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                                 Exhibit 10.13

        Employment Agreement between Company and Edward A. Hjerpe, III
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                         FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC.
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), originally entered into on January 31,
1997, is amended and restated in its entirety, effective as of April 29, 1999,
by and between FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC. (the "Holding Company"), a
corporation organized under the laws of Delaware, with its principal offices at
ONE FIRSTFED PARK, Swansea Mall Drive, Swansea, Massachusetts 02777 and Edward
A. Hjerpe, III ("Executive"). Any reference to "Institution" herein shall mean
First Federal Savings Bank of America or any successor thereto.

         WHEREAS, the Holding Company wishes 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 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 Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer 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 appointed or elected, as the case may
be, 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 sixty (60) full calendar months from the effective date of this
Agreement, as amended and restated. Commencing on the date of the execution of
this Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall be extended for one day each so
that a constant sixty (60) calendar month term shall remain in effect, 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 fifth
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 other
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 its direct or indirect
subsidiaries, including
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the Institution, ("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 the 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.

3.       COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

         (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 $212,625 ("Base Salary"). Base Salary
shall include any amounts of compensation deferred by Executive under any
employee benefit plan or deferred compensation arrangement maintained by the
Holding Company or its Subsidiaries. Such Base Salary shall be payable
bi-weekly. During the period of this Agreement, Executive's Base Salary shall be
reviewed at least annually on or about each March 31. Such review shall be
conducted by the Board or a committee designated by the Board. The Board may
increase Executive's Base Salary at any time. Any increase in 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, with all such other benefits, arrangements and perquisites
described in Exhibit A or otherwise provided uniformly to permanent full-time
employees of the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries.

         (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 Subsection (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, health-and-accident plans, medical coverage
or any other employee benefit plan or arrangement made available by the Holding
Company or its Subsidiaries now or in the future to the Holding Company's 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


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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 provided for by paragraph (b) of this
Section 3, the Holding Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for all
reasonable travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in
performing his obligations under this Agreement, as mutually agreed to by the
board and Executive.

         (d) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3(d), the Holding
Company will provide to Executive for each calendar year during the term of this
Agreement and for the remaining term of this Agreement after a termination of
employment following an Event of Termination as defined in Section 4 of this
Agreement, no later than 90 days after the close of the calendar year to which
such payment pertains ("Benefit Year"), a "Benefit Equity Payment" in addition
to the contributions actually made (or benefits actually accrued) with respect
to such year to any tax-qualified or non-tax-qualified compensation or benefit
plan, arrangement, policy or program funded or sponsored by the Holding Company
or its Subsidiaries, including but not limited to those of the following types:
deferred compensation, retirement, defined benefit pension, defined contribution
pension, supplemental executive retirement, profit sharing, employee stock
ownership, stock option or stock bonus award, life insurance, health, medical,
dental, disability, incentive compensation or bonus plan, perquisites, or other
fringe benefits ("Benefit Plans") made on his behalf or otherwise accrued as
consideration for his services described in Section 1 of this Agreement. The
Benefit Equity Payment shall be an amount calculated by an actuary accountant or
other licensed professional to equal the amount of the contributions (or other
benefits) which would have been made or accrued for Executive for such year
pursuant to all Benefit Plans as consideration for his services described in
Section 1 of this Agreement but were not made or accrued because (i) any of the
Benefit Plans were terminated or not funded, or (ii) Executive was no longer
employed or will not be employed by the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries.

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 Retirement, as defined in paragraph (f) of this Section 4, or
Termination For Cause, as defined in Section 7 of this Agreement, or a Change in
Control, as defined in Section 5 of this Agreement; (ii) Executive's resignation
from the Holding Company's employ, upon any (A) notice to Executive by the
Holding Company of a non-renewal of the term of this Agreement; (B) failure to
elect or reelect or to appoint or reappoint Executive as Executive Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the
Holding Company, unless consented to by Executive, (C) 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

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and attributes thereof described in Section 1 of this Agreement (and any such
material change shall be deemed a continuing breach of this Agreement), unless
consented to by Executive, (D) 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, unless consented to by Executive,
(E) material reduction in the benefits, arrangements and perquisites to
Executive as described in Exhibit A, or as otherwise provided pursuant to
Sections 3(a) and 3(b) of this Agreement, to which Executive does not consent or
for which Executive is not or will not be provided the economic benefit pursuant
to Section 3(b) of this Agreement, (F) liquidation or dissolution of the Holding
Company or the Institution, or (G) breach of this Agreement by the Holding
Company. Upon the occurrence of any event described in clauses (A), (B), (C),
(D), (E), (F) or (G), 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 of this Agreement, the Holding Company
shall be obligated to pay Executive, or, in the event of Executive's 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 if he had continued his employment with the Holding Company during the
remaining unexpired term of this Agreement, based on Executive's Base Salary and
benefits provided at the Date of Termination, as set forth in Sections 3(a), (b)
and (d) hereof, as the case may be, and the amount still due Executive under any
paragraph of Section 3 for service through the Date of Termination. At the
election of Executive, which election is to be made within thirty (30) days of
the Date of Termination, such payments shall be made in a lump sum (without
discount for early payment) or paid monthly during the remaining term of the
agreement following Executive's termination. In the event that no election is
made, payment to Executive will be made in a lump sum. 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 Holding Company
or its Subsidiaries on his behalf pursuant to any retirement, incentive, profit
sharing, employee stock ownership, bonus, performance, disability or other
employee benefit plan maintained by the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries 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 its Subsidiaries continue
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 its Subsidiaries does not offer the
Welfare Plans after

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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) hereof, 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) Termination of Executive based on "Retirement" shall mean
termination in accordance with the Holding Company's or the Institution'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 its Subsidiaries and other plans to which
Executive is a party or a participant.

5.       CHANGE IN CONTROL.

         (a) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" of the
Holding Company or the Institution 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 or "Acquisition of Control" of the Institution or the Holding
Company within the meaning of the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933, as amended, the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the
Office of Thrift Supervision (or its predecessor agency), as in effect on the
date hereof (provided, that in applying the definition of change in control as
set forth under the rules and regulations of the OTS, the Board shall substitute
its judgment for that of the OTS); 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 Institution or the Holding
Company representing 20% or more of the Institution's or the Holding Company's
outstanding voting securities or right to acquire such securities except for any
voting securities of the Institution 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 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 Institution or the Holding Company or


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similar transaction occurs or is effectuated in which the Institution or Holding
Company is not the resulting entity; provided, however, that such an event
listed above will be deemed to have occurred or to have been effectuated upon
the receipt of all required federal regulatory approvals not including the lapse
of any statutory waiting periods, 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
Institution 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
Institution or the Holding Company shall be distributed, or (E) a tender offer
is made for 20% or more of the voting securities of the Institution 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 (i) Executive's dismissal,
(ii) 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 (iii) Executive's resignation following any demotion, loss of title, office
or significant authority or responsibility, reduction in the annual compensation
or 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 (as defined in
Section 7 of this Agreement).

         (c) Upon Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section 5(b),
the Holding Company shall pay Executive, or in the event of Executive's
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: (i) the payments due for the remaining term of the Agreement; or
(ii) five (5) times Executive's average annual compensation for the five (5)
preceding taxable years or, if Executive has been employed by the Holding
Company or any subsidiary for less than five (5) years, the annual average
compensation of Executive for such lesser time period. 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, 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, as well as pension, profit sharing
plan, employee stock ownership and other retirement contributions or benefits
(whether or not taxable) made or accrued on behalf of Executive for 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 sixty (60)
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


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remaining sixty (60) day term of the Agreement. Such payments shall not be
reduced in the event Executive obtains other employment following termination of
employment.

         (d) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control followed by Executive's
termination of employment, Executive will be entitled to receive benefits due
him under or contributed by the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries on his
behalf pursuant to any retirement, incentive, profit sharing, employee stock
ownership, bonus, performance, disability or other employee benefit plan
maintained by the Institution 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, medical and disability coverage substantially
identical to the coverage maintained by the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries
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
sixty (60) 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.

         (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 Executive, Executive will have the option to purchase all rights then held by
the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries 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) hereof, 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.

6.       CHANGE OF CONTROL RELATED PROVISIONS.

         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:


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

WHERE:

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


         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; and

         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.

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 or otherwise and
on which an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code will be assessed, the
payment determined under this Section 6 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 6, 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 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 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


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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.

         (k) In each calendar year that Executive receives payments or benefits
under this Agreement, Executive shall report on his state and federal income tax
returns such information as is consistent with the determination made by the
independent accountants of the Holding Company as described above. The Holding
Company shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless from any and all losses,
costs and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees,
interest, fines and penalties) which Executive incurs as a result of so
reporting such information. Executive shall promptly notify the Holding Company
in writing whenever Executive receives notice of the Bank of a 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. The Holding
Company shall assume control at its expense over all legal and accounting
matters pertaining to such federal 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 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 may have in connection therewith
without prior consent 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
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 and related limited rights 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 related limited rights 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.

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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 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

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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 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, between Executive
and the Institution, such compensation payments and benefits


                                    - 11 -
<PAGE>

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 on a quarterly basis.

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.

         (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.

                                    - 12 -
<PAGE>

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 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 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.


                                    - 13 -
<PAGE>

         (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.


                                    - 14 -
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, FIRSTFED AMERICA 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 29th day of April, 1999.


ATTEST:                             FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC.



/s/ Cecilia R. Viveiros             By: /s/ Robert F. Stoico
-----------------------------           -------------------------------------
Cecilia R. Viveiros                     Robert F. Stoico
Secretary                               For the Entire Board of Directors




                [SEAL]


WITNESS:                            EXECUTIVE



/s/ Cecilia R. Viveiros             By: /s/ Edward A. Hjerpe, III
-----------------------------           -------------------------------------
Cecilia R. Viveiros                     Edward A. Hjerpe, III
Secretary                               Executive Vice President, Chief
                                        Operating Officer, Chief Financial
                                        Officer and Treasurer


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