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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10


                         CONNECTICUT BANCSHARES, INC.
                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This AGREEMENT, entered into on March 1, 2000, by and between Connecticut
Bancshares, Inc. (the "Holding Company"), a corporation organized under the laws
of Delaware, with its principal administrative office at 923 Main Street,
Manchester, CT 06040 and Nicholas B. Mason ("Executive").  Any reference to
the "Bank" or "Institution" herein shall mean The Savings Bank of Manchester
or any successor thereto.

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

     WHEREAS, Executive is willing to continue to serve in the employ of the
Holding Company on a full-time basis in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

     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.   CONSIDERATION PROVIDED BY EXECUTIVE.

     During the period of his employment hereunder, Executive agrees to serve as
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial 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 and director of any subsidiary of the Holding Company.  Failure to
reelect or reappoint Executive as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Holding Company, without the consent of Executive, shall
constitute a breach of this Agreement.

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 from said date. Commencing
on the first year anniversary date of this Agreement, and continuing on each
anniversary thereafter, the disinterested members of the board of directors of
the Holding Company ("Board") may extend the Agreement an additional year such
that the remaining term of the Agreement shall be thirty-six (36) months, unless
Executive elects not to extend the term of this Agreement by giving written
notice in accordance with Section 8 of this Agreement.  The Board will review
the Agreement and Executive's performance annually for purposes of determining
whether to extend the Agreement and the rationale and results thereof shall be
included in the minutes of the Board's meeting.  The Board shall give notice to
Executive as soon as possible after such review as to whether the Agreement is
to be extended.

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     (b) During the period of his 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 organization,
operation and management of the Holding Company and the Bank and participation
in community 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 the Board's judgment, will not present any conflict of interest with the
Holding Company, 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.

3.   CONSIDERATION PROVIDED BY THE HOLDING COMPANY.

     (a) The compensation specified under this Agreement shall constitute
consideration paid by the Holding Company in exchange for the duties described
in Section 1 of this Agreement.  The Holding Company shall pay Executive as
compensation a salary of not less than $138,275 per year ("Base Salary").  Base
Salary shall include any amounts of compensation deferred by Executive under any
tax-qualified retirement plan or welfare plan or any other deferred compensation
arrangement maintained by the Bank or the Holding Company.  Executive's Base
Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Holding Company's general payroll
practices.  During the period of this Agreement, Executive's Base Salary shall
be reviewed at least annually; on or about December 30th each year.  Such review
shall be conducted by the Board or a committee designated by the Board, and the
Board may increase Executive's Base Salary at any time.  The increased Base
Salary shall become the new "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 cost to Executive with all such other
benefits as are provided uniformly to permanent full-time employees of the
Holding Company and the Bank.

     (b) The Holding Company will provide Executive with the opportunity to
participate in employee benefit plans, arrangements and perquisites
substantially equivalent to those in which Executive was participating or
otherwise deriving a 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 adversely affect Executive's rights or benefits thereunder, without
separately providing for an arrangement that ensures Executive receives or will
receive the economic value that Executive would otherwise lose as a result of
such adverse affect.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph (b), Executive will be entitled to participate in
or receive benefits under any employee benefit plans, whether tax-qualified or
otherwise, including, but not limited to, retirement plans, supplemental
retirement plans, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, employee stock ownership
plans,

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health-and-accident plan, medical coverage or any other employee benefit
plan or arrangement made available by the Holding Company now or 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.  Executive will be entitled to incentive compensation and
bonuses as provided in any plan or arrangement of the Holding Company in which
Executive is eligible to participate. 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.

     (c) In addition to the Base Salary provided for by paragraph (a) of this
Section 3 and other compensation and benefits provided for by paragraph (b) of
this Section 3, the Holding Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for all
reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in performing his obligations under
this Agreement, including expenses associated with membership in clubs or
organizations, as mutually agreed to between the Board and Executive.

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 4 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, Disability (as defined in Section 6 of this Agreement), Retirement,
(as defined in paragraph (f) of this Section 4), termination governed by Section
5(a) of this Agreement, or Termination for Cause (as defined in Section 7 of
this Agreement); or (ii) Executive's resignation from the Holding Company's
employ, upon any (A) notice to Executive by the Holding Company of non-renewal
of the term of this Agreement, (B) failure to elect or reelect or to appoint or
reappoint Executive as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the
Holding Company, unless Executive so consents, (C) a material change in
Executive's function, duties, or responsibilities, 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 of this
Agreement (and any such material change shall be deemed a continuing breach of
this Agreement), (D) a relocation of Executive's principal place of employment
by more than thirty-five (35) miles from its location at the effective date of
this Agreement, (E) liquidation or dissolution of the Bank or the Holding
Company, 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 a reasonable period of time not to exceed, except in case of
a continuing breach, four 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 of this Agreement, the Holding Company shall
be obligated to pay Executive, or, in the event of his subsequent death, his
beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be:  (i) the amount
of the remaining payments and benefits that Executive would have earned or

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accrued if he had continued his employment with the Holding Company or the Bank
during the remaining unexpired term of this Agreement, based on the Executive's
Base Salary and benefits provided at the Date of Termination, as set out in
Sections 3(a) and (b) of this Agreement, as the case may be, and (ii) the amount
still due the Executive under any paragraph of Section 3 of this Agreement for
service through the Date of Termination.  Such payments shall be paid monthly
during the remaining term of this Agreement following Executive's termination.
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, Executive will be
entitled to receive benefits due him under or contributed by the Bank or the
Holding Company on his behalf pursuant to any retirement, incentive, profit
sharing, bonus, performance, disability or other employee benefit plan
maintained by the Bank or the Holding Company on Executive's behalf to the
extent such benefits are not otherwise paid to Executive under a separate
provision of this Agreement.

     (d) To the extent that the Holding Company or the Bank continues to offer
any life, medical, health, disability or dental insurance plan or arrangement in
which Executive participates in on the last day of his employment (each being a
"Welfare Plan"), after an Event of Termination (as herein defined), Executive
and his dependents shall continue participating  in such Welfare Plans, subject
to the same premium contributions on the part of Executive as were required
immediately prior to the Event of Termination until the earlier of (i) his
death; (ii) his employment by another employer other than one of which he is the
majority owner; or (iii) the end of the remaining term of this Agreement.  If
the Holding Company or Bank does not offer the Welfare Plans after the Event of
Termination, then the Holding Company shall provide Executive with a payment
equal to the actuarial value of the provision of such benefit for the period
which runs until the earlier of (i) his death; (ii) his employment by another
employer other than one of which he is the majority owner; or (iii) the end of
the remaining term of this Agreement.

     (e) In the event that Executive is receiving monthly payments pursuant to
Section 4(b) of this Agreement, on an annual basis, thereafter, between the
dates of January 1 and January 31 of each year, Executive shall elect whether
the balance of the amount payable under the Agreement at that time shall be paid
in a lump sum or on a pro rata basis. Such election shall be irrevocable for the
year for which such election is made.

     (f) For the purpose of this Section 4, termination of Executive based on
"Retirement" shall mean termination in accordance with the Holding Company's or
Bank's retirement policy or in accordance with any retirement arrangement
established with Executive's consent with respect to him.  Upon termination of
Executive upon Retirement, Executive shall be entitled to all benefits under any
retirement plan of the Holding Company or the Bank and other plans to which
Executive is a party or a participant.


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5.   CHANGE IN CONTROL.

     (a) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" of the Holding
Company or the Bank 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. Section 303.4(a), with
respect to the Bank, and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Office of
Thrift Supervision ("OTS") (or its predecessor agency), with respect to the
Holding Company, as in effect on the date of this Agreement; or (iii) 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 voting securities of the
Bank or the Holding Company representing 20% or more of the Bank's or the
Holding Company's outstanding voting securities or right to acquire such
securities except for any voting securities of the Bank purchased by the Holding
Company and any voting securities purchased by any employee benefit plan of the
Holding Company or its Subsidiaries, or (B) individuals who constitute the Board
on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") 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 a
Nominating Committee solely composed of members which are Incumbent Board
members, 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 or is effectuated in which the
Bank or Holding Company is not the resulting entity, or (D) a proxy statement
has been distributed soliciting proxies from stockholders 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 with one or more corporations as a
result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject
to such 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 Holding Company then outstanding.

     (b) If any of the events described in Section 5(a) of this Agreement
constituting a Change in Control have occurred or the Board has determined that
a Change in Control has occurred, Executive shall be entitled to the benefits
provided in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of this Section 5 upon his
termination of employment on or after the date the Change in Control occurs at
any time during the term of this Agreement due to (1) Executive's dismissal; (2)
Executive's voluntary resignation for any reason on or within the sixty (60) day
period immediately following the date a Change in Control has occurred; or (3)
Executive's resignation during the term of this Agreement following any
demotion, loss of title, office or significant authority or responsibility,

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reduction in annual compensation or benefits or relocation of his principals
place of employment by more than 50 miles from its location immediately prior to
the Change in Control, unless such termination is because of his death, or
Termination for Cause; provided, however, that such payments shall be reduced by
any payment made under Section 4 of this Agreement.

     (c) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control followed by Executive's
termination of employment, as provided in Section 5(b) of this Agreement, 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, a sum equal to the greater of:
(1) the payments due for the remaining term of the Agreement or (2) three
(3) times Executive's average annual compensation for the five (5) preceding
taxable years. In determining Executive's average annual compensation, annual
compensation shall include Base Salary and any other taxable income, including
but not limited to amounts related to the granting, vesting or exercise of
restricted stock or stock option awards, commissions, bonuses, pension, profit
sharing and employee stock ownership plan contributions or benefits (whether
pursuant to a tax-qualified plan or a deferred compensation arrangement and
whether or not taxable), severance payments, retirement benefits, director or
committee fees and fringe benefits paid or to be paid to Executive or paid for
Executive's benefit during any such year. At the election of Executive, which
election is to be made prior to or within thirty (30) days of the Date of
Termination on or following a Change in Control, such payment may be made in a
lump sum (without discount for early payment) on or immediately following the
Date of Termination (which may be the date a Change in Control occurs) or paid
in equal monthly installments during the thirty-six (36) months following
Executive's termination. In the event that no election is made, payment to
Executive will be made on a monthly basis during the thirty-six (36) months
following Executive's termination.

     (d) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, Executive will be entitled
to receive benefits due him under or contributed by the Bank or the Holding
Company on his behalf pursuant to any retirement, incentive, profit sharing,
bonus, performance, disability or other employee benefit plan maintained by the
Bank or the Holding Company on Executive's behalf to the extent such benefits
are not otherwise paid to Executive under a separate provision of this
Agreement.

     (e) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control and Executive's termination
of employment in connection therewith, the Holding Company will cause to be
continued life, health, dental and disability coverage substantially identical
to the coverage maintained by the Bank or Holding Company for Executive and any
of his dependents covered under such plans prior to the Change in Control.  Such
coverage and payments shall cease upon the expiration of thirty-six (36) full
calendar months following the Date of Termination.  In the event Executive's
participation in any such plan or program is barred, the Holding Company shall
arrange to provide Executive and his dependents with benefits substantially
similar as those of which Executive and his dependents would otherwise have been
entitled to receive under such plans and programs from which their continued
participation is barred or provide their economic equivalent.


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     (f) The use or provision of any membership, license, automobile use, or
other perquisites shall be continued during the remaining term of the Agreement
on the same financial terms and obligations as were in place immediately prior
to the Change in Control.  To the extent that any item referred to in this
paragraph will at the end of the term of this Agreement, no longer be available
to the Executive, the Executive will have the option to purchase all rights then
held by the Holding Company or Bank to such item for a price equal to the then
fair market value of the item.

     (g) In the event that Executive is receiving monthly payments pursuant to
Section 5(c) of this Agreement, on an annual basis, thereafter, between the
dates of January 1 and January 31 of each year, Executive shall elect whether
the balance of the amount payable under the Agreement at that time shall be paid
in a lump sum or on a pro rata basis pursuant to such section.  Such election
shall be irrevocable for the year for which such election is made.

     (h) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of Section 5 of this
Agreement, for any taxable year in which Executive shall be liable, as
determined for the payment of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (or
any successor provision thereto), with respect to any payment in the nature of
the compensation made by the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries to (or for the
benefit of) Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, the Holding
Company shall pay to Executive an amount determined under the following formula:

     An amount equal to:  (E x P) + X

WHERE:

     X  =              E x P
          1 - [(FI x (1 - SLI)) + SLI + E + M + PO]


     E    =    the rate at which the excise tax is assessed under Section 4999
               of the Code;

     P    =    the amount with respect to which such excise tax is assessed,
               determined without regard to this Section 6;

     FI   =    the highest marginal rate of federal income, employment, and
               other taxes (other than taxes imposed under Section 4999 of the
               Code) applicable to Executive for the taxable year in question
               (including any effective increase in Executive's tax rate
               attributable to the disallowance of any deduction);

     SLI  =    the sum of the highest marginal rates of income and payroll tax
               applicable to Executive under applicable state and local laws for
               the taxable year in question (including any effective increase in
               Executive's tax rate attributable to the disallowance of any
               deduction);



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     M    =    highest marginal rate of Medicare tax; and

     PO   =    adjustment for phase out of or loss of deduction, personal
               exemption or other similar items.

With respect to any payment in the nature of compensation that is made to (or
for the benefit of) Executive under the terms of this Section 5 or otherwise and
on which an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code may or will be assessed,
the payment determined under this Section 5 shall be made to Executive on the
earliest of (i) the date the Holding Company is required to withhold such tax,
(ii) the date the tax is required to be paid by Executive, or (iii) at the time
of the Change in Control.  It is the intention of the parties that the Holding
Company provide Executive with a full tax gross-up under the provisions of this
Section 5, so that on a net after-tax basis, the result to Executive shall be
the same as if the excise tax under Section 4999 (or any successor provisions)
of the Code had not been imposed.  The tax gross-up may be adjusted if
alternative minimum tax rules are applicable to Executive.

     (i) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is (i) initially determined by the
Holding Company's tax advisors that no excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code
is due with respect to any payment or benefit described in the first paragraph
of Section 5(c) and thereafter it is determined in a final judicial
determination or a final administrative settlement that the Section 4999 excise
tax is due with respect to such payments or benefits, or (ii) 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 amount determined as "P," above (such greater 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
(or the Holding Company, as the case may be) in the same position as Executive
(or the Holding Company, as the case may be) would have been if the amount
determined as "P" above had been equal to the Determinative Excess Parachute
Payment.  In determining the Adjustment Amount, the independent accountants
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.

     (j)  The Holding Company (or its successors) shall indemnify and hold
Executive harmless from any and all losses, costs and expenses (including
without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees, reasonable accountant's fees,
interest, fines and penalties of any kind) which Executive incurs as a result of
any administrative or judicial review of Executive's liability under Section
4999 of the Code by the Internal Revenue Service or any comparable state agency
through and including a final judicial determination or final administrative
settlement of any dispute arising out of Executive's liability for the Section
4999 excise tax or otherwise relating to the classification for purposes of
Section 280G of the Code of any payment or benefit in the nature of compensation
made or provided to Executive by the Holding Company or any successor thereto.
Executive shall promptly notify the

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Holding Company in writing whenever Executive receives notice of the
commencement of any judicial or administrative proceeding, formal or informal,
in which the federal tax treatment under Section 4999 of the Code of any amount
paid or payable under this Supplemental Agreement is being reviewed or is in
dispute (including a notice of audit or other inquiry concerning the reporting
of Executive's liability under Section 4999).  The Holding Company (and its
successors) may assume control at its expense over all legal and accounting
matters pertaining to such federal or state tax treatment (except to the extent
necessary or appropriate for Executive to resolve any such proceeding with
respect to any matter unrelated to amounts paid or payable pursuant to this
contract) and Executive shall cooperate fully with the Holding Company in any
such proceeding.  Executive shall not enter into any compromise or settlement or
otherwise prejudice any rights the Holding Company (or its successors) may have
in connection therewith without prior consent to the Holding Company (or its
successors).  In the event that the Holding Company (or any successor thereto)
elects not to assume control over such matters, the Holding Company (or any
successor thereto) shall promptly reimburse Executive for all expenses related
thereto as and when incurred upon presentation of appropriate documentation
relating thereto.

6.   DISABILITY BENEFITS.

     In the event of the disability of Executive, the Holding Company shall
continue to pay Executive the compensation provided by this Agreement during the
period of his disability.  In the event Executive is disabled for a continuous
period exceeding 12 calendar months, the Holding Company may, at its election,
terminate this Agreement; provided, however, the last 6 months of such 12-month
period shall constitute the "elimination period" for benefit determination under
the Holding Company's or the Bank's Long-Term Disability Plan.  As used in this
Agreement, the term "disability" shall mean the complete and permanent inability
of Executive to perform his duties under this Agreement as determined by an
independent physician selected with the approval of the Holding Company or the
Bank and Executive.

7.   TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.

     The term "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination because of: (1)
Executive's personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, 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 which results in a material loss to the Bank or the Holding
Company, or (2) Executive's conviction of a crime or act involving moral
turpitude or a final judgement rendered against Executive based upon actions of
Executive which involve moral turpitude.  For the purposes of this Section, no
act, or the failure to act, on Executive's part shall be "willful" unless done,
or omitted to be done, not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the
action or omission was in the best interests of the Bank or its affiliates.
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

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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.  The
Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for
any period after Termination for Cause.  During the period beginning on the date
of the Notice of Termination for Cause pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement
through the Date of Termination, stock options granted to Executive under any
stock option plan shall not be exercisable nor shall any unvested stock awards
granted to Executive under any stock benefit plan of the Bank, the Holding
Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, vest. At the Date of
Termination, such stock options and any such unvested stock 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);
provided, however, that if a dispute regarding Executive's termination exists,
the "Date of Termination" shall be determined in accordance with Section 8(c) of
this Agreement.

     (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


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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 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 of this Agreement, Executive agrees not to compete with the Holding
Company or its Subsidiaries for the period in which he receives payments under
Section 4(b) of this Agreement in any city, town or county in which the
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 of this Agreement, 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

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<PAGE>

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.  Further, Executive
may disclose information regarding the business activities of the Bank or
Holding Company to the Superintendent of Banks of the State of Connecticut, the
Connecticut Banking Department, the FDIC and any other applicable government
agency pursuant to a formal regulatory request.  In the event of a breach or
threatened breach by the 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 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 13 of
this Agreement.

     (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 1, 2000,
between Executive and the Bank, such compensation payments and benefits paid by
the Bank will be subtracted from any amount due simultaneously to Executive
under similar provisions of this Agreement.

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

                                       12
<PAGE>

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.

     (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,
unless otherwise specified herein.

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 Bank, 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

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<PAGE>

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.

19.  REINSTATEMENT OF BENEFITS.

     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 any
back-pay, including salary, bonuses and any other cash compensation, fringe
benefits and any compensation and benefits due Executive under this Agreement.

20.  INDEMNIFICATION.

     During the term of this Agreement and for an additional period of seven
years thereafter, 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,
hold harmless and defend 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.

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 Bank 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.

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<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Connecticut Bancshares, 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 1st
day of March, 2000.

ATTEST:                              CONNECTICUT BANCSHARES, INC.



/s/ Carole L. Yungk                  By: /s/ Richard Meduski
--------------------------               --------------------------------------
                                            For the Entire Board of Directors



          [SEAL]



WITNESS:                                 EXECUTIVE



/s/ Harriett F. Duff                     /s/ Nicholas B. Mason
--------------------------               --------------------------------------
                                           Nicholas B. Mason

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