EXHIBIT 99.1


                              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                            RELIANCE CAPITAL TRUST I

                              Offer to Exchange its
                        8.17% Capital Securities, Series B
                      (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital
                 Security) which have been registered under the
                             Securities Act of 1933
                       for any and all of its outstanding
                        8.17% Capital Securities, Series A
                (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security)

                           Pursuant to the Prospectus
                           dated _______________, 1998


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


              THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE
              AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK TIME, ON ______________, 1998,
                          UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

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


                  The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:

                              The Bank of New York

By Registered or Certified Mail:         By Hand or Overnight Delivery:
The Bank of New York                     The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street - 7E                  101 Barclay Street
New York, New York 10286                 Corporate Trust Services Window
Attention: Noriko Miyazaki,              Ground Level
Reorganization Section                   New York, New York 10286
                                         Attention: Noriko Miyazaki, 
                                         Reorganization Section

                              Confirm by Telephone
                            or for Information call:
                                 (212) 815-6333

                            Facsimile Transmissions:
                          (Eligible Institutions Only)
                                 (212) 815-6339

     DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A
NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.

     THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

     Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning
given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).

     This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of 8.17%
Capital Securities, Series A of Reliance Capital Trust (the "Original Capital 
Securities) either if (i) Original Capital Securities are to be forwarded 
herewith or (ii) tenders of Original Capital Securities are to be made by 
book-entry transfer to an account maintained by The Bank of New York (the 
"Exchange Agent") at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering 
Original Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.

                                      A-1



     Holders of Original Capital Securities whose certificates (the
"Certificates") for such Original Capital Securities are not immediately
available or who cannot deliver their Certificates and all other required
documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined
in the Prospectus) or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer
on or prior to the Expiration Date, must tender their Original Capital
Securities according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The
Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities" in the
Prospectus.

     DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE
 AGENT.

                     NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
               PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX:

               DESCRIPTION OF ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED
                               (See Instruction 4)




  If blank, please print name and                            Original Capital Securities tendered
    address of registered holder                             (Attach additional list if necessary)
- ------------------------------------     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Liquidation Amount of
                                                                                                Original Capital
                                                                     Aggregate                     Securities
                                                                Liquidation Amount                 Tendered**
                                          Certificate           of Original Capital           (if less than all are
                                           Number(s)*             Securities Held                   tendered)
                                         --------------       -----------------------      ---------------------------
                                                                                  



                                         TOTAL
                                         AMOUNT
                                         TENDERED:
- ------------------------------------     --------------                                    ---------------------------



*    Need not be completed by book-entry holders.

**   Original Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in
     denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess
     thereof, provided that if any Original Capital Securities are tendered for
     exchange in part, the untendered principal amount thereof must be $100,000
     or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. All Original Capital
     Securities held shall be deemed tendered unless a lesser number is
     specified in this column.


                                      A-2




            (BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)

/ /  CHECK HERE IF TENDERED ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY
     BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT
     WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

     Name of Tendering Institution
                                   --------------------------------------------
     DTC Account Number
                        -------------------------------------------------------
     Transaction Code Number
                             --------------------------------------------------

/  / CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
     IF TENDERED ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A
     NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND
     COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

     Name of Registered Holder(s)
                                  ---------------------------------------------
     Window Ticket Number (if any)
                                   --------------------------------------------
     Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
                                                        -----------------------

     Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery

          Name of Tendering
                            ---------------------------------------------------
          Institution
                      ---------------------------------------------------------
          DTC Account Number
                             --------------------------------------------------
         Transaction Code Number
                                 ----------------------------------------------

/  / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NONEXCHANGED OR
     NONTENDERED ORIGINAL CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE
     DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.

/  / CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL
     SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER
     TRADING ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10
     ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR
     SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

Name
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address
        -----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Area Code and Telephone Number
                               ------------------------------------------------
Contact Person
               ----------------------------------------------------------------


                                      A-3





Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The undersigned hereby tenders to Reliance Capital Trust I, a trust 
created under the laws of Delaware (the "Trust") and Reliance Bancorp, Inc., 
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the above-described aggregate 
Liquidation Amount of the Trust's 8.17% Capital Securities, Series A (the 
"Original Capital Securities") in exchange for a like aggregate Liquidation 
Amount of the Trust's 8.17% Series B Capital Securities (the "Exchange 
Capital Securities") which have been registered under the Securities Act of 
1933 (the "Securities Act"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set 
forth in the Prospectus, dated _____________, 1998 (as the same may be 
amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of 
which is acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together 
with the Prospectus, constitute the "Exchange Offer").

     Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any
portion of the Original Capital Securities tendered herewith in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer
is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or
amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the
order of the Trust all right, title and interest in and to such Original Capital
Securities as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact
(with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also is acting as agent of the
Company and the Trust in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the
tendered Original Capital Securities, with full power of substitution (such
power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an
interest), subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus,
to (i) deliver Certificates for Original Capital Securities to the Company or
the Trust together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity
to, or upon the order of, the Trust, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the
undersigned's agent, of the Exchange Capital Securities to be issued in exchange
for such Original Capital Securities, (ii) present Certificates for such
Original Capital Securities for transfer, and to transfer the Original Capital
Securities on the books of the Trust, and (iii) receive for the account of the
Trust all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of
such Original Capital Securities, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer.

     The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has
full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer the
Original Capital Securities tendered hereby and that, when the same are accepted
for exchange, the Trust will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances,
and that the Original Capital Securities tendered hereby are not subject to any
adverse claims or proxies. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and
deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company, the Trust or the
Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange assignment
and transfer of the Original Capital Securities tendered hereby, and the
undersigned will comply with its obligations under the Registration Rights
Agreement. The undersigned has read and agrees to all of the terms of the
Exchange Offer.

     The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Original
Capital Securities tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not
already set forth above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such
Original Capital Securities. The Certificate number(s) of the Original Capital
Securities than the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the
appropriate boxes above.

     If any tendered Original Capital Securities are not exchanged pursuant to
the Exchange Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more
Original Capital Securities than are tendered or accepted for exchange,
Certificates for such nonexchanged or nontendered Original Capital Securities
will be returned (or, in the case of Original Capital Securities tendered by
book-entry transfer, such Original Capital Securities will be credited to an
account maintained at DTC), without expense to the tendering holder, promptly
following the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.

     The undersigned understands that tenders of Original Capital Securities
pursuant to any one of the procedures described in "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities" in the Prospectus
and in the Instructions herein will, upon the Company's and the Trust's
acceptance for exchange of such tendered Original Capital Securities, constitute
a binding agreement between the undersigned, the Company and the Trust upon the
terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned
recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the
Company and the Trust may not be required to accept for exchange any of the
Original Capital Securities tendered hereby.

     Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange Capital
Securities be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a
book-entry transfer of Original Capital Securities, that such Exchange Capital
Securities be credited to the account indicated above 




                                      A-4




maintained at DTC, if applicable, substitute Certificates representing Original
Capital Securities not exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued to
the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Original Capital
Securities, will be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC.
Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions,"
please deliver Exchange Capital Securities to the undersigned at the address
shown below the undersigned's signature.

     By tendering Original Capital Securities and executing this Letter of
Transmittal, the undersigned hereby represents and agrees that (i) the
undersigned is not an "affiliate" of the Company or the Trust within the meaning
of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, (ii) any Exchange Capital Securities to be
received by the undersigned are being acquired in the ordinary course of its
business, (iii) the undersigned has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities
Act) of Exchange Capital Securities to be received in the Exchange Offer and
(iv) if the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned is not engaged
in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of the
Securities Act) of such Exchange Capital Securities. By tendering Original
Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and executing this Letter of
Transmittal, a holder of Original Capital Securities which is a broker-dealer
represents and agrees, consistent with certain interpretive letters issued by
the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange
Commission to third parties, that (a) such Original Capital Securities held by
the broker-dealer are held only as a nominee or (b) such Original Capital
Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer for its own account as a result
of market-making activities or other trading activities and it will deliver the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time) meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such
Exchange Capital Securities (provided that, by so acknowledging and by
delivering a Prospectus, such broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act).

     The Company and the Trust have agreed that, subject to the provisions of
the Registration Rights Agreement, the Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from, time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer
(as defined below) in connection with resales of Exchange Capital Securities
received in exchange for Original Capital Securities, where such Original
Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own
account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, for
a period ending 90 days after the Expiration Date (subject to extension under
certain limited circumstances described in the Prospectus) or, if earlier, when
all such Exchange Capital Securities have been, disposed of by such
Participating Broker-Dealer. In that regard, each broker-dealer who acquired
Original Capital Securities for its own account and as a result of market-making
or other trading activities (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), by tendering such
Original Capital Securities and executing this Letter of Transmittal, agrees
that, upon receipt of Notice from the Company or the Trust of the occurrence of
any event or the discovery of any fact which makes any statement contained or
incorporated by reference therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of certain other events
specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, such Participating Broker-Dealer
will suspend the sale of Exchange Capital Securities pursuant to the Prospectus
until the Company and the Trust have amended or supplemented the Prospectus to
correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of the amended or
supplemented Prospectus to the Participating Broker-Dealer or the Company or the
Trust has given Notice that the sale of Exchange Capital Securities may be
resumed, as the case may be. If the Company or the Trust gives such Notice to
suspend the sale of the Exchange Capital Securities, it shall extend the 90-day
period referred to above during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled
to use the Prospectus in connection with the resale of Exchange Capital
Securities by the number of days during the period from and including the date
of the giving of such Notice to and including the date when Participating
Broker-Dealers shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus necessary to permit resales of the Exchange Capital Securities or to
and including the date on which the Company or the Trust has given Notice that
the sale of Exchange Capital Securities may be resumed, as the case may be.

     As a result, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use the
Prospectus in connection with re-sales of Exchange Capital Securities received
in exchange for Original Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
notify the Company and the Trust, or cause the Company and the Trust to be
notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating
Broker-Dealer. Such Notice may be given in the space provided above and by
checking the box next thereto, or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at the
address set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Exchange Agent."

     Holders whose Original Capital Securities are accepted for exchange will 
not receive Distributions on such Original Capital Securities which are due 
and payable after the date of such acceptance, and the undersigned waives the 
right to receive any such Distribution on such Original Capital Securities 

                                      A-5


following such acceptance. Holders of Original Capital Securities as of the
October 15, 1998 record date for the initial Distribution on November 1, 1998,
will be entitled to receive such Distribution.

     All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy,
legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as
stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.




                                      A-6





                               HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
                          (See Instructions 2, 5 and 6)
                   (Please Complete Substitute Form W-9 Below)
      (Note: Signature(s) must be guaranteed if required by Instruction 2)

     Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly, Series A ("Original 
Captial Securities) as name(s) appear(s) on Certificate(s) for the 8.17% 
Capital Securities hereby tendered or on a security position listing, or by 
any person(s) authorized to become the registered holder(s) by endorsements 
and documents transmitted herewith (including such opinions of counsel, 
certificates and other information as may be required by the Company, the 
Trust or the Exchange Agent to comply with the restrictions on transfer 
applicable to the Original Capital Securities). If signature is by an 
attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a 
corporation or another acting in a fiduciary capacity or representative 
capacity, please set forth the signer's full title. See Instruction 5.

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

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           (Signature(s) of Holder(s))
Date           , 1998
    -----------
Name(s)
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (Please Print)

Area Code(s) and Telephone Number
                                  ---------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))

                            GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                           (See Instructions 2 and 5)

Authorized Signature
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
Name
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (Please Print)

Date                       , 1998
    -----------------------
Capacity or Title
                  -------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Firm
             ------------------------------------------------------------------
Address
        -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number
                               ------------------------------------------------


                                      A-7





                          SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
                          (See Instructions 1, 5 and 6)


     To be completed ONLY if 8.17% Capital Securities, Series B ("Exchange 
Capital Securities") and/or any 8.17% Capital Securities, Series A 
("Original Capital Securities") that are not tendered are to be issued in the 
name of someone other than the registered holder of the Original Capital 
Securities whose name(s) appear(s) above.

Issue:

/ /      Exchange Capital Securities to:

/ /      Original Capital Securities not tendered to:

Name
     --------------------------------------------------
                  (Please Print)

Address
        -----------------------------------------------

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

- -------------------------------------------------------
                 (Include Zip Code)

- -------------------------------------------------------
        (Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)



                          SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                          (See Instructions 1, 5 and 6)


     To be completed ONLY if Capital Securities, Series B ("Exchange Capital 
Securities") and/or any 8.17% Capital Securities, Series A ("Original 
Capital Securities") that are not tendered are to be sent to someone other 
than the registered holder of the Original Capital Securities whose name(s) 
appear(s) above, or to the registered holder(s) at an address other than that 
shown above.

Mail:

/ /      Exchange Capital Securities to:
/ /      Original Capital Securities not tendered to:

Name
     -------------------------------------------------
                    (Please Print)

Address
        ----------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------
                  (Include Zip Code)

- ------------------------------------------------------
    (Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)




                                       A-8




                                  INSTRUCTIONS

         Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Exchange Offer

     1. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed 
Delivery Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if 
(a) tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by 
book-entry transfer set forth under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for 
Tendering Original Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and an Agent's 
Message is not delivered or (b) Certificates are to be forwarded herewith. 
Timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such 8.17% Capital 
Securities, Series A ("Original Capital Securities") into the Exchange 
Agent's account at DTC, or Certificates as well as this Letter of Transmittal 
(or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any 
required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this 
Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its 
addresses set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tenders by 
book-entry transfer also may be made by delivering an Agent's Message in lieu 
of this Letter of Transmittal. The term "book-entry confirmation" means a 
confirmation of book-entry transfer of Original Capital Securities into the 
Exchange Agent's account at DTC. The term "Agent's Message" means a message 
transmitted by DTC to and received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part 
of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express 
acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment states 
that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the Letter of 
Transmittal (including the representations contained herein) and that the 
Trust and the Company may enforce the Letter of Transmittal against such 
participant. Original Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part 
in the Liquidation Amount of $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) and integral 
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that, if any Original Capital 
Securities are tended for exchange in part, the untendered Liquidation Amount 
thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) or any integral multiple of 
$1,000 in excess thereof.

     Holders who wish to tender their Original Capital Securities and (i) who
cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on or prior
to the Expiration Date, (ii) who cannot deliver their Original Capital
Securities, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the
Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) whose Original
Capital Securities are not immediately available, may tender their Original
Capital Securities by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities"
in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (a) such tender must be made by
or through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (b) a properly completed
and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made
available by the Company, must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to
the Expiration Date; and (c) the Certificates (or a book-entry confirmation (as
defined above and in the Prospectus)) representing all tendered Original Capital
Securities, in proper form for transfer, together with a Letter of Transmittal
(or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required
signature guarantees and any other documents required by this Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering Original Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.

     The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted
by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution in the form, set forth in such Notice. For Original Capital
Securities to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or.
or prior to the Expiration Date. As used herein and in the Prospectus, "Eligible
Institution" means a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the
Exchange Act as "an eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms
are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities
broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a credit
union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or
clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a
Securities Transfer Association.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER AND
THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT. 

                                      A-9




IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

     Neither the Company nor the Trust will accept any alternative, conditional
or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any Notice of
the acceptance of such tender.

     2. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee or, this Letter of
Transmittal is required if:

     (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder (which
term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC whose
name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Original Capital
Securities) of Original Capital Securities tendered herewith, unless such
holder(s) has completed either the box entitled "Special Issuance instructions"
or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" above, or

     (ii) such Original Capital Securities are tendered for the account of a
firm, that is an Eligible Institution.

     In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the signature(s)
on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.

     3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Original Capital Securities" is inadequate, the Certificate
number(s) and/or the Liquidation Amount of Original Capital Securities and any
other required information should be listed on a separate signed schedule which
is attached to this Letter of Transmittal.

     4. Partial Tenders and Withdrawal Rights. Tenders of Original Capital
Securities will be accepted only in the principal amount of $100,000 (100
Capital Securities) and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided
that if any Original Capital Securities are tendered for exchange in part, the
untendered principal amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital securities) or
any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. If less than all the Original
Capital Securities evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered,
fill in the Liquidation Amount of Original Capital Securities which are to be
tendered in the box entitled "Liquidation Amount of Original Capital Securities
Tendered (if less than all are tendered)." In such case, a new Certificate(s)
for the remainder of the Original Capital Securities that were evidenced by your
old Certificate(s) will be sent to the holder of the Original Capital
Securities, promptly after the Expiration Date, unless the appropriate boxes or
this Letter of Transmittal are completed. All Original Capital Securities
represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to
have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

     Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Original Capital Securities
may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a
withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written or facsimile
transmission of such Notice of Withdrawal must be received by the Exchange Agent
at one of its addresses set forth above or in the Prospectus on or prior to the
Expiration Date. Any such Notice of Withdrawal must specify the name of the
person who tendered the Original Capital Securities to be withdrawn, the
aggregate Liquidation Amount of Original Capital Securities to be withdrawn, and
(if Certificates for Original Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of
the registered holder of the Original Capital Securities as set forth on the
Certificate for the Original Capital Securities, if different from that of the
person who tendered such Original Capital Securities. If Certificates for the
Original Capital Securities have been delivered or otherwise identified to the
Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Certificates for the
Original Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers
shown on the particular Certificates for the Original Capital Securities to be
withdrawn and the signature on the Notice of Withdrawal must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution, except in the case of Original Capital Securities tendered
for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Original Capital Securities have
been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth under
"The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Original Capital Securities" in
the Prospectus, the Notice of Withdrawal must specify the name and number of the
account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Original Capital
Securities, in which case a Notice of Withdrawal will be effective if delivered
to the Exchange Agent by written or facsimile transmission on or prior to the
Expiration Date. Withdrawals of tenders of Original Capital Securities may not
be rescinded. Original Capital Securities properly withdrawn will not be deemed
validly



                                      A-10


tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be untendered at any
subsequent time on or prior to the Expiration Date by following any of the
procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering Original Capital Securities."

     All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company and the
Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding
on all parties. None of the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the
Company and the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under
any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any Notice of
Withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any
Original Capital Securities which have been tendered but which are withdrawn
will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder promptly
after withdrawal.

     5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Assignments and Endorsements. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Original
Capital Securities tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly
with the name(s) as written or, the face of the Certificate(s) without
alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

     If any of the Original Capital Securities tendered hereby are owned of
record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of
Transmittal.

     If any tendered Original Capital Securities are registered in different
name(s) on several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and
submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there
are different registrations of Certificates.

     If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company and the Trust, in their sole discretion of such
persons' authority to so act.

     When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of 
the Original Capital Securities listed and transmitted hereby, no 
endorsement(s) of Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required 
unless 8.17% Capital Securities, Series B ("Exchange Capital Securities") are 
to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s). 
Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an 
Eligible Institution.

     If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder(s) of the Original Capital Securities listed, the Certificates
must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as
the name or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and
also must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other
information as the Company, the Trust or the Exchange Agent may require in
accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Original Capital
Securities. Signatures on such Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by
an Eligible Institution.

     6. Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions. If Exchange Capital
Securities are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of
this Letter of Transmittal, or if Exchange Capital Securities are to be sent: to
someone other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address
other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes an this Letter of Transmittal
should be completed. Certificates for Original Capital Securities not exchanged
will be returned by mail or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting
the account indicated above maintained at DTC. See Instruction 4.

     The Company and the Trust will determine, in their sole discretion, all
questions as to the form of documents, validity, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Original Capital
Securities, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The
Company and the Trust reserve the absolute right, in their sole and absolute
discretion, to reject any and all tenders determined by either of them not to be
in proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in the view of
counsel to the Company and the Trust, be unlawful. The Company and the Trust
also reserve the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the
conditions of the 

                                      A-11



Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Certain
Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or any conditions or irregularity in any
tender of Original Capital Securities of any particular holder whether or not
similar conditions or irregularities are waived in the case of other holders.
The Company's and the Trust's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer (including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions
hereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Original Capital Securities will
be deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities with respect to
such tender have been cured or waived. None of the Company, the Trust, any
affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Trust, the Exchange Agent, or any
other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any irregularities
in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give such notification.

     8. Questions, Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies. Questions and
requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address and
telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal and the Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.

     9. 31% Backup Withholding; Substitute Form W-9. Under U.S. Federal income
tax law, a holder whose tendered Original Capital Securities are accepted for
exchange is required to provide the Exchange Agent with such holder's correct
taxpayer identification number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below. If the
Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") may subject the holder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In
addition, payments to such holders or other payees with respect to Original
Capital Securities exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to
31% backup withholding.

     The box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the
tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends
to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 2 is checked, the
holder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 2 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will retain such amounts
withheld during the 60 day period following the date of the Substitute Form W-9.
If the holder furnishes the Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60 days after the
date of the Substitute Form W-9, the amounts retained during the 60 day period
will be remitted to the holder and no further amounts shall be retained or
withheld from payments made to the holder thereafter. If, however, the holder
has not provided the Exchange Agent with its TIN within such 60 day period,
amounts withheld will be remitted to the IRS as backup withholding. In addition,
31% of all payments made thereafter will be withheld and remitted to the IRS
until a correct TIN is provided.

     The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered owner of
the Original Capital Securities or of the last transferee appearing on the
transfers attached to, or endorsed on, the Original Capital Securities. If the
Original Capital Securities are registered in more than one name or are not in
the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification
of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional
guidance on which number to report.

     Certain holders (including, among others, corporations, financial
institutions and certain foreign persons) may not be subject to these backup
withholding and reporting requirements. Such holders should nevertheless
complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and write "exempt" an the face
thereof, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person may
qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that holder's exempt status.
Please consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
holders are exempt from backup withholding.

     Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. Federal income tax. Rather,
the U.S. Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding
will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.

     10. Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. If any Certificate(s)
representing Original Capital Securities have been lost, destroyed or stolen,
the holder should promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be
instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the
Certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related



                                      A-12




documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed
or stolen Certificate(s) have been followed.

     11. Security Transfer Taxes. Holders who tender their Original Capital
Securities for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in
connection therewith. If, however, Exchange Capital Securities are to be
delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the
registered holder of the Original Capital Securities tendered, or if a transfer
tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Original Capital
Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such
transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons)
will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of
such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of
Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such
tendering holder.

     Important: This Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and all other
required documents must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the
Expiration Date.




                                      A-13






TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING SECURITYHOLDERS
                               (See Instruction 9)

                       PAYER'S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK






                                                                             
SUBSTITUTE                          Part 1 - PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN               TIN
                                                                                       ---------------------
                                    IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY             Social Security Number or
                                    SIGNING AND DATING BELOW                       Employer Identification
                                                                                   Number
Form W-9                            Part 2                                  
Department of the Treasury          Awaiting TIN /  /
Internal Revenue Service



Payer's Request for Taxpayer        CERTIFICATION - UNDER THE Identification
Number (TIN)                        PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY  THAT (1)
and Certification                   the number shown on this form is my correct
                                    taxpayer identification number (or I am 
                                    waiting for a number to be issued to me), 
                                    (2) I am not subject to backup withholding
                                    either because (i) I am exempt from
                                    backup withholding, (ii) I have not been
                                    notified by the Internal Revenue Service
                                    ("IRS") that I am subject to backup
                                    withholding as a result of a failure to
                                    report all interest or dividends, or
                                    (iii) the IRS has notified me that I am
                                    no longer subject to backup withholding,
                                    and (3) any other information provided
                                    on this form is true and correct.



                                        Signature
                                                  -----------------------------
                                        Date
                                             ----------------------------------

- -------------------------           You must cross out item (iii) in Part
                                    (2) above if you have been notified by
                                    the IRS that you are subject to backup
                                    withholding because of underreporting
                                    interest or dividends on your tax return
                                    and you have not been notified by the
                                    IRS that you are no longer subject to
                                    backup withholding.

NOTE:                      FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY IN
                           CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF
                           31% OF ANY AMOUNTS PAID TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE
                           EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES
                           FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
                           ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

     I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (2)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31%
of all payments made to me on account of the Capital Securities, Series B shall
be retained until I provide a taxpayer identification number to the Exchange
Agent and that, if I do not provide my taxpayer identification number within 60
days, such retained amounts shall be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service as
backup withholding and 31% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will
be withheld and remitted to the Internal Revenue Service until I provide a
taxpayer identification number.

Signature                                       Date
         -------------------------------------       --------------------------


                                      A-14