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                                                            Exhibit 10.23
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                           EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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     AGREEMENT by and among Bank of Boston Corporation, a Massachusetts
corporation ("Bank of Boston" or the "Company"), BayBanks, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation ("BayBanks") and Ilene Beal (the "Executive"), dated 
as of the 12th day of December, 1995.

     The Boards of Directors of BayBanks and Bank of Boston have determined 
that it is in the best interests of BayBanks, the Company and their 
shareholders to assure that BayBanks will have the continued dedication of the 
Executive pending the merger of the Company and BayBanks (the "Merger") 
pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 12, 1995 and 
to provide the surviving corporation after the Merger with continuity of 
management.  Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Boards of 
Directors of BayBanks and Bank of Boston have caused BayBanks and Bank of 
Boston to enter into this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS: 

     1.   EFFECTIVE DATE.  The "Effective Date" shall mean the effective date 
of the Merger.

     2.   EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.  The Company agrees to employ the Executive or 
cause the Executive to be employed, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain 
in the employ of the Company or its affiliates subject to the terms and 
conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date 
and ending on the third anniversary thereof (the "Employment Period").

     3.   TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.  (a)  POSITION AND DUTIES.  (i)  (A) During the 
Employment Period, the Executive shall serve in a position with the Company or 
its affiliated companies commensurate to her position as a Executive Vice 
President and Chief Administrative Officer of BayBanks immediately prior to the 
Effective Date assigned to the Chairman of the Company and reporting to the 
chief legal officer of Bank of Boston with such authority, duties and 
responsibilities as are commensurate with such position and (B) the Executive's 
services shall be performed in Boston, Massachusetts.

          (ii)  During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of 
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive 
agrees to devote substantially all of her attention and time during normal 
business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent 
necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive 
hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully 
and efficiently such responsibilities.  During the Employment Period it shall 
not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on 
corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, 
fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) 
manage personal investments, so 

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long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of 
the Executives responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance 
with this Agreement.  It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent 
that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the 
Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of 
activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective 
Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the 
Executive's responsibilities to the Company.

     (b)  COMPENSATION.  (i)  BASE SALARY.  During the Employment Period, the 
Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which 
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest 
monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been 
earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated 
companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month 
in which the Effective Date occurs.  During the Employment Period, the Annual 
Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary 
increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at 
least annually.  Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or 
reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement.  Annual Base 
Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base 
Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so 
increased.  As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall
include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the 
Company.

          (ii)  INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS.  During the Employment 
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, 
savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable 
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, 
including, without limitation, eligibility for a pro rata bonus for the year in 
which the Effective Date occurs.

         (iii)  WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS.  During the Employment Period, the 
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible 
for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit 
plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its 
affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, 
dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel 
accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to 
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.  For 
purposes of determining the Executive's right to participate and level of 
participation in any retiree health or similar plan of the Company, Executive's
service with BayBanks shall be deemed to be service with the Company for all
purposes.

          (iv)  EXPENSES.  During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all 


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reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the Company's
policies.
  
           (v)  FRINGE BENEFITS.  During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, payment of
club dues, and, if applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related
expenses, to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.

          (vi)  OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF.  During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments as provided generally at any time thereafter
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.

         (vii)  VACATION.  During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the plans, policies, programs and
practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect generally at
any time with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.

      4.   TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  (a)  DEATH OR DISABILITY.  The
Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death
during the Employment Period.  If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant
to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive
written notice in accordance with Section 11(b) of this Agreement of its
intention to terminate the Executive's employment.  In such event, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties. 
For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the
Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for
180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executive's legal representative.

        (b)  CAUSE.  The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause"
shall mean:
          
           (i)  the continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially
the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than
any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness),
after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the
Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which
specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive
Officer 


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believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's 
duties, or

          (ii)  the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or 
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company,
or

         (iii)  conviction of a felony or guilty or nolo contendere plea by the
Executive with respect thereto, or

          (iv)  a material breach of the covenants contained in Section 9.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the 
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be 
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.  Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution
duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive
Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel
for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. 
The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for
Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy
of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than
two-thirds of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board
called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the
Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to
be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or
(ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

        (c)  GOOD REASON.  The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean in the absence of a written consent of the Executive:

           (i)  the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in 
any material respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by Section 3(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the
Company which results in a material diminution in such position, authority,
duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;

          (ii)  any material failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 3(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in 


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bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice
thereof given by the Executive;

        (iii)  the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office
or location more than 35 miles from that provided in Section 3(a)(i)(B) hereof
or the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective
Date;

         (iv)  any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

          (v)  any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
10(c) of this Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 4(c), any good faith determination of "Good 
Reasons" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.  Anything in this Agreement 
to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason 
during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the 
Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all 
purposes of this Agreement.

        (d)  NOTICE OF TERMINATION.  Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b) of
this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination"
means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision
in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and
(iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of
receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not
more than thirty days after the giving of such notice).  The failure by the
Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or
preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact
or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

        (e)  DATE OF TERMINATION.  "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein within 30 days of such notice, as the case may
be, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than
for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the
Company notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or 

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Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive
or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.

        5.   OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.  (a)  GOOD REASON;
OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY.  If, during the Employment Period,
the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause or
Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:

           (i)  the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:

               (A)  the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through 
the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, and (2) to the 
extent not previously paid, the product of (x) the maximum annual incentive or 
similar award for which the Executive is eligible immediately prior to the 
Effective Date, or if greater, any annual bonus paid during the Employment 
Period (the "Eligible Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination 
occurs through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and
(3) any unused sick pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the 
sum of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and

               (B)  the amount equal to the product of (1) three and (2) the 
sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Eligible Annual 
Bonus; and 

          (ii)  the Executive's benefit under the Company's Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date
(the "SERP") shall be increased to the benefit that would be payable thereunder
if, utilizing actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than
those in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's
employment continued for three years after the Date of Termination, assuming
for this purpose that (x) all accrued benefits are fully vested, (y) the
Executive's compensation during the three years is that required by Section
3(b)(i) and her annual bonus in each of the three years is equal to the
Eligible Annual Bonus, and (z) the Executive were 55 years old on the Date of
Termination; and

         (iii)  for three years after the Executive's Date of Termination, or
such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which would
have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices
and policies described in Section 3(b)(iii) of this Agreement if the
Executive's employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families
provided, however, that if the 

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Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to
receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan,
the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to
those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of
eligibility.  For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of
commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to
such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered
to have remained employed until three years after the Date of Termination and
to have retired on the last day of such period;

          (iv)  the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the
Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be
selected by the Executive in her sole discretion;

           (v)  to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company 
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits 
required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive 
under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the 
Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be 
hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits"); and

          (vi)  the Executive shall be given service credit for unused sick pay
under all of the benefit plans in which the Executive participates for purposes
of determining eligibility and the amount of benefits thereunder; in the event
such credit can not be given under such plans, the Executive shall be provided
with cash equivalent thereof.

        (b)  DEATH.  If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives
under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.  Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.  With respect to the provision
of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 5(b)
shall include death benefits as in effect on the date of the Executive's death
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their beneficiaries.

        (c)  DISABILITY.  If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason
of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for
payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits.  Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.  With respect to the provision
of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 5(c)
shall include, and the Executive shall be 

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entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other 
benefits as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other 
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.

        (d)  CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON.  If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause or the Executive terminates her employment
without Good Reason during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the
obligation to pay to the Executive (x) her Annual Base Salary through the Date
of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid.

        6.   NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS.  Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to
Section 11(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any
of its affiliated companies.  Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract
or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

        7.   FULL SETTLEMENT.  The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others.  In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek
other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and,
except as provided in Section 5(a)(ii), such amounts shall not be reduced
whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.  The Company agrees to
pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and
expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest
(regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of
the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this
Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any
contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

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        8.   CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.
             ------------------------------------------

        (a)  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and
except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment
or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether
paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 8) (a "Payment") would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are
incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that
after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation,
any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto)
and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an
amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(a), if it
shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but
that the Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest amount (the "Reduced
Amount") that could be paid to the Executive such that the receipt of Payments
would not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made
to the Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the
Reduced Amount.

        (b)  Subject to the provisions of Section 8(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 8, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions
to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Coopers &
Lybrand LLC or such other certified public accounting firm reasonably
acceptable to the Company as may be designated by the Executive (the
"Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to
the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice
from the Executive that there has been a payment or such earlier time as is
requested by the Company.  In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as
accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change
of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized
accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Company to make the determinations
required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the
Accounting Firm hereunder).  All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall
be borne solely by the Company.  Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant
to this Section 8, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five
days of (i) the later of the due date for the payment of any Excise Tax, and
(ii) the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination.  Any determination by
the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.  As a
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code 

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at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, 
it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the
Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the
calculations required to be made hereunder.  In the event that the Company 
exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 8(c) and the Executive thereafter is 
required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall 
determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such 
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the 
Executive.

        (c)  The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by
the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by
the Company of the Gross-Up Payment.  Such notification shall be given as soon
as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is
informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature
of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid.  The
Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period
following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such
shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to
such claim is due).  If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to
the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the
Executive shall:

          (i)  give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,

         (ii)  take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim
by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

        (iii)  cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and

         (iv)  permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to
such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and 
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection 
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an 
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and 
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and 
payment of costs and expenses.  Without limitation on the foregoing provisions 
of this Section 8(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any 
and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the 
taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either 
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the 
claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such 

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contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of 
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall 
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay 
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such 
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and 
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or 
income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with 
respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to 
such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of 
limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive 
with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited 
solely to such contested amount.  Furthermore, the Company's control of the 
contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.

        (d)  If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 8(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 8(c)) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited
thereon after taxes applicable thereto).  If, after the receipt by the
Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 8(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

        9.   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  (a)  The Executive shall hold in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated
companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by
the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other
than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation
of this Agreement).  After termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or
divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the
Company and those designated by it.  In no event shall an asserted violation of
the provisions of this Section 9 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Agreement.

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     (b)  In the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Section
9, the Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled to injunctive
relief in a court of appropriate jurisdiction to remedy any such breach
or threatened breach, the Executive acknowledges that damages would be
inadequate and insufficient.

     (c)  Any termination of the Executive's employment or of this
Agreement shall have no effect on the continuing operation of this
Section 9.

     10.  SUCCESSORS.  (a)  This Agreement is personal to the Executive
and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be
assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by the Executive's legal representatives.

     (b)  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

     (c)  The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no
such succession had taken place.  As used in this Agreement, "Company"
shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its
business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform
this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

     11.  MISCELLANEOUS.  (a)  This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.  The
captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and
shall have no force or effect.  This Agreement may not be amended or
modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties
hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

     (b)  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:

     If to the Executive:          Ilene Beal
     -------------------           30 Bradford Road
                                   Wellesley, MA  02181

     If to Bank of Boston:
     --------------------

          100 Federal Street
          Boston, Massachusetts 02110
          Attention:  General Counsel

                                    -12-
<PAGE>   13

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in 
writing in accordance herewith.  Notice and communications shall be effective 
when actually received by the addressee.

        (c)  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.

        (d)  The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to
be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

        (e)  The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 4(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.

        (f)  The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will",
and prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's employment may be terminated
by either the Executive or the Company at any time, in which case the Executive
shall have no further rights under this Agreement.  From and after the
Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other employment, severance
or change of control agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof, including, without limitation, Executive's participation in the
Company's Plan Supplementing Statutory Insurance Pay.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.

                                   /s/ Ilene Beal                
                              --------------------------------
                              ILENE BEAL

                              BANK OF BOSTON CORPORATION


                              By   /s/ Peter J. Manning          
                                 -----------------------------

                              BAYBANKS, INC.


                              By   /s/ William M. Crozier, Jr.  
                                 -------------------------------

                                    -13-

<PAGE>   14
 
                      

                        EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ADDENDUM
                        -----------------------------

I hereby acknowledge and confirm that for purposes of interpretation of 
Section 3(a) of the Employment Agreement attached, the word "commensurate" does 
not mean "equal" and should be understood in the context of the substantial 
difference in size between Bank of Boston and BayBanks.


                         Signed:   /s/ Ilene Beal           
                                --------------------------


                                    -14-