FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, Washington, DC 20429

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN


November 4, 1997




John and Rhetta Sweeney
24 Meyer Lane
Hamilton, Massachusetts 01982

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney:

This letter is in response to your letter of October 24 to me, as well as your letters to other members of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

As you know, by order of July 24, 1997, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ordered the parties to attend mediation before Judge A. David Mazzone. As such, that is the appropriate forum to attempt to resolve this matter.

With respect to the mediation summary that you enclosed with your correspondence, senior FDIC business and legal officials in Washington previously reviewed that document and a response to Judge Mazzone was coordinated through our outside counsel by letter of September 18, 1997. For your reference, enclosed is a copy of that response.

        Sincerely,



        Andrew C. Hove, Jr.
        Chairman

cc: Board of Directors
      Judge Mazzone

Enclosure