As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on _____, 1998
                                                             REGISTRATION NO.
===============================================================================



                     U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM SB-2

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                RFS BANCORP, INC.
                 (Name of small business issuer in its charter)


                                                                                   
              U.S.A.                                    6035                             Application Pending
 (State or other jurisdiction of   (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code        (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)                      Number)                            Identification No.)


                          310 BroadwayRevere, MA 02151
                                 (781) 284-7777

          (Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)
Address of principal place of business or intended principal place of business)

                                ----------------
                              Mr. James J. McCarthy
                      President and Chief Executive Officer
                             Revere Federal Savings
                                  310 Broadway
                                Revere, MA 02151
                                 (781) 284-7777

                                    Copy to:

                            Richard A. Schaberg, Esq.
                             Thacher Proffitt & Wood
                    1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 800
                             Washington, D.C. 20006
                                 (202) 347-8400
             (Name and address, and telephone of agent for service)

                                 ---------------

Approximate  date of proposed sale to the public:  As soon as practicable  after
this Registration Statement becomes effective.

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



===================================================================================================================================
Title of Each Class of Securities   Amount to be       Proposed Maximum Offering        Proposed Maximum               Amount of
       to be Registered            registered(1)          Price Per Share (2)      Aggregate Offering Price (2)    Registration Fee
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           
Common Stock, $ 0.01 par value     590,496 shares               $ 10.00                    $5,904,960                  $1742.00
===================================================================================================================================


(1)  Includes the maximum number of shares that may be issued in connection with
     this offering.
(2)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT  SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT
SHALL  THEREAFTER  BECOME  EFFECTIVE  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  SECTION  8(A) OF THE
SECURITIES  ACT OF  1933  OR  UNTIL  THE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION,  ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.






                               RFS BANCORP, INC.

Cross Reference Sheet showing location in the Prospectus of information required
by Items of Form SB-2:

         REGISTRATION STATEMENT                       LOCATION OR HEADINGS IN 
            ITEM AND CAPTION                                 PROSPECTUS
- ---------------------------------------                ------------------------
1.       Forepart of the Registration                  Outside Front Cover Page
         Statement and Outside Front 
         Cover Page of Prospectus

2.       Inside Front and Outside Back                 Inside Front  and Outside
         Cover Pages of Prospectus                     Back Cover Pages

3.       Summary Information and Risk                  Summary and Overview;Risk
         Factors                                       Factors

4.       Use of Proceeds                               Use of Proceeds

5.       Determination of Offering Price               The Reorganization--Stock
                                                       Pricing  and   Number  of
                                                       Shares to be Issued

6.       Dilution                                      Not Applicable

7.       Selling Security Holders                      Not Applicable

8.       Plan of Distribution                          Outside Front Cover Page;
                                                       The  Reorganization;  The
                                                       Offering  -- Subscription
                                                       Rights  --   Subscription
                                                       Offering   --   Community
                                                       Offering  --   Syndicated
                                                       Community  Offering    --
                                                       Marketing   and   Selling
                                                       Commissions

9.       Description of Securities to be               Certain  Restrictions  on
         Registered                                    Acquisition  of the Bank;
                                                       Description   of  Capital
                                                       Stock

10.      Interests of Named Experts and                Not Applicable
         Counsel

11.      Information with Respect to the               Outside Front Cover Page;
         Registrant                                    Selected   Financial  and
                                                       Other  Data of the  Bank;
                                                       Revere, MHC; RFS Bancorp,
                                                       Inc.;Revere       Federal
                                                       Savings;  Market  for the
                                                       Common             Stock;
                                                       Management's   Discussion
                                                       and Analysis of Financial
                                                       Condition  and Results of
                                                       Operations;  Business  of
                                                       the Company;  Business of
                                                       the   Bank;   Regulation;
                                                       Management     of     the
                                                       Company;   Management  of
                                                       the       Bank;       The
                                                       Reorganization;          
                                                       Description   of  Capital
                                                       Stock;          Financial
                                                       Statements               
                                                                                

12.      Disclosure of Commission Position             Not Applicable
         on Indemnification for Securities
         Act Liabilities



PROSPECTUS

[LOGO]

PMS GREEN 554

                                RFS BANCORP, INC.
              (Proposed Holding Company for Revere Federal Savings)
                      UP TO 590,496 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

     Revere Federal Savings and Loan Association  ("Revere Federal Savings"),  a
federal  mutual savings  association,  is  reorganizing  into the mutual holding
company form of  organization.  As part of the  reorganization,  Revere  Federal
Savings  will  convert to a stock  savings  bank and will become a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of RFS Bancorp,  Inc., a federal corporation.  RFS Bancorp, Inc. will
become the  majority-owned  subsidiary of Revere,  MHC, a federal mutual holding
company. RFS Bancorp,  Inc. will issue a majority of its common stock to Revere,
MHC, and sell a minority of its common stock to the public. The shares of common
stock of RFS Bancorp,  Inc. are being offered to the public under the terms of a
plan of  reorganization  that must be  approved  by  members  of Revere  Federal
Savings and by the Office of Thrift Supervision.  The reorganization will not go
forward if Revere Federal  Savings does not receive these  approvals,  or if RFS
Bancorp,  Inc.  does not sell at least a minimum  number of shares of its common
stock.  Because the names of Revere  Federal  Savings,  RFS Bancorp,  Inc.,  and
Revere,  MHC are so  similar,  we will  refer to Revere  Federal  Savings as the
"Bank," we will refer to RFS Bancorp,  Inc. as the "Stock  Company," and we will
refer to Revere, MHC as the "Mutual Company."

                                TERMS OF OFFERING

     An  independent  appraiser has estimated that the pro forma market value of
the Stock  Company to be between  $8.1 million to $12.6  million.  Based on this
estimate,  the Stock Company will issue between 807,500 and 1,256,374  shares of
common stock. We are selling 47% of these shares, or between 379,525 and 590,496
shares to the  Bank's  depositors,  borrowers  and the  public  and 53% of these
shares, or between 427,975 and 665,878 shares, to the Mutual Company. Subject to
regulatory approvals,  we may increase the shares we issue in the reorganization
and sell in the offering.  After the  reorganization is completed,  stockholders
other than the  Mutual  Company  will own 47% of the shares of the common  stock
outstanding.  Based in these estimates,  we are making the following offering of
shares of common stock.



                                     MINIMUM                MIDPOINT              MAXIMUM               ADJUSTED
                                     -------                --------              -------               --------
                                                                                               
Price per share                  $    10.00              $    10.00             $    10.00          $    10.00
Number of shares                    379,525                 446,500                513,475             590,496
Reorganization expenses          $  425,952              $  438,473             $  450,994          $  465,366
Net proceeds                     $3,369,298              $4,026,527             $4,683,756          $5,439,594
Net proceeds per share           $     8.88              $     9.02             $     9.12          $     9.21


     PLEASE  REFER  TO THE RISK  FACTORS  SECTION  BEGINNING  ON PAGE 16 OF THIS
PROSPECTUS.

     THESE  SECURITIES  ARE NOT  DEPOSITS  OR  ACCOUNTS  AND ARE NOT  INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE  CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT
AGENCY.

     NEITHER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF
THRIFT  SUPERVISION,  THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE  CORPORATION,  NOR ANY STATE
SECURITIES  REGULATOR HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED
THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

     Trident  Securities,  Inc.  will use its best  efforts  to assist the Stock
Company in selling at least the minimum number of shares, but does not guarantee
that this number will be sold. All funds received from  subscribers will be held
in an  interest  bearing  savings  account at the Bank until the  completion  or
termination of the Offering. We anticipate that the common stock (symbol "RFSB")
will be traded on the over-the-counter  market with quotations available through
the OTC Bulletin Board.

     For information on how to subscribe,  call the Stock Information  Center at
(781) ___-____.

                                 --------------
                            Trident Securities, Inc.
                                 --------------
                 The date of this Prospectus is ________, 1998.








                                    [ADD MAP]

                               [TO COME FROM RFS]























                                        2






                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE STOCK OFFERING.............................
SUMMARY AND OVERVIEW.......................................................
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA OF THE BANK.................
RISK FACTORS...............................................................
REVERE, MHC................................................................
RFS BANCORP, INC...........................................................
REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS.....................................................
USE OF PROCEEDS............................................................
DIVIDEND POLICY............................................................
MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK................................................
CAPITALIZATION.............................................................
SHARES TO BE PURCHASED BY MANAGEMENT ......................................
PRO FORMA DATA.............................................................
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME..........................................
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
  OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.........................
BUSINESS...................................................................
FEDERAL AND STATE TAXATION.................................................
REGULATION.................................................................
MANAGEMENT.................................................................
THE REORGANIZATION.........................................................
THE OFFERING...............................................................
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF THE BANK............................
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK...............................................
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR...............................................
EXPERTS....................................................................
LEGAL AND TAX MATTERS......................................................
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.....................................................
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................


     This document contains  forward-looking  statements which involve risks and
uncertainties.  The Stock Company's actual results may differ significantly from
the results  discussed  in the  forward-looking  statements.  Factors that might
cause such a different include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk
Factors" section of this Prospectus.

                                        3






                 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE STOCK OFFERING

Q:   WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE OFFERING?

A.   We are selling  shares of common stock so that we can raise capital to grow
     and  compete  more  effectively,  and so that  our  depositors,  customers,
     employees,  management and directors may obtain an equity  ownership in the
     Bank.  As part of the  reorganization,  you will  have the  opportunity  to
     become a stockholder  of the Stock  Company,  which will allow you to share
     indirectly in the future earnings and growth of our Bank. The offering will
     increase  our  capital for lending  and  investment  activities.  This will
     better enable us to continue the expansion of our retail banking  franchise
     and to diversify  operations.  Further, as a stock bank operating through a
     holding company structure, we will improve our future access to the capital
     markets.

Q:   HOW DO I ORDER THE STOCK?

A:   You must complete and return the stock order form and  certification  to us
     together with your  payment,  so that we receive it on or before 12:00 noon
     on _______ 1998.

Q:   HOW MUCH STOCK MAY I ORDER?

A.   The  minimum  order is 25  shares  (or  $250).  The  maximum  order for any
     individual person,  persons on a single account, or persons acting together
     is 15,000  shares (or  $150,000).  We may  decrease or increase the maximum
     purchase  limitation  without  notifying you.  However,  if we increase the
     maximum purchase limitation,  and you previously subscribed for the maximum
     number  of  shares,  you will be given the  opportunity  to  subscribe  for
     additional shares.

Q:   WHO WILL BE PERMITTED TO PURCHASE STOCK?

A:   The stock will be offered on a priority basis to the following persons:

     o    Persons who had  aggregate  deposit  accounts of at least $50 with the
          Bank on December 31, 1996. Any remaining shares will be offered to:

     o    The Stock  Company's  employee  stock  ownership  plan.  Any remaining
          shares will be offered to:

     o    Persons who had  aggregate  deposit  accounts of at least $50 with the
          Bank on September 30, 1998. Any remaining shares will be offered to:

     o    Persons who were depositors or borrowers with the Bank on ___________,
          1998.

     If the above persons do not subscribe for all of the shares,  the remaining
     shares  will be offered to certain  members  of the  general  public,  with
     preference given to natural persons residing in Revere, Massachusetts.





                                        4






Q:   WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SHARES TO FILL ALL ORDERS?

A.   If the offering is  oversubscribed,  we will  allocate  shares based on the
     purchase  priorities that we have adopted in the plan of reorganization and
     stock issuance  plan.  These  purchase  priorities  are in accordance  with
     regulations  of the  Office  of  Thrift  Supervision.  If the  offering  is
     oversubscribed  in a  particular  category,  then shares will be  allocated
     among all subscribers in that category based on a formula that is described
     in detail in "The Reorganization and Offering."

Q:   AS A DEPOSITOR  OF THE BANK,  WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT ORDER ANY COMMON
     STOCK?

A:   You are not  required to purchase  common  stock.  Your  deposit  accounts,
     certificate  accounts  and any loans you may have with the Bank will not be
     affected by the reorganization.

Q:   HOW DO I DECIDE WHETHER TO BUY STOCK IN THE OFFERING?

A:   In order to make an  informed  investment  decision,  you should  read this
     entire prospectus, particularly the section titled "Risk Factors."

Q:   WHO CAN HELP ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS I MAY HAVE ABOUT THE OFFERING?

     If you have questions about the offering, you may contact:

                            STOCK INFORMATION CENTER
                   REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

                                  310 BROADWAY
                           REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS 02151

                                 (781) ___-____










                                        5






                              SUMMARY AND OVERVIEW

     This is a summary of selected  information  from this document and does not
contain  all the  information  that you need to know  before  making an informed
investment decision. To understand the offering fully, you should read carefully
this entire Prospectus,  including the consolidated financial statements and the
notes to the consolidated  financial statements of the Bank.  References in this
document to the "Bank," "we," "us," or "our" refer to Revere Federal Savings. In
certain instances where  appropriate,  "us" or "our" refers  collectively to RFS
Bancorp,  Inc. and the Bank.  References in this document to the "Stock Company"
refer to RFS Bancorp,  Inc.  References to the "Mutual Company" refer to Revere,
MHC.

THE REORGANIZATION AND OFFERING

         The reorganization involves a number of steps, including the following:

         o        The Bank will  establish  the  Stock  Company  and the  Mutual
                  Company,  neither of which  will have any assets  prior to the
                  completion of the reorganization.

         o        The Bank will convert from the mutual form of  organization to
                  the capital stock form of  organization  and issue 100% of its
                  capital stock to the Stock Company.

         o        The Stock  Company will issue  between  807,500 and  1,256,374
                  shares of its common stock in the reorganization; 53% of these
                  shares (or between  427,975 shares and 665,878 shares) will be
                  issued to the  Mutual  Company,  and 47% (or  between  379,525
                  shares and 590,496  shares)  will be sold to  depositors,  and
                  possibly the public.

         o        Membership  interests that depositors and borrowers had in the
                  Bank will become  membership  interests in the Mutual Company.
                  As a result, former members of the Bank who controlled 100% of
                  the votes  eligible to be cast by the Bank's  members prior to
                  the reorganization  will, through the Mutual Company,  control
                  53% of the votes  eligible  to be cast by the Stock  Company's
                  stockholders immediately following the reorganization.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE

     The mutual holding company structure  differs in significant  respects from
the savings and loan holding company structure that is used in a standard mutual
to stock conversion.  In a standard conversion,  a converting mutual institution
or its newly-formed  holding company usually sells 100% of its common stock in a
stock  offering.  A savings  institution  that converts from the mutual to stock
form of organization  using the mutual holding company structure sells less than
half of its shares at the time of the reorganization.  By doing so, a converting
institution using the mutual holding company structure will raise less than half
the capital that it would have raised in a standard mutual to stock  conversion.
Because  of this,  the Stock  Company  and the Bank will only raise an amount of
capital which it believes it can prudently deploy.

     The shares that are issued to the Mutual Company may be  subsequently  sold
to the Bank's depositors if the Mutual Company fully converts from the mutual to
the stock form or  organization.  See  "Conversion  of the Mutual Company to the
Stock Form of Organization." In addition,  because the Mutual Company controls a
majority of the Stock Company's common stock, we believe that the reorganization
and  offering  will permit the Bank to achieve the  benefits of a stock  company
without a loss of control that often follows a standard  conversion  from mutual
to stock form.  Sales of locally  based,  independent  savings  institutions  to
larger,



                                        6






regional financial institutions can result in closed branches, fewer choices for
consumers,   employee  layoffs  and  the  loss  of  community  support  for  and
involvement by financial institutions.

     Because  the Mutual  Company is a mutual  corporation,  its actions may not
necessarily always be in the best interests of the Stock Company's stockholders.
In making  business  decisions,  the Mutual  Company's  Board of Directors  will
consider a variety of constituencies,  including the depositors of the Bank, the
employees of the Bank, and the  communities  in which the Bank operates.  As the
majority stockholder of the Stock Company, the Mutual Company is also interested
in the continued  success and  profitability  of the Bank and the Stock Company.
Consequently,  the Mutual Company will act in a manner that furthers the general
interest  of all of its  constituencies,  including,  but not  limited  to,  the
interest of the  stockholders of the Stock Company.  The Mutual Company believes
that the interests of the  stockholders  of the Stock Company,  and those of the
Mutual Company's other constituencies,  are in many circumstances the same, such
as the increased  profitability  of the Stock Company and the Bank and continued
service to the communities in which the Bank operates.

BUSINESS PURPOSES OF THE REORGANIZATION

     The Board of Directors of the Bank has determined  that the  Reorganization
is in the best interest of the Bank and its members.  The Bank believes that the
Reorganization  will  enable the Bank to  compete  more  effectively  with local
community banks and thrift  institutions  and with statewide and regional banks.
In  particular,  formation of the Stock  Company as a  subsidiary  of the Mutual
Company will permit the Stock Company to issue Common  Stock,  which is a source
of capital not available to mutual savings banks.

     The sale of Common  Stock will  provide  the Bank with new equity  capital,
which will support future deposit growth and expanded operations. The additional
capital  raised by the Bank in the Offering  will raise the Bank's legal lending
limit by 68.4%,  allowing  the Bank to  originate  larger  balance  loans in its
market area.  The proceeds of the Offering will also enable the Bank to grow its
asset and deposit base by funding the construction  and/or acquisition of one or
more additional branch locations,  modernize and expand our delivery systems and
support our diversification  into other financial services.  The holding company
form of organization is expected to provide additional  flexibility to diversify
the Bank's business activities through existing or newly formed subsidiaries, or
through acquisitions of or mergers with other financial institutions, as well as
other companies.

     Furthermore,  since the Bank is competing with local and regional banks not
only for customers,  but also for employees,  the Bank believes that the ability
of the Stock  Company  to issue  Common  Stock  also will  better  afford it the
opportunity to attract and retain management and employees through various stock
benefit plans,  including  incentive  stock option plans,  stock award plans and
employee stock ownership plans.

REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS

     The Bank is a federally chartered mutual savings association which conducts
business  from its main office in Revere,  Massachusetts,  which is located five
miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. The Bank's deposits are insured by the
FDIC to the maximum  extent  permitted  by law. At June 30,  1998,  the Bank had
total assets of $88.8  million,  total  deposits of $63.0  million and equity of
$6.4 million.

     Formed in 1901, the Bank is a community-oriented  savings institution whose
business consists of accepting deposits from customers and investing those funds
together  with  borrowings  primarily  in loans  secured by one- to  four-family
residences.  The Bank also  serves  the  needs of small  businesses  and  retail
customers in its market area by originating commercial,  commercial real estate,
construction and development and consumer loans.





                                        7






     The Bank invests in Treasury and Federal  agency  securities,  asset-backed
securities,  mortgage-backed  securities  and other short term  interest-bearing
deposits.  The Bank's  principal  sources of funds are deposits,  borrowings and
principal and interest  payments on loans and investments.  The principal source
of income is interest and  dividends  on loans and  investment  securities.  The
Bank's principal expenses are interest paid on deposits,  Federal Home Loan Bank
("FHLB") advances and general and administrative expenses.

     Business Strategy.  Historically, the primary focus of the Bank has been to
provide  financing  for single  family  housing  in its  market  area of Revere,
Massachusetts and surrounding  communities.  Indeed, at September 30, 1995, over
96% of the Bank's loan portfolio  consisted of one- to  four-family  residential
loans,  and the Bank had no commercial  real estate or  commercial  loans in its
portfolio.  Beginning in 1996, the Bank began to make significant investments in
the human and  technological  resources  necessary  to create a platform for the
future  growth and  profitability  of the Bank.  This  strategy  was designed to
enhance the Bank's  franchise value and strengthen  earnings by diversifying its
product lines,  thereby increasing the size of the Bank's loan portfolio as well
as its  composition.  Although the Bank  believes the adoption of this  strategy
will  increase  profitability  over the  longer  term,  increases  in  operating
expenses associated with this strategy will continue to put pressure on earnings
in the short term.

o    Retail  Banking  and  Customer  Service.  The  Bank  continues  to focus on
     expanding  its  residential   lending  and  retail  banking  franchise  and
     increasing  the number of households  served within the Bank's market area.
     For  nearly  100  years,  the Bank has  served  the needs of Revere and its
     surrounding  communities and remains the only bank headquartered in Revere.
     The  Bank's  Board of  Directors  and its  management  are  active  in many
     charitable  organizations  throughout  Revere and the Bank's employees have
     taken pride in providing  hands on,  personal  service.  The Bank views its
     reputation as a service oriented  institution  which meets the needs of the
     local  community  as one of  its  greatest  assets.  Given  the  increasing
     consolidation  in the  financial  services  sector,  the Bank believes that
     expanding its market share for traditional  community banking products will
     enhance this  reputation and provide inroads to new segments of the banking
     market.

o    Small  Business  Banking.  The Bank views its entry into the small business
     banking market as a natural outgrowth of its traditional  community banking
     services.  Since  1996,  the  Bank  has  made a major  commitment  to small
     business commercial lending (involving  commercial and industrial loans and
     commercial  real estate loans) as a means to increase the yield on its loan
     portfolio and attract lower cost transaction deposit accounts. The Bank has
     worked  to  develop  a niche of  making  commercial  loans to the small and
     medium sized  companies in a wide variety of  industries  located in Revere
     and  elsewhere in the greater  Boston  area.  In  particular,  the Bank has
     expanded  its  lending  to the  business  community  surrounding  the Logan
     International  Airport which  comprises a growing  sector of the Revere and
     Chelsea markets.  The Bank offers these businesses a variety of traditional
     loan products and commercial services administered by the Bank's commercial
     loan  department  which are  designed  to give  business  owners  borrowing
     opportunities  for  modernization,   inventory,  equipment,   construction,
     consolidation,  real estate,  working  capital,  vehicle  purchases and the
     refinancing of existing  corporate debt. As a result of the Bank's efforts,
     commercial  business and commercial  real estate loans have grown from zero
     at September 30, 1995 to approximately $7.0 million at June 30, 1998.

o    Branch  Expansion.  The Bank believes  that a branch  network is crucial to
     increasing its market share in the traditional  community banking and small
     business  banking  arenas  and  that  its  lending  and  deposit  gathering
     activities are presently limited by the fact that it operates from only one
     location.  The Bank is currently  negotiating for the purchase of its first
     branch  facility  which the Bank  believes  is  strategically  located in a
     stable and growing small business market. This branch location will





                                        8






     emphasize convenience for the Bank's small business clients and be designed
     to augment the Bank's small business lending activities. In the future, the
     Bank expects to fund the  construction  and/or  acquisition  of one or more
     additional  branch  locations  either de novo, or by purchasing an existing
     deposit base and/or  location and to expand and renovate its main office to
     allow the  Bank's  administrative  functions  to be  performed  in a single
     facility.  Expansion will  facilitate  greater  services and increased loan
     originations within the Bank's existing underwriting standards.

o    Expanded  Delivery  Systems.  The  increased  use of  alternative  delivery
     channels has simplified and reduced the costs of financial transactions for
     consumers, businesses and financial institutions. In addition to conducting
     financial transactions at branch offices,  customers are increasingly using
     ATMs,  online banking and online bill payment and electronic fund transfers
     to communicate with financial services providers. The Bank has responded to
     these market trends in several ways.  First,  since May 1997,  the Bank has
     offered its 24 hour  telebanking  product which provides its customers with
     around the clock access to their  accounts  through the use of a touch tone
     telephone.  The  Bank  also has  located  an ATM at  Logan  Airport  and is
     currently in negotiations to open two additional ATMs in Revere and one ATM
     in  downtown  Boston  in the  fall of  1998.  Finally,  the  Bank  plans to
     introduce its home banking product which will give its customers  access to
     their  accounts  through the use of their  personal  computers in the first
     quarter of 1999.

o    Expansion   of  Product   Lines.   Regulatory   changes  and   cross-sector
     acquisitions  have  diminished  the  distinctions  among  various  types of
     financial  institutions such as banks,  insurance  companies and securities
     brokerage  firms.  Financial  institutions  today have the  opportunity  to
     leverage  their client  base,  expand their market share and compete for an
     increased  share of customers'  financial  services  business by offering a
     diverse  range of products and services that formerly may have been offered
     only by one particular  type of financial  institutions.  Recognizing  this
     trend,  the Bank  intends to broaden  its  product  line in order to better
     serve its  customers,  expand  customer  relations and diversify its income
     stream.  In the near  term,  the  Bank is  contemplating  offering  various
     uninsured investment products,  including fixed-rate and variable annuities
     and mutual funds,  through  relationships  with third party  broker-dealers
     and/or money  managers  that would  service both retail and small  business
     customers needs for investment products. The Bank also plans to investigate
     opportunities  presented by affiliations  with insurance  agencies over the
     longer term.  The Bank's  strategy is to become a full service  provider of
     financial services, enhancing the Bank's ability to attract and retain both
     retail and commercial customers.

     The brief  description  of the Bank in this summary should be considered in
the context of the more  detailed  descriptions  in this  Prospectus,  including
"Risk Factors."

THE OFFERING

     We are offering a minimum of 379,525 shares and a maximum of 590,496 shares
of Common Stock in the Offering,  which will expire at 12:00 noon, Eastern time,
on ________________,  1998 unless extended by us. Subject to the limitations set
forth  herein  and our  right to reject  certain  orders in whole or in part (as
described  under "The  Offering -- Orders for Common  Stock"),  shares of Common
Stock are being offered in descending  order of priority to (1) Eligible Account
Holders; (2) the ESOP; (3) Supplemental  Eligible Account Holders; and (4) Other
Members.  At any time during or after the  subscription  offering,  the Bank may
offer  shares to the general  public,  with a  preference  given to residents of
Revere,   Massachusetts.   Consummation  of  the  Offering  is  subject  to  (i)
consummation of the Reorganization, which is conditioned on, among other things,
approval by the members and the OTS,  (ii) the receipt of all  required  federal
approvals for the issuance of Common Stock in the Offering and (iii) the sale of
a minimum of 379,525 shares of Common Stock. No

                                        9






assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain all  regulatory  approvals
required to consummate the Reorganization.

     Trident will provide financial advice to us in connection with the Offering
and will assist on a best efforts basis in the  distribution of the Common Stock
in the  Offering.  Trident  may also manage a selling  group of  broker-dealers,
which may include Trident, in a Syndicated Community Offering.

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS AND SHARES

     Prior to the  completion of the  Offering,  no person may transfer or enter
into any  agreement  or  understanding  to  transfer  the  legal  or  beneficial
ownership of the subscription rights issued under the Stock Issuance Plan or the
shares of Common Stock to be issued upon their exercise.  Each person exercising
subscription  rights  will be required  to certify  that any  purchase of Common
Stock  will be solely  for the  purchaser's  own  account  and that  there is no
agreement  or  understanding  regarding  the  sale  or  transfer  of any  shares
purchased  as a result of the  exercise.  We will  pursue  any and all legal and
equitable  remedies in the event we become aware of the transfer of subscription
rights and will not honor orders  believed by us to involve the transfer of such
rights.

     Following the Offering,  there  generally  will be no  restrictions  on the
transfer or sale of shares by purchasers  other than  affiliates of the Bank and
Stock Company or members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

PURCHASE LIMITATIONS

     The Stock  Issuance  Plan  provides  that,  except for the ESOP, no person,
together with associates of and persons acting in concert with such person,  may
purchase  more than  $150,000  of the  Common  Stock  offered  in the  Offering;
provided that we may in our sole  discretion,  and without  further notice to or
solicitation  of  subscribers  or other  prospective  purchasers,  increase such
maximum  purchase  limitation to up to 5% of the number of shares offered in the
Offering,  or decrease  it to as low as 0.5% of the number of shares  offered in
the Offering. If we increase such limitation, subscribers for the maximum amount
will be, and certain other large purchasers in our sole discretion may be, given
the  opportunity to increase their orders up to the then  applicable  limit.  We
would only adjust the maximum purchase  limitation if business  circumstances or
market conditions warrant such adjustment.  No person may purchase fewer than 25
shares. The Bank's directors,  officers and their "associates," may not purchase
in the aggregate more than 34% of the Common Stock sold in the Offering.

PURCHASE PRICE AND STOCK PRICING

     We are offering the Common Stock at a fixed price of $10.00 per share.  OTS
regulations require that the aggregate purchase price of all shares to be issued
in the Offering be consistent with an independent appraisal of the estimated pro
forma  market value of the Bank  immediately  prior to the  consummation  of the
Offering.  Based on the Independent Valuation, the estimated aggregate pro forma
market  value of the Bank is $9.5  million.  Such  appraisal is not intended and
must not be construed as a recommendation  of any kind as to the advisability of
purchasing  shares of the Common Stock or as any form of assurance  that,  after
the  Offering,  such shares may be resold at or above the  Purchase  Price.  The
Independent  Valuation is based upon a number of factors and  estimates  derived
from those  factors,  all of which are subject to change from time to time.  See
"The Reorganization" and "The Offering--Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be
Issued."

                                       10






     Based upon the Independent  Valuation and in consultation with Trident,  we
have  established  an offering  range of between $3.8 million and $5.1  million,
subject  to  adjustment  up to $5.9  million  to  reflect  any  increase  in the
Independent  Valuation (the "Offering Range").  We have established the Offering
Range to provide  the maximum  flexibility  in raising  capital.  Based upon the
Independent  Valuation,  the  shares  that  will be sold  in the  Offering  as a
percentage of the number of shares that will be  outstanding  after the Offering
will be 47% at the minimum and maximum of the Offering Range.

     The  Independent  Valuation  and the  Minority  Ownership  Interest  may be
increased or decreased to reflect  market and financial  conditions  immediately
prior to the time the  Offering  is  consummated.  A change  in the  Independent
Valuation  will result in a  corresponding  increase or decrease in the Minority
Ownership Interest and may, at the discretion of the Bank, result in an increase
or decrease in the total number of shares being sold in the Offering. Regardless
of a change in the Independent Valuation, the maximum of the Offering Range will
not exceed 47% of the  outstanding  shares of Common Stock of the Stock Company.
We are not  required  to  notify  you of a change in the  Independent  Valuation
unless such change increases or decreases the Independent Valuation by more than
15%.

     The Minority  Ownership  Interest will be  determined  as follows:  (i) the
numerator  will be the product of (x) the number of shares of Common  Stock sold
in the  Offering  and (y) the Purchase  Price  ($10.00 per share);  and (ii) the
denominator  will be the updated  valuation  of the  estimated  pro forma market
value of the Bank immediately  prior to conclusion of the Offering as determined
by RP  Financial.  Regardless  of a change  in the  Independent  Valuation,  the
maximum shares sold in the Offering will not exceed 590,496 shares which, if the
Independent  Valuation  increases by 15%,  would result in a Minority  Ownership
Interest  of 47%.  The  Minority  Ownership  Interest  may  decrease  after  the
conclusion of the Offering if the Stock Company  purchases  additional shares of
Common Stock in the open market.

PROPOSED PURCHASES BY MANAGEMENT

     Directors  and  executive  officers of the Bank as a group (11 persons) are
expected to purchase  $907,000 of Common Stock in the Offering  which,  assuming
the issuance of the anticipated  midpoint 446,500 shares,  would represent 21.9%
of the Common Stock to be issued in the  Offering.  The ESOP intends to purchase
up to 8% of the shares of Common Stock to be issued in the Offering which at the
anticipated maximum is 41,078 shares.

BENEFITS TO MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS

     Stock Based Benefit Plans. As early as six months to one year following the
completion  of  the  Offering,  the  Stock  Company  intends  to  adopt  certain
stock-based  benefit  plans.  These  benefit  plans  include  stock option plans
providing  for the grant of options to purchase  shares of common stock equal to
10% of the Common Stock issued in the Offering  (37,952 shares and 51,347 shares
at the minimum and maximum of the Offering Range, or an aggregate  dollar amount
of $379,525 and $513,470, respectively,  assuming an exercise price equal to the
Purchase Price of $10.00 per share) and restricted stock programs  providing for
the grant of  restricted  stock  awards  of, in the  aggregate,  up to 4% of the
shares of Common  Stock  issued in the  Offering,  or 15,181  shares  and 20,539
shares at the minimum  and maximum of the  Offering  Range,  respectively.  Such
stock  based  benefit  plans  would have to be  approved  by a  majority  of the
Minority  Stockholders  at an annual or special meeting of  stockholders,  to be
held no earlier than six months after the completion of the Reorganization.

                                       11






USE OF PROCEEDS

     The Stock  Company will use the net proceeds  from the offering as follows.
The percentages we use are estimates:

o    85% will be added to the Bank's  capital in exchange for all of the capital
     stock of the Bank.
o    8% will be loaned to the employee stock ownership plan to fund its purchase
     of common stock.
o    7% will be retained for general corporate purposes.

     The  proceeds to be received by the Bank will be  available  for  continued
expansion of the retail banking  franchise  through the opening of new branches,
deposit or bank  acquisitions,  continued growth in the loan portfolio,  and the
purchase of investment and mortgage related  securities,  in addition to general
corporate purposes.

     Net proceeds  from the sale of the Common Stock are estimated to be between
$3.4 million and $4.7 million (or $5.4 million if the  Independent  Valuation is
increased by 15%) depending on the number of shares sold and the expenses of the
Offering.  See "Pro Forma Data." Net proceeds will be used to support the Bank's
expansion  of its small  business  lending and other  financial  services and to
expand the Bank's  operations  through the  establishment  of additional  branch
locations  either  de  novo  or  through  acquisitions  and  for  expansion  and
renovation of the Bank's main office. The Bank is currently  negotiating for the
purchase of a second  location in an adjacent  market which the Bank considers a
strong small business market. The estimated acquisition and renovation costs for
the building are approximately  $600,000. On an interim basis, it is anticipated
that the net proceeds will be invested in instruments that qualify as short-term
liquidity for regulatory  purposes until such proceeds can be deployed in longer
term investments. The Bank may also use such funds for other corporate purposes,
including the funding of the ESOP loan and the funding of other employee benefit
plans.

DIVIDENDS

     The Board of Directors  does not  anticipate  paying a dividend in the near
term.  The Bank believes that its capital would be better  deployed by expanding
its  small  business  lending  and other  corporate  purposes.  Declarations  of
dividends  by the Board of  Directors in the future will depend upon a number of
factors,  including  the amount of the net  proceeds,  investment  opportunities
available to the Bank, capital requirements,  regulatory limitations, the Bank's
financial  condition and results of operations,  tax  considerations and general
economic  conditions.  There can be no assurance  that dividends will be paid on
the  Common  Stock or that,  if paid,  such  dividends  will not be  reduced  or
eliminated in future periods.

PROSPECTUS DELIVERY AND PROCEDURE FOR PURCHASING COMMON STOCK

     To ensure that eligible  members are properly  identified as to their stock
purchase  priorities,  such parties must list all deposit  accounts on the order
form,  giving all names on each deposit  account and the account  numbers at the
applicable   date.  THE  FAILURE  TO  PROVIDE   ACCURATE  AND  COMPLETE  ACCOUNT
INFORMATION  ON THE ORDER FORM MAY RESULT IN A REDUCTION OR  ELIMINATION OF YOUR
ORDER.

     Full payment by check,  cash (except by mail),  money order,  bank draft or
withdrawal  authorization  (payment by wire will not be accepted) must accompany
an original  order form.  The Stock  Company is not obligated to accept an order
submitted on  photocopies  or telecopied  order forms.  We will not accept order
forms if the  certification  appearing  on the reverse side of the order form is
not executed.  We are not required to deliver a prospectus and order form by any
means other than the U.S. postal service.

                                       12






MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK

     We expect the Common Stock to be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the
symbol  "RFSB".  Since  the size of the  offering  is  relatively  small,  it is
unlikely  that  an  active  and  liquid  trading  market  will  develop  and  be
maintained.  Investors  should  have  a  long-term  investment  intent.  Persons
purchasing  shares may not be able to sell their shares when they desire or sell
them at a price equal to or above $10.00.

IMPORTANT RISKS IN PURCHASING AND OWNING RFS BANCORP'S COMMON STOCK

     Before you decide to purchase  stock in the  offering,  you should read the
Risk Factors  section on pages ____ to ____ of this  prospectus,  in addition to
the other sections of this prospectus.

     The shares of common stock offered hereby:

     o    Are not deposit accounts;

     o    Are not insured or  guaranteed  by the FDIC,  or any other  government
          agency; and

     o    Are not guaranteed by the Stock Company,  the Mutual  Company,  or the
          Bank.

     The common stock is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss
of principal invested.

                                       13






           SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA OF THE BANK

     The selected  consolidated  financial  and other data of the Bank set forth
below is derived  in part from,  and  should be read in  conjunction  with,  the
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of the Bank  and  Notes  thereto  presented
elsewhere in this Prospectus.  The data presented for the nine months ended June
30, 1998 and 1997 was derived from unaudited  consolidated  financial statements
and reflect, in the opinion of management,  all adjustments  (consisting only of
normal recurring  adjustments) which are necessary to present fairly the results
for such interim periods.  Interim results at and for the nine months ended June
30, 1998 are not necessarily  indicative of the results that may be expected for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998.



                                                                                          AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                 AT JUNE 30,-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1998           1997           1996          1995           1994      1993
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                          
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA:
     Total assets...........................      $  88,780  $   86,920           77,898        67,732        59,910     50,953
     Loans, net ............................         46,825      41,175           33,046        21,273        20,579     22,158
     Investments (1)........................         34,146      40,790           41,120        42,054        35,747     19,341
     Total deposits.........................         62,976      55,452           49,393        48,232        41,108     36,633
     FHLB advances..........................         19,284      25,104           22,712        13,818        13,482     10,000
     Total equity...........................          6,374       6,039            5,447         5,277         4,819      4,093
     Allowance for loan losses..............            506         377              325           206           187        67
     Non-performing loans...................            269         157              28            125           190        204
     Non-performing assets..................            269         157              28            125           298        332
                                                                        




                                                           FOR THE NINE
                                                           MONTHS ENDED
                                                             JUNE 30                        FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 
                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1998      1997        1997        1996          1995        1994      1993
                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                            
SELECTED OPERATING DATA:
     Interest and dividend income...................    $ 5,007  $   4,567   $   6,180   $   5,110  $   4,447 $    3,733   $   3,267
     Interest expense...............................      2,751      2,655       3,585       3,018      2,454      1,653       1,311
                                                        -------    -------     -------     -------    -------   --------     -------
     Net interest and dividend income...............      2,256      1,912       2,595       2,092      1,993      2,080       1,956
     Provision (benefit) for loan losses............        175         45          60         148         (2)       144         155
                                                        -------    -------     -------     -------    -------   --------     -------
     Net interest and dividend income after
       provision (benefit) for loan losses..........      2,081      1,867       2,535       1,944      1,995      1,936       1,801
     Total noninterest income.......................        117         81         116          67        348         42          44
     Total noninterest expense......................      1,865      1,373       1,888       1,891      1,531      1,261       1,190
                                                        -------    -------     -------     -------    -------   --------     -------
     Income before income taxes.....................        333        575         763         120        812        717         655
     Income taxes...................................        125        208         287          26        271        241         276
                                                        -------    -------     -------     -------    -------   --------     -------
     Net income.....................................    $   208    $   367     $   476     $    94    $   541   $    476     $   379
                                                        =======    =======     =======     =======    =======   ========     =======


                                                        (footnotes on next page)


                                       14







                                                        AT OR FOR THE
                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                          JUNE 30,                      AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                  ------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------
                                                      1998        1997         1997         1996         1995        1994    1993
                                                      ----        ----         ----         ----         ----        ----    ----
                                                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS AND OTHER DATA(2)
   PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
                                                                                                          
     Return on average assets....................      0.31%        0.59%     0.56%          0.13%        0.86%        0.88%  0.89%
     Return on average equity....................      4.74         9.04      8.66           1.84         11.17        10.98  9.59
     Average equity to average assets............      6.60         6.49      6.52           7.13         7.69         8.00   9.24
     Equity to total assets at end of period.....      7.18         6.37      6.95           6.99         7.79         8.04   8.03
     Average interest rate spread................      3.16         2.88      2.89           2.72         2.99         3.71   4.50
     Net interest margin.........................      3.48         3.13      3.16           3.00         3.26         3.94   4.74
     Average interest-earning assets to average
       interest-bearing liabilities .............    107.52       106.01    106.16         106.60       106.66       107.06 107.57
     Total noninterest expense to average assets.      2.81         2.20      2.24           2.63         2.43         2.33   2.78
     Efficiency ratio(3).........................     78.63        68.89     69.64          87.59        65.36        59.43  59.50
   REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS:
     Tangible capital............................      6.63         6.66      6.54           6.69         7.56         7.68   8.03
     Core capital................................      6.63         6.66      6.54           6.69         7.56         7.68   8.03
     Risk-based capital..........................     17.89        20.21     21.33          24.03        33.42        33.12  28.12
   ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
     Non-performing loans as a percent
       of loans..................................      0.57         0.00      0.38           0.08         0.58         0.91   0.92
     Non-performing assets as a percent             
       of total assets...........................      0.30         0.00      0.18           0.04         0.18         0.50   0.65
     Allowance for loan losses as a percent         
       of loans .................................      1.07         0.94      0.91           0.97         0.96         0.90   0.30
     Allowance for loan losses as a percent         
       of non-performing loans ..................    188.12           N/A   240.03       1,159.67       164.86        98.33  32.76
   NUMBER OF:
     Loans outstanding...........................       834          717       775            569          440          436    487
     Deposit accounts............................     7,763        6,666     6,907          6,008        5,100        4,458  4,079
     Full-service offices........................         1            1         1              1            1            1      1
     Full-time equivalent employees .............        26           19        22             17           13           12     12


- -------------

(1)  The  Association  adopted  Statement  of  Financial   Accounting  Standards
     ("SFAS") No. 115,  "Accounting  for Certain  Investments in Debt and Equity
     Securities" ("SFAS No. 115") as of September 30, 1994.

(2)  Asset  Quality  Ratios  and  Regulatory  Capital  Ratios  are end of period
     ratios. With the exception of end of period ratios, all ratios are based on
     average monthly  balances  during the indicated  periods and are annualized
     where appropriate.

(3)  The efficiency ratio  represents the ratio of noninterest  expenses divided
     by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.








                                       15






                                  RISK FACTORS

     In addition to other  information in this  Prospectus,  you should consider
carefully the following risk factors in evaluating an investment decision.

ANTICIPATED LOW RETURN ON EQUITY FOLLOWING REORGANIZATION

     For the nine  months  ended June 30,  1998,  the  Bank's  return on average
equity was 4.74%. On a pro forma basis, for the nine months ended June 30, 1998,
assuming  the sale of the  midpoint  of  446,500  shares of Common  Stock in the
Reorganization  at the  beginning of the fiscal year,  the  Company's  return on
equity would have been 3.72%. With a  relatively  higher  capital  position as a
result of the Stock Issuance,  and with the possible  difficulty in finding good
quality loans in which to invest,  it is unlikely that the Stock Company will be
able to  immediately  generate  earnings to support its higher level of capital.
The Bank anticipates  incurring acquisition and renovation costs associated with
a second location and ongoing noninterest expense to support the Bank's expanded
operations and services. In addition, the expenses associated with the ESOP, and
possible future benefit plans, along with other post-Reorganization expenses and
the expenses  associated with having publicly traded stock, are also expected to
contribute  to increased  operating  expenses (in  comparison to past results of
operations).  As a result,  it is expected  that the Stock  Company's  return on
equity  initially  will be lower than the Bank's  historical  levels and will be
below industry norms for stock banks. Consequently, investors expecting a return
on equity  which  will meet or exceed  industry  standards  for the  foreseeable
future  should  carefully  evaluate and consider the risk of a subpar  return on
equity.

GROWTH OF THE BANK'S COMMERCIAL LOAN AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOAN PORTFOLIO

     Beginning in 1996,  our lending  activities  have  increasingly  emphasized
commercial  and commercial  real estate loans to small  businesses in our market
area. At June 30, 1998, our total loan portfolio  included  commercial  loans of
$2.8 million,  or 5.9% of total loans and  commercial  real estate loans of $4.2
million or 8.8% of total loans.  Commercial  loans accounted for 13.5% and 0% of
our total loan originations during the fiscal years 1997 and 1996, respectively,
and commercial  real estate loans accounted for 15.6% and 2.3% of our total loan
originations during the fiscal years 1997 and 1996, respectively.  Additionally,
because we have  originated  most of our commercial  and commercial  real estate
loans within the past two years,  the commercial and commercial real estate loan
portfolio  is  relatively  unseasoned,  and there can be no  guarantee as to the
long-term performance of such loans.

     We attempt to collateralize all of our commercial loans with real estate or
tangible  commercial assets.  Loans secured by commercial real estate properties
generally involve a higher degree of risk than the single-family  mortgages that
we  have  traditionally  emphasized.   Because  payments  on  loans  secured  by
commercial  real  estate  properties  are  often  dependent  on  the  successful
operation  or  management  of the  properties,  repayment  of such  loans may be
subject, to a greater extent, to adverse conditions in the real estate market or
the  economy.  Commercial  and  commercial  real estate  loans may also  involve
relatively  large  loan  balances  to single  borrowers  or  groups  of  related
borrowers.  The  repayment of  commercial  loans is  typically  dependent on the
successful  operation  and  income  stream of the  borrower.  Such  loans can be
significantly  affected by economic  conditions.  In  addition,  commercial  and
commercial  real  estate  lending  generally  requires   substantially   greater
oversight efforts compared to residential real estate lending.

GENERAL RISKS OF BRANCH EXPANSION AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

     Our  future  growth  will  depend on the  success  of  increasing  our loan
portfolio,  expanding our product  lines,  opening de novo  branches  and/or the
success of any future branch acquisitions. The Bank's ability to

  
                                       16

increase the  origination  of small business loans and expand product lines will
depend on market  conditions in the Bank's  primary  market area. The success of
the  branching  opportunities  will,  in turn,  depend on a number  of  factors,
including,  without  limitation:  our ability to integrate new branches into the
current  operations  of the Bank;  our  success in  attracting  customers  and a
sufficient amount of deposits to make the new branches  profitable;  our ability
to control  the  incremental  noninterest  expenses  from the new  branches in a
manner that enables us to maintain a favorable  overall  efficiency  ratio;  our
ability  to  attract  and  retain  the  appropriate  personnel  to staff any new
branches;  and our ability to earn acceptable levels of noninterest  income from
any new branches.

COMPETITION

     We face  competition for both the deposits we accept and the loans we make.
We face direct  competition  from a number of  financial  institutions,  such as
other savings institutions,  commercial banks, credit unions and other providers
of  financial  services,  many of which are  significantly  larger  than us and,
therefore,  have  greater  financial  and  marketing  resources  than we do.  In
relation to some of our competitors and due to our size, we offer a more limited
product line.

POTENTIAL  EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN INTEREST  RATES AND THE CURRENT  INTEREST  RATE
ENVIRONMENT

     Our  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition  are  significantly
affected  by  changes  in  interest   rates.   Our  results  of  operations  are
substantially  dependent on our net  interest  income,  which is the  difference
between  the  interest  income  earned on our  interest-earning  assets  and the
interest expense paid on our interest-bearing liabilities. Because, as a general
matter, our interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature more quickly than our
interest-earning assets, an increase in interest rates generally would result in
a decrease in our average interest rate spread and net interest income.

     Changes in  interest  rates also  affect the value of our  interest-earning
assets, and in particular our investment  securities portfolio.  Generally,  the
value of investment  securities  fluctuates  inversely  with changes in interest
rates.  At June 30,  1998,  our  securities  portfolio  totaled  $34.1  million,
including $849,000 of securities available for sale. Unrealized gains and losses
on securities available for sale are reported as a separate component of equity.
Decreases in the fair value of  securities  available for sale  therefore  could
have an adverse affect on stockholders' equity.

     We are  also  subject  to  reinvestment  risk  relating  to  interest  rate
movements.  Changes in interest  rates can affect the average  life of loans and
mortgage related securities. Decreases in interest rates can result in increased
prepayments of loans and mortgage related securities,  as borrowers refinance to
reduce  borrowing  costs.   Under  these   circumstances,   we  are  subject  to
reinvestment  risk  to the  extent  that  we  are  not  able  to  reinvest  such
prepayments  at rates that are  comparable to the rates on the maturing loans or
securities.

DEPENDENCE ON KEY INDIVIDUALS

     The Bank is  dependent  in large part on its ability to retain the services
of certain key  personnel,  including  James J.  McCarthy,  President  and Chief
Executive  Officer and  Anthony J. Patti,  Executive  Vice  President  and Chief
Financial Officer. The departure of either of them could have a material adverse
effect on the Bank's  operations.  The Bank  intends  to enter  into  employment
agreements with these officers.  The Bank's continued  success is also dependent
on its  ability to retain and  attract  other  qualified  employees  to meet the
Bank's needs.

  
                                       17






MINORITY PUBLIC OWNERSHIP

     Voting Control of the Mutual Holding Company. Under regulations of the OTS,
the Plan of Reorganization and our governing corporate  instruments,  a majority
of the Stock Company's  voting shares must be owned by the Mutual  Company,  and
the  Mutual  Company  will own  53.0% of the  Common  Stock  outstanding  at the
completion  of the  Offering.  The  Mutual  Company  will be  controlled  by its
executive officers and directors,  who initially will consist of persons who are
executive  officers and directors of the Stock Company.  Executive  officers and
directors of the Stock Company will own 20.3% of the Common Stock outstanding at
the completion of the Offering  (assuming shares are sold at the midpoint of the
Offering  Range and that  executive  officers and  directors  receive all of the
shares  for  which  they  are  expected  to  subscribe),   and,  based  on  such
assumptions,  the Mutual Company and executive officers and directors as a group
would  own 73.3%  of the  Common  Stock  outstanding  at the  conclusion  of the
Offering. The Mutual Company will elect all members of the Board of Directors of
the Stock  Company,  and, with certain  exceptions,  will control the outcome of
matters  presented to the  stockholders  of the Stock Company for  resolution by
vote.  The situations in which the Mutual Company may not control the outcome of
such vote include any  stockholder  vote to approve a  restricted  stock plan or
stock  option  plan  instituted  within one year of the  Offering  (which  would
require the  approval of a majority of the shares  other than shares held by the
Mutual  Company),   any  stockholder  vote  relating  to  the  Mutual  Company's
conversion  from the  mutual  to the stock  form of  organization  (which  would
require  the  approval  of a majority  of shares  other than  shares held by the
Mutual  Company and of  two-thirds  of all shares  including  shares held by the
Mutual Company),  or any other stockholder vote in which the OTS may impose such
a requirement.  The Mutual Company, acting through its Board of Directors,  will
be able to control the business and operations of the Stock Company and the Bank
and will be able to prevent any  challenge  to the  ownership  or control of the
Stock  Company  by  stockholders   other  than  the  Mutual  Company  ("Minority
Stockholders").  Although OTS regulations and the Plan of Reorganization  permit
the  Mutual  Company to convert  from the  mutual to the  capital  stock form of
organization,  there can be no assurance  when,  if ever,  a  conversion  of the
Mutual Company will occur.

     Provisions in the Stock Company's and the Bank's Governing Instruments.  In
addition,  certain  provisions  of  the  Stock  Company's  charter  and  bylaws,
particularly  a provision  limiting  voting rights,  as well as certain  federal
regulations  will  assist  the Stock  Company  in  maintaining  its status as an
independent  publicly owned  corporation.  These  provisions  provide for, among
other things, staggered Boards of Directors, no cumulative voting for directors,
limits on the  calling of special  meetings of  shareholders,  and limits on the
ability to vote Common Stock in excess of 10% of  outstanding  shares (except as
to shares held by the Mutual Holding Company and the ESOP).

POTENTIAL DILUTION TO MINORITY  STOCKHOLDERS  RESULTING FROM ANY MUTUAL TO STOCK
CONVERSION

     In the event of a full conversion to stock form, the Plan of Reorganization
provides  that,  subject to written OTS approval,  (i) the  stockholders  of the
Stock  Company will be entitled to exchange  their shares of stock for shares of
the  converted  Mutual  Company in a manner that is fair and  reasonable to such
stockholders and subject to the stock purchase limitations of the OTS conversion
regulations  (which  may,  as a  condition  to OTS  approval  of the  Conversion
Transaction,  in certain limited  circumstances  require certain insiders of the
Stock  Company  who have  accumulated  shares in  excess  of the stock  purchase
limitations  of the  Conversion  Transaction to divest such shares in connection
with such  Conversion  Transaction,  and also  potentially  restrict or prohibit
additional  purchases of Common  Stock in the  Conversion  Transaction  by other
stockholders  that would be in excess of such stock  purchase  limitations),  or
(ii) the Mutual  Company may purchase all shares not owned by it  simultaneously
with the consummation of the Conversion  Transaction at the fair market value of
such shares.  The OTS has recently modified its policy with respect to dividends
waived by  mutual  companies  to  require  that,  in the case of mutual to stock
conversions of recently-formed mutual companies such as the

   
                                       18
  




 
Mutual  Company,  the  aggregate  amount  of cash  dividends  waived by a mutual
company must be considered  when  establishing a fair and  reasonable  basis for
exchanging  subsidiary  savings bank common stock for converted  mutual  company
common stock, and that the OTS will not permit a pro rata exchange if the Mutual
Company has waived the receipt of cash dividends paid by the subsidiary  savings
institution.  Accordingly,  any waiver of  dividends  by the  Mutual  Company is
likely to result in an  adjustment  to the  ratio  pursuant  to which  shares of
Common  Stock are  exchanged  for shares of the  converted  Mutual  Company in a
Conversion  Transaction,  which  adjustment  will have the  effect  of  diluting
Minority Stockholders' percentage ownership interest in Mutual Company shares.

POSSIBLE DILUTIVE EFFECT OF STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK PROGRAMS

     We intend to  establish  an ESOP for the benefit of our  employees,  and no
sooner than six months  after the  Reorganization,  we intend to  establish,  if
approved by the Minority  Stockholders,  stock option and restricted stock award
programs  for the benefit of  directors,  officers  and  employees  (hereinafter
"Stock  Option  Plans" and  "Restricted  Stock  Programs").  The ESOP intends to
purchase up to 8% of the shares sold in the Offering  with funds  borrowed  from
the  Stock  Company  which  loan  will be  repaid  principally  from the  Bank's
contributions to the ESOP.  Although the terms of the Stock Option Plans and the
awards to be made thereunder have not been determined, an amount equal to 10% of
the Common  Stock issued in the Offering is expected to be reserved for issuance
under the Stock Option Plans. The Options Plans are expected to provide that the
shares that will be issued to option  holders  following the exercise of options
may be from authorized but unissued shares,  treasury shares or shares purchased
on the open  market.  In no event  will  option  exercises  cause  the  Minority
Ownership  Interest to exceed 50%. Assuming the sale of _________ shares, if all
of the options were to be exercised using  authorized but unissued Common Stock,
the   voting   interests   of   existing   stockholders   would  be  diluted  by
approximately_____%.  The Restricted Stock Programs, if approved by the Minority
Stockholders of the Company, will acquire up to 4% of the shares of Common Stock
issued in the Offering (assuming OTS approval is obtained),  either through open
market purchases,  if permitted, or from the issuance of authorized but unissued
shares.  If  the  Restricted  Stock  Programs  are  funded  by the  issuance  of
authorized but unissued shares, the interests of existing  shareholders would be
diluted by  approximately____%.  If the Stock Programs are funded by open market
purchases,  the voting interests of existing  shareholders  would not be diluted
and assuming that the shares were acquired at the Purchase Price,  the effect on
pro forma net earnings per share and stockholders'  equity per share would be as
set forth under "Pro Forma Data."

ABSENCE OF ACTIVE AND LIQUID MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK

     Due to the small size of the offering, it is highly unlikely that an active
trading  market will  develop and be  maintained.  If an active  market does not
develop,  you may not be able to sell your shares promptly or perhaps at all, or
sell your shares at a price  equal to or above the price you paid for them.  The
common stock may not be appropriate as a short-term investment.

TECHNOLOGY RISKS AND YEAR 2000 PROBLEM

     The  banking  industry  is  undergoing  rapid  technological  changes  with
frequent  introductions  of new  technology-driven  products  and  services.  In
addition  to  improving  customer  services,  the  effective  use of  technology
increases  efficiency and enables  financial  institutions to reduce costs.  Our
future  success  will  depend,  in part,  on our ability to address the needs of
customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy
customer  demands,  as well as to create  additional  efficiencies in the Bank's
operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources than we
do to invest in  technological  improvements.  There can be no assurance that we
will  be  able to  effectively  implement  new  technology-driven  products  and
services or be successful in marketing such products and services to the public.

 
                                       19






     In addition,  because of the demand for technology-driven  products,  banks
are contracting increasingly with outside vendors to provide data processing and
core  banking  functions.  The  use of  technology-related  products,  services,
delivery  channels,  and processes expose a bank to various risks,  particularly
transaction,  strategic,  reputation  and compliance  risk.  Banks are generally
expected to successfully  manage technology-  related risks with all other risks
to  ensure  that a bank's  risk  management  is  integrated  and  comprehensive,
primarily  through  identifying,  measuring,  monitoring and  controlling  risks
associated with the use of technology. There can be no assurance we will be able
to successfully  manage the risks  associated  with its increased  dependence on
technology. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and "Business."

     The "Year 2000  Problem"  centers on the  inability of computer  systems to
precisely  recognize the year 2000. Many existing  computer programs and systems
were originally programmed with six digit dates that provided only two digits to
identify the calendar year in the date field,  without  considering the upcoming
change in the century. Software, hardware, and equipment both within and outside
the Bank's direct control and with whom the Bank electronically or operationally
interfaces  (e.g.,  third party vendors  providing data processing,  information
system   management,   maintenance  of  computer  systems,   and  credit  bureau
information) are likely to be affected.  The Bank has taken steps to ensure that
such systems will properly  recognize  information when the year changes to 2000
and that it is in  compliance  with federal bank  regulatory  directives in this
area. Management of the Bank believes that the costs of addressing the Year 2000
Problems  will  not have a  material  adverse  impact  on the  Bank's  financial
position,   results  of  operations,  or  cash  flows  in  the  future  periods.
Nonetheless,  the Bank's ability to predict the costs  associated with Year 2000
compliance is subject to some  uncertainties,  and the Bank may incur additional
unexpected expenditures in connection with Year 2000 compliance.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION REGULATION AND POSSIBLE LEGISLATION

     The Bank is subject to extensive  regulation  and  supervision as a federal
savings  association.  The regulatory  authorities have extensive  discretion in
connection  with  their   supervision  and  enforcement   activities  and  their
examination policies,  including the imposition of restrictions on the operation
of a savings institution, the classification of assets by an institution and the
imposition of an increase in a savings institution's  allowance for loan losses.
In addition,  the Mutual Company, as a savings and loan holding company, will be
subject to extensive  regulation and  supervision.  Any change in the regulatory
structure or the  applicable  statutes or  regulations,  whether by the OTS, the
FDIC or Congress,  could have a material impact on the Mutual Company, the Stock
Company,  the Bank,  their  operations or the Plan of  Reorganization  and Stock
Issuance Plan.

IRREVOCABILITY OF ORDERS; RISK OF DELAYED OR CANCELLED OFFERING

     We expect to  complete  the  Reorganization  and  Offering  within the time
periods   indicated   in  this   Prospectus.   However,   consummation   of  the
Reorganization  and  Offering  is  conditioned  on OTS  approval  of the Plan of
Reorganization which is expected, but has not yet been received. If OTS approval
is not received,  all funds received from subscribers will be returned  promptly
with interest and all withdrawal authorizations will be terminated. In addition,
it is possible, although not anticipated, that adverse market, economic or other
factors  could  significantly  delay the  completion of the  Reorganization  and
Offering  and  result  in  a  delay  in   subscribers   receiving   their  stock
certificates,  increased  Offering costs or changes in the Offering  Range.  The
Subscription  Offering could be extended to ___________,  1998 and the Community
Offering extended to as late  as__________,  1998, before subscribers would have
the right to modify or rescind  their  subscriptions.  If the  Subscription  and
Community  Offerings are extended beyond such dates,  all subscribers  will have
the  right  to  modify  or  rescind  their   subscriptions  and  to  have  their
subscription funds returned promptly, with interest, or to have their withdrawal
authorization terminated.

 
                                       20







                                   REVERE, MHC

     The Bank has  submitted  a Notice  of  Mutual  Company  Reorganization  and
Application  for Approval of a Minority Stock Issuance by a Savings  Association
Subsidiary of a Mutual Holding  Company  ("Notice") to the OTS pursuant to which
the Bank has requested  approval to reorganize  into the mutual holding  company
structure.  It is anticipated that the Bank will receive approval of the Notice;
however,  it is unknown prior to actual receipt of OTS approval what conditions,
if any, the OTS may impose on the Reorganization.  In the event the OTS approval
contains conditions which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Bank,
are unacceptable,  the Bank may determine to terminate the Reorganization and/or
the Offering and return all subscription  funds collected in connection with the
Offering.  As part of the  Reorganization,  the Bank  will  establish  a federal
mutual  holding  company under the laws of the United States with the powers set
forth  in its  proposed  charter  and  bylaws.  Members  of the  Mutual  Company
(consisting  of depositors  of the Bank) shall have sole  authority to elect the
Board of  Directors  of the Mutual  Company  for so long as the  Mutual  Company
remains mutually owned. Initially, the Mutual Company's principal assets will be
the shares of Common Stock received in the  Reorganization and up to $100,000 in
cash.

     Immediately after consummation of the  Reorganization,  it is expected that
the Mutual  Company's  operations  will  consist of  activities  relating to its
investment  in a  majority  of  the  Common  Stock  of  the  Stock  Company  and
maintenance of books and records relating to members of the Mutual Company.  The
Mutual  Company  may  accept  dividends  paid by the Stock  Company in an amount
necessary to pay expenses. In addition,  the Mutual Company may accept dividends
paid by the Stock Company to be used for other  purposes,  including  purchasing
Common Stock from time to time in the open market or from the Stock Company. The
Mutual Company may participate in any such plan. There can be no assurances that
the Mutual Company will accept  dividends paid by the Stock Company,  or if such
dividends are accepted,  that the Mutual Company will purchase  shares of Common
Stock in the open  market.  Any Mutual  Company  purchases  of Common Stock will
increase the  percentage  of the Stock  Company's  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock held by the Mutual  Company and increase the number of shares  eligible to
be sold in any subsequent  secondary  offering or Conversion  Transaction by the
Mutual Company.

     The Mutual Company will be a mutual corporation  chartered and regulated by
the OTS. The Mutual Company will be subject to the limitations and  restrictions
imposed on savings  institution  mutual holding companies by Section 10(o)(5) of
HOLA. See "Regulation -- Regulation of the Mutual Company."

     The Mutual  Company's  principal  executive  office  will be located at 310
Broadway,  Revere,  Massachusetts  02151 and its telephone  number will be (781)
284-7777.

                                RFS BANCORP, INC.

     The Stock Company will be formed as a federal corporation and will own 100%
of the Bank's  common  stock.  The Stock  Company has not yet been  formed,  and
accordingly,  its financial statements are not included in this Prospectus.  The
OTS has approved an  application  for the Stock  Company to become a savings and
loan holding  company through the acquisition of all of the capital stock of the
Bank to be issued and  outstanding  upon completion of the  Reorganization.  The
Stock  Company will have all of the powers set forth in its federal  charter and
federal law and OTS regulations.

     The  Stock  Company  will  retain  up to  15% of the  net  proceeds  of the
Offering.  Part of the net  proceeds  will be used to fund a loan to the  Bank's
ESOP, which is expected to purchase up to 8% of the Common Stock

 
                                       21






sold in the Offering. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general
corporate purposes. The holding company structure will provide the Stock Company
with greater  flexibility  than is currently  available to the Bank to diversify
its business  activities,  either through  newly-formed  subsidiaries or through
acquisitions.  The business  activities  of the Stock Company will be subject to
the same restrictions under federal law as the Mutual Company. The Stock Company
initially will not conduct any active business and does not intend to employ any
person other than its officers, although it may utilize the Bank's support staff
from time to time.

     The Stock Company's  executive office will be located at the administrative
offices of the Bank, at 310 Broadway, Revere, Massachusetts 02151. Its telephone
number will be (781) 284-7777.

                             REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS

     The Bank is a federally chartered mutual savings association which conducts
business from its main office located in Revere, Massachusetts, which is located
five miles northeast of Boston,  Massachusetts.  The Bank's deposits are insured
by the FDIC to the maximum  extent  permitted by law. At June 30, 1998, the Bank
had total assets of $88.8 million, total deposits of $63.0 million and equity of
$6.4 million.

     The primary  focus of the Bank is to provide  financing  for single  family
housing and small  businesses in its market area of Revere,  Massachusetts.  The
Bank originates one- to four-family  residential  mortgages and  non-residential
commercial real estate,  commercial,  consumer and construction  loans. The Bank
also  invests  its excess  funds in  Treasury  and  Federal  agency  securities,
mortgage-backed  securities,   asset-backed  securities  and  other  short  term
interest-bearing  deposits.  The Bank's principal sources of funds are deposits,
borrowings and principal and interest payments on loans. The principal source of
income is  interest on loans and  investment  securities.  The Bank's  principal
expenses are interest paid on deposits and employee compensation and benefits.
See "Business" on page ____.

     The Bank's executive office will be located at the  administrative  offices
of the Bank, at 310 Broadway, Revere,  Massachusetts 02151. Its telephone number
will be (781) 284-7777.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

     An  amount  equal to 85% of the net  proceeds  from the sale of the  Common
Stock ($3.4  million at the  midpoint of the  Current  Valuation  Range) will be
added to the general funds of the Bank and used for general corporate  purposes,
including the origination of loans,  funding the construction and/or acquisition
costs of establishing new branch locations and renovating  existing  facilities,
and  enhancing  future  access  to  capital  markets.   The  Bank  is  currently
negotiating  a purchase of a second  location.  The  estimated  acquisition  and
renovation costs for the building are approximately  $600,000. The Stock Company
will  retain the  balance of the funds for its  initial  capitalization,  with a
portion of those funds ($357,200 at the midpoint of the Current Valuation Range)
being loaned to the ESOP to fund its  purchase of Common Stock in the  Offerings
following  completion of the Offering.  Subject to applicable  limitations,  the
Stock Company may also use available funds to repurchase  shares of Common Stock
and for the payment of dividends. We expect that, in the interim, we will invest
all or part of the net proceeds in U.S.  Government  and Agency  securities  and
other short-term investments.

     The  total  number  of  shares  of the  Common  Stock to be  issued  in the
Reorganization  cannot be stated with  certainty  at this time,  because it will
depend upon the estimated pro forma market value of the Common Stock at the time
of sale.  See "The Offering -- Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued."
However,


                                       22






the net proceeds to the Company would be approximately $3,669,327 based upon the
assumptions that (i) 446,500 shares of Common Stock are sold at a purchase price
per share of $10.00 for an aggregate of $4,465,000 (the midpoint of the Offering
Range) and (ii) the Offering expenses are $438,473 in the aggregate.

     THE  ACTUAL  NET  PROCEEDS  MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THE  ESTIMATED  AMOUNT
BECAUSE  THE  TOTAL   PROCEEDS  FROM  THE  SALE  OF  THE  COMMON  STOCK  MAY  BE
SIGNIFICANTLY  MORE OR LESS THAN THE MIDPOINT OF THE CURRENT VALUATION RANGE AND
BECAUSE ACTUAL REORGANIZATION  EXPENSES MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE CURRENTLY
EXPECTED.

                                 DIVIDEND POLICY

     The Board of Directors  does not  anticipate  paying a dividend in the near
term.  The Bank believes that its capital would be better  deployed by expanding
its small business lending and other general corporate purposes. Declarations of
dividends  by the Board of  Directors in the future will depend upon a number of
factors,  including  the amount of the net  proceeds,  investment  opportunities
available to the Bank, capital requirements,  regulatory limitations, the Bank's
financial  condition and results of operations,  tax  considerations and general
economic  conditions.  There can be no assurance  that dividends will be paid on
the  Common  Stock or that,  if paid,  such  dividends  will not be  reduced  or
eliminated in future periods.  If the Mutual Company elects not to waive receipt
of  dividends  from the Stock  Company,  the  Stock  Company  will have  reduced
flexibility  as to the  amount of  dividends  that can be paid.  There can be no
assurance  that  dividends  will in fact be paid on the Common Stock or that, if
paid,  such  dividends will not be reduced or eliminated in future  periods.  No
dividends will be paid as long as there is any impairment of capital.

     The Stock Company will not be subject to OTS regulatory restrictions on the
payment of dividends  although the source of such dividends depends in part upon
the receipt of  dividends  from the Bank.  The Bank must provide the OTS with 30
days prior notice of its intention to make a capital  distribution  to the Stock
Company.  OTS  regulations  in  certain  circumstances  limit the  amount of any
capital distribution by federal savings associations.  In addition,  the portion
of the Bank's  earnings  which has been  appropriated  for bad debt reserves and
deducted for federal income tax purposes  cannot be used by the Bank to pay cash
dividends to the Stock  Company  without the payment of federal  income taxes by
the Bank at the then current  income tax rate on the amount deemed  distributed,
which would include the amount of any federal income taxes  attributable  to the
distribution.  The Stock Company does not  contemplate  any  distribution by the
Bank  that  would  result in a  recapture  of the  Bank's  bad debt  reserve  or
otherwise   create   federal   tax   liabilities.   See   "Federal   and   State
Taxation-Federal  Taxation" and Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements,
and  "Regulation-Federal  Regulation  of  Savings   Institutions-Limitations  on
Capital Distribution."

     Additionally, in connection with the Reorganization,  the Stock Company and
Bank have  committed to the OTS that during the one-year  period  following  the
consummation  of the  Reorganization,  the Stock  Company  will not  declare  an
extraordinary  dividend  to  stockholders  which  would be treated by  recipient
stockholders  as a tax-free  return of capital for federal  income tax  purposes
without prior approval of the OTS.

                           MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK

     As a newly  organized  company,  the Stock Company has never issued capital
stock,  and  consequently  there is no established  market for the common stock.
Following  the  completion of the offering,  it is  anticipated  that the common
stock  (symbol:  RFSB)  will  be  traded  on the  over-the-counter  market  with
quotations available through the OTC Bulletin Board. Trident is expected to make
a market in the common stock by  developing  and  maintaining  historical  stock
trading records, soliciting potential buyers and sellers and attempting to match
buy


                                       23






and sell orders.  In connection with its market making  activities,  Trident may
buy or sell shares from time to time for its own account.  However, Trident will
not be subject to any  obligation  with respect to such  efforts.  If the common
stock cannot be quoted and traded on the OTC Bulletin Board, it is expected that
the  transactions in the common stock will be reported in the pink sheets of the
National Quotation Bureau, Inc.

     The  development  of an active  trading  market depends on the existence of
willing buyers and sellers. Due to the small size of the offering,  it is highly
unlikely that an active trading market will develop and be maintained. You could
have difficulty disposing of your shares and you should not view the shares as a
short-term investment.  You may not be able to sell your shares at a price equal
to or above the price you paid for the shares.






                                       24






                                 CAPITALIZATION

     The following table presents the historical  capitalization  of the Bank at
June 30,  1998,  and the pro forma  capitalization  of the Company  after giving
effect to the Offering based upon the sale of the number of shares  indicated in
the table and the other  assumptions  set forth under "Pro Forma Data." A change
in the number of shares to be sold in the  Offering may  materially  affect such
pro forma capitalization.



                                                               COMPANY PRO FORMA BASED UPON SALE AT $10.00 PER SHARE   
                                             BANK           -----------------------------------------------------------   
                                          HISTORICAL                                                        MAXIMUM AS 
                                        CAPITALIZATION       MINIMUM        MIDPOINT         MAXIMUM         ADJUSTED  
                                             AS OF           379,525         466,500         513,475          590,496  
                                         JUNE 30, 1998       SHARES          SHARES          SHARES          SHARES(1) 
                                         -------------       ------          ------          ------          --------- 
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                                               
Deposits(2)...........................    $ 62,976          $ 62,976        $ 62,976        $ 62,976        $ 62,976
Borrowed funds........................      19,284            19,284          19,284          19,284          19,284
                                          --------          --------        --------        --------        --------
Total deposits and borrowed funds.....    $ 82,260          $ 82,260        $ 82,260        $ 82,260        $ 82,260
                                          ========          ========        ========        ========        ========

Stockholders' equity:
     Common stock, $.01 par value,
       5,000,000 shares authorized;
       shares to be issued as reflected   $    ---          $      8        $    10         $     11        $     13
    Additional paid-in capital(3).....         ---             3,361          4,017            4,673           5,427
    Equity(4) ........................       6,374             6,374          6,374            6,374           6,374
Less:
     Common Stock acquired by ESOP(5).         ---              (304)          (357)            (411)           (472)
     Common Stock acquired by
       Restricted Stock Program(6)....         ---              (152)          (179)            (205)           (236)
                                          --------          --------        -------         --------        --------
Total stockholders' equity............    $  6,374          $  9,287        $ 9,865         $ 10,442        $ 11,106
                                          ========          ========        =======         ========        ========

- ---------------------------
(1)  As adjusted  to give  effect to an  increase in the number of shares  which
     could occur due to an increase in the Estimated Price Range of up to 15% as
     a result of  regulatory  considerations  or  changes  in market or  general
     financial  and  economic  conditions  following  the  commencement  of  the
     Subscription Offering.

(2)  Does not reflect  withdrawals  from  deposit  accounts  for the purchase of
     Common  Stock in the  Offering.  Such  withdrawals  would  reduce pro forma
     deposits by the amount of such withdrawals.

(3)  No effect has been given to the  issuance  of  additional  shares of Common
     Stock  pursuant to the Stock  Company's  Stock  Option Plan  intended to be
     adopted  by the  Stock  Company.  An amount  equal to 10% of the  shares of
     Common Stock issued in the Offering  will be reserved for issuance upon the
     exercise of options to be granted  under the Stock Option  Plan.  See "Risk
     Factors--Possible  Dilutive  Effect of Stock  Option and  Restricted  Stock
     Programs" and "Management--Benefits--Stock Option Plan."

(4)  The retained  earnings of the Bank will be  substantially  restricted after
     the    Reorganization.    See   "The    Reorganization--Effects    of   the
     Reorganization--Liquidation  Rights" and "Regulation--Regulation of Federal
     Savings Associations--Limitations on Capital Distributions."

(5)  Assumes that 8% of the shares issued in  connection  with the Offering will
     be  purchased  by the ESOP and that the funds used to acquire  such  shares
     will be borrowed from the Stock Company.  See "Use of Proceeds." The Common
     Stock  acquired by the ESOP is reflected  as a reduction  of  stockholders'
     equity.  See  "Management of the  Bank--Benefits--Employee  Stock Ownership
     Plan and Trust" and Footnote 3 to the tables under "Pro Forma Data."

(6)  Assumes that subsequent to the Reorganization, an amount equal to 4% of the
     shares  of  Common  Stock  issued  in the  Offering,  is  purchased  by the
     Restricted  Stock Program.  The Common Stock purchased by the Stock Program
     is   reflected  as  a  reduction  of   stockholders'   equity.   See  "Risk
     Factors--Possible  Dilutive  Effect of Stock Options and  Restricted  Stock
     Programs,"   Footnote  4  to  the  tables   under  "Pro  Forma   Data"  and
     "Management--Benefits--Restricted Stock Program."

  
                                       25






                      SHARES TO BE PURCHASED BY MANAGEMENT

     The  following  table sets forth,  for each  director of the Bank,  for the
executive  officers of the Bank as a group and for all  directors  and executive
officers as a group (including their associates)  certain  information as to the
number of shares of Common  Stock  which  they have  advised  the Bank that they
intend to purchase.  For purposes of the  following  table,  it has been assumed
that  446,500  shares of Common  Stock will be offered at $10.00 per share,  the
midpoint of the Current  Valuation Range (see "The  Offering--Stock  Pricing and
Number of Shares to be Issued") and that sufficient  shares will be available to
satisfy subscriptions in all categories.



                                                                                            AGGREGATE PURCHASE
                                                  TOTAL SHARES            TOTAL                   PRICE OF              
                   NAME                          OF COMMON STOCK        PERCENTAGE           PROPOSED PURCHASES                   
- ---------------------------------------------   ------------------   ------------------   ----------------------------
                                                                                             
Arno P. Bommer.............................            9,200              2.1                     $92,000
Ernest P. Becker...........................            1,000              0.2                      10,000
Theodore E. Charles........................           15,000              3.4                     150,000
Anthony R. Conte...........................            3,500              0.8                      35,000
Carmen R. Mattuchio........................           15,000              3.4                     150,000
James J. McCarthy..........................           15,000              3.4                     150,000
Michael O'Brien............................            5,000              1.1                      50,000
Angelo A. Todisco..........................            2,000              0.4                      20,000
John D. Verrengia..........................           10,000              2.2                     100,000
All other executive officers (2 persons)
    as a group.............................           15,000              3.4                     150,000
                                                      ------              ---                    --------
Total shares to be purchased by                                         
    directors and executive officers.......           90,700             20.3%                   $907,000
                                                      ======             ====                    ========

                                                                        





  
                                       26






                                 PRO FORMA DATA

     The  actual  net  proceeds  from the sale of the  Common  Stock  cannot  be
determined until the Offering is completed.  However, net proceeds are currently
estimated  to be between  $3.4  million and $4.7 million (or $5.4 million in the
event the  Independent  Valuation is increased by 15%) based upon the  following
assumptions: (i) the shares of Common Stock will be sold in the Subscription and
Community Offerings,  as follows: (a) 8% will be sold to the ESOP; (b) an amount
equal to 4% will be awarded  pursuant to the Restricted Stock Program (which may
be adopted no sooner than six months following the Offering) through  authorized
but unissued shares; and (c) depositors,  officers and directors of the Bank and
members of the general public will purchase all remaining  shares;  (ii) Trident
will receive a marketing fee equal to 2% of the  aggregate  dollar amount of the
shares sold in the  Offering,  Trident's  total fees,  consisting  of  advisory,
management  and  marketing  fees  will be at least  $102,156,  excluding  shares
purchased by the ESOP,  directors,  officers,  employees and immediate family of
directors and officers,  for which there is no fee;  (iii) no shares are sold in
the  Syndicated  Community  Offering;   and  (iv)  fixed  expenses  incurred  in
connection  with the Offering are estimated to be $375,000,  including a $40,000
advisory and management fee payable to Trident.

     Pro forma consolidated net income for the Stock Company for the nine months
ended June 30, 1998 and the year ended  September  30, 1997 has been  calculated
assuming the Common Stock had been sold at the  beginning of the periods and the
net proceeds had been invested at an average yield of 5.38% for the period ended
September  30,  1997  and  5.37%  for the  period  ended  June 30,  1998,  which
approximates the yield on short-term U.S.  government  securities.  The yield on
short-term U.S. government securities,  rather than an arithmetic average of the
average yield on interest-earning  assets and average rate paid on deposits, has
been used to estimate  income on net  proceeds  because it is believed  that the
one-year U.S.  Treasury  bill rate is a more accurate  estimate of the rate that
would be obtained on an investment  of net proceeds  from the Offering.  The pro
forma  after-tax  yield or cost is assumed to be 3.30% for both the nine  months
ended June 30, 1998 and the year ended September 30, 1997, based on an effective
tax rate of 39%.  The  effect  of  withdrawals  from  deposit  accounts  for the
purchase of Common Stock has not been  reflected.  Historical  and pro forma per
share amounts have been calculated by dividing  historical and pro forma amounts
by the indicated  number of shares of Common Stock,  as adjusted (in the case of
pro forma net  earnings  per share) to give effect to the  purchase of shares by
the ESOP. Pro forma stockholders'  equity amounts have been calculated as if the
Common  Stock  had  been  sold  on  June  30,  1998  and   September  30,  1997,
respectively, and, accordingly, no effect has been given to the assumed earnings
effect of the transactions.

     The  following  pro  forma  information  may not be  representative  of the
financial  effects  of the  foregoing  transactions  at the dates on which  such
transactions  actually  occur and  should not be taken as  indicative  of future
results of operations.  Pro forma consolidated  stockholders'  equity represents
the difference  between the stated amount of assets and  liabilities of the Bank
computed in  accordance  with GAAP.  The pro forma  stockholders'  equity is not
intended  to  represent  the fair  market  value of the Common  Stock and may be
greater than amounts that would be available for distribution to stockholders in
the event of liquidation.

     The following  table  summarizes  historical data of the Bank and pro forma
data of the Bank at or for the nine month  period  ended  June 30,  1998 and the
fiscal year ended  September 30, 1997,  based on the assumptions set forth above
and in the table and  should  not be used as a basis for  projections  of market
value of the Common Stock  following the  Reorganization.  The table below gives
effect to the  restricted  stock  program (the  "RRP"),  which is expected to be
adopted by the Stock  Company  following  the  Reorganization  and  presented to
stockholders  for  approval at a meeting of  stockholders  to be held no earlier
than six months after completion of the Reorganization. No effect has been given
in the table to the possible  issuance of additional  shares reserved for future
issuance  pursuant  to the  Stock  Option  Plans to be  adopted  by the Board of
Directors  of the Bank,  nor does book value give any effect to the  liquidation
account to be  established  for the  benefit of  Eligible  Account  Holders  and
Supplemental Eligible Account Holders or the bad debt reserve in liquidation.

  
                                       27






See "The  Reorganization--Effects  of  Reorganization--Liquidation  Rights"  and
"Management--Benefits--Stock Option Plan."



                                                            AT OR FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                                                 --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       MAXIMUM AS
                                                    MINIMUM           MIDPOINT         MAXIMUM          ADJUSTED
                                                 379,525 SHARES    446,500 SHARES   513,475 SHARES   590,496 SHARES
                                                   AT $10.00         AT $10.00        AT $10.00         AT $10.00
                                                   PER SHARE         PER SHARE        PER SHARE       PER SHARE(1)
                                               -----------------  ---------------- ---------------   ----------------
                                                          (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                                             
Gross Proceeds(2)..............................   $ 3,795           $ 4,465           $ 5,135          $ 5,905
Less:   Expenses...............................      (426)             (438)             (451)            (465)
                                                  -------           -------           ------           ------
   Estimated net proceeds......................     3,369             4,027             4,684            5,440
   Less: Common stock purchased by ESOP(3).....      (304)             (357)             (411)            (472)
   Less: Common stock purchased by RRP(4)......      (152)             (179)             (205)            (236)
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
Estimated net proceeds, adjusted...............   $ 2,913           $ 3,491           $ 4,068          $ 4,732
                                                  =======           =======           =======          =======
For the 9 months ended June 30, 1998 
- ------------------------------------ 
Consolidated net income:
   Historical income...........................   $   208           $   208           $   208          $   208
   Pro forma income on net proceeds............        72                86               100              117
   Pro forma ESOP adjustment(3)................       (14)              (17)              (19)             (22)
   Pro forma RRP adjustment(4).................       (14)              (17)              (19)             (22)
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
     Pro forma net income......................   $   252           $   260           $   270          $   281
                                                  =======           =======           =======          =======
Per share net income:
   Historical income...........................   $  0.27           $  0.23           $  0.20          $  0.17
   Pro forma income on net proceeds............      0.09              0.09              0.09             0.10
   Pro forma ESOP adjustment(3)(5).............     (0.02)            (0.02)            (0.02)           (0.02)
   Pro forma RRP adjustment(4).................     (0.02)            (0.02)            (0.02)           (0.02)
                                                  -------            -------           -------          -------
     Pro forma net income per share............   $  0.32           $  0.28           $  0.25          $  0.23
                                                  =======           =======           =======          =======
At June 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity:
   Historical..................................   $ 6,374           $ 6,374           $ 6,374          $ 6,374
   Estimated net proceeds......................     3,369             4,027             4,684            5,440
   Less: Common Stock acquired by ESOP(3)......      (304)             (357)             (411)            (472)
   Less: Common Stock acquired by RRP(4).......      (152)             (179)             (205)            (236)
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
     Pro forma stockholders' equity............   $ 9,287           $ 9,865           $10,442          $11,106
                                                  =======           =======           =======          ========
Stockholders' equity per share(6):
   Historical..................................   $  7.89           $  6.71           $  5.83          $   5.07
   Estimated net proceeds......................      4.17              4.24              4.29              4.33
   Less: Common Stock acquired by ESOP(3)......     (0.38)            (0.38)            (0.38)           (0.38)
   Less: Common Stock acquired by RRP(4).......     (0.19)            (0.19)            (0.19)           (0.19)
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
     Pro forma stockholders' equity per share..   $ 11.49           $ 10.38           $  9.55          $  8.83
                                                  =======           =======           =======          =======
Ratio of offering price to pro forma
   net income per share (annualized)...........     23.26x            27.03x            30.30x           32.26x
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma
   stockholders' equity per share..............     87.03%            96.34%            104.71%          113.25%
                                                  -------           -------           --------         --------


                                                   (footnotes on following page)


                                       28






(1)  The Company  reserves the right to issue up to a total of 590,496 shares at
     $10.00 per share,  or 15% above the maximum of the Offering  Range.  Unless
     otherwise  required by the OTS,  subscribers will not be given the right to
     modify  their  subscriptions  unless the  aggregate  purchase  price of the
     Common Stock is increased to exceed $5,904,960 (i.e., 15% above the maximum
     of the Offering Range.)

(2)  Withdrawals  from deposit  accounts for the purchase of stock have not been
     reflected in these adjustments. Management estimates that approximately 20%
     of all  subscription  orders may utilize funds  currently on deposit at the
     Bank.

(3)  Assumes 8% of the shares to be sold in the  Offering  are  purchased by the
     ESOP  under all  circumstances,  and that the funds used to  purchase  such
     shares are borrowed from the Stock Company. The approximate amount expected
     to be borrowed  by the ESOP is  reflected  in this table as a reduction  of
     capital.  Although  repayment  of such debt will be  secured  solely by the
     shares  purchased  by the  ESOP,  the Bank  expects  to make  discretionary
     contributions  to the ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and
     interest  payments on the ESOP debt. Pro forma net income has been adjusted
     to give effect to such  contributions,  based upon a fully  amortizing debt
     with a ten-year  term.  Since the Stock  Company will be providing the ESOP
     loan,  only  principal  payments on the ESOP loan are reflected as employee
     compensation  and  benefits  expense.  The  provision of SOP 93-6 have been
     applied for shares to be acquired by the ESOP and for purposes of computing
     earnings per share.  See  "Management of the Bank -- Certain  Benefit Plans
     and Agreements -- Employee  Stock  Ownership Plan and Trust." 

(4)  Assumes a number of issued and outstanding  shares of Common Stock equal to
     4% of the Common  Stock to be sold in the  Offering  will be purchased by a
     restricted stock plan. The dollar amount of the Common Stock possibly to be
     purchased by the  restricted  stock plan is based on the price per share in
     the Offering and  represents  unearned  compensation  and is reflected as a
     reduction of capital.  Such amount does not reflect  possible  increases or
     decreases in the value of such stock relative to the price per share of the
     Offering.  As the Bank accrues compensation expenses to reflect the vesting
     of such shares  pursuant to the  restricted  stock plan, the charge against
     capital will be reduced  accordingly.  In the event the shares issued under
     the  restricted  stock plan  consist of shares of Common Stock newly issued
     and the price per share in the Offering,  the per share financial condition
     and result of operations of the Company  would be  proportionately  reduced
     and to the extent the interest of existing stockholders would be diluted by
     approximately 4.0%.

(5)  The Bank  intends  to record  compensation  expense  related to the ESOP in
     accordance  with SOP 93-6.  As a  result,  to the  extent  the value of the
     Common Stock  appreciates  over time,  compensation  expense related to the
     ESOP  will  increase.   SOP  93-6  also  changes  the  earnings  per  share
     computations for leveraged ESOPs to include as outstanding only shares that
     have been  committed  to be released to  participants.  For purposes of the
     preceding  table,  it was  assumed  that the  number  of ESOP  shares  were
     committed  to be released  at June 30, 1998 and  September  30,  1997.  

(6)  Stockholders'  equity  per  share  data is  based  upon  807,500,  950,000,
     1,092,500 and 1,256,374 shares outstanding  representing shares sold in the
     offering, and shares purchased by the ESOP and Restricted Stock Program.


                                       29









                                                             AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                             -------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       MAXIMUM AS
                                                    MINIMUM           MIDPOINT         MAXIMUM          ADJUSTED
                                                 379,525 SHARES    446,500 SHARES   513,475 SHARES   590,496 SHARES
                                                   AT $10.00         AT $10.00        AT $10.00         AT $10.00
                                                   PER SHARE         PER SHARE        PER SHARE       PER SHARE(1)
                                               -----------------  ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
                                                          (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                                                                               
Gross Proceeds(2)..............................   $ 3,795           $ 4,465           $ 5,135          $ 5,905
Less: Expenses ................................      (426)             (438)             (451)            (465)
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
   Estimated net proceeds......................     3,369             4,027             4,684            5,440
   Less: Common stock purchased by ESOP(3).....      (304)             (357)             (411)            (472)
   Less: Common stock purchased by RRP(4)......      (152)             (179)             (205)            (236)
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
Estimated net proceeds, adjusted...............   $ 2,913           $ 3,491           $ 4,068          $ 4,732
                                                  =======           =======           =======          =======
For the 12 months ended September 30, 1997
- ------------------------------------------
   Consolidated net income.....................   $   476           $   476           $   476          $   476
   Pro forma income on net proceeds............        96               115               134              156
   Pro forma ESOP adjustment(3)................       (19)              (22)              (25)             (29)
   Pro forma RRP adjustment(4).................       (19)              (22)              (25)             (29)
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
     Pro forma net income......................   $   534           $   547           $   560          $   574
                                                  =======           =======           =======          =======
Per share net income:
   Historical income...........................   $  0.61           $  0.52           $  0.45          $  0.39
   Pro forma income on net proceeds............      0.12              0.13              0.13             0.13
   Pro forma ESOP adjustment(3)(5).............     (0.02)            (0.02)            (0.02)           (0.02)
   Pro forma RRP adjustment(4).................     (0.02)            (0.02)            (0.02)           (0.02)
                                                  -------           -------           -------          --------
     Pro forma net income per share............   $  0.69           $  0.61           $  0.54          $  0.48
                                                  =======           =======           =======          =======
At September 30, 1997 
- --------------------- 
Stockholders' equity:
   Historical..................................   $ 6,039           $ 6,039           $ 6,039          $ 6,039
   Estimated net proceeds......................     3,369             4,027             4,684            5,440
   Less: Common Stock acquired by ESOP(3)......      (304)             (357)             (411)            (472)
   Less: Common Stock acquired by RRP(4).......      (152)             (179)             (205)            (236)
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
     Pro forma stockholders' equity............   $ 8,952           $ 9,530           $10,107         $ 10,771
                                                  =======           =======           =======         ========

Stockholders' equity per share(6):
   Historical..................................   $  7.48            $ 6.36           $  5.53         $   4.81
   Estimated net proceeds......................      4.17              4.24              4.29             4.33
   Less: Common Stock acquired by ESOP(3)......     (0.38)            (0.38)            (0.38)           (0.38)
   Less: Common Stock acquired by RRP(4).......     (0.19)            (0.19)            (0.19)           (0.19)
                                                  --------          --------          -------         --------
     Pro forma stockholders' equity per share..   $ 11.08           $ 10.03           $  9.25         $   8.57
                                                  =======           =======           =======         ========
Ratio of offering price to pro forma
   net income per share........................     14.49x            16.39x            18.52x           20.83x
                                                  -------           -------           -------          -------
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma
   stockholders' equity per share..............     90.25%            99.70%            108.11%          116.69%
                                                  -------           -------           --------         --------


                                                   (footnotes on following page)


                                       30






(1)  The Company  reserves the right to issue up to a total of 590,496 shares at
     $10.00 per share,  or 15% above the maximum of the  Independent  Valuation.
     Unless  otherwise  required by the OTS,  subscribers  will not be given the
     right to modify their subscriptions  unless the aggregate purchase price of
     the Common  Stock is increased to exceed  $5,904,960  (i.e.,  15% above the
     maximum of the Independent Valuation.)

(2)  Withdrawals  from deposit  accounts for the purchase of stock have not been
     reflected in these adjustments. Management estimates that approximately 20%
     of all  subscription  orders may utilize funds  currently on deposit at the
     Bank.

(3)  Assumes 8% of the shares to be sold in the  Offering  are  purchased by the
     ESOP  under all  circumstances,  and that the funds used to  purchase  such
     shares are borrowed from the Stock Company. The approximate amount expected
     to be borrowed  by the ESOP is  reflected  in this table as a reduction  of
     capital.  Although  repayment  of such debt will be  secured  solely by the
     shares  purchased  by the  ESOP,  the Bank  expects  to make  discretionary
     contributions  to the ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and
     interest  payments on the ESOP debt. Pro forma net income has been adjusted
     to give effect to such  contributions,  based upon a fully  amortizing debt
     with a ten-year  term.  Since the Stock  Company will be providing the ESOP
     loan,  only  principal  payments on the ESOP loan are reflected as employee
     compensation  and  benefits  expense.  The  provision of SOP 93-6 have been
     applied for shares to be acquired by the ESOP and for purposes of computing
     earnings per share.  See  "Management of the Bank -- Certain  Benefit Plans
     and Agreements -- Employee  Stock  Ownership Plan and Trust." 

(4)  Assumes a number of issued and outstanding  shares of Common Stock equal to
     4% of the Common  Stock to be sold in the  Offering  will be purchased by a
     restricted stock plan. The dollar amount of the Common Stock possibly to be
     purchased by the  restricted  stock plan is based on the price per share in
     the Offering and  represents  unearned  compensation  and is reflected as a
     reduction of capital.  Such amount does not reflect  possible  increases or
     decreases in the value of such stock relative to the price per share of the
     Offering.  As the Bank accrues compensation expenses to reflect the vesting
     of such shares  pursuant to the  restricted  stock plan, the charge against
     capital will be reduced  accordingly.  In the event the shares issued under
     the  restricted  stock plan  consist of shares of Common Stock newly issued
     and the price per share in the Offering,  the per share financial condition
     and result of operations of the Company  would be  proportionately  reduced
     and to the extent the interest of existing stockholders would be diluted by
     approximately  4.0%.  

(5)  The Bank  intends  to record  compensation  expense  related to the ESOP in
     accordance  with SOP 93-6.  As a  result,  to the  extent  the value of the
     Common Stock  appreciates  over time,  compensation  expense related to the
     ESOP  will  increase.   SOP  93-6  also  changes  the  earnings  per  share
     computations for leveraged ESOPs to include as outstanding only shares that
     have been  committed  to be released to  participants.  For purposes of the
     preceding  table,  it was  assumed  that the  number  of ESOP  shares  were
     committed to be released at June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997.

(6)  Stockholders'  equity  per  share  data is  based  upon  807,500,  950,000,
     1,092,500 and 1,256,374 shares outstanding  representing shares sold in the
     offering, and shares purchased by the ESOP and Restricted Stock Program.

  
                                       31



                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

     The following Consolidated Statements of Income of the Bank for each of the
years in the three year period  ended  September  30, 1997 have been  audited by
Shatswell,  MacLeod & Company,  P.C.,  independent certified public accountants,
whose report thereon appears elsewhere  herein.  These statements should be read
in  conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial  statements and notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The Consolidated Statements of Income for
the nine month  periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 are  unaudited,  but in the
opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation
of the results for such periods.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring
nature.  The  results  for the nine month  period  ended  June 30,  1998 are not
necessarily  indicative  of the results of the Bank that may be expected for the
entire year.



                                                        FOR THE NINE MONTHS                FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                          ENDED JUNE 30,                      SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1998          1997          1997           1996          1995
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           (UNAUDITED)
Interest income:
                                                                                                        
   Interest and fees on loans......................   $ 2,874,611    $ 2,182,236  $ 3,026,756    $ 2,362,623   $ 1,793,215
   Interest and dividends on securities:
     Taxable interest and dividends................     1,898,421      2,320,407    3,067,872      2,690,400     2,529,291
   Other interest..................................       234,399         63,977       85,681         57,446       124,236
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   ------------
     Total interest and dividend income............     5,007,431      4,566,620    6,180,309      5,110,469     4,446,742
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
Interest expense:
   Interest on deposits............................     1,696,613      1,514,063    2,058,688      1,969,730     1,686,004
   Interest on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank     1,054,804      1,140,841    1,526,633      1,048,212       767,982
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
     Total interest expense........................     2,751,417      2,654,904    3,585,321      3,017,942     2,453,986
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
     Net interest and dividend income..............     2,256,014      1,911,716    2,594,988      2,092,527     1,992,756
Provision (benefit) for loan losses................       174,500         45,000       60,000        148,500        (2,000)
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
     Net interest and dividend income after                                                      
       provision (benefit) for loan losses.........     2,081,514      1,866,716    2,534,988      1,944,027     1,994,756
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
Noninterest income:                                                                              
   Service charges on deposit accounts.............       102,884         68,264       93,483         51,512        40,633
   Security gain...................................           ---            ---          ---            ---       294,531
   Other income....................................        14,124         12,716       22,982         15,131        12,827
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
     Total noninterest income......................       117,008         80,980      116,465         66,643       347,991
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
Noninterest expense:
   Salaries and employee benefits..................       902,584        666,169      919,443        752,042       628,619
   Occupancy expense...............................       116,670         86,942      114,788        111,220       111,341
   Equipment expense...............................       104,548         86,887      117,626        114,763       103,035
   FDIC insurance..................................        27,936         38,245       46,558        400,235        94,967
   Advertising expense.............................        95,356         30,000       45,000        125,618       111,754
   Office supplies expense.........................        72,093         47,023       59,188         49,304        32,320
   Data processing expense.........................       111,736         77,615      107,801         78,011        64,042
   Professional fees...............................       149,818         92,608      122,084         90,511        80,792
   Other expense...................................       284,823        247,060      355,318        168,980       303,435
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
     Total noninterest expense.....................     1,865,564      1,372,549    1,887,806      1,890,684     1,530,305
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
     Income before income taxes....................       332,958        575,147      763,647        119,986       812,442
Income taxes.......................................       124,979        208,234      287,245         25,579       271,097
                                                      -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------   -----------
     Net income....................................   $   207,979    $   366,913  $   476,402    $    94,407   $   541,345
                                                      ===========    ===========  ===========    ===========   ===========



     See accompanying "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" presented
                         elsewhere in this Prospectus.


                                       32




                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion is intended to assist readers in understanding and
evaluating the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the
Bank.  This  review  should be read in  conjunction  with the  Bank's  financial
statements and accompanying  notes included  elsewhere in this Prospectus.  This
analysis  provides an overview of the  significant  changes that occurred during
the periods presented.

GENERAL

     Our  operating  results  are  primarily  dependent  upon net  interest  and
dividend income.  Net interest income is the difference between income earned on
our loan and  investment  portfolio  and our cost of  funds  which  consists  of
interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Operating results are also affected by
the provision for loan losses,  securities  sales activities and service charges
on deposit  accounts as well as other fees.  Our operating  expenses  consist of
salaries and employee benefits,  occupancy and equipment expenses,  professional
fees as well as marketing and other  expenses.  Results of  operations  are also
significantly   affected  by  general   economic  and  competitive   conditions,
particularly changes in interest rates and government and regulatory policies.

ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

     We are  also  subject  to  interest  rate  risk  to  the  degree  that  our
interest-bearing  liabilities,  primarily  deposits  with short and  medium-term
maturities,  mature or reprice  at  different  rates  than our  interest-earning
assets.  We believe it is critical to manage the  relationship  between interest
rates  and  the  effect  on our  net  portfolio  value  ("NPV").  This  approach
calculates the difference  between the present vlaue of expected cash flows from
assets and the present value of expected cash flows from liabilities, as well as
cash flows from off-balance  sheet  contracts.  We manage assets and liabilities
within the context of the marketplace,  regulatory limitations and within limits
established  by our Board of  Directors  on the amount of change in NPV which is
acceptable given certain interest rate changes.

     The OTS issued a regulation,  which uses a net market value  methodology to
measure the interest rate risk exposure of savings associations.  Under this OTS
regulation,  an institution's  "normal" level of interest rate risk in the event
of an assumed change in interest rates is a decrease in the institution's NPV in
an  amount  not  exceeding  2% of  the  present  value  of its  assets.  Savings
associations  with over  $300  million  in assets or less than a 12%  risk-based
capital  ratio are required to file OTS Schedule  CMR. Data from Schedule CMR is
used by the OTS to calculate  changes in NPV (and the related  "normal" level of
interest rate risk) based upon certain interest rate changes  (discussed below).
Associations  which  do not  meet  either  of the  filing  requirements  are not
required to file OTS Schedule CMR, but may do so voluntarily.  As we do not meet
either of these requirements, we are not required to file Schedule CMR, although
we do so  voluntarily.  Under the regulation,  associations  which must file are
required to take a deduction  (the  interest rate risk capital  component)  from
their total capital available to calculate their risk based capital  requirement
if their  interest  rate  exposure is greater than  "normal." The amount of that
deduction is one-half of the  difference  between (a) the  institution's  actual
calculated  exposure to a 200 basis  point  interest  rate  increase or decrease
(whichever  results  in the  greater  pro  forma  decrease  in NPV)  and (b) its
"normal" level of exposure which is 2% of the present value of its assets.


                                       33






    Presented below, as of June 30, 1998, is an analysis performed by the OTS of
our  interest  rate risk as  measured  by changes in NPV for  instantaneous  and
sustained parallel shifts in the yield curve, in 100 basis point increments,  up
and down 400 basis  points.  Our exposure to interest rate risk results from the
concentration of fixed rate mortgage loans in our portfolio.



                               Net Portfolio Value                          NPV as % of Present Value of Assets
       Change               ---------------------------            ----------------------------------------------------
      In Rates             $ Amount            $ Change             % Change           NPV Ratio             Change
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                                     
     +400 bp              $   6,520            $ (3,143)              (33)%               7.79%                (274) bp
     +300 bp                  7,531              (2,132)              (22)%               8.78%                (176) bp
     +200 bp                  8,466              (1,197)              (12)%               9.63%                 (91) bp
     +100 bp                  9,243                (420)               (4)%              10.28%                 (26) bp
     0 bp                     9,663                 ---                ---%              10.53%                 ---  bp
     -100 bp                  9,795                 132                  1%              10.50%                  (4) bp
     -200 bp                  9,489                (174)               (2)%              10.03%                 (50) bp
     -300 bp                  9,295                (368)               (4)%               9.68%                 (86) bp
     -400 bp                  9,257                (406)               (4)%               9.46%                (107) bp


- ---------------
* Basis points

     As with any method of measuring interest rate risk, the methods of analysis
presented above have certain short comings. For example, although certain assets
and  liabilities may have similar  maturities or periods to repricing,  they may
react in  different  degrees to  changes in market  interest  rates.  Also,  the
interest  rates on certain  types of assets and  liabilities  may  fluctuate  in
advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types
may lag behind changes in market rates.  Additionally,  certain assets,  such as
adjustable-rate loans, have features which restrict changes in interest rates on
a short-term  basis and over the life of the asset.  Further,  in the event of a
change in  interest  rates,  expected  rates of  prepayments  on loans and early
withdrawals  from  certificates  could likely deviate  significantly  from those
assumed in calculating the table.

  
                                       34

AVERAGE BALANCES, INTEREST, YIELDS AND RATES

     The following tables set forth certain information  relating to the Bank at
and for the nine  months  ended June 30,  1998 and 1997 and for the years  ended
September 30, 1997,  1996 and 1995, and reflects the average yield on assets and
average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated. Such yields and costs are
derived  by  dividing  income or  expense  by the  average  balance of assets or
liabilities,  respectively,  for the periods shown. Average balances are derived
from average  monthly  balances.  The yields  include fees which are  considered
adjustments to yields.



                                                                               FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                               AT JUNE 30,   --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1998                        1998                          1997
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    WEIGHTED                          AVERAGE                            AVERAGE
                                                    AVERAGE       AVERAGE             YIELD/   AVERAGE                    YIELD/
                                        BALANCE     YIELD (1)     BALANCE    INTEREST COST     BALANCE     INTEREST       COST
                                    ------------   --------      ---------   -------- -----   ----------- ----------   ----------
                                                                                      (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                                     
ASSETS:
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:
  Interest-bearing deposits ..........   $   799        4.77%     $   478    $    12   3.36%   $   427   $    13            4.07%
  Federal funds sold .................     2,909        5.88        5,395        222   5.50      1,481        51            4.60
  Investment securities(1) ...........    35,663        6.90       36,206      1,898   7.01     44,608     2,321            6.96
  Loans(2) ...........................    46,825        8.02       44,483      2,875   8.64     35,050     2,182            8.32
                                         -------       ------      ------    -------   ----    -------   -------                
    Total interest-earning assets ....    86,196        7.45       86,562      5,007   7.73     81,566     4,567            7.49
Noninterest-earning assets ...........     2,584                    2,307    -------             2,038   -------
                                         -------                  -------                      -------
    Total assets .....................   $88,780                  $88,869                      $83,604
                                         =======                  =======                      =======

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:                                      
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:                                
  NOW accounts .......................   $ 4,526        1.07%     $ 4,191    $    33    1.05%   $ 3,361   $    25           0.99%
  Regular savings accounts ...........    16,352        1.41       15,018        142    1.26     14,520       119           1.10
  Money market accounts ..............     1,991        3.13        1,555         36    3.10        660        15           3.04
  Time deposits ......................    36,306        5.48       35,397      1,485    5.61     32,266     1,355           5.61
                                         -------                  -------    -------    ----    -------   -------    
    Total interest-bearing deposits ..    59,175        3.94       56,161      1,696    4.04     50,807     1,514           3.98
  Advances from FHLB .................    19,284        5.45       24,344      1,055    5.79     26,137     1,141           5.84
                                         -------                  -------    -------            -------   -------    
    Total interest-bearing liabilities    78,459        4.31       80,505      2,751    4.57     76,944     2,655           4.61
                                                                             -------                      -------    
Demand deposits ......................     3,801                    2,441                         1,047              
Other liabilities ....................       146                       61                           184              
                                         -------                  -------                       -------              
    Total liabilities ................    82,406                   83,007                        78,175              
Equity ...............................     6,374                    5,862                         5,429              
                                         -------                  -------                       -------              
    Total liabilities and equity .....   $88,780                  $88,869                       $83,604              
                                         =======                  =======                       =======              
                                                                                                                     
Net interest income ..................                                       $ 2,256                      $1,912     
                                                                             =======                      ======     
Net interest rate spread(3) ..........                                                   3.16%                              2.88%
                                                                                         ====                               ====
Net interest margin(4) ...............                   3.14%                           3.48%                              3.13%
                                                         ====                            ====                               ====
Ratio of interest-bearing assets to ..                                                                               
   interest-bearing liabilities.......    109.86%                 107.52%                        106.01%             
                                          ======                  ======                         ======              


- -----------------
(1)  Includes investment  securities  available-for-sale,  held-to-maturity  and
     stock in FHLB-Boston.

(2)  Amount is net of deferred loan origination fees,  allowance for loan losses
     and includes non-accrual loans.

(3)  Net interest rate spread  represents  the  difference  between the weighted
     average yield on  interest-earning  assets and the weighted average cost of
     interest-bearing liabilities.

(4)  Net  interest  margin  represents  net interest  income as a percentage  of
     average interest-earning assets.

  
                                       35









                                                                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            1997                   1996                           1995
                                        -----------------------------  ------------------------------ ------------------------------
                                                               AVERAGE                        AVERAGE                       AVERAGE
                                            AVERAGE             YIELD/ AVERAGE                 YIELD/  AVERAGE               YIELD/
                                            BALANCE  INTEREST   COST   ALANCE      INTEREST    COST   BALANCE   INTEREST     COST
                                        ------------ -------- -------  -------- -----------  -------- ------- ------------  --------
ASSETS:                                                                     (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:
                                                                                                      
     Interest-bearing deposits.........   $    453   $    16   3.53%   $    237    $    14    5.91%    $    460   $    25      5.43%
     Federal funds sold................      1,308        69   5.28         730         43    5.89        1,700        99      5.82
     Investment securities(1)..........     44,092     3,068   6.96      40,908      2,690    6.58       38,341     2,529      6.60
     Loans(2)..........................     36,324     3,027   8.33      27,849      2,363    8.49       20,568     1,794      8.72
                                          --------   -------           --------    -------             --------   -------
       Total interest-earning assets...     82,177     6,180   7.52      69,724      5,110    7.33       61,069     4,447      7.28
                                                     -------                       -------                        -------
     Noninterest-earning assets........      2,144                        2,078                           1,936
                                          --------                     --------                        --------
       Total assets....................   $ 84,321                     $ 71,802                        $ 63,005
                                          ========                     ========                        ========

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:
     NOW accounts......................   $  3,443        35   1.02%   $  2,041    $    23    1.13%    $  1,707       28       1.64%
     Regular savings accounts..........     14,548       161   1.11      14,743        157    1.06       15,436      230       1.49
     Money market accounts.............        739        23   3.11         212          6    2.83            6                3.30
     Time deposits.....................     32,634     1,839   5.64      30,763      1,784    5.79       26,660    1,428       5.35
                                          --------   -------           --------    -------             --------   ------
       Total interest-bearing deposits.     51,364     2,058   4.02      47,759      1,970    4.11       43,809    1,686       3.84
     Advances from FHLB................     26,044     1,527   5.86      17,648      1,048    5.94       13,445      768       5.71
                                          --------   -------           --------    -------             --------   ------
       Total interest-bearing liabilities   77,408     3,585   4.63      65,407      3,018    4.61       57,254    2,454       4.29
                                                     -------                       -------                        ------
Demand deposits........................      1,219                          914                             586
Other liabilities......................        199                          362                             323
                                          --------                     --------                        --------
       Total liabilities...............     78,826                       66,683                          58,163
Equity.................................      5,495                        5,119                           4,842
                                          --------                     --------                        --------
       Total liabilities and equity....   $ 84,321                     $ 71,802                        $ 63,005
                                          ========                     ========                        ========
Net interest income....................              $ 2,595                       $ 2,092                        $ 1,993
                                                     =======                       =======                        =======
Net interest rate spread(3)............                        2.89%                          2.72%                            2.99%
                                                               ====                           ====                             ====
Net interest margin(4).................                        3.16%                          3.00%                            3.26%
                                                               ====                           ====                             ====
Ratio of interest-earning assets to        
   interest-bearing liabilities......       106.16%                       106.60%                          106.66%
                                            ======                        ======                           ======


- ------------------

(1)  Includes investment  securities  available-for-sale,  held-to-maturity  and
     stock in FHLB-Boston.  

(2)  Amount is net of deferred loan origination fees,  allowance for loan losses
     and includes non-accrual loans.

(3)  Net interest rate spread  represents  the  difference  between the weighted
     average yield on  interest-earning  assets and the weighted average cost of
     interest-bearing  liabilities.  

(4)  Net  interest  margin  represents  net interest  income as a percentage  of
     average interest-earning assets.

  
                                       36



     The  following  table  analyzes  the dollar  amount of changes in  interest
income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning  assets and
interest-bearing  liabilities.  The  table  distinguishes  between  (i)  changes
attributable to volume (changes in volume multiplied by the prior period's rate)
(ii)  changes  attributable  to rate  (changes in rate  multiplied  by the prior
period's  volume)  and (iii) mixed  changes  (changes  in volume  multiplied  by
changes in rate).



                                             FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED  YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997  YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                             JUNE 30, 1998 COMPARED TO      COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED         COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED
                                        NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997       SEPTEMBER 30, 1996             SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           INCREASE/(DECREASE)          INCREASE/(DECREASE)         INCREASE/(DECREASE)
                                                DUE TO                         DUE TO                       DUE TO
                                        ----------------------          -----------------        -----------------------
                                            VOLUME       RATE      NET   VOLUME   RATE     NET         VOLUME      RATE       NET
                                        -----------   --------   ------ -------- ------  ------- -------------   --------   --------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                     
Interest-earning assets:
  Interest-bearing deposits............   $     2      $   (3)  $    (1) $     4  $  (2)   $   2      $    (13)   $     2    $ (11)
  Federal funds sold...................       159          12       171       30     (4)      26           (57)         1      (56)
  Investment securities................      (440)         18      (422)     216    162      378           169         (8)     161
  Loans, net...........................       607          86       693      705    (41)     664           616        (47)     569
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest-earning assets....       328         113       441      955    115     1070           715        (52)     663
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest-bearing liabilities:
  NOW accounts.........................         6           2         8       14     (2)      12             8        (13)      (5)
  Regular savings accounts.............         4          19        23       (2)     6        4           (10)       (63)     (73)
  Money market accounts................        21         ---        21       16      1       17           ---          6        6
  Time deposits........................       131          (1)      130       98    (43)      55           231        125      356
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total deposits...................       162          20       182      126    (38)      88           229         55      284
  FHLB advances........................       (78)         (8)      (86)     492    (13)     479           249         31      280
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest-bearing liabilities       84          12        96      618    (51)     567           478         86      564
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in net interest income......   $    24      $  101    $  345   $  337  $ 166   $  503      $    237    $  (138)   $  99
                                          ==========================================================================================







                                       37






COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT JUNE 30, 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1997.

     The Bank's total assets  increased by $1.9 million or 2.2% to $88.8 million
at June 30, 1998 from $86.9  million at  September  30,  1997.  The Bank's asset
growth was comprised of an increase in the net loan portfolio of $5.7 million or
13.7%. Net loans totaled $46.8 million or 52.7% of total assets at June 30, 1998
as compared with $41.2  million at September 30, 1997.  The increase in the loan
portfolio was funded by a decrease in investment securities,  as $7.2 million of
agency bonds were called, as well as by an increase in deposits.  The Bank, as a
part of its growth  strategy,  has begun to replace  investment  securities with
residential and commercial loans and FHLB advances with core deposits.

     Total deposits  increased by $7.5 million or 13.5% to $63.0 million at June
30, 1998 from $55.5 million at September 30, 1997.  Total advances from the FHLB
decreased by $5.8 million or 23.1% to $19.3  million at June 30, 1998 from $25.1
million at  September  30, 1997.  Total equity  increased by $335,000 or 5.6% to
$6.4  million at June 30,  1998 from $6.0  million at  September  30,  1997 as a
result of net income of $208,000 and an increase in the net  unrealized  gain on
securities available for sale of $127,000.

COMPARISON OF THE OPERATING  RESULTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND
1997.

     Net Income.  The Bank's net income for the nine months  ended June 30, 1998
was  $208,000 as compared to $367,000  for the nine months  ended June 30, 1997.
During  the  period,  the net  interest  rate  spread  and net  interest  margin
increased  28 and 35 basis  points,  respectively.  These  improved  ratios were
offset during the period by an increase in general and  administrative  expenses
to support the Bank's  growth in retail and  commercial  lending.  The return on
average  assets for the nine months  ended June 30,  1998 was 0.31%  compared to
0.59% for the nine months ended June 30, 1997.

     Interest and Dividend Income.  Total interest and dividend income increased
by $441,000 or 9.6% to $5.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 1998 from
$4.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 1997.  This  increase was due to
an increase in average  interest-earning assets of $5.0 million or 6.1% to $86.6
million  at June 30,  1998 from  $81.6  million at June 30,  1997.  During  this
period,  the average  balance of the loan  portfolio  increased  $9.4 million or
26.8% and the average balance of the investment portfolio decreased $8.4 million
or 18.8%, as investment  securities  were redeployed to fund loan  originations.
Accordingly,  interest and dividend income on investment securities decreased by
$422,000 or 18.3% to $1.9  million  for the nine  months  ended June 30, 1998 as
compared  to $2.3  million  for the nine months  ended June 30,  1997.  Interest
income on loans  increased  by  $693,000  or 31.5% to $2.9  million for the nine
months ended June 30, 1998 as compared to $2.2 million for the nine months ended
June 30, 1997.  The average yield on the loan  portfolio  increased to 8.64% for
the nine months  ended June 30,  1998,  as compared to 8.32% for the nine months
ended June 30,  1997,  reflecting  an increase in the amount of  commercial  and
commercial real estate loans.

     Interest  Expense.  Total interest expense  increased by $96,000 or 3.6% to
$2.8  million for the nine months  ended June 30, 1998 from $2.7 million for the
nine months ended June 30, 1997. Average interest-bearing  liabilities increased
by $3.6 million or 4.7% to $80.5  million at June 30, 1998 from $76.9 million at
June 30,  1997.  During this  period,  the average  balance of interest  bearing
deposits  increased  $5.4  million  or 10.6%  and the  average  balance  of FHLB
advances decreased $1.8 million or 6.9% as deposit growth replaced FHLB advances
as a source of funds.  Deposit  balances have  increased as a result of offering
free checking  products and  certificate  of deposit  products with  competitive
rates. Accordingly,  interest expense on deposits increased $182,000 or 12.1% to
$1.7  million for the nine months  ended June 30, 1998 from $1.5 million for the
nine months  ended June 30,  1997.  Interest  expense on advances  from the FHLB
decreased  $86,000 or 7.8% to $1.1  million for the nine  months  ended June 30,
1998 from $1.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 1997.


                                       38






     Net  Interest  and  Dividend  Income.  The Bank's net interest and dividend
income  increased by $344,000 or 18.1% to $2.3 million for the nine months ended
June 30, 1998 from $1.9  million for the nine months  ended June 30,  1997.  The
increase in net interest  income and  dividend  income was due to an increase in
interest-earning assets along with an increase in interest-bearing liabilities.

     The average yield on interest-earning assets for the nine months ended June
30, 1998 was 7.73%  which was an increase of 24 basis  points from 7.49% for the
nine  months  ended June 30,  1997.  The average  rate paid on  interest-bearing
liabilities  for the nine  months  ended  June 30,  1998 was 4.57%  which was an
decrease of 4 basis  points from 4.61% for the nine months  ended June 30, 1997.
As a result of the Bank's  strategy to restructure  the balance  sheet,  the net
interest rate spread increased from 2.88% to 3.16% during the period and the net
interest margin improved from 3.13% to 3.48%.

     Provision  for Loan Losses.  The  allowance  for loan losses is  maintained
through the  provision  for loan  losses  which is a charge to  operations.  The
provision reflects management's assessment of potential losses and is based on a
review of the risk  characteristics as well as the growth of the loan portfolio.
The Bank considers  many factors in  determining  the level of the provision for
loan  losses.  Collateral  value  on a  loan  by  loan  basis,  trends  of  loan
delinquencies,  risk  classification  identified in the Bank's regular review of
individual loans, and economic  conditions are major factors in establishing the
provision.  The  provision  for loan losses  increased  by $130,000 or 288.9% to
$175,000  for the nine  months  ended June 30,  1998 from  $45,000  for the nine
months ended June 30, 1997.  The allowance for loan losses was $506,000 or 1.07%
of total loans at June 30, 1998 versus  $370,000 or 0.94% of total loans at June
30, 1997.  The increase in the provision is due to the overall  increase in loan
volume and the increased  focus on the origination of commercial real estate and
commercial  loans.  As the Bank continues to expand its small business  lending,
additional increases to the provision are likely.

     Noninterest  Income.  Noninterest  income  increased by $36,000 or 44.4% to
$117,000  for the nine months ended June 30, 1998 as compared to $81,000 for the
nine months ended June 30, 1997.  The increase was  primarily  due to higher fee
income on an increased  volume of retail checking and commercial  demand deposit
accounts.  The Bank anticipates  increases to noninterest income as it continues
to expand the volume of its deposit relationships. It is also the Bank's goal to
increase its level of noninterest income by continually  considering  additional
sources of revenue.

     Noninterest Expense.  Noninterest expense increased by $493,000 or 35.2% to
$1.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 1998 as compared to $1.4 million
for the nine months ended June 30, 1997.  Salaries  and employee  benefits,  the
largest component of noninterest expense, was $903,000 for the nine months ended
June 30, 1998 as compared to $666,000  for the nine months  ended June 30, 1997,
an increase of $237,000 or 35.6%. This increase was primarily associated with an
increase of five full time equivalent  employees to staff the commercial lending
and operations departments.

     During the period,  professional fees increased from $93,000 to $150,000 or
61.3% due to the  added  cost of  outside  loan  review  and  certain  legal and
consulting  costs  associated  with  the  Bank's  expansion.  Occupancy  expense
increased  by $30,000 or 34.5% to $117,000  for the nine  months  ended June 30,
1998 as compared to $87,000 for the nine months  ended June 30,  1997,  with the
increase   primarily   related  to   additional   space   utilized  for  certain
administrative  functions.  Other  increases  were  incurred  in  the  areas  of
equipment,  data processing and advertising  services,  primarily related to the
expansion of the Bank's product lines and additional services.  Annual operating
expenses are also expected to increase in future periods due to future branching
and  product   expansion  and  the  increased  cost  of  operating  as  a  stock
institution.

     Income Taxes.  The net provision for income taxes  amounted to $125,000 for
the nine months  ended June 30, 1998 as compared to $208,000 for the nine months
ended June 30, 1997, resulting in effective tax rates of 37.5% and 36.2% for the
respective periods.  The effective tax rate reflects the Bank's utilization of a
securities investment subsidiary to substantially reduce state income taxes.


                                       39






COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996.

     The Bank's total assets increased by $9.0 million or 11.6% to $86.9 million
at September 30, 1997 from $77.9 million at September 30, 1996. The Bank's asset
growth  reflected   commencement  of  the  Bank's  emphasis  on  commercial  and
commercial  real estate lending and increased  origination  of commercial  loans
during 1997.  Net loans were $41.2 million or 47.4% of total assets at September
30, 1997 as compared to $33.0  million or 42.4% of total assets at September 30,
1996,  representing an increase of $8.2 million or 24.8%.  The increase in loans
was funded  through  FHLB  borrowings  and an increase in  deposits.  Investment
securities  held by the Bank  decreased by $330,000 or 0.8% to $40.8  million in
1997 from $41.1  million in 1996.  Total  deposits  increased by $6.1 million or
12.3% to $55.5 million at September 30, 1997 from $49.4 million at September 30,
1996. Deposits increased due to the increased profile of the Bank resulting from
marketing  efforts and the development of new deposit products which resulted in
new deposit  relationships.  Total  advances  from the FHLB of Boston were $25.1
million at September  30, 1997  compared  $22.7  million at September  30, 1996.
Total equity  increased  by $592,000 or 11.0% to $6.0  million at September  30,
1997  from $5.4  million  at  September  30,  1996 as a result of net  income of
$476,000 and an increase in the net unrealized gain on securities  available for
sale of $116,000.

COMPARISON OF THE OPERATING  RESULTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED  SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND
1996.

     Net Income. The Bank's net income for the year ended September 30, 1997 was
$476,000  as compared to $94,000 for the year ended  September  30,  1996.  This
$382,000 or 406.4% increase in net income during the period was the result of an
increase of $591,000 in net  interest and dividend  income after  provision  for
loan losses,  partially  offset by an increase of $261,000 in income taxes.  The
increase in net interest  income was due to the expansion of the Bank's  lending
activities and investment in higher yielding callable agency securities.  During
the same period,  the Bank's salaries and employee benefits increased due to the
higher  compensation costs associated with the addition of employees to meet the
staffing needs of the commercial  lending department and the establishment of an
operations  department  to handle  increased  customer  service.  The  return on
average assets for the year ended September 30, 1997 was 0.56% compared to 0.13%
for the year ended September 30, 1996.

     Interest and Dividend Income.  Total interest and dividend income increased
by $1.1 million or 21.6% to $6.2 million for the year ended  September  30, 1997
from $5.1  million  for the year ended  September  30,  1996.  The  increase  in
interest and dividend income was a result of a higher level of loan originations
and increased  investment in higher yielding callable agency securities,  offset
by the decrease in the average rate of one- to four-family loans.

     Interest Expense.  Total interest expense increased by $567,000 or 18.9% to
$3.6  million for the year ended  September  30, 1997 from $3.0  million for the
year ended September 30, 1996.  Interest expense on deposits  increased $89,000,
or 4.5%,  from $2.0 million at  September  30, 1996 to $2.1 million at September
30, 1997.  Interest  expense on advances from the FHLB  increased  $478,000,  or
47.8%,  from $1.0 million at September 30, 1996 to $1.5 million at September 30,
1997.  Such  advances  were used in order to finance the  acquisition  of higher
yielding  callable  agency  securities.  Interest  expense  increased  due to an
increase in overall deposit balances as well as the increase in FHLB advances.

     Net Interest and Dividend Income.  Net interest and dividend income for the
year ended  September  30, 1997 was $2.6 million as compared to $2.1 million for
the year ended  September  30,  1996.  The  $502,000  or 23.9%  increase  can be
attributed to an increased volume of loan  originations and investment in higher
yielding callable agency securities and higher yielding commercial loans, offset
by additional borrowing expenses.  The average yield on interest-earning  assets
increased  19 basis points to 7.52% for the year ended  September  30, 1997 from
7.33%  for the  year  ended  September  30,  1996,  while  the  average  cost of
interest-bearing  liabilities  increased by 2 basis points to 4.63% for the year
ended  September  30,  1997 from 4.61% for the year ended  September  30,  1996.
During this period,  the Bank began  originating  commercial loans. As a result,
the net


                                       40






interest  rate spread  increased to 2.89% for the year ended  September 30, 1997
from 2.72% for the year ended  September  30, 1996 and the net  interest  margin
increased to 3.16% from 3.00% for the same periods.

     Provision  for Loan Losses.  The  provision for loan losses was $60,000 for
the year ended  September  30, 1997 as  compared to $148,000  for the year ended
September  30,  1996.  The  provision  in 1996  was in  response  to the  Bank's
commencement  of small business  lending.  At September 30, 1997, the balance of
the allowance  for loan losses was $377,000 or 0.91% of total loans.  During the
year ended September 30, 1997, $8,000 was charged against the allowance for loan
losses.  At September 30, 1996, the balance of the allowance for loan losses was
$325,000 or 0.97% of total  loans.  During the year ended  September  30,  1996,
$29,000 was charged against the allowance for loan losses.

     Noninterest  Income.  Noninterest  income was  $116,000  for the year ended
September  30, 1997  compared to $67,000 for the year ended  September 30, 1996.
The $49,000 or 73.1% increase was primarily the result of a $42,000  increase in
service  charges on deposit  accounts  and an $8,000  increase in other  income.
These increases were due to the increase in transactional accounts.

     Noninterest  Expense.  Noninterest expense for the year ended September 30,
1997 remained  relatively  stable when compared to the year ended  September 30,
1996. While the amounts of noninterest expense were comparable,  the 1996 period
includes a one-time  charge in FDIC Insurance to  recapitalize  the SAIF deposit
insurance  fund.  During  1997,  the decrease in deposit  insurance  expense was
offset by an increase of $167,000 in salaries  and employee  benefits  resulting
from the addition of five  employees in the  commercial  loan  department and an
increase of $183,000  in other  expenses.  Annual  operating  expenses  are also
expected  to  increase in future  periods  due to future  branching  and product
expansion and the increased cost of operating as a stock institution.

     Income Taxes.  Income tax expense was $287,000 for the year ended September
30, 1997 as compared to $26,000 for the year ended September 31, 1996, resulting
in an effective  tax rate at September  30, 1997 of 37.6%  compared to 21.3% for
the prior period.

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

     Accounting  for Long Lived Assets.  In March 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No.
121,  "Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for Long Lived Assets
to be Disposed  of" ("SFAS No.  121").  This  Statement  established  accounting
standards  for  the  impairment  of  long-lived  assets,   certain  identifiable
intangibles  and  goodwill  related to those  assets to be held and used and for
long-lived  assets and certain  identifiable  intangibles to be disposed of. The
Statement required that long-lived assets and certain  identifiable  intangibles
to be held and used by an institution be reviewed for impairment whenever events
change and  circumstances  indicate the carrying  amount of the asset may not be
recoverable.  This Statement  became  effective for the Bank on October 1, 1996.
Adoption of this  Statement  did not have a material  impact on the  earnings or
financial position of the Bank.

     Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.  In November 1995, the FASB issued
SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation"  ("SFAS No. 123"). This
statement  established  financial  accounting standards for stock-based employee
compensation  plans. SFAS No. 123 permitted the Bank to choose either a new fair
value based method or the current Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion 25
intrinsic  value based method of  accounting  for its  stock-based  compensation
arrangements.  SFAS No. 123 required pro forma  disclosures  of net earnings and
earnings  per share  computed as if the fair value based method had been applied
in financial statements of companies that continue to follow current practice in
accounting for such  arrangements  under APB Opinion 25. SFAS No. 123 applied to
all stock-based  employee  compensation plans in which an employer grants shares
of its stock or other equity  instruments to employees except for employee stock
ownership plans. SFAS No. 123 also applied to plans in which the employer incurs
liabilities to employees in amounts based on the price of the employer's  stock,
(e.g., Stock Option Plan, stock purchase plans, restricted


                                       41






stock plans and stock  appreciation  rights).  The statement  also specified the
accounting  for  transactions  in which a company  issues stock options or other
equity  instruments for services provided by nonemployees or to acquire goods or
services from outside suppliers or vendors.  The recognition  provisions of SFAS
No.  123 for  companies  choosing  to adopt the new fair value  based  method of
accounting  for  stock-based   compensation   arrangements  will  apply  to  all
transactions  entered into in fiscal  years that begin after  December 15, 1995.
Any effect that this statement will have on the Stock Company will be applicable
upon the consummation of the Reorganization. The Stock Company intends to follow
the APB Opinion 25 method upon adoption,  but will provide pro forma  disclosure
as if the fair value method had been applied.

     Accounting   for   Transfers   and   Servicing  of  Financial   Assets  and
Extinguishments  of  Liabilities.  In June  1996 the FASB  issued  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting Standards No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing
of Financial Assets and  Extinguishments of Liabilities  "("SFAS No. 125"). This
Statement  provides   accounting  and  reporting  standards  for  transfers  and
servicing  of  financial  assets and  extinguishments  of  liabilities  based on
consistent  application  of a  financial-components  approach  that  focuses  on
control.  It  distinguishes  transfers of  financial  assets that are sales from
transfers that are secured borrowings. Under the financial-components  approach,
after a transfer of financial  assets,  an entity  recognizes  all financial and
servicing  assets it  controls  and  liabilities  it has  incurred  and does not
recognize  financial assets it no longer controls and liabilities that have been
extinguished.  The  financial-components  approach  focuses  on the  assets  and
liabilities that exist after the transfer.  Many of these assets and liabilities
are  components  of  financial  assets that exited prior to the  transfer.  If a
transfer does not meet the criteria for a sale, the transfer is accounted for as
a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral.  The Statement is effective for
transfers and servicing of financial assets and  extinguishments  of liabilities
occurring after December 31, 1996, applied prospectively. Earlier or retroactive
application of this Statement is not permitted. The adoption of the non-deferred
provisions  of this  Statement  as of  January  1, 1997 did not have a  material
impact on the Bank's consolidated  financial statements.  The Bank believes that
the impact of the adoption as of January 1, 1998 of the deferred  provisions  of
this  Statement  will  not be  material  to its  future  consolidated  financial
statements.

     Reporting Comprehensive Income. In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130,
"Reporting  Comprehensive  Income," ("SFAS No. 130"). This statement establishes
standards for reporting and display of  comprehensive  income and its components
(revenues,  expenses,  gains  and  losses)  in a full  set of  general-  purpose
financial  statements.  This statement requires that all items that are required
to be recognized  under  accounting  standards as  components  of  comprehensive
income be reported  in a financial  statement  that is  displayed  with the same
prominence as other  financial  statements.  This  statement  does not require a
specific  format for that  financial  statement  but requires that an enterprise
display an amount representing total comprehensive income for the period in that
financial statement. SFAS No. 130 requires that an enterprise (a) classify items
of other  comprehensive  income by their nature in a financial statement and (b)
display the accumulated  balance of other  comprehensive  income separately from
retained  earnings and  additional  paid-in  capital in the equity  section of a
statement of financial  position.  It does not address  issues of recognition or
measurement  for  comprehensive  income  and its  components.  SFAS  No.  130 is
effective for fiscal years beginning  after December 31, 1997.  Reclassification
of financial statements for earlier periods provided for comparative purposes is
required. The Bank does not expect that upon adoption,  this statement will have
a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

     Disclosures  about  Segments of an Enterprise and Related  Information.  In
June 1997 the FASB  issued  SFAS No.  131,  "Disclosures  about  Segments  of an
Enterprise  and  Related   Information,"   ("SFAS  No.  131").   This  Statement
establishes standards for the way public business enterprises report information
about operating segments in financial statements.  SFAS No. 131 is effective for
financial  statements  for periods  beginning  after December 15, 1997. The Bank
does not  expect  that  under  this  statement  it will be  required  to  report
additional  information  because its present  organization  consists of only one
operating segment as defined by the Statement.


                                       42






     Other New  Accounting  Standards.  SFAS No. 128 "Earnings per Share" ("SFAS
No. 128") is effective for periods ending after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 129,
"Disclosure  of  Information  about  Capital  Structure  " ("SFAS  No.  129") is
effective for periods ending after December 15, 1997. The Stock Company  expects
that the  adoption  of these  standards  will not have a material  impact on the
Stock Company's consolidated financial statements.

     Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement  Benefits.  In February
1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132,  "Employers'  Disclousres about Pensions and
Other  Postretirement  Benefits- an amendment of FASB  Statements No. 87, 88 and
106" (SFAS No. 132) which revises employers' disclosures about pension and other
postretirement  benefit  plans,  though it does not  change the  measurement  or
recognition of those plans. The Bank will adopt SFAS No. 132 for the fiscal year
beginning  on  October  1,  1998.  Adoption  of this  Statement  will not have a
material  impact on the Stock  Company's  or the Bank's  financial  position  or
results of operations.

     Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.  In June 1998
the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities." ("SFAS No.133") This statement establishes accounting and reporting
standards for derivative  instruments,  including certain derivative instruments
embedded  in other  contracts,  (collectively  referred to as  derivatives.)  It
requires  that  an  entity   recognize  all  derivatives  as  either  assets  or
liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments
at fair value.  This  statement is effective  for all fiscal  quarters of fiscal
years  beginning  after June 15, 1999.  It is not expected  that the adoption of
this  statement  will have a material  impact on the Stock  Company's  financial
statements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Our primary sources of funds are deposits,  proceeds from the principal and
interest payments on loans, debt and equity securities,  and to a lesser extent,
borrowings  and  proceeds  from  the sale of fixed  rate  mortgage  loans to the
secondary  market.  While  maturities  and scheduled  amortization  of loans and
securities  are  predictable  sources  of  funds,  deposit  outflows,   mortgage
prepayments,  mortgage  loan sales,  and  borrowings  are greatly  influenced by
general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.

     Our primary  investing  activities are the  origination of various types of
loans and the  purchase  of debt and equity  securities.  During the nine months
ended June 30, 1998 and the years ended  September 30, 1997,  1996 and 1995, our
loan originations totaled $18.9 million,  $14.4 million,  $20.3 million and $4.7
million, respectively.  These activities are funded primarily by deposit growth,
principal  repayment of loans,  and  interest and dividend  income from debt and
equity  securities.  Loan  sales  provide  an  additional  source of  liquidity,
totaling  $6.0  million,  $2.8  million,  $3.4 million and $599,000 for the nine
months  ended June 30, 1998 and the years ended  September  30,  1997,  1996 and
1995, respectively.

     We  experienced  a net  increase in total  deposits of $7.5  million,  $6.1
million,  $1.2 million, and $7.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 1998
and the years ended  September 30, 1997,  1996 and 1995,  respectively.  Deposit
flows are  affected  by the level of  interest  rates,  the  interest  rates and
products offered by local competitors, and other factors.

     We  closely  monitor  our  liquidity  position  on a  daily  basis.  Excess
short-term liquidity is usually invested in overnight federal funds sold. In the
event  we  require  funds  beyond  our  ability  to  generate  them  internally,
additional  sources of funds are available through the use of FHLB advances.  At
June 30, 1998, we had $19.3 million outstanding in FHLB advances.

     Loan  commitments  totaled  $1.6  million at June 30,  1998,  comprised  of
$758,000 at variable  rates and $810,000 at fixed rates.  We anticipate  that we
will  have  sufficient  funds  available  to  meet  current  loan   commitments.
Certificates  of deposit  which are scheduled to mature in one year or less from
June 30, 1998,

                                       43






totaled  $27.2  million.  Based upon this  experience  and our  current  pricing
strategy,  we believe that a  significant  portion of such  deposits will remain
with the Bank.

     In 1998,  we plan to continue  expanding  our retail  banking  franchise by
opening a branch  location.  The  acquisition  and  renovation of this office is
expected to cost  approximately  $600,000.  Management  anticipates it will have
sufficient funds available to meet its planned capital  expenditures  throughout
1998.

     At June 30, 1998, we exceeded all of our  regulatory  capital  requirements
with a tangible  capital  level of $5.9  million,  or 6.63% of adjusted  assets,
which is above the required level of $1.3 million,  or 1.5% and total risk-based
capital  of $6.3  million,  or 17.89%  of  adjusted  assets,  which is above the
required level of $2.8 million,  or 8.00%. See "Regulatory  Capital  Compliance"
and "Regulation - Regulatory Capital Requirements."

     Our most liquid assets are cash,  federal  funds sold and  interest-bearing
demand  accounts.  The level of these  assets are  dependent  on our  operating,
financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. At June 30,
1998, cash, federal funds sold and interest-bearing demand accounts totaled $4.5
million, or 5.1% of total assets.

YEAR 2000

     The "Year 2000  Problem"  centers on the  inability of computer  systems to
recognize  the Year 2000.  Many  existing  computer  programs  and systems  were
originally  programmed  with six digit  dates that  provided  only two digits to
identify the calendar year in the date field,  without  considering the upcoming
change  in the  century.  With the  impending  millennium,  these  programs  and
computers will  recognize "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000.  Like
most  financial  service   providers,   the  Bank  and  its  operations  may  be
significantly  affected by the Year 2000  Problem due to the nature of financial
information.  Software,  hardware,  and  equipment  both  within and outside the
Bank's direct  control and with whom the Bank  electronically  or  operationally
interfaces  (e.g.  third party vendors  providing data  processing,  information
system   management,   maintenance  of  computer  systems,   and  credit  bureau
information) are likely to be affected. Furthermore, if computer systems are not
adequately  changed to identify the Year 2000, many computer  applications could
fail or create erroneous results.  As a result,  many calculations which rely on
the date field  information,  such as  interest,  payment or due dates and other
operating  functions,   will  generate  results  which  could  be  significantly
misstated,  and the Bank  could  experience  a  temporary  inability  to process
transactions, send invoices or engage in similar normal business activities.

     In addition,  noninformation  technology  systems,  such as equipment  like
telephones,  copiers and elevators may also contain  embedded  technology  which
controls its operation and which may be effected by the Year 2000 Problem.  When
the Year 2000 arrives, systems, including some of those with embedded chips, may
not work properly because of the way they store date  information.  They may not
be  able  to deal  with  the  date  01/01/00,  and may not be able to deal  with
operational  'cycles' such as 'do X every 100 days'.  Thus, even  noninformation
technology systems may affect the normal operations of the Bank upon the arrival
of the Year 2000.

     Under certain  circumstances,  failure to adequately  address the Year 2000
Problem  could  adversely  affect  the  viability  of the Bank's  suppliers  and
creditors and the  creditworthiness  of its  borrowers.  Thus, if not adequately
addressed, the Year 2000 Problem could result in a significant adverse impact on
the Bank's products, services and competitive condition.

     In order to  address  the Year 2000  issue and to  minimize  its  potential
adverse  impact,  management  has begun a process to identify areas that will be
affected by the Year 2000 Problem, assess its potential impact on the operations
of the Bank,  monitor the progress of third party software vendors in addressing
the matter,  test changes  provided by these  vendors,  and develop  contingency
plans  for any  critical  systems  which  are not  effectively  reprogrammed.  A
committee of senior officers of the Bank has been formed to evaluate the effects


                                       44






that the  upcoming  Year 2000 could have on  computer  programs  utilized by the
Bank.  The Bank's plan is divided into the five phases:  (1)  awareness - define
the problem,  obtain  executive  level support and develop an overall  strategy.
This phase was  completed  in  September,  1997;  (2)  assessment - identify all
systems  and the  criticality  of the  systems.  This  phase  was  completed  in
September,  1997; (3) renovation - program  enhancements,  hardware and software
upgrades,  system  replacements,  and  vendor  certifications.  This phase is in
process and with a scheduled completion date of December, 1998; (4) validation -
test and verify system changes and coordinate with outside  parties.  This phase
is in process  with a  scheduled  completion  date of  December,  1998;  and (5)
implementation  -  components  certified  as year  2000  compliant  and moved to
production.  This  phase  is in  process  with a  scheduled  completion  date of
December, 1998.

     Third party vendors  provide the majority of software used by the Bank. All
of the Bank's vendors are aware of the Year 2000 situation, and each has assured
the  Bank  that it is  currently  working  to have  its  software  compliant  by
December,  1998, and testing for the critical applications began in April, 1998.
This will  enable  the Bank to devote  substantial  time to the  testing  of the
upgraded  systems prior to the arrival of the millennium.  The Bank utilizes the
service of a third party vendor to provide the software which is used to process
and maintain most mortgage and deposit  customer-related  accounts.  This vendor
has provided the Company with a software  version which has been certified to be
Year 2000  compliant.  Testing by the Bank is underway to verify  compliance for
its application and usage. The Bank presently  believes that with  modifications
to existing software and conversions to new software, the Year 2000 Problem will
be mitigated  without causing a material adverse impact on the operations of the
Bank.  However,  if such  modifications and conversions are not made, or are not
completed  timely,  the Year 2000 Problem could have an impact on the operations
of the Bank.

     The Bank's total Year 2000 project cost and  estimates to complete  include
the estimated  costs and time associated with the impact of a third party's Year
2000 Problem, and are based on presently available  information.  However, there
can be no  guarantee  that the  systems of other  companies  on which the Bank's
systems rely will be timely  converted,  or that a failure to convert by another
company or a conversion that is incompatible with the Bank's systems,  would not
have material  adverse  effect on the Bank. The Bank believes it has no exposure
to contingencies related to the Year 2000 Problem for the products it has sold.

     In addition,  monitoring  and managing the year 2000 project will result in
additional  direct and  indirect  costs to the Bank and the Bank.  Direct  costs
include   potential   charges  by  third  party  software  vendors  for  product
enhancements,  costs  involved  in  testing  software  products  for  year  2000
compliance,  and any resulting costs for developing and implementing contingency
plans for critical software products which are not enhanced. Indirect costs will
principally  consist of the time  devoted by existing  employees  in  monitoring
software vendor progress,  testing enhanced  software  products and implementing
any necessary  contingency plans. The Bank does not believe that such costs will
have a material effect on results of operations.  Both direct and indirect costs
of  addressing  the Year 2000  Problem  will be charged to earnings as incurred.
Such costs have not been material to date.

     The costs of the  project  and the date on which the Bank plans to complete
the Year 2000 modifications are based on management's best estimates, which were
derived utilizing numerous  assumptions of future events including the continued
availability  of certain  resources,  third party  modification  plans and other
factors.  However,  there  can be no  guarantee  that  these  estimates  will be
achieved and actual results could differ  materially from those plans.  Specific
factors that might cause such material  differences include, but are not limited
to, the availability and cost of personnel  trained in this area, the ability to
locate and correct all relevant computer codes, and similar  uncertainties.  The
Bank has not  developed a  contingency  plan which would be  implemented  in the
unlikely  event that it is not Year 2000  compliant.  The Bank will  continue to
closely monitor the progress of its Year 2000 compliance plan and will determine
by December 31, 1998 if the need for a contingency plan exists.


                                       45






IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

     The consolidated  financial statements and accompanying footnotes have been
prepared in accordance  with GAAP,  which require the  measurement  of financial
position  and  operating   results  in  terms  of  historical   dollars  without
consideration  for changes in the relative  purchasing  power of money over time
due to inflation.  The assets and liabilities of the Bank are primarily monetary
in nature and  changes  in market  interest  rates have a greater  impact on the
Bank's performance than do the effects of inflation.


                                       46






                                    BUSINESS

THE STOCK COMPANY

     Prior to the  Reorganization,  the  Stock  Company  will not  transact  any
material  business.  Following  the  Reorganization,  in addition to  directing,
planning and coordinating the business activities of the Bank, the Stock Company
will invest the proceeds of the  Offering  which are retained by it. See "Use of
Proceeds." Upon consummation of the Reorganization,  the Stock Company will have
no significant assets other than the shares of the Bank's capital stock acquired
in the Reorganization,  the loan receivable held with respect to its loan to the
ESOP and that portion of the net  proceeds of the  Offering  retained by it, and
will have no  significant  liabilities.  Cash flow to the Stock  Company will be
dependent  upon  investment  earnings  from  the net  proceeds  retained  by it,
payments on the ESOP loan and any dividends  received from the Bank.  Initially,
the Stock Company will neither own nor lease any property,  but will instead use
the premises,  equipment  and  furniture of the Bank.  At the present time,  the
Stock Company does not intend to employ any persons other than its officers (who
are not anticipated to be separately compensated by the Stock Company), but will
utilize the support  staff of the Bank from time to time.  Additional  employees
will be hired as  appropriate  to the  extent  the  Stock  Company  expands  its
business in the future.  In the future,  the Stock Company will  consider  using
some of the proceeds of the Offering  retained by it to expand its operations in
its existing  primary market and other nearby areas by acquiring other financial
institutions  which  could  be  merged  with the Bank or  operated  as  separate
subsidiaries. Presently, there are no agreements or understandings for expansion
of the Stock Company's operations.

THE BANK

     The business of the Bank primarily  consists of attracting savings deposits
from the general public and investing such deposits in mortgage loans secured by
single-family residential real estate, commercial real estate, commercial assets
and  investment  securities,   including  U.S.  Government  and  Federal  Agency
securities,  asset- backed  securities,  FNMA,  GNMA and FHLMC  mortgaged-backed
securities and interest-earning  deposits.  The Bank's commercial and commercial
real estate  borrowers  are  comprised of diverse  small  businesses,  without a
particular  concentration  in any one  industry.  The Bank also  makes  consumer
loans,  including home equity loans,  automobile,  loans on deposit accounts and
other consumer loans. The Bank offers both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate  loans
and emphasizes the  origination  of residential  real estate  mortgage loans and
commercial loans with adjustable interest rates.

     The Bank's principal sources of income are interest,  dividends and fees on
loans and investments,  and the Bank's  principal  expenses are interest paid on
deposit accounts, borrowings, and general operating expenses.

MARKET AREA

     The Bank's office is located in Revere, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.  The
City  of  Revere,   containing   approximately  43,000  residents,   is  located
approximately five miles from downtown Boston in the northern suburbs of Boston,
bounded by the towns of Chelsea, Everett, Malden and Lynn. The City of Revere is
easily accessible from downtown Boston via Route 1, Route 1A, Route 16 and other
state  roads  connecting  the  communities  within  the Logan  Airport  corridor
northeast of Boston.  As an established  metropolitan  suburb,  Revere  consists
mostly of  developed  single- and  multi-family  properties  within a network of
well-maintained  neighborhoods.  The Bank  considers its primary market area for
deposit and loan generation to be the communities of Revere,  Chelsea,  Everett,
Malden and Lynn. The economic base of the Bank's market area is diversified  and
includes a multitude of small  businesses  including air freight  forwarding and
other businesses servicing Logan Airport. The majority of the Bank's lending and
deposit activity has historically  been in Revere,  although the commercial loan
department has been largely responsible for expanded business throughout Suffolk
County.


                                       47






     Over the past few years,  the regional economy in the Bank's primary market
area, based on economic indicators such as unemployment  rates,  residential and
commercial real estate values and vacancy rates and household income trends, has
strengthened considerably.  Small business, technology and service firms, higher
education  and tourism  form the  backbone of the economy of the greater  Boston
metropolitan area.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

     Historically,  the primary focus of the Bank has been to provide  financing
for  single  family  housing in its market  area of  Revere,  Massachusetts  and
surrounding  communities.  Indeed, at September 30, 1995, over 96% of the Bank's
loan portfolio consisted of one- to four-family  residential loans, and the Bank
had no commercial real estate or commercial loans in its portfolio. Beginning in
1996,  the  Bank  began  to  make  significant  investments  in  the  human  and
technological resources necessary to create a platform for the future growth and
profitability  of the Bank.  This  strategy  was  designed to enhance the Bank's
franchise  value and  strengthen  earnings by  diversifying  its product  lines,
thereby  increasing  the  size  of the  Bank's  loan  portfolio  as  well as its
composition.  Although  the Bank  believes the  adoption of this  strategy  will
increase  profitability  over the longer term,  increases in operating  expenses
associated  with this  strategy will continue to put pressure on earnings in the
short term.

o    Retail  Banking  and  Customer  Service.  The  Bank  continues  to focus on
     expanding  its  residential   lending  and  retail  banking  franchise  and
     increasing  the number of households  served within the Bank's market area.
     For  nearly  100  years,  the Bank has  served  the needs of Revere and its
     surrounding  communities and remains the only bank headquartered in Revere.
     The  Bank's  Board of  Directors  and its  management  are  active  in many
     charitable  organizations  throughout  Revere and the Bank's employees have
     taken pride in providing  hands on,  personal  service.  The Bank views its
     reputation as a service oriented  institution  which meets the needs of the
     local  community  as one of  its  greatest  assets.  Given  the  increasing
     consolidation  in the  financial  services  sector,  the Bank believes that
     expanding its market share for traditional  community banking products will
     enhance this  reputation and provide inroads to new segments of the banking
     markets.

o    Small  Business  Banking.  The Bank views its entry into the small business
     banking market as a natural outgrowth of its traditional  community banking
     services.  Since  1996,  the  Bank  has  made a major  commitment  to small
     business commercial lending (involving  commercial and industrial loans and
     commercial  real estate loans) as a means to increase the yield on its loan
     portfolio and attract lower cost transaction deposit accounts. The Bank has
     worked  to  develop  a niche of  making  commercial  loans to the small and
     medium sized  companies in a wide variety of  industries  located in Revere
     and  elsewhere in the greater  Boston  area.  In  particular,  the Bank has
     expanded  its  lending  to the  business  community  surrounding  the Logan
     International  Airport which  comprises a growing  sector of the Revere and
     Chelsea markets.  The Bank offers these businesses a variety of traditional
     loans  products  and  commercial   services   administered  by  the  Bank's
     commercial  loan  department  which are  designed to give  business  owners
     borrowing   opportunities   for   modernization,    inventory,   equipment,
     construction,   consolidation,   real  estate,  working  capital,   vehicle
     purchases and the refinancing of existing  corporate debt. In addition,  in
     order  to  better  serve  the  unique  financing  needs  of its  commercial
     customers, the Bank also offers specialized products such as direct courier
     pick up for  deposits.  The Bank has also  recently  applied  to  become an
     approved  lender of the Small Business  Administration  to better serve the
     needs of local  businesses.  The Bank has  staffed its  commercial  lending
     department  with the  addition of a senior  commercial  loan  officer  with
     considerable  commercial  lending  expertise  in the  Boston  area  and has
     developed a staff to support the commercial loan  department.  The Bank has
     recently added a second  commercial  lending  officer to the small business
     banking  area  and  will  add  additional  qualified  employees  as  market
     conditions warrant.

o    Branch  Expansion.  The Bank believes  that a branch  network is crucial to
     increasing its market share in the traditional  community banking and small
     business banking arenas and that its lending and deposit

  
                                       48






     gathering  activities  are  presently  limited by the fact that it operates
     from only one location.  The Bank is currently negotiating for the purchase
     of its first  branch  facility  which the Bank  believes  is  strategically
     located in a stable and growing small business market. This branch location
     will emphasize  convenience  for the Bank's small  business  clients and be
     designed to augment the Bank's small business  lending  activities.  In the
     future, the Bank expects to fund the construction and/or acquisition of one
     or more  additional  branch  locations  either de novo, or by purchasing an
     existing  deposit base and/or  location and to expand and renovate its main
     office to allow the Bank's  administrative  functions  to be performed in a
     single facility.  Expansion will facilitate  greater services and increased
     loan originations within the Bank's existing underwriting standards.

o    Expanded  Delivery  Systems.  The  increased  use of  alternative  delivery
     channels has simplified and reduced the costs of financial transactions for
     consumers, businesses and financial institutions. In addition to conducting
     financial transactions at branch offices,  customers are increasingly using
     ATMs,  online banking and online bill payment and electronic fund transfers
     to communicate with financial services providers. The Bank has responded to
     these market trends in several ways.  First,  since May 1997,  the Bank has
     offered its 24 hour  telebanking  product which provides its customers with
     around the clock access to their  accounts  through the use of a touch tone
     telephone.  The  Bank  also has  located  an ATM at  Logan  Airport  and is
     currently in negotiations to open two additional ATMs in Revere and one ATM
     in  downtown  Boston  in the  fall of  1998.  Finally,  the  Bank  plans to
     introduce its home banking product which will give its customers  access to
     their  accounts  through the use of their  personal  computers in the first
     quarter of 1999.

o    Expansion   of  Product   Lines.   Regulatory   changes  and   cross-sector
     acquisitions  have  diminished  the  distinctions  among  various  types of
     financial  institutions such as banks,  insurance  companies and securities
     brokerage  firms.  Financial  institutions  today have the  opportunity  to
     leverage  their client  base,  expand their market share and compete for an
     increased  share of customers'  financial  services  business by offering a
     diverse  range of products and services that formerly may have been offered
     only by one  particular  type of financial  institution.  Recognizing  this
     trend,  the Bank  intends to broaden  its  product  line in order to better
     serve its  customers,  expand  customer  relations and diversify its income
     stream.  In the near  term,  the  Bank is  contemplating  offering  various
     uninsured investment products,  including fixed-rate and variable annuities
     and mutual funds,  through  relationships  with third party  broker-dealers
     and/or money  managers  that would  service both retail and small  business
     customers needs for investment products. The Bank also plans to investigate
     opportunities  presented by affiliations  with insurance  agencies over the
     longer term.  The Bank's  strategy is to become a full service  provider of
     financial services, enhancing the Bank's ability to attract and retain both
     retail and commercial customers.

LENDING ACTIVITIES

     General.  The Bank  originates  loans through its office located in Revere,
Massachusetts.  The principal lending activities of the Bank are the origination
of  conventional  mortgage  loans for the purpose of purchasing  or  refinancing
owner-occupied,  one- to four-family  residential properties and the origination
of commercial loans secured by commercial real estate and commercial  assets. To
a lesser extent, the Bank also originates consumer loans,  including home equity
and loans on deposit accounts,  construction  loans and multifamily  residential
real estate loans.

     The Bank's ten largest borrowing  relationship,  outstanding as of June 30,
1998, ranged from $380,000 to $603,000.

  
                                       49



         The following  table sets forth the  composition of the Bank's mortgage
and  other  loan  portfolios  in dollar  amounts  and  percentages  at the dates
indicated.


                                                                                      AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                 AT JUNE 30,    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1998              1997             1996             1995            1994               1993
                             ------------------ ----------------  ---------------- ---------------- ---------------  ---------------
                                       PERCENT          PERCENT           PERCENT          PERCENT         PERCENT           PERCENT
                              AMOUNT  OF TOTAL  AMOUNT  OF TOTAL  AMOUNT  OF TOTAL AMOUNT  OF TOTAL AMOUNT OF TOTAL  AMOUNT OF TOTAL
                              ------  --------  ------  --------  ------  -------- ------  -------- ------ --------  ------ --------
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                             
Mortgage loans:
   One- to four-family .......$34,495  72.79% $ 32,928  79.11% $ 30,046   89.84% $ 20,630   95.91%$ 20,349    97.85%$ 21,825  98.02%
   Commercial real estate ....  4,157   8.77     2,577   6.19       460    1.38        --      --       --       --       --     --
   Construction and land .....  1,518    3.2       815   1.96     1,075    3.21       174    0.81       80     0.38       88    0.4
                               ------  -----    ------  -----    ------   -----    ------   -----   ------    -----   ------  -----
     Total mortgage loans .... 40,170  84.76    36,320  87.26    31,581   94.43    20,804   96.72   20,429    98.23   21,913  98.42
                               ------  -----    ------  -----    ------   -----    ------   -----   ------    -----   ------  -----
Commercial loans .............  2,789   5.89     1,684   4.04        49    0.15        --      --       --       --       --     --
                               ------  -----    ------  -----    ------   -----    ------   -----   ------    -----   ------  -----
Consumer loans:
   Home equity lines .........  3,301   6.96     2,761   6.63     1,303    3.9        364    1.69       30     0.14       --     --
   Secured by deposit accounts    621   1.31       374    0.9       370    1.11       314    1.46      266     1.28      242   1.09
   Auto loans ................    425   0.90       413   0.99       121    0.36        --      --       --       --       --     --
   Other consumer loans ......     84   0.18        73   0.18        19    0.05        27    0.13       72     0.35      109   0.49
                               ------  -----    ------  -----    ------   -----    ------   -----   ------    -----   ------  -----
     Total consumer loans ....  4,431   9.35     3,621    8.7     1,813    5.42       705    3.28      368     1.77      351   1.58
                               ------  -----    ------  -----    ------   -----    ------   -----   ------    -----   ------  -----
     Total loans receivable .. 47,390 100.00%   41,625 100.00%   33,443  100.00%   21,509  100.00%  20,797   100.00%  22,264 100.00%
                                      ======           ======            ======            ======            ======          ======

LESS:
   Allowance for loan losses .   (506)            (377)            (325)             (206)            (187)              (67)
   Deferred loan origination                                                                                                 
     fees, net ...............    (59)             (73)             (72)              (30)             (31)              (39)
                                              --------         --------          --------          -------           ------- 
     Loans, net ..............$46,825         $ 41,175         $ 33,046          $ 21,273          $20,579           $22,158 
                              ========        ========         ========          ========          =======           =======
                                                                                                                          






                                       50






     One- to Four-Family  Residential Real Estate Lending.  The primary emphasis
of the Bank's lending activity is the origination of conventional mortgage loans
on one- to  four-family  residential  dwellings  located in the  Bank's  primary
market  area.  As of June 30,  1998,  loans on one- to  four-family  residential
properties accounted for 72.8% of the Bank's total loan portfolio.

     The  Bank's  mortgage  loan  originations  are for terms of up to 30 years,
amortized  on a monthly  basis  with  interest  and  principal  due each  month.
Residential real estate loans often remain outstanding for significantly shorter
periods than their  contractual terms as borrowers may refinance or prepay loans
at their  option,  without  penalty.  Conventional  residential  mortgage  loans
granted by the Bank customarily contain  "due-on-sale"  clauses which permit the
Bank to accelerate  the  indebtedness  of the loan upon transfer of ownership of
the mortgaged property.

     The Bank  makes  conventional  mortgage  loans  and uses  standard  Federal
National  Mortgage  Association  ("FNMA")  documents,  to allow  for the sale of
qualifying  loans in the  secondary  mortgage  market.  The  Bank  lends up to a
maximum   loan-to-value  ratio  on  mortgage  loans  secured  by  owner-occupied
properties of 100% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price of the
property,  with the  condition  that private  mortgage  insurance is required on
loans with a loan-to-value  ratio in excess of 80%. To a lesser extent, the Bank
originates  non-conforming loans which are tailored for its local community, but
which may not  satisfy the various  requirements  imposed by FNMA.  On a limited
basis the Bank offers  special  products,  including  mortgage loans with a 100%
loan-to-value  ratio  without  private  mortgage  insurance  to  customers  with
co-signers or who have excellent credit and income,  for which the Bank receives
a rate premium over conventional loans.

     The Bank  offers  adjustable-rate  mortgage  loans  with  terms of up to 30
years.  Adjustable-rate  loans  offered by the Bank include  loans which reprice
every one, three,  five or seven years and provide for an interest rate which is
based on the interest rate paid on U.S.  Treasury  securities of a corresponding
term, plus a margin of up to 2.75%.  The Bank currently  offers  adjustable-rate
loans with initial  rates below those which would  prevail  under the  foregoing
computations,  based  upon  the  Bank's  determination  of  market  factors  and
competitive   rates  for   adjustable-rate   loans  in  its  market  area.   For
adjustable-rate loans, borrowers are qualified at the initial rate.

     The  Bank's  adjustable-rate  mortgages  include  limits  on  increases  or
decreases of the interest  rate of the loan.  The interest  rate may increase or
decrease  by 2.0% per  year  and  6.0%  over the life of the loan for all of the
Bank's  adjustable rate  mortgages.  The retention of  adjustable-rate  mortgage
loans  in the  Bank's  loan  portfolio  helps  reduce  the  Bank's  exposure  to
fluctuations in interest rates.  However,  there are unquantifiable credit risks
resulting  from  potential  increased  costs to the  borrower as a result of the
repricing of adjustable-rate  mortgage loans.  During periods of rising interest
rates, the risk of default on adjustable-rate mortgage loans may increase due to
the upward adjustment of interest cost to the borrower.

     During the year ended  September 30, 1997, the Bank originated $1.9 million
in adjustable-rate mortgage loans and $5.5 million in fixed-rate mortgage loans.
Of the  fixed-rate  loans  originated,  the Bank sold $2.1 million of fixed-rate
loans and  retained  $3.4 million of  fixed-rate  loans based on the rate of the
loans.  Approximately  42% of all loan  originations  during  fiscal  1997  were
refinancings  of loans already in the Bank's loan  portfolio.  At June 30, 1998,
the Bank's loan  portfolio  included  $9.8  million in  adjustable-rate  one- to
four-family  residential  mortgage  loans  or  20.8% of the  Bank's  total  loan
portfolio,  and $24.7  million in  fixed-rate  one- to  four-family  residential
mortgage loans, or 52.8% of the Bank's total loan portfolio.


                                       51



     Commercial Real Estate Loans.  The Bank  originates  commercial real estate
loans to finance the  purchase of real  property,  which  generally  consists of
developed  real  estate.   In   underwriting   commercial   real  estate  loans,
consideration  is given to the  property's  historical  cash flow,  current  and
projected  occupancy,  location and physical  condition.  At June 30, 1998,  the
Bank's  commercial  real estate loan portfolio  consisted of 24 loans,  totaling
$4.2 million,  or 8.8% of total loans.  The Bank's  largest loan is a commercial
real  estate  loan with an  outstanding  balance of  $494,000  at June 30,  1998
secured  by a  commercial  property  located  in  downtown  Boston.  The  Bank's
commercial  real  estate  loan  portfolio  is  diverse,  and  does  not have any
significant loan concentration by type of property or borrower.

     Commercial real estate lending entails  additional risks compared with one-
to  four-family  residential  lending.  Because  payments  on loans  secured  by
commercial  real  estate  properties  are  often  dependent  on  the  successful
operation  or  management  of the  properties,  repayment  of such  loans may be
subject, to a greater extent, to adverse conditions in the real estate market or
the economy.  Also,  commercial real estate loans  typically  involve large loan
balances  to single  borrowers  or groups of related  borrowers  and the payment
experience on such loans is typically dependent on the successful operation of a
real estate project and/or the  collateral  value of the commercial  real estate
securing the loan. See " Risk  Factors--Growth of the Bank's Commercial Loan and
Commercial Real Estate Loan Portfolio."

     Commercial  Loans.  In the  past  two  years,  the  Bank  has  made a major
commitment to small business commercial lending.  The Bank has worked to develop
a niche of making  commercial  loans to small and medium sized  businesses  in a
wide variety of  industries  located in the Bank's  market area and has recently
applied to become an approved lender of the Small Business Administration. Small
business  loans are  expected to  comprise a growing  portion of the Bank's loan
portfolio in the future.  At June 30, 1998, the Bank's commercial loan portfolio
consisted of 58 loans, totaling $2.8 million, or 5.9% of total loans.

     Unless otherwise  structured as a mortgage on commercial real estate,  such
loans  generally are limited to terms of five years or less.  Substantially  all
such  commercial  loans have variable  interest  rates tied to the prime rate as
reported in the Wall Street Journal.  Whenever possible, the Bank collateralizes
these loans with a lien on commercial real estate, or alternatively, with a lien
on business assets and equipment and the personal  guarantees from principals of
the borrower.

     The Bank offers commercial  services  administered by the Bank's commercial
loan  department   which  are  designed  to  give  business   owners   borrowing
opportunities   for   modernization,    inventory,   equipment,    construction,
consolidation,   real  estate,  working  capital,   vehicle  purchases  and  the
refinancing  of existing  corporate  debt.  In  addition,  the Bank has tailored
certain  products and  services  (such as courier pick up of deposits) to better
serve the unique needs of local businesses.  The Bank has staffed its commercial
lending  department  with the addition of a senior  commercial loan officer with
considerable commercial lending expertise in the Boston area and has developed a
staff to support the commercial loan  department.  The Bank has recently added a
second  commercial  lending officer to the small business  banking area and will
add additional qualified employees as market conditions warrant.

     Commercial  loans are  generally  considered  to involve a higher degree of
risk than  residential  mortgage loans because the collateral may be in the form
of intangible assets and/or inventory subject to market obsolescence. Commercial
loans may also involve  relatively  large loan  balances to single  borrowers or
groups  of  related  borrowers,  with  the  repayment  of such  loans  typically
dependent on the  successful  operation and income stream of the borrower.  Such
risks  can be  significantly  affected  by  economic  conditions.  In  addition,
commercial business lending generally requires  substantially  greater oversight
efforts  compared to  residential  real estate  lending.  The Bank  utilizes the
services of an outside  consultant to conduct  quarterly  on-site reviews of the
commercial  loan  portfolio to ensure  adherence to  underwriting  standards and
policy requirements.


                                       52



     Consumer  Loans.  The Bank's  consumer  loans consist of home equity loans,
loans secured by deposits, and other consumer loans, including automobile loans.
At June 30, 1998,  the consumer loan  portfolio  totaled $4.4 million or 9.4% of
total loans. Consumer loans (other than home equity loans) generally are offered
for terms of up to five years at fixed  interest rates and do not exceed $25,000
individually.

     The Bank's home equity loans are secured by  available  equity based on the
appraised value of owner-occupied one- to four-family residential property. Home
equity loans will be made for up to 80% of the  appraised  value of the property
(less the  amount of the first  mortgage).  Home  equity  loans are  offered  at
adjustable rates. The adjustable interest rate is prime minus 0.5% for the first
year and the prime rate as reported in the Wall Street Journal for the remaining
life of the loan.  The Bank's home equity loans  generally have a five-year draw
(renewable for up to an additional five years) with a ten year repayment period.
At June 30,  1998,  the Bank had $3.3  million in home equity  loans with unused
credit available to existing borrowers of $2.0 million.

     The Bank makes loans secured by deposit  accounts up to 90.0% of the amount
of the  depositor's  savings account  balance.  The interest rate on the loan is
2.5% higher than the rate being paid on passbook  accounts  and 2.0% higher than
the rate being  paid on  Certificates  of  Deposit.  The Bank also  makes  other
consumer  loans,  which may or may not be secured.  The terms of such loans vary
depending on the collateral.

     The Bank makes loans for  automobiles,  both new and used,  directly to the
borrowers. The loans are generally limited to 80.0% of the purchase price or the
retail value listed by the National  Automobile  Dealers Book.  The terms of the
loans  are  determined  by the age and  condition  of the  collateral.  The Bank
obtains  title to the vehicle and collision  insurance  policies are required on
all these loans.

     Consumer  loans are  generally  originated  at higher  interest  rates than
residential  mortgage  loans  but also  tend to have a higher  credit  risk than
residential  loans  due to the  loan  being  unsecured  or  secured  by  rapidly
depreciable  assets.  Despite  these risks,  the Bank's  level of consumer  loan
delinquencies  generally has been low. No assurance can be given,  however, that
the Bank's delinquency rate on consumer loans will continue to remain low in the
future, or that the Bank will not incur future losses on these activities.

     Construction  Loans.  The Bank engages in a limited amount of  construction
lending usually for the  construction of single family  residences or commercial
real  estate.  Most are  construction/permanent  loans to the future  occupants,
structured to become  permanent loans upon the completion of  construction.  All
construction loans are secured by first liens on the property. Loan proceeds are
disbursed as construction  progresses and inspections  warrant.  Loans involving
construction  financing  present a greater  risk than loans for the  purchase of
existing  homes,  since  collateral  values and  construction  costs can only be
estimated  at the  time  the  loan  is  approved.  Due to the  small  amount  of
construction loans in the Bank's portfolio, the risk in this area is limited.

     Origination, Sale and Servicing of Loans. The Bank's lending activities are
conducted  through its office in Revere,  Massachusetts.  The Bank's  ability to
originate loans is dependent upon the relative customer demand for fixed-rate or
adjustable-rate  mortgage  loans,  which is affected by the current and expected
future levels of interest  rates.  The Bank is a qualified  seller/servicer  for
FNMA and has applied to be an approved SBA lender. Historically,  the Bank sells
certain of its fixed-rate  loans to FNMA based on liquidity needs and prevailing
market conditions. All of the Bank's sales to FNMA have been made with servicing
retained on the loans. At June 30, 1998, the Bank was servicing $18.3 million in
loans for FNMA.

     Originations for the nine months ended June 30, 1998, compared to the prior
period, have increased due to the addition of a commercial lending officer. Loan
sales also increased during the same period.  In January 1998, the Bank has also
entered into a  participation  agreement with a local bank for a commercial real
estate loan for the  development  of 14 single  family homes on a fourteen  acre
subdivision in Saugus,


                                       53



Massachusetts.  The  following  table sets  forth  information  with  respect to
originations,  sales  of loans  and  principal  repayments  during  the  periods
indicated.



                                           FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                                              ENDED JUNE 30,        FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------
                                           1998           1997        1997         1996      1995
                                           ----           ----        ----         ----      ----
                                                                    (In thousands)
                                                                                  
Beginning balance, loans, net ...........   $ 41,175    $ 33,046    $ 33,046    $ 21,273    $ 20,579
                                            --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Loans originated:
     Mortgage loans:
       One- to four-family ..............     11,869       4,521       6,843      18,385       3,402
       Commercial real estate ...........      1,000       1,799       2,245         463        --
       Construction and land ............        885         519       1,047         511         718
                                            --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
         Total mortgage loans ...........     13,754       6,839      10,135      19,359       4,120
     Commercial loans ...................      1,627       1,310       1,946        --          --
     Consumer loans .....................      3,538       1,392       2,329         965         537
                                            --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
         Total loans originated .........     18,919       9,541      14,410      20,324       4,657
                                            --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
   Total ................................     60,094      42,587      47,456      41,597      25,236
Principal repayments and other, net .....     (7,263)     (1,461)     (3,463)     (5,110)     (3,385)
Loan charge-offs, net ...................        (46)       --            (8)        (29)         21
Sale of mortgage loans, principal balance     (5,960)     (2,209)     (2,810)     (3,412)       (599)
                                            --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Ending balance, loans, net ..............   $ 46,825    $ 38,917    $ 41,175    $ 33,046    $ 21,273
                                            ========    ========    ========    ========    ========



                                       54

     The following  table sets forth the dollar amounts in each loan category at
June 30,  1998 and  September  30,  1997  that are due after  June 30,  1999 and
September  30, 1998,  and whether such loans have fixed or  adjustable  interest
rates.



                                                                DUE AFTER JUNE 30, 1999
                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FIXED                 ADJUSTABLE                 TOTAL
                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     (In thousands)
                                                                                            
Mortgage loans:
     One-to four-family ........             $24,597                  $   122                  $24,719  
     Commercial real estate ....                 987                    2,597                    3,584  
     Construction and land .....                 811                      382                    1,193  
                                             -------                  -------                  -------  
       Total mortgage loans ....              26,395                    3,101                   29,496  
                                             -------                  -------                  -------  
Commercial loans ...............               1,344                     --                      1,344  
                                             -------                  -------                  -------  
Consumer loans:                                                                                         
     Home equity lines .........                --                       --                       --    
     Secured by deposit accounts                 117                     --                        117  
     Auto loans ................                 445                     --                        445  
     Other consumer loans ......                   5                     --                          5  
                                             -------                  -------                  -------  
       Total consumer loans ....                 567                     --                        567  
                                             -------                  -------                  -------  
       Total loans .............             $28,306                  $ 3,101                  $31,407  
                                             =======                  =======                  =======  
                                                                                               






                                                              DUE AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              FIXED                 ADJUSTABLE                 TOTAL
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     (In thousands)
                                                                                             
Mortgage loans:
     One-to four-family ........             $23,882                  $   235                  $24,117   
     Commercial real estate ....                 915                    1,436                    2,351   
     Construction and land .....                 315                       --                      315   
                                             -------                  -------                  -------   
       Total mortgage loans ....              25,112                    1,671                   26,783   
                                             -------                  -------                  -------   
Commercial loans ...............                 635                       --                      635   
                                             -------                  -------                  -------   
Consumer loans:                                                                                          
     Home equity lines .........                  --                       --                       --     
     Secured by deposit accounts                 352                       --                      352   
     Auto loans ................                 428                       --                      428   
     Other consumer loans ......                  36                       --                       36   
                                             -------                  -------                  -------   
       Total consumer loans ....                 816                       --                      816   
                                             -------                  -------                  -------   
       Total loans .............             $26,563                  $ 1,671                  $28,234   
                                             =======                  =======                  =======   
                                                                                               


                                       55

     Loan  Commitments.  The Bank generally makes loan  commitments to borrowers
not  exceeding  30 days.  At June 30,  1998,  the Bank had $1.6  million in loan
commitments  outstanding,  primarily for the  origination of one- to four-family
residential  real estate  loans,  commercial  loans and  commercial  real estate
loans.

     Loan Solicitation.  Loan originations are derived from a number of sources,
including the Bank's existing customers,  referrals,  realtors,  advertising and
"walk-in" customers at the Bank's office.

     Loan Administration.  Upon receipt of a loan application from a prospective
borrower,  a credit  report and  verifications  are  ordered to verify  specific
information  relating  to the loan  applicant's  employment,  income  and credit
standing. For all mortgage loans, an appraisal of real estate intended to secure
the  proposed  loan is  obtained  from an  independent  appraiser  who has  been
approved by the Bank's  Board of  Directors.  Fire and  casualty  insurance  are
required  on all loans  secured by  improved  real  estate.  Insurance  on other
collateral is required unless waived by the Loan Approval  Committee.  The Board
of Directors of the Bank has the  responsibility  and  authority for the general
supervision  over the loan  policies  of the Bank.  The  Board  has  established
written lending policies for the Bank.

     All  residential  and  commercial  real  estate  mortgages  and  commercial
business  loans must be ratified by the Loan  Approval  Committee  of the Bank's
Board of Directors.  In addition,  certain designated  officers of the Bank have
authority  to  approve  loans not  exceeding  specified  levels,  while the Loan
Approval Committee of the Board of Directors must approve loans in excess of (a)
$50,000 for commercial real estate loans; (b) $50,000 for commercial  loans; (c)
loans  over the  current  FNMA limit for  residential  mortgage  loans;  and (d)
$75,000 for consumer loans.  All loans in excess of $250,000 must be ratified by
the Board of Directors as a whole.

     Interest rates charged by the Bank on all loans are primarily determined by
competitive loan rates offered in its market area and interest rate costs of the
source of funding for the loan. The Bank generally charges an origination fee on
new mortgage loans. The origination fees, net of direct  origination  costs, are
deferred and amortized  into income over the life of the loan. At June 30, 1998,
the amount of net deferred loan origination fees was $59,000.


                                       56



     Loan Maturity and  Repricing.  The  following  tables shows the maturity or
period to repricing of the Bank's loan  portfolio at June 30, 1998 and September
30, 1997.  Loans that have adjustable rates are shown as being due in the period
during which the interest  rates are next subject to change.  The table does not
include prepayments or scheduled principal amortization.



                                                                      AT JUNE 30, 1998
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              MORTGAGE LOANS
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ONE- TO FOUR-    COMMERCIAL   CONSTRUCTION
                                            FAMILY         REAL ESTATE     AND LAND     COMMERCIAL   CONSUMER    TOTAL
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount due:                                                         (In thousands)

                                                                                                       
     One year or less ..................   $  9,776         $    573       $    325       $  1,445   $  3,864   $ 15,983    
                                           --------         --------       --------       --------   --------   --------    
After one year:                                                                                                             
     More than one year to three years .         72              452             90             99        290      1,003    
     More than three years to five years        476            2,008             85            763        230      3,562    
     More than five years to ten years .      2,240              204             --            425         --      2,869    
     More than ten years to twenty years      6,551              920            150             57         47      7,725    
     More than twenty years ............     15,380               --            868             --         --     16,248    
                                           --------         --------       --------       --------   --------   --------    
       Total due after one year ........     24,719            3,584          1,193          1,344        567     31,407    
                                           --------         --------       --------       --------   --------   --------    
       Total amount due ................   $ 34,495         $  4,157       $  1,518       $  2,789   $  4,431     47,390    
                                           ========         ========       ========       ========   ========   ========    
Less:                                                                                                                       
     Allowance for loan losses .........                                                                            (506)   
     Deferred loan origination fees, net                                                                             (59)   
                                                                                                                --------    
Loans, net .............................                                                                        $ 46,825    
                                                                                                                ========    
  






                                                                                    AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           MORTGAGE LOANS
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         ONE- TO FOUR-      COMMERCIAL    CONSTRUCTION
                                            FAMILY         REAL ESTATE     AND LAND     COMMERCIAL   CONSUMER    TOTAL
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount due:                                                               (In thousands)
                                                                                                     
     One year or less ..................   $  8,811         $    226       $    500       $  1,049   $  2,805   $ 13,391  
                                           --------         --------       --------       --------   --------   --------  
After one year:                                                                                                           
     More than one year to three years .         69              374             --            105        252        800  
     More than three years to five years        495            1,016            113            471        262      2,357  
     More than five years to ten years .      1,746              362             --             --         --      2,108  
     More than ten years to twenty years      6,131              599             --             59         48      6,837  
     More than twenty years ............     15,676               --            202             --        254     16,132  
                                           --------         --------       --------       --------   --------   --------  
                                                                                                                          
       Total due after one year ........     24,117            2,351            315            635        816     28,234  
                                           --------         --------       --------       --------   --------   --------  
       Total amount due ................   $ 32,928         $  2,577       $    815       $  1,684   $  3,621     41,625  
                                           ========         ========       ========       ========   ========   ========  
                                                                                                                          
Less:                                                                                                                     
     Allowance for loan losses .........                                                                            (377) 
     Deferred loan origination fees, net                                                                             (73) 
                                                                                                                --------  
Loans, net .............................                                                                        $ 41,175  
                                                                                                                ========  








                                       58






     Non-Performing  Assets,  Asset  Classification  and  Allowances for Losses.
Management and the Loan Approval  Committee of the Board of Directors  perform a
monthly  review of all  delinquent  loans and loans are  placed on a  nonaccrual
status  when loans are 90 days past due or, in the  opinion of  management,  the
collection of principal and interest are doubtful. One of the primary tools used
to manage and control  problem loans is the Bank's  "Watch-  List," a listing of
all loans or commitments that are considered to have  characteristics that could
result in loss to the Bank if not  properly  supervised.  The list is managed by
the Loan Approval  Committee  which meets  periodically to discuss the status of
the loans on the Watch List and to add or delete loans from the list.

     Real estate  acquired by the Bank as a result of  foreclosure is classified
as other real estate owned until such time as it is sold.  When such property is
acquired,  it is  recorded at the lower of the unpaid  principal  balance or its
fair value. Any required  write-down of the loan to its fair value is charged to
the allowance for loan losses.

     The following table set forth the Bank's non-performing assets at the dates
indicated.



                                          AT JUNE 30,                AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                       --------------     ------------------------------------------
                                       1998      1997     1997     1996        1995     1994    1993
                                       ----      ----     ----     ----        ----     ----    ----
                                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                              
Non-performing loans:
    Mortgage loans:
      One-to four-family .............   $142    $  --  $  144    $     28    $   125    $ 190   $ 203
      Commercial real estate .........     --       --      --          --         --       --      --
      Construction and land ..........     --       --      --          --         --       --      --
                                       ------    -----  ------    --------    -------    -----   -----
        Total mortgage loans .........    142       --     144          28        125      190     203
                                       ------    -----  ------    --------    -------    -----   -----
    Commercial loans .................    124       --      --          --         --       --      --
                                       ------    -----  ------    --------    -------    -----   -----
    Consumer loans:
      Home equity lines ..............     --       --      --          --         --       --      --
      Security by deposit accounts ...     --       --      --          --         --       --      --
      Auto loans .....................     --       --      --          --         --       --      --
      Other consumer loans ...........      3       --      13          --         --       --       1
                                       ------    -----  ------    --------    -------    -----   -----
        Total consumer loans .........      3       --      13          --         --       --       1
                                       ------    -----  ------    --------    -------    -----   -----
        Total non-performing loans(1)     269       --     157          28        125      190     204
Other real estate owned, net .........     --       --      --          --         --      108     128
                                       ------    -----  ------    --------    -------    -----   -----
        Total non-performing assets(2) $  269    $  --  $  157    $     28    $   125    $ 298   $ 332
                                       ======    =====  ======    ========    =======    =====   =====

Allowance for loan losses
    as a percent of loans(3) .........   1.07%    0.94%   0.91%       0.97%      0.96%    0.90%   0.30%
                                       ======    =====  ======    ========    =======    =====   =====
Allowance for loan losses as a percent
    of non-performing loans(4) ....... 188.12%     N/A  240.03%   1,159.67%    164.86%   98.33%  32.76%
                                       ======           ======    ========    =======    =====   =====
Non-performing loans as a percent
    of loans(3)(4) ...................   0.57%    0.00%   0.38%       0.08%      0.58%   0.91%   0.92%
                                       ======     ====  ======    ========    =======    =====   ====
Non-performing assets as a percent
    of total assets(2) ...............   0.30%    0.00%   0.18%       0.04%      0.18%   0.50%   0.65%
                                       ======     ====  ======    ========    =======    =====   =====

- -------------

(1)  Non-performing  loans  at June  30,  1998  includes  non-accrual  loans  of
     $145,000 and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing of $124,000.
     For  all  other  periods  presented,  the  non-performing  loans  consisted
     entirely of non-accrual loans.

(2)  Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans and other real estate
     owned.


(3)  Loans are  presented  before  allowance  for loan losses and deferred  loan
     origination fees, net.

(4)  Non-performing  loans  consist  of all  loans 90 days or more  past due and
     other  loans  which  have  been   identified  by  the  Bank  as  presenting
     uncertainty with respect to the collectibility of interest or principal.

  
                                       59






     The following  tables set forth  delinquencies of the Bank's loan portfolio
by type of loan at the dates indicated:



                                                      JUNE 30, 1998                              AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                     -----------------------------------------     ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        
                                        30-89 DAYS          90 DAYS OR MORE            30-89 DAYS              90 DAYS OR MORE     
                                     --------------------  -------------------     -------------------        ---------------------
                                                                                                        
                                      NUMBER    PRINCIPAL   NUMBER    PRINCIPAL     NUMBER     PRINCIPAL       NUMBER     PRINCIPAL
                                     OF LOANS    BALANCE   OF LOANS    BALANCE     OF LOANS     BALANCE       OF LOANS     BALANCE  
                                     --------    -------   --------    -------     --------     -------       --------    ---------
                                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Mortgage loans:
                                                                                                    
          One-to four-family......         4        $ 231        1         $  142       8        $  565             1     $  144
          Commercial real estate..       ---          ---      ---            ---       1           100           ---        ---
          Construction and land...       ---          ---      ---            ---     ---           ---           ---        ---
                                       -----          ---     ----         ------    ----        ------         -----     ------
             Total mortgage loans.         4          231        1            142       9           665             1        144
                                        ----        -----     ----         ------    ----        ------          ----     ------
Commercial loans..................         1           13        2            124     ---           ---           ---        ---
                                        ----        -----     ----         ------    ----        ------        ------     ------
Consumer loans:                                                    
                                                                   
          Home equity loans.......         1            8      ---            ---       3            84           ---        ---
          Secured by savings                                                                                      ---
              accounts............         3           11      ---            ---       1             7           ---        ---
          Auto loans..............         2            8      ---            ---     ---           ---           ---        ---
          Other consumer loans....         6            5        3              3       3             8             2         13
                                        ----        -----     ----           ----    ----        ------          ----     ------
                                                                   
             Total consumer loans.         12           32       3              3       7           99              2         13
                                        -----       ------    ----           ----    ----        -----           ----      -----
Total loans.......................         17       $  276       6         $  269      16       $  764              3     $  157
                                        =====       ======    ====         ======    ====       ======           ====     ======
Delinquent loans to loans, net....                    0.59%                  0.57%                1.86%                     0.38%
                                                    =======                ======               =======                   ======
                                                      




                                                    AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996                        AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                                   -------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
                                                                                                        
                                        30-89 DAYS          90 DAYS OR MORE           30-89 DAYS         90 DAYS OR MORE          
                                   --------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
                                    NUMBER   PRINCIPAL     NUMBER   PRINCIPAL     NUMBER     PRINCIPAL   NUMBER    PRINCIPAL
                                   OF LOANS   BALANCE     OF LOANS   BALANCE      LOANS       BALANCE   OF LOANS   BALANCE     
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Mortgage loans:
                                                                                               
          One-to four-family .....      8      $477          1         $ 28             8      $330          2      $125   
          Commercial real estate .     --        --         --           --           --         --         --        --   
          Construction and land ..     --        --         --           --           --         --         --        --   
                                     ----      ----       ----         ----          ----      ----       ----      ----   
             Total mortgage loans       8       477          1           28             8       330          2       125   
                                     ----      ----       ----         ----          ----      ----       ----      ----   
Commercial loans .................     --        --         --           --            --        --         --        --   
                                     ----      ----       ----         ----          ----      ----       ----      ----   
Consumer loans:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                           
          Home equity loans ......     --        --         --           --            --        --         --        --   
          Secured by savings .....     --                                                                                  
              accounts ...........      1         3         --           --             2         6         --        --   
          Auto loans .............     --        --         --           --            --        --         --        --   
          Other consumer loans ...     --        --         --           --            --        --         --        --   
                                     ----      ----       ----         ----          ----      ----       ----      ----   
                                                                                                                           
            Total consumer loans        1         3         --           --             2         6         --        --   
                                     ----      ----       ----         ----          ----      ----       ----      ----   
Total loans ......................      9      $480          1         $ 28            10      $336          2      $125   
                                     ====      ====       ====         ====          ====      ====       ====      ====   
Delinquent loans to loans, net ...                                                   1.45%     0.08%      1.58%     0.58%  
                                                                                     ====      ====       ====      ====   
  

                                       60


     During the year ended September 30, 1997, gross interest income of $12,000,
would have been  recorded on loans  accounted  for on a nonaccrual  basis if the
loans had been current throughout the period. Of this amount, $8,000 of interest
on such loans was  included  in income  during  the  period.  At June 30,  1998,
management was not aware of any loans not currently classified as nonaccrual, 90
days past due or restructured  but which may be so classified in the near future
because of concerns over the borrower's ability to comply with repayment terms.

     Federal  regulations require each banking institution to classify its asset
quality on a regular basis. In addition, in connection with examinations of such
banking  institutions,  federal  examiners  have  authority to identify  problem
assets and, if appropriate, classify them. An asset is classified substandard if
it is  determined  to be  inadequately  protected  by the  current net worth and
paying  capacity  of the  obligor or of the  collateral  pledged,  if any.  As a
general rule,  the Bank will classify a loan as  substandard  if the Bank can no
longer rely on the borrower's  income as the primary source for repayment of the
indebtedness  and  must  look  to  secondary   sources  such  as  guarantors  or
collateral.  An asset is  classified  as doubtful if full  collection  is highly
questionable  or improbable.  An asset is classified as loss if it is considered
uncollectible,  even if a partial recovery could be expected in the future.  The
regulations also provide for a special mention designation,  described as assets
which do not currently  expose a banking  institution to a sufficient  degree of
risk to warrant  classification but do possess credit  deficiencies or potential
weaknesses  deserving   management's  close  attention.   Assets  classified  as
substandard  or doubtful  require a banking  institution  to  establish  general
allowances  for loan losses.  If an asset or portion  thereof is classified as a
loss, a banking  institution must either establish specific  allowances for loan
losses in the amount of the portion of the asset classified as a loss, or charge
off  such  amount.   Examiners  may  disagree   with  a  banking   institution's
classifications  and amounts reserved.  If a banking  institution does not agree
with an examiner's  classification of an asset, it may appeal this determination
to the Regional  Director of the OTS. At June 30, 1998,  the Bank had $38,000 in
assets  classified as special mention,  doubtful or loss, and $144,000 in assets
designated as substandard.

     In originating loans, the Bank recognizes that credit losses will occur and
that the risk of loss will vary with, among other things, the type of loan being
made, the  creditworthiness  of the borrower over the term of the loan,  general
economic  conditions  and,  in the case of a secured  loan,  the  quality of the
security for the loan. It is management's policy to maintain an adequate general
allowance  for loan  losses  based on,  among other  things,  the Bank's and the
industry's  historical loan loss experience,  evaluation of economic  conditions
and regular reviews of delinquencies and loan portfolio quality.  Further, after
properties are acquired  following loan  defaults,  additional  losses may occur
with respect to such  properties  while the Bank is holding  them for sale.  The
Bank  increases its  allowances  for loan losses and losses on other real estate
owned by charging  provisions  for losses  against the Bank's  income.  Specific
reserves are also recognized against specific assets when management believes it
is warranted.

     In the past few  years,  there  has been a  greater  level of  scrutiny  by
regulatory   authorities  of  the  loan  portfolios  of  financial  institutions
undertaken as part of the examination of the institution by federal  regulators.
Results of recent  examinations  indicate that these  regulators may be applying
more  conservative  criteria in evaluating real estate market values,  requiring
significantly  increased  provisions for potential  loan losses.  While the Bank
believes  it  has  established  its  existing  allowances  for  loan  losses  in
accordance with GAAP there can be no assurance that regulators, in reviewing the
Bank's loan  portfolio,  will not request the Bank to increase its allowance for
loan losses,  thereby  negatively  affecting the Bank's financial  condition and
earnings.  Alternately,  there can be no assurance  that increases in the Bank's
allowance for loan losses will occur.

  
                                       61






         The  following  table sets forth  activity in the Bank's  allowance for
loan losses and other ratios at or for the dates indicated.



                                               AT OR FOR THE NINE
                                                  MONTHS ENDED                   AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                    JUNE 30,
                                           --------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
                                               1998          1997          1997       1996         1995        1994        1993
                                           ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- -------
                                                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                                                          
Balance at beginning of period............    $ 377         $ 325         $ 325     $  206          $ 187        $ 67        $161
                                              -----         -----         -----     ------          -----        ----        ----
Provision (benefit) for loan losses.......      175            45            60        148             (2)        144         155
                                              -----         -----         -----     ------          -----        ----        ----
Charge-offs:
   Mortgage loans:
     One-to four-family...................      ---           ---           ---         16            ---          23         251
     Commercial real estate...............      ---           ---           ---        ---            ---         ---         ---
     Construction and land................      ---           ---           ---        ---            ---         ---         ---
   Commercial loans.......................      ---           ---           ---        ---            ---         ---         ---
   Consumer loans:
     Home equity lines....................      ---           ---           ---        ---            ---         ---         ---
     Secured by deposit accounts..........      ---           ---           ---        ---            ---         ---         ---
     Auto loans...........................       40           ---           ---        ---            ---         ---         ---
     Other consumer loans.................        6           ---             8         13            ---           1         ---
                                                ---         -----           ---     ------          -----         ---        -----
     Total charge-offs....................       46           ---             8         29            ---          24         251
                                               ----         -----           ---     ------          -----        ----        ----
Recoveries................................      ---           ---           ---        ---             21         ---           2
                                              -----         -----         -----     ------          -----        ----         ---
Balance at end of period..................    $ 506         $ 370         $ 377     $  325          $ 206        $187        $ 67
                                              =====         =====         =====     ======          =====        ====        ====

Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans
   outstanding during the period(1).......     0.14%         0.00%         0.02%      0.10%         (0.10)%      0.11%       1.08%
                                               ====          ====         =====      =====          =====        ====        ====
Allowance for loan losses as a                                                                                                
   percent of loans ......................     1.07%         0.94%         0.91%      0.97%          0.96%       0.90%        0.3
                                              =====          ====          ====       ====           ====        ====         ===
Allowance for loan losses as a            
  percent of non-performing loans........    188.12%          N/A        240.03%  1,159.67%        164.86%      98.33%      32.76%
                                             ======                      ======   ========         ======       =====       =====

   
- --------------

(1) Ratio is annualized for the nine month periods.


                                       62

     The  following  tables  set  forth the  Bank's  allowance  for loan  losses
allocated by loan  category  and the percent of loans in each  category to total
loans at the dates indicated.



                                                  AT JUNE 30, 1998                            AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1997      
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                PERCENT OF                                PERCENT OF     
                                                PERCENT OF       LOANS IN                  PERCENT OF      LOANS IN      
                                                 ALLOWANCE         EACH                     ALLOWANCE        EACH        
                                                  TO TOTAL      CATEGORY TO                 TO TOTAL      CATEGORY TO    
                                      AMOUNT     ALLOWANCE      TOTAL LOANS       AMOUNT    ALLOWANCE     TOTAL LOANS    
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      (Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage loans:
                                                                                              
     One-to four-family ............   $208       41.11%          72.79%        $201          53.32%       79.11%     
     Commercial  real estate .......     68       13.44            8.77           35           9.28         6.19      
     Construction and land .........      6        1.19            3.20          --              --         1.96      
                                       ----      ------          ------         ----         ------       ------      
       Total mortgage ..............    282       55.74           84.76          236          62.60        87.26      
Commercial .........................     79       15.61            5.89           39          10.34         4.04      
Consumer loans .....................      7        1.38            9.35            5           1.33         8.70      
Unallocated ........................    138       27.27              --           97          25.73           --      
                                       ----    --------          ------         ----         ------       ------      
                                                                                                                      
     Total allowance for loan losses   $506      100.00%         100.00%        $377         100.00%      100.00%     
                                       ====    ========          ======         ====         ======       ======      
                                                                                                 

                                                         AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996        
                                        ------------------------------------------    
                                                                      PERCENT OF      
                                                      PERCENT OF       LOANS IN       
                                                       ALLOWANCE         EACH         
                                                       TO TOTAL      CATEGORY TO      
                                         AMOUNT        ALLOWANCE     TOTAL LOANS      
                                        ------------------------------------------    
                                               (Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage loans:                         
                                                                       
     One-to four-family ............      $178          54.77%         89.84%      
     Commercial  real estate .......         7           2.15           1.38       
     Construction and land .........        --             --           3.21       
                                          ----         ------         ------       
       Total mortgage ..............       185          56.92          94.43       
Commercial .........................         1           0.31           0.15       
Consumer loans .....................         2           0.62           5.42       
Unallocated ........................       137          42.15             --       
                                          ----         ------         ------       
                                                                                   
     Total allowance for loan losses      $325         100.00%        100.00%      
                                          ====         ======         ======       
                                                              




                                       63




                                       AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1995                 AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1994
                                  ---------------------------------  --------------------------------------
                                                        PERCENT OF                           PERCENT OF    
                                           PERCENT OF    LOANS IN            PERCENT OF      LOANS IN      
                                            ALLOWANCE      EACH               ALLOWANCE        EACH        
                                             TO TOTAL   CATEGORY TO            TO TOTAL      CATEGORY TO   
                                  AMOUNT    ALLOWANCE   TOTAL LOANS  AMOUNT   ALLOWANCE     TOTAL LOANS    
                                  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage loans:
                                                                                 
     One-to four-family .......   $156       75.73%      95.91%       $ 132      70.59%       97.85%  
     Commercial  real estate ..    --           --          --           --         --           --   
     Construction and land ....    --           --        0.81           --         --         0.38   
                                  ----       ------      ------        ----     ------       ------   
       Total mortgage .........    156       75.73       96.72          132      70.59        98.23   
Commercial ....................    --          --           --           --         --           --   
Consumer loans ................    --          --         3.28            1       0.53         1.77   
Unallocated ...................     50       24.27          --           54      28.88           --   
                                  ----       ------      ------        ----     ------       ------   
       Total allowance for loan                                                                       
          losses ..............   $206      100.00%     100.00%        $187     100.00%      100.00%  
                                  ====      ======      ======         ====     ======       ======   
                                                                                           

                                              AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1993
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                                                PERCENT OF
                                                 PERCENT OF      LOANS IN
                                                 ALLOWANCE        EACH
                                                 TO TOTAL      CATEGORY TO
                                   AMOUNT        ALLOWANCE     TOTAL LOANS
                                  ----------------------------------------------
Mortgage loans:
                                                                    
     One-to four-family .......     $ 55           82.09%          98.02%       
     Commercial  real estate ..       --              --              --        
     Construction and land ....       --              --            0.40        
                                    ----           ------          ------       
       Total mortgage .........       55           82.09           98.42        
Commercial ....................       --              --              --        
Consumer loans ................        1            1.49            1.58        
Unallocated ...................       11           16.42              --        
                                    ----           -----           -----        
       Total allowance for loan                                                 
          losses ..............     $ 67          100.00%         100.00%       
                                    ====          ======          ======        
                                                                     


                                       64

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

     General.  The Bank is  required  to  maintain  an amount  of liquid  assets
appropriate for its level of net savings withdrawals and current borrowings.  It
has generally been the Bank's policy to maintain a liquidity portfolio in excess
of regulatory  requirements.  At June 30, 1998, the Bank's  liquidity  ratio was
7.43%.  Liquidity levels may be increased or decreased depending upon the yields
on investment  alternatives,  management's  judgment as to the attractiveness of
the yields  then  available  in relation  to other  opportunities,  management's
expectations  of the level of yield  that will be  available  in the  future and
management's projections as to the short-term demand for funds to be used in the
Bank's loan origination and other activities.

     Interest income from investments in various types of liquid assets provides
a significant  source of revenue for the Bank. The Bank invests in U.S. Treasury
and Federal Agency securities,  asset-backed securities and FNMA, GNMA and FHLMC
mortgage-backed  securities.  The balance of investment securities maintained by
the Bank in excess of regulatory  requirements reflects management's  historical
objective of maintaining  liquidity at a level that assures the  availability of
adequate funds, taking into account anticipated cash flows and available sources
of credit, for meeting withdrawal requests and loan commitments and making other
investments.  See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition
and  Results of  Operations--Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources"  As part of its
business strategy, depending on market conditions, the Bank is restructuring its
balance  sheet  to  increase  the  size of its loan  portfolio  relative  to the
investment portfolio.

     The Bank purchases  securities through a primary dealer of U.S.  Government
obligations  or  such  other  securities  dealers  authorized  by the  Board  of
Directors and requires that the  securities be delivered to a safekeeping  agent
before the funds are  transferred  to the broker or dealer.  The Bank  purchases
investment  securities pursuant to an investment policy established by the Board
of Directors.

     Investment  securities  are recorded on the books of the Bank in accordance
with  GAAP.  The Bank  does not  purchase  investment  securities  for  trading.
Effective  September 30, 1994, the Bank implemented SFAS No. 115.  Available for
sale  securities  are  reported  at fair value with  unrealized  gains or losses
reported as a separate component of equity, net of tax effects. Held-to-maturity
securities  are  carried at  amortized  cost.  Substantially  all  purchases  of
investment securities conform to the Bank's interest rate risk policy.

                                       65

     The  following  table sets  forth  activity  in the Bank's  mortgage-backed
securities held-to-maturity portfolio for the periods indicated.



                                      FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED         FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                 JUNE 30,                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                        ------------------------ --------------------------------
                                           1998        1997        1997        1996       1995
                                        ---------    --------    --------   ----------  -------- 
                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                               
Beginning balance ....................   $ 25,144    $ 24,945    $ 24,945   $  23,085   $  21,183
Purchases ............................         --       2,962       2,962       4,950       3,494
Maturities ...........................        (52)         --          --          --          --
Principal repayments .................     (3,442)     (1,772)     (2,737)     (3,054)     (1,568)
Premium and discount amortization, net        (15)        (22)        (26)        (36)        (24)
                                         --------    --------    --------   ---------   ---------
Ending balance .......................   $ 21,635    $ 26,113    $ 25,144   $  24,945   $  23,085
                                         ========    ========    ========   =========   =========

         The  following  table  sets forth  certain  information  regarding  the
amortized cost and fair value of the Bank's securities at the dates indicated.



                                                                                              AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                            AT JUNE 30,    ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                               1998               1997                1996               1995
                                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       AMORTIZED    FAIR    AMORTIZED  FAIR    AMORTIZED  FAIR    AMORTIZED    FAIR
                                                        COST       VALUE     COST      VALUE    COST      VALUE    COST        VALUE
                                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           (In thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
                                                                                                         
     Investment securities .........................   $ 6,499   $ 6,430   $ 9,202   $ 9,207   $ 8,500   $ 8,502   $12,552   $12,610
     Mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities    21,635    22,016    25,144    25,458    24,945    24,609    23,085    22,940
                                                         5,162     5,212     5,807     5,842     7,235     7,245     6,105     6,119
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
     Asset-backed securities .......................    33,296    33,658    40,153    40,507    40,680    40,356    41,742    41,669
Available-for-sale(1) ..............................        24       849        24       636        24       441        24       312
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
       Total securities ............................   $33,320   $34,507   $40,177   $41,143   $40,704   $40,797   $41,766   $41,981
                                                       =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======


- ------------------
(1)  Consists of marketable equity securities.

                                         66

     The  following  table sets forth the  amortized  cost and fair value of the
Bank's  mortgage-backed  and  mortgage-related  securities,  all of  which  were
classified as held-to-maturity at the dates indicated.




                                                                                       AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                           AT JUNE 30,             -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                              1998                                1997                          1996          
                                  -------------------------------  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------
                                   AMORTIZED  PERCENT OF   FAIR      AMORTIZED    PERCENT OF     FAIR      AMORTIZED   PERCENT OF   
                                     COST      TOTAL(1)   VALUE        COST       TOTAL(1)      VALUE       COST       TOTAL(1)     
                                  ---------  ----------  ------------------------------------- ---------- --------------------------
                                                                     (Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage-backed and mortgage-
    related securities
     Fixed rate:
                                                                                                      
       GNMA ....................   $14,203   65.65%    $14,452     $15,851         63.04%    $15,963    $ 13,910         55.76%  
       FHLMC ...................       191    0.88         201         238          0.95         250         300          1.20   
                                   -------   -----     -------     -------         -----     -------     -------       ----------
         Total fixed rate ......    14,394   66.53      14,653      16,089         63.99      16,213      14,210         56.96   
                                   -------   -----     -------     -------         -----     -------     -------       ----------
     Adjustable rate:                                                                                                            
       GNMA ....................     6,451   29.82       6,565       7,910         31.46       8,085       9,282         37.21   
       FHLMC ...................       265    1.22         272         365          1.45         376         418          1.68   
       FNMA ....................       525    2.43         526         780          3.10         784       1,035          4.15   
                                   -------   -----     -------     -------         -----     -------     -------       ----------
         Total adjustable rate..     7,241   33.47       7,363       9,055         36.01       9,245      10,735         43.04   
                                   -------   -----     -------     -------         -----     -------     -------       ----------
           Total mortgage-backed                                                                                                 
           and mortgage-related                                            
           securities ..........   $21,635  100.00%    $22,016     $25,144        100.00     $25,458     $24,945        100.00   
                                   =======  ======     =======     =======        ======     =======     =======        ======   


                                      AT
                                 SEPTEMBER 30,         AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                 -------------------------------------------------
                                     1996                  1995
                                 -------------------------------------------------
                                      FAIR      AMORTIZED    PERCENT OF    FAIR
                                     VALUE       COST        TOTAL(1)     VALUE
                                 ------------- ------------- --------------------
                                 
Mortgage-backed and mortgage-
    related securities
     Fixed rate:
                                                                       
       GNMA ....................    $13,489    $ 9,646          41.79%     $ 9,385    
       FHLMC ...................        316        386           1.67          406    
                                    -------    -------      ---------      -------    
         Total fixed rate ......     13,805     10,032          43.46        9,791    
                                    -------    -------      ---------      -------     
     Adjustable rate:                                                                 
       GNMA ....................      9,341     11,086          48.02       11,163     
       FHLMC ...................        427        601           2.60          611     
       FNMA ....................      1,036      1,366           5.92        1,375     
                                    -------    -------      ---------      -------     
         Total adjustable rate .     10,804     13,053          56.54       13,149     
                                    -------    -------      ---------      -------    
           Total mortgage-backed                                          
           and mortgage-related  
           securities ..........    $24,609    $23,085         100.00%     $22,940
                                    =======    =======         ======      =======
                                                                   
- -----------------------
(1)      Based on amortized cost.

                                       67

     The following table sets forth certain information  regarding the amortized
cost,  fair value and weighted  average rate of the Bank's  mortgage-backed  and
investment securities  held-to-maturity at June 30, 1998, by remaining period to
contractual  maturity.  With respect to mortgage-backed  securities,  the entire
amount is  reflected  in the maturity  period that  includes the final  security
payment date, and accordingly,  no effect has been given to periodic  repayments
or possible prepayments.



                                                                     AT JUNE 30, 1998
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               MORE THAN ONE YEAR      MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
                                        ONE YEAR OR LESS         TO FIVE YEARS             TO TEN YEARS         MORE THAN TEN YEARS
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   WEIGHTED                WEIGHTED                WEIGHTED                WEIGHTED
                                       CARRYING    AVERAGE    CARRYING     AVERAGE     CARRYING    AVERAGE       CARRYING  AVERAGE
                                        AMOUNT      YIELD      AMOUNT       YIELD       AMOUNT      YIELD         AMOUNT    YIELD
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     (In thousands)
Debt securities:
                                                                                                        
   Investment securities(1) ........   $500         6.61%      $ --           -- %     $1,500        6.80%      $  4,500      7.02%
Mortgage-backed and mortgage-related
     securities:
     Fixed rate:

       GNMA ........................     --         --           --           --         --            --         14,203      7.28
       FHLMC .......................     --         --           31          7.88         90          8.30            70     10.46
     Adjustable rate:

       GNMA ........................     --         --           --           --         --            --          6,451      7.05
       FHLMC .......................     --         --           --           --         --            --            265      7.06
       FNMA ........................     74        7.06          --           --         --            --            451      6.90

   Asset-backed securities .........     --         --           527         9.39         262         8.17         4,372      6.94 
                                      -------                  -------                -------                    -------    
       Total debt securities .......   $574       6.65%        $ 558         9.27%    $ 1,852         7.04%      $30,312      7.16%
                                      =======    =======       =======      =======   ========        =======     =======  ======



                                                  TOTAL
                                          ----------------------
                                                        WEIGHTED
                                          CARRYING      AVERAGE
                                           AMOUNT        YIELD
                                         -----------------------
                                                  
Debt securities:                     
 Investment securities(1) ........        $6,500           6.99%
Mortgage-backed and mortgage-related 
     securities:                     
     Fixed rate:                     
       GNMA ........................      14,203           7.28
       FHLMC .......................         191           9.42
     Adjustable rate:                
       GNMA ........................       6,451           7.05
       FHLMC .......................         265           7.06
       FNMA ........................         525           6.90
 Asset-backed securities ...........       5,161           7.01
                                         --------
       Total debt securities .......     $33,296           7.16%
                                         ========        =======


- -----------
(1)   Consists of U.S. Treasury and government agency obligations.


                                       68




DEPOSIT ACTIVITY AND OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDS

     General.  Deposits  are the primary  source of the Bank's funds for lending
and other investment purposes.  In addition to deposits,  the Bank derives funds
from principal repayments and interest payments on loans and investments as well
as other sources arising from operations in the production of net earnings. Loan
repayments and interest payments are a relatively stable source of funds,  while
deposit inflows and outflows are  significantly  influenced by general  interest
rates and money market conditions.  Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis
to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds from other sources, or
on a longer term basis for general business purposes.

     Deposits. Deposits are attracted principally from within the Bank's primary
market area  through the offering of a broad  selection of deposit  instruments,
including passbook savings, NOW accounts, demand deposits, money market accounts
and  certificates  of deposit.  Deposit  account terms vary,  with the principal
differences being the minimum balance required,  the time periods the funds must
remain on deposit and the interest rate.

     The Bank's policies are designed  primarily to attract  deposits from local
residents and businesses  rather than to solicit deposits from areas outside its
primary  market.  The Bank does not  accept  deposits  from  brokers  due to the
volatility and rate sensitivity of such deposits.  Interest rates paid, maturity
terms,  service fees and withdrawal  penalties are  established by the Bank on a
periodic  basis.  Determination  of rates and terms are  predicated  upon  funds
acquisition and liquidity requirements,  rates paid by competitors, growth goals
and federal regulations.

     The Bank has a significant  amount of regular  savings  accounts  which the
Bank believes constitute "core deposits." In addition, since September 30, 1995,
the  Bank has  attracted  $2.3  million  in  no-cost  demand  deposit  accounts,
resulting from the increase in commercial customers during this time period, and
$5.2 million in NOW accounts and Money Market accounts, resulting from increased
marketing  and  competitive  fee  structure.  At June 30,  1998,  such  accounts
represented approximately 16.4% of the Bank's total deposits compared to 5.9% at
September 30, 1995.


                                       69



     The  following  table sets  forth the  distribution  of the Bank's  average
deposit  accounts for the periods  indicated and the weighted  average  interest
rates on each category of deposits presented. Averages for the periods presented
utilize month-end balances.


                                                                            AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          AT JUNE 30, 1998                   1997                                1996 
                                    -----------------------------    ---------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                            PERCENT OF                     PERCENT OF                        PERCENT OF
                                              TOTAL      WEIGHTED             TOTAL      WEIGHTED               TOTAL      WEIGHTED
                                   AVERAGE   AVERAGE     AVERAGE    AVERAGE  AVERAGE     AVERAGE     AVERAGE   AVERAGE     AVERAGE
                                   AMOUNT    DEPOSITS     RATE      AMOUNT   DEPOSITS      RATE       AMOUNT   DEPOSITS      RATE
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                               
                                                                                                     
Demand deposits.................    $2,441     4.17%       ---%   $ 1,219      2.23%      ---%       $ 914      1.88%        ---%  
Now accounts....................     4,191     7.15       1.05      3,443      6.55      1.02        2,041      4.19         1.13  
Regular savings accounts........    15,018    25.63       1.26     14,548     27.67      1.11       14,743     30.29         1.06  
Money market accounts...........     1,555     2.65       3.10        739      1.40      3.11          212      0.44         2.83  
                                    ------    -----               --------   -------                -------    ------              
      Total.....................    23,205    39.6        1.22     19,949     37.94      1.17       17,910     36.80         1.09  
                                    ------    -----               --------   -------                -------    ------              
Time deposits:(1)
    6 months or less............     3,973     6.78       4.98      3,612      6.87      4.73        4,561      9.37         4.91  
    Over 6 months through 12 months 13,759    23.48       5.30     12,026     22.87      5.20       12,569     25.82         5.66  
    Over 12 through 36 months...    15,713    26.81       5.91     15,168     28.84      6.09       11,934     24.52         6.15  
    Over 36 months..............     1,952     3.33       6.64      1,828      3.48      6.67        1,699      3.49         6.66  
                                    ------    -----               --------   -------                -------   ------               
      Total time deposits.......    35,397    60.40       5.61     32,634     62.06      5.64       30,763     63.20         5.79  
                                    ------    -----               --------   -------                -------   ------               
      Total average deposits....   $58,602    100.00%     3.87%   $52,583     100.00%    4.02%      $48,673    100.00%       4.11% 
                                    ======    ======              ========   =======                =======   =======              




                                                                 
                                    -----------------------------
                                        AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1995    
                                    -----------------------------
                                            PERCENT OF           
                                              TOTAL      WEIGHTED
                                   AVERAGE   AVERAGE      AVERAGE
                                   AMOUNT    DEPOSITS      RATE  
                                   ------------------------------
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                     
Demand deposits.................    $   586      1.32%        ---%  
Now accounts....................      1,707      3.85        1.64
Regular savings accounts........     15,436     34.78        1.49
Money market accounts...........          6      0.01        3.30
                                        ---     ------                  
      Total.....................     17,735     39.96        1.50
                                    --------   -------           
Time deposits:(1)                                                
    6 months or less............      5,639     12.70        4.79
    Over 6 months through 12 months  10,333     23.28        5.22
    Over 12 through 36 months...      9,483     21.37        5.66
    Over 36 months..............      1,205      2.69        6.71
                                    -------    ------            
      Total time deposits.......     26,660     60.04        5.35
                                    --------   -------           
      Total average deposits....   $ 44,395    100.00%       3.84
                                    ========   ======            

                                                          
- --------------
(1)   Based on remaining maturity of deposits.

      For more information on the Bank's deposit  accounts,  see Note 6 of Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

  
                                       70

     The following table represents, by interest rate ranges, the amount of time
deposits  outstanding at the dates  indicated and the periods to maturity of the
certificates of deposit outstanding at June 30, 1998.



                                           PERIOD TO MATURITY AT JUNE 30, 1998  
                             ----------------------------------------------------------------  
                                 LESS THAN              ONE TO                FOUR TO          
     INTEREST RATE RANGE         ONE YEAR             THREE YEARS            FIVE YEARS        
- ---------------------------- -----------------  ---------------------- ----------------------  
Time deposits:                                     (In thousands)
                                                                                   
    0 to 4.00%..............     $ 371              $ ---                  $ ---               
    4.01% to 5.00%..........       10,680             141                    ---               
    5.01% to 6.00%..........       14,223             5,557                  265               
    6.01% to 7.00%..........       1,829              2,153                  91                
    7.01% to 8.00%..........       96                 900                    ---               
    8.01% to 9.00%..........       ---                ---                    ---               
    Over 9.01%..............       ---                ---                    ---               
                                 -----              -----                  -----               

      Total.................     $ 27,199           $ 8,751                $ 356               
                                 ========           =======                =====               





                                                                           AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                     ------------------------------------------------------------
                                   AT JUNE 30,
     INTEREST RATE RANGE               1998                   1997                    1996            1995
- ----------------------------  ---------------------- ----------------------  ---------------------- -------------
Time deposits:                                                     (In thousands)
                                                                                            
    0 to 4.00%..............     $   371               $   187                 $     53                $   702
    4.01% to 5.00%..........      10,821                 9,912                   11,515                  4,434
    5.01% to 6.00%..........      20,045                17,698                   12,255                 12,665
    6.01% to 7.00%..........       4,073                 2,420                    2,802                  6,938
    7.01% to 8.00%..........         996                 4,501                    4,516                  5,560
    8.01% to 9.00%..........         ---                    ---                     ---                    152
    Over 9.01%..............         ---                    ---                     ---                    ---
                                 -------                -------                 -------                -------
      Total.................     $36,306                $34,718                 $31,141                $30,451
                                 =======                =======                 =======                =======



                                       71

     The  following  table  presents  the  deposit  activity of the Bank for the
periods indicated.


                                                                          FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                        FOR THE NINE MONTHS    -------------------------------------------
                                        ENDED JUNE 30, 1998     1997              1996              1995
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      (In thousands)
                                                                                            
Net deposits (withdrawals)...........       $5,827             $4,000             $ (809)            $5,438
Interest credited on deposit
    accounts.........................       1,697               2,059              1,970             1,686
                                            -----               -----              -----             -----
Total increase in deposit
    accounts.........................       $7,524             $6,059             $1,161            $7,124
                                            ======              ======             ======            ======


          At June 30, 1998, the Bank had $9.6 million in jumbo  certificates  of
deposit (accounts in amounts over $100,000) maturing as follows:



                                                                           WEIGHTED AVERAGE
                                                        AMOUNT                   RATE
                                                --------------------------------------------
                                                            (Dollars in thousands)
Maturity Period:
                                                                           
Within three months.............................   $   2,277                   5.54%
    After three but within six months...........         894                   5.57
    After six but within twelve months..........       3,084                   5.46
    After twelve months.........................       3,394                   6.03
                                                    --------
       Total                                       $   9,649                   5.69%
                                                   =========


                                       72

     Borrowings.  Savings deposits  historically have been the primary source of
funds for the Bank's  lending  and  investment  activities  and for its  general
business activities.  The Bank is authorized,  however, to use advances from the
FHLB  to  supplement  its  supply  of  lendable  funds  and  to  meet  liquidity
requirements.  Due to recent lending activity and demand for liquidity, the Bank
has utilized  this  borrowing  power,  and has received  advances from the FHLB.
Advances from the FHLB are secured by the Bank's  mortgage  loans and investment
securities.  The Bank had FHLB advances of $19.3 million outstanding at June 30,
1998.

     The FHLB functions as a central  reserve bank providing  credit for savings
institutions and certain other financial institutions.  As a member, the Bank is
required  to own  capital  stock  in the  FHLB and is  authorized  to apply  for
advances on the  security of such stock and  certain of its home  mortgages  and
other assets (principally, securities which are obligations of, or guaranteed by
the United States) provided certain standards related to  creditworthiness  have
been met.

     Prior to 1997, the Bank  supplemented  deposits with borrowings in order to
grow its balance sheet. During such periods, the decision to leverage the Bank's
capital  allowed it to earn wider spreads by investing  borrowed funds in agency
securities  than was  possible  if such funds  were  invested  in  single-family
residential mortgages.  Upon its entry into the small business lending market in
1996, the Bank has used available liquidity to fund commercial loans with higher
spreads.  In 1997,  the FHLB called nine agency  bonds for $7.2  million and the
Bank used such funds to pay down its borrowings.  The Bank may continue to match
borrowings against investments after the Offering is consummated.

     The following  tables sets forth certain  information  regarding the Bank's
borrowed funds at or for the periods ended on the dates indicated:



                                           AT OR FOR THE NINE MONTHS    AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                 ENDED JUNE 30,                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                          --------------------------  --------------------------
                                             1998      1997            1997      1996        1998
                                          --------------------------  --------------------------
                                                          (Dollars in thousands)
FHLB of Boston advances:
                                                                                 
     Average balance outstanding ........   $24,344    $26,137        $26,044    $17,648    $13,445
     Maximum amount outstanding at any
       month-end during the period ......    25,019     26,958         26,958     23,007     14,553
     Balance outstanding at end of period    19,284     26,868         25,104     22,712     13,818
     Weighted average interest rate
       during the period ................      5.79%      5.84%          5.86%      5.94%      5.71%
     Weighted average interest rate at
       end of period ....................      5.45%      5.86%           5.84%     5.81%      5.94%


COMPETITION

     The Bank experiences  competition both in attracting and retaining  savings
deposits  and in the making of  mortgage,  commercial  and other  loans.  Direct
competition for savings  deposits  primarily comes from larger  commercial banks
and other savings institutions located in or near the Bank's primary market area
which often have  significantly  greater financial and  technological  resources
than the Bank.  Additional  significant  competition for savings  deposits comes
from credit unions, money market funds and brokerage firms.

  
                                       73






     With  regard to lending  competition  in the local  market  area,  the Bank
experiences  the  most  significant   competition  from  the  same  institutions
providing deposit services,  most of whom have placed an emphasis on real estate
lending as a line of business.  In addition,  the Bank  competes  with local and
regional mortgage companies,  independent  mortgage brokers and credit unions in
originating  mortgage and  non-mortgage  loans. The primary factors in competing
for loans are interest rates and loan origination fees and the range of services
offered by the various financial institutions.

     Competition from other financial institutions operating in the Bank's local
community includes a number of both large and small commercial banks and savings
institutions.  As of June 30, 1998,  the Bank's  market share was  approximately
14.0% of overall financial  institution deposits in the City of Revere. The Bank
has experienced growth in deposits in recent years primarily due to an increased
emphasis on marketing products and services.  However,  competition remains high
in the marketplace.

PROPERTIES

     The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  at June 30,  1998
regarding the Bank's office facilities,  which are owned by the Bank and certain
other information relating to its property at that date.



                                   YEAR COMPLETED         SQUARE FOOTAGE            BOOK VALUE
                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
Main Office:   310 Broadway
               Revere, MA            1977                   3,500                $449,000


     In addition to its main office, the Bank leases office space in an adjacent
building to house  certain  administrative  personnel.  The Bank also has a full
service ATM at Logan  Airport.  At June 30,  1998,  the book value of the Bank's
computer  equipment and other furniture,  fixtures and equipment at its existing
offices  totaled  $760,000.  For more  information,  see note 5 of the  Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.

EMPLOYEES

     At June 30, 1998, the Bank had 21 full-time and 8 part-time employees. None
of the Bank's  employees is  represented by a collective  bargaining  agreement.
Management  of the Bank  believes that it enjoys  excellent  relations  with its
personnel.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     Although  the  Bank,  from  time to time,  is  involved  in  various  legal
proceedings  in the  normal  course of  business,  there are no  material  legal
proceedings  to which the Bank,  its  directors or its officers is a party or to
which any of its property is subject.

SUBSIDIARY ACTIVITIES

     The Bank's subsidiary,  RFS Investment Corp., holds certain  investments of
the  Bank  and is a  tax-  advantaged  qualified  "security  corporation"  under
Massachusetts   law.  The  Bank's   investment  in  its   wholly-owned   service
corporation, RFS Investments Corp., which was $24.5 million at June 30, 1998.


                                       74



                           FEDERAL AND STATE TAXATION

FEDERAL TAXATION

     General.  The  following  discussion is intended only as a summary and does
not purport to be a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to the
Bank, Mutual Company or Stock Company. For federal income tax purposes, the Bank
reports its income on the basis of a taxable year ending September 30, using the
accrual method of accounting,  and is subject to federal income  taxation in the
same manner as other corporations with some exceptions,  including  particularly
the  Bank's  tax  reserve  for  bad  debts,   discussed  below.   Following  the
Reorganization,  the Bank and Stock Company will constitute an affiliated  group
of  corporations  and,  therefore,  will be eligible to report their income on a
consolidated basis.  Because Mutual Company will own less than 80% of the Common
Stock,  it will not be a member of such  affiliated  group and will  report  its
income on a separate return.

     Bad Debt  Reserves.  The Bank, as a "small bank" (one with assets having an
adjusted  tax basis of $500  million or less) is permitted to maintain a reserve
for bad debts with respect to "qualifying  loans," which, in general,  are loans
secured by certain  interests in real property,  and to make,  within  specified
formula  limits,  annual  additions  to the  reserve  which are  deductible  for
purposes of computing the Bank's taxable income.  Pursuant to the Small Business
Job  Protection Act of 1996,  the bank is now  recapturing  (taking into income)
over a multi-year  period a portion of the balance of its bad debt reserve as of
September 30, 1996. Since the bank has already provided a deferred tax liability
equal to the amount of such recapture,  the recapture will not adversely  impact
the bank's financial condition or results of operations.

     Distributions.   To  the   extent   that  the  Bank   makes   "non-dividend
distributions" to shareholders,  such distributions will be considered to result
in  distributions  from the Bank's "base year  reserve,"  i.e., it reserve as of
September 30, 1988, to the extent thereof and then from its supplemental reserve
for  losses on loans,  and an amount  based on the  amount  distributed  will be
included  in the  Bank's  taxable  income.  Non-dividend  distributions  include
distributions  in excess of the Bank's  current  and  accumulated  earnings  and
profits,  distributions  in redemption of stock and  distributions in partial or
complete  liquidation.  However,  dividends  paid out of the  Bank's  current or
accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax purposes,
will not  constitute  non-dividend  distributions  and,  therefore,  will not be
included in the Bank's income.

     The  amount  of  additional  taxable  income  created  from a  non-dividend
distribution  is equal  to the  lesser  of the  Bank's  base  year  reserve  and
supplemental reserve for losses on loans; or an amount that, when reduced by the
tax  attributable  to the  income,  is equal to the amount of the  distribution.
Thus,  in  certain   situations   approximately   one  and  one-half  times  the
non-dividend distribution would be includable in gross income for federal income
tax purposes, assuming a 34% federal corporate income tax rate.

     Corporate  Alternative  Minimum Tax. The Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended  (the  "Code"),  imposes a tax ("AMT") on  alternative  minimum  taxable
income  ("AMTI")  at a rate  of  20%.  Only  90% of AMTI  can be  offset  by net
operating  loss  carryovers of which the Bank  currently has none.  AMTI is also
adjusted by  determining  the tax  treatment  of certain  items in a manner that
negates the deferral of income resulting from the regular tax treatment of those
items.  Thus,  the Bank's  AMTI is  increased  by an amount  equal to 75% of the
amount  by  which  the  Bank's  adjusted   current  earnings  exceeds  its  AMTI
(determined  without  regard to this  adjustment  and prior to reduction for net
operating  losses).  Although the  corporate  environmental  tax of 0.12% of the
excess of AMTI (with certain modifications) over $2.0 million has expired, under
current Administration  proposals, such tax will be retroactively reinstated for
taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996 and before January 2008.

  
                                       75



     Elimination of Dividends;  Dividends Received Deduction.  The Stock Company
may exclude from its income 100% of dividends received from the Bank as a member
of the same affiliated group of corporations.  Because,  following completion of
the  Reorganization,  Mutual  Company  will not be a member  of such  affiliated
group,  it will not  qualify  for such  100%  dividends  exclusion,  but will be
entitled to deduct 80% of the  dividends it receives  from Stock Company so long
as it owns more than 20% of the Common Stock.

STATE TAXATION

     Prior to July, 1995, the Bank was subject to an annual Massachusetts excise
(income) tax equal to 12.54% of its pre-tax  income.  In 1995,  legislation  was
enacted to reduce the  Massachusetts  bank excise (income) tax rate and to allow
Massachusetts-based  financial  institutions to apportion income earned in other
states.  Further,  this  legislation  expands  the  applicability  of the tax to
non-bank  entities and out-of-state  financial  institutions.  The Massachusetts
excise tax rate for  co-operative  banks is currently  11.32% of federal taxable
income,  adjusted for certain items.  It is  anticipated  that this rate will be
gradually  reduced  over the next few  years so that the  Bank's  tax rate  will
become 10.5% by March 31, 2000.  Taxable income includes gross income as defined
under the Code, plus interest from bonds, notes and evidences of indebtedness of
any  state,  including  Massachusetts,  less  deductions,  but not the  credits,
allowable under the provisions of the Code. No deductions,  however, are allowed
for  dividends  received  until July 1, 1999.  In  addition,  carryforwards  and
carrybacks of net operating losses are not allowed. As a "financial institution"
under Massachusetts law, the Company will be subject to an annual  Massachusetts
excise (income) tax equal to 10.50% of its pre-tax income.

     The Bank's active subsidiary, RFS Investments Corp., was established solely
for the purpose of acquiring and holding  investments  which are permissible for
banks to hold under Massachusetts law. RFS Investments Corporation is classified
with the Massachusetts  Department of Revenue as a "security  corporation" under
Massachusetts  law,  qualifying it to take advantage of the low 1.32% income tax
rate on gross income applicable to companies that are so classified.

                                       76

                                   REGULATION

GENERAL

     The Bank is subject to extensive regulation,  examination,  and supervision
by the OTS, as its chartering  agency.  The Bank's savings deposit  accounts are
insured  up to  applicable  limits by the FDIC,  and the Bank is a member of the
FHLB of  Boston.  The  Bank  must  file  reports  with  the OTS  concerning  its
activities  and financial  condition,  and it must obtain  regulatory  approvals
prior  to  entering  into  certain  transactions,   such  as  mergers  with,  or
acquisitions  of,  other  depository  institutions.  The  OTS  conduct  periodic
examinations   to  assess  the  Bank's   compliance   with  various   regulatory
requirements.  This  regulation  and  supervision  establishes  a  comprehensive
framework  of  activities  in which a  savings  association  can  engage  and is
intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors.

     The OTS has significant discretion in connection with their supervisory and
enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect
to the  classification  of assets and the  establishment  of adequate  loan loss
reserves for regulatory  purposes.  Any change in such policies,  whether by the
OTS or the Congress, could have a material adverse impact on the Mutual Company,
the Stock Company or the Bank.

     The  following  discussion  is  intended  to be a summary  of the  material
statutes and regulations  applicable to savings  associations  and their holding
companies, and it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all such
statutes and regulations.

REGULATION OF FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS

     Business  Activities.  The Bank derives its lending and  investment  powers
from the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended (the "HOLA"),  and the regulations of
the OTS  thereunder.  Under these laws and  regulations,  the Bank may invest in
mortgage loans secured by residential and commercial real estate, commercial and
consumer loans,  certain types of debt securities and certain other assets.  The
Bank may also establish  service  corporations that may engage in activities not
otherwise  permissible  for the  Bank,  including  certain  real  estate  equity
investments and securities and insurance brokerage.  These investment powers are
subject  to  various  limitations,  including  (a)  a  prohibition  against  the
acquisition  of any corporate debt security that is not rated in one of the four
highest rating  categories;  (b) a limit of 400% of an association's  capital on
the aggregate amount of loans secured by  non-residential  real estate property;
(c) a  limit  of 20% of an  association's  assets  on the  aggregate  amount  of
commercial loans, with the amount of commercial loans in excess of 10% of assets
being limited to small business  loans;  (d) a limit of 35% of an  association's
assets on the aggregate  amount of consumer  loans and  acquisitions  of certain
debt securities;  (e) a limit of 5% of assets on non-conforming  loans (loans in
excess of the specific  limitations of the HOLA); and (f) a limit of the greater
of 5% of assets or an association's  capital on certain  construction loans made
for the  purpose  of  financing  what is or is  expected  to become  residential
property.

     Loans to One Borrower.  Under the HOLA, savings  associations are generally
subject to the same  limits on loans to one  borrower as are imposed on national
banks. Generally,  under these limits, a savings association may not make a loan
or extend  credit to a single or related  group of borrowers in excess of 15% of
the  association's  unimpaired  capital and surplus.  Additional  amounts may be
lent, not in excess of 10% of unimpaired  capital and surplus,  if such loans or
extensions of credit are fully secured by  readily-marketable  collateral.  Such
collateral is defined to include certain debt and equity securities and bullion,
but  generally  does not  include  real  estate.  At June 30,  1998,  the Bank's
regulatory  limit on loans to one  borrower  was  $883,000.  As a result  of the
offering,  the Bank's regulatory limit on loans to one borrower will increase to
$1,487,000 (at the midpoint of the current  valuation  range). At June 30, 1998,
the Bank's largest aggregate amount of loans

  
                                       77

to one borrower was $604,608,  and the second largest  borrower had an aggregate
balance of $585,752.  The Bank is in compliance with all applicable  limitations
on loans to one borrower.

     QTL Test.  The HOLA  requires  a savings  association  to meet a  qualified
thrift  lender,  or "QTL" test.  Under the QTL test,  a savings  association  is
required  to  maintain  at  least  65%  of its  "portfolio  assets"  in  certain
"qualified  thrift  investments"  in at least  nine  months  of the most  recent
12-month period.  "Portfolio assets" means, in general,  an association's  total
assets less the sum of (a)  specified  liquid  assets up to 20% of total assets,
(b) goodwill and other intangible  assets, and (c) the value of property used to
conduct the  association's  business.  "Qualified thrift  investments"  includes
various types of loans made for  residential and housing  purposes,  investments
related  to  such  purposes,   including  certain  mortgage-backed  and  related
securities, and loans for personal, family, household and certain other purposes
up to a limit of 20% of an association's  portfolio assets.  Recent  legislation
broadened  the scope of  "qualified  thrift  investments"  to include 100% of an
institution's  credit card loans,  education  loans, and small business loans. A
savings  association  may also satisfy the QTL test by qualifying as a "domestic
building and loan  association" as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
At June  30,  1998,  the Bank  maintained  89.54%  of its  portfolio  assets  in
qualified thrift investments.  The Bank had also met the QTL test in each of the
prior 12 months and was, therefore, a qualified thrift lender.

     A savings  association  that fails the QTL test must either  operate  under
certain restrictions on its activities or convert to a bank charter. The initial
restrictions  include  prohibitions against (a) engaging in any new activity not
permissible  for a national bank,  (b) paying  dividends not  permissible  under
national bank regulations, (c) obtaining new advances from any Federal Home Loan
Bank and (d)  establishing  any new branch office in a location not  permissible
for a national bank in the  association's  home state.  In addition,  within one
year of the date that a  savings  association  ceases to meet the QTL test,  any
company  controlling  the association  would have to register under,  and become
subject to the requirements of, the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended
(the "BHC Act").  If the savings  association  does not requalify  under the QTL
test  within the  three-year  period  after it failed the QTL test,  it would be
required  to  terminate  any  activity  and to  dispose  of any  investment  not
permissible  for a national bank and would have to repay as promptly as possible
any  outstanding  advances from a Federal Home Loan Bank. A savings  association
that has  failed  the QTL test may  requalify  under the QTL test and be free of
such limitations, but it may do so only once.

     Capital  Requirements.  The OTS regulations require savings associations to
meet three minimum capital  standards:  a tangible capital ratio  requirement of
1.5% of total assets as adjusted  under the OTS  regulations,  a leverage  ratio
requirement of 3% of core capital to such adjusted total assets and a risk-based
capital  ratio  requirement  of 8% of core and  supplementary  capital  to total
risk-weighted  assets.  The OTS and the federal banking regulators have proposed
amendments  to their  minimum  capital  regulations  to provide that the minimum
leverage  capital ratio for a depository  institution that has been assigned the
highest composite rating of 1 under the Uniform Financial  Institutions  Ratings
System  will be 3% and that the  minimum  leverage  capital  ratio for any other
depository  institution  will be 4%, unless a higher  leverage  capital ratio is
warranted by the  particular  circumstances  or risk  profile of the  depository
institution.  In determining compliance with the risk-based capital requirement,
a savings  association must compute its risk-weighted  assets by multiplying its
assets and certain off-balance sheet items by risk-weights,  which range from 0%
for cash and obligations  issued by the United States Government or its agencies
to 100% for  consumer  and  commercial  loans,  as  assigned  by the OTS capital
regulation based on the risks OTS believes are inherent in the type of asset.

     Tangible  capital is defined,  generally,  as common  stockholders'  equity
(including retained earnings),  certain non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock
and  related  earnings  and  minority  interests  in  equity  accounts  of fully
consolidated  subsidiaries,   less  intangibles  (other  than  certain  mortgage
servicing  rights)  and  investments  in and loans to  subsidiaries  engaged  in
activities not permissible for a national bank. Core capital is defined

  
                                       78

similarly to tangible capital, but core capital also includes certain qualifying
supervisory   goodwill  and  certain   purchased   credit  card   relationships.
Supplementary   capital  currently  includes   cumulative  and  other  perpetual
preferred  stock,  mandatory  convertible  securities,   subordinated  debt  and
intermediate  preferred  stock and the allowance for loan and lease losses.  The
allowance  for loan and lease  losses  includable  in  supplementary  capital is
limited  to a  maximum  of 1.25% of  risk-weighted  assets,  and the  amount  of
supplementary  capital that may be included as total  capital  cannot exceed the
amount of core capital.

     The OTS has  promulgated a regulation  that requires a savings  association
with "above normal"  interest rate risk,  when  determining  compliance with its
risk-based  capital  requirement,  to hold additional capital to account for its
"above normal" interest rate risk. A savings association's interest rate risk is
measured  by the decline in the net  portfolio  value of its assets  (i.e.,  the
difference  between  incoming  and outgoing  discounted  cash flows from assets,
liabilities and off-balance  sheet  contracts)  resulting from a hypothetical 2%
increase or  decrease  in market  rates of  interest,  divided by the  estimated
economic value of the  association's  assets,  as calculated in accordance  with
guidelines  set forth by the OTS.  At the times when the 3-month  Treasury  bond
equivalent  yield falls below 4%, an  association  may compute its interest rate
risk on the basis of a decrease  equal to one-half of that  Treasury rate rather
than on the basis of 2%. A savings association whose measured interest rate risk
exposure  exceeds  2% would be  considered  to have  "above  normal"  risk.  The
interest  rate risk  component is an amount equal to one-half of the  difference
between the association's  measured interest rate risk and 2%, multiplied by the
estimated  economic  value of the  association's  assets.  That dollar amount is
deducted from an association's total capital in calculating  compliance with its
risk-based  capital  requirement.  Any required deduction for interest rate risk
becomes  effective on the last day of the third quarter  following the reporting
date of the  association's  financial  data on which the interest  rate risk was
computed. The regulations authorize the Director of the OTS to waive or defer an
association's  interest rate risk component on a case-by-case basis. The OTS has
indefinitely  deferred the implementation of the interest rate risk component in
the computation of an institution's  risk-based  capital  requirements.  The OTS
continues  to monitor the  interest  rate risk of  individual  institutions  and
retains  the right to  impose  additional  capital  requirements  on  individual
institutions.  At June 30,  1998,  the Bank was not  required  to  maintain  any
additional risk-based capital under this rule.

     At June 30, 1998, the Bank met each of its capital requirements.

     The table below presents the Bank's  regulatory  capital as compared to the
OTS regulatory capital requirements at June 30, 1998.



                                                                                                           TO BE WELL CAPITALIZED 
                                                                                                                UNDER-PROMPT
                                                                                    FOR CAPITAL               CORRECTIVE ACTION
                                                          ACTUAL               ADEQUACY  PURPOSES              PROVISIONS         
                                               ---------------------------   ------------------------       ------------------------
                                                  AMOUNT          RATIO         AMOUNT          RATIO        AMOUNT         RATIO
                                                  ------          -----         ------          -----        ------         -----
                                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
As of June 30, 1998 (unaudited)
                                                                                                            
 Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)....     $6,332         17.89%        $2,831          >=8.0%       $3,539          >=10.0%
 Core Capital (to Adjusted Tangible Assets).      5,889          6.63          3,555           >=4.0        4,443           >=5.0
 Tangible Capital (to Tangible Assets)......      5,889          6.63          1,333           >=1.5        N/A             N/A
 Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)...      5,889         16.64            N/A             N/A        2,124           >=6.0



                                       79

     A reconciliation  between the Bank's regulatory capital and GAAP capital at
June 30, 1998 is presented below.



                                                                      
Equity........................................................  $  6,374,214
Less: Unrealized holding gain on securities
   available-for-sale, net of taxes                                  (485,503)
                                                                -------------
Tangible/core capital.........................................      5,888,711
Plus: Allowance for loan losses...............................        443,000
                                                                -------------
Total risk based capital......................................  $   6,331,711
                                                                =============




     Limitation  on Capital  Distributions.  OTS  regulations  currently  impose
limitations upon capital  distributions by a savings  association,  such as cash
dividends,  payments to repurchase or otherwise acquire its shares,  payments to
stockholders of another institution in a cash-out merger and other distributions
charged  against  capital.  At least 30-days written notice must be given to the
OTS of a proposed  capital  distribution by a savings  association,  and capital
distributions  in excess of specified  earnings or by certain  institutions  are
subject to approval by the OTS. An association that has capital in excess of all
fully  phased-in  regulatory  capital  requirements  before and after a proposed
capital  distribution  and that is not otherwise  restricted  in making  capital
distributions, may, after prior notice but without the approval of the OTS, make
capital distributions during a calendar year equal to the greater of (a) 100% of
its net  earnings  to date during the  calendar  year plus the amount that would
reduce by one-half  its  "surplus  capital  ratio" (the excess  capital over its
fully phased-in capital  requirements) at the beginning of the calendar year, or
(b) 75% of its net earnings  for the  previous  four  quarters.  Any  additional
capital distributions would require prior OTS approval. In addition, the OTS can
prohibit  a  proposed  capital  distribution,  otherwise  permissible  under the
regulation,  if the OTS has determined  that the  association is in need of more
than normal  supervision or if it determines that a proposed  distribution by an
association would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  Furthermore,  under
the OTS prompt corrective action regulations,  the Bank would be prohibited from
making any capital  distribution if, after the distribution,  the Bank failed to
meet its  minimum  capital  requirements,  as  described  above.  See "-- Prompt
Corrective  Regulatory  Action." The OTS has proposed  amendments of its capital
distribution  regulations to reduce regulatory burdens on savings  associations.
If adopted as proposed,  certain savings  associations  will be permitted to pay
capital distributions within the amounts described above for Tier 1 institutions
without notice to, or the approval of, the OTS. However,  a savings  association
subsidiary  of a savings and loan  holding  company,  such as the Bank after the
Reorganization,  will  continue  to have to file a notice  unless  the  specific
capital distribution requires an application.

     Liquidity.  The Bank is required to  maintain an average  daily  balance of
liquid  assets  (cash,  certain time  deposits,  certain  bankers'  acceptances,
specified United States Government, state and federal agency obligations, shares
of certain  mutual funds and certain  corporate  debt  securities and commercial
paper) equal to a monthly average of not less than a specified percentage of its
net  withdrawable  deposit accounts plus short-term  borrowings.  This liquidity
requirement may be changed from time to time by the OTS to any amount within the
range of 4% to 10% depending  upon economic  conditions and the savings flows of
member institutions,  and is currently 4%. Monetary penalties may be imposed for
failure to meet the liquidity  requirement.  The Bank's average  liquidity ratio
for the month  ended  June 30,  1998 was 9.78%  which  exceeded  the  applicable
requirements.  The Bank has never been subject to monetary penalties for failure
to meet its liquidity requirements.

     Assessments.  Savings  associations  are required by OTS  regulation to pay
assessments  to  the  OTS  to  fund  the  operations  of the  OTS.  The  general
assessment, paid on a semi-annual basis, is computed upon the

  
                                       80



savings  association's total assets,  including  consolidated  subsidiaries,  as
reported in the association's  latest quarterly Thrift Financial Report.  During
January  and July  1998,  the Bank paid  assessments  of  $14,272  and  $14,911,
respectively.

     The OTS has proposed  amendments  to its  regulations  that are intended to
assess savings  associations on a more equitable basis. The proposed regulations
would  base  the  assessment  for an  individual  savings  associaton  on  three
components: the size of the association,  on which the basic assessment would be
based; the associaton's supervisory condition,  which would result in percentage
increases for any savings  institution  with a composite  rating of 3, 4 or 5 in
its most recent  safety and  soundness  examination;  and the  complexity of the
association's  operations,  which would  result in  percentage  increases  for a
savings  association that managed over $1 billion in trust assets,  serviced for
others loans aggregating more than $1 billion,  or had certain off-balance sheet
assets  aggregating more than $1 billion.  In order to avoid a  disproportionate
impact on the smaller savings  institutions,  the OTS is proposing to permit the
portion  of the  assessment  based on  assets  size  either  under  the  current
regulations or under the amended regulations. Management believes that, assuming
the proposed regulations are adopted as proposed,  any change in its rate of OTS
assessments will not be material.

     Branching. Subject to certain limitations, the HOLA and the OTS regulations
permit federally  chartered  savings  associations to establish  branches in any
state of the  United  States.  The  authority  to  establish  such  branches  is
available  (a)  in  states  that   expressly   authorize   branches  of  savings
associations located in another state or (b) to an association that qualifies as
a "domestic  building and loan  association"  under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, which imposes qualification requirements similar to those for a "qualified
thrift  lender"  under the HOLA.  See "-- QTL Test." The authority for a federal
savings association to establish an interstate branch network would facilitate a
geographic diversification of the association's activities. This authority under
the HOLA and the OTS  regulations  preempts any state law purporting to regulate
branching by federal savings associations.

     Community  Reinvestment.  Under the Community Reinvestment Act (the "CRA"),
as implemented by OTS  regulations,  a savings  association has a continuing and
affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet
the credit needs of its entire  community,  including  low and  moderate  income
neighborhoods.  The CRA does not  establish  specific  lending  requirements  or
programs  for  financial   institutions  nor  does  it  limit  an  institution's
discretion  to develop the types of products and  services  that it believes are
best  suited  to its  particular  community,  consistent  with the CRA.  The CRA
requires the OTS, in connection with its  examination of a savings  association,
to assess the association's  record of meeting the credit needs of its community
and to take such record into account in its  evaluation of certain  applications
by such  association.  The CRA also  requires  all  institutions  to make public
disclosure of their CRA ratings.  The Bank received a "Satisfactory"  CRA rating
in its most recent examination.

     In April  1995,  the OTS and the other  federal  banking  agencies  adopted
amendments  revising their CRA regulations.  Among other things, the amended CRA
regulations  substitute  for the prior  process-based  assessment  factors a new
evaluation system that would rate an institution based on its actual performance
in meeting  community  needs. In particular,  the proposed system would focus on
three tests: (a) a lending test, to evaluate the institution's  record of making
loans  in its  assessment  areas;  (b)  an  investment  test,  to  evaluate  the
institution's record of investing in community development projects,  affordable
housing,  and  programs  benefitting  low or  moderate  income  individuals  and
businesses;  and (c) a service test, to evaluate the  institution's  delivery of
services  through  its  branches,  ATMs  and  other  offices.  The  amended  CRA
regulations  also  clarify  how  an  institution's   CRA  performance  would  be
considered in the application process.

     Transactions  with  Related  Parties.  The  Bank's  authority  to engage in
transactions  with its  "affiliates"  is limited by the OTS  regulations  and by
Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act (the "FRA"). In

  
                                       81



general,  an affiliate of the Bank is any company that  controls the Bank or any
other company that is controlled by a company that controls the Bank,  excluding
the  Bank's   subsidiaries   other  than  those  that  are  insured   depository
institutions.  The OTS regulations prohibit a savings association  including any
of its subsidiaries (a) from lending to any of its affiliates that is engaged in
activities  that are not  permissible  for bank holding  companies under Section
4(c) of the BHC Act and (b) from  purchasing  the  securities  of any  affiliate
other than a subsidiary. Section 23A limits the aggregate amount of transactions
with any  individual  affiliate to 10% of the capital and surplus of the savings
association  and also  limits  the  aggregate  amount of  transactions  with all
affiliates to 20% of the savings association's  capital and surplus.  Extensions
of credit to  affiliates  are required to be secured by  collateral in an amount
and of a type  described in Section 23A, and the purchase of low quality  assets
from  affiliates  is generally  prohibited.  Section 23B  provides  that certain
transactions  with affiliates,  including loans and asset purchases,  must be on
terms  and  under   circumstances,   including   credit   standards,   that  are
substantially  the same or at least as  favorable  to the  association  as those
prevailing  at  the  time  for  comparable   transactions  with   non-affiliated
companies. In the absence of comparable transactions, such transactions may only
occur under terms and  circumstances,  including credit standards,  that in good
faith would be offered to or would apply to non-affiliated companies.

     The Bank's authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers,
and 10%  shareholders,  as well as to entities  controlled by such  persons,  is
currently  governed by the  requirements  of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the FRA
and Regulation O of the FRB  thereunder.  Among other things,  these  provisions
require  that  extensions  of credit to  insiders  (a) be made on terms that are
substantially  the same as, and follow credit  underwriting  procedures that are
not less stringent  than,  those  prevailing for  comparable  transactions  with
unaffiliated  persons  and that do not  involve  more  than the  normal  risk of
repayment  or present  other  unfavorable  features  and (b) not exceed  certain
limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons,  individually  and
in the  aggregate,  which  limits  are  based,  in part,  on the  amount  of the
association's  capital.  In addition,  extensions of credit in excess of certain
limits must be approved by the association's Board of Directors.

     Enforcement.  Under the Federal Deposit  Insurance Act (the "FDI Act"), the
OTS has primary enforcement responsibility over savings associations and has the
authority  to  bring  enforcement  action  against  all  "institution-affiliated
parties,"  including any controlling  stockholder or any stockholder,  attorney,
appraiser  or  accountant  who  knowingly  or  recklessly  participates  in  any
violation of applicable law or regulation or breach of fiduciary duty or certain
other  wrongful  actions that causes or is likely to cause a more than a minimal
loss or other  significant  adverse  effect on an insured  savings  association.
Civil  penalties  cover a wide range of  violations  and  actions and range from
$5,000 for each day during which  violations of law,  regulations,  orders,  and
certain written agreements and conditions continue, up to $1 million per day for
such violations if the person obtained a substantial  pecuniary gain as a result
of such  violation or knowingly or recklessly  caused a substantial  loss to the
institution. Criminal penalties for certain financial institution crimes include
fines of up to $1 million  and  imprisonment  for up to 30 years.  In  addition,
regulators have  substantial  discretion to take  enforcement  action against an
institution that fails to comply with its regulatory requirements,  particularly
with respect to its capital  requirements.  Possible  enforcement  actions range
from the  imposition  of a capital plan and capital  directive to  receivership,
conservatorship, or the termination of deposit insurance. Under the FDI Act, the
FDIC has the  authority to  recommend  to the  Director of OTS that  enforcement
action be taken with respect to a particular savings  association.  If action is
not taken by the Director of the OTS, the FDIC has authority to take such action
under certain circumstances.

     Standards for Safety and Soundness.  Pursuant to the FDI Act, as amended by
FDICIA and the Riegle  Community  Development and Regulatory  Improvement Act of
1994 (the "Community  Development Act"), the OTS and the federal bank regulatory
agencies have adopted, effective August 9, 1995, a set of guidelines prescribing
safety and soundness  standards  pursuant to FDICIA, as amended.  The guidelines
establish  general  standards  relating to  internal  controls  and  information
systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation,

  
                                       82

credit  underwriting,  interest  rate  exposure,  asset growth,  asset  quality,
earnings,  and  compensation,  fees and  benefits.  In general,  the  guidelines
require,  among other things,  appropriate systems and practices to identify and
manage the risks and  exposures  specified  in the  guidelines.  The  guidelines
prohibit  excessive  compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe
compensation   as  excessive   when  the  amounts  paid  are   unreasonable   or
disproportionate  to the services performed by an executive  officer,  employee,
director,  or principal  stockholder.  In addition,  the OTS adopted regulations
that  authorize,  but do not require,  the OTS to order an institution  that has
been given  notice by the OTS that it is not  satisfying  any of such safety and
soundness standards to submit a compliance plan. If, after being so notified, an
institution  fails  to  submit  an  acceptable  compliance  plan or fails in any
material respect to implement an accepted compliance plan, the OTS must issue an
order  directing  action  to  correct  the  deficiency  and may  issue  an order
directing other actions of the types to which an undercapitalized association is
subject  under the  "prompt  corrective  action"  provisions  of  FDICIA.  If an
institution fails to comply with such an order, the OTS may seek to enforce such
order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil money penalties.

     Real  Estate  Lending  Standards.  The OTS and the  other  federal  banking
agencies  adopted  regulations  to prescribe  standards for extensions of credit
that (a) are secured by real estate or (b) are made for the purpose of financing
the  construction of improvements  on real estate.  The OTS regulations  require
each savings  association to establish and maintain written internal real estate
lending  standards that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices and
appropriate to the size of the  association and the nature and scope of its real
estate  lending   activities.   The  standards  also  must  be  consistent  with
accompanying  OTS  guidelines,   which  include  loan-to-value  ratios  for  the
different types of real estate loans.  Associations are also permitted to make a
limited  amount  of loans  that do not  conform  to the  proposed  loan-to-value
limitations so long as such exceptions are reviewed and justified appropriately.
The guidelines  also describe the procedures to be followed for loans that would
be exceptions to the loan-to-value standards.

     Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. Under the OTS prompt corrective action
regulations,  the OTS is required to take  certain,  and is  authorized  to take
other, supervisory actions against  undercapitalized  savings associations.  For
this purpose,  a savings  association  would be placed in one of five categories
based on the association's capital.  Generally, a savings association is treated
as "well  capitalized" if its ratio of total capital to risk-weighted  assets is
at least 10.0%,  its ratio of core capital to  risk-weighted  assets is at least
6.0%,  its ratio of core capital to total assets is at least 5.0%, and it is not
subject to any order or directive by the OTS to meet a specific capital level. A
savings association will be treated as "adequately  capitalized" if its ratio of
total  capital  to  risk-weighted  assets  is at least  8.0%,  its ratio of core
capital to risk-weighted  assets is at least 4.0%, and its ratio of core capital
to total assets is at least 4.0% (3.0% if the  association  receives the highest
rating  under the  Uniform  Financial  Institutions  Rating  System).  A savings
association that has a total risk-based  capital of less than 8.0% or a leverage
ratio or a Tier 1 capital ratio that is less than 4.0% (3.0%  leverage  ratio if
the  association  receives  the  highest  rating  under  the  Uniform  Financial
Institutions  Rating System) is considered to be  "undercapitalized."  A savings
association  that has a total  risk-based  capital of less than 6.0% or a Tier 1
risk-based  capital ratio or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0% is considered to
be "significantly  undercapitalized."  A savings association that has a tangible
capital  to assets  ratio  equal to or less than 2% is deemed to be  "critically
undercapitalized."  The elements of an association's capital for purposes of the
prompt corrective action regulations are defined generally as they are under the
regulations for minimum capital requirements. See "-- Capital Requirements."

     The  severity  of the action  authorized  or required to be taken under the
prompt  corrective  action  regulations  increases as an  association's  capital
deteriorates within the three undercapitalized  categories. All associations are
prohibited  from  paying  dividends  or other  capital  distributions  or paying
management fees to any controlling person if, following such  distribution,  the
association  would  be  undercapitalized.  An  undercapitalized  association  is
required  to file a  capital  restoration  plan  within  45 days of the date the
association

                                       83

receives notice that it is within any of the three undercapitalized  categories.
The OTS is required  to monitor  closely the  condition  of an  undercapitalized
association and to restrict the asset growth,  acquisitions,  branching, and new
lines  of  business  of  such  an  association.  Significantly  undercapitalized
associations  are subject to restrictions  on  compensation of senior  executive
officers;  such an association  may not,  without OTS consent,  pay any bonus or
provide  compensation  to any senior  executive  officer at a rate exceeding the
officer's  average rate of compensation  (excluding  bonuses,  stock options and
profit-sharing)  during the 12 months  preceding the month when the  association
became undercapitalized.  A significantly  undercapitalized association may also
be subject, among other things,  supervisory orders to change the composition of
its  Board  of  Directors  or  senior  management,  additional  restrictions  on
transactions  with  affiliates,  restrictions  on  acceptance  of deposits  from
correspondent  associations,  further restrictions on asset growth, restrictions
on rates paid on deposits,  direction to terminate or reduce  activities  deemed
risky, and any further operational restriction deemed necessary by the OTS.

     If one or more grounds exist for  appointing a conservator  or receiver for
an association,  the OTS may require the association to issue additional debt or
stock, sell assets, be acquired by a depository  association  holding company or
combine with another depository  association.  The OTS and the FDIC have a broad
range of grounds under which they may appoint a receiver or  conservator  for an
insured depository  association.  Under FDICIA, the OTS is required to appoint a
receiver (or with the  concurrence of the FDIC, a conservator)  for a critically
undercapitalized  association  within  90 days  after  the  association  becomes
critically  undercapitalized  or, with the concurrence of the FDIC, to take such
other  action that would better  achieve the  purposes of the prompt  corrective
action provisions. Such alternative action can be renewed for successive 90- day
periods. However, if the association continues to be critically undercapitalized
on  average  during the  quarter  that  begins  270 days  after it first  became
critically undercapitalized,  a receiver must be appointed, unless the OTS makes
certain findings with which the FDIC concurs and the Director of the OTS and the
Chairman of the FDIC certify that the  association  is viable.  In addition,  an
association  that is  critically  undercapitalized  is  subject  to more  severe
restrictions on its activities, and is prohibited, without prior approval of the
FDIC from, among other things,  entering into certain  material  transactions or
paying interest on new or renewed liabilities at a rate that would significantly
increase the association's weighted average cost of funds.

     When  appropriate,  the OTS can  require  corrective  action  by a  savings
association  holding company under the "prompt  corrective action" provisions of
FDICIA.

     Insurance of Deposit  Accounts.  The Bank is a member of the SAIF,  and the
Bank pays its deposit insurance assessments to the SAIF. The FDIC also maintains
another  insurance  fund, the Bank Insurance Fund (the "BIF"),  which  primarily
insures the deposits of banks and state chartered savings banks.

     Pursuant to FDICIA, the FDIC established a new risk-based assessment system
for  determining  the  deposit  insurance  assessments  to be  paid  by  insured
depository  institutions.  Under the  assessment  system,  the FDIC  assigns  an
institution  to one of  three  capital  categories  based  on the  institution's
financial  information as of the reporting period ending seven months before the
assessment period. The three capital categories consist of (a) well capitalized,
(b) adequately  capitalized,  or (c) undercapitalized.  The FDIC also assigns an
institution to one of three supervisory subcategories within each capital group.
The  supervisory  subgroup  to which an  institution  is  assigned is based on a
supervisory evaluation provided to the FDIC by the institution's primary federal
regulator  and  information  that  the FDIC  determines  to be  relevant  to the
institution's  financial  condition and the risk posed to the deposit  insurance
funds.  An  institution's  assessment  rate depends on the capital  category and
supervisory  category to which it is assigned.  Under the regulation,  there are
nine assessment risk classifications  (i.e.,  combinations of capital groups and
supervisory   subgroups)  to  which  different  assessment  rates  are  applied.
Assessment rates currently range from 0.0% of deposits for an institution in the
highest category (i.e.,  well-capitalized  and financially  sound,  with no more
than a few minor weaknesses) to 0.27%

  
                                       84



of deposits for an institution in the lowest  category  (i.e.,  undercapitalized
and  substantial  supervisory  concern).  The FDIC is  authorized  to raise  the
assessment  rates as necessary to maintain the required  reserve ratio of 1.25%.
As a result of the Deposit  Insurance Funds Act of 1996 (the "Funds Act"),  both
the BIF and the SAIF  currently  satisfy the reserve ratio  requirement.  If the
FDIC determines that assessment  rates should be increased,  institutions in all
risk categories could be affected. The FDIC has exercised this authority several
times in the past and could raise insurance  assessment rates in the future.  If
such  action  is taken by the  FDIC,  it could  have an  adverse  effect  on the
earnings of the Bank.

     The Funds Act also amended the FDIA to expand the  assessment  base for the
payments on the FICO bonds.  Beginning  January 1, 1997, the assessment base for
the FICO bonds included the deposits of both BIF- and SAIF-insured institutions.
Until  December  31,  1999,  or such  earlier  date on which  the  last  savings
association ceases to exist, the rate of assessment for BIF-assessable  deposits
shall be one-fifth of the rate imposed on SAIF-assessable  deposits.  The annual
rate of  assessments  for the  payments  on the FICO  bonds for the  semi-annual
period  beginning  on July 1, 1998 was 0.0122% for  BIF-assessable  deposits and
0.0610% for SAIF-assessable deposits.

     The Funds Act also  provides  for the merger of the BIF and SAIF on January
1, 1999, with such merger being  conditioned  upon the prior  elimination of the
thrift charter.  The Funds Act required the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct
a study of relevant  factors with respect to the development of a common charter
for all insured  depository  institutions and abolition of separate charters for
banks and thrifts and to report the Secretary's  conclusions and findings to the
Congress.  The  Secretary of the Treasury  recommended  to the Congress that the
separate charter for thrifts be eliminated only if other  legislation is adopted
that  permits  bank  holding  companies  to  engage  in  certain   non-financial
activities.  However, the current version of bank modernization legislation, The
Financial  Services Act of 1998,  H.R. 10, which was passed by the U.S. House of
Representatives  in May  1998  and is  currently  being  considered  by the U.S.
Senate, does not require thrift institutions to convert to bank charter.

     Under the FDI Act, insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon
a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in
an unsafe or unsound  condition  to  continue  operations  or has  violated  any
applicable law, regulation,  rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC or the
OTS.  The  management  of the Bank does not know of any  practice,  condition or
violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.

     Federal Home Loan Bank System.  The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Boston,
which is one of the regional  Federal Home Loan Banks composing the Federal Home
Loan Bank System. Each Federal Home Loan Bank provides a central credit facility
primarily  for its  member  institutions.  The Bank,  as a member of the FHLB of
Boston,  is required to acquire and hold shares of capital  stock in the FHLB of
Boston  in an  amount  at least  equal  to the  greater  of 1% of the  aggregate
principal  amount  of  its  unpaid   residential   mortgage  loans  and  similar
obligations  at the beginning of each year or 1/20 of its advances  (borrowings)
from the FHLB of Boston.  The Bank was in compliance with this  requirement with
an  investment  in the capital  stock of the FHLB of Boston at June 30, 1998, of
$1.5  million.  Any  advances  from a Federal  Home Loan Bank must be secured by
specified types of collateral,  and all long-term  advances may be obtained only
for the purpose of providing funds for residential housing finance.

     The  Federal  Home  Loan  Banks  are  required  to  provide  funds  for the
resolution of insolvent  thrifts and to contribute funds for affordable  housing
programs.  These  requirements  could  reduce  the amount of  earnings  that the
Federal  Home Loan Banks can pay as  dividends  to their  members and could also
result in the  Federal  Home Loan Banks  imposing a higher  rate of  interest on
advances  to their  members.  The FHLB of Boston  paid  dividends  on the Bank's
capital stock of $91,000,  $60,000 and $53,000 during the years ended  September
30,

  
                                       85

1997,  1996 and 1995,  respectively.  If dividends were reduced,  or interest on
future Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased, the Bank's net interest income
would likely also be reduced.

     Federal  Reserve  System.  The Bank is subject to provisions of the FRA and
the FRB's regulations pursuant to which depository  institutions may be required
to maintain  noninterest-earning  reserves  against their  deposit  accounts and
certain  other  liabilities.  Currently,  reserves  must be  maintained  against
transaction  accounts  (primarily NOW and regular  checking  accounts).  The FRB
regulations generally require that reserves be maintained in the amount of 3% of
the  aggregate  of  transaction  accounts  up to $47.8  million.  The  amount of
aggregate  transaction accounts in excess of $47.8 million are currently subject
to a reserve  ratio of 10%,  which ratio the FRB may adjust  between 8% and 12%.
The FRB  regulations  currently  exempt  $4.7  million of  otherwise  reservable
balances from the reserve  requirements,  which exemption is adjusted by the FRB
at the end of each year.  The Bank is in compliance  with the foregoing  reserve
requirements. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of either
vault  cash,  a  noninterest-bearing  account at a Federal  Reserve  Bank,  or a
pass-through  account  as  defined  by the  FRB,  the  effect  of  this  reserve
requirement  is to reduce  the  Bank's  interest-earning  assets.  The  balances
maintained  to meet the reserve  requirements  imposed by the FRB may be used to
satisfy liquidity requirements imposed by the OTS. Federal Home Loan Bank System
members  are also  authorized  to  borrow  from the  Federal  Reserve  "discount
window," but FRB  regulations  require such  institutions to exhaust all Federal
Home Loan Bank sources before borrowing from a Federal Reserve Bank.

REGULATION OF THE HOLDING COMPANY

     General.  The Mutual  Company and the Stock  Company are holding  companies
chartered pursuant to Section 10(o) of the HOLA. As such, the Mutual Company and
the Stock  Company  are  registered  with and  subject  to OTS  examination  and
supervision as well as certain reporting requirements.  In addition, the OTS has
enforcement  authority  over the Mutual Company and the Stock Company and any of
its non-savings  institution  subsidiaries.  Among other things,  this authority
permits the OTS to restrict or prohibit  activities  that are determined to be a
serious risk to the financial  safety,  soundness,  or stability of a subsidiary
savings  institution.  Unlike bank holding  companies,  federal  mutual  holding
companies  are  not  subject  to  any  regulatory  capital  requirements  or  to
supervision by the Federal Reserve System.

     Restrictions Applicable to Activities of Mutual Holding Companies. Pursuant
to  Section  10(o) of the HOLA,  a mutual  holding  company,  such as the Mutual
Company,  and a federally  chartered  mid-tier holding company such as the Stock
Company may engage only in the following activities:  (i) investing in the stock
of a savings institution; (ii) acquiring a mutual association through the merger
of such  association  into a  savings  institution  subsidiary  of such  holding
company or an interim savings  institution  subsidiary of such holding  company;
(iii)  merging  with  or  acquiring  another  holding  company,   one  of  whose
subsidiaries  is a savings  institution;  (iv)  investing in a  corporation  the
capital stock of which is available for purchase by a savings  institution under
federal  law or  under  the  law of  any  state  where  the  subsidiary  savings
institution  or  associations  have  their  home  offices;   (v)  furnishing  or
performing  management  services for a savings  institution  subsidiary  of such
holding company; (vi) holding, managing, or liquidating assets owned or acquired
from a savings institution subsidiary of such company; (vii) holding or managing
properties used or occupied by a savings institution subsidiary of such company;
(viii) acting as trustee under a deed of trust; (ix) any other activity (a) that
the FRB, by  regulation,  has  determined  to be  permissible  for bank  holding
companies  under Section 4(c) of the BHC Act, unless the Director of the OTS, by
regulation,  prohibits or limits any such  activity for savings and loan holding
companies,  or (b) in which  multiple  savings and loan holding  companies  were
authorized  by  regulation  to  directly  engage  on  March  5,  1987;  and  (x)
purchasing,  holding,  or  disposing  of stock  acquired  in  connection  with a
qualified  stock issuance if the purchase of such stock by such holding  company
is approved by the Director of the OTS. If a mutual holding company  acquires or
merges with another holding company, the holding company acquired or the holding
company resulting from such merger or acquisition may only

                                       86

invest in assets and engage in activities  listed above,  and it has a period of
two years to cease any  non-conforming  activities and divest any non-conforming
investments.

     Restrictions Applicable to All Savings and Loan Holding Companies. The HOLA
prohibits a savings and loan holding  company,  including  the Stock Company and
the Mutual  Company,  directly or  indirectly,  from  acquiring  (i) control (as
defined under HOLA) of another savings  institution (or a holding company parent
thereof)  without prior OTS approval;  (ii) more than 5% of the voting shares of
another  savings  institution  (or holding company parent thereof) that is not a
subsidiary,  subject to certain exceptions; (iii) through merger, consolidation,
or purchase of assets, another savings institution or a holding company thereof,
or acquiring all or  substantially  all of the assets of such  institution (or a
holding  company  thereof)  without prior OTS  approval;  or (iv) control of any
depository institution not insured by the FDIC (except through a merger with and
into the holding  company's savings  institution  subsidiary that is approved by
the OTS).

     A savings and loan holding company may not acquire as a separate subsidiary
an insured  institution  that has a principal  office outside of the state where
the principal office of its subsidiary institution is located, except (i) in the
case of certain  emergency  acquisitions (as defined under HOLA) approved by the
FDIC; (ii) if such holding  company  controls a savings  institution  subsidiary
that  operated a home or branch office in such  additional  state as of March 5,
1987, or (iii) if the laws of the state in which the savings  institution  to be
acquired is located  specifically  authorize a savings institution  chartered by
that state to be acquired by a savings institution  chartered by the state where
the acquiring savings institution or savings and loan holding company is located
or by a holding  company that controls such a state chartered  association.  The
conditions  imposed  upon  interstate  acquisitions  by those  states  that have
enacted   authorizing   legislation  vary.  Some  states  impose  conditions  of
reciprocity,  which have the effect of requiring that the laws of both the state
in which the acquiring holding company is located (as determined by the location
of its subsidiary savings institution) and the state in which the association to
be acquired is  located,  have each  enacted  legislation  allowing  its savings
institutions to be acquired by out-of-state  holding  companies on the condition
that the laws of the other state  authorize such  transactions  on terms no more
restrictive  than  those  imposed  on the  acquirer  by the state of the  target
association.  Some of these  states  also  impose  regional  limitations,  which
restrict such acquisitions to states within a defined geographic  region.  Other
states allow full nationwide banking without any condition of reciprocity.  Some
states do not authorize  interstate  acquisitions  of savings  institutions.  In
evaluating an application by a holding company to acquire a savings institution,
the OTS  must  consider  the  financial  and  managerial  resources  and  future
prospects  of the company and savings  institution  involved,  the effect of the
acquisition on the risk to the insurance funds, the convenience and needs of the
community, and competitive factors.

     If the savings  institution  subsidiary of a federal mutual holding company
fails  to meet  the QTL  test  set  forth  in  Section  10(m)  of the  HOLA  and
regulations of the OTS, the holding company must register with the FRB as a bank
holding  company under the BHC Act within one year of the savings  institution's
failure to so qualify.

FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS

     The Common Stock to be issue in the Offering  will be  registered  with the
SEC  under  the  Exchange  Act.  The  Stock  Company  will  be  subject  to  the
information,   proxy  solicitation,   insider  trading  restrictions  and  other
requirements of the SEC under the Exchange Act.

  
                                       87

                                   MANAGEMENT

     The Board of Directors of the Bank is divided  into three  groups,  each of
which contains  approximately  one-third of the Board. The directors are elected
for  staggered  three-year  terms,  or until  their  successors  are elected and
qualified. One group of directors, consisting of Messrs. Todisco, Verrengia, and
Mattuchio  has a  term  of  office  expiring  at the  first  annual  meeting  of
stockholders;  a second  group,  consisting  of Messrs.  McCarthy,  Becker,  and
O'Brien,  has a  term  of  office  expiring  at the  second  annual  meeting  of
stockholders;  and a third  group,  consisting  of Messrs.  Bommer,  Conte,  and
Charles  has  a  term  of  office  expiring  at  the  third  annual  meeting  of
stockholders.  Their names and biographical  information are set forth under "--
Directors."

DIRECTORS

     The following table sets forth certain  information  regarding the Board of
Directors of the Bank in its mutual form who will  initially  serve on the Board
of  Directors of the Bank in its stock form and on the Board of Directors of the
Stock Company.



                                                                                                            CURRENT
                                                                                           DIRECTOR          TERM
DIRECTORS                                    AGE(1)               POSITION                  SINCE            EXPIRES
- -----------                                -------                --------                 --------        --------
                                                                                                     
Ernest F. Becker.......................       68                Vice-Chairman                1977            2001
                                                                and Director

Arno P. Bommer.........................       71               Chairman of the               1955            2001
                                                             Board and Director

Theodore E. Charles....................       55                  Director                   1997            2000

Anthony R. Conte.......................       50                  Director                   1988            2001

Carmen R. Mattuchio....................       60                  Director                   1994            1999

James J. McCarthy......................       37         President, Chief Executive          1989            2000
                                                            Officer and Director
                                                  
J. Michael O'Brien.....................       45                  Director                   1997            2000

Angelo A. Todisco......................       69                  Director                   1980            1999

John J. Verrengia......................       42                  Director                   1994            1999

- -------------
(1)  At July 1, 1998.


BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

     Set  forth  below  is  certain  information  regarding  the  directors  and
executive  officers of the Bank. Unless otherwise  indicated,  each director and
executive officer has held his current occupation for the last five years.

     Ernest F. Becker has been a director of the Bank since 1977. Mr. Becker,  a
licensed  engineer,  served as Chief  Engineer,  Vice President and President of
Whitmore Company, an engineering company located in Revere, Massachusetts,  from
1952 until his retirement in 1996.

     Arno P. Bommer has served on the Board of Directors of the Bank since 1955.
He was elected to the  position of Chairman of the Bank's  Board of Directors in
1978.  Mr.  Bommer is a  consultant  to both the  Massachusetts  Dental  Service
Corporation and the Division of Medical Assistance of the Commonwealth of

  
                                       88

Massachusetts. He is also a partner in Fanuiel Associates, which provides dental
office reviews  throughout the  Commonwealth of  Massachusetts.  Mr. Bommer is a
also a licensed  dentist  and had a private  practice  in Revere,  Massachusetts
before his retirement in 1996.

     Theodore E. Charles has been a director of the Bank since 1996. Mr. Charles
is the Chairman of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer of Investors  Capital
Holdings  which is located in  Lynnfield,  Massachusetts.  As Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Investors Capital Holdings,  Mr. Charles is responsible for
supervising  the brokerage and investment  services  provided by its affiliates,
Investors Capital Corporation,  a brokerage concern registered with the National
Association  of  Securities  Dealers  and  Eastern  Point  Advisors,  registered
investment advisors.

     Anthony R. Conte was elected to the Bank's Board of Directors in 1988.  Mr.
Conte has been a practicing  attorney  since 1974.  He is presently the Regional
Solicitor for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Northeast Region.

     Carmen R.  Mattuchio has served on the Board of Directors of the Bank since
1994.  Mr.  Mattuchio  is the owner of  Burnett &  Moynihan,  Inc.,  a  building
materials  supplier,  located in Revere,  Massachusetts.  Mr. Mattuchio has been
self-employed by Burnett & Moynihan for the past 20 years.

     James J.  McCarthy has served as President and Chief  Executive  Officer of
the Bank since  1989.  He has also  served as a director of the Bank since 1989.
Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. McCarthy,  a CPA, was employed by the predecessor
to  Ernst  &  Young,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  serving  in a  variety  of  audit
functions.  Mr.  McCarthy  has also been  employed by Pell  Rudman & Company,  a
Broker Dealer/Investment Advisor firm as a consultant with respect to accounting
and  reporting  to the NASD.  Mr.  McCarthy is on the Board of  Directors of the
Massachusetts Bankers Association and is involved in many local Revere charities
and business  organizations  including  the Revere  Chamber of Commerce,  Revere
Rotary and the Revere  Partnership for Economic  Development.  Mr. McCarthy also
served as the Executive Committee Chairman of the Massachusetts  Thrift Fund for
Economic Development until its dissolution in 1997.

     J.  Michael  O'Brien has been a director of the Bank since 1997.  He is the
President,  Chief  Executive  Officer and a principal  of Eagle Air  Freight,  a
domestic  air  freight   provider,   founded  in  1981  and  based  in  Chelsea,
Massachusetts. Mr. O'Brien is also the trustee and a principal of O'Brien Realty
Trust.  O'Brien  Realty Trust owns and leases  warehouse and  commercial  office
space in Chelsea, Massachusetts.

     Angelo A.  Todisco  was  elected to the Board of  Directors  of the Bank in
1980. Mr. Todisco is a retired  licensed public adjuster and serves as President
of DePiano & Todisco Adjusters,  Inc. which appraises damages to residential and
commercial properties on behalf of its clients in connection with the settlement
of insurance claims.

     John J.  Verrengia  has served on the Board of  Directors of the Bank since
1994.  Mr.  Verrengia  is  a  certified  public   accountant  and  is  currently
self-employed as principal accountant of John J. Verrengia,  CPA, a professional
corporation.  Mr. Verrengia is also a registered investment advisor and provides
financial  and  investment  advice to  clients  through  Anchor  Investments,  a
consulting firm which he founded in 1992.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS

     Anthony J. Patti,  age 43, has been the Executive  Vice President and Chief
Financial  Officer of the Bank since 1992. He is responsible  for the financial,
lending operations, information systems customer service and marketing functions
of the Bank on a day-to-day  basis.  Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Patti served
as an

  
                                       89

Operations  Specialist for the Resolution Trust Corporation.  Mr. Patti has also
been  employed  by  Home  Owners  Savings  Bank,  F.S.B.,   located  in  Boston,
Massachusetts  where he served as a First Vice  President and  Controller and by
Andover Savings Bank, Andover, Massachusetts, where he served as Comptroller.

     Judith E. Tenaglia,  age 46, has been employed by the Bank for 21 years and
has been  Treasurer  of the  Bank  since  1991.  Prior to  becoming  the  Bank's
Treasurer, Ms. Tenaglia worked in the customer service department of the Bank.

MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The Board of  Directors  of the Bank meets on a monthly  basis and may have
additional  special  meetings upon request of the Chairman of the Board.  During
the fiscal year ended  September 30, 1997,  the Board of Directors met 12 times.
No  current  director  attended  fewer  than 75% of the  total  number  of Board
meetings  and no fewer than 75% of the total  number of  committee  meetings  of
which such director was a member.

     The Board's Nominating Committee consists of Messrs.  Bommer,  McCarthy and
Becker,  with Director  Bommer serving as the Chairman of this  Committee.  This
Committee  nominates  individuals for election to the Bank's Board of Directors.
The Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.

     The Board's  Compensation  Committee consists of Messrs.  Becker,  Charles,
McCarthy  and  Bommer  and is  chaired  by  Director  Becker.  The  Compensation
Committee provides advice and  recommendations to the Board in areas of employee
salaries and  directors'  compensation.  This  Committee  met 5 times during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.

     The  Audit  Committee  function  is  carried  out by the  entire  Board  of
Directors  and is  responsible  for  reviewing a number of  periodic  management
reports.  It also  reviews  the annual  audit and audit  report  prepared by the
independent accountants and recommends the appointment of the accountants.

     The  Executive  Committee,  under certain  circumstances  and to the extent
permitted by law,  can  exercise  all powers of the Board of Directors  when the
Board is not in  session.  The  Executive  Committee  held 11 meetings in fiscal
1997.  The  present  members  of the  Executive  Committee  are  Messrs.  Bommer
(Chairman), Becker and McCarthy.

     It is anticipated that after the Reorganization,  the Board of Directors of
the Bank in its stock form and/or the Board of  Directors  of the Stock  Company
will establish  committees which initially are identical in responsibilities and
composition  to the  committees  of the  Board of  Directors  of the Bank in its
mutual form.

                                       90

DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION

     Fee  Arrangements.  Members of the Board of Directors of the Bank receive a
fee of $275 for attendance at each of the twelve regularly scheduled meetings of
the Board of Directors with the Chairman and Vice-  Chairman  receiving $300 for
each meeting  attended.  The directors also receive fees ranging from $25 to $50
per  month  for  each  committee  meeting  attended.  The  aggregate  amount  of
directors' fees paid during fiscal 1997 totaled $19,750 and the aggregate amount
of committee fees totaled $4,125. It is anticipated that members of the Board of
Directors of the Stock Company will not receive  compensation for their services
on such Board but will  participate in the Option and Restricted  Stock Programs
expected  to be  implemented  by the  Stock  Company  for  directors,  officers,
executives and key employees  following the completion of the Reorganization and
Offering.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     Compensation  Decisions.  Decisions regarding the compensation of the Stock
Company's  executives  will be  determined  by the  members of the  Compensation
Committee  to be  established  by the Board of  Directors  of the Stock  Company
following the Reorganization.  However,  because directors employed by the Stock
Company who are  appointed to serve on the  Compensation  Committee  will not be
permitted  to make  decisions  with  respect to the  compensation  and  benefits
payable to executives  of the Stock  Company,  no interlocks  will exist between
members of the Compensation Committee and the employees of the Stock Company.

     Cash  Compensation.  The following  table sets forth the cash  compensation
paid by the Bank for services  rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year
ended  September  30,  1997 to the Chief  Executive  Officer of the Bank and all
other  executive  officers of the Bank who  received  compensation  in excess of
$100,000 (each, a "Named Executive Officer") during such fiscal year.
 
                                       91




                                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION (1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===---------
                                                                      OTHER ANNUAL    LONG-TERM       ALL OTHER
  NAME AND                      FISCAL                                COMPENSATION   INCENTIVE PLAN  COMPENSATION
 PRINCIPAL                      YEAR        SALARY ($)     BONUS ($)    ($)(2)          PAYOUT (3)     ($)(4)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
James J. McCarthy,              1997        112,013         4,039        --               --             4,750
   President and Chief
   Executive Officer

Anthony J. Patti,              1997         92,474          3,400        --               --             4,750
   Executive Vice President
   and  Chief Financial
   Officer

- --------------------

(1) Under Annual  Compensation,  the column titled  "Salary"  includes the Named
    Executive  Officer's base salary including all payroll deductions for health
    insurance under the Bank's health  insurance plan and pre-tax  contributions
    to the Bank's 401(k) Plan.

(2) For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, there were no: (a) perquisites
    with an aggregate  value for each Named  Executive  Officer in excess of the
    lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total of the  individual's  salary and bonus
    for the year; (b) payments of above-market preferential earnings on deferred
    compensation;  (c) payments of earnings with respect to long-term  incentive
    plans prior to settlement or maturation;  or (d)  preferential  discounts on
    stock.

(3) During the fiscal year ended  September 30, 1997,  the Bank did not maintain
    any stock option, restricted stock or other long-term incentive compensation
    plans.

(4) Reflects matching contributions made by the Bank under the 401(k) Plan.


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

     Effective upon the Reorganization,  the Bank, subject to non-objection from
the OTS, intends to enter into separate  Employment  Agreements with each of Mr.
McCarthy,  Mr. Patti and Ms. Tenaglia  ("Senior  Executive(s)").  The Employment
Agreements will provide for initial terms of three years, in the case of Messrs.
McCarthy and Patti and two years in the case of Ms. Tenaglia.  Commencing on the
first  anniversary  of the  effective  date of each  Employment  Agreement,  and
continuing on each anniversary date thereafter, the Senior Executive's Agreement
may be  extended,  after  review  by  the  Bank's  Board  of  Directors,  for an
additional  one-year period,  so that the remaining term will be three years, in
the  case of  Messrs.  McCarthy  and  Patti  and two  years,  in the case of Ms.
Tenaglia.  If the Senior Executive's  Employment  Agreement is not renewed,  the
Agreement  will expire in accordance  with its terms.  The current base salaries
for Mr. McCarthy,  Mr. Patti and Ms. Tenaglia are $156,800 $104,047, and $56,778
respectively. The Employment Agreements provide for each Senior Executive's base
salary  to  be  reviewed  annually  and  it  is  anticipated  that  each  Senior
Executive's  base  salary  will  be  increased  on the  basis  of his or her job
performance and the overall performance of the Bank. In addition to base salary,
each Employment  Agreement  provides for, among other things,  participation  in
stock,  retirement and welfare benefit plans and eligibility for fringe benefits
applicable  to  executive  personnel  such as fees  for  club  and  organization
membership  deemed  appropriate  by the  Bank  and  the  Senior  Executive.  The
Agreements  provide for the termination of the Senior  Executive by the Bank for
"cause" as defined in the  Agreement  at any time during the term.  In the event
the Bank terminates a Senior  Executive's  employment for reasons other than for
"cause," or in the event of the Executive's  resignation  from the Bank upon (i)
failure to  re-appoint,  elect or re-elect  the  executive to his or her current
offices; (ii) a material change in the Senior Executive's  functions,  duties or
responsibilities,  or relocation of the Senior  Executive's  principal  place of
employment  by more than 30 miles;  (iii) a "change in  control" of the Bank (as
defined below)

  
                                       92



such as its liquidation or dissolution; or (iv) a breach of the agreement by the
Bank, the Senior  Executive,  or in the event of death,  his or her  beneficiary
would be entitled to a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the remaining
base salary due to the Senior  Executive at the time of  termination  that would
have been  payable  during  the  remaining  term of the  Executive's  Employment
Agreement.  In addition,  the Employment Agreement for Mr. McCarthy provides for
him to  receive,  as  additional  severance,  the  highest  cash  bonus  and the
additional  contributions or benefits that he would have earned or accrued under
any employee benefit plans of the Bank or the Stock Company during the remaining
unexpired term of his Employment Agreement. As additional severance,  all of the
Employment  Agreements  provide for the Bank to continue the Senior  Executive's
life,  health,  dental and  disability  coverage for the  remaining  term of the
Executive's Employment Agreement.

     The Bank's  Employment  Agreements will have  restrictions on the aggregate
dollar amount of compensation  and benefits payable to a Senior Executive in the
event of an employment  termination following a "change in control" of the Bank.
In general,  for purposes of the Employment  Agreements and the plans maintained
by the Bank,  a "change  in  control"  will be deemed to occur  when a person or
group of persons acting in concert acquires beneficial  ownership of 25% or more
of any class of equity  security,  such as Common  Stock of the Bank,  or in the
event of a tender  offer,  exchange  offer,  merger  or other  form of  business
combination,  sale of assets or contested election of directors which results in
a "change in control" of the majority of the Board of Directors of the Bank.

     If the  total  cash  and  benefits  paid to a  Senior  Executive  under  an
Employment  Agreement together with payments under other benefit plans following
a "change in control"  constitutes an "excess  parachute  payment" under section
280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), the compensation payable
to the  Senior  Executive  would be  reduced  (but not below  zero) to avoid the
assessment of excise taxes on such excess parachute payments.

BENEFITS

     Pension  Plan.  The Bank  maintains a  tax-qualified  defined  benefit plan
through the Financial Institutions Retirement Fund ("Pension Plan"). An employee
of the Bank who has attained  age 21 and  completed at least one year of service
with the Bank will be  eligible to  participate  and accrue  benefits  under the
Plan. The Pension Plan provides an annual pension benefit for each  participant,
including  the Named  Executive  Officers,  equal to 2.25% of the  participant's
"average  annual  salary"  multiplied  by the  participant's  years  of  benefit
service,  up to a maximum of 30 years.  The Pension Plan defines "average annual
salary" to mean the average of a participant's salary over a five year period of
employment with the Bank during which the participant's  salary was the highest.
A participant will become fully vested in the benefits that have accrued for him
under the Pension Plan after  completion of five years of service with the Bank.
The Pension Plan  provides  for benefits to be paid in a straight  life or joint
and survivor annuity;  however, optional forms of benefits payment, such as lump
sum distributions, are also available under the Plan.

     The Bank  makes  annual  contributions  to the  Pension  Plan in an  amount
necessary to satisfy the actuarially  determined minimum funding requirements of
the Code and the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974,  as amended
("ERISA").  The  assets  of the  Pension  Plan  are  held  in a  separate  trust
established by the Financial Institutions Retirement Fund.

     Pension Plan Table.  The following  table sets forth the  estimated  annual
benefits payable under the Pension Plan upon a participant's  normal  retirement
at age 65,  expressed  in the form of a single life  annuity and for the average
annual  salary  and years of  credited  service  specified  therein.  The annual
benefits shown in the table assume the participant  would receive his retirement
benefits  under the Pension Plan in the form of a straight  life  annuity,  upon
normal  retirement,  at age 65. The benefits provided under the Pension Plan are
not

  
                                       93



integrated with federal Social  Security  retirement  benefits.  Pursuant to the
terms of the Pension  Plan, no more than a maximum of 30 years of service may be
recognized for benefit accrual purposes.



                         YEARS OF SERVICE AND BENEFIT PAYABLE AT RETIREMENT
    AVERAGE          -------------------------------------------------------
  ANNUAL SALARY        15               20               25            30
  -------------       ----             ----             ----          ---
                                                                    
     $ 50,000         $ 16,900       $ 22,500       $ 28,100         $  33,800  
     $ 75,000         $ 25,300       $ 33,800       $ 42,200         $  50,600  
     $100,000         $ 33,800       $ 45,000       $ 56,300         $  67,500  
     $125,000         $ 42,200       $ 56,300       $ 70,300         $  84,400  
     $150,000         $ 50,600       $ 67,500       $ 84,400         $ 101,300  

                                                                       
     

     As of June 30,  1998,  Mr.  McCarthy  had 11 years and 5 months of credited
service and Mr.  Patti had 5 years and 3 months of credited  service for benefit
accrual purposes under the Pension Plan.

     401(k)  Plan.  The Bank  also  maintains  a  tax-qualified  401(k)  defined
contribution  plan  through the  Financial  Institutions  Thrift  Fund  ("401(k)
Plan").  Generally,  any  employee  of the  Bank  who  has  attained  age 21 and
completed  at least one year of service will be eligible to  participate  in the
401(k)  Plan  and  make  pre-tax   deferrals  from  1%  to  15%  of  his  annual
compensation, subject to limitations of the Code (for 1997, the annual limit was
$9,500;  this limit was increased to $10,000 for 1998).  The Bank makes matching
contributions  of 50%, up to a maximum of 10% of the  participant's  salary each
year.  Employees  are always 100% fully vested in their  pre-tax  deferrals  and
matching contributions made by the Bank.

     In connection with the  Reorganization,  the Bank also intends to amend the
401(k) Plan to permit employer  matching  contributions  to be made in shares of
Common Stock or cash,  at the  discretion  of the Bank.  In  addition,  the Bank
intends to amend the 401(k) Plan to establish an employer stock fund in order to
allow  participants  to invest their  401(k) Plan account  balances in shares of
Common Stock in addition to the other  investment  alternatives  available under
the  401(k)  Plan.  The  assets of the  employer  stock  fund will be held by an
independent  corporate trustee to be appointed for the 401(k) Plan and allocated
to the  accounts  of  individual  participants.  Participants  will  control the
exercise of voting and tender rights relating to the shares of Common Stock held
in their  accounts in the 401(k) Plan.  The Common Stock held by the 401(k) Plan
employer  stock fund may be newly issued or treasury  shares  acquired  from the
Stock Company or outstanding shares purchased in the open market or in privately
negotiated transactions.

     Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan and Trust.  The Stock  Company  intends to
implement a  tax-qualified  employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP") in connection
with the Reorganization. Employees with at least one year of employment with the
Bank and who have  attained age 21 will be eligible to  participate.  As part of
the Reorganization,  the ESOP intends to borrow funds from the Stock Company and
to use those  funds to  purchase  a number of shares  equal to up to 8.0% of the
Common  Stock to be sold in the  Offering.  Collateral  for the loan will be the
Common Stock purchased by the ESOP. The loan will be repaid principally from the
Bank's

  
                                       94

contributions  to the ESOP  over a  period  of not less  than ten  years.  It is
anticipated that the interest rate for the loan will be 8%.

     Shares  purchased  by the ESOP will be held in a suspense  account  pending
allocation among eligible participants on an annual basis as the loan is repaid.
The ESOP will provide for the shares held in the suspense account to be released
in an  amount  proportional  to the  repayment  of the  ESOP  loan  and  will be
allocated  among ESOP  participants  on the basis of compensation in the year of
allocation.  Participants  in the ESOP will receive  credit for service prior to
the  effective  date of the ESOP. A  participant  will become 100% vested in his
benefits after five years of service with the Bank or upon normal retirement (as
defined  in the  ESOP),  disability  or  death.  A  participant  who  terminates
employment  for reasons other than death,  retirement,  or  disability  prior to
completing  five years of service with the Bank will forfeit his ESOP  benefits.
Benefits  will be payable in the form of Common  Stock  and/or  cash upon death,
retirement,  disability or separation from service.  The Bank's contributions to
the ESOP will be subject to the loan terms and  federal  income tax law  limits,
and,  therefore,  the aggregate  dollar amount of the benefits payable under the
ESOP cannot be estimated at this time.

    In connection  with the  establishment  of the ESOP,  the Stock Company will
establish a committee of  nonemployee  directors to administer the ESOP; it will
also  appoint an  independent  corporate  trustee for the ESOP  trust.  The ESOP
trustee,  subject to its fiduciary  duty, will be required to vote all allocated
shares held in the ESOP in accordance  with the  instructions  of  participating
employees.  Under the ESOP,  nondirected shares, and shares held in the suspense
account,  will be voted in a manner  calculated to most  accurately  reflect the
instructions  the ESOP  trustee has received  from  participants  regarding  the
allocated  stock so long as such vote is in  accordance  with the  provisions of
ERISA.

    In addition to the provisions  described  above,  the ESOP will also provide
for certain  actions to occur upon a "change in control" of the Stock Company or
the Bank.  The ESOP will provide that, if such "change in control"  occurs,  the
ESOP  trustee  will be directed  to sell the shares of Common  Stock held in the
ESOP's suspense  account and to use the proceeds to repay the  outstanding  ESOP
loan. Following this action, the ESOP will provide for each eligible participant
to receive a final  allocation  of the shares of Common  Stock,  or the proceeds
received from the sale of such Stock,  held in the ESOP's trust.  Once the final
allocation of shares has been completed, the ESOP will provide for the automatic
termination of the plan to occur and for final distributions of account balances
to be made to participants and beneficiaries. Upon such "change in control," all
ESOP participants would  automatically  become 100% vested in their ESOP account
balances.

    Benefit Restoration Plan. In connection with the  Reorganization,  the Stock
Company also intends to adopt the Benefit Restoration Plan of RFS Bancorp,  Inc.
("BRP").  This Plan will provide eligible employees with the benefits that would
otherwise be due to them as  participants  in the Pension Plan,  the 401(k) Plan
and the ESOP if such benefits were not limited under the Code.

  
                                       95

     The Stock Company  intends to establish an irrevocable  "grantor  trust" to
hold the assets of the BRP. This trust would be funded with contributions of the
Stock  Company  to be made from time to time for the  purpose of  providing  the
benefits under the BRP. The assets of the trust are considered to be part of the
general  assets of the Stock  Company  and will be  subject to the claims of its
general  creditors.  Earnings on the trust's assets will be taxable to the Stock
Company.

     Stock Option Plan. At a meeting of the Stock  Company's  shareholders to be
held no earlier than six months after the completion of the Offering,  the Board
of Directors  intends to submit for shareholder  approval stock option plans for
directors,  officers  and  employees  of  the  Bank  and of  the  Stock  Company
(collectively, the "Stock Option Plan"). If approved by the shareholders, Common
Stock in an  aggregate  amount  equal to 10% of the shares sold in the  Offering
would be reserved  for  issuance by the Stock  Company  upon the exercise of the
stock  options  granted  under the Stock Option Plan.  Ten percent of the shares
issued in the Offering  would amount to 37,952  shares,  44,650  shares,  51,347
shares and 59,049 shares at the minimum,  midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum
of the Offering Range, respectively. No options would be granted under the Stock
Option Plan until the date on which shareholder approval is received.

     It is  anticipated  that options would be granted for terms of 10 years (in
the  case of  incentive  options)  or 10  years  and  one  day  (in the  case of
nonqualified options). The exercise price of the options granted under the Stock
Option Plan will be equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date the
stock options are granted.  If the Stock Option Plan is adopted  within one year
following the Offering,  options will become exercisable at a rate of 20% at the
end of each 12 months of service with the Stock  Company,  commencing  after the
date of grant,  subject to early  vesting  in the event of death or  disability.
Options  granted  under the Stock  Option  Plan,  if adopted more than 12 months
after the  Offering,  would also become 100% vested upon normal  retirement or a
change in control  of the Bank or the Stock  Company.  Under OTS  rules,  if the
Stock Option Plan is adopted  within the first 12 months after the Offering,  no
individual  officer can receive more that 25% of the awards  under the plan,  no
outside  director can receive more than 5% of the awards under the plan, and all
outside  directors  as a group can receive no more than 30% of the awards  under
the plan in the aggregate.

     The Stock Option Plan would be  administered  by a Committee of nonemployee
members of the Stock  Company's  Board.  In general,  options  granted under the
Stock Option Plan to employees may be  "incentive  stock  options"  which permit
certain  beneficial  tax  treatment  by the  employee but would result in no tax
deduction for the Stock Company.  Nonqualified stock options may also be granted
under the Stock  Option Plan and this type of option award will be the only kind
of award available for grant to non-employee  directors.  In the event an option
recipient  terminates his employment or service as an employee or director,  the
options would terminate during certain specified periods.

     Restricted Stock Program. At a meeting of the Company's  shareholders to be
held no earlier than six months after the completion of the Offering,  the Board
of Directors  also  intends to submit  restricted  stock award  programs for the
benefit of  directors,  officers and employees of the Stock Company and the Bank
(collectively,  the "Restricted  Stock Program") for shareholder  approval.  The
Restricted Stock Program will provide eligible directors, officers and employees
of the Stock Company or the Bank with an ownership interest in the Stock Company
in a manner  designed to encourage  them to continue their service with the Bank
or the Stock Company.  The Stock Company will contribute funds to the Restricted
Stock  Program from time to time to enable it to acquire an aggregate  amount of
Common  Stock  equal  to up to 4% of the  shares  of  Common  Stock  sold in the
Offering,  either directly from treasury or open market purchases.  Four percent
of the shares  issued in the  Offering  would  amount to 15,181  shares,  17,860
shares,  20,539 shares and 23,619 shares at the minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and
adjusted  maximum  of  the  Offering  Range,  respectively.  In the  event  that
additional  authorized but unissued shares are acquired by the Restricted  Stock
Program after the  Offering,  the  interests of existing  shareholders  would be
diluted. The executive officers and directors will be awarded

  
                                       96



     Common Stock under the Restricted  Stock Program without having to pay cash
for the shares. No awards under the Restricted Stock Program would be made until
the date the  Restricted  Stock  Program  is  approved  by the  Stock  Company's
shareholders.

    Awards under the  Restricted  Stock  Program would be  non-transferable  and
non-assignable.  If the  Restricted  Stock  Program is  adopted  within one year
following the Offering, shares subject to an award would vest at the rate of 20%
per year.  Awards would be adjusted for capital  changes such as stock dividends
and stock  splits.  However,  the  Restricted  Stock Program is also expected to
provide  for awards to be 100%  vested  upon  termination  of an award  holder's
employment or service due to death or disability,  and if the  Restricted  Stock
Program is adopted more than 12 months  after the  Offering,  the Program  would
provide for awards to be 100% vested upon an award holder's normal retirement or
a change in control of the Bank or Stock Company. If the individual's employment
or service  were to  terminate  for other  reasons,  the award  recipient  would
forfeit any  non-vested  award.  If an award  holder's  employment or service is
terminated  for cause (as would be defined  in the  Restricted  Stock  Program),
shares not already  delivered  under the Program would be  forfeited.  Under OTS
rules,  if the  Restricted  Stock Program is adopted  within the first 12 months
after the  Offering,  no  individual  officer can  receive  more than 25% of the
awards  under the Program and no outside  director  can receive more than 30% of
the awards under the Program in the aggregate.

  
                                       97






                               THE REORGANIZATION

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  OF THE BANK HAS ADOPTED THE PLAN OF  REORGANIZATION
AND STOCK  ISSUANCE  PLAN  SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE OTS AND THE MEMBERS OF
THE  BANK  ENTITLED  TO VOTE  THEREON  AND THE  SATISFACTION  OF  CERTAIN  OTHER
CONDITIONS.  OTS APPROVAL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT OF
EITHER THE PLAN OF REORGANIZATION OR THE STOCK ISSUANCE PLAN BY THE OTS.

GENERAL

     The Bank's Board of Directors  unanimously adopted the Plan and the OTS has
approved the Plan.  Pursuant to the Plan, the Bank will  reorganize into what is
called a "two-tier" mutual holding company structure. It is a two-tier structure
because it will have two levels of holding companies--a "mid-tier" stock holding
company and a "top-tier" mutual holding company. Under the terms of the Plan (i)
the Bank will form the Stock  Company  as a federal  corporation;  (ii) the Bank
will form the Mutual Company as a federal mutual holding company; (iii) the Bank
will reorganize  into the capital stock form of  organization  and issue 100% of
the Bank's to-be  outstanding  common stock to the Stock  Company;  and (iv) the
Stock  Company  will issue  shares of Common  Stock to the public and the Mutual
Company.  The number of shares of Common  Stock sold to the public  pursuant  to
this Prospectus will be equal to 47% of the shares issued in the Reorganization,
and the number of shares  issued to the Mutual  Company  will be equal to 53% of
the shares issued in the  Reorganization.  All of these steps are referred to in
this Prospectus as the "Reorganization," and the sale of 47% of the Common Stock
pursuant to this  Prospectus is referred to as the  "Offering."  The  two-tiered
mutual holding  company  structure is most easily  understood by considering the
following diagram:

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

     It is anticipated  that,  pursuant to the Stock Issuance Plan, the Offering
will be consummated immediately following the Reorganization;  however, the Bank
anticipates that it will consummate the  Reorganization  even if the Offering is
not completed immediately thereafter.  For additional information concerning the
Offering, see "The Offering."

  
                                       98

     For purposes of this discussion,  references to the Stock Bank refer to the
Bank in the post-reorganization stock form. References to the Bank shall include
Revere Federal Savings in its current mutual form or in its  post-reorganization
stock form, as indicated by the context.

     PURPOSES OF THE REORGANIZATION

     The Board of Directors of the Bank has determined  that the  Reorganization
is in the best  interest of the Bank and its members,  and has several  business
purposes for effecting the proposed Reorganization.

     Formation of the Stock Company as a subsidiary  of the Mutual  Company will
permit the Stock Company to issue Common Stock, which is a source of capital not
available to mutual savings  banks.  At the same time, the Bank's mutual form of
ownership will be preserved in the Mutual Company,  and the Mutual Company, as a
mutual corporation,  will control at least a majority of the Common Stock of the
Stock  Company  so  long  as  the  Mutual  Company  remains  in  existence.  The
Reorganization  will enable the Bank to achieve the benefits of a stock  company
without a loss of control that often follows standard conversions from mutual to
stock form. Sales of locally based,  independent savings institutions to larger,
regional financial  institutions  following such mutual to stock conversions can
result in closed branches, fewer choices for consumers, employee layoffs and the
loss of community  support for and involvement by a financial  institution.  The
Bank is committed to being an independent,  community-oriented  institution, and
the Board of Directors believes that the Mutual Company structure is best suited
for this purpose.  The Mutual Company structure also will give the Stock Company
flexibility to issue its Common Stock at various times and in varying amounts as
market  conditions  permit,  rather  than  in  a  single  stock  offering.   The
Reorganization  will not foreclose  the  opportunity  for the Mutual  Company to
convert from mutual to stock form of organization in the future.

     The Reorganization will also give the Bank greater flexibility to structure
and finance the expansion of our operations, including the potential acquisition
of other financial institutions, and to diversify into other financial services.
The holding  company  form of  organization  is  expected to provide  additional
flexibility  to diversify the Bank's  business  activities  through  existing or
newly  formed  subsidiaries,  or through  acquisitions  of or mergers with other
financial institutions,  as well as other companies. Although we have no current
arrangements, understandings or agreements regarding any such opportunities, the
Stock  Company  will be in a  position  after  the  Reorganization,  subject  to
regulatory  limitations  and the Stock  Company's  financial  position,  to take
advantage of any such opportunities  that may arise.  Lastly, the Reorganization
will  enable us to better  manage our  capital  by giving us broader  investment
opportunities  through  the  holding  company  structure,  and  enable the Stock
Company to distribute  capital to its  stockholders in the form of dividends and
stock  repurchases.  Because only a minority of the Common Stock will be offered
for sale in the Offering,  the Bank's  current  mutual form of ownership and its
ability to remain an independent savings bank and to provide  community-oriented
financial  services  will  be  preserved  through  the  mutual  holding  company
structure.

     Contemporaneously  with or immediately  following the  Reorganization,  the
Stock  Company  expects  to offer for sale up to 47% of its  Common  Stock in an
Offering at an aggregate price determined by an independent appraisal.  The sale
of Common  Stock  will  provide  the Bank with new  equity  capital,  which will
support  future  deposit  growth and  expanded  operations.  The ability to sell
Common  Stock also will enable the Bank to  increase  capital in response to the
changing capital  requirements of the federal banking  agencies.  While the Bank
currently  meets or exceeds all regulatory  capital  requirements,  the Board of
Directors  believes  that it is  desirable  for the Bank to increase its capital
position  in  view of the  increasingly  competitive  and  changing  market  and
regulatory  conditions in which the Bank  operates.  The sale of Common Stock at
appropriate times,  coupled with the accumulation of earnings (net of dividends)
from year to year, represents

  
                                       99



a means for the orderly  preservation  and expansion of the Bank's capital base,
and allows flexibility to respond to sudden and unanticipated capital needs. The
investment of the net proceeds of a stock offering also will provide  additional
income to enhance further the Bank's future capital position.

         The ability of the Stock Company to issue Common Stock also will enable
the Stock Company in the future to establish  stock benefit plans for management
and employees,  including  incentive  stock option plans,  stock award plans and
employee stock ownership plans.

         The formation of the Stock Company also will allow the Stock Company to
borrow funds, on a secured and unsecured  basis, and to issue debt to the public
or in a private placement.  The proceeds of any such borrowings or debt issuance
may be contributed to the Bank as core capital for regulatory  capital purposes.
The Bank has not  made a  determination  to  borrow  funds or issue  debt at the
present time, and there can be no assurance when, if ever, any such borrowing or
debt  issuance  would  occur,  or  whether  it  would  be  consummated  on terms
satisfactory to the Stock Company.

     The  Board  of  Directors  believes  that  these  advantages  outweigh  the
potential  disadvantages  of the Mutual Company  structure,  which include:  the
inability of the Bank to raise  voting  stock in excess of 49% of its  estimated
pro forma market value so long as the Mutual Company  remains in existence;  the
more  limited  liquidity  of  the  Common  Stock,  as  compared  to  a  standard
conversion;  and the inability of stockholders other than the Holding Company to
obtain a majority  ownership of the Bank which may result in the perpetuation of
the existing  management  and Board of Directors of the Bank. The Mutual Company
will be able to elect all  members of the Board of  Directors  of the Bank,  and
will be able to control the outcome of all matters presented to the stockholders
of the Bank for resolution by vote,  except for matters which by regulation must
be  approved  by a majority  of the  Minority  Stockholders,  including  certain
matters  relating  to stock  compensation  plans and certain  votes  regarding a
conversion to stock form by the Mutual  Company.  No assurance can be given that
the Mutual Company will not take action adverse to the interests of the Minority
Stockholders.  For example, the Mutual Company could revise the dividend policy,
prevent the sale of control of the Bank,  or defeat a candidate for the Board of
Directors of the Bank or other proposal put forth by the Minority Stockholders.

EFFECTS OF THE REORGANIZATION

     General. After the Reorganization,  the Bank will be authorized to exercise
any and all  powers,  rights  and  privileges  of,  and shall be  subject to all
limitations  applicable  to,  capital stock savings banks under federal law. The
initial  Board of Directors of the Stock  Company will be the existing  Board of
Directors of the Bank. Thereafter,  the holders of shares of the Stock Company's
voting stock will elect approximately  one-third of the Stock Company's Board of
Directors  annually.  It is expected  that present  management  of the Bank will
continue as the management of the Stock Company following the Reorganization.

     The  Reorganization  will have no effect on the Bank's present  business of
accepting  deposits  and  investing  its funds in loans  and  other  investments
permitted  by law.  The  Reorganization  will not  result  in any  change in the
existing  services  provided to  depositors  and  borrowers,  or in its existing
offices,  management and staff. As is the case prior to the Reorganization,  the
Bank after the  Reorganization  is  completed  will be  subject  to  regulation,
supervision and examination by the OTS.

     Accounts and Loans.  Upon the  effective  date of the  Reorganization,  the
voting,  ownership and liquidation rights of members of the Bank will become the
rights of members of the Mutual  Company,  subject to the  conditions  specified
below.  Each  deposit  account in the Bank at the  effective  date will become a
deposit  account  in the Bank in the same  amount  and upon the same  terms  and
conditions, except that the

  
                                       100

holder of each such deposit  account will have ownership and  membership  rights
with  respect to the  Mutual  Company  rather  than the Bank for so long as such
holder  maintains a deposit account with the Bank. All insured deposit  accounts
of the Bank will continue to be federally insured up to the legal maximum by the
FDIC in the same manner as deposit  accounts  existing  in the Bank  immediately
prior to the Reorganization.  Any new deposit accounts established with the Bank
after the  Reorganization  will create membership and liquidation  rights in the
Mutual  Company  and will be  federally  insured up to the legal  maximum by the
FDIC. All loans and other  borrowings from the Bank shall retain the same status
with the Bank  after the  Reorganization  as they had with the Bank  immediately
prior to the Reorganization.

     Voting Rights.  As a federally  chartered mutual savings bank, the Bank has
no authority to issue capital stock and, thus, no  stockholders.  Control of the
Bank in its  mutual  form is  vested  in the  Board of  Directors  of the  Bank,
one-third  of the members of which are  elected  each year by the members of the
Bank.  After the  Reorganization,  the members of the Board of  Directors of the
Bank will become the members of the Board of Directors of the Stock  Company and
will continue to be elected in staggered,  three year terms.  The affairs of the
Bank will be directed by its Board of Directors  and all voting rights as to the
Bank will be vested exclusively in the holders of its outstanding voting stock.

     Following  the  Reorganization,  the Stock  Company  will have the power to
issue shares of Common Stock to persons other than the Mutual Company.  However,
so long as the  Mutual  Company is in  existence,  the  Mutual  Company  will be
required to own more than a majority of the Common  Stock of the Stock  Company.
By virtue of its majority ownership interest,  the Mutual Company generally will
be able to elect all members of the Board of Directors of the Bank and generally
will  be  able  to  control  the  outcome  of  most  matters  presented  to  the
stockholders  of the Bank for  resolution  by vote,  excluding  certain  matters
related to stock  compensation plans and certain votes regarding a conversion to
stock form by the Mutual Company.

     As a federally  chartered mutual holding  company,  the Mutual Company will
have no authorized capital stock and, thus, no stockholders.  Holders of deposit
accounts in and borrowers of the Bank will become  members of the Mutual Company
entitled to vote on all questions  requiring action by the members of the Mutual
Company  including,  without  limitation,  election of  directors  of the Mutual
Company.  In addition,  all persons who become  depositors of the Bank following
the  Reorganization  will have  membership  rights  with  respect  to the Mutual
Company. Borrowers will not receive membership rights in connection with any new
borrowings made after the Reorganization.

     Liquidation  Rights.  In the unlikely  event of a voluntary or  involuntary
liquidation,  dissolution  or winding-up of the Bank in its present  mutual form
prior to the  Reorganization,  holders of deposit  accounts in the Bank would be
entitled, pro rata to the value of their accounts, to distribution of any assets
of the Bank  remaining  after the  claims of such  depositors  (to the extent of
their deposit  balances) and all other  creditors are  satisfied.  Following the
Reorganization,  the holders of the Common Stock would be entitled to any assets
remaining upon a liquidation,  dissolution or winding-up of the Bank and, except
through their  liquidation  interests in the Mutual  Company,  discussed  below,
holders of deposit  accounts  in the Bank  would  have no  interest  in any such
assets.

     In the event of a voluntary  or  involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution  or
winding-up of the Mutual Company following  consummation of the  Reorganization,
holders of deposit accounts in the Bank would be entitled, pro rata to the value
of their accounts, to distribution of any assets of the Mutual Company remaining
after the claims of all  creditors  of the Holding  Company are  satisfied.  The
Mutual  Company will  establish,  upon the completion of the  Reorganization,  a
special  "liquidation  account" for the benefit of Eligible  Account Holders and
Supplemental Eligible Account Holders in an amount equal to the net worth of the
Mutual Company as of that date.  Each Eligible  Account Holder and  Supplemental
Eligible Account

  
                                       101






Holder,  if he were to  continue to  maintain  his deposit  account at the Bank,
would be entitled,  on a complete  liquidation  of the Mutual  Company after the
Reorganization, to an interest in the liquidation account. Each Eligible Account
Holder and  Supplemental  Eligible Account Holder would have an initial interest
in  such  liquidation  account  for  each  deposit  account,  including  regular
accounts,  transaction  accounts  such as NOW  accounts,  money  market  deposit
accounts, and certificates of deposit, with a balance of $50 or more held in the
Bank on December 31, 1996 (with respect to an Eligible  Account Holder) and June
30, 1998 (with respect to a Supplemental  Eligible Account Holder)  ("Qualifying
Deposit"). Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder
will have a pro rata interest in the total  liquidation  account for each of his
deposit  accounts  based on the  proportion  that the  balance of such  person's
Qualifying  Deposits on the Eligibility Record Date or Supplemental  Eligibility
Record Date,  respectively,  bore to the total amount of all Qualifying Deposits
of all Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders in the
Bank. For deposit accounts in existence at both dates separate subaccounts shall
be determined on the basis of the Qualifying  Deposits in such deposit  accounts
on each such record date.

     If, however, on any annual closing date of the Bank,  commencing October 1,
1998, the amount in any deposit  account is less than the amount in such deposit
account on December 31, 1996 (with  respect to an Eligible  Account  Holder) and
June 30, 1998 (with respect to a Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holder) or any
other annual closing date, then the interest in the liquidation account relating
to such deposit  account would be reduced from time to time by the proportion of
any  such  reduction,  and such  interest  will  cease to exist if such  deposit
account is closed.  In addition,  no interest in the  liquidation  account would
ever be  increased  despite  any  subsequent  increase  in the  related  deposit
account.  Stockholders of the Bank will have no liquidation or other rights with
respect to the Holding Company in their capacities as such.

     There currently are no plans to liquidate the Bank or the Mutual Company in
the future.

     Subscription and Preemptive  Rights.  Under OTS regulations,  depositors of
the Bank are  entitled to  priority  subscription  rights to purchase  shares of
capital stock of the Mutual  Company in the event that the Mutual  Company fully
converts from mutual to stock form subsequent to the Reorganization.  Holders of
the capital  stock of the Stock  Company  shall not be  entitled  to  preemptive
rights with respect to any shares of the Stock Company which may be issued.

FEDERAL AND STATE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REORGANIZATION

     In the  following  discussion,  "Mutual Bank" refers to the Bank before the
Reorganization and "Stock Bank" refers to the Bank after the Reorganization. The
Reorganization will be effected as follows:]

     (i) Mutual Bank will  organize  Mutual  Company,  which will  initially  be
organized  in stock  form and  initially  exist as  Mutual  Bank's  wholly-owned
subsidiary.

     (ii) Mutual  Company will organize two  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  one of
which will be Stock  Company,  and the other of which  will be an interim  stock
savings bank ("Interim").

     (iii) The following events will occur simultaneously  pursuant to the Plan:
(A) Mutual  Bank will  exchange  its charter for a federal  stock  savings  bank
charter and thereby become Stock Bank (the "Conversion"); (B) Interim will merge
with and into  Stock Bank with Stock Bank  surviving;  (C) Mutual  Company  will
cancel its stock and exchange its charter for a federal mutual  holding  company
charter and thereby  become a mutual  holding  company the members of which (the
"Mutual  Company  Members")  will be the former  depositors  in and borrowers of
Mutual Bank immediately prior to these transactions ("Mutual Bank Members").  As
a mutual entity, Mutual Company will not have any authorized capital stock. As a
result

  
                                       102

of the merger and  charger  exchanges,  Stock  Bank will  become a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of Mutual Company, and the Mutual Company Members will hold interests
in Mutual  Company  comparable to the interests they  previously  held in Mutual
Bank.

     (iv) Mutual Company will then  contribute all of the stock of Stock Bank to
Stock Company.

     As a result  of  these  transactions,  Stock  Bank  will be a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of Stock Company and Stock Company will be a wholly-owned  subsidiary
of Mutual Company.  In substance,  upon the Conversion,  the Mutual Bank Members
will constructively  receive the stock of Stock Bank and will then exchange such
stock  for  membership  interests  in  Mutual  Company  (the  "Exchange").   The
Conversion   is  intended  to  be  a  tax-free   reorganization   under  section
368(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), and the Exchange
is intended to be a tax-tree exchange under Code section 351.

     Under the Plan of  Reorganization,  consummation of the  Reorganization  is
conditioned  on prior  receipt  by the Bank of (i)  either an  Internal  Revenue
Service  ruling or an  opinion of counsel  or tax  advisor  with  respect to the
federal income tax  consequences of the  Reorganization,  and (ii) an opinion of
counsel or tax advisor with respect to the Massachusetts tax consequences of the
Reorganization.  Unlike  private  letter  rulings,opinions  of  counsel  are not
binding  on the  Internal  Revenue  Service or the State of  Massachusetts,  and
either  agency  could  disagree  with  such  opinions.  In  the  event  of  such
disagreement,  there can be no assurance that the Bank or the  depositors  would
prevail in a  judicial  proceeding.  The Bank has not  applied  for an  Internal
Revenue Service ruling,  but will receive such an opinion of Thacher  Proffitt &
Wood,  based upon certain facts,  representations  and  assumptions set forth in
such  opinion  that are  consistent  with the  state  of facts  existing  at the
effective  time of the  Reorganization.  As regards to the  Conversion,  Thacher
Proffitt & Wood  intends  to issue an  opinion  that:  (i) the  Conversion  will
constitute a reorganization under section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code, and that the
Bank (in either its status as Mutual Bank or Stock Bank) will  recognize no gain
or loss as a  result  of the  Reorganization;  (ii) the  basis of each  asset of
Mutual Bank held by Stock Bank immediately after the Conversion will be the same
as Mutual Bank's basis for such asset immediately prior to the Conversion; (iii)
the holding  period of each asset of Mutual Bank held by Stock Bank  immediately
after the Conversion will include the period during which such asset was held by
Mutual Bank prior to the  Conversion;  (iv) for purposes of Code section 381(b),
Stock  Bank  will  be  treated  as if  there  had  been no  reorganization  and,
accordingly,  the taxable year of the Mutual Bank will not end on the  effective
date of the  Reorganization  and the tax  attributes  of Mutual Bank (subject to
application  of Code sections 381,  382, and 384),  including  Mutual Bank's bad
debt reserves and earnings and profits, will be taken into account by Stock Bank
as if the  Reorganization  had  not  occurred;  (v)  Mutual  Bank  Members  will
recognize  no gain or loss upon  their  constructive  receipt of shares of Stock
Bank common stock solely in exchange for their interest  (i.e.,  liquidation and
voting  rights) in Mutual Bank;  (vi) a Mutual Bank Member's basis in the shares
of Stock Bank common stock constructively received in the Conversion will be the
same as the basis of the Mutual  Bank  interest  constructively  surrendered  in
exchange therefor; (vii) a Mutual Bank member's holding period for the shares of
Stock Bank common stock  constructively  received in the Conversion will include
the holding  period of the Mutual Bank interest  constructively  surrendered  in
exchange  therefor;  and (viii) no gain or loss will be recognized by depositors
of Mutual  Bank upon the  issuance to them of deposits in Stock Bank in the same
dollar amount as their deposits in Mutual Bank. As regards the Exchange, Thacher
Proffitt & Wood intends to issue an opinion that:  (i) the Exchange will qualify
as an  exchange  of  property  for  stock  under  Code  section  351;  (ii)  the
shareholders  of Stock Bank (the former Mutual Bank  Members) will  recognize no
gain or loss upon the  transfer  to Mutual  Company  of the shares of Stock Bank
common  stock they  constructively  received in the  Conversion  in exchange for
interests  (i.e.,  liquidation and voting rights) in Mutual  Company;  (iii) the
basis of the interest in Mutual  Company  received by each  shareholder of Stock
Bnak in exchange for such  shareholder's  shares of Stock Bank common stock will
be equal to the  basis of such  shares  of Stock  Bank  common  stock;  (iv) the
holding period of the interest in Mutual Company received

                                         103

by each  shareholder of Stock Bank will, as of the date of the Exchange,  be the
same as the holding period of the shares of Stock Bank common stock  transferred
in exchange therefor,  provided such shares of Stock Bank common stock were held
as a  capital  asset  on the  date of the  Exchange;  (v)  Mutual  Company  will
recognize no gain or loss upon its receipt from the  shareholders  of Stock Bank
of shares  of Stock  Bank  common  stock in  exchange  for  interests  in Mutual
Company;  (vi) Mutual  Company's basis for each share of Stock Bank common stock
received from a shareholder  of Stock Bank in exchange for an interest in Mutual
Company  will be the  equal to the basis of such  share of  common  stock in the
hands of such Stock Bank shareholder;  and (vii) Mutual Company's holding period
for each share of Stock Bank common stock  received from a shareholder  of Stock
Bank in  exchange  for an interest in Mutual  Company  will,  as the date of the
Exchange,  be the same as the holding period of such shares in the hands of such
Stock Bank  shareholder.  Thacher Proffitt & Wood also intends to opine that (i)
no gain or loss  will be  recognized  by Stcok  Company  upon the sale of Common
Stock in the  Offering;  (ii) no gain or loss  will be  recognized  by  Eligible
Account Holders or Supplemental  Eligible  Account Holders upon the distribution
to them of nontransferable  subscription  rights to purchase shares Common Stock
in the Offering, provided that the amount to be paid for such shares is equal to
the fair market value of such shares; and (iii) the basis to the shareholders of
shares of Common Stock purchased in the Offering  pursuant to such  subscription
rights will be the amount paid  therefor and the holding  period for such shares
will begin on the date on which such subscription rights are exercised.

     Shatswell,  MacLeod &  Company,  P.C.,  intends  to opine,  subject  to the
limitations  and  qualifications  in its  opinion,  that,  for  purposes  of the
Massachusetts  corporate  income tax,  the  Massachusetts  income tax on savings
banks and the Massachusetts  individual income tax, the Reorganization  will not
be  taxable  transactions  to the Bank (in  either  its  status as Bank or Stock
Bank),  the Stock Company,  the Mutual  Company,  the  stockholders of the Stock
Company or the depositors of the Bank.

     Certain  portions of both the federal and the state and local,  if any, tax
opinions  are based upon the letter of RP  Financial  that  subscription  rights
issued in connection with the  Reorganization  will have no value. In the letter
of RP Financial,  which letter is not binding on the Service,  the  subscription
rights do not have any value, based on the fact that such rights are acquired by
the recipients  without cost, are  non-transferable  and of short duration,  and
afford the  recipients  the right only to purchase the common stock of the Stock
Bank at a price equal to its estimated fair market value, which will be the same
price as the purchase price for the unsubscribed shares of such common stock. If
the  subscription  rights  granted to  Eligible  Account  Holders,  Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holders or Other Members are deemed to have an  ascertainable
value,  such parties may realize  taxable income upon the receipt or exercise of
the subscription  rights in an amount equal to such value and the Mutual Company
may recognize gain on such distribution.  Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental
Eligible  Account Holders and Other Members are encouraged to consult with their
own tax advisor as to the tax  consequences in the event that such  subscription
rights are deemed to have an ascertainable value.

ACCOUNTING CONSEQUENCES

     The  Reorganization  will be accounted for at  historical  cost in a manner
similar to pooling of interest accounting in accordance with GAAP.  Accordingly,
the  carrying  value  of the  Bank's  assets,  liabilities  and  equity  will be
unaffected by the  Reorganization  and will be reflected in the Stock  Company's
financial statements based on their historical amounts.

  
                                       104

CONDITIONS TO THE REORGANIZATION

     Consummation  of  the  Reorganization  is  subject  to the  receipt  of all
requisite  regulatory  approvals,  including  various  approvals  of the OTS. No
assurance can be given that all regulatory  approvals will be received.  Receipt
of  such  approvals  from  the OTS  will  not  constitute  a  recommendation  or
endorsement  of  the  Plan  of  Reorganization  or  the  Offering  by  the  OTS.
Consummation of the Reorganization  also is subject to approval by a majority of
the total votes of the members to be cast at the Special Meeting, as well as the
receipt of rulings by the Service and/or opinions of counsel with respect to the
tax   consequences  of  the   Reorganization.   See  "--Federal  and  State  Tax
Consequences of the Reorganization."

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

     The Board of  Directors  of the  Stock  Company  intends  to adopt and seek
shareholder  approval  of one or more  stock  benefit  plans for its  employees,
officers and directors,  including an ESOP,  restricted stock programs and stock
option plans which will be  authorized to purchase  Common  Stock,  award Common
Stock and grant options for Common Stock.  Specifically,  the Board of Directors
of the Stock  Company  intends to establish  the ESOP and authorize the ESOP and
any  other  tax-qualified  employee  stock  benefit  plans  to  purchase  in the
aggregate up to 10% of the Common Stock issued in the Offering, as well as up to
8% of the Common Stock issued by the Mutual Company (excluding any shares of the
Stock Company  exchanged for shares of the Holding  Company) in the event of its
conversion  to stock form in a Conversion  Transaction.  In addition,  no sooner
than six months  after the  Reorganization,  the Board of Directors of the Stock
Company  intends to seek  shareholder  approval to award  shares of Common Stock
pursuant to the Stock Programs, in an amount up to 4% of the number of shares of
Common  Stock  sold in the  Offering.  No  sooner  than  six  months  after  the
Reorganization,  the Board of  Directors  of the Stock  Company  intends to seek
shareholder  approval to grant stock  options for a number of shares equal to up
to 10% of the Common Stock sold in the Offering.

     No shares shall be issued pursuant to the Restricted  Stock Programs unless
such plans shall have been  presented  to and  approved by  shareholders  of the
Stock Company  (excluding the Mutual  Company),  and no options shall be awarded
under the stock  option  plans  described  in this  paragraph  unless such stock
option plan shall have been  presented  to and  approved by the Stock  Company's
shareholders  (excluding the Mutual Company).  The exercise price of the options
permitted  thereby shall be the fair value on the date such options are granted.
Shares sold to the ESOP or awarded  pursuant to the Restricted  Stock  Programs,
and shares  issued upon  exercise of options,  may be  authorized  but  unissued
shares of the Stock Company's  Common Stock, or shares of Common Stock purchased
by the Stock  Company or such plan on the open market.  See  "Management  of the
Bank --Benefits --Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust."

AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

     If necessary or desirable,  the terms of the Plan of Reorganization  may be
amended by a majority vote of the Bank's Board of  Directors,  at any time prior
to submission of the Plan of Reorganization  and proxy materials to the members.
At any time after submission of the Plan of  Reorganization  and proxy materials
to the members,  the Plan of Reorganization may be amended by a majority vote of
the  Board of  Directors  only  with  the  concurrence  of the OTS.  The Plan of
Reorganization may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at
any time prior to the earlier of approval of the Plan of  Reorganization  by the
OTS and the date of the Special  Meeting,  and at any time  thereafter  with the
concurrence of the OTS. In its discretion,  the Board of Directors may modify or
terminate  the  Plan  of  Reorganization   upon  the  order  of  the  regulatory
authorities  or to conform to new mandatory  regulations  of the OTS,  without a
resolicitation  of  proxies or another  meeting of the  members  only if the OTS
concurs that such resolicitation is not required;

  
                                       105

however,  any material amendment of the terms of the Plan of Reorganization that
relates to the  Reorganization  which  occurs  after the Special  Meeting  shall
require a resolicitation of members.

     The Plan of Reorganization shall be terminated if the Reorganization is not
completed  within 24 months  from the date upon  which the  members  of the Bank
approve the Plan of  Reorganization,  and may not be extended by the Bank or the
OTS.




















                                       106

                                  THE OFFERING

GENERAL

     Concurrently with the Reorganization,  the Stock Company is offering shares
of Common Stock to persons other than the Mutual  Company.  The Stock Company is
offering  between a minimum of  379,525  shares  and an  anticipated  maximum of
513,475  shares of Common Stock in the Offering  (subject to adjustment to up to
590,496 shares in the event the estimated pro forma market value of the Bank has
increased at the conclusion of the  Offering),  which will expire at 12:00 noon,
Eastern  time,  on  ________________  unless  extended by the Stock  Company.  A
minimum  purchase of 25 shares of Common Stock  (minimum  investment of $250) is
required.

     The Offering  will expire at 12:00 noon  Eastern  time,  on  _____________,
unless  extended.  Subscription  funds may be held by the Bank for up to 45 days
after  the last day of the  Subscription  Offering  in order to  consummate  the
Reorganization and Offering and thus, unless waived by the Bank, all orders will
be irrevocable until _____________ In addition,  the Reorganization and Offering
may  not  be  consummated  until  the  Bank  receives  approval  from  the  OTS.
Consummation  of  the   Reorganization   and  Offering  will  be  delayed,   and
resolicitation will be required, in the event the OTS does not issue a letter of
approval within 45 days after the last day of the Subscription  Offering,  or in
the event the OTS requires a material change to the  Subscription  and Community
Offerings  prior  to the  issuance  of its  approval.  Thus,  in the  event  the
Reorganization  and Offering is not consummated by  ______________,  subscribers
will have the right to modify or rescind their  subscriptions  and to have their
subscription funds returned with interest.

     The Bank may cancel the  Offering at any time,  and orders for Common Stock
which have been submitted prior thereto are subject to  cancellation  under such
circumstances.

     The OTS is  expected to approve  the Plan of  Reorganization  which is also
subject to the approval of the Bank's  Members and the  satisfaction  of certain
other  conditions.  However,  there is no assurance  that OTS  approval  will be
obtained and if obtained OTS approval does not  constitute a  recommendation  of
the Plan of  Reorganization  by the OTS. If OTS  approval is not  obtained,  all
funds  received will be promptly  returned with interest at the Bank's  passbook
rate and all withdrawal authorizations will be cancelled.

CONDUCT OF THE OFFERING

     Subject to the  limitations of the Stock  Issuance  Plan,  shares of Common
Stock are being  offered in  descending  order of priority  in the  Subscription
Offering to: (i) Eligible  Account Holders;  (ii) the ESOP;  (iii)  Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holders;  and (iv) Other Members.  Any shares of Common Stock
that are not subscribed for in the Subscription Offering may be offered for sale
in a Community  Offering  commencing  concurrently  with the commencement of the
Subscription Offering and/or a Syndicated Community Offering.

     The Bank shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether
prospective purchasers are "residents," "associates" or "acting in concert." All
such  determinations are in the sole discretion of the Bank, and may be based on
whatever evidence the Bank chooses to use in making any such determination.

SUBSCRIPTION OFFERING

     Non-transferable  subscription  rights to  subscribe  for the  purchase  of
Common Stock have been granted  under the Stock  Issuance  Plan to the following
persons:

  
                                       107



     PRIORITY (1):   ELIGIBLE  ACCOUNT  HOLDERS.  Each Eligible  Account  Holder
                     shall be given the  opportunity  to purchase up to $150,000
                     of Common Stock offered in the Offering;  provided that the
                     Stock  Company  may,  in its sole  discretion  and  without
                     further notice to or  solicitation  of subscribers or other
                     prospective  purchasers,  increase  such  maximum  purchase
                     limitation to 5% of the maximum number of shares offered in
                     the Offering or decrease such maximum  purchase  limitation
                     to 0.5% of the  maximum  number  of shares  offered  in the
                     Offering,  subject to the overall  purchase  limitation set
                     forth below. If there are insufficient  shares available to
                     satisfy  all  subscriptions  of Eligible  Account  Holders,
                     shares will be allocated to Eligible  Account Holders so as
                     to permit each such subscribing  Eligible Account Holder to
                     purchase  a number of shares  sufficient  to make his total
                     allocation  equal to the lesser of 100 shares or the number
                     of shares subscribed for.  Thereafter,  unallocated  shares
                     will be allocated to remaining subscribing Eligible Account
                     Holders  whose  subscriptions  remain  unfilled in the same
                     proportion that each such subscriber's  qualifying  deposit
                     bears to the total  amount of  qualifying  deposits  of all
                     subscribing  Eligible  Account  Holders,  in  each  case on
                     December 31, 1996, whose subscriptions remain unfilled.  To
                     ensure proper  allocation of stock,  each Eligible  Account
                     Holder  must  list  on  his  subscription  Order  Form  all
                     accounts  in which he had an  ownership  interest as of the
                     Eligibility Record Date.

    PRIORITY (2):    THE STOCK  COMPANY'S  TAX-QUALIFIED  EMPLOYEE STOCK BENEFIT
                     PLANS. The tax- qualified  employee stock benefit plans, if
                     any,  shall be given the  opportunity  to  purchase  in the
                     aggregate  up to 10%  of the  Common  Stock  issued  in the
                     Offering.  It is expected that the ESOP will purchase up to
                     8% of the Common Stock issued in the Offering. In the event
                     of an oversubscription in the Offering,  the ESOP will have
                     a priority right to fill its  subscription,  in whole or in
                     part,  or  subscriptions  for  shares  by the  ESOP  may be
                     satisfied,  in  whole  or in part,  out of  authorized  but
                     unissued shares of the Stock Company subject to the maximum
                     purchase  limitations  applicable to the ESOP and set forth
                     below,  or may be satisfied,  in whole or in part,  through
                     open market purchases by the ESOP subsequent to the closing
                     of the Offering.

     PRIORITY (3):   SUPPLEMENTAL  ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS. To the extent there
                     are  sufficient  shares  remaining  after  satisfaction  of
                     subscriptions  by Eligible Account Holders and the ESOP and
                     other  tax-qualified  employee stock benefit plans, if any,
                     each  Supplemental  Eligible  Account Holder shall have the
                     opportunity  to purchase  up to  $150,000  of Common  Stock
                     offered in the Offering; provided that the Bank may, in its
                     sole   discretion   and  without   further   notice  to  or
                     solicitation   of   subscribers   or   other    prospective
                     purchasers, increase such maximum purchase limitation to 5%
                     of the maximum  number of shares offered in the Offering or
                     decrease  such maximum  purchase  limitation to 0.5% of the
                     maximum number of shares offered in the Offering subject to
                     the overall  purchase  limitations  set forth below. In the
                     event Supplemental Eligible Account Holders subscribe for a
                     number of shares which, when added to the shares subscribed
                     for by  Eligible  Account  Holders  and the ESOP and  other
                     tax-qualified  employee stock benefit plans,  if any, is in
                     excess  of  the  total  number  of  shares  offered  in the
                     Offering,  the  shares of Common  Stock  will be  allocated
                     among  subscribing  Supplemental  Eligible  Account Holders
                     first  so  as  to  permit  each  subscribing   Supplemental
                     Eligible  Account  Holder  to  purchase  a number of shares
                     sufficient to make his total allocation equal to the lesser
                     of 100


  
                                       108

                     shares or the number of shares subscribed for.  Thereafter,
                     unallocated  shares will be allocated  to each  subscribing
                     Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holder whose  subscription
                     remains   unfilled  in  the  same   proportion   that  such
                     subscriber's  qualifying  deposits bear to the total amount
                     of  qualifying  deposits  of all  subscribing  Supplemental
                     Eligible  Account  Holders,  in each case on September  30,
                     1998, whose subscriptions remain unfilled. To ensure proper
                     allocation  of stock  each  Supplemental  Eligible  Account
                     Holder  must  list  on  his  subscription  Order  Form  all
                     accounts and loans in which he had an ownership interest as
                     of the Supplemental Eligibility Date.

     PRIORITY (4):   OTHER  MEMBERS.  To the extent  that  there are  sufficient
                     shares remaining after satisfaction of all subscriptions by
                     the Eligible Account Holders,  the  tax-qualified  employee
                     stock benefit  plans,  and  Supplemental  Eligible  Account
                     Holders,  each Other Member shall have the  opportunity  to
                     purchase  up to  $150,000  of Common  Stock  offered in the
                     Offering;   provided   that  the  Bank  may,  in  its  sole
                     discretion and without  further  notice to or  solicitation
                     of, subscribers or other prospective  purchasers,  increase
                     such  maximum  purchase  limitation  to 5% of  the  maximum
                     number of shares  offered in the Offering or decrease  such
                     maximum  purchase  limitation to 0.5% of the maximum number
                     of shares  offered in the Offering,  subject to the overall
                     purchase  limitations  set forth below.  In the event Other
                     Members  subscribe for a number of shares which, when added
                     to the shares  subscribed for by Eligible  Account Holders,
                     the   tax-qualified   employee   stock  benefit  plans  and
                     Supplemental  Eligible Account Holders, is in excess of the
                     total  number  of  shares  offered  in  the  Offering,  the
                     subscriptions of such Other Members will be allocated among
                     subscribing  Other Members on a pro rata basis based on the
                     size  of such  Other  Members'  orders.  To  ensure  proper
                     allocation  of stock  each  Other  Member  must list on his
                     subscription  Order  Form all  accounts  in which he had an
                     ownership interest as of the Voting Record Date.

COMMUNITY OFFERING

     Any shares that remain  available for purchase  after  satisfaction  of all
subscriptions  in  the  Subscription  Offering  may be  offered  for  sale  in a
Community  Offering  shares  to  certain  members  of the  general  public  with
preference  given first to  residents of Revere,  Massachusetts,  subject to the
right of the Bank in its sole discretion to accept or reject any such orders, in
whole or in part,  either at the time of  receipt  of the  order,  or as soon as
practicable  following the  completion of the Offering.  Such persons,  together
with  associates of and persons acting in concert with such persons may purchase
up to $150,000 of Common Stock offered in the Community Offering.

     In the event of an  oversubscription  for shares in the Community Offering,
shares may, at the sole  discretion  of the Bank,  be  allocated  (to the extent
shares remain available) so that each such person may receive 1,000 shares,  and
thereafter,  on a pro rata  basis to such  persons  based on the amount of their
respective subscriptions.

     The terms  "residence,"  "reside,"  "resided" or  "residing" as used herein
with respect to any person shall mean any person who occupied a dwelling  within
Revere,  Massachusetts  (the  "Community"),  has an intent to remain  within the
Community for a period of time, and manifests the  genuineness of that intent by
establishing an ongoing physical presence within the Community  together with an
indication  that such  presence  within the  Community is  something  other than
merely transitory in nature. To the extent the person

  
                                       109

is a corporation or other business  entity,  the principal  place of business or
headquarters  shall be in the  Community.  To the  extent a person is a personal
benefit plan, the  circumstances of the beneficiary  shall apply with respect to
this definition.  In the case of all other benefit plans,  the  circumstances of
the trustee  shall be examined  for  purposes of this  definition.  The Bank may
utilize deposit or loan records or such other evidence  provided to it to make a
determination as to whether a person is a resident.  In all cases, however, such
a determination shall be in the sole discretion of the Bank.

     The Bank, in its sole  discretion,  may make  reasonable  efforts to comply
with  the  securities  laws of any  state in the  United  States  in  which  its
depositors  reside,  and will only offer and sell the Common  Stock in states in
which the offers and sales comply with such states' securities laws. However, no
person will be offered or allowed to purchase  any Common  Stock under the Stock
Issuance  Plan if he  resides  in a foreign  country or in a state of the United
States with respect to which any of the following  apply:  (i) a small number of
persons  otherwise  eligible to purchase  shares under the Stock  Issuance  Plan
reside in such  state or  foreign  country;  (ii) the offer or sale of shares of
Common  Stock  to such  persons  would  require  the  Bank or its  employees  to
register,  under the  securities  laws of such  state or foreign  country,  as a
broker or dealer or to register or otherwise  qualify its securities for sale in
such state or foreign country; or (iii) such registration or qualification would
be impracticable for reasons of cost or otherwise.

     The Board of  Directors  has the right to reject any order  submitted  by a
person whose  representations the Board of Directors believes to be false or who
it  otherwise  believes,  either  alone or acting in  concert  with  others,  is
violating,  evading,  circumventing,  or intends to violate, evade or circumvent
the terms and conditions of the Stock Issuance Plan.

SYNDICATED COMMUNITY OFFERING

     Any  shares  of  Common  Stock  not sold in the  Subscription  Offering  or
Community  Offering  may be offered for sale to the general  public by a selling
group (the "Selling Group") of broker-dealers ("Selected Dealers") to be managed
by Trident in a Syndicated Community Offering,  subject to terms, conditions and
procedures  as may be  determined  by the Bank in a manner  that is  intended to
achieve the widest distribution of the Common Stock subject to the rights of the
Stock Company to accept or reject in whole or in part all  subscriptions  in the
Syndicated Community Offering.  The Bank may, in its sole discretion and without
further notice to or solicitation of subscribers or other  purchasers,  increase
such maximum  purchase  limitation to 5% of the maximum number of shares offered
in the  Offering or  decrease  such  maximum  purchase  limitation  to 1% of the
maximum number of shares offered in the Offering subject to the overall purchase
limitations set forth below.  However,  the shares purchased in the Subscription
or  Community  Offering by any person  together  with an  associate  or group of
persons acting in concert shall be counted  toward meeting the maximum  purchase
limitations  set  forth  below.  Provided  that the  Subscription  Offering  has
commenced, the Bank may commence the Syndicated Community Offering at any time.

MARKETING AND SELLING COMMISSIONS

     Directors  and  executive  officers  of the  Bank,  subject  to  any  state
securities law limitations,  may contact prospective  investors  personally,  by
telephone  and/or  by  individual  mailings.  Other  employees  of the  Bank may
participate in the Offering in ministerial  and clerical  capacities.  Directors
and executive officers of the Bank will not receive any additional  compensation
for their  efforts in  connection  with the Offering but may be  reimbursed  for
reasonable expenses, if any, incurred by them in connection with selling shares.

  
                                       110

     The  directors,  officers and employees of the Bank who will be involved in
the Offering are expected to be exempt from the requirement to register with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as broker-dealers  within the meaning
of Rule 3a4-1 under the Exchange  Act.  Such persons will qualify under the safe
harbor  provisions  of that rule on the basis of  paragraphs  (a)(4)(ii)  and/or
(iii),  i.e.,  management of the Bank expects that such persons  either (i) will
perform  substantial duties for the Bank in its business,  will not otherwise be
broker-dealers  and are not expected to participate  in another  offering in the
next 12  months  or (ii)  will  limit  their  activities  to  preparing  written
communications,  responding to customer inquiries and/or performing  ministerial
and clerical functions.

     A stock  information  center will be  established  at the Bank's  executive
office in Revere,  Massachusetts (the "Stock  Information  Center") to assist in
answering questions concerning the Offering. Employees at the Bank's office will
take orders and forward them to the Stock Information Center, inform prospective
purchasers to direct their  questions to the Stock  Information  Center and will
provide such persons with the telephone  number of the Center.  Completed  stock
orders will be accepted by the Stock  Information  Center  located at the Bank's
executive office.

     To assist in the  marketing  of the  Common  Stock,  the Bank has  retained
Trident,  which is a registered  broker-dealer with the National  Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"). For Trident's services, the Bank will pay
to it the  following  compensation:  (i) a  management  fee of 0.5% of the total
dollar  amount  of stock  sold in the  offering  in  connection  with  specified
advisory and  administrative  services;  (ii) a commission  equal to 2.0% of the
dollar  amount of Common Stock sold in the Offering  without the  assistance  of
selected dealers,  provided that no such fee shall be payable in connection with
the sale of Common Stock to officers and directors  (including  members of their
immediate  families),  employees and employee benefit plans of the Bank; (iii) a
management  fee equal to 1.5% of the  dollar  amount of Common  Stock  sold by a
selling group of NASD member firms, which may include Trident,  under a selected
dealers'  agreement,  which fee, along with the fee payable directly by the Bank
to selected  dealers,  shall not exceed 7% in the aggregate of the dollar amount
of the Common Stock sold in the Syndicated Community Offering. The Bank also has
agreed to reimburse Trident for its reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses of up to
$18,000  (excluding  reimbursable  legal fees and  expenses).  The Bank has also
agreed to pay all other  expenses of the offering  including  but not limited to
its attorneys' fees, National  Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") filing
fees, and fees of either Trident's  attorneys or other attorneys relating to any
required  state  securities  laws filings,  transfer  agent  charges,  telephone
charges, air freight, rental equipment,  supplies, fees relating to auditing and
accounting  and costs of printing all  documents  necessary in  connection  with
therewith.

     The Bank has agreed to  indemnify  Trident,  and its  directors,  officers,
employees and controlling persons,  against liabilities and expenses arising out
of or based on any untrue or alleged untrue  statement of a material fact or the
omission  or  alleged  omission  of a  material  fact  required  to be stated or
necessary to make not misleading any statement  contained herein or in any other
document or communication  utilized by the Bank in connection with the Offering,
and  Trident  similarly  has  agreed to  indemnify  the Bank and its  directors,
officers,   employees  and  controlling   persons,   with  respect  to  material
misstatements or omissions relating to material specifically provided by Trident
for inclusion in the Prospectus.

STOCK PRICING AND NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE ISSUED

     Pursuant to OTS regulations,  the aggregate price at which shares of Common
Stock are sold in the  Offering  shall be based on a pro forma  valuation of the
aggregate  market value of the total  amount of Common  Stock to be  outstanding
upon completion thereof, as determined by an independent valuation. The Bank has
retained RP  Financial  to make such a  valuation.  RP  Financial is a financial
consulting  firm  experienced  in the  appraisal  of  savings  institutions.  RP
Financial will receive a fee of $20,000 for its

  
                                       111

appraisal,  including  subsequent  updates,  plus its  reasonable  out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with the appraisal,  not to exceed $5,000 unless
approved by the Bank. In addition, RP Financial will receive $7,500 for services
in connection  with the  preparation  of the Bank's  business plan. The Bank has
agreed to indemnify RP Financial under certain circumstances against liabilities
and expenses  arising out of or based on any misstatement or untrue statement of
a  material  fact  contained  in the  information  supplied  by the  Bank  to RP
Financial,  except where RP Financial is  determined  to have been  negligent or
engaged in willful misconduct in the preparation of its appraisal.

     The Independent Valuation was prepared by RP Financial in reliance upon the
information contained in this Prospectus,  including the Financial Statements of
the Bank. RP Financial also considered the following factors,  among others: the
present and projected  operating results and financial condition of the Bank and
the economic and  demographic  conditions in the Bank's  existing  market areas;
certain  historical  financial  and other  information  relating to the Bank;  a
comparative  evaluation of the  operating  and financial  statistics of the Bank
with those of other savings institutions and savings and loan holding companies;
the impact of the  Offering on the Bank's  equity and  earnings  potential;  the
Bank's proposed dividend policy; the trading market for securities of comparable
institutions  and general  conditions  in the markets for such  securities;  the
effects of the minority  ownership  represented by the Common Stock to be issued
in the Offering;  the liquidity of the Common Stock after the Offering;  as well
as  the  marketability  of  the  Common  Stock.  In  preparing  the  Independent
Valuation, RP Financial relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of
financial and statistical information provided by the Bank. RP Financial did not
independently  verify the financial statements and other information provided by
the Bank, or independently value their assets and liabilities.

     RP Financial's valuation is not intended,  and must not be construed,  as a
recommendation  of any kind as to the advisability of purchasing such shares. RP
Financial  did not  independently  verify  the  Financial  Statements  and other
information  provided by the Bank, nor did RP Financial value  independently the
assets or liabilities  of the Bank. The valuation  considers the Bank as a going
concern and should not be considered as an indication of the  liquidation  value
of the  Bank.  Moreover,  because  such  valuation  is  necessarily  based  upon
estimates and  projections  of a number of matters,  all of which are subject to
change from time to time, no assurance can be given that persons purchasing such
shares in the Offering will  thereafter be able to sell such shares at prices at
or above the Purchase  Price or in the range of the  foregoing  valuation of the
pro forma market value thereof.

     On the basis of the foregoing,  RP Financial  advised the Bank that, in its
opinion,  the estimated  aggregate pro forma market value of the Common Stock to
be outstanding upon completion of the  Reorganization  and the Offering was $9.5
million at August 21, 1998. Based on such Independent Valuation, and taking into
account that the Bank must be a majority-owned  subsidiary of the Mutual Company
as long as the Mutual Company is in mutual form, the Stock Company is offering a
minimum of 379,525 shares and an anticipated maximum of 513,475 shares of Common
Stock in the Offering at $10.00 per share.  Based on the Independent  Valuation,
the 379,525 and 513,475  shares to be sold in the Offering  represent  47.0% and
47.0% of the total amount of Common Stock to be outstanding  upon  completion of
the Offering, respectively. The Bank is prohibited from issuing shares of Common
Stock which would exceed a 49.9% Minority Ownership Interest.

     In the event of a change in the Independent  Valuation immediately prior to
consummation  of the  Offering,  the  Bank may  adjust  the  Minority  Ownership
Interest by increasing or decreasing  the total number of shares of Common Stock
to be issued to the Mutual  Company in the  Reorganization  and/or the number of
shares of Common Stock to be issued in the  Offering.  Increases or decreases in
the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued in the  Reorganization and the
Offering as a result of a change in the Independent

  
                                       112

Valuation  would be subject to  applicable  limitations  on  purchases of Common
Stock and,  unless  otherwise  permitted  by the Bank or required by the OTS, no
resolicitation  of persons who ordered Common Stock in the Offering will be made
and such persons  will not be permitted to modify or cancel their orders  unless
the  Independent  Valuation  changes to less than $8.1  million or greater  than
$10.9 million.  If the Independent  Valuation is increased to reflect changes in
the  estimated  pro forma  value of the Bank and the  number of shares of Common
Stock to be issued in the Offering is not adjusted,  the number of shares issued
to the Holding Company will increase to reflect the final Independent  Valuation
and the Minority Ownership Interest will decrease. Conversely, a decrease in the
Independent  Valuation under such circumstances will result in a decrease in the
number of shares  issued to the Holding  Company and an increase in the Minority
Ownership Interest.

     In the  event  of an  increase  in the  Independent  Valuation  up to $10.9
million immediately prior to consummation of the Offering,  the Bank may, in its
discretion,  choose to increase  the number of shares of Common  Stock issued in
the Offering to up to 590,496 shares without offering persons who subscribed for
shares an  opportunity  to increase,  decrease or rescind their  orders.  If the
Independent  Valuation increases to $10.9 million, the total number of shares of
Common  Stock  issued and  outstanding,  including  shares  issued to the Mutual
Company,  upon  consummation  of the  Offering  would be  1,092,500.  Under such
circumstances,  if the Bank  chose to  increase  the  number of shares of Common
Stock  offered in the  Offering  to 590,496  shares,  the 590,496  shares  would
represent a 47.0% Minority  Ownership  Interest.  The final  Minority  Ownership
Interest percentage will be determined as follows: (i) the numerator will be the
product of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering and (y)
the Purchase  Price ($10.00 per share);  and (ii) the  denominator  shall be the
final Independent  Valuation of the estimated pro forma market value of the Bank
immediately upon conclusion of the Offering as determined by RP Financial.

     EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, AN EXECUTED ORDER FORM, ONCE RECEIVED
BY THE BANK,  MAY NOT BE MODIFIED,  AMENDED OR RESCINDED  WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF
THE BANK.

     No  sale  of  Common  Stock  may  be  consummated  unless,  prior  to  such
consummation,  the  Independent  Appraiser  confirms  to the Bank and to the OTS
that, to the best knowledge of the Independent Appraiser,  nothing of a material
nature has occurred which, taking into account all relevant factors, would cause
the  Independent  Appraiser to conclude that the  aggregate  price of the Common
Stock sold in the Offering is  incompatible  with its estimate of the  aggregate
consolidated  pro forma  market  value of the total amount of Common Stock to be
outstanding  upon  completion  of the  Offering.  If  such  confirmation  is not
received, the Bank may extend, modify or cancel the Offering, or take such other
action as the OTS may permit.

     Copies  of  the  Independent  Valuation  are  on  file  and  available  for
inspection  at the  executive  offices  of the Bank,  located  at 310  Broadway,
Revere,  Massachusetts  02151,  at the  Northeast  Regional  Office  of the OTS,
located at 745 Atlantic Avenue,  Boston,  MA 02111 and at the main office of the
OTS,  located at 1700 G Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20552. The Independent
Valuation is not intended, and must not be construed as, a recommendation of any
kind as to the advisability of purchasing shares of Common Stock.

LIMITATIONS ON PURCHASES OF COMMON STOCK

     Purchases of Common Stock in the Offering  will be subject to the following
purchase limitations:

     a) The aggregate  amount of  outstanding  Common Stock of the Stock Company
        owned or  controlled  by persons  other  than the Mutual  Company at the
        close of the  Offering  shall be less  than 50% of the  Stock  Company's
        total outstanding Common Stock.

  
                                       113

    b)  No person, associate thereof, or group of persons acting in concert, may
        purchase  more than  $150,000 of Common Stock offered in the Offering to
        persons  other  than the  Mutual  Company,  except  that:  (i) the Stock
        Company may, in its sole  discretion  and without  further  notice to or
        solicitation of subscribers or other  prospective  purchasers,  increase
        such maximum  purchase  limitation to 5% of the number of shares offered
        in the Offering;  (ii)  tax-qualified  employee  stock benefit plans may
        purchase up to 8% of the shares  offered in the Offering;  and (iii) for
        purposes of this paragraph (b),  shares to be held by the  tax-qualified
        employee  stock benefit plan and  attributable  to a person shall not be
        aggregated  with  other  shares  purchased   directly  by  or  otherwise
        attributable to such person.

    c)  The  aggregate  amount of Common  Stock  acquired in the Offering by any
        non-tax-qualified  employee  stock benefit plan or executive  officer or
        director of the Stock  Company and his or her  associates,  exclusive of
        any Common  Stock  acquired  by such  non-tax-qualified  employee  stock
        benefit plan or executive  officer or director and his or her associates
        in the secondary market,  shall not exceed 34% of the outstanding shares
        of Common  Stock  held by persons  other than the Mutual  Company at the
        close of the Offering.  In  calculating  the number of shares held by an
        executive  officer or director or associate under the provisions of this
        paragraph and paragraph (d) of this section, shares of Common Stock held
        by any tax-qualified  employee stock benefit plan of the Stock Bank that
        are attributable to such person shall not be counted.

   (d)  The Board of Directors has the right to reject any order  submitted by a
        person whose representations the Board of Directors believes to be false
        or who it  otherwise  believes,  either  alone or acting in concert with
        others, is violating,  evading or circumventing,  or intends to violate,
        evade or circumvent the terms and conditions of the Stock Issuance Plan.

     In the event of an  increase in the total  number of shares  offered in the
Offering due to an increase in Independent Valuation of up to 15% (the "Adjusted
Maximum"),  the  additional  shares will be allocated in the following  order or
priority in accordance with the Plan: (i) to fill the ESOP's  subscription of 8%
of the  Adjusted  Maximum  number of shares;  (ii) in the event that there is an
oversubscription by Eligible Account Holders, to fill unfulfilled  subscriptions
of Eligible  Account  Holders  exclusive of the Adjusted  Maximum;  (iii) in the
event  that  there  is an  oversubscription  by  Supplemental  Eligible  Account
Holders,  to fill  unfulfilled  subscriptions  of Supplemental  Eligible Account
Holders  exclusive of the Adjusted  Maximum;  (iv) in the event that there is an
oversubscription  by Other Members,  to fill unfulfilled  subscriptions of Other
Members  exclusive  of  the  Adjusted  Maximum;  and  (v)  to  fill  unfulfilled
subscriptions in the Community  Offering to the extent possible exclusive of the
Adjusted Maximum.

     For purposes of the  foregoing  limitations,  the term  "person"  means any
corporation,  partnership, trust, unincorporated association or any other entity
or a  natural  person  and  the  term  "associate,"  when  used  to  indicate  a
relationship  with any person,  means (i) a corporation or  organization  (other
than the Bank or the  Holding  Company)  of which  such  person  is a  director,
officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10% or
more of any class of equity securities;  (ii) any trust or other estate in which
such  person has a  substantial  beneficial  interest or as to which such person
serves as trustee or in a similar  fiduciary  capacity;  (iii) any  relative  or
spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse,  who has the same home as
such person or who is a director or officer of the Bank or a director or officer
of the Mutual  Company;  and (iv) any person  acting in concert  with any of the
persons or entities specified in clauses (i) through (iii).

  
                                       114

     By purchasing shares in the Offering, each person will be deemed to confirm
that such  purchase does not conflict  with the purchase  limitations  set forth
above.  Under the Stock Issuance Plan, the Stock Company shall have the right to
take any action as it may, in its sole discretion,  deem necessary,  appropriate
or advisable in order to monitor and enforce the terms, conditions,  limitations
and restrictions contained in the Stock Issuance Plan and the terms,  conditions
and representations contained in the accompanying Order Form, including, but not
limited  to,  the  absolute  right  (subject  only to any  necessary  regulatory
approvals or concurrence)  to delay,  terminate or refuse to consummate any sale
of Common Stock which it believes  might  violate,  or is designed to, or is any
part  of a plan  to,  violate,  evade  or  circumvent  such  terms,  conditions,
limitations,  restrictions and representations.  Any such action shall be final,
conclusive  and  binding  on all  persons  and the Bank  shall be free  from any
liability to any person on account of any such action.

ORDERS FOR COMMON STOCK

     In order to purchase shares of Common Stock in the Offering,  an Order Form
with the required payment for each share subscribed must be received by the Bank
by 12:00 noon, Eastern time,  on______ , 1998 Order Forms which are not received
by the Bank by such time or are executed  defectively  or are  received  without
full payment will not be accepted  except as discussed  below. An executed Order
Form once received by the Bank may not be modified, amended or rescinded without
the consent of the Bank.  Each person  ordering  shares is required to represent
that he or she is  purchasing  such shares for his or her own account.  The Bank
has the right to extend the Offering,  as discussed  under "-- Expiration  Date"
below,  or to waive or permit  correction of  incomplete or improperly  executed
forms, but does not represent that it will do so.

         Payment  for Common  Stock will be  permitted  to be made in any of the
following  manners:  (i) by  check,  bank  draft  or money  order;  (ii) or such
purchaser may pay for the shares  subscribed for by authorizing the Bank to make
a withdrawal from the purchaser's passbook,  money market or certificate account
at the Bank in an  amount  equal to the  purchase  price  of such  shares.  Such
authorized withdrawal,  whether from a savings, passbook or certificate account,
shall be without  penalty as to premature  withdrawal;  (iii) if the  authorized
withdrawal  is from a certificate  account ,and the  remaining  balance does not
meet the applicable  minimum balance  requirements,  the certificate may, at the
Bank's discretion,  be canceled at the time of withdrawal,  without penalty, and
the remaining  balance will earn interest at the passbook rate or be returned to
the  depositor.  Funds for which a withdrawal is  authorized  will remain in the
purchaser's  Account but may not be used by the purchaser until the Common Stock
has been sold or the 45-day  period (or such longer period as may be approved by
the applicable regulatory authorities) following the Stock Offering has expired,
whichever occurs first. Thereafter,  the withdrawal will be given effect only to
the  extent  necessary  to  satisfy  the  subscription  (to the extent it can be
filled) at the purchase price per share.  Interest will continue to be earned on
any amounts  authorized for withdrawal until such withdrawal is given effect. If
for any reason the Stock  offering  is not  consummated,  all  payments  made by
subscribers  in the Stock  Offering will be refunded to them with  interest.  In
case of amounts authorized for withdrawal from Deposit Accounts, refunds will be
made by canceling  the  authorization  for  withdrawal;  (iv) Wire  transfers as
payment for common stock will not be permitted or accepted as proper payment.

     No Order Form is binding  until  accepted  by the Stock  Company  following
expiration of the Offering.  Pursuant to the terms of the Stock  Issuance  Plan,
the Bank  may,  in its sole  discretion,  reject  any  order in whole or in part
without liability to the prospective purchaser.

EXPIRATION DATE

                                       115

     The Offering will terminate at 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on _________, 1998
unless extended by the Bank an additional 45 days, or if approved by the OTS for
an  additional  period  after  such  45  day  extension  (if  so  extended,  the
"Expiration  Date").  It is  anticipated  that  in  the  event  of a  Syndicated
Community  Offering,  the Community Offering would be terminated.  The Community
Offering or any Syndicated  Community  Offering must be completed within 45 days
after  the close of the  Subscription  Offering,  or____________________  , 1998
unless extended by the Bank with the approval of the OTS. If the Offering is not
completed within 90 days after the date the Prospectus is declared  effective by
the SEC (by______ , 1998),  all funds  received  will be returned  promptly with
interest at the Bank's  rate on passbook  savings  accounts  and all  withdrawal
authorizations  will be  cancelled  or, if OTS  approval of an extension of such
period has been  obtained,  all persons who ordered Common Stock in the Offering
may be given the  right to  increase,  decrease  or  rescind  their  orders.  No
extension may go beyond__________ , 1999.

RESTRICTIONS ON AGREEMENTS OR UNDERSTANDING  REGARDING  TRANSFER OF COMMON STOCK
TO BE PURCHASED IN THE OFFERING

     Prior to the completion of the  Reorganization  and Offering,  no member of
the Bank may transfer or enter into an agreement  or  understanding  to transfer
the legal or beneficial  ownership of the shares of Common Stock to be purchased
by such person in the Offering. Each depositor who submits an Order Form will be
required to certify  that the  purchase of Common Stock by such person is solely
for the  purchaser's  own account  and there is no  agreement  or  understanding
regarding  the sale or transfer of such shares.  The Bank and the Stock  Company
intend  to  pursue  any and all legal  and  equitable  remedies  in the event it
becomes aware of any such agreement or understanding,  and will not honor orders
reasonably believed by the Bank to involve such an agreement or understanding.

CONDITIONS TO THE OFFERING

     Consummation  of the  Offering  is  subject  to:  (i)  consummation  of the
Reorganization,  which  requires,  without  limitation,  the  receipt of various
approvals  from the OTS, the  approval of the Bank's  members and the receipt of
rulings and/or opinions of the Service or counsel as to the tax  consequences of
the  Reorganization,  (ii) the receipt of all required federal approvals for the
issuance of Common  Stock in the  Offering,  including  without  limitation  the
approval of the OTS, and (iii) the sale of a minimum of 379,525 shares of Common
Stock.  In the event that  conditions  (i) and (ii) are not  satisfied  prior to
completion of the Offering,  all funds  received will be promptly  returned with
interest at the Bank's passbook rate and all withdrawal  authorizations  will be
cancelled.  In the event that  condition  (iii) is not met, i.e., if the minimum
amount  of stock is not sold  during  the  Subscription  Offering,  the Bank may
conduct  a  Community   Offering   and/or  a  Syndicated   Community   Offering.
Subscription  funds may be held by the Bank for up to 45 days after the last day
of the  Subscription  Offering in order to  consummate  the  Reorganization  and
Offering. Thereafter, if the minimum is still not met, and no extension has been
granted to complete the Offering, then all funds received would be refunded with
interest and all withdrawal authorizations will be cancelled.

STOCK CERTIFICATES

     Certificates  representing  shares issued in the Offering will be mailed to
the persons entitled thereto as soon as possible  following  consummation of the
Offering.  Any  certificates  returned as undelivered  will be held by the Stock
Company  until  claimed by the persons  legally  entitled  thereto or  otherwise
disposed of in accordance with applicable law. Until certificates for the Common
Stock  are  available  and  delivered  to the  purchasers  after  the  Offering,
purchasers  may not be able to sell the  shares of Common  Stock for which  they
subscribe.

  
                                       116






REQUIREMENTS FOLLOWING THE OFFERING FOR REGISTRATION, MARKET MAKING, ETC.

     It is likely that there will be a limited  market for the Common Stock sold
in the Offering,  when and if such an Offering  occurs,  and purchasers  must be
prepared to hold the Common Stock for an  indefinite  period of time.  The Stock
Company  shall  register  its Common Stock with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange
Act, and shall  undertake  not to  deregister  such Common Stock for a period of
three years thereafter.

     Pursuant to OTS  regulations,  if the Bank has more than 100 holders of the
Common Stock at the close of the  Offering,  the Bank shall use its best efforts
to (i)  encourage  and assist a market maker to establish  and maintain a market
for the Common  Stock and (ii) list the Common  Stock on a national  or regional
securities  exchange or to have quotations for that class of stock  disseminated
on the Nasdaq quotation  system.  No assurance can be given,  however,  that the
Bank's  stock  will be quoted on the Nasdaq  stock  market or that an active and
liquid  market for the Common Stock will  develop.  It is likely that the Bank's
Common  Stock will be quoted and traded on the OTC Bulletin  Board.  Trident has
advised the Bank that,  upon  completion of the  Offering,  it intends to make a
market in the Common Stock. See "Market for the Common Stock."

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSACTIONS IN COMMON STOCK BY MANAGEMENT

     Under OTS regulations,  for a period of three years following the Offering,
directors  and  officers  of the  Stock  Company  and their  associates  may not
purchase, without the prior written approval of the OTS, any Common Stock except
from a broker-dealer  registered with the SEC. This prohibition shall not apply,
however,  to (i) a  negotiated  transaction  arrived  at by  direct  negotiation
between buyer and seller and involving more than 1.0% of the outstanding  Common
Stock and (ii)  purchases of Common Stock made by and held by any  tax-qualified
or  non-tax-qualified  employee stock benefit plan which may be  attributable to
directors and officers of the Bank and their associates.

     Common  Stock  purchased  by  executive   officers,   directors  and  their
associates  in the  Offering may not be resold for a period of at least one year
following  the date of  purchase,  except in the case of death of the  executive
officer or director or associate.  Therefore,  the shares of Common Stock issued
by the Bank to such persons shall bear a legend  restricting  sales for one year
following their purchase.

     The above-described  restrictions on transactions in the Common Stock shall
be in  addition  to any  restrictions  that may be imposed by federal  and state
securities  laws,  such as the insider  reporting and trading rules  promulgated
pursuant to the Exchange Act.

RESTRICTIONS ON FINANCING

     The Stock  Company will not offer or sell any of the Common Stock  proposed
to be issued in the Offering to any person whose  purchase  would be financed by
funds loaned,  directly or  indirectly,  to the person by the Bank or any of its
affiliates.

                 CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF THE BANK

GENERAL

     The Plan of Reorganization provides for the reorganization of the Bank from
a federally  chartered  mutual savings bank into the Mutual Holding Company form
pursuant to the laws of the United States of

  
                                       117

America, and the regulations of the OTS and, in connection  therewith,  provides
for a new Federal Stock Charter  ("Charter") and Bylaws to be adopted by members
of the Bank.

     The following  discussion is a general  summary of the OTS  regulations and
other  regulatory  restrictions  on the  acquisition  of the  Common  Stock.  In
addition,  the following  discussion  generally summarizes certain provisions of
the Charter and Bylaws of the Bank and the Stock Company and certain  regulatory
provisions that may be deemed to have a potential "anti-takeover" effect.

FEDERAL LAW

     The Change in Bank Control Act provides that no person,  acting directly or
indirectly or through or in concert with one or more other persons,  may acquire
control  of a savings  institution  unless  the OTS has been given 60 days prior
written  notice.  The HOLA provides  that no company may acquire  "control" of a
savings  institution  without the prior  approval of the OTS.  Any company  that
acquires  such  control  becomes a federal  savings  bank or a savings  and loan
holding company subject to registration,  examination and regulation by the OTS.
Pursuant  to the  federal  regulations,  control  of a  savings  institution  is
conclusively   deemed  to  have  been  acquired  by,  among  other  things,  the
acquisition of more than 25% of any class of voting stock of the  institution or
the  ability to  control  the  election  of a majority  of the  directors  of an
institution.  Moreover,  control is presumed to have been  acquired,  subject to
rebuttal, upon the acquisition of more than 10% of any class of voting stock, or
of more than 25% of any class of stock, of a savings  institution  where certain
enumerated  "control  factors" are also present in the acquisition.  The OTS may
prohibit  an  acquisition  of  control if (i) it would  result in a monopoly  or
substantially lessen competition,  (ii) the financial condition of the acquiring
person might jeopardize the financial stability of the institution, or (iii) the
competence,  experience or integrity of the acquiring  person  indicates that it
would not be in the  interest of the  depositors  or of the public to permit the
acquisition of control by such person.  The foregoing  restrictions do not apply
to the  acquisition  of a  savings  institution's  capital  stock by one or more
tax-qualified  employee stock benefit plans,  provided that the plan or plans do
not have beneficial  ownership in the aggregate of more than 25% of any class of
equity security of the savings institution.

     OTS  regulations  governing  standard  conversions  generally  prohibit any
person from  acquiring  or making an offer to acquire,  directly or  indirectly,
beneficial  ownership  of more  than 10% of the stock of any  converted  savings
institution  without  OTS  approval.  Although  the  Bank  believes  that  these
restrictions  in  the  standard  conversion  regulations  of  the  OTS  will  be
applicable  to the Bank,  to the  Bank's  knowledge  the OTS has not  issued any
formal precedent to this effect.

MUTUAL COMPANY STRUCTURE

     The Mutual Company  structure could restrict the ability of stockholders of
the Bank to effect a change of control of management because the Mutual Company,
as long as it  remains  in the  mutual  form of  organization,  will  control  a
majority of the voting stock of the Stock  Company.  The Mutual  Company will be
controlled by its Board of Directors,  which will initially  consist of the same
persons  who are  members  of the Board of  Directors  of the Bank and the Stock
Company.  The Mutual  Company  will be able to elect all members of the Board of
Directors of the Stock Company, and as a general matter, will be able to control
the outcome of all matters  presented to the  stockholders  of the Stock Company
for  resolution  by vote,  except for matters that require a vote greater than a
majority.  The Mutual  Company,  acting through its Board of Directors,  will be
able to prevent any  challenge to the  ownership or control of the Stock Company
by Minority Stockholders.  Accordingly, a change in control of the Stock Company
and the Bank cannot occur unless the Mutual  Company first converts to the stock
form of organization. Although OTS regulations and

  
                                       118

policy and the Plan of Reorganization  permit the Mutual Company to convert from
the mutual to the capital stock form of organization, the Board of Directors has
no current plan to do so.

THE STOCK COMPANY'S CHARTER AND BYLAWS

     General.  The  following  discussion  is  a  general  summary  of  the  OTS
regulations and other  regulatory  restrictions on the acquisition of the common
stock and certain provisions of the Stock Company Charter and Bylaws relating to
stock  ownership  that  might  have  a  potential  "anti-takeover"  effect.  The
following  description  of certain  provisions  of the Charter and Bylaws of the
Stock Company is necessarily  general, and reference should be made in each case
to the  Charter  and  Bylaws  of the  Bank,  which  are  incorporated  herein by
reference.  See  "Additional  Information"  as to how to  obtain a copy of these
documents.

     Classified  Board of Directors.  The Stock Company's  Charter provides that
the Board of Directors of the Stock Company is required to be divided into three
classes as nearly equal in number as  possible.  The members of each class shall
be elected for a term of three years and until their  successors are elected and
qualified.  One class shall be elected by ballot annually. A classified Board of
Directors  promotes  continuity and stability of management of the Stock Company
but  makes it more  difficult  for  stockholders  to  change a  majority  of the
directors  because it generally takes at least two annual elections of directors
for this to occur.

     Limitation on Voting Rights.  Section 8 of the Charter of the Bank provides
that, for a period of five years from the effective date of the  Reorganization,
no  person,  except  the  Stock  Company  in  forming  a  Holding  Company  or a
tax-qualified  employee  stock  benefit  program,  shall  directly or indirectly
acquire  the  beneficial  ownership  of more  than 10% of any class of an equity
security of the Stock Company other than shares held by the Mutual  Company.  In
the event shares are acquired in violation of Section 8, all shares beneficially
owned by any person in excess of 10% shall be  considered  "excess  shares"  and
shall not be  counted as shares  entitled  to vote and shall not be voted by any
person or counted as voting shares in connection  with any matters  submitted to
the stockholders for a vote.

     Prohibition of Cumulative  Voting.  The absence of cumulative voting rights
for the election of directors for a period of five years from the effective date
of the  Reorganization  effectively  means that the holders of a majority of the
shares  voted at a meeting of  stockholders  may,  if they so choose,  elect all
directors  elected at the meeting,  thus precluding a Minority  Stockholder from
obtaining   representation  on  the  Board  of  Directors  unless  the  Minority
Stockholder is able to obtain the support of a majority.

     Authorized but Unissued  Shares of Capital  Stock.  Following the Offering,
the Stock Company will have  authorized but unissued  shares of preferred  stock
and common stock. See "Description of Capital Stock." Although such shares could
be used by the Board of Directors of the Stock Company to render more  difficult
or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Stock Company by means of a
merger,  tender offer,  proxy contest or otherwise,  it is anticipated that such
uses will be unlikely given the Mutual Company must own a majority of the Common
Stock.

     Ownership  of  Common  Stock by  Management.  Directors  and  officers  are
expected to purchase up to 90,700 shares of Common Stock in the Offering and are
expected  to control  the voting of 20.3% of the shares of Common  Stock sold in
the Offering (at the maximum of the Offering Range),  and may control the voting
of approximately 8% of the shares of common stock issued in the Offering through
the  ESOP  established  in  connection  with  the  Offering  (assuming  that  an
allocation  has not been made under the ESOP).  Under the terms of the ESOP, the
unallocated  shares  will be  voted  by the  independent  trustees  for the ESOP
generally in the same  proportion  as the  instructions  received by the trustee
from participants  voting their allocated shares. In addition,  current officers
and directors of the Stock Company will also be officers and

  
                                       119

directors of the Mutual Company which,  after the  Reorganization  and Offering,
will own  47.0% and 47.0% of the  total  number  of  shares  outstanding  at the
minimum and maximum, respectively, of the Offering Range.

     Certain  provisions  of the Stock  Company's  Stock  Option Plans and other
benefit plans provide for benefits and cash payments in the event of a change in
control of the Stock Company.  The plans provide for accelerated  vesting in the
event of a change in control. These provisions may have the effect of increasing
the cost of, and thereby  discouraging,  a future attempt to take over the Stock
Company,  and thus  generally may serve to perpetuate  current  management.  The
Stock Option Plans and Restricted  Stock Programs will be subject to approval by
the Minority Stockholders.

     Indemnification. The Stock Company's Bylaws provide that it shall indemnify
every person who acts on behalf of the Stock Company, or serves as a director or
officer of the Stock Company,  provided that such person acted in good faith and
in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, and not opposed to, the best
interest of the Stock Company,  and with respect to any criminal proceeding such
person had no reason to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The Bylaws also
provide that such indemnification shall be to the fullest extent permitted under
Massachusetts or federal law.

  
                                       120

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

GENERAL

     Upon  consummation  of  the  Reorganization,  the  Stock  Company  will  be
authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
and 1,000,000  shares of serial  preferred  stock,  no par value per share.  The
consideration  for the  issuance  of the  shares  shall  be  cash,  tangible  or
intangible property, labor or services actually performed for the Stock Company,
or any  combination  of the  foregoing,  and shall be paid in full before  their
issuance and shall not be less than the par value.  Upon payment of the purchase
price for the Common Stock, all such shares will be fully-paid,  duly issued and
non-assessable.  Subject to the approval  required by any governing law, rule or
regulation,  the Board of  Directors  is  authorized  to approve the issuance of
shares up to the amount authorized in the Charter of the Stock Company from time
to time  without the  approval of the Stock  Company's  stockholders.  Under OTS
regulations,  a majority of the issued and outstanding voting stock of the Stock
Company must be held at all times by the Mutual Company. THE COMMON STOCK OF THE
STOCK COMPANY WILL REPRESENT NON-WITHDRAWABLE CAPITAL, WILL NOT BE AN ACCOUNT OF
AN INSURABLE  TYPE, AND WILL NOT BE INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY OTHER  GOVERNMENT
AGENCY.

COMMON STOCK

     Voting Rights.  The holders of Common Stock shall possess  exclusive voting
rights in the Stock  Company.  Each  holder of shares of Common  Stock  shall be
entitled  to one vote for each  share  held by such  holder,  except  that for a
period  of 5 years  from  the  completion  of the  Reorganization,  the  Charter
eliminates  voting  rights with  respect to those  shares that are  beneficially
owned by any  person,  other  than the Mutual  Company,  in excess of 10% of the
Common Stock then outstanding. Also, for a period of 5 years from the completion
of the  Reorganization,  stockholders  will not be permitted  to cumulate  their
votes in the election of directors.  See "Certain Restrictions on Acquisition of
the Bank--The Bank's Charter and Bylaws--Limitation on Voting Rights."

     Dividends.  Whenever  there shall have been paid, or declared and set aside
for  payment,  to the  holders of the  outstanding  shares of any class of stock
having  preference  over the Common Stock as to payment of  dividends,  the full
amount of dividends and of sinking  fund,  retirement  fund or other  retirement
payments,  if any, to which such holders are respectively entitled in preference
to the Common Stock,  then  dividends may be paid on the Common Stock and on any
class or series of stock entitled to  participate  therewith as to dividends out
of any assets legally available for the payment of dividends.

     Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of
the Stock Company, the holders of the Common Stock (and the holders of any class
or  series  of  stock  entitled  to  participate  with the  Common  Stock in the
distribution  of assets) shall be entitled to receive,  in cash or in kind,  the
assets of the Stock Company  available for  distribution  remaining  after:  (i)
payment or provision for payment of the Stock Company's  debts and  liabilities;
(ii)  distributions  or  provisions  for  distributions  in  settlement  of  any
liquidation  account; and (iii) distributions or provisions for distributions to
holders of any class or series of stock having  preference over the Common Stock
in the liquidation,  dissolution, or winding up of the Stock Company. Each share
of Common Stock shall have the same  relative  rights as and be identical in all
respects with all the other shares of Common Stock.

         Preemptive  Rights;  Redemption.  Holders of Common Stock will not have
preemptive rights with respect to any additional shares of the Common Stock that
may be issued.  Therefore,  the Board of  Directors  may sell  shares of capital
stock of the Bank without first offering such shares to existing stockholders of
the

  
                                       121

Stock Company.  The Common Stock is not subject to call for redemption,  and the
outstanding  shares of Common  Stock when  issued and upon  receipt by the Stock
Company  of  the  full   purchase   price   therefor  will  be  fully  paid  and
non-assessable.

SERIAL PREFERRED STOCK

     None of the 1,000,000  authorized  shares of serial  preferred stock of the
Stock  Company  will  be  issued  in  the  Offering.  Upon  consummation  of the
Reorganization,  the Board of Directors of the Stock Company will be authorized,
without  stockholder  approval,  to issue  preferred  stock and to fix and state
voting powers, designations, preferences or other special rights of such shares.
The  preferred  stock may be issued in distinctly  designated  series and may be
convertible  into Common Stock. If and when issued,  the serial  preferred stock
may  rank  senior  to  the  Common  Stock  as to  dividend  rights,  liquidation
preferences,  or  both,  and  may  have  full,  limited  or  no  voting  rights.
Accordingly,  the issuance of preferred stock could adversely  affect the voting
and other rights of holders of Common Stock.

                          TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     The transfer  agent and  registrar  for the Common  Stock is Registrar  and
Transfer Company.

                                     EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements of the Bank and its subsidiary, as of
September 30, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year  period
ended September 30, 1997, have been included herein in reliance upon the report,
appearing elsewhere herein, of Shatswell,  MacLeod & Company,  P.C., independent
certified public accountants,  and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.

     RP Financial has consented to the publication  herein of the summary of its
report  to the Bank and  Stock  Company  setting  forth  its  opinion  as to the
estimated pro forma market value of the Common Stock upon Reorganization and its
letter with respect to subscription rights.

  
                                       122

                              LEGAL AND TAX MATTERS

     Thacher Proffitt & Wood, Washington,  D.C., special counsel to the Bank and
the Stock Company, will pass on the legality of the Common Stock and the federal
income  tax  consequences  of  the   Reorganization.   Massachusetts  state  tax
consequences  of the  Reorganization  will  be  passed  upon  for  the  Bank  by
Shatswell, MacLeod & Company, P.C. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for
Trident  Securities,  Inc.,  by Luse  Lehman  Gorman  Pomerenk  & Schick,  P.C.,
Washington, D.C.

                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     The Stock Company has filed with the SEC a registration statement under the
Securities Act, with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. As permitted by
the rules and  regulations of the SEC, this  Prospectus does not contain all the
information set forth in the  registration  statement.  Such  information can be
examined without charge at the public reference facilities of the SEC located at
450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of such material can be
obtained  from the SEC at  prescribed  rates.  The SEC maintains a web site that
contains  reports,  proxy  and  information  statements  and  other  information
regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of this web
site is  http://www.sec.gov.  The statements contained herein as to the contents
of any  contract  or other  document  filed as an  exhibit  to the  registration
statement are, of necessity,  brief  descriptions  thereof and are not necessary
complete but do contain all material information regarding such documents.  Each
such statement is qualified by reference to such contract or document.

     In connection with the Offering, the Stock Company will register the Common
Stock with the SEC under  Section  12(g) of the  Exchange  Act;  and , upon such
registration,  the Stock Company and the holders of its Common Stock will become
subject to the proxy solicitation rules, reporting requirements and restrictions
on stock  purchases  and  sales by  directors,  officers  and  greater  than 10%
stockholders,  the annual and periodic  reporting and certain other requirements
of the Exchange Act. Under the Plan,  the Stock Company has  undertaken  that it
will not  terminate  such  registration  for a period  of at least  three  years
following the Reorganization.

     The Bank has filed with the OTS a Notice of Mutual  Company  Reorganization
on Form MHC-1 and an  Application  for Approval of a Minority  Stock Issuance on
Form MH2-C (the  "Applications").  Pursuant to the rules and  regulations of the
OTS, this Prospectus omits certain  information  contained in the  Applications.
The  Applications  may be examined at the  principal  office of the OTS,  1700 G
Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20552 and at the office of the Regional Director of
the  Northeast  Regional  Office of the OTS located at 10 Exchange  Place,  18th
Floor,  Jersey City, NJ 07302. The Plan of Reorganization,  Stock Issuance Plan,
Charter and Bylaws of the Bank,  the Stock Company and the Mutual Company may be
obtained  without charge by contacting the Bank's  Corporate  Secretary at (781)
284-7777.  Copies of the  Independent  Valuation are available for inspection at
the Bank's main office, 310 Broadway, Revere, Massachusetts 02151.

     A copy of the  certificate  of the  incorporation  and  bylaws of the Stock
Company are available without charge from the Bank.

  
                                       123




           REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




                                                                                    
Independent Auditors' Report                                                           F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1998 (unaudited) and the
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1997 and 1996                        F-3

Consolidated  Statements  of Income for the nine months  ended June 30, 1998 and       See "Consolidated Statements
  1997  (unaudited),  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement  for the  year  ended       of Income" on page 32 of the 
  September 30, 1997, and the restated  Consolidated  Income  Statements for the       prospectus.
  years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995

Consolidated  Statement  of Changes in Equity for the nine months ended June 30,
  1998 (unaudited), the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the year
  ended September 30, 1997, and the restated Consolidated  Statements of Changes
  in Equity for the years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                            F-4

Consolidated  Statements  of Cash Flows for the nine months  ended June 30, 1998
  and 1997  (unaudited),  the Consolidated  Statement of Cash Flows for the year
  ended  September 30, 1997,  and the restated  Consolidated  Statements of Cash
  Flows for the years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                                F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                             F-7


- ------------------
The financial  statements  for RFS Bancorp,  Inc. have been omitted  because RFS
Bancorp,  Inc.  has not yet issued any stock,  has no  liabilities,  and has not
conducted any business other than of an organizational nature.

All  schedules  have been  omitted  either  because they are not  required,  not
applicable, or are included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       F-1



                                  [LETTERHEAD]


The Board of Directors
Revere Federal Savings and Loan Association
Revere, Massachusetts

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

We have audited the accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets of Revere Federal
Savings and Loan  Association  and  Subsidiary as of September 30, 1997 and 1996
and the related  consolidated  statements of income,  changes in equity and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year  period ended  September 30, 1997.
These   consolidated   financial   statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the
Association's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable  assurance about whether the  consolidated  financial  statements are
free of material  misstatement.  An audit includes  examining,  on a test basis,
evidence  supporting the amounts and disclosures in the  consolidated  financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
consolidated  financial  statement  presentation.  We  believe  that our  audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects,  the consolidated financial position of Revere
Federal Savings and Loan Association and Subsidiary as of September 30, 1997 and
1996 and the  consolidated  results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the  years  in the  three-year  period  ended  September  30,  1997,  in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

The consolidated  statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows for the
years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 are  restatements  of previously  issued
consolidated financial statements. The restatements were necessary to correct an
error in the consolidated financial statements originally issued. The correction
is described in the consolidated statements of changes in equity and Note 12.



                                           /s/SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                              SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C.



October 17, 1997, except for Note 13,
as to which the date is January 21, 1998

                                       F-2



           REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION AND SUBSIDIARY

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                                           September 30,
                                                                     June 30,           -----------------------
                                                                       1998             1997              1996
                                                                       ----             ----              ----
                                                                                                       
ASSETS                                                              (unaudited)
Cash and due from banks                                            $     789,612    $     558,622     $     344,032
Interest bearing demand deposits with other banks                        798,968           27,641            61,301
Federal funds sold                                                     2,909,032        1,245,359           384,756
                                                                   -------------    -------------    --------------
           Cash and cash equivalents                                   4,497,612        1,831,622           790,089
Investments in available-for-sale securities (at fair value)             849,564          636,380           440,708
Investments in  held-to-maturity  securities  (fair values of
   $33,657,615 as of June 30, 1998 (unaudited), $40,507,431
   as of September 30, 1997 and  $40,356,382 as of
   September 30, 1996)                                                33,296,332       40,153,278        40,679,723
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost                                  1,517,000        1,405,400         1,405,400
Loans, net                                                            46,825,441       41,175,133        33,046,105
Premises and equipment, net of depreciation and amortization             972,325          951,887           860,428
Accrued interest receivable                                              640,200          702,142           564,158
Other assets                                                             181,801           64,169           111,412
                                                                  --------------  ---------------    --------------
           Total assets                                              $88,780,275      $86,920,011       $77,898,023
                                                                     ===========      ===========       ===========
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Demand deposits                                                     $  3,801,140     $  1,983,174      $  1,043,553
Savings and NOW deposits                                              22,868,638       18,751,097        17,208,959
Time deposits                                                         36,306,065       34,718,003        31,140,845
                                                                    ------------     ------------      ------------
           Total deposits                                             62,975,843       55,452,274        49,393,357
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston                        19,284,394       25,104,420        22,711,955
Other liabilities                                                        145,824          324,090           345,511
                                                                  --------------   --------------    --------------
           Total liabilities                                          82,406,061       80,880,784        72,450,823
                                                                    ------------     ------------      ------------
Commitments and contingencies

Equity:
   Retained earnings                                                   5,888,711        5,680,732         5,204,330
   Net unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale
    securities, net of taxes                                             485,503          358,495           242,870
                                                                  --------------   --------------    --------------
           Total equity                                                6,374,214        6,039,227         5,447,200
                                                                   -------------    -------------     -------------
           Total liabilities and equity                              $88,780,275      $86,920,011       $77,898,023
                                                                     ===========      ===========       ===========


        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                             financial statements.

                                       F-3



           REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION AND SUBSIDIARY

                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY




                                                                             Net Unrealized
                                                                             Holding Gain on
                                                         Retained            Available-for-
                                                         Earnings            Sale Securities            Total
                                                         --------            ---------------            -----
                                                                                                   
Balance, September 30, 1994                             $4,568,578                $250,663           $4,819,241
Net income, as previously reported                         354,374                                      354,374
Restatement to correct for overaccrual of
   FDIC insurance                                          186,971                                      186,971
                                                      ------------                                 ------------
Net income, as restated                                    541,345                                      541,345
Net change in unrealized holding gain on
   available-for-sale securities                                                   (83,287)             (83,287)
                                                 -----------------              ----------         ------------
Balance, September 30, 1995, as restated                 5,109,923                 167,376            5,277,299
Net income, as previously reported                         281,378                                      281,378
Restatement to reflect reversal of
   overaccrual of FDIC insurance in
   fiscal year ending September 30, 1995                  (186,971)                                    (186,971)
                                                       -----------                                  -----------
Net income, as restated                                     94,407                                       94,407
Net change in unrealized holding gain on
   available-for-sale securities                                                    75,494               75,494
                                                ------------------              ----------        -------------
Balance, September 30, 1996                              5,204,330                 242,870            5,447,200
Net income                                                 476,402                                      476,402
Net change in unrealized holding gain on
   available-for-sale securities                                                   115,625              115,625
                                                ------------------               ---------         ------------
Balance, September 30, 1997                              5,680,732                 358,495            6,039,227
Net income                                                 207,979                                      207,979
Net change in unrealized holding gain on
   available-for-sale securities                                                   127,008              127,008
                                                ------------------               ---------         ------------
Balance, June 30, 1998 (unaudited)                      $5,888,711                $485,503           $6,374,214
                                                        ==========                ========           ==========

        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                             financial statements.

                                       F-4



           REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION AND SUBSIDIARY

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



                                                    For the Nine Months
                                                       Ended June 30,               For the Years Ended September 30,
                                              -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1998            1997            1997            1996           1995
                                              -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           (unaudited)                           (As Restated)

                                                                                                   
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                      $   207,979   $  366,913    $  476,402     $  94,407     $ 541,345
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided by operating activities:
       Security gain from sale of available-
           for-sale security                                                                                 (294,531)
       (Gain) loss on sales of loans, net               13,055       (3,988)       13,778        12,878        (3,080)
       Amortization, net of accretion of securities     25,648       50,133        70,247       132,045        27,046
       Forfeited deposit on fixed assets                                            1,000
       Depreciation and amortization                   112,846       93,787       126,211       121,791       113,500
       Provision (benefit) for loan losses             174,500       45,000        60,000       148,500        (2,000)
       Deferred tax expense (benefit)                  (60,801)      (4,723)        7,141        10,959      (164,637)
       Increase (decrease) in taxes payable           (138,258)     299,640       340,347      (318,177)       39,311
       (Increase) decrease in interest receivable       61,942     (107,233)     (137,984)      (71,816)      (98,860)
       Increase (decrease) in interest payable          (1,828)          (4)          848      (158,427)      (26,224)
       Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses         (72,618)    (339,045)     (359,865)      249,568       121,556
       (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses         (87,549)       4,360        22,218       (19,326)        5,159
       Decrease in other assets                          6,271       14,450        36,801        17,245        19,277
       Increase (decrease) in other liabilities        (27,291)     (91,409)      (89,939)      103,937        (2,550)
       Change in deferred loan origination fees, net   (14,482)      (1,995)          212        43,213        (1,546)
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net cash provided by operating activities           199,414       325,886      567,417       366,797       273,766
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock           (111,600)                                (627,700)      (99,000)
   Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned                                                               3,100
   Recoveries of previously charged off loans                                                                  21,241
   Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities                                                       317,577
   Purchases of held-to-maturity securities         (5,499,960) (11,315,230)  (11,315,230)   (8,591,714)  (17,153,534)
   Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity
       securities                                   12,331,258    8,639,671    11,771,428     9,521,918    10,650,302
   Net increase in loans                           (11,770,533)  (8,100,763)  (10,999,729)  (15,388,342)   (1,206,762)
   Proceeds from sales of loans                      5,947,152    2,191,216     2,796,711     3,411,133       602,245
   Capital expenditures                               (133,284)    (174,339)     (230,446)      (96,842)     (239,412)
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net cash provided by (used in) investing 
        activities                                     763,033   (8,759,445)   (7,977,266)  (11,771,547)   (7,104,243)
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
   Net increase (decrease) in demand deposits,
     savings and NOW accounts                        5,935,507    2,891,644     2,481,759       706,647      (883,633)
   Net increase in time deposits                     1,588,062    2,459,549     3,577,158       454,594     8,007,203
   Advances from FHLB                               12,500,000   26,300,000    31,100,000    12,871,000     7,911,283
   Repayments of advances from FHLB                (18,320,026) (22,143,692)  (28,707,535)   (3,976,703)   (7,576,116)
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net cash provided by financing activities         1,703,543    9,507,501     8,451,382    10,055,538     7,458,737
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,665,990    1,073,942     1,041,533    (1,349,212)      628,260
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     1,831,622      790,089       790,089     2,139,301     1,511,041
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period        $  4,497,612 $  1,864,031  $  1,831,622 $     790,089    $2,139,301
                                                    ===================================================================

                                       F-5

           REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION AND SUBSIDIARY

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                   (continued)



                                                    For the Nine Months
                                                       Ended June 30,               For the Years Ended September 30,
                                              -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1998            1997            1997            1996           1995
                                              -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           (unaudited)                           (As Restated)

                                                                                                   
Supplemental disclosures:
   Interest paid                                   $2,753,245     $2,654,908    $3,584,473    $3,176,369    $2,480,210
   Income taxes (received) paid                       324,038        (86,683)      (60,243)      332,797       396,423
   Loans originated from sales of other real 
      estate owned                                                                                             104,500
























        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                             financial statements.

                                       F-6

           REVERE FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION AND SUBSIDIARY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

          For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 (unaudited)
              and the Years Ended September 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995

NOTE 1 - NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Revere  Federal  Savings  and  Loan  Association  (Association)  is a  federally
chartered mutual savings and loan association which was incorporated in 1901 and
is   headquartered  in  Revere,   Massachusetts.   The  Association  is  engaged
principally  in the business of attracting  deposits from the general public and
investing those deposits in residential  and real estate loans,  and in consumer
and small business loans.

NOTE 2 - ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting and reporting  policies of the Association and Subsidiary conform
to generally accepted accounting principles and predominant practices within the
savings  institution  industry.   The  consolidated  financial  statements  were
prepared  using the accrual  method of accounting.  The  significant  accounting
policies are summarized below to assist the reader in better  understanding  the
consolidated financial statements and other data contained herein.

         PERVASIVENESS OF ESTIMATES:

         The  preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally
         accepted  accounting  principles  requires management to make estimates
         and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and
         liabilities and disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities at the
         date of the financial  statements and the reported  amounts of revenues
         and expenses during the reporting  period.  Actual results could differ
         from the estimates.

         BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

         The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts of the
         Association   and   its   wholly-owned   subsidiary,   RFS   Investment
         Corporation.  All significant  intercompany  accounts and  transactions
         have been eliminated in the consolidation.

         The data  presented  for the nine  months  ended June 30, 1998 and 1997
         reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only
         of normal recurring  adjustments) which are necessary to present fairly
         the results for such interim  periods.  Interim  results at and for the
         nine months ended June 30, 1998 are not  necessarily  indicative of the
         results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended    September 30,
        1998.

         CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

         For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include
         cash on hand, cash items, due from banks and federal funds sold.

         SECURITIES:

         Investments  in  debt  securities  are  adjusted  for  amortization  of
         premiums  and  accretion  of  discounts.  Gains or  losses  on sales of
         investment securities are computed on a specific identification basis.

                                       F-7

         The Association classifies debt and equity securities into one of three
         categories:  held-to-maturity,   available-for-sale,   or  trading.  In
         general,  securities may be classified as held-to-maturity  only if the
         Association  has the  positive  intent  and  ability  to  hold  them to
         maturity.  Trading  securities  are  defined  as those  bought and held
         principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. All other
         securities must be classified as available-for-sale.

               --   Held-to-maturity  securities  are measured at amortized cost
                    in the balance  sheet.  Unrealized  holding gains and losses
                    are not  included in earnings or in a separate  component of
                    capital.  They  are  merely  disclosed  in the  notes to the
                    consolidated financial statements.

               --   Available-for-sale  securities  are carried at fair value on
                    the balance sheet.  Unrealized  holding gains and losses are
                    not included in  earnings,  but are reported as a net amount
                    (less expected tax) in a separate component of capital until
                    realized.

               --   Trading  securities are carried at fair value on the balance
                    sheet.  Unrealized  holding  gains and  losses  for  trading
                    securities are included in earnings.

         LOANS:

         Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for
         the  foreseeable  future or until  maturity  or payoff are  reported at
         their  outstanding   principal  balances  reduced  by  amounts  due  to
         borrowers on unadvanced loans, any charge-offs,  the allowance for loan
         losses  and  any  deferred  fees  or  costs  on  originated  loans,  or
         unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.

         Interest on loans is recognized on a simple interest basis.

         Loan  origination  and commitment  fees and certain direct  origination
         costs are  deferred,  and the net amount  amortized as an adjustment of
         the related loan's yield.  The Association is amortizing  these amounts
         over the contractual life of the related loans using the  straight-line
         method.

         Cash  receipts  of  interest  income on  impaired  loans is credited to
         principal  to  the  extent  necessary  to  eliminate  doubt  as to  the
         collectibility  of the net carrying  amount of the loan. Some or all of
         the cash receipts of interest income on impaired loans is recognized as
         interest  income if the  remaining  net carrying  amount of the loan is
         deemed to be fully collectible.  When recognition of interest income on
         an impaired loan on a cash basis is  appropriate,  the amount of income
         that is  recognized is limited to that which would have been accrued on
         the net carrying amount of the loan at the  contractual  interest rate.
         Any cash  interest  payments  received  in  excess of the limit and not
         applied to reduce the net  carrying  amount of the loan are recorded as
         recoveries of charge-offs until the charge-offs are fully recovered.

         ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES:

         An  allowance  is  available  for losses  which may be  incurred in the
         future on loans in the current portfolio. The allowance is increased by
         provisions  charged  to current  operations  and is  decreased  by loan
         losses, net of recoveries. The allowance for loan losses is established
         through a provision for loan losses based on management's evaluation of
         the risks inherent in its loan portfolio and the general  economy.  The
         allowance  for  loan  losses  is  maintained  at an  amount  management
         considers  adequate to cover estimated losses on loans which are deemed
         probable  and  estimable  based  on  information   currently  known  to
         management.  The allowance is based upon a number of factors, including
         current  economic  conditions,  actual  loss  experience  and  industry
         trends.  The balance in the  allowance  for loan  losses is  considered
         adequate  by  management  to absorb  any  reasonably  foreseeable  loan
         losses.

                                       F-8

         As of October 1, 1995, the Association  adopted  Statement of Financial
         Accounting  Standards No. 114,  "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment
         of a Loan," as amended  by SFAS No.  118.  According  to SFAS No. 114 a
         loan is impaired when, based on current  information and events,  it is
         probable  that a creditor  will be unable to collect  all  amounts  due
         according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Statement
         requires  that  impaired  loans be  measured on a loan by loan basis by
         either the present  value of expected  future cash flows  discounted at
         the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price,
         or  the  fair  value  of  the  collateral  if the  loan  is  collateral
         dependent.

         The  Statement  is  applicable  to all loans,  except  large  groups of
         smaller balance  homogeneous loans that are collectively  evaluated for
         impairment,  loans that are  measured  at fair value or at the lower of
         cost  or  fair  value,   leases,   and  convertible  or  nonconvertible
         debentures  and  bonds  and  other  debt  securities.  The  Association
         considers its residential real estate loans and consumer loans that are
         not  individually  significant  to be large  groups of smaller  balance
         homogeneous loans.

         Factors  considered  by management in  determining  impairment  include
         payment  status,  net  worth and  collateral  value.  An  insignificant
         payment  delay or an  insignificant  shortfall  in payment  does not in
         itself result in the review of a loan for  impairment.  The Association
         applies SFAS No. 114 on a loan-by-loan  basis. The Association does not
         apply   SFAS  No.  114  to   aggregations   of  loans  that  have  risk
         characteristics in common with other impaired loans. Interest on a loan
         is not  generally  accrued  when the loan  becomes  ninety or more days
         overdue.  The Association may place a loan on nonaccrual status but not
         classify it as  impaired,  if (i) it is probable  that the  Association
         will collect all amounts due in accordance with the  contractual  terms
         of  the  loan  or  (ii)  the  loan  is  an  individually  insignificant
         residential   mortgage  loan  or  consumer  loan.  Impaired  loans  are
         charged-off  when management  believes that the  collectibility  of the
         loan's  principal  is remote.  Substantially  all of the  Association's
         loans that have been  identified  as impaired have been measured by the
         fair value of existing collateral.

         The  financial  statement  impact of adopting  the  provisions  of this
         Statement was not material.

         PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT:

         Premises  and   equipment   are  stated  at  cost,   less   accumulated
         depreciation  and  amortization.   Cost  and  related   allowances  for
         depreciation  and  amortization  of premises and  equipment  retired or
         otherwise disposed of are removed from the respective accounts with any
         gain  or  loss  included  in  income  or  expense.   Depreciation   and
         amortization  are calculated  principally on the  straight-line  method
         over the estimated useful lives of the asset.

         OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED AND IN-SUBSTANCE FORECLOSURES:

         Other  real  estate  owned   includes   properties   acquired   through
         foreclosure and properties  classified as in-substance  foreclosures in
         accordance with Financial  Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 15,
         "Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt  Restructuring."
         These  properties  are carried at the lower of cost or  estimated  fair
         value  less  estimated  costs  to  sell.  Any  writedown  from  cost to
         estimated   fair  value   required  at  the  time  of   foreclosure  or
         classification as in-substance  foreclosure is charged to the allowance
         for loan losses. Expenses incurred in connection with maintaining these
         assets,  subsequent writedowns and gains or losses recognized upon sale
         are included in other expense.

         Beginning on October 1, 1995, in accordance with Statement of Financial
         Accounting  Standards No. 114,  "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment
         of  a  Loan,"  the   Association   classifies   loans  as  in-substance
         repossessed  or  foreclosed  if  the  Association   receives   physical
         possession  of  the  debtor's  assets   regardless  of  whether  formal
         foreclosure proceedings take place.

                                       F-9

         FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

         Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures about
         Fair Value of Financial  Instruments,"  requires  that the  Association
         disclose estimated fair value for its financial instruments. Fair value
         methods and assumptions  used by the Association in estimating its fair
         value disclosures are as follows:

         Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts reported in the balance
         sheet for cash and federal  funds sold  approximate  those assets' fair
         values.

         Securities  (including  mortgage-backed  securities):  Fair  values for
         securities  are based on quoted  market  prices,  where  available.  If
         quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted
         market prices of comparable instruments.

         Loans receivable:  For variable-rate  loans that reprice frequently and
         with no  significant  change in credit  risk,  fair values are based on
         carrying  values.  The fair values for other loans are estimated  using
         discounted  cash flow analyses,  using interest rates  currently  being
         offered for loans with similar  terms to  borrowers  of similar  credit
         quality. The carrying amount of accrued interest  approximates its fair
         value.

         Accrued  interest  receivable:  The carrying amount of accrued interest
         receivable approximates its fair value.

         Deposit  liabilities:  The fair values  disclosed  for demand  deposits
         (e.g., interest and non-interest  checking,  passbook savings and money
         market  accounts)  are, by  definition,  equal to the amount payable on
         demand at the  reporting  date (i.e.,  their  carrying  amounts).  Fair
         values  for  fixed-rate  certificate  accounts  are  estimated  using a
         discounted cash flow  calculation that applies interest rates currently
         being  offered on  certificates  to a schedule of  aggregated  expected
         monthly maturities on certificate accounts.

         Federal  Home Loan Bank  Advances:  Fair values for FHLB  advances  are
         estimated using a discounted cash flow technique that applies  interest
         rates  currently  being offered on advances to a schedule of aggregated
         expected monthly maturities on FHLB advances.

         Off-balance  sheet  instruments:  The  fair  value  of  commitments  to
         originate loans is estimated using the fees currently  charged to enter
         similar  agreements,  taking into  account the  remaining  terms of the
         agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties.  For
         fixed-rate loan commitments and the unadvanced  portion of loans,  fair
         value also considers the difference  between current levels of interest
         rates and the committed  rates.  The fair value of letters of credit is
         based  on fees  currently  charged  for  similar  agreements  or on the
         estimated  cost to terminate  them or otherwise  settle the  obligation
         with the counterparties at the reporting date.

         INCOME TAXES:

         The Association  recognizes  income taxes under the asset and liability
         method.  Under this  method,  deferred tax assets and  liabilities  are
         established for the temporary  differences between the accounting basis
         and the tax  basis  of the  Association's  assets  and  liabilities  at
         enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the amounts  related to
         such temporary differences are realized or settled.

                                      F-10

NOTE 3 - SECURITIES

Debt and equity  securities  have been  classified in the  consolidated  balance
sheets according to management's  intent.  The carrying amount of securities and
their approximate fair values are as follows:



                                                                              Gross
                                                              Amortized      Unrealized
                                                                Cost           Holding       Fair
                                                                Basis           Gains        Value
                                                                -----           -----        -----
                                                                                       
Available-for-sale securities (1):
   June 30, 1998 (unaudited):
     Marketable equity securities                              $23,870       $825,694      $849,564
                                                               =======       ========      ========
   September 30, 1997:
     Marketable equity securities                              $23,870       $612,510      $636,380
                                                               =======       ========      ========
   September 30, 1996:
     Marketable equity securities                              $23,870       $416,838      $440,708
                                                               =======       ========      ========




                                                                               Gross       Gross
                                                           Amortized       Unrealized   Unrealized
                                                               Cost          Holding       Holding         Fair
                                                               Basis           Gains        Losses         Value
                                                               -----           -----        ------         -----
                                                                                                    
Held-to-maturity securities:
   June 30, 1998 (unaudited):
     Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other
       U.S. government corporations and agencies           $  6,499,468    $    9,088   $  78,236    $  6,430,320
     Mortgage-backed securities                              21,635,342       432,626      52,344      22,015,624
     Asset-backed securities                                  5,161,522        50,149                   5,211,671
                                                          -------------    -----------   --------     -------------
                                                            $33,296,332      $491,863    $130,580     $33,657,615
                                                            ===========      ========    ========     ===========
   September 30, 1997:
     Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other
       U.S. government corporations and agencies           $  9,202,078     $  14,829   $  10,155    $  9,206,752
     Mortgage-backed securities                              25,144,248       452,634     138,681      25,458,201
     Asset-backed securities                                  5,806,952        35,526                   5,842,478
                                                          -------------    -----------   --------     -------------
                                                            $40,153,278      $502,989    $148,836     $40,507,431
                                                            ===========      ========    ========     ===========
   September 30, 1996:
     Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other
       U.S. government corporations and agencies           $  8,499,901     $  26,815   $  24,556    $  8,502,160
     Mortgage-backed securities                              24,945,208       285,785     622,377      24,608,616
     Asset-backed securities                                  7,234,614        10,992                   7,245,606
                                                          -------------    -----------   --------     -------------
                                                            $40,679,723      $323,592    $646,933     $40,356,382
                                                            ===========      ========    ========     ===========


(1)   Marketable   equity   securities   consists  of  common  stock  issued  by
      government-sponsored agencies.

Mortgage-backed  securities  are issued by GNMA,  FHLMC or Fannie  Mae,  and are
backed by fixed-rate mortgages. Asset-backed securities are SBA loan pools.

                                      F-11

The scheduled maturities of held-to-maturity securities were as follows:


                                                                                     Amortized
                                                                                         Cost              Fair
                                                                                         Basis             Value
                                                                                         -----             -----
                                                                                                          
June 30, 1998 (unaudited):
   Debt securities other than mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities:
     Due within one year                                                            $     499,507     $     503,595
     Due after five years through ten years                                             1,500,000         1,492,340
     Due after ten years                                                                4,499,961         4,434,385
   Mortgage-backed securities                                                          21,635,342        22,015,624
   Asset-backed securities                                                              5,161,522         5,211,671
                                                                                    -------------     -------------
                                                                                      $33,296,332       $33,657,615
                                                                                      ===========       ===========
September 30, 1997:
   Debt securities other than mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities:
     Due within one year                                                            $     999,997      $  1,000,080
     Due after one year through five years                                              2,999,035         3,005,465
     Due after five years through ten years                                             1,900,000         1,902,386
     Due after ten years                                                                3,303,046         3,298,821
   Mortgage-backed securities                                                          25,284,110        25,458,201
   Asset-backed securities                                                              5,667,090         5,842,478
                                                                                    -------------     -------------
                                                                                      $40,153,278       $40,507,431
                                                                                      ===========       ===========


For the nine  months  ended  June  30,  1998 and  1997,  there  were no sales of
available-for-sale  securities. For the years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
there  were no  sales  of  available-for-sale  securities.  For the  year  ended
September  30, 1995,  proceeds from the sale of an  available-for-sale  security
amounted to $317,577. The gross realized gain on the sale amounted to $294,531.

During  the  nine  months  ended  June 30,  1998  and  1997 no  held-to-maturity
securities were sold or transferred.  During the years ended September 30, 1997,
1996 and 1995 no held-to-maturity securities were sold or transferred.

The Association had an investment in security,  with an aggregate amortized cost
basis  and  fair  value  which  exceeded  10% of  equity  as of  June  30,  1998
(unaudited) and September 30, 1997 as follows:




                                        Description     Amortized Cost Basis   Fair Value
                                        -----------     --------------------   ----------

                                                                           
         June 30, 1998 (unaudited)       FHLMC Stock         $23,046           $847,134
         September 30, 1997              FHLMC Stock         $23,046           $634,500



Investment  securities pledged as of June 30, 1998,  September 30, 1997 and 1996
amounted to $7,618,935 (unaudited), $6,155,162 and $2,500,000, respectively. The
securities  were  pledged to secure  certain time  deposits,  $100,000 and over,
received from customers.

                                      F-12


NOTE 4 - LOANS
Loans consisted of the following:





                                                                                          September 30,
                                                                                    ----------------------------
                                                                   June 30, 1998       1997              1996
                                                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                                                    (unaudited)
                                                                                                       
Mortgage loans:
   One to-four family                                                $34,495,102      $32,927,514       $30,046,234
   Commercial real estate                                              4,157,223        2,577,312           460,416
   Construction and land                                               1,517,507          814,963         1,075,368
                                                                   -------------   --------------     -------------
     Total mortgage loans                                             40,169,832       36,319,789        31,582,018
                                                                    ------------     ------------      ------------
Commercial loans                                                       2,789,098        1,684,387            48,852
                                                                   -------------    -------------   ---------------
Consumer loans:
   Home equity lines                                                   3,301,418        2,760,863         1,303,039
   Secured by deposit accounts                                           621,108          373,686           369,632
   Auto loans                                                            424,739          413,193           121,419
   Other consumer loans                                                   83,726           72,978            18,550
                                                                 ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
     Total consumer loans                                              4,430,991        3,620,720         1,812,640
                                                                   -------------    -------------     -------------
         Total loans receivable                                       47,389,921       41,624,896        33,443,510
Allowance for loan losses                                               (506,053)        (376,854)         (324,708)
Deferred loan origination fees, net                                      (58,427)         (72,909)          (72,697)
                                                                  --------------  ---------------   ---------------
           Net loans                                                 $46,825,441      $41,175,133       $33,046,105
                                                                     ===========      ===========       ===========


Certain  directors and executive  officers of the Association  were customers of
the Association  during the nine months ended June 30, 1998. Total loans to such
persons and their companies amounted to $47,088 (unaudited) as of June 30, 1998.
During the nine months  ended June 30, 1998 total  payments  amounted to $19,362
(unaudited) and principal advances amounted to $0 (unaudited). Certain directors
and executive  officers of the  Association  were  customers of the  Association
during the year ended September 30, 1997.  Total loans to such persons and their
companies  amounted to $66,450 as of September  30, 1997.  During the year ended
September 30, 1997 total  payments  amounted to $27,534 and  principal  advances
amounted to $43,020. Changes in the allowance for loan losses were as follows:




                                                For the Nine Months                      For the Years
                                                   Ended June 30,                      Ended September 30,
                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1998          1997           1997            1996           1995
                                            -----------   -----------    -----------     -----------    -------
                                                     (unaudited)


                                                                                                 
Balance at beginning of period                 $376,854      $324,708       $324,708        $206,073       $186,832
Loans charged off                               (45,301)                      (7,854)        (29,865)
Provision (benefit) for loan losses             174,500        45,000         60,000         148,500         (2,000)
Recoveries of previously charged off loans                                                                   21,241
                                                -------        ------         ------         -------         ------ 
Balance at end of period                       $506,053      $369,708       $376,854        $324,708       $206,073
                                               ========      ========       ========        ========       ========



During the nine months ended June 30, 1998  (unaudited),  the Association had no
loans that met the  definition  of an impaired  loan in  Statement  of Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 114.  There were no impaired  loans  outstanding as of
June 30, 1998  (unaudited).  During the years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
the  Association  had no loans that met the  definition  of an impaired  loan in
Statement  of Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 114.  There were no impaired
loans outstanding as of September 30, 1997 and 1996.

                                      F-13



For the nine months ended June 30, 1998 and the fiscal years ended September 30,
1997 and 1996,  the amount of interest  income that was recognized on nonaccrual
loans was $4,936  (unaudited),  $7,861 and  $1,857,  respectively.  For the nine
months  ended June 30, 1998 and the fiscal  years ended  September  30, 1997 and
1996, the amount of additional  interest  income that would have been recognized
on nonaccrual  loans if such loans had  continued to perform in accordance  with
their contractual terms was $5,919 (unaudited), $4,370 and $1,080, respectively.

Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 122,  "Accounting for Mortgage
Servicing  Rights,"  (SFAS No. 122),  became  effective for the  Association  on
October  1,  1996.  SFAS  No.  122 was  superseded  by  Statement  of  Financial
Accounting  Standards  No. 125,  "Accounting  for  Transfers  and  Servicing  of
Financial Assets and  Extinguishments of Liabilities,"  (SFAS No. 125) effective
for transfers and servicing occuring after December 31, 1996. In the nine months
ending  June 30,  1998 the  Bank  sold  mortgage  loans  totaling  approximately
$5,960,000  (unaudited)  and retained the servicing  rights.  In the fiscal year
ending  September 30, 1997 the Bank sold mortgage loans  totaling  approximately
$2,810,000  and retained the  servicing  rights.  The fair value of those rights
under SFAS No. 122 and SFAS No. 125 is not material and has not been  recognized
in the financial  statements for the nine months ended June 30, 1998 (unaudited)
or the year ended September 30, 1997.

NOTE 5 - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET OF DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

The following is a summary of premises and equipment:




                                                                                                     
                                                                        September 30,                 Estimated   
                                                                  -------------------------------      Useful
                                                 June 30, 1998         1997             1996            Life
                                                 -------------    --------------   --------------    ---------
                                                  (unaudited)

                                                                                   
Land                                             $   170,000         $   170,000     $   66,000
Buildings                                            448,932             448,932         448,932         50 years
Furniture and equipment                              759,536             626,251         524,356        3-5 years
Renovations                                          389,309             389,309         389,309       3-20 years
                                                ------------        ------------     ------------
                                                   1,767,777           1,634,492        1,428,597
Accumulated depreciation and amortization           (795,452)           (682,605)        (568,169)
                                                ------------        ------------     ------------
                                                 $   972,325         $   951,887      $   860,428
                                                 ===========         ===========      ===========



NOTE 6 - DEPOSITS

The  aggregate  amount of time deposit  accounts  (including  CDs),  each with a
minimum  denomination of $100,000,  was  approximately  $9,649,571  (unaudited),
$10,115,066  and  $7,188,950  as of June 30, 1998,  September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Deposits greater than $100,000 are not federally insured.

For time deposits as of June 30, 1998,  the aggregate  amount of maturities  for
each of the following five years ended after June 30, and thereafter are:

                                        (unaudited)

                  1999                  $27,199,508
                  2000                    6,994,822
                  2001                    1,755,708
                  2002                      182,763
                  2003                      173,264
                                     --------------
                                        $36,306,065
                                     ==============


                                      F-14

For time deposits as of September 30, 1997,  the aggregate  amount of maturities
for  each of the  following  five  years  ended  after  September  30,  1997 and
thereafter are:

                  1998                     $25,825,666
                  1999                       7,578,170
                  2000                       1,034,830
                  2001                         171,796
                  2002                         107,541
                                        --------------
                                           $34,718,003
                                        ==============


NOTE 7 - ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF BOSTON

Advances  consist of funds  borrowed  from the Federal  Home Loan Bank of Boston
(FHLB).

The components of these borrowings are as follows as of June 30, 1998:


                  Maturity Date                                     Rate          Principal
                  -------------                                     ----          ---------
                                                (unaudited)

                                                                                     
          July 10, 1998                                             5.75%         $    800,000
          September 24, 2003, amortizing                            5.36             2,937,061
          November 3, 2003, amortizing                              5.64             1,214,219
          June 2, 2005, amortizing                                  6.64             3,833,114
          January 8, 2008                                           4.99             7,500,000
          June 25, 2008                                             5.01             3,000,000
                                                                                 -------------
                                                                                   $19,284,394
                                                                                 =============



Maturities  of advances  from the Federal  Home Loan Bank of Boston for the five
years ending after June 30, 1998 and thereafter are summarized as follows:

                  1999                          $  1,851,447
                  2000                             1,214,306
                  2001                             1,290,109
                  2002                             1,368,450
                  2003                             1,454,678
                  Thereafter                      12,105,404
                                                ------------
                                                $ 19,284,394
                                                =============


The components of these borrowings are as follows as of September 30, 1997:

               Maturity Date                       Rate             Principal
          ---------------------------------        -----          ------------
          October 23, 1997                         5.71%          $ 1,500,000
          November 21, 1997                        5.89               500,000
          December 29, 1997                        5.36             2,000,000
          January 14, 1998                         5.62             1,000,000
          January 21, 1998                         5.62             3,000,000
          April 27, 1998                           6.07             2,000,000
          June 26, 1998                            5.87             5,500,000
          July 10, 1998                            5.75               800,000
          September 24, 2003, amortizing           5.36             3,299,482
          November 3, 2003, amortizing             5.64             1,357,410
          June 2, 2005, amortizing                 6.64             4,147,528
                                                                -------------
                                                                  $25,104,420
                                                                =============


                                      F-15

Maturities  of advances  from the Federal  Home Loan Bank of Boston for the five
fiscal years ending after  September 30, 1997 and  thereafter  are summarized as
follows:

                  1998                            $17,400,270
                  1999                              1,167,941
                  2000                              1,237,860
                  2001                              1,317,010
                  2002                              1,397,191
                  Thereafter                        2,584,148
                                                -------------
                                                  $25,104,420
                                                =============


Advances are secured by the Bank's stock in that  institution,  its  residential
real estate  mortgage  portfolio and the remaining U.S.  government and agencies
obligation not otherwise pledged.

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES

The components of income tax expense are as follows:



                                            For the Nine Months                 For the Years
                                               Ended June 30,                Ended September 30,
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                              1998         1997         1997            1996          1995
                                           ----------   ----------   -----------     ----------    -------
                                                  (unaudited)                            (As Restated)
                                                                                         
Current:
   Federal                                   $157,600     $196,701      $259,454    $ (1,378)      $413,264
   State                                       28,180       16,256        20,650      15,998         22,470
                                           ----------   ----------    ----------    --------     ----------
                                              185,780      212,957       280,104      14,620        435,734
                                            ---------    ---------     ---------    --------      ---------
Deferred:
   Federal                                    (46,263)      (3,434)        2,545      46,073       (156,143)
   State                                      (14,538)      (1,289)        4,596     (35,114)        (8,494)
                                           ----------  -----------   -----------    --------    -----------
                                              (60,801)      (4,723)        7,141      10,959       (164,637)
                                           ----------  -----------   -----------    --------      ---------
           Total income tax expense          $124,979     $208,234      $287,245     $25,579       $271,097
                                             ========     ========      ========     =======       ========



The following reconciles the income tax provision from the statutory rate to the
amount reported in the consolidated statements of income:




                                                 For the Nine Months                For the Years
                                                    Ended June 30,                Ended September 30,
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 1998         1997          1997          1996          1995
                                                 ----         ----          ----          ----          ----
                                                 % of         % of          % of          % of          % of
                                                 Income       Income        Income        Income        Income
                                                 ------       ------        ------        ------        ------
                                                       (unaudited)                            (As Restated)

                                                                                          
Federal income tax at statutory rate             34.0%        34.0%         34.0%         34.0%         34.0%
Increase (decrease) in tax resulting from:
   Dividends received deduction                   (.4)         (.2)          (.2)         (1.4)          (.3)
   Unallowable expenses and other adjustments     1.2           .7           1.7            .3          (1.7)
State tax, net of federal tax benefit             2.7          1.7           2.1         (11.6)          1.3
                                                -----        -----         -----          ----         -----
                                                 37.5%        36.2%         37.6%         21.3%         33.3%
                                                =====        =====         =====          =====        =====



                                      F-16


The Association had gross deferred tax assets and gross deferred tax liabilities
as follows:




                                                                                            September 30,
                                                                                      --------------------------
                                                                     June 30, 1998        1997              1996
                                                                     -------------    -----------       --------
                                                                      (unaudited)

                                                                                                       
Deferred tax assets:
   Allowance for loan losses                                            $184,690         $121,358          $111,558
   Loan origination fees                                                  63,632           63,404            62,445
   Estimated expenses                                                      7,159           28,245            45,373
   Investment writedown                                                                     1,526             1,526
   Depreciation                                                           21,257            7,560             9,627
   Accrued pension expense                                                 9,888            2,488
                                                                     -----------      -----------         ---------
           Gross deferred tax assets                                     286,626          224,581           230,529
                                                                       ---------        ---------         ---------
Deferred tax liabilities:
   Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities                     (340,191)        (254,015)         (173,968)
   Deferred loan costs                                                   (34,538)         (33,295)          (32,102)
                                                                      ----------       ----------        -----------
           Gross deferred tax liabilities                               (374,729)        (287,310)         (206,070)
                                                                       ---------        ---------         ---------

Net deferred tax asset (liability)                                     $ (88,103)       $ (62,729)        $  24,459
                                                                       =========        =========         =========




Deferred tax assets as of June 30, 1998 (unaudited), September 30, 1997 and 1996
have not been reduced by a valuation  allowance because management believes that
it is more likely  than not that the full amount of deferred  tax assets will be
realized.

As of June 30, 1998  (unaudited)  and September 30, 1997, the Association had no
operating loss and tax credit carryovers for tax purposes.

In prior  years,  the  Association  was  allowed  a special  tax-basis  bad debt
deduction  under certain  provisions of the Internal  Revenue Code. As a result,
retained  earnings of the Association as of June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997
includes  approximately  $1,111,595 (unaudited) and $1,111,595 for which federal
and state income taxes have not been  provided.  Under the  provisions of recent
federal income tax legislation, if the Association no longer qualifies as a bank
as defined in certain  provision of the Internal  Revenue Code, this amount will
be subject to recapture in taxable income ratably over six (6) years, subject to
a combined federal and state tax rate of approximately 41%.

NOTE 9 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Association is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in
the normal  course of business  to meet the  financing  needs of its  customers.
These  financial   instruments  include  commitments  to  originate  loans.  The
instruments  involve,  to varying degrees,  elements of credit risk in excess of
the amount  recognized  in the balance  sheets.  The  contract  amounts of those
instruments  reflect the extent of involvement the Association has in particular
classes of financial instruments.

The Association's  exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the
other party to the financial  instrument for loan  commitments is represented by
the contractual  amounts of those  instruments.  The  Association  uses the same
credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for
on-balance sheet instruments.

                                      F-17



Commitments  to originate  loans are  agreements to lend to a customer  provided
there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments
generally  have fixed  expiration  dates or other  termination  clauses  and may
require  payment of a fee. Since many of the  commitments are expected to expire
without  being  drawn  upon,  the total  commitment  amounts do not  necessarily
represent future cash  requirements.  The Association  evaluates each customer's
creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained,  if
deemed  necessary  by the  Association  upon  extension  of credit,  is based on
management's credit evaluation of the borrower.  Collateral held varies, but may
include  secured  interests  in  mortgages,   accounts  receivable,   inventory,
property, plant and equipment and income-producing properties.

Standby letters of credit are conditional  commitments issued by the Association
to guarantee  the  performance  by a customer to a third party.  The credit risk
involved in issuing  letters of credit is essentially  the same as that involved
in extending loan facilities to customers.

Notional amounts of financial  instrument  liabilities  with  off-balance  sheet
credit risk are as follows:



                                                                                                September 30,
                                                                                   ---------------------------------
                                                                    June 30, 1998       1997              1996
                                                                    -------------  --------------    ---------------
                                                                     (unaudited)

                                                                                                       
Commitments to originate loans*                                       $1,588,193       $3,786,000       $   979,500
Unadvanced funds on construction loans                                 1,343,126          225,231           397,049
Unadvanced funds on home equity lines of credit                        2,002,461        2,002,521         1,130,415
Unadvanced funds on commercial lines of credit                           295,017
Standby letters of credit                                                 50,000           50,000
                                                                   -------------    -------------       -----------
                                                                      $5,278,797       $6,063,752       $ 2,506,964
                                                                      ==========       ==========       ===========


* The  range of rates  for fixed  rate  loans  included  within  commitments  to
originate loans were 6.375% to 10.50% (unaudited), 6.875% to 8.50%, and 7.25% to
9.25% as of June 30, 1998, September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  The range
of terms  for  these  fixed  rate  loans  was four  (unaudited)  years to thirty
(unaudited)  years,  fifteen  years to thirty years and fifteen  years to thirty
years as of June 30, 1998, September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.



The estimated fair values of the  Association's  financial  instruments,  all of
which are held or issued for purposes other than trading, are as follows:


                                                          June 30, 1998
                                            --------------------------------
                                                Carrying
                                                Amount          Fair Value
                                                ------          ----------
Financial assets:                                      (unaudited)
    Cash and cash equivalents               $  4,497,612         $4,497,612
    Available-for-sale securities                849,564            849,564
    Held-to-maturity securities               33,296,332         33,657,615
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock               1,517,000          1,517,000
    Loans, net                                46,825,441         48,172,000
    Accrued interest receivable                  640,200            640,200

Financial liabilities:
    Deposits                                  62,975,843         63,228,000
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances           19,284,394         19,254,000




                                      F-18





                                                              September 30,
                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1997                                1996
                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Carrying                           Carrying
                                           Amount        Fair Value          Amount          Fair Value
                                           ------        ----------          ------          ----------

                                                                                         
Financial assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents           $ 1,831,622      $ 1,831,622     $    790,089       $    790,089
    Available-for-sale securities           636,380          636,380          440,708            440,708
    Held-to-maturity securities          40,153,278       40,507,431       40,679,723         40,356,382
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock          1,405,400        1,405,400        1,405,400          1,405,000
    Loans, net                           41,175,133       41,753,000       33,046,105         32,968,000
    Accrued interest receivable             702,142          702,142          564,158            564,158

Financial liabilities:
    Deposits                             55,452,274       55,785,000       49,393,357         49,793,000
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances      25,104,420       25,035,000       22,711,955         22,436,000




The  carrying  amounts of  financial  instruments  shown in the above tables are
included  in the  consolidated  balance  sheets  under the  indicated  captions.
Accounting policies related to financial instruments are described in Note 2.

The  Association  has  no  derivative  financial   instruments  subject  to  the
provisions of SFAS No. 119, "Disclosure About Derivative  Financial  Instruments
and Fair Value of Financial Instruments."

NOTE 10 - PENSION PLAN

The  Bank is a  member  of a multi  employer  comprehensive  retirement  program
sponsored by Financial Institutions Retirement Fund. The defined benefit pension
plan is a  non-contributory  plan available to each employee meeting service and
age  requirements.  Employees are eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan
after the completion of 12 consecutive months of employment with the Association
and  the  attainment  of  age  21.  Hourly  paid  employees  are  excluded  from
participation in the Plan. The Bank matches employee contributions to the 401(k)
plan at 50% of member's contribution up to 10% of their W-2 salary. The expenses
for the defined  benefit and  contribution  plans are  $20,445  (unaudited)  and
$20,700  (unaudited),  respectively,  for the nine months  ended June 30,  1998,
$23,816  (unaudited) and $18,817  (unaudited),  respectively for the nine months
ended June 30,  1997 and $30,226 and  $25,367,  respectively  for the year ended
September  30,  1997,  $1,800  and  $20,885,  respectively  for the  year  ended
September  30,  1996 and $1,800  and  $21,894,  respectively  for the year ended
September 30, 1995.

NOTE 11 - REGULATORY MATTERS

The  Association  is  subject  to  various   regulatory   capital   requirements
administered  by the federal banking  agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital
requirements   can  initiate  certain   mandatory  -  and  possibly   additional
discretionary - actions by regulators  that, if undertaken,  could have a direct
material  effect  on  the  Association's  financial  statements.  Under  capital
adequacy  guidelines and the regulatory  framework for prompt corrective action,
the Association must meet specific capital guidelines that involve  quantitative
measures of the Association's assets,  liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet
items as calculated under regulatory  accounting  practices.  The  Association's
capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative  judgments by
the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative  measures  established  by  regulation to ensure  capital  adequacy
require the Association to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the
table  below) of total and Tier 1 capital  (as  defined in the  regulations)  to
risk-weighted  assets (as  defined),  of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to adjusted
total assets (as defined) and Tangible  capital (as defined) to Tangible  assets
(as defined). Management believes, as of June 30, 1998 (unaudited) and September
30, 1997, that the Association meets all capital adequacy  requirements to which
it is subject.

                                      F-19



As of September 30, 1997, the most recent notification from the Office of Thrift
Supervision categorized the Association as well capitalized under the regulatory
framework for prompt  corrective  action.  To be categorized as well capitalized
the Association must maintain minimum total risk-based,  Tier 1 risk-based, Tier
1 and Tangible capital ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions
or events since that  notification  that  management  believes  have changed the
association's category.

The  Association's  actual capital  amounts and ratios are also presented in the
table.



                                                                        
                                                          Actual        
                                                  ------------------    
                                                  Amount      Ratio     
                                                  ------      -----     
                                            (Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
                                                                 
As of June 30, 1998 (unaudited):
   Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)       $6,332     17.89%        
   Core Capital (to Adjusted Tangible Assets)     5,889      6.63         
   Tangible Capital (to Tangible Assets)          5,889      6.63         
   Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)       5,889     16.64         

As of September 30, 1997:

   Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)        6,035     21.33         
   Core Capital (to Adjusted Tangible Assets)     5,681      6.54         
   Tangible Capital (to Tangible Assets)          5,681      6.54         
   Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)       5,681     20.08         

As of September 30, 1996:
   Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)        5,490     24.03         
   Core Capital (to Adjusted Tangible Assets)     5,204      6.69         
   Tangible Capital (to Tangible Assets)          5,204      6.69         
   Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)       5,204     22.78         

                                                                                                To Be Well            
                                                                                                Capitalized Under     
                                                               For Capital                     Prompt Corrective     
                                                              Adequacy Purposes:               Action Provisions:    
                                                             ------------------             ---------------------- 
                                                          Amount         Ratio                 Amount         Ratio
                                                          ------         -----                 ------         -----
                                                                               (Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
                                                                                          
As of June 30, 1998 (unaudited):
   Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)           $2,831    greater than or equal to 8.0%  $3,539  greater than or equal to 10.0%
   Core Capital (to Adjusted Tangible Assets)         3,555    greater than or equal to 4.0    4,443  greater than or equal to  5.0
   Tangible Capital (to Tangible Assets)              1,333    greater than or equal to 1.5      N/A                            N/A
   Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)             N/A                             N/A    2,124  greater than or equal to  6.0

As of September 30, 1997:

   Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)            2,263    greater than or equal to 8.0    2,829  greater than or equal to  10.0
   Core Capital (to Adjusted Tangible Assets)         3,477    greater than or equal to 4.0    4,346  greater than or equal to   5.0
   Tangible Capital (to Tangible Assets)              1,304    greater than or equal to 1.5      N/A                             N/A
   Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)             N/A                             N/A    1,697  greater than or equal to   6.0
                                                                                                                                    
As of September 30, 1996:                                                                                                           
   Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)            1,827    greater than or equal to 8.0    2,284  greater than or equal to  10.0
   Core Capital (to Adjusted Tangible Assets)         3,111    greater than or equal to 4.0    3,889  greater than or equal to   5.0
   Tangible Capital (to Tangible Assets)              1,167    greater than or equal to 1.5      N/A                             N/A
   Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)             N/A                             N/A    1,371  greater than or equal to   6.0


The  following  provides  a  reconciliation  of  the  Association's   equity  to
regulatory capital:


                                                                                 September 30,
                                                        June 30,        -----------------------------
                                                         1998             1997              1996
                                                         ----             ----              ----
                                                       (unaudited)
                                                                                         
Equity                                                  $6,374,214       $6,039,227        $5,447,200
Less:  Unrealized holding gain on securities
   available-for-sale, net of taxes                       (485,503)        (358,495)         (242,870)
                                                      ------------     ------------      ------------
Tangible/core capital                                    5,888,711        5,680,732         5,204,330
Plus:  Allowance for loan losses                           443,000          354,000           286,000
                                                      ------------     ------------      ------------
Total risk based capital                                $6,331,711       $6,034,732        $5,490,330
                                                        ==========       ==========        ==========



                                      F-20

NOTE 12 - PRIOR PERIOD ADJUSTMENTS

The  Association  has restated  its  previously  issued 1996 and 1995  financial
statements to reflect an adjustment  related to an overaccrual of FDIC insurance
in fiscal year September 30, 1995.

Previously  reported  retained  earnings  as of  September  30,  1995  has  been
increased by $186,971 and previously  reported  results of operations  have been
changed as follows:

                                                 Year Ended September 30,
                                                 ------------------------
                                                  1996              1995
                                                  ----              ----
                                                      (In Thousands)
Income before income taxes:
   As previously reported                       $  409,244        $  523,184
   As restated                                     119,986           812,442

Net income:
   As previously reported                          281,378           354,374
   As restated                                      94,407           541,345

Retained earnings:
   As previously reported                        5,204,330         4,922,952
   As restated                                         N/A         5,109,923


NOTE 13 - SIGNIFICANT GROUP CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Most of the Association's business activity is with customers located within the
state.  There are no  concentrations  of credit to  borrowers  that have similar
economic  characteristics.  The majority of the Association's  loan portfolio is
comprised  of  loans  collateralized  by real  estate  located  in the  state of
Massachusetts.

NOTE 14 - PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

On January 21, 1998 the Board of Directors of the Association approved a Plan of
Reorganization  from  Mutual  Savings  Association  to Mutual  Holding and Stock
Issuance (the "Plan") under which the  Association  will be  reorganized  from a
federally  chartered  mutual savings  association  into a mutual holding company
(the "MHC") under the laws of the United  States of America and the  regulations
of  the  Office  of  Thrift   Supervision   (the  "O.T.S.").   As  part  of  the
reorganization  and the Plan,  the  Association  will convert to a federal stock
savings  Association  (the  "Stock  Association")  and will  establish a federal
corporation   (the   "Holding   Company").   The  Holding   Company  will  be  a
majority-owned  subsidiary  of the  MHC  and  the  Stock  Association  will be a
wholly-owned   subsidiary  of  the  Holding  Company.   Concurrently   with  the
reorganization, the Holding Company intends to offer for sale up to 49.9% of its
common stock to qualifying  depositors and the tax-qualifying  employee plans of
the Association,  with any remaining shares offered to the public in a community
offering.

The Plan is subject to the approval of the O.T.S. and the majority of depositors
and borrowers entitled to vote.

After conversion,  the Holding Company will not be able to declare or pay a cash
dividend on, or repurchase any of its common stock,  if the effect thereof would
cause the regulatory  capital of the  Association to be reduced below the amount
required under O.T.S. rules and regulations.

NOTE 15 - RECLASSIFICATION

Certain  amounts in the prior year have been  reclassified to be consistent with
the current year's statement presentation.

                               

                                      F-21

================================================================================

         No person has been  authorized to give any  information  or to make any
representation other than as contained in this prospectus and, if given or made,
such  information  or  representation  must not be relied  upon as  having  been
authorized  by the RFS  Bancorp,  Inc.,  or  Revere  Federal  Savings  and  Loan
Association.  This  prospectus  does  not  constitute  an  offer  to sell or the
solicitation  of an offer to buy any  security  other  than the shares of Common
Stock offered  hereby to any person in any  jurisdiction  in which such offer or
solicitation  is not  authorized,  or in which the person  making  such offer or
solicitation  is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful
to make such offer or solicitation.  Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor
any sale hereunder shall, under any  circumstances,  create any implication that
information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.




                                     [Logo]






                                RFS BANCORP, INC.

                          (Proposed Holding Company for
                             Revere Federal Savings)

                              UP TO 590,496 SHARES

                                  COMMON STOCK

                           ($.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE)

                                SUBSCRIPTION AND
                               COMMUNITY OFFERING

                                   PROSPECTUS

                            TRIDENT SECURITIES, INC.

                              _______________, 1998

                 THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS
                  AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR GUARANTEED.

     Until _____________, 1998 or 25 days after the commencement of the offering
of  Common  Stock,  all  dealers   effecting   transactions  in  the  registered
securities,  whether or not participating in this distribution,  may be required
to deliver a  prospectus.  This is in addition to the  obligation  of dealers to
deliver a  prospectus  when  acting as  underwriters  and with  respect to their
unsold allotments or subscriptions.

================================================================================




                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 24.        INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     12 C.F.R.  Section 545.121 of OTS  Regulations  sets forth the ability of a
federal savings & loan association to indemnify its officers and directors. This
section provides that a savings  association  shall indemnify any person against
whom an  action  is  brought  or  threatened  because  that  person  is or was a
director,  officer or employee of the association  for: (1) any amount for which
that person  become liable under a judgment if such action;  and (2)  reasonable
costs and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorney's  fees paid or incurred by
that person in defending or settling  such  action,  or in enforcing  his or her
rights  under such  section if he or she  attains a  favorable  judgment in such
enforcement action.

     Indemnification  shall be made to such  individuals if (1) final judgements
on the merits is in the  individual's  favor;  or (2) in case of (i) settlement;
(ii) final  judgement  against the  individual,  or (iii) final judgement in the
individual's favor, other than on the merits, if a majority of the disinterested
directors  determine  that the  individual  was acting in good faith  within the
scope of his or her  employment or authority as he or she could have  reasonable
perceived  it  under  the  circumstances  and  for a  purpose  her or she  could
reasonably  have believed under the  circumstances  was in the best interests of
the savings  association  or its  members.  The section  also  provides  that no
indemnification  may be made unless the association gives the OTS 60 days notice
of its intention to make such indemnification.

     In addition to providing indemnification,  under OTS Regulations, a savings
association may obtain  insurance to protect in and its officers,  directors and
employees  from  potential  losses  arising  from claims  against any of the for
alleged  wrongful  acts,  or  wrongful  acts,  committed  in their  capacity  as
directors,  officers or  employees.  However,  the savings  association  may not
obtain  insurance which provides for payment of losses of any person incurred as
a consequence of his or her willful or criminal misconduct.

     Section  545.121 of OTS regulations is subject to and qualified by 12 U.S.C
ss.  1821(k) which  provides in general that a director or officer of an insured
depository institution may be held personally liable for monetary damages by, on
behalf of, or at the  request or  direction  of the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation in certain circumstances.

     Article XIII of both the Stock Company's and the Bank's Bylaws provide that
it shall  indemnify  any person  against whom an action is brought or threatened
because  that  person is or was a  director,  officer or  employee  of the Stock
Company  for:  (a) any amount  for which  that  person  becomes  liable  under a
judgment  in such  action;  and (b)  reasonable  costs and  expenses,  including
reasonable  attorneys'  fees,  actually  paid  or  incurred  by that  person  in
defending or settling  such action,  or in enforcing his or her rights under the
indemnification  section of the bylaws if he or she attains a favorable judgment
in such enforcement  action.  These bylaw sections mirror OTS regulations as set
forth above.

     Section  18 of the  Bylaws of the Mutual  Company  provide  that the Mutual
Company shall  indemnify  its  officers,  directors and employees to the fullest
extent  permitted  by the rules  and  regulations  of the OTS at 12  C.F.R.  ss.
545.121.








     The Bank is party to an  Employment  Agreement  with  each of Mr.  James J.
McCarthy,  Mr. Anthony J. Patti and Ms. Judith Tenaglia  ("Senior  Executives").
These  Employment  Agreements  provide for the Company to  indemnify  the Senior
Executives to the fullest extent permitted under federal law.

ITEM 25.        OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.


SEC Registration Fee (1).............................................. $   1,742
OTS application fee and registration..................................    14,400
National Association of Securities Dealers filing fee.................     1,100
OTC Electronic Bulletin Board Listing.................................     5,000
Printing, postage and mailing.........................................    50,000
Legal fees and expenses...............................................   150,000
Placement Agent's fees and commissions................................    90,500
Placement Agent's expenses (excluding counsel fees)...................    40,000
Placement Agent's counsel fees and expenses...........................    30,000
Accounting fees and expenses..........................................    40,000
Appraiser's fees and expenses (including preparing business plan).....    24,000
Conversion agent fees and expenses....................................     5,000
Certificate printing..................................................     1,500
Blue Sky fees and expenses (including fees of counsel)................     5,000
Miscellaneous.........................................................     8,850
                                                                       ---------
TOTAL................................................................. $ 465,350
                                                                       =========
- ----------

(1)  Actual expenses based upon the registration and sale of 590,496 shares each
     at $10.00 per share. All other expenses are estimated.


ITEM 26.          RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

        None.


                                       -2-






ITEM 27.          EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

     The  exhibits and  financial  statement  schedules  filed as a part of this
Registration Statement are as follows:

(A)     LIST OF EXHIBITS.  (Filed herewith unless otherwise noted.)

      EXHIBIT NO.                DESCRIPTION
      -----------                -----------
         1.1  Engagement  letter,  dated  December  22,  1997,  between
              Revere Federal Savings and Trident Securities, Inc.

        *1.2  Draft Form of Agency Agreement

         2.1  Plan of Reorganization from Mutual Savings Bank to Mutual
              Holding Company and Stock Issuance Plan of Revere Federal
              Savings

         3.1  Federal Stock Charter of RFS Bancorp, Inc.

         3.2  Bylaws of RFS Bancorp, Inc.

         3.3  Federal Stock Charter of Revere Federal Savings Bank

         3.4  Bylaws of Revere Federal Savings Bank

         3.5  Federal Stock Charter of Revere, M.H.C.

         3.6  Bylaws of Revere, M.H.C.

         4.1  Federal Stock Charter of RFS Bancorp, Inc. (See Exhibit 3.1)

         4.2  Bylaws of RFS Bancorp, Inc. (See Exhibit 3.2)

         4.3  Form of Stock Certificate of RFS Bancorp, Inc.

         5.1  Form of Opinion of Thacher Proffitt & Wood re: legality of 
              securities to be registered

         8.1  Form of Opinion of Thacher Proffitt & Wood re: federal tax matters

        *8.2  Form of Opinion of Shatswell, MacLeod & Company, P.C. re: state
              and local tax matters

         8.3  Letter from RP  Financial  regarding  Subscription  Rights

     10.1(a)  Form of Employee Stock Ownership Plan of RFS Bancorp, Inc.

     10.1(b)  Form of ESOP Trust Agreement

        10.2  Form of Executive Employment Agreement, by and between James
              J. McCarthy and Revere Federal Savings


                                       -3-








        10.3  Form of Executive Employment Agreement, by and between
              Anthony J. Patti and Revere Federal Savings

        10.4  Form of Executive Employment Agreement, by and between Judith
              Tenaglia and Revere Federal Savings

        21.1  Subsidiaries of the Registrant

        23.1  Consent of Thacher  Proffitt & Wood (included in Exhibits
              5.1 and 8.1 to this Registration Statement)

        23.2  Consent of Shatswell MacLeod & Company, P.C.

        23.4  Consent of RP Financial

        24.1  Powers of Attorney (Included in Signature Page of this
              Registration Statement)

        27.1  Financial Data Schedule (only filed in electronic  format)

        99.1  Appraisal  Report of RP Financial 

       *99.2  Draft  Marketing Materials in connection with the Offering
- ----------
*To be filed by amendment.

(b)      Financial Statement Schedules.

         Financial  statements of Revere Federal  Savings as of and for the year
         ended  September  30, 1997 and as of and for the nine months ended June
         30, 1998 (included in pp. F-1 -- F-21 of the Prospectus).


                                       -4-






ITEM 28.          UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the agent at the
closing  specified in the Agency Agreement,  certificates in such  denominations
and registered in such names as required by the agent to permit prompt  delivery
to each purchaser.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

     (1) For purposes of determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of
1933, the information  omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
Registration  Statement  in reliance  upon Rule 430A and  contained in a form of
prospectus  filed by the Registrant  pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under  the  Securities  Act  shall  be  deemed  to be part of this  Registration
Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

     (2) For the purpose of determining  any liability  under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective  amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration  statement relating to the securities offered
therein,  and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.


                                       -5-






                                   SIGNATURES

     In accordance  with to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the  requirements  of filing on Form SB-2 and  authorized  this  registration
statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the City of Revere, Commonwealth of Massachusetts,  on August 31,
1998.

                                           RFS BANCORP, INC.

                                           By:   /s/ James J. McCarthy
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           James J. McCarthy
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENT,  that each person whose  signature  appears
below  constitutes and appoints James J. McCarthy and Richard A. Schaberg as the
true and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution,  for him or her and in his or her name,  place and stead, in any
and all capacities to sign the Form SB-2 Registration  Statement and any and all
amendments thereto,  and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,  and other
documents  in  connection  therewith,  with the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  granting unto each said  attorney-in-fact  and agent full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully to all intents  and  purposes as he or she might or could do
in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all that said  attorney-in-fact  and
agent, or his substitute or substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

     In accordance  with the  requirements  of the Securities Act of 1933,  this
Registration Statement was signed by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated.





                   Name                                        Title                                   Date
                   ----                                        -----                                   ----
                                                                                            
/s/ James J. McCarthy                               Director, President and Chief                 August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          Executive Officer
James J. McCarthy                                   (Principal executive officer)

/s/ Arno P. Bommer                                  Chairman                                      August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          
Arno P. Bommer                                      

/s/ Ernest F. Becker                                Vice Chairman                                 August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          
Ernest F. Becker                                    

/s/ John J. Verrengia                               Director                                      August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          
John J. Verrengia                                   

/s/ Angelo A. Todisco                               Director                                      August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          
Angelo A. Todisco                                   

/s/ Anthony R. Conte                                Director                                      August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          
Anthony R. Conte                                    

/s/ Carmen R. Mattuchio                             Director                                      August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          
Carmen R. Mattuchio                                 

/s/ J. Michael O'Brien                              Director                                      August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          
J. Michael O'Brien                                  

/s/ Theodore E. Charles                             Director                                      August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          
Theodore E. Charles                                 

/s/ Anthony J. Patti                                Chief Financial Officer                       August 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------          (Principal Accounting Officer)
Anthony J. Patti                                     



                                       -6-