<PAGE>   1


                                  EXHIBIT 10.10
                                  -------------

                         FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC.
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

        This AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made effective as of July 31, 1997 by
and between FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC. (the "Holding Company"), a
corporation organized under the laws of Delaware, with its principal offices at
One North Main Street, Fall River, Massachusetts, 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 to assure itself of the services of
Executive for the period provided in this Agreement; and

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

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

1.      POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

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

2.      TERMS.

        (a) The period of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be
deemed to have commenced as of the date first above written and shall continue
for a period of twenty-four (24) full calendar months thereafter. Commencing on
the date of the execution of this Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall be
extended for one day each day until such time as the board of directors of the
Holding Company (the "Board") or Executive elects not to extend the term of the
Agreement by giving written notice to the other party in accordance with Section
8 of this Agreement, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be fixed and
shall end on the second anniversary of the date of such written notice.

        (b) During the period of Executive's employment hereunder, except for
periods of absence occasioned by illness, reasonable vacation periods, and
reasonable leaves of absence, Executive shall devote substantially all his
business time, attention, skill, and efforts to the faithful performance of his
duties hereunder, including activities and services related to the organization,
operation and management of the Holding Company and its direct or indirect
subsidiaries ("Subsidiaries") and participation in community, professional and
civic organizations; provided, however, that, with the approval of the Board, as
evidenced by a resolution of such Board, from time 




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<PAGE>   2

to time, Executive may serve, or continue to serve, on the boards of directors
of, and hold any other offices or positions in, companies or organizations,
which, in such Board's judgment, will not present any conflict of interest with
the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries, or materially affect the performance of
Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement.

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

3.      COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

        (a) The Executive shall be entitled to a salary from the Holding Company
or its Subsidiaries of $192,500 per year ("Base Salary"). Base Salary shall
include any amounts of compensation deferred by Executive under any qualified or
unqualified plan maintained by the Holding Company and 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; the first such
review will be made no later than one year from the date of this Agreement. Such
review shall be conducted by the Board or by a Committee of the Board delegated
such responsibility by the Board. The Committee or the Board may increase
Executive's Base Salary. Any increase in Base Salary shall become the "Base
Salary" for purposes of this Agreement. In addition to the Base Salary provided
in this Section 3(a), the Holding Company shall also provide Executive, with all
such other benefits, arrangements and perquisites as described in Exhibit A and
as provided uniformly to permanent full-time employees of the Holding Company
and its Subsidiaries.

        (b) The Holding Company and its Subsidiaries will not, without
Executive's prior written consent, make any changes in such plans, arrangements
or perquisites which would materially adversely affect Executive's rights or
benefits thereunder, except to the extent that such changes are made applicable
to all Holding Company and Institution employees eligible to participate in such
plans, arrangements and perquisites on a non-discriminatory basis. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Subsection (b),
Executive shall be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under any
employee benefit plans including, but not limited to, retirement plans,
supplemental retirement plans, pension plans, profit-sharing plans,
health-and-accident plans, medical coverage and any other employee benefit plan
or arrangement made available by the Holding Company and its Subsidiaries in the
future to its senior executives and key management employees, subject to and on
a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such
plans and arrangements. Nothing paid to the Executive under any such plan or
arrangement will be deemed to be in lieu of other compensation to which the
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 in the 


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<PAGE>   3

performance of Executive's obligations under this Agreement and may provide such
additional compensation in such form and such amounts as the Board may from time
to time determine.

4.      PAYMENTS TO EXECUTIVE UPON AN EVENT OF TERMINATION.

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

        (b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, on the Date of
Termination, as defined in Section 8, the Holding Company shall be obligated to
pay Executive, or, in the event of his subsequent death, his beneficiary or
beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, a sum equal to the sum of: (i)
the amount of the remaining payments that the Executive would have earned if he
had continued his employment with the Holding Company during the remaining term
of this Agreement at the Executive's Base Salary at the Date of Termination; and
(ii) the amount equal to the annual contributions that would have been made on
Executive's behalf to any employee benefit plans of the Institution or the
Holding Company during the remaining term of this Agreement based on
contributions made (on an annualized basis) at the Date of Termination. At the
election of the Executive, which election is to be made prior to an Event of
Termination, such payments shall be made in a lump sum. In the event that no
election is made, payment to the Executive will be made on a monthly basis in
approximately equal installments during the remaining term of the Agreement.
Such payments shall not be reduced in the event the Executive obtains other
employment following termination of employment.

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



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<PAGE>   4

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
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 a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to Section 5(a) or the
Board has determined that a Change in Control has occurred, Executive shall be
entitled to the benefits provided in paragraphs (c) and (d), of this Section 5
upon his subsequent termination of employment at any time during the term of
this Agreement due to (i) Executive's dismissal, or (ii) Executive's voluntary
resignation following any demotion, loss of title, office or significant
authority or responsibility, reduction in the annual compensation or reduction
in benefits or relocation of his 



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<PAGE>   5

principal place of employment by more than 25 miles from its location
immediately prior to the change in control, unless such termination is because
of his death or termination for Cause.

        (c)    Upon the Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section
5(b), the Holding Company shall pay Executive, or in the event of his subsequent
death, his beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, as
severance pay or liquidated damages, or both, a sum equal to the greater of: (i)
the payments due for the remaining term of the Agreement; or (ii) three (3)
times Executive's average annual compensation for the five (5) preceding taxable
years or, if the Executive has been employed by the Holding Company or any
subsidiary for less than five years, the annual average compensation of the
Executive for such lesser time period. Such annual compensation shall include
Base Salary, commissions, bonuses, contributions on behalf of Executive to any
pension and profit sharing plan, severance payments, directors or committee fees
and fringe benefits paid or to be paid to the Executive during such years. At
the election of the Executive, which election is to be made prior to a Change in
Control, such payment shall be made in a lump sum. In the event that no election
is made, payment to the Executive will be made on a monthly basis in
approximately equal installments during the remaining term of the Agreement.
Such payments shall not be reduced in the event Executive obtains other
employment following termination of employment.

        (d)    Upon the Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section
5(b), the Holding Company will cause to be continued life, medical, dental and
disability coverage substantially equivalent to the coverage maintained by the
Holding Company or the Institution for Executive at no premium cost to Executive
prior to his severance. Such coverage and payments shall cease upon the
expiration of twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control.

6.      CHANGE OF CONTROL RELATED PROVISIONS.

        (a)    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5, in the event that:

               (i)     the aggregate payments or benefits to be made or afforded
                       to Executive, which are deemed to be parachute payments
                       as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code
                       of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any successor
                       thereof, (the "Termination Benefits") would be deemed to
                       include an "excess parachute payment" under Section 280G
                       of the Code; and

               (ii)    if such Termination Benefits were reduced to an amount
                       (the "Non-Triggering Amount"), the value of which is one
                       dollar ($1.00) less than an amount equal to three (3)
                       times Executive's "base amount," as determined in
                       accordance with said Section 280G and the Non-Triggering
                       Amount less the product of the marginal rate of any
                       applicable state and federal income tax and the
                       Non-Triggering Amount would be greater than the aggregate
                       value of the Termination Benefits (without such
                       reduction) minus (i) the amount of tax required to be
                       paid by the Executive thereon by Section 4999 of the Code
                       and further minus (ii) the product of the Termination
                       Benefits and the marginal rate of any applicable state
                       and federal income tax, then the Termination Benefits
                       shall be reduced to the Non-Triggering Amount. The
                       allocation of 



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                       the reduction required hereby among the Termination 
                       Benefits shall be determined by the Executive.

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. 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 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.

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 the 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 


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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.




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<PAGE>   8


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 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
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 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.



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<PAGE>   9


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 July 31, 1997,
between Executive and the Institution, such compensation payments and benefits
paid by the Institution will be subtracted from any amount due simultaneously to
Executive under similar provisions of this Agreement. Payments pursuant to this
Agreement and the Institution Agreement shall be allocated in proportion to the
level of activity and the time expended on such activities by the 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 the 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.



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<PAGE>   10

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 the 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 the 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 



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<PAGE>   11

in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he
may be involved by reason of his having been a director or officer of the
Holding Company (whether or not he continues to be a director or officer at the
time of incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities
to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys' fees
and the cost of reasonable settlements.

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

21.     SUCCESSOR TO THE HOLDING COMPANY.

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




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<PAGE>   12


                                   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 31st day of July, 1997.


ATTEST:                                   FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC.



/s/ Cecilia R. Viveiros                   By: /s/ Robert F. Stoico
-------------------------------               ----------------------------------
Cecilia R. Viveiros                           Robert F. Stoico
Secretary                                     Director, President and Chief
                                                Executive Officer
                                              For the Entire Board of Directors



               [SEAL]


WITNESS:



/s/ Cecilia R. Viveiros                   By: /s/ Edward A. Hjerpe, III
-------------------------------               ----------------------------------
Cecilia R. Viveiros                           Edward A. Hjerpe, III
Secretary                                     Executive






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<PAGE>   13


FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK OF AMERICA
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

        This AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made effective as of July 31, 1997 by
and among First Federal Savings Bank of America (the "Bank"), a federally
chartered savings bank, with its principal administrative office at One North
Main Street, Fall River, Massachusetts, 02720, FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC., a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, the holding
company for the Bank (the "Holding Company"), and Edward A. Hjerpe, III 
("Executive").

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

        WHEREAS, Executive is willing to serve in the employ of the Bank 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 his employment hereunder, Executive agrees to serve
as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Bank.
Executive shall render administrative and management services to the Bank such
as are customarily performed by persons situated in a similar executive
capacity. During said period, Executive also agrees to serve, if elected, as an
officer and director of the Holding Company or any subsidiary of the Bank.

2.      TERMS AND DUTIES.

        (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 twenty-four (24) full calendar months thereafter. Commencing on
the first anniversary date of this Agreement, and continuing on each anniversary
thereafter, the disinterested members of the board of directors of the Bank
("Board") may extend the Agreement an additional year such that the remaining
term of the Agreement shall be twenty-four (24) months unless the 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 the Executive
as soon as possible after such review as to whether the Agreement is to be
extended.

        (b) During the period of Executive's employment hereunder, except for
periods of absence occasioned by illness, reasonable vacation periods, and
reasonable leaves of absence, Executive shall devote substantially all his
business time, attention, skill, and efforts to the faithful performance of his
duties hereunder including activities and services related to the organization,
operation and management of 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, 



                                      -13-


<PAGE>   14


from time to time, Executive may serve, or continue to serve, on the boards of
directors of, and hold any other offices or positions in, companies or
organizations, which, in such Board's judgment, will not present any conflict of
interest with the Bank, or materially affect the performance of Executive's
duties pursuant to this Agreement.

        (c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive's
employment with the Bank may be terminated by the Bank or the Executive during
the term of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.

3.      COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

        (a) The Bank shall pay Executive as compensation a salary of $192,500
per year ("Base Salary"). Base Salary shall include any amounts of compensation
deferred by Executive under any qualified or unqualified plan maintained by the
Bank. Such Base Salary shall be payable bi-weekly. During the period of this
Agreement, Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually; the
first such review will be made no later than one year from the date of this
Agreement. Such review shall be conducted by the Board or by a Committee of the
Board, delegated such responsibility by the Board. The Committee or the Board
may increase Executive's Base Salary. Any increase in Base Salary shall become
the "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement. In addition to the Base Salary
provided in this Section 3(a), the Bank shall also provide Executive, with all
such other benefits, arrangements and perquisites as described in Exhibit A and
as are provided uniformly to permanent full-time employees of the Bank.

        (b) The Bank will not, without Executive's prior written consent, make
any changes in such plans, arrangements or perquisites which would materially
adversely affect Executive's rights or benefits thereunder; except to the extent
such changes are made applicable to all Bank employees on a non-discriminatory
basis. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this
Subsection (b), Executive shall be entitled to participate in or receive
benefits under any employee benefit plans 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 Bank in the future to its senior
executives and key management employees, subject to and on a basis consistent
with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans and
arrangements. Nothing paid to the Executive under any such plan or arrangement
will be deemed to be in lieu of other compensation to which the 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 Bank shall pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel and other
reasonable expenses incurred by Executive performing his obligations under this
Agreement and may provide such additional compensation in such form and such
amounts as the Board may from time to time determine.

4.      PAYMENTS TO EXECUTIVE UPON AN EVENT OF TERMINATION.

        (a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination (as herein defined)
during the Executive's term of employment under this Agreement, the provisions
of this Section shall apply. 



                                      -14-


<PAGE>   15


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 Bank or the Holding
Company of Executive's full-time employment hereunder for any reason other than
a termination governed by Section 5(a) hereof, or Termination for Cause, as
defined in Section 7 hereof; (ii) Executive's resignation from the Bank's employ
upon any (A) failure to elect or reelect or to appoint or reappoint Executive as
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer unless consented to
by the Executive, (B) 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, above, unless consented to by Executive, (C) a
relocation of Executive's principal place of employment by more than 25 miles
from its location at the effective date of this Agreement, unless consented to
by the Executive, (D) a material reduction in the benefits, arrangements and
perquisites to the Executive, as described in Exhibit A, unless consented to by
the Executive, (E) a liquidation or dissolution of the Bank or Holding Company,
or (F) breach of this Agreement by the Bank. Upon the occurrence of any event
described in clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) or (F), above, Executive shall have
the right to elect to terminate his employment under this Agreement by
resignation upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice given within
six full months after the event giving rise to said right to elect.

        (b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, on the Date of
Termination, as defined in Section 8, the Bank 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 a sum equal to the sum of: (i)
the amount of the remaining payments that the Executive would have earned if he
had continued his employment with the Bank during the remaining term of this
Agreement at the Executive's Base Salary at the Date of Termination; and (ii)
the amount equal to the annual contributions that would have been made on
Executive's behalf to any employee benefit plans of the Bank or the Holding
Company during the remaining term of this Agreement based on contributions made
(on an annualized basis) at the Date of Termination; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any
payments pursuant to this subsection and subsection 4(c) below shall not, in the
aggregate, exceed three times Executive's average annual compensation for the
five most recent taxable years that Executive has been employed by the Bank or
such lesser number of years in the event that Executive shall have been employed
by the Bank for less than five years. In the event the Bank is not in compliance
with its minimum capital requirements or if such payments pursuant to this
subsection (b) would cause the Bank's capital to be reduced below its minimum
regulatory capital requirements, such payments shall be deferred until such time
as the Bank or successor thereto is in capital compliance. At the election of
the Executive, which election is to be made prior to an Event of Termination,
such payments shall be made in a lump sum as of the Executive's Date of
Termination. In the event that no election is made, payment to Executive will be
made on a monthly basis in approximately equal installments during the remaining
term of the Agreement. Such payments shall not be reduced in the event the
Executive obtains other employment following termination of employment.

        (c) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, the Bank will cause
to be continued life, medical, dental and disability coverage substantially
identical to the coverage maintained by the Bank or the Holding Company for
Executive prior to his termination at no premium cost to the Executive, except
to the extent such coverage may be changed in its application to all Bank or
Holding Company employees. Such coverage shall cease upon the expiration of the
remaining term of this Agreement.



                                      -15-


<PAGE>   16


5.      CHANGE IN CONTROL.

        (a) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" of the Bank or
Holding Company shall mean an event of a nature that: (i) would be required to
be reported in response to Item 1 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, as amended (the "Exchange Act"); or (ii) results in a
Change in Control or "Acquisition of Control" of the Bank 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 ("OTS") (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 Bank or the Holding Company
representing 25% 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 Bank or the Holding
Company, 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 the same Nominating Committee
serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this clause (B),
considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board, or (C) a plan of
reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all the
assets of the Bank or the Holding Company or similar transaction occurs in which
the Bank or Holding Company is not the resulting entity; 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 regulatory approvals not including
the lapse of any statutory waiting periods.

        (b) If a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to Section 5(a) or the
Board has determined that a Change in Control has occurred, Executive shall be
entitled to the benefits provided in paragraphs (c), and (d) of this Section 5
upon his subsequent termination of employment at any time during the term of
this Agreement due to: (1) Executive's dismissal or (2) Executive's voluntary
resignation following any demotion, loss of title, office or significant
authority or responsibility, material reduction in 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, disability, retirement or termination for
Cause.

        (c) Upon Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section 5(b),
the Bank shall pay Executive, or in the event of his subsequent death, his
beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, 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) most
recent taxable years that Executive has been employed by the Bank or such lesser
number of years 



                                      -16-


<PAGE>   17


in the event that Executive shall have been employed by the Bank for less than
five (5) years. Such average annual compensation shall include Base Salary,
commissions, bonuses, contributions on Executive's behalf to any pension and/or
profit sharing plan, severance payments, retirement payments, directors or
committee fees and fringe benefits paid or to be paid to the Executive in any
such year and payment of any expense items without accountability or business
purpose or that do not meet the Internal Revenue Service requirements for
deductibility by the Bank; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any payment under this
provision and subsection 5(d) below shall not exceed three (3) times the
Executive's average annual compensation. In the event the Bank is not in
compliance with its minimum capital requirements or if such payments would cause
the Bank's capital to be reduced below its minimum regulatory capital
requirements, such payments shall be deferred until such time as the Bank or
successor thereto is in capital compliance. At the election of the Executive,
which election is to be made prior to a Change in Control, such payment shall be
made in a lump sum as of the Executive's Date of Termination. In the event that
no election is made, payment to the Executive will be made in approximately
equal installments on a monthly basis over a period of twenty-four (24) months
following the Executive's termination. Such payments shall not be reduced in the
event Executive obtains other employment following termination of employment.

        (d) Upon the Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section
5(b), the Bank will cause to be continued life, medical, dental and disability
coverage substantially identical to the coverage maintained by the Holding
Company or the Bank for Executive prior to his severance at no premium cost to
the Executive, except to the extent that such coverage may be changed in its
application for all Bank employees on a non-discriminatory basis. Such coverage
and payments shall cease upon the expiration of twenty-four (24) months
following the Date of Termination.

6.      CHANGE OF CONTROL RELATED PROVISIONS

        Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5, in no event shall the
aggregate payments or benefits to be made or afforded to Executive under said
paragraphs (the "Termination Benefits") constitute an "excess parachute payment"
under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any
successor thereto, and in order to avoid such a result, Termination Benefits
will be reduced, if necessary, to an amount (the "Non-Triggering Amount"), the
value of which is one dollar ($1.00) less than an amount equal to three (3)
times Executive's "base amount", as determined in accordance with said Section
280G. The allocation of the reduction required hereby among the Termination
Benefits provided by Section 5 shall be determined by Executive.

7.      TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.

        The term "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination because of
Executive's personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, any breach of
fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated
duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic
violations or similar offenses) or 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 a majority 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, 


                                      -17-


<PAGE>   18



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 the Date of
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 for Cause, 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 Bank,
the Holding Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, vest. At the Date of
Termination for Cause, such stock options and related limited rights and any
unvested awards shall become null and void and shall not be exercisable by or
delivered to Executive at any time subsequent to such Termination for Cause.

8.      NOTICE.

        (a) Any purported termination by the Bank 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 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, 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, in the event the Executive is
terminated for reasons other than Termination for Cause, the Bank will continue
to pay Executive his Base Salary in effect when the notice giving rise to the
dispute was given until the earlier of: 1) the resolution of the dispute in
accordance with this Agreement or 2) the expiration of the remaining term of
this Agreement as determined as of the Date of Termination. 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 Bank. Executive shall, upon 



                                      -18-


<PAGE>   19



reasonable notice, furnish such information and assistance to the Bank as may
reasonably be required by the Bank 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 OF BANK BUSINESS.

        (a) Upon any termination of Executive's employment hereunder pursuant to
Section 4 hereof, Executive agrees not to compete with the Bank for a period of
one (1) year following such termination in any city, town or county in which the
Executive's normal business office is located and the Bank 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 Bank. The parties hereto, recognizing that
irreparable injury will result to the Bank, 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 Bank, 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. Nothing herein will be
construed as prohibiting the Bank from pursuing any other remedies available to
the Bank 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 Bank and affiliates
thereof, as it may exist from time to time, is a valuable, special and unique
asset of the business of the Bank. 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 Bank or affiliates thereof to any person,
firm, corporation, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever.
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 Bank. Further,
Executive may disclose information regarding the business activities of the Bank
to the OTS and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") pursuant to a
formal regulatory request. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by
Executive of the provisions of this Section, the Bank 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
Bank or affiliates thereof, 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 Bank from pursuing any other remedies available to the Bank 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 Bank. The Holding Company, however,
unconditionally guarantees payment and provision of all amounts and benefits due
hereunder to Executive and, if such amounts 



                                      -19-


<PAGE>   20



and benefits due from the Bank are not timely paid or provided by the Bank, such
amounts and benefits shall be paid or provided by the Holding Company.

        (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 July 31, 1997,
between Executive and the Holding Company, such compensation payments and
benefits paid by the Holding Company will be subtracted from any amounts due
simultaneously to Executive under similar provisions of this Agreement. Payments
pursuant to this Agreement and the Holding Company Agreement shall be allocated
in proportion to the services rendered and time expended on such activities by
Executive as determined by the Holding Company and the Bank 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 Bank or any
predecessor of the Bank 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 Bank 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.     REQUIRED PROVISIONS.


                                      -20-


<PAGE>   21

        (a) The Bank may terminate Executive's employment at any time, but any
termination by the Bank, other than Termination for Cause, shall not prejudice
Executive's right to compensation or other benefits under this Agreement.
Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for
any period after Termination for Cause as defined in Section 7 hereinabove.

        (b) If Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited
from participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by a notice served under
Section 8(e)(3) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C.
sec.1818(e)(3) or (g)(1); the Bank 's obligations under this contract shall be
suspended as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings.
If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank may in its discretion: (i)
pay Executive all or part of the compensation withheld while their contract
obligations were suspended; and (ii) reinstate (in whole or in part) any of the
obligations which were suspended.

        (c) If Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by an order issued under
Section 8(e)(4) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C.
sec.1818(e)(4) or (g)(1), all obligations of the Bank under this contract shall
terminate as of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the
contracting parties shall not be affected.

        (d) If the Bank is in default as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. sec.1813(x)(1) all obligations of the
Bank under this contract shall terminate as of the date of default, but this
paragraph shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting parties.

        (e) All obligations of the Bank under this contract shall be terminated,
except to the extent determined that continuation of the contract is necessary
for the continued operation of the institution: (i) by the Director of the OTS
(or his designee), the FDIC or the Resolution Trust Corporation, at the time the
FDIC enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank
under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act, 12 U.S.C. sec.1823(c); or (ii) by the Director of the OTS (or his designee)
at the time the Director (or his designee) approves a supervisory merger to
resolve problems related to the operations of the Bank or when the Bank is
determined by the Director to be in an unsafe or unsound condition. Any rights
of the parties that have already vested, however, shall not be affected by such
action.

        (f) Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or
otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section
1828(k), 12 C.F.R. Part 359 and 12 C.F.R. Section 545.121 and any rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

16.     REINSTATEMENT OF BENEFITS UNDER SECTION 15(b).

        In the event Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by a notice described in
Section 15(b) hereof (the "Notice") during the term of this Agreement and a
Change in Control, as defined herein, occurs, the Bank will assume its
obligation to pay and Executive will be entitled to receive all of the
termination benefits provided for under Section 5 of this Agreement upon the
Bank's receipt of a dismissal of charges in the Notice.



                                      -21-


<PAGE>   22


17.     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.

18.     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.

19.     GOVERNING LAW.

        The validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, but only to
the extent not superseded by federal law.

20.     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 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.

21.     PAYMENT OF COSTS AND LEGAL FEES.

        All reasonable costs and 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 Bank if Executive is successful on the merits
pursuant to a legal judgment, arbitration or settlement.

22.     INDEMNIFICATION.

        (a) The Bank 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) as permitted under federal 



                                      -22-


<PAGE>   23


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 Bank
(whether or not he continues to be a director or officer at the time of
incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities to
include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys' fees and
the cost of reasonable settlements.

        (b) Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Section are subject
to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k), 12 C.F.R.
Part 359 and 12 C.F.R. Section 545.121 and any rules or regulations promulgated
thereunder.

23.     SUCCESSOR TO THE BANK.

        The Bank 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 Bank's
obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that
the Bank would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had
taken place.





                                      -23-


<PAGE>   24


                                   SIGNATURES

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, First Federal Savings Bank of America and FIRSTFED
AMERICA BANCORP, INC. have caused this Agreement to be executed and their seals
to be affixed hereunto by their duly authorized officers and directors, and
Executive has signed this Agreement, on the 31st day of July, 1997.


ATTEST:                                FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK OF AMERICA



/s/ Cecilia R. Viveiros                By: /s/ Robert F. Stoico
-------------------------------            -------------------------------------
Cecilia R. Viveiros                        Robert F. Stoico
Secretary                                  President and Chief Executive Officer


        [SEAL]


ATTEST:                                FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC.

                                           (Guarantor)



/s/ Cecilia R. Viveiros                By: /s/ Robert F. Stoico
-------------------------------            -------------------------------------
Cecilia R. Viveiros                        Robert F. Stoico
Secretary                                  President and Chief Executive Officer

        [SEAL]


WITNESS:



/s/ Cecilia R. Viveiros                    /s/ Edward A. Hjerpe, III
-------------------------------            -------------------------------------
Cecilia R. Viveiros                        Edward A. Hjerpe, III
                                           Executive






                                      -24-