FNB BANCSHARES INC /SC/
10KSB40, 1997-03-31
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-KSB

(MARK ONE)

  X      Annual Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 
- ----     of 1934 (No fee required, effective October 7, 1996)
                  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

                                       OR

       Transition Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
- ----   Act of 1934 (No fee required) 
              For the transition period from ________ to ________

                          Commission file no. 333-1546

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                              --------------------
                 (Name of Small Business Issuer in Its Charter)

          South Carolina                             57-1033165
     ----------------------------               ---------------------
     (State or Other Jurisdiction                 (I.R.S. Employer
   of Incorporation or Organization)             Identification No.)

       303 North Granard Street
       Gaffney, South Carolina                         29341
 --------------------------------------             ----------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)            (Zip Code)

                                 (864) 488-2265
                      -------------------------------------
                 Issuer'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: None

       Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 past 90 days. Yes  X  No
                                                                  ----   ----

       Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item
405 of Regulation S-B in this form, and no disclosure will 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-KSB or any amendment to
this Form 10-KSB. [X]

       The issuer's loss for its most recent fiscal year was $197,077. 616,338
shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding as of March 15, 1997.

       Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format. (Check one): Yes    No  X
                                                                      ---    ---

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ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

       This Report contains statements which constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements appear in a number of
places in this Report and include all statements regarding the intent, belief or
current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect
to, among other things: (i) the Company's financing plans; (ii) trends affecting
the Company's financial condition or results of operations; (iii) the Company's
growth strategy and operating strategy; and (iv) the declaration and payment of
dividends. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are
not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and
that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors discussed herein and
those factors discussed in detail in the Company's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

GENERAL

       FNB Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated as a South Carolina
corporation on September 27, 1995, primarily to own and control all of the
capital stock of First National Bank of the Carolinas (the "Bank"). The Company
initially will engage in no business other than owning and managing the Bank.
The organizers of the Bank chose a holding company structure because the holding
company structure provides flexibility that would not otherwise be available.

       The holding company structure can assist the Bank in maintaining its
required capital ratios because, subject to compliance with Federal Reserve
Board debt guidelines, the Company may borrow money and contribute the proceeds
to the Bank as primary capital. Moreover, a holding company may engage in
certain non-banking activities that the Federal Reserve Board has deemed to be
closely related to banking. See "Supervision and Regulation." Although the
Company has no present intention of engaging in any of these activities, if
circumstances should lead the Company's management to believe that there is a
need for these services in the Bank's market area and that such activities could
be profitably conducted, management of the Company would have the flexibility of
commencing these activities upon filing a notice or application with the Federal
Reserve.

       The Bank is organized as a national banking association under the laws of
the United States and engages in the commercial banking business from its office
in the Cherokee County area, with deposits insured by the FDIC. The Bank is a
member of the Federal Reserve System. The Bank commenced business on October 18,
1996 after receiving an OCC charter and FDIC approval for deposit insurance.

LOCATION AND SERVICE AREA

       The Bank engages in a general commercial and retail banking business,
emphasizing the needs of small- to medium-sized businesses, professional
concerns, and individuals, primarily in Gaffney, South Carolina and the
surrounding area, including Cherokee County. The principal executive offices of
both the Company and the Bank are located in a modular building at 303 North
Granard Street, Gaffney, South Carolina 29342. Approximately two years after
opening, the Bank intends to move the Gaffney Office into a permanent facility
across the street at 217 North Granard Street. The address of the Blacksburg
Office is 207 West Cherokee Street, Blacksburg, South Carolina 29702. The
Company's telephone number is (864) 488-2265. See "Item 2. Description of
Property".

       Blacksburg and Gaffney are approximately eight miles from each other and
are the two largest municipalities in Cherokee County. As of 1994, Cherokee
County had a population of 46,120, 13,622


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of whom lived in the city of Gaffney and 1,976 of whom lived in The Blacksburg
town limits. Within a 15 mile radius of Gaffney reside over 130,276 people,
within a 30 mile radius over 539,400, and within a 60 mile radius, approximately
2,250,000.

       The Bank's primary service area is Cherokee County, South Carolina.
Cherokee County is part of a five-county metropolitan statistical area covering
the "upstate" area of South Carolina, including Greenville, Spartanburg,
Pickens, Cherokee, and Laurens Counties. Cherokee County is located between the
major metropolitan statistical areas of Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson of South
Carolina and Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill of North Carolina. The counties from
Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson to Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill and Cherokee and
Laurens make up an area that is known to many as the "I-85 Business Belt." The
presence of I-85 enhances the economic potential of the area by linking the
seven counties to other major southeastern markets, including the Charlotte and
Atlanta markets, which are easily accessible to this area by I-85.

       Cherokee County's economy is dominated by manufacturing and agriculture.
With over 60 manufacturing plants, including the Nestle Frozen Foods Company,
Milliken & Co. - Magnolia Finishing Plant, and the Timken Company, Cherokee
County enjoys a diversified manufacturing community. Manufacturing companies
employ approximately 48% of the county's workforce, and the textile mills
products sector accounts for nearly 50% of this manufacturing employment.
Cherokee County is also known as a fertile peach production county, with more
than 16 million pounds of fresh peaches shipped out of the county annually.

MARKETING FOCUS

       Most of the banks in the Cherokee County area are now local branches of
large regional banks. Although size gives the larger banks certain advantages in
competing for business from large corporations, including higher lending limits
and the ability to offer services in other areas of South Carolina and the
Cherokee County area, management believes there is a void in the community
banking market in the Cherokee County area and believe that the Bank can
successfully fill this void. As a result, the Company generally does not attempt
to compete for the banking relationships of large corporations, but concentrates
its efforts on small- to medium-sized businesses and on individuals.

       The Bank initially advertised aggressively, using all forms of media, as
well as direct mail, targeting market segments and emphasizing the Company's
local ownership, community bank nature, and ability to provide more personalized
service than its competition. Management believes that the community bank focus
of the Bank is likely to succeed in this market. Management believes that the
area will react favorably to the Bank's emphasis on service to small businesses,
individuals, and professional concerns. However, no assurances in this respect
can be given.

BANKING SERVICES

       The Bank offers a full range of deposit services that are typically
available in most banks and savings and loan associations, including checking
accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, and other time deposits of various
types, ranging from daily money market accounts to longer-term certificates of
deposit. The transaction accounts and time certificates are tailored to the
Bank's principal market area at rates competitive to those offered in the
Cherokee County area. In addition, the Bank offers certain retirement account
services, such as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). All deposit accounts
are insured by the FDIC up to the maximum amount allowed by law (generally,
$100,000 per depositor, subject to aggregation rules). The Bank solicits these
accounts from individuals, businesses, associations and organizations, and
governmental authorities

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LENDING ACTIVITIES

       General. The Bank emphasizes a range of lending services, including real
estate, commercial and consumer loans, to individuals and small- to medium-sized
businesses and professional concerns that are located in or conduct a
substantial portion of their business in the Bank's market area.

       Real Estate Loans. Management expects that one of the primary components
of the Bank's loan portfolio will be loans secured by first or second mortgages
on real estate. These loans generally consist of commercial real estate loans,
construction and development loans, and residential real estate loans (but
exclude home equity loans, which are classified as consumer loans). Loan terms
generally are limited to five years or less, although payments may be structured
on a longer amortization basis. Interest rates are fixed or adjustable. The Bank
generally charges an origination fee. Management attempts to reduce credit risk
in the commercial real estate portfolio by emphasizing loans on owner-occupied
office and retail buildings where the loan-to-value ratio, established by
independent appraisals, does not exceed 80%. In addition, the Bank typically
requires personal guarantees of the principal owners of the property backed with
a review by the Bank of the personal financial statements of the principal
owners. The principal economic risk associated with each category of loans,
including real estate loans, is the creditworthiness of the Bank's borrowers.
The risks associated with real estate loans vary with many economic factors,
including employment levels and fluctuations in the value of real estate. The
Bank competes for real estate loans with a number of bank competitors which are
well established in the Cherokee County area. Most of these competitors have
substantially greater resources and lending limits than the Bank. As a result,
the Bank occasionally must charge a lower interest rate to attract borrowers.
See "- Competition". The Bank also originates loans for sale into the secondary
market. The Bank attempts to limit interest rate risk and credit risk on these
loans by locking the interest rate for each loan with the secondary investor and
receiving the investor's underwriting approval prior to originating the loan.

       Commercial Loans. The Bank makes loans for commercial purposes in various
lines of businesses. Equipment loans typically are made for a term of five years
or less at fixed or variable rates, with the loan fully amortized over the term
and secured by the financed equipment and with a loan-to-value ratio of 80% or
less. Working capital loans typically have terms not exceeding one year and are
usually secured by accounts receivable, inventory, or personal guarantees of the
principals of the business. For loans secured by accounts receivable or
inventory, principal is typically repaid as the assets securing the loan are
converted into cash, and in other cases principal is typically due at maturity.
The principal economic risk associated with each category of loans, including
commercial loans, is the creditworthiness of the Bank's borrowers. The risks
associated with commercial loans vary with many economic factors, including the
economy in the Cherokee County area, especially the tourist economy. The
well-established banks in the Cherokee County area will make proportionately
more loans to medium- to large-sized businesses than the Bank. Many of the
Bank's commercial loans are made to small- to medium-sized businesses which may
be less able to withstand competitive, economic, and financial conditions than
larger borrowers.

       Consumer Loans. The Bank makes a variety of loans to individuals for
personal and household purposes, including secured and unsecured installment and
term loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and revolving lines of credit
such as credit cards. These loans typically carry balances of less than $25,000
and, in the case of non-revolving loans, are amortized over a period not
exceeding 48 months. The revolving loans typically bear interest at a fixed rate
and require monthly payments of interest and a portion of the principal balance.
The underwriting criteria for home equity loans and lines of credit is generally
the same as applied by the Bank when making a first mortgage loan, as described
above, and

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home equity lines of credit typically expire fifteen years or less after
origination. As with the other categories of loans, the principal economic risk
associated with consumer loans is the creditworthiness of the Bank's borrowers,
and the principal competitors for consumer loans is the established banks in the
Cherokee County area.

       Loan Approval and Review. The Bank's loan approval policies provide for
various levels of officer lending authority. When the amount of aggregate loans
to a single borrower exceeds an individual officer's lending authority, the loan
request is considered and approved by an officer with a higher lending limit.
The Bank has established a Board loan committee that must approve any loan over
the President's lending limit. The Bank does not make any loans to directors,
officers, or employees of the Bank unless the loan is approved by the board of
directors of the Bank and is made on terms not more favorable to such person
than would be available to a person not affiliated with the Bank (excluding
consumer loans less than $20,000 which are available at employee rates).

       Lending Limits. The Bank's lending activities are subject to a variety of
lending limits imposed by federal law. While differing limits apply in certain
circumstances based on the type of loan or the nature of the borrower (including
the borrower's relationship to the Bank), in general the Bank is subject to a
loan-to-one-borrower limit. This limit will increase or decrease as the Bank's
capital increases or decreases. Unless the Bank is able to sell participations
in its loans to other financial institutions, the Bank will not be able to meet
all of the lending needs of loan customers requiring aggregate extensions of
credit above these limits.

OTHER BANKING SERVICES

       Other bank services include cash management services, safe deposit boxes,
travelers checks, direct deposit of payroll and social security checks, and
automatic drafts for various accounts. The Bank is associated with a shared
network of automated teller machines that may be used by Bank customers
throughout South Carolina and other regions. The Bank also offers MasterCard and
VISA credit card services through a correspondent bank as an agent for the Bank.
The Bank does not currently exercise trust powers. The Bank may in the future
offer a full-service trust department, but cannot do so without the prior
approval of the OCC.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

       The Company and the Bank are subject to state and federal banking laws
and regulations which impose specific requirements or restrictions on and
provide for general regulatory oversight with respect to virtually all aspects
of operations. These laws and regulations are generally intended to protect
depositors, not shareholders. To the extent that the following summary describes
statutory or regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the particular statutory and regulatory provisions. Any change in applicable
laws or regulations may have a material effect on the business and prospects of
the Company. Beginning with the enactment of the Financial Institutions Reform,
Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA") and following with FDICIA, which
was enacted in 1991, numerous additional regulatory requirements have been
placed on the banking industry in the past several years, and additional changes
have been proposed. The operations of the Company and the Bank may be affected
by legislative changes and the policies of various regulatory authorities. The
Company is unable to predict the nature or the extent of the effect on its
business and earnings that fiscal or monetary policies, economic control, or new
federal or state legislation may have in the future.

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THE COMPANY

       Because it owns the outstanding capital stock of the Bank, the Company is
a bank holding company within the meaning of the federal Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956 (the "BHCA") and The South Carolina Bank Holding Company Act (the
"South Carolina Act"). The activities of the Company are governed by the
Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 (the "Glass-Steagall Act").

       The BHCA. Under the BHCA, the Company is subject to periodic examination
by the Federal Reserve and is required to file periodic reports of its
operations and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require.
The Company's and the Bank's activities are limited to banking, managing, or
controlling banks; furnishing services to or performing services for its
subsidiaries; and engaging in other activities that the Federal Reserve
determines to be so closely related to banking, managing, or controlling banks
as to be a proper incident thereto.

       Investments, Control, and Activities. With certain limited exceptions,
the BHCA requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the
Federal Reserve before (i) acquiring substantially all the assets of any bank,
(ii) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of
any bank if after such acquisition it would own or control more than 5% of the
voting shares of such bank (unless it already owns or controls the majority of
such shares), or (iii) merging or consolidating with another bank holding
company.

       In addition, and subject to certain exceptions, the BHCA and the Change
in Bank Control Act, together with regulations thereunder, require Federal
Reserve approval (or, depending on the circumstances, no notice of disapproval)
prior to any person or company acquiring "control" of a bank holding company,
such as the Company. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual
or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the bank
holding company. Control is rebuttably presumed to exist if a person acquires
10% or more but less than 25% of any class of voting securities and either the
Company has registered securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act (which
the Company will be required to do by April 30, 1997) or no other person will
own a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after
the transaction. The regulations provide a procedure for challenge of the
rebuttable control presumption.

       Under the BHCA, a bank holding company is generally prohibited from
engaging in, or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the
voting shares of any company engaged in, nonbanking activities, unless the
Federal Reserve Board, by order or regulation, has found those activities to be
so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper
incident thereto. Some of the activities that the Federal Reserve Board has
determined by regulation to be proper incidents to the business of a bank
holding company include making or servicing loans and certain types of leases,
engaging in certain insurance and discount brokerage activities, performing
certain data processing services, acting in certain circumstances as a fiduciary
or investment or financial adviser, owning savings associations, and making
investments in certain corporations or projects designed primarily to promote
community welfare.

       The Federal Reserve Board imposes certain capital requirements on the
Company under the BHCA, including a minimum leverage ratio and a minimum ratio
of "qualifying" capital to risk-weighted assets. These requirements are
described below under "Capital Regulations." Subject to its capital requirements
and certain other restrictions, the Company is able to borrow money to make a
capital contribution to the Bank, and such loans may be repaid from dividends
paid from the Bank to the Company (although the ability of the Bank to pay
dividends is subject to regulatory restrictions as described below in "The Bank
- - Dividends"). The Company is also able to raise capital for contribution

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to the Bank by issuing securities without having to receive regulatory approval,
subject to compliance with federal and state securities laws.

       Source of Strength: Cross-Guarantee. In accordance with Federal Reserve
Board policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength
to the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank in circumstances in
which the Company might not otherwise do so. Under the BHCA, the Federal Reserve
Board may require a bank holding company to terminate any activity or relinquish
control of a nonbank subsidiary (other than a nonbank subsidiary of a bank) upon
the Federal Reserve Board's determination that such activity or control
constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness or stability of any
subsidiary depository institution of the bank holding company. Further, federal
bank regulatory authorities have additional discretion to require a bank holding
company to divest itself of any bank or nonbank subsidiary if the agency
determines that divestiture may aid the depository institution's financial
condition.

       Glass-Steagall Act. The Company is restricted in its activities by the
provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act, which prohibits the Company from owning
subsidiaries that are engaged principally in the issue, flotation, underwriting,
public sale, or distribution of securities. The interpretation, scope, and
application of the provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act currently are being
considered and reviewed by regulators and legislators, and the interpretation
and application of those provisions have been challenged in the federal courts.

       South Carolina Act. As a bank holding company registered under the South
Carolina Act, the Company is subject to regulation by the South Carolina Board.
Consequently, the Company must receive the approval of the South Carolina Board
prior to engaging in the acquisition of banking or nonbanking institutions or
assets. The Company must also file with the South Carolina Board periodic
reports with respect to its financial condition and operations, management, and
intercompany relationships between the Company and its subsidiaries.

THE BANK

       General. The Bank operates as a national banking association incorporated
under the laws of the United States and subject to examination by the OCC.
Deposits in the Bank are insured by the FDIC up to a maximum amount (generally
$100,000 per depositor, subject to aggregation rules). The OCC and the FDIC
regulate or monitor virtually all areas of the Bank's operations, including
security devices and procedures, adequacy of capitalization and loss reserves,
loans, investments, borrowings, deposits, mergers, issuances of securities,
payment of dividends, interest rates payable on deposits, interest rates or fees
chargeable on loans, establishment of branches, corporate reorganizations,
maintenance of books and records, and adequacy of staff training to carry on
safe lending and deposit gathering practices. The OCC requires the Bank to
maintain certain capital ratios and imposes limitations on the Bank's aggregate
investment in real estate, bank premises, and furniture and fixtures. The Bank
is required by the OCC to prepare quarterly reports on the Bank's financial
condition and to conduct an annual audit of its financial affairs in compliance
with minimum standards and procedures prescribed by the OCC.

       Under FDICIA, all insured institutions must undergo regular on site
examinations by their appropriate banking agency. The cost of examinations of
insured depository institutions and any affiliates is assessed by the
appropriate agency against each institution or affiliate as it deems necessary
or appropriate. Insured institutions are required to submit annual reports to
the FDIC and the appropriate agency (and state supervisor when applicable).
FDICIA also directs the FDIC to develop with other appropriate agencies a method
for insured depository institutions to provide supplemental disclosure of

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the estimated fair market value of assets and liabilities, to the extent
feasible and practicable, in any balance sheet, financial statement, report of
condition or any other report of any insured depository institution. FDICIA also
requires the federal banking regulatory agencies to prescribe, by regulation,
standards for all insured depository institutions and depository institution
holding companies relating, among other things, to: (i) internal controls,
information systems, and audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit
underwriting; (iv) interest rate risk exposure; and (v) asset quality.

       National banks and their holding companies which have been chartered or
registered or have undergone a change in control within the past two years or
which have been deemed by the OCC or the Federal Reserve Board, respectively, to
be troubled institutions must give the OCC or the Federal Reserve Board,
respectively, thirty days prior notice of the appointment of any senior
executive officer or director. Within the thirty day period, the OCC or the
Federal Reserve Board, as the case may be, may approve or disapprove any such
appointment. The Company and the Bank will meet the criteria which trigger this
additional approval during the first two years after they are registered or
chartered, respectively.

       Deposit Insurance. The FDIC establishes rates for the payment of premiums
by federally insured banks and thrifts for deposit insurance. A separate Bank
Insurance Fund ("BIF") and Savings Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF") are
maintained for commercial banks and thrifts, respectively, with insurance
premiums from the industry used to offset losses from insurance payouts when
banks and thrifts fail. Due to the high rate of failures in recent years, the
fees that commercial banks and thrifts pay to BIF and SAIF have increased. Since
1993, insured depository institutions like the Bank have paid for deposit
insurance under a risk-based premium system. Under the 1993 rule, a depository
institution pays to the FDIC a premium of from $0.00 to $0.31 per $100 of
insured deposits depending on its capital levels and risk profile, as determined
by its primary federal regulator on a semi-annual basis. In 1996, the Bank's
assessment rate for insured deposits was $500 per quarter. The Deposit Insurance
Funds Act of 1996 eliminated the minimum assessment required by statute. It also
separates, effective January 1, 1997, the Financial Corporation (FICO)
assessment to service the interest on its bond obligations. The amount assessed
on individual institutions, including the Bank, by FICO will be in addition to
the amount paid for deposit insurance according to the risk-related assessment
rate schedule. FICO assessment rates for the first semi-annual period of 1997
were set at 1.30 basis points annually for BIF deposits. For the first
semi-annual period of 1997, the FDIC Board of Directors maintained the adjusted
rate schedule and the Bank's insurance assessment will remain at $.00 per $100
in deposits through June 1997. Increases in deposit insurance premiums or
changes in risk classification will increase the Bank's cost of funds, and there
can be no assurance that such cost can be passed on the Bank's customers.

       Transactions With Affiliates and Insiders. The Bank is subject to the
provisions of Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act, which place limits on the
amount of loans or extensions of credit to, or investments in, or certain other
transactions with, affiliates and on the amount of advances to third parties
collateralized by the securities or obligations of affiliates. The aggregate of
all covered transactions is limited in amount, as to any one affiliate, to 10%
of the bank's capital and surplus and, as to all affiliates combined, to 20% of
the bank's capital and surplus. Furthermore, within the foregoing limitations as
to amount, each covered transaction must meet specified collateral requirements.
Compliance is also required with certain provisions designed to avoid the taking
of low quality assets.

       The Bank is also subject to the provisions of Section 23B of the Federal
Reserve Act which, among other things, prohibit an institution from engaging in
certain transactions with certain affiliates unless the transactions are on
terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to such institution or
its subsidiaries, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions
with non-affiliated companies. The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on
extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, certain principal
shareholders, and their related interests. Such extensions of credit (i) must be
made on

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substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those
available to all employees of the Bank and (ii) must not involve more than the
normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.

       Dividends. A national bank may not pay dividends from its capital. All
dividends must be paid out of undivided profits then on hand, after deducting
expenses, including reserves for losses and bad debts. In addition, a national
bank is prohibited from declaring a dividend on its shares of common stock until
its surplus equals its stated capital, unless there has been transferred to
surplus no less than one-tenth of the bank's net profits of the preceding two
consecutive half-year periods (in the case of an annual dividend). The approval
of the OCC is required if the total of all dividends declared by a national bank
in any calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits for that year combined
with its retained net profits for the preceding two years, less any required
transfers to surplus.

       The OCC has promulgated regulations that became effective on December 13,
1990, which significantly affect the level of allowable dividend payments for
national banks. The effect is to make the calculation of national banks'
dividend-paying capacity consistent with generally accepted accounting
principles. In this regard, the allowance for loan and lease losses will not be
considered an element of either "undivided profits then on hand" or "net
profits." Further, a national bank may be able to use a portion of its capital
surplus account as "undivided profits then on hand," depending on the
composition of that account. In addition, under FDICIA, the Bank may not pay a
dividend if, after paying the dividend, the Bank would be undercapitalized. See
"Capital Regulations".

       Branching. National banks are required by the National Bank Act to adhere
to branch office banking laws applicable to state banks in the states in which
they are located. Under current South Carolina law, the Bank may open branch
offices throughout South Carolina with the prior approval of the OCC. In
addition, with prior regulatory approval, the Bank will be able to acquire
existing banking operations in South Carolina. Furthermore, federal legislation
has recently been passed which permits interstate branching. The new law permits
out-of-state acquisitions by bank holding companies (subject to veto by new
state law), interstate branching by banks if allowed by state law, interstate
merging by banks, and de novo branching by national banks if allowed by state
law. See "- Recent Legislative Developments." Management currently have no plans
or agreements whereby the Bank would acquire other banks or thrifts.

       Community Reinvestment Act. The Community Reinvestment Act requires that,
in connection with examinations of financial institutions within their
respective jurisdictions, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the OCC, or the Office
of Thrift Supervision shall evaluate the record of the financial institutions in
meeting the credit needs of their local communities, including low and moderate
income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of those
institutions. These factors are also considered in evaluating mergers,
acquisitions, and applications to open a branch or facility.

       Other Regulations. Interest and certain other charges collected or
contracted for by the Bank are subject to state usury laws and certain federal
laws concerning interest rates. The Bank's loan operations are also subject to
certain federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the federal
Truth-In- Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer
borrowers; the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, requiring financial
institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to
determine whether a financial institution will be fulfilling its obligation to
help meet the housing needs of the community it serves; the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other
prohibited factors in extending credit; the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978,
governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies; the
Fair Debt Collection Act,

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governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection
agencies; and the rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged
with the responsibility of implementing such federal laws. The deposit
operations of the Bank also are subject to the Right to Financial Privacy Act,
which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records
and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of
financial records, and the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E issued
by the Federal Reserve Board to implement that act, which governs automatic
deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers' rights and
liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other
electronic banking services.

CAPITAL REGULATIONS

       The federal bank regulatory authorities have adopted risk-based capital
guidelines for banks and bank holding companies that are designed to make
regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles
among banks and bank holding companies and account for off-balance sheet items.
The guidelines are minimums, and the federal regulators have noted that banks
and bank holding companies contemplating significant expansion programs should
not allow expansion to diminish their capital ratios and should maintain ratios
in excess of the minimums. Neither the Company nor the Bank has received any
notice indicating that either entity will be subject to higher capital
requirements. The current guidelines require all bank holding companies and
federally-regulated banks to maintain a minimum risk-based total capital ratio
equal to 8%, of which at least 4% must be Tier 1 capital. Tier 1 capital
includes common shareholders' equity, qualifying perpetual preferred stock, and
minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, but excludes
goodwill and most other intangibles and excludes the allowance for loan and
lease losses. Tier 2 capital includes the excess of any preferred stock not
included in Tier 1 capital, mandatory convertible securities, hybrid capital
instruments, subordinated debt and intermediate term-preferred stock, and
general reserves for loan and lease losses up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets.

       Under these guidelines, banks' and bank holding companies' assets are
given risk-weights of 0%, 20%, 50%, or 100%. In addition, certain off-balance
sheet items are given credit conversion factors to convert them to asset
equivalent amounts to which an appropriate risk-weight will apply. These
computations result in the total risk-weighted assets. Most loans are assigned
to the 100% risk category, except for first mortgage loans fully secured by
residential property and, under certain circumstances, residential construction
loans, both of which carry a 50% rating. Most investment securities are assigned
to the 20% category, except for municipal or state revenue bonds, which have a
50% rating, and direct obligations of or obligations guaranteed by the United
States Treasury or United States Government agencies, which have a 0% rating.

       The federal bank regulatory authorities have also implemented a leverage
ratio, which is equal to Tier 1 capital as a percentage of average total assets
less intangibles, to be used as a supplement to the risk-based guidelines. The
principal objective of the leverage ratio is to place a constraint on the
maximum degree to which a bank holding company may leverage its equity capital
base. The minimum required leverage ratio for top-rated institutions is 3%, but
most institutions are required to maintain an additional cushion of at least 100
to 200 basis points.

       FDICIA established a new capital-based regulatory scheme designed to
promote early intervention for troubled banks which requires the FDIC to choose
the least expensive resolution of bank failures. The new capital-based
regulatory framework contains five categories of compliance with regulatory
capital requirements, including "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized,"
"undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized," and "critically
undercapitalized." To qualify as a "well capitalized" institution, a bank must
have a leverage ratio of no less than 5%, a Tier 1 risk-based ratio of no less
than 6%, and a total

                                       9


<PAGE>   11

risk-based capital ratio of no less than 10%, and the bank must not be under any
order or directive from the appropriate regulatory agency to meet and maintain a
specific capital level. The Bank is currently "well-capitalized."

       Under the FDICIA regulations, the applicable agency can treat an
institution as if it were in the next lower category if the agency determines
(after notice and an opportunity for hearing) that the institution is in an
unsafe or unsound condition or is engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice. The
degree of regulatory scrutiny of a financial institution will increase, and the
permissible activities of the institution will decrease, as it moves downward
through the capital categories. Institutions that fall into one of the three
undercapitalized categories may be required to (i) submit a capital restoration
plan; (ii) raise additional capital; (iii) restrict their growth, deposit
interest rates, and other activities; (iv) improve their management; (v)
eliminate management fees; or (vi) divest themselves of all or a part of their
operations. Bank holding companies controlling financial institutions can be
called upon to boost the institutions' capital and to partially guarantee the
institutions' performance under their capital restoration plans.

       Effective January 1, 1997, the OCC amended the risk-based capital
standards to incorporate a measure for market risk to cover all positions
located in a institution's trading account, and foreign exchange and commodity
positions wherever located. The effect of the rule is that it requires any bank
or bank holding company with significant exposure to market risk to measure the
risk and hold capital commensurate with that risk. Since the Bank does not
currently engage, nor has any plans to engage, in trading, foreign exchange or
commodity position activities, the rule does not have an effect on the required
Bank capital levels.

       These capital guidelines can affect the Company in several ways.
Initially the Company's capital levels will initially be more than adequate.
However, rapid growth, poor loan portfolio performance, or poor earnings
performance, or a combination of these factors, could change the Company's
capital position in a relatively short period of time, making an additional
capital infusion necessary. Failure to meet these capital requirements would
mean that a bank would be required to develop and file a plan with its primary
federal banking regulator describing the means and a schedule for achieving the
minimum capital requirements. In addition, such a bank would generally not
receive regulatory approval of any application that requires the consideration
of capital adequacy, such as a branch or merger application, unless the bank
could demonstrate a reasonable plan to meet the capital requirement within a
reasonable period of time.

ENFORCEMENT POWERS

       FIRREA expanded and increased civil and criminal penalties available for
use by the federal regulatory agencies against depository institutions and
certain "institution-affiliated parties" (primarily including management,
employees, and agents of a financial institution, and independent contractors
such as attorneys and accountants and others who participate in the conduct of
the financial institution's affairs). These practices can include the failure of
an institution to timely file required reports or the filing of false or
misleading information or the submission of inaccurate reports. Civil penalties
may be as high as $1,000,000 a day for such violations. Criminal penalties for
some financial institution crimes have been increased to twenty years. In
addition, regulators are provided with greater flexibility to commence
enforcement actions against institutions and institution-affiliated parties.
Possible enforcement actions include the termination of deposit insurance.
Furthermore, FIRREA expanded the appropriate banking agencies' power to issue
cease-and-desist orders that may, among other things, require affirmative action
to correct any harm resulting from a violation or practice, including
restitution, reimbursement, indemnifications or guarantees against loss. A
financial institution may also be ordered to restrict its

                                       10

<PAGE>   12

growth, dispose of certain assets, rescind agreements or contracts, or take
other actions as determined by the ordering agency to be appropriate.

RECENT LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

       In the 1994 legislative session, South Carolina amended its bank holding
act to allow nationwide interstate banking beginning in 1996. Federal
legislation has also been passed by Congress which allows unrestricted
interstate bank mergers, unrestricted interstate acquisition of banks by bank
holding companies, and interstate de novo branching by banks. As a result of
this legislation, the number of competitors in the Company's market may
increase. However, the Company believes it can compete effectively in the market
and that the legislation will not have a material adverse impact on the Company
or the Bank. From time to time, various bills are introduced in the United
States Congress with respect to the regulation of financial institutions.
Certain of these proposals, if adopted, could significantly change the
regulation of banks and the financial services industry. The Company cannot
predict whether any of these proposals will be adopted or, if adopted, how these
proposals would affect the Company.

EFFECT OF GOVERNMENTAL MONETARY POLICIES

       The earnings of the Bank is affected by domestic economic conditions and
the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its
agencies. The Federal Reserve Board's monetary policies have had, and will
likely continue to have, an important impact on the operating results of
commercial banks through its power to implement national monetary policy in
order, among other things, to curb inflation or combat a recession. The monetary
policies of the Federal Reserve Board have major effects upon the levels of bank
loans, investments and deposits through its open market operations in United
States government securities and through its regulation of the discount rate on
borrowings of member banks and the reserve requirements against member bank
deposits. It is not possible to predict the nature or impact of future changes
in monetary and fiscal policies.

COMPETITION

       The banking business is highly competitive. The Bank competes as a
financial intermediary with other commercial banks, savings and loan
associations, credit unions, and money market mutual funds operating in the
Cherokee County area and elsewhere. A number of these competitors are well
established in the Cherokee County area. Most of them have substantially greater
resources and lending limits than the Bank and offer certain services, such as
extensive and established branch networks and trust services, that the Bank
either does not expect to provide or does not currently provide. As a result of
these competitive factors, the Bank may have to pay higher rates of interest to
attract deposits.

       The Company believes that the community bank focus of the Bank, with its
emphasis on service to small businesses, individuals, and professional concerns,
will give it an advantage in this market.

EMPLOYEES

       The Company has sixteen full-time and one part time employee as of
December 31, 1996.

                                       11


<PAGE>   13

ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

       Gaffney Property. The principal place of business of both the Company and
the Bank and the main office of the Bank is located at the corner of Granard
Street and W. Meadow Street in Gaffney, South Carolina. The proposed site of the
Bank's main office is a parcel of land adjacent to the current site located at
217 North Granard Street. The Company plans to construct a permanent banking
facility of 10,000 square feet on the site at an approximate cost of $650,000,
which will be paid out of the proceeds of the offering. Construction of this
building is expected to begin in Spring 1998. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
for the main office are expected to ultimately cost approximately $660,000.

       Blacksburg Property. The Bank also operates a Blacksburg Office facility
at 207 West Cherokee Street, Blacksburg, South Carolina 29702. The Blacksburg
site is on approximately a one acre of land. The Company plans to construct a
permanent banking facility of 2,500 square feet on the site at an approximate
cost of $250,000 which will be paid out of funds from operations of the Bank
and, to the extent necessary, remaining proceeds of the offering. Construction
of this building is anticipated to begin in 1998. Currently, the Bank operates
the Blacksburg Office in a modular building. The Company believes that the
facilities will adequately serve the Bank's needs for its first several years of
operation.


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

       Neither the Company nor the Bank is a party to, nor is any of their
property the subject of, any material pending legal proceedings incidental to
the business of the Company or the Bank.


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

       No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.


ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

       The Company's articles of incorporation authorize it to issue up to
10,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"), of which 616,338 shares were sold in the initial offering. As of
December 31, 1996, the Company had 587 shareholders of record. There is no
established trading market in the Common Stock, and one is not expected to
develop in the near future.

       All outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company are entitled to
share equally in dividends from funds legally available therefor, when, as and
if declared by the Board of Directors. The Company does not plan to declare any
dividends in the immediate future. See "Item 1. Description of Business --
Dividends."

                                       12


<PAGE>   14

ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

1996 COMPARED TO 1995:

The Company commenced operations on October 18, 1996. The 1995 expenses were a
result of the start-up of the Company; therefore, comparison of the 1996 to 1995
results is not meaningful.

NET INTEREST INCOME

To a large degree, earnings are dependent on net interest income. It represents
the difference between interest earned on assets and the interest paid on
liabilities. Interest rate spread and net interest margin are two significant
elements in analyzing the Company's net interest income. Interest rate spread is
the difference between the yield on average earning assets and the rate on
average interest bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is net interest income
divided by earning assets.

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $164,089. The
significant portion of the $205,952 in interest income was the $176,393 in
income from federal funds. Cash from the stock offering was invested in federal
funds until the day the Bank commenced operations. Interest expense was $41,863
for the year ended December 31, 1996.

COMPARATIVE AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS AND RATES

The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, the weighted average
yields earned, the weighted average yields paid, the net interest spread and the
net interest margin on earning assets. The table also indicates the average
monthly balance and the interest income or expense by specific categories since
the commencement of the Bank's operations on October 18, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               October 18 - December 31, 1996
                                                              --------------------------------
                                                              Average                Yield/
                                                              Balance    Interest     Rate
                                                              -------    --------     ----
(Dollars in thousands)

<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C> 
ASSETS:
Taxable securities                                            $  187      $   2        5.16%
Federal funds sold                                             6,705         74        5.34
Loans                                                          1,054         28       12.71
                                                              ------      -----
    Total earning assets                                       7,946        104        6.37
                                                              ------      -----
Cash and due from banks                                          680
Allowance for loan losses                                         (5)
Premises and equipment                                           512
Other assets                                                     252
                                                              ------
    Total assets                                              $9,385
                                                              ======
</TABLE>

                                       13


<PAGE>   15
<TABLE>

<S>                                                             <C>       <C>      <C> 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Interest bearing deposits                                       $ 2,794     27     4.70
                                                                -------   ----
    Total interest-bearing liabilities                            2,794     27     4.70
                                                                -------   ----
Non-interest bearing deposits                                       628
Accrued interest and other liabilities                                9
Shareholders' equity                                              5,954
                                                                -------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                  $ 9,385
                                                                =======

Net interest income/ interest rate spread                       $    77   1.67%
                                                                =======   =====

Net interest margin on earning assets                                     4.71%
                                                                          =====
</TABLE>

RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS

Net interest income can be analyzed in terms of the impact of changing rates and
changing volume. Due to 1996 being the year of commencement, all interest income
and interest expense is attributable to the volume of earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities, respectively.

RATE SENSITIVITY

Interest rates paid on deposits and borrowed funds and interest rates earned on
loans and investments have generally followed the fluctuations in market rates
in 1996. A rate sensitive asset or liability is one that can be repriced either
up or down in interest rate within a certain time interval. When a proper
balance between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities exists,
market interest rate fluctuations should not have a significant impact on
earnings. The larger the imbalance, the greater the interest rate risk assumed
by the Company and the greater the positive or negative impact of interest rate
fluctuations on earnings. The Company seeks to manage its assets and liabilities
in a manner that will limit interest rate risk and stabilize long-term earning
power. Management believes that a rise or fall in interest rates will not
materially affect earnings.

The following table presents the Company's rate sensitivity at each of the time
intervals indicated as of December 31, 1996. The table may not be indicative of
the Company's rate sensitivity position at other points in time.

                                       14


<PAGE>   16
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
                                 Less than      4-6          7-12           1-5         Over 5
(Dollars in thousands)            3 months      months       months        years         years          Total
                                 ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------

<S>                              <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>      
Interest earning assets:
  Federal funds sold             $   7,930    $       -    $       -     $       -     $       -     $   7,930
  Investment securities                  -          344            -             -             -           344
  Loans                                892            -          137           668           347         2,044
                                 ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
  Total                              8,822          344          137           668           347        10,318
                                 ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------

Interest bearing liabilities -
  Interest bearing deposits(1)       1,946          255        2,477             -             -         4,678
                                 ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------

Interest sensitivity gap         $   6,876    $      89    $  (2,340)    $     668     $     347     $   5,640
                                 =========    =========    =========     =========     =========     =========

Cumulative interest
  sensitivity gap                $   6,876    $   6,965    $   4,625     $   5,293     $   5,640     $   5,640
                                 =========    =========    =========     =========     =========     =========

Gap ratio(2)                         66.64%         .96%      (22.67)%        6.47%         3.36%
                                 =========    =========    =========     =========     =========

Cumulative gap ratio(2)              66.64%       67.50%       44.82%        51.29%        54.66%
                                 =========    =========    =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>

(1) All savings and transaction accounts are included in the less than three
months category.

(2) Ratio of gap to total earning assets.

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

The Company maintains a reserve for loan losses which is funded by charges to
current earnings. This reserve is intended to be an adequate allowance to absorb
losses on loans outstanding and is based on management's continuing review and
evaluation of the Company's loan portfolio.

Reserve for loan losses was approximately 1.00% of total loans on December 31,
1996. Initially, management's goal will be to keep the reserve at 1.00% of total
loans. As the Company continues to mature, management will evaluate its reserve
policy and adjust the policy based on historical loss experience, changes in
economic conditions, growth in the portfolio and evaluations of specific loans.
Management believes the level of the allowance for loan losses is sufficient to
provide for potential losses in the loan portfolio.

OTHER INCOME

Other income was $5,976 in 1996. This was comprised primarily of loan and
deposit fees.

OTHER EXPENSES

Non-interest expense was $431,602 in 1996. This was comprised primarily of
salaries of $238,606, furniture, fixtures and equipment of $20,033, and other
operating expense of $172,963.

INCOME TAXES

The Company's net loss before income taxes of $281,537 resulted in an income tax
benefit of $84,460 for the year ended December 31, 1996.

                                       15


<PAGE>   17

CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Federal Reserve Board and bank regulatory agencies require bank holding
companies and financial institutions to maintain capital at adequate levels
based on a percentage of assets and off-balance sheet exposures, adjusted for
risk weights ranging form 0% to 100%. Under the risk-based standard, capital is
classified into two tiers. Tier I capital of the Company consists of common
stockholders' equity, excluding the unrealized gain (loss) on securities
available-for-sale, minus certain intangible assets. Tier II capital consists of
general reserve for loan losses subject to certain limitations. A bank holding
company's qualifying capital base for purposes of its risk-based capital ratio
consists of the sum of its Tier I and Tier II capital. The regulatory minimum
requirements are 4% for Tier I and 8% for total risk-based capital. The holding
company and banking subsidiary are also required to maintain capital at a
minimum level based on total assets, which is known as the leverage ratio. Only
the strongest bank holding companies and banks are allowed to maintain capital
at the minimum requirement. All others are subject to maintaining ratios 100 to
200 basis points above the minimum.

RISK-BASED CAPITAL RATIOS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Risk-based capital ratios:                              The Bank  The Company
                                                        --------  -----------
  <S>                                                   <C>         <C>     
  Tier I capital                                        106.97%     136.82%
  Total capital                                         107.44      137.28
  Tier I leverage ratio                                  40.83       50.24
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1996 the Company has no outstanding significant commitments for
capital expenditures.

LIQUIDITY

The Company manages its liquidity from both the asset and liability side of the
balance sheet through the coordination of the relative maturities of its assets
and liabilities. Short-term liquidity needs are generally met from cash, due
from banks, federal funds sold and deposit levels. Management has established
policies and procedures governing the length of time to maturity on loans and
investments. Investments classified as available for sale are placed in this
category specifically to fund future liquidity needs, if necessary. The Company
maintained a high level of liquidity during 1996 which was attributable to the
growth in deposits and capitalization of the Bank during the year. In the
opinion of management, the Company's short-term liquidity needs can be
adequately supported by the Company's deposit base.

IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

The financial statements and related financial data presented herein have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles which
require 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 assets and the liabilities of a financial institution 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.

While the effect of inflation on a bank is normally not as significant as its
influence on those businesses that have large investments in plant and
inventories, it does have an effect. Interest rates generally increase as the
rate of inflation increases, but the magnitude of the change in rates may not be
the same. While interest rates have traditionally moved with inflation, the
effect on income is diminished because both interest earned on assets and
interest paid on liabilities vary directly with each other. Also, increases in
the price of goods and services will generally result in increased operating
expenses.

                                       16


<PAGE>   18

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

The following tables summarize the carrying value of investment securities and
weighted average yields of those securities at December 31, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

INVESTMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

HELD TO MATURITY

<S>                                                                                                      <C>
U.S. Treasury securities                                                                                 $  344,190
                                                                                                         ==========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


INVESTMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO MATURITY SCHEDULE

                                                                                      Amount             Yield
                                                                                    -----------          ------ 
<S>                                                                                 <C>                  <C>
U.S. Treasury securities due:
  Within one year                                                                   $   344,190          5.16%
                                                                                    ===========
</TABLE>


LOAN PORTFOLIO

CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT

Credit risk entails both general risk, which is inherent in the process of
lending, and risk that is specific to individual borrowers. The management of
credit risk involves both the process of loan underwriting and loan
administration. The Company manages credit risk through a strategy of making
loans within the Company's primary marketplace and within the Company's limits
of expertise. Although management seeks to avoid concentrations of credit by
loan type or industry through diversification, a substantial portion of the
borrowers' ability to honor the terms of their loans is dependent on the
business and economic conditions in Cherokee County and the surrounding areas
comprising the Company's marketplace. Additionally, since real estate is
considered by the Company as the most desirable nonmonetary collateral, a
significant portion of the Bank's loans are collateralized by real estate. Even
though a substantial portion of the Company's loans are collateralized by real
estate, the cash flow of the borrower or the business enterprise is generally
considered as the primary source of repayment. Generally, the value of real
estate is not considered by the Company as the primary source of repayment for
performing loans. The Company also seeks to limit total exposure to individual
and affiliated borrowers. The Company manages the risk specific to individual
borrowers through the loan underwriting process and through an ongoing analysis
of the borrower's ability to service the debt as well as the value of the
pledged collateral.

The Bank's loan officers and loan administration staff are charged with
monitoring the Company's loan portfolio and identifying changes in the economy
or in a borrower's circumstances which may affect the ability to repay the debt
or the value of the pledged collateral. In order to assess and monitor the
degree of risk in the Company's loan portfolio, several credit risk
identification and monitoring processes are utilized. The Bank uses an outside
consultant for a quarterly loan review.

LENDING ACTIVITIES

The Company extends credit primarily to consumers and small businesses in
Cherokee County and, to a limited extent, customers in surrounding areas.

The Company's service area is mixed in nature. The corporate office is located
in Gaffney, South Carolina. The economy of Cherokee County is a regional
business center whose economy contains elements of medium and light

                                       17


<PAGE>   19

manufacturing, higher education, regional health care, and distribution
facilities. Outside the incorporated city limits of Gaffney, the economy
includes manufacturing, agriculture, timber, and recreational activities. No
particular category or segment of the economies previously described are
expected to grow or contract disproportionately in 1996.

Management is of the opinion that the loan portfolio is adequately diversified.
There are no significant concentrations of loans in any particular individuals
or industry or group of related individuals or industries.

Total loans outstanding were $2,043,972 at December 31, 1996. The loan demand
remains strong in the Company's market area, supported in part, by customers
moving from larger financial institutions after recent mergers.

The Company's ratio of loans to deposits was 35% on December 31, 1996. The loan
to deposit ratio is used to monitor a financial institution's potential
profitability and efficiency of asset distribution and utilization. Generally, a
higher loan to deposit ratio is indicative of higher interest income since loans
yield a higher return than alternative investment vehicles. Management has
concentrated on maintaining quality in the loan portfolio while continuing to
increase the deposit base.

LOAN PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

The following table summarizes the composition of the loan portfolio at December
31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                                             <C>    
Commercial, financial and agricultural                                          $   887
Real estate - construction                                                            -
Real estate - mortgage                                                              524
Consumer and other                                                                  633
                                                                                -------
                                                                                $ 2,044
                                                                                =======
</TABLE>

MATURITIES AND SENSITIVITY OF LOANS TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES:

The following table summarizes the loan maturity distribution, by type, at
December 31, 1996 and related interest rate characteristics:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              One year                  One to            After
                                              or less                 five years        five years             Total
                                            -----------              -----------        ----------         ------------

<S>                                         <C>                      <C>                <C>                <C>        
Commercial, financial and agricultural      $   227,273              $   599,486        $   60,000         $    886,759
Real estate - construction                            -                        -                 -                    -
Real estate - mortgage                                -                  142,000           381,400              523,400
Consumer and other                              168,729                  401,663            63,421              633,813
                                            -----------              -----------        ----------         ------------

                                            $   396,002              $ 1,143,149         $ 504,821         $  2,043,972
                                            ===========              ===========         =========         ============

Predetermined rate,
  maturing greater than one year                                     $   668,149         $ 346,987         $  1,015,136
                                                                     ===========         =========         ============

Variable rate or maturing
  within one year                           $ 1,028,836                                                    $  1,028,836
                                            ===========                                                    ============
</TABLE>

RISK ELEMENTS

There were no nonaccrual loans or loans 90 days or more past due at December 31,
1996.

                                       18


<PAGE>   20

SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     1996
                                                                                                     ----

<S>                                                                                     <C>               
Loans outstanding at the end of year                                                    $        2,043,972
                                                                                        ==================

Average amount of loans outstanding                                                     $        1,053,745
                                                                                        ==================

Balance, beginning of year                                                              $                -
                                                                                        ------------------
Total loans charged off                                                                                  -
Recoveries of loans previously charged off                                                               -
                                                                                        ------------------
          Net charge-offs                                                                                -
                                                                                        ------------------
Provision charged to operations                                                                     20,000
                                                                                        ------------------

Balance, end of year                                                                    $           20,000
                                                                                        ==================


</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Ratios:
  <S>                                                <C>        
  Allowance for loan losses to average loans         1.90      %
  Allowance for loan losses to loans, end of year     .98      %

</TABLE>

The Bank's provision and allowance for loan losses is subjective in nature and
relies on judgments and assumptions about future economic conditions and other
factors affecting borrowers. Management is not aware of any trends, material
risks or uncertainties affecting the loan portfolio nor is management aware of
any information about any significant borrowers which causes serious doubts as
to the ability of the borrower to comply with the loan repayment terms. However,
it should be noted that no assurances can be made that future charges to the
allowance for loan losses or provisions for loan losses may not be significant
to a particular accounting period. At December 31, 1996, management considers
the allowance for loan losses adequate based on their judgments, evaluations and
analysis of the loan portfolio. Management's judgment as to the adequacy of the
allowance is based upon a number of assumptions abut future events which it
believes to be reasonable but which may or may not be valid. Thus, there can be
no assurance that charge-offs in future periods will not exceed the allowance
for loan losses or that additional increases in the allowance for loan losses
will not be required. The Company does not allocate the allowance for loan
losses to specific categories of loans but evaluates the adequacy on an overall
portfolio basis utilizing a risk grading system.

Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of discounted expected
cash flows. When it is determined that a loan is impaired, a direct charge to
bad debt expense is made for the difference between the net present value of
expected future cash flows based on the contractual rate and discount rate and
the Bank's recorded investment in the related loan. The corresponding entry is
to a related valuation account. Interest is discontinued on impaired loans when
management determines that a borrower may be unable to meet payments as they
become due.

At December 31, 1996, management reviewed its loan portfolio and determined that
no impairment on loans existed that would have a material effect on the
Company's consolidated financial statements.

AVERAGE DAILY DEPOSITS

Certificates of deposit over $100,000 totaled $798,765 at December 31, 1996. Of
this total, scheduled maturities of three months or less were $156,000; over
three months through six months were $0; over six through twelve months were
$642,765; and over twelve months were $0.

                                       19


<PAGE>   21

The following table summarizes the Bank's average deposits for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and the percentage of each category to total average
deposits.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(Dollars in thousands)                               Average      Average
                                                     Amount      Rate paid
                                                     -------     ----------

<S>                                                  <C>            <C>
Non-interest bearing demand                          $   628           -
Interest bearing transaction accounts                    949        2.58 %
Savings                                                  195        3.08 %
Certificates of deposit                                1,650        6.11 %
                                                     -------

                                                     $ 3,422
                                                     =======
</TABLE>

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had short term borrowings of $0 and
$100,000, respectively. The borrowings were a line of credit with a bank used to
finance the organizational expenses associated with opening the Bank. The
maximum amount of borrowings outstanding at any month end was $420,000 at July
31, 1996. The average rate paid on the short term borrowings was 8.25% and 8.25%
at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

RETURN ON EQUITY AND ASSETS

The following table shows the return on average assets (net income divided by
average total assets), return on average equity (net income divided by average
equity), equity to assets ratio (average equity divided by average total
assets), for 1996. Since its inception, the Company has not paid cash dividends.
Average balances in these computations are based on those presented in the table
on page 4.

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                    <C>
Return on average assets                                               (2.10)  %

Return on average equity                                               (3.31)  %

Equity assets ratio                                                    63.44   %
</TABLE>

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING ISSUES

In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation," effective for transactions entered into in fiscal
years that begin after December 15, 1995. SFAS 123 recommends that companies
account for stock compensation on a fair value based method which requires
compensation cost to be measured at the grant date based on the value of the
award and to be recognized over the service period. As an alternative, companies
may continue to record compensation cost based on the excess, if any, of the
quoted market price of the stock at the grant date (or other measurement date)
over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. However, if a company
elects this method, it must include in the financial statements certain
disclosures which reflect pro forma amounts as if the fair value method had been
used. Accordingly, this disclosure was made in the consolidated financial
statements.

                                       20


<PAGE>   22

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                                                                                                Page
                                                                                                                ----

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
Independent Auditors' Report                                                                                     F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets                                                                                      F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income                                                                                F-3
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity                                                       F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                                                                            F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                       F-6

</TABLE>

ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No change in accountants has taken place in any period subsequent to the date of
the most recent financial statements. The Company had no disagreement with
accountants with respect to accounting principles or practices or financial
statement disclosures or auditing scope or procedure, or disagreements with
regard to reportable events. The Company has had the same independent accounting
firm since its inception.

ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE
        WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

Biographical information concerning the directors of the Company and the Bank is
set forth below. None of the directors are related, except that Harold D.
Pennington, Sr. is the father of Harold D. Pennington, Jr.

Directors

Dr. Richard D. Gardner is a native of Tennessee and practices orthopaedic
surgery with the Carolina Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Clinic in Gaffney. A
retired Army Colonel, Dr. Gardner is a Rotarian and member of the Gaffney
Chamber of Commerce. He is the chairman for the South Carolina Medical
Association's Medical Aspects of Sports Committee.

Barry L. Hamrick is a resident of Cherokee County and is President of Hamrick's,
Inc., a family owned business comprised of garment manufacturing and retail
clothing stores. He is a member of the Cherokee County Community Foundation
Board and the Renaissance Board and is a former member of the Limestone College
Board of Trustees and the NationsBank Advisory Board.

Haskell D. Mallory is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina and has been in
the manufacturing business since 1974. In 1987, Mr. Mallory became co-owner of
Weavetec, Inc., a manufacturer of woven textiles for home and industry. He is
also co-owner of Carolina Machinery Sales, Inc. Mr. Mallory served six years in
the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer and helicopter pilot.

Bill H. Mason is a native of Tennessee and the founder and owner of Bill Mason
Enterprises which owns and operates a group of McDonald's Restaurants in
Cherokee County and Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Prior to starting his
own business, Mr. Mason worked 27 years for American Telephone and Telegraph
Company. He serves as director of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and
the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cherokee County, is on the advisory board of
Cherokee Achieve, and was previously a board member of the Saints Club of
Limestone College.

V. Stephen Moss, who is the President and CEO of the Company and the Bank, is a
native of Cherokee County. Mr. Moss began his banking career with Southern Bank
& Trust, the predecessor to First Union National Bank,

                                       21


<PAGE>   23

in 1972. Before joining the Company, Mr. Moss served as First Union National
Bank's Cherokee County Executive Officer and Senior Lender over the upstate
community banking area. He graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor's
degree in Political Science, as well as from the South Carolina Bankers School
and the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. He has
also completed the First Union National Bank Commercial Lending School and the
First Union Consumer Academy. He has taught the course "Money & Banking" at
Limestone College.

Harold D. Pennington, Sr. is a native of Blacksburg, South Carolina. He
graduated from Clemson University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Textile Management. He is President and co-owner of Weavetec, Inc., Vice
President and co-owner of Carolina Machinery Sales, Inc., and co-owner of
Cherokee Building Supply, Inc. He was a member of the Blacksburg Housing
Authority Board for approximately five years, and served in the South Carolina
Guard for six years. He is the father of Harold D. Pennington, Jr.

Harold D. Pennington, Jr. is a native of Blacksburg, South Carolina. He
graduated with honors from Clemson University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is Vice President and co- owner of
Weavetec, Inc., President and co-owner of Lister's Building Supply, Inc., and
owner of Carolina Country Outlet. He is the son of Harold D. Pennington, Sr.

Heyward W. Porter was born and raised in Blacksburg, South Carolina. Mr. Porter
is founder of Porter's Electric Motor Service, Inc. where he currently serves as
President. He served as an advisory board member of Bank of Gaffney and SCN Bank
(now Wachovia) for 14 years and served as Mayor of Blacksburg, South Carolina
from 1964 to 1966. He formerly served as an advisory board member for both the
Salvation Army and Boys Club of Cherokee County. He is a former member of the
Cherokee Sertoma Club and is a Shriner.


Executive Officers

V. Stephen Moss/President - See above

Thomas W. Hale, who is the Chief Credit Officer, has over 25 years experience in
banking. He is a graduate of the University of Florida where he received a
Bachelors of Science in Business Administration in 1969. He is also a 1991
graduate of American Banker's Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking and
Bank Management Institute, Advanced Commercial Lending Course at the University
of Buffalo. Mr. Hale began his banking career at Florida Federal Savings Bank,
working in numerous staff and line positions, reaching the title of Area Vice
President. He then held the position of Vice President/Senior Lending Officer
for First National Bank of Clearwater, Florida. Most recently he was Vice
President/ Relationship Manager with Key Bank of New York. He is former Chairman
of Better Business Bureau, has been a Rotarian and has held various officer
positions with numerous civic and community organizations. He has taught
"Analyzing Financial Statements" for the American Banker's Association.

John W. Hobbs, who is the Chief Financial Officer, is a native of South
Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors
of Science in Accounting. Mr. Hobbs began his career at the public accounting
firm of KPMG, Peat Marwick in Greenville, S.C. He then held the position of Vice
President/Controller at Standard Savings Bank in Columbia, S.C. Most recently he
was the Vice President/General Auditor for First United Bancorporation in
Anderson, S.C.

                                       22


<PAGE>   24

STAGGERED BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company provide that the
directors of the Company are divided into three classes, with each class
containing one-third of the total number of directors, as near as is possible,
so that each director will serve for a term ending on the date of the third
annual meeting of shareholders following the annual meeting at which such
director was elected, and the term of office of one of the three classes of
directors expires in each year. The initial terms of Barry Hamrick and Harold D.
Pennington, Jr. expired in 1996 and both of these directors were reelected for a
three-year term expiring in 1999; the initial terms of Richard D. Gardner,
Harold D. Pennington, Sr. and Heyward W. Porter expire in 1997; and those of
Haskell D. Mallory, Bill H. Mason and V. Stephen Moss expire in 1998.
Thereafter, the terms of all directors will be three years.

ITEM 10.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

       The following table shows the cash compensation paid by the Company to
the Company's Chief Executive Officer for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
December 31, 1996. No other executive officers of the Company or the Bank earned
total annual compensation, including salary and bonus, for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
                                                                                   ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                                                                  ---------------------------
                                                                                                 OTHER ANNUAL
           NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                         YEAR               SALARY         COMPENSATION
           ---------------------------                         ----               ------         ------------

       <S>                                                     <C>                <C>                <C>    
       V. Stephen Moss, President                              1996               $80,842            $2,689 (1)
       and Chief Executive Officer                             1995               $18,000            $    0

- ----------------------
</TABLE>

(1) Includes Company provided automobile, country club dues and additional life
insurance.

       In March 1997, the Board of Directors adopted a stock option plan whereby
directors, executive officers and certain other key employees of the Company and
the Bank can receive options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock,
and, as described below, Mr. Moss has been granted stock options in accordance
with the terms of his employment agreement with the Company. See "Employment
Agreement." The Board will present the Stock Option Plan to the shareholders for
their approval of the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

                                       23


<PAGE>   25

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

       V. Stephen Moss and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement
pursuant to which Mr. Moss will serve as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and the Bank. The Employment Agreement provides for
salary of $85,000 plus his yearly medical insurance premium. Mr. Moss will be
eligible to participate in any management incentive program of the Bank or any
long-term equity incentive program and will be eligible for grants of stock
options and other awards thereunder. In addition, on the first anniversary of
the opening date of the Bank, he will be eligible to receive a cash bonus in an
amount determined by the Board of Directors (with Mr. Moss abstaining). The
agreement provides that the amount of the bonus will be based on such intangible
criteria as the Board shall establish. The Board anticipates that among the
factors it will consider will be Mr. Moss's efforts in connection with obtaining
approvals from the OCC, the FDIC, and the Federal Reserve, and in connection
with preparing generally for the Bank's opening. On each anniversary of the
opening date thereafter, Mr. Moss will be eligible to receive a cash bonus equal
to 5% of the net pre-tax income of the Bank (determined in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles) if the Bank achieves certain
performance levels established by the Board of Directors from time to time. Upon
the closing of the offering (or as soon thereafter as an appropriate stock
option plan is adopted by the Company), Mr. Moss will be granted an option to
purchase an amount equal to 5% of the shares sold in the offering (30,817
shares) at $10.00 per share. The options will vest at the rate of one-fifth per
year for each of the first five anniversaries of the opening date, subject to
Mr. Moss' being employed by the Company on such date and meeting certain
performance criteria. The options will have a term of ten years. Additionally,
Mr. Moss will participate in the Bank's retirement, welfare and other benefit
programs and is entitled to a life insurance policy an accident liability policy
and reimbursement for automobile expenses, club dues, and travel and business
expenses. The Company will maintain a term life insurance policy on Mr. Moss
providing for death benefits in the amount of $700,000 payable to the Company
and $300,000 payable to Mr. Moss' family.

       The Employment Agreement provides for an initial term of five years,
which may be extended each year for an additional year so that the remaining
term shall continue to be five years.

       If the Company terminates Mr. Moss' employment without cause or if Mr.
Moss' employment is terminated due to a sale, merger or dissolution of the
Company or the Bank, the Company will be obligated to continue his salary and
bonus for the first twelve months thereafter plus one-half of his salary and
bonus for the second twelve months thereafter. Furthermore, the Company must
remove any restrictions on outstanding incentive awards so that all such awards
vest immediately and the Company must continue to provide his life insurance and
medical benefits until he reaches the age of 65.

       In addition, the employment agreement provides that following termination
of his employment with the Bank and for a period of twelve months thereafter,
Mr. Moss may not (i) be employed in the banking business as a director, officer
at the vice-president level or higher, or organizer or promoter of, or provide
executive management services to, any financial institution within Cherokee
County, (ii) solicit major customers of the Bank for the purpose of providing
financial services, or (iii) solicit employees of the Bank for employment.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

       The Company or the Bank did not pay directors' fees during the last
fiscal year, and does not presently intend to pay directors' fees in the initial
years of operation.


ITEM 11.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

       The following table sets forth the number and percentage of outstanding
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned at the Record Date by (a) each
executive officer of the Company, (b) each director of the Company, (c) all
executive officers and directors of the Company as a group, and (d) each person
or entity known to the Company to own more than 5% of the outstanding Common
Stock.

                                       24


<PAGE>   26

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Shares Beneficially Owned
                                                    ----------------------------

                                                    Number of
          Name                                       Shares(1)        Percent(2)
          ----                                       ---------        ----------

          <S>                                        <C>                <C>  
          Richard Gardner(3)                         25,000             4.06%
          Barry Hamrick(4)                           25,000             4.06%
          Haskell Mallory(5)                         30,000             4.87%
          Bill Mason(6)                              20,200             3.28%
          V. Stephen Moss(7)                          5,000              .81%
          Harold Pennington, Jr.(8)                  28,000             4.54%
          Harold Pennington, Sr.                     30,000             4.87%
          Heyward Porter                             15,000             2.43%
          John Hobbs                                    200              .03%

          TOTAL                                     178,400            28.95%
- --------------------
</TABLE>

(1)    Information relating to the beneficial ownership of Common Stock is based
       upon "beneficial ownership" concepts set forth in rules of the Securities
       Exchange Commission under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
       1934. Under these rules a person is deemed to be a "beneficial owner" of
       a security if that person has or shares "voting power," which includes
       the power to vote or direct the voting of each security, or "investment
       power," which includes the power to dispose or to direct the disposition
       of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any
       security of which that person has the right to acquire beneficial
       ownership within 60 days. Under the rules, more than one person may be
       deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may
       be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he has no
       beneficial interest. For instance, beneficial ownership includes spouses,
       minor children, and other relatives residing in the same household, and
       trusts, partnerships, corporations or deferred compensation plans which
       are affiliated with the principal.

(2)    Percent is calculated by treating shares subject to options held by the
       named individual for whom the percentage is held by the named individual
       for whom the percentage is calculated which are exercisable within the
       next 60 days as if outstanding, but treating shares subject to options
       held by another stockholder as not outstanding.

(3)    Owned jointly with Mr. Gardner's wife.

(4)    Includes 5,000 shares for which the beneficial ownership is attributable
       to Mr. Hamrick as a result of his daughter's ownership of 5,000 shares.

(5)    Includes 1,860 shares for which the beneficial ownership is attributable
       to Mr. Mallory as a result of his wife's ownership of 1,860 shares.

(6)    Owned jointly with Mr. Mason's wife.

(7)    Includes 750 shares for which the beneficial ownership is attributable to
       Mr. Moss as a result of his children's ownership of 750 shares.

(8)    Includes 8,000 shares for which the beneficial ownership is attributable
       to Mr. Pennington as a result of his joint ownership with his wife of
       6,000 shares and his daughter's ownership of 2,000 shares.

                                       25

<PAGE>   27
ITEM 12.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

       The Company purchased the Blacksburg Office property from James L. Moss,
who is V. Stephen Moss' uncle. The Company believes that this agreement was
entered into on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained
from an unaffiliated third party. The Company and the Bank expect to have
banking and other transactions in the ordinary course of business with
directors, and officers of the Company and the Bank and their affiliates,
including members of their families or corporations, partnerships, or other
organizations in which such officers or directors have a controlling interest,
on substantially the same terms (including price, or interest rates and
collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with
unrelated parties. Such transactions are not expected to involve more than the
normal risk of collectibility nor present other unfavorable features to the
Company and the Bank. The Bank is subject to a limit on the aggregate amount it
can lend to its and the Company's directors and officers as a group equal to its
unimpaired capital and surplus (or, under a regulatory exemption available to
banks with less than $100 million in deposits, twice that amount). Loans to
individual directors and officers must also comply with the Bank's lending
policies and statutory lending limits, and directors with a personal interest in
any loan application will be excluded from the consideration of such loan
application. The Company intends for all of its transactions with Directors or
other affiliates of the Company or the Bank to be on terms no less favorable to
the Company than could be obtained from an unaffiliated third party and to be
approved by a majority of the Company's disinterested directors.

ITEM 13.  EXHIBITS, LIST AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)    The following documents are filed as part of this report:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit
Number            Description
- ------            -----------

<S>    <C>
3.1    Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to
       Exhibit 3.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

3.2    Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
       Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

4.1    Provisions in the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws defining
       the rights of holders of the Company's Common Stock (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File
       No. 333-1546)

10.1   Option Agreement dated October 20, 1995, between James L. Moss, as
       seller, and FNB Bancshares, Inc., as purchaser, for the Blacksburg Office
       property (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registration
       Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

10.2   Option Agreement dated December 31, 1995, between William K. Brumbach,
       Jr., Linwood B. Brumbach, Evelyn B. Sanles and Patricia Brumbach Clary,
       as sellers, and FNB Bancshares, Inc., as purchaser, for the secondary
       parcel for the Gaffney Office property (incorporated by reference to
       Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
       333-1546)

10.3   Option Agreement dated January 10, 1996, between Wylie L. Hamrick and
       Catherine H. Beattie, as sellers, and FNB Bancshares, Inc., as purchaser,
       for the primary parcel for the Gaffney Office property (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File
       No. 333-1546)

10.4   Line of Credit Note dated September 27, 1995, by The Company to The
       Bankers Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the
       Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)
</TABLE>


                                       26


<PAGE>   28

<TABLE>

<S>    <C>
10.5.  Employment Agreement dated January 17, 1996, between the Company and V.
       Stephen Moss (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the
       Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

10.6.  Escrow Agreement dated March 8, 1996, between The Company and The Bankers
       Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registration
       Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

10.7   Commitment Letter dated March 27, 1996, from Spartanburg National Bank
       for a $150,000 line of credit (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7
       of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

10.8   Stock Option Plan dated as of March 25, 1997

21.1   Subsidiaries of the Company

27.1   Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)
</TABLE>


(b) Reports on Form 8-K

    No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of the year 
    ended December 31, 1996.

                                       27
<PAGE>   29

                                   SIGNATURES

       In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act"), the registrant caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                      FNB BANCSHARES, INC.


Date:     March 24, 1997        By:        /s/ V. Stephen Moss
       -------------------               ---------------------------------------
                                               V. Stephen Moss
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

       KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints V. Stephen Moss, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto attorney-in-fact and agent
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

       In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by
the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.



Signature                                      Title                  Date

 /s/ Richard D. Gardner                                           March 24, 1997
- ------------------------------                                    --------------
Richard D. Gardner                           Director

 /s/ Barry Hamrick                                                March 24, 1997
- ------------------------------                                    --------------
Barry Hamrick                                Director

 /s/ Haskell D. Mallory                                           March 24, 1997
- ------------------------------                                    --------------
Haskell D. Mallory                           Director

 /s/ Bill Mason                                                   March 24, 1997
- ------------------------------                                    --------------
Bill Mason                                   Director



<PAGE>   30
Signature                                      Title                 Date

 /s/ V. Stephen Moss                                              March 24, 1997
- ------------------------------                                    --------------
V. Stephen Moss                              Director;
                                         President and CEO

 /s/ Harold D. Pennington, Jr.                                    March 24, 1997
- ------------------------------                                    --------------
Harold D. Pennington, Jr.                    Director

 /s/ Harold D. Pennington, Sr.                                    March 24, 1997
- ------------------------------                                    --------------
Harold D. Pennington, Sr.                    Director


 /s/ Heyward W. Porter                                            March 24, 1997
- ------------------------------                                    --------------
Heyward W. Porter                            Director



<PAGE>   31

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number            Description
- ------            -----------

<S>    <C>
3.1    Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to
       Exhibit 3.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

3.2    Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
       Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

4.1    Provisions in the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws defining
       the rights of holders of the Company's Common Stock (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File
       No. 333-1546)

10.1   Option Agreement dated October 20, 1995, between James L. Moss, as
       seller, and FNB Bancshares, Inc., as purchaser, for the Blacksburg Office
       property (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registration
       Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

10.2   Option Agreement dated December 31, 1995, between William K. Brumbach,
       Jr., Linwood B. Brumbach, Evelyn B. Sanles and Patricia Brumbach Clary,
       as sellers, and FNB Bancshares, Inc., as purchaser, for the secondary
       parcel for the Gaffney Office property (incorporated by reference to
       Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
       333-1546)

10.3   Option Agreement dated January 10, 1996, between Wylie L. Hamrick and
       Catherine H. Beattie, as sellers, and FNB Bancshares, Inc., as purchaser,
       for the primary parcel for the Gaffney Office property (incorporated by
       reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File
       No. 333-1546)

10.4   Line of Credit Note dated September 27, 1995, by The Company to The
       Bankers Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the
       Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

10.5.  Employment Agreement dated January 17, 1996, between the Company and V.
       Stephen Moss (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the
       Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

10.6.  Escrow Agreement dated March 8, 1996, between The Company and The Bankers
       Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registration
       Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

10.7   Commitment Letter dated March 27, 1996, from Spartanburg National Bank
       for a $150,000 line of credit (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7
       of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-1546)

10.8   Stock Option Plan dated as of March 25, 1997

21.1   Subsidiaries of the Company

27.1   Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   32

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                        Consolidated Financial Statements

                  For the Year Ended December 31, 1996 and for
               the Period September 27, 1995 to December 31, 1995

                                       and

                          Independent Auditors' Report




<PAGE>   33

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors
FNB Bancshares, Inc.
Gaffney, South Carolina

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of FNB Bancshares,
Inc., and subsidiary as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flows for the year ended December 31, 1996 and for the period September 27, 1995
to December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of FNB
Bancshares, Inc., and subsidiary as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and for the period September 27, 1995 to December 31, 1995 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

TOURVILLE, SIMPSON & HENDERSON

February 27, 1997
Columbia, South Carolina


                                       F-1


<PAGE>   34

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ASSETS                                                                                1996               1995
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                <C>            
Cash and cash equivalents:
   Cash and due from banks                                                       $      342,680     $        18,898
   Federal funds sold                                                                 7,930,000                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
                                                                                      8,272,680              18,898
Securities held to maturity (market value of $344,083)                                  344,190                   -

Loans receivable                                                                      2,043,972                   -
   Less allowance for loan losses                                                       (20,000)                  -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
      Loans, net                                                                      2,023,972                   -

Premises and equipment, net                                                             734,443               4,026
Accrued interest receivable                                                              11,180                   -
Other assets                                                                            346,436              52,208
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

            Total assets                                                         $   11,732,901     $        75,132
                                                                                 ==============     ===============

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
   Non-interest bearing transaction accounts                                     $    1,125,050     $             -
   Interest bearing transaction accounts                                              1,234,402                   -
   Savings                                                                              550,717                   -
   Time deposits $100,000 and over                                                      798,765                   -
   Other time deposits                                                                2,095,431                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
                                                                                      5,804,365                   -

Accrued interest payable                                                                 20,213                   -
Other liabilities                                                                        13,997             102,110
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
            Total liabilities                                                         5,838,575             102,110
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000
   shares authorized and unissued                                                             -                   -
Common stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares
   authorized; 616,338 and 10 shares issued and
   outstanding in 1996 and 1995, respectively                                             6,163                   1
Capital surplus                                                                       6,112,318                  99
Retained earnings (deficit)                                                            (224,155)            (27,078)
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
            Total stockholders' equity                                                5,894,326             (26,978)
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                           $   11,732,901     $        75,132
                                                                                 ==============     ===============
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

                                       F-2


<PAGE>   35

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
             FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND FOR THE PERIOD
                     SEPTEMBER 27, 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996               1995
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

<S>                                                                              <C>                <C>            
INTEREST INCOME
   Loans, including fees                                                         $       27,526     $             -
   Investment securities, taxable                                                         2,033                   -
   Federal funds sold                                                                   176,393                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
                                                                                        205,952                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

INTEREST EXPENSE
   Time deposits $100,000 and over                                                        5,645                   -
   Other deposits                                                                        21,357                   -
   Short term borrowing                                                                  14,861                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
                                                                                         41,863                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

NET INTEREST INCOME                                                                     164,089                   -
Provision for loan losses                                                                20,000                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES                                     144,089                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

OTHER INCOME
   Service charges on deposit accounts                                                      583                   -
   Other service charges, commissions and fees                                            5,393                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
                                                                                          5,976                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

OTHER EXPENSE
   Salaries and employee benefits                                                       238,606              19,715
   Furniture and equipment                                                               20,033                   -
   Other operating expense                                                              172,963               7,363
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
                                                                                        431,602              27,078
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                                      (281,537)            (27,078)

Income tax expense (benefit)                                                            (84,460)                  -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

NET INCOME (LOSS)                                                                $     (197,077)    $       (27,078)
                                                                                 ==============     ===============

PER SHARE
   Average shares outstanding                                                           616,338                   -
   Net income (loss)                                                             $         (.32)    $             -

</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

                                       F-3


<PAGE>   36

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND FOR THE PERIOD
                     SEPTEMBER 27, 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                         
                                                     Common Stock                        Retained
                                                ----------------------     Capital       Earnings
                                                 Shares     Amount         Surplus       (Deficit)        Total
                                                -------   ------------  -------------  ------------   ------------ 

<S>                                             <C>       <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
Common stock issued                                  10   $          1  $          99  $              $        100

Net income (loss)                                                                           (27,078)       (27,078)
                                                -------   ------------  -------------  ------------   ------------

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995                           10              1             99       (27,078)       (26,978)

Common stock issued                             616,328          6,162      6,157,118                    6,163,280

Costs of common stock issuance                                                (44,899)                     (44,899)

Net income (loss)                                                                          (197,077)      (197,077)
                                                -------   ------------  -------------  ------------   ------------

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996                      616,338   $      6,163  $   6,112,318  $   (224,155)  $  5,894,326
                                                =======   ============  =============  ============   ============

</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

                                      F-4


<PAGE>   37

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
             FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND FOR THE PERIOD
                     SEPTEMBER 27, 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996               1995
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

<S>                                                                              <C>                <C>            
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income (loss)                                                             $     (197,077)    $       (27,078)
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
      cash provided by operating activities
         Provision for loan losses                                                       20,000                   -
         Depreciation                                                                    12,703                   -
         Accretion and premium amortization                                              (2,033)                  -
         Deferred income taxes                                                          (89,247)                  -
         Increase in interest receivable                                                (11,180)                  -
         Increase in interest payable                                                    20,213                   -
         Increase in other assets                                                      (204,981)            (52,208)
         Increase in other liabilities                                                   11,886               2,110
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
            Net cash used by operating activities                                      (439,716)            (77,176)
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of securities held to maturity                                             (342,156)                  -
  Net increase in loans made to customers                                            (2,043,972)                  -
  Purchases of premises and equipment                                                  (743,120)             (4,026)
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
        Net cash used by investing activities                                        (3,129,248)             (4,026)
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Net increase in demand deposits, interest
      bearing transaction accounts and savings accounts                               2,910,169                   -
   Net increase in time deposits                                                      2,894,196                   -
   Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings                                    (100,000)            100,000
   Costs of stock issuance                                                              (44,899)                  -
   Sale of common stock                                                               6,163,280                 100
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
            Net cash provided by financing activities                                11,822,746             100,100
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                             8,253,782              18,898

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                           18,898                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR                                           $    8,272,680     $        18,898
                                                                                 ==============     ===============
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

                                       F-5


<PAGE>   38

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

ORGANIZATION AND CONSOLIDATION - FNB Bancshares, Inc., a bank holding company
(the Company), and its subsidiary, First National Bank of the Carolinas (the
Bank), provide banking services to domestic markets principally in Cherokee
County, South Carolina. The Bank commenced operations on October 18, 1996. The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and
its wholly-owned subsidiary after elimination of all significant intercompany
balances and transactions.

PRE-OPERATING EXPENSES AND ORGANIZATIONAL COSTS - A summary of the assets
acquired and use of funds up through the date the Bank commenced operations are
as follows:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                              <C>           
Common stock subscription proceeds,
  net of $44,899 expenses of offering                                            $    6,118,481
Pre-opening interest income                                                             101,952
Pre-opening expenses                                                                   (247,760)
Deferred organization costs                                                             (92,603)
Purchase of premises and equipment                                                     (361,876)
Acquisition of Bank                                                                  (4,775,845)
                                                                                 --------------

        Remaining cash and cash equivalents                                      $      742,349
                                                                                 ==============
</TABLE>

The pre-operating income and expenses through the date the Bank commenced
operations are reflected in the accompanying statements of income. Deferred
organization costs for attorney fees, consultants and filing fees were
capitalized and are being amortized over a five year period. Such amount less
accumulated amortization is included in other assets.

MANAGEMENT'S ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to 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 revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change
relate to the determination of the allowance for losses on loans, including
valuation allowances for impaired loans and the valuation of real estate
acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In
connection with the determination of the allowances for losses on loans and
foreclosed real estate, management obtains independent appraisals for
significant properties. Management must also make estimates in determining the
estimated useful lives and methods for depreciating premises and equipment.

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans and
foreclosed real estate, future additions to the allowances may be necessary
based on changes in local economic conditions. In addition, regulatory agencies,
as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the
Company's allowances for losses on loans and foreclosed real estate. Such
agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowances based
on their judgements about information available to them at the time of their
examination. Because of these factors, it is reasonably possible that the
allowances for losses on loans and foreclosed real estate may change materially
in the near term.

SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY - Investment securities are stated at cost, adjusted
for amortization of premium and accretion of discount computed by the
straight-line method. The Company has the ability and management has the intent
to hold investment securities to maturity. Reductions in market value considered
by management to be other than temporary are reported as a realized loss and a
reduction in the cost basis of the security.

                                       F-6


<PAGE>   39

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - CONTINUED

LOANS - Loans are stated at their unpaid principle balance. Interest income is
computed using the simple interest method and is recorded in the period earned.

When serious doubt exists as to the collectibility of a loan or when a loan
becomes 90 days past due as to principle or interest, interest income is
generally discontinued unless the estimated net realizable value of collateral
exceeds the principal balance and accrued interest. When interest accruals are
discontinued, income earned but not collected is reversed.

Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of discounted expected
cash flows. When it is determined that a loan is impaired, a direct charge to
bad debt expense is made for the difference between the net present value of
expected future cash flows based on the contractual rate and discount rate and
the Bank's recorded investment in the related loan. The corresponding entry is
to a related valuation account. Interest is discontinued on impaired loans when
management determines that a borrower may be unable to meet payments as they
become due.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES - An allowance for possible loan losses is maintained
at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide adequately for known and
inherent risks in the loan portfolio. The allowance is based upon a continuing
review of past loan loss experience, current and future economic conditions
which may affect the borrowers' ability to pay and the underlying collateral
value of the loans. Loans which are deemed to be uncollectible are charged off
and deducted from the allowance. The provision for possible loan losses and
recoveries of loans previously charged off are added to the allowance.

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT - Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less
accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation is computed by the
straight-line method, based on the following estimated useful lives: buildings -
20 years; furniture and equipment - 5 to 10 years. The cost of assets sold or
otherwise disposed of, and the related allowance for depreciation is eliminated
from the accounts and the resulting gains or losses are reflected in the income
statement when incurred. Maintenance and repairs are charged to current expense.
The costs of major renewals and improvements are capitalized.

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK STOCK - Other assets includes the cost of the Company's
investment in the stock of the Federal Reserve Bank. The stock has no quoted
market value and no ready market exists. Investment in Federal Reserve Bank
stock is required by law of every national bank.

INCOME AND EXPENSE RECOGNITION - The accrual method of accounting is used for
all significant categories of income and expense. Immaterial amounts of
insurance commissions and other miscellaneous fees are reported when received.

INCOME TAXES - Income taxes are the sum of amounts currently payable to taxing
authorities and the net changes in income taxes payable or refundable in future
years. Income taxes deferred to future years are determined utilizing a
liability approach. This method gives consideration to the future tax
consequences associated with differences between financial accounting and tax
bases of certain assets and liabilities principally the allowance for loan
losses and depreciable premises and equipment.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 123,
"Accounting for Stock-based Compensation," effective for transactions entered
into in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 1995. SFAS 123 recommends
that companies account for stock compensation on a fair value based method which
requires compensation cost to be measured at the grant date based on the value
of the award and to be recognized over the service period. As an alternative,
companies may continue to record compensation cost based on the excess, if any,
of the quoted market price of the stock at the grant date (or other measurement
date) over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock (APB Opinion No.
25). However, if a company elects this method, it must include in the financial
statements certain disclosures which reflect pro forma amounts as if the fair
value method had been used. As permitted by SFAS 123,

                                       F-7


<PAGE>   40

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

the Company has elected to account for stock options under APB Opinion No. 25
with pro forma amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The pro forma
disclosures for the Company include the effects of all awards granted (See Note
J).

PER SHARE AMOUNTS - Income or loss per share is computed by dividing earnings by
the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - For purposes of reporting cash flows in the financial
statements, the Company considers certain highly liquid debt instruments
purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash
equivalents include amounts due from banks and federal funds sold. Generally,
federal funds are sold for one day periods.

During 1996, interest paid on deposits and short-term borrowings totaled
$21,650.

OFF-BALANCE-SHEET FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - In the ordinary course of business,
the Company has entered into off- balance-sheet financial instruments consisting
of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. These financial
instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable by
the customer.

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK - Financial instruments which potentially subject
the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of loans
receivable, investment securities, federal funds sold and amounts due from
banks. Management is not aware of any concentrations of loans to classes of
borrowers or industries that would be similarly affected by economic conditions.
Although the Bank's loan portfolio is diversified, a substantial portion of its
borrower's ability to honor the terms of their loans is dependent on business
and economic conditions in Cherokee County and surrounding areas. Management
does not believe credit risk is associated with obligations of the United
States, its agencies or corporations. The Bank places its deposits and
correspondent accounts with and sells federal funds to high credit quality
financial institutions. Management believes credit risk associated with these
financial instrument is not significant.

RECLASSIFICATIONS - Certain captions and amounts in the financial statements of
1995 were reclassified to conform with the 1996 presentation.

NOTE B - CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

The Company is required by regulation to maintain average reserve balances with
the Federal Reserve Bank computed as a percentage of deposits. These
requirements were satisfied by vault cash and cash on hand.

NOTE C - INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized costs and estimated market values of securities held to maturity
at December 31, 1996 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Gross          Gross        Estimated
                                                            Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized       Fair
                                                              Cost          Gains          Losses         Value
                                                          ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------

<S>                                                       <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>          
U.S. Treasury securities                                  $    344,190  $           -  $         107  $     344,083
                                                          ============  =============  =============  =============
</TABLE>

                                       F-8

<PAGE>   41

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following is a summary of maturities of securities held to maturity as of
December 31, 1996. The amortized cost and estimated fair values are based on the
contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities may differ from contractual
maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations
with or without penalty.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                        Estimated
                                                                                         Amortized        Fair
                                                                                           Cost           Value
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

<S>                                                                                    <C>            <C>          
Due within one year                                                                    $     344,190  $     344,083
                                                                                       =============  =============
</TABLE>

No securities were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits at December
31, 1996.

NOTE D - LOANS

Major classifications of loans receivable as of December 31, 1996 are summarized
as follows:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                 <C>            
Commercial and industrial                                                                           $       886,758
Real  estate - construction                                                                                       -
Real  estate - other                                                                                        523,005
Installment and consumer credit lines                                                                       634,209
                                                                                                    ---------------

      Total gross loans                                                                             $     2,043,972
                                                                                                    ===============
</TABLE>

The Company identifies impaired loans through its normal internal loan review
process. Loans on the Company problem loan watch list are considered potentially
impaired loans. These loans are evaluated in determining whether all outstanding
principal and interest are expected to be collected. Loans are not considered
impaired if a minimal delay occurs and all amounts due including accrued
interest at the contractual interest rate for the period of delay are expected
to be collected. At December 31, 1996, management has determined that no
impairment of loans existed that would have a material effect on the Company's
financial statements.

Transactions in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31,
1996 are summarized below:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                 <C>            
Balance, beginning of period                                                                        $             -
Provision charged to operations                                                                              20,000
Recoveries on loans previously charged off                                                                        -
Loans charged off                                                                                                 -
                                                                                                    ---------------

Balance, end of year                                                                                $        20,000
                                                                                                    ===============
</TABLE>

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 consist of commitments to extend credit and standby
letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a
customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the
contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination
clauses and may require payment of a fee. A commitment involves, to varying
degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount
recognized in the statements of financial position. The Company's exposure to
credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the instrument
is represented by the contractual notional amount of the instrument. Since
certain commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total
commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The
Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments to extend credit as
it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. Letters of credit are conditional
commitments issued to guarantee a customer's performance to a third party and
have essentially the same credit risk as other lending facilities.


                                       F-9


<PAGE>   42

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table summarizes the Company's off-balance-sheet financial
instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk as of December 31,
1996:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                 <C>            
Commitments to extend credit                                                                        $     1,619,000

</TABLE>

Management is not aware of any significant concentrations of loans to classes of
borrowers or industries that would be affected similarly by economic conditions.
Although the Bank's loan portfolio is diversified, a substantial portion of its
borrowers' ability to honor the terms of their loans is dependent on the
economic conditions in Cherokee County and surrounding areas.

NOTE E - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        1996               1995
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

<S>                                                                              <C>                <C>            
Land                                                                             $      247,623     $         1,500
Building and land improvements                                                          192,709               2,526
Furniture and equipment                                                                 306,814                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
                                                                                        747,146               4,026
Less, accumulated depreciation                                                          (12,703)                  -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

Premises and equipment, net                                                      $      734,443     $         4,026
                                                                                 ==============     ===============
</TABLE>

NOTE F - DEPOSITS

At December 31, 1996, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:

<TABLE>

                  <S>                                                                                <C>            
                  1997                                                                                $    2,894,196
                  1998 and thereafter                                                                              -
                                                                                                      --------------

                                                                                                      $    2,894,196
                                                                                                      ==============
</TABLE>

NOTE G - RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY DIVIDENDS, LOANS OR ADVANCES

The ability of FNB Bancshares, Inc. to pay cash dividends is dependent upon
receiving cash in the form of dividends from the Bank. However, certain
restrictions exist regarding the ability of the subsidiary to transfer funds to
FNB Bancshares, Inc. in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances. The
approval of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is required to pay
dividends in excess of the Bank's net profits (as defined) for the current year
plus retained net profits (as defined) for the preceding two years, less any
required transfers to surplus. As of December 31, 1996, the Bank had not posted
a profit.

                                      F-10


<PAGE>   43

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE H - INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 1996 is summarized
as follows:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                 <C>            
Currently payable
  State                                                                                             $         4,787

Deferred income taxes
  Federal                                                                                                   (71,362)
  State                                                                                                     (17,885)
                                                                                                    ---------------
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)                                                                       (89,247)
                                                                                                    ---------------
                     Total income tax expense (benefit)                                             $        84,460
                                                                                                    ===============
</TABLE>

The Company's deferred tax accounts as of December 31, 1996 are as follows:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                 <C>            
Deferred tax assets                                                                                 $        93,091
Deferred tax liabilities                                                                            $         3,844
Valuation allowance                                                                                 $             0

</TABLE>

Deferred income taxes result from timing differences in the recognition of
certain items of income and expense for tax and financial reporting purposes.
The principal sources of these differences and the related deferred tax effects
are as follows:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                 <C>            
Accelerated depreciation                                                                            $         3,844
Provision for loan losses                                                                                    (2,384)
Amortization of organizational costs                                                                        (58,064)
Net operating loss carryforward                                                                             (32,643)
                                                                                                    ---------------

Total deferred tax expense (benefit)                                                                $       (89,247)
                                                                                                    ===============
</TABLE>

The Company has a net operating loss carryforward for income tax purposes of
$83,115 as of December 31, 1996, which expires in various years through 2011.

A reconciliation between the income tax expense (benefit) and the amount
computed by applying the federal statutory rate of 34% to income before income
taxes for the year ended December 31, 1996 follows:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                 <C>            
Tax expense at statutory rate                                                                       $       (95,723)
Surtax exemption                                                                                             24,162
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit                                                         (14,726)
Other, net                                                                                                    1,827
                                                                                                    ---------------

                                                                                                    $       (84,460)
                                                                                                    ===============
</TABLE>

Deferred tax assets represent the future tax benefit of future deductible
differences and, if it is more likely than not that a tax asset will not be
realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the recorded deferred tax
assets to net realizable value. Management has determined that it is more likely
than not that the entire deferred tax asset at December 31, 1996 will be
realized and, accordingly, has not established a valuation allowance.

                                      F-11

<PAGE>   44

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE I - OTHER EXPENSES

Other expenses for the year ended December 31, 1996 are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      1996               1995
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

<S>                                                                              <C>                <C>            
Stationery, printing and postage                                                 $       36,416     $             -
Advertising and promotion                                                                23,990                   -
Seminars and education                                                                   12,449                   -
Rent                                                                                     14,173                   -
Insurance                                                                                10,455                   -
Other                                                                                    75,480               7,363
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

                                                                                 $      172,963     $         7,363
                                                                                 ==============     ===============
</TABLE>

NOTE J - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company granted stock options to certain officers upon their employment with
the Company. The options will vest at a rate of one-fifth per year and have a
term of ten years.

The Company will apply APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for the stock options. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been
recognized. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock options been
determined based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with the method
of FASB Statement 123, the Company's net income (loss) and earnings (losses) per
share for the year ended December 31, 1996 would have been reduced to the pro
forma amounts indicated below:

Net income (loss):
  As reported$(197,077)
  Pro forma(206,458)

Net income (loss) per share:
  As reported$(.32)
  Pro forma(.33)

In calculating the pro forma disclosures, the fair value of options granted is
estimated as of the date granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model
with the following weighted-average assumptions: dividend yield of 0 percent;
expected volatility of 0 percent; risk-free interest rate of 6.41 percent; and
an expected life of 10 years.

As of December 31, 1996, options were granted to purchase up to 50,817 shares of
the Company's common stock for $10 per share. As of that date, none of the
options had been exercised or canceled, no options were exercisable, and the
weighed-average remaining contractual life was 9.8 years. The fair value of
options, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, granted during
1996 was $4.68 per share.

NOTE K - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In December 1991, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement on
Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 (SFAS 107), "Disclosures About Fair Value
of Financial Instruments." SFAS 107 extends the existing fair value disclosure
practices for some instruments by requiring all entities to disclose the fair
value of financial instruments, both assets and liabilities recognized and not
recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair
value.

                                      F-12


<PAGE>   45

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the asset or
obligation could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties,
other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Fair value estimates are made at a
specific point in time based on relevant market information and information
about the financial instruments. Because no market value exists for a
significant portion of the financial instruments, fair value estimates are based
on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic
conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other
factors. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair
value of significant financial instruments:

Cash and Due from Banks - The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair
value.

Federal Funds Sold - Federal funds sold are for a term of one day, and the
carrying amount approximates the fair value.

Investment Securities - The fair values of marketable securities held to
maturity are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes.

Loans - For certain categories of loans, such as variable rate loans which are
repriced frequently and have no significant change in credit risk and credit
card receivables, fair values are based on the carrying amounts. The fair value
of other types of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using
the current rates at which similar loans would be made to the borrowers with
similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

Deposits - The fair value of demand deposits, savings, and money market accounts
is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair values of time
deposits are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies
current interest rates to a schedule of aggregated expected maturities.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments - The fair value of commitments to
extend credit and standby letters of credit is estimated using the fees
currently charged to enter into similar agreements taking into account the
remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the
counterparties. The contractual amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value
for the instruments because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of
credit are issued on a short-term or floating rate basis.

The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial
instruments for the years ending December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               December 31, 1996                      December 31, 1995
                                          -------------------------------     -------------------------------
                                            Carrying          Estimated         Carrying           Estimated
                                             Amount           Fair Value         Amount            Fair Value
                                          ----------          ----------      ----------          -----------

FINANCIAL ASSETS:
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>             <C>                 <C>       
   Cash and due from banks                $  342,680          $  342,680      $   18,898          $   18,898
   Federal funds sold                      7,930,000           7,930,000               -                   -
   Securities held-to-maturity               344,190             344,083               -                   -
   Loans                                   2,043,972           2,046,417               -                   -
   Allowance for loan losses                 (20,000)            (20,000)              -                   -

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:
   Demand deposit, interest-bearing
     transaction, and savings accounts    $2,910,169          $2,910,169    $          -          $        -
   Time deposits                           2,894,196           2,897,018               -                   -

OFF-BALANCE SHEET FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
   Commitments to extend credit           $1,619,000          $1,619,000    $          -          $        -
</TABLE>

                                      F-13

<PAGE>   46

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE L - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may, from time to time, become a
party to legal claims and disputes. At December 31, 1996, management and legal
counsel are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or unasserted
claims or assessments that could result in losses, if any, that would be
material to the financial statements.

NOTE M - REGULATORY MATTERS

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by
the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can
initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional 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 classification are also
subject to qualitative judgements by the regulators about components, risk
weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy
require the Bank to maintain minimum ratios of Tier I and total capital as a
percentage of assets and off-balance-sheet exposures, adjusted for risk weights
ranging from 0% to 100%. Tier I capital consists of common shareholders' equity,
excluding the unrealized gain or loss on securities available for sale, minus
certain intangible assets. Tier 2 capital consists of the allowance for loan
losses subject to certain limitations. Total regulatory minimum requirements are
4% for Tier 1 and 8% for total risk-based capital.

The Bank is also required to maintain a capital at a minimum level based on
total assets, which is known as the leverage ratio. Only the strongest banks are
allowed to maintain capital at the minimum requirement of 3%. All others are
subject to maintaining ratios 1% to 2% above the minimum.

As of December 31, 1996, the Bank has not been examined by its primary
regulators. However, based on industry standards, management considers the Bank
well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

The following table summarizes the capital ratios of the Bank and the regulatory
minimum requirements at December 31, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         Tier I              Total         Tier 1
                                                                       Risk-Based          Risk-Based     Leverage
                                                                       -----------         ----------     --------

<S>                                                                       <C>                 <C>           <C>         
Actual ratios                                                             106.97  %           107.44 %      40.83 %

Regulatory minimum:
  For capital adequacy purposes                                             4.00                8.00         4.00
  To be well capitalized under prompt corrective
    action provisions                                                       6.00               10.00         5.00
</TABLE>

The Federal Reserve Board has similar requirements for bank holding companies.
The Company is currently not subject to these requirements because the Federal
Reserve guidelines contain an exemption for bank holding companies of less than
$150,000,000 in consolidated assets.

                                      F-14


<PAGE>   47

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE N - FNB BANCSHARES, INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996               1995
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                <C>            
Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                      $    1,386,973     $        18,898
  Investment in banking subsidiary                                                    4,447,986                   -
  Other assets                                                                           59,467              56,234
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

        Total assets                                                             $    5,894,426     $        75,132
                                                                                 ==============     ===============

Other liabilities                                                                $          100     $       102,110
Stockholders' equity                                                                  5,894,326             (26,978)
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                               $    5,894,426     $        75,132
                                                                                 ==============     ===============
</TABLE>

                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
             FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 27, 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996               1995
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                <C>            
Income
 Interest income                                                                 $      108,530     $             -

Expenses                                                                                (14,862)            (27,078)
                                                                                 ---------------    ---------------

Income before income taxes and equity in
  undistributed earnings of banking subsidiary                                           93,668             (27,078)

Income tax benefit                                                                       37,114                   -

Equity in undistributed earnings (losses)
  of banking subsidiary                                                                (327,859)                  -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

Net income (loss)                                                                $     (197,077)    $       (27,078)
                                                                                 ==============     ===============
</TABLE>

                                      F-15


<PAGE>   48

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                    FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
             FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 27, 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996               1995
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                <C>            
Operating activities:
  Net income (loss)                                                              $     (197,077)    $       (27,078)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
  cash provided by operating activities
    Increase in other assets                                                             (3,233)            (56,234)
    Increase (decrease) in other liabilities                                           (102,010)            102,110
    Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of
      banking subsidiary                                                                327,859                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
        Net cash provided (used) by operating activities                                 25,539              18,798
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

Financing activities
  Sale of common stock                                                                6,163,280                 100
  Purchase of bank stock                                                             (4,775,845)                  -
  Cost of stock issuance                                                                (44,899)                  -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------
        Net cash provided by financing activities                                     1,342,536                 100
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

Net increase in cash                                                                  1,368,075              18,898

Cash, beginning                                                                          18,898                   -
                                                                                 --------------     ---------------

Cash, ending                                                                     $    1,386,973     $        18,898
                                                                                 ==============     ===============
</TABLE>


                                      F-16



<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.8
                        

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                             1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN



<PAGE>   2

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                             1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             PAGE

<S>                                                                             <C>
ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS...................................................................  1

ARTICLE II

THE PLAN......................................................................  5

     2.1      NAME............................................................  5
     2.2      PURPOSE.........................................................  5
     2.3      EFFECTIVE DATE..................................................  5

ARTICLE III

PARTICIPANTS..................................................................  5

ARTICLE IV

ADMINISTRATION................................................................  5

     4.1      DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE..............................  5
     4.2      INTERPRETATION; RULES...........................................  6
     4.3      NO LIABILITY....................................................  6
     4.4      MAJORITY RULE...................................................  6
     4.5      COMPANY ASSISTANCE..............................................  6

ARTICLE V

SHARES OF STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN...............................................  6

     5.1      LIMITATIONS.....................................................  6
     5.2      ANTIDILUTION....................................................  7

ARTICLE VI

OPTIONS.......................................................................  8

     6.1      TYPES OF OPTIONS GRANTED........................................  8
     6.2      OPTION GRANT AND AGREEMENT......................................  8
</TABLE>

                                        i


<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                             <C>
     6.3      OPTIONEE LIMITATIONS.............................................  9
     6.4      $100,000 LIMITATION..............................................  9
     6.5      EXERCISE PRICE...................................................  9
     6.6      EXERCISE PERIOD.................................................. 10
     6.7      OPTION EXERCISE.................................................. 10
     6.8      RELOAD OPTIONS................................................... 11
     6.9      NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION..................................... 11
     6.10     TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE............................. 11
     6.11     EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS................................................ 12
     6.12     CERTAIN SUCCESSOR OPTIONS........................................ 12
     6.13     EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL...................................... 12

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTED STOCK............................................................... 12

     7.1      AWARDS OF RESTRICTED STOCK....................................... 12
     7.2      NON-TRANSFERABILITY.............................................. 13
     7.3      LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS............................................ 13
     7.4      TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT........................................ 13
     7.5      TREATMENT OF DIVIDENDS........................................... 13
     7.6      DELIVERY OF SHARES............................................... 13

ARTICLE VIII

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS...................................................... 13

     8.1      SAR GRANTS....................................................... 13
     8.2      DETERMINATION OF PRICE........................................... 14
     8.3      EXERCISE OF A SAR................................................ 14
     8.4      PAYMENT FOR A SAR................................................ 14
     8.5      STATUS OF A SAR UNDER THE PLAN................................... 14
     8.6      TERMINATION OF SARS.............................................. 14
     8.7      NO SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS............................................ 15

ARTICLE IX

STOCK CERTIFICATES............................................................. 15

ARTICLE X

TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT...................................................... 16

     10.1     TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT........................................ 16
     10.2     EFFECT ON GRANTEE'S RIGHTS....................................... 16
</TABLE>


                                       ii


<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                             <C>
ARTICLE XI

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER COMPENSATION PLANS....................................... 16

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................. 16

     12.1     REPLACEMENT OR AMENDED GRANTS.................................... 16
     12.2     FORFEITURE FOR COMPETITION....................................... 16
     12.3     PLAN BUILDING ON SUCCESSORS...................................... 16
     12.4     SINGULAR, PLURAL; GENDER......................................... 16
     12.5     HEADINGS, ETC., NO PART OF PLAN.................................. 17
     12.6     INTERPRETATION................................................... 17

Exhibit A......................................................................  i

SCHEDULE A..................................................................... vi

SCHEDULE B.................................................................... vii
</TABLE>


                                       iii

<PAGE>   5

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                             1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

       As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings unless
the context clearly indicates to the contrary:

       "Award" shall mean a grant of Restricted Stock or an SAR.

       "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

       "Cause" shall mean theft or destruction of property of the Company, a
       Parent, or a Subsidiary, disregard of Company rules or policies, or
       conduct evincing willful or wanton disregard of the interests of the
       Company. Such determination shall be made by the Committee based on
       information presented by the Company and the Employee and shall be final
       and binding on all parties hereto.

       "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of either of the following
       events:

       (i)    A change in the composition of the Board of Directors as a result
              of which fewer than one-half of the incumbent directors are
              directors who either:

              (A)    Had been directors of the Company 24 months prior to such
                     change; or

              (B)    Were elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of
                     Directors with the affirmative votes of at least a majority
                     of the directors who had been directors of the Company 24
                     months prior to such change and who were still in office at
                     the time of the election or nomination; or

       (ii)   Any "person" (as such term is used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
              the Exchange Act), other than any person who is a shareholder of
              the Company on or before the effective date of the Plan, by the
              acquisition or aggregation of securities is or becomes the
              beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the
              Company representing 50 percent or more of the combined voting
              power of the Company's then outstanding securities ordinarily (and
              apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having the
              right to vote at elections of directors (the "Base Capital
              Stock"); except that any change in the relative beneficial
              ownership of the Company's securities by any person resulting
              solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding
              shares of Base Capital



<PAGE>   6

              Stock, and any decrease thereafter in such person's ownership of
              securities, shall be disregarded until such person increases in
              any manner, directly or indirectly, such person's beneficial
              ownership of any securities of the Company.

       "Code" shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
       including effective date and transition rules (whether or not codified).
       Any reference herein to a specific section of the Code shall be deemed to
       include a reference to any corresponding provision of future law.

       "Committee" shall mean a committee of at least two Directors appointed
       from time to time by the Board, having the duties and authority set forth
       herein in addition to any other authority granted by the Board; provided,
       however, that with respect to any Options or Awards granted to an
       individual who is also a Section 16 Insider, the Committee shall consist
       of either the entire Board of Directors or a committee of at least two
       Directors (who need not be members of the Committee with respect to
       Options or Awards granted to any other individuals) who are Non-Employee
       Directors, and all authority and discretion shall be exercised by such
       Non-Employee Directors, and references herein to the "Committee" shall
       mean such Non-Employee Directors insofar as any actions or determinations
       of the Committee shall relate to or affect Options or Awards made to or
       held by any Section 16 Insider. At any time that the Board shall not have
       appointed a committee as described above, any reference herein to the
       Committee shall mean a reference to the Board.

       "Company" shall mean FNB Bancshares, Inc., a South Carolina corporation.

       "Director" shall mean a member of the Board and any person who is an
       advisory or honorary director of the Company if such person is considered
       a director for the purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, as
       determined by reference to such Section 16 and to the rules, regulations,
       judicial decisions, and interpretative or "no-action" positions with
       respect thereto of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the same
       may be in effect or set forth from time to time.

       "Employee" shall mean an employee of the Employer.

       "Employer" shall mean the corporation that employs a Grantee.

       "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any
       reference herein to a specific section of the Exchange Act shall be
       deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of future
       law.

       "Exercise Price" shall mean the price at which an Optionee may purchase a
       share of Stock under a Stock Option Agreement.

                                        2


<PAGE>   7

       "Fair Market Value" on any date shall mean (i) the closing sales price of
       the Stock, regular way, on such date on the national securities exchange
       having the greatest volume of trading in the Stock during the thirty-day
       period preceding the day the value is to be determined or, if such
       exchange was not open for trading on such date, the next preceding date
       on which it was open; (ii) if the Stock is not traded on any national
       securities exchange, the average of the closing high bid and low asked
       prices of the Stock on the over-the-counter market on the day such value
       is to be determined, or in the absence of closing bids on such day, the
       closing bids on the next preceding day on which there were bids; or (iii)
       if the Stock also is not traded on the over-the-counter market, the fair
       market value as determined in good faith by the Board or the Committee
       based on such relevant facts as may be available to the Board, which may
       include opinions of independent experts, the price at which recent sales
       have been made, the book value of the Stock, and the Company's current
       and future earnings.

       "Grantee" shall mean a person who is an Optionee or a person who has
       received an Award of Restricted Stock or an SAR.

       "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an option to purchase any stock of
       the Company, which complies with and is subject to the terms, limitations
       and conditions of Section 422 of the Code and any regulations promulgated
       with respect thereto.

       "Non-Employee Director" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3
       under the Exchange Act, as the same may be in effect from time to time,
       or in any successor rule thereto, and shall be determined for all
       purposes under the Plan according to interpretative or "no-action"
       positions with respect thereto issued by the Securities and Exchange
       Commission.

       "Officer" shall mean a person who constitutes an officer of the Company
       for the purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, as determined by
       reference to such Section 16 and to the rules, regulations, judicial
       decisions, and interpretative or "no-action" positions with respect
       thereto of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the same may be in
       effect or set forth from time to time.

       "Option" shall mean an option, whether or not an Incentive Stock Option,
       to purchase Stock granted pursuant to the provisions of Article VI
       hereof.

       "Optionee" shall mean a person to whom an Option has been granted
       hereunder.

       "Parent" shall mean any corporation (other than the Employer) in an
       unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Employer if, at the time
       of the grant (or modification) of the Option, each of the corporations
       other than the Employer owns stock possessing 50 percent or more of the
       total combined voting power of the classes of stock in one of the other
       corporations in such chain.

                                        3


<PAGE>   8

       "Permanent and Total Disability" shall have the same meaning as given to
       that term by Code Section 22(e)(3) and any regulations or rulings
       promulgated thereunder.

       "Plan" shall mean the FNB Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan, the
       terms of which are set forth herein.

       "Purchasable" shall refer to Stock which may be purchased by an Optionee
       under the terms of this Plan on or after a certain date specified in the
       applicable Stock Option Agreement.

       "Qualified Domestic Relations Order" shall have the meaning set forth in
       the Code or in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or
       the rules and regulations promulgated under the Code or such Act.

       "Reload Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.8 hereof.

       "Restricted Stock" shall mean Stock issued, subject to restrictions, to a
       Grantee pursuant to Article VII hereof.

       "Restriction Agreement" shall mean the agreement setting forth the terms
       of an Award, and executed by a Grantee as provided in Section 7.1 hereof.

       "SAR" means a stock appreciation right, which is the right to receive an
       amount equal to the appreciation, if any, in the Fair Market Value of a
       share of Stock from the date of the grant of the right to the date of its
       payment, all as provided in Article VIII hereof.

       "SAR Price" means the base value established by the Committee for a SAR
       on the date the SAR is granted and which is used in determining the
       amount of benefit, if any, paid to a Grantee.

       "Section 16 Insider" shall mean any person who is subject to the
       provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, as provided in Rule 16a-2
       promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act.

       "Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the
       Company or, in the event that the outstanding shares of Stock are
       hereafter changed into or exchanged for shares of a different stock or
       securities of the Company or some other entity, such other stock or
       securities.

       "Stock Option Agreement" shall mean an agreement between the Company and
       an Optionee under which the Optionee may purchase Stock hereunder, a
       sample form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (which form may be
       varied by the Committee in granting an Option).

                                        4


<PAGE>   9

       "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation (other than the Employer) in an
       unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Employer if, at the
       time of the grant (or modification) of the Option, each of the
       corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns
       stock possessing 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power
       of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                    THE PLAN

       2.1    Name. This Plan shall be known as "FNB Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock
Option Plan."

       2.2    Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of
the Company, its Subsidiaries and its shareholders by affording certain
employees and Directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as well as key
consultants and advisors to the Company or any Subsidiary, an opportunity to
acquire or increase their proprietary interests in the Company. The objective of
the issuance of the Options and Awards is to promote the growth and
profitability of the Company and its Subsidiaries because the Grantees will be
provided with an additional incentive to achieve the Company's objectives
through participation in its success and growth and by encouraging their
continued association with or service to the Company.

       2.3    Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective on __________,
1997; provided, however, that if the shareholders of the Company have not
approved the Plan on or prior to the first anniversary of such effective date,
then all options granted under the Plan shall be non- Incentive Stock Options.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                  PARTICIPANTS

       The class of persons eligible to participate in the Plan shall consist of
all persons whose participation in the Plan the Committee determines to be in
the best interests of the Company which shall include, but not be limited to,
all Directors and employees, including but not limited to executive personnel,
of the Company or any Subsidiary, as well as key consultants and advisors to the
Company or any Subsidiary.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                 ADMINISTRATION

       4.1    Duties and Powers of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered
by the Committee. The Committee shall select one of its members as its Chairman
and shall hold its meetings at such times and places as it may determine. The
Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and shall make such rules and
regulations for the conduct of its business as it may

                                        5


<PAGE>   10

deem necessary. The Committee shall have the power to act by unanimous written
consent in lieu of a meeting, and to meet telephonically. In administering the
Plan, the Committee's actions and determinations shall be binding on all
interested parties. The Committee shall have the power to grant Options or
Awards in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and may grant Options and
Awards singly, in combination, or in tandem. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, the Committee shall have the discretion and authority to determine those
individuals to whom Options or Awards will be granted and whether such Options
shall be accompanied by the right to receive Reload Options, the number of
shares of Stock subject to each Option or Award, such other matters as are
specified herein, and any other terms and conditions of a Stock Option Agreement
or Restriction Agreement. The Committee shall also have the discretion and
authority to delegate to any Officer its powers to grant Options or Awards under
the Plan to any person who is an employee of the Company but not an Officer or
Director. To the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, the
Committee may give a Grantee an election to surrender an Option or Award in
exchange for the grant of a new Option or Award, and shall have the authority to
amend or modify an outstanding Stock Option Agreement or Restriction Agreement,
or to waive any provision thereof, provided that the Grantee consents to such
action.

       4.2    Interpretation; Rules. Subject to the express provisions of the
Plan, the Committee also shall have complete authority to interpret the Plan, to
prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to it, to determine
the details and provisions of each Stock Option Agreement, and to make all other
determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan,
including, without limitation, the amending or altering of the Plan and any
Options or Awards granted hereunder as may be required to comply with or to
conform to any federal, state, or local laws or regulations.

       4.3    No Liability. Neither any member of the Board nor any member of
the Committee shall be liable to any person for any act or determination made in
good faith with respect to the Plan or any Option or Award granted hereunder.

       4.4    Majority Rule. A majority of the members of the Committee shall
constitute a quorum, and any action taken by a majority at a meeting at which a
quorum is present, or any action taken without a meeting evidenced by a writing
executed by all the members of the Committee, shall constitute the action of the
Committee.

       4.5    Company Assistance. The Company shall supply full and timely
information to the Committee on all matters relating to eligible persons, their
employment, death, retirement, disability, or other termination of employment,
and such other pertinent facts as the Committee may require. The Company shall
furnish the Committee with such clerical and other assistance as is necessary in
the performance of its duties.


                                    ARTICLE V
                         SHARES OF STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

       5.1    Limitations. Subject to any antidilution adjustment pursuant to
the provisions of Section 5.2 hereof, the maximum number of shares of Stock that
may be issued hereunder shall

                                        6

<PAGE>   11

be 92,451. Any or all shares of Stock subject to the Plan may be issued in any
combination of Incentive Stock Options, non-Incentive Stock Options, Restricted
Stock, or SARs, and the amount of Stock subject to the Plan may be increased
from time to time in accordance with Article X, provided that the total number
of shares of Stock issuable pursuant to Incentive Stock Options may not be
increased to more than 92,451 (other than pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments)
without shareholder approval. Shares subject to an Option or issued as an Award
may be either authorized and unissued shares or shares issued and later acquired
by the Company. The shares covered by any unexercised portion of an Option that
has terminated for any reason (except as set forth in the following paragraph),
or any forfeited portion of an Award, may again be optioned or awarded under the
Plan, and such shares shall not be considered as having been optioned or issued
in computing the number of shares of Stock remaining available for option or
award hereunder.

       If Options are issued in respect of options to acquire stock of any
entity acquired, by merger or otherwise, by the Company (or any Subsidiary of
the Company), to the extent that such issuance shall not be inconsistent with
the terms, limitations and conditions of Code section 422 or Rule 16b-3 under
the Exchange Act, the aggregate number of shares of Stock for which Options may
be granted hereunder shall automatically be increased by the number of shares
subject to the Options so issued; provided, however, that the aggregate number
of shares of Stock for which Options may be granted hereunder shall
automatically be decreased by the number of shares covered by any unexercised
portion of an Option so issued that has terminated for any reason, and the
shares subject to any such unexercised portion may not be optioned to any other
person.

       5.2    Antidilution.

              (a)    If (x) the outstanding shares of Stock are changed into or
exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the
Company by reason of merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization,
reclassification, combination or exchange of shares, or stock split or stock
dividend, (y) any spin-off, spin-out or other distribution of assets materially
affects the price of the Company's stock, or (z) there is any assumption and
conversion to the Plan by the Company of an acquired company's outstanding
option grants, then:

                     (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares of Stock for
              which Options or Awards may be granted hereunder shall be adjusted
              proportionately by the Committee; and

                     (ii) the rights of Optionees (concerning the number of
              shares subject to Options and the Exercise Price) under
              outstanding Options and the rights of the holders of Awards
              (concerning the terms and conditions of the lapse of any then-
              remaining restrictions), shall be adjusted proportionately by the
              Committee.

              (b)    If the Company shall be a party to any reorganization in
which it does not survive, involving merger, consolidation, or acquisition of
the stock or substantially all the assets of the Company, the Committee, in its
discretion, may:

                                        7


<PAGE>   12

                     (i) notwithstanding other provisions hereof, declare that
              all Options granted under the Plan shall become exercisable
              immediately notwithstanding the provisions of the respective Stock
              Option Agreements regarding exercisability, that all such Options
              shall terminate 30 days after the Committee gives written notice
              of the immediate right to exercise all such Options and of the
              decision to terminate all Options not exercised within such 30-day
              period, and that all then- remaining restrictions pertaining to
              Awards under the Plan shall immediately lapse; and/or

                     (ii) notify all Grantees that all Options or Awards granted
              under the Plan shall be assumed by the successor corporation or
              substituted on an equitable basis with options or restricted stock
              issued by such successor corporation.

              (c)    If the Company is to be liquidated or dissolved in
connection with a reorganization described in Section 5.2(b), the provisions of
such Section shall apply. In all other instances, the adoption of a plan of
dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall, notwithstanding other
provisions hereof, cause all then-remaining restrictions pertaining to Awards
under the Plan to lapse, and shall cause every Option outstanding under the Plan
to terminate to the extent not exercised prior to the adoption of the plan of
dissolution or liquidation by the shareholders, provided that, notwithstanding
other provisions hereof, the Committee may declare all Options granted under the
Plan to be exercisable at any time on or before the fifth business day following
such adoption notwithstanding the provisions of the respective Stock Option
Agreements regarding exercisability.

              (d)    The adjustments described in paragraphs (a) through (c) of
this Section 5.2, and the manner of their application, shall be determined
solely by the Committee, and any such adjustment may provide for the elimination
of fractional share interests; provided, however, that any adjustment made by
the Board or the Committee shall be made in a manner that will not cause an
Incentive Stock Option to be other than an Incentive Stock Option under
applicable statutory and regulatory provisions. The adjustments required under
this Article V shall apply to any successors of the Company and shall be made
regardless of the number or type of successive events requiring such
adjustments.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                     OPTIONS

       6.1    Types of Options Granted. The Committee may, under this Plan,
grant either Incentive Stock Options or Options which do not qualify as
Incentive Stock Options. Within the limitations provided in this Plan, both
types of Options may be granted to the same person at the same time, or at
different times, under different terms and conditions, as long as the terms and
conditions of each Option are consistent with the provisions of the Plan.
Without limitation of the foregoing, Options may be granted subject to
conditions based on the financial performance of the Company or any other factor
the Committee deems relevant.

                                        8


<PAGE>   13

       6.2    Option Grant and Agreement. Each Option granted hereunder shall be
evidenced by minutes of a meeting or the written consent of the Committee and by
a written Stock Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Optionee. The
terms of the Option, including the Option's duration, time or times of exercise,
exercise price, whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option,
and whether the Option is to be accompanied by the right to receive a Reload
Option, shall be stated in the Stock Option Agreement. No Incentive Stock Option
may be granted more than ten years after the earlier to occur of the effective
date of the Plan or the date the Plan is approved by the Company's shareholders.

       Separate Stock Option Agreements may be used for Options intended to be
Incentive Stock Options and those not so intended, but any failure to use such
separate agreements shall not invalidate, or otherwise adversely affect the
Optionee's interest in, the Options evidenced thereby.

       6.3    Optionee Limitations. The Committee shall not grant an Incentive
Stock Option to any person who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is
granted:

              (a)    is not an employee of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; or

              (b)    owns or is considered to own stock possessing at least 10%
of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
of its Parent or Subsidiary corporations; provided, however, that this
limitation shall not apply if at the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted
the Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock
subject to such Option and such Option by its terms would not be exercisable
after five years from the date on which the Option is granted. For the purpose
of this subsection (b), a person shall be considered to own: (i) the stock
owned, directly or indirectly, by or for his or her brothers and sisters
(whether by whole or half blood), spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants; (ii)
the stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership,
estate, or trust in proportion to such person's stock interest, partnership
interest or beneficial interest therein; and (iii) the stock which such person
may purchase under any outstanding options of the Employer or of any Parent or
Subsidiary of the Employer.

       6.4    $100,000 Limitation. Except as provided below, the Committee shall
not grant an Incentive Stock Option to, or modify the exercise provisions of
outstanding Incentive Stock Options held by, any person who, at the time the
Incentive Stock Option is granted (or modified), would thereby receive or hold
any Incentive Stock Options of the Employer and any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Employer, such that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the
respective dates of grant or modification of each option) of the stock with
respect to which such Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time
during any calendar year is in excess of $100,000 (or such other limit as may be
prescribed by the Code from time to time); provided that the foregoing
restriction on modification of outstanding Incentive Stock Options shall not
preclude the Committee from modifying an outstanding Incentive Stock Option if,
as a result of such modification and with the consent of the Optionee, such
Option no longer constitutes an Incentive Stock Option; and provided that, if
the $100,000 limitation (or such other limitation prescribed by the Code)
described in this Section 6.4 is exceeded, the Incentive Stock Option, the
granting or modification of which resulted in the exceeding of such limit, shall

                                        9


<PAGE>   14

be treated as an Incentive Stock Option up to the limitation and the excess
shall be treated as an Option not qualifying as an Incentive Stock Option.

       6.5    Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of the Stock subject to each
Option shall be determined by the Committee. Subject to the provisions of
Section 6.3(b) hereof, the Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option shall not
be less than the Fair Market Value of the Stock as of the date the Option is
granted (or in the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is subsequently
modified, on the date of such modification).

       6.6    Exercise Period. The period for the exercise of each Option
granted hereunder shall be determined by the Committee, but the Stock Option
Agreement with respect to each Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option
shall provide that such Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of
ten years from the date of grant (or modification) of the Option.

       6.7    Option Exercise.

              (a)    Unless otherwise provided in the Stock Option Agreement or
Section 6.6 hereof, an Option may be exercised at any time or from time to time
during the term of the Option as to any or all full shares which have become
Purchasable under the provisions of the Option, but not at any time as to less
than 100 shares unless the remaining shares that have become so Purchasable are
less than 100 shares. The Committee shall have the authority to prescribe in any
Stock Option Agreement that the Option may be exercised only in accordance with
a vesting schedule during the term of the Option.

              (b)    An Option shall be exercised by (i) delivery to the Company
at its principal office a written notice of exercise with respect to a specified
number of shares of Stock and (ii) payment to the Company at that office of the
full amount of the Exercise Price for such number of shares in accordance with
Section 6.7(c). If requested by an Optionee, an Option may be exercised with the
involvement of a stockbroker in accordance with the federal margin rules set
forth in Regulation T (in which case the certificates representing the
underlying shares will be delivered by the Company directly to the stockbroker).

              (c)    The Exercise Price is to be paid in full in cash upon the
exercise of the Option and the Company shall not be required to deliver
certificates for the shares purchased until such payment has been made;
provided, however, that in lieu of cash, all or any portion of the Exercise
Price may be paid by tendering to the Company shares of Stock duly endorsed for
transfer and owned by the Optionee, or by authorization to the Company to
withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option, in each
case to be credited against the Exercise Price at the Fair Market Value of such
shares on the date of exercise (however, no fractional shares may be so
transferred, and the Company shall not be obligated to make any cash payments in
consideration of any excess of the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares
transferred over the aggregate Exercise Price); provided further, that the Board
may provide in a Stock Option Agreement (or may otherwise determine in its sole
discretion at the time of exercise) that, in lieu of cash or shares, all or a
portion of the Exercise Price may be paid by

                                       10


<PAGE>   15

the Optionee's execution of a recourse note equal to the Exercise Price or
relevant portion thereof, subject to compliance with applicable state and
federal laws, rules and regulations.

              (d)    In addition to and at the time of payment of the Exercise
Price, the Optionee shall pay to the Company in cash the full amount of any
federal, state, and local income, employment, or other withholding taxes
applicable to the taxable income of such Optionee resulting from such exercise;
provided, however, that in the discretion of the Committee any Stock Option
Agreement may provide that all or any portion of such tax obligations, together
with additional taxes not exceeding the actual additional taxes to be owed by
the Optionee as a result of such exercise, may, upon the irrevocable election of
the Optionee, be paid by tendering to the Company whole shares of Stock duly
endorsed for transfer and owned by the Optionee, or by authorization to the
Company to withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable upon exercise of the
Option, in either case in that number of shares having a Fair Market Value on
the date of exercise equal to the amount of such taxes thereby being paid, and
subject to such restrictions as to the approval and timing of any such election
as the Committee may from time to time determine to be necessary or appropriate
to satisfy the conditions of the exemption set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act, if such rule is applicable.

              (e)    The holder of an Option shall not have any of the rights of
a shareholder with respect to the shares of Stock subject to the Option until
such shares have been issued and transferred to the Optionee upon the exercise
of the Option.

       6.8    Reload Options.

       (a)    The Committee may specify in a Stock Option Agreement (or may
otherwise determine in its sole discretion) that a Reload Option shall be
granted, without further action of the Committee, (i) to an Optionee who
exercises an Option (including a Reload Option) by surrendering shares of Stock
in payment of amounts specified in Sections 6.7(c) or 6.7(d) hereof, (ii) for
the same number of shares as are surrendered to pay such amounts, (iii) as of
the date of such payment and at an Exercise Price equal to the Fair Market Value
of the Stock on such date, and (iv) otherwise on the same terms and conditions
as the Option whose exercise has occasioned such payment, except as provided
below and subject to such other contingencies, conditions, or other terms as the
Committee shall specify at the time such exercised Option is granted; provided,
that the shares surrendered in payment as provided above must have been held by
the Optionee for at least six months prior to such surrender.

       (b)    Unless provided otherwise in the Stock Option Agreement, a Reload
Option may not be exercised by an Optionee (i) prior to the end of a one-year
period from the date that the Reload Option is granted, and (ii) unless the
Optionee retains beneficial ownership of the shares of Stock issued to such
Optionee upon exercise of the Option referred to above in Section 6.8(a)(i) for
a period of one year from the date of such exercise.

       6.9    Nontransferability of Option. No Option shall be transferable by
an Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, in
the case of non-Incentive Stock Options, pursuant to a Qualified Domestic
Relations Order. During the lifetime of an Optionee,

                                       11


<PAGE>   16

Options shall be exercisable only by such Optionee (or by such Optionee's
guardian or legal representative, should one be appointed).

       6.10   Termination of Employment or Service. The Committee shall have the
power to specify, with respect to the Options granted to a particular Optionee,
the effect upon such Optionee's right to exercise an Option of termination of
such Optionee's employment or service under various circumstances, which effect
may include immediate or deferred termination of such Optionee's rights under an
Option, or acceleration of the date at which an Option may be exercised in full;
provided, however, that in no event may an Incentive Stock Option be exercised
after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant thereof.

       6.11   Employment Rights. Nothing in the Plan or in any Stock Option
Agreement shall confer on any person any right to continue in the employ of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or shall interfere in any way with the right
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate such person's employment
at any time.

       6.12   Certain Successor Options. To the extent not inconsistent with the
terms, limitations and conditions of Code section 422 and any regulations
promulgated with respect thereto, an Option issued in respect of an option held
by an employee to acquire stock of any entity acquired, by merger or otherwise,
by the Company (or any Subsidiary of the Company) may contain terms that differ
from those stated in this Article VI, but solely to the extent necessary to
preserve for any such employee the rights and benefits contained in such
predecessor option, or to satisfy the requirements of Code section 424(a).

       6.13   Effect of Change in Control. The Committee may determine, at the
time of granting an Option or thereafter, that such Option shall become
exercisable on an accelerated basis in the event that a Change in Control occurs
with respect to the Company (and the Committee shall have the discretion to
modify the definition of a Change in Control in a particular Option Agreement).
If the Committee finds that there is a reasonable possibility that, within the
succeeding six months, a Change in Control will occur with respect to the
Company, then the Committee may determine that all outstanding Options shall be
exercisable on an accelerated basis.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                RESTRICTED STOCK

       7.1    Awards of Restricted Stock. The Committee may grant Awards of
Restricted Stock, which shall be governed by a Restriction Agreement between the
Company and the Grantee. Each Restriction Agreement shall contain such
restrictions, terms, and conditions as the Committee may, in its discretion,
determine, and may require that an appropriate legend be placed on the
certificates evidencing the subject Restricted Stock.

       Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to an Award hereunder shall
be issued in the name of the Grantee as soon as reasonably practicable after the
Award is granted, provided that the Grantee has executed the Restriction
Agreement governing the Award, the appropriate blank

                                       12


<PAGE>   17

stock powers and, in the discretion of the Committee, an escrow agreement and
any other documents which the Committee may require as a condition to the
issuance of such Shares. If a Grantee shall fail to execute the foregoing
documents within any time period prescribed by the Committee, the Award shall be
void. At the discretion of the Committee, Shares issued in connection with an
Award shall be deposited together with the stock powers with an escrow agent
designated by the Committee. Unless the Committee determines otherwise and as
set forth in the Restriction Agreement, upon delivery of the Shares to the
escrow agent, the Grantee shall have all of the rights of a shareholder with
respect to such Shares, including the right to vote the Shares and to receive
all dividends or other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares.

       7.2    Non-Transferability. Until any restrictions upon Restricted Stock
awarded to a Grantee shall have lapsed in a manner set forth in Section 7.3,
such shares of Restricted Stock shall not be transferable other than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a Qualified Domestic
Relations Order, nor shall they be delivered to the Grantee.

       7.3    Lapse of Restrictions. Restrictions upon Restricted Stock awarded
hereunder shall lapse at such time or times (but, with respect to any award to a
Grantee who is also a Section 16 Insider, not less than six months after the
date of the Award) and on such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its
discretion, determine at the time the Award is granted or thereafter.

       7.4    Termination of Employment. The Committee shall have the power to
specify, with respect to each Award granted to any particular Grantee, the
effect upon such Grantee's rights with respect to such Restricted Stock of the
termination of such Grantee's employment under various circumstances, which
effect may include immediate or deferred forfeiture of such Restricted Stock or
acceleration of the date at which any then-remaining restrictions shall lapse.

       7.5    Treatment of Dividends. At the time an Award of Restricted Stock
is made the Committee may, in its discretion, determine that the payment to the
Grantee of any dividends, or a specified portion thereof, declared or paid on
such Restricted Stock shall be (i) deferred until the lapsing of the relevant
restrictions and (ii) held by the Company for the account of the Grantee until
such lapsing. In the event of such deferral, there shall be credited at the end
of each year (or portion thereof) interest on the amount of the account at the
beginning of the year at a rate per annum determined by the Committee. Payment
of deferred dividends, together with interest thereon, shall be made upon the
lapsing of restrictions imposed on such Restricted Stock, and any dividends
deferred (together with any interest thereon) in respect of Restricted Stock
shall be forfeited upon any forfeiture of such Restricted Stock.

       7.6    Delivery of Shares. Except as provided otherwise in Article IX
below, within a reasonable period of time following the lapse of the
restrictions on shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock
certificate to be delivered to the Grantee with respect to such shares and such
shares shall be free of all restrictions hereunder.

                                       13


<PAGE>   18

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                            STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

       8.1    SAR Grants. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant to
any Grantee a SAR. The Committee may impose such conditions or restrictions on
the exercise of any SAR as it may deem appropriate, including, without
limitation, restricting the time of exercise of the SAR to specified periods as
may be necessary to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3.

       8.2    Determination of Price. The SAR Price shall be established by the
Committee in its sole discretion. The SAR Price shall not be less than 100% of
Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the SAR is granted for a SAR issued
in tandem with an Incentive Stock Option.

       8.3    Exercise of a SAR. Upon exercise of a SAR, the Grantee shall be
entitled, subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the Agreement, to
receive the excess for each share of Stock being exercised under the SAR of (i)
the Fair Market Value of such share of Stock on the date of exercise over (ii)
the SAR Price for such share of Stock.

       8.4    Payment for a SAR. At the sole discretion of the Committee, the
payment of such excess shall be made in (i) cash, (ii) shares of Stock, or (iii)
a combination of both. Shares of Stock used for this payment shall be valued at
their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the applicable SAR.

       8.5    Status of a SAR under the Plan. Shares of Stock subject to an
Award of a SAR shall be considered shares of Stock which may be issued under the
Plan for purposes of Section 5.1 hereof, unless the Agreement making the Award
of the SAR provides that the exercise of such SAR results in the termination of
an unexercised Option for the same number of shares of Stock.

       8.6    Termination of SARs. A SAR may be terminated as follows:

              (a)    During the period of continuous employment with the
Company, Parent or Subsidiary, a SAR will be terminated only if it has been
fully exercised or it has expired by its terms.

              (b)    Upon termination of employment, the SAR will terminate upon
the earliest of (i) the full exercise of the SAR, (ii) the expiration of the SAR
by its terms, and (iii) not more than three months following the date of
employment termination; provided, however, should termination of employment (A)
result from the death or Permanent and Total Disability of the Grantee, the
period referenced in clause (iii) hereof shall be one year or (B) be for Cause,
the SAR will terminate on the date of employment termination. For purposes of
the Plan, a leave of absence approved by the Company shall not be deemed to be
termination of employment unless otherwise provided in the Agreement or by the
Company on the date of the leave of absence.

                                       14


<PAGE>   19

              (c)    Subject to the terms of the Agreement with the Grantee, if
       a Grantee shall die or become subject to a Permanent and Total Disability
       prior to the termination of employment with the Company, Parent or
       Subsidiary and prior to the termination of a SAR, such SAR may be
       exercised to the extent that the Grantee shall have been entitled to
       exercise it at the time of death or disability, as the case may be, by
       the Grantee, the estate of the Grantee or the person or persons to whom
       the SAR may have been transferred by will or by the laws of descent and
       distribution.

              (d)    Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Agreement
       with the Grantee, in no event will the continuation of the term of a SAR
       beyond the date of termination of employment allow the Employee, or his
       beneficiaries or heirs, to accrue additional rights under the Plan, have
       additional SARs available for exercise, or receive a higher benefit than
       the benefit payable as if the SAR had been exercised on the date of
       employment termination.

       8.7    No Shareholder Rights. The Grantee shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect to a SAR. In addition, no adjustment shall be made for
dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other
property) or distributions or rights except as provided in Section 5.2 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                               STOCK CERTIFICATES

       The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate for
shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of any Option granted hereunder or
any portion thereof, or deliver any certificate for shares of Restricted Stock
granted hereunder, prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

       (a)    The admission of such shares to listing on all stock exchanges on
which the Stock is then listed;

       (b)    The completion of any registration or other qualification of such
shares which the Committee shall deem necessary or advisable under any federal
or state law or under the rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any other governmental regulatory body;

       (c)    The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any federal
or state governmental agency or body which the Committee shall determine to be
necessary or advisable; and

       (d)    The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise
of the Option as the Board from time to time may establish for reasons of
administrative convenience.

                                       15


<PAGE>   20

       Stock certificates issued and delivered to Grantees shall bear such
restrictive legends as the Company shall deem necessary or advisable pursuant to
applicable federal and state securities laws.

                                    ARTICLE X
                            TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

       10.1   Termination and Amendment. The Board may at any time terminate the
Plan; provided, however, that the Board (unless its actions are approved or
ratified by the shareholders of the Company within twelve months of the date
that the Board amends the Plan) may not amend the Plan to:

              (a)    Increase the total number of shares of Stock issuable
pursuant to Incentive Stock Options under the Plan, except as contemplated in
Section 5.2 hereof; or

              (b)    Change the class of employees eligible to receive Incentive
Stock Options that may participate in the Plan.

       10.2   Effect on Grantee's Rights. No termination, amendment, or
modification of the Plan shall affect adversely a Grantee's rights under a Stock
Option Agreement or Restriction Agreement without the consent of the Grantee or
his legal representative.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                    RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER COMPENSATION PLANS

       The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other stock option,
incentive, or other compensation plans in effect for the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; nor shall the adoption of the Plan preclude the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries from establishing any other form of incentive or other
compensation plan for employees or Directors of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.

                                   ARTICLE XII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

       12.1   Replacement or Amended Grants. At the sole discretion of the
Committee, and subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may modify
outstanding Options or Awards or accept the surrender of outstanding Options or
Awards and grant new Options or Awards in substitution for them. However no
modification of an Option or Award shall adversely affect a Grantee's rights
under a Stock Option Agreement or Restriction Agreement without the consent of
the Grantee or his legal representative.

       12.2   Forfeiture for Competition. If a Grantee provides services to a
competitor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether as an employee,
officer, director,

                                       16


<PAGE>   21

independent contractor, consultant, agent, or otherwise, such services being of
a nature that can reasonably be expected to involve the skills and experience
used or developed by the Grantee while an Employee, then that Grantee's rights
under any Options outstanding hereunder shall be forfeited and terminated, and
any shares of Restricted Stock held by such Grantee subject to remaining
restrictions shall be forfeited, subject in each case to a determination to the
contrary by the Committee.

       12.3   Plan Binding on Successors. The Plan shall be binding upon the
successors and assigns of the Company.

       12.4   Singular, Plural; Gender. Whenever used herein, nouns in the
singular shall include the plural, and the masculine pronoun shall include the
feminine gender.

       12.5   Headings, etc., No Part of Plan. Headings of Articles and Sections
hereof are inserted for convenience and reference; they do not constitute part
of the Plan.

       12.6   Interpretation. With respect to Section 16 Insiders, transactions
under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule
16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. To the extent any provision of
the Plan or action by the Plan administrators fails to so comply, it shall be
deemed void to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Plan
administrators.

                   *                  *                  *                  *   

                                       17


<PAGE>   22

                                                  Exhibit A to
                                                  FNB Bancshares, Inc.
                                                  1997 Stock Option Plan -
                                                  Form of Stock Option Agreement

                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

       THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), entered into as of this
day of ____, ____, by and between FNB Bancshares, Inc., a South Carolina
corporation (the "Company"), and _________________ (the "Optionee").

       WHEREAS, on March 25, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted
a stock option plan known as the "FNB Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan"
(the "Plan"), and recommended that the Plan be approved by the Company's
shareholders; and

       WHEREAS, the Committee has granted the Optionee a stock option to
purchase the number of shares of the Company's common stock as set forth below,
and in consideration of the granting of that stock option the Optionee intends
to remain in the employ of the Company; and

       WHEREAS, the Company and the Optionee desire to enter into a written
agreement with respect to such option in accordance with the Plan.

       NOW, THEREFORE, as an employment incentive and to encourage stock
ownership, and also in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein,
the parties hereto agree as follows.

       1. Incorporation of Plan. This option is granted pursuant to the
provisions of the Plan and the terms and definitions of the Plan are
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. A copy of the Plan has
been delivered to, and receipt is hereby acknowledged by, the Optionee.

       2. Grant of Option. Subject to the terms, restrictions, limitations and
conditions stated herein, the Company hereby evidences its grant to the
Optionee, not in lieu of salary or other compensation, of the right and option
(the "Option") to purchase all or any part of the number of shares of the
Company's Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Stock"), set forth on
Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The Option
shall be exercisable in the amounts and at the time specified on Schedule A. The
Option shall expire and shall not be exercisable on the date specified on
Schedule A or on such earlier date as determined pursuant to Section 8, 9, or 10
hereof. Schedule A states whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive
Stock Option.

                                        i


<PAGE>   23

       3. Purchase Price. The price per share to be paid by the Optionee for the
shares subject to this Option (the "Exercise Price") shall be as specified on
Schedule A, which price shall be an amount not less than the Fair Market Value
of a share of Stock as of the Date of Grant (as defined in Section 11 below) if
the Option is an Incentive Stock Option.

       4. Exercise Terms. The Optionee must exercise the Option for at least the
lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares of Purchasable Stock as to which
the Option remains unexercised. In the event this Option is not exercised with
respect to all or any part of the shares subject to this Option prior to its
expiration, the shares with respect to which this Option was not exercised shall
no longer be subject to this Option.

       5. Option Non-Transferable. No Option shall be transferable by an
Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, in the
case of non-Incentive Stock Options, pursuant to a Qualified Domestic Relations
Order. During the lifetime of an Optionee, Options shall be exercisable only by
such Optionee (or by such Optionee's guardian or legal representative, should
one be appointed).

       6. Notice of Exercise of Option. This Option may be exercised by the
Optionee, or by the Optionee's administrators, executors or personal
representatives, by a written notice (in substantially the form of the Notice of
Exercise attached hereto as Schedule B) signed by the Optionee, or by such
administrators, executors or personal representatives, and delivered or mailed
to the Company as specified in Section 14 hereof to the attention of the
President or such other officer as the Company may designate. Any such notice
shall (a) specify the number of shares of Stock which the Optionee or the
Optionee's administrators, executors or personal representatives, as the case
may be, then elects to purchase hereunder, (b) contain such information as may
be reasonably required pursuant to Section 12 hereof, and (c) be accompanied by
(i) a certified or cashier's check payable to the Company in payment of the
total Exercise Price applicable to such shares as provided herein, (ii) shares
of Stock owned by the Optionee and duly endorsed or accompanied by stock
transfer powers having a Fair Market Value equal to the total Exercise Price
applicable to such shares purchased hereunder, or (iii) a certified or cashier's
check accompanied by the number of shares of Stock whose Fair Market Value when
added to the amount of the check equals the total Exercise Price applicable to
such shares purchased hereunder. Upon receipt of any such notice and
accompanying payment, and subject to the terms hereof, the Company agrees to
issue to the Optionee or the Optionee's administrators, executors or personal
representatives, as the case may be, stock certificates for the number of shares
specified in such notice registered in the name of the person exercising this
Option.

       7. Adjustment in Option. The number of Shares subject to this Option, the
Exercise Price and other matters are subject to adjustment during the term of
this Option in accordance with Section 5.2 of the Plan.

                                       ii


<PAGE>   24

       8. Termination of Employment.

       (a) Except as otherwise specified in Schedule A hereto, in the event of
the termination of the Optionee's employment with the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, other than a termination that is either (i) for cause, (ii)
voluntary on the part of the Optionee and without written consent of the
Company, or (iii) for reasons of death or disability or retirement, the Optionee
may exercise this Option at any time within 30 days after such termination to
the extent of the number of shares which were Purchasable hereunder at the date
of such termination.

       (b) Except as specified in Schedule A attached hereto, in the event of a
termination of the Optionee's employment that is either (i) for cause or (ii)
voluntary on the part of the Optionee and without the written consent of the
Company, this Option, to the extent not previously exercised, shall terminate
immediately and shall not thereafter be or become exercisable.

       (c) Unless and to the extent otherwise provided in Exhibit A hereto, in
the event of the retirement of the Optionee at the normal retirement date as
prescribed from time to time by the Company or any Subsidiary, the Optionee
shall continue to have the right to exercise any Options for shares which were
Purchasable at the date of the Optionee's retirement provided that, on the date
which is three months after the date of retirement, the Options will become void
and unexercisable unless on the date of retirement the Optionee enters into a
noncompete agreement with FNB Bancshares, Inc. and continues to comply with such
noncompete agreement. This Option does not confer upon the Optionee any right
with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or by any of its
Subsidiaries. This Option shall not be affected by any change of employment so
long as the Optionee continues to be an employee of the Company or one of its
Subsidiaries.

       9. Disabled Optionee. In the event of termination of employment because
of the Optionee's becoming a Disabled Optionee, the Optionee (or his or her
personal representative) may exercise this Option, within a period ending on the
earlier of (a) the last day of the one year period following the Optionee's
death or (b) the expiration date of this Option, to the extent of the number of
shares which were Purchasable hereunder at the date of such termination.

       10. Death of Optionee. Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule A with
respect to the rights of the Optionee upon termination of employment under
Section 8(a) above, in the event of the Optionee's death while employed by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or within three months after a termination of
such employment (if such termination was neither (i) for cause nor (ii)
voluntary on the part of the Optionee and without the written consent of the
Company), the appropriate persons described in Section 6 hereof or persons to
whom all or a portion of this Option is transferred in accordance with Section 5
hereof may exercise this Option at any time within a period ending on the
earlier of (a) the last day of the one year period following the Optionee's
death or (b) the expiration date of this Option. If the

                                       iii


<PAGE>   25

Optionee was an employee of the Company at the time of death, this Option may be
so exercised to the extent of the number of shares that were Purchasable
hereunder at the date of death. If the Optionee's employment terminated prior to
his or her death, this Option may be exercised only to the extent of the number
of shares covered by this Option which were Purchasable hereunder at the date of
such termination.

       11. Date of Grant. This Option was granted by the Board of Directors of
the Company on the date set forth in Schedule A (the "Date of Grant").

       12. Compliance with Regulatory Matters. The Optionee acknowledges that
the issuance of capital stock of the Company is subject to limitations imposed
by federal and state law and the Optionee hereby agrees that the Company shall
not be obligated to issue any shares of Stock upon exercise of this Option that
would cause the Company to violate law or any rule, regulation, order or consent
decree of any regulatory authority (including without limitation the Securities
and Exchange Commission) having jurisdiction over the affairs of the Company.
The Optionee agrees that he or she will provide the Company with such
information as is reasonably requested by the Company or its counsel to
determine whether the issuance of Stock complies with the provisions described
by this Section 12.

       13. Restriction on Disposition of Shares. The shares purchased pursuant
to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferred by the
Optionee except pursuant to the Optionee's will, or the laws of descent and
distribution, until such date which is the later of two years after the grant of
such Incentive Stock Option or one year after the transfer of the shares to the
Optionee pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option.

       14. Miscellaneous.

       (a) This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their
representatives, successors and assigns.

       (b) This Agreement is executed and delivered in, and shall be governed by
the laws of, the State of South Carolina.

       (c) Any requests or notices to be given hereunder shall be deemed given,
and any elections or exercises to be made or accomplished shall be deemed made
or accomplished, upon actual delivery thereof to the designated recipient, or
three days after deposit thereof in the United States mail, registered, return
receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed, if to the Optionee, at the
address set forth below and, if to the Company, to the executive offices of the
Company at 303 North Granard Street, Gaffney, South Carolina 29342.

       (d) This Agreement may not be modified except in writing executed by each
of the parties hereto.

                                       iv


<PAGE>   26

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Board of Directors of the Company has caused this
Stock Option Agreement to be executed on behalf of the Company and the Company's
seal to be affixed hereto and attested by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company, and the Optionee has executed this Stock Option
Agreement under seal, all as of the day and year first above written.

FNB BANCSHARES, INC.                    OPTIONEE


By:___________________________          _____________________
     Name:                              Name:
     Title:                             Address:

ATTEST:                                 _____________________
                                        _____________________

_____________________________
Secretary/Assistant Secretary

[SEAL]

                                        v


<PAGE>   27

                                   SCHEDULE A
                                       TO
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                              FNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                                       AND
                             ______________________
                                 DATED:_________

1.       Number of Shares Subject to Option:__________________________ Shares.

2.       This Option (Check one) [ ] is [ ] is not an Incentive Stock Option.

3.       Option Exercise Price:  $_______________ per Share.

4.       Date of Grant:_________________

5.       Option Vesting Schedule:

              Check one:

              ( )    Options are exercisable with respect to all shares on or
                     after the date hereof
              ( )    Options are exercisable with respect to the number of
                     shares indicated below on or after the date indicated next
                     to the number of shares:

                      No. of Shares                               Vesting Date

6.       Option Exercise Period:

              Check One:

              ( )    All options expire and are void unless exercised on or
                     before_________, 19__.
              ( )    Options expire and are void unless exercised on or before
                     the date indicated next to the number of shares:

                     No. of Shares                               Expiration Date

7.       Effect of Termination of Employment of Optionee (if different from that
         set forth in Sections 8 and 10 of the Stock Option Agreement):



<PAGE>   28

                                   SCHEDULE B

                               NOTICE OF EXERCISE

       The undersigned hereby notifies FNB Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") of
this election to exercise the undersigned's stock option to purchase shares of
the Company's common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"),
pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement (the "Agreement") between the undersigned
and the Company dated ___________. Accompanying this Notice is (1) a certified
or a cashier's check in the amount of $_____ payable to the Company, and/or (2)
_______________ shares of the Company's Common Stock presently owned by the
undersigned and duly endorsed or accompanied by stock transfer powers, having an
aggregate Fair Market Value (as defined in the First Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock
Option Plan) as of the date hereof of $__________________, such amounts being
equal, in the aggregate, to the purchase price per share set forth in Section 3
of the Agreement multiplied by the number of shares being purchased hereby (in
each instance subject to appropriate adjustment pursuant to Section 5.2 of the
Agreement).

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has set his hand and seal, this _____
day of __________, 19__.

                                        OPTIONEE [OR OPTIONEE'S
                                        ADMINISTRATOR,
                                        EXECUTOR OR PERSONAL
                                        REPRESENTATIVE]

                                        _______________________
                                        Name:
                                        Position (if other than
                                        Optionee):




<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 21.1

                           SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT



First National Bank of the Carolinas



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         342,680
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       1,234,402
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                             7,930,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          0
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         344,190
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           344,083
<LOANS>                                      2,043,972
<ALLOWANCE>                                     20,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              11,732,901
<DEPOSITS>                                   5,804,365
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             13,997
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,163
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,112,318
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              11,732,901
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 27,526
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                2,033
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               176,393
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               205,952
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              27,002
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,863
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          144,089
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   20,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                431,602
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (281,537)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (197,077)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.32)
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    1.67
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                     0
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               20,000
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            20,000
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>


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