<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.5


                    AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST

                                       OF

                         BFD PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST II

                         Dated as of September 22, 2000
<PAGE>   2
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page

<S>                                                                         <C>
                                    ARTICLE I
                         INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1  Definitions..................................................     2

                                   ARTICLE II
                               TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1  Trust Indenture Act; Application.............................    10
SECTION 2.2  Lists of Holders of Securities...............................    10
SECTION 2.3  Reports by the Property Trustee..............................    11
SECTION 2.4  Periodic Reports to Property Trustee.........................    11
SECTION 2.5  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.............    11
SECTION 2.6  Events of Default; Waiver....................................    11
SECTION 2.7  Default; Notice..............................................    13

                                   ARTICLE III
                                  ORGANIZATION

SECTION 3.1  Name.........................................................    13
SECTION 3.2  Office.......................................................    13
SECTION 3.3  Purpose......................................................    14
SECTION 3.4  Authority....................................................    14
SECTION 3.5  Title to Property of the Trust...............................    14
SECTION 3.6  Powers and Duties of the Administrative Trustees.............    14
SECTION 3.7  Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.........    17
SECTION 3.8  Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee....................    18
SECTION 3.9  Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee..    21
SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Property Trustee...........................    22
SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee.............................................    25
SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents.......................................    25
SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.......    25
SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust............................................    25
SECTION 3.15 Mergers......................................................    25

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                     SPONSOR

SECTION 4.1  Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities......................    27
SECTION 4.2  Responsibilities of the Sponsor..............................    27
SECTION 4.3  Right to Proceed.............................................    28
SECTION 4.4  Right to Dissolve Trust......................................    28
</TABLE>


                                        i
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
                                    ARTICLE V
                                    TRUSTEES

SECTION 5.1  Number of Trustees; Appointment of Co-Trustee................    28
SECTION 5.2  Delaware Trustee.............................................    29
SECTION 5.3  Property Trustee; Eligibility................................    30
SECTION 5.4  Certain Qualifications of Administrative Trustees and
             Delaware Trustee Generally...................................    31
SECTION 5.5  Administrative Trustees......................................    31
SECTION 5.6  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees.............    31
SECTION 5.7  Vacancies Among Trustees.....................................    33
SECTION 5.8  Effect of Vacancies..........................................    33
SECTION 5.9  Meetings.....................................................    34
SECTION 5.10 Delegation of Power..........................................    34
SECTION 5.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business..    34

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  DISTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 6.1  Distributions................................................    35

                                   ARTICLE VII
                             ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 7.1  General Provisions Regarding Securities......................    35
SECTION 7.2  Execution and Authentication.................................    36
SECTION 7.3  Form and Dating..............................................    37
SECTION 7.4  Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange Agent...................    38
SECTION 7.5  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust..........................    38
SECTION 7.6  Replacement Securities.......................................    39
SECTION 7.7  Outstanding Capital Securities...............................    39
SECTION 7.8  Capital Securities in Treasury...............................    39
SECTION 7.9  Temporary Securities.........................................    40
SECTION 7.10 Cancellation.................................................    40
SECTION 7.11 CUSIP Numbers................................................    41

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                              DISSOLUTION OF TRUST

SECTION 8.1  Dissolution of Trust.........................................    41
</TABLE>


                                       ii
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
                                   ARTICLE IX
                              TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

SECTION 9.1  Transfer of Securities.......................................    42
SECTION 9.2  Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.........................    43
SECTION 9.3  Deemed Security Holders......................................    53
SECTION 9.4  Book-Entry Interests.........................................    53
SECTION 9.5  Notices to Clearing Agency...................................    53
SECTION 9.6  Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency.....................    54

                                    ARTICLE X
                           LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                    HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

SECTION 10.1 Liability....................................................    54
SECTION 10.2 Exculpation..................................................    54
SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty...............................................    55
SECTION 10.4 Indemnification..............................................    56
SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses...........................................    58

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   ACCOUNTING

SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year..................................................    59
SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters...................................    59
SECTION 11.3 Banking......................................................    59
SECTION 11.4 Withholding..................................................    60

                                   ARTICLE XII
                             AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

SECTION 12.1 Amendments...................................................    60
SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders; Action by Written Consent...........    62

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                       REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
                              AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee...........    63
SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee...........    64

                                   ARTICLE XIV
                               REGISTRATION RIGHTS

SECTION 14.1 Registration Rights Agreement; Liquidated Damages............    65
</TABLE>


                                       iii
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
                                   ARTICLE XV
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 15.1 Notices......................................................    65
SECTION 15.2 Governing Law................................................    66
SECTION 15.3 Intention of the Parties.....................................    66
SECTION 15.4 Headings.....................................................    66
SECTION 15.5 Successors and Assigns.......................................    67
SECTION 15.6 Partial Enforceability.......................................    67
SECTION 15.7 Counterparts.................................................    67


TERMS OF
      10.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES, SERIES A/SERIES B
      10.875% COMMON SECURITIES...........................................   I-1

EXHIBIT A-1
      FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE................................  A1-1

EXHIBIT A-2
      FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE.................................  A2-1
</TABLE>



                                       iv
<PAGE>   6
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section of
Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as                                                    Section of
amended                                                           Declaration
<S>                     <C>                                      <C>
        310(a)          ...................................           5.3
        310(b)          ...................................      5.3(c); 5.3(d)
        311(a)          ...................................          2.2(b)
        311(b)          ...................................          2.2(b)
        312(a)          ...................................          2.2(a)
        312(b)          ...................................          2.2(b)
         313            ...................................           2.3
        314(a)          ...................................       2.4, 2.7(c);
                                                                     3.6(j)

        314(c)          ...................................           2.5
        315(a)          ...................................       3.6(j); 3.9
        315(b)          ...................................          2.7(a)
        315(c)          ...................................          3.9(a)
        315(d)          ...................................          3.9(b)
        316(a)          ...................................           2.6
        316(c)          ...................................          3.6(e)
        317(a)          ...................................      3.8(e); 3.8(h)
        317(b)          ...................................       3.8(i); 7.5
         318            ...................................           2.1
</TABLE>

----------

*        This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Declaration
         and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
         provisions.


                                        v
<PAGE>   7
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                              DECLARATION OF TRUST

                                       OF

                         BFD PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST II

                         Dated as of September 22, 2000

                  AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration")
dated and effective as of September 22, 2000, by and among the Trustees (as
defined herein), the Sponsor (as defined herein) and the Holders (as defined
herein), from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration;

                  WHEREAS, the Delaware Trustee (as defined herein) and the
Sponsor established BFD Preferred Capital Trust II (the "Trust"), a trust
created under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration dated as
of August 18, 2000 (the "Original Declaration"), and a Certificate of Trust
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 18, 2000,
for the sole purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, investing the
proceeds thereof in certain Debentures of the Debenture Issuer (each as
hereinafter defined), and engaging in only those activities necessary, advisable
or incidental thereto; and

                  WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this
Declaration, amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original
Declaration;

                  WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this
Declaration, ratify the actions of each Trustee taken prior to the date hereof;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto
to continue the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that
this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the
Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust
for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued
hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration and, in consideration
of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties,
intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
<PAGE>   8
                                    ARTICLE I
                         INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1           Definitions.

                      Unless the context otherwise requires:

           (a)        capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined
in the preamble above or elsewhere herein have the respective meanings assigned
to them in this Section 1.1;

           (b)        a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same
meaning throughout;

           (c)        all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration"
are to this Declaration and each Annex and Exhibit hereto, as modified,
supplemented or amended from time to time;

           (d)        all references in this Declaration to Articles and
Sections and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes
and Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified;

           (e)        a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same
meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this
Declaration or unless the context otherwise requires;

           (f)        a term defined in the Indenture (as defined herein) has
the same meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this
Declaration or the context otherwise requires; and

           (g)        a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice
versa.

                      "Administrative Trustee" has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.1.

                      "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in
Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

                      "Agent" means any Paying Agent, Registrar or Exchange
Agent.

                      "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any other Person
that is authorized to legally bind such former Person.

                      "Book-Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in the
Global Capital Security registered in the name of a Clearing Agency or its
nominee, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through
book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4.

                      "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a
Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in Burlington, Massachusetts,
Wilmington, Delaware or New York, New York, are authorized or required by law or
executive order to remain closed.


                                        2
<PAGE>   9
                      "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the
Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time
to time, or any successor legislation.

                      "Capital Securities" means, collectively, the Series A
Capital Securities and the Series B Capital Securities.

                      "Capital Securities Guarantee" means, collectively, the
Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and the Series B Capital Securities
Guarantee.

                      "Capital Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to
a Book-Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry
Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a
Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing
Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance
with the rules of such Clearing Agency).

                      "Capital Security Certificate" has the meaning set forth
in Section 9.4.

                      "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a
"Clearing Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as
depositary for the Capital Securities and in whose name or in the name of a
nominee of that organization shall be registered a global certificate and which
shall undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Capital
Securities.

                      "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer,
bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the
Clearing Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited
with the Clearing Agency.

                      "Closing Time" means the "Closing Time" as defined in the
Purchase Agreement.

                      "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time, or any successor legislation.

                      "Commission" means the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission as from time to time constituted, or if at any time after
the execution of this Declaration such Commission is not existing and performing
the duties now assigned to it under applicable federal securities laws, then the
body performing such duties at such time.

                      "Common Securities" has the meaning specified in Section
7.1(a).

                      "Common Security Certificate" means a certificate
evidencing ownership of Common Securities, substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit A-2.

                      "Common Securities Guarantee" means the Common Securities
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, entered into by BostonFed
Bancorp, Inc., with respect to the Common Securities.


                                        3
<PAGE>   10
                      "Common Securities Subscription Agreement" means the
Common Securities Subscription Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, between
the Trust and BostonFed Bancorp, Inc. relating to the Common Securities.

                      "Company Indemnified Person" means (a) any Administrative
Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any Administrative Trustee; (c) any officers,
directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents
of any Administrative Trustee; or (d) any officer, director, employee or agent
of the Trust or its Affiliates.

                      "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Property
Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee shall, at
any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of
execution of this Declaration is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North
Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust
Administration.

                      "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director,
shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust
or (ii) the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.

                      "Debenture Issuer" means BostonFed Bancorp, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, or any successor entity resulting from any consolidation,
amalgamation, merger or other business combination, in its capacity as issuer of
the Debentures under the Indenture.

                      "Debenture Subscription Agreement" means the Debenture
Subscription Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, between the Debenture
Issuer and the Trust in respect of the Series A Debentures.

                      "Debenture Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company, a
Delaware banking corporation, not in its individual capacity but solely as
trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and
thereafter means such successor trustee.

                      "Debentures" means, collectively, the Series A Debentures
and the Series B Debentures.

                      "Default" means an event, act or condition that with
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

                      "Definitive Capital Securities" has the meaning set forth
in Section 7.3(c).

                      "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.1.

                      "Direct Action" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.8(e).

                      "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders in
accordance with Section 6.1.


                                        4
<PAGE>   11
                      "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial
Clearing Agency.

                      "Event of Default" with respect to the Securities means an
Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) that has occurred and is
continuing with respect to the Debentures.

                      "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

                      "Exchange Agent" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.

                      "Exchange Offer" means the offer that may be made pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement (i) by the Trust to exchange Series B
Capital Securities for Series A Capital Securities and (ii) by the Debenture
Issuer to exchange Series B Debentures for Series A Debentures and to execute
the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee in respect of the Series B Capital
Securities.

                      "Federal Reserve Board" means the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System.

                      "Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth
in Section 10.4(b).

                      "Fiscal Year" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.

                      "Global Capital Security" has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.3(a).

                      "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security or
Successor Security is registered on the register maintained by or on behalf of
the Registrar, such Person being a beneficial owner of the Trust within the
meaning of the Business Trust Act.

                      "Indemnified Person" means a Company Indemnified Person or
a Fiduciary Indemnified Person.

                      "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of the Closing
Time, between the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, as amended from
time to time.

                      "Initial Optional Redemption Date" has the meaning set
forth in Section 4(b) of Annex I hereto.

                      "Investment Company" means an investment company as
defined in the Investment Company Act.

                      "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

                      "Investment Company Event" has the meaning set forth in
Section 4(c) of Annex I hereto.


                                        5
<PAGE>   12
                      "Issuer Order" shall mean a written order signed in the
name of the Trust by an Administrative Trustee and delivered to the Property
Trustee.

                      "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.6(g).

                      "Like Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 3 of
Annex I hereto.

                      "Liquidated Damages Agreement" means the Liquidated
Damages Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2000, by and among the Debenture
Issuer, the Trust and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as amended from time
to time.

                      "List of Holders" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.2(a).

                      "Majority in Liquidation Amount"  means, with respect to
the Trust Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities
or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holders of outstanding Trust Securities voting
together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of
outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities
voting separately as a class, excluding the Trust and the Debenture Issuer and
any Affiliate thereof, who are the record owners of more than 50% of the
aggregate liquidation amount (including the amount that would be paid on
redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions
to but excluding the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of
all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

                      "Offering Memorandum" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.6(b)(i).

                      "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person,
a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of such Person. Any Officers'
Certificate delivered by the Trust shall be signed by at least one
Administrative Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Declaration shall
include:

                      (a) a statement that each officer signing the Certificate
           has read the covenants or conditions and the definitions relating
           thereto;

                      (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the
           examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering
           the Certificate;

                      (c) a statement that each such officer has made such
           examination or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is
           necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to
           whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

                      (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of
           each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

                      "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel,
who may be an employee of the Sponsor, and who shall be acceptable to the
Property Trustee.


                                        6
<PAGE>   13
                      "Participants" has the meaning specified in Section
7.3(b).

                      "Paying Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 7.4.

                      "Payment Amount" has the meaning specified in Section 6.1.

                      "Person" means a legal person, including any individual,
corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock
company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity
of whatever nature.

                      "PORTAL" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(b)(iii).

                      "Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.3(a).

                      "Property Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8(c)(i).

                      "Purchase Agreement" means the Purchase Agreement relating
to the Series A Capital Securities, dated September 19, 2000, by and among the
Trust, the Debenture Issuer and the Initial Purchaser named therein.

                      "QIBs" shall mean qualified institutional buyers as
defined in Rule 144A.

                      "Quorum" means a majority of the Administrative Trustees
or, if there are only two Administrative Trustees, both of them.

                      "Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth in Section
4(a) of Annex I hereto.

                      "Registrar" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.

                      "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration
Rights Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2000, by and among the Trust, the
Debenture Issuer and the Initial Purchaser named therein, as amended from time
to time.

                      "Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.

                      "Regulatory Capital Event" has the meaning set forth in
Section 4(c) of Annex I hereto.

                      "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person
that owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of
the Sponsor.


                                        7
<PAGE>   14
                       "Responsible Officer" means any officer within the
Corporate Trust Office of the Property Trustee with direct responsibility for
the administration of this Declaration and also means, with respect to a
particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Property Trustee to
whom such matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.

                      "Restricted Capital Security" means a Capital Security
required by Section 9.2 to contain a Restricted Securities Legend.

                      "Restricted Definitive Capital Securities" has the meaning
set forth in Section 7.3(c).

                      "Restricted Securities Legend" has the meaning set forth
in Section 9.2(i).

                      "Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company
Act, or any successor rule or regulation.

                      "Rule 144" means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as
such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission.

                      "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as
such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission.

                      "Securities" or "Trust Securities" means the Common
Securities and the Capital Securities.

                      "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

                      "Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities
Guarantee and the Capital Securities Guarantee.

                      "Series A Capital Securities" has the meaning specified in
Section 7.1(a).

                      "Series A Capital Securities Guarantee" means the Series A
Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Closing Time, by,
BostonFed Bancorp, Inc. in respect of the Series A Capital Securities.

                      "Series A Debentures" means the 10.875% Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due October 1, 2030, Series A, of
the Debenture Issuer issued pursuant to the Indenture.

                      "Series B Capital Securities" has the meaning specified in
Section 7.1(a).

                      "Series B Capital Securities Guarantee" means the Series B
Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement to be entered into in connection with the
Exchange Offer by BostonFed Bancorp, Inc., in respect of the Series B Capital
Securities.


                                        8
<PAGE>   15
                      "Series B Debentures" means the 10.875% Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due October 1, 2030, Series B, of
the Debenture Issuer to be issued pursuant to the Indenture in connection with
the Exchange Offer.

                      "Special Event" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c)
of Annex I hereto.

                      "Special Event Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth
in Section 4(c) of Annex I hereto.

                      "Sponsor" means BostonFed Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, or any successor entity resulting from any merger, consolidation,
amalgamation or other business combination, in its capacity as sponsor of the
Trust.

                      "Successor Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.6(b)(ii).

                      "Successor Entity" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.15(b)(i).

                      "Successor Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8(f)(ii).

                      "Successor Securities" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.15(b)(i).

                      "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.6(a) (ii).

                      "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) of
Annex I hereto.

                      "10% in Liquidation Amount" means, with respect to the
Trust Securities, except as provided in the terms of the Capital Securities or
by the Trust Indenture Act, Holders of outstanding Trust Securities voting
together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of
outstanding Capital Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities
voting separately as a class, excluding the Trust and the Debenture Issuer and
any Affiliate thereof, who are the record owners of 10% or more of the aggregate
liquidation amount (including the amount that would be paid on redemption,
liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date
upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities
of the relevant class.

                      "Treasury Regulations" means the income tax regulations,
including temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the
United States Treasury Department, as such regulations may be amended from time
to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

                      "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

                      "Trust Property" means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on
deposit in or owing to the Property Trustee Account and (c) all proceeds and
rights in respect of the foregoing and any other property and assets for the
time being held or deemed to be held by the Property Trustee pursuant to this
Declaration.


                                        9
<PAGE>   16
                      "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed
this Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue as a
trustee of the Trust in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons
who may from time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees
in accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or
the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as
trustees hereunder.

                      "Unrestricted Global Capital Security" has the meaning set
forth in Section 9.2(b).

                                   ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1           Trust Indenture Act; Application.

           (a)        This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration in order for this
Declaration to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and shall, to the
extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

           (b)        The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a
trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.

           (c)        If and to the extent that any provision of this
Declaration limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed
duties shall control.

           (d)        The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this
Declaration shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.

SECTION 2.2           Lists of Holders of Securities.

           (a)        Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on
behalf of the Trust shall provide the Property Trustee, unless the Property
Trustee is Registrar for the Securities, (i) within 14 days after each record
date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Property Trustee
may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders ("List of
Holders") as of such record date, provided that, neither the Sponsor nor the
Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide
such List of Holders at any time that the List of Holders does not differ from
the most recent List of Holders given to the Property Trustee by the Sponsor and
the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other time,
within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request for a List of
Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given
to the Property Trustee. The Property Trustee shall preserve, in as current a
form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in Lists of Holders
given to it or which it receives in the capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in
such capacity), provided that the Property Trustee may destroy any List of
Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

           (b)        The Property Trustee shall comply with its obligations
under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.


                                       10
<PAGE>   17
SECTION 2.3           Reports by the Property Trustee.

                      Within 60 days after the date hereof, and no later than
the anniversary date hereof in each succeeding year, the Property Trustee shall
provide to the Holders of the Capital Securities such reports as are required by
Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner
provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall
also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.4           Periodic Reports to Property Trustee.

                      Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on
behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee and the Commission
such documents, reports and information as are required by Section 314 (if any)
of the Trust Indenture Act and shall provide to the Property Trustee the
compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the
form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.5           Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.

                      Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on
behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of
compliance with any conditions precedent provided for in this Declaration that
relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture
Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to
Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act may be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.

SECTION 2.6           Events of Default; Waiver.

           (a)        The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of Capital
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital
Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Capital Securities
and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under
the Indenture:

                                 (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the
                      Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be
                      waivable; or

                                 (ii) requires the consent or vote of greater
                      than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
                      holders of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") to be
                      waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the
                      Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders
                      of at least the proportion in aggregate liquidation amount
                      of the Capital Securities that the relevant Super Majority
                      represents of the aggregate principal amount of the
                      Debentures outstanding.

The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of Section
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the
Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such
Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the
Capital Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for
every purpose of this Declaration, but no


                                       11
<PAGE>   18
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or an Event of
Default with respect to the Capital Securities or impair any right consequent
thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Capital Securities of an Event of
Default with respect to the Capital Securities shall also be deemed to
constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of
Default with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this
Declaration without any further act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the
Common Securities.

           (b)        The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Common Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common
Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of
Default under the Indenture:

                                 (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except
                      where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to
                      have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as
                      provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of
                      Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable;
                      or

                                 (ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super
                      Majority to be waived, except where the Holders of the
                      Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of
                      Default under the Declaration as provided below in this
                      Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration
                      may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least
                      the proportion in aggregate liquidation amount of the
                      Common Securities that the relevant Super Majority
                      represents of the aggregate principal amount of the
                      Debentures outstanding;

provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived
any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and their consequences if all Events of Default with respect to the
Capital Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until
such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the
Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of
the Capital Securities and only the Holders of the Capital Securities will have
the right to direct the Property Trustee in accordance with the terms of the
Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of
Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such
Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are
hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted
by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section
2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such Default shall cease to exist and any Event of
Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed
to have been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver
shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default with respect
to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.

           (c)        A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the
Property Trustee, at the direction of the Holders of the Capital Securities,
constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this
Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of
Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of
the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and
the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.


                                       12
<PAGE>   19
SECTION 2.7           Default; Notice.

           (a)        The Property Trustee shall, within 90 days after a
Responsible Officer has actual knowledge of the occurrence of a Default with
respect to the Securities, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Holders, notices of all such Defaults, unless such Defaults have been cured
before the giving of such notice or previously waived; provided, however, that
except in the case of a Default arising from the nonpayment of principal of or
interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums (as such terms are
defined in the Indenture), if any) or Liquidated Damages, if any (as defined in
the Registration Rights Agreement), on any of the Debentures, the Property
Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a
Responsible Officer in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice
is in the interests of the Holders.

           (b)        The Property Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge
of any Default or Event of Default except:

                                 (i) a Default or Event of Default under
                      Sections 5.01(a) (other than the payment or nonpayment of
                      Compounded Interest, Additional Sums and Liquidated
                      Damages) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture; or

                                 (ii) any Default or Event of Default as to
                      which the Property Trustee shall have received written
                      notice or of which a Responsible Officer charged with the
                      administration of the Declaration shall have actual
                      knowledge.

           (c)        Within ten Business Days after a Responsible Officer has
actual knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Property Trustee
shall transmit notice of such Event of Default to the Holders of the Capital
Securities, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor, unless such Event of
Default shall have been cured or waived. The Sponsor and the Administrative
Trustees shall file annually with the Property Trustee a certification as to
whether or not they are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants
applicable to them under this Declaration.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                  ORGANIZATION

SECTION 3.1           Name.

                      The Trust is named BFD Preferred Capital Trust II as such
name may be modified from time to time by the Administrative Trustees following
written notice to the Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee and the Holders.
The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other
name deemed advisable by the Administrative Trustees.

SECTION 3.2           Office.

                      The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o
BostonFed Bancorp, Inc., 17 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
Massachusetts 01803. On ten Business Days' prior written notice to the Delaware
Trustee, the Property Trustee and the Holders of Securities, the Administrative
Trustees may designate another principal office.


                                       13
<PAGE>   20
SECTION 3.3           Purpose.

                      The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a)
to issue and sell Securities, (b) use the proceeds from the sale of the
Securities to acquire the Debentures, and (c) except as otherwise limited
herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary, advisable or
incidental thereto, including without limitation, those activities specified in
Sections 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 and/or 3.12. The Trust shall not borrow
money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, mortgage or
pledge any of its assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken)
any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States
federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.

SECTION 3.4           Authority.

                      Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration
and to the specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees
shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the
Trust. An action taken by one or more of the Administrative Trustees in
accordance with their powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the
Trust and an action taken by the Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust in
accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the
Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no Person
shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the
Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the
power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration.

SECTION 3.5           Title to Property of the Trust.

                      Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the
Debentures and the Property Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this
Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the
Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the
Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the
Trust.

SECTION 3.6           Powers and Duties of the Administrative Trustees.

                      Subject to Section 5.5, the Administrative Trustees acting
individually or together shall have the exclusive right, power, duty and
authority, and are hereby authorized and directed, to cause the Trust to engage
in the following activities:

           (a)        to execute, enter into and deliver the Common Securities
Subscription Agreement and to execute, deliver, issue and sell the Securities in
accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that except as contemplated
in Section 7.1(a), (i) the Trust may issue no more than one series of Capital
Securities and no more than one series of Common Securities, (ii) there shall be
no interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and (iii) the issuance of
Securities shall be limited to a simultaneous issuance of both Capital
Securities and Common Securities at the Closing Time;

           (b)        in connection with the issue and sale of the Capital
Securities and the consummation of the Exchange Offer, at the direction of the
Sponsor, to:



                                       14
<PAGE>   21
                                 (i) prepare and execute, if necessary, an
                      offering memorandum (the "Offering Memorandum") in
                      preliminary and final form prepared by the Sponsor, in
                      relation to the offering and sale of Series A Capital
                      Securities to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and to
                      institutional "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule
                      501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act), and
                      to execute and file with the Commission, at such time as
                      is determined by the Sponsor, any Registration Statement,
                      including any amendments thereto, as contemplated by the
                      Registration Rights Agreement;

                                 (ii) execute and file any documents prepared by
                      the Sponsor, or take any acts as determined by the Sponsor
                      to be necessary in order to qualify or register all or
                      part of the Capital Securities in any State in which the
                      Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Capital
                      Securities for sale;

                                 (iii) execute and file an application, prepared
                      by the Sponsor, to permit the Capital Securities to trade
                      or be quoted or listed in or on the Private Offerings,
                      Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages ("PORTAL")
                      Market or any other securities exchange, quotation system
                      or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market;

                                 (iv) execute, enter into, deliver and perform
                      the Common Securities Subscription Agreement, the Purchase
                      Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the
                      Liquidated Damages Agreement and letters, documents or
                      instruments with DTC and other Clearing Agencies relating
                      to the Capital Securities; and

                                 (v) if required, execute and file with the
                      Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A, including
                      any amendments thereto, prepared by the Sponsor, relating
                      to the registration of the Capital Securities under
                      Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, as the case
                      may be.

           (c)        to execute, enter into and deliver the Debenture
Subscription Agreement, to acquire the Series A Debentures with the proceeds of
the sale of the Series A Capital Securities and the Common Securities and to
exchange the Series A Debentures for a like principal amount of Series B
Debentures, pursuant to the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that the
Administrative Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of
record in the name of the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders;

           (d)        to give the Sponsor and the Property Trustee prompt
written notice of the occurrence of a Special Event;

           (e)        to establish a record date with respect to all actions to
be taken hereunder that require a record date to be established, including and
with respect to, for the purposes of Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act,
Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant
notices to the Holders with respect to such actions and applicable record dates;


                                       15
<PAGE>   22
           (f)        to take all actions and perform such duties as may be
required of the Administrative Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities
and to execute and deliver Issuer Orders as described in Sections 7.6 and
7.9(a);

           (g)        to the fullest extent permitted by law, to bring or
defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or
otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust ("Legal Action"),
unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee has the exclusive power
to bring such Legal Action;

           (h)        to employ or otherwise engage employees, agents (who may
be designated as officers with titles), managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services;

           (i)        to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations
under the Trust Indenture Act;

           (j)        to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of
the Trust Indenture Act to the Property Trustee, which certificate may be
executed by any Administrative Trustee;

           (k)        to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to
carry out any of the purposes of the Trust;

           (l)        to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, Registrar
and Exchange Agent for the Securities or to appoint a Paying Agent for the
Securities as provided in Section 7.4 except for such time as such power to
appoint a Paying Agent is vested in the Property Trustee;

           (m)        to give prompt written notice to the Property Trustee and
to the Holders of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election
to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest
payment period under the Indenture;

           (n)        to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate
for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence,
rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws
of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence
is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders or to enable the
Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created;

           (o)        to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration
or with applicable law, that the Administrative Trustees determine in their
discretion to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the
Trust as set out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to:

                                 (i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an
                      Investment Company required to be registered under the
                      Investment Company Act;

                                 (ii) causing the Trust to continue to be
                      classified for United States federal income tax purposes
                      as a grantor trust; and



                                       16
<PAGE>   23
                                 (iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to
                      ensure that the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness
                      of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income
                      tax purposes;

           (p)        to take all action necessary to consummate the Exchange
Offer or otherwise cause the Capital Securities to be registered pursuant to an
effective registration statement in accordance with the provisions of the
Registration Rights Agreement;

           (q)        to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax
returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect
to the Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Administrative Trustees, on
behalf of the Trust; and

           (r)        to execute and deliver all documents, agreements,
certificates and instruments, exercise all rights and powers, perform all duties
and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters necessary,
advisable or incidental to the foregoing or the transactions contemplated
thereby.

                      The Administrative Trustees must exercise the powers set
forth in this Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and
functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Administrative Trustees
shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions
of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3.

                      Subject to this Section 3.6, the Administrative Trustees
shall have none of the powers or the authority of the Property Trustee set forth
in Section 3.8.

                      Any expenses incurred by the Administrative Trustees
pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer.

SECTION 3.7           Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.

                      The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee) shall not, and the Administrative
Trustees shall cause the Trust not to, engage in any activity other than as
required or authorized by this Declaration. Notwithstanding any provision in
this Declaration to the contrary, the Trust shall not:

                                 (i) invest any proceeds received by the Trust
                      from holding the Debentures, but shall distribute all such
                      proceeds to Holders pursuant to the terms of this
                      Declaration and of the Securities;

                                 (ii) acquire any assets other than as expressly
                      provided herein;

                                 (iii) possess Trust Property for other than a
                      Trust purpose or execute any mortgage in respect of, or
                      pledge, any Trust Property;

                                 (iv) make any loans or incur any indebtedness
                      other than loans represented by the Debentures;



                                       17
<PAGE>   24
                                 (v) possess any power or otherwise act in such
                      a way as to vary the Trust Property or the terms of the
                      Securities in any way whatsoever;

                                 (vi) issue any securities or other evidences of
                      beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the
                      Trust other than the Securities;

                                 (vii) other than as provided in this
                      Declaration or Annex I hereto, (A) direct the time, method
                      and place of conducting any proceeding with respect to any
                      remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising
                      any trust or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee
                      with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past default
                      that is waivable under the Indenture, or (C) exercise any
                      right to rescind or annul any declaration that the
                      principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable;
                      or

                                 (viii) consent to any amendment, modification
                      or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where
                      such consent shall be required unless the Trust shall have
                      received an opinion of independent tax counsel experienced
                      in such matters to the effect that such amendment,
                      modification or termination will not cause more than an
                      insubstantial risk that the Trust will not be classified
                      as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
                      purposes.

SECTION 3.8           Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee.

           (a)        The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and
held of record in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of
the Trust and the Holders. The right, title and interest of the Property Trustee
to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be
appointed as Property Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6. Such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with
regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.

           (b)        The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right, title
and interest in the Debentures to the Administrative Trustees or to the Delaware
Trustee (if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee).

           (c)        The Property Trustee shall:

                                 (i) establish and maintain a segregated
                      non-interest bearing trust account (the "Property Trustee
                      Account") in the name of and under the exclusive control
                      of the Property Trustee on behalf of the Holders and, upon
                      the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the
                      Debentures held by the Property Trustee, deposit such
                      funds into the Property Trustee Account and make payments
                      or cause the Paying Agent to make payments to the Holders
                      from the Property Trustee Account in accordance with
                      Section 6.1; funds in the Property Trustee Account shall
                      be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this
                      Declaration; and the Property Trustee Account shall be an
                      account that is maintained with a banking institution the
                      rating on whose long-term unsecured


                                       18
<PAGE>   25
                      indebtedness by a "nationally recognized statistical
                      rating organization," as that term is defined for purposes
                      of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act, is at least
                      equal to the rating assigned to the Capital Securities,
                      unless the Capital Securities are not rated, in which case
                      the banking institution's long-term unsecured indebtedness
                      shall be rated at least investment grade by a "nationally
                      recognized statistical rating organization";

                                 (ii) engage in such ministerial activities as
                      shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption
                      of the Securities to the extent the Debentures are
                      redeemed or mature; and

                                 (iii) upon written notice of distribution
                      issued by the Administrative Trustees in accordance with
                      the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial
                      activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect
                      the distribution of the Debentures to Holders upon the
                      occurrence of certain events.

           (d)        The Property Trustee shall take all actions and perform
such duties as may be specifically required of the Property Trustee pursuant to
the terms of this Declaration and the Securities.

           (e)        Subject to Section 3.9(a), the Property Trustee shall take
any Legal Action which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default
of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge or the Property Trustee's
duties and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture Act; and if
the Property Trustee shall have failed to take such Legal Action following a
written request from the Holders, the Holders of the Capital Securities may, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, take such Legal Action, to the same extent
as if such Holders of Capital Securities held an aggregate principal amount of
Debentures equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of such Capital Securities,
without first proceeding against the Property Trustee or the Trust; provided,
however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such
event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay the
principal of or interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if
any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Debentures on the date such principal
or interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) or
Liquidated Damages, if any, is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption,
on the redemption date), then a Holder of Capital Securities may directly
institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the
principal of or interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if
any) or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Debentures having a principal amount
equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Capital Securities of such
Holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the
Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the Holders of the Common
Securities will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Capital Securities
to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of
Capital Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding
sentences, the Holders of Capital Securities will not be able to exercise
directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures.


                                       19
<PAGE>   26
           (f)        The Property Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee
until either:

                                 (i) the Trust has been completely liquidated
                      and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the
                      Holders pursuant to the terms of the Securities and this
                      Declaration; or

                                 (ii) a successor Property Trustee has been
                      appointed and has accepted that appointment in accordance
                      with Section 5.6 (a "Successor Property Trustee").

           (g)        The Property Trustee shall have the legal power to
exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures
under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible
Officer occurs and is continuing, the Property Trustee shall, for the benefit of
Holders, enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of
the Holders pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and the Securities.

           (h)        The Property Trustee shall be authorized to undertake any
actions set forth in Section 317(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

           (i)        For such time as the Property Trustee is the Paying Agent,
the Property Trustee may authorize one or more Persons to act as additional
Paying Agents and to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation
payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and any such
Paying Agent shall comply with Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
such additional Paying Agent may be removed by the Property Trustee at any time
the Property Trustee remains as Paying Agent and a successor Paying Agent or
additional Paying Agents may be (but are not required to be) appointed at any
time by the Property Trustee while the Property Trustee is acting as Paying
Agent.

           (j)        Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trustee shall
have none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the
Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 3.6.

                      Notwithstanding anything expressed or implied to the
contrary in this Declaration or any Annex or Exhibit hereto, (i) the Property
Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.8 in a manner that
is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section
3.3, and (ii) the Property Trustee shall not take any action that is
inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section
3.3.

           (k)        If the Property Trustee or any Holder has instituted any
proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such
proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been
determined adversely to the Property Trustee or to such Holder, then and in
every such case the Corporation, the Property Trustee and the Holders shall,
subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and
respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and
remedies of the Property Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no
such proceeding had been instituted.


                                       20
<PAGE>   27
SECTION 3.9           Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property
                      Trustee.

           (a)        The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event
of Default (of which, other than in the case of Events of Default under Sections
5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture, which the Property Trustee is deemed to
have knowledge of as provided in Section 2.7(b) hereof, a Responsible Officer of
the Property Trustee has actual knowledge) and after the curing or waiving of
all such Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform
only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Declaration and in the
Securities and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration against
the Property Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not
been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer has
actual knowledge, the Property Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and
powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and
skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

           (b)        No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to
relieve the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its
own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

                                 (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of
                      Default (of which, other than in the case of Events of
                      Default under Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the
                      Indenture, which the Property Trustee is deemed to have
                      knowledge of as provided in Section 2.7(b) hereof, a
                      Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual
                      knowledge) and after the curing or waiving of all such
                      Events of Default that may have occurred:

                                 (A) the duties and obligations of the Property
                                 Trustee shall be determined solely by the
                                 express provisions of this Declaration and in
                                 the Securities and the Property Trustee shall
                                 not be liable except for the performance of
                                 such duties and obligations as are specifically
                                 set forth in this Declaration and in the
                                 Securities, and no implied covenants or
                                 obligations shall be read into this Declaration
                                 against the Property Trustee; and

                                 (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of
                                 the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee may
                                 conclusively rely, as to the truth of the
                                 statements and the correctness of the opinions
                                 expressed therein, upon any certificates or
                                 opinions furnished to the Property Trustee and
                                 conforming to the requirements of this
                                 Declaration; provided, however, that in the
                                 case of any such certificates or opinions that
                                 by any provision hereof are specifically
                                 required to be furnished to the Property
                                 Trustee, the Property Trustee shall be under a
                                 duty to examine the same to determine whether
                                 or not on their face they conform to the
                                 requirements of this Declaration;

                                 (ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable
                      for any error of judgment made in good faith by a
                      Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the
                      Property Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the
                      pertinent facts;


                                       21
<PAGE>   28
                                 (iii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable
                      with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by
                      it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the
                      Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the
                      Securities relating to the time, method and place of
                      conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
                      Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
                      conferred upon the Property Trustee under this
                      Declaration;

                                 (iv) no provision of this Declaration shall
                      require the Property Trustee to expend or risk its own
                      funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in
                      the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of
                      any of its rights or powers;

                                 (v) the Property Trustee's sole duty with
                      respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical
                      preservation of the Debentures and the Property Trustee
                      Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar
                      manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar property
                      for its own account, subject to the protections and
                      limitations on liability afforded to the Property Trustee
                      under this Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act;

                                 (vi) the Property Trustee shall have no duty or
                      liability for or with respect to the value, genuineness,
                      existence or sufficiency of the Debentures or the payment
                      of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in
                      connection therewith;

                                 (vii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable
                      for any interest on any money received by it except as it
                      may otherwise agree in writing with the Sponsor. Money
                      held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated from
                      other funds held by it except in relation to the Property
                      Trustee Account maintained by the Property Trustee
                      pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent
                      otherwise required by law; and

                                 (viii) the Property Trustee shall not be
                      responsible for monitoring the compliance by the
                      Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor with their
                      respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the
                      Property Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct
                      of the Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor.

SECTION 3.10          Certain Rights of Property Trustee.

           (a)        Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:

                                 (i) the Property Trustee may conclusively rely
                      and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from
                      acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
                      instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
                      consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
                      indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to
                      be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by
                      the proper party or parties;


                                       22
<PAGE>   29
                                 (ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the
                      Administrative Trustees contemplated by this Declaration
                      may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate;

                                 (iii) whenever in the administration of this
                      Declaration, the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable
                      that a matter be proved or established before taking,
                      suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property
                      Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically
                      prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
                      request and conclusively rely upon an Officers'
                      Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be
                      promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Administrative
                      Trustees;

                                 (iv) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to
                      see to any recording, filing or registration of any
                      instrument (including any financing or continuation
                      statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or
                      any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof;

                                 (v) the Property Trustee may consult with
                      counsel or other experts of its selection, and the advice
                      or opinion of such counsel and experts with respect to
                      legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts'
                      area of expertise shall be full and complete authorization
                      and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
                      omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance
                      with such advice or opinion; such counsel may be counsel
                      to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include
                      any of its employees; and the Property Trustee shall have
                      the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
                      administration of this Declaration from any court of
                      competent jurisdiction;

                                 (vi) the Property Trustee shall be under no
                      obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested
                      in it by this Declaration at the request or direction of
                      any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the
                      Property Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably
                      satisfactory to the Property Trustee, against the costs,
                      expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and
                      expenses and the expenses of the Property Trustee's
                      agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might
                      be incurred by it in complying with such request or
                      direction, including such reasonable advances as may be
                      requested by the Property Trustee; provided, however,
                      that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) shall
                      be taken to relieve the Property Trustee, upon the
                      occurrence of an Event of Default (of which, other than in
                      the case of Events of Default under Sections 5.01(a) and
                      5.01(b) of the Indenture, which the Property Trustee is
                      deemed to have knowledge of as provided in Section 2.7(b)
                      hereof, a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has
                      actual knowledge), of its obligation to exercise the
                      rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration;

                                 (vii) the Property Trustee shall not be bound
                      to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated
                      in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
                      opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent,
                      order, bond, debenture, note,


                                       23
<PAGE>   30
                      other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document,
                      but the Property Trustee, in its discretion, may make such
                      further inquiry or investigation into such facts or
                      matters as it may see fit;

                                 (viii) the Property Trustee may execute any of
                      the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties
                      hereunder either directly or by or through agents,
                      custodians, nominees or attorneys, and the Property
                      Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
                      negligence on the part of any such agent, custodian,
                      nominee or attorney appointed with due care by it
                      hereunder;

                                 (ix) any action taken by the Property Trustee
                      or its agents hereunder shall bind the Trust and the
                      Holders, and the signature of the Property Trustee or its
                      agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform
                      any such action and no third party shall be required to
                      inquire as to the authority of the Property Trustee to so
                      act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and
                      provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be
                      conclusively evidenced by the Property Trustee's or its
                      agent's taking such action;

                                 (x) whenever in the administration of this
                      Declaration the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable
                      to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any
                      remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the
                      Property Trustee (i) may request instructions from the
                      Holders which instructions may only be given by the
                      Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of
                      the Securities as would be entitled to direct the Property
                      Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of
                      such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from
                      enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action
                      until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be
                      protected in conclusively relying on or acting in
                      accordance with such instructions;

                                 (xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by
                      this Declaration, the Property Trustee shall not be under
                      any obligation to take any action that is discretionary
                      under the provisions of this Declaration; and

                                 (xii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable
                      for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by
                      it in good faith, without negligence or willful
                      misconduct, and reasonably believed by it to be authorized
                      or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred
                      upon it by this Declaration.

           (b)        No provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose
any duty or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts or
exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any
jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to
perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty.


                                       24
<PAGE>   31
SECTION 3.11          Delaware Trustee.

                      Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration
other than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise
any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and
responsibilities of the Trustees described in this Declaration (except as
required under the Business Trust Act). Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the
Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of
fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act. In the
event the Delaware Trustee shall at any time be required to take any action or
perform any duty hereunder, the Delaware Trustee shall be entitled to the
benefits of Section 3.9(b)(ii) to (viii), inclusive, and Section 3.10. No
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the
Delaware Trustee.

SECTION 3.12          Execution of Documents.

                      Unless otherwise required by applicable law, each
Administrative Trustee, individually, is authorized to execute and deliver on
behalf of the Trust any documents, agreements, instruments or certificates that
the Administrative Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to
Section 3.6.

SECTION 3.13          Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

                      The recitals contained in this Declaration and the
Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do
not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no
representations as to the value or condition of the Trust Property or any part
thereof. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency
of this Declaration or the Securities.

SECTION 3.14          Duration of Trust.

                      The Trust, unless earlier dissolved pursuant to the
provisions of Article VIII hereof, shall dissolve on August 18, 2035.

SECTION 3.15          Mergers.

           (a)        The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, except as
described in Section 3.15(b) and (c) and except with respect to the distribution
of Debentures to Holders pursuant to Section 8.1(a)(iii) of this Declaration or
Section 3 of Annex I.

           (b)        The Trust may, at the request of the Sponsor, with the
consent of the Administrative Trustees or, if there are more than two, a
majority of the Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the Holders,
the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, merge with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to, a trust organized as
such under the laws of any State; provided that:


                                       25
<PAGE>   32
                                 (i) such successor entity (the "Successor
                      Entity") either:

                                 (A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of
                                 the Trust under the Securities; or

                                 (B) substitutes for the Securities other
                                 securities having substantially the same terms
                                 as the Securities (the "Successor Securities")
                                 so long as the Successor Securities rank the
                                 same as the Securities rank in priority with
                                 respect to Distributions and payments upon
                                 liquidation, redemption and otherwise;

                                 (ii) the Sponsor expressly appoints a trustee
                      of the Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and
                      duties as the Property Trustee with respect to the
                      Debentures;

                                 (iii) the Successor Securities (excluding any
                      securities substituted for the Common Securities) are
                      listed, quoted or included for trading, or any Successor
                      Securities will be listed, quoted or included for trading
                      upon notification of issuance, on any national securities
                      exchange or with any other organization on which the
                      Capital Securities are then listed, quoted or included;

                                 (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
                      replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause
                      the Capital Securities (including any Successor
                      Securities) or the Debentures to be downgraded by any
                      nationally recognized statistical rating organization that
                      publishes a rating on the Capital Securities or the
                      Debentures;

                                 (v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
                      replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not
                      adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of
                      the Holders (including the holders of any Successor
                      Securities) in any material respect (other than with
                      respect to any dilution of the interests of such Holders
                      or holders, as the case may be, in the Successor Entity);

                                 (vi) the Successor Entity has a purpose
                      substantially identical to that of the Trust;

                                 (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation,
                      amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease,
                      the Sponsor has received an opinion of independent counsel
                      to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect
                      that:

                                 (A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
                                 replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does
                                 not adversely affect the rights, preferences
                                 and privileges of the Holders (including the
                                 holders of any Successor Securities) in any
                                 material respect (other than with respect to
                                 any dilution of the interests of such Holders
                                 or holders, as the case may be, in the
                                 Successor Entity);


                                       26
<PAGE>   33
                                 (B) following such merger, consolidation,
                                 amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer
                                 or lease, neither the Trust nor the Successor
                                 Entity will be required to register as an
                                 Investment Company; and

                                 (C) following such merger, consolidation,
                                 amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer
                                 or lease, the Trust (or the Successor Entity)
                                 will continue to be classified as a grantor
                                 trust for United States federal income tax
                                 purposes;

                                 (viii) the Sponsor or any permitted successor
                      or assignee of the Sponsor owns all of the common
                      securities of the Successor Entity and guarantees the
                      obligations of the Successor Entity under the Successor
                      Securities at least to the extent provided by the
                      Securities Guarantees; and

                                 (ix) there shall have been furnished to the
                      Property Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion
                      of Counsel, each to the effect that all conditions
                      precedent in this Declaration to such transaction have
                      been satisfied.

           (c)        Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not,
except with the consent of Holders of 100% in aggregate liquidation amount of
the Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by,
or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety to, any other Person or permit any other Person to
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such
consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease
would cause the Trust or the Successor Entity not to be classified as a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    SPONSOR

SECTION 4.1           Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.

                      At the Closing Time, pursuant to the Common Securities
Subscription Agreement, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common Securities
then issued by the Trust, in an amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital
of the Trust, at the same time as the Series A Capital Securities are issued and
sold.

SECTION 4.2           Responsibilities of the Sponsor.

                      In connection with the issue and sale of the Capital
Securities, the Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to
engage in, or direct the Administrative Trustees to engage in, the following
activities:

           (a)        to prepare the Offering Memorandum, in preliminary and
final form, and to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission any
Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto, as contemplated by the
Registration Rights Agreement;


                                       27
<PAGE>   34
           (b)        to determine the States in which to take appropriate
action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Capital Securities and
to do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the
Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution
and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor
deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any
such States;

           (c)        if deemed necessary or advisable by the Sponsor, to
prepare for filing by the Trust an application to permit the Capital Securities
to trade or be quoted or listed in or on the PORTAL Market, or any other
securities exchange, quotation system or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National
Market;

           (d)        to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, relating
to the registration of the Capital Securities under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of
the Exchange Act, as the case may be, including any amendments thereto; and

           (e)        to negotiate the terms of, execute, enter into and deliver
the Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated
Damages Agreement.

SECTION 4.3           Right to Proceed.

                      The Sponsor acknowledges the rights of the Holders of
Capital Securities, in the event that a failure of the Trust to pay
Distributions on the Capital Securities is attributable to the failure of the
Debenture Issuer to pay the principal of or interest on the Debentures, to
institute a proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer for enforcement of
its payment obligations in respect of the Debentures.

SECTION 4.4           Right to Dissolve Trust.

                      The Sponsor will have the right at any time to dissolve
the Trust and, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
required by applicable law, to cause the Debentures to be distributed to the
Holders in liquidation of the Trust. Such right is subject to the Sponsor's
having received (i) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such distribution
will not cause the Holders of Capital Securities to recognize gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes and (ii) all required regulatory
approvals.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    TRUSTEES

SECTION 5.1           Number of Trustees; Appointment of Co-Trustee.

                      The number of Trustees initially shall be five (5), and:

           (a)        at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the
Sponsor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees;
and


                                       28
<PAGE>   35
           (b)        after the issuance of any Securities, the number of
Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of
the Holders of the Common Securities;

provided, however, that, the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than
two (2); provided further that (1) one Trustee, in the case of a natural person,
shall be a person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a
natural person, is an entity which has its principal place of business in the
State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"); (2) there shall be at least one
Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with, the Sponsor (an
"Administrative Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the Property Trustee for
so long as this Declaration is required to qualify as an indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it
meets the applicable requirements. Notwithstanding the above, unless an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time or times, for the
purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any
jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust Property may at the time be located,
the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities acting
as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities, and the
Administrative Trustees shall have power to appoint one or more Persons either
to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee, of all or any part of
the Trust Property, or to act as separate trustee of any such property, in
either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of
appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in such capacity any
property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the
provisions of this Declaration. In case an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make any such
appointment of a co-trustee.

SECTION 5.2           Delaware Trustee.

                      For so long as required by the Business Trust Act, the
Delaware Trustee shall be:

           (a)        a natural person who is a resident of the State of
Delaware; or

           (b)        if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements
of applicable law,

provided, however, that, if the Property Trustee has its principal place of
business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, then the Property Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and
Section 3.11 shall have no application.

                      The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:

                      Wilmington Trust Company
                      Rodney Square North
                      1100 North Market Street
                      Wilmington, Delaware 19890
                      Telephone: (302) 651-1000
                      Telecopier: (302) 651-8882



                                       29
<PAGE>   36
SECTION 5.3           Property Trustee; Eligibility.

           (a)        There shall at all times be one Trustee (the "Property
Trustee") which shall act as Property Trustee and which shall:

                                 (i) not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor; and

                                 (ii) be a corporation organized and doing
                      business under the laws of the United States of America or
                      any State or Territory thereof or of the District of
                      Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the
                      Commission to act as an indenture trustee under the Trust
                      Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to exercise
                      corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and
                      surplus of at least fifty million U.S. dollars
                      ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination
                      by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia
                      authority. If such corporation publishes reports of
                      condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the
                      requirements of the supervising or examining authority
                      referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section
                      5.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such
                      corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
                      surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
                      condition so published.

           (b)        If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be
eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately
resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.6(c).

           (c)        If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 330(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Property Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as
if it were the obligor referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act)
shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.

           (d)        The Capital Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be
specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the
first proviso contained in Section 310 (b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

           (e)        The initial Property Trustee shall be:

                      Wilmington Trust Company
                      Rodney Square North
                      1100 North Market Street
                      Wilmington, Delaware 19890
                      Telephone: (302) 651-1000
                      Telecopier: (302) 651-8882



                                       30
<PAGE>   37
SECTION 5.4           Certain Qualifications of Administrative Trustees and
                      Delaware Trustee Generally.

                      Each Administrative Trustee and the Delaware Trustee
(unless the Property Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a
natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act
through one or more Authorized Officers.

SECTION 5.5           Administrative Trustees.
                      The initial Administrative Trustees shall be:

                      David F. Holland
                      John A. Simas
                      David P. Conley
                      c/o BostonFed Bancorp, Inc.
                      17 New England Executive Park
                      Burlington, Massachusetts  01803
                      Telephone: (781) 273-0300
                      Telecopier: (781) 221-7594

           (a)        Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this
Declaration and except if a meeting of the Administrative Trustees is called
with respect to any matter over which the Administrative Trustees have power to
act, any power of the Administrative Trustees may be exercised by, or with the
consent of, any one such Administrative Trustee.

           (b)        Unless otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or
other applicable law, any Administrative Trustee acting alone is authorized to
execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the Administrative Trustees
have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section
3.6.

           (c)        An Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney
consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the
age of 21 his or her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the
Administrative Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute
pursuant to Section 3.6.

SECTION 5.6           Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees.

           (a)        Subject to Section 5.6(b) hereof and to Section 6(b) of
Annex I hereto, Trustees may be appointed or removed without cause at any time:

                                 (i) until the issuance of any Securities, by
                      written instrument executed by the Sponsor;

                                 (ii) unless an Event of Default shall have
                      occurred and be continuing after the issuance of any
                      Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in
                      Liquidation


                                       31
<PAGE>   38
                      Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a
                      meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities; and

                                 (iii) if an Event of Default shall have
                      occurred and be continuing after the issuance of the
                      Securities, with respect to the Property Trustee or the
                      Delaware Trustee, by vote of Holders of a Majority in
                      Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities voting as a
                      class at a meeting of Holders of the Capital Securities,
                      and with respect to the Administrative Trustees, in the
                      manner set forth in Section 5.6(a)(ii) hereof.

                              (b)(i) The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee
                      shall not be removed in accordance with Section 5.6(a)
                      until a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and
                      has accepted such appointment by written instrument
                      executed by such Successor Property Trustee and delivered
                      to the removed Property Trustee, the Administrative
                      Trustees and the Sponsor; and

                                 (ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee
                      shall not be removed in accordance with this Section
                      5.6(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the
                      qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections
                      5.2 and 5.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been
                      appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
                      instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and
                      delivered to the removed Delaware Trustee, the Property
                      Trustee (if the removed Delaware Trustee is not also the
                      Property Trustee), the Administrative Trustees and the
                      Sponsor.

           (c)        A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his
successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation.
Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent
accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to
the other Trustees, the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take
effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein;
provided, however, that:

                                 (i) No such resignation of the Trustee that
                      acts as the Property Trustee shall be effective:

                                 (A) until a Successor Property Trustee has been
                                 appointed and has accepted such appointment by
                                 instrument executed by such Successor Property
                                 Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the
                                 Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee (if the resigning
                                 Property Trustee is not also the Delaware
                                 Trustee) and the resigning Property Trustee; or

                                 (B) until the assets of the Trust have been
                                 completely liquidated and the proceeds thereof
                                 distributed to the Holders; and

                                 (ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that
                      acts as the Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a
                      Successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed and has


                                       32
<PAGE>   39
                      accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such
                      Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the
                      Property Trustee (if the resigning Delaware Trustee is not
                      also the Property Trustee), the Sponsor and the resigning
                      Delaware Trustee.

           (d)        The Holders of the Common Securities or, if an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing after the issuance of the
Securities, the Holders of the Capital Securities shall use their best efforts
to promptly appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be, if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an
instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.6.

           (e)        If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware
Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this
Section 5.6 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of resignation or
removal, the Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee resigning or being removed, as
applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of
a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may
thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper to
prescribe, appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be.

           (f)        No Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable
for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Property Trustee or Successor
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.

           (g)        At the time of resignation or removal of the Property
Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, the Sponsor shall pay to such Trustee any
amounts that may be owed to such Trustee pursuant to Section 10.4.

           (h)        Any successor Delaware Trustee shall file an amendment to
the Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
identifying the name and principal place of business of such Successor Delaware
Trustee in the State of Delaware.

SECTION 5.7           Vacancies Among Trustees.

                      If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the
number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.l, or if the number of
Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A
resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Administrative
Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Administrative
Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The
vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.6.

SECTION 5.8           Effect of Vacancies.

                      The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy,
dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a
Trustee shall not operate to dissolve, liquidate or annul the Trust or to
terminate this Declaration. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrative
Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an


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<PAGE>   40
Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6, the Administrative
Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers
granted to the Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the duties
imposed upon the Administrative Trustees by this Declaration.

SECTION 5.9           Meetings.

                      If there is more than one Administrative Trustee, meetings
of the Administrative Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of
any Administrative Trustee. Regular meetings of the Administrative Trustees may
be held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Administrative Trustees.
Notice of any in-person meetings of the Administrative Trustees shall be hand
delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard
copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before such meeting. Notice of
any telephonic meetings of the Administrative Trustees or any committee thereof
shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by
facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before
a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of the time, place and
anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether in person or by
telephone) of an Administrative Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver
of notice of such meeting except where an Administrative Trustee attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity
on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless
provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Administrative
Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Administrative
Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with
respect to such matter, provided that, a Quorum is present, or without a meeting
by the unanimous written consent of the Administrative Trustees. In the event
there is only one Administrative Trustee, any and all action of such
Administrative Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such
Administrative Trustee.

SECTION 5.10          Delegation of Power.

           (a)        Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney
consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the
age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents
contemplated in Section 3.6, including any registration statement or amendment
thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing.

           (b)        The Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate
from time to time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing
of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the
Trust or the names of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the
Administrative Trustees may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not
prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of this Declaration.

SECTION 5.11          Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
                      Business.

                      Any Person into which the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee or any Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person, as the case
may be, may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any
Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be


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<PAGE>   41
a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate
trust business of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may
be, shall be the successor of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as
the case may be, hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any
further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided such Person shall
be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article and provided further that
such Person shall file an amendment to the Certificate of Trust with the
Delaware Secretary of State as contemplated in Section 5.6(h).

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  DISTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 6.1           Distributions.

                      Holders shall receive Distributions in accordance with the
applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. If and to the extent that
the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of interest (including Compounded Interest
and Additional Sums), premium and/or principal on the Debentures held by the
Property Trustee or Liquidated Damages or any other payments pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement or Liquidated Damages Agreement with respect to
the Debentures held by the Property Trustee (the amount of any such payment
being a "Payment Amount"), the Property Trustee shall and is directed, to the
extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a distribution (a
"Distribution") of the Payment Amount to Holders in accordance with the terms of
the Securities.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                             ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 7.1           General Provisions Regarding Securities.

           (a)        The Administrative Trustees shall, on behalf of the Trust,
issue one class of capital securities representing undivided preferred
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set
forth in Annex I (the "Series A Capital Securities") and one class of common
securities representing undivided common beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Common
Securities"). The Administrative Trustees shall, on behalf of the Trust, issue
one class of capital securities representing undivided preferred beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as set forth in Annex I
(the "Series B Capital Securities") in exchange for the Series A Capital
Securities accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, which Series B Capital
Securities shall not bear the legends required by Section 9.2(i) unless the
Holder of such Series A Capital Securities is either (A) a broker-dealer who
purchased such Series A Capital Securities directly from the Trust for resale
pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act,
(B) a Person participating in the distribution of the Series A Capital
Securities or (C) a Person who is an Affiliate of the Sponsor or the Trust. The
Trust shall issue no securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust
other than the Capital Securities and the Common Securities.


                                       35
<PAGE>   42
           (b)        The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance
of the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust
and shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.

           (c)        Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this
Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued and,
subject to the terms of this Declaration, fully paid and nonassessable undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and entitled to the benefits of
this Declaration, and the Holders thereof shall be entitled to the benefits of
this Declaration.

           (d)        Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a
Capital Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this
Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms
of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration.

SECTION 7.2           Execution and Authentication.

           (a)        The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by
an Administrative Trustee. In case any Administrative Trustee of the Trust who
shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Administrative
Trustee before the Securities so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such
Securities nevertheless may be delivered as though the Person who signed such
Securities had not ceased to be such Administrative Trustee; and any Securities
may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of
execution of such Security, shall be the Administrative Trustees of the Trust,
although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Declaration any such
person was not an Administrative Trustee.

           (b)        One Administrative Trustee shall sign the Capital
Securities for the Trust by manual or facsimile signature. Unless otherwise
determined by an Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust, an
Administrative Trustee shall sign the Common Securities for the Trust by manual
signature.

                      A Capital Security shall not be valid until authenticated
by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Property Trustee. The
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Capital Security has been
authenticated under this Declaration. A Common Security shall be valid upon
execution by an Administrative Trustee without any act of the Property Trustee.

                      Upon receipt of an Issuer Order to do so, the Property
Trustee shall authenticate the Capital Securities for original issue. The
aggregate number of Capital Securities outstanding at any time shall not exceed
the number set forth in Annex I hereto except as provided in Section 7.6.

                      The Property Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent
acceptable to the Trust to authenticate Capital Securities. An authenticating
agent may authenticate Capital Securities whenever the Property Trustee may do
so. Each reference in this Declaration to authentication by the Property Trustee
includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same
rights as the Property Trustee hereunder with respect to the Sponsor or an
Affiliate.


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<PAGE>   43
SECTION 7.3           Form and Dating.

                      The Capital Securities shall be evidenced by one or more
certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, and the Common Securities
shall be evidenced by one or more certificates substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-2. The Property Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1. Certificates representing
the Securities may be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in
any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to an Administrative Trustee, as
evidenced by the execution thereof. The Securities may have letters, "CUSIP" or
other numbers, notations or other marks of identification or designation and
such legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to
which the Trust is subject, if any, or usage, provided that, any such notation,
legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Administrative Trustees,
as evidenced by their execution thereof. The Trust at the direction of the
Sponsor, shall furnish any such legend not contained in Exhibit A-1 to the
Property Trustee in writing. Each Capital Security shall be dated the date of
its authentication. The terms and provisions of the Securities set forth in
Annex I and the forms of Securities set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 are part
of the terms of this Declaration and, to the extent applicable, the Property
Trustee and the Sponsor, by their execution and delivery of this Declaration,
expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

           (a)        Global Capital Security. Capital Securities offered and
sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A, as provided in the Purchase Agreement,
shall be issued in the form of a single permanent global Capital Security in
definitive, fully registered form without distribution coupons with the
appropriate global legends and Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit
A-1 hereto (the "Global Capital Security"), which shall be deposited on behalf
of the purchasers of the Capital Securities represented thereby with the
Property Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, as custodian for the Clearing
Agency, and registered in the name of the Clearing Agency or a nominee of the
Clearing Agency, duly executed by the Trust and authenticated by the Property
Trustee as hereinafter provided. The number of Capital Securities represented by
the Global Capital Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by
adjustments made on the records of the Property Trustee and the Clearing Agency
or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

           (b)        Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 7.3(b) shall apply
only to the Global Capital Security and such other Capital Securities in global
form as may be authorized by the Trust to be deposited with or on behalf of the
Clearing Agency.

                      An Administrative Trustee shall execute and the Property
Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 7.3, authenticate and make
available for delivery initially a single Global Capital Security that (i) shall
be registered in the name of Cede & Co. or other nominee of such Clearing
Agency, and (ii) shall be delivered by the Property Trustee to such Clearing
Agency or pursuant to such Clearing Agency's written instructions or, if no such
written instructions are received by the Property Trustee, held by the Property
Trustee as custodian for the Clearing Agency.

                      Members of, or participants in, the Clearing Agency
("Participants") shall have no rights under this Declaration with respect to the
Global Capital Security held on their behalf by the Clearing Agency or by the
Property Trustee as the custodian of the Clearing Agency or under such Global
Capital Security, and the Clearing Agency may be treated by the Trust, the
Property Trustee and any agent of the Trust or the Property Trustee as the
absolute owner of such Global


                                       37
<PAGE>   44
Capital Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing herein shall prevent the Trust, the Property Trustee or any agent of the
Trust or the Property Trustee from giving effect to any written certification,
proxy or other authorization furnished by the Clearing Agency or impair, as
between the Clearing Agency and its Participants, the operation of customary
practices of such Clearing Agency governing the exercise of the rights of a
holder of a beneficial interest in the Global Capital Security.

           (c)        Definitive Capital Securities. Except as provided in
Section 7.9 or 9.2(f)(i), owners of beneficial interests in the Global Capital
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated
Capital Securities ("Definitive Capital Securities"). Purchasers of Securities
who are "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
under the Securities Act) and who are not QIBs will receive Capital Securities
in the form of individual certificates in definitive, fully registered form
without distribution coupons and with the Restricted Securities Legend set forth
in Exhibit A-1 hereto ("Restricted Definitive Capital Securities"); provided,
however, that upon registration of transfer of such Restricted Definitive
Capital Securities to a QIB, such Restricted Definitive Capital Securities will,
unless the Global Capital Security has previously been exchanged, be exchanged
for an interest in the Global Capital Security pursuant to the provisions of
Section 9.2. Restricted Definitive Capital Securities will bear the Restricted
Securities Legend set forth on Exhibit A-1 unless removed in accordance with
this Section 7.3 or Section 9.2.

SECTION 7.4           Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange Agent.

                      The Trust shall maintain in Wilmington, Delaware (i) an
office or agency where Capital Securities may be presented for registration of
transfer ("Registrar"), (ii) an office or agency where Capital Securities may be
presented for payment ("Paying Agent") and (iii) an office or agency where
Securities may be presented for exchange ("Exchange Agent"). The Registrar shall
keep a register of the Capital Securities and of their transfer. The Trust may
appoint the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Exchange Agent and may appoint
one or more co-registrars, one or more additional paying agents and one or more
additional Exchange Agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The
term "Registrar" includes any additional registrar, the term "Paying Agent"
includes any additional paying agent and the term "Exchange Agent" includes any
additional Exchange Agent. The Trust may change any Paying Agent, Registrar,
co-registrar or Exchange Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Paying
Agent shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice
to the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor. The Trust
shall notify the Property Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a
party to this Declaration. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another
entity as Registrar, Paying Agent or Exchange Agent, the Property Trustee shall
act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent,
Registrar, or Exchange Agent. The Trust shall act as Paying Agent, Registrar and
Exchange Agent for the Common Securities.

                      The Trust initially appoints the Property Trustee as
Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange Agent for the Capital Securities.

SECTION 7.5           Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

                      The Trust shall require each Paying Agent other than the
Property Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust
for the benefit of Holders or the Property Trustee


                                       38
<PAGE>   45
all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of liquidation amounts or
Distributions, and will notify the Property Trustee if there are insufficient
funds for such purpose. While any such insufficiency continues, the Property
Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Property
Trustee. The Trust at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held
by it to the Property Trustee and to account for any money disbursed by it. Upon
payment over to the Property Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Trust
or an Affiliate of the Trust) shall have no further liability for the money. If
the Trust or the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Trust or the Sponsor acts as
Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the
benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.

SECTION 7.6           Replacement Securities.

                      If a Holder claims that a Security owned by it has been
lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken or if such Security is mutilated and is
surrendered to the Trust or in the case of the Capital Securities to the
Property Trustee, an Administrative Trustee shall execute and the Property
Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order to do so, authenticate and make
available for delivery a replacement Security if the Property Trustee's
requirements are met. An indemnity bond must be provided by the Holder which, in
the judgment of the Property Trustee, is sufficient to protect the Trustees, the
Sponsor, the Trust or any authenticating agent from any loss which any of them
may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Trust may charge such Holder for its
expenses in replacing a Security.

SECTION 7.7           Outstanding Capital Securities.

                      The Capital Securities outstanding at any time are all the
Capital Securities authenticated by the Property Trustee except for those
canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, and those described in
this Section as not outstanding.

                      If a Capital Security is replaced, paid or purchased
pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Property
Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced, paid or purchased
Capital Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

                      If Capital Securities are considered paid in accordance
with the terms of this Declaration, they cease to be outstanding and
Distributions on them shall cease to accumulate.

                      A Capital Security does not cease to be outstanding
because one of the Trust, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor holds the
Security.

SECTION 7.8           Capital Securities in Treasury.

                      In determining whether the Holders of the required amount
of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Capital
Securities owned by the Trust, the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor, as
the case may be, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except
that for the purposes of determining whether the Property Trustee shall be fully
protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities
which the Property Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.


                                       39
<PAGE>   46
SECTION 7.9           Temporary Securities.

           (a)        Until Definitive Capital Securities are ready for
delivery, the Trust may prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the
Property Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order to do so, authenticate
temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of
Definitive Capital Securities but may have variations that the Trust considers
appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Trust
shall prepare and, in the case of the Capital Securities, the Property Trustee
shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order to do so, authenticate Definitive Capital
Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.

           (b)        The Global Capital Security deposited with the Clearing
Agency or with the Property Trustee as custodian for the Clearing Agency
pursuant to Section 7.3 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in
the form of Definitive Capital Securities only if such transfer complies with
Section 9.2 and (i) the Clearing Agency notifies the Sponsor that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Clearing Agency for such Global Capital
Security or if at any time such Clearing Agency ceases to be a "clearing agency"
registered under the Exchange Act, and, in each case, a clearing agency is not
appointed by the Sponsor within 90 days of receipt of such notice or of becoming
aware of such condition, (ii) a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, or (iii) the Trust at its sole discretion elects to cause the
issuance of Definitive Capital Securities.

           (c)        Any Global Capital Security that is transferable to the
beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Capital Securities pursuant
to this Section 7.9 shall be surrendered by the Clearing Agency to the Property
Trustee to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without
charge, and the Property Trustee shall authenticate and make available for
delivery, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Capital Security, an
equal aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities of authorized
denominations in the form of Definitive Capital Securities. Any portion of the
Global Capital Security transferred pursuant to this Section shall be registered
in such names as the Clearing Agency shall direct. Any Definitive Capital
Security delivered in exchange for an interest in the Restricted Global Capital
Security shall, except as otherwise provided by Sections 7.3 and 9.1, bear the
Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A-l hereto.

           (d)        Subject to the provisions of Section 7.9(c), the Holder of
the Global Capital Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any
Person, including Participants and Persons that may hold interests through
Participants, to take any action which such Holder is entitled to take under
this Declaration or the Securities.

           (e)        In the event of the occurrence of any of the events
specified in Section 7.9(b), the Trust will promptly make available to the
Property Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Capital Securities in fully
registered form without distribution coupons.

SECTION 7.10          Cancellation.

                      The Trust at any time may deliver Capital Securities to
the Property Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar, Paying Agent and Exchange
Agent shall forward to the Property Trustee any Capital Securities surrendered
to them for registration of transfer, redemption, exchange or


                                       40
<PAGE>   47
payment. The Property Trustee shall promptly cancel all Capital Securities
surrendered for registration of transfer, redemption, exchange, payment,
replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Capital Securities in
accordance with its customary procedures unless the Trust otherwise directs. The
Trust may not issue new Capital Securities to replace Capital Securities that it
has paid or that have been delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation or
that any Holder has exchanged.

SECTION 7.11          CUSIP Numbers.

                      The Trust in issuing the Capital Securities may use
"CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Property Trustee
shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders
of Capital Securities; provided that, any such notice may state that no
representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed
on the Capital Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that
reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the
Capital Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect
in or omission of such numbers. The Sponsor will promptly notify the Property
Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                              DISSOLUTION OF TRUST

SECTION 8.1           Dissolution of Trust.

           (a)        The Trust shall automatically dissolve:

                                 (i) upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor;

                                 (ii) upon the filing of a certificate of
                      dissolution or liquidation or its equivalent with respect
                      to the Sponsor; or the revocation of the Sponsor's charter
                      and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation
                      without a reinstatement thereof;

                                 (iii) following the distribution of a Like
                      Amount of the Debentures to the Holders, provided that,
                      the Property Trustee has received written notice from the
                      Sponsor directing the Property Trustee to dissolve the
                      Trust (which direction is optional, and except as
                      otherwise expressly provided below, within the discretion
                      of the Sponsor), and provided, further, that such
                      direction and such distribution is conditioned on (a) the
                      receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required regulatory
                      approvals, and (b) the Sponsor's receipt and delivery to
                      the Administrative Trustees of an opinion of independent
                      tax counsel experienced in such matters, which opinion may
                      rely on public or private rulings of the Internal Revenue
                      Service, to the effect that the Holders of the Capital
                      Securities will not recognize any gain or loss for United
                      States federal income tax purposes as a result of the
                      dissolution of the Trust and the distribution of
                      Debentures;


                                       41
<PAGE>   48
                                 (iv) upon the entry of a decree of judicial
                      dissolution of the Trust by a court of competent
                      jurisdiction;

                                 (v) when all of the Securities shall have been
                      called for redemption and the amounts necessary for
                      redemption thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in
                      accordance with the terms of the Securities;

                                 (vi) upon the redemption or repayment of the
                      Debentures or at such time as no Debentures are
                      outstanding; or

                                 (vii) the expiration of the term of the Trust
                      provided in Section 3.14.

           (b)        As soon as is practicable upon completion of winding up of
the Trust following the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 8.1(a) and
the satisfaction of creditors of the Trust in accordance with applicable law,
the Administrative Trustees shall terminate the Trust by filing a certificate of
cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance
with the Business Trust Act.

           (c)        The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive
the dissolution and termination of the Trust.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                              TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

SECTION 9.1           Transfer of Securities.

           (a)        Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part,
in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in
accordance with the terms of the Securities. To the fullest extent permitted by
law, any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance
with this Declaration shall be null and void.

           (b)        Subject to this Article IX, Capital Securities may only be
transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in this Declaration. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any
transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this
Declaration shall be null and void.

           (c)        For so long as the Securities remain outstanding, the
Sponsor agrees (i) not to transfer ownership of the Common Securities of the
Trust, provided that any permitted successor of the Sponsor under the Indenture
may succeed to the Sponsor's ownership of the Common Securities, (ii) not to
cause, as Sponsor of the Trust, or to permit, as Holder of the Common
Securities, the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Trust, except as
provided in this Declaration and (iii) to use its best efforts to cause the
Trust (a) to remain a business trust, except in connection with the distribution
of Debentures to the Holders in liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all
of the Securities, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as
permitted by this Declaration, and (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as
a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.


                                       42
<PAGE>   49
           (d)        The Registrar shall provide for the registration of
Capital Securities and of the transfer of Capital Securities, which will be
effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the
Registrar may require) in respect of any tax or other governmental charges that
may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of
any Capital Securities, an Administrative Trustee shall cause one or more new
Capital Securities to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or
transferees. Every Capital Security surrendered for registration of transfer
shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to
the Registrar duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly
authorized in writing. Each Capital Security surrendered for registration of
transfer shall be delivered to the Registrar and canceled in accordance with
Section 7.10. A transferee of a Capital Security shall be entitled to the rights
and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such
transferee of a Capital Security. By acceptance of a Capital Security or any
interest therein, each transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by
this Declaration.

SECTION 9.2           Transfer Procedures and Restrictions.

           (a)        General. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.2(b),
if Capital Securities are issued upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of
Capital Securities bearing the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit
A-1 hereto, or if a request is made to remove such Restricted Securities Legend
on Capital Securities, the Capital Securities so issued shall bear the
Restricted Securities Legend, or the Restricted Securities Legend shall not be
removed, as the case may be, unless there is delivered to the Trust and the
Property Trustee such satisfactory evidence, which shall include an Opinion of
Counsel, as may be reasonably required by the Trust and the Property Trustee,
that neither the Restricted Securities Legend nor the restrictions on transfer
set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof are made
pursuant to an exception from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act or, with respect to Restricted Capital Securities, that such Securities are
not "restricted" within the meaning of Rule 144. Upon provision of such
satisfactory evidence, the Property Trustee, at the written direction of an
Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust, shall authenticate and deliver
Capital Securities that do not bear the legend.

           (b)        Transfers After Effectiveness of a Registration Statement.
After the effectiveness of a Registration Statement with respect to any Capital
Securities, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Capital Securities
will cease to apply (other than the legend requiring that transfers of Capital
Securities be made in blocks having an aggregate liquidation amount of not less
than $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) and multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof), and beneficial interests in the Global Capital Security without
legends will be available to transferees of such Capital Securities, upon
exchange of the transferring Holder's Restricted Definitive Capital Security or
directions to transfer such Holder's beneficial interest in the Global Capital
Security, as the case may be. No such transfer or exchange of a Restricted
Definitive Capital Security or of an interest in the Global Capital Security
shall be effective unless the transferor delivers to the Property Trustee a
certificate in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as the form
of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.2(m),
after the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, an Administrative Trustee
on behalf of the Trust shall issue and the Property Trustee, upon a written
order of the Trust signed by one Administrative Trustee, shall authenticate a
Global Capital Security without the Restricted Securities Legend (the
"Unrestricted Global Capital


                                       43
<PAGE>   50
Security") to deposit with the Clearing Agency to evidence transfers of
beneficial interests from the Global Capital Security and Restricted Definitive
Capital Securities.

           (c)        Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Capital Securities.
When Definitive Capital Securities are presented to the Registrar or
co-registrar:

                      (x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Capital
           Securities; or

                      (y) to exchange such Definitive Capital Securities which
           became mutilated, destroyed, defaced, stolen or lost, for an equal
           number of Definitive Capital Securities, the Registrar or
           co-registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as
           requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are
           met;

           provided, however, that the Definitive Capital Securities surrendered
           for registration of transfer or exchange:

                                 (i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
                      written instrument of transfer in form reasonably
                      satisfactory to the Trust and the Registrar or
                      co-registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
                      attorney duly authorized in writing; and

                                 (ii) in the case of Definitive Capital
                      Securities that are Restricted Definitive Capital
                      Securities:

                                 (A) if such Restricted Capital Securities are
                                 being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder
                                 for registration in the name of such Holder,
                                 without transfer, certification(s) from such
                                 Holder to that effect; or

                                 (B) if such Restricted Capital Securities are
                                 being transferred: (i) certification(s) in a
                                 form substantially similar to that attached
                                 hereto as the form of "Assignment" in Exhibit
                                 A-1, and (ii) if the Trust or Registrar so
                                 requests, evidence reasonably satisfactory to
                                 them as to the compliance with the restrictions
                                 set forth in the Restricted Securities Legend.

           (d)        Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Capital Security
for a Beneficial Interest in the Global Capital Security. A Definitive Capital
Security may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in the Global Capital
Security except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon
receipt by the Property Trustee of a Definitive Capital Security, duly endorsed
or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to
the Property Trustee, together with:

                                 (i) if such Definitive Capital Security is a
                      Restricted Capital Security, certification(s) in a form
                      substantially similar to that attached hereto as the form
                      of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1; and

                                 (ii) whether or not such Definitive Capital
                      Security is a Restricted Capital Security, written
                      instructions directing the Property Trustee to make, or to
                      direct the Clearing Agency to make, an adjustment on its
                      books and records with


                                       44
<PAGE>   51
                      respect to the Global Capital Security to reflect an
                      increase in the number of the Capital Securities
                      represented by such Global Capital Security,

then the Property Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Capital Security and
cause, or direct the Clearing Agency to cause, the aggregate number of Capital
Securities represented by the Global Capital Security to be increased
accordingly. If the Global Capital Security is not then outstanding, an
Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall issue and the Property
Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of any Administrative Trustee, a
new Global Capital Security representing an appropriate number of Capital
Securities.

           (e)        Transfer and Exchange of the Global Capital Security.
Subject to Section 9.2(f), the transfer and exchange of the Global Capital
Security or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Clearing
Agency in accordance with this Declaration (including applicable restrictions on
transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Clearing Agency
therefor.

           (f)        Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in the Global Capital
Security for a Definitive Capital Security.

                                 (i) Any Person having a beneficial interest in
                      the Global Capital Security may upon request, but only
                      upon 20 days prior notice to the Property Trustee, and if
                      accompanied by the information specified below, exchange
                      such beneficial interest for a Definitive Capital Security
                      representing the same number of Capital Securities. Upon
                      receipt by the Property Trustee from the Clearing Agency
                      or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial
                      interest in the Global Capital Security of written
                      instructions or such other form of instructions as is
                      customary for the Clearing Agency or the Person designated
                      by the Clearing Agency as having such a beneficial
                      interest in a Restricted Capital Security and
                      certification(s) from the transferor in a form
                      substantially similar to that attached hereto as the form
                      of "Assignment" in Exhibit A-1, which may be submitted by
                      facsimile, then the Property Trustee will cause the
                      aggregate number of Capital Securities represented by the
                      Global Capital Security to be reduced on its books and
                      records and, following such reduction, the Trust will
                      execute and the Property Trustee will authenticate and
                      make available for delivery to the transferee a Definitive
                      Capital Security.

                                 (ii) Definitive Capital Securities issued in
                      exchange for a beneficial interest in the Global Capital
                      Security pursuant to this Section 9.2(f) shall be
                      registered in such names and in such authorized
                      denominations as the Clearing Agency, pursuant to
                      instructions from its Clearing Agency Participants or
                      indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the
                      Property Trustee in writing. The Property Trustee shall
                      deliver such Capital Securities to the Persons in whose
                      names such Capital Securities are so registered in
                      accordance with such instructions of the Clearing Agency.

           (g)        Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of the Global
Capital Security. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration
(other than the provisions set forth in


                                       45
<PAGE>   52
subsection (h) of this Section 9.2), the Global Capital Security may not be
transferred as a whole except by the Clearing Agency to a nominee of the
Clearing Agency or another nominee of the Clearing Agency or by the Clearing
Agency or any such nominee to a successor Clearing Agency or a nominee of such
successor Clearing Agency.

           (h)        Authentication of Definitive Capital Securities. If at any
time:

                                 (i) a Default or an Event of Default has
                      occurred and is continuing,

                                 (ii) the Trust, in its sole discretion,
                      notifies the Property Trustee in writing that it elects to
                      cause the issuance of Definitive Capital Securities under
                      this Declaration, or

                                 (iii) the Clearing Agency notifies the Sponsor
                      that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Clearing
                      Agency for such Global Capital Security or if at any time
                      such Clearing Agency ceases to be a "clearing agency"
                      registered under the Exchange Act, and, in each case, a
                      clearing agency is not appointed by the Sponsor within 90
                      days of receipt of such notice or of becoming aware of
                      such condition,

then an Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust will execute, and the
Property Trustee, upon receipt of a written order of the Trust signed by one
Administrative Trustee requesting the authentication and delivery of Definitive
Capital Securities to the Persons designated by the Trust, will authenticate and
make available for delivery Definitive Capital Securities, equal in number to
the number of Capital Securities represented by the Global Capital Security, in
exchange for such Global Capital Security.

           (i)        Legend.

                                 (i) Except as permitted by the following
                      paragraph (ii), each Capital Security Certificate
                      evidencing the Global Capital Security and each Definitive
                      Capital Security (and all Capital Securities issued in
                      exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a
                      legend (the "Restricted Securities Legend") in
                      substantially the following form:

                      THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED
                      UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
                      (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
                      LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW.
                      NEITHER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST
                      OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD,
                      ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
                      OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH
                      REGISTRATION OR UNLESS


                                       46
<PAGE>   53
                      SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT
                      TO, REGISTRATION.

                      THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS
                      ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR
                      OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY, PRIOR
                      TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION
                      TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE
                      LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND
                      THE LAST DATE ON WHICH BOSTONFED BANCORP, INC.
                      (THE "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE
                      CORPORATION WAS THE OWNER OF THIS CAPITAL
                      SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS CAPITAL
                      SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B)
                      PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS
                      BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES
                      ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS
                      ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER
                      THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON
                      IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED
                      INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A)
                      THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE
                      ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO
                      WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING
                      MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN
                      INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE
                      MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7)
                      OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS
                      ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR ITS OWN
                      ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN
                      INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR
                      INVESTMENT PURPOSES PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION
                      FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
                      SECURITIES ACT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR
                      OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY
                      DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT
                      OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE
                      EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
                      UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT
                      OF BFD PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST II (THE "TRUST")
                      AND THE CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER,
                      SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR
                      (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF


                                       47
<PAGE>   54
                      COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER
                      INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND
                      (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THAT THE
                      TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A LETTER FROM
                      THE TRANSFEREE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF
                      ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED
                      SEPTEMBER 19, 2000. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES
                      THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM
                      THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
                      SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

                      THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS
                      ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND
                      WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT,
                      INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR
                      ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE
                      RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS
                      AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
                      INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, (THE
                      "CODE") (EACH A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE
                      UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY
                      REASON OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY
                      AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY
                      PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
                      OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER
                      OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF
                      AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
                      PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23,
                      95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER
                      APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND
                      HOLDING OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IS NOT PROHIBITED
                      BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
                      CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING.
                      ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THE CAPITAL
                      SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE
                      DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND
                      HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN
                      EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF
                      SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH
                      SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A
                      TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN
                      EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER
                      PERSON OR ENTITY


                                       48
<PAGE>   55
                      USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
                      OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH
                      PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED
                      TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR
                      SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO
                      APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE
                      EXEMPTION.

In all circumstances, each Capital Security Certificate shall bear the following
legend:

                      THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY
                      BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A
                      LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000
                      (100 CAPITAL SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF
                      $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED
                      TRANSFER OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IN A BLOCK
                      HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN
                      $100,000 (100 CAPITAL SECURITIES) SHALL BE
                      DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT
                      WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL
                      BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF SUCH CAPITAL
                      SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
                      LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON
                      SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND SUCH PURPORTED
                      TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST
                      WHATSOEVER IN SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES.

                      THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS
                      ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE
                      REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF
                      SEPTEMBER 19, 2000, BY AND AMONG THE TRUST, THE
                      SPONSOR AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED
                      THEREIN, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.

                                 (ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Restricted
                      Capital Security (including any Restricted Capital
                      Security represented by the Global Capital Security)
                      pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
                      Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144:

                                 (A) in the case of any Restricted Capital
                                 Security that is a Definitive Capital Security,
                                 the Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof
                                 to exchange such Restricted Capital Security
                                 for a Definitive Capital Security that does not
                                 bear the Restricted Securities Legend and
                                 rescind any restriction on the transfer of such
                                 Restricted Capital Security; and


                                       49
<PAGE>   56
                                 (B) in the case of any Restricted Capital
                                 Security that is represented by the Global
                                 Capital Security, the Registrar shall permit
                                 the Holder of such Global Capital Security to
                                 exchange such Global Capital Security for
                                 another Global Capital Security that does not
                                 bear the Restricted Securities Legend.

           (j)        Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Capital Security. At
such time as all beneficial interests in the Global Capital Security have either
been exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities to the extent permitted by this
Declaration or redeemed, repurchased or canceled in accordance with the terms of
this Declaration, such Global Capital Security shall be returned to the Clearing
Agency for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Property Trustee. At any
time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in the Global
Capital Security is exchanged for Definitive Capital Securities, Capital
Securities represented by such Global Capital Security shall be reduced and an
adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Property Trustee and
the Clearing Agency or its nominee to reflect such reduction.

           (k)        Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of
Capital Securities.

                                 (i) To permit registrations of transfers and
                      exchanges, the Trust shall execute and the Property
                      Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Capital Securities
                      and the Global Capital Security at the Registrar's or
                      co-registrar's request in accordance with the terms of
                      this Declaration.

                                 (ii) Registrations of transfers or exchanges
                      will be effected without charge, but only upon payment
                      (with such indemnity as the Trust or the Sponsor may
                      require) in respect of any tax or other governmental
                      charge that may be imposed in relation to it.

                                 (iii) The Registrar or co-registrar shall not
                      be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a)
                      Capital Securities during a period beginning at the
                      opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a
                      notice of redemption or any notice of selection of Capital
                      Securities for redemption and ending at the close of
                      business on the day of such mailing or (b) any Capital
                      Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part,
                      except the unredeemed portion of any Capital Security
                      being redeemed in part.

                                 (iv) Prior to the due presentation for
                      registration of transfer of any Capital Security, the
                      Trust, the Property Trustee, the Paying Agent, the
                      Registrar or any co-registrar may deem and treat the
                      Person in whose name a Capital Security is registered as
                      the absolute owner of such Capital Security for the
                      purpose of receiving Distributions on such Capital
                      Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none
                      of the Trust, the Property Trustee, the Paying Agent, the
                      Registrar or any co-registrar shall be affected by notice
                      to the contrary.


                                       50
<PAGE>   57
                                 (v) All Capital Securities issued upon any
                      registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms
                      of this Declaration shall evidence the same security and
                      shall be entitled to the same benefits under this
                      Declaration as the Capital Securities surrendered upon
                      such registration of transfer or exchange.

           (l)        No Obligation of the Property Trustee.

                                 (i) The Property Trustee shall have no
                      responsibility or obligation to any Capital Security
                      Beneficial Owner, a Participant in the Clearing Agency or
                      other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records
                      of the Clearing Agency or its nominee or of any
                      Participant thereof, with respect to any ownership
                      interest in the Capital Securities or with respect to the
                      delivery to any Participant, beneficial owner or other
                      Person (other than the Clearing Agency) of any notice
                      (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any
                      amount, under or with respect to such Capital Securities.
                      All notices and communications to be given to the Holders
                      and all payments to be made to Holders under the Capital
                      Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the
                      order of the registered Holders (which shall be the
                      Clearing Agency or its nominee in the case of the Global
                      Capital Security). The rights of Capital Security
                      Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only through the
                      Clearing Agency subject to the applicable rules and
                      procedures of the Clearing Agency. The Property Trustee
                      may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in
                      relying upon information furnished by the Clearing Agency
                      or any agent thereof with respect to its Participants and
                      any Capital Security Beneficial Owners.

                                 (ii) The Property Trustee and the Registrar
                      shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or
                      inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer
                      imposed under this Declaration or under applicable law
                      with respect to any transfer of any interest in any
                      Capital Security (including any transfers between or among
                      Clearing Agency Participants or Capital Security
                      Beneficial Owners) other than to require delivery of such
                      certificates and other documentation or evidence as are
                      expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly
                      required by, the terms of this Declaration, and to examine
                      the same to determine substantial compliance as to form
                      with the express requirements hereof.

           (m)        Exchange of Series A Capital Securities for Series B
Capital Securities. The Series A Capital Securities shall be exchanged for
Series B Capital Securities pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer if the
following conditions are satisfied:

                      The Sponsor shall present the Property Trustee with an
Officers' Certificate certifying the following:

                                 (A) upon issuance of the Series B Capital
                                 Securities, the transactions contemplated by
                                 the Exchange Offer have been consummated; and


                                       51
<PAGE>   58
                                 (B) the number of Series A Capital Securities
                                 properly tendered in the Exchange Offer that
                                 are represented by the Global Capital Security
                                 and the number of Series A Capital Securities
                                 properly tendered in the Exchange Offer that
                                 are represented by Definitive Capital
                                 Securities, the name of each Holder of such
                                 Definitive Capital Securities, the liquidation
                                 amount of Capital Securities properly tendered
                                 in the Exchange Offer by each such Holder and
                                 the name and address to which Definitive
                                 Capital Securities for Series B Capital
                                 Securities shall be registered and sent for
                                 each such Holder.

                      The Property Trustee, upon receipt of (i) such Officers'
Certificate, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel (x) to the effect that the Series B
Capital Securities and the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee have been
registered under Section 5 of the Securities Act and that this Declaration and
the Series B Capital Securities Guarantee have been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act and (y) with respect to the matters set forth in Section 3(q) of
the Registration Rights Agreement, shall authenticate (A) the Global Capital
Security, executed and delivered by the Trust to the Property Trustee, for
Series B Capital Securities in aggregate liquidation amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of Series A Capital Securities represented by the
Global Capital Security indicated in such Officers' Certificate as having been
properly tendered and (B) Definitive Capital Securities, executed and delivered
by the Trust to the Property Trustee, representing Series B Capital Securities
registered in the names and in the liquidation amounts indicated in such
Officers' Certificate.

                      If, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, less than all
the outstanding Series A Capital Securities shall have been properly tendered
and not withdrawn, the Property Trustee shall make an endorsement on the Global
Capital Security for Series A Capital Securities indicating the reduction in the
number and aggregate liquidation amount represented thereby as a result of the
Exchange Offer.

                      The Trust shall deliver such authenticated Definitive
Capital Securities for Series B Capital Securities to the Holders thereof as
indicated in such Officers' Certificate.

           (n)        Minimum Transfers. Series A Capital Securities and, if and
when issued, Series B Capital Securities may only be transferred in minimum
blocks of $100,000 aggregate liquidation amount (100 Capital Securities) and
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any attempted transfer of Series A
Capital Securities or Series B Capital Securities in a block having an aggregate
liquidation amount of less than $100,000 shall be deemed to be voided and of no
legal effect whatsoever. Any such purported transferee shall be deemed not to be
a Holder of such Series A Capital Securities or Series B Capital Securities for
any purpose, including, but not limited to, the receipt of Distributions on such
Capital Securities, and such purported transferee shall be deemed to have no
interest whatsoever in such Capital Securities.


                                       52
<PAGE>   59
SECTION 9.3           Deemed Security Holders.

                      The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any
Security shall be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole
owner and Holder of such Security for purposes of receiving Distributions and
for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to
recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Security on the
part of any Person, whether or not the Trust shall have actual or other notice
thereof.

SECTION 9.4           Book-Entry Interests.

                      The Global Capital Security shall initially be registered
on the books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of
the Clearing Agency and no Capital Security Beneficial Owner will receive
physical delivery of a definitive Capital Security certificate (a "Capital
Security Certificate") representing such Capital Security Beneficial Owner's
interests in such Global Capital Security, except as provided in Section 9.2 and
Section 7.9. Unless and until Definitive Capital Securities have been issued to
the Capital Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.2 or Section 7.9:

           (a)        the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force
and effect;

           (b)        the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with
the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment
of Distributions on the Global Capital Security and receiving approvals, votes
or consents hereunder) as the sole Holder of the Global Capital Security and
shall have no obligation to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners;

           (c)        to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4
conflict with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this
Section 9.4 shall control; and

           (d)        the rights of the Capital Security Beneficial Owners shall
be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those
established by law and agreements between such Capital Security Beneficial
Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants, and the
Clearing Agency shall receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the
Global Capital Security to such Clearing Agency Participants; provided, however,
that solely for the purposes of determining whether the Holders of the requisite
amount of Capital Securities have voted on any matter provided for in this
Declaration, the Trustees, with respect to the Global Capital Security, may
conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, any written
instrument (including a proxy) delivered to the Trustees by the Clearing Agency
setting forth the Capital Security Beneficial Owners' votes or assigning the
right to vote on any matter to any other Persons either in whole or in part; and
the Clearing Agency will also make book-entry transfers among the Clearing
Agency Participants.

SECTION 9.5           Notices to Clearing Agency.

                      Whenever a notice or other communication to the Capital
Security Holders is required to be given by a Trustee under this Declaration,
such Trustee shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to
be given to the Holder of the Global Capital Security to the Clearing Agency and
shall have no notice obligations to the Capital Security Beneficial Owners.


                                       53
<PAGE>   60
SECTION 9.6           Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency.

                      If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services
as securities depositary with respect to the Capital Securities, the
Administrative Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor
Clearing Agency with respect to such Capital Securities.

                                    ARTICLE X
                           LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                    HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

SECTION 10.1          Liability.

           (a)        Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the
Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:

                                 (i) personally liable for the return of any
                      portion of the capital contributions (or any return
                      thereon) of the Holders which shall be made solely from
                      assets of the Trust; and

                                 (ii) required to pay to the Trust or to any
                      Holder any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or
                      otherwise.

           (b)        The Sponsor shall be liable for all of the debts and
obligations of the Trust (other than in respect of the Securities).

           (c)        Pursuant to Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the
Holders shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended
to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

SECTION 10.2          Exculpation.

           (a)        No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or
accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any
loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a
manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the
authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law,
except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or
claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence (or in
the case of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, negligence) or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

           (b)        An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying
in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and


                                       54
<PAGE>   61
amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent
to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders might
properly be paid.

SECTION 10.3          Fiduciary Duty.

           (a)        To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified
Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto
to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under
this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person
for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The
provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and
liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity
(other than the duties imposed on the Property Trustee under the Trust Indenture
Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and
liabilities of such Indemnified Person.

           (b)        Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:

                                 (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or
                      arises between any Covered Person and any Indemnified
                      Person, or

                                 (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other
                      agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that an
                      Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or
                      provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust
                      or any Holder of Securities,

the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person,
the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified
Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement
contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at
law or in equity or otherwise.

           (c)        Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is
permitted or required to make a decision:

                                 (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of
                      similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be
                      entitled to consider such interests and factors as it
                      desires, including its own interests, and shall have no
                      duty or obligation to give any consideration to any
                      interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other
                      Person; or

                                 (ii) in its "good faith" or under another
                      express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under
                      such express standard and shall not be subject to any
                      other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or
                      by applicable law.


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<PAGE>   62
SECTION 10.4          Indemnification.

           (a)        (i) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact
that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or
its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Company
Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe
that his conduct was unlawful.

                      (ii) The Sponsor shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against
expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or
suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to
the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware
or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such Person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper.

                      (iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person
shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action
without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability)
in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and
(ii) of this Section 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he or she shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
him or her in connection therewith.

                      (iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of
this Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Sponsor
only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances
because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the
Administrative Trustees by a majority vote of a Quorum consisting of such
Administrative Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
(2) if such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a Quorum of


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<PAGE>   63
disinterested Administrative Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel
in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust.

                      (v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses)
incurred by a Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in
paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Sponsor in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay
such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled
to be indemnified by the Sponsor as authorized in this Section 10.4(a).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Sponsor if a
determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Administrative Trustees
by a majority vote of a Quorum of disinterested Administrative Trustees, (ii) if
such a Quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a Quorum of
disinterested Administrative Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel
in a written opinion or (iii) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that,
based upon the facts known to the Administrative Trustees, counsel or the Common
Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Company Indemnified
Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that the Common Security Holder did not
believe to be in, or believed was opposed to, the best interests of the Trust,
or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified
Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was
unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the
Administrative Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder
reasonably determine that a Company Indemnified Person deliberately breached his
or her duty to the Trust or its Common or Capital Security Holders.

                      (vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section
10.4(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Sponsor or Capital
Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All
rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be
provided by a contract between the Sponsor and each Company Indemnified Person
who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4(a) is in effect.
Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect any rights
or obligations then existing.

                      (vii) The Sponsor or the Trust may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person
against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in
any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not
the Debenture Issuer would have the power to indemnify him or her against such
liability under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a).

                      (viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references to
"the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any
constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee,
officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the
request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or
agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions
of this Section 10.4(a) with respect to the resulting


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<PAGE>   64
or surviving entity as he or she would have with respect to such constituent
entity if its separate existence had continued.

                      (ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless
otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a Person who has
ceased to be a Company Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such a Person.

           (b)        The Sponsor agrees to indemnify the (i) Property Trustee,
(ii) the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Property Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members,
partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through
(iv), including the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee in their
respective individual capacities, being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified
Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against,
any and all loss, liability, damage, action, suit, claim or expense including
taxes (other than taxes based on the income of such Fiduciary Indemnified
Person) of any kind and nature whatsoever incurred without negligence or bad
faith on the part of such Fiduciary Indemnified Person, arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) of defending against or investigating any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of the powers or duties of
such Fiduciary Indemnified Person hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set
forth in this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the resignation or removal of the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of
this Declaration.

           (c)        The Sponsor agrees to pay the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee, from time to time, such compensation for all services rendered
by the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee hereunder as may be mutually
agreed upon in writing by the Sponsor and the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
to reimburse the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee upon its or their
request for all reasonable expenses (including legal fees and expenses),
disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Property Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this
Declaration, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to its or their negligence or bad faith.

SECTION 10.5          Outside Businesses.

                      Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and
the Property Trustee (subject to Section 5.3(c)) may engage in or possess an
interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently
or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the
Trust and the Holders shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and
to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the
pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust,
shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. No Covered Person, the Sponsor, the
Delaware Trustee, or the Property Trustee shall be obligated to present any
particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity
is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust,
and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property
Trustee shall have the right to take for its own


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<PAGE>   65
account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others
any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person, the
Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee may engage or be interested in any
financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor,
or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or
body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its
Affiliates.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   ACCOUNTING

SECTION 11.1          Fiscal Year.

                      The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the
calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code.

SECTION 11.2          Certain Accounting Matters.

           (a)        At all times during the existence of the Trust, the
Administrative Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account,
records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail each
transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the
accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of
accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account
and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the
end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public
accountants selected by the Administrative Trustees.

           (b)        The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly
prepared and delivered to each of the Holders any annual United States federal
income tax information statement required by the Code, containing such
information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by
the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code
to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Administrative Trustees shall
endeavor to deliver all such information statements within 30 days after the end
of each Fiscal Year of the Trust.

           (c)        The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly
prepared and filed with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United
States federal income tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by
United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns
required to be filed by the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust with
any state or local taxing authority.

SECTION 11.3          Banking.

                      The Trust may maintain one or more bank accounts in the
name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments
of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee shall be made
directly to the Property Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall
be deposited in the Property Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such
accounts shall be designated by the Administrative Trustees; provided, however,
that the Property Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Property
Trustee Account.


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<PAGE>   66
SECTION 11.4          Withholding.

                      The Trust and the Administrative Trustees shall comply
with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local
law. The Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such
forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from
withholding with respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms as
shall reasonably be requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the
extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Administrative
Trustees shall cause to be filed required forms with applicable jurisdictions
and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly established by a Holder,
shall remit amounts withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable
jurisdictions. To the extent that the Trust is required to withhold and pay over
any amounts to any authority with respect to Distributions or allocations to any
Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a Distribution in the amount
of the withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claim of excess
withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable
jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual
Distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount
of such withholding.

                                   ARTICLE XII
                             AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

SECTION 12.1          Amendments.

           (a)        Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration
(including Section 7 of Annex I hereto) or by any applicable terms of the
Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument
approved and executed by:

                                 (i) the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees
                      (or, if there are more than two Administrative Trustees, a
                      majority of the Administrative Trustees);

                                 (ii) if the amendment affects the rights,
                      powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Property
                      Trustee, the Property Trustee; and

                                 (iii) if the amendment affects the rights,
                      powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware
                      Trustee, the Delaware Trustee.

           (b)        No amendment shall be made, and any such purported
amendment shall be void and ineffective:

                                 (i) unless, in the case of any proposed
                      amendment, the Property Trustee shall have first received
                      an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the
                      Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms
                      to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of
                      the Securities);

                                 (ii) unless, in the case of any proposed
                      amendment which affects the rights, powers, duties,
                      obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee, the
                      Property Trustee shall have first received:


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<PAGE>   67
                                 (A) an Officers' Certificate from each of the
                                 Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is
                                 permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of
                                 this Declaration (including the terms of the
                                 Securities); and

                                 (B) an Opinion of Counsel (who may be counsel
                                 to the Sponsor or the Trust) that such
                                 amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the
                                 terms of this Declaration (including the terms
                                 of the Securities) and that all conditions
                                 precedent to the execution and delivery of such
                                 amendment have been satisfied;

provided, however, that the Property Trustee shall not be required to sign any
such amendment; and

                                 (iii) to the extent the result of such
                      amendment would be to:

                                 (A) cause the Trust to fail to continue to be
                                 classified for purposes of United States
                                 federal income taxation as a grantor trust;

                                 (B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the
                                 powers of the Property Trustee in contravention
                                 of the Trust Indenture Act; or

                                 (C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an
                                 Investment Company required to be registered
                                 under the Investment Company Act.

           (c)        At such time after the Trust has issued any Securities
that remain outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights,
privileges or preferences of any Holder (other than an amendment pursuant to (g)
below) may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be set
forth in the terms of such Securities;

           (d)        Section 10.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended
without the consent of all of the Holders;

           (e)        Article Four shall not be amended without the consent of
the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities;

           (f)        The rights of the Holders of the Common Securities under
Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees
shall not be amended without the con sent of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities; and

           (g)        Notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be
amended without the consent of the Holders to:

                                 (i) cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement
                      any provision in this Declaration that may be inconsistent
                      with any other provision of this Declaration or to make
                      any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
                      arising under this Declaration which shall not be
                      inconsistent with the other provisions of the Declaration;


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<PAGE>   68
                                 (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any
                      provisions of the Declaration to such extent as shall be
                      necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for
                      United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor
                      trust at all times that any Securities are outstanding or
                      to ensure that the Trust will not be required to register
                      as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act;
                      and

                                 (iii) to modify, eliminate or add any
                      provisions of the Declaration to such extent as shall be
                      necessary to enable the Trust or the Sponsor to conduct an
                      Exchange Offer in the manner contemplated by the
                      Registration Rights Agreement;

provided, however, that in each clause above, such action shall not adversely
affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders, and any such
amendments of this Declaration shall become effective when notice thereof is
given to the Holders.

SECTION 12.2          Meetings of the Holders; Action by Written Consent.

           (a)        Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be
called at any time by the Administrative Trustees (or as provided in the terms
of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such
class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the
terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital
Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Administrative Trustees shall
call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders
of at least 10% in Liquidation Amount of such class of Securities. Such
direction shall be given by delivering to the Administrative Trustees one or
more notices in writing stating that the signing Holders wish to call a meeting
and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be
called. Any Holders calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Capital
Security Certificates held by the Holders exercising the right to call a meeting
and only those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes of determining
whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this
paragraph has been met.

           (b)        Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of
the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders:

                                 (i) notice of any such meeting shall be given
                      to all the Holders having a right to vote thereat at least
                      seven days and not more than 60 days before the date of
                      such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of the
                      Holders is permitted or required under this Declaration or
                      the rules of any stock exchange on which the Capital
                      Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote,
                      consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the
                      Holders; any action that may be taken at a meeting of the
                      Holders may be taken without a meeting if a consent in
                      writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the
                      Holders owning not less than the minimum amount of
                      Securities in liquidation amount that would be necessary
                      to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all
                      Holders having a right to vote thereon were present and
                      voting; prompt notice of the taking of action without a
                      meeting shall be given to the Holders entitled to


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<PAGE>   69
                      vote who have not consented in writing; and the
                      Administrative Trustees may specify that any written
                      ballot submitted to the Security Holder for the purpose of
                      taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to
                      the Trust within the time specified by the Administrative
                      Trustees;

                                 (ii) each Holder may authorize any Person to
                      act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder is
                      entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any
                      meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting; no proxy
                      shall be valid after the expiration of eleven months from
                      the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy;
                      every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the
                      Holder executing it; and, except as otherwise provided
                      herein, all matters relating to the giving, voting or
                      validity of proxies shall be governed by the General
                      Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to
                      proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if
                      the Trust were a Delaware corporation and the Holders were
                      stockholders of a Delaware corporation;

                                 (iii) each meeting of the Holders shall be
                      conducted by the Administrative Trustees or by such other
                      Person that the Administrative Trustees may designate; and

                                 (iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this
                      Declaration, the terms of the Securities, the Trust
                      Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange
                      on which the Capital Securities are then listed or
                      trading, otherwise provides, the Administrative Trustees,
                      in their sole discretion, shall establish all other
                      provisions relating to meetings of Holders, including
                      notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at
                      which any matter is to be voted on by any Holders, waiver
                      of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting,
                      the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements,
                      voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with
                      respect to the exercise of any such right to vote.

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                       REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
                              AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

SECTION 13.1          Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee.

                      The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee
represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this
Declaration, and each Successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the
Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Property Trustee's acceptance
of its appointment as Property Trustee that:

           (a)        the Property Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation, a
national banking association or a bank or trust company, duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States or the State
of Delaware as the case may be, with corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of,
this Declaration;


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           (b)        the execution, delivery and performance by the Property
Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of the Property Trustee; and this Declaration has been duly
executed and delivered by the Property Trustee and under Delaware law (excluding
any securities laws) constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Property Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject
to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of
such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

           (c)        the execution, delivery and performance of this
Declaration by the Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a
breach of the charter or by-laws of the Property Trustee; and

           (d)        no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration
with or notice to, any federal or state banking authority governing the trust
powers of the Property Trustee is required for the execution, delivery or
performance by the Property Trustee of this Declaration.

SECTION 13.2          Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee.

                      The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee
represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this
Declaration, and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the
Trust and the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance
of its appointment as Delaware Trustee that:

           (a)        the Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation, a
national banking association or a bank or trust company, duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States or the State
of Delaware, as the case may be, with corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of,
this Declaration;

           (b)        the execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware
Trustee of this Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of the Delaware Trustee; and this Declaration has been duly
executed and delivered by the Delaware Trustee and under Delaware law (excluding
any securities laws) constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject
to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of
such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

           (c)        the execution, delivery and performance of this
Declaration by the Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a
breach of the charter or by-laws of the Delaware Trustee; and

           (d)        no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration
with or notice to, any federal or Delaware banking authority governing the trust
powers of the Delaware Trustee is required for the execution, delivery or
performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Declaration; and


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<PAGE>   71
           (e)        the Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a resident
of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which has its
principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and is a Person that
satisfies for the Trust Section 3807(a) of the Business Trust Act.

                                   ARTICLE XIV
                               REGISTRATION RIGHTS

SECTION 14.1          Registration Rights Agreement; Liquidated Damages.

                      The Holders of the Series A Capital Securities, the Series
A Debentures and the Series A Capital Securities Guarantee are entitled to the
benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages
Agreement. In certain limited circumstances set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement, the Debenture Issuer shall be
required to pay liquidated damages with respect to the Series A Debentures.
Unless otherwise stated, the term "Distribution," as used in this Declaration,
includes any and all liquidated damages.

                                   ARTICLE XV
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 15.1          Notices.

                      All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in
writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered,
telecopied or mailed by first class mail, overnight courier service or confirmed
telecopy, as follows:

           (a)        if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrative
Trustees at the Trust's mailing address set forth below (or such other address
as the Trust may give notice of to the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee
and the Holders):

                      BFD Preferred Capital Trust II
                      c/o BostonFed Bancorp, Inc.
                      17 New England Executive Park
                      Burlington, Massachusetts  01803
                      Telephone: (781) 273-0300
                      Telecopier: (781) 221-7594

           (b)        if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address
set forth below (or such other address as Delaware Trustee may give notice of to
the Holders):

                      Wilmington Trust Company
                      Rodney Square North
                      1100 North Market Street
                      Wilmington, Delaware 19890

                      Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
                      Telephone: (302) 651-1000
                      Telecopier: (302) 651-8882




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<PAGE>   72
           (c)        if given to the Property Trustee, at the Property
Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Property
Trustee may give notice of to the Holders):

                      Wilmington Trust Company
                      Rodney Square North
                      1100 North Market Street
                      Wilmington, Delaware 19890
                      Telephone: (302) 651-1000
                      Telecopier: (302) 651-8882

           (d)        if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the
mailing address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the
Holder of the Common Securities may give notice to the Trust):

                      BostonFed Bancorp, Inc.
                      17 New England Executive Park
                      Burlington, Massachusetts  01803
                      Telephone: (781) 273-0300
                      Telecopier: (781) 221-7594

           (e)        if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on
the books and records of the Trust.

                      All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when
received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class
mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused
delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice
was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered
on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 15.2          Governing Law.

                      This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.

SECTION 15.3          Intention of the Parties.

                      It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust
be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.
The provisions of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this
intention of the parties.

SECTION 15.4          Headings.

                      Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for
convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this
Declaration or any provision hereof.


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<PAGE>   73
SECTION 15.5          Successors and Assigns.

                      Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is
named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed
to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the
Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective
successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.

SECTION 15.6          Partial Enforceability.

                      If any provision of this Declaration, or the application
of such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the
remainder of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to Persons
or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be
affected thereby.

SECTION 15.7          Counterparts.

                      This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of
the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the
signature of each of the Trustees to one or more of such counterpart signature
pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and
they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had
signed a single signature page.


                                      67
<PAGE>   74
                      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these
presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                      /s/ David F. Holland
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      David F. Holland
                                      as Administrative Trustee


                                      /s/ David P. Conley
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      David P. Conley
                                      as Administrative Trustee


                                      /s/ John A. Simas
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      John A. Simas
                                      as Administrative Trustee


                                      WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
                                      as Delaware Trustee


                                      By: /s/ Donald G. MacKelcan
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name: Donald G. MacKelcan
                                         Title: Vice President


                                      WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
                                      as Property Trustee


                                      By: /s/ Donald G. MacKelcan
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Name: Donald G. MacKelcan
                                         Title: Vice President


                                      BOSTONFED BANCORP, INC.,
                                      as Sponsor and Debenture Issuer


                                      By: /s/ John A. Simas
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         John A. Simas
                                         Executive Vice President and
                                           Corporate Secretary
<PAGE>   75
                                     ANNEX I

                                    TERMS OF
                  10.875% CAPITAL SECURITIES, SERIES A/SERIES B
                            10.875% COMMON SECURITIES

                  Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated
Declaration, dated as of September 19, 2000 (as amended from time to time, the
"Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences
and other terms and provisions of the Securities are set out below (each
capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set forth in the
Declaration, the Indenture or, if not defined in such Declaration or Indenture,
as defined in the Offering Memorandum referred to below in Section 2(c) of this
Annex I):

         1.       Designation and Number.

         (a)      Capital Securities. 22,000 Series A Capital Securities of the
Trust and 22,000 Series B Capital Securities of the Trust, each series with an
aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of
Twenty-Two Million Dollars ($22,000,000) and with a liquidation amount with
respect to the assets of the Trust of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) (the
"Liquidation Amount") per security, are hereby designated for the purposes of
identification only as "10.875% Capital Securities, Series A" and "10.875%
Capital Securities, Series B," respectively (collectively, the "Capital
Securities"). The certificates evidencing the Capital Securities shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes
and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary
usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any exchange or
quotation system on or in which the Capital Securities are listed, traded or
quoted.

         (b)      Common Securities. 681 Common Securities of the Trust with an
aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of Six
Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Dollars ($681,000) and a liquidation amount with
respect to the assets of the Trust of $1,000 per security, are hereby designated
for the purposes of identification only as "10.875% Common Securities" (the
"Common Securities"). The certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes
and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary
usage, custom or practice.

         2.       Distributions.

         (a)      Distributions on each Security will be payable at a fixed rate
per annum of 10.875% (the "Coupon Rate") of the liquidation amount of $1000 per
Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be
held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one
semi-annual period will bear additional Distributions thereon compounded semi-
annually at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law).
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages
Agreement, in certain limited circumstances the Debenture Issuer will be
required to pay Liquidated Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement) with respect to the Debentures.
The term "Distributions" as used herein, includes distributions of any and all
such interest and Liquidated


                                       I-1
<PAGE>   76
Damages, if any, payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only
to the extent that payments are made with respect to the Debentures held by the
Property Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds legally
available therefor.

         (b)      Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will
accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or,
if no Distributions have been paid, from September 22, 2000 and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing April
1, 2001 (each, a "Distribution Date"), except as otherwise described below.
Distributions will be computed on the basis a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. As long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the
Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period at any time and
from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive
semi- annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period during such
period (each an "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest
shall be due and payable on the Debentures, provided that no Extension Period
shall end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or
extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a consequence of such
deferral, Distributions (other than Liquidated Damages, if any) will also be
deferred. Notwithstanding such deferral, Distributions will continue to
accumulate with additional Distributions thereon (to the extent permitted by
applicable law but not at a rate greater than the rate at which interest is then
accruing on the Debentures) at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually during
any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension
Period, the Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further
extending such Extension Period, provided that such extension does not cause
such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions
within such Extension Period, to exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods,
including the first semi-annual period during such Extension Period, end on a
date other than an Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or extend beyond the
Maturity Date of the Debentures. Upon the termination of any Extension Period
and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new
Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.

         (c)      Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders
thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the close of
business on the 15th day of the month immediately preceding the month in which
the relevant Distribution Date occurs, which Distribution Dates correspond to
the Interest Payment Dates for the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws
and regulations and the provisions of the Declaration, each such payment with
respect to the Capital Securities will be made as described under the heading
"Description of Capital Securities--Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures
and Transfer" in the Offering Memorandum dated September 19, 2000 of the
Debenture Issuer and the Trust relating to the Securities and the Debentures.
The relevant record dates for the Common Securities shall be the same as the
record dates for the Capital Securities. Distributions payable on any Securities
that are not punctually paid on any Distribution Date, as a result of the
Debenture Issuer having failed to make a payment under the Debentures, will
cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant record date, and such
defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such
Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified date
determined in accordance with the Indenture. If any date on which Distributions
are payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the
Distributions payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that
is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any
such delay), except that if such next succeeding


                                       I-2
<PAGE>   77
Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be
made on the immediately preceding Business Day with the same force and effect as
if made on such date.

         (d)      In the event that there is any money or other property held by
or for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be
distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders.

         3.       Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.

                  In the event of any dissolution of the Trust, the Trust shall
be liquidated by the Administrative Trustees as expeditiously as the
Administrative Trustees determine to be possible by distributing to the Holders,
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by
applicable law, a Like Amount (as defined below) of the Debentures, unless such
distribution is determined by the Property Trustee not to be practicable, in
which event such Holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Trust legally available for distribution to Holders, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, an amount
equal to the aggregate of the liquidation amount of $1,000 per Security plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount
being the "Liquidation Distribution").

                  "Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of the
Securities, Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal amount
of Debentures to be paid in accordance with their terms and (ii) with respect to
a distribution of Debentures upon the liquidation of the Trust, Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Securities of
the Holder to whom such Debentures are distributed.

                  If, upon any such liquidation, the Liquidation Distribution
can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets legally
available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the
amounts payable directly by the Trust with respect to the Securities shall be
paid on a Pro Rata basis.

         4.       Redemption and Distribution.

         (a)      Upon the repayment of the Debentures in whole or in part, at
maturity or otherwise (either at the option of the Debenture Issuer or pursuant
to a Special Event, as described below), the proceeds from such repayment shall
be simultaneously applied by the Property Trustee (subject to the Property
Trustee having received written notice no later than 45 days prior to such
repayment) to redeem a Like Amount of the Securities at a redemption price equal
to (i) in the case of the repayment of the Debentures on the Maturity Date, the
Maturity Redemption Price (as defined below), (ii) in the case of the optional
prepayment of the Debentures prior to the Initial Optional Redemption Date and
upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, the Special Event
Redemption Price (as defined below) and (iii) in the case of the optional
prepayment of the Debentures on or after the Initial Optional Redemption Date,
the Optional Redemption Price (as defined below). The Maturity Redemption Price,
the Special Event Redemption Price and the Optional Redemption Price are
referred to collectively as the "Redemption Price". Holders will be given not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior written notice of such redemption.


                                       I-3
<PAGE>   78
         (b)      (i) The "Maturity Redemption Price" shall mean an amount equal
to 100% of the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any, thereon to the date of
redemption) on, the Debentures as of the Maturity Date thereof.

                  (ii) The Debenture Issuer shall have the right (subject to the
conditions in the Indenture) to elect to prepay the Debentures, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after October 1, 2010 (the "Initial Optional Redemption
Date"), and, simultaneous with such prepayment, to cause a Like Amount of the
Securities to be redeemed by the Trust at the Optional Redemption Price on a Pro
Rata basis. "Optional Redemption Price" shall mean an amount equal to 100% of
the Liquidation Amount of the Securities to be redeemed, plus, accumulated and
unpaid Distributions thereon, if any, to the date of such redemption.

         (c)      If at any time an Investment Company Event, a Regulatory
Capital Event or a Tax Event (each as defined below, and each a "Special Event")
occurs, the Debenture Issuer shall have the right (subject to the conditions set
forth in the Indenture) at any time prior to the Initial Optional Redemption
Date, to prepay the Debentures in whole, but not in part, within the 90 days
following the occurrence of such Special Event (the "90 Day Period"), and,
simultaneous with such prepayment, to cause a Like Amount of the Securities to
be redeemed by the Trust at the Special Event Redemption Price on a Pro Rata
basis.

                  "Investment Company Event" shall mean the receipt by the
Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of independent securities counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that as a result of (a) any amendment
to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any
regulations thereunder of the United States or any rules, guidelines or policies
of any applicable regulatory authority for the Debenture Issuer or (b) any
official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original
issuance of the Securities, the Trust is, or within 90 days of the date of such
opinion will be, considered an Investment Company that is required to be
registered under the Investment Company Act.

                  "Regulatory Capital Event" shall mean the receipt by the
Debenture Issuer and the Trust of an opinion of independent bank regulatory
counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that as a result of (a) any
amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the
laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any rules, guidelines
or policies of an applicable regulatory authority for the Debenture Issuer or
(b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting
or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original
issuance of the Securities, the Capital Securities do not constitute, or within
90 days of the date of such opinion will not constitute, Tier 1 Capital (or its
then equivalent if the Sponsor were subject to such capital requirement);
provided, however, that the distribution of the Debentures in connection with
the liquidation of the Trust by the Debenture Issuer shall not in and of itself
constitute a Regulatory Capital Event.

                  "Special Event Redemption Price" shall mean, with respect to
any redemption of the Securities following a Special Event, an amount in cash
equal to 100% of the principal amount of


                                       I-4
<PAGE>   79
the Securities plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Sums, if any) to the date of such redemption.

                  A "Tax Event" shall occur upon receipt by the Debenture Issuer
and the Trust of an opinion of independent tax counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change
(including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations
thereunder of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof or therein, or (b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial
decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or
change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after
the date of original issuance of the Securities, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date
of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the Debentures, (ii) the interest payable by the
Debenture Issuer on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such
opinion will not be, deductible by the Debenture Issuer, in whole or in part,
for federal income tax purposes, or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90
days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of
other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

         (d)      In the case of an optional redemption, if fewer than all the
outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the
Capital Securities shall be redeemed Pro Rata and the Capital Securities to be
redeemed will be determined as described in Section 4(g)(ii) below. Upon the
entry of an order for the dissolution of the Trust by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the Debentures thereafter will be subject to optional redemption,
in whole, but not in part, on or after the Initial Optional Redemption Date.

         (e)      On and from the date fixed by the Administrative Trustees for
any distribution of Debentures and liquidation of the Trust: (i) the Securities
will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) the Clearing Agency or its
nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the Holder of the
Capital Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii)
any certificates representing Securities not held by the Clearing Agency or its
nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) will be deemed to
represent beneficial interests in a Like Amount of Debentures until such
certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or
reissue.

         (f)      The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding
Securities unless all accumulated and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all
Securities for all semi-annual Distribution periods terminating on or before the
date of redemption.

         (g)      The procedure with respect to redemptions or distributions of
Securities shall be as follows:

                  (i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of
         Debentures in exchange for, the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution
         Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of
         Securities to be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than
         60 days before the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which,
         in the case of a redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of
         the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of
         redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are


                                       I-5
<PAGE>   80
         given pursuant to this Section 4(g)(i), a Redemption/Distribution
         Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first
         mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders. Each
         Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders at the
         address of each such Holder appearing in the books and records of the
         Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the
         mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the
         validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any
         other Holder.

                  (ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding
         Securities are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed
         shall be selected on a Pro Rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts)
         not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for
         redemption from the outstanding Securities not previously called for
         redemption; provided, however, that with respect to Holders that would
         be required to hold less than 100 but more than zero Securities as a
         result of such redemption, the Trust shall redeem Securities of each
         such Holder so that after such redemption such Holder shall hold either
         100 Securities or such Holder no longer holds any Securities, and shall
         use such method (including, without limitation, by lot) as the Trust
         shall deem fair and appropriate; provided, further, that any such
         redemption may be made on the basis of the aggregate Liquidation Amount
         of Securities held by each Holder thereof and may be made by making
         such adjustments as the Trust deems fair and appropriate in order that
         fractional Securities shall not thereafter remain outstanding. With
         respect to Capital Securities registered in the name of and held of
         record by the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or any successor Clearing
         Agency or its nominee) or any nominee, the distribution of the proceeds
         of such redemption will be made to the Clearing Agency and disbursed by
         such Clearing Agency in accordance with the procedures applied by such
         agency or nominee.

                  (iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a
         Redemption/ Distribution Notice (which notice will be irrevocable),
         then (A) with respect to Capital Securities issued in book-entry form,
         by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, provided
         that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient
         amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of
         the Debentures by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Maturity Date
         or the date of redemption, as the case requires, the Property Trustee
         will deposit irrevocably with the Clearing Agency or its nominee (or
         successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) immediately available funds
         sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to such
         Capital Securities and will give the Clearing Agency irrevocable
         instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the relevant
         Clearing Agency Participants, and (B) with respect to Capital
         Securities issued in certificated form and Common Securities, provided
         that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient
         amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of
         the Debentures, the Property Trustee will irrevocably deposit with the
         paying agent for the Capital Securities (if other than the Property
         Trustee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price to the
         Holders by check mailed to the address of the relevant Holder appearing
         on the books and records of the Trust on the redemption date, and
         provided further, that any such payment shall become due only upon
         surrender by the Holder of the related certificated Capital Securities.
         If a Redemption/ Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds
         deposited as required, if applicable, then immediately prior to the
         close of business on the date of such deposit, or on the redemption
         date, as applicable, Distributions


                                       I-6
<PAGE>   81
         will cease to accumulate on the Securities so called for redemption and
         all rights of Holders so called for redemption will cease, except the
         right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the Redemption
         Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and such
         Securities shall cease to be outstanding.

                  (iv) Payment of accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the
         Redemption Date of the Securities will be subject to the rights of
         Holders at the close of business on a regular record date in respect of
         a Distribution Date occurring on or prior to such Redemption Date.

                  Neither the Administrative Trustees nor the Trust shall be
required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of (i) any
Securities beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of
mailing of a notice of redemption or any notice of selection of Securities for
redemption or (ii) any Securities selected for redemption, except the unredeemed
portion of any Security being redeemed. If any date fixed for redemption of
Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable
on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and
without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay). If payment
of the Redemption Price with respect to any Securities is improperly withheld
or refused and not paid either by the Property Trustee or by the Sponsor as
guarantor pursuant to the relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such
Securities will continue to accumulate from the original redemption date to the
actual date of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered
the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.

                  (v) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the
         Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust to (A) with respect to Capital
         Securities issued in book-entry form, the Clearing Agency or its
         nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), (B) with
         respect to Capital Securities issued in certificated form, to the
         Holders thereof, and (C) with respect to the Common Securities, to the
         Holders thereof.

                  (vi) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including,
         without limitation, United States federal securities laws and banking
         laws), the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from
         time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the
         open market or by private agreement.

         5.       Voting Rights - Capital Securities.

         (a)      Except as provided under Sections 5(b), 6(b) and 7 and as
otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Capital
Securities will have no voting rights.

         (b)      So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee,
the Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee or executing any
trust or power conferred on such Debenture Trustee with respect to the
Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of
the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of
acceleration of the maturity of the principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent
to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case,
obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of all outstanding Capital Securities; provided, however, that where a consent
under the Indenture would require the consent


                                       I-7
<PAGE>   82
of each holder of Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by
the Property Trustee without the prior approval of each Holder of the Capital
Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action previously authorized or
approved by a vote of the Holders of the Capital Securities except by subsequent
vote of such Holders. The Property Trustee shall notify each Holder of Capital
Securities of any notice of default with respect to the Debentures. In addition
to obtaining the foregoing approvals of such Holders of the Capital Securities,
prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Trustees shall obtain an
opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the Trust will
continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income
tax purposes after taking any such action into account.

                  If an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and
is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture
Issuer to pay principal of or interest on the Debentures on the due date (or, in
the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of Capital
Securities may institute a proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer for
enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on a Like
Amount of Debentures (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date
specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the Common
Securities Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Capital
Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such
Holder of Capital Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the
second preceding sentence, or except as set forth in the first sentence of
Section 3.8(e) of the Declaration, the Holders of Capital Securities will not be
able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the
Debentures.

                  Any approval or direction of Holders of Capital Securities may
be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Capital Securities convened for
such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Property Trustee will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote to be mailed
to each Holder of record of Capital Securities. Each such notice will include a
statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such
action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for
adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such
matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the
delivery of proxies or consent.

                  No vote or consent of the Holders of the Capital Securities
will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Capital Securities or to
distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of
the Securities.

                  Notwithstanding that Holders of Capital Securities are
entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any
of the Capital Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the
Sponsor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such
vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.


                                       I-8
<PAGE>   83
         6.       Voting Rights - Common Securities.

         (a)      Except as provided under Sections 6(b), 6(c), and 7 or as
otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Common
Securities will have no voting rights.

         (b)      Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by the Holder of the Common
Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by the
Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital
Securities. In no event will the Holders of the Capital Securities have the
right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which
voting rights are vested exclusively in the Sponsor as the Holder of the Common
Securities. No resignation or removal of a Trustee and no appointment of a
successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the
successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration.

         (c)      So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee,
the Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any
trust or power conferred on such Debenture Trustee with respect to the
Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable under Section 5.07 of
the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration of
acceleration of the maturity of the principal of the Debentures or (iv) consent
to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case,
obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of all outstanding Common Securities; provided, however, that where a consent
under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of Debentures
affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without
the prior approval of each Holder of the Common Securities. The Trustees shall
not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders
of the Common Securities except by subsequent vote of such Holders. The Property
Trustee shall notify each Holder of Common Securities of any notice of default
with respect to the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals
of such Holders of the Common Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing
actions, the Trustees shall obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that the Trust will continue to be classified as a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes after taking any such action
into account.

                  If an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and
is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture
Issuer to pay principal of or interest on the Debentures on the due date (or in
the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of Common
Securities may institute a Direct Action directly against the Debenture Issuer
for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on a
Like Amount of Debentures on or after the respective due date specified in the
Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Common
Securities Holder will be subordinated to the rights of Holders of Capital
Securities in respect of any payment from the Debenture Issuer in such Direct
Action. Except as provided in the second preceding sentence, the Holders of
Common Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy
available to the holders of the Debentures.


                                       I-9
<PAGE>   84
                  Any approval or direction of Holders of Common Securities may
be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such
purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Administrative Trustees will cause a notice of
any meeting at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of
any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken,
to be mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice
will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date
by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution
proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote
or of such matter upon which written consent is sought, and (iii) instructions
for the delivery of proxies or consents.

                  No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities
will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to
distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of
the Securities.

         7.       Amendments to Declaration.

                  In addition to the requirements set out in Section 12.1 of the
Declaration, the Declaration may be amended from time to time by the Sponsor,
the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees without the consent of the
Holders to (i) cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the
Declaration that may be inconsistent with any other provisions, or make any
other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the
Declaration which shall not be inconsistent with the other provisions of the
Declaration, (ii) modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the Declaration
to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified
for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times
that any Securities are outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be
required to register as an Investment Company under the Investment Company Act
or (iii) modify, eliminate or add any provisions of the Declaration to such
extent as shall be necessary to enable the Trust or the Sponsor to conduct an
Exchange Offer in the manner contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement;
provided, however, that in each case, such action shall not adversely affect in
any material respect the interests of any Holder, and any such amendments of the
Declaration shall become effective when notice thereof is given to the Holders.
The Declaration may also be amended by the Trustees and the Sponsor with (i) the
consent of Holders representing a Majority in Liquidation Amount of all
outstanding Securities, and (ii) receipt by the Trustees of an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted
to the Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect the Trust's
status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the
Trust's exemption from status as an Investment Company under the Investment
Company Act; provided, however, that, without the consent of each Holder of
Trust Securities, the Declaration may not be amended to (i) change the amount or
timing of any Distribution on, or the payment required to be made in respect of,
the Trust Securities as of a specified date or (ii) restrict the right of a
Holder of Trust Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment on or after such date


                                      I-10
<PAGE>   85
         8.       Pro Rata.

                  A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment,
distribution or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean pro rata to each Holder
according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held by such
Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Securities
outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default under the
Declaration has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to
make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Capital Securities
pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities
held by such Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Capital
Securities outstanding and then, only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to
the Holders of the Capital Securities, to each Holder of Common Securities pro
rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common Securities held by
such Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common
Securities outstanding.

         9.       Ranking.

                  The Capital Securities rank pari passu with the Common
Securities and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common
Securities, except that, if an Event of Default under the Declaration occurs and
is continuing, no payments in respect of Distributions on, or payments upon
liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to, the Common Securities
shall be made until the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be paid in full
the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution and any other
payments to which they are entitled at such time.

         10.      Acceptance of Capital Securities Guarantee, Common Securities
                  Guarantee. Indenture and Debentures.

                  Each Holder of Capital Securities and Common Securities, by
the acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Capital Securities
Guarantee, the Common Securities Guarantee, the Indenture and the Debentures, as
applicable, including the subordination provisions therein.

         11.      No Preemptive Rights.

                  Neither the issuance of Capital Securities, nor the issuance
of Common Securities is subject to preemptive or other similar rights. The
Holders shall have no preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for any
additional securities.

         12.      Miscellaneous.

                  These terms constitute a part of the Declaration.

                  The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the
Capital Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee, as applicable,
and the Indenture (including any supplemental indenture) to a Holder without
charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business.


                                      I-11
<PAGE>   86
                                   EXHIBIT A-1

                      FORM OF CAPITAL SECURITY CERTIFICATE

                           [FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

                  [IF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY,
INSERT: THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF
THE DECLARATION HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE "CLEARING AGENCY") OR A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY. THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR CAPITAL SECURITIES REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN
THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS
CAPITAL SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY
THE CLEARING AGENCY TO A NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE
CLEARING AGENCY TO THE CLEARING AGENCY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE CLEARING
AGENCY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

                  UNLESS THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY TO THE TRUST OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION
OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CAPITAL SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLEARING AGENCY AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE &
CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO
ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN
INTEREST HEREIN.]

                  THIS CAPITAL SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS CAPITAL
SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD,
ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

                  THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF
AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS CAPITAL SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE
DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE
LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH BOSTONFED
BANCORP, INC. (THE "CORPORATION") OR ANY "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION WAS THE
OWNER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY)
ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS
BEEN


                                      A1-1
<PAGE>   87
DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS CAPITAL
SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE
TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL
"ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7)
OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS CAPITAL SECURITY FOR
ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE
IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E)
PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF BFD PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST II
(THE "TRUST") AND THE CORPORATION PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i)
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL,
CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii)
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THAT THE TRANSFEROR DELIVER TO THE TRUST A
LETTER FROM THE TRANSFEREE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM OF ANNEX A TO THE OFFERING
MEMORANDUM DATED SEPTEMBER 19, 2000. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL
DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS CAPITAL SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

                  [THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF
ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT,
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF
THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") (EACH
A "PLAN"), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON
OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY AND NO PERSON INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF
ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN,
UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE
UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23,
95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND
HOLDING OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR
SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER
OR HOLDER OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO
HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT
AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN
TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON
ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR


                                      A1-2
<PAGE>   88
ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN
TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED
TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH
THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.]

In all circumstances, each Capital Security Certificate shall bear the following
legend:

         THE CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN
BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000 (100 CAPITAL
SECURITIES) AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF
CAPITAL SECURITIES IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000
(100 CAPITAL SECURITIES) SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT
WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER
OF SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND SUCH PURPORTED
TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH CAPITAL
SECURITIES.

         THE HOLDER OF THIS CAPITAL SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
BE BOUND BY THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2000, BY
AND AMONG THE TRUST, THE SPONSOR AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED THEREIN, AS
AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.






                                      A1-3
<PAGE>   89
Certificate Number:[_____________________]      Aggregate Liquidation Amount:
                                                $_________________
CUSIP Number:[____________]


                    Certificate Evidencing Capital Securities

                                       of

                         BFD Preferred Capital Trust II

                      10.875% Capital Securities, Series A
                (liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital Security)

                  BFD Preferred Capital Trust II, a statutory business trust
created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies
that {CEDE & CO.} {NAME OF IAI} (the "Holder") is the registered owner of $
in aggregate liquidation amount of Capital Securities of the Trust](1) [
is the registered owner of the aggregate liquidation amount of Capital
Securities of the Trust specified in Schedule A hereto](2) representing
undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust designated
the 10.875% Capital Securities, Series A (liquidation amount $1,000 per Capital
Security) (the "Capital Securities"). The Capital Securities are transferable on
the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney,
upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for
transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and
other terms and provisions of the Capital Securities represented hereby are
issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of September 22, 2000, as the same may
be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of
the terms of the Capital Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given them
in the Declaration. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the
Capital Securities Guarantee and the Indenture (including any supplemental
indenture) to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its
principal place of business.

                  Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of
the Capital Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.

                  By acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees, for United States
federal income tax purposes, to treat the Debentures as indebtedness and the
Capital Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.

----------

         (1)      Insert in Global Capital Securities only.

         (2)      Insert in Definitive Capital Securities only.


                                      A1-4
<PAGE>   90
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate
this 22nd day of September, 2000.

                                        BFD PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST II


                                        By:____________________________________
                                           David F. Holland
                                           Administrative Trustee



                PROPERTY TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

         This is one of the 10.875% Capital Securities, Series A of BFD
Preferred Capital Trust II referred to in the within-mentioned Declaration.

Dated:_______________ , _____



                                        WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                                        not in its individual capacity but
                                        solely as Property Trustee

                                        By:____________________________________
                                           Authorized Signatory





                                      A1-5
<PAGE>   91
                          [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]

                  Distributions on each Capital Security will be payable at a
fixed rate per annum of 10.875% (the "Coupon Rate") of the liquidation amount of
$1000 per Capital Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the
Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more
than one semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi-annually
at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). Pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated Damages Agreement, in certain
limited circumstances the Debenture Issuer will be required to pay Liquidated
Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement and the Liquidated
Damages Agreement) with respect to the Debentures. The term "Distributions," as
used herein, includes such cash distributions and any and all such interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is
payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures
held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds
legally available therefor.

                  Distributions on the Capital Securities will be cumulative,
will accumulate from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid
or, if no Distributions have been paid, from September 22, 2000 and will be
payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October of each year, commencing
April 1, 2001 (each, a "Distribution Date"), except as otherwise described
below. Distributions will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months. As long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
under the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to
defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period at any time
and from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 10
consecutive semi- annual calendar periods, including the first such semi-annual
period during such extension period (each an "Extension Period"), provided that
no Extension Period shall end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for
the Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a
consequence of such deferral, Distributions (other than Liquidated Damages, if
any) will also be deferred. Notwithstanding such deferral, semi-annual
Distributions will continue to accumulate with interest thereon (to the extent
permitted by applicable law, but not at a rate exceeding the rate of interest
then accruing on the Debentures) at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually
during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any Extension
Period, the Debenture Issuer may further defer payments of interest by further
extending such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period, together
with all such previous and further extensions within such Extension Period, may
not (i) exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first
semi-annual period during such Extension Period, (ii) end on a date other than
an Interest Payment Date for the Debentures or (iii) extend beyond the Maturity
Date of the Debentures. Payments of accumulated Distributions will be payable to
Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the record date
immediately preceding the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of
any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture
Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.


                                      A1-6
<PAGE>   92
                  Subject to receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required
regulatory approvals and to certain other conditions set forth in the
Declaration and the Indenture, the Property Trustee may, at the direction of the
Sponsor, at any time dissolve the Trust and after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, cause the Debentures to be
distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or,
simultaneously with any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the
Securities to be redeemed by the Trust.

                  The Capital Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.







                                      A1-7
<PAGE>   93
         The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this Certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

         TEN CON - as tenants in common

         TEN ENT - as tenants in the entireties

         JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survival

         UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - under Uniform Gift to Minors Act and not as tenants

         Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.



                                   ASSIGNMENT




FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby assigns and transfers this Capital
Security Certificate to:

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

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Assignee's social security or tax identification number)


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

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       (Address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoints
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           agent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
to transfer this Capital Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The
agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date:
     -------------------------------

Signature:
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Capital Security
 Certificate)

Signature Guarantee:
                    -----------------------------------------------------------



                                      A1-8
<PAGE>   94
----------

         Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution"
         that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit
         union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements
         include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents
         Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program"
         as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in
         substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange
         Act of 1934, as amended.






                                      A1-9
<PAGE>   95
             [INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IF THE CAPITAL SECURITY BEARS A
                          RESTRICTED SECURITIES LEGEND]

In connection with any transfer of any of the Capital Securities evidenced by
this Certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Capital Securities are
being:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

         (1)     [ ]       exchanged for the undersigned's own account without
                           transfer; or

         (2)     [ ]       transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule
                           144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

         (3)     [ ]       transferred to an institutional "accredited investor"
                           within the meaning of subparagraph (a)(1), (2), (3)
                           or (7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933
                           that is acquiring the Capital Securities for its own
                           account, or for the account of such an institutional
                           "accredited investor," for investment purposes and
                           not with a view to, or for offer or sale in
                           connection with, any distribution in violation of the
                           Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

         (4)      [ ]      transferred pursuant to another available exemption
                           from the registration requirements of the Securities
                           Act of 1933, as amended; or

         (5)      [ ]      transferred pursuant to an effective registration
                           statement.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar will refuse to register any of
the Capital Securities evidenced by this Certificate in the name of any Person
other than the Holder hereof; provided, however, that if box (3) or (4) is
checked, the Registrar may require, prior to registering any such transfer of
the Capital Securities, such legal opinions, certifications and other
information as the Trust has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer
is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,
the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such as
the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act; provided, further, that (i)
if box (2) is checked, by acceptance of this Certificate, the transferee shall
be deemed to have certified that it is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as
defined in Rule 144A) ("QIB") acquiring the Capital Securities for its own
account or for the account of another QIB over which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it is aware that the Holder is relying upon the
exemption from registration afforded by Rule 144A in respect of the Holder's
transfer of Capital Securities to it or (ii) if box (3) is checked, the
transferee must also provide to the Registrar a Transferee Letter of
Representation in the form attached to the Offering Memorandum of the Trust
dated September 19, 2000 provided, further, that after the date that a
registration statement has been filed and so long as such Registration Statement
continues to be effective, only then may the Registrar permit transfers for
which box (5) has been checked.




                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                Signature


                                      A1-10
<PAGE>   96
                                   EXHIBIT A-2

                       FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE

         THIS COMMON SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW. NEITHER THIS COMMON SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST
OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.







                                      A2-1
<PAGE>   97
         This Certificate is not transferable except in compliance with
                       Section 9.1(c) of the Declaration.

                    Certificate Evidencing Common Securities

                                       of

                         BFD Preferred Capital Trust II

                            10.875% Common Securities
                 (liquidation amount $1,000 per Common Security)

                  BFD Preferred Capital Trust II, a statutory business trust
created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies
that BostonFed Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holder") is the registered owner of 681
common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Trust designated the 10.875% Common Securities (liquidation
amount $1,000 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). Subject to the
terms of Section 9.1(c) of the Declaration (as defined below), the Common
Securities are not transferable. The designation, rights, privileges,
restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of the Trust dated as of
September 22, 2000 as the same may be amended from time to time (the
"Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities
as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Sponsor
will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee and the
Indenture (including any supplemental indenture) to a Holder without charge upon
written request to the Trust at its principal place of business.

                  Upon receipt of this Certificate, the Holder is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder and to the benefits of
the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein.

                  By acceptance hereof, the Holder agrees to treat, for United
States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the
Common Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the
Debentures.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate
this 22nd day of September, 2000.

                                    BFD PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST II


                                    By:
                                       -------------------------------------

                                       Administrative Trustee


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<PAGE>   98
                          [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]

         Distributions on each Common Security will be payable at a rate of
10.875% per annum (the "Coupon Rate") of the liquidation amount of $1000 per
Common Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures
to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one
semi-annual period will bear interest thereon compounded semi-annually at the
Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). Pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement, in certain limited circumstances the Debenture
Issuer will be required to pay Liquidated Damages (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to the Debentures. The term
"Distributions", as used herein, includes such cash distributions and any and
all such interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, payable unless otherwise
stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in
respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the
Property Trustee has funds legally available therefor.

         Distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from the most recent date to which Distributions have been paid or, if no
Distributions have been paid, from September 22, 2000 and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing April
1, 2001 (each, a "Distribution Date"), except as otherwise described below.
Distributions will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. As long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the
Indenture, the Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period at any time and
from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive
calendar semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period during
such extension period (each an "Extension Period"), provided that no Extension
Period shall end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the
Debentures or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. As a
consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred.
Notwithstanding such deferral, semi-annual Distributions will continue to
accumulate with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law, but
not at a rate exceeding the rate of interest then accruing on the Debentures) at
the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually during any such Extension Period. Prior
to the termination of any Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further
defer payments of interest by further extending such Extension Period; provided
that such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further
extensions within such Extension Period, may not (i) exceed 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods, including the first semi-annual period during such
Extension Period, (ii) end on a date other than an Interest Payment Date for the
Debentures or (iii) extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. Payments
of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books
and records of the Trust on the record date immediately preceding the end of the
Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment
of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension
Period, subject to the above requirements.

         Subject to the receipt by the Sponsor of any and all required
regulatory approvals and to certain other conditions set forth in the
Declaration and the Indenture, the Property Trustee may, at the direction of the
Sponsor, at any time dissolve the Trust and cause the Debentures to be
distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of the Trust or,
simultaneously with any redemption of the Debentures, cause a Like Amount of the
Securities to be redeemed by the Trust.

         The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.

         Under certain circumstances, the rights of the holders of the Common
Securities shall be subordinate to the rights of the holders of the Capital
Securities, as provided in the Declaration.


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