         information is given in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
         any material adverse change in, or any development which is likely to
         have a material adverse effect on, the financial condition, earnings,
         business, prospects or results of operations of the Offerors and the
         Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, whether or not arising in the
         ordinary course of business;


                                       36
   37

                  (d)    there has occurred any outbreak of hostilities or other
         calamity or crisis or change in general economic, political or
         financial conditions, or internal conditions, the effect of which on
         the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in
         the Underwriters' reasonable judgment, impracticable to market the
         Designated Preferred Securities or enforce contracts for the sale of
         the Designated Preferred Securities;

                  (e)    trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the 
         American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market shall have been
         suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been
         fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been
         required, by any of said exchanges or market system or by the
         Commission or any other governmental authority;

                  (f)    a banking moratorium shall have been declared by either
         federal or Michigan authorities; or

                  (g)    any action shall have been taken by any government in 
         respect of its monetary affairs which, in the Underwriters' reasonable
         judgment, has an adverse effect on the United States securities
         markets.

         If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to this Section 8, the
Offerors shall not then be under any liability to the Underwriters except as
provided in Sections 5 and 7 hereof.

         9.       DEFAULT BY UNDERWRITERS. If on the Closing Date or the Option 
Closing Date, as the case may be, any Underwriter shall fail to purchase and pay
for the portion of the Firm Preferred Securities, as the case may be, which such
Underwriter has agreed to purchase and pay for on such date otherwise than by
reason of the nonfulfillment of any condition to its obligation to do so
hereunder, you, as Representative of the Underwriters, shall use your best
efforts to procure within 36 hours thereafter one or more of the other
Underwriters, or any others, to purchase such amounts as may be agreed upon, and
upon the terms set forth herein, of the Firm Preferred Securities or Option
Preferred Securities, as the case may be, which the defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters failed to purchase. If during such 36 hours you, as Representative,
shall not have procured such other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase the
Firm Preferred Securities or Option Preferred Securities, as the case may be,
agreed to be purchased by the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then (a)
if the aggregate number of Preferred Securities with respect to which such
default shall occur does not exceed 10% of the Firm Preferred Securities or
Option Preferred Securities, as the case may be, which they are obligated to
purchase hereunder, you and the other non-defaulting Underwriters each agree to
purchase your pro rata share (based on the number of Preferred Securities which
each non-defaulting Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Firm
Preferred Securities or Option Preferred Securities, as the case may be, which
such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase, or (b) if the
aggregate number of Preferred Securities with respect to which such default
shall occur exceeds 10% of the Firm Preferred Securities or Option Preferred
Securities, as the case may be, covered hereby, you as the Representative of the
Underwriters will have the right, by written notice given within the next
36-hour period to the parties to this Agreement, to terminate this Agreement
without liability on the part of the nondefaulting Underwriters or of the
Offerors except for expenses to be borne by the Offerors and the Underwriters as
provided in Section 5 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in
Section 7 hereof. In the event 


                                       37
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of a default by any Underwriter or Underwriters, as set forth in this Section 9,
the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, may be postponed
for such period, not exceeding seven days, as you, as Representative, may
determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement or in
the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. The
term "Underwriter" includes any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter.
Any action taken under this Section 9 shall not relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under
this Agreement.

         10.      EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT. If the Registration Statement is 
not effective at the time of execution of this Agreement, this Agreement shall
become effective on the Effective Date at the time the Commission declares the
Registration Statement effective. The Company shall immediately notify the
Underwriters when the Registration Statement becomes effective.

         If the Registration Statement is effective at the time of execution of
this Agreement, this Agreement shall become effective at the earlier of 11:00
a.m. Eastern time, on the first full business day following the day on which
this Agreement is executed, or at such earlier time as the Underwriters shall
release the Designated Preferred Securities for initial public offering. The
Underwriters shall notify the Offerors immediately after it has taken any action
which causes this Agreement to become effective.

         Until such time as this Agreement shall have become effective, it may
be terminated by the Offerors, by notifying the Representative, or by the
Underwriters, by notifying either Offeror, except that the provisions of
Sections 5 and 7 shall at all times be effective.

         11.      REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS TO SURVIVE 
DELIVERY. The representations, warranties, indemnities, agreements and other
statements of the Offerors and their officers and trustees set forth in or made
pursuant to this Agreement and the agreements of the Underwriters contained in
Section 7 hereof shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless
of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Offerors or controlling persons
of either Offeror, or by or on behalf of the Underwriters or controlling persons
of the Underwriters or any termination or cancellation of this Agreement and
shall survive delivery of and payment for the Designated Preferred Securities.

         12.      NOTICES. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, mailed by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, or transmitted by any standard form of
telecommunication and confirmed. Notices to either Offeror shall be sent to 2600
Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302, Attention: Thomas J. Hammond
(with a copy to Kutak Rock, 1101 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20036-4374, Attention: Matthew Ash, Esq.); and notices to the Underwriters shall
be sent c/o Roney Capital Markets, a division of First Chicago Capital Markets,
Inc., One Griswold, Roney Building, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Attention: John
Donnelly (with a copy to Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, 2290 First National
Building, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Attention: Donald J. Kunz, Esq.).

         13.      PARTIES. The Agreement herein set forth is made solely for the
benefit of the Underwriters and the Offerors and, to the extent expressed,
directors, trustees and officers of the Offerors, any person controlling the
Offerors or the Underwriters, and their respective successors 


                                       38
   39

and assigns. No other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue
of this Agreement. The term "successors and assigns" shall not include any
purchaser, in his status as such purchaser, from the Underwriters of the
Designated Preferred Securities.

         14.      GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Michigan, without giving effect to the choice of law or conflicts
of law principles thereof.

         15.      COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more 
counterparts, and when a counterpart has been executed by each party hereto all
such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]



                                       39
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         If the foregoing is in accordance with the Underwriters' understanding
of our agreement, please sign and return to us a counterpart hereof, whereupon
this shall become a binding agreement between the Company, the Trust and the
Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         FLAGSTAR BANCORP, INC.


                                         By________________________
                                         Name______________________
                                         Title_____________________


                                         FLAGSTAR TRUST


                                         By________________________
                                         Name______________________
                                         Title_____________________

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, 
as of ________________________, 1999.

RONEY CAPITAL MARKETS, a division of 
First Chicago Capital Markets, Inc.
Acting on behalf of itself and the several
   Underwriters named in Schedule A


By________________________________________
Name______________________________________
Title_____________________________________


   41







                                                SCHEDULE A

                                                                           NUMBER OF PREFERRED
                  UNDERWRITER                                          SECURITIES TO BE PURCHASED

               
                  Roney Capital Markets
                  McDonald Investments Inc.
                  Stifel & Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated 
                  JWGenesis Capital Markets, L.L.C.





                                       A-1