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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

0-23229
(COMMISSION FILE NUMBER)

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)



DELAWARE 11-3387931
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
195 MONTAGUE STREET, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11201
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE) (ZIP CODE)


(718) 722-5300
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
NONE

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE
(TITLE OF CLASS)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file reports) and (2) has been subject to such
requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendments to
this Form 10-K. YES [ ] NO [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12-b-2 of the Act). YES [X] NO [ ]

The aggregate market value of the 45,809,233 shares of the Registrant's
common stock held by non-affiliates (54,741,962 shares outstanding less
8,932,729 shares held by affiliates), based upon the closing price of $28.14 for
the Common Stock on June 30, 2003, the last business day in the Registrant's
second quarter, was approximately $1.29 billion. Shares of Common Stock held by
each executive officer and director, the Registrant's 401(k) Plan and Employee
Stock Ownership Plan and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding
Common Stock have been excluded since such persons may be deemed affiliates.
This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive
determination for other purposes.

As of February 29, 2004, there were 54,741,962 shares of the Registrant's
common stock issued and outstanding.

(1) Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders are incorporated into Part III.
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INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

2003 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I
ITEM 1. Business
Independence Community Bank Corp. .......................... 1
Independence Community Bank................................. 1
Change in Fiscal Year End................................... 1
Market Area and Competition................................. 1
Forward Looking Information................................. 3
Available Information....................................... 3
Lending Activities.......................................... 4
Asset Quality............................................... 15
Investment Activities....................................... 22
Sources of Funds............................................ 26
Employees................................................... 29
Subsidiaries................................................ 29
Regulation.................................................. 31
Taxation.................................................... 39
ITEM 2. Properties.................................................. 41
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings........................................... 43
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......... 43
PART II
ITEM 5. Market for Independence Community Bank Corp.'s Common
Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities........................................... 44
ITEM 6. Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data.............. 45
ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................... 47
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk........................................................ 70
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................. 75
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure.................................... 125
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures..................................... 125
PART III
ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of Independence Community
Bank Corp. ................................................. 125
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation...................................... 125
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters.................. 125
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............. 126
ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services...................... 126
PART IV
ITEM 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form
8-K......................................................... 126
SIGNATURES............................................................ 129



PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

Independence Community Bank Corp. (the "Holding Company") is a Delaware
corporation organized in June 1997 by Independence Community Bank (the "Bank"),
for the purpose of becoming the parent savings and loan holding company of the
Bank. The Bank's reorganization to the stock form of organization and the
concurrent offer and sale of the Holding Company's common stock was completed on
March 13, 1998 (the "Conversion"). The assets of the Holding Company are
primarily the capital stock of the Bank, dividends receivable from the Bank and
certain cash and cash equivalents. The business and management of the Holding
Company consists primarily of the business and management of the Bank (the
Holding Company and the Bank are collectively referred to herein as the
"Company"). The Holding Company neither owns nor leases any property, but
instead uses the premises and equipment of the Bank. At the present time, the
Holding Company does not intend to employ any persons other than officers of the
Bank, and will continue to utilize the support staff of the Bank from time to
time. Additional employees may be hired as appropriate to the extent the Holding
Company expands or changes its business in the future.

The Company's executive office is located at 195 Montague Street, Brooklyn,
New York 11201, and its telephone number is (718) 722-5300. The Company's web
address is www.myindependence.com.

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK

The Bank's principal business is gathering deposits from customers within
its market area and investing those deposits along with borrowed funds primarily
in multi-family residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans,
commercial business loans, lines of credit to mortgage bankers, consumer loans,
mortgage-related securities, investment securities and interest-bearing bank
balances. The Bank's revenues are derived principally from interest on its loan
and securities portfolios while its primary sources of funds are deposits,
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLB") borrowings, loan amortization and
prepayments and maturities of mortgage-related securities and investment
securities. The Bank offers a variety of loan and deposit products to its
customers. The Bank also makes available other financial instruments, such as
annuity products and mutual funds, through arrangements with a third party.

The Bank has continued to broaden its banking strategy by emphasizing
commercial bank-like products, primarily commercial real estate and business
loans, mortgage warehouse lines of credit and commercial deposits. This strategy
focuses on increasing both net interest income and fee based revenue while
concurrently diversifying the Bank's customer base.

CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR END

The Company announced in October 2001 that it changed its fiscal year end
from March 31, to December 31, effective December 31, 2001. This change provides
internal efficiencies as well as aligns the Company's reporting cycle with
regulators, taxing authorities and the investor community. Due to the change in
the Company's fiscal year end, the comparison of annual operating performance is
based upon the audited 12 month calendar year ended December 31, 2003 compared
to the audited 12 month calendar year ended December 31, 2002 and the unaudited
12 month calendar year ended December 31, 2001.

MARKET AREA AND COMPETITION

The Company is a community-oriented financial institution providing
financial services and loans for housing and commercial businesses primarily
within its market area. The Company has sought to set itself apart from its many
competitors by tailoring its products and services to meet the diverse needs of
its customers, by emphasizing customer service and convenience and by being
actively involved in community affairs in the neighborhoods and communities it
serves. The Company oversees its 85 branch office network from its headquarters
located in downtown Brooklyn. The Company operates 19 branch offices in the
borough of Brooklyn, another eleven in the borough of Queens, eight in Manhattan
and ten more branches dispersed among the Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk
and Westchester Counties of New York. As a result of the acquisitions of Broad
National Bancorporation ("Broad"), Newark, New Jersey and Statewide Financial
Corp. ("Statewide"), Jersey City, New Jersey during fiscal 2000, the Company
also operates 36 branches in the northern New Jersey coun-

1


ties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex and Union. In addition, the Company
maintains one branch facility in Maryland as a result of the expansion of the
Company's commercial real estate lending activities to the Baltimore-Washington
area as discussed below. The Company gathers deposits primarily from the
communities and neighborhoods in close proximity to its branches, which deposits
constitute the primary funding source of the Bank's operations. The Company
currently expects to expand its branch network through the opening of
approximately seven branch locations over the next twelve months. The Company
opened one of the proposed new offices in Manhattan during the first quarter of
2004.

Although the Company generally lends throughout the New York City
metropolitan area, the majority of its real estate loans are secured by
properties located in the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, Nassau
County, Long Island, and the counties in northern and central New Jersey. During
the third quarter of 2003, the Company announced the expansion of its commercial
real estate lending activities to the Baltimore-Washington and the Boca Raton,
Florida markets. The Company's customer base, like that of the urban
neighborhoods which it serves, is racially and ethnically diverse and is
comprised of mostly middle-income households and, to a lesser degree, low to
moderate income households. Most of the businesses the Company lends to are
small and medium sized and are primarily dependent upon the regional economy,
which economy, due to its connections to the national economy, may be adversely
affected not only by conditions within the local market but also by conditions
existing elsewhere. At December 31, 2003, over 80% of the loan portfolio
consisted of commercial real estate, commercial business and multi-family
residential loans. Such loans may be more sensitive to adverse changes in the
local economy than single-family residential loans. Increased delinquencies or
other problems with such loans could affect the Company's financial condition
and profitability.

Over the past few years there has been a national and local economic
slowdown, which resulted in New York City being in a recession. After a
continuous trend that lasted for ten consecutive quarters, the New York City
economy displayed some modest growth in the third quarter of 2003 and came out
of a sustained recession. This recovery, however, was somewhat weak and lagged
the national recovery by several quarters.

New York City, and to a lesser degree, the New York City metropolitan area,
has been impacted by a reduction in employment. Many of those persons affected
are domiciled in Manhattan. The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2003
was 8.3% while the U.S. rate stood at 6.1%. Compared to a year earlier, the
number of New York City jobs fell 1.4 percent, the third weakest performance of
the top twenty largest metropolitan areas. The elimination of these positions
results in less taxes being collected by New York City on salaries and has put a
strain on social services as an increased number of people are seeking public
assistance. The reduction in jobs is a prime reason for the current fiscal
challenge.

The inflation rate in New York City rose in the third quarter of 2003 to
3.1% and compares unfavorably to 2.2% for the U.S. as a whole. Commercial real
estate vacancies rose to 12.5%, an increase of 0.7% from the previous year's
quarter, while Manhattan rents decreased 8.5%. Increased real estate vacancies
had a negative effect on commercial real estate values.

Historically, the New York City metropolitan area has benefited from being
the corporate headquarters of many large industrial and commercial national
companies, which have, in turn, attracted many smaller companies, particularly
within the service industry. However, as a consequence of being the home of many
national companies and to a large number of national securities and investment
banking firms, as well as being a popular travel destination, the New York City
metropolitan area is particularly sensitive to the economic health of the United
States. As a result, economic deterioration in other parts of the United States
often have had an adverse impact on the economic climate of New York City.

The Company faces significant competition both in making loans and in
attracting deposits. The New York City metropolitan area has a significant
concentration of financial institutions, many of which are branches of
significantly larger institutions, which have greater financial resources than
the Company. Over the past 10 years, consolidation of the banking industry in
the New York City metropolitan area has continued, resulting in the Company
facing larger and increasingly efficient competitors. The Company's competition
for loans

2


comes principally from commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan
associations, credit unions, mortgage-banking companies, commercial finance
companies and insurance companies. The Company's most direct competition for
deposits has historically come from commercial banks, savings banks, savings and
loan associations, credit unions and commercial finance companies. The Company
faces additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds and
other corporate and government securities funds and from other financial
institutions such as brokerage firms and insurance companies.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Statements contained in this Annual Report of Form 10-K which are not
historical facts are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual
results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of
factors. Included in such forward-looking statements are statements regarding
the proposed merger of the Company and Staten Island Bancorp, Inc. ("SIB"). See
"Business Strategy - Controlled Growth" in Item 7 hereof and Note 2 of the
"Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

Words such as "expect", "feel", "believe", "will", "may", "anticipate",
"plan", "estimate", "intend", "should", and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not
limited to, financial projections and estimates and their underlying
assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with
respect to future operations, products and services; and statements regarding
future performance. Such statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the
control of the Company and SIB, that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the
forward-looking information and statements. The following factors, among others,
could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or
other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: (1) the
businesses of the Company and SIB may not be combined successfully, or such
combination may take longer to accomplish than expected; (2) the growth
opportunities and cost savings from the merger of the Company and SIB may not be
fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (3) operating costs
and business disruption following the completion of the merger, including
adverse effects on relationships with employees, may be greater than expected;
(4) governmental approvals of the merger may not be obtained, or adverse
regulatory conditions may be imposed in connection with governmental approvals
of the merger; (5) competitive factors which could affect net interest income
and non-interest income, general economic conditions which could affect the
volume of loan originations, deposit flows and real estate values; (6) the
levels of non-interest income and the amount of loan losses as well as other
factors discussed in the documents filed by the Company and SIB with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") from time to time. Neither the
Company nor SIB undertakes any obligation to update these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which
such statements were made.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company is a public company and files annual, quarterly and special
reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Members of the
public may read and copy any document the Company files at the SEC's Public
Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Members of the
public can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a
fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more
information about the operation of the public reference room. The Company's SEC
filings are also available to the public at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov. In addition to the foregoing, the Company maintains a web
site at www.myindependence.com. The Company's website content is made available
for informational purposes only. It should neither be relied upon for investment
purposes nor is it incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. The Company
makes available on its internet web site copies of its Annual Reports on Form
10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any
amendments to such documents as soon as reasonable practicable after it
electronically files such material with or furnishes such documents to the SEC.

3


LENDING ACTIVITIES

GENERAL. At December 31, 2003, the Company's net loan portfolio totaled
$6.09 billion (not including $5.9 million of loans available-for-sale), which
represented 63.8% of the Company's total assets of $9.55 billion at such date. A
key corporate objective has been to change the mix of the Company's loan
portfolio by reducing the emphasis on the origination of one-to-four family
residential mortgage loans and cooperative apartment loans, while concurrently
expanding the origination of higher yielding commercial real estate, commercial
business and variable-rate mortgage warehouse lines of credit portfolios. The
largest category of loans in the Company's portfolio continues to be multi-
family residential mortgage loans, which totaled $2.82 billion or 45.7% of the
Company's total loan portfolio at December 31, 2003. Such loans are secured
primarily by apartment buildings located in the Company's market area.
Reflecting the shift in the Company's lending strategy, the second and third
largest loan categories are commercial real estate loans and commercial business
loans, which totaled $1.61 billion or 26.2% and $606.2 million or 9.8%,
respectively, of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2003. Loans made under
mortgage warehouse lines of credit accounted for $527.3 million or 8.5% of the
total loan portfolio at December 31, 2003. These four categories collectively
accounted for 90.2% of the Company's total loan portfolio at December 31, 2003.
The shift in the Company's lending strategy was also supported by the decline in
the single-family residential mortgage and cooperative apartment loan portfolio
from $1.14 billion, or 22.9% of the Company's total loan portfolio at March 31,
2000 compared to $284.4 million, or 4.6% of the total loan portfolio at December
31, 2003. The remainder of the loan portfolio was comprised of $297.0 million of
home equity loans and lines of credit and $27.5 million of consumer and other
loans.

The types of loans that the Company may originate are subject to federal
and state laws and regulations. Interest rates charged by the Company on loans
are affected principally by the demand for such loans and the supply of money
available for lending purposes, the rates offered by its competitors and the
terms and credit risks associated with the loans. These factors in turn, are
affected by general and economic conditions, the monetary policy of the federal
government, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the
"Federal Reserve Board"), legislative tax policies and governmental budgetary
matters.

4


LOAN PORTFOLIO AND LOANS AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE COMPOSITION. The following
table sets forth the composition of the Company's loan portfolio and loans
available-for-sale at the dates indicated.


At December 31, At March 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------
2003 2002 2001 2001
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ----------
PERCENT Percent Percent
OF of of
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) AMOUNT TOTAL AMOUNT TOTAL AMOUNT TOTAL AMOUNT
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LOAN PORTFOLIO:
Mortgage loans:
Single-family residential and cooperative
apartment................................... $ 284,367 4.6% $ 556,279 9.5% $ 849,140 14.6% $ 996,497
Multi-family residential(1)................... 2,821,706 45.7 2,436,666 41.9 2,731,513 46.5 2,620,888
Commercial real estate........................ 1,612,711 26.2 1,312,760 22.6 1,019,379 17.3 861,187
---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ----------
Total principal balance - mortgage loans........ 4,718,784 76.5 4,305,705 74.0 4,600,032 78.4 4,478,572
Less net deferred fees........................ 4,396 0.1 7,665 0.1 11,198 0.2 10,588
---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ----------
Total mortgage loans on real estate............. 4,714,388 76.4 4,298,040 73.9 4,588,834 78.2 4,467,984
---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ----------
Commercial business loans, net of deferred
fees.......................................... 606,204 9.8 598,267 10.3 665,829 11.3 436,751
---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ----------
Other loans:
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit............ 527,254 8.5 692,434 11.9 446,542 7.6 206,707
Home equity loans and lines of credit......... 296,986 4.8 201,952 3.5 141,905 2.4 117,701
Consumer and other loans...................... 27,538 0.5 26,971 0.4 32,002 0.5 33,489
---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ----------
Total principal balance - other loans........... 851,778 13.8 921,357 15.8 620,449 10.5 357,897
Less unearned discounts and deferred fees..... 139 0.0 291 0.0 677 0.0 1,191
---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ----------
Total other loans............................... 851,639 13.8 921,066 15.8 619,772 10.5 356,706
Total loans receivable.......................... 6,172,231 100.0% 5,817,373 100.0% 5,874,435 100.0% 5,261,441
---------- ===== ---------- ===== ---------- ===== ----------
Less allowance for loan losses.................. 79,503 80,547 78,239 71,716
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Loans receivable, net........................... $6,092,728 $5,736,826 $5,796,196 $5,189,725
========== ========== ========== ==========
LOANS AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:
Single-family residential..................... $ 2,687 $ 7,576 $ 3,696 $ --
Multi-family residential...................... 3,235 106,803 -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total loans available-for-sale.................. $ 5,922 $ 114,379 $ 3,696 $ --
========== ========== ========== ==========


At March 31,
------------------------------
2001 2000
------- --------------------
Percent Percent
of of
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) TOTAL AMOUNT TOTAL
- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------

LOAN PORTFOLIO:
Mortgage loans:
Single-family residential and cooperative
apartment................................... 18.9% $1,136,303 22.9%
Multi-family residential(1)................... 49.8 2,731,104 55.2
Commercial real estate........................ 16.4 597,165 12.1
----- ---------- -----
Total principal balance - mortgage loans........ 85.1 4,464,572 90.2
Less net deferred fees........................ 0.2 8,727 0.2
----- ---------- -----
Total mortgage loans on real estate............. 84.9 4,455,845 90.0
----- ---------- -----
Commercial business loans, net of deferred
fees.......................................... 8.3 253,606 5.1
----- ---------- -----
Other loans:
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit............ 3.9 48,175 1.0
Home equity loans and lines of credit......... 2.3 121,109 2.4
Consumer and other loans...................... 0.6 73,578 1.5
----- ---------- -----
Total principal balance - other loans........... 6.8 242,862 4.9
Less unearned discounts and deferred fees..... 0.0 1,793 0.0
----- ---------- -----
Total other loans............................... 6.8 241,069 4.9
Total loans receivable.......................... 100.0% 4,950,520 100.0%
===== ---------- =====
Less allowance for loan losses.................. 70,286
----------
Loans receivable, net........................... $4,880,234
==========
LOANS AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:
Single-family residential..................... $ --
Multi-family residential...................... --
----------
Total loans available-for-sale.................. $ --
==========


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(1) Includes loans secured by mixed-use (combined residential and commercial
use) properties. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, such loans totaled $863.9
million and $919.6 million, respectively.

5


CONTRACTUAL PRINCIPAL REPAYMENTS AND INTEREST RATES. The following table
sets forth scheduled contractual amortization of the Company's loans at December
31, 2003, as well as the dollar amount of such loans which are scheduled to
mature after one year and which have fixed or adjustable interest rates. Demand
loans, overdraft loans and loans having no schedule of repayments and no stated
maturity are reported as due in one year or less. The table does not include
loans available-for-sale.



Principal Repayments Contractually Due in Year(s) Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL AT
DECEMBER 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008-2013 2014-2019 THEREAFTER
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mortgage loans:
Single-family residential and
cooperative apartment(1).... $ 279,440 $ 809 $ 755 $ 3,230 $ 6,039 $ 51,597 $ 29,093 $187,917
Multi-family
residential(2)(3)........... 2,821,073 82,167 45,833 93,596 181,638 1,680,648 709,686 27,505
Commercial real estate(3)..... 1,612,711 182,643 110,465 101,539 93,943 779,978 259,861 84,282
Commercial business loans(4).... 612,014 145,942 28,832 48,934 78,202 161,016 96,723 52,365
Other loans:
Mortgage warehouse lines of
credit...................... 527,254 527,254 -- -- -- -- -- --
Consumer and other loans(5)... 324,524 9,353 7,460 7,859 9,747 142,551 144,829 2,725
---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
Total(6).................... $6,177,016 $948,168 $193,345 $255,158 $369,569 $2,815,790 $1,240,192 $354,794
========== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========== ========== ========


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(1) Does not include $4.9 million of single-family residential loans serviced by
others.

(2) Does not include $0.6 million of multi-family residential loans serviced by
others.

(3) Multi-family residential and commercial real estate loans are generally
originated with a term to maturity of five to seven years and may be
extended by the borrower for an additional five-year period.

(4) Does not include $5.8 million of deferred fees.

(5) Includes home equity loans and lines of credit, FHA and conventional home
improvement loans, automobile loans, passbook loans and secured and
unsecured personal loans.

(6) Of the $5.23 billion of loan principal repayments contractually due after
December 31, 2004, $4.17 billion have fixed rates of interest and $1.06
billion have adjustable rates of interest.

LOAN ORIGINATIONS, PURCHASES, SALES AND SERVICING. The Company originates
multi-family residential loans, commercial real estate and business loans,
advances under mortgage warehouse lines of credit, single-family residential
mortgage loans, cooperative apartment loans, home equity loans and lines of
credit, and consumer and other loans. The relative volume of originations is
dependent upon customer demand and current and expected future levels of
interest rates.

During 2003, the Company continued its focus on expanding its higher
yielding and/or variable rate portfolios of commercial real estate and
commercial business loans as well as expanding its mortgage warehouse lines of
credit portfolio as part of its business plan. As part of such effort, the
Company purchased in November 2003 certain mortgage warehouse lines of credit
from The Provident Bank. These assets increased the Company's existing mortgage
warehouse lines of credit portfolio as of the date of completion of the purchase
by $207.0 million in lines and increased the Company's total outstanding
advances at such date by $76.3 million. Mortgage warehouse lines of credit are
short-term secured advances extended to mortgage-banking companies primarily to
fund the origination of one-to-four family mortgages.

In addition to continuing to generate multi-family residential mortgage
loans for portfolio, the Company originates and sells multi-family residential
mortgage loans in the secondary market to Fannie Mae while retaining servicing.
This relationship supports the Company's ongoing strategic objective of
increasing non-interest income related to lending and servicing revenue. The
Company underwrites these loans using its customary underwriting standards,
funds the loans, and sells the loans to Fannie Mae at agreed upon pricing
thereby eliminating rate and basis exposure to the Company. Generally, the
Company can originate and sell loans to Fannie Mae for not more than $20.0
million per loan. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company
originated for sale $1.62 billion and sold $1.73 billion of fixed-rate
multi-family loans in the secondary market to Fannie Mae with servicing retained
by the Company. Under the terms of the sales program, the Company retains a
portion of the credit risk associated with such loans. The Com-

6


pany has a 100% first loss position on each multi-family residential loan sold
to Fannie Mae under such program until the earlier of (i) the losses on the
multi-family residential loans sold to Fannie Mae reach the maximum loss
exposure for the portfolio as a whole or (ii) until all of the loans sold to
Fannie Mae under this program are fully paid off. The maximum loss exposure is
available to satisfy any losses on loans sold in the program subject to the
foregoing limitations. Substantially all the loans sold to Fannie Mae under this
program are newly originated using the Company's underwriting guidelines. At
December 31, 2003, the Company serviced $3.46 billion of loans for Fannie Mae
sold to it pursuant to this program with a maximum potential exposure of $130.9
million.

The maximum loss exposure of the associated credit risk related to the
loans sold to Fannie Mae under this program is calculated pursuant to a review
of each loan sold to Fannie Mae. A risk level is assigned to each such loan
based upon the loan product, debt service coverage ratio and loan to value ratio
of the loan. Each risk level has a corresponding sizing factor which, when
applied to the original principal balance of the loan sold, equates to a
recourse balance for the loan. The sizing factors are periodically reviewed by
Fannie Mae based upon its continuing review of loan performance and are subject
to adjustment. The total of the recourse balance per loan is aggregated to
create a maximum loss exposure for the entire portfolio at any given point in
time. The Company's maximum loss exposure for the entire portfolio of sold loans
is periodically reviewed and, based upon factors such as amount, size, types of
loans and loan performance, may be adjusted downward. Fannie Mae is restricted
from increasing the maximum exposure on loans previously sold to it under this
program as long as (i) the total borrower concentration (i.e., the total amount
of loans extended to a particular borrower or a group of related borrowers) as
applied to all mortgage loans delivered to Fannie Mae since the sales program
began does not exceed 10% of the aggregate loans sold to Fannie Mae under the
program and (ii) the average principal balance per loan of all mortgage loans
delivered to Fannie Mae since the sales program began continues to be $4.0
million or less.

During 2002, the Company sold from portfolio at par, $257.6 million of
fully performing multi-family loans in exchange for Fannie Mae mortgage-backed
securities representing a 100% interest in these loans. Such loans were sold
with full recourse with the Company retaining servicing. These loans had an
outstanding balance of $123.6 million at December 31, 2003. This transaction
supported the Company's efforts to continue to build and strengthen its
relationship with Fannie Mae and had no impact on 2002 earnings.

The Company has not sold multi-family residential loans to any other
entities besides Fannie Mae during the last three years.

Although all of the loans serviced for Fannie Mae (both loans originated
for sale and loans sold from portfolio) are currently fully performing, the
Company has established a liability related to the fair value of the retained
credit exposure. This liability represents the amount that the Company would
have to pay a third party to assume the retained recourse obligation. The
estimated liability represents the present value of the estimated losses that
the portfolio is projected to incur based upon an industry based default curve
with a range of estimated losses. At December 31, 2003 the Company had a $7.2
million liability related to the fair value of the retained credit exposure for
loans sold to Fannie Mae.

As a result of retaining servicing on $3.58 billion of loans sold to Fannie
Mae, the Company had a $7.8 million servicing asset at December 31, 2003
compared to $6.4 million at December 31, 2002. During 2003, the Company sold
$1.73 billion of multi-family loans to Fannie Mae and recorded a $7.3 million
servicing asset, which was partially offset by $5.9 million of amortization of
the servicing asset.

During the third quarter of 2003, the Company announced that ICM Capital,
L.L.C. ("ICM Capital"), a newly formed subsidiary of the Bank, was approved as a
Delegated Underwriting and Servicing ("DUS") mortgage lender by Fannie Mae.
Under the Fannie Mae DUS program, ICM Capital will underwrite, fund and sell
mortgages on multi-family residential properties to Fannie Mae, with servicing
retained. Participation in the DUS program requires ICM Capital to share the
risk of loan losses with Fannie Mae with one-third of all losses assumed by ICM
Capital and two-thirds of all losses assumed by Fannie Mae. There were no loans
originated under this DUS program during the year ended December 31, 2003.

The Bank has a two-thirds ownership interest in ICM Capital and Meridian
Company, LLC

7


("Meridian Company"), a Delaware limited liability company, has a one-third
ownership interest. ICM Capital is an integral part of the expansion of the
Company's multi-family lending activities along the East Coast and its
operations will be coordinated with those of Meridian Capital Group, LLC
("Meridian Capital"). Meridian Capital is 65% owned by Meridian Capital Funding,
Inc. ("Meridian Funding"), a New York-based mortgage brokerage firm with the
remaining 35% minority equity investment held by the Company. Meridian Funding
and Meridian Company have the same principal owners. See Note 21 of the "Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

Over the past few years, the Company has de-emphasized the origination for
portfolio of single-family residential mortgage loans in favor of higher
yielding loan products. In November 2001, the Company entered into a private
label program for the origination of single-family residential mortgage loans
through its branch network under a mortgage origination assistance agreement
with Cendant Mortgage Corporation, doing business as PHH Mortgage Services
("Cendant"). Under this program, the Company utilizes Cendant's mortgage loan
origination platforms (including telephone and Internet platforms) to originate
loans that close in the Company's name. The Company funds the loans directly,
and, under a separate loan and servicing rights purchase and sale agreement,
sells the loans and related servicing to Cendant on a non-recourse basis at
agreed upon pricing. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company
originated for sale $172.5 million and sold $174.2 million of single-family
residential mortgage loans through the program. The Company is using this
program as a means of increasing non-interest income while efficiently serving
its client base. In recent years the Company has continued to originate to a
very limited degree certain adjustable and fixed-rate residential mortgage loans
for portfolio retention. The Company does not foresee any material expansion of
such lending activities.

Mortgage loan commitments to borrowers related to loans originated for sale
are considered a derivative instrument under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS No. 149"). In addition, forward loan
sale agreements with Fannie Mae and Cendant also meet the definition of a
derivative instrument under SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS No. 133"). For more information regarding the
Company's derivative instruments, see Note 19 of the "Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company entered into a private label
program for the origination and servicing of small business lines of credit
through an origination assistance agreement with Wells Fargo & Company ("Wells
Fargo"). This program is referred to as "Business Custom Capital" and consists
of unsecured lines of credit, up to $100,000, to small business customers in the
Company's market area with over $50,000 in annual sales. These lines are
underwritten, funded and serviced by Wells Fargo for their own portfolio and
have no impact on the Company's Statement of Financial Condition. The Company is
using this program as a means of increasing non-interest income as the Company
receives an upfront fee for lines originated and a fee on the outstanding
balance of the line for a period of three years.

As of December 31, 2003, the Company serviced $55.6 million of
single-family residential mortgage loans and $3.59 billion of multi-family
residential loans for others.

In December 1998, Broad entered into an agreement with New Jersey Citizen
Action ("NJCA"), a community group, pursuant to which Broad agreed to use its
best efforts to lend a total of $20.0 million in the state of New Jersey over a
five year period beginning on January 1, 1999. Subsequent to the merger of Broad
and the Company in July 1999 and the merger of Statewide and the Company in
January 2000, the Bank entered into a modified agreement with NJCA pursuant to
which a revised target goal of extending $33.0 million in loans was established
for the five-year term of the agreement ending December 31, 2004. Such loans are
to consist primarily of affordable home mortgage products in the form of
one-to-four family mortgage loans to qualified low and moderate income
borrowers, community development financing consisting primarily of loans for the
purpose of purchasing, constructing and rehabilitating housing affordable to low
and moderate income families and economic development financing to facilitate
small business startup and expansion and job development. As of December 31,
2003, the Company had extended approximately $29.9 million of loans in
connection with the NJCA agreement.

8


LOAN ACTIVITY. The following table shows the activity in the Company's
loan portfolio and loans available-for-sale portfolio during the periods
indicated.



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total principal balance of loans and loans
available-for-sale held at the beginning of period... $ 5,944,961 $5,890,006 $5,273,220
Originations of loans for portfolio:
Single-family residential and cooperative
apartment......................................... 13,710 11,660 23,257
Multi-family residential............................. 1,131,460 505,678 323,617
Commercial real estate............................... 651,862 325,715 196,730
Commercial business loans............................ 289,930 406,197 405,409
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit(1)................ 10,291,152 7,016,355 3,883,054
Consumer(2).......................................... 239,165 153,642 77,717
----------- ---------- ----------
Total originations for portfolio.................. 12,617,279 8,419,247 4,909,784
----------- ---------- ----------
Originations of loans for sale:
Single-family residential............................ 172,459 140,203 4,121
Multi-family residential............................. 1,621,584 1,165,779 441,870
Commercial business loans............................ 4,066 -- --
Consumer............................................. -- 947 2,032
----------- ---------- ----------
Total originations of loans for sale.............. 1,798,109 1,306,929 448,023
----------- ---------- ----------
Purchases of loans:
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit................... 76,334 -- 83,520
----------- ---------- ----------
Total purchases................................... 76,334 -- 83,520
----------- ---------- ----------
Total originations and purchases.................. 14,491,722 9,726,176 5,441,327
----------- ---------- ----------
Loans sold:
Single-family residential............................ 174,208 133,543 425
Multi-family residential............................. 1,727,329 1,326,905 419,315
Commercial business loans............................ 4,066 -- --
Consumer(2).......................................... -- 2,216 1,521
----------- ---------- ----------
Total sold........................................ 1,905,603 1,462,664 421,261
Repayments(3).......................................... 12,342,582 8,208,557 4,403,280
----------- ---------- ----------
Net loan activity...................................... 243,537 54,955 616,786
----------- ---------- ----------
Total principal balance of loans and loans
available-for-sale held at the end of period.... 6,188,498 5,944,961 5,890,006
Less:
Discounts on loans purchased and net deferred fees at
end of period..................................... 10,345 13,209 11,875
----------- ---------- ----------
Total loans and loans available-for-sale
receivable at end of period..................... $ 6,178,153 $5,931,752 $5,878,131
=========== ========== ==========


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

(1) Represents advances on the lines of credit.

(2) Includes home equity loans and lines of credit, FHA and conventional home
improvement loans, student loans, automobile loans, passbook loans and
secured and unsecured personal loans.

(3) Includes repayment of mortgage warehouse line advances ($10.53 billion for
mortgage warehouse lines of credit during the year ended December 31, 2003)
and loans charged-off or transferred to other real estate owned.

9


MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LENDING. The Company originates multi-family
(five or more units) residential mortgage loans, which are secured primarily by
apartment buildings, cooperative apartment buildings and mixed-use (combined
residential and commercial) properties located primarily in the Company's market
area. These loans are comprised primarily of middle-income housing located
primarily in the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx and Northern
New Jersey. During the third quarter of 2003, the Company announced the
expansion of its commercial real estate lending (both multi-family residential
and non-residential mortgage loans) activities to the Baltimore-Washington and
the Boca Raton, Florida markets. The Company expects the loans to be referred
primarily by Meridian Capital, which already has an established presence in
these market areas. During 2003, the Company originated $148.9 million of loans
in the Baltimore-Washington market and $33.2 million in the Florida market. The
Company will review this expansion program periodically and establish and adjust
its targets based on market acceptance, credit performance, profitability and
other relevant factors.

The main competitors for loans in the Company's market area tend to be
commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions,
mortgage-banking companies and insurance companies. Historically, the Company
has been an active lender of multi-family residential mortgage loans for
portfolio retention. More recently, in order to further its commitment to remain
a leader in the multi-family market, the Company continues to build on its
relationship with Fannie Mae to originate and sell multi-family residential
mortgage loans in the secondary market while retaining servicing. The Company
determines whether to originate a loan for portfolio retention or for sale based
upon the yield and terms of the loan. Due to the low interest rate environment
during 2003 and 2002, a larger portion of the Company's multi-family residential
loan originations were for sale as opposed to portfolio retention. See
"Business-Lending Activities-Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales and Servicing".

At December 31, 2003, multi-family residential mortgage loans totaled $2.82
billion, or 45.7% of the Company's total loan portfolio. The Company increased
its originations of multi-family residential loans for portfolio by $625.8
million, or 123.8% to $1.13 billion during the year ended December 31, 2003
compared to $505.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Multi-family
residential mortgage loans in the Company's portfolio generally range from
$500,000 to $4.0 million and have an average loan size of approximately $1.2
million.

At December 31, 2003, the Company had $5.9 million of multi-family loans
available-for-sale. During the year ended December 31, 2003 the Company
originated for sale $1.62 billion and sold $1.73 billion of multi-family
residential loans to Fannie Mae with servicing retained by the Bank. By
comparison, during the year ended December 31, 2002 the Company originated for
sale $1.17 billion and sold $1.33 billion (of which $1.07 billion was originated
for sale and $257.6 million was sold from portfolio) of multi-family residential
loans to Fannie Mae with servicing retained by the Bank.

The Company has developed during the past several years working
relationships with several mortgage brokers. Under the terms of the arrangements
with such brokers, the brokers refer potential loans to the Company. The loans
are appraised and underwritten by the Company utilizing its underwriting
policies and standards. The mortgage brokers receive a fee from the borrower
upon the funding of the loans by the Company. In recent years, mortgage brokers
have been the source of a substantial majority of the multi-family residential
and commercial real estate loans originated by the Company. In October 2002, in
furtherance of its business strategy regarding commercial real estate and
multi-family loan originations and sales, the Company increased from 20% to 35%
its minority investment in Meridian Capital, which is 65% owned by Meridian
Funding, a New York-based mortgage brokerage firm. Meridian Funding is primarily
engaged in the origination of commercial real estate and multi-family mortgage
loans. The loans originated by the Company resulting from referrals by Meridian
Capital account for a significant portion of the Company's total loan
originations. For the year ended December 31, 2003, such loans accounted for
approximately 20.3% of the aggregate amount of loans originated for portfolio
and for sale compared to 17.8% for the year ended December 31, 2002. With
respect to the loans which were originated for portfolio in 2003 (excluding
mortgage warehouse lines of credit), loans resulting from referrals from
Meridian Capital amounted to approximately 57.1% of such loans compared to 39.9%
for the year ended December 31, 2002. In addition, referrals from

10


Meridian Capital accounted for the majority of the loans originated for sale in
2003. All loans resulting from referrals from Meridian Capital are underwritten
by the Company using its loan underwriting standards and procedures. The Company
generally has not paid any referral fees to Meridian Capital. In the future, the
Company may consider paying such fees if it is deemed necessary for competitive
reasons. The ability of the Company to continue to originate multi-family
residential and commercial real estate loans at the levels experienced in recent
years may be a function of, among other things, maintaining the mortgage broker
relationships discussed above. See Note 21 of the "Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

When approving new multi-family residential mortgage loans, the Company
follows a set of underwriting standards which generally permit a maximum
loan-to-value ratio of 75% based on an appraisal performed by either one of the
Company's in-house licensed and certified appraisers or by a Company-approved
licensed and certified independent appraiser (whose appraisal is reviewed by a
Company licensed and certified appraiser), and sufficient cash flow from the
underlying property to adequately service the debt. A minimum debt service ratio
of 1.3 generally is required on multi-family residential mortgage loans. The
Company also considers the financial resources of the borrower, the borrower's
experience in owning or managing similar properties, the market value of the
property and the Company's lending experience with the borrower. For loans sold
in the secondary market to Fannie Mae, the maximum loan-to-value ratio is 80%
and the minimum debt service ratio is 1.25. The Company's current lending policy
for loans originated for portfolio and for sale requires that loans in excess of
$2.0 million be approved by at least two members of the Credit Committee of the
Board of Directors, the composition of which is changed periodically.

It is the Company's policy to require appropriate insurance protection,
including title and hazard insurance, on all mortgage loans prior to closing.
Other than cooperative apartment loans, mortgage loan borrowers generally are
required to advance funds for certain items such as real estate taxes, flood
insurance and private mortgage insurance, when applicable.

The Company's multi-family residential mortgage loans include loans secured
by cooperative apartment buildings. In underwriting these loans, the Company
applies the normal underwriting criteria used with other multi-family
properties. In addition, the Company generally will not make a loan on a
cooperative apartment building unless at least 50% of the total units in the
building are owner-occupied. However, the Company will consider making a loan
secured by a cooperative apartment building if it has a large positive rental
income which significantly exceeds maintenance expense. At December 31, 2003,
the Company had $608.8 million of loans secured by cooperative apartment
buildings.

The Company's typical multi-family residential mortgage loan is originated
with a term to repricing or maturity of 5 to 7 years. These loans generally have
fixed interest rates and may be extended by the borrower, upon payment of an
additional fee, for an additional 5-year period at an interest rate based on the
5-year FHLB advance rate plus a margin at the time of extension. Under the terms
of the Company's multi-family residential mortgage loans, the principal balance
generally is amortized at the rate of 1% per year with the remaining principal
due in full at maturity. Prepayment penalties are generally part of the terms of
these loans.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LENDING. In addition to multi-family residential
mortgage loans, the Company originates commercial real estate loans. This
growing portfolio is comprised primarily of loans secured by commercial and
industrial properties, office buildings and small shopping centers located
primarily within the Company's market area.

At December 31, 2003, commercial real estate loans amounted to $1.61
billion or 26.2% of total loans. This portfolio increased $300.0 million, or
22.8%, during the year ended December 31, 2003 due to the Company's increased
emphasis on originating higher yielding commercial real estate and business
loans in line with its business strategy. See "Lending Activities-General". The
Company originated $651.9 million of commercial real estate loans during the
year ended December 31, 2003 and $325.7 million for the year ended December 31,
2002. The Company intends to continue to emphasize these higher yielding loan
products.

The Company's commercial real estate loans generally range in amount from
$50,000 to $5.0 mil-

11


lion, and have an average size of approximately $1.6 million. The Company
originates commercial real estate loans using similar underwriting standards as
applied to multi-family residential mortgage loans. The Company reviews rent or
lease income, rent rolls, business receipts, the borrower's credit history and
business experience, and comparable values of similar properties when
underwriting commercial real estate loans.

Loans secured by apartment buildings and other multi-family residential and
commercial properties generally are larger and considered to involve a higher
inherent risk of loss than single-family residential mortgage or cooperative
apartment loans. Payments on loans secured by multi-family residential and
commercial properties are often dependent on the successful operation or
management of the properties and are subject, to a greater extent, to adverse
conditions in the real estate market or the local economy. The Company seeks to
minimize these risks through its underwriting policies, which generally limit
the origination of such loans to loans secured by properties located in the
Company's market area and require such loans to be qualified on, among other
things, the basis of the property's income and debt service ratio.

SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND COOPERATIVE APARTMENT LENDING. The Company,
through its private label program with Cendant, offers both fixed-rate and
adjustable-rate mortgage loans secured by single-family residential properties
located in the Company's primary market area. Under its agreement with Cendant,
the Company offers a range of single-family residential loan products through
various delivery channels, supported by direct consumer advertising, including
telemarketing, branch referrals and the Company's Internet website. At December
31, 2003, the Company had $2.7 million of loans available-for-sale to Cendant.
During 2003, the Company originated for sale $172.5 million and sold $174.2
million of loans to Cendant. The Company will continue to emphasize this program
as a means of increasing non-interest income.

Over the past few years, the Company has de-emphasized the origination of
single-family residential mortgages and cooperative apartment loans, for
portfolio, in favor of higher yielding loan products. Although the Company's
cooperative apartment loans in the past have related to properties located in
the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, in recent periods substantially
all of such loans originated or purchased have related to properties located in
Manhattan. At December 31, 2003, $284.4 million, or 4.6%, of the Company's total
loan portfolio consisted of single-family residential mortgage loans and
cooperative apartment loans (of which $157.9 million were adjustable-rate
mortgage loans ("ARMs")) as compared to $556.3 million or 9.5% of the total loan
portfolio at December 31, 2002. The substantial decline in this portfolio during
2003 was due to increased repayments as a result of the interest rate
environment and resultant refinance market.

The interest rates on the Company's ARMs fluctuate based upon a spread
above the average yield on United States Treasury securities, adjusted to a
constant maturity which corresponds to the adjustment period of the loan (the
"U.S. Treasury constant maturity index") as published weekly by the Federal
Reserve Board. In addition, ARMs generally are subject to limitations on
interest increases or decreases of 2% per adjustment period and an interest rate
cap during the life of the loan established at the time of origination. Certain
of the Company's ARMs can be converted at certain times to fixed-rate loans upon
payment of a fee. Interest rates charged on fixed-rate loans are competitively
priced based on market conditions. Included in single-family residential loans
is a modest amount of loans partially or fully guaranteed by the Federal Housing
Administration ("FHA") or the Department of Veterans' Affairs ("VA").

Under the Company's underwriting guidelines, ARMS can be originated with
loan-to-value ratios of up to 80%. Fixed-rate, single-family residential
mortgage loans can be originated with loan-to-value ratios of up to 95%;
provided, however, that private mortgage insurance is required for loans with
loan-to-value ratios in excess of 80%. Substantially all of the Company's
mortgage loans include due-on-sale clauses which provide the Company with the
contractual right to deem the loan immediately due and payable in the event the
borrower transfers ownership of the property without the Company's consent. It
is the Company's policy to enforce due-on-sale provisions within the applicable
regulations and guidelines imposed by New York law.

In order to provide financing for low and moderate-income home buyers, the
Company participates in residential mortgage programs and products

12


sponsored by, among others, the State of New York Mortgage Authority, the
Community Preservation Corporation and Neighborhood Housing Services. Various
programs sponsored by these groups provide low and moderate income households
with fixed-rate mortgage loans which are generally below prevailing fixed market
rates and which allow below-market down payments for the construction of
affordable rental housing. (See "-Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales and
Servicing").

COMMERCIAL BUSINESS LENDING ACTIVITIES. Part of the Company's strategy to
shift its portfolio mix is expanding its commercial business loan portfolio. The
Company makes commercial business loans directly to businesses located primarily
in its market area and targets small- and medium-sized businesses with annual
revenue up to $125.0 million. Commercial business loans are obtained primarily
from existing customers, branch referrals, accountants, attorneys and direct
inquiries. As of December 31, 2003, commercial business loans totaled $606.2
million, or 9.8%, of the Company's total loan portfolio. The Company originated
$289.9 million of commercial business loans for portfolio during the year ended
December 31, 2003 compared to $406.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2002. As a result of our customers' view of the current economic environment,
the Company has experienced a slowdown in commercial business loan activity in
the current year.

Commercial business loans originated by the Company generally range in
amount from $50,000 to $5.0 million and have an average loan size of
approximately $400,000. These loans include lines of credit, revolving credit
and term loans. The loans generally range from one year to ten years and include
floating, fixed and adjustable rates. Such loans are generally secured by real
estate, receivables, inventory, equipment, machinery and vehicles and are
further enhanced by the personal guarantees of the principals of the borrower.
The Company's current lending policy for loans originated for portfolio and for
sale requires that loans in excess of $2.0 million be approved by two
non-officer directors of the Credit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Although commercial business loans generally are considered to involve greater
credit risk, and generally a corresponding higher yield, than certain other
types of loans, management intends to continue emphasizing the origination of
commercial business loans to small- and medium-sized businesses in its market
area.

Included in commercial business loans are small business lending
activities. Small business lending activities are targeted to customers within
the Company's market area with over $50,000 in annual sales. The Company offers
various products to small business customers in its market area which include
(i) originating secured loans for its own portfolio, (ii) originating secured
loans in amounts up to $2.0 million using the Company's underwriting standards
and guidelines from the Small Business Administration ("SBA"), and selling, at a
gain, the guaranteed portion (75%) of each loan, with servicing retained, and
(iii) offering access to unsecured lines of credit up to $100,000 through its
private label program with Wells Fargo. (See "-Loan Origination, Purchases,
Sales and Servicing"). The Company originated and sold $4.1 million of SBA loans
during the year ended December 31, 2003. The Company offers these activities to
better serve its small business customers as well as a means of increasing
non-interest income.

MORTGAGE WAREHOUSE LINES OF CREDIT. Mortgage warehouse lines of credit are
revolving lines of credit to small- and medium-sized mortgage-banking companies
at interest rates indexed at a spread to the prime rate. The lines are drawn
upon by such companies to fund the origination of mortgages, primarily
one-to-four family loans, where the amount of the draw is generally no higher
than 99% of the loan amount, which, in turn, in most cases, is no higher than
80% of the appraised value of the property. In most cases, where the amount of
the draw is in excess of 80%, the mortgage is covered by private mortgage
insurance or government insurance through the FHA. In substantially all cases,
prior to funding the advance, the mortgage banker has received an approved
commitment for the sale of the loan, which in turn reduces credit exposure
associated with the line. The lines are repaid upon completion of the sale of
the mortgage loan to third parties, which usually occurs within 90 days of
origination of the loan. During the period between the origination and sale of
the loan, the Company maintains possession of the original mortgage note. These
loans are of short duration and are made to customers located primarily in New
Jersey and surrounding states whose primary business is mortgage refinancing. In
the event of rising interest rates, the utilization of these lines of credit
would be substantially reduced and replaced only to the extent of strength in
the general housing market.

13


Mortgage warehouse lines of credits to bankers generally range in amount
from $1.0 million to $35.0 million, and have an average size of approximately
$11.7 million. The Company establishes limits on mortgage warehouse lines of
credit using its normal underwriting standards. The Company reviews credit
history, business experience, process controls and procedures and requires
personal guarantees of the principals of the borrower.

As of December 31, 2003, advances under mortgage warehouse lines of credit
totaled $527.3 million, or 8.5% of the Company's total loan portfolio compared
to $692.4 million at December 31, 2002. During 2003, advances on mortgage
warehouse lines of credit totaled $10.29 billion and repayments totaled $10.53
billion. Unused mortgage warehouse lines of credit totaled $952.6 million at
December 31, 2003. Utilization of the borrowers lines of credit approximated 36%
and 77% of the total line approved at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002,
respectively.

CONSUMER LENDING ACTIVITIES. The Company offers a variety of consumer
loans including home equity loans and lines of credit, automobile loans and
passbook loans in order to provide a full range of financial services to its
customers. Such loans are obtained primarily through existing and walk-in
customers and direct advertising. At December 31, 2003, $324.5 million or 5.3%
of the Company's total loan portfolio was comprised of consumer loans.

The largest component of the Company's consumer loan portfolio is home
equity loans and lines of credit. Home equity lines of credit are a form of
revolving credit and are secured by the underlying equity in the borrower's
primary or secondary residence. The loans are underwritten in a manner such that
they result in a risk of loss which is similar to that of single-family
residential mortgage loans. The Company's home equity lines of credit have
interest rates that adjust or float based on the prime rate, have loan-to-value
ratios of 80% or less, and are generally for amounts of less than $100,000. The
loan repayment is generally based on a 15 year term consisting of principal
amortization plus accrued interest. At December 31, 2003, home equity loans and
lines of credit amounted to $297.0 million, or 4.8%, of the Company's total loan
portfolio. The Company had an additional $106.7 million of unused commitments
pursuant to such equity lines of credit at December 31, 2003.

The second largest component of the Company's consumer loan portfolio at
December 31, 2003 was passbook loans which totaled $9.3 million and are secured
by the borrowers' deposits at the Bank. At December 31, 2003, the remaining
$18.2 million of the Company's consumer loan portfolio was comprised primarily
of miscellaneous unsecured loans.

LOAN APPROVAL AUTHORITY AND UNDERWRITING. The Board of Directors of the
Bank has established lending authorities for individual officers as to its
various types of loan products. For multi-family residential mortgage loans,
commercial real estate and commercial business loans, an Executive Vice
President and a Senior Vice President have the authority to approve loans in
amounts up to $500,000 and for the private banking group within the Company's
retail banking area, two Senior Vice Presidents acting jointly have such
authority. Amounts up to $2.0 million may be approved by either the Chief
Executive Officer or the Chief Credit Officer. For single-family residential
mortgage loans and cooperative apartment loans, two senior officers acting
jointly have the authority to approve loans in amounts up to $500,000. Consumer
loans of less than $100,000 can be approved by an individual loan officer, while
loans between $100,000 and $300,000 must be approved by two loan officers. Any
mortgage loan, cooperative apartment and commercial business loan in excess of
$2.0 million must be approved by at least two members of the Credit Committee of
the Board of Directors, which consists of various directors, the composition of
which is changed periodically.

With certain limited exceptions, the Company's credit administration policy
limits the amount of credit related to mortgage loans and commercial loans that
can be extended to any one borrower to $20.0 million, substantially less than
the limits imposed by applicable law and regulation. With certain exceptions,
the Company's policy also limits the amount of commercial business or commercial
real estate loans that can be extended to any affiliated borrowing group to
$40.0 million. Exceptions to the above policy limits must have the approval of
the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Credit Officer and two members of the Credit
Committee of the Board of Directors. With certain limited exceptions, a New
York-chartered savings bank may not make loans or extend credit for commercial,
corporate or business purposes (including lease financing) to a single borrower,
the

14


aggregate amount of which would exceed (i) 15% of the Bank's net worth if the
loan is unsecured, or (ii) 25% of net worth if the loan is secured. Pursuant to
such provisions, the Company could lend at December 31, 2003 up to $227.9
million to any one borrower and related entities. At December 31, 2003, the
outstanding aggregate loan balance to the Company's largest lending relationship
was $66.4 million.

Appraisals for multi-family residential and commercial real estate loans
are generally conducted either by licensed and certified internal appraisers or
qualified external appraisers. In addition, the Company generally internally
reviews all appraisals conducted by independent appraisers on multi-family
residential and commercial real estate properties.

LOAN ORIGINATION AND LOAN FEES. In addition to interest earned on loans,
the Company receives loan origination fees or "points" for many of the loans it
originates. Loan points are a percentage of the principal amount of the mortgage
loan and are charged to the borrower in connection with the origination of the
loan. The Company also offers a number of residential loan products on which no
points were charged.

The Company's loan origination fees and certain related direct loan
origination costs are offset, and the resulting net amount is deferred and
amortized over the contractual life of the related loans as an adjustment to the
yield of such loans. At December 31, 2003, the Company had $10.3 million of net
deferred loan fees.

ASSET QUALITY

The Company generally places loans on non-accrual status when principal or
interest payments become 90 days past due, except those loans reported as 90
days past maturity within the overall total of non-performing loans. However,
FHA or VA loans continue to accrue interest because their interest payments are
guaranteed by various government programs and agencies. Loans may be placed on
non-accrual status earlier if management believes that collection of interest or
principal is doubtful or when such loans have such well defined weaknesses that
collection in full of principal or interest may not be probable. When a loan is
placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is deducted
from interest income.

Real estate acquired by the Company as a result of foreclosure or by
deed-in-lieu of foreclosure is classified as other real estate owned ("OREO")
until sold. Such assets are carried at the lower of fair value minus estimated
costs to sell the property, or cost (generally the balance of the loan on the
property at the date of acquisition). All costs incurred in acquiring or
maintaining the property are expensed and costs incurred for the improvement or
development of such property are capitalized up to the extent of their net
realizable value.

15


DELINQUENT LOANS. The following table sets forth delinquencies in the
Company's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:


AT DECEMBER 31, 2003 At December 31, 2002
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
60-89 DAYS 90 DAYS OR MORE 60-89 DAYS 90 DAYS OR MORE
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL
NUMBER BALANCE NUMBER BALANCE NUMBER BALANCE NUMBER BALANCE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mortgage loans:
Single-family residential and
cooperative apartment.......... 18 $ 1,217 20 $ 1,526 24 $ 1,440 40 $ 3,041
Multi-family residential......... 3 897 7 1,131 4 427 7 1,136
Commercial real estate........... 2 14,400 19 20,061 3 1,797 14 11,738
Commercial business loans.......... 2 285 45 12,244 13 14,858 42 22,495
Consumer and other loans(1)........ 34 138 42 880 45 263 71 720
-- ------- --- ------- -- ------- --- -------
Total.............................. 59 $16,937 133 $35,842 89 $18,785 174 $39,130
== ======= === ======= == ======= === =======
Delinquent loans to total
loans(2)......................... 0.27% 0.58% 0.32% 0.67%
======= ======= ======= =======


At December 31, 2001
-------------------------------------------
60-89 DAYS 90 DAYS OR MORE
-------------------- --------------------
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL
NUMBER BALANCE NUMBER BALANCE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS OF LOANS
- ----------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

Mortgage loans:
Single-family residential and
cooperative apartment.......... 22 $ 856 70 $ 4,172
Multi-family residential......... 3 511 5 2,312
Commercial real estate........... 4 1,491 13 6,780
Commercial business loans.......... 3 3,998 41 13,313
Consumer and other loans(1)........ 53 502 77 1,355
--- ------ --- -------
Total.............................. 85 $7,358 206 $27,932
=== ====== === =======
Delinquent loans to total
loans(2)......................... 0.13% 0.48%
====== =======


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

(1) Includes home equity loans and lines of credit, FHA and conventional home
improvement loans, automobile loans, passbook loans and secured and
unsecured personal loans.

(2) Total loans includes loans receivable less deferred loan fees and
unamortized discounts, net.

16


NON-PERFORMING ASSETS. The following table sets forth information with
respect to non-performing assets identified by the Company, including
non-performing loans and OREO at the dates indicated.



At December 31, At March 31,
--------------------------- -----------------
(Dollars in Thousands) 2003 2002 2001 2001 2000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-accrual loans:
Mortgage loans:
Single-family residential and
cooperative apartment................. $ 1,526 $ 3,041 $ 4,172 $ 5,246 $ 3,955
Multi-family residential................ 1,131 1,136 2,312 524 1,128
Commercial real estate.................. 20,061 11,738 6,780 3,477 3,281
Commercial business loans.................. 12,244 22,495 13,313 6,795 3,821
Other loans(1)............................. 840 568 1,225 1,534 33
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total non-accrual loans............... 35,802 38,978 27,802 17,576 12,218
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Loans past due 90 days or more as to:
Interest and accruing...................... 40 152 130 322 2,616
Principal and accruing(2).................. 742 2,482 18,089 17,750 11,516
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total past due accruing loans........... 782 2,634 18,219 18,072 14,132
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total non-performing loans................... 36,584 41,612 46,021 35,648 26,350
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Other real estate owned, net(3).............. 15 7 130 235 68
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total non-performing assets(4)............... $36,599 $41,619 $46,151 $35,883 $26,418
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Restructured loans........................... $ 4,345 $ 4,674 $ 4,717 $ 888 $ 897
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Non-performing loans as a percent of total
loans...................................... 0.59% 0.72% 0.78% 0.68% 0.53%
Non-performing assets as a percent of total
assets..................................... 0.38% 0.52% 0.61% 0.51% 0.40%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
total loans................................ 1.29% 1.38% 1.33% 1.36% 1.42%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
non-performing loans....................... 217.32% 193.57% 170.01% 201.18% 266.74%


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

(1) Consists primarily of home equity loans and lines of credit and FHA home
improvement loans.

(2) Reflects loans that are 90 days or more past maturity which continue to make
payments on a basis consistent with the original repayment schedule.

(3) Net of related valuation allowances.

(4) Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans and OREO.
Non-performing loans consist of (i) non-accrual loans and (ii) loans 90 days
or more past due as to interest or principal.

17


Non-performing assets decreased 12.1% to $36.6 million at December 31,
2003, compared to $41.6 million at December 31, 2002. The decrease of $5.0
million primarily reflects a $3.2 million decrease in non-accrual loans and a
$1.7 million decrease in loans past due 90 days or more as to principal but
still accruing, which loans continued to make payments on a basis consistent
with the original repayment schedule. The decrease in non-accrual loans was
primarily due to decreases of $10.3 million in non-accrual commercial business
loans and $1.5 million in non-accrual single-family residential and cooperative
apartment loans, partially offset by an increase of $8.3 million in non-accrual
commercial real estate loans.

Loans 90 days or more past maturity which continued to make payments on a
basis consistent with the original repayment schedule amounted to $0.7 million
at December 31, 2003. These loans decreased by $1.7 million during 2003 and the
Company is continuing its efforts to have the remaining borrowers refinance or
extend the term of such loans.

The interest income that would have been recorded during the years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2001 if all of
the Bank's non-accrual loans at the end of each such period had been current in
accordance with their terms during such periods was $1.1 million, $1.3 million
and $1.0 million, respectively.

A New York-chartered savings institution's determination as to the
classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances is
subject to review by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and the
New York State Banking Department ("Department"), which can order the
establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances. The FDIC, in
conjunction with the other federal banking agencies, has adopted an interagency
policy statement on the allowance for loan and lease losses. The policy
statement provides guidance for financial institutions on both the
responsibilities of management for the assessment and establishment of adequate
allowances and guidance for banking agency examiners to use in determining the
adequacy of general valuation guidelines. Generally the policy statement
recommends that institutions have effective systems and controls to identify,
monitor and address asset quality problems; that management has analyzed all
significant factors that affect the collectibility of the portfolio in a
reasonable manner, and that management has established acceptable allowance
evaluation processes that meet the objectives set forth in the policy statement.
Although the Company believes that its allowance for loan losses was at a level
to cover all known and inherent losses in its loan portfolio at December 31,
2003 that were both probable and reasonable to estimate, there can be no
assurance that the regulators, in reviewing the Company's loan portfolio, will
not request the Company to materially adjust its allowance for possible loan
losses, thereby affecting the Company's financial condition and results of
operations at the date and for the period during which such adjustment must be
recognized.

CRITICIZED AND CLASSIFIED ASSETS. Federal regulations require that each
insured institution classify its assets on a regular basis. Furthermore, in
connection with examinations of insured institutions, federal and state
examiners have authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate,
classify them. There are three classifications for problem assets:
"substandard," "doubtful" and "loss." Substandard assets have one or more
defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the
insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not
corrected. Doubtful assets have the same weaknesses of substandard assets with
the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation
in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values
questionable, resulting in a high probability of loss. An asset classified as
loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an
asset of the institution is not warranted. The Company also categorizes assets
as "special mention". These are generally defined as assets that have potential
weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these
potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for
the asset. However, they do not currently expose an insured institution to a
sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification as substandard, doubtful or
loss.

The Company's senior management reviews and classifies loans continually
and reports the results of its reviews to the Board of Directors on a monthly
basis. At December 31, 2003, the Company had classified an aggregate of $107.4
million of assets (a portion of which consisted of non-accrual loans). In
addition, at such date the Company had

18


$73.1 million of assets that were designated by the Company as special mention.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES. The determination of the level of the allowance
for loan losses and the periodic provisions to the allowance charged to income
is the responsibility of management. In assessing the level of the allowance for
loan losses, the Company considers the composition and outstanding balance of
its loan portfolio, the growth or decline of loan balances within various
segments of the overall portfolio, the state of the local (and to a certain
degree, the national) economy as it may impact the performance of loans within
different segments of the portfolio, the loss experience related to different
segments or classes of loans, the type, size and geographic concentration of
loans held by the Company, the level of past due and non-performing loans, the
value of collateral securing the loan, the level of classified loans and the
number of loans requiring heightened management oversight. The continued
shifting of the composition of the loan portfolio to be more commercial-bank
like by increasing the balance of commercial real estate and business loans and
mortgage warehouse lines of credit may increase the level of known and inherent
losses in the Company's loan portfolio.

The formalized process for assessing the level of the allowance for loan
losses is performed on a quarterly basis. Individual loans are specifically
identified by loan officers as meeting the criteria of pass, criticized or
classified loans. Such criteria include, but are not limited to, non-accrual
loans, past maturity loans, impaired loans, chronic delinquencies and loans
requiring heightened management oversight. Each loan is assigned to a risk level
of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss. Loans that do not meet the
criteria to be characterized as criticized or classified are categorized as pass
loans. Each risk level, including pass loans, has an associated reserve factor
that increases as the risk level category increases. The reserve factor for
criticized and classified loans becomes larger as the risk level increases but
is the same factor regardless of the loan type. The reserve factor for pass
loans differs based upon the loan and collateral type. Commercial business loans
have a larger loss factor applied to pass loans since these loans are deemed to
have higher levels of known and inherent loss than commercial real estate and
multi-family residential loans. The reserve factor is applied to the aggregate
balance of loans designated to each risk level to compute the aggregate reserve
requirement. This method of analysis is performed on the entire loan portfolio.

The reserve factors that are applied to pass, criticized and classified
loans are generally reviewed by management on a quarterly basis unless
circumstances require a more frequent assessment. In assessing the reserve
factors, the Company takes into consideration, among other things, the state of
the national and/or local economies which could affect the Company's customers
or underlying collateral values, the loss experience related to different
segments or classes of loans, changes in risk categories, the acceleration or
decline in loan portfolio growth rates and underwriting or servicing weaknesses.
To the extent that such assessment results in an increase or decrease to the
reserve factors that are applied to each risk level, the Company may need to
adjust its provision for loan losses which could impact earnings in the period
in which such provisions are taken.

The Company considers a loan impaired when, based upon current information
and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for
both principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the loan
agreement. The measurement value of the Company's impaired loans is based on
either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's
effective interest rate, the observable market prices of the loan, or the fair
value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. The
Company identifies and measures impaired loans in conjunction with its
assessment of the level of the allowance for loan losses. Specific factors used
in the identification of impaired loans include, but are not limited to,
delinquency status, loan-to-value ratio, the condition of the underlying
collateral, credit history and debt coverage. Impaired loans totaled $30.5
million at December 31, 2003 with a related allowance allocated of $1.4 million
applicable to $30.5 million of such loans.

The Company's allowance for loan losses amounted to $79.5 million at
December 31, 2003 as compared to $80.5 million at December 31, 2002. The
Company's allowance amounted to 1.29% of total loans at December 31, 2003 and
1.38% at December 31, 2002. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of
non-performing loans was 217.3% at December 31, 2003 compared to 193.6% at
December 31, 2002.

19


The Company's allowance for loan losses decreased $1.0 million from
December 31, 2002 to December 31, 2003 due to provisions totaling $3.5 million
and charge-offs, net of recoveries, of $4.5 million. The provision recorded
reflected the Company's decrease in non-accrual loans, classified loans and in
delinquencies and charge-offs, the continued emphasis on commercial real estate
and business loan originations as well as the recognition of current economic
conditions. Included in the $3.5 million provision were adjustments to the
allowance for loan losses by loan category to reflect changes in the Company's
loan mix and risk characteristics.

The Company will continue to monitor and modify its allowance for loan
losses as conditions dictate. Management believes that, based on information
currently available, the Company's allowance for loan losses at December 31,
2003 was at a level to cover all known and inherent losses in its loan portfolio
at such date that were both probable and reasonable to estimate. In the future,
management may adjust the level of its allowance for loan losses as economic and
other conditions dictate. In addition, the FDIC and the Department as an
integral part of their examination process periodically review the Company's
allowance for possible loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to
adjust the allowance based upon their judgment.

20


The following table sets forth the activity in the Company's allowance for
loan losses during the periods indicated.



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Ended Year Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, March 31,
----------------- ------------- -----------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001 2001 2000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allowance at beginning of period................... $80,547 $78,239 $71,716 $70,286 $46,823
Allowances of acquired institutions(1)............. -- -- -- -- 9,452
Provision:
Mortgage loans................................... 2,300 3,733 4,200 625 7,648
Commercial business and other loans(2)........... 1,200 4,267 3,675 767 2,169
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total provision.................................. 3,500 8,000 7,875 1,392 9,817
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Charge-offs:
Mortgage loans................................... 6,202 1,159 850 120 40
Commercial business and other loans(2)........... 1,179 7,202 1,756 2,489 199
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total charge-offs................................ 7,381 8,361 2,606 2,609 239
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Recoveries:
Mortgage loans................................... 364 1,170 83 1,071 1,020
Commercial business and other loans(2)........... 2,473 1,499 1,171 1,576 3,413
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total recoveries................................. 2,837 2,669 1,254 2,647 4,433
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loans (charged-off)/recovered.................. (4,544) (5,692) (1,352) 38 4,194
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Allowance at end of period......................... $79,503 $80,547 $78,239 $71,716 $70,286
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Net loans charged off to allowance for loan
losses........................................... 5.72% 7.07% 1.73% N/A N/A
Allowance for possible loan losses as a percent of
total loans...................................... 1.29% 1.38% 1.33% 1.36% 1.42%
Allowance for possible loan losses as a percent of
total non-performing loans(3).................... 217.32% 193.57% 170.01% 201.18% 266.74%


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

(1) Reflects allowance for loan losses acquired in connection with the
acquisitions of Broad and Statewide during fiscal 2000 of $6.7 million and
$2.8 million, respectively.

(2) Includes commercial business loans, mortgage warehouse lines of credit, home
equity loans and lines of credit, automobile loans and secured and unsecured
personal loans.

(3) Non-performing loans consist of (i) non-accrual loans and (ii) loans 90 days
or more past due as to interest or principal.

The following table sets forth information concerning the allocation of the
Company's allowance for loan losses by loan category at the dates indicated.


AT DECEMBER 31, At March 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------
2003 2002 2001 2001
---------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
AMOUNT OF Amount of Amount of Amount of
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) ALLOWANCE PERCENT(1) ALLOWANCE PERCENT(1) ALLOWANCE PERCENT(1) ALLOWANCE PERCENT(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mortgage Loans....... $56,549 76.4% $52,087 73.9% $53,094 78.1% $56,769 84.9%
Commercial Business
Loans.............. 16,974 9.8 22,927 10.3 18,595 11.3 8,899 8.3
Mortgage Warehouse
Lines of Credit.... 4,016 8.5 3,516 11.9 4,349 7.6 2,600 3.9
Other Loans(2)....... 1,964 5.3 2,017 3.9 2,201 3.0 3,448 2.9
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
Total................ $79,503 100.0% $80,547 100.0% $78,239 100.0% $71,716 100.0%
======= ===== ======= ===== ======= ===== ======= =====


At March 31,
----------------------
2000
----------------------
Amount of
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) ALLOWANCE PERCENT(1)
- ---------------------- ----------------------

Mortgage Loans....... $54,743 90.0%
Commercial Business
Loans.............. 6,729 5.1
Mortgage Warehouse
Lines of Credit.... -- 1.0
Other Loans(2)....... 8,814 3.9
------- -----
Total................ $70,286 100.0%
======= =====


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

(1) Percent of loans in each category to total loans.

(2) Includes home equity loans and lines of credit, student loans, automobile
loans, passbook loans and secured and unsecured personal loans.

21


ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

The Company encounters certain environmental risks in its lending
activities. Under federal and state environmental laws, lenders may become
liable under certain circumstances for costs of cleaning up hazardous materials
found on property securing their loans. In addition, the existence of hazardous
materials may make it uneconomic for a lender to foreclose on such properties.
Although environmental risks are usually associated with loans secured by
commercial real estate, risks also may be substantial for loans secured by
residential real estate if environmental contamination makes security property
unsuitable for use. This could also have a negative effect on nearby property
values. The Company attempts to control its risk by requiring a Phase One
environmental assessment be completed as part of its underwriting review for all
non-residential mortgage applications.

The Company believes its procedures regarding the assessment of
environmental risk are adequate and the Company is unaware of any environmental
issues which would subject it to any material liability at this time. However,
no assurance can be given that the values of properties securing loans in the
Company's portfolio will not be adversely affected by unforeseen environmental
risks.

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

INVESTMENT POLICIES. The investment policy of the Company, which is
established by the Board of Directors, is designed to help the Company achieve
its fundamental asset/liability management objectives. Generally, the policy
calls for the Company to emphasize principal preservation, liquidity,
diversification, short maturities and/or repricing terms, and a favorable return
on investment when selecting new investments for the Company's investment and
mortgage-related securities portfolios. In addition, the policy sets forth
objectives which are designed to limit new investments to those which further
the Company's goals with respect to interest rate risk management. The Company's
current securities investment policy permits investments in various types of
liquid assets including obligations of the U.S. Treasury and federal agencies,
investment-grade corporate and trust obligations, preferred securities, various
types of mortgage-related securities, including collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs"), commercial paper and insured certificates of deposit. The
Bank, as a New York-chartered savings bank, is permitted to make certain
investments in equity securities and stock mutual funds. At December 31, 2003,
these equity investments totaled $87.8 million. See "- Regulation-Activities and
Investments of FDIC-Insured State-Chartered Banks".

The Company has the ability to enter into various derivative contracts for
hedging purposes to facilitate its ongoing asset/liability management process.
The Company's hedging activities are limited to interest rate swaps, caps and
floors with outstanding notional amounts not to exceed in the aggregate 10% of
total assets. The objective of any hedging activities is to reduce the Company's
interest rate risk. Similarly, the Company does not invest in mortgage-related
securities which are deemed by rating agencies to be "high risk," or purchase
bonds which are not rated investment grade.

During 2002, the Company, entered into $200.0 million of forward starting
interest rate swap agreements as part of its interest rate risk management
process to change the repricing characteristics of certain variable-rate
borrowings. These agreements qualified as cash flow hedges of anticipated
interest payments relating to $200.0 million of variable-rate FHLB borrowings
that the Company expected to draw down during 2003 to replace existing FHLB
borrowings that were maturing during 2003. During the third quarter of 2003, the
$200.0 million of interest rate swap agreements were cancelled as the Company
drew down $200.0 million of fixed-rate FHLB borrowings resulting in a loss of
$3.5 million. The $3.5 million was paid to the counterparty and is being
amortized into interest expense as a yield adjustment over five years, which is
the period in which the related interest on the variable rate borrowings effects
earnings. The amount of the yield adjustment was $0.3 million during the year
ended December 31, 2003. There were no interest rate swap agreements outstanding
as of December 31, 2003. See Note 19 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES. Mortgage-related securities represent a
participation interest in a pool of single-family or multi-family mortgages, the
principal and interest payments on which are passed from the mortgage
originators, through intermediaries (generally U.S. Government agencies and
government sponsored enterprises) that pool and repackage the participation
interests in the form

22


of securities, to investors such as the Company. Such U.S. Government agencies
and government sponsored enterprises, which guarantee the payment of principal
and interest to investors, primarily include the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("Freddie Mac"), the Fannie Mae and the Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"). The Company primarily invests in CMO private issuances,
which are principally AAA rated and are current pay sequentials or planned
amortization class structures and CMOs backed by U.S. Government agency
securities.

Mortgage-related securities generally increase the quality of the Company's
assets by virtue of the insurance or guarantees that back them, are more liquid
than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize borrowings or
other obligations of the Company. However, the existence of the guarantees or
insurance generally results in such securities bearing yields which are less
than the loans underlying such securities.

Freddie Mac is a publicly traded corporation chartered by the U.S.
Government. Freddie Mac issues participation certificates backed principally by
conventional mortgage loans. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of
interest and the ultimate return of principal on participation certificates.
Fannie Mae is a private corporation chartered by the U.S. Congress with a
mandate to establish a secondary market for mortgage loans. Fannie Mae
guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on Fannie Mae
securities. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae securities are not backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States, but because Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
are U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, these securities are considered to be
among the highest quality investments with minimal credit risks. GNMA is a
government agency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development which
is intended to help finance government-assisted housing programs. GNMA
securities are backed by FHA-insured and VA-guaranteed loans, and the timely
payment of principal and interest on GNMA securities are guaranteed by GNMA and
backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Because Freddie Mac,
Fannie Mae and GNMA were established to provide support for low-and
middle-income housing, there are limits to the maximum size of one-to-four
family loans that qualify for these programs.

At December 31, 2003, the Company's $2.21 billion of mortgage-related
securities, which represented 23.2% of the Company's total assets at such date,
were comprised of $1.93 billion of AAA rated CMOs and $117.6 million of CMOs
which were issued or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or GNMA ("Agency
CMOs") and $161.2 million of pass through certificates, which were also issued
or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or GNMA. The portfolio increased by
$1.17 billion during the year ended December 31, 2003 primarily due to $2.82
billion of purchases partially offset by proceeds totaling approximately $1.63
billion received from normal and accelerated principal repayments. The purchases
during the year ended December 31, 2003 consisted of $2.57 billion of AAA rated
CMOs with an average yield of 4.89% and $251.9 million of Agency CMOs with a
weighted average yield of 4.76%.

At December 31, 2003, the contractual maturity of approximately 93.2% of
the Company's mortgage-related securities was in excess of ten years. The actual
maturity of a mortgage-related security is generally less than its stated
maturity due to repayments of the underlying mortgages. Prepayments at a rate
different than that anticipated will affect the yield to maturity. The yield is
based upon the interest income and the amortization of any premium or discount
related to the mortgage-backed security. In accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles used in the United States ("GAAP"), premiums and discounts
are amortized over the estimated lives of the securities, which decrease and
increase interest income, respectively. The repayment assumptions used to
determine the amortization period for premiums and discounts can significantly
effect the yield of mortgage-related securities, and these assumptions are
reviewed periodically to reflect actual prepayments. If prepayments are faster
than anticipated, the life of the security may be shortened and may result in
the acceleration of any unamortized premium. Although repayments of underlying
mortgages depend on many factors, including the type of mortgages, the coupon
rate, the age of mortgages, the geographical location of the underlying real
estate collateralizing the mortgages and general levels of market interest
rates, the difference between the interest rates on the underlying mortgages and
the prevailing mortgage interest rates generally is the

23


most significant determinant of the rate of repayments. During periods of
falling mortgage interest rates, if the coupon rate of the underlying mortgages
exceeds the prevailing market interest rates offered for mortgage loans,
refinancing generally increases and accelerates the repayment of the underlying
mortgages and the related security. The Company experienced this condition
during the past twelve months as mortgage rates declined and repayments,
prepayments and maturities increased significantly to $1.63 billion for the year
ended December 31, 2003 compared to $940.2 million for the year ended December
31, 2002. As a result, the Company also experienced a corresponding acceleration
in the amortization of premium to $26.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2003 compared to $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Under those
circumstances, the Company may be subject to reinvestment risk to the extent
that the Company's mortgage-related securities amortize or repay faster than
anticipated and the Company is not able to reinvest the proceeds of such
repayments and prepayments at comparable rates.

The following table sets forth the activity in the Company's
mortgage-related securities portfolio during the periods indicated, all of which
are available-for-sale.



Nine Months
Ended
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, December 31,
------------------------ -------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mortgage-related securities at beginning of period..... $ 1,038,742 $ 902,191 $ 720,549
Purchases.............................................. 2,823,123 1,099,160 433,944
Sales.................................................. -- (14,748) (40,248)
Repayments, prepayments and maturities................. (1,627,540) (940,246) (221,413)
Amortization of premiums............................... (26,216) (5,592) (665)
Accretion of discounts................................. 2,002 1,271 439
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
mortgage-related securities.......................... 1,644 (3,294) 9,585
----------- ---------- ---------
Mortgage-related securities at end of period........... $ 2,211,755 $1,038,742 $ 902,191
=========== ========== =========


INVESTMENT SECURITIES. The Company has the authority to invest in various
types of liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of
various federal agencies and of state and municipal governments, preferred
securities, mutual funds, equity securities and corporate and trust obligations.
The Company's investment securities portfolio increased $72.0 million to $296.9
million at December 31, 2003 compared to $224.9 million at December 31, 2002.
The increase was due to purchases of $225.2 million consisting in large part of
preferred securities and securities issued by federal agencies, which purchases
were partially offset by the proceeds received from maturities and repayments of
$101.5 million and from sales of $48.4 million of securities. The sales
consisted of $30.0 million of corporate bonds, with a weighted average yield of
4.70% at a $0.4 million gain and $18.4 million of preferred securities, with a
weighted average yield of 4.72% at a $0.1 million gain.

24


The following table sets forth the activity in the Company's investment
securities portfolio, all of which are available-for-sale, during the periods
indicated.



Nine Months
Ended
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, December 31,
------------------------ -------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investment securities at beginning of period.......... $ 224,908 $125,803 $ 201,198
Purchases............................................. 225,240 226,071 289,355
Sales................................................. (48,410)(1) (90,334)(1) (319,201)(1)
Maturities and repayments............................. (101,535) (38,104) (51,332)
Amortization of premium............................... (223) (70) (47)
Accretion of discounts................................ 128 89 136
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment
securities.......................................... (3,163) 1,453 5,694
--------- -------- ---------
Investment securities at end of period................ $ 296,945 $224,908 $ 125,803
========= ======== =========


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

(1) The Company recognized a net gain of $0.5 million, $0.6 million and $2.8
million on the sale of investment securities during the years ended December
31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2001,
respectively.

The following table sets forth information regarding the amortized cost and
fair value of the Company's investment and mortgage-related securities at the
dates indicated.



AT DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
AMORTIZED ESTIMATED AMORTIZED ESTIMATED AMORTIZED ESTIMATED
(IN THOUSANDS) COST FAIR VALUE COST FAIR VALUE COST FAIR VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Available-for-sale:
Investment securities:
U.S. Government and
agencies.................. $ 15,549 $ 15,585 $ 14,578 $ 14,634 $ 27,617 $ 27,620
Corporate................... 119,013 119,575 154,680 155,292 -- --
Municipal................... 4,282 4,590 5,413 5,735 4,904 5,017
Equity Securities:
Preferred................. 158,462 155,869 47,435 48,084 91,365 91,322
Common.................... 386 1,326 386 1,163 953 1,844
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total investment
securities............. 297,692 296,945 222,492 224,908 124,839 125,803
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Mortgage-related securities:
Fannie Mae.................. 142,956 146,177 274,911 278,516 19,417 19,519
GNMA........................ 8,981 9,655 14,807 15,931 21,170 22,387
Freddie Mac................. 5,140 5,411 8,422 8,899 10,694 10,776
CMOs........................ 2,043,558 2,050,512 731,126 735,396 838,142 849,509
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total mortgage-related
securities................ 2,200,635 2,211,755 1,029,266 1,038,742 889,423 902,191
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total securities
available-for-sale............ $2,498,327 $2,508,700 $1,251,758 $1,263,650 $1,014,262 $1,027,994
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========


25


The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
contractual maturities of the Company's investment and mortgage-related
securities at December 31, 2003, all of which were classified as available-for-
sale.



AT DECEMBER 31, 2003, CONTRACTUALLY MATURING
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
UNDER 1 AVERAGE 1-5 AVERAGE 6-10 AVERAGE OVER 10 AVERAGE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) YEAR YIELD YEARS YIELD YEARS YIELD YEARS YIELD TOTAL
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investment securities:
U.S. Government and
agencies.................. $12,936 1.73% $ 2,649 1.92% $ -- --% $ -- --% $ 15,585
Corporate................... 10,094 4.09 12,421 7.47 13,107 6.39 83,953 3.41 119,575
Municipal................... 2,451 3.00 184 7.29 1,955 7.35 -- -- 4,590
Mortgage-related securities:
Fannie Mae.................. -- -- 3,574 7.15 63,095 6.48 79,508 6.47 146,177
GNMA........................ -- -- 1,022 7.96 1,167 8.96 7,466 7.66 9,655
Freddie Mac................. 19 9.04 222 7.41 121 7.78 5,049 5.68 5,411
CMOs........................ 17,039 1.58 64,178 5.22 -- -- 1,969,295 4.67 2,050,512
------- ------- ------- ---------- ----------
Total..................... $42,539 2.31% $84,250 5.57% $79,445 6.52% $2,145,271 4.70% $2,351,505
======= ==== ======= ==== ======= ==== ========== ==== ==========


SOURCES OF FUNDS

GENERAL. Deposits are the primary source of the Company's funds for
lending and other investment purposes. In addition to deposits, the Company
derives funds from loan principal and interest payments, maturities and sales of
securities, interest on securities, advances from the FHLB of New York and other
borrowings. Loan payments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit
inflows and outflows are influenced by general interest rates and money market
conditions. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis to compensate for
reductions in the availability of funds from other sources. They may also be
used on a longer term basis for general business purposes.

DEPOSITS. The Company's product line is structured to attract both
consumer and business prospects. The current product line includes negotiable
order of withdrawal ("NOW") accounts (including the "Active Management" NOW
accounts), money market accounts, non-interest-bearing checking accounts,
passbook and statement savings accounts, business checking accounts, cash
management services, New Jersey municipal deposits, Interest on Lawyers Trust
Accounts ("IOLTA"), Interest on Lawyers Accounts ("IOLA") and term certificate
accounts.

During 2002, the Company's product line was expanded to attract middle
market business and larger corporate customers by offering a full suite of
non-credit cash management services. The current product line includes lockbox
services, sweep accounts, automated clearing house (ACH) services, account
reconciliation services, escrow services, zero balance accounts, cash
concentration, wire transfer services, and a cash management suite of services
business customers can access via the internet. Business customers benefit from
these services through reduced operational costs, accelerated funds
availability, and increased interest income. The primary goal in development of
these services was to increase core deposits from business customers by offering
additional products and services where fees are offset with compensating
balances on deposit. Accounting for these service dollars and compensating
balances are calculated through the Company's account analysis system, which
provides its customers with earnings credits applied against equivalent balances
for services.

Development of these products and services was designed to penetrate new
markets by obtaining larger deposit relationships from business customers as
well as offering borrowing customers additional business banking products in
order to increase their deposit relationships. Approximately 974 business
customers are using some form of cash management services as of December 31,
2003.

The Company's deposits are obtained primarily from the areas in which its
branch offices are located. The Company neither pays fees to brokers to solicit
funds for deposit nor does it actively solicit negotiable-rate certificates of
deposit with balances of $100,000 or more. However, the Company has the
authority under its Board-approved funds management policies to solicit such
large certificates of deposit as an alternative funding source.

26


The Company attracts deposits through a network of convenient office
locations offering a variety of accounts and services, competitive interest
rates and convenient customer hours. The Company's branch network consists of 85
branch offices. During the year ended December 31, 2003 the Company opened ten
branches: six in Manhattan, New York, two in Queens, New York, one in Union
County, New Jersey and one in Essex County, New Jersey. In addition, the Company
opened one branch facility in Maryland as a result of the expansion of the
Company's commercial real estate lending activities to the Baltimore-Washington
area. The Company currently expects to expand its branch network through the
opening of approximately seven additional branch offices over the next twelve
months. During the first quarter of 2004 the Company opened one branch in
Manhattan, New York.

During 2002, the Company also expanded its retail banking services to
include a private banking/wealth management group. This group was added to
broaden and diversify the Company's customer base and offers personalized and
specialized services, including a carefully selected range of managed investment
alternatives through third parties, to meet the needs of the Company's clients.
As of December 31, 2003, the private banking/wealth management group had $131.0
million in deposits all of which were core deposits. As of December 31, 2002,
the private banking/wealth management group had $61.2 million in deposits of
which $55.8 million or 91% were core deposits. In addition, this group generated
$29.0 million and $24.2 million of primarily multi-family and commercial
business loans during the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002,
respectively.

In addition to its branch network, the Company currently maintains 115 ATMs
in or at its branch offices and 25 ATMs at remote sites. The Company currently
plans to install 12 additional ATMs in its offices and four ATMs at remote sites
by the end of calendar 2004.

Supplementing the Company's branch and ATM network, are its Call Center,
the Interactive Voice Response unit and its Internet Banking services. On an
average monthly basis, the Company's call center responds and processes over
42,000 customer transactional requests and informational inquiries. The Call
Center also provides account-opening services and can accept loan applications
related to the Company's consumer loan product line. The Interactive Voice
Response unit provides automated voice and touch-tone information to nearly
200,000 telephoned inquiries per month. The Company's Internet Banking site
currently has approximately 50,000 users and provides a wide range of product
and account information to both existing and new customers. Services on this
site include account-opening capabilities, consumer loan applications, on-line
bill paying and other products and services.

Deposit accounts offered by the Company vary according to the minimum
balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on deposit and the
interest rate, among other factors. The Company is not limited with respect to
the rates it may offer on deposit accounts. In determining the characteristics
of its deposit accounts, consideration is given to the profitability to the
Company, matching terms of the deposits with loan products, the attractiveness
to customers and the rates offered by the Company's competitors.

The Company's focus on customer service has facilitated its growth and
retention of lower-costing NOW accounts, money market accounts, non-interest
bearing checking accounts, business checking accounts and savings accounts,
which generally bear interest rates substantially less than certificates of
deposit. At December 31, 2003, these types of deposits amounted to $3.93 billion
or 74.0% of the Company's total deposits. During the year ended December 31,
2003, the weighted average rate paid on the Company's deposits, excluding
certificates of deposit was 0.53%, as compared to a weighted average rate of
2.25% paid on the Company's certificates of deposit during this period. At
December 31, 2003, approximately 79.3% of the Company's certificate of deposit
portfolio was scheduled to mature within one year, reflecting customer
preference to maintain their deposits with relatively short terms during the
current economic environment.

The Company's deposits increased $364.0 million or 7.4% to $5.30 billion at
December 31, 2003 from $4.94 billion at December 31, 2002 as a result of deposit
inflows of $310.8 million combined with interest credited of $53.2 million. For
further information regarding the Company's deposit liabilities see Note 11 of
the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

27


The following table sets forth the activity in the Company's deposits
during the periods indicated.



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deposits at beginning of period........................ $4,940,060 $4,794,775 $4,666,057
Other net increase before interest credited............ 310,780 63,648 19,293
Interest credited...................................... 53,257 81,637 109,425
---------- ---------- ----------
Net increase in deposits............................... 364,037 145,285 128,718
---------- ---------- ----------
Deposits at end of period.............................. $5,304,097 $4,940,060 $4,794,775
========== ========== ==========


The following table sets forth by various interest rate categories the
certificates of deposit with the Company at the dates indicated.



At December 31,
--------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0.01% to 1.49%.......................................... $ 784,734 $ 381,635 $ --
1.50% to 1.99%.......................................... 51,754 612,088 --
2.00% to 2.99%.......................................... 84,664 71,626 681,896
3.00% to 3.99%.......................................... 252,363 253,431 643,879
4.00% to 4.99%.......................................... 78,809 97,350 209,596
5.00% to 5.99%.......................................... 105,348 144,224 248,040
6.00% to 6.99%.......................................... 19,281 25,648 66,192
7.00% to 8.99%.......................................... 1,949 3,250 4,034
---------- ---------- ----------
$1,378,902 $1,589,252 $1,853,637
========== ========== ==========


The following table sets forth the amount and remaining contractual
maturities of the Company's certificates of deposit at December 31, 2003.



OVER SIX OVER ONE OVER TWO
SIX MONTHS YEAR YEARS OVER
MONTHS THROUGH THROUGH THROUGH THREE
(IN THOUSANDS) OR LESS ONE YEAR TWO YEARS THREE YEARS YEARS TOTAL
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0.01% to 1.49%............. $577,660 $185,321 $21,663 $ 72 $ 18 $ 784,734
1.50% to 1.99%............. 23,968 8,885 14,400 4,481 20 51,754
2.00% to 2.99%............. 19,252 18,755 13,062 10,259 23,336 84,664
3.00% to 3.99%............. 119,236 75,717 3,944 3,128 50,338 252,363
4.00% to 4.99%............. 12,392 24,277 1,125 12,821 28,194 78,809
5.00% to 5.99%............. 14,948 9,265 8,684 20,139 52,312 105,348
6.00% to 6.99%............. 223 1,193 12,587 5,254 24 19,281
7.00% to 8.99%............. 1,284 456 209 -- -- 1,949
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------- ----------
Total...................... $768,963 $323,869 $75,674 $56,154 $154,242 $1,378,902
======== ======== ======= ======= ======== ==========


28


As of December 31, 2003, the aggregate amount of outstanding certificates
of deposit in amounts greater than or equal to $100,000 was approximately $281.4
million. The following table presents the maturity of these certificates of
deposit at such date.



(IN THOUSANDS) AMOUNT
- -----------------------------------------------

3 months or less.............. $ 66,848
Over 3 months through 6
months...................... 64,487
Over 6 months through 12
months...................... 60,498
Over 12 months................ 89,517
--------
$281,350
========


BORROWINGS. The Company may obtain advances from the FHLB of New York
based upon the security of the common stock it owns in that bank and certain of
its residential mortgage loans, provided certain standards related to
creditworthiness have been met. Such advances are made pursuant to several
credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of
maturities. Such advances are generally available to meet seasonal and other
withdrawals of deposit accounts, to fund increased lending or for investment
purchases. The Company had $1.05 billion of FHLB advances outstanding at
December 31, 2003 with maturities of nine years or less with the majority having
a maturity of less than five years. At December 31, 2003 the Company had the
ability to borrow, from the FHLB, an additional $266.1 million on a secured
basis, utilizing mortgage-related loans and securities as collateral. Another
funding source available to the Company is repurchase agreements with the FHLB
and other counterparties. These repurchase agreements are generally
collateralized by CMOs or U.S. Government and agency securities held by the
Company. At December 31, 2003, the Company had $1.87 billion of repurchase
agreements outstanding with approximately 46.9% maturing within 90 days and the
remainder maturing between four and nine years.

During 2003, the Company borrowed $1.08 billion of short-term low costing
floating-rate FHLB borrowings, investing the funds primarily in mortgage-backed
securities with characteristics designed to minimize both interest rate risk and
extension risk while maximizing yield. These short-term borrowings, which
generally mature within 30 days, included $200.0 million of FHLB advances at a
weighted average interest rate of 1.14% and $875.0 million of repurchase
agreements at a weighted average interest rate of 1.15% at December 31, 2003.
The maximum amount of short-term borrowings outstanding at any month end during
the year ended December 31, 2003 was $200.0 million of FHLB advances and $875.0
million of repurchase agreements. The Company also replaced $200.0 million of
borrowings at a weighted average interest rate of 5.77% with $200.0 million of
fixed-rate five-year borrowings with a weighted average interest rate of 3.89%
and borrowed $200.0 million of five-year borrowings with a weighted average
interest rate of 2.41%. The Company paid-off $290.3 million of borrowings that
matured during 2003 at a weighted average interest rate of 5.31%. For further
discussion see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operation-Business Strategy-Controlled Growth" set forth in Item 7
hereof and Note 12 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth
in Item 8 hereof.

EMPLOYEES

The Company had 1,368 full-time employees and 283 part-time employees at
December 31, 2003. None of these employees are represented by a collective
bargaining agreement or agent and the Company considers its relationship with
its employees to be good.

SUBSIDIARIES

At December 31, 2003, the Holding Company's two active subsidiaries were
the Bank and Mitchamm Corp. ("Mitchamm").

MITCHAMM CORP. Mitchamm was established in September 1997 primarily to
operate Mail Boxes Etc. ("MBE") franchises, which provide mail services,
packaging and shipping services primarily to individuals and small businesses.
Mitchamm had the area franchise for MBE in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
During 2003, Mitchamm sold the MBE franchise for a gain of $0.3 million.
Mitchamm currently operates one facility.

BNB CAPITAL TRUST. BNB Capital Trust (the "Issuer Trust") (assumed by the
Holding Company as part of the acquisition of Broad) is a statutory business
trust formed under Delaware law in June 1997. As a result of the Broad
acquisition, the Issuer Trust is wholly owned by the Holding Company. In
accordance with the terms of the trust

29


indenture, the Trust redeemed all of its outstanding 9.5% Cumulative Trust
Preferred Securities (the "Trust Preferred Securities") totaling $11.5 million,
at $10.00 per share, effective June 30, 2002. Accordingly, the Issuer Trust is
now considered to be an inactive subsidiary. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" set forth in Item 7
hereof and "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" set forth in Item 8
hereof for additional information.

The following are the subsidiaries of the Bank:

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT CORP. ("ICIC"). ICIC was established in
December 1998, and is the Delaware-chartered holding company for Independence
Community Realty Corp. ("ICRC") and the Renaissance Asset Corporation ("RAC").
On December 18, 1998 the Bank transferred 1,000 shares of ICRC's common stock,
par value $.01 per share, and 9,889 shares of junior preferred stock, stated
value $1,000 per share, to ICIC in return for all 1,000 shares of ICIC's common
stock, par value $.01 per share. At December 31, 2003, ICIC held $119.6 million
of securities available-for-sale and $230.6 million of cash and cash
equivalents.

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY REALTY CORP. ICRC was established in September 1996
as a real estate investment trust. On October 1, 1996, the Bank transferred to
ICRC real estate loans with a fair market value of approximately $834.0 million
in return for all 1,000 shares of ICRC's common stock and all 10,000 shares of
ICRC's 8% junior preferred stock. In January 1997, 111 officers and employees of
the Bank each received one share of 8% junior preferred stock with a stated
value of $1,000 per share of ICRC. At December 31, 2003, ICRC held $1.22 billion
of loans and $808.9 million of short-term investments.

RENAISSANCE ASSET CORPORATION. RAC, which was acquired from Broad, was
established by Broad National Bank ("Broad National") in November 1997 as a New
Jersey real estate investment trust. At December 31, 2003, RAC held $890.0
million of loans and $279.3 million of short-term investments. Effective January
1, 2003, RAC was merged into a newly formed Delaware corporation, also called
Renaissance Asset Corporation, with the Delaware company being the surviving
entity. Pursuant to the terms of the merger, each share of common and preferred
stock of the New Jersey corporation was converted into an identical share of the
Delaware corporation.

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. ("ICIA"). ICIA was
established in 1984. ICIA was formed as a licensed life insurance agency to sell
the products of the new mutual insurance company formed by the Savings Bank Life
Insurance Department of New York.

WILJO DEVELOPMENT CORP. ("WILJO"). The assets of Wiljo consist primarily
of the office space in the building in which the Company's executive office is
located and its limited partnership interest in the partnership which owns the
remaining portion of the building. At December 31, 2003, Wiljo had total assets
of $8.5 million and the Company's equity investment in Wiljo amounted to $7.7
million.

BROAD NATIONAL REALTY CORP. ("BNRC"). BNRC was established by Broad
National in July 1987. The assets of BNRC consist primarily of an office
building located at 909 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey. BNRC is also the
holding company for BNB Horizons Inc. ("Horizon"). BNRC had total assets of $2.9
million at December 31, 2003.

BROAD HORIZONS INC. Horizon was established by Broad National in May 1998
to manage vacant land located at 901 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey. Horizon's
assets totaled $217,000 at December 31, 2003.

BNB INVESTMENT CORP. ("INVESTMENT CORP"). Investment Corp. was established
by Broad National in February 1987 to hold various investment securities.
Investment Corp. had total assets of $62.0 million at December 31, 2003.

BRONATOREO, INC. ("BRONATOREO"). Bronatoreo was established by Broad
National in August 1992 to maintain parking lots located behind 905 Broad
Street, Newark, New Jersey. Bronatoreo had total assets of $1.9 million at
December 31, 2003.

STATEWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES ("SFS"). SFS was established by Statewide
Savings Bank, S.L.A. in July 1985 to sell annuity products. SFS is currently
inactive with no assets.

ICM CAPITAL L.L.C. ("ICMC"). ICMC was established in July 2003 to act as a
mortgage lender and to participate in the Fannie Mae DUS program. ICMC is 66.67%
owned by the Bank and 33.33% owned by Meridian Company. At December 31,

30


2003, ICMC assets totaled $8.2 million. See "Business-Lending Activities-Loan
Originations, Purchases, Sales and Servicing".

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL REINVESTMENT CORP. ("ICCRC"). ICCRC was
established in July 2003 to function as a qualified community development entity
by serving or providing investment capital for low-income communities or
low-income persons. ICCRC had no assets at December 31, 2003.

REGULATION

Set forth below is a brief description of certain laws and regulations
which are applicable to the Company and the Bank. The description of the laws
and regulations hereunder, as well as descriptions of laws and regulations
contained elsewhere herein, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to applicable laws and regulations.

THE HOLDING COMPANY

GENERAL. Upon consummation of the Conversion, the Holding Company became
subject to regulation as a savings and loan holding company under the Home
Owners' Loan Act, as amended ("HOLA"), instead of being subject to regulation as
a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 because the
Bank made an election under Section 10(l) of HOLA to be treated as a "savings
association" for purposes of Section 10(e) of HOLA. As a result, the Holding
Company registered with the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") and is subject
to OTS regulations, examinations, supervision and reporting requirements
relating to savings and loan holding companies. The Holding Company is also
required to file certain reports with, and otherwise comply with the rules and
regulations of, the Department and the SEC. As a subsidiary of a savings and
loan holding company, the Bank is subject to certain restrictions in its
dealings with the Holding Company and affiliates thereof.

ACTIVITIES RESTRICTIONS. The Holding Company operates as a unitary savings
and loan holding company. Generally, there are only limited restrictions on the
activities of a unitary savings and loan holding company which applied to become
or was a unitary savings and loan holding company prior to May 4, 1999 and its
non-savings institution subsidiaries. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999
(the "GLBA"), companies which applied to the OTS to become unitary savings and
loan holding companies after May 4, 1999 will be restricted to engaging in those
activities traditionally permitted to multiple savings and loan holding
companies. If the Director of the OTS determines that there is reasonable cause
to believe that the continuation by a savings and loan holding company of an
activity constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness or
stability of its subsidiary savings institution, the Director may impose such
restrictions as deemed necessary to address such risk, including limiting (i)
payment of dividends by the savings institution; (ii) transactions between the
savings institution and its affiliates; and (iii) any activities of the savings
institution that might create a serious risk that the liabilities of the holding
company and its affiliates may be imposed on the savings institution.
Notwithstanding the above rules as to permissible business activities of
grandfathered unitary savings and loan holding companies under the GLBA, if the
savings institution subsidiary of such a holding company fails to meet the
Qualified Thrift Lender ("QTL") test, as discussed under '-Qualified Thrift
Lender Test," then such unitary holding company also shall become subject to the
activities restrictions applicable to multiple savings and loan holding
companies and, unless the savings institution requalifies as a QTL within one
year thereafter, shall register as, and become subject to the restrictions
applicable to, a bank holding company. See "-- Qualified Thrift Lender Test."

The GLBA also imposed new financial privacy obligations and reporting
requirements on all financial institutions. The privacy regulations require,
among other things, that financial institutions establish privacy policies and
disclose such policies to its customers at the commencement of a customer
relationship and annually thereafter. In addition, financial institutions are
required to permit customers to opt out of the financial institution's
disclosure of the customer's financial information to non-affiliated third
parties. Such regulations became mandatory as of July 1, 2001.

If the Holding Company were to acquire control of another savings
institution, other than through merger or other business combination with the
Bank, the Holding Company would thereupon become a multiple savings and loan
holding company. Except where such acquisition is pursuant to the authority to
approve emergency thrift acquisitions and where each subsidiary savings
institution

31


meets the QTL test, as set forth below, the activities of the Holding Company
and any of its subsidiaries (other than the Bank or other subsidiary savings
institutions) would thereafter be subject to further restrictions. Among other
things, no multiple savings and loan holding company or subsidiary thereof which
is not a savings institution shall commence or continue for a limited period of
time after becoming a multiple savings and loan holding company or subsidiary
thereof any business activity other than: (i) furnishing or performing
management services for a subsidiary savings institution; (ii) conducting an
insurance agency or escrow business; (iii) holding, managing, or liquidating
assets owned by or acquired from a subsidiary savings institution; (iv) holding
or managing properties used or occupied by a subsidiary savings institution; (v)
acting as trustee under deeds of trust; (vi) those activities authorized by
regulation as of March 5, 1987 to be engaged in by multiple savings and loan
holding companies; or (vii) unless the Director of the OTS by regulation
prohibits or limits such activities for savings and loan holding companies,
those activities authorized by the Federal Reserve Board as permissible for bank
holding companies. Those activities described in clause (vii) above also must be
approved by the Director of the OTS prior to being engaged in by a multiple
savings and loan holding company.

QUALIFIED THRIFT LENDER TEST. Under Section 2303 of the Economic Growth
and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996, a savings association can comply
with the QTL test by either meeting the QTL test set forth in the HOLA and
implementing regulations or qualifying as a domestic building and loan
association as defined in Section 7701(a)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). A savings bank subsidiary of a savings and loan
holding company that does not comply with the QTL test must comply with the
following restrictions on its operations: (i) the institution may not engage in
any new activity or make any new investment, directly or indirectly, unless such
activity or investment is permissible for a national bank; (ii) the branching
powers of the institution shall be restricted to those of a national bank; and
(iii) payment of dividends by the institution shall be subject to the rules
regarding payment of dividends by a national bank. Upon the expiration of three
years from the date the institution ceases to meet the QTL test, it must cease
any activity and not retain any investment not permissible for a national bank
(subject to safety and soundness considerations).

The QTL test set forth in the HOLA requires that qualified thrift
investments ("QTIs") represent 65% of portfolio assets of the savings
institution and its consolidated subsidiaries. Portfolio assets are defined as
total assets less intangibles, property used by a savings association in its
business and liquidity investments in an amount not exceeding 20% of assets.
Generally, QTIs are residential housing related assets. The 1996 amendments
allow small business loans, credit card loans, student loans and loans for
personal, family and household purpose to be included without limitation as
qualified investments. At December 31, 2003, approximately 89.1% of the Bank's
assets were invested in QTIs, which was in excess of the percentage required to
qualify the Bank under the QTL test in effect at that time.

LIMITATIONS ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Transactions between savings
institutions and any affiliate are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the
Federal Reserve Act. An affiliate of a savings institution is any company or
entity which controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the
savings institution. In a holding company context, the parent holding company of
a savings institution (such as the Company) and any companies which are
controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the savings
institution. Generally, Sections 23A and 23B (i) limit the extent to which the
savings institution or its subsidiaries may engage in "covered transactions"
with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such institution's capital
stock and surplus, and contain an aggregate limit on all such transactions with
all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus and
(ii) require that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or
at least as favorable, to the institution or subsidiary as those provided to a
non-affiliate. The term "covered transaction" includes the making of loans,
purchase of assets, issuance of a guarantee and other similar transactions.

In addition, Sections 22(g) and (h) of the Federal Reserve Act place
restrictions on loans to executive officers, directors and principal
stockholders. Under Section 22(h), loans to a director, an executive officer and
to a greater than 10% stockholder of a savings institution, and certain
affiliated interests of either, may not exceed, together with all other
outstanding loans to such person and affiliated

32


interests, the savings institution's loans to one borrower limit (generally
equal to 15% of the institution's unimpaired capital and surplus). Section 22(h)
also requires that loans to directors, executive officers and principal
stockholders be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable
transactions to other persons unless the loans are made pursuant to a benefit or
compensation program that (i) is widely available to employees of the
institution and (ii) does not give preference to any director, executive officer
or principal stockholder, or certain affiliated interests of either, over other
employees of the savings institution. Section 22(h) also requires prior board
approval for certain loans. In addition, the aggregate amount of extensions of
credit by a savings institution to all insiders cannot exceed the institution's
unimpaired capital and surplus. Furthermore, Section 22(g) places additional
restrictions on loans to executive officers. At December 31, 2003, the Bank was
in compliance with the above restrictions.

RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITIONS. Except under limited circumstances, savings
and loan holding companies are prohibited from acquiring, without prior approval
of the Director of the OTS, (i) control of any other savings institution or
savings and loan holding company or substantially all the assets thereof or (ii)
more than 5% of the voting shares of a savings institution or holding company
thereof which is not a subsidiary. Except with the prior approval of the
Director, no director or officer of a savings and loan holding company or person
owning or controlling by proxy or otherwise more than 25% of such company's
stock, may acquire control of any savings institution, other than a subsidiary
savings institution, or of any other savings and loan holding company.

The Director of the OTS may only approve acquisitions resulting in the
formation of a multiple savings and loan holding company which controls savings
institutions in more than one state if (i) the multiple savings and loan holding
company involved controls a savings institution which operated a home or branch
office located in the state of the institution to be acquired as of March 5,
1987; (ii) the acquiror is authorized to acquire control of the savings
institution pursuant to the emergency acquisition provisions of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act ("FDIA"); or (iii) the statutes of the state in which the
institution to be acquired is located specifically permit institutions to be
acquired by the state-chartered institutions or savings and loan holding
companies located in the state where the acquiring entity is located (or by a
holding company that controls such state-chartered savings institutions).

FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS. The Holding Company's common stock is registered
with the SEC under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Holding Company is subject to the proxy and
tender offer rules, insider trading reporting requirements and restrictions, and
certain other requirements under the Exchange Act.

THE BANK

GENERAL. The Bank is subject to extensive regulation and examination by
the Department, as its chartering authority, and by the FDIC, as the insurer of
its deposits, and is subject to certain requirements established by the OTS as a
result of the Holding Company's savings and loan holding company status. The
federal and state laws and regulations which are applicable to banks regulate,
among other things, the scope of their business, their investments, their
reserves against deposits, the timing of the availability of deposited funds and
the nature and amount of and collateral for certain loans. The Bank must file
reports with the Department and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial
condition, in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into
certain transactions such as establishing branches and mergers with, or
acquisitions of, other depository institutions. There are periodic examinations
by the Department and the FDIC to test the Bank's compliance with various
regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision establishes a
comprehensive framework of activities in which an institution can engage and is
intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. The
regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion
in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination
policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and
the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any
change in such regulation, whether by the Department, the FDIC or as a result of
the enactment of legislation, could have a material adverse impact on the
Company, the Bank and their operations.

CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS. The FDIC has promulgated regulations and adopted a
statement of policy regarding the capital adequacy of state-

33


chartered banks which, like the Bank, are not members of the Federal Reserve
System.

The FDIC's capital regulations establish a minimum 3.0% Tier I leverage
capital requirement for the most highly-rated state-chartered, non-member banks,
with an additional cushion of at least 100 to 200 basis points for all other
state-chartered, non-member banks, which effectively increases the minimum Tier
I leverage ratio for such other banks to 4.0% to 5.0% or more. Under the FDIC's
regulation, the highest-rated banks are those that the FDIC determines are not
anticipating or experiencing significant growth and have well diversified risk,
including no undue interest rate risk exposure, excellent asset quality, high
liquidity, good earnings and, in general, which are considered a strong banking
organization and are rated composite 1 under the Uniform Financial Institutions
Rating System. Leverage or core capital is defined as the sum of common
stockholders' equity (including retained earnings), noncumulative perpetual
preferred stock and related surplus, and minority interests in consolidated
subsidiaries, minus all intangible assets other than certain qualifying
supervisory goodwill and certain mortgage servicing rights.

The FDIC also requires that savings banks meet a risk-based capital
standard. The risk-based capital standard for savings banks requires the
maintenance of total capital (which is defined as Tier I capital and
supplementary (Tier II) capital) to risk-weighted assets of 8%. In determining
the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, plus certain off-balance sheet
assets, are multiplied by a risk-weight of 0% to 100%, based on the risks the
FDIC believes are inherent in the type of asset or item. The components of Tier
I capital are equivalent to those discussed above under the 3% leverage capital
standard. The components of supplementary capital include certain perpetual
preferred stock, certain mandatory convertible securities, certain subordinated
debt and intermediate preferred stock and general allowances for loan and lease
losses. Allowance for loan and lease losses includable in supplementary capital
is limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets. Overall, the amount of
capital counted toward supplementary capital cannot exceed 100% of core capital.
At December 31, 2003, the Bank exceeded each of its capital requirements. See
Note 23 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8
hereof.

ACTIVITIES AND INVESTMENTS OF NEW YORK-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS. The Bank
derives its lending, investment and other authority primarily from the
applicable provisions of New York Banking Law and the regulations of the
Department, as limited by FDIC regulations and other federal laws and
regulations. See "--Activities and Investments of FDIC Insured State--Chartered
Banks." These New York laws and regulations authorize savings banks, including
the Bank, to invest in real estate mortgages, consumer and commercial loans,
certain types of debt securities, including certain corporate debt securities
and obligations of federal, state and local governments and agencies, certain
types of corporate equity securities and certain other assets. Under the
statutory authority for investing in equity securities, a savings bank may
directly invest up to 7.5% of its assets in certain corporate stock and may also
invest up to 7.5% of its assets in certain mutual fund securities. Investment in
stock of a single corporation is limited to the lesser of 2% of the outstanding
stock of such corporation or 1% of the savings bank's assets, except as set
forth below. Such equity securities must meet certain tests of financial
performance. A savings bank's lending powers are not subject to percentage of
asset limitations, although there are limits applicable to single borrowers. A
savings bank may also, pursuant to the "leeway" authority, make investments not
otherwise permitted under the New York Banking Law. This authority permits
investments in otherwise impermissible investments of up to 1% of the savings
bank's assets in any single investment, subject to certain restrictions and to
an aggregate limit for all such investments of up to 5% of assets. Additionally,
in lieu of investing in such securities in accordance with the reliance upon the
specific investment authority set forth in the New York Banking Law, savings
banks are authorized to elect to invest under a "prudent person" standard in a
wider range of debt and equity securities as compared to the types of
investments permissible under such specific investment authority. However, in
the event a savings bank elects to utilize the "prudent person" standard, it
will be unable to avail itself of the other provisions of the New York Banking
Law and regulations which set forth specific investment authority. A New
York-chartered stock savings bank may also exercise trust powers upon approval
of the Department.

Under New York Banking Law, the Department has the authority to maintain
the power of

34


state-chartered banks reciprocal with those of a national bank.

New York-chartered savings banks may also invest in subsidiaries under
their service corporation investment power. A savings bank may use this power to
invest in corporations that engage in various activities authorized for savings
banks, plus any additional activities which may be authorized by the Department.
Investment by a savings bank in the stock, capital notes and debentures of its
service corporations is limited to 3% of the savings bank's assets, and such
investments, together with the savings bank's loans to its service corporations,
may not exceed 10% of the savings bank's assets.

With certain limited exceptions, a New York-chartered savings bank may not
make loans or extend credit for commercial, corporate or business purposes
(including lease financing) to a single borrower, the aggregate amount of which
would be in excess of 15% of the bank's net worth. The Bank currently complies
with all applicable loans-to-one-borrower limitations.

ACTIVITIES AND INVESTMENTS OF FDIC-INSURED STATE-CHARTERED BANKS. The
activities and equity investments of FDIC-insured, state-chartered banks are
generally limited to those that are permissible for national banks. Under
regulations dealing with equity investments, an insured state bank generally may
not directly or indirectly acquire or retain any equity investment of a type, or
in an amount, that is not permissible for a national bank. An insured state bank
is not prohibited from, among other things, (i) acquiring or retaining a
majority interest in a subsidiary,(ii) investing as a limited partner in a
partnership the sole purpose of which is direct or indirect investment in the
acquisition, rehabilitation or new construction of a qualified housing project,
provided that such limited partnership investments may not exceed 2% of the
bank's total assets, (iii) acquiring up to 10% of the voting stock of a company
that solely provides or reinsures directors', trustees' and officers' liability
insurance coverage or bankers' blanket bond group insurance coverage for insured
depository institutions, and (iv) acquiring or retaining the voting shares of a
depository institution if certain requirements are met. In addition, an
FDIC-insured state-chartered bank may not directly, or indirectly through a
subsidiary, engage as "principal" in any activity that is not permissible for a
national bank unless the FDIC has determined that such activities would pose no
risk to the insurance fund of which it is a member and the bank is in compliance
with applicable regulatory capital requirements.

Also excluded from the foregoing proscription is the investment by a
state-chartered, FDIC-insured bank in common and preferred stock listed on a
national securities exchange and in shares of an investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In order to qualify for the exception,
a state-chartered FDIC-insured bank must (i) have held such types of investments
during the 14-month period from September 30, 1990 through November 26, 1991,
(ii) be chartered in a state that authorized such investments as of September
30, 1991 and (iii) file a one-time notice with the FDIC in the required form and
receive FDIC approval of such notice. In addition, the total investment
permitted under the exception may not exceed 100% of the bank's tier one capital
as calculated under FDIC regulations. The Bank received FDIC approval of its
notice to engage in this investment activity on February 26, 1993. As of
December 31, 2003, the book value of the Bank's investments under this exception
was $87.8 million, which equaled 12.16% of its Tier I capital. Such
grandfathering authority is subject to termination upon the FDIC's determination
that such investments pose a safety and soundness risk to the Bank or in the
event the Bank converts its charter or undergoes a change in control.

REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY. Applicable banking laws include
substantial enforcement powers available to federal banking regulators. This
enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil
money penalties, to issue cease-and-desist or removal orders and to initiate
injunctive actions against banking organizations and institution-affiliated
parties, as defined. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated for
violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. Other
actions or inactions may provide the basis for enforcement action, including
misleading or untimely reports filed with regulatory authorities.

Under the New York Banking Law, the Department may issue an order to a New
York-chartered banking institution to appear and explain an apparent violation
of law, to discontinue unauthorized or unsafe practices and to keep prescribed
books and accounts. Upon a finding by the Department that any director, trustee
or officer of any

35


banking organization has violated any law, or has continued unauthorized or
unsafe practices in conducting the business of the banking organization after
having been notified by the Department to discontinue such practices, such
director, trustee or officer may be removed from office by the Department after
notice and an opportunity to be heard. The Bank does not know of any past or
current practice, condition or violation that might lead to any proceeding by
the Department against the Bank or any of its directors or officers. The
Department also may take possession of a banking organization under specified
statutory criteria.

PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION. Section 38 of the FDIA provides the federal
banking regulators with broad power to take "prompt corrective action" to
resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. The extent of the
regulators' powers depends on whether the institution in question is "well
capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly
undercapitalized" or "critically undercapitalized." Under regulations adopted by
the federal banking regulators, an institution shall be deemed to be (i) "well
capitalized" if it has total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or more, has a
Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or more, has a Tier I leverage capital
ratio of 5.0% or more and is not subject to specified requirements to meet and
maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure, (ii) "adequately
capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or more, a Tier
I risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or more and a Tier I leverage capital ratio
of 4.0% or more (3.0% under certain circumstances) and does not meet the
definition of "well capitalized," (iii) "undercapitalized" if it has a total
risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%, a Tier I risk-based capital
ratio that is less than 4.0% or a Tier I leverage capital ratio that is less
than 4.0% (3.0% under certain circumstances), (iv) "significantly
undercapitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than
6.0%, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio that is less than 3.0% or a Tier I
leverage capital ratio that is less than 3.0% and (v) "critically
undercapitalized" if it has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is
equal to or less than 2.0%. The regulations also provide that a federal banking
regulator may, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, reclassify a "well
capitalized" institution as "adequately capitalized" and may require an
"adequately capitalized" institution or an "undercapitalized" institution to
comply with supervisory actions as if it were in the next lower category if the
institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or engaging in an unsafe or
unsound practice. The federal banking regulator may not, however, reclassify a
"significantly undercapitalized" institution as "critically undercapitalized."

An institution generally must file a written capital restoration plan which
meets specified requirements, as well as a performance guaranty by each company
that controls the institution, with an appropriate federal banking regulator
within 45 days of the date that the institution receives notice or is deemed to
have notice that it is "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized" or
"critically undercapitalized." Immediately upon becoming undercapitalized, an
institution becomes subject to statutory provisions which, among other things,
set forth various mandatory and discretionary restrictions on the operations of
such an institution.

As December 31, 2003, the Bank had capital levels which qualified it as a
"well-capitalized" institution. See Note 23 of the "Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

FDIC INSURANCE PREMIUMS. The Bank is a member of the Bank Insurance Fund
("BIF") administered by the FDIC but has deposit accounts insured by both the
BIF and the Savings Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF"). The SAIF-insured
accounts are held by the Bank as a result of certain acquisitions and branch
purchases involving SAIF-insured deposits. Such SAIF-insured deposits amounted
to $2.56 billion as of December 31, 2003. As insurer, the FDIC is authorized to
conduct examinations of, and to require reporting by, FDIC-insured institutions.
It also may prohibit any FDIC-insured institution from engaging in any activity
that the FDIC determines by regulation or order poses a serious threat to the
FDIC.

The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository
institution, including the Bank, if it determines after a hearing that the
institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an
unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any
applicable law, regulation, order or any condition imposed by an agreement with
the FDIC. It also may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing
process for the permanent termination of insurance, if the institution has no
tangible capital. If insurance of accounts is terminated, the

36


accounts at the institution at the time of the termination, less subsequent
withdrawals, shall continue to be insured for a period of six months to two
years, as determined by the FDIC. Management is aware of no existing
circumstances which would result in termination of the Bank's deposit insurance.

Beginning October 1, 1996, effective SAIF rates ranged from zero basis
points to 27 basis points which was the same range of premiums as the BIF rates.
From 1997 through 1999, almost all FDIC-insured institutions paid 6.4 basis
points of their SAIF-assessable deposits and approximately 1.3 basis points of
their BIF-assessable deposits to fund the Financing Corporation. Since January
1, 2000, all FDIC insured institutions are assessed the same rate for their BIF
and SAIF assessable deposits to fund the Financing Corporation. Based upon the
$3.29 billion of BIF-assessable deposits and $2.56 billion of SAIF-assessable
deposits at December 31, 2003, the Bank expects to pay approximately $225,000 in
insurance premiums per quarter during calendar 2004.

BROKERED DEPOSITS. The FDIA restricts the use of brokered deposits by
certain depository institutions. Under the FDIA and applicable regulations, (i)
a "well capitalized insured depository institution" may solicit and accept,
renew or roll over any brokered deposit without restriction, (ii) an "adequately
capitalized insured depository institution" may not accept, renew or roll over
any brokered deposit unless it has applied for and been granted a waiver of this
prohibition by the FDIC and (iii) an "undercapitalized insured depository
institution" may not (x) accept, renew or roll over any brokered deposit or (y)
solicit deposits by offering an effective yield that exceeds by more than 75
basis points the prevailing effective yields on insured deposits of comparable
maturity in such institution's normal market area or in the market area in which
such deposits are being solicited. The term "undercapitalized insured depository
institution" is defined to mean any insured depository institution that fails to
meet the minimum regulatory capital requirement prescribed by its appropriate
federal banking agency. The FDIC may, on a case-by-case basis and upon
application by an adequately capitalized insured depository institution, waive
the restriction on brokered deposits upon a finding that the acceptance of
brokered deposits does not constitute an unsafe or unsound practice with respect
to such institution. The Company had no brokered deposits outstanding at
December 31, 2003.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AND CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS. In connection with its
lending activities, the Bank is subject to a variety of federal laws designed to
protect borrowers and promote lending to various sectors of the economy and
population. Included among these are the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act,
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Truth-in-Lending Act, Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and the CRA.

The CRA requires insured institutions to define the communities that they
serve, identify the credit needs of those communities and adopt and implement a
"Community Reinvestment Act Statement" pursuant to which they offer credit
products and take other actions that respond to the credit needs of the
community. The responsible federal banking regulator (in the case of the Bank,
the FDIC) must conduct regular CRA examinations of insured financial
institutions and assign to them a CRA rating of "outstanding," "satisfactory,"
"needs improvement" or "unsatisfactory." The Bank's latest federal CRA rating
based upon its last examination is "satisfactory."

The Company is also subject to provisions of the New York Banking Law which
impose continuing and affirmative obligations upon banking institutions
organized in New York State to serve the credit needs of its local community
("NYCRA"), which are similar to those imposed by the CRA. The NYCRA requires the
Department to make an annual written assessment of a bank's compliance with the
NYCRA, utilizing a four-tiered rating system, and make such assessment available
to the public. The NYCRA also requires the Department to consider a bank's NYCRA
rating when reviewing a bank's application to engage in certain transactions,
including mergers, asset purchases and the establishment of branch offices or
automated teller machines, and provides that such assessment may serve as a
basis for the denial of any such application. The Bank's latest NYCRA rating
received from the Department based upon its last examination is "satisfactory."

LIMITATIONS ON DIVIDENDS. The Holding Company is a legal entity separate
and distinct from the Bank. The Holding Company's principal source of revenue
consists of dividends from the Bank. The payment of dividends by the Bank is
subject to various regulatory requirements including a requirement, as a result
of the Holding Company's savings

37


and loan holding company status, that the Bank notify the Director of the OTS
not less than 30 days in advance of any proposed declaration by its directors of
a dividend.

Under New York Banking Law, a New York-chartered stock savings bank may
declare and pay dividends out of its net profits, unless there is an impairment
of capital, but approval of the Department is required if the total of all
dividends declared in a calendar year would exceed the total of its net profits
for that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years,
subject to certain adjustments.

During 2003, the Bank requested and received approval of the distribution
to the Company of an aggregate of $100.0 million. The Bank declared $75.0
million and funded $50.0 million during 2003 with the remaining $25.0 million to
be funded in 2004. The Bank expects the remaining approved but undeclared $25.0
million dividend to be declared and funded during 2004. During 2002, the Bank
requested and received approval of the distribution to the Company of an
aggregate of $100.0 million, of which $75.0 million was declared by the Bank and
was funded during 2002 with the remaining $25.0 million declared and funded in
2003. In December 2000, the Bank requested and received approval of the
distribution to the Company of an aggregate of $25.0 million, of which $6.0
million had been distributed as of December 31, 2001, with the remainder
distributed in 2002. The distributions were primarily used by the Company to
fund the Company's open market stock repurchase programs, dividend payments and
consideration paid in October 2002 to increase the Company's minority investment
in Meridian Capital. See "Business-Lending Activities-Multi-Family Residential
Lending".

MISCELLANEOUS. The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on loans to the
Holding Company or its non-bank subsidiaries, on investments in the stock or
securities thereof, on the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for
loans to any borrower, and on the issuance of a guarantee or letter of credit on
behalf of the Company or its non-bank subsidiaries. The Bank also is subject to
certain restrictions on most types of transactions with the Holding Company or
its non-bank subsidiaries, requiring that the terms of such transactions be
substantially equivalent to terms of similar transactions with non-affiliated
firms.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK SYSTEM. The Bank is a member of the FHLB of New
York, which is one of 12 regional FHLBs that administers the home financing
credit function of savings institutions. Each FHLB serves as a reserve or
central bank for its members within its assigned region. It is funded primarily
from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB
System. It makes loans to members (i.e., advances) in accordance with policies
and procedures established by the Board of Directors of the FHLB. The Bank had
$2.72 billion of FHLB borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2003.

As an FHLB member, the Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in
the FHLB of New York in an amount equal to at least 1% of its aggregate unpaid
residential mortgage loans, home purchase contracts or similar obligations at
the beginning of each year or 5% of its advances from the FHLB of New York,
whichever is greater. At December 31, 2003, the Bank had approximately $135.8
million in FHLB stock, which resulted in its compliance with this requirement.

The FHLBs are required to provide funds for the resolution of troubled
savings institutions and to contribute to affordable housing programs through
direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted for community investment
and low-and moderate-income housing projects. These contributions have adversely
affected the level of FHLB dividends paid in the past and could continue to do
so in the future. These contributions also could have an adverse effect on the
value of FHLB stock in the future.

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM. The Federal Reserve Board requires all depository
institutions to maintain reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily
NOW and Super NOW checking accounts and personal and business demand deposits)
and non-personal time deposits. As of December 31, 2003, the Bank was in
compliance with applicable requirements. However, because required reserves must
be maintained in the form of vault cash or a non-interest-bearing account at a
Federal Reserve Bank, the effect of this reserve requirement is to reduce an
institution's earning assets.

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

On July 30, 2002, the President signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 implementing legislative reforms intended to address corporate and

38


accounting fraud. In addition to the establishment of a new accounting oversight
board which will enforce auditing, quality control and independence standards
and will be funded by fees from all publicly traded companies, the bill has
designated consulting services as permitted or prohibited by accounting firms.
To ensure auditor independence, any non-audit services being provided to an
audit client will require preapproval by the Company's audit committee members.
In addition, the audit partners must be rotated. The bill requires chief
executive officers and chief financial officers, or their equivalent, to certify
to the accuracy of periodic reports filed with the SEC, subject to civil and
criminal penalties if they knowingly or willfully violate this certification
requirement. In addition, under the Act, counsel will be required to report
evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or a breach of fiduciary
duty by a company to its chief executive officer or its chief legal officer,
and, if such officer does not appropriately respond, to report such evidence to
the audit committee or other similar committee of the board of directors or the
board itself.

Longer prison terms will also be applied to corporate executives who
violate federal securities laws, the period during which certain types of suits
can be brought against a company or its officers has been extended, and bonuses
issued to top executives prior to restatement of a company's financial
statements are now subject to disgorgement if such restatement was due to
corporate misconduct. Executives are also prohibited from insider trading during
retirement plan "blackout" periods, and loans to company executives are
restricted. In addition, a provision directs that civil penalties levied by the
SEC as a result of any judicial or administrative action under the Act be
deposited to a fund for the benefit of harmed investors. The Federal Accounts
for Investor Restitution ("FAIR") provision also requires the SEC to develop
methods of improving collection rates. The legislation accelerates the time
frame for disclosures by public companies, as they must immediately disclose any
material changes in their financial condition or operations. Directors and
executive officers must also provide information for most changes in ownership
in a company's securities within two business days of the change.

The Act also increases the oversight of, and codifies certain requirements
relating to audit committees of public companies and how they interact with the
Company's "registered public accounting firm" ("RPAF"). Audit Committee members
must be independent and are barred from accepting consulting, advisory or other
compensatory fees from the issuer. In addition, companies must disclose whether
at least one member of the committee is a "financial expert" (as such term is
defined by the SEC) and if not, why not. Under the Act, a RPAF is prohibited
from performing statutorily mandated audit services for a company if such
company's chief executive officer, chief financial officer, comptroller, chief
accounting officer or any person serving in equivalent positions has been
employed by such firm and participated in the audit of such company during the
one-year period preceding the audit initiation date. The Act also prohibits any
officer or director of a company or any other person acting under their
direction from taking any action to fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate
or mislead any independent public or certified accountant engaged in the audit
of the company's financial statements for the purpose of rendering the financial
statement's materially misleading. The Act also requires the SEC to prescribe
rules requiring inclusion of an internal control report and assessment by
management in the annual report to shareholders. The Act requires the RPAF that
issues the audit report to attest to and report on management's assessment of
the company's internal controls. In addition, the Act requires that each
financial report required to be prepared in accordance with (or reconciled to)
generally accepted accounting principles and filed with the SEC reflect all
material correcting adjustments that are identified by a RPAF in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the
SEC.

As a result of the Act, the SEC has promulgated numerous regulations
implementing various provisions of the Act.

TAXATION

FEDERAL TAXATION

GENERAL. The Company is subject to federal income taxation in the same
general manner as other corporations with some exceptions discussed below.

The following discussion of federal taxation is intended only to summarize
certain pertinent federal income tax matters and is not a comprehensive
description of the tax rules applicable to the Company. The Company's federal
income tax returns

39


have been audited or closed without audit by the Internal Revenue Service
through 1999.

TAXABLE DISTRIBUTIONS AND RECAPTURE. Prior to the Small Business
Protection Act of 1996, bad debt reserves created prior to January 1, 1988 were
subject to recapture into taxable income should the Bank fail to meet certain
thrift asset and definitional tests. New federal legislation eliminated those
thrift related recapture rules. However, under current law, pre-1988 reserves
remain subject to recapture should the Bank make certain non-dividend
distributions or cease to maintain a bank charter.

At December 31, 2003, the Bank's total federal pre-1988 reserve was
approximately $30.0 million. This reserve reflects the cumulative effects of
federal tax deductions by the Company for which no Federal income tax provision
has been made.

CORPORATE DIVIDENDS-RECEIVED DEDUCTION. The Holding Company may exclude
from its income 100% of dividends received from the Bank as a member of the same
affiliated group of corporations. The corporate dividends-received deduction is
80% in the case of dividends received from corporations with which a corporate
recipient does not file a consolidated tax return, and corporations which own
less than 20% of the stock of a corporation distributing a dividend may deduct
only 70% of dividends received or accrued on their behalf.

STATE AND LOCAL TAXATION

NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK CITY TAXATION. The Company and certain eligible
and qualified subsidiaries report income on a combined calendar year basis to
both New York State and New York City. New York State Franchise Tax on
corporations is imposed in an amount equal to the greater of (a) 7.5% of "entire
net income" allocable to New York State (b) 3% of "alternative entire net
income" allocable to New York State (c) 0.01% of the average value of assets
allocable to New York State or (d) nominal minimum tax. Entire net income is
based on federal taxable income, subject to certain modifications. Alternative
entire net income is equal to entire net income without certain modifications.
The New York City Corporation Tax is imposed in an amount equal to the greater
of 9% of "entire net income" allocable to New York City or similar alternative
taxable methods and rates as New York State.

A Metropolitan Transportation Business Tax Surcharge on Corporations doing
business in the Metropolitan District has been applied since 1982. The Company
transacts a significant portion of its business within this District and is
subject to this surcharge. For the tax year ended December 31, 2003, the
surcharge rate is 20.4% of New York State franchise tax liability.

New York State enacted legislation in 1996, which among other things,
decoupled the Federal and New York State tax laws regarding thrift bad debt
deductions and permits the continued use of the bad debt reserve method under
Section 593 of the Code. Thus, provided the Bank continues to satisfy certain
definitional tests and other conditions, for New York State and City income tax
purposes, the Bank is permitted to continue to use the special reserve method
for bad debt deductions. The deductible annual addition to the state reserve may
be computed using a specific formula based on the Bank's loss history
("Experience Method") or a statutory percentage equal to 32% of the Bank's New
York State or City taxable income ("Percentage Method").

If the Bank fails to meet certain thrift assets and definitional tests for
New York State and New York City tax purposes, it would have to recapture into
taxable income approximately $133.0 million of previously recognized bad debt
deductions. As of December 31, 2003 no related deferred taxes have been
recognized.

NEW JERSEY STATE TAXATION. The Company and certain eligible and qualified
subsidiaries report income on a separate company basis, as New Jersey Law does
not permit consolidated return filing. The state of New Jersey imposes a tax on
entire net income at a rate of 9% of allocated income on corporations.

DELAWARE STATE TAXATION. As a Delaware holding company not earning income
in Delaware, the Company is exempt from Delaware corporate income tax but is
required to file an annual report with and pay an annual franchise tax to the
State of Delaware. The tax is imposed as a percentage of the capital base of the
Company with an annual maximum of $165,000. The Holding Company pays the maximum
franchise tax.

40


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

OFFICES AND PROPERTIES

At December 31, 2003, the Company conducted its business from its executive
offices in Brooklyn and 84 branch offices:



LEASE
OWNED OR EXPIRATION
LOCATION(1) LEASED DATE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES:
195 Montague Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201(2)............ Owned
551 5th Avenue, New York, New York 10176.................... Leased 2015
One Pierrepont Plaza, Brooklyn, New York 11201.............. Leased 2006
330 South Service Road, Melville, New York 11747............ Leased 2013
25 Main Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 07602................ Leased 2007
One Gateway Center, 7-45 Raymond Plaza West, Newark, New Leased 2007
Jersey 07102..............................................
10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Maryland Leased 2008
21044(3)..................................................
5355 Town Center Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33486............ Leased 2007
BRANCH OFFICES:
130 Court Street Brooklyn, New York 11201(4)................ Owned
6424-18th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11204.................. Owned
23 Newkirk Plaza, Brooklyn, New York 11226.................. Owned
443 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, New York 11596......... Owned
23-56 Bell Boulevard Bayside, New York 11360................ Leased 2008
250 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10016.............. Leased 2030
1416 East Avenue, Bronx, New York 10462..................... Leased 2012
1420 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, New York 11030.......... Leased 2017
1769-86th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11214.................. Owned
Pratt Institute Campus, 200 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, New Leased (5)
York 11205................................................
2357-59 86th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11214............... Owned
4514 16th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11204.................. Owned
37-10 Broadway, Long Island City, New York 11103............ Owned
22-59 31st Street, Long Island City, New York 11105......... Owned
24-28 34th Avenue, Long Island City, New York 11106......... Leased 2007
51-12 31st Avenue, Woodside, New York 11377................. Leased 2007
83-20 Roosevelt Avenue, Jackson Heights, New York 11372..... Leased 2005
75-15 31st Avenue, Jackson Heights, New York 11370.......... Leased 2004
89-01 Northern Boulevard, Jackson Heights, New York 11372... Leased 2004
498 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, New York 11231............... Leased 2007
150-28 Union Turnpike, Flushing, New York 11367............. Leased 2012
234 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, New York 11215............ Owned
7500 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11209................. Owned
440 Avenue P, Brooklyn, New York 11223...................... Owned
301 Avenue U, Brooklyn, New York 11223...................... Owned
8808 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11209................. Owned




(continued)

41




LEASE
OWNED OR EXPIRATION
LOCATION(1) LEASED DATE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1310 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, New York 11229................ Owned
4823 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.................. Owned
1302 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York 11230..................... Owned
1550 Richmond Road, Staten Island, New York 10304........... Owned
1460 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10302........... Leased 2011
2655 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10314......... Leased 2010
6509 Bay Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11204.................. Owned
131 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, New York 11501............... Leased 2010
1112 South Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10314............ Leased 2016
100 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, New York 10523............... Leased 2007
105 Maxess Road, Melville, New York 11747................... Leased 2006
40 Washington Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201.............. Leased 2012
43 East 8th Street, New York, New York 10003................ Leased 2012
169 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10011................ Leased 2012
550 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036.................. Leased 2018
864 8th Avenue, New York, New York 10019.................... Leased 2012
162-38 Crossbay Boulevard, Howard Beach, New York 11414..... Leased 2012
7244 Austin Street, Forest Hills, New York 11375............ Leased 2013
336 Broadway, New York, New York, 10013..................... Leased 2018
110 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10013................. Leased 2018
905 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102.................. Owned
745 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102.................. Leased 2008
243 Chestnut Street, Newark, New Jersey 07105............... Leased 2007
236 West St. George Avenue, Linden, New Jersey 07036........ Leased 2014
1-7 Wheeler Point Road, Newark, New Jersey 07105............ Leased 2009
133 Jackson Street, Newark, New Jersey 07105................ Owned
225 Milburn Avenue, Milburn, New Jersey 07041............... Leased 2006
65 River Road, North Arlington, New Jersey 07031............ Leased 2008
1000 South Elmora Avenue, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202....... Leased 2006
30 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, New Jersey 07039..... Leased 2006
Convery Plaza, Route 35, Perth Amboy, New Jersey 08861...... Leased 2007
466 Bloomfield Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07107............. Leased 2007
826 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201........... Owned
554 Central Avenue, East Orange, New Jersey 07018........... Owned
255 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey 07052.......... Leased 2004
348 Central Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07307........... Leased 2006
290 Ferry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07105.................. Leased 2005
9 Path Plaza, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306................. Leased 2011
241 Central Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07307........... Owned
214 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302............ Owned
12 Chapel Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07305............. Leased 2004




(continued)

42




LEASE
OWNED OR EXPIRATION
LOCATION(1) LEASED DATE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

400 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302.......... Leased 2010
86 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030.................. Leased 2007
416 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, New Jersey 07010....... Owned
35 South Main Street, Lodi, New Jersey 07644
Building.................................................. Owned
Adjacent parcel of land................................... Leased 2005
19 Schuyler Avenue, North Arlington, New Jersey 07031....... Leased 2008
1322A Patterson Plank Road, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094...... Owned
456 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208......... Owned
314 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07206........... Leased 2098
358 South Avenue, Garwood, New Jersey 07027................. Owned
246 South Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey 07023................. Owned
1886 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040........ Leased 2009
1126 Route 9, Old Bridge, New Jersey 08857.................. Leased 2006
900 Springfield Road, Union, New Jersey 07083............... Leased 2006
80 Main Street, West Orange, New Jersey 07052............... Leased 2008
1462 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, New Jersey 07083............. Owned


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

(1) Branch office located at 51 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 opened for business
during the first quarter of 2004.

(2) The Bank operates a full-service branch on the ground floor of the building.

(3) The Bank also operates a full-service branch at this location.

(4) Designated as the Bank's main office.

(5) The Bank executed a "Memorandum of Understanding" with the Pratt Institute
to occupy the space; no expiration date was stated in the Memorandum.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is involved in routine legal proceedings occurring in the
ordinary course of business which in the opinion of management, in the
aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial
condition and results of operations of the Company.

On December 1, 1995, Statewide Savings Bank ("Statewide"), which was
acquired by the Company in January 2000, initiated a suit against the U.S.
Government alleging, among other things, breach of contract and seeking damages
for harm caused to Statewide through changes in Federal banking regulations
regarding the treatment of supervisory goodwill in calculating the capital of
thrift institutions. The supervisory goodwill was created as a result of
Statewide's 1982 acquisition of Arch Federal Savings and Loan Association
("Arch"). The enactment of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and
Enforcement Act ("FIRREA") in 1989 resulted in the amendment of Federal
regulations requiring a phase-out of supervisory goodwill from the calculation
of a thrift institution's capital ratios and requiring that by January 1, 1995,
no supervisory goodwill be counted as capital. As of the effective date of the
regulations, Statewide had $18.7 million in goodwill from the Arch acquisition
on its balance sheet. Statewide filed its claim on December 1, 1995. After
litigating the matter for approximately seven years, the parties agreed to a
stipulation of dismissal which was signed on February 14, 2003. The order of the
court dismissing the case was signed on February 19, 2003.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

43


PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDERS'
MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

On March 13, 1998 the conversion and reorganization of the Bank and its
mutual holding company parent was completed. The common stock began trading on
the Nasdaq National Market System on March 17, 1998. In connection with the
consummation of the Conversion, the Holding Company issued 76,043,750 shares of
common stock, including 5,632,870 shares which were contributed to the
Independence Community Foundation (the "Foundation"). As of December 31, 2003,
there were 54,475,715 shares of common stock outstanding. As of February 29,
2004 the Holding Company had 11,009 stockholders of record not including the
number of persons or entities holding stock in nominee or street name through
various brokers and banks.

The following table sets forth the high and low closing stock prices of the
Holding Company's common stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market System
under the symbol "ICBC" during the periods presented. Price information appears
in major newspapers under the symbols "IndepCmntyBk" or "IndpCm".



YEAR ENDED Year Ended
DECEMBER 31, 2003 December 31, 2002
----------------- -----------------
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
- ------------------------------------------------------------

First Quarter........ $27.04 $25.14 $28.85 $22.50
Second Quarter....... 28.90 25.31 34.74 26.35
Third Quarter........ 36.03 28.47 32.28 23.28
Fourth Quarter....... 38.74 34.50 26.64 21.27


The following table sets forth the high and low bid information of the
Holding Company's common stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market System
under the symbol "ICBC" during the periods presented. Such bid information
reflects inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission
and may not represent actual transactions.



YEAR ENDED Year Ended
DECEMBER 31, 2003 December 31, 2002
----------------- -----------------
BID HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
- ------------------------------------------------------------

First Quarter........ $29.89 $24.68 $28.76 $22.50
Second Quarter....... 28.88 24.95 34.72 26.35
Third Quarter........ 36.03 27.70 32.26 23.28
Fourth Quarter....... 39.02 34.30 26.62 21.26


The following schedule summarizes the cash dividends per share of common
stock paid by the Holding Company during the periods indicated.



YEAR ENDED Year Ended
DECEMBER 31, 2003 December 31, 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------

First Quarter........ $0.15 $0.11
Second Quarter....... 0.16 0.12
Third Quarter........ 0.17 0.13
Fourth Quarter....... 0.20 0.14


The following schedule summarizes the total cash dividends paid by the
Holding Company on its common stock during the periods indicated.



YEAR ENDED Year Ended
(IN THOUSANDS) DECEMBER 31, 2003 DECEMBER 31, 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------

First Quarter........ $ 7,798 $5,919
Second Quarter....... 8,118 6,388
Third Quarter........ 8,585 6,850
Fourth Quarter....... 10,043 7,392


On January 30, 2004, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash
dividend of $0.22 per share of Common Stock, payable on February 25, 2004, to
stockholders of record at the close of business on February 11, 2004.

See "Liquidity and Commitments" set forth in Item 7 hereof and Notes 1 and
25 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8
hereof for discussions of the restrictions on the Holding Company's ability to
pay dividends.

Information with respect to the Company's repurchases of its equity
securities is not applicable.

See Item 12 hereto for information regarding the Company's equity plans
required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K.

44


ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA



AT DECEMBER 31, At March 31,
------------------------------------ -----------------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001 2001 2000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SELECTED FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA:
Total assets......................... $9,546,607 $8,023,643 $7,624,798 $7,010,867 $6,604,150
Cash and cash equivalents............ 172,028 199,057 207,633 277,762 152,167
Investment securities
available-for-sale................. 296,945 224,908 125,803 201,198 212,768
Mortgage-related securities
available-for-sale................. 2,211,755 1,038,742 902,191 720,549 773,031
Loans available-for-sale............. 5,922 114,379 3,696 -- --
Loans receivable, net................ 6,092,728 5,736,826 5,796,196 5,189,725 4,880,234
Goodwill(1).......................... 185,161 185,161 185,161 185,161 200,410
Identifiable intangible assets,
net................................ 190 2,046 8,981 13,833 20,569
Deposits............................. 5,304,097 4,940,060 4,794,775 4,666,057 4,412,032
Borrowings........................... 2,916,300 1,931,550 1,682,788 1,309,293 1,162,738
Subordinated notes................... 148,429 -- -- -- --
Trust preferred securities(2)........ -- -- 11,067 11,067 11,500
Total stockholders' equity........... 991,111 920,268 880,533 813,156 834,807




For the Nine For the Twelve
FOR THE YEAR ENDED Months Ended Months Ended For the Year Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31, March 31,
(Dollars In Thousands, ------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------------
EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 2003 2002 2001 2001 2001 2000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited)

SELECTED OPERATING DATA:
Interest income.............. $440,120 $485,503 $362,206 $482,621 $470,702 $402,486
Interest expense............. 147,375 175,579 172,626 236,442 247,457 203,660
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income.......... 292,745 309,924 189,580 246,179 223,245 198,826
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Provision for loan losses.... 3,500 8,000 7,875 8,475 1,392 9,817
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income after
provision for loan
losses..................... 289,245 301,924 181,705 237,704 221,853 189,009
Net gain (loss) on sales of
loans and securities....... 765 557 2,850 3,145 3,398 (1,716)
Other non-interest income.... 111,974 74,561 41,623 53,924 34,940 18,632
Amortization of
goodwill(1)................ -- -- -- 3,594 14,344 7,780
Amortization of intangible
assets..................... 1,855 6,971 5,761 7,481 6,880 6,833
Other non-interest expense... 186,948 178,084 109,880 144,854 131,602 105,277
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before provision for
income taxes............... 213,181 191,987 110,537 138,844 107,365 86,035
Provision for income taxes... 76,211 69,585 40,899 52,779 45,329 32,789
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income................... $136,970 $122,402 $ 69,638 $ 86,065 $ 62,036 $ 53,246
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Basic earnings per share..... $ 2.74 $ 2.37 $ 1.33 $ 1.64 $ 1.11 $ 0.90
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted earnings per share... $ 2.60 $ 2.24 $ 1.27 $ 1.58 $ 1.10 $ 0.90
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========


(footnotes on next page)
45




At or For the At or For the
AT OR FOR THE Nine Months Twelve
YEAR ENDED Ended Months Ended At or For the Year
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31, Ended March 31,
----------------- -------------- ------------- -------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 2003 2002 2001(3) 2001 2001 2000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KEY OPERATING RATIOS AND OTHER DATA:
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:(4)
Return on average assets................. 1.58% 1.55% 1.27% 1.19% 0.91% 0.88%
Return on average equity................. 14.60 13.56 11.01 10.32 7.60 6.51
Average interest-earning assets to average
interest-bearing liabilities........... 105.10 106.51 106.55 106.44 107.25 111.29
Interest rate spread(5).................. 3.58 4.08 3.55 3.47 3.23 3.06
Net interest margin(5)................... 3.68 4.23 3.77 3.69 3.51 3.47
Non-interest expense to average assets... 2.18 2.34 2.10 2.15 2.23 1.98
Efficiency ratio(6)...................... 46.19 46.32 47.53 48.27 50.97 48.41
Cash dividends declared per common share... $ 0.68 $ 0.50 $ 0.27 $ 0.35 $ 0.30 $ 0.21
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
Non-performing loans as a percent of total
loans at end of period................. 0.59% 0.72% 0.78% 0.78% 0.68% 0.53%
Non-performing assets to total assets at end
of period(7)........................... 0.38 0.52 0.61 0.61 0.51 0.40
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing
loans at end of period................. 217.32 193.57 170.01 170.01 201.18 266.74
Allowance for loan losses to total loans at
end of period.......................... 1.29 1.38 1.33 1.33 1.36 1.42
CAPITAL AND OTHER INFORMATION:(4)
Equity to assets at end of period........ 10.38% 11.47% 11.54% 11.54% 11.60% 12.64%
Leverage capital(8)...................... 8.14 8.73 8.60 8.60 8.20 7.83
Total capital to risk-weighted assets at end
of period(8)........................... 12.39 11.40 12.20 12.20 12.95 12.62
Number of full-service offices at end of
period................................. 84 73 69 69 67 65


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

(1) Represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired.
Effective April 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", which
resulted in discontinuing the amortization of goodwill. See Note 9 of the
"Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

(2) The Trust Preferred Securities were assumed by the Holding Company as part
of the Broad acquisition effective the close of business on July 31, 1999.
In accordance with the terms of the trust indenture, the Trust redeemed all
of its outstanding Trust Preferred Securities totaling $11.5 million, at
$10.00 per share, effective June 30, 2002.

(3) Where applicable, ratios have been annualized.

(4) With the exception of end of period ratios and the efficiency ratio, all
ratios are based on average daily balances during the respective periods.

(5) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average
yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted-average cost of
interest-bearing liabilities; net interest margin represents net interest
income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

(6) Reflects adjusted operating expense (net of amortization of goodwill and
identifiable intangible assets) as a percent of the aggregate of net
interest income and adjusted non-interest income (excluding gains and losses
on the sales of loans and securities). Amortization of identifiable
intangible assets is excluded from the calculation since it is a non-cash
expense and gains and losses on the sales of loans and securities are
excluded since they are generally considered by the Company's management to
be non-recurring in nature. The operating efficiency ratio is not a
financial measurement required by generally accepted accounting principles
in the United States of America. However, the Company believes such
information is useful to investors in evaluating the Company's operations.
The ratio would have been 46.56% for the year ended December 31, 2003 if the
adjustments noted above were not made.

(7) Non-performing assets consist of non-accrual loans, loans past due 90 days
or more as to interest or principal repayment and accruing and real estate
acquired through foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu therefore.

(8) Ratios reflect the capital position of the Bank only.

46


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

The Company's results of operations depend primarily on its net interest
income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning
assets, which principally consist of loans, mortgage-related securities and
investment securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities,
which consist of deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is determined by
the Company's interest rate spread (i.e., the difference between the yields
earned on its interest-earning assets and the rates paid on its interest-bearing
liabilities) and the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-
bearing liabilities.

The Company's results of operations also are affected by (a) the provision
for loan losses resulting from management's assessment of the level of the
allowance for loan losses, (b) its non-interest income, including service fees
and related income, mortgage-banking activities and gains and losses from the
sales of loans and securities, (c) its non-interest expense, including
compensation and employee benefits, occupancy expense, data processing services,
amortization of intangibles and (d) income tax expense.

The Bank is a community-oriented bank, which emphasizes customer service
and convenience. As part of this strategy, the Bank offers products and services
designed to meet the needs of its retail and commercial customers. The Company
generally has sought to achieve long-term financial strength and stability by
increasing the amount and stability of its net interest income and non-interest
income and by maintaining a high level of asset quality. In pursuit of these
goals, the Company has adopted a business strategy of controlled growth,
emphasizing commercial real estate and multi-family residential lending,
commercial business lending, mortgage warehouse lines of credit and retail and
commercial deposit products, while maintaining asset quality and stable
liquidity.

The Company announced in October 2001 that it had changed its fiscal year
end from March 31 to December 31, effective December 31, 2001. This change
provided internal efficiencies as well as aligned the Company's reporting cycle
with regulators, taxing authorities and the investor community. Due to the
change in the reporting period, the comparison of annual operating performance
is based upon the audited 12 month calendar year ended December 31, 2003
compared to the audited 12 month calendar year ended December 31, 2002 compared
to the unaudited 12 month calendar year ended December 31, 2001.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

CONTROLLED GROWTH. In recent years, the Company has sought to increase its
assets and expand its operations through internal growth as well as through
acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company opened ten de
novo branches while it opened four de novo branches during the year ended
December 31, 2002. In addition, during 2003, the Company opened one branch
facility in Maryland as a result of the expansion of the Company's commercial
real estate lending activities to the Baltimore-Washington area. In addition to
the expansion resulting from the proposed merger of Staten Island Bancorp, Inc.
("SIB") as discussed below, the Company currently expects to expand its branch
network through the opening of approximately seven additional banking locations
during the year ended December 31, 2004. During the first quarter of 2004, the
Company opened one branch in Manhattan, New York, which brings the total to 85
banking offices.

The Company's assets increased by $1.52 billion, or 19.0%, from $8.02
billion at December 31, 2002 to $9.55 billion at December 31, 2003 primarily due
to increases of $1.25 billion in the securities available-for-sale portfolio
combined with $354.9 million in the loan portfolio partially offset by a
decrease of $108.5 million in loans available-for-sale. These increases were
funded primarily through the use of borrowings, the growth in deposits and the
issuance of $150.0 million of 3.5% Fixed Rate/Floating Rate Subordinated Notes
Due 2013 ("Notes").

The Company has selectively used acquisitions in the past as a means to
expand its footprint and operations. The Company completed its acquisition of
Broad, which had $646.3 million in assets, effective the close of business on
July 31, 1999 and its acquisition of Statewide, which had $745.2 million in
assets, effective the close of business on January 7, 2000. The Company also
completed several other smaller whole bank and branch acquisitions in earlier
periods.

47


On November 25, 2003, the Company announced that it had signed a definitive
agreement to merge with SIB. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will merge
with SIB, in a transaction valued at the time of execution of the definitive
agreement at approximately $1.5 billion or $23.88 per SIB share. Upon completion
of the merger, SIB's wholly owned subsidiary, SI Bank and Trust will merge with
and into the Bank.

Under the terms of the SIB agreement, which was approved unanimously by
both boards of directors, the aggregate consideration to be paid in the merger
will consist of $368.5 million in cash and approximately 28,850,000 shares of
the Company's common stock. Holders of SIB common stock will receive cash or
shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to an election, proration and
allocation procedure subject to the total consideration being comprised of
approximately 75% paid in the Company's common stock and 25% paid in cash. The
value of the merger consideration per share of SIB common stock will be
calculated in accordance with the following formula: the sum of (i) $5.97025 and
(ii) 0.4674 times the average of the closing prices of the Company's common
stock for the ten consecutive full trading days ending on the tenth business day
before the completion of the merger. Based on the $38.32 closing price of the
Company's common stock on November 21, 2003, the last full trading day prior to
the date of the merger agreement, SIB stockholders would receive $23.88 per
share in cash or 0.6232 share of the Company's common stock for each share of
SIB common stock. The value of the merger consideration and the actual exchange
ratio per share of SIB common stock at the completion of the merger will vary
from the initial values if the average of the Company's common stock price
during the ten trading day measurement period is greater or less than the
$38.32, which is likely.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2004 and is
subject to receipt of various regulatory approvals and certain other conditions.
The transaction received approval from both companies' stockholders at their
respective special meetings of stockholders held on March 8, 2004. In addition,
on March 1, 2004, SIB and the Company announced the completion of the sale of
the majority of the assets and operations of SIB Mortgage Corp., the mortgage
banking subsidiary of SI Bank & Trust, to Lehman Brothers. The remaining SIB
Mortgage Corp. offices are either under contract for sale and are currently
scheduled to be sold or are in the process of being shut down by the end of the
first quarter of 2004.

Additional information concerning the agreement and the proposed merger is
contained in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
December 8, 2003, which report is incorporated by reference. The SIB agreement
provides for the payment of a termination fee payable to the Company under
certain circumstances.

This pending merger significantly expands the Company's presence in the New
Jersey, Brooklyn and Staten Island markets. See Note 2 of the "Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

EMPHASIS ON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, COMMERCIAL BUSINESS AND MULTI-FAMILY
LENDING. Since 1999, the Company has focused on expanding its higher yielding
loan portfolios as compared to single-family mortgage loans, including fixed and
variable-rate portfolios of commercial real estate loans, commercial business
loans and mortgage warehouse lines of credit. Given the concentration of
multi-family housing units in the New York City metropolitan area, as well as
the Company's commitment to remain a leader in the multi-family loan market, the
Company continues to emphasize the origination (both for portfolio and for sale)
of loans secured by first liens on multi-family residential properties, which
consist primarily of mortgage loans secured by apartment buildings. In addition
to continuing to generate mortgage loans secured by multi-family and commercial
real estate, the Company also commenced a strategy in the fourth quarter of 2000
to originate and sell multi-family residential mortgage loans in the secondary
market to Fannie Mae while retaining servicing in order to further the Company's
ongoing strategic objective of increasing non-interest income related to lending
and servicing revenue.

During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company originated for sale
$1.62 billion and sold $1.73 billion multi-family residential mortgage loans.
See "Business -- Lending Activities -- Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales and
Servicing". In addition, to further expand variable-rate loan portfolios, in
November 2003, the Company purchased certain mortgage warehouse lines from The
Provident Bank. The acquisition increased the mortgage warehouse line of credit
portfolio by approximately $207.0 million in lines with $76.3 million in out-
48


standing advances at the time of acquisition. Previously, in April 2001, the
Company purchased the assets of Summit Bank's Mortgage Banking Finance Group, a
specialized lending group providing mortgage warehouse lines of credit to
mortgage bankers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The acquisition
increased the mortgage warehouse line of credit portfolio by $130 million in
lines with approximately $83.5 million in outstanding advances at the time of
acquisition. At December 31, 2003, mortgage warehouse lines of credit totaled
$1.48 billion with $527.3 outstanding.

Commercial real estate, commercial business, multi-family residential loans
and mortgage warehouse lines of credit all generally have a higher inherent risk
of loss than single-family residential mortgage or cooperative apartment loans
because repayment of the loans or lines often depends on the successful
operation of a business or the underlying property. Accordingly, repayment of
these loans is subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market and the
local economy. In addition, the Company's commercial real estate and
multi-family residential loans have significantly larger average loan balances
compared to its single-family residential mortgage and cooperative apartment
loans.

The Company's commercial real estate, commercial business and mortgage
warehouse lines of credit portfolios comprised in the aggregate $2.75 billion,
or 44.5% of its total loan portfolio at December 31, 2003 compared to $2.60
billion, or 44.8% at December 31, 2002.

MAINTAIN ASSET QUALITY. Management believes that maintaining high asset
quality is key to achieving and sustaining long-term financial success.
Accordingly, the Company has sought to maintain a high level of asset quality
and moderate credit risk through its underwriting standards and by generally
limiting its origination to loans secured by properties or collateral located in
its market area. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets at
December 31, 2003 amounted to 0.38% and the ratio of the allowance for loan
losses to non-performing loans amounted to 217.3%, while at December 31, 2002,
the percentages were 0.52% and 193.6%, respectively. Non-performing assets
decreased $5.0 million or 12.1% to $36.6 million at December 31, 2003 compared
to $41.6 million at December 31, 2002. The Company's non-accrual loans decreased
$3.2 million, to $35.8 million at December 31, 2003 with the decrease being
primarily related to commercial business loans which was partially offset by an
increase in non-accrual commercial real estate loans. Loans 90 days or more past
maturity which continued to make payments on a basis consistent with the
original repayment schedule decreased by $1.7 million to $0.8 million at
December 31, 2003.

STABLE SOURCE OF LIQUIDITY. The Company purchases short-to medium-term
investment securities and mortgage-related securities combining what management
believes to be appropriate liquidity, yield and credit quality in order to
achieve a managed and a reasonably predictable source of liquidity to meet loan
demand as well as a stable source of interest income. These portfolios, which
totaled in the aggregate $2.51 billion at December 31, 2003 compared to $1.26
billion at December 31, 2002, are comprised primarily of mortgage-related
securities totaling $2.21 billion (of which $2.05 billion consists of CMOs and
$161.2 million of mortgage-backed securities), $119.6 million of corporate
bonds, $15.6 million of obligations of the U.S. Government and federal agencies
and $155.9 million of preferred securities. In accordance with the Company's
policy, securities purchased by the Company generally must be rated at least
"investment grade" upon purchase.

EMPHASIS ON RETAIL DEPOSITS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. The Company, as a
community-based financial institution, is largely dependent upon its growth and
retention of competitively priced core deposits (noncertificate of deposit
accounts) to provide a stable source of funding. The Company has retained many
loyal customers over the years through a combination of quality service,
customer convenience, an experienced staff and a commitment to the communities
which it serves. The Company has increased the emphasis on expanding commercial
and consumer relationships, with the aim of increasing lower costing core
deposits, which consist of all deposits other than certificates of deposits.
Core deposits increased $574.4 million or 17.1%, to $3.93 billion or 74.0% of
the Company's total deposits at December 31, 2003, as compared to $3.35 billion,
or 67.8%, at December 31, 2002. This increase in core deposits reflects both the
continued successful implementation of the Company's business strategy of
increasing core deposits, as well as the successful performance of the Company's
de novo branch program. In addition, the Company currently does not accept
brokered deposits as a source of funds.

49


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, "Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data" contains a summary of the Company's
significant accounting policies. Various elements of the Company's accounting
policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques,
valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments. The estimates with
respect to the methodologies used to determine the allowance for loan losses,
and judgments regarding goodwill and deferred tax assets are the Company's most
critical accounting estimates. Critical accounting estimates are significantly
affected by management judgment and uncertainties and there is a likelihood that
materially different amounts would be reported under different, but reasonably
plausible, conditions or assumptions.

The following is a description of the Company's critical accounting
estimates and an explanation of the methods and assumptions underlying their
application. Management has discussed the development and selection of these
critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
and the Audit Committee has reviewed the Company's disclosure relating to it in
this Management's Discussion and Analysis.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES. In assessing the level of the allowance for
loan losses and the periodic provisions to the allowance charged to income, the
Company considers the composition and outstanding balance of its loan portfolio,
the growth or decline of loan balances within various segments of the overall
portfolio, the state of the local (and to a certain degree, the national)
economy as it may impact the performance of loans within different segments of
the portfolio, the loss experience related to different segments or classes of
loans, the type, size and geographic concentration of loans held by the Company,
the level of past due and non-performing loans, the value of collateral securing
loans, the level of classified loans and the number of loans requiring
heightened management oversight. The continued shifting of the composition of
the loan portfolio to be more commercial-bank like by increasing the balance of
commercial real estate and business loans and mortgage warehouse lines of credit
may increase the level of known and inherent losses in the Company's loan
portfolio.

The Company has identified the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses
as a critical accounting estimate where amounts are sensitive to material
variation. The allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting
estimate because there is a large degree of judgment in (i) assigning individual
loans to specific risk levels (pass, special mention, substandard, doubtful and
loss), (ii) valuing the underlying collateral securing the loans, (iii)
determining the appropriate reserve factor to be applied to specific risk levels
for criticized and classified loans (special mention, substandard, doubtful and
loss) and (iv) determining reserve factors to be applied to pass loans based
upon loan type. To the extent that loans change risk levels, collateral values
change or reserve factors change, the Company may need to adjust its provision
for loan losses which would impact earnings.

Management believes the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2003 was
at a level to cover the known and inherent losses in the portfolio that were
both probable and reasonable to estimate. In the future, management may adjust
the level of its allowance for loan losses as economic and other conditions
dictate. Management reviews the allowance for loan losses not less than
quarterly.

GOODWILL. Effective April 1, 2001, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, which
resulted in discontinuing the amortization of goodwill. Under SFAS No. 142,
goodwill is carried at its book value as of April 1, 2001 and any future
impairment of goodwill will be recognized as non-interest expense in the period
of impairment.

The Company performs a goodwill impairment test on an annual basis. The
Company did not recognize an impairment loss as a result of its annual
impairment test effective October 1, 2003. The goodwill impairment test compares
the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.
If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of
the reporting unit is considered not impaired while conversely, if the carrying
amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered
impaired and the Company must measure the amount of impairment loss, if any.

The fair value of an entity with goodwill may be determined by a
combination of quoted market prices, a present value technique or multiples of
earnings or revenue. Quoted market prices in active markets are the best
evidence of fair value and are to be used as the basis for the measurement, if
available. However, the market price of an individ-
50


ual equity security (and thus the market capitalization of a reporting unit with
publicly traded equity securities) may not be representative of the fair value
of the reporting unit as a whole. The quoted market price of an individual
equity security, therefore, need not be the sole measurement basis of the fair
value of a reporting unit. A present value technique is another method with
which to estimate the fair value of a group of net assets. If a present value
technique is used to measure fair value, estimates of future cash flows used in
that technique shall be consistent with the objective of measuring fair value.
Those cash flow estimates shall incorporate assumptions that the marketplace
participants would use in their estimates of fair value. If that information is
not available without undue cost and effort, an entity may use its own
assumptions. A third method of estimating the fair value of a reporting unit, is
a valuation technique based on multiples of earnings or revenue.

The Company currently uses a combination of quoted market prices of its
publicly traded stock and multiples of earnings in its goodwill impairment test.

The Company has identified the goodwill impairment test as a critical
accounting estimate due to the various methods (quoted market price, present
value technique or multiples of earnings or revenue) and judgment involved in
determining the fair value of a reporting unit. A change in judgment could
result in goodwill being considered impaired which would result in a charge to
non-interest expense in the period of impairment.

DEFERRED TAX ASSETS. The Company uses the liability method to account for
income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of
assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws
expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The
Company must assess the deferred tax assets and establish a valuation allowance
where realization of a deferred asset is not considered "more likely than not."
The Company generally uses the expectation of future taxable income in
evaluating the need for a valuation allowance. Since the Company has reported
taxable income for Federal, state and local income tax purposes in each of the
past two years and in management's opinion, in view of the Company's previous,
current and projected future earnings, such deferred tax assets are expected to
be fully realized. See Note 22 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

The Company has identified the valuation of deferred tax assets as a
critical accounting estimate due to the judgment involved in projecting future
taxable income, determining when differences are expected to be reversed and
establishing a valuation allowance. Changes in management's judgments and
estimates may have an impact on the Company's net income.

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets increased by $1.52 billion, or 19.0%, from $8.02 billion at
December 31, 2002 to $9.55 billion at December 31, 2003 primarily due to
increases of $1.25 billion in the securities available-for-sale portfolio
combined with $354.9 million in the loan portfolio partially offset by a $108.5
million decrease in loans available-for-sale. These increases were funded
primarily through the use of borrowings, the growth in deposits and the issuance
of $150.0 million of Notes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $199.1
million at December 31, 2002 to $172.0 million at December 31, 2003. The $27.1
million decrease was principally due to the use of such assets to fund the
origination or purchase of higher yielding interest-earning assets.

SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE. The aggregate securities available-for-sale
portfolio (which includes investment securities and mortgage-related securities)
increased $1.25 billion, or 98.5%, from $1.26 billion at December 31, 2002 to
$2.51 billion at December 31, 2003. The increase in securities
available-for-sale was funded primarily through the use of borrowings, the
growth in deposits and from the reinvestment of funds from accelerated loan
repayments into such assets.

The Company's mortgage-related securities portfolio increased $1.17 billion
to $2.21 billion at December 31, 2003 compared to $1.04 billion at December 31,
2002. The securities were comprised of $1.93 billion of AAA rated CMOs and
$117.6 million of CMOs which were issued or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, the
Fannie Mae or GNMA and $161.2 million of mortgage-backed pass through
certificates which were also issued or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or

51


GNMA. The increase in the portfolio was primarily due to purchases of $2.57
billion of AAA-rated CMOs with an average yield of 4.89% and $251.9 million of
Agency CMOs with a weighted average yield of 4.76%. Partially offsetting these
increases were proceeds totaling approximately $1.63 billion received from
normal and accelerated principal repayments.

The Company's investment securities portfolio increased $72.0 million to
$296.9 million at December 31, 2003 compared to $224.9 million at December 31,
2002. The increase was primarily due to $225.2 million of purchases, primarily
$109.4 million of preferred securities with a weighted average yield of 4.70%
and $75.0 million of federal agency securities with a weighted average yield of
4.68%. Partially offsetting the purchases were sales of $48.4 million of
securities, primarily corporate bonds, a call of a Federal Agency bond for $75.0
million and $26.5 million of securities that matured in 2003.

At December 31, 2003, the Company had a $7.0 million net unrealized gain,
net of tax, on available-for-sale investment and mortgage-related securities as
compared to $7.6 million at December 31, 2002.

LOANS AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE. Loans available-for-sale decreased by $108.5
million to $5.9 million at December 31, 2003 from $114.4 million at December 31,
2002. The Company commenced a strategy in the December 2000 quarter to originate
and sell multi-family residential mortgage loans in the secondary market to
Fannie Mae while retaining servicing. As part of these transactions, the Company
retains a portion of the associated credit risk. During the year ended December
31, 2003, the Company originated $1.62 billion and sold $1.73 billion of loans
to Fannie Mae under this program and as a result serviced $3.46 billion of loans
with a maximum potential loss exposure of $130.9 million. Multi-family loans
available for sale at December 31, 2003 totaled $3.2 million compared to $106.8
million at December 31, 2002. The decrease in multi-family loans
available-for-sale was a result of significant loan volume which existed at the
end of the fourth quarter of 2002 and the time delay between the date of
origination and the date of sale to Fannie Mae, which usually occurs within
seven days. See "Lending Activities -- Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales and
Servicing" set forth in Item 1 hereof and Notes 5 and 19 of the "Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof for additional
information.

The Company also originates and sells single-family residential mortgage
loans under a mortgage origination assistance agreement with Cendant. The
Company funds the loans directly and sells the loans and related servicing to
Cendant. The Company originated $172.5 million and sold $174.2 million of such
loans during the year ended December 31, 2003. Single-family residential
mortgage loans available for sale at December 31, 2003 totaled $2.7 million
compared to $7.6 million at December 31, 2002.

Both programs were established in order to further the Company's ongoing
strategic objective of increasing non-interest income related to lending and/or
servicing revenue.

LOANS, NET. Loans, net, increased by $355.9 million, or 6.2%, to $6.09
billion at December 31, 2003 from $5.74 billion at December 31, 2002. The
Company continues to focus on expanding its higher yielding loan portfolios of
commercial real estate, commercial business and variable-rate mortgage warehouse
lines of credit as part of its business plan. The Company is also committed to
remaining a leader in the multi-family residential loan market. The increase in
total loans occurred during the fourth quarter of 2003. Although the Company
continued to originate for portfolio, total loans decreased during the first
three quarters of 2003 due to the combination of the heavy run off in the
single-family and cooperative residential portfolio and the accelerated rate of
repayments in the multi-family residential portfolio. Additionally, during this
period the Company increased origination of assets for sale as opposed to
portfolio retention due to the yields available on such assets during that time
period. As the yield curve steepened during the fourth quarter of 2003, the
Company increased the portion of loans it originated for retention. The Company
originated for its own portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2003
approximately $1.80 billion of mortgage loans compared to $843.1 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002.

Multi-family residential loans increased $385.0 million to $2.82 billion at
December 31, 2003 compared to $2.44 billion at December 31, 2002. The increase
was primarily due to originations for portfolio retention of $1.13 billion which
were partially offset by repayments of $744.2 million.

52


During the first three quarters of 2003, the Company put a greater emphasis on
selling the majority of the multi-family residential loans it originated due to
the low interest rate environment. During the fourth quarter of 2003, as
interest rates began to rise, the Company retained for portfolio 75% of the
multi-family residential loans it originated as compared to 44% in the third
quarter, 22% during the second quarter and 14% during the first quarter of 2003.
Multi-family residential loans comprised 45.7% of the total loan portfolio at
December 31, 2003 compared to 41.9% at December 31, 2002.

Commercial real estate loans increased $300.0 million or 22.8% to $1.61
billion at December 31, 2003 compared to $1.31 billion at December 31, 2002. The
increase was primarily due to $651.9 million of originations partially offset by
$345.7 million of loan repayments and charge-offs of $6.2 million for the year
ended December 31, 2003. As a result of these activities, commercial real estate
loans comprised 26.2% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2003 compared
to 22.6% at December 31, 2002.

Commercial business loans increased $7.9 million, or 1.3%, from $598.3
million at December 31, 2002 to $606.2 million at December 31, 2003. The
increase was due primarily to originations and advances of $289.9 million
partially offset by $280.6 million of repayments and $0.8 million of charge-offs
during the year ended December 31, 2003. As a result of our customers' view of
the current economic environment, the Company experienced a slowdown in
commercial business loan activity during 2003. Commercial business loans
comprised 9.8% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2003 compared to
10.3% at December 31, 2002.

Mortgage warehouse lines of credit are secured short-term advances extended
to mortgage-banking companies to fund the origination of one-to-four family
mortgages. Advances under mortgage warehouse lines of credit decreased $165.1
million, or 23.9%, from $692.4 million at December 31, 2002 to $527.3 million at
December 31, 2003. The decrease was due to the decline in the refinance market
as a result of the higher interest rate environment. At December 31, 2003, there
were $952.6 million of unused lines of credit related to mortgage warehouse
lines of credit. In November 2003, the Company purchased certain mortgage
warehouse lines from The Provident Bank. The acquisition increased the mortgage
warehouse lines of credit portfolio by approximately $207.0 million in lines
with $76.3 million in outstanding advances at the time of acquisition. Mortgage
warehouse lines of credit comprised 8.5% of the total loan portfolio at December
31, 2003 compared to 11.9% at December 31, 2002.

Partially offsetting the growth in the multi-family, commercial real estate
and business loan portfolios was the run-off of the Company's single-family and
cooperative apartment portfolio. This portfolio decreased $271.9 million from
$556.3 million at December 31, 2002 to $284.4 million at December 31, 2003. The
decline was due to increased repayments as a result of the interest rate
environment combined with the decreased emphasis on originating these loans for
portfolio in favor of higher yielding commercial real estate and business loans.
The Company originates and sells single-family residential mortgage loans to
Cendant as previously discussed.

NON-PERFORMING ASSETS. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total
assets at December 31, 2003 amounted to 0.38% compared to 0.52% at December 31,
2002. The Company's non-performing assets, which consist of non-accrual loans,
loans past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal and accruing and
other real estate owned acquired through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu thereof,
decreased by $5.0 million or 12.1% to $36.6 million at December 31, 2003 from
$41.6 million at December 31, 2002. The decrease in non-performing assets was
primarily due to a $3.2 million decrease in non-accrual loans combined with a
$1.7 million decrease in loans contractually past maturity but which are
continuing to pay in accordance with their original repayment schedule.
Non-accrual loans were $35.8 million at December 31, 2003 and primarily
consisted of $20.1 million of commercial real estate loans, $12.2 million of
commercial business loans, $1.5 million of single-family residential and
cooperative apartment loans and $1.1 million of multi-family residential loans.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES. The Company's allowance for loan losses
amounted to $79.5 million at December 31, 2003, as compared to $80.5 million at
December 31, 2002. At December 31, 2003, the Company's allowance amounted to
1.29% of total loans and 217.3% of total non-performing loans compared to 1.38%
and 193.6% at December 31, 2002, respectively. The Company's allowance de-

53


creased $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2003 primarily due to
$4.5 million in net charge-offs, or 0.08% of average total loans, partially
offset by a $3.5 million provision for loan losses. The provision recorded
reflected the Company's level of non-accrual loans, the level of classified
loans, delinquencies and charge-offs, the substantial level of mortgage
warehouse advances, the continued emphasis on commercial real estate and
business loan originations, which are generally considered to have greater risk
of loss, as well as the recognition of the current economic conditions.

Management believes the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2003 was
at a level to cover the known and inherent losses in the portfolio that were
both probable and reasonable to estimate. In the future, management may adjust
the level of its allowance for loan losses as economic and other conditions
dictate. Management reviews the allowance for loan losses not less than
quarterly.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS. Effective April 1, 2001, the Company
adopted SFAS No. 142, which resulted in discontinuing the amortization of
goodwill. However, under the terms of SFAS No. 142, identifiable intangibles
with identifiable lives continue to be amortized.

The Company's goodwill, which aggregated $185.2 million at December 31,
2003, resulted from the acquisitions of Broad and Statewide as well as the
acquisition in January 1996 of Bay Ridge Bancorp, Inc. The Company's $0.2
million of identifiable intangible assets at December 31, 2003 resulted
primarily from one branch office purchase transaction effected in fiscal 1996.
The Company's intangible assets decreased by $1.8 million to $0.2 million at
December 31, 2003 from $2.0 million at December 31, 2002. The decrease was a
result of amortization of the identifiable intangible assets. The amortization
of identified intangible assets will continue to reduce net income until such
intangible assets are fully amortized. However, the remaining identified
intangibles as of December 31, 2003 will be completely amortized by April 2004.

BANK OWNED LIFE INSURANCE ("BOLI"). The Company holds BOLI policies to
fund certain future employee benefit costs and to provide tax-exempt returns to
the Company. The BOLI is recorded at its cash surrender value and changes in
value are recorded in non-interest income. BOLI increased $7.4 million to $175.8
million at December 31, 2003 compared to $168.4 million at December 31, 2002.

OTHER ASSETS. Other assets increased $35.4 million from $232.2 million at
December 31, 2002 to $267.6 million at December 31, 2003. The increase was
primarily due to a $34.2 million increase in FHLB stock, a $3.5 million increase
in the Company's minority equity investment in Meridian Capital partially offset
by a decrease in net deferred tax assets of $13.5 million.

The Company had a net deferred tax asset of $55.7 million at December 31,
2003 compared to $69.2 million at December 31, 2002. The decrease was primarily
due to the elimination of an $11.1 million net deferred tax asset associated
with the fair market value of Holding Company common stock contributed to the
Foundation at its inception in March 1998. The deferred tax asset and the
related valuation allowance associated with the non-utilized contribution to the
Foundation were eliminated as the remaining carryover expired unused at December
31, 2003.

DEPOSITS. Deposits increased $364.0 million or 7.4% to $5.30 billion at
December 31, 2003 compared to $4.94 billion at December 31, 2002. The increase
was due to deposit inflows totaling $310.8 million as well as interest credited
of $53.2 million.

Complementing the increased emphasis on expanding commercial and consumer
relationships, lower costing core deposits (consisting of all deposit accounts
other than certificates of deposit) grew by $574.4 million, or 17.1%, to $3.93
billion at December 31, 2003 compared to $3.35 billion at December 31, 2002.
This increase reflects both the continued successful implementation of the
Company's business strategy of increasing core deposits as well as the current
interest rate environment. Execution of this strategy is evidenced by the
increase in core deposits to approximately 74.0% of total deposits at December
31, 2003 compared to 67.8% of total deposits at December 31, 2002.

The Company focuses on the growth of core deposits as a key element of its
asset/liability management process to lower interest expense and thus increase
net interest margin given that these deposits have a lower cost of funds than
certificates of deposit and borrowings. Core deposits also reduce liquidity
fluctuations since these accounts generally are considered to be less likely
than certificates of

54


deposit to be subject to disintermediation. In addition, these deposits improve
non-interest income through increased customer related fees and service charges.
The weighted average interest rate paid on core deposits was 0.53% compared to
2.25% for certificates of deposit and 3.98% for borrowings for the year ended
December 31, 2003.

BORROWINGS. Borrowings increased $984.8 million or 51.0% to $2.92 billion
at December 31, 2003 compared to $1.93 billion at December 31, 2002. The
increase was principally due to a $1.16 billion increase in repurchase
agreements partially offset by a $175.3 million decrease in FHLB advances.

The Company had $1.05 billion of FHLB advances outstanding at December 31,
2003 with maturities of nine years or less with the majority having a maturity
of less than five years. At December 31, 2003 the Company had the ability to
borrow, from the FHLB, an additional $266.1 million on a secured basis,
utilizing mortgage related loans and securities as collateral. Another funding
source available to the Company is repurchase agreements with the FHLB and other
counterparties. These repurchase agreements are generally collateralized by CMOs
or U.S. Government and agency securities held by the Company. At December 31,
2003, the Company had $1.87 billion of repurchase agreements outstanding with
approximately 46.9% maturing within 90 days and the remainder maturing between
four and nine years.

During 2003, the Company borrowed $1.08 billion of short-term low costing
floating-rate FHLB borrowings, investing the funds primarily in mortgage-backed
securities with characteristics designed to minimize both interest rate risk and
extension risk while maximizing yield. These borrowings generally mature within
30 days and have a weighted average interest rate of 1.15%. During 2003, the
Company also replaced $200.0 million of borrowings at a weighted average
interest rate of 5.77% with fixed-rate five-year borrowings at a weighted
average interest rate of 3.89% and borrowed $200.0 million of five-year
borrowings at a weighted average interest rate of 2.41%. The Company paid-off
$290.3 million of borrowings that matured during 2003 at a weighted average
interest rate of 5.31%. For further discussion see Note 12 of the "Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

SUBORDINATED NOTES. On June 20, 2003, the Bank issued $150.0 million
aggregate principal amount of 3.5% Fixed Rate/Floating Rate Subordinated Notes
Due 2013 ("Notes"). The Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum
for the first five years, and convert to a floating rate thereafter until
maturity based on the US Dollar three-month LIBOR plus 2.06%. Beginning on June
20, 2008 the Bank has the right to redeem the Notes at par plus accrued
interest. The net proceeds of $148.2 million were used for general corporate
purposes. The Notes qualify as Tier 2 capital of the Bank under the capital
guidelines of the FDIC.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY. The Holding Company's stockholders' equity totaled
$991.1 million at December 31, 2003 compared to $920.3 million at December 31,
2002. The $70.8 million increase was primarily due to net income of $137.0
million, amortization of the earned portion of restricted stock grants of $8.8
million, $8.6 million related to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")
shares committed to be released for the year ended 2003 and $0.2 million related
to accelerated vesting of stock options. In addition, increases were also
attributable to $30.5 million related to the exercise of stock options and
related tax benefit and the issuance of shares in payment of directors' fees,
$0.1 million of stock compensation costs and a $4.1 million increase in the fair
value of interest rate swaps, net of tax as a result of the cancellation of the
swaps. These increases were partially offset by a $3.1 million decrease in the
valuation adjustment of the deferred tax asset, a $2.8 million decrease in the
net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale, a $78.1 million reduction
in capital resulting from the purchase during the year ended December 31, 2003
of 2,765,900 shares of common stock in connection with the Holding Company's
open market repurchase programs and a $34.5 million decrease due to dividends
declared.

55


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND OFF-BALANCE
SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The following table presents, as of December 31, 2003, the Company's
significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations by payment date. The
payment amounts represent those amounts contractually due to the recipient,
including interest payments, and do not include any unamortized premiums, or
discounts, or other similar carrying value adjustments. Further discussion of
the nature of each obligation is included in the referenced notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 hereof.



PAYMENTS DUE IN
-------------------------------------------------------------------
OVER ONE OVER THREE
NOTE ONE YEAR OR YEAR THROUGH YEARS THROUGH OVER FIVE
(IN THOUSANDS) REFERENCE LESS THREE YEARS FIVE YEARS YEARS TOTAL
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Core deposits............ 11 $3,925,195 $ -- $ -- $ -- $3,925,195
Certificates of
deposit................ 11 1,111,479 148,324 158,345 7 1,418,155
FHLB advances............ 12 255,251 444,471 86,929 421,485 1,208,136
Repurchase agreements.... 12 921,152 90,283 531,829 591,249 2,134,513
Subordinated notes....... 13 5,250 10,500 10,500 173,850 200,100
Operating leases......... 20 10,090 19,805 16,375 54,608 100,878
Purchase obligations..... 20 2,238 -- -- -- 2,238


A schedule of significant commitments at December 31, 2003 and 2002
follows:



CONTRACT OR AMOUNT
-------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS) DECEMBER 31, 2003 DECEMBER 31, 2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent
credit risk:
Commitments to extend credit -- mortgage loans............ $ 563,049 $ 446,759
Commitments to extend credit -- commercial business
loans.................................................. 426,883 295,417
Commitments to extend credit -- mortgage warehouse lines
of credit.............................................. 952,615 219,125
Commitments to extend credit -- other loans............... 111,736 81,909
Standby letters of credit................................. 28,049 2,692
Commercial letters of credit.............................. 363 318
---------- ----------
Total....................................................... $2,082,695 $1,046,220
========== ==========


The Company originates and sells multi-family residential mortgage loans in
the secondary market to Fannie Mae while retaining servicing. Under the terms of
the sales program, the Company retains a portion of the associated credit risk.
The Company has a 100% first loss position on each multi-family residential loan
sold to Fannie Mae under such program until the earlier of (i) the losses on the
multi-family residential loans sold to Fannie Mae reaching the maximum loss
exposure for the portfolio as a whole or (ii) until all of the loans sold to
Fannie Mae under this program are fully paid off. The maximum loss exposure is
available to satisfy any losses on loans sold in the program subject to the
foregoing limitations. At December 31, 2003, the Company serviced $3.46 billion
of loans for Fannie Mae under this program with a maximum potential loss
exposure of $130.9 million.

For further discussion of these commitments as well as the Company's
commitments and obligations under pension and other postretirement benefit
plans, see Notes 16 and 20 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements"
set forth in Item 8 hereof.

The Company has not had, and has no intention to have, any significant
transactions, arrangements or other relationships with any unconsolidated,
limited purpose entities that could materially affect its liquidity or capital
resources. The Company has not, and does not intend to trade in commodity
contracts.

AVERAGE BALANCES, NET INTEREST INCOME, YIELDS EARNED AND RATES PAID

The table on the following page sets forth, for the periods indicated,
information regarding (i) the total dollar amount of interest income of the
Company from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) the
total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the
resultant average rate; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate
spread; and (v) the net interest margin. Information is based on average daily
balances during the indicated periods.

56



YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, Year Ended December 31,
------------------------------- -------------------------------
2003 2002
------------------------------- -------------------------------
AVERAGE Average
AVERAGE YIELD/ Average Yield/
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) BALANCE INTEREST COST Balance Interest Cost
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest-earning assets:
Loans receivable(1):
Mortgage loans................. $4,162,397 $276,579 6.64% $4,565,567 $334,154 7.32%
Commercial business loans...... 564,851 37,281 6.60 714,990 47,282 6.61
Mortgage warehouse lines of
credit....................... 639,052 28,652 4.48 402,258 18,670 4.64
Other loans(2)................. 268,886 15,741 5.85 205,950 13,848 6.72
---------- -------- ---------- --------
Total loans...................... 5,635,186 358,253 6.36 5,888,765 413,954 7.03
Investment securities............ 296,705 13,296 4.48 172,081 8,157 4.74
Mortgage-related securities...... 1,765,662 62,918 3.56 1,034,239 57,151 5.53
Other interest-earning
assets(3)...................... 263,116 5,653 2.15 225,416 6,241 2.77
---------- -------- ---------- --------
Total interest-earning assets...... 7,960,669 440,120 5.53 7,320,501 485,503 6.63
-------- ----- -------- -----
Non-interest-earning assets........ 712,017 590,312
---------- ----------
Total assets....................... $8,672,686 $7,910,813
========== ==========
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Savings deposits............... $1,595,084 $ 7,886 0.49% $1,573,841 $ 19,460 1.24%
Money market deposits.......... 251,447 2,303 0.92 181,574 1,726 0.95
Active management accounts
("AMA")...................... 498,229 4,762 0.96 448,342 6,804 1.52
Interest-bearing demand
deposits(4).................. 700,739 4,826 0.69 530,011 5,010 0.95
Certificates of deposit........ 1,486,302 33,480 2.25 1,705,461 48,637 2.85
---------- -------- ---------- --------
Total interest-bearing
deposits................... 4,531,801 53,257 1.18 4,439,229 81,637 1.84
Non-interest bearing
deposits..................... 672,952 -- -- 523,927 -- --
---------- -------- ---------- --------
Total deposits............... 5,204,753 53,257 1.02 4,963,156 81,637 1.64
---------- -------- ---------- --------
Borrowings....................... 2,290,401 91,089 3.98 1,904,734 93,418 4.90
Subordinated notes............... 79,253 3,029 3.82 -- -- --
Cumulative trust preferred
securities(5).................. -- -- -- 5,426 524 9.65
---------- -------- ---------- --------
Total interest-bearing
liabilities...................... 7,574,407 147,375 1.95 6,873,316 175,579 2.55
-------- ----- -----
Non-interest-bearing liabilities... 159,913 134,627
---------- ----------
Total liabilities.................. 7,734,320 7,007,943
Total stockholders' equity......... 938,366 902,870
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity........................... $8,672,686 $7,910,813
========== ==========
Net interest-earning assets........ $ 386,262 $ 447,185
========== ==========
Net interest income/interest rate
spread........................... $292,745 3.58% $309,924 4.08%
======== ===== ======== =====
Net interest margin................ 3.68% 4.23%
===== =====
Ratio of average interest-earning
assets to average
interest-bearing liabilities..... 1.05X 1.07x
===== =====


Twelve Months Ended December 31,
----------------------------------
2001
----------------------------------
Average
Average Yield/
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Balance Interest Cost
- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------

Interest-earning assets:
Loans receivable(1):
Mortgage loans................. $4,552,375 $344,085 7.56%
Commercial business loans...... 494,603 39,954 8.08
Mortgage warehouse lines of
credit....................... 267,412 16,784 6.28
Other loans(2)................. 163,891 13,138 8.02
---------- --------
Total loans...................... 5,478,281 413,961 7.56
Investment securities............ 189,985 10,750 5.66
Mortgage-related securities...... 765,145 48,075 6.28
Other interest-earning
assets(3)...................... 233,858 9,835 4.21
---------- --------
Total interest-earning assets...... 6,667,269 482,621 7.24
-------- -----
Non-interest-earning assets........ 583,078
----------
Total assets....................... $7,250,347
==========
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Savings deposits............... $1,260,998 $ 24,264 1.92%
Money market deposits.......... 175,530 3,099 1.77
Active management accounts
("AMA")...................... 359,945 12,092 3.36
Interest-bearing demand
deposits(4).................. 428,502 6,094 1.42
Certificates of deposit........ 2,129,443 107,002 5.02
---------- --------
Total interest-bearing
deposits................... 4,354,418 152,551 3.50
Non-interest bearing
deposits..................... 391,572 -- --
---------- --------
Total deposits............... 4,745,990 152,551 3.21
---------- --------
Borrowings....................... 1,507,041 82,843 5.50
Subordinated notes............... -- -- --
Cumulative trust preferred
securities(5).................. 11,067 1,048 9.47
---------- --------
Total interest-bearing
liabilities...................... 6,264,098 236,442 3.77
-------- -----
Non-interest-bearing liabilities... 152,433
----------
Total liabilities.................. 6,416,531
Total stockholders' equity......... 833,816
----------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity........................... $7,250,347
==========
Net interest-earning assets........ $ 403,171
==========
Net interest income/interest rate
spread........................... $246,179 3.47%
======== =====
Net interest margin................ 3.69%
=====
Ratio of average interest-earning
assets to average
interest-bearing liabilities..... 1.06x
=====


- ---------------
(1) The average balance of loans receivable includes loans available-for-sale
and non-performing loans, interest on which is recognized on a cash basis.

(2) Includes home equity loans and lines of credit, FHA and conventional home
improvement loans, student loans, automobile loans, passbook loans and
secured and unsecured personal loans.

(3) Includes federal funds sold, interest-earning bank deposits and FHLB stock.

(4) Includes NOW and checking accounts.

(5) Trust Preferred Securities redeemed effective June 30, 2002.

57


RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS

The following table sets forth the effects of changing rates and volumes on
net interest income of the Company. Information is provided with respect to (i)
effects on interest income and expense attributable to changes in volume
(changes in volume multiplied by prior rate) and (ii) effects on interest income
and expense attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior
volume). The combined effect of changes in both rate and volume has been
allocated proportionately to the change due to rate and the change due to
volume.



YEAR ENDED Twelve Months Ended
DECEMBER 31, 2003 TO YEAR ENDED December 31, 2002 to Twelve Months
DECEMBER 31, 2002 Ended December 31, 2001
-------------------------------- -----------------------------------
INCREASE Increase
(DECREASE) DUE TO TOTAL NET (Decrease) due to Total Net
------------------- INCREASE --------------------- Increase
(IN THOUSANDS) RATE VOLUME (DECREASE) RATE VOLUME (DECREASE)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest-earning assets:
Loans receivable:
Mortgage loans(1)....... $(31,955) $(25,620) $(57,575) $(13,137) $ 3,206 $ (9,931)
Commercial business
loans................. (72) (9,929) (10,001) (8,160) 15,488 7,328
Mortgage warehouse lines
of credit............. (681) 10,663 9,982 (5,193) 7,079 1,886
Other loans(2).......... (1,954) 3,847 1,893 (2,327) 3,037 710
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total loans receivable..... (34,662) (21,039) (55,701) (28,817) 28,810 (7)
Investment securities...... (470) 5,609 5,139 (1,641) (952) (2,593)
Mortgage-related
securities.............. (25,074) 30,841 5,767 (6,331) 15,407 9,076
Other interest-earning
assets.................. (1,532) 944 (588) (3,251) (343) (3,594)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total net change in income
on interest-earning
assets.................. (61,738) 16,355 (45,383) (40,040) 42,922 2,882
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Savings deposits........ (11,833) 259 (11,574) (9,956) 5,152 (4,804)
Money market deposits... (57) 634 577 (1,476) 103 (1,373)
AMA deposits............ (2,733) 691 (2,042) (7,751) 2,464 (5,287)
Interest-bearing demand
deposits.............. (1,571) 1,387 (184) (2,327) 1,242 (1,085)
Certificates of
deposit............... (9,410) (5,747) (15,157) (39,947) (18,418) (58,365)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total deposits........ (25,604) (2,776) (28,380) (61,457) (9,457) (70,914)
Borrowings................. (19,421) 17,092 (2,329) (9,584) 20,159 10,575
Subordinated notes......... -- 3,029 3,029 -- -- --
Trust preferred
securities.............. -- (524) (524) 10 (534) (524)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total net change in expense
on interest-bearing
liabilities................ (45,025) 16,821 (28,204) (71,031) 10,168 (60,863)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net change in net interest
income..................... $(16,713) $ (466) $(17,179) $ 30,991 $ 32,754 $ 63,745
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========


- ---------------
(1) Includes loans available-for-sale.

(2) Includes home equity loans and lines of credit, FHA and conventional home
improvement loans, student loans, automobile loans, passbook loans and
secured and unsecured personal loans.

58


COMPARISON OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND THE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

GENERAL. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company reported a
16.1% increase in diluted earnings per share to $2.60 compared to $2.24 for the
year ended December 31, 2002. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2003
increased 11.9% to $137.0 million compared to $122.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002.

NET INTEREST INCOME. Net interest income decreased by $17.2 million, or
5.5%, to $292.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to
$309.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The decline was due to a
$45.4 million decrease in interest income partially offset by a $28.2 million
decrease in interest expense. The decline in net interest income primarily
reflected a 55 basis point decrease in net interest margin partially offset by a
$640.2 million increase in average interest-earning assets during the year ended
December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase in
average interest-earning assets was primarily attributable to a growth in
mortgage-related securities, commercial real estate loans, and mortgage
warehouse lines of credit. These increases were partially offset by a decrease
in the average balance in multi-family and commercial business loans.

Net interest margin decreased 55 basis points to 3.68% for the year ended
December 31, 2003 compared to 4.23% for the year ended December 31, 2002. The
decline in net interest margin was primarily attributable to the 110 basis
points decline in the average yield on interest-earning assets. This decrease
was partially offset by a decline in the average rate paid on its
interest-bearing liabilities of 60 basis points.

The Company's interest rate spread (i.e., the difference between the yields
earned on its interest-earning assets and the rates paid on its interest-
bearing liabilities) decreased by 50 basis points to 3.58% for the year ended
December 31, 2003 compared to 4.08% for the year ended December 31, 2002.

The compression in net interest margin was primarily attributable to
accelerated loan repayments combined with the accelerated premium amortization
of mortgage-related securities. During the first three quarters of 2003, the
Company experienced accelerated repayments in its multi-family residential
mortgage loans and single-family and cooperative loan portfolios, while new
assets for portfolio retention were being originated at lower yields. The
Company also experienced accelerated rates of repayment in its mortgage-related
securities portfolio, a significant portion of which was purchased at a premium,
resulting in accelerated premium amortization. During the fourth quarter of
2003, as a result of the steepening yield curve, the repayment rate of the
mortgage-related portfolio and the associated premium amortization slowed
considerably and returned to more normalized levels.

The Company continues to rely on all of the components of its business
model to offset or substantially lessen the reduction in net interest income as
it continues to implement the shift in its deposits to lower costing core
deposits while continuing to build non-interest rate sensitive revenue channels,
including in particular the expansion of its mortgage-banking activities.

Interest income decreased by $45.4 million, or 9.3%, to $440.1 million for
the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002.
This decrease was primarily due to a 110 basis point decrease in the weighted
average yield, from 6.63% for the year ended December 31, 2002 to 5.53% for the
year ended December 31, 2003 partially offset by a $640.1 million increase in
the average balance of the Company's interest-earning assets for the same
period.

Interest income on mortgage loans decreased $60.5 million due to a 68 basis
point decrease in the yield earned on loans from 7.32% for the year ended
December 31, 2002 to 6.64% for the year ended December 31, 2003 as well as a
$403.2 million decrease in the average balance of mortgage loans. The decrease
in the average balance was due in large part to the $292.7 million decrease in
the aggregate average balance of the Company's single-family and cooperative
apartment loan portfolios due to both increased prepayments as a result of the
interest rate environment as well as decreased emphasis on originations. The
Company primarily originates single-family loans for sale through its previously
discussed private label program with Cendant. Also contributing to the decline
in average loans was a $387.8 million decrease in the average balance of
multi-family loans for the same period.

59


During the first three quarters of 2003, the Company experienced accelerated
repayments in this portfolio and had put a greater emphasis on selling the
majority of the multi-family residential loans it originated due to the low
interest rate environment. As interest rates began to rise during the fourth
quarter of 2003, the Company increased the percent of loans it originated for
the portfolio.

Partially offsetting the decrease in the single-family, cooperative
apartment and multi-family loan portfolios was a $277.4 million increase in the
average balance of commercial real estate loans for the year ended December 31,
2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase in this
portfolio was due to management's strategy of shifting to higher yielding loan
products. The Company originated $1.80 billion of mortgage loans for portfolio
retention in the year ended December 31, 2003 partially offset by loan
repayments of $1.38 billion. The decrease in yield was primarily due to the
current interest rate yield curve.

Interest income on other loans increased $1.9 million, or 2.3%, due
primarily to a $236.8 million increase in the average balance of mortgage
warehouse lines of credit, offset, in part, by a decrease in the average balance
of commercial business loans of $150.1 million. The increase in the average
balance of mortgage warehouse lines of credit was, in part, due to the
additional demand in the refinance market which increased utilization of the
lines of credit. The increase in this floating rate portfolio has been funded in
part with the liquidity resulting from the accelerated prepayment of loans and
investment securities. However, towards the end of the third quarter, as the
yield curve steepened and the refinance market slowed, the demand for warehouse
funding softened. Partially offsetting the increase in average balance was a 16
basis point decrease in the yield earned on mortgage warehouse lines of credit
loans, from 4.64%, for the year ended December 31, 2002 to 4.48% for the year
ended December 31, 2003. The decrease in yield was primarily due to the interest
rate yield curve as these loans are primarily floating rate and thus are
repricing downward in the current interest rate environment.

Income on investment securities increased $5.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002 due to a $124.6
million increase in the average balance of investment securities partially
offset by a 26 basis point decrease in the yield earned on such securities from
4.74% for the year ended December 31, 2002 to 4.48% for the year ended December
31, 2003.

Interest income on mortgage-related securities increased $5.8 million for
the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002
due primarily to the $731.4 million increase in the average balance of
mortgage-related securities. The increase in the average balance was funded by
the use of borrowings, the growth in deposits and from the reinvestment of funds
from accelerated loan payments. This increase was partially offset by a 197
basis point decrease in the yield earned to 3.56% for the year ended December
31, 2003 from 5.53% for the year ended December 31, 2002, reflecting, in part,
an accelerated rate of premium amortization.

The decline in yield earned on the mortgage-related securities portfolio
was a combination of the low interest rate environment along with accelerated
premium amortization. During the first three quarters of 2003, the Company
experienced accelerated rates of repayment in its mortgage-related securities
portfolio, a significant portion of which was purchased at a premium, resulting
in accelerated premium amortization. This premium amortization, which correlates
with the principal repayments of the mortgage-related securities portfolio,
reduced net interest income by $26.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2003 compared to $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The Company
had $21.0 million of premium remaining relating to this portfolio at December
31, 2003.

Income on other interest-earning assets (consisting primarily of interest
on federal funds and dividends on FHLB stock) decreased $0.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. This
decrease primarily reflected the suspension by the Board of Directors of the
FHLB of New York of the dividend to its stockholders in the fourth quarter of
2003.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $28.4 million or 34.8% to $53.3
million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to $81.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002. The decrease was primarily the result of a 62
basis point decrease in the average rate paid on deposits to 1.02% for the year
ended December 31, 2003 compared to 1.64% for the year ended December 31, 2002.
The decrease in rates was attributable to

60


maintaining a disciplined pricing strategy which was effective in addressing the
current interest rate yield curve as well as increased non-interest-bearing
deposits. This decrease was partially offset by a $241.6 million increase in the
average balance of deposits. The average balance of lower costing core deposits
increased $460.8 million while the average balance of higher costing
certificates of deposit decreased $219.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. Core deposits are defined as
all deposits other than certificates of deposit. Lower costing core deposits
represented approximately 74.0% of total deposits at December 31, 2003 compared
to 67.8% at December 31, 2002. This increase reflects the success of the
Company's strategy of lowering its overall cost of funds while emphasizing the
expansion of its commercial and consumer relationships.

Interest expense on borrowings decreased $2.3 million or 2.5% to $91.1
million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to $93.4 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002. The decline was primarily due to a 92 basis point
decline in the average rate paid on such borrowings to 3.98% from 4.90% for the
respective periods. This decrease was partially offset by a $385.7 million
increase in the average balance of borrowings for the year ended December 31,
2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase in average
balances was the result of the Company borrowing $1.08 billion of short-term low
costing floating-rate FHLB borrowings which was partially offset by the
repayment of $290.3 million of borrowings that matured in 2003. During 2003, the
Company also replaced $200.0 million in borrowings at a weighted average
interest rate of 5.77% with $200.0 million at a weighted average interest rate
of 3.89%. The funds were invested primarily in mortgage-backed securities. The
Company anticipates replacing a portion of these short-term borrowings with
lower costing core deposits.

At the end of the second quarter of 2003, the Company issued $150.0 million
of Notes. Interest expense on these notes was $3.0 million during the year ended
December 31, 2003.

Interest expense on Trust Preferred Securities decreased in its entirety by
$0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended
December 31, 2002. The Trust Preferred Securities were assumed as part of the
Broad acquisition effective the close of business on July 31, 1999. In
accordance with the terms of the trust indenture, all of the outstanding trust
preferred securities totaling $11.5 million, were redeemed at $10.00 per share,
effective June 30, 2002. The redemption was effected due to the high interest
rate paid on the Trust Preferred Securities in relation to the then current
interest rate environment.

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES. The Company's provision for loan losses
decreased by $4.5 million from $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002
to $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. In assessing the level of
the allowance for loan losses and the periodic provision charged to income, the
Company considers the composition of its loan portfolio, the growth of loan
balances within various segments of the overall portfolio, the state of the
local (and to a certain degree, the national) economy as it may impact the
performance of loans within different segments of the portfolio, the loss
experience related to different segments or classes of loans, the type, size and
geographic concentration of loans held by the Company, the level of past due and
non-performing loans, the value of collateral securing the loan, the level of
classified loans and the number of loans requiring heightened management
oversight.

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets decreased to 38 basis
points at December 31, 2003, compared to 52 basis points at December 31, 2002.
Non-performing assets decreased 12.1% to $36.6 million at December 31, 2003
compared to $41.6 million at December 31, 2002. The decrease of $5.0 million was
primarily due to a decrease of $3.2 million in non-accrual loans combined with a
$1.7 million decrease on loans that are contractually past due 90 days or more
as to maturity, although current as to monthly principal and interest payments.
Included in the $36.6 million of non-performing loans at December 31, 2003 were
$35.8 million of non-accrual loans and $0.7 million of loans contractually past
maturity but which are continuing to pay in accordance with their original
repayment schedule. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the allowance for loan losses
as a percentage of total non-performing loans was 217.3% and 193.6%,
respectively.

NON-INTEREST INCOME. The Company continues to stress and emphasize the
development of fee-based income throughout its operations. As a result of a
variety of initiatives, the Company experienced

61


a $37.6 million, or 50.1%, increase in non-interest income to $112.7 million for
the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to $75.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002.

During 2003, the Company recognized net gains of $0.8 million on the sales
of loans and securities compared with net gains on sales of $0.6 million in
2002.

A primary driver of non-interest income is earnings from the Company's
mortgage-banking activities. Income from mortgage-banking activities increased
$11.6 million to $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to
$13.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The Company originates for
sale multi-family residential loans in the secondary market to Fannie Mae, with
the Company retaining servicing on all loans sold. Under the terms of the sales
program, the Company also retains a portion of the associated credit risk. At
December 31, 2003, the Company's maximum potential exposure related to secondary
market sales to Fannie Mae under this program was $130.9 million. The Company
also has a program with Cendant to originate and sell single-family residential
mortgage loans and servicing in the secondary market. See "Business -- Lending
Activities -- Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales and Servicing".

As a result of the interest rate environment during the first three
quarters of 2003 and as part of the Company's business model, the majority of
multi-family residential loans the Company originated during this period were
sold in the secondary market. During the fourth quarter of 2003, as interest
rates began to rise, the Company retained the majority of such loans it
originated for portfolio retention. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the
Company originated $1.62 billion and sold $1.73 billion of multi-family loans
under the program with Fannie Mae and originated $172.5 million and sold $174.2
million of single-family residential loans. By comparison, during 2002, the
Company originated $1.17 billion and sold $1.07 billion of multi-family loans
and originated $140.2 million and sold $133.5 million of single-family
residential mortgages.

Mortgage-banking activities for the year ended December 31, 2003 reflected
$18.4 million in gains, $9.0 million of origination fees and $3.6 million in
servicing fees partially offset by $5.6 million of amortization of servicing
assets. Included in the $18.4 million of gains were $3.0 million of provisions
recorded related to the retained credit exposure on multi-family residential
loans sold. This category also included a $3.3 million increase in the fair
value of loan commitments for loans originated for sale and a $3.3 million
decrease in the fair value of forward loan sale agreements which were entered
into with respect to the sale of such loans as a result of a decrease in
interest rates after the Company entered into the interest rate lock loan
commitment and the forward loan sale agreements. The $11.6 million increase in
mortgage-banking activities for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the
year ended December 31, 2002 was primarily due to a $10.9 million increase in
gains on sales and $3.0 million of higher origination and servicing fees
partially offset by $2.3 million of additional amortization of capitalized
servicing rights.

Service fees increased 37.2% to $69.3 million for the year ended December
31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. Included in service fee
income are prepayment and modification fees on loans. These fees are effectively
a partial offset to decreases in net interest margin. The $18.8 million increase
was principally due to an increase of $12.8 million in mortgage prepayment fees
to $23.9 million and a $3.3 million increase in modification and extension fees
to $6.6 million. These increases were due to the interest rate environment and
resulting refinance market.

Another component of service fees are revenues generated from the branch
system which fees grew by $2.4 million, or 7.7% to $33.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. The
increase was primarily due to the increased service fees on deposit accounts
resulting from the growth in core deposits together with fees from expanded
products and services.

Income on BOLI increased $2.5 million or 40.3% to $8.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. During the
later part of the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company increased its holdings in
BOLI by $50.0 million. The Company's holdings in BOLI at December 31, 2003 was
$175.8 million.

Other non-interest income increased by $4.5 million to $8.5 million for the
year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $4.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002. The increase was primarily due to an additional $4.1 million
from

62


the Company's minority equity investment in Meridian Capital and a gain of $0.3
million on the sale of the Mail Boxes Etc. franchise license. The increase was
partially offset by a non-recurring gain of $1.3 million on the sale of two
surplus bank facilities sold in 2002.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE. Non-interest expense increased by $3.8 million, or
2.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2002. This increase primarily reflects increases of $4.0 million in
compensation and employee benefit expense, $3.7 million in occupancy costs, $1.6
million in advertising expenses and $1.1 million in data processing fees.
Partially offsetting these increases were decreases of $5.1 million in
amortization of intangible assets and $1.5 million in other non-interest
expenses.

Total compensation and benefits increased by $4.0 million to $100.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase was comprised of increases in
salaries of $8.3 million, deferred compensation of $1.9 million, postretirement
health care benefits expense of $0.7 million, ESOP costs of $0.5 million and
$0.2 million of increased health insurance costs. These increases were partially
offset by a $7.5 million reduction in management incentive expenses and a $0.9
million reduction in the recognition and retention plan costs. The increase in
compensation and benefit expense for the comparable periods was primarily
attributable to expansion of the Company's commercial and retail lending
operations during the past year. The Company opened ten new branches and
expanded the commercial real estate lending activities to the
Baltimore-Washington and Florida markets during 2003 through the establishment
of loan production offices in these areas.

Occupancy costs increased by $3.7 million to $26.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2003 compared to $22.8 million for the year ended December
31, 2002. The increase in occupancy costs was primarily due to the increased
number of branch facilities resulting from the continuation of the de novo
branch expansion program as well as the expansion of the commercial real estate
lending activities to the Baltimore-Washington and Florida markets. The Company
plans on opening approximately an additional seven branches in 2004.

The Company's advertising expenses increased $1.6 million to $7.8 million
from $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year
ended December 31, 2002. The cost reflects the Company's continued focus on
brand awareness through, in part, increased advertising in print media, radio
and direct marketing programs and support of the de novo branches opened during
2003.

Amortization of identifiable intangible assets decreased $5.1 million
during the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to the year ended December
31, 2002. The decrease was due to intangible assets from a branch purchase
transaction effected in fiscal 1996 being fully amortized during 2003.

Other non-interest expenses decreased $1.5 million, or 3.5%, to $42.3
million for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $43.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002. The decrease was primarily due to the absence of a
$3.8 million provision for probable losses from transactions in a commercial
business deposit account in the fourth quarter of 2002. This decrease was
partially offset by an increase in other non-interest expenses and was primarily
attributable to the corporate expansion associated with a broader banking
footprint, de novo banking activities, the expanded retail sales force and the
introduction of new products and services. These expenses include items such as
professional services, business development expenses, legal fees, equipment
expenses, recruitment costs, office supplies, commercial bank fees, postage,
insurance, telephone expenses and maintenance and security.

Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public
disclosure may result in additional expenses. Changing laws, regulations and
standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new SEC regulations and recently adopted revisions
to the listing requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market, are creating uncertainty
for companies such as ours. The Company is committed to maintaining high
standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. Compliance with the
various new requirements is expected to result in increased general and
administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from
revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.

INCOME TAXES. Income tax expense increased $6.6 million to $76.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to $69.6 million for the year
ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily due to a $21.2 million
increase in pre-
63


tax income to $213.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to
$192.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. However, offsetting the
effect of such increased taxable income was a decline in the Company's effective
tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2003 to 35.75%, compared to 36.24% for
the year ended December 31, 2002.

COMPARISON OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2002 AND THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001

GENERAL. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company reported a
41.8% increase in diluted earnings per share to $2.24 compared to $1.58 for the
year ended December 31, 2001. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2002
increased 42.2% to $122.4 million compared to $86.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2001.

NET INTEREST INCOME. Net interest income increased by $63.7 million or
25.9% to $309.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 as compared to
$246.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was primarily
due to a $60.8 million decrease in interest expense combined with a $2.9 million
increase in interest income. The growth in net interest income primarily
reflected the $653.2 million increase in average interest-earning assets as well
as a 54 basis point increase in the net interest margin during the year ended
December 31, 2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase in
average interest-earning assets was primarily attributable to growth in
mortgage-related securities, commercial real estate and business loans, and
mortgage warehouse lines of credit.

For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company's net interest margin
increased 54 basis points to 4.23% from 3.69% for the year ended December 31,
2001. The improvement in net interest margin was directly attributable to the
Company's strategy to reduce the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities in
order to offset the decline in the average yield earned on interest-earning
assets resulting from the interest rate environment existing in 2002. For the
year ended December 31, 2002 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2001,
the average rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities decreased 122
basis points, more than offsetting the 61 basis point decline in the average
yield earned on interest-earning assets. This decline mirrored the movement in
the yield curve with short-term interest rates declining more rapidly than
longer term rates. Complementing the movement in the yield curve, the Company
contributed to the improvement in net interest margin by originating higher
yielding commercial loan products through its expanded presence in the New York
metropolitan market and the continuing evolution of a retail banking sales
culture focused on expanding the Company's level of core deposits. In addition,
the Company continued a disciplined pricing strategy for deposits, which was
effective in addressing the then current interest rate yield curve.

The Company's interest rate spread increased to 4.08% for the year ended
December 31, 2002 compared to 3.47% for the year ended December 31, 2001. The
net interest rate spread increased by 61 basis points reflecting the Company's
strategy to reduce the cost of interest-bearing liabilities in order to offset
the decline in the yield earned on interest-earning assets resulting from the
interest rate environment existing in 2002.

Interest income increased by $2.9 million, or 0.6%, to $485.5 million for
the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001.
This increase was primarily due to the $653.2 million increase in the average
balance of the Company's interest-earning assets partially offset by a 61 basis
point decrease in the weighted average yield, from 7.24% for the year ended
December 31, 2001 to 6.63% for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Interest income on mortgage loans decreased $9.9 million due to a 24 basis
point decrease in the yield earned on loans from 7.56% for the year ended
December 31, 2001 to 7.32% for the year ended December 31, 2002, offset in part
by a $13.2 million increase in the average balance of mortgage loans. The
increase in average balance was due, in large part, to a $214.4 million and
$69.8 million increase in the average balance of commercial real estate and
multi-family residential loans, respectively, for the year ended December 31,
2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase in these
portfolios was due to the Company's continuing effort of originating higher
yielding commercial loan products as well as the Company's commitment to
maintaining its leadership position in the multi-family residential loan market.
The Company originated $843.1 million of mortgage loans for

64


portfolio retention in the year ended December 31, 2002. Partially offsetting
the increase in the commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans
portfolio was the $271.0 million decrease in the aggregate average balance of
the Company's single-family and cooperative apartment loans portfolio due to
both increased prepayments as a result of the interest rate environment as well
as decreased emphasis on originations. The Company primarily originates
single-family loans through its previously discussed private label program with
Cendant. The increase in average balance was partially offset by loan repayments
of $1.11 billion and sales of $257.6 million from portfolio at the end of the
fourth quarter of 2002. The decrease in yield was primarily due to the interest
rate yield curve.

Interest income on other loans increased $9.9 million, or 14.2%, due
primarily to a $220.4 million and $134.8 million increase in the average balance
of commercial business and mortgage warehouse lines of credit, respectively.
Partially offsetting the increase was a 147 basis point and 164 basis point
decrease in the yield earned on commercial business loans and mortgage warehouse
lines of credit loans, respectively, from 8.08% and 6.28%, respectively, for the
year ended December 31, 2001 to 6.61% and 4.64%, respectively, for the year
ended December 31, 2002. The decrease in yields was primarily due to the
interest rate yield curve in 2002 since these loans are primarily variable rate
and thus are repricing downward in the interest rate environment.

Income on investment securities decreased $2.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002 due to a $17.9 million decrease in the average balance of
investment securities along with a decrease in the yield earned on such
securities from 5.66% for the year ended December 31, 2001 to 4.74% for the year
ended December 31, 2002. The decline in average balance was due to the Company's
reinvestment into other higher yielding assets.

Interest income on mortgage-related securities increased $9.1 million for
the year ended December 31, 2002 due primarily to the $269.1 million increase in
the average balance of mortgage-related securities. The increase in the average
balance was primarily due to an increase in borrowings which were invested in
mortgage-related securities. This increase was partially offset by a 75 basis
point decrease in the yield earned to 5.53% for the year ended December 31, 2002
from 6.28% for the year ended December 31, 2001, reflecting the decrease in
market rates of interest experienced during the 2002 calendar year.

Income on other interest-earning assets (consisting primarily of interest
on federal funds and dividends on FHLB stock) decreased $3.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001. This
decrease primarily reflects the $2.7 million decline in interest on federal
funds, FHLB overnight deposits and other short-term investments as well as a
$0.9 million decrease in dividends on FHLB stock.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $71.0 million or 46.5% to $81.6
million for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to $152.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2001. The decrease was primarily the result of a 157
basis point decrease in the average rate paid on deposits to 1.64% for the year
ended December 31, 2002 compared to 3.21% for the year ended December 31, 2001.
The decrease in rates was attributable to the continued maintenance of the
disciplined pricing strategy which was effective in addressing the current
interest rate yield curve. This decrease was partially offset by a $217.2
million increase in the average balance of deposits as a result of the Company's
continuing evolution of a retail banking sales culture focused on increasing the
amount of lower costing core deposits. The average balance of lower costing core
deposits increased $641.1 million while the average balance of higher costing
certificates of deposit decreased $424.0 million for the year ended December 31,
2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001.

Interest expense on borrowings increased $10.6 million or 12.8% to $93.4
million for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to $82.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was primarily due to a $397.7 million
increase in the average balance of borrowings for the year ended December 31,
2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase in average
borrowings was primarily the result of the Company taking advantage of the
steepness in the yield curve by securing $350.0 million of adjustable-rate three
and four year borrowings from the FHLB. The borrowings have interest rate caps
that prevent the rates from exceeding 5.25% to 5.70%. The Company also replaced
$100.0 million of borrowings that matured in 2002 with fixed-rate ten-year

65


borrowings, callable in five years, at a weighted average interest rate of 4.12%
and paid off $50.0 million of borrowings that matured with a weighted average
interest rate of 5.21%. The borrowings were primarily used to fund the purchase
of mortgage-related securities and commercial real estate and business loan
originations.

Interest expense on Trust Preferred Securities decreased $0.5 million or
50.0% to $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to $1.0
million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The Trust Preferred Securities
were assumed as part of the Broad acquisition effective the close of business on
July 31, 1999. In accordance with the terms of the trust indenture, the Trust
redeemed all of its outstanding Trust Preferred Securities of $11.5 million, at
$10.00 per share, effective June 30, 2002. The redemption was effected due to
the high interest rate paid on the Trust Preferred Securities in relation to the
then current interest rate environment.

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES. The Company's provision for loan losses
decreased by $0.5 million from $8.5 million for the year ended December 31,
2001, to $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The provision
recorded reflected the Company's increase in non-accrual loans, the increase in
classified and impaired loans, the increase in delinquencies and charge-offs,
the increase in mortgage warehouse advances, the continued emphasis on
commercial and business loan originations which are deemed to have higher levels
of known and inherent loss, as well as the recognition of current economic
conditions.

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets decreased to 52 basis
points at December 31, 2002, compared to 61 basis points at December 31, 2001.
Non-performing assets decreased 9.8% to $41.6 million at December 31, 2002
compared to $46.2 million at December 31, 2001. The decrease of $4.6 million was
primarily due to a $15.6 million decrease on loans that are contractually past
due 90 days or more as to maturity, although current as to monthly principal and
interest payments partially offset by an increase of $11.2 million in
non-accrual loans, primarily commercial real estate and business loans. Included
in the $41.6 million of non-performing loans at December 31, 2002 were $39.0
million of non-accrual loans and $2.5 million of loans contractually past
maturity but which are continuing to pay in accordance with their original
repayment schedule. At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the allowance for loan losses
as a percentage of total non-performing loans was 193.6% and 170.0%,
respectively.

NON-INTEREST INCOME. Emphasis on fee-based income continued to gain
momentum throughout the Company in 2002. Increasing non-interest income has been
an on-going strategic objective. As a result of the implementation of a variety
of initiatives, the Company experienced an $18.0 million, or 31.6%, increase in
non-interest income to $75.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002,
compared to $57.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001.

During 2002, the Company recognized net gains of $0.6 million on the sales
of loans and securities, substantially all of which relates to the gain on the
sale of equity securities. During calendar 2001, the Company recognized net
gains on sales of $3.1 million primarily from sales of $90.0 million of
securities.

Income from mortgage-banking activities increased $0.9 million to $13.8
million for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to $12.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2001. During the quarter ended December 31, 2000, the
Company initiated a program with Fannie Mae to originate for sale multi-family
residential loans in the secondary market, with the Company retaining servicing.
See "Business-Lending Activities-Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales and
Servicing". During the quarter ended December 31, 2001 the Company also entered
into a program with Cendant to originate and sell single-family residential
mortgage loans and servicing in the secondary market.

Mortgage-banking activities for the year ended December 31, 2002 reflected
$7.5 million in gains, $8.1 million of origination fees and $1.5 million in
servicing fees partially offset by $3.4 million of amortization of servicing
assets. Included in the $7.5 million of gains were $3.9 million of provisions
recorded related to the retained credit exposure on multi-family residential
loans sold to Fannie Mae. This category also included a $1.1 million increase in
the fair value of loan commitments for loans originated for sale and a $1.1
million decrease in the fair value of forward loan sale agreements which were
entered into with respect to the sale of such loans. The $0.9 million increase
in mortgage-banking activities for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to
the year ended December 31, 2001 was

66


primarily due to a $4.2 million of higher origination and servicing fees
partially offset by $2.6 million of additional amortization of capitalized
servicing rights and $0.7 million of lower gains on sales.

During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company originated $1.17
billion and sold $1.07 billion of multi-family loans under the program with
Fannie Mae and originated $140.2 million and sold $133.5 million of
single-family residential loans. By comparison, during 2001, the Company
originated $441.9 million and sold $419.3 million of multi-family loans and
originated $4.1 million and sold $0.4 million of single-family residential
mortgages.

Service fees increased 56.0% to $50.5 million for the year ended December
31, 2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001. The $18.1 million
increase was principally due to approximately $9.3 million in mortgage
prepayment fees combined with a $2.8 million increase in the Company's
modification and extension fees on mortgage loans due to the interest rate
environment and resulting refinance market. In addition, other loan fees
increased $1.6 million and banking fees increased $2.9 million related primarily
to increased service fees on deposit accounts resulting from the growth in core
deposits, particularly commercial demand deposits, an increase in per unit
charges and the debit card program. The increase in fee income was also due to
increased fees of $1.2 million on the sales of mutual funds and annuity products
as investors sought higher yielding investment opportunities.

Income on BOLI increased $0.7 million or 13.1% to $6.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001 due to an
increase in the cash surrender value of BOLI. During the later part of the
fourth quarter of 2002, the Company also increased its holdings in BOLI by $50.0
million to $168.4 million at December 31, 2002.

Other non-interest income increased by $0.9 million to $4.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002, compared to $3.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2001. The increase was primarily due to an additional $1.1 million
from the Company's minority equity investment in Meridian Capital.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE. Non-interest expense increased by $29.1 million, or
18.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2002, as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2001. This increase primarily reflects increases of $22.2 million
in compensation and employee benefit expense, $10.2 million in other
non-interest expense, $0.7 million in data processing fees and $0.4 million in
advertising costs. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases of $3.6
million in amortization of goodwill, $0.5 million in amortization of intangibles
and $0.3 million in occupancy costs. Effective April 1, 2001, the Company
adopted SFAS No. 142 which resulted in discontinuing the amortization of
goodwill resulting in a $3.6 million decline in goodwill amortization for the
year ended December 31, 2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001.

Total compensation and benefits increased by $22.2 million for the year
ended December 31, 2002 to $96.3 million. The increase was comprised of
increases in compensation of $10.3 million, incentive pay of $5.9 million,
stock-related benefit plan costs of $2.7 million, pension expense costs of $3.2
million and $1.5 million of increased health insurance costs. These increases
were partially offset by a $0.4 million reduction to the value of deferred
compensation liability and $1.9 million reduction in postretirement health care
benefits. The additional compensation and incentive pay was primarily the result
of the continued building and expansion of the Company's infrastructure. During
calendar 2001 and 2002, the Company recruited several senior executives,
including a Chief Credit Officer and a Chief Information Officer, to add to
senior management. In addition, the Company increased the number of highly
experienced senior lenders in the Company's Business Banking area to serve its
pre-existing markets and to expand into neighboring geographical areas. The
Company also realized increases as a result of the expansion of retail banking
initiatives, such as the addition of a private banking/wealth management group
in 2002 to broaden and diversify its customer base and continued its de novo
branch expansion strategy through the opening of four facilities during 2002.

Occupancy costs decreased slightly by $0.3 million to $22.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002.

The Company's advertising expenses amounted to $6.2 million and $5.8
million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001,
respectively. The cost reflected the Company's continued focus on brand
awareness through, in part,

67


increased advertising in print media, radio and direct marketing programs.

Amortization of goodwill decreased $3.6 million for the year ended December
31, 2002 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2001. Effective April 1,
2001, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, which resulted in the discontinuation of
the amortization of goodwill.

Amortization of identifiable intangible assets decreased $0.5 million
during the year ended December 31, 2002 as compared to the year ended December
31, 2001. The decrease was due to the completion in April 2002 of the
amortization of the premium incurred in the acquisition in April 2001 of Summit
Bank's Mortgage-Banking Finance Group. See "Business -- Lending
Activities -- Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales and Servicing".

Other non-interest expense increased $10.2 million, or 30.2%, to $43.8
million for the year ended December 31, 2002, compared to $33.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was primarily due to a $3.8 million
provision for probable losses from transactions in a commercial business deposit
account in the fourth quarter of 2002. The remaining increase in other
non-interest expense was due to the corporate expansion associated with a
broader banking footprint, de novo banking activities, the expanded retail sales
force and the introduction of new products and services. These expenses include
items such as professional services, business development expenses, equipment
expenses, recruitment costs, office supplies, commercial bank fees, postage,
insurance, telephone expenses and maintenance and security.

INCOME TAXES. Income tax expense increased $16.8 million to $69.6 million
for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to $52.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2001. This increase was primarily due to a $53.2 million
increase in pre-tax income to $192.0 million for the year ended December 31,
2002 compared to $138.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. However,
offsetting the effect of such increased taxable income was a decline in the
Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2002 to 36.25%,
compared to 38.0% for the year ended December 31, 2001.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Bank is subject to minimum regulatory capital requirements imposed by
the FDIC which vary according to an institution's capital level and the
composition of its assets. An insured institution is required to maintain core
capital of not less than 3.0% of total assets plus an additional amount of at
least 100 to 200 basis points ("leverage capital ratio"). An insured institution
must also maintain a ratio of total capital to risk-based assets of 8.0%.
Although the minimum leverage capital ratio is 3.0%, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 stipulates that an institution
with less than a 4.0% leverage capital ratio is deemed to be an
"undercapitalized" institution which results in the imposition of certain
regulatory restrictions. See "Business -- Regulation -- Capital Requirements"
and Note 23 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in
Item 8 hereof for a discussion of the Bank's regulatory capital requirements and
compliance therewith at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002.

LIQUIDITY

The Company's liquidity, represented by cash and cash equivalents, is a
product of its operating, investing and financing activities. The Company's
primary sources of funds are deposits, the amortization, prepayment and maturity
of outstanding loans, mortgage-related securities, the maturity of debt
securities and other short-term investments and funds provided from operations.
While scheduled payments from the amortization of loans, mortgage-related
securities and maturing debt securities and short-term investments are
relatively predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are
greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and
competition. In addition, the Company invests excess funds in federal funds sold
and other short-term interest-earning assets that provide liquidity to meet
lending requirements. Prior to fiscal 1999, the Company generated sufficient
cash through its deposits to fund its asset generation, using borrowings from
the FHLB only to a limited degree as a source of funds. However, due to the
Company's continued focus on expanding its commercial real estate and business
loan portfolios, the Company increased its total borrowings to $2.92 billion at
December 31, 2003 from $1.93 billion at December 31, 2002. At December 31, 2003,
the Company had the ability to borrow from the FHLB an additional $266.1 million
on a secured

68


basis, utilizing mortgage-related loans and securities as collateral. See Note
12 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8
hereof.

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business
management. Excess liquidity is generally invested in short-term investments
such as federal funds sold, U.S. Treasury securities or preferred securities. On
a longer term basis, the Company maintains a strategy of investing in its
various lending products. The Company uses its sources of funds primarily to
meet its ongoing commitments, to pay maturing certificates of deposit and
savings withdrawals, fund loan commitments and maintain a portfolio of mortgage-
related securities and investment securities. Certificates of deposit scheduled
to mature in one year or less at December 31, 2003 totaled $1.09 billion or
79.3% of total certificates of deposit. Based on historical experience,
management believes that a significant portion of maturing deposits will remain
with the Company. The Company anticipates that it will continue to have
sufficient funds, together with borrowings, to meet its current commitments.

Following the completion of the Conversion, the Holding Company's principal
business was that of its subsidiary, the Bank. The Holding Company invested 50%
of the net proceeds from the Conversion in the Bank and initially invested the
remaining proceeds in short-term securities and money market investments. The
Bank can pay dividends to the Holding Company to the extent such payments are
permitted by law or regulation, which serves as an additional source of
liquidity.

The Holding Company's liquidity is available to, among other things, fund
acquisitions, support future expansion of operations or diversification into
other banking related businesses, pay dividends or repurchase its common stock.

Restrictions on the amount of dividends the Holding Company and the Bank
may declare can affect the Company's liquidity and cash flow needs. Under
Delaware law, the Holding Company is generally limited to paying dividends to
the extent of the excess of net assets of the Holding Company (the amount by
which total assets exceed total liabilities) over its statutory capital or, if
no such excess exists, from its net profits for the current and/or immediately
preceding year.

The Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Holding Company is also subject
to certain restrictions. Under the New York Banking Law, dividends may be
declared and paid only out of the net profits of the Bank. The approval of the
Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York is required if the total of all
dividends declared in any calendar year will exceed the net profits for that
year plus the retained net profits of the preceding two years, less any required
transfers. In addition, the OTS regulations govern capital distributions by
savings institutions, which include cash dividends, stock repurchases and other
transactions charged to the capital account of a savings institution to make
capital distributions. The Bank elected to be deemed a savings association for
certain purposes. As a result, the OTS capital distribution regulations may be
deemed to be applicable to it. A savings institution must file an application
for OTS approval of the capital distribution if any of the following occur or
would occur as a result of the capital distribution (1) the total capital
distributions for the applicable calendar year exceed the sum of the
institution's net income for that year-to-date plus the institution's retained
net income for the preceding two years, (2) the institution would not be at
least adequately capitalized following the distribution, (3) the distribution
would violate any applicable statute, regulation, agreement or OTS-imposed
condition, or (4) the institution is not eligible for expedited treatment of its
filings. If an application is not required to be filed, savings institutions
which are a subsidiary of a holding company (as well as certain other
institutions) must still file a notice with the OTS at least 30 days before the
Board of Directors declares a dividend or approves a capital distribution. In
addition, no dividends may be declared, credited or paid if the effect thereof
would cause the Bank's capital to be reduced below the amount required by the
Superintendent or the FDIC.

During 2003, the Bank requested and received approval of the distribution
to the Company of an aggregate of $100.0 million. The Bank declared $75.0
million and funded $50.0 million during 2003 with the remaining $25.0 million to
be funded in 2004. The Bank expects the remaining approved but undeclared $25.0
million dividend to be declared and funded during 2004. During 2002, the Bank
requested and received approval of the distribution to the Company of an
aggregate of $100.0 million, of which $75.0 million was declared by the Bank

69


and was funded during 2002 with the remaining $25.0 million declared and funded
in 2003. In December 2000, the Bank requested and received approval of the
distribution to the Company of an aggregate of $25.0 million, of which $6.0
million had been distributed as of December 31, 2001, with the remainder
distributed in 2002. The distributions were primarily used by the Company to
fund the Company's open market stock repurchase programs, dividend payments and
consideration paid in October 2002 to increase the Company's minority investment
in Meridian Capital.

IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

The consolidated financial statements and related financial data presented
herein have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires the
measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical
dollars, without considering changes in relative purchasing power over time due
to inflation. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the Company's
assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates
generally have a more significant impact on a financial institution's
performance than does the effect of inflation.

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

For a discussion of the Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations, see Note 3 of the "Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8 hereof.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

GENERAL. Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in
the fair value of financial instruments. As a financial institution, the
Company's primary component of market risk is interest rate risk. Interest rate
risk is defined as the sensitivity of the Company's current and future earnings
to changes in the level of market rates of interest. Market risk arises in the
ordinary course of the Company's business, as the repricing characteristics of
its assets do not match those of its liabilities. Based upon the Company's
nature of operations, the Company is not subject to foreign currency exchange or
commodity price risk. The Company's various loan portfolios, concentrated
primarily within the greater New York City metropolitan area (which includes
parts of northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut), are subject to risks
associated with the local economy. The Company does not own any trading assets.

Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of
average interest-earning assets. Net interest margin is directly affected by
changes in the level of interest rates, the relationship between rates, the
impact of interest rate fluctuations on asset prepayments, the level and
composition of assets and liabilities and the credit quality of the loan
portfolio. Management's asset/liability objectives are to maintain a strong,
stable net interest margin, to utilize its capital effectively without taking
undue risks and to maintain adequate liquidity.

Management responsibility for interest rate risk resides with the Asset and
Liability Management Committee ("ALCO"). The committee is chaired by the Chief
Financial Officer, and includes the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Credit
Officer and the Company's senior business-unit and financial executives.
Interest rate risk management strategies are formulated and monitored by ALCO
within policies and limits approved by the Board of Directors. These policies
and limits set forth the maximum risk which the Board of Directors deems
prudent, govern permissible investment securities and off-balance sheet
instruments, and identify acceptable counterparties to securities and
off-balance sheet transactions.

ALCO risk management strategies allow for the assumption of interest rate
risk within the Board approved limits. The strategies are formulated based upon
ALCO's assessments of likely market developments and trends in the Company's
lending and consumer banking businesses. Strategies are developed with the aim
of enhancing the Company's net income and capital, while ensuring the risks to
income and capital from adverse movements in interest rates are acceptable.

The Company's strategies to manage interest rate risk include (i)
increasing the interest sensitivity of its mortgage loan portfolio through the
use of adjustable-rate loans or relatively short-term (primarily five years)
balloon loans, (ii) originating relatively short-term or variable-rate consumer
and commercial business loans as well as mortgage warehouse lines of credit,
(iii) investing in securities available-for-sale, primarily mortgage-related

70


instruments with maturities or estimated average lives of less than five years,
(iv) promoting stable savings, demand and other transaction accounts, (v)
utilizing variable-rate borrowings which have imbedded derivatives to cap the
cost of borrowings, (vi) using interest rate swaps to modify the repricing
characteristics of certain variable rate borrowings, (vii) entering into forward
loan sale agreements to offset rate risk on rate-locked loan commitments
originated for sale, (viii) maintaining a strong capital position and (ix)
maintaining a relatively high level of liquidity and/or borrowing capacity.

As part of the overall interest rate risk management strategy, management
has entered into derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned
fluctuations in earnings and cash flows caused by interest rate volatility. The
interest rate risk management strategy at times involves modifying the repricing
characteristics of certain borrowings and entering into forward loan sale
agreements to offset rate risk on rate-locked loan commitments originated for
sale so that changes in interest rates do not have a significant adverse effect
on net interest income, net interest margin and cash flows. Derivative
instruments that management periodically uses as part of its interest rate risk
management strategy include interest rate swaps and forward loan sale
agreements.

At December 31, 2003, the Company had $99.5 million of loan commitments
outstanding related to loans being originated for sale. Of such amount, $21.2
million related to loan commitments for which the borrowers had not entered into
interest rate locks and $78.2 million which were subject to interest rate locks.
At December 31, 2003, the Company had $78.2 million of forward loan sale
agreements. The fair market value of the loan commitments with interest rate
lock was a gain of $4.4 million and the fair market value of the related forward
loan sale agreements was a loss of $4.4 million at December 31, 2003.

During 2002, the Company, entered into $200.0 million of forward starting
interest rate swap agreements as part of its interest rate risk management
process to change the repricing characteristics of certain variable-rate
borrowings. These agreements qualified as cash flow hedges of anticipated
interest payments relating to $200.0 million of variable-rate FHLB borrowings
that the Company expected to draw down during 2003 to replace existing FHLB
borrowings that were maturing during 2003.

During the third quarter of 2003, the $200.0 million of interest rate swap
agreements were cancelled as the Company drew down $200.0 million of fixed-rate
FHLB borrowings resulting in a loss of $3.5 million. The $3.5 million was paid
to the counterparty and is being amortized into interest expense as a yield
adjustment over five years, which is the period in which the related interest on
the variable-rate borrowings effects earnings. The amount of the yield
adjustment was $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2003. There were
no interest rate swap agreements outstanding as of December 31, 2003. See Note
19 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" set forth in Item 8
hereof.

Management uses a variety of analyses to monitor the sensitivity of net
interest income, primarily a dynamic simulation model complemented by a
traditional gap analysis and, to a lesser degree, a net portfolio value
analysis.

NET INTEREST INCOME SIMULATION MODEL. The simulation model measures the
sensitivity of net interest income to changes in market interest rates. The
simulation involves a degree of estimation based on certain assumptions that
management believes to be reasonable. Factors considered include contractual
maturities, prepayments, repricing characteristics, deposit retention and the
relative sensitivity of assets and liabilities to changes in market interest
rates.

The Board has established certain limits for the potential volatility of
net interest income as projected by the simulation model. Volatility is measured
from a base case where rates are assumed to be flat. Volatility is expressed as
the percentage change, from the base case, in net interest income over a
12-month period.

The model is kept static with respect to the composition of the balance
sheet and, therefore does not reflect management's ability to proactively manage
asset composition in changing market conditions. Management may choose to extend
or shorten the maturities of the Company's funding sources and redirect cash
flows into assets with shorter or longer durations.

Based on the information and assumptions in effect at December 31, 2003,
the model shows that a 200 basis point gradual increase in interest rates

71


over the next twelve months would decrease net interest income by $21.6 million
or 6.5%, while a 100 basis point gradual decrease in interest rates would
increase net interest income by $1.0 million or 0.3%.

GAP ANALYSIS. Gap analysis complements the income simulation model,
primarily focusing on the longer term structure of the balance sheet. The
matching of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to
which such assets and liabilities are "interest rate sensitive" and by
monitoring an institution's "interest rate sensitivity gap." An asset or
liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific time period if
it will mature or reprice within that time period. The interest rate sensitivity
gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets
maturing or repricing within a specific time period and the amount of
interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same time period.
A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest rate sensitive assets
exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities. A gap is considered
negative when the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities exceeds the
amount of interest rate sensitive assets. At December 31, 2003, the Company's
one-year cumulative gap position was a negative 2.24% compared to a positive
3.68% at December 31, 2002. A positive gap will generally result in the net
interest margin increasing in a rising rate environment and decreasing in a
falling rate environment. A negative gap will generally have the opposite
results on the net interest margin.

The following gap analysis table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning
assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at December 31, 2003, that
are anticipated by the Company, using certain assumptions based on historical
experience and other market-based data, to reprice or mature in each of the
future time periods shown. The amount of assets and liabilities shown which
reprice or mature during a particular period was determined in accordance with
the earlier of the term to reprice or the contractual maturity of the asset or
liability.

The gap analysis is an incomplete representation of interest rate risk. The
gap analysis sets forth an approximation of the projected repricing of assets
and liabilities at December 31, 2003 on the basis of contractual maturities,
anticipated prepayments, callable features and scheduled rate adjustments for
selected time periods. The actual duration of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed
securities can be significantly affected by changes in mortgage prepayment
activity. The major factors affecting mortgage prepayment rates are prevailing
interest rates and related mortgage refinancing opportunities. Prepayment rates
will also vary due to a number of other factors, including the regional economy
in the area where underlying collateral is located, seasonal factors and
demographic variables.

In addition, the gap analysis does not account for the effect of general
interest rate movements on the Company's net interest income because the actual
repricing dates of various assets and liabilities will differ from the Company's
estimates and it does not give consideration to the yields and costs of the
assets and liabilities or the projected yields and costs to replace or retain
those assets and liabilities. Callable features of certain assets and
liabilities, in addition to the foregoing, may also cause actual experience to
vary from that indicated. The uncertainty and volatility of interest rates,
economic conditions and other markets which affect the value of these call
options, as well as the financial condition and strategies of the holders of the
options, increase the difficulty and uncertainty in predicting when they may be
exercised.

Among the factors considered in our estimates are current trends and
historical repricing experience with respect to similar products. As a result,
different assumptions may be used at different points in time. Within the one
year time period, money market accounts were assumed to decay at 55%, savings
accounts were assumed to decay at 30% and NOW accounts were assumed to decay at
40%. Deposit decay rates (estimated deposit withdrawal activity) can have a
significant effect on the Company's estimated gap. While the Company believes
such assumptions are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these assumed
decay rates will approximate actual future deposit withdrawal activity.

72


The following table reflects the repricing of the balance sheet, or "gap"
position at December 31, 2003.



(IN THOUSANDS) 0 - 90 DAYS 91 - 180 DAYS 181 - 365 DAYS 1 - 5 YEARS OVER 5 YEARS TOTAL FAIR VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest-earning assets:
Mortgage loans(1)....... $ 499,072 $ 291,237 $ 529,592 $2,551,885 $ 848,524 $4,720,310 $4,625,732
Commercial business and
other loans........... 873,585 60,838 127,519 368,921 26,980 1,457,843 1,461,978
Securities
available-for-
sale(2)............... 340,485 277,206 455,618 1,304,989 120,029 2,498,327 2,508,700
Other interest-earning
assets(3)............. 49,266 -- -- -- 135,815 185,081 185,081
---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Total interest-earning
assets.................. 1,762,408 629,281 1,112,729 4,225,795 1,131,348 8,861,561 8,781,491
Interest-bearing
liabilities:
Savings, NOW and money
market deposits....... 291,777 291,777 583,555 620,604 1,472,481 3,260,194 3,260,194
Certificates of
deposit............... 442,851 362,036 295,611 278,404 -- 1,378,902 1,394,972
Borrowings.............. 1,450,000 1,300 -- 575,000 890,000 2,916,300 3,021,087
Subordinated notes...... (84) (84) (168) 148,765 -- 148,429 154,875
---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Total interest-bearing
liabilities............. 2,184,544 655,029 878,998 1,622,773 2,362,481 7,703,825 7,600,451
Interest sensitivity
gap..................... (422,136) (25,748) 233,731 2,603,022 (1,231,133)
---------- --------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Cumulative interest
sensitivity gap......... $ (422,136) $(447,884) $ (214,153) $2,388,869 $ 1,157,736
========== ========= ========== ========== ===========
Cumulative interest
sensitivity gap as a
percentage of total
assets.................. (4.42)% (4.69)% (2.24)% 25.02% 12.13%
========== ========= ========== ========== ===========


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

(1) Based upon contractual maturity, repricing date, if applicable, and
management's estimate of principal prepayments. Includes loans
available-for-sale.

(2) Based upon contractual maturity, repricing date, if applicable, and
projected repayments of principal based upon experience. Amounts exclude the
unrealized gains/(losses) on securities available-for-sale.

(3) Includes interest-earning cash and due from banks, overnight deposits and
FHLB stock.

73


NPV ANALYSIS. To a lesser degree, the Company also utilizes net portfolio
value ("NPV") analysis to monitor interest rate risk over a range of interest
rate scenarios.

NPV is defined as the net present value of the expected future cash flows
of an entity's assets and liabilities and, therefore, theoretically represents
the market value of the Company's net worth. Increases in the value of assets
will increase the NPV whereas decreases in value of assets will decrease the
NPV. Conversely, increases in the value of liabilities will decrease NPV whereas
decreases in the value of liabilities will increase the NPV. The changes in
value of assets and liabilities due to changes in interest rates reflect the
interest rate sensitivity of those assets and liabilities as their values are
derived from the characteristics of the asset or liability (i.e. fixed rate,
adjustable rate, caps, floors) relative to the interest rate environment. For
example, in a rising interest rate environment, the fair value of a fixed-rate
asset will decline whereas the fair value of an adjustable-rate asset, depending
on its repricing characteristics, may not decline. In a declining interest rate
environment, the converse may be true.

The NPV ratio, under any interest rate scenario, is defined as the NPV in
that scenario divided by the market value of assets in the same scenario. The
model assumes estimated loan prepayment rates and reinvestment rates similar to
the Company's historical experience. The following sets forth the Company's NPV
as of December 31, 2003.



NPV AS % OF PORTFOLIO
NET PORTFOLIO VALUE VALUE OF ASSETS
------------------------------------- ---------------------------
CHANGE (IN BASIS POINTS) IN INTEREST RATES AMOUNT $ CHANGE NPV % CHANGE RATIO CHANGE IN NPV RATIO
- ------------------------------------------ ---------- --------- ------------ ----- -------------------
(Dollars In Thousands)

+200................................ $ 836,968 $(329,312) 28.24% 9.30% (2.87)%
+100................................ 1,002,826 (163,454) 14.01 10.79 (1.38)
0................................. 1,166,280 -- -- 12.17 --
- -100................................ 1,368,005 201,725 17.30 13.93 1.76


As of December 31, 2003, the Company's NPV was $1.17 billion, or 12.17% of
the market value of assets. Following a 200 basis point assumed increase in
interest rates, the Company's "post shock" NPV was estimated to be $837.0
million, or 9.30% of the market value of assets reflecting an decrease of 2.87%
in the NPV ratio.

As of December 31, 2002, the Company's NPV was $1.05 billion, or 12.80% of
the market value of assets. Following a 200 basis point assumed increase in
interest rates, the Company's "post shock" NPV was estimated to be $1.03
billion, or 13.15% of the market value of assets reflecting an increase of 0.35%
in the NPV ratio.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the above
interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in NPV require the making of
certain assumptions which may or may not reflect the manner in which actual
yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard,
the NPV table presented assumes that the composition of the Company's interest
sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains
constant over the period being measured and also assumes that a particular
change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve
regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and
liabilities. Accordingly, although the NPV table provides an indication of the
Company's interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such
measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the
effect of changes in market interest rates on the Company's net interest income
and will differ from actual results.

74


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS
INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial
condition of Independence Community Bank Corp. (the "Company") as of December
31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31,
2003 and 2002, and the nine months ended December 31, 2001. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Independence
Community Bank Corp. at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the consolidated results
of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2003 and
2002, and the nine months ended December 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States.

As discussed in Notes 3 and 17 to the consolidated financial statements, in
2003 the Company changed its method of accounting for stock-based compensation
prospectively. As discussed in Notes 3 and 9 to the consolidated financial
statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
142 during the nine months ended December 31, 2001.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG, LLP
--------------------------------------
Ernst & Young, LLP

New York, New York
February 6, 2004

75


INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS:
Cash and due from banks -- interest-bearing................. $ 43,950 $ 49,587
Cash and due from banks -- non-interest-bearing............. 128,078 149,470
---------- ----------
Total cash and cash equivalents....................... 172,028 199,057
---------- ----------
Securities available-for-sale:
Investment securities ($14,593 and $13,593 pledged to
creditors, respectively)................................ 296,945 224,908
Mortgage-related securities ($1,872,549 and $599,041
pledged to creditors, respectively)..................... 2,211,755 1,038,742
---------- ----------
Total securities available-for-sale................... 2,508,700 1,263,650
---------- ----------
Loans available-for-sale.................................... 5,922 114,379
---------- ----------
Mortgage loans on real estate............................... 4,714,388 4,298,040
Other loans................................................. 1,457,843 1,519,333
---------- ----------
Total loans............................................. 6,172,231 5,817,373
Less: allowance for loan losses......................... (79,503) (80,547)
---------- ----------
Total loans, net........................................ 6,092,728 5,736,826
---------- ----------
Premises, furniture and equipment, net...................... 101,383 85,395
Accrued interest receivable................................. 37,046 36,530
Goodwill.................................................... 185,161 185,161
Identifiable intangible assets, net......................... 190 2,046
Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI").......................... 175,800 168,357
Other assets................................................ 267,649 232,242
---------- ----------
Total assets.......................................... $9,546,607 $8,023,643
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Deposits:
Savings deposits.......................................... $1,613,161 $1,574,531
Money market deposits..................................... 401,024 192,647
Active management accounts ("AMA") deposits............... 475,647 495,849
Interest-bearing demand deposits.......................... 694,102 493,997
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits...................... 741,261 593,784
Certificates of deposit................................... 1,378,902 1,589,252
---------- ----------
Total deposits........................................ 5,304,097 4,940,060
---------- ----------
Borrowings.................................................. 2,916,300 1,931,550
Subordinated notes.......................................... 148,429 --
Escrow and other deposits................................... 76,260 34,574
Accrued expenses and other liabilities...................... 110,410 197,191
---------- ----------
Total liabilities..................................... 8,555,496 7,103,375
---------- ----------
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value: 125,000,000 shares
authorized, 76,043,750 shares issued; 54,475,715 and
56,248,898 shares outstanding at December 31, 2003 and
December 31, 2002, respectively......................... 760 760
Additional paid-in-capital................................ 761,880 742,006
Treasury stock at cost: 21,568,035 and 19,794,852 shares
at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002,
respectively............................................ (380,088) (318,182)
Unallocated common stock held by ESOP..................... (69,211) (74,154)
Unvested awards under Recognition Plan.................... (7,598) (11,782)
Retained earnings, partially restricted................... 678,353 575,927
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale,
net of tax............................................. 7,015 7,564
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax... -- (1,871)
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity............................ 991,111 920,268
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity............ $9,546,607 $8,023,643
========== ==========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
76


INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS



For the For the
FOR THE YEAR For the Year Nine Months Twelve Months
ENDED Ended Ended Ended
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 2003 2002 2001 2001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(AUDITED) (audited) (audited) (unaudited)

INTEREST INCOME:
Mortgage loans on real estate.......................... $271,805 $332,332 $255,734 $344,084
Other loans............................................ 81,674 79,800 55,196 69,876
Loans available-for-sale............................... 4,774 1,822 1 1
Investment securities.................................. 13,296 8,157 7,794 10,750
Mortgage-related securities............................ 62,918 57,151 36,306 48,075
Other.................................................. 5,653 6,241 7,175 9,835
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total interest income................................ 440,120 485,503 362,206 482,621
-------- -------- -------- --------
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits............................................... 53,257 81,637 109,425 152,551
Borrowings............................................. 91,089 93,418 62,415 82,843
Subordinated notes..................................... 3,029 -- -- --
Trust preferred securities............................. -- 524 786 1,048
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total interest expense............................... 147,375 175,579 172,626 236,442
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income.................................. 292,745 309,924 189,580 246,179
-------- -------- -------- --------
Provision for loan losses................................ 3,500 8,000 7,875 8,475
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income after provision for loan
losses............................................. 289,245 301,924 181,705 237,704
-------- -------- -------- --------
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Net gain on sales of loans and securities.............. 765 557 2,850 3,145
Mortgage-banking activities............................ 25,407 13,759 8,863 12,934
Service fees........................................... 69,270 50,476 25,995 32,355
BOLI................................................... 8,833 6,294 4,531 5,567
Other.................................................. 8,464 4,032 2,234 3,068
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total non-interest income............................ 112,739 75,118 44,473 57,069
-------- -------- -------- --------
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
Compensation and employee benefits..................... 100,262 96,298 57,759 74,047
Occupancy costs........................................ 26,547 22,839 17,095 23,113
Data processing fees................................... 10,029 8,951 6,700 8,273
Advertising............................................ 7,845 6,194 4,211 5,777
Amortization of goodwill............................... -- -- -- 3,594
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets......... 1,855 6,971 5,761 7,481
Other.................................................. 42,265 43,802 24,115 33,644
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total non-interest expense........................... 188,803 185,055 115,641 155,929
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before provision for income taxes................. 213,181 191,987 110,537 138,844
Provision for income taxes............................... 76,211 69,585 40,899 52,779
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income............................................... $136,970 $122,402 $ 69,638 $ 86,065
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic earnings per share................................. $ 2.74 $ 2.37 $ 1.33 $ 1.64
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted earnings per share............................... $ 2.60 $ 2.24 $ 1.27 $ 1.58
======== ======== ======== ========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
77


INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNALLOCATED UNEARNED
COMMON COMMON ACCUMULATED
ADDITIONAL STOCK STOCK HELD OTHER
COMMON PAID-IN- TREASURY HELD BY BY RECOGNITION RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) STOCK CAPITAL STOCK ESOP PLAN EARNINGS INCOME/(LOSS)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BALANCE -- MARCH 31, 2001... $760 $723,418 $(230,012) $(82,805) $(22,744) $425,016 $ (477)
Comprehensive income:
Net income for the nine months
ended December 31, 2001... -- -- -- -- -- 69,638 --
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax of $5.1 million
Change in net unrealized
losses on securities
available-for-sale, net of
tax.............. -- -- -- -- -- -- 10,542
Less: reclassification
adjustment of net losses
realized in net income, net
of tax........... -- -- -- -- -- -- (1,216)
---- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Comprehensive income... -- -- -- -- -- 69,638 9,326
Repurchase of common stock
(845,000 shares)..... -- -- (18,352) -- -- -- --
Valuation adjustment for deferred
income tax benefit... -- 7,883 -- -- -- -- --
Treasury stock issued for options
exercised and director fees
(33,187 shares)...... -- 210 1,180 -- -- -- --
Dividends declared..... -- -- -- -- -- (14,580) --
Accelerated vesting of options... -- 603 -- -- -- -- --
ESOP shares committed to be
released............. -- 719 -- 3,707 -- -- --
Amortization of earned portion of
Recognition Plan..... -- 1,940 -- -- 5,103 -- --
---- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------
BALANCE -- DECEMBER 31, 2001... 760 734,773 (247,184) (79,098) (17,641) 480,074 8,849
---- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Comprehensive income:
Net income for the year ended
December 31, 2002... -- -- -- -- -- 122,402 --
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax of $5.4 million
Change in net unrealized
losses on cash flow hedges,
net of tax of $1.1
million.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- (1,871)
Change in net unrealized
gains on securities
available-for-sale, net of
tax of $0.7 million... -- -- -- -- -- -- (1,212)
Less: reclassification
adjustment of net gains
realized in net income, net
of tax of $0.1 million... -- -- -- -- -- -- (73)
---- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Comprehensive income... -- -- -- -- -- 122,402 (3,156)
Repurchase of common stock
(3,538,650 shares)... -- -- (92,147) -- -- -- --
Valuation adjustment for deferred
income tax benefit... -- (1,038) -- -- -- -- --
Treasury stock issued for options
exercised, director fees and
Meridian Capital (1,414,988
shares).............. -- 1,488 21,149 -- -- -- --
Dividends declared..... -- -- -- -- -- (26,549) --
Accelerated vesting of options... -- 115 -- -- -- -- --
ESOP shares committed to be
released............. -- 2,840 -- 4,944 -- -- --
Amortization of earned portion of
Recognition Plan..... -- 3,828 -- -- 5,859 -- --
---- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------
BALANCE -- DECEMBER 31, 2002... $760 $742,006 $(318,182) $(74,154) $(11,782) $575,927 $ 5,693
==== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== =======
Comprehensive income:
Net income for the year ended
December 31, 2003... -- -- -- -- -- 136,970 --
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax of $3.9 million
Change in net unrealized
losses on cash flow hedges,
net of tax of $1.1
million.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- 4,094
Less: reclassification
adjustment of net loss
realized on cash flow
hedges, net of tax of $1.2
million.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- (2,223)
Change in net unrealized
gains on securities
available-for-sale, net of
tax of $0.3 million... -- -- -- -- -- -- (549)
---- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Comprehensive income... -- -- -- -- -- 136,970 1,322
Repurchase of common stock
(2,765,900 shares)... -- -- (78,068) -- -- -- --
Valuation adjustment for deferred
income tax benefit... -- (3,070) -- -- -- -- --
Treasury stock issued for options
exercised (and related tax
benefit) and for director fees
(992,717 shares)..... -- 14,360 16,162 -- -- -- --
Dividends declared..... -- -- -- -- -- (34,544) --
Accelerated vesting of options... -- 185 -- -- -- -- --
Stock compensation expense... -- 153 -- -- -- -- --
ESOP shares committed to be
released............. -- 3,674 -- 4,943 -- -- --
Amortization of earned portion of
Recognition Plan..... -- 4,572 -- -- 4,184 -- --
---- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------
BALANCE -- DECEMBER 31, 2003... $760 $761,880 $(380,088) $(69,211) $ (7,598) $678,353 $ 7,015
==== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== =======


YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001
--------

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) TOTAL
- --------------------------------- --------

BALANCE -- MARCH 31, 2001... $813,156
Comprehensive income:
Net income for the nine months
ended December 31, 2001... 69,638
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax of $5.1 million
Change in net unrealized
losses on securities
available-for-sale, net of
tax.............. 10,542
Less: reclassification
adjustment of net losses
realized in net income, net
of tax........... (1,216)
--------
Comprehensive income... 78,964
Repurchase of common stock
(845,000 shares)..... (18,352)
Valuation adjustment for deferred
income tax benefit... 7,883
Treasury stock issued for options
exercised and director fees
(33,187 shares)...... 1,390
Dividends declared..... (14,580)
Accelerated vesting of options... 603
ESOP shares committed to be
released............. 4,426
Amortization of earned portion of
Recognition Plan..... 7,043
--------
BALANCE -- DECEMBER 31, 2001... 880,533
--------
Comprehensive income:
Net income for the year ended
December 31, 2002... 122,402
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax of $5.4 million
Change in net unrealized
losses on cash flow hedges,
net of tax of $1.1
million.......... (1,871)
Change in net unrealized
gains on securities
available-for-sale, net of
tax of $0.7 million... (1,212)
Less: reclassification
adjustment of net gains
realized in net income, net
of tax of $0.1 million... (73)
--------
Comprehensive income... 119,246
Repurchase of common stock
(3,538,650 shares)... (92,147)
Valuation adjustment for deferred
income tax benefit... (1,038)
Treasury stock issued for options
exercised, director fees and
Meridian Capital (1,414,988
shares).............. 22,637
Dividends declared..... (26,549)
Accelerated vesting of options... 115
ESOP shares committed to be
released............. 7,784
Amortization of earned portion of
Recognition Plan..... 9,687
--------
BALANCE -- DECEMBER 31, 2002... $920,268
========
Comprehensive income:
Net income for the year ended
December 31, 2003... 136,970
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax of $3.9 million
Change in net unrealized
losses on cash flow hedges,
net of tax of $1.1
million.......... 4,094
Less: reclassification
adjustment of net loss
realized on cash flow
hedges, net of tax of $1.2
million.......... (2,223)
Change in net unrealized
gains on securities
available-for-sale, net of
tax of $0.3 million... (549)
--------
Comprehensive income... 138,292
Repurchase of common stock
(2,765,900 shares)... (78,068)
Valuation adjustment for deferred
income tax benefit... (3,070)
Treasury stock issued for options
exercised (and related tax
benefit) and for director fees
(992,717 shares)..... 30,522
Dividends declared..... (34,544)
Accelerated vesting of options... 185
Stock compensation expense... 153
ESOP shares committed to be
released............. 8,617
Amortization of earned portion of
Recognition Plan..... 8,756
--------
BALANCE -- DECEMBER 31, 2003... $991,111
========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

78


INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



Nine Months Twelve Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
------------ ------------ ------------ --------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income.................................................. $ 136,970 $ 122,402 $ 69,638 $ 86,065
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Provision for loan losses................................... 3,500 8,000 7,875 8,475
Net gain on sale of loans and securities.................... (765) (557) (2,850) (3,145)
Originations of loans available-for-sale.................... (1,798,108) (1,306,929) (445,991) (601,226)
Proceeds on sales of loans available-for-sale............... 1,919,941 1,211,761 423,923 837,254
Amortization of deferred income and premiums................ 19,107 (1,444) (4,252) (6,498)
Amortization of goodwill.................................... -- -- -- 3,594
Amortization of identifiable intangibles.................... 1,855 6,971 5,761 7,481
Amortization of unearned compensation of ESOP and
Recognition Plan.......................................... 16,603 17,011 11,280 14,306
Depreciation and amortization............................... 11,561 11,458 9,029 12,124
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)..................... 10,678 (24,443) 27,753 26,790
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable.......... (516) 906 (317) 156
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable-securities
transactions.............................................. (4,318) (1,943) 2,027 (78)
Decrease in other accounts receivable....................... 2 7,394 862 18,960
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses and other
liabilities............................................... (73,249) (27,472) 78,132 88,207
Other, net.................................................. (18,885) (19,266) 2,683 2,478
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities................... 224,376 3,849 185,553 494,943
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Loan originations and purchases............................. (2,402,462) (1,402,892) (1,113,081) (1,379,169)
Principal payments on loans................................. 1,802,535 1,429,732 674,143 874,410
Proceeds from sale of loans from portfolio.................. -- 257,559 -- --
Advances on mortgage warehouse lines of credit.............. (10,291,152) (7,016,355) (3,883,054) (4,498,286)
Repayments on mortgage warehouse lines of credit............ 10,532,666 6,770,463 3,726,532 4,265,834
Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale......... 48,886 105,493 362,266 386,707
Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale... 101,457 37,717 3,025 5,050
Principal collected on securities available-for-sale........ 1,627,618 940,633 269,720 302,327
Purchases of securities available-for-sale.................. (3,048,363) (1,325,231) (723,299) (790,838)
Purchase of BOLI............................................ -- (50,000) -- --
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock.................... (34,237) (16,143) (3,112) (3,112)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate..................... -- 166 200 201
Net additions to premises, furniture and equipment.......... (27,548) (15,564) (5,590) (6,900)
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities....................... (1,690,600) (284,422) (692,250) (843,776)
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in demand and savings deposits................. 574,387 409,670 551,357 643,459
Net decrease in time deposits............................... (210,350) (264,385) (422,639) (329,362)
Net increase in borrowings.................................. 984,750 248,762 373,495 101,213
Net increase in subordinated notes.......................... 148,429 -- -- --
Net increase (decrease) in escrow and other deposits........ 41,686 (3,787) (33,791) (20,396)
Decrease in cumulative trust preferred securities........... -- (11,067) -- --
Proceeds on exercise of stock options....................... 12,905 11,500 1,078 1,078
Repurchase of common stock.................................. (78,068) (92,147) (18,352) (36,976)
Dividends paid.............................................. (34,544) (26,549) (14,580) (18,950)
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities................... 1,439,195 271,997 436,568 340,066
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents................... (27,029) (8,576) (70,129) (8,767)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period............ 199,057 207,633 277,762 216,400
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.................. $ 172,028 $ 199,057 $ 207,633 $ 207,633
============ =========== =========== ===========
Income taxes paid........................................... $ 53,875 $ 99,181 $ 25,738 $ 26,255
============ =========== =========== ===========
Interest paid............................................... $ 150,923 $ 175,057 $ 168,832 $ 236,356
============ =========== =========== ===========
Income tax benefit realized from exercise of stock
options................................................... $ 6,076 $ 4,652 $ 277 $ 283
============ =========== =========== ===========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
79


INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND DECEMBER 31, 2001

1. ORGANIZATION/FORM OF OWNERSHIP

Independence Community Bank was originally founded as a New York-chartered
mutual savings bank in 1850. In April 1992, the Bank reorganized into the mutual
holding company form of organization pursuant to which the Bank became a wholly
owned stock savings bank subsidiary of a newly formed mutual holding company
(the "Mutual Holding Company").

On April 18, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Bank and the Board of
Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company adopted a Plan of Conversion to convert
the Mutual Holding Company to the stock form of organization and simultaneously
merge it with and into the Bank and all of the outstanding shares of Bank common
stock held by the Mutual Holding Company would be cancelled (the "Conversion").

As part of the conversion and reorganization, Independence Community Bank
Corp. (the "Company") was incorporated under Delaware law in June 1997. The
Company is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") as a registered
savings and loan holding company. The Company completed its initial public
offering on March 13, 1998, issuing 70,410,880 shares of common stock resulting
in proceeds of $685.7 million, net of $18.4 million of expenses. The Company
used $343.0 million, or approximately 50% of the net proceeds, to purchase all
of the outstanding stock of the Bank. The Company also loaned $98.9 million to
the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP") which used such funds
to purchase 5,632,870 shares of the Company's common stock in the open market
subsequent to completion of the initial public offering. As part of the Plan of
Conversion, the Company formed the Independence Community Foundation (the
"Foundation") and concurrently with the completion of the initial public
offering donated 5,632,870 shares of common stock of the Company valued at the
time of their contribution at $56.3 million. The Foundation was established in
order to further the Company's and the Bank's commitment to the communities they
serve.

Additionally, the Bank established, in accordance with the requirements of
the New York State Banking Department (the "Department"), a liquidation account
for the benefit of depositors of the Bank as of March 31, 1996 and September 30,
1997 in the amount of $319.7 million, which was equal to the Bank's total equity
as of the date of the latest consolidated statement of financial condition
(August 31, 1997) appearing in the final prospectus used in connection with the
Conversion. The liquidation account is reduced as, and to the extent that,
eligible and supplemental eligible account holders (as defined in the Bank's
plan of conversion) have reduced their qualifying deposits as of each March
31st. Subsequent increases in deposits do not restore an eligible supplemental
account holder's interest in the liquidation account. In the event of a complete
liquidation of the Bank, each eligible account holder or supplemental eligible
account holder will be entitled to receive a distribution from the liquidation
account in an amount proportionate to the adjusted qualifying balances for
accounts then held.

In addition to the restriction described above, the Bank may not declare or
pay cash dividends on its shares of common stock if the effect thereof would
cause the Bank's stockholder's equity to be reduced below applicable regulatory
capital maintenance requirements or if such declaration and payment would
otherwise violate regulatory requirements.

The Bank provides financial services primarily to individuals and small to
medium-sized businesses within the New York City metropolitan area. The Bank is
subject to regulation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and
the Department.

2. ACQUISITIONS

On November 25, 2003, the Company announced that it had signed a definitive
agreement to merge with Staten Island Bancorp, Inc. ("SIB"). Pursuant to the
agreement, the Company will merge with SIB, in a transaction valued at the time
of execution of the definitive agreement at approximately $1.5 billion or $23.88
80

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

per SIB share. Upon completion of the merger, SIB's wholly owned subsidiary, SI
Bank and Trust, will merge with and into the Bank.

Under the terms of the SIB agreement, which was approved unanimously by
both boards of directors, the aggregate consideration to be paid in the merger
will consist of $368.5 million in cash and approximately 28,850,000 shares of
the Company's common stock. Holders of SIB common stock will receive cash or
shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to an election, proration and
allocation procedure subject to the total consideration being comprised of
approximately 75% paid in the Company's common stock and 25% paid in cash. The
value of the merger consideration per share of SIB common stock will be
calculated in accordance with the following formula: the sum of (i) $5.97025 and
(ii) 0.4674 times the average of the closing prices of the Company's common
stock for the ten consecutive full trading days ending on the tenth business day
before the completion of the merger. Based on the $38.32 closing price of the
Company's common stock on November 21, 2003, the last full trading day prior to
the date of the merger agreement, SIB stockholders would receive $23.88 per
share in cash or 0.6232 share of the Company's common stock for each share of
SIB common stock. The value of the merger consideration and the actual exchange
ratio per share of SIB common stock at the completion of the merger will vary
from the initial values if the average Independence common stock price during
the ten trading day measurement period is greater or less than $38.32, which is
likely.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2004 and is
subject to receipt of various regulatory approvals and certain other conditions.
The transaction received approval from both companies' stockholders at their
respective special meetings of stockholders held on March 8, 2004. In addition
on March 1, 2004, SIB and the Company announced the completion of the sale of
the majority of the assets and operations of SIB Mortgage Corp., the mortgage
banking subsidiary of SI Bank & Trust, to Lehman Brothers. The remaining SIB
Mortgage Corp. offices are either under contract for sale and are currently
scheduled to be sold or are in the process of being shut down by the end of the
first quarter of 2004.

The SIB agreement provides for the payment of a termination fee payable to
the Company under certain circumstances.

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a description of the significant accounting policies of
the Company and its subsidiaries. These policies conform with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to the
prior years' financial statements to conform to current year's presentation. The
Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in less than
majority-owned entities.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires that
management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.

81

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains
or losses on securities available-for-sale are included in other comprehensive
income ("OCI") within stockholders' equity, net of tax. Gains or losses on the
sale of such securities are recognized using the specific identification method
and are recorded in gain on sales of loans and securities on the Statement of
Operations.

LOANS AND LOANS AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

Loans are stated at unpaid principal balances, net of deferred loan fees.
Loans available-for-sale are stated at the aggregate of lower of cost or fair
value.

Interest income on loans is recognized on an accrual basis. Loan
origination and commitment fees and certain direct costs incurred in connection
with loan originations are deferred and amortized to interest income, using a
method which approximates the interest method, over the life of the related
loans as an adjustment to yield.

The Company generally places loans on non-accrual status when principal or
interest payments become 90 days past due, except those loans reported as 90
days past maturity within the overall total of non-performing loans. However,
FHA or VA loans continue to accrue interest because their interest payments are
guaranteed by various government programs and agencies. Loans may be placed on
non-accrual status earlier if management believes that collection of interest or
principal is doubtful or when such loans have such well defined weaknesses that
collection in full of principal or interest may not be probable. When a loan is
placed on non-accrual status, accrual of interest income is discontinued and
uncollected interest is reversed against current interest income. Interest
income on non-accrual loans is recorded only when received in cash. A loan is
returned to accrual status when the principal and interest are no longer past
due and the borrower's ability to make periodic principal and interest payments
is reasonably assured.

The Company considers a loan impaired when, based upon current information
and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for
both principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the loan
agreement. The Company identifies and measures impaired loans in conjunction
with its assessment of the allowance for loan losses. An allowance for impaired
loans is a component of the allowance for loan losses when it is probable all
amounts due will not be collected pursuant to the contractual terms of the loan
and the recorded investment in the loan exceeds its fair value. The Company's
evaluation of impaired loans includes a review of non-accrual commercial
business, commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans as well as a
review of other performing loans that may meet the definition of loan
impairment. Smaller balance homogenous loans, such as consumer and residential
mortgage loans, are specifically excluded from individual review for impairment.
Fair value is measured using either the present value of expected future cash
flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the observable market
price of the loan, or the fair value of the underlying collateral if the loan is
collateral dependent. The Company's impaired loan portfolio is primarily
collateral dependent. Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine that
each loan's carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the underlying
collateral or the present value of the expected future cash flows. All loans
subject to evaluation and considered impaired are included in non-performing
assets. Interest income on impaired loans is recognized on a cash basis.

Commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans are generally
charged-off to the extent principal and interest due exceed the net realizable
value of the collateral, with the charge-off occurring when the loss is
reasonably quantifiable. Loans secured by residential real estate are generally
charged-off to the extent principal and interest due exceed the current
appraised value of the collateral.

Consumer loans are subject to charge-off at a specified delinquency date.
Closed end consumer loans, which include installment and automobile loans, are
generally charged-off in full when the loan becomes 120 days past due. Open-end,
unsecured consumer loans are generally charged-off in full when the loan
82

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

becomes 180 days past due. Home equity loans and lines of credit are written
down to the appraised value of the underlying property when the loan becomes 120
days and 180 days past due, respectively.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The determination of the level of the allowance for loan losses and the
periodic provisions to the allowance charged to income is the responsibility of
management. The formalized process for assessing the level of the allowance for
loan losses is performed no less than quarterly. Individual loans are
specifically identified by loan officers as meeting the criteria of criticized
or classified loans. Such criteria include, but are not limited to, non-accrual
loans, past maturity loans, impaired loans, chronic delinquencies and loans
requiring heightened management oversight. Each loan is assigned to a risk level
of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss. Loans that do not meet the
criteria to be characterized as criticized or classified are categorized as pass
loans. Each risk level, including pass loans, has an associated reserve factor
that increases as the risk level category increases. The reserve factor for
criticized and classified loans becomes larger as the risk level increases but
is the same regardless of the loan type. The reserve factor for pass loans
differs based upon the loan and collateral type. The reserve factor is applied
to the aggregate balance of loans designated to each risk level to compute the
reserve requirement. This method of analysis is performed on the entire loan
portfolio. Other considerations used to support the balance of the allowance for
loan losses and its components include regulatory examinations and national and
local economic data associated with the real estate market in the Company's
market area. The Company has identified the evaluation of the allowance for loan
losses as a critical accounting estimate.

LOAN SERVICING ASSETS AND RETAINED RECOURSE

The cost of mortgage loans sold, with servicing rights and recourse
retained, is allocated between the loans, the servicing rights and the retained
recourse based on their estimated fair values at the time of loan sale.
Servicing assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value and are
amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, net servicing income. The
estimated fair value of loan servicing assets is determined by calculating the
present value of estimated future net servicing cash flows, using assumptions of
prepayments, defaults, servicing costs and discount rates that the Company
believes market participants would use for similar assets. Capitalized loan
servicing assets are stratified based on predominant risk characteristics of
underlying loans for the purpose of evaluating impairment. The Company increases
the amortization of the loan servicing asset in the event the recorded value of
an individual stratum exceeds fair value.

Under the terms of the sales agreements with Fannie Mae, the Company
retains a portion of the associated credit risk. The Company has a 100% first
loss position on each multi-family residential loan sold to Fannie Mae under
such program until the earlier of (i) the losses on the multi-family residential
loans sold to Fannie Mae reaching the maximum loss exposure for the portfolio as
a whole or (ii) until all of the loans sold to Fannie Mae under this program are
fully paid off. The maximum loss exposure is available to satisfy any losses on
loans sold in the program subject to the foregoing limitations. The Company has
established a liability of $7.2 million which represents the amount that the
Company would have to pay a third party to assume the liability of the retained
recourse. The valuation calculates the present value of the estimated losses
that the portfolio is projected to incur based upon an industry based default
curve.

PREMISES, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

Land is carried at cost. Buildings and improvements, leasehold
improvements, furniture, automobiles and equipment are carried at cost less
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed on a

83

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated
useful lives of the assets are as follows:



Buildings............................................ 10 to 30 years
Furniture and equipment.............................. 3 to 10 years
Automobiles.......................................... 3 years


Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the
lives of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the
improvements, whichever is shorter.

GOODWILL AND IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Effective April 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS No.
142"), which resulted in discontinuing the amortization of goodwill.

Under the SFAS No. 142, goodwill is carried at its book value as of April
1, 2001 and any future impairment of goodwill will be recognized as non-interest
expense in the period of impairment. However, under the terms of SFAS No. 142,
identifiable intangible assets (such as core deposit premiums) with identifiable
lives continue to be amortized. Core deposit intangibles are amortized on a
straight-line basis over seven years.

The Company's goodwill was $185.2 million at December 31, 2003 and December
31, 2002. The Company did not recognize an impairment loss as a result of its
annual impairment test effective October 1, 2003. The Company tests the value of
its goodwill at least annually. The Company has identified the goodwill
impairment test as a critical accounting estimate.

BANK OWNED LIFE INSURANCE

The Bank has purchased Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI") policies to fund
certain future employee benefit costs. The BOLI is recorded at its cash
surrender value and changes in the cash surrender value of the insurance are
recorded in other non-interest income.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company enters into derivative transactions to protect against the risk
of adverse interest rate movements on the value of certain borrowings and on
future cash flows.

All derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in the
consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. Derivative transactions
qualifying as hedges are subject to special accounting treatment, depending on
the relationship between the derivative instrument and the hedged item. Hedges
of the changes in the fair value of a recognized asset, liability, or firm
commitment are classified as fair value hedges. Hedges of the exposure to
variable cash flows of forecasted transactions are classified as cash flow
hedges.

Cash flow hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the
derivative instrument on the consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as
either a freestanding asset or liability, with a corresponding offset recorded
in OCI within stockholders' equity, net of tax. Amounts are reclassified from
OCI to the Statement of Operations in the period or periods the hedged
forecasted transaction affects earnings. No adjustment is made to the carrying
amount of the hedged item.

Under the cash flow hedge method, derivative gains and losses not effective
in hedging the expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately
in the Statement of Operations. At the hedge's inception and at least quarterly
thereafter, a formal assessment is performed to determine whether changes in the
cash flows of the derivative instruments have been highly effective in
offsetting changes in the cash flows of the

84

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

hedged items and whether they are expected to be highly effective in the future.
If it is determined a derivative instrument has not been or will not continue to
be highly effective as a hedge, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively.

In the event of early termination of a derivative financial instrument
contract, any resulting gain or loss is deferred as an adjustment of the
carrying value of the designated assets or liabilities, with a corresponding
offset to OCI, and such amounts are recognized in earnings over the remaining
life of the designated assets or liabilities or the derivative financial
instrument contract, whichever period is shorter.

INCOME TAXES

The Company uses the liability method to account for income taxes. Under
this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on
differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities
and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws expected to be in effect
when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided
for deferred tax assets where realization is not considered "more likely than
not." The Company has identified the evaluation of deferred tax assets as a
critical accounting estimate.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed
using the same method as basic EPS, but reflects the potential dilution of
common stock equivalents. Shares of common stock held by the ESOP that have not
been allocated to participants' accounts or are not committed to be released for
allocation and unvested 1998 Recognition and Retention Plan and Trust Agreement
(the "Recognition Plan") shares are not considered to be outstanding for the
calculation of basic EPS. However, a portion of such shares is considered in the
calculation of diluted EPS as common stock equivalents of basic EPS. Diluted EPS
also reflects the potential dilution that would occur if stock options were
exercised and converted into common stock. The dilutive effect of unexercised
stock options is calculated using the treasury stock method.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Compensation expense related to the ESOP is recognized in an amount equal
to the shares committed to be released by the ESOP multiplied by the average
fair value of the common stock during the period in which they were released.
The difference between the average fair value and the weighted average per share
cost of shares committed to be released by the ESOP is recorded as an adjustment
to additional paid-in-capital.

Compensation expense related to the Recognition Plan is recognized over the
vesting period at the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant
for share awards that are not subject to performance criteria. The expense
related to performance share awards is recognized over the vesting period based
at the fair market value on the measurement date.

For stock options, granted prior to January 1, 2003, the Company uses the
intrinsic value based methodology which measures compensation cost for such
stock options as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company's
stock at the date of the grant over the amount an employee or non-employee
director must pay to acquire the stock. To date, no compensation expense has
been recorded at the time of grant for stock options granted prior to January 1,
2003, since, for all granted options, the market price on the date of grant
equaled the amount employees or non-employee directors must pay to acquire
stock. However, compensation expense has been recognized as a result of the
accelerated vesting of options occurring upon the retirement of senior officers.
Under the terms of the Company's option plans, unvested options held by retiring
senior officers and non-employee directors of the Company only vest upon
retirement if the Board of Directors or the Committee administering the option
plan allow the acceleration of the vesting of such unvested options.

85

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Effective January 1, 2003, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation
expense on options granted subsequent to January 1, 2003 in accordance with the
fair value-based method of accounting described in SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation, as amended."

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and is based on certain assumptions
including dividend yield, stock volatility, the risk free rate of return,
expected term and turnover rate. The fair value of each option is expensed over
its vesting period. Because the Company recognized the fair value provisions
prospectively, compensation expense related to employee stock options granted
did not have a full impact during 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 123, as
amended, did not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations. See "Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements" below.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income includes net income and all other changes in equity
during a period, except those resulting from investments by owners and
distribution to owners. OCI includes revenues, expenses, gains and losses that
under generally accepted accounting principles are included in comprehensive
income, but excluded from net income. Comprehensive income and accumulated OCI
are reported net of related income taxes. Accumulated OCI consists of unrealized
gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of related income taxes
and the change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements, net of related
income taxes, designated as cash flow hedges.

SEGMENT REPORTING

SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information" ("SFAS No. 131"), requires disclosures for each segment including
quarterly disclosure requirements and a partitioning of geographic disclosures,
including geographic information by country. As a community-oriented financial
institution, substantially all of the Company's operations (which comprise
substantially all of the consolidated group's activities) involve the delivery
of loan and deposit products to customers located primarily in its market area.
The Bank's three key business divisions (the Commercial Real Estate Division,
the Consumer Business Banking Division and the Business Banking Division) are
codependent upon each other for both their source of funds as well as the
utilization of such funds. Currently, business divisions are judged and analyzed
using traditional criteria including loan origination levels, deposit
origination levels, credit quality, adherence to expense budgets and other
similar criteria, which data exists in a form deemed accurate and reliable by
management. The President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company's chief
decision maker, has and continues to use these traditional criteria to make
decisions regarding an individual division's operations as well as the Company's
operations as a whole.

TREASURY STOCK

Repurchases of common stock are recorded as treasury stock at cost.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company
defines cash and cash equivalents as highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less.

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The following is a description of new accounting pronouncements and their
effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

86

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

OBLIGATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146 "Accounting for Costs Associated
with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS No. 146"). SFAS No. 146 addresses
financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal
activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3,
"Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs
to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)." The
standard requires costs associated with exit or disposal activities to be
recognized when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an
exit or disposal plan. SFAS No. 146 is effective for exit or disposal activities
that are initiated after December 31, 2002, with earlier application permitted.
The adoption of SFAS No. 146 effective January 1, 2003 did not have a material
impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 148 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation -- Transition and
Disclosure" ("SFAS No. 148"). SFAS No. 148 amends FASB Statement No. 123
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123") to provide
alternative methods of transition to SFAS No. 123's fair value method of
accounting for stock-based employee compensation when a company changes from the
intrinsic value method to the fair value method of accounting for employee
stock-based compensation cost. SFAS No. 148 also amends the disclosure
provisions of SFAS No. 123 and APB Opinion No. 28 "Interim Financial Reporting"
to require disclosure in the summary of significant accounting policies of the
effects of an entity's accounting policy with respect to stock-based employee
compensation on reported net income and earnings per share in both annual as
well as interim financial statements. The provisions of SFAS No. 148 are
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December
15, 2002 and for financial reports containing condensed consolidated financial
statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. In January
2003, the Company announced that beginning in 2003 it will recognize
compensation expense on options granted in 2003 and in subsequent years in
accordance with the fair value-based method of accounting described in SFAS No.
123, as amended by SFAS No. 148. The implementation of SFAS No. 123, as amended,
did not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition or results
of operations at or for the year ended December 31, 2003 (see Note 17).
Furthermore, based upon the number of options granted during the year ended
December 31, 2003, the Company does not expect a material effect to its
financial condition or results of operations over the vesting period of the
options granted during 2003.

GUARANTOR'S ACCOUNTING

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 "Guarantor's
Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect
Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others" ("FIN 45"). FIN 45 identifies
characteristics of certain guarantee contracts and requires that a liability be
recognized at fair value at the inception of such guarantees for the obligations
undertaken by the guarantor. Additional disclosures also are prescribed for
certain guarantee contracts. The initial recognition and initial measurement
provisions of FIN 45 are effective for these guarantees issued or modified after
December 31, 2002. The disclosure requirements of FIN 45 were effective for the
Company as of December 31, 2002. The adoption of the requirements of FIN 45 did
not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations.

CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"),
"Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities". This interpretation of Accounting
Research Bulletin No. 51, "Consolidated Financial Statements", addresses
consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities with certain

87

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

characteristics. In December 2003, the FASB published a revision to FIN 46 to
clarify some of the provisions of FIN 46 and to exempt certain entities from its
requirements. FIN 46, as revised, applies to variable interest entities that are
commonly referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ending after
December 15, 2003 and for all other types of variable interest entities for
periods ending after March 15, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46, as revised, did not
have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations.

DERIVATIVES INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS No. 149"). SFAS No. 149
amends and clarifies the accounting for derivative instruments, including
certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging
activities. In addition, the statement clarifies when a contract is a derivative
and when a derivative contains a financing component that warrants special
reporting in the statement of cash flows. SFAS No. 149 is generally effective
prospectively for contracts entered into or modified, and hedging relationships
designated, after June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a
material effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS WITH CHARACTERISTICS OF BOTH LIABILITIES
AND EQUITY

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain
Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity" ("SFAS No.
150"). SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and
measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities
and equity. SFAS No. 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument
that is within its scope, which may have previously been reported as equity, as
a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). This statement is effective for
financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise
is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June
15, 2003, except for mandatory redeemable financial instruments of nonpublic
companies. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.

88

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

4. SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
available-for-sale are as follows:



DECEMBER 31, 2003
-------------------------------------------------
GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
(IN THOUSANDS) COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investment securities:
Debt securities:
U.S. Government and agencies....... $ 15,549 $ 37 $ (1) $ 15,585
Corporate.......................... 119,013 1,399 (837) 119,575
Municipal.......................... 4,282 308 -- 4,590
---------- ------- -------- ----------
Total debt securities................. 138,844 1,744 (838) 139,750
---------- ------- -------- ----------
Equity securities:
Preferred.......................... 158,462 3,352 (5,945) 155,869
Common............................. 386 940 -- 1,326
---------- ------- -------- ----------
Total equity securities............... 158,848 4,292 (5,945) 157,195
---------- ------- -------- ----------
Total investment securities............. 297,692 6,036 (6,783) 296,945
---------- ------- -------- ----------
Mortgage-related securities:
Fannie Mae pass through
certificates....................... 142,956 3,221 -- 146,177
GNMA pass through certificates........ 8,981 675 (1) 9,655
Freddie Mac pass through
certificates....................... 5,140 273 (2) 5,411
Collateralized mortgage obligation
bonds.............................. 2,043,558 15,498 (8,544) 2,050,512
---------- ------- -------- ----------
Total mortgage-related securities....... 2,200,635 19,667 (8,547) 2,211,755
---------- ------- -------- ----------
Total securities available-for-sale..... $2,498,327 $25,703 $(15,330) $2,508,700
========== ======= ======== ==========




December 31, 2002
-------------------------------------------------
Gross Gross Estimated
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
(In Thousands) Cost Gains Losses Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investment securities:
Debt securities:
U.S. Government and agencies....... $ 14,578 $ 59 $ (3) $ 14,634
Corporate.......................... 154,680 1,219 (607) 155,292
Municipal.......................... 5,413 322 -- 5,735
---------- ------- ------- ----------
Total debt securities................. 174,671 1,600 (610) 175,661
---------- ------- ------- ----------
Equity securities:
Preferred.......................... 47,435 649 -- 48,084
Common............................. 386 777 -- 1,163
---------- ------- ------- ----------
Total equity securities............... 47,821 1,426 -- 49,247
---------- ------- ------- ----------
Total investment securities............. 222,492 3,026 (610) 224,908
---------- ------- ------- ----------
Mortgage-related securities:
Fannie Mae pass through
certificates....................... 274,911 3,605 -- 278,516
GNMA pass through certificates........ 14,807 1,124 -- 15,931
Freddie Mac pass through
certificates....................... 8,422 483 (6) 8,899
Collateralized mortgage obligation
bonds.............................. 731,126 5,069 (799) 735,396
---------- ------- ------- ----------
Total mortgage-related securities....... 1,029,266 10,281 (805) 1,038,742
---------- ------- ------- ----------
Total securities available-for-sale..... $1,251,758 $13,307 $(1,415) $1,263,650
========== ======= ======= ==========


89

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Provided below is a summary of securities available-for-sale which were in
an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2003. Approximately $121,000, or
0.8%, of the unrealized loss was comprised of securities in a continuous loss
position for twelve months or more which consisted primarily of corporate bonds
and mortgage-related securities. The Company has the ability and intent to hold
these securities until such time as the value recovers or the securities mature.
Further, the Company believes the deterioration in value is attributable to
changes in market interest rates and not credit quality of the issuer.



AT DECEMBER 31, 2003
-----------------------------------------------
UNDER ONE YEAR ONE YEAR OR MORE
---------------------- ----------------------
GROSS ESTIMATED GROSS ESTIMATED
UNREALIZED FAIR UNREALIZED FAIR
(IN THOUSANDS) LOSSES VALUE LOSSES VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investment securities:
Debt securities:
U.S. Government and agencies.......... $ 1 $ 1,510 $ -- $ --
Corporate............................. 750 24,250 87 913
------- -------- ---- ------
Total debt securities.................... 751 25,760 87 913
------- -------- ---- ------
Equity securities:
Preferred............................. 5,945 54,055 -- --
------- -------- ---- ------
Total equity securities.................. 5,945 54,055 -- --
------- -------- ---- ------
Total investment securities................ 6,696 79,815 87 913
------- -------- ---- ------
Mortgage-related securities:
GNMA pass through certificates........ 1 48 -- 7
Freddie Mac pass through
certificates........................ -- -- 2 193
Collateralized mortgage obligation
bonds............................... 8,512 733,275 32 7,270
------- -------- ---- ------
Total mortgage-related securities.......... 8,513 733,323 34 7,470
------- -------- ---- ------
Total securities available-for-sale........ $15,209 $813,138 $121 $8,383
======= ======== ==== ======


The strategy for the securities portfolio is to maintain a short duration,
minimizing exposure to sustained increases in interest rates. This is achieved
through investments in securities with predictable cash flows and short average
lives, and the purchase of certain adjustable-rate instruments.

Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") are primarily securities with planned
amortization class structures. These instruments provide a relatively stable
source of cash flows, although they may be impacted by changes in interest
rates. Such MBS securities are either guaranteed by Freddie Mac, GNMA or Fannie
Mae, or represent collateralized mortgage-backed obligations ("CMOs") backed by
government agency securities or private issuances securities. These CMOs, by
virtue of the underlying collateral or structure, are principally AAA rated and
are current pay sequentials or planned amortization class structures.

Equity securities were comprised principally of common and preferred stock
of certain publicly traded companies. Other securities maintained in the
portfolio consist of corporate bonds and U.S. Government and agencies.

At December 31, 2003, securities with a fair value of $1.89 billion were
pledged to secure securities sold under agreements to repurchase, other
borrowings and for other purposes required by law.

90

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Sales of available-for-sale securities are summarized as follows:



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
------------- ------------- -------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proceeds from sales........................... $48,886 $105,493 $362,266
Gross gains................................... 476 656 2,852
Gross losses.................................. -- (243) (34)


The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by
contractual maturity are as follows:



DECEMBER 31, 2003
----------------------
AMORTIZED ESTIMATED
(IN THOUSANDS) COST FAIR VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One year or less............................................ $ 25,248 $ 25,481
One year through five years................................. 14,613 15,254
Five years through ten years................................ 14,193 15,062
Over ten years.............................................. 84,790 83,953
-------- --------
$138,844 $139,750
======== ========


The amortized cost and estimated fair value of mortgage-related securities
by contractual maturity are as follows:



DECEMBER 31, 2003
-----------------------
AMORTIZED ESTIMATED
(IN THOUSANDS) COST FAIR VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One year or less............................................ $ 17,143 $ 17,058
One year through five years................................. 69,031 68,996
Five years through ten years................................ 64,222 64,383
Over ten years.............................................. 2,050,239 2,061,318
---------- ----------
$2,200,635 $2,211,755
========== ==========


5. LOANS AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE AND LOAN SERVICING ASSETS

Loans available-for-sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair
value and are summarized as follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loans available-for-sale:
Single-family residential.................................
$2,687 $ 7,576
Multi-family residential..................................
3,235 106,803
------ ---------
Total loans available-for-sale.............................. $5,922 $ 114,379
====== =========


FANNIE MAE LOAN SALE PROGRAM

The Company originates and sells multi-family residential mortgage loans in
the secondary market to Fannie Mae while retaining servicing. The Company
underwrites these loans using its customary underwriting standards, funds the
loans, and sells the loans to Fannie Mae at agreed upon pricing thereby
eliminating rate

91

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

and basis exposure to the Company. The Company can originate and sell loans to
Fannie Mae for not more than $20.0 million per loan. During the year ended
December 31, 2003, the Company originated for sale $1.62 billion and sold $1.73
billion of fixed-rate multi-family loans in the secondary market to Fannie Mae
with servicing retained by the Company. Under the terms of the sales program,
the Company retains a portion of the associated credit risk. The Company has a
100% first loss position on each multi-family residential loan sold to Fannie
Mae under such program until the earlier of (i) the aggregate losses on the
multi-family residential loans sold to Fannie Mae reaching the maximum loss
exposure for the portfolio as a whole or (ii) until all of the loans sold to
Fannie Mae under this program are fully paid off. The maximum loss exposure is
available to satisfy any losses on loans sold in the program subject to the
foregoing limitations. Substantially all the loans sold to Fannie Mae under this
program are newly originated using the Company's underwriting guidelines. At
December 31, 2003, the Company serviced $3.46 billion of loans sold to Fannie
Mae pursuant to this program with a maximum potential loss exposure of $130.9
million.

The maximum loss exposure of the associated credit risk related to the
loans sold to Fannie Mae under this program is calculated pursuant to a review
of each loan sold to Fannie Mae. A risk level is assigned to each such loan
based upon the loan product, debt service coverage ratio and loan to value ratio
of the loan. Each risk level has a corresponding sizing factor which, when
applied to the original principal balance of the loan sold, equates to a
recourse balance for the loan. The sizing factors are periodically reviewed by
Fannie Mae based upon its ongoing review of loan performance and are subject to
adjustment. The recourse balances for each of the loans are aggregated to create
a maximum loss exposure for the entire portfolio at any given point in time. The
Company's maximum loss exposure for the entire portfolio of sold loans is
periodically reviewed and, based upon factors such as amount, size, types of
loans and loan performance, may be adjusted downward. Fannie Mae is restricted
from increasing the maximum exposure on loans previously sold to it under this
program as long as (i) the total borrower concentration (i.e., the total amount
of loans extended to a particular borrower or a group of related borrowers) as
applied to all mortgage loans delivered to Fannie Mae since the sales program
began does not exceed 10% of the aggregate loans sold to Fannie Mae under the
program and (ii) the average principal balance per loan of all mortgage loans
delivered to Fannie Mae since the sales program began continues to be $4.0
million or less.

Although all of the loans serviced for Fannie Mae (both loans originated
for sale and loans sold from portfolio) are currently fully performing, the
Company has established a liability related to the fair value of the retained
credit exposure. This liability represents the amount that the Company would
have to pay a third party to assume the retained recourse obligation. The
estimated liability represents the present value of the estimated losses that
the portfolio is projected to incur based upon an industry based default curve
with a range of estimated losses. At December 31, 2003 the Company had a $7.2
million liability related to the fair value of the retained credit exposure for
loans sold to Fannie Mae.

As a result of retaining servicing on $3.58 billion of loans sold to Fannie
Mae, which include both loans originated for sale and loans sold from portfolio,
the Company had a $7.8 million servicing asset at December 31, 2003.

At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company was servicing loans on
behalf of others, which are not included in the consolidated financial
statements of $3.65 billion, $2.35 billion and $1.19 billion, respectively. The
right to service loans for others is generally obtained by the sale of loans
with servicing retained.

92

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

A summary of changes in loan servicing assets, which is included in other
assets, is summarized as follows:



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
------------- ------------- -------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at beginning of period................ $ 6,445 $ 4,273 $1,961
Capitalized servicing asset................. 7,307 5,544 3,047
Reduction of servicing asset................ (5,980) (3,372) (735)
------- ------- ------
Balance at end of period...................... $ 7,772 $ 6,445 $4,273
======= ======= ======


FANNIE MAE DUS PROGRAM

During the third quarter of 2003, the Company announced that ICM Capital,
L.L.C. ("ICM Capital"), a newly formed subsidiary of the Bank, was approved as a
Delegated Underwriting and Servicing ("DUS") mortgage lender by Fannie Mae.
Under the Fannie Mae DUS program, ICM Capital will underwrite, fund and sell
mortgages on multi-family residential properties to Fannie Mae, with servicing
retained. Participation in the DUS program requires ICM Capital to share the
risk of loan losses with Fannie Mae with one-third of all losses assumed by ICM
Capital with the remaining two-thirds of all losses being assumed by Fannie Mae.
There were no loans originated under this DUS program during the year ended
December 31, 2003 and ICM Capital did not effect the Company's statement of
condition or results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2003.

The Bank has a two-thirds ownership interest in ICM Capital and Meridian
Company, LLC ("Meridian Company"), a Delaware limited liability company, has a
one-third ownership interest. ICM Capital is an integral part of the expansion
of the Company's multi-family lending activities along the East Coast and its
operations will be coordinated with those of Meridian Capital Group, LLC
("Meridian Capital"). Meridian Capital is 65% owned by Meridian Capital Funding,
Inc. ("Meridian Funding"), a New York-based mortgage brokerage firm, with the
remaining 35% minority equity investment held by the Company. Meridian Funding
and Meridian Company have the same principal owners (see Note 21).

SINGLE-FAMILY LOAN SALE PROGRAM

Over the past few years, the Company has de-emphasized the origination for
portfolio of single-family residential mortgage loans in favor of higher
yielding loan products. In November 2001, the Company entered into a private
label program for the origination of single-family residential mortgage loans
through its branch network under a mortgage origination assistance agreement
with Cendant Mortgage Corporation, doing business as PHH Mortgage Services
("Cendant"). Under this program, the Company utilizes Cendant's mortgage loan
origination platforms (including telephone and Internet platforms) to originate
loans that close in the Company's name. The Company funds the loans directly,
and, under a separate loan and servicing rights purchase and sale agreement,
sells the loans and related servicing to Cendant on a non-recourse basis at
agreed upon pricing. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company
originated for sale $172.5 million and sold $174.2 million of single-family
residential mortgage loans through the program. In the future, the Company may
continue to originate certain adjustable and fixed-rate residential mortgage
loans for portfolio retention, but at significantly reduced levels.

93

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

A summary of mortgage-banking activity income is as follows for the periods
indicated:



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
------------- ------------- -------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Origination fees.............................. $ 9,046 $ 8,121 $3,146
Servicing fees................................ 3,609 1,465 773
Gain on sales................................. 18,396 7,545 5,679
Change in fair value of loan commitments...... 3,261 1,133 --
Change in fair value of forward loan sale
agreements.................................. (3,261) (1,133) --
Amortization of loan servicing asset.......... (5,644) (3,372) (735)
------- ------- ------
Total mortgage-banking activity income........ $25,407 $13,759 $8,863
======= ======= ======


Mortgage loan commitments to borrowers related to loans originated for sale
are considered a derivative instrument under SFAS No. 149. In addition, forward
loan sale agreements with Fannie Mae and Cendant also meet the definition of a
derivative instrument under SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS No. 133") (see Note 19).

6. LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET

Loans are summarized as follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
------------ ------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mortgage loans:
Single-family residential and cooperative apartment....... $ 284,367 $ 556,279
Multi-family residential.................................. 2,821,706 2,436,666
Commercial real estate.................................... 1,612,711 1,312,760
---------- ----------
Total principal balance - mortgage loans.................... 4,718,784 4,305,705
Less net deferred fees...................................... 4,396 7,665
---------- ----------
Total mortgage loans........................................ 4,714,388 4,298,040
Commercial business loans, net of deferred fees............. 606,204 598,267
Other loans:
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit........................ 527,254 692,434
Home equity loans and lines of credit..................... 296,986 201,952
Consumer and other loans.................................. 27,538 26,971
---------- ----------
Total principal balance - other loans....................... 851,778 921,357
Less unearned discounts and deferred fees................... 139 291
---------- ----------
Total other loans........................................... 851,639 921,066
Total loans receivable...................................... 6,172,231 5,817,373
---------- ----------
Less allowance for loan losses.............................. 79,503 80,547
---------- ----------
Loans receivable, net....................................... $6,092,728 $5,736,826
========== ==========


The loan portfolio is concentrated primarily in loans secured by real
estate located in the New York metropolitan area. The real estate loan portfolio
is diversified in terms of risk and repayment sources. The

94

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

underlying collateral consists of multi-family residential apartment buildings,
single-family residential properties and owner occupied/non-owner occupied
commercial properties. The risks inherent in these portfolios are dependent not
only upon regional and general economic stability, which affects property
values, but also the financial condition and creditworthiness of the borrowers.

To minimize the risk inherent in the real estate portfolio, the Company
utilizes standard underwriting procedures and diversifies the type and
geographic locations of loan collateral. Multi-family residential mortgage loans
generally range in size from $0.5 million to $4.0 million and include loans on
various types and geographically diverse apartment complexes located in the New
York City metropolitan area. Multi-family residential mortgages are dependent
largely on sufficient rental income to cover operating expenses and may be
affected by government regulation, such as rent control regulations, which could
impact the future cash flows of the property. Most multi-family loans do not
fully amortize; therefore, the principal balance outstanding is not
significantly reduced prior to contractual maturity. The residential mortgage
portfolio is comprised primarily of first mortgage loans on owner occupied
one-to-four family residences located in the Company's primary market area. The
commercial real estate portfolio contains loans secured by commercial and
industrial properties, professional office buildings and small shopping centers.
Commercial business loans consist primarily of loans to small- and medium-size
businesses and are generally secured by real estate, receivables, inventory,
equipment and machinery and are further enhanced by the personal guarantees of
the principals of the borrower. The commercial real estate and commercial
business loan portfolios do not contain any shared national credit loans.
Mortgage warehouse lines of credit are revolving lines of credit to small-and
medium-sized mortgage-banking companies. The lines are drawn to fund the
origination of mortgages, primarily one-to-four family loans. Consumer loans
consist primarily of home equity loans and lines of credit which are secured by
the underlying equity in the borrower's primary or secondary residence.

Real estate underwriting standards include various limits on the
loan-to-value ratios based on the type of property, and the Company considers
among other things, the creditworthiness of the borrower, the location of the
real estate, the condition and value of the security property, the quality of
the organization managing the property and the viability of the project
including occupancy rates, tenants and lease terms. Additionally, the
underwriting standards require appraisals and periodic inspections of the
properties as well as ongoing monitoring of operating results.

During the third quarter of 2003, the Company announced the expansion of
its commercial real estate lending activities to the Baltimore-Washington and
the Boca Raton, Florida markets. The Company expects the loans to be referred
primarily by Meridian Capital, which already has an established presence in
these market areas. During 2003, the Company originated for portfolio $35.1
million and originated for sale $113.8 million of loans in the
Baltimore-Washington market. The Company also originated for portfolio retention
$33.2 million of loans secured by properties in the Florida market. The Company
will review this expansion program periodically and establish and adjust its
targets based on market acceptance, credit performance, profitability and other
relevant factors. At December 31, 2003, the Company's exposure to the
Baltimore-Washington market area consisted primarily of $89.0 million of
mortgage warehouse lines of credit, $6.4 million of commercial real estate loans
and $25.6 million of multi-family residential loans. The Company's exposure to
the Florida market consisted primarily of $14.4 million of commercial real
estate loans and $19.2 million of multi-family residential loans at December 31,
2003.

In November 2003, the Bank acquired certain mortgage warehouse lines of
credit from The Provident Bank. The acquisition increased the warehouse line of
credit portfolio by approximately $207 million in lines with $76.3 million in
outstanding advances at the time of acquisition.

At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, included in mortgage loans on real
estate were $23.5 million, $18.4 million and $31.4 million, respectively, of
non-performing loans. If interest on the non-accrual mortgage loans had been
accrued, such income would have approximated $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.7
million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, and nine months ended
December 31, 2001, respectively.
95

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, included in commercial business and
other loans were $13.1 million, $23.2 million and $14.7 million, respectively,
of non-performing loans. If interest on the non-accrual commercial business and
other loans had been accrued, such income would have approximated $0.5 million,
$0.7 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002,
and the nine months ended December 31, 2001, respectively.

The Company considers a loan impaired when, based upon current information
and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for
both principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the loan
agreement. The Company's evaluation of impaired loans includes a review of
non-accrual commercial business, commercial real estate and multi-family
residential loans as well as a review of other performing loans that may meet
the definition of loan impairment. As permitted, all homogenous smaller balance
consumer and residential mortgage loans are excluded from individual review for
impairment. Impaired loans totaled $30.5 million, $39.9 million and $27.0
million at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. At December 31, 2003,
$30.5 million of impaired loans had an associated allowance of $1.4 million.
Impaired loans averaged approximately $35.2 million and $33.4 million during the
years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Interest income on
impaired loans is recognized on a cash basis. Interest income recorded on
impaired loans was $0.8 million, $1.5 million and $0.8 million during the years
ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and the nine months ended December 31, 2001,
respectively.

7. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

A summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses is as follows:



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allowance at beginning of period............... $80,547 $78,239 $71,716
Provision charged to operations................ 3,500 8,000 7,875
Net charge-offs................................ (4,544) (5,692) (1,352)
------- ------- -------
Allowance at end of period..................... $79,503 $80,547 $78,239
======= ======= =======


The Company's loan portfolio is primarily comprised of secured loans made
to individuals and businesses located in the New York City metropolitan area.

8. PREMISES, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of premises, furniture and equipment is as follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land........................................................ $ 8,094 $ 6,319
Buildings and improvements.................................. 77,638 71,272
Leasehold improvements...................................... 21,859 14,715
Furniture and equipment..................................... 68,518 78,064
-------- --------
176,109 170,370
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.............. 74,726 84,975
-------- --------
Total premises, furniture and equipment..................... $101,383 $ 85,395
======== ========


Depreciation and amortization expense amounted to $11.6 million, $11.5
million and $9.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and the
nine months ended December 31, 2001, respectively.

96

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

9. GOODWILL AND IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Effective April 1, 2001, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, which resulted
in discontinuing the amortization of goodwill. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill is
instead carried at its book value as of April 1, 2001 and any future impairment
of goodwill will be recognized as non-interest expense in the period of
impairment. However, under SFAS No. 142, identifiable intangible assets (such as
core deposit premiums) with identifiable lives will continue to be amortized.
Core deposit intangibles held by the Company are amortized on a straight-line
basis over seven years.

The Company's goodwill was $185.2 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002.
The Company did not recognize an impairment loss as a result of its most recent
annual impairment test effective October 1, 2003. In accordance with SFAS No.
142, the Company tests the value of its goodwill at least annually.

The following table sets forth the Company's identifiable intangible assets
at the dates indicated:



AT DECEMBER 31, 2003 At December 31, 2002
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
GROSS NET GROSS NET
CARRYING ACCUMULATED CARRYING CARRYING ACCUMULATED CARRYING
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) AMOUNT AMORTIZATION AMOUNT AMOUNT AMORTIZATION AMOUNT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amortized intangible
assets:
Deposit intangibles... $47,559 $47,369 $190 $47,559 $45,513 $2,046
Other intangibles..... -- -- -- 800 800 --
------- ------- ---- ------- ------- ------
Total................... $47,559 $47,369 $190 $48,359 $46,313 $2,046
======= ======= ==== ======= ======= ======


The following sets forth the estimated amortization expense for the years
ended December 31:



2004.................................................. $190
2005.................................................. $ --


Amortization expense related to identifiable intangible assets was $1.9
million, $7.0 million and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and
2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2001, respectively.

10. OTHER ASSETS

A summary of other assets is as follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FHLB stock.................................................. $135,815 $101,578
Net deferred tax asset...................................... 55,735 69,161
Loan servicing assets....................................... 7,772 6,445
Equity investment in mortgage brokerage firm................ 23,931 20,431
Prepaid expenses............................................ 17,892 14,854
Other real estate........................................... 15 7
Accounts receivable......................................... 9,810 4,183
Other....................................................... 16,679 15,583
-------- --------
Total other assets.......................................... $267,649 $232,242
======== ========


The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of New York,
and owns FHLB stock with a carrying value of $135.8 million and $101.6 million
at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. As a

97

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

member, the Bank is able to borrow on a secured basis up to twenty times the
amount of its capital stock investment at either fixed or variable interest
rates for terms ranging from overnight to fifteen years (see Note 12). The
borrowings are limited to 30% of total assets except for borrowings to fund
deposit outflows.

In furtherance of its business strategy regarding commercial real estate
and multi-family loan originations and sales, the Company has a 35% minority
equity investment in Meridian Capital, which is 65% owned by Meridian Funding, a
New York-based mortgage brokerage firm primarily engaged in the origination of
commercial real estate and multi-family residential mortgage loans.

Prepaid expenses include $10.1 million of prepaid pension costs. At the end
of the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company made a cash contribution of
approximately $10.0 million to restore the Company's pension plan to fully
funded status. The contribution did not reduce 2002 earnings.

11. DEPOSITS

The amounts due to depositors and the weighted average interest rates at
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 are as follows:



DECEMBER 31, 2003 December 31, 2002
--------------------- ---------------------
WEIGHTED Weighted
DEPOSIT AVERAGE DEPOSIT AVERAGE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) LIABILITY RATE LIABILITY RATE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Savings........................................... $1,613,161 0.33% $1,574,531 0.75%
Money market...................................... 401,024 1.29 192,647 0.75
AMA............................................... 475,647 0.79 495,849 1.32
Interest-bearing demand........................... 694,102 0.83 493,997 0.79
Non-interest-bearing demand....................... 741,261 -- 593,784 --
---------- ---- ---------- ----
Total core deposits............................. 3,925,195 0.63 3,350,808 0.86
Certificates of deposit........................... 1,378,902 2.11 1,589,252 2.47
---------- ---- ---------- ----
Total deposits.................................. $5,304,097 0.93 $4,940,060 1.27
========== ==== ========== ====


Scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit are as follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One year................................................... $1,092,832 $1,104,453
Two years.................................................. 75,674 280,376
Three years................................................ 56,154 42,169
Four years................................................. 107,554 38,912
Thereafter................................................. 46,688 123,342
---------- ----------
$1,378,902 $1,589,252
========== ==========


Certificates of deposit accounts in denominations of $100,000 or more
totaled approximately $281.4 million and $315.4 million at December 31, 2003 and
December 31, 2002, respectively.

98

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

12. BORROWINGS

A summary of borrowings is as follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FHLB advances.............................................. $1,051,300 $1,226,550
Repurchase agreements...................................... 1,865,000 705,000
---------- ----------
Total borrowings........................................... $2,916,300 $1,931,550
========== ==========


Advances from the FHLB are made at fixed rates with remaining maturities
between less than one year and nine years, summarized as follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One year or less............................................ $ 226,300 $ 425,250
Over one year through five years............................ 450,000 426,300
Over five years through nine years (1)...................... 375,000 375,000
---------- ----------
$1,051,300 $1,226,550
========== ==========


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

(1) Although the contractual maturities of these borrowings are between five and
nine years, the FHLB has the right to call these advances beginning in the
third year after the advance was made. Such advances callable by the FHLB
total $200.0 million in 2004, $125.0 million in 2006 and $50.0 million in
2007.

Advances from the FHLB are collateralized by all FHLB stock owned by the
Bank in addition to a blanket pledge of eligible assets in an amount required to
be maintained so that the estimated fair value of such eligible assets exceeds,
at all times, 110% of the outstanding advances (see Note 10).

The average balance of FHLB advances was $1.14 billion with an average cost
of 4.1% for the year ended December 31, 2003. The maximum amount outstanding at
any month end during the year ended December 31, 2003 was $1.28 billion. The
average balance of FHLB advances during the year ended December 31, 2002 was
$1.22 billion with an average cost of 4.6%. The maximum amount outstanding at
any month end during the year ended December 31, 2002 was $1.28 billion. At
December 31, 2003, the Company had the ability to borrow from the FHLB an
additional $266.1 million on a secured basis, utilizing mortgage-related loans
and securities as collateral.

The Company enters into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase.
These agreements are recorded as financing transactions, and the obligation to
repurchase is reflected as a liability in the consolidated statements of
financial condition. The securities underlying the agreements are delivered to
the dealer with whom each transaction is executed. The dealers, who may sell,
loan or otherwise dispose of such securities to other parties in the normal
course of their operations, agree to resell to the Company substantially the
same securities at the maturities of the agreements. The Company retains the
right of substitution of collateral throughout the terms of the agreements.

99

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Repurchase agreements are made at either fixed or variable rates with
remaining maturities between less than one year and nine years, summarized as
follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One year or less............................................ $ 875,000 $ 65,000
Over one year through five years............................ 450,000 100,000
Over five years through nine years.......................... 540,000 540,000
---------- --------
$1,865,000 $705,000
========== ========


At December 31, 2003, all of the outstanding repurchase agreements were
secured by collateralized mortgage obligations or U.S. Government and agency
securities. The average balance of repurchase agreements during the year ended
December 31, 2003 was $1.13 billion with an average cost of 3.9%. The maximum
amount outstanding at any month end during the year ended December 31, 2003 was
$1.87 billion. The average balance of repurchase agreements during the year
ended December 31, 2002 was $679.1 million with an average cost of 5.5%. The
maximum amount outstanding at any month end during the year ended December 31,
2002 was $705.0 million.

13. SUBORDINATED NOTES

On June 20, 2003, the Bank issued $150.0 million aggregate principal amount
of 3.5% Fixed Rate/ Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Due 2013 ("Notes"). The
Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.5% per annum for the first five years,
and convert to a floating rate thereafter until maturity based on the US Dollar
three-month LIBOR plus 2.06%. Beginning on June 20, 2008 the Bank has the right
to redeem the Notes at par plus accrued interest. The net proceeds of $148.4
million were used for general corporate purposes. The average balance of Notes
was $79.3 million with an average cost of 3.82% during the year ended December
31, 2003. The Notes qualify as Tier 2 capital of the Bank under the capital
guidelines of the FDIC.

14. COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE CUMULATIVE TRUST PREFERRED
SECURITIES

On June 30, 1997, $11.5 million of 9.5% Cumulative Trust Preferred
Securities (the "Trust Preferred Securities") were issued by BNB Capital Trust
(the "Trust"), a Delaware statutory business trust formed by Broad National
Bancorporation ("Broad"). The net proceeds from the issuance were invested in
Broad in exchange for its junior subordinated debentures. The sole asset of the
Trust, the obligor on the Trust Preferred Securities, was $11.9 million
principal amount of 9.5% Junior Subordinated Debentures (the "Junior
Subordinated Debentures") due June 30, 2027. Broad entered into several
contractual arrangements (which the Company assumed as part of the Broad
acquisition) for the purpose of guaranteeing the Trust's payment of
distributions on, payments on any redemptions of, and any liquidation
distribution with respect to, the Trust Preferred Securities. As a result of the
Broad acquisition, all the assets, liabilities and obligations of Broad with
respect to such securities became assets, liabilities and obligations of the
Company.

Cash distributions on both the Trust Preferred Securities and the Junior
Subordinated Debentures were payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of
March, June, September and December of each year.

The Trust Preferred Securities were subject to mandatory redemption (i) in
whole, but not in part, upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures at
stated maturity or, at the option of the Company, their earlier redemption in
whole upon the occurrence of certain changes in the tax treatment or capital
treatment of the Trust Preferred Securities, or a change in the law such that
the Trust would be considered an investment company and (ii) in whole or in part
at any time on or after June 30, 2002 contemporaneously with the optional
redemption by the Company of the Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole or in
part. The Junior Subordinated Debentures were redeemable prior to maturity at
the option of the Company (i) on or

100

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

after June 30, 2002, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, or (ii)
in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence
and continuation of certain changes in the tax treatment or capital treatment of
the Trust Preferred Securities, or a change in law such that the Trust would be
considered an investment company.

As a result of favorable market conditions during fiscal 2001, the Company
purchased $0.4 million of the Trust Preferred Securities through an open market
transaction. In accordance with the terms of the trust indenture, the Trust
redeemed all of its outstanding Trust Preferred Securities of $11.5 million, at
$10.00 per share, effective June 30, 2002. The redemption was effected due to
the high interest rate paid on the Trust Preferred Securities in relation to the
then current interest rate environment.

15. EARNINGS PER SHARE

EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as
basic EPS, but reflects the potential dilution of common stock equivalents.
Shares of common stock held by the ESOP that have not been allocated to
participants' accounts or are not committed to be released for allocation and
unvested Recognition Plan shares are not considered to be outstanding for the
calculation of basic EPS. However, a portion of such shares is considered in the
calculation of diluted EPS as common stock equivalents of basic EPS. Diluted EPS
also reflects the potential dilution that would occur if stock options were
exercised and converted into common stock. The dilutive effect of unexercised
stock options is calculated using the treasury stock method.

The following table is a reconciliation of basic and diluted
weighted-average common shares outstanding for the periods indicated.



FOR THE YEAR For the Year For the Nine For the Twelve
ENDED Ended Months Ended Months Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 2003 2002 2001 2001
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Numerator:
Net income.......................... $136,970 $122,402 $69,638 $86,065
======== ======== ======= =======
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding -- basic...... 49,993 51,703 52,558 52,612
Weighted average number of common
stock equivalents (restricted stock
and options)..................... 2,650 2,854 2,120 1,853
-------- -------- ------- -------
Weighted average number of common
shares and common stock
equivalents -- diluted........... 52,643 54,557 54,678 54,465
======== ======== ======= =======
Basic earning per share............... $ 2.74 $ 2.37 $ 1.33 $ 1.64
======== ======== ======= =======
Diluted earnings per share............ $ 2.60 $ 2.24 $ 1.27 $ 1.58
======== ======== ======= =======


At December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, there were 48,913 and 875,693
shares, respectively, that could potentially dilute EPS in the future that were
not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would have been
antidilutive. For additional disclosures regarding outstanding stock options and
the Recognition Plan shares, see Note 17.

101

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

16. BENEFIT PLANS

PENSION PLAN

The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the
"Pension Plan") covering substantially all of its full-time employees and
certain part-time employees who qualify. Employees first hired on or after
August 1, 2000 are not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan. The Company
makes annual contributions to the Pension Plan equal to the amount necessary to
satisfy the funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(ERISA).

The Company also has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the
"Supplemental Plan"). The Supplemental Plan is a nonqualified, unfunded plan of
deferred compensation covering those senior officers of the Company whose
benefits under the Pension Plan would be limited by Sections 415 and 401(a)(17)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

The following table sets forth the Pension Plan's and the Supplemental
Plan's (collectively, the "Plan") aggregate change in the projected benefit
obligation:



YEAR ENDED Year Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year....... $46,551 $39,017
Service cost............................................ 1,420 1,238
Interest cost........................................... 2,971 2,847
Actuarial loss.......................................... 1,045 5,600
Plan amendments......................................... -- 18
Benefits paid........................................... (2,156) (2,169)
------- -------
Projected benefit obligation at end of year............. $49,831 $46,551
======= =======


The following table sets forth the aggregate change in Plan assets using a
January 1, measurement date:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fair value of Plan assets at beginning of year.............. $43,569 $40,541
Actual return on Plan assets................................ 8,965 (5,044)
Employer contributions...................................... 266 10,242
Benefits paid............................................... (2,156) (2,170)
------- -------
Fair value of Plan assets at end of year.................... $50,644 $43,569
======= =======
Funded status............................................... $ 813 $(2,982)
Unrecognized net asset...................................... (405) (608)
Unrecognized prior service cost............................. (4,541) (5,631)
Unrecognized actuarial loss................................. 11,689 17,657
------- -------
Prepaid pension cost at December 31, 2003 and 2002.......... $ 7,556 $ 8,436
======= =======


The accumulated benefit obligation for the Plan was $48.4 million and $45.5
million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

102

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in the statement of
financial condition:



AT At
DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prepaid pension cost........................................ $10,087 $11,106
Accrued pension cost........................................ (2,531) (2,670)
------- -------
Net prepaid pension cost.................................. $ 7,556 $ 8,436
======= =======


Net pension benefit of the Plan included the following components:



YEAR ENDED Year Ended Nine Months Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Service cost-benefits earned during the
period................................... $1,420 $1,238 $ 1,059
Interest cost on projected benefit
obligation............................... 2,972 2,847 2,618
Expected return on Plan assets............. (3,415) (3,219) (4,067)
Amortization of net asset.................. (203) (203) (203)
Amortization of prior service cost......... (1,090) (1,090) (1,098)
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)....... 1,462 279 (95)
------ ------ -------
Net pension expense (benefit) for the years
ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001... 1,146 (148) (1,786)
Net adjustment............................. (37) (102) 147
------ ------ -------
Net pension expense (benefit).............. $1,109 $ (250) $(1,639)
====== ====== =======




WEIGHTED AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS AS OF DECEMBER 31: 2003 2002 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discount rate............................................... 6.375% 6.50% 7.25%
Rate of compensation increase............................... 3.50% 4.00% 4.00%
Expected long-term return on Plan assets.................... 8.00% 8.00% 9.00%


The Bank amended the Plan to adopt the provisions of the Economic Growth
and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 ("EGTRRA"). Effective January 1, 2002
EGTRRA increased the maximum compensation for pension plan purposes to $200,000.

Typically, the long-term rate of return on Plan assets assumption is set
based on historical returns earned by equities and fixed income securities,
adjusted to reflect expectations of future returns as applied to the Plan's
actual target allocation of asset classes. Equities and fixed income securities
are assumed to earn real rates of return in the ranges of 5-9% and 2-6%,
respectively. Additionally, the long-term inflation rate is projected to be
2.5%. When these overall return expectations are applied to the Plan's target
allocation, the result is an expected rate of return of 8% to 10%.

103

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The following table sets forth the Company's pension plan weighted-average
asset allocations and the target allocation for 2004, by asset category:



Target
ALLOCATION DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
---------- ------------ ------------
ASSET CATEGORY: 2004 2003 2002
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equity investments................................ 60.0% 62.0% 45.7%
Fixed income investments.......................... 40.0 38.0 31.1
Other............................................. -- -- 23.2
----- ----- -----
Total........................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
===== ===== =====


The Company has a Benefits Committee, which is responsible for managing the
investment process of the Pension Plan with regard to preserving principal while
providing reasonable returns.

The Investment Policy for the Pension Plan permits investments in mutual
funds, other pooled asset portfolios and cash reserves. Investments are
diversified among asset classes with the intent to minimize the risk of large
losses to the Plan. The asset allocation represents a long-term perspective, and
as such, rapid unanticipated market shifts or changes in economic conditions may
cause the asset mix to temporarily fall outside of the policy target range.

The asset classes include equity investments (both domestic and non-U.S.),
and fixed income investments (both domestic and non-U.S.) consisting of
investment grade, high yield and emerging debt securities.

POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company currently provides certain health care and life insurance
benefits to eligible retired employees and their spouses. The coverage provided
depends upon the employee's date of retirement and years of service with the
Company. The Company's plan for its postretirement benefit obligation is
unfunded. Effective April 1, 1995, the Company adopted SFAS No. 106 "Employer's
Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions" ("SFAS No. 106"). In
accordance with SFAS No. 106, the Company elected to recognize the cumulative
effect of this change in accounting principle over future accounting periods.
The Company uses a January 1, measurement date for its postretirement benefits.

104

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Status of the postretirement benefit obligation is as follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Benefit obligation at beginning of year.................... $ 16,509 $ 24,727
Service cost............................................... 523 438
Interest cost.............................................. 1,197 991
Actuarial loss (gain)...................................... 4,338 (5,954)
Benefits paid.............................................. (916) (971)
Plan amendments............................................ -- (2,722)
-------- --------
Benefit obligation at end of year.......................... $ 21,651 $ 16,509
======== ========
Funded status.............................................. $(21,651) $(16,509)
Unrecognized transition obligation being recognized over 20
years.................................................... 640 698
Unrecognized net loss due to past experience difference
from assumptions made.................................... 9,623 5,870
-------- --------
Accrued postretirement benefit cost at December 31, 2003
and 2002................................................. (11,388) (9,941)
Net adjustment............................................. (61) (394)
-------- --------
Accrued postretirement benefit cost........................ $(11,327) $(10,335)
======== ========


Net postretirement benefit cost included the following components:



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Service cost-benefits earned during the
period....................................... $ 523 $ 438 $ 906
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation........................... 1,197 991 1,573
Amortization of net obligation................. 58 58 268
Amortization of unrecognized loss.............. 585 185 799
------ ------ ------
Postretirement benefit cost-plan years ended
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001............. 2,363 1,672 3,546
Net adjustment................................. -- -- (496)
------ ------ ------
Net postretirement benefit cost................ $2,363 $1,672 $3,050
====== ====== ======


At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, discount rates of 6.375%, 6.50% and
7.25%, respectively, were used.

The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in the Consolidated
Statements of Financial Condition:



AT At
DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accrued postretirement costs................................ $11,327 $10,335
======= =======


105

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The following table sets forth the assumed health care cost trend rates:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year........... 10.00% 9.00%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline
(the "ultimate trend rate")............................... 3.75% 4.50%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate.......... 2010 2008


The health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the
amounts reported. A 1.0% change in assumed health care cost trend rates would
have the following effects:



1% INCREASE 1% DECREASE
-------------------------

Effect in total service and interest cost................... $ 315 $ (247)
Effect in postretirement benefit obligation................. 2,858 (2,331)


401(K) PLAN

The Company also sponsors an incentive savings plan ("401(k) Plan") whereby
eligible employees may make tax deferred contributions up to certain limits. The
Company makes matching contributions up to the lesser of 6% of employee
compensation, or $3,000. Beginning in fiscal 1999, the matching contribution for
full-time employees is in the form of shares held in the ESOP while the
contribution for part-time employees remained a cash contribution. However,
beginning January 1, 2001, the matching contribution for all employees, full-
and part-time, is in the form of shares held in the ESOP. The Company may reduce
or cease matching contributions if it is determined that the current or
accumulated net earnings or undivided profits of the Company are insufficient to
pay the full amount of contributions in a plan year.

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

The Company established the ESOP for full-time employees in March 1998 in
connection with the Conversion. To fund the purchase in the open market of
5,632,870 shares of the Company's common stock, the ESOP borrowed funds from the
Company. The collateral for the loan is the common stock of the Company
purchased by the ESOP. The loan to the ESOP is being repaid principally from the
Bank's contributions to the ESOP over a period of 20 years. Dividends paid by
the Company on shares owned by the ESOP are also utilized to repay the debt. The
Bank contributed $6.7 million and $7.6 million to the ESOP during the years
ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Dividends paid on ESOP shares,
which reduced the Bank's contribution to the ESOP and were utilized to repay the
ESOP loan, totaled $3.6 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December
31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The loan from the Company had an outstanding
principal balance of $84.0 million and $87.0 million at December 31, 2003 and
2002, respectively.

Shares held by the ESOP are held by an independent trustee for allocation
among participants as the loan is repaid. The number of shares released annually
is based upon the ratio that the current principal and interest payment bears to
the original principal and interest payments to be made. ESOP participants
become 100% vested in the ESOP after three years of service. Shares allocated
are first used to satisfy the employer matching contribution for the 401(k) Plan
with the remaining shares allocated to the ESOP participants based upon
includable compensation in the year of allocation. Forfeitures from the 401(k)
Plan match portions are used to reduce the employer 401(k) Plan match while
forfeitures from shares allocated to the ESOP participants are allocated among
the participants. There were 281,644 shares allocated in each of the years ended
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002. At December 31, 2003 there were
1,415,771 shares allocated, 3,943,009 shares unallocated and 274,090 shares that
had been distributed to participants in

106

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

connection with their withdrawal from the ESOP. At December 31, 2003, the
3,943,009 unallocated shares had a fair value of $141.8 million.

The Company recorded compensation expense of $7.8 million, $7.3 million and
$4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, the year ended December 31,
2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2001, respectively, which was equal
to the shares committed to be released by the ESOP multiplied by the average
fair value of the common stock during the period in which they were released.

17. STOCK BENEFIT PLANS

RECOGNITION PLAN

The Recognition Plan was implemented in September 1998, was approved by
stockholders in September 1998, and may make restricted stock awards in an
aggregate amount up to 2,816,435 shares (4% of the shares of common stock sold
in the Conversion excluding shares contributed to the Foundation). The objective
of the Recognition Plan is to enable the Company to provide officers, key
employees and non-employee directors of the Company with a proprietary interest
in the Company as an incentive to contribute to its success. During the year
ended March 31, 1999, the Recognition Plan purchased all 2,816,435 shares in
open market transactions. The Recognition Plan provides that awards may be
designated as performance share awards, subject to the achievement of
performance goals, or non-performance share awards which are subject solely to
time vesting requirements. Certain key executive officers have been granted
performance-based shares. These shares become earned only if annually
established corporate performance targets are achieved. On September 25, 1998,
the Committee administering the Recognition Plan issued grants covering
2,188,517 shares of stock of which 844,931 were deemed performance based. These
awards were fully vested as of September 30, 2003. The Committee granted 11,000
performance-based shares in the year ended December 31, 2002 and
non-performance-based share awards covering 123,522 shares, 91,637 shares and
105,363 shares during the year ended December 31, 2003, the year ended December
31, 2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2001, respectively.

The stock awards granted to date generally vest on a straight-line basis
over a four or five-year period beginning one year from the date of grant.
However, certain stock awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2002
will fully vest on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. Subject to
certain exceptions, awards become 100% vested upon termination of employment due
to death, disability or retirement. However, senior officers and non-employee
directors of the Company who elect to retire, require the approval of the Board
of Directors or the Committee administering the Recognition Plan to accelerate
the vesting of these shares. The amounts also become 100% vested upon a change
in control of the Company.

Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period at the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of grant for non-performance share
awards. The expense related to performance share awards is recognized over the
vesting period at the fair market value on the measurement date(s). The Company
recorded compensation expense of $8.8 million, $9.7 million and $7.0 million
related to the Recognition Plan for the year ended December 31, 2003, the year
ended December 31, 2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2001,
respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the year ended December
31, 2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2001, the Committee
administering the Plan approved the accelerated vesting of awards covering
6,176, 4,400 and 42,247 shares due to the retirement of senior officers,
resulting in the recognition of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.7 million of
compensation expense, respectively.

107

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The following table sets forth the activity in the Company's Recognition
Plan during the periods indicated.



YEAR ENDED Year Ended Nine Months Ended
DECEMBER 31, 2003 December 31, 2002 December 31, 2001
------------------- -------------------- --------------------
WEIGHTED Weighted Weighted
AVERAGE Average Average
GRANT Grant Grant
SHARES PRICE Shares Price Shares Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outstanding, beginning
of year.......................... 747,205 $16.5493 1,147,246 $14.4214 1,523,922 $13.7745
Granted............................ 123,522 31.9458 102,637 28.7284 105,363 19.7091
Vested............................. (505,206) 14.8673 (500,578) 14.1801 (482,039) 13.5320
Forfeited.......................... (1,750) 13.3125 (2,100) 13.3125 -- --
-------- --------- ---------
Outstanding, end of year........... 363,771 $24.0877 747,205 $16.5493 1,147,246 $14.4214
======== ========= =========


STOCK OPTION PLANS

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation on awards granted prior
to January 1, 2003 using the intrinsic value method. Since each option granted
prior to January 1, 2003 had an exercise price equal to the fair market value of
one share of the Company's stock on the date of the grant, no compensation cost
at date of grant has been recognized.

Beginning in 2003, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense
on options granted in 2003 and in subsequent years in accordance with the fair
value-based method of accounting described in SFAS No. 123. The fair value of
each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model and is based on certain assumptions including dividend
yield, stock volatility, the risk free rate of return, expected term and
turnover rate. The fair value of each option is expensed over its vesting
period. During the year ended December 31, 2003 there were 235,750 options
granted and approximately $153,000 in compensation expense recognized under this
statement.

1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN

The 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan") was implemented in September
1998 and was approved by stockholders in September 1998. The Option Plan may
grant options covering shares aggregating in total 7,041,088 shares (10% of the
shares of common stock sold in the Conversion excluding the shares contributed
to the Foundation). Under the Option Plan, stock options (which expire ten years
from the date of grant) have been granted to officers, key employees and
non-employee directors of the Company. The option exercise price per share was
the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Each stock
option or portion thereof is exercisable at any time on or after such option
vests and is generally exercisable until the earlier to occur of ten years after
its date of grant or six months after the date on which the optionee's
employment terminates (three years after termination of service in the case of
non-employee directors), unless extended by the Board of Directors to a period
not to exceed five years from the date of such termination. Subject to certain
exceptions, options become 100% exercisable upon termination of employment due
to death, disability or retirement. However, senior officers and non-employee
directors of the Company who elect to retire, require the approval of the Board
of Directors or the Committee administering the Option Plan to accelerate the
vesting of options. Options become 100% vested upon a change in control of the
Company.

On September 25, 1998, the Board of Directors issued options covering
6,103,008 shares of common stock vesting over a five-year period at a rate of
20% per year, beginning one year from date of grant. These

108

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

options were fully vested as of September 30, 2003. During the year ended
December 31, 2003, the year ended December 31, 2002 and the nine months ended
December 31, 2001 the Board of Directors granted options covering 220,750,
93,000 and 295,500 shares, respectively. During the year ended December 31,
2003, the year ended December 31, 2002 and the nine months ended December 31,
2001, the Committee administering the Plan approved the accelerated vesting of
30,000, 8,000 and 105,617 options due to the retirement of senior officers,
resulting in $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.6 million of compensation
expense, respectively. At December 31, 2003, there were options covering
5,108,171 shares outstanding pursuant to the Option Plan.

2002 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

The 2002 Stock Incentive Plan ("Stock Incentive Plan") was approved by
stockholders at the May 23, 2002 annual meeting. The Stock Incentive Plan may
grant options covering shares aggregating an amount equal to 2,800,000 shares.
The Stock Incentive Plan also provides for the ability to issue restricted stock
awards which cannot exceed 560,000 shares and which are part of the 2,800,000
shares. Options awarded to date under the Stock Incentive Plan generally vest
over a four-year period at a rate of 25% per year and expire ten years from the
date of grant. The Board of Directors granted options covering 15,000 and
789,650 shares during the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002,
respectively. At December 31, 2003, there were 750,887 options and no restricted
share awards outstanding related to this plan.

OTHER STOCK PLANS

Broad and Statewide (companies the Company acquired in 1999 and 2000,
respectively) maintained several stock option plans for officers, directors and
other key employees. Generally, these plans granted options to individuals at a
price equivalent to the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant.
Options awarded under the plans generally vested over a five-year period and
expired ten years from the date of grant. In connection with the Broad and
Statewide acquisitions, options which were converted by election of the option
holders to options to purchase the Company's common stock totaled 602,139 and
became 100% exercisable at the effective date of the acquisitions. At December
31, 2003, there were 128,784 options outstanding related to these plans.

The following table compares reported net income and earnings per share to
net income and earnings per share on a pro forma basis for the periods
indicated, assuming that the Company accounted for stock-based

109

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

compensation based on the fair value of each option grant as required by SFAS
No. 123. The effects of applying SFAS No. 123 in this pro forma disclosure are
not indicative of future amounts.



YEAR ENDED Year Ended Nine Months Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 2003 2002 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income:
As reported.................................. $136,970 $122,402 $69,638
Add: Stock-based employee compensation
expense included in reported net income,
net of related tax effects (1)............. 5,724 6,176 4,490
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
compensation expense determined under fair
value method for all awards, net of related
tax effects (1)............................ (10,599) (11,424) (7,585)
-------- -------- -------
Pro forma.................................... $132,095 $117,154 $66,543
======== ======== =======
Basic earnings per share:
As reported.................................. $ 2.74 $ 2.37 $ 1.33
======== ======== =======
Pro forma.................................... $ 2.64 $ 2.27 $ 1.27
======== ======== =======
Diluted earnings per share:
As reported.................................. $ 2.60 $ 2.24 $ 1.27
======== ======== =======
Pro forma.................................... $ 2.51 $ 2.15 $ 1.22
======== ======== =======


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

(1) Includes costs associated with restricted stock awards granted pursuant to
the Recognition Plan and stock option grants awarded under the various stock
option plans.

The following table sets forth stock option activity and the
weighted-average fair value of options granted for the periods indicated.



YEAR ENDED Year Ended Nine Months Ended
DECEMBER 31, 2003 December 31, 2002 December 31, 2001
--------------------- -------------------- --------------------
WEIGHTED Weighted Weighted
AVERAGE Average Average
EXERCISE Exercise Exercise
SHARES PRICE Shares Price Shares Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outstanding, beginning of year... 6,833,238 $15.6345 6,851,401 $13.5584 6,654,703 $13.2834
Granted...................... 235,750 34.2564 882,650 29.1008 300,500 19.1360
Exercised.................... (1,040,533) 13.9213 (882,573) 13.0000 (89,802) 11.8767
Forfeited/cancelled.......... (35,613) 20.5780 (18,240) 14.9298 (14,000) 13.3125
---------- --------- ---------
Outstanding, end of year......... 5,992,842 $16.6352 6,833,238 $15.6345 6,851,401 $13.5584
========== ======== ========= ======== ========= ========
Options exercisable at year
end............................ 4,735,447 4,246,068 3,817,562
Weighted average fair value of
options granted during the
year........................... $9.8006 $9.7668 $ 6.2748


110

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following weighted-average
assumptions for the periods indicated.



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, 2003 December 31, 2002 December 31, 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Risk free interest rate................... 2.90% - 3.85% 3.45% - 5.16% 4.19% - 5.33%
Volatility................................ 31.02% - 32.59% 32.33% - 33.55% 26.68% - 39.68%
Expected dividend yield................... 1.92% - 2.37% 1.40% - 2.19% 1.66% - 1.75%
Expected option life...................... 6 YEARS 6 years 6 years


The following table is a summary of the information concerning currently
outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2003.



WEIGHTED
AVERAGE WEIGHTED
REMAINING AVERAGE
CONTRACTUAL OPTIONS EXERCISE
RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICES OPTIONS OUTSTANDING LIFE EXERCISABLE PRICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

$ 0.0000 - $12.0000................ 238,684 5.0 194,084 $ 9.8363
$12.0001 - $16.0000................ 4,119,921 4.5 4,109,781 13.3144
$16.0001 - $24.0000................ 568,600 7.3 223,000 17.9222
$24.0001 - $30.0000................ 867,887 8.5 201,582 29.0059
$30.0001 - $37.8400................ 197,750 9.6 7,000 31.4129
--------- ---------
5,992,842 5.5 4,735,447 $14.0836
========= === ========= ========


18. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

On October 25, 2002 the Company announced that its Board of Directors
authorized the tenth stock repurchase plan for up to an additional three million
shares of the Company's outstanding common shares. On July 24, 2003 the Company
announced that its Board of Directors authorized the eleventh stock repurchase
plan for up to three million shares of the Company's outstanding common shares.
The Company completed its tenth stock repurchase plan and commenced its eleventh
stock repurchase program on August 26, 2003. Repurchases will be made by the
Company from time to time in open-market transactions as, in the opinion of
management, market conditions warrant.

The repurchased shares are held as treasury stock. A portion of such shares
was utilized to fund the stock portion of the merger consideration paid in two
acquisitions of other financial institutions by the Company in prior years as
well as consideration paid in October 2002 to increase the Company's minority
equity investment in Meridian Capital. Treasury shares also are being used to
fund the Company's stock benefit plans, in particular, the Option Plan, the
Directors Fee Plan and the Stock Incentive Plan.

During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company repurchased 2,765,900
shares of its common stock at a cost of $78.1 million, or $28.15 per share. The
Company also issued 992,717 shares of treasury stock in connection with the
exercise of options and the payment of directors fees in shares of common stock
at a value of $16.2 million. At December 31, 2003, the Company had repurchased a
total of 33,512,516 shares pursuant to the eleven repurchase programs at an
average cost of $553.9 million and reissued 11,944,481 shares at $174.8 million.

19. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company concurrently adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 133, and SFAS
No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging
Activities -- an amendment of FASB Statement

111

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

No. 133" on January 1, 2001. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 149
effective July 1, 2003. The Company's derivative instruments outstanding during
the year ended December 31, 2003 included interest rate swap agreements
designated as cash flow hedges of variable-rate FHLB borrowings, commitments to
fund loans available-for-sale and forward loan sale agreements.

The Company's use of derivative financial instruments creates exposure to
credit risk. This credit exposure relates to losses that would be recognized if
the counterparties fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. To
mitigate its exposure to non-performance by the counterparties, the Company
deals only with counterparties of good credit standing and establishes
counterparty credit limits.

INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS

During 2002, the Company entered into $200.0 million of forward starting
interest rate swap agreements as part of its interest rate risk management
process to change the repricing characteristics of certain variable-rate
borrowings. These agreements qualified as cash flow hedges of anticipated
interest payments relating to $200.0 million of variable-rate FHLB borrowings
that the Company expected to draw down during 2003 to replace existing FHLB
borrowings that were maturing during 2003.

These interest rate swap agreements required the Company to make periodic
fixed-rate payments to the swap counterparties, while receiving periodic
variable-rate payments indexed to the three month London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
("LIBOR") from the swap counterparties based on a common notional amount and
maturity date. As a result, the net impact of the swaps was to convert the
variable interest payments on the $200.0 million FHLB borrowings to fixed
interest payments the Company would make to the swap counterparties. The
notional amounts of derivatives do not represent amounts exchanged by the
parties and, thus, are not a measure of the Company's exposure through its use
of derivatives. The amounts exchanged are determined by reference to the
notional amounts and the other terms of the derivatives.

During the third quarter of 2003, the $200.0 million of interest rate swap
agreements were cancelled as the Company drew down $200.0 million of fixed-rate
FHLB borrowings resulting in a loss of $3.5 million. The $3.5 million was paid
to the counterparty and is being amortized into interest expense as a yield
adjustment over five years, which is the period in which the related interest on
the variable rate borrowings effects earnings. The amount of the yield
adjustment was $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2003. There were
no interest rate swap agreements outstanding as of December 31, 2003.

LOAN COMMITMENTS FOR LOANS ORIGINATED FOR SALE AND FORWARD LOAN SALE
AGREEMENTS

The Company adopted new accounting requirements relating to SFAS No. 149
which requires that mortgage loan commitments related to loans originated for
sale be accounted for as derivative instruments. In accordance with SFAS No. 133
and SFAS No. 149, derivative instruments are recognized in the statement of
financial condition at fair value and changes in the fair value thereof are
recognized in the statement of operations. The Company originates single-family
and multi-family residential loans for sale pursuant to programs with Cendant
and Fannie Mae. Under the structure of the programs, at the time the Company
initially issues a loan commitment in connection with such programs, it does not
lock in a specific interest rate. At the time the interest rate is locked in by
the borrower, the Company concurrently enters into a forward loan sale agreement
with respect to the sale of such loan at a set price in an effort to manage the
interest rate risk inherent in the locked loan commitment. The forward loan sale
agreement meets the definition of a derivative instrument under SFAS No. 133.
Any change in the fair value of the loan commitment after the borrower locks in
the interest rate is substantially offset by the corresponding change in the
fair value of the forward loan sale agreement related to such loan. The period
from the time the borrower locks in the interest rate to the time the Company
funds the loan and sells it to Fannie Mae or Cendant is generally 30 days. The
fair value of each instrument will rise or fall in response to changes in market
interest rates subsequent to the dates the interest rate locks and forward loan
sale agreements are entered into. In the event that interest rates rise after
112

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

the Company enters into an interest rate lock, the fair value of the loan
commitment will decline. However, the fair value of the forward loan sale
agreement related to such loan commitment should increase by substantially the
same amount, effectively eliminating the Company's interest rate and price risk.

At December 31, 2003, the Company had $99.5 million of loan commitments
outstanding related to loans being originated for sale. Of such amount, $21.2
million related to loan commitments for which the borrowers had not entered into
interest rate locks and $78.2 million which were subject to interest rate locks.
At December 31, 2003, the Company had $78.2 million of forward loan sale
agreements. The fair market value of the loan commitments with interest rate
lock was a gain of $4.4 million and the fair market value of the related forward
loan sale agreements was a loss of $4.4 million at December 31, 2003.

20. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISKS

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk
in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.
These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby
letters of credit. Such financial instruments are reflected in the consolidated
financial statements when and if proceeds associated with the commitments are
disbursed. The exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the
other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and
standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of
those instruments. Management uses the same credit policies in making
commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet
financial instruments.

Commitments to extend credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other
termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the
commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total
commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
Management evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.
The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, upon extension of
credit, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty.

Standby and commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued
to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Standby letters of
credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform
according to the terms of the underlying contract with the third party, while
commercial letters of credit are issued specifically to facilitate commerce and
typically result in the commitment being drawn on when the underlying
transaction is consummated between the customer and the third party. The credit
risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that
involved in extending loan facilities to customers.

The notional principal amount of the off-balance sheet financial
instruments at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 are as follows:



Contract or Amount
-------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS) DECEMBER 31, 2003 DECEMBER 31, 2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent
credit risk:
Commitments to extend credit - mortgage loans............. $ 563,049 $ 446,759
Commitments to extend credit - commercial business
loans................................................... 426,883 295,417
Commitments to extend credit - mortgage warehouse lines of
credit.................................................. 952,615 219,125
Commitments to extend credit - other loans................ 111,736 81,909
Standby letters of credit................................. 28,049 2,692
Commercial letters of credit.............................. 363 318
---------- ----------
Total....................................................... $2,082,695 $1,046,220
========== ==========


113

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

RETAINED CREDIT EXPOSURE

The Company originates and sells multi-family residential mortgage loans in
the secondary market to Fannie Mae while retaining servicing. The Company
underwrites these loans using its customary underwriting standards, funds the
loans, and sells the loans to Fannie Mae at agreed upon pricing. Under the terms
of the sales program, the Company retains a portion of the associated credit
risk. The Company has a 100% first loss position on each multi-family
residential loan sold to Fannie Mae under such program until the earlier of (i)
the losses on the multi-family residential loans sold to Fannie Mae reaching the
maximum loss exposure for the portfolio as a whole or (ii) until all of the
loans sold to Fannie Mae under this program are fully paid off. The maximum loss
exposure is available to satisfy any losses on loans sold in the program subject
to the foregoing limitations. Substantially all the loans sold to Fannie Mae
under this program are newly originated using the Company's underwriting
guidelines. At December 31, 2003, the Company serviced $3.46 billion of loans
for Fannie Mae under this program with a maximum potential loss exposure of
$130.9 million.

During 2002, in a separate transaction, the Company sold from portfolio at
par $257.6 million of fully performing multi-family loans in exchange for Fannie
Mae mortgage-backed securities representing a 100% interest in these loans. Such
loans were sold with full recourse with the Company retaining servicing. These
loans had an outstanding balance of $123.6 million at December 31, 2003.

Although all of the loans serviced for Fannie Mae (both loans originated
for sale and loans sold from portfolio) are currently fully performing, the
Company has recorded a $7.2 million liability related to the fair value of the
retained credit exposure. This liability represents the amount that the Company
would have to pay a third party to assume the retained recourse obligation. The
liability is based upon the present value of the estimated losses that the
portfolio is projected to incur based upon an industry based default curve using
both low and high severity percentages of loss (see Note 5).

LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Company has entered into noncancellable lease agreements with respect
to Bank premises. The minimum annual rental commitments under these operating
leases, exclusive of taxes and other charges, are summarized as follows:



(IN THOUSANDS) AMOUNT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Year ended December 31:
2004...................................................... $10,090
2005...................................................... 9,999
2006...................................................... 9,806
2007...................................................... 8,539
2008 and thereafter....................................... 62,444


The rent expense for the year ended December 31, 2003, the year ended
December 31, 2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2001 was $6.8 million,
$4.8 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS

The Company has outstanding purchase obligations as of the year ended
December 31, 2003 of $2.2 million. These obligations primarily relate to
construction and equipment costs related to our de novo branch expansion program
as well as data processing equipment.

114

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, there are outstanding various legal
proceedings, claims, commitments and contingent liabilities. In the opinion of
management, the financial position and results of operations of the Company will
not be affected materially by the outcome of such legal proceedings and claims.

21. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company is engaged in certain activities with Meridian Capital.
Meridian Capital is deemed to be a "related party" of the Company as such term
is defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 57. Such treatment
is triggered due to the Company's accounting for the investment in Meridian
Capital using the equity method. The Company has a 35% minority equity
investment in Meridian Capital, which is 65% owned by Meridian Funding, a New
York-based mortgage brokerage firm. Meridian Capital refers borrowers seeking
financing of their multi-family residential and/or commercial real estate loans
to the Company as well as to numerous other financial institutions.

All loans resulting from referrals from Meridian Capital are underwritten
by the Company using its loan underwriting standards and procedures. Meridian
Capital receives a fee from the borrower upon the funding of the loans by the
Company. The Company generally has not paid any referral fees to Meridian
Capital. In the future, the Company may consider paying such fees if it is
deemed necessary for competitive reasons.

The loans originated by the Company resulting from referrals by Meridian
Capital account for a significant portion of the Company's total loan
originations. In addition, referrals from Meridian Capital accounted for the
substantial majority of the loans originated for sale in 2003. The ability of
the Company to continue to originate multi-family residential and commercial
real estate loans at the levels experienced in the past may be a function of,
among other things, maintaining the Meridian Capital relationship.

During the third quarter of 2003, the Company announced that ICM Capital, a
newly formed subsidiary of the Bank, was approved as a DUS mortgage lender by
Fannie Mae. The Bank has a two-thirds ownership interest in ICM Capital and the
Meridian Company has a one-third ownership interest. Meridian Funding and
Meridian Company have the same principal owners.

Under the DUS program, ICM Capital will underwrite, fund and sell mortgages
on multi-family residential properties to Fannie Mae, with servicing retained.
Participation in the DUS program requires ICM Capital to share the risk of loan
losses with Fannie Mae with one-third of all losses assumed by ICM Capital and
two-thirds of all losses assumed by Fannie Mae. ICM Capital will be an integral
part of the expansion of the Company's multi-family lending activities along the
East Coast and will work closely with Meridian Capital. There were no loans
originated under this DUS program by ICM Capital during the year ended December
31, 2003.

The Company has also entered into other transactions with Meridian Capital,
Meridian Company, Meridian Funding and several of their executive officers in
the normal course of business. Such relationships include depository
relationships with the Bank and six residential mortgage loans made in the
ordinary course of the Bank's business.

Meridian Capital's stock ownership in the Company amounted to approximately
0.96% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's stock at December
31, 2003.

115

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

22. INCOME TAXES

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are summarized as
follows:



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deferred tax assets:
Contribution to the Foundation............................ $ -- $16,275
Allowance for loan losses................................. 36,532 37,810
Depreciation.............................................. -- 1,498
Deferred loan fees........................................ 5,473 6,930
Amortization of intangible assets......................... 10,286 10,853
Non-accrual interest...................................... -- 1,514
Employee benefits......................................... 9,432 1,863
Other..................................................... 1,769 2,068
------- -------
Gross deferred tax assets................................... 63,492 78,811
------- -------
Valuation allowance for contribution to Foundation........ -- (5,182)
------- -------
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance............. 63,492 73,629
------- -------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Securities available-for-sale............................. 3,712 4,311
Bad debt recapture under Section 593...................... -- 252
Deferred compensation..................................... 151 (95)
Depreciation.............................................. 3,894 --
------- -------
Gross deferred tax liabilities.............................. 7,757 4,468
------- -------
Net deferred tax assets..................................... $55,735 $69,161
======= =======


The Company has reported taxable income for federal, state and local income
tax purposes in each of the past two years and in management's opinion, in view
of the Company's previous, current and projected future earnings, such net
deferred tax asset is expected to be fully realized. The deferred tax asset and
the related valuation allowance associated with the non-utilized contribution to
the Foundation, were eliminated as the remaining carryover expired unused at
December 31, 2003.

116

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Significant components of the provision for income taxes attributable to
continuing operations are as follows:



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current:
Federal............................................... $60,069 $86,421 $14,936
State and local....................................... 5,464 8,644 3,054
------- ------- -------
65,533 95,065 17,990
------- ------- -------
Deferred:
Federal............................................... 10,291 (19,536) 20,561
State and local....................................... 387 (5,944) 2,348
------- ------- -------
10,678 (25,480) 22,909
------- ------- -------
Total................................................... $76,211 $69,585 $40,899
======= ======= =======


The table below presents a reconciliation between the reported tax
provision and the tax provision computed by applying the statutory Federal
income tax rate to income before provision for income taxes:



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Federal income tax provision at statutory
rates......................................... $74,613 $67,195 $38,688
Increase (decrease) in tax resulting from:
State and local taxes, net of Federal income
tax effect................................. 3,803 1,755 3,511
Other......................................... (2,205) 635 (1,300)
------- ------- -------
$76,211 $69,585 $40,899
======= ======= =======


At December 31, 2003, the base year bad debt reserve for federal income tax
purposes which is subject to recapture as taxable income was approximately $30
million, for which deferred taxes are not required to be recognized. Bad debt
reserves maintained for New York State and New York City tax purposes as of
December 31, 2003 for which deferred taxes are not required to be recognized,
amounted to approximately $133 million. Accordingly, deferred tax liabilities of
approximately $21.8 million have not been recognized as of December 31, 2003.

23. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

As a New York State-chartered stock form savings bank, the deposits of
which are insured by the FDIC, the Bank is subject to certain FDIC capital
requirements. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain
mandatory and possible discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken,
could have a direct material effect on the Bank's financial statements. Under
capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective
action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative
measures of the Bank's assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items
as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank's capital amounts
and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators
about components, risk weightings and other factors.

117

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Based on its regulatory capital ratios at December 31, 2003 and December
31, 2002, the Bank is categorized as "well capitalized" under the regulatory
framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as "well capitalized"
the Bank must maintain Tier I leverage, Tier I risk-based and minimum total
risk-based ratios as set forth in the following table.

The Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the tables
below as of December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002:



TO BE WELL-
FOR CAPITAL CAPITALIZED
ADEQUACY UNDER FDIC
ACTUAL AMOUNTS PURPOSES AT GUIDELINES
AS OF 12/31/03 12/31/03 AT 12/31/03
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tier I Leverage................ $722,325 8.14% $355,026 4.00% $443,782 5.00%
Tier I Risk-Based.............. 722,325 9.34% 309,291 4.00% 463,937 6.00%
Total Risk-Based............... 957,839 12.39% 618,582 8.00% 773,228 10.00%




To Be Well-
For Capital Capitalized
Adequacy Under FDIC
Actual Amounts Purposes at Guidelines
as of 12/31/02 12/31/02 at 12/31/02
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(Dollars In Thousands) Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tier I Leverage................ $685,652 8.73% $314,069 4.00% $392,586 5.00%
Tier I Risk-Based.............. 685,652 10.14% 270,589 4.00% 405,884 6.00%
Total Risk-Based............... 771,002 11.40% 541,179 8.00% 676,473 10.00%


24. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments"
("SFAS No. 107") requires disclosure of fair value information about financial
instruments, whether or not recognized in the statements of financial condition,
for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. In cases where quoted market
prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value
or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by
assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash
flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated
by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized
in immediate settlement of the instrument. SFAS No. 107 requirements exclude
certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its
disclosure requirements. Additionally, tax consequences related to the
realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a potential effect on
fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates. Accordingly,
the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value
of the Company.

118

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The book values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial
instruments are summarized as follows:



DECEMBER 31, 2003 December 31, 2002
----------------------- -----------------------
(IN THOUSANDS) BOOK VALUE FAIR VALUE BOOK VALUE FAIR VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCIAL ASSETS:
Cash and due from banks............. $ 172,028 $ 172,028 $ 199,057 $ 199,057
Securities available-for-sale....... 2,508,700 2,508,700 1,263,650 1,263,650
Loans available-for-sale............ 5,922 5,922 114,379 114,379
Mortgage loans on real estate....... 4,718,784 4,619,810 4,305,705 4,341,291
Commercial business loans........... 606,204 612,767 598,267 600,945
Mortgage warehouse lines of
credit............................ 527,254 527,254 692,434 692,434
Other loans......................... 324,524 321,957 228,923 228,923
Accrued interest receivable......... 37,046 37,046 36,530 36,530
FHLB stock.......................... 135,815 135,815 101,578 101,578
Loan servicing assets............... 7,772 12,463 6,445 7,039
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:
Core deposits....................... 3,925,195 3,925,195 3,350,808 3,350,808
Certificates of deposit accounts.... 1,378,902 1,394,972 1,589,252 1,615,691
Borrowings.......................... 2,916,300 3,021,087 1,931,550 2,101,984
Escrow and other deposits........... 76,260 76,260 34,574 34,574
Subordinated notes.................. 148,429 154,875 -- --
Retained credit exposure............ 7,159 7,159 4,453 4,453
Interest rate swaps................. -- -- (2,935) (2,935)


The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
estimating the fair values of financial instruments:

The carrying values of cash and due from banks, loans available-for sale,
federal funds sold, other loans, mortgage warehouse lines of credit, accrued
interest receivable, deposits and escrow and other deposits all approximate
their fair values primarily due to their liquidity and short-term nature.

Securities available-for-sale: The estimated fair values are based on
quoted market prices.

Mortgage loans on real estate: The Company's mortgage loans on real estate
were segregated into two categories, residential and cooperative loans and
commercial/multi-family loans. These were stratified further based upon
historical delinquency and loan to value ratios. The fair value for each loan
was then calculated by discounting the projected mortgage cash flow to a yield
target equal to a spread, which is commensurate with the loan quality and type,
over the U.S. Treasury curve at the average life of the cash flow.

Commercial business loans: The commercial business loan portfolio was
priced using the same methodology as the mortgage loans on real estate.

FHLB stock: The carrying amount approximates fair value because it is
redeemable at cost only with the issuer.

Loan servicing assets: The fair value is estimated by discounting the
future cash flows using current market rates for mortgage loan servicing with
adjustments for market and credit risks.

119

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Certificates of deposit accounts: The estimated fair value for
certificates of deposit is based on a discounted cash flow calculation that
applies interest rates currently being offered by the Company to its current
deposit portfolio.

Borrowings: The estimated fair value of borrowings is based on the
discounted value of their contractual cash flows. The discount rate used in the
present value computation is estimated by comparison to the current interest
rates charged by the FHLB for advances of similar remaining maturities.

Subordinated Notes: The estimated fair value for Subordinated Notes is
based on quoted market prices.

Retained Credit Exposure: The fair value is based upon the present value
of the estimated losses that the portfolio is projected to incur based upon an
industry based default curve.

Interest Rate Swaps: Fair values for interest rate swaps are based on
securities dealers' estimated market values.

25. ASSET AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

The Bank is required to maintain a reserve balance with the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York. The required reserve balance was $9.5 million at December 31,
2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, respectively.

Limitations exist on the availability of the Bank's undistributed earnings
for the payment of dividends to the Company without prior approval of the Bank's
regulatory authorities.

During 2003, the Bank requested and received approval of the distribution
to the Company of an aggregate of $100.0 million. The Bank declared $75.0
million and funded $50.0 million during 2003 with the remaining $25.0 million to
be funded in 2004. The Bank expects the remaining approved but undeclared $25.0
million dividend to be declared and funded during 2004. During 2002, the Bank
requested and received approval of the distribution to the Company of an
aggregate of $100.0 million, of which $75.0 million was declared by the Bank and
was funded during 2002 with the remaining $25.0 million declared and funded in
2003. In December 2000, the Bank requested and received approval of the
distribution to the Company of an aggregate of $25.0 million, of which $6.0
million had been distributed as of December 31, 2001, with the remainder
distributed in 2002. The distributions were primarily used by the Company to
fund the Company's open market stock repurchase programs, dividend payments and
the consideration paid in October 2002 to increase the Company's minority
investment in Meridian Capital.

120

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

26. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)



YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003
-----------------------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest income......................... $110,696 $111,245 $105,952 $112,227
Interest expense........................ 37,671 37,279 37,622 34,803
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income..................... 73,025 73,966 68,330 77,424
Provision for loan losses............... 2,000 1,500 -- --
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income after provision for
loan losses........................... 71,025 72,466 68,330 77,424
Non-interest income..................... 26,237 27,937 29,685 28,880
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total income............................ 97,262 100,403 98,015 106,304
-------- -------- -------- --------
General and administrative expense...... 44,524 47,204 45,465 49,755
Amortization of intangible assets....... 1,427 143 142 143
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before provision for income
taxes................................. 51,311 53,056 52,408 56,406
Provision for income taxes.............. 18,343 18,967 18,736 20,165
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income.............................. $ 32,968 $ 34,089 $ 33,672 $ 36,241
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic earnings per common share......... $ 0.65 $ 0.68 $ 0.68 $ 0.73
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted earnings per common share....... $ 0.62 $ 0.65 $ 0.64 $ 0.69
======== ======== ======== ========
Dividend declared per common share...... $ 0.15 $ 0.16 $ 0.17 $ 0.20
======== ======== ======== ========
Closing price per common share
High.................................. $ 27.040 $ 28.900 $ 36.030 $ 38.740
======== ======== ======== ========
Low................................... $ 25.140 $ 25.310 $ 28.470 $ 34.500
======== ======== ======== ========
End of period......................... $ 26.450 $ 28.140 $ 35.110 $ 35.970
======== ======== ======== ========


121

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)



Year Ended December 31, 2002
-----------------------------------------------------
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data) 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest income......................... $120,804 $124,106 $121,678 $118,915
Interest expense........................ 45,977 44,324 43,959 41,319
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income..................... 74,827 79,782 77,719 77,596
Provision for loan losses............... 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income after provision for
loan losses........................... 72,827 77,782 75,719 75,596
Non-interest income..................... 16,176 16,793 17,778 24,371
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total income............................ 89,003 94,575 93,497 99,967
-------- -------- -------- --------
General and administrative expense...... 41,860 43,387 41,699 51,138
Amortization of intangible assets....... 1,919 1,684 1,684 1,684
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before provision for income
taxes................................. 45,224 49,504 50,114 47,145
Provision for income taxes.............. 16,507 17,821 18,167 17,090
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income.............................. $ 28,717 $ 31,683 $ 31,947 $ 30,055
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic earnings per common share......... $ 0.55 $ 0.61 $ 0.62 $ 0.58
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted earnings per common share....... $ 0.52 $ 0.57 $ 0.59 $ 0.56
======== ======== ======== ========
Dividend declared per common share...... $ 0.11 $ 0.12 $ 0.13 $ 0.14
======== ======== ======== ========
Closing price per common share
High.................................. $ 28.850 $ 34.740 $ 32.280 $ 26.640
======== ======== ======== ========
Low................................... $ 22.500 $ 26.350 $ 23.280 $ 21.270
======== ======== ======== ========
End of period......................... $ 28.130 $ 29.270 $ 25.090 $ 25.380
======== ======== ======== ========


122

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

27. PARENT COMPANY DISCLOSURE

The following Condensed Statement of Financial Condition, as of December
31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 and Condensed Statement of Operations and Cash
Flows for the year ended December 31, 2003, the year ended December 31, 2002,
and the nine months ended December 31, 2001 should be read in conjunction with
the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto.

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION



DECEMBER 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents................................... $ 18,009 $ 5,109
Investment in subsidiaries.................................. 911,762 879,024
Net deferred tax asset...................................... -- 9,154
Dividends receivable........................................ 25,000 --
Other assets................................................ 36,810 27,506
-------- --------
Total assets................................................ $991,581 $920,793
======== ========
LIABILITIES:
Accrued expenses and other liabilities...................... $ 470 $ 525
-------- --------
Total liabilities........................................... 470 525
Stockholders' equity........................................ 991,111 920,268
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.................. $991,581 $920,793
======== ========


CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INCOME:
Interest income................................ $ 69 $ 227 $ 152
Net gain on sales of securities................ -- 562 --
Other non-interest income...................... 6,762 2,318 900
-------- -------- -------
6,831 3,107 1,052
-------- -------- -------
EXPENSES:
Shareholder expense............................ 477 674 600
Other expense.................................. 245 747 1,060
-------- -------- -------
722 1,421 1,660
-------- -------- -------
Income(loss)before provision for income taxes
and undistributed earnings of subsidiaries... 6,109 1,686 (608)
Provision for income taxes, net................ 150 150 112
-------- -------- -------
Income(loss)before undistributed
earnings of subsidiaries..................... 5,959 1,536 (720)
Equity in undistributed earnings of
subsidiaries................................. 131,011 120,866 70,358
-------- -------- -------
Net income..................................... $136,970 $122,402 $69,638
======== ======== =======


123

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS



Nine Months
YEAR ENDED Year Ended Ended
DECEMBER 31, December 31, December 31,
(IN THOUSANDS) 2003 2002 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income...................................... $ 136,970 $ 122,402 $ 69,638
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Gain on sale of securities...................... -- (562) --
Decrease in deferred income taxes............... 6,084 4,984 4,855
Dividends received from subsidiary.............. 75,000 94,000 20,000
Decrease (increase) in other assets............. 15,365 (2,539) (6,856)
Redemption of subordinated debentures........... -- (11,856) --
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities........ (55) 525 (8,209)
Amortization of unearned compensation of ESOP
and Recognition Plan.......................... 17,373 17,471 11,469
Accelerated vesting of stock options............ 185 115 603
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries.......... (137,773) (120,866) (70,358)
Other, net...................................... (542) 56 274
--------- --------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities....... 112,607 103,730 21,416
--------- --------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds on sales of securities................. -- 1,885 --
--------- --------- --------
Net cash provided by investing activities....... -- 1,885 --
--------- --------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds received on exercise of stock
options....................................... 12,905 11,500 1,078
Repurchase of common stock...................... (78,068) (92,147) (18,352)
Dividends paid.................................. (34,544) (26,549) (14,580)
--------- --------- --------
Net cash used in financing activities........... (99,707) (107,196) (31,854)
--------- --------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents................................... 12,900 (1,581) (10,438)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period........................................ 5,109 6,690 17,128
--------- --------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...... $ 18,009 $ 5,109 $ 6,690
========= ========= ========


124


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this
report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the
reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the SEC's rules and regulations and are operating in an effective manner.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required herein is incorporated by reference to "Election
of Directors" and "Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors" in the definitive
proxy statement of the Company for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders which as
of the date hereof is expected to be held on May 21, 2004, which will be filed
with the SEC prior to April 29, 2004 ("Definitive Proxy Statement").

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, as well as other officers and
employees of the Company and the Bank. A copy of the Code of Ethics may be found
on the Company's website at www.myindependence.com.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required herein is incorporated by reference to
"Compensation of Executive Officers and Transactions with Management", "Report
of the Compensation Committee" and "Performance Graph" in the Definitive Proxy
Statement. The reports of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee
included in the Definitive Proxy Statement should not be deemed filed or
incorporated by reference into this filing or any other filing by the Company
under the Exchange Act or Securities Act of 1933 except to the extent the
Company specifically incorporates said reports herein or therein by reference
thereto.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required herein is incorporated by reference to "Share
Ownership of Management and Others" in the Definitive Proxy Statement.

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2003 with
respect to shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Company's
existing equity compensation plans which include the 1998 Stock Option Plan,
1998 Recognition and Retention Plan and Trust Agreement and the 2002 Stock
Incentive Plan (collectively, the "Plans"). Each of the Plans has been approved
by the Company's stockholders.

The table does not include information with respect to shares of Common
Stock subject to outstanding options granted under equity compensation plans
assumed by the Company in connection with mergers and acquisitions of the
companies which originally granted those options. Note 3 to the table sets forth
the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of assumed
options as of December 31, 2003 and the weighted average exercise price of those
options. No additional options may be granted under those assumed plans.

125




NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
NUMBER OF REMAINING AVAILABLE
SECURITIES TO BE FOR FUTURE ISSUANCE
ISSUED UPON WEIGHTED-AVERAGE UNDER EQUITY
EXERCISE OF EXERCISE PRICE OF COMPENSATION
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING PLANS (EXCLUDING
OPTIONS, WARRANTS OPTIONS, WARRANTS SECURITIES REFLECTED
AND RIGHTS AND RIGHTS IN COLUMN (A))
PLAN CATEGORY (A) (B) (C)
- ------------- ----------------- ------------------- --------------------

Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders................... 6,222,829(1) $16.80(1) 2,080,153(2)(3)
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders(4).... 5,000 12.94 --
--------- ------ ---------
Total........................... 6,227,829 $16.80 2,080,153
========= ====== =========


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

(1) Included in such number are 363,771 shares which are subject to restricted
stock grants which were not vested as of December 31, 2003. The weighted
average exercise price excludes restricted stock grants.

(2) Does not take into account shares available for future issuance under the
Directors' Fee Plan, under which the $20,000 annual retainer payable to each
of the Company's non-employee directors is payable in shares of Common
Stock. Because the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the
Directors' Fee Plan is based on a formula and not a specific reserve amount,
the number of shares which may be issued pursuant to this plan in the future
is not determinable. This plan was approved by stockholders in May 2001.
During the year ended December 31, 2003, a total of 12,160 shares were
issued under this plan.

(3) The table does not include information for equity compensation plans assumed
by the Company in connection with mergers and acquisitions of the companies
which originally established those plans. As of December 31, 2003, a total
of 128,784 shares of Common Stock were issuable upon exercise of outstanding
options under those assumed plans and the weighted average exercise price of
those outstanding options was $9.08 per share.

(4) Consists of a single grant of options to a non-employee director upon
appointment to the Board of Directors of the Company.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required herein is incorporated by reference to
"Compensation of Executive Officers and Transactions With
Management -- Indebtedness of Management" in the Definitive Proxy Statement.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required herein is incorporated by reference to
"Relationship with Independent Public Accountants" in the Definitive Proxy
Statement.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Documents Filed as Part of this Report

(1) The following financial statements are incorporated by reference from
Item 8 hereof:

Report of Independent Auditors

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2003
and December 31, 2002.

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Year Ended December 31,
2003, the Year Ended December 31, 2002, and Nine Months Ended December
31, 2001.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Year
Ended December 31, 2003, the Year Ended December 31, 2002, and the Nine
Months Ended December 31, 2001.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31,
2003, the Year Ended December 31, 2002, and the Nine Months Ended
December 31, 2001.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

126


(2) All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the SEC are omitted because of the absence of conditions
under which they are required or because the required information is
included in the consolidated financial statements and related notes
thereto.

(3) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-K, and this
list includes the Exhibit Index.

EXHIBIT INDEX



3.1(1) Certificate of Incorporation of Independence Community Bank
Corp.
3.2(2) Bylaws, as amended, of Independence Community Bank Corp.
4.0(1) Specimen Stock Certificate of Independence Community Bank
Corp.
10.1(1) Form of Change of Control Agreement entered into among
Independence Community Bank Corp., Independence Community
Bank and certain senior executive officers of the Company
and the Bank.*
10.2(1) Form of Change in Control Agreement entered into between
Independence Community Bank and certain officers thereof.*
10.3(1) Form of Change of Control Agreement entered into among
Independence Community Bank Corp., Independence Community
Bank and certain executive officers of the Company and the
Bank.*
10.4(1) Form of Change of Control Agreement entered into between
Independence Community Bank and certain executive officers
thereof.*
10.5 Independence Community Bank Severance Plan.*
10.6(3) 1998 Stock Option Plan.*
10.7(3) 1998 Recognition and Retention Plan and Trust Agreement.*
10.8(4) Broad National Bancorporation Incentive Stock Option Plan.*
10.9(4) 1993 Broad National Incentive Stock Option Plan.*
10.10(4) 1993 Broad National Directors Non-Statutory Stock Option
Plan.*
10.11(4) 1996 Broad National Incentive Stock Option Plan.*
10.12(4) 1996 Broad National Bancorporation Directors Non-Statutory
Stock Option Plan.*
10.13(5) 1996 Statewide Financial Corporation Incentive Stock Option
Plan.*
10.14(6) Deferred Compensation Plan.*
10.15(6) Directors Fiscal 2002 Stock Retainer Plan.*
10.16(7) Directors Fee Plan.*
10.17(8) Independence Community Bank Executive Management Incentive
Compensation Plan (April 1, 2001 -- December 31, 2001).*
10.18(9) Independence Community Bank Executive Management Incentive
Compensation Plan (January 1, 2002 -- December 31, 2002), as
amended.*
10.19(10) 2002 Stock Incentive Plan.*
10.20 Independence Community Bank Executive Management Incentive
Compensation Plan (January 1, 2003 -- December 31, 2003), as
amended.*
10.21 Form of Amendment Number One to Change in Control Severance
Agreement.
11.0 Statement re computation of per share earnings -- Reference
is made to Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data" for the required information.
21.0 Subsidiaries of the Registrant -- Reference is made to Item
1. "Business" for the required information.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
31.1 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


127



32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


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

(1) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-30757) filed by the Company with the SEC
on July 3, 1997.

(2) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 filed by the Company
with the SEC on November 14, 2002.

(3) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive proxy
statement filed by the Company with the SEC on August 17, 1998.

(4) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's registration statement
on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-85981) filed by the Company with the SEC
on August 26, 1999.

(5) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's registration statement
on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-95767) filed by the Company with the SEC
on January 31, 2000.

(6) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 filed by the Company with the
SEC on June 22, 2001.

(7) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive proxy
statement filed by the Company with the SEC on June 22, 2001.

(8) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-KT for the transition period from April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001
filed by the Company with the SEC on March 28, 2002.

(9) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 filed by the Company with
the SEC on March 31, 2003.

(10) Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive proxy
statement filed by the Company with the SEC on April 10, 2002.

* Denotes management compensation plan or arrangement.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

The following Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter
ended December 31, 2003.



DATE ITEM AND DESCRIPTION
- ---- --------------------

October 21, 2003 9- On October 20, 2003, the Company issued a press release
reporting its earnings for the quarter ended September 30,
2003.
October 31, 2003 9- On October 30, 2003, the Company issued a press release
reporting its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank has entered
into an agreement to acquire certain mortgage warehouse
loans from The Provident Bank.
November 25, 2003 5 & 7- On November 24, 2003, the Company issued a joint press
release with Staten Island Bancorp, Inc., reporting the two
companies had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger.
December 8, 2003 5 & 7- On December 8, 2003, the Company filed a Current Report on
Form 8-K with the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and
between the Company and Staten Island Bancorp, Inc. as an
exhibit.


(c) The exhibits listed under (a)(3) of this Item 15 are filed herewith.

(d) Not applicable.

128


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY BANK CORP.

By /s/ ALAN H. FISHMAN
------------------------------------
Alan H. Fishman
President and Chief Executive
Officer

March 10, 2004

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and the capacities and on the dates indicated:



NAME DATE
---- ----

/s/ CHARLES J. HAMM Chairman of the Board March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Charles J. Hamm


/s/ DONALD M. KARP Vice Chairman of the Board March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Donald M. Karp


/s/ VICTOR M. RICHEL Vice Chairman of the Board March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Victor M. Richel


/s/ ALAN H. FISHMAN President and Chief Executive March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------ Officer
Alan H. Fishman


/s/ FRANK W. BAIER Executive Vice President, Chief March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------ Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Frank W. Baier Principal Accounting Officer


/s/ WILLARD N. ARCHIE Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Willard N. Archie


/s/ ROBERT B. CATELL Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Robert B. Catell


/s/ ROHIT M. DESAI Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Rohit M. Desai


/s/ CHAIM Y. EDELSTEIN Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Chaim Y. Edelstein


/s/ DONALD H. ELLIOTT Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Donald H. Elliott


129




NAME DATE
---- ----


/s/ ROBERT W. GELFMAN Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Gelfman


/s/ SCOTT M. HAND Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Scott M. Hand


/s/ DONALD E. KOLOWSKY Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Donald E. Kolowsky


/s/ JANINE LUKE Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Janine Luke


/s/ MALCOLM MACKAY Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Malcolm MacKay


/s/ MARIA FIORINI RAMIREZ Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Maria Fiorini Ramirez


/s/ WESLEY D. RATCLIFF Director March 10, 2004
------------------------------------------------
Wesley D. Ratcliff


130