UNITED CAROLINA BANCSHARES CORP
S-8, 1996-04-04
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 1995

                              Registration No. 33-



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                                 UNITED CAROLINA
                             BANCSHARES CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                North Carolina                           56-0954530
   (State or other Jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)



                               Post Office Box 682
                             127 West Webster Street
                        Whiteville, North Carolina 28472
          (Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)



                1993 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan for Directors
                            (Full title of the plan)



                           HOWARD V. HUDSON, JR., Esq.
                     United Carolina Bancshares Corporation
                               Post Office Box 632
                             127 West Webster Street
                        Whiteville, North Carolina 28472
                                 (910) 642-5131
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                                    Copy to:
                          WILLIAM R. LATHAN, JR., Esq.
                              Ward and Smith, P.A.
                               1001 College Court
                               Post Office Box 867
                         New Bern, North Carolina 28560
                                 (919) 633-1000


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Proposed            Proposed
                                                  Maximum             Maximum           Amount of
   Title of Securities         Amount to       Offering Price        Aggregate         Registration
    to be Registered       be Registered (1)    Per Share (2)    Offering Price (2)        Fee (2)
<S>                        <C>               <C>                <C>                   <C>

Common Stock,
$4.00 par value                 25,260             $7.3228            $184,974              $100

</TABLE>

(1)      This Registration  Statement  registers  securities offered pursuant to
         terms which provide for an adjustment in the number of securities being
         offered  to  prevent  dilution  resulting  from  stock  splits,   stock
         dividends  or  similar  transactions  and will be  deemed  to cover the
         additional  securities  offered or issued in  connection  with any such
         provision.

(2)      Pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1), the registration fee has been calculated on
         the basis of the weighted average price per share at which shares could
         be purchased upon the exercise of options granted under the plan.


<PAGE>



           PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.   Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

   The following  documents filed by Registrant with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  (the  "Commission")  under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") are incorporated herein by reference:

             (i)  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 1995;

            (ii)  Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 25, 
1996;

           (iii)  Description  of  Registrant's  common  stock  contained in its
Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended by Registrant's subsequent reports
riled under the Exchange Act.

   All documents  subsequently filed with the Commission by Registrant  pursuant
to Sections  13(a),  13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing
of a post-effective  amendment which indicates that all securities being offered
have been sold or which  deregisters all securities then remaining  unsold shall
be deemed to be  incorporated  herein by reference  and to be a part hereof from
the dates of filing of such documents.

Item 4.   Description of Securities

   Not applicable.

Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel

   Ward and Smith,  P.A., New Bern, North Carolina has rendered an opinion as to
certain legal matters regarding the shares of Registrant's common stock to which
this Registration  Statement relates.  Certain members of that firm beneficially
own an aggregate of approximately 9,180 shares of Registrant's common stock.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers

   The North  Carolina  Business  Corporation  Act (the  "NCBCA")  provides  for
indemnification  by a  corporation  of its  officers,  directors,  employees and
agents,  and any person who is or was serving at the corporation's  request as a
director,  officer,  employee or agent of another  entity or  enterprise or as a
trustee or administrator  under an employee benefit plan,  against liability and
expenses,  including  reasonable  attorney's fees, in any proceeding  (including
without  limitation  a  proceeding  brought  by or on behalf of the  corporation
itself)  arising out of their status as such or their  activities  in any of the
foregoing capacities.

   Permissible  Indemnification.  Under the NCBCA, a corporation may, but is not
required to,  indemnify or agree to indemnify any such person against  liability
and expenses  incurred in any such  proceeding,  provided such person  conducted
himself  or  herself  in good faith and (i) in the case of conduct in his or her
official corporate capacity,  reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in
the  corporation's  best  interests,  and (ii) in all  other  cases,  reasonably
believed that


<PAGE>



his or her conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation's best interests;
and,  in the case of a criminal  proceeding,  where he or she had no  reasonable
cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. However, a corporation may not
indemnify such person either in connection  with a proceeding by or in the right
of the corporation in which such person was adjudged liable to the  corporation,
or in connection with any other proceeding charging improper personal benefit to
such person (whether or not involving  action in an official  capacity) in which
such  person  was  adjudged  liable  on the  basis  that  personal  benefit  was
improperly received.

   Mandatory  Indemnification.  Unless limited by the corporation's charter, the
NCBCA  requires  a  corporation  to  indemnify  a  director  or  officer  of the
corporation who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense
of any proceeding to which such person was a party because he or she is or was a
director or officer of the corporation  against reasonable  expenses incurred in
connection with the proceeding.

   Advance for Expenses.  Expenses incurred by a director,  officer, employee or
agent  of  the  corporation  in  defending  a  proceeding  may  be  paid  by the
corporation in advance of the final  disposition of the proceeding as authorized
by the board of directors in the specific  case, or as authorized by the charter
or bylaws or by any  applicable  resolution  or  contract,  upon  receipt  of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay amounts  advanced  unless it
ultimately is determined  that such person is entitled to be  indemnified by the
corporation against such expenses.

   Court-Ordered Indemnification. Unless otherwise provided in the corporation's
charter, a director or officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding
may apply for  indemnification  to the court  conducting  the  proceeding  or to
another  court of  competent  jurisdiction.  On receipt of an  application,  the
court,   after  giving  any  notice  the  court  deems   necessary,   may  order
indemnification  if it  determines  either (i) that the  director  or officer is
entitled to  mandatory  indemnification  as described  above,  in which case the
court also will order the corporation to pay the reasonable expenses incurred to
obtain the court-ordered  indemnification,  or (ii) that the director or officer
is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant
circumstances,  whether or not such person met the requisite standard of conduct
or was adjudged  liable to the corporation in connection with a proceeding by or
in the  right of the  corporation  or on the basis  that  personal  benefit  was
improperly  received in connection with any other proceeding so charging (but if
adjudged so liable, indemnification is limited to reasonable expenses incurred).

   Voluntary  Indemnification.  In  addition  to and  separate  and  apart  from
"permissible"  and "mandatory"  indemnification  described  above, a corporation
may,  by  charter,  bylaw,  contract  or  resolution,m  "indemnify  or  agree to
indemnify  any one or more of its  officers,  directors,  employees  and  agents
against liability and expenses in any proceeding (including without limitation a
proceeding  brought by or on behalf of the  corporation  itself)  arising out of
their status as such or their  activities  in any of the  foregoing  capacities.
However,

                                                           3

<PAGE>



the  corporation  may not  indemnify  or agree  to  indemnify  a person  against
liability  or expenses he may incur on account of  activities  which were at the
time taken known or  believed by such person to be clearly in conflict  with the
best interests of the corporation.  Any provision in a corporation's  charter or
bylaws or in a contract or resolution  may include  provisions for recovery from
the corporation of reasonable costs,  expenses and attorneys' fees in connection
with the  enforcement  of  rights to  indemnification  granted  therein  and may
further include provisions  establishing  reasonable  procedures for determining
and enforcing such rights.

   Parties Entitled to Indemnification.  The NCBCA defines "director" to include
ex-directors and the estate or personal representative of a director. Unless its
charter provides otherwise,  a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to
an  officer,  employee  or agent of the  corporation  to the same extent as to a
director and also may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer,  employee or
agent who is not a director to the extent, consistent with public policy, as may
be provided in its charter or bylaws, by general or specific action of its board
of directors, or by contract.

   Indemnification  by Registrant.  Subject to such restrictions as are provided
by federal securities law,  Registrant's  Bylaws provide for  indemnification of
its  directors and officers to the fullest  extent  permitted by law and require
its  Board of  Directors  to take  all  actions  necessary  and  appropriate  to
authorize  such  indemnification.  In addition,  Registrant  currently  maintain
directors' and officers' liability insurance.

Item 7.  Exemption From Registration Claimed

   Not applicable.

Item 8.  Exhibits

   The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference
as part of this Registration Statement:

    4          Specimen of Registrant's Common Stock certificate
               (incorporated by reference from Registrant's 1988 Annual
               Report on Form 10-K).

    5          Opinion of Ward and Smith, P.A. as to the legality of the
               securities being registered (filed herewith).

   23(a)       Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to incorporation by reference of
               its report on Registrant's financial statements (filed herewith).

   23(b)       Consent of Ward and Smith, P.A. (contained in its opinion
               filed herewith as Exhibit 5).

  24           Power of Attorney.

  99           Copy of 1993 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan for Directors.


                                                           4

<PAGE>



Item 9.  Undertakings

   (a)  Rule 415 Offering.  The undersigned Registrant hereby
undertakes:

               (1)          To file, during any period in which offers or sales
                            are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
                            Registration Statement:

                            (i)      to include any Prospectus required by
                                     Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
                                     1933;

                            (ii)     to reflect in the  Prospectus  any facts
                                     or events  arising  after the  effective
                                     date of the  Registration  Statement (or
                                     the most recent post-effective amendment
                                     thereof)  which,  individually or in the
                                     aggregate,   represent   a   fundamental
                                     change in the  information  set forth in
                                     the Registration Statement;

                            (iii)    to include any material information with
                                     respect to the plan of distribution  not
                                     previously disclosed in the Registration
                                     Statement or any material change to such
                                     information    in    the    Registration
                                     Statement;

                       provided,  however,  that  paragraphs  (a)(1)(i) and
                       (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information  required
                       to be  included  in a  post-effective  amendment  by
                       those  paragraphs  is contained in periodic  reports
                       filed by the  Registrant  pursuant  to Section 13 or
                       Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                       that   are   incorporated   by   reference   in  the
                       Registration Statement.

               (2)     That, for purposes of determining any liability under
                       the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective
                       amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration
                       Statement relating to the securities offered therein,
                       and the offering of such securities at that time shall
                       be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
                       thereof.

               (3)     To remove from registration by means of a post-
                       effective amendment any of the securities being
                       registered which remain unsold at the termination of
                       the offering.

   (b)  Filings Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by
   Reference.

   The  undersigned   Registrant   hereby   undertakes  that,  for  purposes  of
   determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933,  each filing of
   the Registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of
   the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is

                                                           5

<PAGE>



   incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be
   a new Registration  Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
   the  offering  of such  securities  at that  time  shall be  deemed to be the
   initial bona fide offering thereof.

   (h)  Request for Acceleration of Effectiveness or Filing of Registration 
Statement on Form S-8

   Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities  arising under the Securities Act
   of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and  controlling  persons of
   the  Registrant  pursuant to the  foregoing  provisions,  or  otherwise,  the
   Registrant  has  been  advised  that in the  opinion  of the  Securities  and
   Exchange  Commission  such   indemnification  is  against  public  policy  as
   expressed in the Act and is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In the event that a
   claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
   the  Registrant  of  expenses  incurred  or paid by a  director,  officer  or
   controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
   suit or  proceeding)  is asserted by such  director,  officer or  controlling
   person in connection  with the securities  being  registered,  the Registrant
   will,  unless in the opinion of its  counsel  the matter has been  settled by
   controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the
   question  whether  such  indemnification  by it is against  public  policy as
   expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final  adjudication  of such
   issue.

                                                           6

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

   Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that it meets all of the
requirements  for  filing  on Form S-8 and has  duly  caused  this  Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the City of Whiteville,  State of North Carolina,  on March 29 ,
1996.

                                          UNITED CAROLINA BANCSHARES CORPORATION
                                          (Registrant)


                                          By:  S/ Kenneth L. Miller
                                             Kenneth L. Miller
                                             President

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following  persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.

     Signature                     Title                Date




   S/ E. Rhone Sasser       Chief Executive         March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------   Officer (principal                            
E. Rhone Sasser                executive officer)


   S/ Ronald C. Monger      Executive Vice          March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------   President and Chief                          
Ronald C. Monger            Financial Officer
                            (principal financial
                            officer)

   S/ John F. Watson        Controller (principal   March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------   accounting officer)
John F. Watson              



*  S/ J. W. Adams           Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                              
J. W. Adams



*  S/ John V. Andrews       Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                             
John V. Andrews



*  S/ Russell M. Carter     Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                             
Russell M. Carter



                                                             7

<PAGE>







*  S/ W. E. Carter          Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                                
W. E. Carter



*  S/ Alfred E. Cleveland   Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                                 
Alfred E. Cleveland



*  S/ James L. Cresimore    Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                               
James L. Cresimore



*  S/ Thomas P. Dillon      Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                                
Thomas P. Dillon



*  S/ C. Frank Griffin      Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                              
C. Frank Griffin



*  S/ James C. High         Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                             
James C. High



*  S/ Jack E. Shaw          Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                              
Jack E. Shaw



*  S/ Harold B. Wells       Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                               
Harold B. Wells



*  S/ Charles M. Winston    Director                March  29 , 1996
- -------------------------                               
Charles M. Winston





* By:   S/ Howard V. Hudson, Jr.
               Howard V. Hudson, Jr.
               Attorney-in-Fact


                                                             8

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit                                                  Sequential
Number                 Description                      Page Number



  4            Specimen of Registrant's Common Stock
               certificate (incorporated herein by
               reference from Exhibit IV to Registrant's
               1988 Annual Report on Form 10-K).

  5            Opinion of Ward and Smith, P.A. as to
               the legality of the securities being
               registered (filed herewith).

23(a)          Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to
               incorporation by reference of its
               report on Registrant's financial
               statements (filed herewith).

23(b)          Consent of Ward and Smith, P.A.
               (included in its opinion filed
               herewith as Exhibit 5).

24             Power of Attorney.

99             Copy of 1993 Directors' Non-Qualified
               Stock Option Plan, together with form
               of option agreement with Option Holders.


<PAGE>





                                                   April 1, 1996






The Board of Directors
United Carolina Bancshares Corporation
Post Office Box 632
Whiteville, North Carolina  28472

RE:  Our File 80-0785(Q)

Gentlemen:

You have asked for our opinion  regarding  25,260 shares of common stock,  $4.00
par  value  (the  "Shares"),  of United  Carolina  Bancshares  Corporation  (the
"Corporation")  that are  proposed to be issued and sold to the holders and upon
the exercise of options (the "Options")  previously  granted by Seaboard Savings
Bank, Inc., SSB (the "Bank") under its 1993  Nonstatutory  Stock Option Plan for
Directors (the "Plan") and which  remained  outstanding at the effective time of
the  merger of the Bank into the  Corporation's  wholly-owned  bank  subsidiary,
United  Carolina Bank ("UCB").  The  Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  and
Merger dated September 19, 1995 between the Bank, UCB and the  Corporation  (the
"Agreement") provided that, when the merger became effective,  the Options would
be converted (as described therein) into options to purchase common stock of the
Corporation and the Corporation would assume the Bank's obligations thereunder.

We have examined the  Agreement,  the Plan and certified  copies of  resolutions
adopted  by the  Corporation's  Board  of  Directors  approving  the  Agreement,
ratifying  and  approving  the  assumption  of the Options,  and  reserving  and
authorizing the Shares for issuance upon exercise of the Options.  Additionally,
we have examined such other records and documents and have had such  discussions
with  officers of the  Corporation  as we deemed  necessary  with respect to the
organization of the Corporation and other matters.  Based upon such examination,
and provided that (i) the Options  originally  were properly issued by the Bank,
(ii)  the  Corporation's  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-8  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission relating to the Shares shall have become and
shall remain effective, and (iii) the Shares covered by the Registration


<PAGE>

The Board of Directors
United Carolina Bancshares Corporation
April 1, 1996
Page 2

Statement  shall have been issued and sold upon the exercise  and in  accordance
with the terms of the Options and following  receipt by the  Corporation  of the
purchase  price of such  Shares,  then the  Shares  so  issued  and sold will be
validly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

This opinion is furnished by us solely for your benefit and in  connection  with
the  filing of the  above  Registration  Statement.  Without  our prior  express
written  consent this opinion may not used for any other  purpose and may not be
quoted or relied upon by, nor may copies be  delivered  to, any other  person or
entity.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration
Statement.

                                  Yours truly,

                                  S/ WARD and SMITH, P.A.

                                  WARD and SMITH, P.A.


<PAGE>




                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT






The Board of Directors
United Carolina Bancshares Corporation

We consent to incorporation  by reference in the Registration  Statement on Form
S-8 of United Carolina Bancshares  Corporation (the  "Corporation")  relating to
the 1993 Nonstatutory  Stock Option Plan for Directors of Seaboard Savings Bank,
Inc., SSB, as assumed by United Carolina Bancshares  Corporation,  of our report
dated January 17, 1996,  relating to the  consolidated  balance sheets of United
Carolina  Bancshares  Corporation  and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, and the related  consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1995,  which report  appears in the December 31, 1995 annual report on Form 10-K
of United Carolina Bancshares Corporation.  Out report dated January 1788, 1996,
refers to the fact that on  December  31,  1993,  the  Corporation  adopted  the
provisions of the Financial  Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 115,  "Accounting for Certain  Investments in Debt and
Equity  Securities",  and on  January  1,  1993,  the  Corporation  adopted  the
provisions of the Financial  Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 109,  "Accounting  for Income  Taxes." Our report also
refers  to the fact  that on  January  1,  1994,  the  Corporation  adopted  the
provisions of the Financial  Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial
Accounting   Standards  No.112,   "Employers'   Accounting  for   Postemployment
Benefits."



                                                    S/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

                                                    KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina
April 1, 1996


<PAGE>


<PAGE>



STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF COLUMBUS
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

               KNOW  ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that  each of the  undersigned
directors and executive officers of UNITED CAROLINA BANCSHARES  CORPORATION (the
"Corporation")  has made,  constituted  and  appointed  and, by these  presents,
hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints HOWARD V. HUDSON, JR., RONALD C. MONGER,
WILLIAM R.  LATHAN,  JR. and  RAYMOND W.  HINES,  and each of them,  jointly and
severally, his true and lawful agents and attorneys-in-fact,  with full power of
substitution and  resubstitution,  and with full power and authority for him and
in his name,  place and stead,  to sign for the undersigned and in his name as a
director or officer of the Corporation a Registration  Statement on Form S-8, as
well as any Amendments to such Registration Statement, and to file the same with
the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  under the  Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, relating to the shares of common stock of the Corporation which will be
offered and sold upon the exercise of options to purchase  previously  issued by
Seaboard  Savings Bank,  Inc., SSB (the "Savings Bank") under the Savings Bank's
1993  Nonstatutory  Stock Option Plan for  Directors  and 1993  Incentive  Stock
Option Plan,  and which  options were assumed by the  Corporation  and converted
into  options to  purchase  shares of the  Corporation's  common  stock upon the
merger  of the  Savings  Bank  into  and  with  the  Corporation's  wholly-owned
subsidiary  bank and the  conversion  of the  outstanding  shares of the Savings
Bank's common stock into shares of the Corporation's common stock.

               Further, each of the undersigned hereby grants to said agents and
attorneys-in-fact,  and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises  as fully and to all  intents  and  purposes as he might or could do in
person,   hereby   ratifying   and   confirming   all  that  said   agents   and
attorneys-in-fact  or  either  of them,  or their  or his or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

               IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned  have hereunto signed their
names on the dates indicated.

     Signature                     Title                Date


S/ E. Rhone Sasser       President and Chief    February  29 , 1996
- ----------------------   Executive Officer                              
E. Rhone Sasser          (principal executive
                         officer)

S/ Ronald C. Monger      Executive Vice         February  29 , 1996
- ----------------------   President and Chief                              
Ronald C. Monger         Financial Officer
                         (principal financial
                         officer)

S/ John F. Watson        Controller (principal  February  29 , 1996
- ----------------------   accounting officer)
John F. Watson           


<PAGE>




               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ J. W. Adams                    Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                              
J. W. Adams

                                                         2

<PAGE>



               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ John V. Andrews                Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                            
John V. Andrews

                                                         3

<PAGE>




               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ Russell M. Carter              Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                           
Russell M. Carter

                                                         4

<PAGE>




               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ W. E. Carter                   Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                          
W. E. Carter

                                                         5

<PAGE>





               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ Alfred E. Cleveland            Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                             
Alfred E. Cleveland

                                                         6

<PAGE>



               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ James L. Cresimore             Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                               
James L. Cresimore

                                                         7

<PAGE>



               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ Thomas P. Dillon               Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                            
Thomas P. Dillon

                                                         8

<PAGE>


               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ C. Frank Griffin               Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                             
C. Frank Griffin

                                                         9

<PAGE>


               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ James C. High                  Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                            
James C. High

                                                        10

<PAGE>




               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ Jack E. Shaw                   Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                             
Jack E. Shaw

                                                        11

<PAGE>


               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ Harold B. Wells                Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                               
Harold B. Wells

                                                        12

<PAGE>



               IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has hereunto signed his name
to the foregoing Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.


     Signature                     Title                Date




S/ Charles M. Winston             Director      February  29 , 1996
- --------------------------                           
Charles M. Winston

                                            13
<PAGE>

<PAGE>


                        SEABOARD SAVINGS BANK, INC., SSB
                       1993 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
                                  FOR DIRECTORS


   Seaboard Savings Bank, Inc., SSB, a North Carolina  corporation  (hereinafter
referred  to as the  "Corporation"),  does  herein  set  forth  the terms of the
Seaboard  Savings  Bank,  Inc.,  SSB 1993  Nonstatutory  Stock  Option  Plan for
Directors  (hereinafter  referred to as this  "Plan"),  which was adopted by the
Board of Directors  (hereinafter  referred to as the "Board") of the Corporation
subject to approval by the  Corporation's  shareholders as provided in paragraph
20 hereof.

   1. Purpose of this Plan. The purpose of this Plan is to provide for the grant
of  Nonstatutory  Stock  Options  (hereinafter   referred  to  as  "Options"  or
singularly,  "Option") and in certain  circumstances the right to surrender such
Options for cash, to Directors (as  hereinafter  defined) of the Corporation who
wish to invest in the  Corporation's  common stock  (hereinafter  referred to as
"Common Stock").  The Board believes that  participation in the ownership of the
Corporation by Directors will be to the mutual  benefit of the  Corporation  and
the Directors. In addition, the existence of this Plan will make it possible for
the  Corporation to attract  capable  individuals to serve on the Board. As used
herein, the term "Directors" or singularly, "Director", shall mean those members
of the Board who are not  employed  by the  Corporation  and are  ineligible  to
participate in the 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Corporation as of the
date of the Conversion (as hereinafter defined).

   2.          Administration of this Plan.

               (a) This Plan shall be administered by the Board. The Board shall
have full power and authority to construe,  interpret and administer  this Plan.
All actions, decisions, determinations, or interpretations of the Board shall be
final, conclusive, and binding upon all parties.

               (b) The Board shall  determine  when Limited  Stock  Appreciation
Rights (as  hereinafter  described)  shall be available in place of  outstanding
Options.

               (c) The Board may  designate  any  officers or  employees  of the
Corporation or of any of its  subsidiaries  to assist in the  administration  of
this Plan. The Board may authorize such individuals to execute  documents on its
behalf and may delegate to them such other ministerial and limited discretionary
duties as the Board may see fit.

   3. Shares of Common Stock Subject to this Plan.  The maximum number of shares
of Common Stock that shall be offered under this Plan is eighteen  thousand five
hundred  (18,500)  shares,  subject to  adjustment  as provided in paragraph 13.
Shares subject to Options 

<PAGE>



which  expire or  terminate  prior to the issuance of the shares of Common Stock
shall lapse and the shares of Common  Stock  originally  subject to such Options
shall again be available for future grants of Options under this Plan.

   4. Eligibility; Grant of Options. Upon the conversion of the Corporation from
a North  Carolina-chartered  mutual  savings bank to a North  Carolina-chartered
stock savings bank (the  "Conversion"),  each Director then serving on the Board
shall  receive an Option to  purchase  shares of Common  Stock in the amount set
forth below:

               Dallas G. Waters   . . . . . . . . . 3,700 Shares
               Robert L. Howell   . . . . . . . . . 3,700 Shares
               W. Braxton Voliva .  .  .  . . . . . 3,700 Shares
               E. G. Cantrell   . . . . . . . . . . 3,700 Shares
               John Goodwin    . . . . .  . . . . . 3,700 Shares

   5.          Option Price.

               (a) The price per share of each  Option  granted  under this Plan
(hereinafter  called the "Option  Price") shall be determined by the Board as of
the  effective  date of grant of such Option,  but in no event shall such Option
Price be less than 100% of the fair market  value of Common Stock on the date of
grant.  An  Option  shall  be  considered  as  granted  on the  later of (i) the
effective  date of the  Conversion,  (ii) the date that the Board  acts to grant
such  Option,  or (iii) such later date as the Board shall  specify in an Option
Agreement (as hereinafter defined).

               (b) The fair  market  value of a share of Common  Stock  shall be
determined  as  follows:  (i) if on the date as of which such  determination  is
being made,  Common  Stock being  valued is admitted to trading on a  securities
exchange or exchanges  for which actual sale prices are regularly  reported,  or
actual sale prices are otherwise regularly published, the fair market value of a
share of Common  Stock  shall be  deemed to be equal to the mean of the  closing
sale  price  as  reported  for each of the five  (5)  trading  days  immediately
preceding the date as of which such  determination is made;  provided,  however,
that,  if a closing  sale price is not reported for each of the five (5) trading
days immediately preceding the date as of which such determination is made, then
the fair market  value shall be equal to the mean of the closing  sale prices on
those trading days for which such price is available,  or (ii) if on the date as
of which such  determination  is made, no such closing sale prices are reported,
but  quotations  for  Common  Stock  being  valued are  regularly  listed on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ")
or another  comparable  system, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock
shall be deemed to be equal to the mean of the  average of the  closing  bid and
asked prices for such Common Stock quoted on such system on each of the five (5)
trading days preceding the date as of which such determination is made, but if a
closing  bid and asked price is not  available  for each of the five (5) trading
days, then the fair market value shall be equal to the mean of the average of

                                                         2

<PAGE>



the  closing bid and asked  prices on those  trading  days  during the  five-day
period for which such prices are available,  or (iii) if no such  quotations are
available,  the fair market  value of a share of Common Stock shall be deemed to
be the average of the closing bid and asked prices  furnished by a  professional
securities  dealer making a market in such shares, as selected by the Board, for
the trading  date first  preceding  the date as of which such  determination  is
made. If the Board Corporate  determines that the price as determined above does
not represent  the fair market value of a share of Common  Stock,  the Board may
then consider such other factors as it deems  appropriate  and then fix the fair
market value for the purposes of this Plan.

   6. Payment of Option  Price.  Payment for shares  subject to an Option may be
made either in cash,  or with the  approval of the Board,  in other stock of the
Corporation  owned by a Director  or such  other  person as may be  entitled  to
exercise such Option.  Any shares of the Corporation's  stock that are delivered
in payment of the  aggregate  Option  Price shall be valued at their fair market
value, as determined by the Board, on the date of the exercise of such Option.

   7. Terms and Conditions of Grant of Options.  Each Option granted pursuant to
this Plan shall be evidenced by a written  Nonstatutory  Stock Option  Agreement
(hereinafter  referred to as "Option Agreement") with each Director (hereinafter
referred to as "Optionee") to whom an Option is granted; such agreement shall be
substantially in the form attached hereto as "Exhibit A", unless the Board shall
adopt a different form and, in each case, may contain such other,  different, or
additional terms and conditions as the Board may determine.

   8. Option Period. Each Option Agreement shall set forth a period during which
such Option may be exercised  (hereinafter  referred to as the "Option Period");
provided,  however, that the Option Period shall not exceed ten (10) years after
the date of grant of such Option as specified in an Option Agreement.

   9.          Change of Control; Limited Stock Appreciation Rights.

               (a) In  connection  with the grant of any Option under this Plan,
the Board may, in its  discretion,  provide an Optionee  with the right  (herein
sometimes  referred  to as "Limited  Stock  Appreciation  Rights"),  following a
"change in control" of the Corporation and without regard to any restrictions on
exercise that would otherwise  apply,  to surrender any  unexercised  portion of
such  Option  as such  Optionee  then may have for a cash  payment  equal to the
amount by which the fair market value (as determined by the Board) of the number
of shares of Common  Stock then  subject to such Option  exceeds  the  aggregate
Option Price therefor.

               (b) When used herein,  the phrase  "change in control"  refers to
(i) the acquisition by any person,  group of persons or entity of the beneficial
ownership or power to vote more than

                                                         3

<PAGE>



twenty percent (20%) of the  Corporation's  outstanding stock or (ii) during any
period of two (2)  consecutive  years,  as change in the  majority  of the Board
unless the election of each new Director was approved by at least  two-thirds of
the Directors  then still in office who were  Directors at the beginning of such
two (2) year period.

               (c) Limited  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  shall be  exercised  by
written notice to the Corporation as provided in paragraph 10 hereof at any time
prior to the earlier of (i) the date which is thirty (30) days after the date of
notice of a change in control or (ii) the last day of the Option Period provided
for in an Option  Agreement,  but in no event shall the expiration  date be more
than ten  (10)  years  after  the date of grant  of an  Option  as  provided  in
paragraph 8 above.

               (d) Limited Stock Appreciation  Rights may be exercised only when
the market  value of Common  Stock  subject to an Option  exceeds the  aggregate
Option Price determined as provided in paragraph 5 above.

   10.  Exercise of Options.  An Option or the right to  surrender an Option for
cash as provided in paragraph 9 hereof  shall be exercised by written  notice to
the Board  signed by an Optionee  or by such other  person as may be entitled to
exercise such Option or to surrender such Option. In the case of the exercise of
an Option, the aggregate Option Price for the shares being purchased may be paid
either  in  cash  or,  with  the  approval  of  the  Board,  in  shares  of  the
Corporation's  stock  (valued  as  determined  by the  Board  as of the  date of
exercise) or any  combination  thereof and the notice of exercise  shall specify
how payment  will be made.  The written  notice shall state the number of shares
with respect to which an Option is being  exercised or  surrendered  and, in the
case of the exercise of an Option, shall either be accompanied by the payment of
the  aggregate  Option  Price for such shares or shall fix a date (not more than
ten (10)  business  days after the date of such  notice) by which the payment of
the  aggregate  Option  Price will be made.  An Optionee  shall not  exercise an
Option to purchase less than 100 shares,  unless the Board otherwise approves or
unless the partial  exercise is for the remaining  shares  available  under such
Option.  A certificate or certificates  for the shares of Common Stock purchased
by the exercise of an Option  shall be issued in the regular  course of business
subsequent to the exercise of such Option and the payment  therefor.  During the
Option Period, no person entitled to exercise any Option granted under this Plan
shall have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder  with respect to any
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Option, until certificates
representing   such  shares  shall  have  been  issued  and  delivered  and  the
individual's  name  entered  as a  shareholder  of  record  on the  books of the
Corporation for such shares.


                                                         4

<PAGE>



   11.         Effect of Leaving the Board or Death.

               (a) In the event that an Optionee leaves the Board for any reason
other than retirement,  disability, or death, any Option granted to the Optionee
under this Plan, to the extent not  previously  exercised or  surrendered by the
Optionee or expired, shall immediately terminate.

               (b) In the  event  that an  Optionee  should  leave a Board  as a
result of such  Optionee's  retirement,  such  Optionee  shall have the right to
exercise  an Option  granted  under  this Plan,  to the  extent  that it has not
previously  been exercised or  surrendered by the Optionee or expired,  for such
period of time as may be  determined  by the Board  and  specified  in an Option
Agreement,  but in no event may any Option or the right to surrender  any Option
for cash be exercised  later than the end of the Option  Period  provided in the
Option  Agreement in accordance  with  paragraph 8 hereof.  Notwithstanding  any
other provision  contained herein, or in any Option Agreement,  upon retirement,
any Option then held by an Optionee  shall be  exercisable  immediately in full.
For purposes of this Plan,  the term  "retirement"  shall mean  termination of a
Director's  membership on the Board (i) at any time after  attaining age 65 with
the approval of the Board; or (ii) at the election of the Director,  at any time
after  not less  than five (5) years  service  as a member  of the  Board,  such
service shall be computed cumulatively for purposes of this clause (ii).

               (c) In the  event  that an  Optionee  should  leave  the Board by
reason of such  Optionee's  disability,  such  Optionee  shall have the right to
exercise  an Option  granted  under  this Plan,  to the  extent  that it has not
previously  been exercised or  surrendered by the Optionee or expired,  for such
period of time as may be  determined  by the Board  and  specified  in an Option
Agreement,  but in no event may any Option or the right to surrender  any Option
for cash be exercised  later than the end of the Option  Period  provided in the
Option  Agreement in accordance  with  paragraph 8 hereof.  Notwithstanding  any
other provision  contained herein,  or in any Option Agreement,  upon leaving by
reason of  disability,  any Option then held by an Optionee shall be exercisable
immediately in full. For purposes of this Plan, the term  "disability"  shall be
defined as may be determined  by the Board,  from time to time, or as determined
at any time with respect to any individual Optionee.

               (d) In the event that an Optionee should die while serving on the
Board after leaving by reason of disability during the Option Period provided in
an Option  Agreement in accordance  with  paragraph 8 hereof,  an Option granted
under this Plan,  to the extent that it has not  previously  been  exercised  or
surrendered by the Optionee or expired, shall vest and shall be exercisable,  in
accordance with its terms, by the personal  representative of such Optionee, the
executor or administrator of such Optionee's estate, or by any person or persons
who  acquired  such  Option  by  bequest  or  inheritance  from  such  Optionee,
notwithstanding  any  limitations  placed on the exercise of such Option by this
Plan or an Option  Agreement,  at any time within  twelve (12) months  after the
date of

                                                         5

<PAGE>



death of such Optionee,  but in no event may an Option or the right to surrender
an Option for cash be exercised later than the end of the Option Period provided
in an Option  Agreement in accordance  with  paragraph 8 hereof.  Any references
herein to an Optionee shall be deemed to include any person entitled to exercise
an Option after the death of such Optionee under the terms of this Plan.

   12.  Effect of Plan on Status as Member of a Board.  The fact that a Director
has been granted an Option under this Plan shall not confer on such Director any
right to  continued  service on the  Board,  nor shall it limit the right of the
Corporation to remove such Director from the Board at any time.

   13.         Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization; Dissolution
or Liquidation.

               (a) In the  event of a change  in the  number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,  recapitalization,
reorganization,  merger, exchange of shares, or other similar capital adjustment
prior to the  termination  of an  Optionee's  rights under this Plan,  equitable
proportionate  adjustments shall be made by the Board in (i) the number and kind
of shares which remain available under this Plan and (ii) the number,  kind, and
the Option Price of shares subject to the unexercised portion of an Option under
this Plan. The adjustments to be made shall be determined by the Board and shall
be consistent with such change or changes in the  Corporation's  total number of
outstanding  shares;  provided,  however,  that no  adjustment  shall change the
aggregate Option Price for the exercise of Options granted under this Plan.

               (b) The grant of Options  under this Plan shall not affect in any
way the  right  or  power  of the  Corporation  or its  shareholders  to make or
authorize any adjustment,  recapitalization,  reorganization, or other change in
the  Corporation's   capital  structure  or  its  business,  or  any  merger  or
consolidation of the Corporation,  or to issue bonds,  debentures,  preferred or
other preference stock ahead of or affecting Common Stock or the rights thereof,
or the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, or any sale or transfer of
all or any part of the Corporation's assets or business.

               (c) Upon the effective date of the  dissolution or liquidation of
the  Corporation,  or of a  reorganization,  merger,  or  consolidation  of  the
Corporation with one or more other  corporations in which the Corporation is not
the surviving  corporation,  or the transfer of all or substantially  all of the
assets  or shares  of the  Corporation  to  another  person or entity  (any such
transaction being hereinafter referred to as a "Terminating  Event"),  this Plan
and any Options granted hereunder, including the right to surrender such Options
for cash as provided in paragraph 9 hereof,  shall terminate unless provision is
made in writing in connection with such Terminating Event for the continuance of
this Plan and for the assumption of Options granted

                                                         6

<PAGE>



hereunder, or the substitution for such Options of new options for the shares of
the  successor  corporation,  or a parent  or a  subsidiary  thereof,  with such
appropriate  adjustments  as may be determined or approved by the Board,  or the
successor to the  Corporation,  to the number and kind of shares subject to such
substituted  options in which event this Plan and Options granted hereunder,  or
the new options  substituted  therefore,  shall continue in the manner and under
the terms so provided.  Upon the  occurrence of any  Terminating  Event in which
provision is not made for the continuance of this Plan and for the assumption of
Options granted  hereunder,  or the substitution for such Options of new options
for the shares of a successor  corporation or a parent or a subsidiary  thereof,
each  Optionee  to whom an  Option  has been  granted  under  this Plan (or such
person's personal representative, the executor or administrator of such person's
estate,  or any person who acquired the right to exercise  such Option from such
person by bequest or inheritance) shall be entitled, prior to the effective date
of any such  Terminating  Event,  (i) to  exercise,  in  whole  or in part,  the
Optionee's rights under any Option granted to the Optionee without any regard to
any  restrictions on exercise that would  otherwise  apply, or (ii) to surrender
any such Option to the Corporation in exchange for receipt of cash equivalent to
the amount by which the fair  market  value of the  shares of Common  Stock such
person  would  have  received  had such  person  exercised  the  Option  in full
immediately  prior  to  consummation  of  such  Terminating  Event  exceeds  the
applicable aggregate Option Price. To the extent that a person, pursuant to this
subparagraph 11(c) has a right to exercise or surrender any Option on account of
a Terminating Event which such person otherwise would not have had at that time,
such right shall be contingent upon the consummation of such Terminating Event.

   14.  Non-Transferability.  An Option  granted  under  this Plan  shall not be
assignable or transferable except, in the event of the death of an Optionee,  by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of the death of an
Optionee, his personal representative, the executor or the administrator of such
Optionee's  estate,  or the  person  or  persons  who  acquired  by  bequest  or
inheritance the rights to exercise or to surrender such Options, may exercise or
surrender any Option or portion thereof to the extent not previously exercisable
or surrendered by an Optionee or expired, in accordance with its terms, prior to
the expiration of the exercise period as specified in subparagraph 11(d) hereof.

   15. Tax Withholding.  The Corporation or any of its  subsidiaries  shall have
the right to deduct or otherwise  effect a withholding of any amount required by
federal or state laws to be  withheld  with  respect to the grant,  exercise  or
surrender for cash of any Option or the sale of stock acquired upon the exercise
of an Option in order for the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to obtain a
tax  deduction  otherwise  available as a consequence  of such grant,  exercise,
surrender for cash, or sale, as the case may be.

   16.         Listing and Registration of Option Shares.  Any Option granted 
under this Plan shall be subject to the requirement that if

                                                         7

<PAGE>



at any time the Board shall  determine,  in its  discretion,  that the  listing,
registration, or qualification of the shares covered thereby upon any securities
exchange  or under any state or federal  law or the  consent or  approval of any
governmental  regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in
connection  with,  the  granting of such  Option or the  issuance or purchase of
shares  thereunder,  such Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless
and until such listing, registration,  qualification, consent, or approval shall
have been  effected or obtained  free of any  conditions  not  acceptable to the
Board.

   17. Exculpation and Indemnification.  In connection with this Plan, no member
of the Board shall be  personally  liable for any act or omission to act in such
person's capacity as a member of the Board, nor for any mistake in judgment made
in good faith,  unless arising out of, or resulting  from, such person's own bad
faith,  gross negligence,  willful  misconduct,  or criminal acts. To the extent
permitted by applicable law and regulation,  the Corporation shall indemnify and
hold  harmless the members of the Board,  and each other  officer or employee of
the Corporation or of any of its subsidiaries to whom any duty or power relating
to the  administration  or  interpretation  of  this  Plan  may be  assigned  or
delegated,  from and against any and all liabilities  (including any amount paid
in  settlement  of a claim  with the  approval  of the  Board)  and any costs or
expenses  (including counsel fees) incurred by such persons arising out of or as
a result of, any act or omission to act in connection  with the  performance  of
such person's duties,  responsibilities,  and obligations under this Plan, other
than such liabilities,  costs, and expenses as may arise out of, or result from,
the bad faith, gross negligence,  willful  misconduct,  or criminal acts of such
persons.

   18.  Amendment and  Modification of this Plan. The Board may at any time, and
from time to time,  amend or  modify  this  Plan  (including  the form of Option
Agreement) in any respect; provided,  however, that no amendment or modification
shall be made that  increases the total number of shares covered by this Plan or
effects any change in the category of persons who may receive Options under this
Plan or materially  increases the benefits accruing to Optionees under this Plan
unless such  change is approved by the holders of a majority of the  outstanding
shares of Common Stock  present or  represented  at a  shareholders'  meeting at
which a quorum is present.  Any amendment or modification of this Plan shall not
materially reduce the benefits under any Option therefore granted to an Optionee
under this Plan without the consent of such  Optionee or the  transferee  in the
event of the death of such Optionee.

   19.  Termination  and  Expiration  of this Plan.  This Plan may be abandoned,
suspended,  or  terminated  at any time by the Board;  provided,  however,  that
abandonment,  suspension,  or  termination  of this Plan  shall not  affect  any
Options then outstanding under this Plan. No Option shall be granted pursuant to
this Plan after ten (10) years from the effective  date of this Plan as provided
in paragraph 20 hereof.

                                                         8

<PAGE>




   20. Effective Date;  Shareholder Approval.  This Plan has been adopted by the
Board to be effective as of the date of the  Conversion.  This Plan shall not be
effective until approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding  shares
of Common Stock present or  represented  at a  shareholders'  meeting at which a
quorum is present;  which shareholder vote shall be taken at the next meeting of
the  shareholders to occur  following such Board approval.  Such next meeting of
shareholders  shall  be held  not  later  than  twelve  (12)  months  after  the
Conversion.

   21. Captions and Headings; Gender and Number. Captions and paragraph headings
used herein are for convenience only, do not modify or affect the meaning of any
provision  herein,  are not a part  hereof,  and  shall not serve as a basis for
interpretation  or in construction  of this Plan. As used herein,  the masculine
gender shall include the feminine and neuter,  the singular number,  the plural,
and vice versa, whenever such meanings are appropriate.

   22. Expenses of  Administration  of Plan. All costs and expenses  incurred in
the operation and  administration of this Plan shall be borne by the Corporation
or by one of its subsidiaries.

   23. Governing Law. Without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws, the
laws of the State of North  Carolina  shall  govern and  control  the  validity,
interpretation, performance, and enforcement of this Plan.

   24.  Inspection of Plan. A copy of this Plan, and any  amendments  thereto or
modifications  thereof,  shall be maintained by the Secretary of the Corporation
and shall be shown to any proper person making inquiry about it.

                                                         9

<PAGE>





STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA                                                EXHIBIT A

COUNTY OF WASHINGTON

                                             NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

   This  Nonstatutory  Stock Option Agreement  (hereinafter  referred to as this
"Agreement") is made and entered into as of this     day of              , 1993,
between Seaboard Savings Bank, Inc., SSB, a North Carolina corporation 
(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation"),  and            , a resident of
                  County, North Carolina  (hereinafter referred to as the 
"Optionee").

   WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation  (hereinafter  referred to
as  the  "Board")  has  adopted  the  Seaboard  Savings  Bank,  Inc.,  SSB  1993
Nonstatutory  Stock Option Plan for  Directors  (hereinafter  referred to as the
"Plan") subject to approval by the Corporation's shareholders as provided in the
Plan; and,

   WHEREAS,  the Plan  provides  that  the  Board  will  make  available  to the
Directors  (as  defined in the Plan) of the  Corporation  and of its  subsidiary
corporations,  the right to purchase  shares of the  Corporation's  common stock
(hereinafter  referred to as "Common Stock") and, when so notified by the Board,
the right to surrender such shares for cash; and

   WHEREAS,  the Board has determined  that the Optionee is entitled to purchase
shares of Common Stock under the Plan;

   NOW, THEREFORE, the Corporation and the Optionee agree as follows:

   1. Date of Grant of  Option.  The date of grant of the option  granted  under
this Agreement is the        day of              , 1993.

   2. Grant of  Option.  Pursuant  to the Plan,  the  Corporation  grants to the
Optionee the right  (hereinafter  referred to as the  "Option") to purchase from
the Corporation all or a portion of an aggregate number of         ( ) shares of
Common Stock (hereinafter referred to as the "Option Shares") which shall be 
authorized but unissued shares.

   3. Option Price.  The price to be paid for the Option Shares shall be 
Dollars ($ ) per share (hereinafter referred to as the "Option Price") which is
the fair market value of the Option Shares as determined by the Board as of the
date of grant of this Option.

   4.  Period  within  which  Option may be  Exercised.  Subject to any  further
restrictions  in this  Agreement,  the Optionee shall have the right to exercise
the Option to purchase the Option Shares at

                                                        10

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any time after the date of grant of this Option; and the Optionee, in his or her
discretion,  may exercise all or any portion of the Option, subject to paragraph
6 hereof. The Option shall terminate as provided in paragraph 7 hereof.

   5.          Change in Control.
               (a) In  connection  with the Option,  the Optionee has the right,
following a "change in control" (as defined in the Plan) of the Corporation, and
without regard to any  restrictions on exercise that would  otherwise  apply, to
surrender  any  unexercised  portion of the Option as the Optionee then may have
for a cash  payment  equal to the  amount  by which  the fair  market  value (as
determined by the Board) of the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to
the Option exceeds the aggregate Option Price therefor.

               (b) The Optionee  shall have the right to surrender the Option by
giving written notice to the Board as provided in paragraph 6 hereof at any time
prior to the earlier of (i) the date which is thirty (30) days after the date of
notice of a change in control or (ii) the date which is ten (10) years after the
date of grant of the Option as set forth in paragraph 1 hereof.

               (c) The  Option  may be  surrendered  for cash  pursuant  to this
paragraph  5 only when the market  value of Common  Stock  subject to the Option
exceeds the aggregate Option Price as provided in paragraph 3 above.

               (d) If the  Optionee  surrenders  the Option  for cash,  the cash
payment due to the Optionee  shall be made by the  Corporation no more than then
(10)  business  days after the date of the receipt by the Board of the notice of
surrender of the Option.

   6. Method of Exercise.  The Option or the right to  surrender  the Option for
cash as provided in paragraph 5 hereof  shall be exercised by written  notice to
the Board  signed by the  Optionee or by such other person as may be entitled to
exercise or to surrender the Option.  In the case of the exercise of the Option,
the aggregate  Option Price for the shares being purchased may be paid either in
cash or, with the approval of the Board,  in shares of the  Corporation's  stock
(valued  as  determined  by  the  Board  as of  the  date  of  exercise)  or any
combination thereof and the notice of exercise shall specify how payment will be
made.  The written notice shall state the number of shares with respect to which
the Option is being exercised or surrendered and, in the case of the exercise of
the Option,  shall either be accompanied by the payment of the aggregate  Option
Price for such shares or shall fix a date (not more than ten (10)  business days
after the date of such  notice)  by which the  payment of the  aggregate  Option
Price will be made.  The Optionee shall not exercise the Option to purchase less
than 100  shares,  unless the Board  otherwise  approves  or unless the  partial
exercise is for the remaining  shares  available under the Option. A certificate
or certificates  for the shares of Common Stock purchased by the exercise of the
Option  shall be issued in the  regular  course of  business  subsequent  to the
exercise of the Option and the payment therefor.  Neither the Optionee, nor any 

                                                        11

<PAGE>



other person who may be entitled to exercise  the Option,  shall have any of the
rights or privileges of a shareholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock
issuable  upon  exercise of the Option,  until  certificates  representing  such
shares shall have been issued and delivered and the individual's name entered as
a shareholder of record on the books of the Corporation for such shares.

   7.  Termination  of Option.  The Option and any right to surrender the Option
for cash shall terminate on the earlier of:

               (a) Except as provided in  subparagraphs  (b), (c) and (d) below,
the  Option,  to the  extent  that it has not  been  exercised,  surrendered  or
expired,  shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the date the Optionee leaves the
Board for any reason other than  retirement,  disability  or death (ii) the date
which is ten (10)  years  after the date of grant of the  Option as set forth in
paragraph 1 hereof.

               (b) In the event the Optionee  retires prior to the date which is
ten (10) years after the date of grant of the Option as set forth in paragraph 1
hereof,  the Optionee shall have the right to exercise the Option, to the extent
that it has not been exercised or  surrendered or expired,  for the remainder of
such ten (10) year period.

               (c) In the event the Optionee  becomes disabled prior to the date
which is ten (10)  years  after the date of grant of the  Option as set forth in
paragraph 1 hereof, the Optionee shall have the right to exercise the Option, to
the extent that it has not been exercised or surrendered by him or expired,  for
the remainder of such ten (10) year period.

               (d) In the event the Optionee  dies while serving on the Board or
after his or her retirement or after his or her leaving by reason of disability,
and  prior to the date  which is ten (10)  years  after the date of grant of the
Option as set forth in paragraph 1 hereof, the Option, to the extent that it has
not  been  exercised  or  surrendered  by the  Optionee  or  expired,  shall  be
exercisable,  according  to its  terms,  by  the  personal  representative,  the
executor or the administrator of the Optionee's estate, or the person or persons
who acquired the Option by bequest or inheritance from the Optionee, at any time
within  twelve (12) months  after the date of death of the  Optionee,  but in no
event may the Option or the right to surrender  the Option for cash be exercised
later than ten (10) years  after the date of grant of the Option as set forth in
paragraph 1 hereof.

   8. Effect of Agreement on Status of Optionee.  The fact that the Optionee has
been  granted  the Option  under the Plan shall not confer on the  Optionee  any
right to  continued  service on the  Board,  nor shall it limit the right of the
Corporation to remove the Optionee from the Board at any time.

  9. Listing and Registration of Option Shares. The Corporation's obligation to
issue  shares  of  Common  Stock  upon 

                                                        12

<PAGE>



exercise  of the Option is  expressly  conditioned  upon the  completion  by the
Corporation of any registration or other  qualification of such shares under any
state or federal law or  regulations or rulings of any  governmental  regulatory
body or the making of such investment  representations or other  representations
and agreements by the Optionee or any person  entitled to exercise the Option in
order  to  comply  with  the   requirements  of  any  exemption  from  any  such
registration or other  qualification of the Option Shares which the Board shall,
in its discretion,  deem necessary or advisable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the  Corporation  shall be under no obligation to register or qualify the Option
Shares  under  any  state or  federal  law.  The  required  representations  and
agreements referenced above may include  representations and agreements that the
Optionee, or any other person entitled to exercise the Option, (i) is purchasing
such  shares on his or her own  behalf as an  investment  and not with a present
intention  of  distribution  or resale and (ii)  agrees to have  placed upon any
certificates   representing  the  Option  Shares  a  legend  setting  forth  any
representations and agreements which have been given to the Board or a reference
thereto and stating that such shares may not be transferred except in accordance
with all  applicable  state and federal  securities  laws and  regulations,  and
further  representing that, prior to making any sale or other disposition of the
Option  Shares,  the  Optionee,  or any other  person  entitled to exercise  the
Option,  will give the Corporation notice of the intention to sell or dispose of
such shares not less than five (5) days prior to such sale or disposition.

   10.         Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization; Dissolution
or Liquidation.
               (a) In the  event of a change  in the  number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,  recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, exchange of shares, or other similar capital adjustment,
prior  to the  termination  of  the  Optionee's  rights  under  this  Agreement,
equitable  proportionate  adjustments  shall be made by the Board in the number,
kind, and the Option Price of shares subject to the  unexercised  portion of the
Option. The adjustments to be made shall be determined by the Board and shall be
consistent  with such  changes or changes in the  Corporation's  total number of
outstanding  shares;  provided,  however,  that no  adjustment  shall change the
aggregate Option Price for the exercise of the Option granted.

               (b) The grant of the Option under this Agreement shall not affect
in any way the right or power of the Corporation or its  shareholders to make or
authorize any adjustment,  recapitalization,  reorganization, or other change in
the  Corporation's   capital  structure  or  its  business,  or  any  merger  or
consolidation of the Corporation,  or to issue bonds,  debentures,  preferred or
other preference stock ahead of or affecting Common Stock or the rights thereof,
or the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, or any sale or transfer of
all or any part of the Corporation's assets or business.

               (c) Upon the effective date of the  dissolution or 
                                                        13

<PAGE>




liquidation of the Corporation, or of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation
of the Corporation with one or more other  corporations in which the Corporation
is not the surviving corporation, or the transfer of all or substantially all of
the assets or shares of the Corporation to another person or entity,  the Option
granted  under this  Agreement  and the right to  exercise or to  surrender  the
Option for cash in the event of a  "Terminating  Event" as  provided in the Plan
shall terminate.


   11. Non-Transferability. The Option granted under this Agreement shall not be
assignable or transferable except, in the event of the death of the Optionee, by
will or by the laws of descent  and  distribution.  In the event of the death of
the Optionee, the personal representative,  the executor or the administrator of
the  Optionee's  estate,  or the person or persons  who  acquired  by bequest or
inheritance  the right to exercise or to  surrender  the Option may  exercise or
surrender the  unexercised  Option or portion  thereof,  in accordance  with the
terms hereof,  prior to the date which is ten (10) years after the date of grant
of the Option as set forth in paragraph 1 hereof.

   12. Tax  Withholding.  The grant of the Option  and Option  Shares  delivered
pursuant to this Agreement,  and any amounts  distributed  with respect thereto,
may be subject to applicable federal, state and local withholding for taxes. The
Optionee   expressly   acknowledges  and  agrees  to  such  withholding,   where
applicable,  without  regard to whether  the  Option  Shares may then be sold or
otherwise transferred by the Optionee.

   13. Notices. Any notices or other communications  required or permitted to be
given under this Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently  given if  delivered  personally  or when  deposited  in the United
States mail as Certified Mail, return receipt requested,  properly addressed and
postage  prepaid,  if to the  Corporation,  at its principal office at 124 Water
Street,  Plymouth,  North Carolina 27962; and, if to the Optionee, at his or her
last address appearing on the books of the Corporation.  The Corporation and the
Optionee may change their address or addresses by giving  written notice of such
change as provided herein. Any notice or other communication  hereunder shall be
deemed  to have been  given on the date  actually  delivered  or as of the third
(3rd) business day following the date mailed, as the case may be.

   14. Construction  Controlled by Plan. This Agreement shall be construed so as
to be consistent  with the Plan;  and the provisions of the Plan shall be deemed
to be  controlling  in the event that any  provision  hereof should appear to be
inconsistent  therewith.  The Optionee hereby acknowledges  receipt of a copy of
the Plan from the Corporation.

   15.         Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be valid and
enforceable  under  applicable  law, but if any  provision of this 

                                                        14

<PAGE>



Agreement is determined to be unenforceable, invalid or illegal, the validity of
any other  provision  or part  thereof,  shall not be affected  thereby and this
Agreement  shall  continue  to be  binding  on the  parties  hereto  as if  such
unenforceable,  invalid  or  illegal  provision  or part  thereof  had not  been
included herein.

   16.  Modification  of  Agreement;  Waiver.  This  Agreement  may be modified,
amended, suspended or terminated,  and any terms,  representations or conditions
may be waived,  but only by a written  instrument  signed by each of the parties
hereto.  No waiver  hereunder  shall  constitute  a waiver  with  respect to any
subsequent  occurrence or other transaction  hereunder or of any other provision
hereof.

   17. Captions and Hearings; Gender and Number. Captions and paragraph headings
used herein are for convenience only, do not modify or affect the meaning of any
provision  herein,  are not a part  hereof,  and  shall not serve as a basis for
interpretation  or in  construction  of  this  Agreement.  As used  herein,  the
masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter, the singular number, the
plural, and vice versa, whenever such meanings are appropriate.

   18. Governing Law; Venue and  Jurisdiction.  Without regard to the principles
of conflicts of laws,  the laws of the State of North  Carolina shall govern and
control the  validity,  interpretation,  performance,  and  enforcement  of this
Agreement.  The parties  hereto  agree that any suit or action  relating to this
Agreement  shall be  instituted  and  prosecuted  in the courts of the County of
Washington,  State of North Carolina, and each party hereby does waive any right
or defense relating to such jurisdiction and venue.

   19.         Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall 
inure to the benefit of the Corporation, its successors and assigns, and shall 
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Optionee, his  heirs, legatees,
personal representatives, executors, and administrators.

   20. Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  constitutes  and embodies the entire
understanding  and  agreement  of the parties  hereto and,  except as  otherwise
provided hereunder, there are no other agreements or understandings,  written or
oral, in effect  between the parties  hereto  relating to the matters  addressed
herein.

   21.         Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed an 
original, but all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.



                                                        15

<PAGE>



   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this instrument to be executed
in its  corporate  name by its  President,  or one of its Vice  Presidents,  and
attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries, and its corporate
seal to be hereto affixed, all by authority of its Board of Directors first duly
given,  and the  Optionee has hereunto set his or her hand and adopted as his or
her seal the typewritten  word "SEAL" appearing beside his or her name, all done
this the day and year first above written.

                                        SEABOARD SAVINGS BANK, INC., SSB


                                        By: ___________________________________
                                                    Samuel J. Styons, President


Attest:

________________________________
Amber Bland, Corporate Secretary

[CORPORATE SEAL]





__________________________________
________________________, Optionee



                                                        16

<PAGE>






                                    EXHIBIT A


                              NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF
                            NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION

To:            The Board of Directors of Seaboard Savings Bank, Inc., SSB.

   The  undersigned  hereby  elects to purchase                whole shares of
Common Stock of Seaboard Savings Bank, Inc., SSB (the "Corporation") pursuant to
the Nonstatutory Stock Option granted to the   undersigned  in  that  certain
Nonstatutory  Stock Option Agreement between the Corporation and the undersigned
dated the    day of             , 1993. The aggregate purchase price for such 
shares is $          , which amount is (i) being tendered herewith, (ii) will 
be tendered on or before                , 199    , (cross out provision which  
does not  apply) in cash  and/or  stock of the Corporation  owned by me, and I 
request  that a value as of the date of exercise of the Option be placed on 
any stock being  tendered in payment of the  purchase price.  The  effective  
date of this election shall be               , 199   , or the date of receipt 
of this Notice by the Corporation if later.

   Executed this      day of                   , 199   , at
                                     .











   (Social Security Number)

                                                        17

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