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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1


                            WORONOCO BANCORP, INC.
                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made effective as of March 19, 1999, by
and between Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"), a corporation
organized under the laws of Delaware, with its principal offices at 31 Court
Street, Westfield, Massachusetts, 01086- 0978 and Cornelius D. Mahoney
("Executive"). Any reference to "Institution" herein shall mean Woronoco Savings
Bank or any successor thereto.

         WHEREAS, the Holding Company wishes to assure itself of the services of
Executive for the period provided in this Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, Executive is willing to serve in the employ of the Holding
Company on a full-time basis for said period.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the
parties hereby agree as follows:

1.       POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

         During the period of Executive's employment hereunder, Executive agrees
to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Holding Company. Executive shall render administrative and
management services to the Holding Company such as are customarily performed by
persons in a similar executive capacity. During said period, Executive also
agrees to serve, if elected, as an officer or director of any subsidiary of the
Holding Company.

2.       TERMS.

         (a) The period of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be
deemed to have commenced as of the date first above written and shall continue
for a period of thirty-six (36) full calendar months thereafter. Commencing on
the date of the execution of this Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall be
extended for one day each day until such time as the board of directors of the
Holding Company (the "Board") or Executive elects not to extend the term of the
Agreement by giving written notice to the other party in accordance with Section
8 of this Agreement, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be fixed and
shall end on the third anniversary of the date of such written notice.

         (b) During the period of Executive's employment hereunder, except for
periods of absence occasioned by illness, reasonable vacation periods, and
reasonable leaves of absence, Executive shall devote substantially all his
business time, attention, skill, and efforts to the faithful performance of his
duties hereunder, including activities and services related to the
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organization, operation and management of the Holding Company and its direct or
indirect subsidiaries ("Subsidiaries") and participation in community,
professional and civic organizations; provided, however, that, with the approval
of the Board, as evidenced by a resolution of such Board, from time to time,
Executive may serve, or continue to serve, on the boards of directors of, and
hold any other offices or positions in, companies or organizations, which, in
such Board's judgment, will not present any conflict of interest with the
Holding Company or its Subsidiaries, or materially affect the performance of
Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement.

         (c) Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary,
Executive's employment with the Holding Company may be terminated by the Holding
Company or Executive during the term of this Agreement, subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. However, Executive shall not perform, in any
respect, directly or indirectly, during the pendency of his temporary or
permanent suspension or termination from the Institution, duties and
responsibilities formerly performed at the Institution as part of his duties and
responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding
Company.

3.       COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

         (a) The Bank shall pay Executive as compensation a salary of not less
than $215,000 per year ("Base Salary") payable in accordance with the normal
payroll practices of the Bank. Base Salary shall include any amounts of
compensation deferred by Executive under any tax-qualified retirement or welfare
benefit plan or any other deferred compensation arrangement maintained by the
Bank. During the period of this Agreement, Executive's Base Salary shall be
reviewed at least annually; the first such review will be made no later than one
year from the date of this Agreement. Such review shall be conducted by the
Board or by a committee of the Board delegated such responsibility by the Board.
The committee or the Board may increase Executive's Base Salary. Any increase in
Base Salary shall become the "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement. In
addition to the Base Salary provided in this Section 3(a), the Holding Company
shall also provide Executive, at no premium cost to Executive, with all such
other benefits as provided uniformly to permanent full-time employees of the
Holding Company and its Subsidiaries.

         (b) Executive shall be entitled to participate in an equitable manner
with all other executive officers of the Holding Company in discretionary
bonuses as authorized and declared by the Board to executive employees. No other
compensation provided for in this Agreement shall be deemed a substitute for
Executive's right to participate in such bonuses when and as declared by the
Holding Company Board.

         (c) Executive shall be entitled to receive fees for serving as a
director of the Holding Company and/or the Bank or as a member of any committee
as received by other members of the Boards of Directors of the Holding Company
and/or the Bank. Such fees shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other
remuneration provided under this Agreement.

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         (d) Executive shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit
plans, arrangements and perquisites substantially equivalent to those in which
Executive was participating or otherwise deriving benefit from immediately prior
to the beginning of the term of this Agreement, and the Holding Company will
not, without Executive's prior written consent, make any changes in such plans,
arrangements or perquisites which would materially adversely affect Executive's
rights or benefits thereunder; except to the extent such changes are made
applicable to all participants on a non-discriminatory basis. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Subsection (d), Executive
shall be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under all plans relating
to stock options, restricted stock awards, stock purchases, pension, thrift,
supplemental retirement, profit-sharing, employee stock ownership, group life
insurance, medical and other health and welfare coverage, education, cash or
stock bonuses that are now or hereafter made available by the Holding Company in
the future to its senior executives and key management employees, subject to and
on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of
such plans and arrangements. Nothing paid to Executive under any such plan or
arrangement will be deemed to be in lieu of other compensation to which
Executive is entitled under this Agreement.

4.       PAYMENTS TO EXECUTIVE UPON AN EVENT OF TERMINATION.

         (a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination (as herein defined)
during Executive's term of employment under this Agreement, the provisions of
this Section shall apply. As used in this Agreement, an "Event of Termination"
shall mean and include any one or more of the following: (i) the termination by
the Holding Company of Executive's full-time employment hereunder for any reason
other than termination governed by Section 5(a) hereof, or for Cause, as defined
in Section 7 hereof; (ii) Executive's resignation from the Holding Company's
employ, upon, any (A) failure to elect or reelect or to appoint or reappoint
Executive as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive
Officer, unless consented to by Executive, (B) a material change in Executive's
function, duties, or responsibilities with the Holding Company or its
Subsidiaries, which change would cause Executive's position to become one of
lesser responsibility, importance, or scope from the position and attributes
thereof described in Section 1, above, unless consented to by Executive, (C) a
relocation of Executive's principal place of employment by more than 25 miles
from its location at the effective date of this Agreement, unless consented to
by Executive, (D) a material reduction in the benefits and perquisites to
Executive from those being provided as of the effective date of this Agreement,
unless consented to by Executive, (E) a liquidation or dissolution of the
Holding Company or the Institution, or (F) breach of this Agreement by the
Holding Company. Upon the occurrence of any event described in clauses (A), (B),
(C), (D), (E) or (F), above, Executive shall have the right to elect to
terminate his employment under this Agreement by resignation upon not less than
sixty (60) days prior written notice given within six full calendar months after
the event giving rise to said right to elect.

         (b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, on the Date of
Termination, as defined in Section 8, the Holding Company shall be obligated to
pay Executive, or, in the event

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of his subsequent death, his beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the
case may be, an amount equal to the sum of: (i) the Base Salary and bonuses, in
accordance with Sections 3(a) and 3(b), respectively, that would have been paid
to Executive for the remaining term of this Agreement had the Event of
Termination not occurred; plus (ii) the value, as calculated by a recognized
firm customarily performing such valuation, of any stock options which as of the
Date of Termination, have been granted to Executive but are not exercisable by
Executive and the value of any restricted stock awards which have been granted
to Executive, but in which Executive does not have a non-forfeitable or
fully-vested interest as of the Date of Termination; plus (iii) all benefits,
including health insurance in accordance with Section 3(d), that would have been
provided to Executive for the remaining term of the this Agreement had an Event
of Termination not occurred. At the election of Executive, which election is to
be made prior to an Event of Termination, such payments shall be made in a lump
sum. In the event that no election is made, payment to Executive will be made on
a monthly basis in approximately equal installments during the remaining term of
the Agreement. Such payments shall not be reduced in the event Executive obtains
other employment following termination of employment.

         (c) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, the Holding Company
will cause to be continued life, medical, dental and disability coverage
substantially equivalent to the coverage maintained by the Holding Company or
its Subsidiaries for Executive prior to his termination at no premium cost to
Executive. Such coverage shall cease upon the expiration of the remaining term
of this Agreement.

5.       CHANGE IN CONTROL.

         (a) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall mean an
event of a nature that: (i) would be required to be reported in response to Item
1(a) of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof,
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act"); or (ii) results in a Change in Control of the Bank or the
Holding Company within the meaning of the Change in Bank Control Act and the
Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
("FDIC") at 12 C.F.R. ss. 303.4(a) with respect to the Bank and the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("FRB") at 12 C.F.R. ss. 225.41(b) with
respect to the Holding Company, as in effect on the date hereof; or (iii)
results in a transaction requiring prior FRB approval under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956 and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the FRB at 12
C.F.R. ss. 225.11, as in effect on the date hereof except for the Holding
Company's acquisition of the Bank; or (iv) without limitation such a Change in
Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as
the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Bank or the Holding Company
representing 20% or more of the Bank's or the Holding Company's outstanding
securities except for any securities of the Bank purchased by the Holding
Company in connection with the conversion of the Bank to the stock form and any
securities purchased by any tax qualified employee benefit plan of the Bank; or
(B) individuals who constitute the Board of Directors on the date hereof (the
"Incumbent Board")

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cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that
any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was
approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the
Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by the Holding Company's
stockholders was approved by the same Nominating Committee serving under an
Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this clause (B), considered as though
he were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (C) a plan of reorganization,
merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Bank
or the Holding Company or similar transaction occurs in which the Bank or
Holding Company is not the resulting entity; or (D) solicitations of
shareholders of the Holding Company, by someone other than the current
management of the Holding Company, seeking stockholder approval of a plan of
reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Holding Company or Bank or
similar transaction with one or more corporations as a result of which the
outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to the plan or
transaction are exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities
not issued by the Bank or the Holding Company shall be distributed; or (E) a
tender offer is made for 20% or more of the voting securities of the Bank or the
Holding Company.

         (b) If a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to Section 5(a) or the
Board has determined that a Change in Control has occurred, Executive shall be
entitled to the benefits provided in paragraphs (c) and (d), of this Section 5
upon his subsequent termination of employment at any time during the term of
this Agreement due to (i) Executive's dismissal, or (ii) Executive's voluntary
resignation following any demotion, loss of title, office or significant
authority or responsibility, reduction in the annual compensation or reduction
in benefits or relocation of his principal place of employment by more than 25
miles from its location immediately prior to the change in control, unless such
termination is because of his death or Termination for Cause.

         (c) Upon Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section 5(b),
the Holding Company shall pay Executive, or in the event of his subsequent
death, his beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, as
severance pay or liquidated damages, or both, an amount equal to the greater of:
(1) the Base Salary and bonuses, in accordance with Sections 3(a) and 3(b),
respectively, that would have been paid to Executive for the remaining term of
the Agreement had the event described in Subsection (b) of this Section 5 not
occurred, plus the value, as calculated by a recognized firm customarily
performing such valuation, of any stock options which as of the Date of
Termination, have been granted to Executive, but are not exercisable by
Executive and the value of restricted stock awards which have been granted to
Executive, but which Executive does not have a non-forfeitable or fully-vested
interest as of the Date of Termination and all benefits, including health
insurance, in accordance with Section 3(d) that would have been provided to
Executive for the remaining term of this Agreement had the event described in
Subsection (b) of this Section 5 not occurred; or (2) three (3) times
Executive's "Average Annual Compensation" (as defined herein) for the five (5)
most recent taxable years that Executive has been employed by the Holding
Company or such lesser number of years in the event that Executive shall have
been employed by the Holding Company for less than five (5) years. In
determining Executive's "Average Annual Compensation" annual compensation shall

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include Base Salary and any other taxable income earned by Executive in
connection with his employment with the Bank or Holding Company, including but
not limited to amounts related to the granting, vesting or exercise of
restricted stock awards and stock options, commissions, bonuses, pension and/or
profit sharing plan contributions or benefits (whether or not taxable),
severance payments, retirement payments, directors or committee fees and fringe
benefits paid or to be paid to Executive in any such year and payment of any
expense items without accountability or business purpose or that do not meet the
Internal Revenue Service requirements for deductibility by the Bank. At the
election of Executive, which election is to be made prior to a Change in
Control, such payment shall be made in a lump sum. In the event that no election
is made, payment to Executive will be made on a monthly basis in approximately
equal installments during the remaining term of the Agreement. Such payments
shall not be reduced in the event Executive obtains other employment following
termination of employment.

         (d) Upon Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section 5(b),
the Company will cause to be continued life, medical, dental and disability
coverage substantially equivalent to the coverage maintained by the Institution
for Executive at no premium cost to Executive prior to his severance. Such
coverage and payments shall cease upon the expiration of thirty-six (36) months
following the Change in Control.

6.       CHANGE OF CONTROL RELATED PROVISIONS.

         In each calendar year that Executive is entitled to receive payments or
benefits under the provisions of this Employment Agreement as well as any other
payment in the nature of compensation made by the Holding Company and the Bank
to (or for the benefit of) Executive, the Holding Company shall determine if an
excess parachute payment (as defined in Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor provision thereto, (the "Code"))
exists. Such determination shall be made after taking any reductions permitted
pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Any amount
determined to be an excess parachute payment after taking into account such
reductions shall be hereafter referred to as the "Initial Excess Parachute
Payment". As soon as practicable after a Change in Control, the Initial Excess
Parachute Payment shall be determined. Upon the Date of Termination following a
Change in Control, the Holding Company shall pay Executive, subject to
applicable withholding requirements under applicable state or federal law, an
amount equal to:

         (1)      twenty (20) percent of the Initial Excess Parachute Payment
                  (or such other amount equal to the tax imposed under Section
                  4999 of the Code); and

         (2)      such additional amount (tax allowance) as may be necessary to
                  compensate Executive for the payment by Executive of state and
                  federal income and excise taxes on the payment provided under
                  Clause (1) and on any payments under this Clause (2). In
                  computing such tax allowance, the payment to be made under
                  Clause (1) shall be multiplied by the "gross up percentage"
                  ("GUP"). The GUP shall be determined as follows:

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                           Tax Rate
                  GUP  =  ------------
                          1 - Tax Rate

                  The "Tax Rate" for purposes of computing the GUP shall be the
                  sum of the highest marginal federal and state income and
                  employment-related tax rates, including any applicable excise
                  tax rates, applicable to Executive in the year in which the
                  payment under Clause (1) is made.

         (3)      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it shall subsequently be
                  determined in a final judicial determination or a final
                  administrative settlement to which Executive is a party that
                  the excess parachute payment as defined in Section 4999 of the
                  Code, reduced as described above, is more than the Initial
                  Excess Parachute Payment (such different amount being
                  hereafter referred to as the "Determinative Excess Parachute
                  Payment") then the Holding Company's independent accountants
                  shall determine the amount (the "Adjustment Amount") the
                  Holding Company must pay to Executive in order to put
                  Executive in the same position as Executive would have been if
                  the Initial Excess Parachute Payment had been equal to the
                  Determinative Excess Parachute Payment. In determining the
                  Adjustment Amount, independent accountants of the Holding
                  Company shall take into account any and all taxes (including
                  any penalties and interest) paid by or for Executive or
                  refunded to Executive or for Executive's benefit. As soon as
                  practicable after the Adjustment Amount has been so
                  determined, the Holding Company shall pay the Adjustment
                  Amount to Executive. In no event however, shall Executive make
                  any payment under this paragraph to the Holding Company.


7.       TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.

         The term "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination because of
Executive's personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary
duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties,
willful violation of any law, rule, regulation (other than traffic violations or
similar offenses), final cease and desist order or material breach of any
provision of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not
be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have
been delivered to him a Notice of Termination which shall include a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths
of the members of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for that
purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for him,
together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good
faith opinion of the Board, Executive was guilty of conduct justifying
Termination for Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for

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any period after Termination for Cause. During the period beginning on the date
of the Notice of Termination for Cause pursuant to Section 8 hereof through the
Date of Termination, stock options granted to Executive under any stock option
plan shall not be exercisable nor shall any unvested awards granted to Executive
under any stock benefit plan of the Institution, the Holding Company or any
subsidiary or affiliate thereof, vest. At the Date of Termination, such stock
options and any such unvested awards shall become null and void and shall not be
exercisable by or delivered to Executive at any time subsequent to such
Termination for Cause.

8.       NOTICE.

         (a) Any purported termination by the Holding Company or by Executive
shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written
notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement
relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated.

         (b) "Date of Termination" shall mean the date specified in the Notice
of Termination (which, in the case of a Termination for Cause, shall not be less
than thirty (30) days from the date such Notice of Termination is given).

         (c) If, within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is
given, the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party
that a dispute exists concerning the termination, except upon the occurrence of
a Change in Control and voluntary termination by Executive in which case the
Date of Termination shall be the date specified in the Notice, the Date of
Termination shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either
by mutual written agreement of the parties, by a binding arbitration award, or
by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the
time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected)
and provided further that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a notice
of dispute only if such notice is given in good faith and the party giving such
notice pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.
Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Holding Company will
continue to pay Executive his full compensation in effect when the notice giving
rise to the dispute was given (including, but not limited to, Base Salary) and
continue him as a participant in all compensation, benefit and insurance plans
in which he was participating when the notice of dispute was given, until the
dispute is finally resolved in accordance with this Agreement. Amounts paid
under this Section are in addition to all other amounts due under this Agreement
and shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under this
Agreement.

9. POST-TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS.

         All payments and benefits to Executive under this Agreement shall be
subject to Executive's compliance with this Section 9 for one (1) full year
after the earlier of the expiration 

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of this Agreement or termination of Executive's employment with the Holding
Company. Executive shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish such information and
assistance to the Holding Company as may reasonably be required by the Holding
Company in connection with any litigation in which it or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates is, or may become, a party.

10.      NON-COMPETITION AND NON-DISCLOSURE.

         (a) Upon any termination of Executive's employment hereunder pursuant
to Section 4 hereof, Executive agrees not to compete with the Holding Company or
its Subsidiaries for a period of one (1) year following such termination in any
city, town or county in which Executive's normal business office is located and
the Holding Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an office or has filed an
application for regulatory approval to establish an office, determined as of the
effective date of such termination, except as agreed to pursuant to a resolution
duly adopted by the Board. Executive agrees that during such period and within
said cities, towns and counties, Executive shall not work for or advise, consult
or otherwise serve with, directly or indirectly, any entity whose business
materially competes with the depository, lending or other business activities of
the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries. The parties hereto, recognizing that
irreparable injury will result to the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries, its
business and property in the event of Executive's breach of this Subsection
10(a) agree that in the event of any such breach by Executive, the Holding
Company or its Subsidiaries, will be entitled, in addition to any other remedies
and damages available, to an injunction to restrain the violation hereof by
Executive, Executive's partners, agents, servants, employees and all persons
acting for or under the direction of Executive. Executive represents and admits
that in the event of the termination of his employment pursuant to Section 7
hereof, Executive's experience and capabilities are such that Executive can
obtain employment in a business engaged in other lines and/or of a different
nature than the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries, and that the enforcement of
a remedy by way of injunction will not prevent Executive from earning a
livelihood. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Holding Company
or its Subsidiaries from pursuing any other remedies available to the Holding
Company or its Subsidiaries for such breach or threatened breach, including the
recovery of damages from Executive.

         (b) Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the knowledge of the
business activities and plans for business activities of the Holding Company and
its Subsidiaries as it may exist from time to time, is a valuable, special and
unique asset of the business of the Holding Company and its Subsidiaries.
Executive will not, during or after the term of his employment, disclose any
knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the
Holding Company and its Subsidiaries thereof to any person, firm, corporation,
or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever unless expressly authorized
by the Board of Directors or required by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Executive may disclose any knowledge of banking, financial and/or economic
principles, concepts or ideas which are not solely and exclusively derived from
the business plans and activities of the Holding Company. In the event of a
breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of this Section, the
Holding Company will be entitled to an injunction restraining Executive from
disclosing, in whole or in part, the knowledge of the past, present, planned or
considered business activities of the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries or
from rendering any services to any person, firm, corporation, other entity to
whom such knowledge, in whole or in

                                      -9-
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part, has been disclosed or is threatened to be disclosed. Nothing herein will
be construed as prohibiting the Holding Company from pursuing any other remedies
available to the Holding Company for such breach or threatened breach, including
the recovery of damages from Executive.

11.      SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.

         (a) All payments provided in this Agreement shall be timely paid in
cash or check from the general funds of the Holding Company subject to Section
11(b).

         (b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, to the extent
that payments and benefits, as provided by this Agreement, are paid to or
received by Executive under the Employment Agreement dated March 19, 1999,
between Executive and the Institution, such compensation payments and benefits
paid by the Institution will be subtracted from any amount due simultaneously to
Executive under similar provisions of this Agreement. Payments pursuant to this
Agreement and the Institution Agreement shall be allocated in proportion to the
level of activity and the time expended on such activities by Executive as
determined by the Holding Company and the Institution.

12.      EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND EXISTING BENEFITS PLANS.

         This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties
hereto and supersedes any prior employment agreement between the Holding Company
or any predecessor of the Holding Company and Executive, except that this
Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation
inuring to Executive of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted to mean that Executive is subject to receiving
fewer benefits than those available to him without reference to this Agreement.

13.      NO ATTACHMENT.

         (a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this
Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale,
assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution,
attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any
attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null,
void, and of no effect.

         (b)      This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit
of, Executive and the Holding Company and their respective successors and
assigns.

14.      MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.

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         (a) This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an
instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

         (b) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been
waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision
of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such
waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver
unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as
to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of
such term or condition for the future as to any act other than that specifically
waived.

15.      SEVERABILITY.

         If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any
provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision
of this Agreement or any part of such provision not held so invalid, and each
such other provision and part thereof shall to the full extent consistent with
law continue in full force and effect.

16.      HEADINGS FOR REFERENCE ONLY.

         The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are included solely for
convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of
any of the provisions of this Agreement.

17.      GOVERNING LAW.

         This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware
without regards to principles of conflicts of law of this state.

18.      ARBITRATION.

         Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel
of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by Executive within fifty
(50) miles from the location of the Institution, in accordance with the rules of
the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on
the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that
Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of his right to be paid
until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any dispute or controversy
arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

         In the event any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection
with Executive's termination is resolved in favor of Executive, whether by
judgment, arbitration or settlement, Executive shall be entitled to the payment
of all back-pay, including salary, bonuses and any other cash compensation,
fringe benefits and any compensation and benefits due Executive under 

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this Agreement.

19.      PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES.

         All reasonable legal fees paid or incurred by Executive pursuant to any
dispute or question of interpretation relating to this Agreement shall be paid
or reimbursed by the Holding Company, if Executive is successful pursuant to a
legal judgment, arbitration or settlement.

20.      INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a) The Holding Company shall provide Executive (including his heirs,
executors and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy at its expense and shall indemnify
Executive (and his heirs, executors and administrators) to the fullest extent
permitted under Delaware law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably
incurred by him in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or
proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of his having been a director
or officer of the Holding Company (whether or not he continues to be a director
or officer at the time of incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses
and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and
attorneys' fees and the cost of reasonable settlements.

         (b) Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Section are subject
to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k) and 12 C.F.R.
Part 359 and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

21.      SUCCESSOR TO THE HOLDING COMPANY.

         The Holding Company shall require any successor or assignee, whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or
substantially all the business or assets of the Institution or the Holding
Company, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the
Holding Company's obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Holding Company would be required to perform if no such
succession or assignment had taken place.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. has caused this Agreement to
be executed and its seal to be affixed hereunto by its duly authorized officer
and its directors, and Executive has signed this Agreement, on the 13th day of
May, 1999.


ATTEST:                                   WORONOCO BANCORP, INC.
                                          
                                          
                                          
/s/ Terry J. Bennett                      By: /s/ Francis J. Ehrhardt 
------------------------------                --------------------------------- 
Terry J. Bennett                              Francis J. Ehrhardt 
Corporate Secretary                           For the Entire Board of Directors
                                          
                                          
                                          
                  [SEAL]                  
                                          
                                          
WITNESS:                                  EXECUTIVE
                                          
                                          
                                          
/s/ Terry J. Bennett                      By: /s/ Cornelius D. Mahoney 
------------------------------                --------------------------------- 
Terry J. Bennett                              Cornelius D. Mahoney 
Corporate Secretary

                                      -13-