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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

For the transition period from _____________ to _____________

Commission File No. 0-12870

FIRST WEST CHESTER CORPORATION
------------------------------
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania 23-2288763
------------ ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

9 North High Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380
-----------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (610) 692-3000
---------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Name of Each Exchange
Title of Each Class on Which Registered
------------------- -------------------
None None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $1.00 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 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
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 the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the Registrant held by
non-affiliates as of March 1, 1997, was approximately $44,585,000.

The number of shares outstanding of Common Stock of the Registrant as of March
1, 1997, was 1,715,941.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31,
1996, is incorporated by reference into Parts I and II hereof. The Registrant's
definitive Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is
incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.








FIRST WEST CHESTER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES



TABLE OF CONTENTS
----------------- PAGE
----

PART I: Item 1 - Business 1
Item 2 - Properties 13
Item 3 - Legal Proceedings 14
Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 14


PART II: Item 5 - Market for the Corporation's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters 14
Item 6 - Selected Financial Data 15
Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operation 15
Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 15
Item 9 - Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure 15


PART III: Item 10 - Directors and Executive Officers of the Corporation 15
Item 11 - Executive Compensation 16
Item 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management 16
Item 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 16


PART IV: Item 14 - Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on
Form 8-K 16


SIGNATURES 19





PART I
------

Item 1. Business.
- ------- ---------

GENERAL

First West Chester Corporation (the "Corporation") is a Pennsylvania
business corporation and a bank holding company registered under the federal
Bank Holding Corporation Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"). As a bank
holding company, the Corporation's operations are confined to the ownership and
operation of banks and activities deemed by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board") to be so closely related to
banking to be a proper incident thereto. The Corporation was incorporated on
March 9, 1984, for the purpose of becoming a registered bank holding company
pursuant to the BHC Act and acquiring The First National Bank of West Chester
(the "Bank"), thereby enabling the Bank to operate within a bank holding company
structure. On September 13, 1984, the Corporation acquired all of the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock of the Bank. The principal activities of the
Corporation are the owning and supervising of the Bank, which engages in a
general banking business in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The Corporation
directs the policies and coordinates the financial resources of the Bank. In
addition, the Corporation is the sole shareholder of 323 East Gay Street Corp.,
a Pennsylvania corporation ("EGSC"), which was formed in 1995 for the purpose of
holding the Bank's interest in and operating foreclosed real property until
liquidation of such property.

BUSINESS OF THE BANK

The Bank is engaged in the business of commercial and retail banking
and was organized under the banking laws of the United States in December 1863.
The Bank currently conducts its business through six banking offices located in
Chester County, Pennsylvania, including its main office. In addition, the Bank
operates four limited service ATM facilities. The Bank is a member of the
Federal Reserve System. At December 31, 1996, the Bank had total assets of
approximately $397 million, total loans of approximately $265 million, total
deposits of approximately $352 million and employed 190 full-time equivalent
persons.

The Bank is a full service commercial bank offering a broad range of
retail banking, commercial banking, trust and financial management services to
individuals and businesses. Retail services include checking accounts, savings
programs, money-market accounts, certificates of deposit, safe deposit
facilities, consumer loan programs, residential mortgages, overdraft checking,
automated tellers and extended banking hours. Commercial services include
revolving lines of credit, commercial mortgages, equipment leasing and letter of
credit services.

These retail and commercial banking activities are provided primarily
to consumers and small to mid-sized companies within the Bank's market area.
Lending services are focused on commercial, consumer and real estate lending to
local borrowers. The Bank attempts to establish a total borrowing relationship
with its customers which may typically include a commercial real estate loan, a
business line of credit for working capital needs, a mortgage loan for a
borrower's residence, a consumer loan or a revolving personal credit line.

The Bank's Financial Management Services Department (formerly, the
Trust Department) provides a broad range of personal trust services. It
administers and provides investment management services for estates, trusts,
agency accounts and employee benefit plans. At December 31, 1996, the Bank's
Financial Management Services Department administered or provided investment
management for 726 accounts, which possessed assets with an aggregate market
value of approximately $271 million. For the year ended December 31, 1996, gross
income from the Bank's Financial Management Services Department and related
activities amounted to approximately $1.9 million and accounted for 5.6% of the
total of interest income and other income of the Bank for such period.


-1-




COMPETITION

The Bank's service area consists primarily of greater Chester County,
including West Chester and Kennett Square, as well as the fringe of Delaware
County, Pennsylvania. The core of the Bank's service area is located within a
fifteen-mile radius of the Bank's main office in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The
Bank encounters vigorous competition for market share in the communities it
serves from community banks, thrift institutions and other non-bank financial
organizations. The Bank also competes with banking and financial branching
systems, some from out of state, which are substantially larger and have greater
financial resources than the Bank. There are branches of approximately 23
commercial banks, savings banks and credit unions, including the Bank, in the
general market area serviced by the Bank. The largest of these institutions had
assets of over $100 billion and the smallest had assets of less than $30
million. The Bank had total assets of approximately $397 million as of December
31, 1996.

The Bank competes for deposits with various other commercial banks,
savings banks, credit unions, brokerage firms and stock, bond and money market
funds. The Bank also faces competition from major retail-oriented firms that
offer financial services similar to traditional services available through
commercial banks without being subject to the same degree of regulation.
Mortgage banking firms, finance companies, insurance companies and leasing
companies also compete with the Bank for traditional lending services.

Management believes that the Bank is able to effectively compete with
its competitors because of its ability to provide responsive personalized
services and competitive rates. This ability is a direct result of management's
knowledge of the Bank's market area and customer base. Management believes the
needs of the small to mid-sized commercial business and retail customers are not
adequately met by larger financial institutions, therefore creating a marketing
opportunity for the Bank.

BUSINESS OF EGSC

EGSC was formed in 1995 to hold the Bank's partnership interest in WCP
Partnership. WCP Partnership was formed to facilitate the acquisition, necessary
repairs, required environmental remediation and other actions necessary to sell
real property located in West Chester, Pennsylvania (the "West Chester
Property") at fair market value. EGSC purchased a 62% interest in the mortgage
on the West Chester Property in 1995 from the Bank at book value and immediately
contributed the interest in the mortgage to WCP Partnership as capital. Another
financial institution contributed the remaining 38% interest in the mortgage to
WCP Partnership. WCP Partnership foreclosed on West Chester Property in 1995.
During 1996, the property was liquidated. The proceeds from the liquidation were
in excess of the transferred loan amount resulting in a gain which was included
in noninterest income.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

General

The Corporation is a bank holding company subject to supervision and
regulation by the Federal Reserve Board. In addition, the Bank is subject to
supervision and regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
("OCC"), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). Certain aspects
of the Bank's operation are also subject to state laws.

Government Regulation

The Corporation is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board an
annual report and such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board may
require pursuant to the BHC Act. Annual and other periodic reports also are
required to be filed with the Department. The Federal Reserve Board also makes
examinations of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries. The BHC Act
requires each bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal
Reserve Board before it may acquire substantially all of the assets of any bank,
or if it would acquire or

-2-




control more than 5% of the voting shares of such a bank. The Federal Reserve
Board will consider numerous factors, including its capital adequacy guidelines
before approving such acquisitions. For a description of certain applicable
guidelines, see "Capital," Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Capital Adequacy,"
and Part II, Item 8, "Note H - Capital Requirements" in the consolidated
financial statements.

The BHC Act also restricts the types of businesses and operations in
which a bank holding company and its subsidiaries may engage. Generally,
permissible activities are limited to banking and activities found by the
Federal Reserve Board to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper
incident thereto. Further, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are
prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with any
extension of credit, lease or sale of property or furnishing of services.

The operations of the Bank are subject to requirements and restrictions
under federal and state law, including requirements to maintain reserves against
deposits, restrictions on the types and amounts of loans that may be made and
the types of services which may be offered and restrictions on the ability to
acquire deposits under certain circumstances. Various consumer laws and
regulations also affect the operations of the Bank. Approval of the OCC is
required for branching by the Bank and for bank mergers in which the continuing
bank is a national bank.

Dividend Restrictions

The Corporation is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank.
Virtually all of the revenue of the Corporation available for payment of
dividends on its Common Stock will result from amounts paid to the Corporation
from dividends received from the Bank. All such dividends are subject to
limitations imposed by federal and state laws and by regulations and policies
adopted by federal and state regulatory agencies.

The Bank as a national bank is required by federal law to obtain the
approval of the OCC for the payment of dividends if the total of all dividends
declared by the Board of Directors of the Bank in any calendar year will exceed
the total of Bank's net income for that year and the retained net income for the
preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus or a fund for the
retirement of any preferred stock. Under this formula, in 1997, the Bank,
without affirmative governmental approvals, could declare aggregate dividends in
1997 of approximately $3.1 million, plus an amount approximately equal to the
net income, if any, earned by the Bank for the period from January 1, 1997,
through the date of declaration of such dividend less dividends previously paid
in 1997, subject to the further limitations that a national bank can pay
dividends only to the extent that retained net profits (including the portion
transferred to surplus) exceed bad debts and provided that the Bank would not
become "undercapitalized" (as defined under federal law).

If, in the opinion of the applicable regulatory authority, a bank or
bank holding company under its jurisdiction is engaged in or is about to engage
in an unsafe or unsound practice (which, depending on the financial condition of
the bank or bank holding company, could include the payment of dividends), such
regulatory authority may require such bank or bank holding company to cease and
desist from such practice, or to limit dividends in the future. Finally, the
several regulatory authorities described herein, may from time to time,
establish guidelines, issue policy statements and adopt regulations with respect
to the maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by a bank or bank holding
company under their jurisdiction. Compliance with the standards set forth in
such policy statements, guidelines and regulations could limit the amount of
dividends which the Corporation and the Bank may pay.

Capital

The Corporation and the Bank are both subject to minimum capital
requirements and guidelines. The Federal Reserve Board measures capital adequacy
for bank holding companies on the basis of a risk-based capital framework and a
leverage ratio. The Federal Reserve Board has established minimum leverage ratio
guidelines for bank holding companies. These guidelines currently provide for a
minimum leverage ratio of Tier I capital to adjusted total assets of 3% for bank
holding companies that meet certain criteria, including that they maintain the
highest regulatory rating.

-3-





All other bank holding companies are required to maintain a leverage ratio of 3%
plus an additional cushion of at least 100 to 200 basis points. The Federal
Reserve Board has not advised the Corporation of any specific minimum leverage
ratio under these guidelines which would be applicable to the Corporation.
Failure to satisfy regulators that a bank holding company will comply fully with
capital adequacy guidelines upon consummation of an acquisition may impede the
ability of a bank holding company to consummate such acquisition, particularly
if the acquisition involves payment of consideration other than common stock. In
many cases, the regulatory agencies will not approve acquisitions by bank
holding companies and banks unless their capital ratios are well above
regulatory minimums.

The Bank is subject to capital requirements which generally are similar
to those affecting the Corporation. The minimum ratio of total risk-based
capital to risk-adjusted assets (including certain off-balance sheet items, such
as standby letters of credit) is 8%. Capital may consist of equity and
qualifying perpetual preferred stock, less goodwill ("Tier I capital"), and
certain convertible debt securities, qualifying subordinated debt, other
preferred stock and a portion of the reserve for possible credit losses ("Tier
II capital").

A depository institution's capital classification depends upon its
capital levels in relation to various relevant capital measures, which include a
risk-based capital measure and a leverage ratio capital measure. A depository
institution is considered well capitalized if it significantly exceeds the
minimum level required by regulation for each relevant capital measure,
adequately capitalized if it meets each such measure, undercapitalized if it
fails to meet any such measure, significantly undercapitalized if it is
significantly below any such measure and critically undercapitalized if it fails
to meet any critical capital level set forth in the regulations. An institution
may be placed in a lower capitalization category if it receives an
unsatisfactory examination rating, is deemed to be in an unsafe or unsound
condition, or engages in unsafe or unsound practices. Under applicable
regulations, for an institution to be well capitalized it must have a total
risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of
at least 6% and a Tier I leverage ratio of at least 5% and not be subject to any
specific capital order or directive. As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the
Corporation and the Bank had capital in excess of all regulatory minimums and
the Bank was "well capitalized." See Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Financial
Condition" and "-- Capital Adequacy" and Part II, Item 8, "Note H - Capital
Requirements" in the consolidated financial statements.

Deposit Insurance Assessments

The Bank is subject to deposit insurance assessments by the FDIC's Bank
Insurance Fund ("BIF"). The FDIC has developed a risk-based assessment system,
under which the assessment rate for an insured depository institution varies
according to its level of risk. An institution's risk category is based upon
whether the institution is well capitalized, adequately capitalized or
undercapitalized and the institution's "supervisory subgroups": Subgroup A, B or
C. Subgroup A institutions are financially sound institutions with a few minor
weaknesses; Subgroup B institutions are institutions that demonstrate weaknesses
which, if not corrected, could result in significant deterioration; and Subgroup
C institutions are institutions for which there is a substantial probability
that the FDIC will suffer a loss in connection with the institution unless
effective action is taken to correct the areas of weakness. Based on its capital
and supervisory subgroups, each BIF or SAIF member institution is assigned an
annual FDIC assessment rate per $100 of insured deposits varying between 0.00%
per annum (for well capitalized Subgroup A institutions) and 0.27% per annum
(for undercapitalized Subgroup C institutions). As of January 1, 1997, well
capitalized Subgroup A institutions will pay between 0.00% and 0.10% per annum.

In accordance with the Deposit Insurance Act of 1996 an additional
assessment by the Financing Corporation ("FICO") will become applicable to all
insured institutions as of January 1, 1997. This assessment is not tied to the
FDIC risk classification. The BIF FICO assessment will be 1.296 basis points for
1997. For the first quarter of 1997, the Bank's assessments for BIF and BIF FICO
are $0.00 and $10,163, respectively.


-4-



Other Matters

Federal and state law also contains a variety of other provisions that
affect the operations of the Corporation and the Bank including certain
reporting requirements, regulatory standards and guidelines for real estate
lending, "truth in savings" provisions, the requirement that a depository
institution give 90 days prior notice to customers and regulatory authorities
before closing any branch, certain restrictions on investments and activities of
state-chartered insured banks and their subsidiaries, limitations on credit
exposure between banks, restrictions on loans to a bank's insiders, guidelines
governing regulatory examinations, and a prohibition on the acceptance or
renewal of brokered deposits by depository institutions that are not well
capitalized or are adequately capitalized and have not received a waiver from
the FDIC.

The Corporation's Common Stock is registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). As a result, the
Corporation is subject to the regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act
regarding the filing of public reports, the solicitation of proxies, the
disclosure of beneficial ownership of certain securities, short swing profits
and the conduct of tender offers.

EFFECT OF GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES

The earnings of the Bank and, therefore, of the Corporation are
affected not only by domestic and foreign economic conditions, but also by the
monetary and fiscal policies of the United States and its agencies (particularly
the Federal Reserve Board), foreign governments and other official agencies. The
Federal Reserve Board can and does implement national monetary policy, such as
the curbing of inflation and combating of recession, by its open market
operations in United States government securities, control of the discount rate
applicable to borrowings from the Federal Reserve and the establishment of
reserve requirements against deposits and certain liabilities of depository
institutions. The actions of the Federal Reserve Board influence the level of
loans, investments and deposits and also affect interest rates charged on loans
or paid on deposits. The nature and impact of future changes in monetary and
fiscal policies are not predictable.

From time to time, various proposals are made in the United States
Congress and the Pennsylvania legislature and before various regulatory
authorities which would alter the powers of different types of banking
organizations, remove restrictions on such organizations and change the existing
regulatory framework for banks, bank holding companies and other financial
institutions. It is impossible to predict whether any of such proposals will be
adopted and the impact, if any, of such adoption on the business of the
Corporation.

ACCOUNTING CHANGES

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Corporation adopted SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-lived Assets to be Disposed of" on January 1,
1996. See Note A-7 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the
Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, incorporated by reference.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

The Coporation adopted SFAS No. 122, "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing
Rights" on January 1, 1996. See Note A-6 in Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements included in the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders,
incorporated by reference.






-5-




Stock Based Compensation Plans

The Corporation adopted SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation Plans" on September 1, 1996. See Note A-11 in Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements included in the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders, incorporated by reference.

Accounting for Transfer and Services of Financial Assets and Establishment of
Liability

The Corporation will adopt the Financial Accounting Standards Board
("FASB") No. 125, "Accounting for Transfer and Services of Financial Assets and
Establishment of Liability." as of January 1, 1997. See Note A-15 in Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Corporation's 1996 Annual
Report to Shareholders, incorporated by reference.


STATISTICAL DISCLOSURES

The following tables set forth certain statistical disclosures
concerning the Corporation and the Bank. These tables should be read in
conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations contained in the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders, incorporated herein by reference.


-6-





FIRST WEST CHESTER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RATE VOLUME ANALYSIS




Increase (decrease) in net interest income due to:
--------------------------------------------------
Volume Rate Total Volume Rate Total
------ ---- ----- ------ ---- -----
(Dollars in thousands) 1996 Compared to 1995 1995 Compared to 1994
--------------------------------- ------------------------------
INTEREST INCOME
- ---------------


Federal funds sold $ 153 $ (67) $ 86 $ 278 $ 210 $ 488

Investment securities
Taxable 777 130 907 (209) 540 331
Tax-exempt (73) -- (73) (18) (41) (59)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total investment securities 704 130 834 (227) 499 272

Loans
Taxable 556 (423) 133 1,342 1,981 3,323
Tax-exempt 10 44 54 (51) 42 (9)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total loans 566 (379) 187 1,291 2,023 3,314
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Total interest income 1,423 (316) 1,107 1,342 2,732 4,074
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

INTEREST EXPENSE
Savings, NOW and money market
deposits 207 (407) (200) (431) 780 349
Certificates of deposits and other time 787 126 913 1,281 1,039 2,320
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total interest bearing deposits 994 (281) 713 850 1,819 2,669

Securities sold under repurchase
agreements (85) 2 (83) 39 95 134
Other borrowings (59) -- (59) 27 15 42
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Total Interest expense 850 (279) 571 916 1,929 2,845
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Net Interest income $ 573 $ (37) $ 536 $ 426 $ 803 $1,229
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====

NOTES:

(1) The indicated changes are presented on a tax equivalent basis.
(2) The changes in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated
to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the
absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
(3) Non-accruing loans have been used in the daily average balances to
determine changes in interest due to volume. Loan fees included in the
interest income computation are not material.
(4) The related average balance sheets can be found on page 13 of the
Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders.





-7-



FIRST WEST CHESTER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
LOAN PORTFOLIO BY TYPE AT DECEMBER 31,



(Dollars in thousands) 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------------- --------------
Amount % Amount % Amount % Amount % Amount %
------ - ------ - ------ - ------ - ------ -


Commercial loans $ 87,932 34% $ 86,686 36% $ 87,689 37% $ 88,632 40% $ 82,602 39%

Real estate - construction 11,447 4% 9,372 4% 4,607 2% 6,327 3% 3,724 2%

Real estate - other 109,179 41% 100,814 41% 101,589 42% 87,389 40% 85,555 40%

Consumer loans (1) 39,803 15% 33,836 14% 32,984 14% 27,414 12% 29,815 14%

Lease financing receivables 16,221 6% 11,879 5% 12,257 5% 11,671 5% 10,879 5%
------- ------- ------- -------- -------

Total gross loans 264,582 100% 242,587 100% 239,126 100% 221,433 100% 212,575 100%

Allowance for possible loan
losses (5,218) (4,506) (3,303) (2,839) (2,300)
------- ------- ------- --------- -------

Total loans $259,364 $238,081 $235,823 $218,594 $210,275
======= ======= ======= ======= =======


NOTES:

(1) Consumer loans include open-end home equity lines of credit and credit card receivables.

(2) At December 31, 1996 there were no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans which is not otherwise
disclosed as a category of loans in the above table.

(3) The Corporation does not breakdown the allowance for possible loan
losses by area, industry or type of loan because the evaluation process
used to determine the adequacy of the reserve is based on the portfolio
as a whole. Management believes such an allocation would not be
meaningful. See pages 17-20 of the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders for additional information.




-8-



FIRST WEST CHESTER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MATURITIES AND RATE SENSITIVITY OF LOANS DUE TO CHANGES IN
INTEREST RATES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996




Maturing
Maturing After 1 Year Maturing
Within And Within After
(Dollars in thousands) 1 Year 5 Years 5 Years Total
------ ------- ------- -----


Commercial loans $67,166 $5,924 $14,842 $87,932

Real Estate - construction 11,447 -- -- 11,447
------ ----- ------ ------

Total $78,613 $5,924 $14,842 $99,379
====== ===== ====== ======


Loans maturing after 1 year with:
- ---------------------------------
Fixed interest rates $5,924 $14,842

Variable interest rates -- --
----- ------

Total $5,924 $14,842

===== ======

NOTES:
- ------

(1) Demand loans and overdrafts are reported maturing "Within 1 Year".
Construction real estate loans are reported maturing "Within 1 Year"
because of their short term maturity or index to the Bank's prime rate.
An immaterial amount of loans has no stated schedule of repayments.

(2) Determination of maturities included in the above loan maturity table
are based upon contract terms. In situations where a "rollover" is
appropriate, the Corporation's policy in this regard is to evaluate the
credit for collectability consistent with the normal loan evaluation
process. This policy is used primarily in evaluating ongoing customer's
use of their lines of credit with the Bank that are at floating
interest rates.

(3) This data excludes real estate-other loans, consumer loans and lease
financing receivables.




-9-





FIRST WEST CHESTER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INVESTMENT SECURITIES YIELD BY MATURITY AT DECEMBER 31, 1996


Due over Due over
Due 1 year 5 years Due
Within Through Through Over
(Dollars in thousands) 1 year 5 years 10 years 10 years Total
------ ------- -------- -------- -----
Held-to-Maturity
- ----------------

U.S. Treasury -- 1,483 -- -- 1,483
U.S. Government agency -- -- -- -- --
Mortgage-backed securities -- 1,213 806 126 2,145
State and municipal 1,812 1,495 2,410 25 5,742
Corporate securities 1,001 4,121 -- -- 5,122
Asset-backed -- -- 1,000 175 1,175
----- ------ ------ ------ ------
2,813 8,312 4,216 326 15,667
----- ------ ------ ------ ------

Available-for-Sale
- ------------------
U.S. Treasury 5,498 3,998 -- -- 9,496
U.S. Government agency -- 10,993 3,486 -- 14,479
Mortgage-backed securities 237 6,551 10,386 30,245 47,419
State and municipal -- -- -- 254 254
Asset-backed -- -- -- 1,268 1,268
Mutual Funds -- -- -- 7,793 7,793
Other equity securities -- -- -- 1,666 1,666
----- ------ ------ ------ ------
5,735 21,542 13,872 41,226 82,375
----- ------ ------ ------ ------

Total Investment securities $8,548 $29,854 $18,088 $41,552 $98,042
===== ====== ====== ====== ======

Percent of portfolio 8.72% 30.45% 18.45% 42.38% 100.00%
==== ===== ===== ===== ======

Weighted average yield 5.73% 6.32% 6.57% 5.99% 6.17%
==== ==== ==== ==== ====


NOTES:
- ------
(1) The yield on tax-exempt obligations has been computed on a tax
equivalent basis using the Federal marginal rate of 34% adjusted for
the 20% interest expense disallowance.
(2) Other equity securities having no stated maturity (including the
Federated ARMs Fund) have been included in "Due over 10 years."
(3) Mortgage-backed and Asset-backed securities are included in the above
table based on their contractual maturity.
(4) As of December 31, 1996, the Corporation held securities from one
issuer, The Federated ARMs Fund, in excess of 10% of stockholders'
equity. The Corporation's investment in the Federated ARMs Fund was
$7,793,000 with a market value of $7,535,000. This fund concentrates at
least 65% of its value in adjustable and floating rate mortgage
securities which are issued or guaranteed as to payment of principal
and interest by the U.S. Government or its agencies.



-10-





FIRST WEST CHESTER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INVESTMENT SECURITIES AT DECEMBER 31,



1996 1995 1994
------------------------ ------------------------- -------------------------
Book Market Book Market Book Market
(Dollars in thousands) Value Value Value Value Value Value
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Held-to-Maturity
- ----------------

U.S. Treasury $ 1,483 $ 1,482 $ 1,473 $ 1,485 $ 1,464 $ 1,365
U.S. Government agency -- -- 1,501 1,496 1,500 1,416
Mortgage-backed securities 2,145 2,130 2,685 2,689 3,223 3,039
State and municipal 5,742 5,834 4,759 4,862 5,603 5,525
Corporate securities 5,121 5,123 11,806 11,867 15,455 15,130
Asset-backed 1,176 1,180 824 814 2,122 2,053
Mutual funds -- -- -- -- -- --
Other equity securities -- -- -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
$15,667 $15,749 $23,048 $23,213 $29,367 $28,528
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======

Available-for-Sale
- ------------------
U.S. Treasury $ 9,529 $ 9,529 $13,091 $13,091 $12,761 $12,761
U.S. Government agency 14,503 14,503 12,176 12,176 -- --
Mortgage-backed securities 47,031 47,031 34,475 34,475 25,446 23,446
State and municipal 278 278 281 281 268 268
Corporate securities -- -- 1,079 1,079 3,081 3,081
Asset-backed 1,268 1,268 -- -- 107 107
Mutual Funds 7,735 7,735 7,733 7,733 7,764 7,764
Other equity securities 1,864 1,864 1,628 1,628 1,595 1,595
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
$82,008 $82,008 $70,463 $70,463 $49,022 $49,022
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======


MATURITIES OF CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AND OTHER TIME DEPOSITS,
$100,000 OR MORE, AT DECEMBER 31, 1996



Due Within Over 3 Months Over 6 Months Due Over
(Dollars in thousands) 3 Months Through 6 Months Through 12 Months 12 Months Total
----------- ---------------- ----------------- --------- -----

Certificates of Deposit
$100,000 or more $ 1,363 $ 3,115 $ 3,098 $ 4,403 $11,979


-11-




FIRST WEST CHESTER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECT OF NONACCRUING LOANS ON INTEREST FOR
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,


(Dollars in thousands) 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Interest income which would
have been recorded $ 42 $ 103 $432 $225 $ 61

Interest income that was
received from customer 1 172 -- -- --
----- ----- --- --- ----

$ 41 $ (69) $432 $225 $ 61
===== ===== === === ====




NOTES:

(1) Generally the Bank places a loan in nonaccrual status when principal or
interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more unless the
loan is both well secured and in the process of collection.





-12-





Item 2. Properties.
- ------- -----------

The Bank owns seven properties which are not subject to any mortgages.
The Corporation owns one property which is not subject to any mortgage, and
which is located at 124 West Cypress Street, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. In
addition, the Corporation leases the Westtown-Thornbury and the Exton Offices.
Management of the Corporation believes the Corporation's and the Bank's
facilities are suitable and adequate for their respective present needs. Set
forth below is a listing of each banking office presently operated by the Bank
and the Corporation, and other properties owned by the Bank and the Corporation
which may serve as future sites for branch offices.



Current Date
Banking Acquired
Offices Address or Opened
- ------- ------- ---------

Main Office 9 North High Street December 1863
and Corporate West Chester, Pennsylvania
Headquarters

Walk-In Facility 17 East Market Street February 1978
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Westtown-Thornbury Route 202 and Route 926 May 1994
Westtown, Pennsylvania

Goshen 311 North Five Points Road September 1956
West Goshen, Pennsylvania

Kennett Square 126 West Cypress Street February 1987
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Exton Route 100 and Boot Road August 1995
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Other Date Acquired
Properties Address or Opened
- ---------- ------- ---------

Operations 202 Carter Drive July 1988
Center West Chester, Pennsylvania

Paoli Pike 1104 Paoli Pike July 1963
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Kennett Square 124 West Cypress Street July 1986
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Westtown 1039 Wilmington Pike February 1965
Westtown, Pennsylvania

Former Commonwealth High & Market Streets July 1995
Building West Chester, Pennsylvania


-13-





Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
- ------- ------------------

There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary
routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Corporation, the
Bank or EGSC is a party or of which any of their respective property is the
subject.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
- ------- ----------------------------------------------------

None.

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Corporation's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Matters.
--------

The Corporation's Common Stock is publicly traded over the counter.
Trading is sporadic. Information regarding high and low bid quotations is
incorporated herein by reference from the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders, attached as an exhibit hereto. As of March 1, 1997, there were
approximately 833 shareholders of record of the Corporation's Common Stock.

The Corporation instituted a dividend reinvestment and stock purchase
plan in 1990 ("DRIP"), the purpose of which is to provide the shareholders of
the Corporation with a convenient method of investing cash dividends and
optional cash payments in additional shares of the Corporation's Common Stock.
As of December 31, 1996, 430 shareholders of the Corporation, representing
approximately 68,000 shares of the Corporation's Common Stock, were participants
in the DRIP. The DRIP purchased approximately $297,000 worth of the
Corporation's Common Stock for the accounts of the participating shareholders
during the year ended December 31, 1996.

The Corporation instituted a stock bonus plan (the "Stock Bonus
Plan") during 1991, the purpose of which is to promote the interests of the
Corporation by encouraging and enabling its employees and the employees of the
Bank to acquire financial interests in the Corporation through the acquisition
of shares of the Corporation's Common Stock. Under the Stock Bonus Plan, the
Corporation may grant bonuses to its employees consisting of (i) shares of its
Common Stock, (ii) shares of Common Stock and cash, or (iii) cash, as determined
by the Board of Directors. Historically, the shares of Common Stock constituting
the stock bonuses under the Stock Bonus Plan have been purchased by the
Corporation on the open market through an independent agent specified by the
Corporation's Board of Directors. At the annual meeting of shareholders on March
18, 1997, the shareholders approved an amendment of the stock bonus plan to
permit the award of stock bonuses with newly issued shares or shares held in the
Corporation's treasury. Approximately $262,000 in cash bonuses were paid in 1997
under the Stock Bonus Plan for services rendered by the executive officers and
other employees of the Bank during 1996.

The Corporation instituted a stock option plan in 1995 (the "1995
Stock Option Plan"), the purpose of which is to provide additional incentive to
key employees and directors of the Corporation and the Bank to enter into or
remain in the service or employ of the Corporation or the Bank by providing them
with an opportunity to acquire or increase their proprietary interest in the
Corporation through receipt of options to acquire the Common Stock of the
Corporation. Under the 1995 Stock Option Plan, 146,250 shares of Common Stock of
the Corporation were reserved for issuance to key employees of the Corporation
and the Bank, and 41,250 shares of such Common Stock were reserved for issuance
to directors of the Corporation and the Bank. To date the Corporation has
awarded options to purchase 31,500 shares to key employees and 16,500 shares to
directors pursuant to the 1995 Stock Option Plan.


-14-





The Corporation declared cash dividends per share on its Common Stock
during each quarter of the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, as set
forth in the following table (which have been adjusted for the stock split which
occurred in October, 1996):

Dividends
---------
Amount Per Share
----------------

1996 1995
---- ----

First Quarter........................................ $ 0.23 $ 0.20
Second Quarter....................................... 0.23 0.20
Third Quarter........................................ 0.25 0.23
Fourth Quarter....................................... 0.29 0.26
----- -----
Total.............................................. $ 1.00 $ 0.89
===== =====


The holders of the Corporation's Common stock are entitled to receive
such dividends as may be legally declared by the Corporation's Board of
Directors. The amount, time, and payment of future dividends, however, will
depend on the earnings and financial condition of the Corporation, government
policies, and other factors. See Part I, Item 1, "Supervision and Regulation"
for information concerning limitations on the payment of dividends by the Bank
and the Corporation and on the ability of the Corporation to otherwise obtain
funds from the Bank.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
- ------- ------------------------

Selected financial data concerning the Corporation and the Bank is
incorporated by reference from the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders, attached as an exhibit hereto. See Part II, Item 5, for data
concerning the payment of cash dividends on Common Stock.

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
of Operations.
--------------

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations is incorporated by reference from the Corporation's 1996
Annual Report to Shareholders, attached as an exhibit hereto.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
- ------- --------------------------------------------

Consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and the Report
of Independent Certified Public Accountants thereon are incorporated by
reference from the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, attached as
an exhibit hereto.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
- ------- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Disclosure.
---------------------

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Corporation.
- -------- ----------------------------------------------------

The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the Corporation's Proxy Statement dated February 21, 1997, for its
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.


-15-




Item 11. Executive Compensation.
- -------- -----------------------

The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the Corporation's Proxy Statement dated February 21, 1997, for its
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
- -------- ---------------------------------------------------------------

The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the Corporation's Proxy Statement dated February 21, 1997, for its
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
- -------- -----------------------------------------------

The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the Corporation's Proxy Statement dated February 21, 1997, for its
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.
- -------- -----------------------------------------------------------------

(a) 1. Index to Consolidated Financial Statements:
------------------------------------------
Page of Annual
Report to Shareholders

Consolidated Balance Sheets Page 22
at December 31, 1996 and
1995

Consolidated Statements of Page 23
Income for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994

Consolidated Statement of Page 24
Changes In Stockholders'
Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994

Consolidated Statements of Page 25
Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

Notes to Consolidated Pages 26 to 42
Financial Statements

Report of Independent Certified
Public Accountants Page 43



-16-





The Consolidated Financial Statements listed in the above index,
together with the report thereon of Grant Thornton LLP dated January 24, 1997,
which are included in the Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders for the
year ended December 31, 1996, are hereby incorporated by reference.

(a) 2. Financial Statement Schedules:
-----------------------------
Financial Statement Schedules are not required under the related
instructions of the Securities and Exchange Commission, are inapplicable or are
included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

(a) 3. Exhibits:
--------
The following is a list of the exhibits filed with, or
incorporated by reference into, this Report (those exhibits marked with an
asterisk are filed herewith):

3(a). Certificate of Incorporation.
----------------------------
(i) Copy of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation,
filed on March 9, 1984, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(iii) to the
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988.

(ii) Copy of the Corporation's Certificate of Amendment to
Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania on March 23, 1984, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(ii)
to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1988.

(iii) Copy of the Corporation's Certificate of Amendment to
Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania on April 2, 1986, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(i)
to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1988.

3(b). Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended. Copy of the Corporation's
-------------------------- ----------
Bylaws, as amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Decem ber 31, 1988.

10. Material contracts.
------------------

(a) Copy of Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, adopted by
the Bank on December 16, 1988, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to
the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1988.

(b) Copy of Employment Agreement among the Corporation, the
Bank and Charles E. Swope dated December 31, 1994, is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10(b) to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1994.

(c) Copy of the Corporation's Dividend Reinvestment Plan is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) to the Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.

(d) Copy of the Corporation's Amended and Restated Stock Bonus
Plan, is incorporated by reference to the appendix to the Corporation's Proxy
Statement for the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders as filed with the SEC via
EDGAR.


-17-





(e) Copy of the Bank's Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan,
effective date January 1, 1994, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to
the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1994.

(f) Copy of the Corporation's and the Bank's Directors
Deferred Compensation Plan, effective December 30, 1994, is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1994.

(g) Copy of the Corporation's Amended and Restated 1995 Stock
Option Plan, is incorporated by reference to the appendix to the Corporation's
Proxy Statement for the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders as filed with the
SEC via EDGAR.

* 13. Annual report to security holders, Form 10-Q or quarterly report to
-------------------------------------------------------------------
security holders. The Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year
- -----------------
ended December 31, 1996. With the exception of the pages listed in the Index to
Consolidated Financial Statements and the items referred to in Items 1, 5, 6, 7
and 8 hereof, the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders is not deemed
to be filed as part of this Report.

21. Subsidiaries of the Corporation. The First National Bank of West
-------------------------------
Chester, a banking institution organized under the banking laws of the United
States in December 1863.

* 23. Consents of experts and counsel. Consent of Grant Thornton LLP,
-------------------------------
dated March 28, 1997.

* 27. Financial Data Schedule. A Financial Data Schedule is being
-------------------------
submitted with the Corporation's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K in the
electronic format prescribed by the EDGAR Filer Manual and sets forth the
financial information specified by Article 9 of Regulation S-X and Securities
Act Industry Guide 3 information and Exchange Act Industry Guide 3 listed in
Appendix C to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K. No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Corporation
during the quarter ended December 31, 1996.


-18-





SIGNATURES
----------

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

FIRST WEST CHESTER CORPORATION


/s/ Charles E. Swope
By:
----------------------
Charles E. Swope,
President

Date: March 28, 1997

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the Corporation and in the capacities indicated on March 28, 1997.

Signature Title
--------- -----

/s/ Charles E. Swope
______________________________ President, Chief Executive
Charles E. Swope Officer and Chairman of the
Board of Directors

/s/ J. Duncan Smith
______________________________ Treasurer (Principal
J. Duncan Smith Accounting and Financial Officer)




(Signatures continued on following page)


-19-





(Signatures continued from previous page)

Signature Title
--------- -----

/s/ Richard M. Armstrong
_________________________________ Director
Richard M. Armstrong

/s/ John J. Ciccarone
_________________________________ Director
John J. Ciccarone

/s/ M. Robert Clarke
_________________________________ Director
M. Robert Clarke

/s/ Edward J. Cotter
_________________________________ Secretary and Director
Edward J. Cotter

/s/ Clifford E. DeBaptiste
_________________________________ Director
Clifford E. DeBaptiste

/s/ John A. Featherman, III
_________________________________ Director
John A. Featherman, III

/s/ J. Carol Hanson
_________________________________ Director
J. Carol Hanson

/s/ John S. Halsted
_________________________________ Director
John S. Halsted

/s/ Devere Kauffman
_________________________________ Director
Devere Kauffman

/s/ David L. Peirce
_________________________________ Director
David L. Peirce

/s/ John B. Waldron
_________________________________ Director
John B. Waldron

-20-




Index to Exhibits

Exhibits
- --------

13 The Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended
December 31, 1996.

23 Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.

27 Financial Data Schedule.

-21-