F&M NATIONAL CORP
DEF 14A, 1998-03-26
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Filed by the Registrant [x]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:

[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential of Use of the Commission Only
    (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[x] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.  240.14a-11(c) or ss.  240.14a-12


                            F&M NATIONAL CORPORATION
                            ------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


                            F&M NATIONAL CORPORATION
                            ------------------------
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)




Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[x] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.



         1)     Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:


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


         2)     Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies


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

         3)     Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
                computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:*


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

         4)     Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:


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

         5)     Total fee paid:



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


[ ]      Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.


[ ]      Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
         Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
         was paid  previously.  Identify the previous  filing  by  registration
         statement  number,  or the  Form or Schedule and the date of its
         filing.



     1)Amount Previously Paid:  __________________________________________
     2)Form Schedule or Registration Statement No.:  _____________________
     3)Filing Party:  ____________________________________________________
     4)Date Filed:  ______________________________________________________

<PAGE>

[F & M logo]
F & M National Corporation
P. O. Box 2800 / Winchester, Virginia 22601


                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

         The Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  of F&M NATIONAL  CORPORATION  (the
"Company")  will be held at the TraveLodge of Winchester,  160 Front Royal Pike,
Winchester, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 28, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. for the
following purposes:

         1.       To elect thirteen directors to serve for the ensuing year;

         2.       To approve the F&M National  Corporation  1998 Employee  Stock
                  Discount   Plan,  as  more   particularly   described  in  the
                  accompanying Proxy Statement;

         3.       To approve an amendment  and  restatement  of the F&M National
                  Corporation 1992 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
                  (the "Stock Option Plan") and to increase the number of shares
                  available under the Stock Option Plan from 250,000 to 750,000,
                  as  more  particularly  described  in the  accompanying  Proxy
                  Statement;

         4.       To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of
                  Directors of Yount, Hyde Barbour,  P.C., independent certified
                  public accountants, as auditors of the Company for 1998; and

         5.       To transact  such other  business as may properly  come before
                  the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

         Only  shareholders  of record at the close of business on February  28,
1998, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

         Attendance  at the Annual  Meeting will be limited to  shareholders  of
record, persons holding proxies from shareholders and certain representatives of
the press and financial community. If you wish to attend the Annual Meeting, but
your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee,  you should
bring  with you  written  confirmation  from  such  nominee  of your  beneficial
ownership.

         You are  cordially  invited  to attend  the  Annual  Meeting in person.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting,  it is important that your shares
be represented.  Please complete,  sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card
promptly.  If you  attend  the  Annual  Meeting,  you  may  withdraw  any  proxy
previously given and vote in person.

         Due to limited seating space, lunch will not be served.

         Following the adjournment of the Annual Meeting, officers and directors
of the Company will be available to meet with you.

                                              By Order of the Board of Directors

                                              /s/ Michael L. Bryan
                                              --------------------
                                              Michael L. Bryan
                                              Corporate Secretary

Winchester, Virginia
March 30, 1998


<PAGE>







                            F&M NATIONAL CORPORATION

                         P R O X Y   S T A T E M E N T

                                     GENERAL

         This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation
of proxies by the Board of Directors of F&M National Corporation (the "Company")
to be voted at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held Tuesday, April
28, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. at the TraveLodge of  Winchester,  160 Front Royal Pike,
Winchester,  Virginia,  and any adjournment  thereof.  The  distribution of this
Proxy  Statement and related proxy  material will commence on or about March 30,
1998.

Voting and Revocation of Proxies

         All properly executed proxies  delivered  pursuant to this solicitation
will be voted at the  Annual  Meeting  in  accordance  with  instructions  noted
thereon or, if no  direction  is  indicated,  they will be voted in favor of the
proposals set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting.  Any  shareholder  giving a
proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before the proxy is voted by giving
written  notice to the  Secretary of the Company,  by executing or  delivering a
substitute  proxy or by attending  the Annual  Meeting and revoking the proxy at
the meeting.

Voting Rights of Shareholders

         Only  Shareholders  of record at the close of business on February  28,
1998,  will be  entitled  to notice of and to vote at the Annual  Meeting or any
adjournment thereof. As of the close of business on the record date,  20,389,759
shares of Common Stock, par value $2.00 per share, were outstanding and entitled
to vote  at the  Annual  Meeting.  The  Company  has no  other  class  of  stock
outstanding.  Each share of Common Stock will entitle the holder  thereof to one
vote on all matters to come before the Annual  Meeting.  A majority of the votes
entitled to be cast, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum
for the  transaction  of  business.  Shares for which the holder has  elected to
abstain  or to  withhold  the  proxies'  authority  to  vote  (including  broker
non-votes)  on a matter will count toward a quorum,  but will not be included in
determining the number of votes cast with respect to such matter.

Solicitation of Proxies

         The cost of the  solicitation  of proxies will be borne by the Company.
In addition to solicitation by use of the mails,  certain officers and employees
of the  Company  (who  will not be  compensated  in  addition  to their  regular
salaries)  may solicit  proxies  personally  or by  telephone.  The Company will
reimburse  brokerage firms, and other  custodians,  nominees and fiduciaries for
reasonable  expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy material to beneficial
owners of Company Common Stock.




<PAGE>


                      ELECTION OF DIRECTORS - PROPOSAL ONE

         The thirteen persons named below,  each of whom currently serves on the
Board of  Directors,  will be  nominated  to serve as  directors  until the 1999
Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their  successors have been duly elected
and qualified.  The persons named in the proxy will vote for the election of the
nominees named below unless authority is withheld.  If for any reason any of the
persons  named  below  should  become  unavailable  to  serve,  an  event  which
management does not anticipate, proxies will be voted for the remaining nominees
and such other person or persons as the Board of Directors  may  designate.  The
election  of each  nominee  requires  the  affirmative  vote of the holders of a
plurality of the shares of Common Stock cast in the election of directors.

         The  Board  of  Directors  recommends  that  shareholders  vote for the
nominees set forth below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          Served as                            Principal Occupation
          Name and Age                 Director Since                         During Past Five Years
          ------------                 --------------                         ----------------------
<S> <C>
Frank Armstrong, III (61)                   1985            Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
                                                            National Fruit Product Company, Inc. (food processor and
                                                            distributor), Winchester, Virginia.

William H. Clement (70)                     1988            Vice Chairman, Hidden Creek Industries, Inc. (a private
                                                            real estate investment company), Winchester, Virginia;
                                                            Retired in 1995 as Chairman of the Board of Automotive
                                                            Industries, Inc. and Vice Chairman of the Board of
                                                            Automotive Industries Holding, Inc. (automobile parts
                                                            manufacturer), Strasburg, Virginia.

Charles E. Curtis (59)                      1996            Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer, F&M
                                                            National Corporation and Vice Chairman of F&M
                                                            Bank-Winchester as of January 1, 1998;  President and
                                                            Chief Executive Officer of F&M Bank-Northern Virginia
                                                            from August 9, 1996 to December 31, 1997; President and
                                                            Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Bank and Trust Company
                                                            from  July 22, 1985 to August 8, 1996.

W. M. Feltner (78)                          1970            Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
                                                            Company; Chairman of the Board of F&M Bank-Winchester.

John R. Fernstrom (51)                      1997            Real Estate Investor; Chairman of the Board of F&M
                                                            Bank-Allegiance.

William R. Harris (69)                      1986            Chairman of the Board of Harris Heating & Plumbing, Inc.,
                                                            Richmond, Virginia; Chairman of the Board, F&M
                                                            Bank-Richmond.

L. David Horner, III (63)                   1986            Chairman of the Board of Horner Properties, Inc. (real
                                                            estate developer), Stuart, Florida.

Jack R. Huyett (65)                         1990            Retired President, Chief Administrative Officer and  Vice
                                                            Chairman of the Board of F&M National Corporation.

George L. Romine (86)                       1986            Retired Vice President and Director of Abex Corporation
                                                            (automobile parts manufacturer), Winchester, Virginia;
                                                            Retired Executive Director of the Winchester-Frederick
                                                            County Economic Development Commission.

J. D. Shockey, Jr. (55)                     1970            President of Shockey Industries, Inc. (general
                                                            construction contractor), Winchester, Virginia.

Ronald W. Tydings (58)                      1996            Attorney, President of the law firm of Tydings Bryan and
                                                            Adams, P.C., Fairfax, Virginia; Chairman of the Board,
                                                            F&M Bank-Northern Virginia.

Fred G. Wayland, Jr. (69)                   1994            Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of PNB
                                                            Financial Corporation (a bank holding company which
                                                            affiliated with the Company in 1994), Warrenton, Virginia.

Alfred B. Whitt (59)                        1997            President, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of
                                                            F&M National Corporation and Vice Chairman and Secretary
                                                            of F&M Bank-Winchester as of January 1, 1998; Senior Vice
                                                            President, Senior Financial Officer and Secretary of F&M
                                                            National Corporation from 1991 through 1997.

</TABLE>


         Mr. John S. Scully,  III, a director  since 1970,  is retiring as a
director as of the Annual  Meeting and will not stand for  re-election.  Mr.
Scully has been  elected  Director  Emeritus in honor of his long and valued
service.

Board of Directors and Committees

         During  1997,  the  Board of  Directors  held  twelve  regular  monthly
meetings.  No special  Board  meetings  were  held.  All  nominees  to the Board
attended  at least  75%,  in the  aggregate,  of the  meetings  of the Board and
committees on which they served.

         The standing  committees  of the Board of Directors  are the  Executive
Committee,  the  Audit  Committee,  the  Nominating  Committee,  and  the  Human
Resources Committee.

<PAGE>

         Executive  Committee.  The members of the  Executive  Committee  for
1997 were Messrs.  Clement,  Feltner, Harris,  Huyett,  and Romine.  The
Company's Bylaws empower the Executive  Committee to exercise the full authority
of the Board of Directors when it is not in session, except for certain matters
reserved to the Board by law.

         Audit  Committee.  The  Audit  Committee,  whose  members  are  Messrs.
Armstrong,  Horner,  Romine,  Scully,  and Tydings  recommends  the  independent
auditors to be selected by the Board,  discusses with the  independent  auditors
the scope of their proposed  audit,  reviews the audit  reports,  discusses with
management the implementation of the auditors' recommendations,  reviews the fee
of the  independent  auditors  for audit and  non-audit  services,  reviews  the
adequacy of the  Company's  system of internal  accounting  controls and reviews
reports  of audit  activities  performed  by the  Company's  staff  of  internal
auditors. This committee met four times during 1997.

         Nominating  Committee.  The Nominating  Committee was composed of
Messrs.  Clement,  Romine,  Shockey, and Wayland.  The  Nominating  Committee
recommends to the Board of Directors  candidates for election as directors of
the Company.  This committee met twice during 1997.

         Human Resources Committee. The members of the Human Resources Committee
are Messrs. Clement,  Romine, and Shockey. The primary  responsibilities of this
committee are to review and recommend to the Board of Directors  compensation of
senior  management.  This committee also  administers cash awards made under the
Company's Officers' Incentive Bonus Plan and the granting of stock options under
the Company's stock option plan.
This committee met once during 1997.

Directors' Fees

         During  1997,  each  director  received  $500  for each  Board  meeting
attended  through  June and $600 for each Board  meeting  attended  from July to
December. Each nonemployee director received, in addition, an annual retainer of
$6,500.  Board members were not  compensated  for committee  meetings  attended,
except that members of the Audit  Committee  and the Human  Resources  Committee
received  $200 for each  committee  meeting  attended.  Directors  also received
$1,200  annually to cover  travel,  lodging,  and related  expenses  incurred in
attending Board and committee meetings.


                        OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK

         The  following  table sets forth,  as of  February  28,  1998,  certain
information  with respect to the  beneficial  ownership of Company  Common Stock
held by each  director  and  nominee  and each  executive  officer  named in the
Summary  Compensation  Table  below,  and by the  directors  and  all  executive
officers as a group.

         As of February 28, 1998, no person beneficially owned 5% or more of the
Company's  Common Stock.  The  directors  and all executive  officers as a group
beneficially  owned as of that  date  6.5% of the  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock.



<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  Stock
                Name                                                          Ownership (1)
                ----                                                          -------------
           <S>  <C>
           Frank Armstrong, III........................................             15,937
           William H. Clement..........................................             87,771
           Charles E. Curtis...........................................            173,325(2)
           W. M. Feltner...............................................            171,650(2)
           John R. Fernstrom...........................................             13,173
           William R. Harris...........................................            108,868
           L. David Horner, III........................................             98,048
           Jack R. Huyett..............................................            109,204(2)
           George L. Romine............................................             26,151
           John S. Scully, III.........................................             90,643
           J. D. Shockey, Jr...........................................             29,718
           Ronald W. Tydings...........................................            171,120
           Fred G. Wayland, Jr.........................................              7,800
           Alfred B. Whitt.............................................             87,702(2)
           Betty H. Carroll............................................             90,445(2)

           All Directors & Executive Officers as a Group...............          1,334,954
</TABLE>

(1)      Includes  shares  held by  affiliated  corporations,  spouses and minor
         children,  and shares held  jointly with  spouses or as  custodians  or
         trustees for children and others.
(2)      Includes: 70,125 shares issuable to Mr. Feltner; 27,625 shares issuable
         to Mr. Huyett;  37,625 shares issuable to Mrs.  Carroll;  37,625 shares
         issuable to Mr. Whitt;  and 30,301 shares  issuable to Mr. Curtis under
         the Company's stock option plans.


                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The table below sets forth certain  information  concerning  the annual
and long-term  compensation  earned by the Chief Executive Officer and the other
four most highly compensated  executive  officers of the Company  (collectively,
the "Named  Officers")  for each of the past three years,  with the exception of
Mr.  Charles E. Curtis for whom  compensation  information  is provided only for
1997 in view of his recent  promotion to Vice Chairman and Chief  Administrative
Officer of the Company.



<PAGE>



                           Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                            Long-term
                                                                                    Compensation
                                                                                    ------------
                                                    Annual Compensation(1)           Securities
             Name and                               -----------------------          Underlying            All Other
        Principal Position            Year         Salary(2)         Bonus           Options(3)         Compensation(4)
        ------------------            ----         ---------       ---------         ----------         ---------------
<S> <C>
W. M. Feltner                         1997         $607,800         $225,000            20,000                $10,375
   Chairman of the Board/             1996          507,200          200,000            15,000                  7,500
   Chief Executive Officer            1995          507,200          180,000            10,000                  9,346

Jack R. Huyett                        1997         $267,800         $ 85,000            10,000                $10,375
   Retired President/Chief            1996          232,200           75,000             7,500                  9,750
   Administrative Officer             1995          207,200           65,000             5,000                  9,346

Betty H. Carroll                      1997         $250,000         $ 80,000            10,000                $10,375
   Senior Vice President;             1996          222,200           74,000             7,500                  9,761
   President/CEO, F&M                 1995          207,200           64,000             5,000                  9,346
   Bank-Winchester

Alfred B. Whitt                       1997         $191,400         $ 70,000            10,000                $10,375
   Vice Chairman, President,          1996          170,000           55,000             7,500                  9,723
   Chief Financial Officer            1995          157,200           45,000             5,000                  9,346

Charles E. Curtis                     1997         $177,800         $ 50,000             1,500                $10,375
   Vice Chairman, Chief
   Administrative Officer

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

(1)       Each Named Officer  received  certain  perquisites  and other personal
          benefits,  the amounts of which are not shown  because  the  aggregate
          amount of such compensation  during the year did not exceed the lesser
          of  $50,000  or 10% of  total  salary  and  bonus  reported  for  such
          executive officer.
(2)       Includes directors' fees.
(3)       The  Company's  stock option plan does not permit grants of restricted
          stock,  and this  plan is the  Company's  only  stock-based  long term
          compensation plan currently in effect.
(4)       These amounts  represent  Company  contributions  allocated  under the
          Company's  401(k)  Retirement  Plan and the Company's  Employee  Stock
          Ownership  Plan,  respectively,  to the Named Officers for 1997 in the
          following amounts:  W. M. Feltner,  $2,375 and $8,000; Jack R. Huyett,
          $2,375 and $8,000;  Betty H.  Carroll,  $2,375 and  $8,000;  Alfred B.
          Whitt, $2,375 and $8,000; and Charles E. Curtis, $2,375 and $8,000.

                           Stock Option Grants in 1997

         The  Company's  stock  option plan  provides  for the  granting of both
incentive  and  non-qualified  stock  options  to  executive  officers  and  key
employees  of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries.  While  the  option  price of
incentive options may not be less than the fair market value of the stock at the
date of grant, non-qualified options may be granted at prices less than the fair
market  value of the  Common  Stock on the date of grant,  but in no event at an
exercise price less than one-half of the market price on the date of grant.

         The following  table  provides  certain  information  concerning  stock
options granted during 1997 to the Named Officers.  No stock appreciation rights
may be granted under the Company's stock option plan.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                              Individual Grants
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Percent of
                      Number of       Total
                        Shares       Options                   Market
                      Underlying    Granted to    Exercise      Price                                  Potential
                       Options      Employees    Price per    on Grant     Expiration           Realizable Value (2)(3)
                                                                                            --------------------------------
       Name           Granted(1)     in 1997       Share        Date          Date         0%           5%            10%
       ----           ----------     -------       -----        ----          ----         --           --            ---
<S> <C>
W. M. Feltner            20,000        29.2%        $10.69     $21.375       1/2/07    $  213,700   $ 852,738   $  1,407,289
Jack R. Huyett           10,000        14.6          10.69      21.375       1/2/07       106,850     426,369        703,644
Betty H. Carroll         10,000        14.6          10.69      21.375       1/2/07       106,850     426,369        703,644
Alfred B. Whitt          10,000        14.6          10.69      21.375       1/2/07       106,850     426,369        703,644
Charles E. Curtis         1,500         2.2          10.69      21.375       1/2/07        16,027      63,955        105,546
</TABLE>
- --------------
(1)  The stock  options  granted  during 1997 to the Named  Officers  were
     granted on January 2, 1997,  and first became exercisable on that date.

(2)  Potential  realizable  value at the  assumed  annual  rates of stock  price
     appreciation based on actual option term (10 years) and annual compounding.

(3)  No allowance has been made for income taxes that will be due upon
     exercise.

            Stock Option Exercises in 1997 and Year-End Option Values

         The following table shows certain information with respect to the stock
options exercised during 1997 and the number and value of unexercised options at
year-end.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Number of                  Value of
                                                                        Shares Underlying            Unexercised
                                     Number of                             Unexercised               In-the-Money
                                  Shares Acquired        Value             Options at                 Options at
             Name                   on Exercise       Realized(1)     December 31, 1997(2)       December 31, 1997(3)
             ----                   -----------       -----------     --------------------       --------------------
<S> <C>
W. M. Feltner                          5,125           $ 93,241               50,125                 $1,239,205
Jack R. Huyett                           -0-                -0-               27,625                    687,368
Betty H. Carroll                       2,562             34,763               27,625                    687,368
Alfred B. Whitt                        1,025             13,909               27,625                    687,368
Charles E. Curtis                     10,932            138,508               20,301                    489,023
</TABLE>
- ---------------

(1)   Market value of underlying shares on the date of exercise, minus the
      option exercise price.

                                              (footnotes continued on next page)

<PAGE>

(2)  All  the  stock   options  shown  for  each  Named  Officer  are  currently
     exercisable.

(3)  Values are calculated by subtracting the exercise price from the fair
     market value of the stock at December 31, 1997

Employment Arrangements

         The Company has employment  agreements with certain executive officers,
including Mrs.  Carroll and Messrs.  Curtis,  Whitt and 25 senior  officers that
become  effective  upon a change in control of the  Company.  In the case of the
Named Officers, with the exception of Messrs. Feltner and Huyett, the Company or
its  successor  agrees to  continue  these  officers in its employ for a term of
three  years after the date of a change in control.  During the  contract  term,
these  officers  will retain  commensurate  authority and  responsibilities  and
compensation  benefits.  They will receive  base  salaries at least equal to the
immediate  prior year and bonuses at least equal to the annual  bonus paid prior
to the change in control.  If the officer's  employment is terminated during the
three  year  period  following  a change  in  control  other  than for  cause or
disability  as defined in the  agreement,  or if the  officer  should  terminate
employment  because a material  term of the contract is breached by the Company,
the officer will be entitled to a lump sum payment,  in cash, within thirty days
after the date of termination.  This lump sum will be equal to two times the sum
of the officer's base salary,  annual bonus,  and  equivalent  benefits for Mrs.
Carroll and Messrs.  Curtis and Whitt, and one times the sum of the other senior
officers' base salaries, annual bonuses, and equivalent benefits.


           HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The Human Resources  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Committee") has furnished the following report on executive compensation:

         The Committee has developed and implemented  compensation  policies and
plans  which  seek to  enhance  the  profitability  of the  Company  and,  thus,
shareholder  value.  In furtherance  of these goals,  the policies and plans are
designed to provide  competitive  levels of compensation that rely on annual and
longer term incentive  compensation to attract and retain corporate officers and
other key employees of outstanding  abilities and to motivate them to perform to
the full extent of their  abilities.  Both types of incentive  compensation  are
variable and closely tied to corporate and  individual  performance  in a manner
that  encourages a continuing  focus on building  profitability  and shareholder
value.

         In its review of management performance and compensation, the Committee
has taken into  account  management's  consistent  commitment  to the  long-term
success of the Company.  Based on its evaluation of these factors, the Committee
believes  that the senior  management  of the Company is  dedicated to achieving
significant  improvements  in  long-term  financial  performance  and  that  the
compensation  policies and plans the Committee has implemented and  administered
have contributed to achieving this management focus.

         Compensation  for each of the Named  Officers,  as well as other senior
executives,  consists  of a base  salary and annual  and longer  term  incentive
compensation.  The Committee  fixes base salaries at levels that are competitive
or  somewhat  below  the  competitive  amounts  paid to senior  executives  with
comparable  qualifications,  experience,  and responsibilities,  after comparing
salary  ranges  of  other  bank  holding   companies  and  other  large  locally
headquartered  companies.  The annual  incentive  compensation  is approved as a
percentage  of  the  net  income  of  the  Company.  The  longer-term  incentive
compensation is closely tied to the Company's  success in achieving  significant
financial  performance  goals.  The Committee  considers the total  compensation
(earned or  potentially  available) of each of the Named  Officers and the other
senior executives in establishing each element of compensation.

<PAGE>

         During the fourth  quarter of each year,  the Chief  Executive  Officer
submits to the  Committee  the annual  salaries for the past three years for the
Company's senior  executives (other than the Chief Executive  Officer),  and the
Committee reviews the salaries and  responsibilities of the officers,  and makes
any  modifications it deems  appropriate.  Salary proposals are developed by the
Company's Chief Executive  Officer based on industry peer groups,  surveys,  and
performance  judgments as to the past and expected future  contributions  of the
individual senior executives.

         In addition to internal measurements and goals, the Committee considers
return on average  assets (ROAA) and growth in total assets when  evaluating the
performance  of  executive  officers.  ROAA is a measure used in the industry to
compare the profitability of banking  companies.  For the period ending December
31, 1996, the Company's ROAA was 1.37%, compared to 1.21% for its 126 Peer Group
Banks (126 financial institutions,  like the Company,  between $1 billion and $3
billion in asset size, as supplied by the Federal  Reserve  Board's  Division of
Banking).  During the same period,  the  Company's  total assets grew at 25.74%,
compared to 16.44% for the Peer Group Banks. For a four-year average  comparison
of the Company's  performance  to the Peer Group Banks,  please see the table on
page 12.

CEO Compensation

         The Committee  reviews and fixes the base salary of the Chief Executive
Officer  based on  similar  competitive  compensation  data  similar  to  senior
executives  and the  Committee's  assessment  of his  past  performance  and its
expectation as to his future contributions in leading the Company.

         A salary increase of $100,000 was recommended for 1997.

         Although the 1997 salary and option  grant were not  measured  upon the
attainment  of  any  specific  goals  by  the  Company,  the  Committee,  in its
discretion and judgment in making these decisions,  took into  consideration his
individual  contribution to the Company's  performance for the prior fiscal year
reflected  by: (1) a $5,866,000  increase in net income,  and (2) a  $37,241,000
increase in  shareholders'  equity.  The growth of the Company for 1996 exceeded
$469,927,000  or 25.7%.  Peer group banks at December  31,  1996,  increased  by
16.4%.  Although the Committee,  in establishing this salary,  uses a subjective
approach  and does not rely on a formula  or  weights of  specific  factors,  it
carefully considers all the factors listed above.

Annual Incentives

         The Incentive  Compensation  Plan stresses  rewards for  achievement of
goals set each year.  Financial goals include  operating  earnings and return on
shareholders' equity. The formula for 1997 adopted by the Board of Directors was
as follows: 12% of net income in excess of 10% return on equity capital, plus 6%
of net income in excess of 11.5%  return on equity  capital.  At the end of each
year, this formula defines the total fund available for distribution as bonuses.

<PAGE>

         The  Committee  distributes  the incentive  fund to eligible  employees
based on the  Committee's  subjective  evaluation of individual  performance and
contribution to the Company and recommendations by certain senior officers.

         In  determining  the awards for 1997 from the  incentive  fund to other
eligible  employees,  including  other  Named  Officers  other  than  the  Chief
Executive  Officer,  the  Committee  reviewed with the Chief  Executive  Officer
recommendations  based on individual  performance,  as well as its evaluation of
factors  substantially  comparable to those considered in establishing the award
for the Chief Executive Officer.

         In  determining  the Chief  Executive  Officer's  award  for  1997,  in
addition to the factors discussed above, the Committee considered its evaluation
of the  Company's  performance  and the state of the  economy  in the  Company's
service area. The growth of the Company for the nine months ending September 30,
1997,  was 7.5% or  $171,213,000.  Net income  growth was 7.4% for the same time
period.  It considered  these factors both on an absolute  basis and relative to
the performance of the Company's peers.

Stock Incentives

         The Committee  considered the desirability of granting awards under the
Company's  Stock Option Plan which  provides the  Committee the  flexibility  to
grant longer-term  incentives in stock options.  The Committee believes that its
past grant of options has successfully  focused the Company's senior  management
on building  profitability and shareholder  value. Stock options granted in 1997
are reflected in the table, "Stock Option Grants in 1997".

         The awards were based,  among other things,  on a review of competitive
compensation  data from selected peer  companies and  information on their total
compensation  as well as the  Committee's  evaluation of their past and expected
future  contributions to the Company's  achievement of its long-term goals. Like
other  compensation  decisions,  the Committee  does not use a formula or weight
specific factors in recommending  stock options awards, but rather relies on its
own subjective evaluation.

         The foregoing report has been furnished by Messrs. Clement, Romine, and
Shockey.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

         During 1997 and up to the present time, there were transactions between
certain of the Company's  banking  subsidiaries and certain members of the Human
Resources Committee, or their associates, all consisting of extensions of credit
by the banks in the ordinary  course of business.  Each  transaction was made on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates, collateral and repayment
terms,  as those  prevailing at the time for  comparable  transactions  with the
general public. In the opinion of management,  none of the transactions  involve
more  than the  normal  risk of  collectibility  or  present  other  unfavorable
features.

         None of the members of the Human  Resources  Committee has served as an
officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates.



<PAGE>


                               SHAREHOLDER RETURN

         The  Company  is subject to the rules of the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  (the "SEC") that require all public  companies to present a graph of
total investment  return in their annual proxy  statements.  The rules require a
line graph which compares the Company's five-year cumulative  shareholder return
on its Common Stock with the Standard's & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500 Stock
Index")  and either a  published  industry  index or an index of peer  companies
selected by the Company.  The graph below presents a comparison of the Company's
performance with the S&P 500 Stock Index and the SNL Securities $1 to $5 Billion
Bank Index (the "SNL $1B-$5B Bank  Index"),  assuming that  investments  of $100
were  made on  December  31,  1992,  and that  dividends  were  reinvested.  SNL
Securities,  based in  Charlottesville,  Virginia,  is a research and publishing
firm  specializing in the collection and  dissemination of data on the financial
services industry.


              Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return Among
                F&M National Corporation, S&P 500 Stock Index and
                           the SNL $1B-$5B Bank Index



                                    [GRAPH]



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1992         1993          1994          1995          1996          1997
                                       ----         ----          ----          ----          ----          ----
<S> <C>
F&M National Corporation               100.00        98.57        102.25        133.53      148.24          244.96
S&P 500 Stock Index                    100.00       110.08        111.53        153.44      188.52          251.44
SNL $1B - $5B Bank Index               100.00       120.19        126.54        170.16      220.59          367.88
</TABLE>


         While the growth in the Company's  stock price over the past five years
has lagged behind the peer group, the Company has outperformed the S&P 500 Stock
Index in the last twelve months. The Company has outperformed its peer group for
the last  four  years  according  to other  measurements.  A review  of  certain
performance measurements for the four-year period ending September 30, 1997, for
the 126 Peer Group Banks with assets  ranging from $1 billion to $3 billion,  as
furnished  by  the  Federal  Reserve   System,   indicates  that  the  Company's
performance  compares  favorably to this peer group.  The table below presents a
comparison  of  selected  annual  performance  measurements,  averaged  for  the
four-year  period ending  September 30, 1997, for the Company and the Peer Group
Banks.



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Peer Group
                                                                                         Financial Institutions
                                                F&M National Corporation                Between $1 - $3 Billion
                                                ------------------------                -----------------------
<S> <C>
Return on assets                                          1.34%                                  1.17%
Asset growth                                             14.01%                                 15.17%
Equity capital to assets                                  9.87%                                  8.65%
Cash dividend/net income                                 45.61%                                 28.19%
Efficiency Ratio                                         62.00%                                 62.00%
Loan Growth                                              20.53%                                 16.73%
Net Loan Loss/Average Loans                               0.14%                                  0.27%
</TABLE>

           INTEREST OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

         During 1997,  the Company's  banking  subsidiaries  extended  credit to
directors and officers of the Company and its  subsidiaries.  All such loans (i)
were made in the ordinary  course of business,  (ii) were made on  substantially
the same terms, including interest rates and collateral,  as those prevailing at
the time for  comparable  transactions  with  other  persons,  and (iii) did not
involve  more than the normal  risk of  collectibility  or  present  unfavorable
features.

         The banking  subsidiaries  of the  Company,  pursuant to the  Company's
employee   loan   policy,   make   individual   general   purpose   loans  on  a
nondiscriminatory  basis to employees of  subsidiaries  at interest  rates below
those for comparable  transactions with other persons.  The banking subsidiaries
are prohibited  from making loans,  with the exception of residential  mortgages
and educational  loans, to executive officers in excess of certain dollar limits
fixed by banking laws.

         J. D. Shockey,  Jr., a director of the Company and F&M Bank-Winchester,
performed  work  for F&M  Bank-Winchester  during  1997 in  connection  with the
renovation of the 9 Court Square  Complex which was under  contract with Shockey
Industries,  Inc. Ronald W. Tydings, a director of the Company, is also Chairman
of the Board of F&M  Bank-Northern  Virginia,  a subsidiary of the Company.  Mr.
Tydings is  President of the Fairfax,  Virginia,  law firm of Tydings  Bryan and
Adams, P.C., which serves as legal counsel for that bank.

Compliance with Stock Ownership Reporting Requirements

         Pursuant to Section  16(a) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended,  directors and  executive  officers of the Company are required to file
reports  with the SEC  indicating  their  holdings  of and  transactions  in the
Company's  stock.  To the Company's  knowledge,  based solely on a review of the
copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that
no other reports were required, insiders of the Company complied with all filing
requirements during 1997.



<PAGE>


        APPROVAL OF THE 1998 EMPLOYEE STOCK DISCOUNT PLAN - PROPOSAL TWO

         The Board of Directors has adopted,  subject to  shareholder  approval,
the F&M National  Corporation  1998  Employee  Stock  Discount  Plan (the "Stock
Discount Plan"), to be effective January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2002.

         Approval of the Stock Discount Plan requires the affirmative  vote of a
majority of the shares  actually  voting,  in person or by proxy,  at the Annual
Meeting.

         The Board of Directors  recommends  a vote "FOR"  approval of the Stock
Discount Plan.

         The following is a summary  description of the material features of the
Stock  Discount  Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Stock
Discount  Plan, a copy of which is available upon request made in writing to the
Secretary of the Company.

Purpose

         The purpose of the Stock  Discount Plan is to provide  employees of the
Company a means to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock through payroll
deductions.  The Company  believes the adoption of the Stock  Discount Plan will
assist it in retaining employees, securing and retaining new employees, and will
provide incentives for employees to exert maximum efforts for the success of the
Company.

         The Stock  Discount  Plan is an "employee  stock  purchase  plan" under
section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").  That
section  provides  certain tax benefits to employees,  as explained  below.  The
Stock  Discount Plan is identical in all material  respects to the 1993 Employee
Stock Discount Plan, which expired by its terms on December 31, 1997.

Eligibility and Participation

         Regular employees of the Company with 6 months of service as of January
1 of a calendar year may participate for that calendar year. A regular  employee
is one who is customarily employed for more than 20 hours per week and more than
5 months per year.  All officers and  directors  who are eligible  employees may
participate.

         No employee is eligible  for the Stock  Discount  Plan if,  immediately
after such right is granted, the employee would own or be deemed to own stock of
the Company possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of
stock of the Company or any  affiliate of the Company.  No rights may be granted
that would  permit an  employee to  purchase  stock with a fair market  value in
excess  of  $25,000  (determined  at the time the  rights  are  granted)  in any
calendar year.

         Participation  by an eligible  employee is voluntary  for each calendar
year.  An  eligible  employee  who wishes to  participate  for a year does so by
electing to  contribute  from 1% to 15% of his or her actual  adjusted  base pay
(actual base pay plus  overtime and shift  premiums)  by payroll  deduction.  In
November of the year, a  participant  may elect to bring his or her total actual
contribution  up to 15% of  his  or her  annual  base  pay  rate  at  January  1
(annualized base pay without overtime or shift premiums) by designating that all
or some part of his or her bonus  payable in  December  be withheld as a special
payroll deduction.  Any participant  wishing to cease  participation in the Plan
for  the  calendar  year  may do so by  submitting  such  request  to  the  Plan
Administrator  before December 31. In such case, all payroll  deductions for the
calendar year will stop.

<PAGE>

Purchase of Stock

         By executing an election to participate in the Stock Discount Plan, the
employee is entitled to purchase  whole  shares of Common  Stock equal to 15% of
his or her  annual  base pay rate at  January  1  (annualized  base pay  without
overtime or shift  premiums)  divided by 85% of the per share  trading  price at
that time.  However,  the maximum  number of shares is limited for any  calendar
year to 50,000 shares plus, in the case of 1999 through 2002,  shares  available
to be offered but not  purchased by employees  under the Stock  Discount Plan in
prior years. The Plan  Administrator  may decide to offer fewer than the maximum
available number.

Purchase Price

         The  purchase  price per share is 85% of the  lesser of (1) the  Common
Stock's  trading price at January 1 or (2) the Common  Stock's  trading price at
December 31. Trading price means the closing price of Common Stock on the stated
date or the last  prior  date on which  trading  occurred  on the New York Stock
Exchange.

Administration

         The Plan is administered by the Human Resources  Committee of the Board
of Directors of the Company.  The Committee has the full power,  discretion  and
authority to interpret and administer the Stock Discount Plan.

Duration, Amendment and Termination

         The  Committee  or the Board may amend the Stock  Discount  Plan at any
time, except that it may not, without shareholder approval,  increase the number
of  shares  which  may  be  issued,  increase  the  15% of  base  pay  limit  on
contributions for a calendar year,  reduce the exercise price,  change the class
of employees  eligible to  participate  in the Stock  Discount  Plan,  or permit
issuance of stock  before  payment in full or modify any other  provision of the
Plan in a manner  that  would  materially  increase  the  benefits  accruing  to
participants or if such approval is required under Code Section 423.

         The Plan will continue for 5 years unless terminated earlier. The Board
may  terminate  the  Stock  Discount  Plan  at any  time,  in  which  case  each
participant's  then accumulated  payroll  deductions will be used for exercising
outstanding options as though the termination date was December 31.

Federal Income Tax Treatment

         Rights  granted  under the Stock  Discount Plan are intended to qualify
for  favorable  tax  treatment  under Code  sections  421 and 423.  Under  those
provisions,  a participant will be taxed on amounts withheld for the purchase of
shares as if such amounts were  actually  received.  Other than this,  no income
will be taxable to a participants  until the disposition of the shares acquired,
and the method of taxation will depend upon the holding  period of the purchased
shares.

         If the stock is  disposed  of after two years from the  January 1 as of
which the right to purchase  shares was granted (the "Grant Date") and more than
one year from the date the shares are transferred to the  participant,  then the
lesser  of (i) the  excess  of the  fair  market  value  of the  stock as of the
disposition  date over the purchase  price or (ii) the excess of the fair market
value of the stock as of the Grant Date over the purchase  price  (determined as
of the Grant Date) will be treated as ordinary  income.  Any further gain or any
loss will be taxed as long-term capital gain or loss.

         If the stock is sold or disposed of before the  expiration of either of
the holding periods described above, then the excess of the fair market value of
the stock on the date of transfer to the  participant  over the  purchase  price
will be treated as ordinary income at the time of such disposition.  The balance
of any gain will be treated as capital gain.  If the stock is later  disposed of
for less than its fair market value on the date of purchase,  the same amount of
ordinary  income is  attributable  to the  participant,  and a  capital  loss is
recognized  equal to the difference  between the sales price and the fair market
value of the  stock on such  purchase  date.  Any  capital  gain or loss will be
long-term or short-term  depending upon whether the stock has been held for more
than one year.

         There are no federal income tax  consequences  to the Company by reason
of the grant or exercise of rights under the Stock Discount Plan. The Company is
entitled to a deduction to the extent amounts are taxed as ordinary  income to a
participant,  subject to the Company's satisfaction of applicable federal income
tax withholding requirements.


       APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE INCENTIVE AND NON-QUALIFIED STOCK
                          OPTION PLAN - PROPOSAL THREE

General

         The Board of Directors  of the Company has  approved an  amendment  and
restatement of the Company's 1992 Incentive and Non-Qualified  Stock Option Plan
(the "Option Plan"),  subject to shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting. The
proposed Plan  amendment and  restatement  will increase the number of shares of
Common Stock reserved thereunder from 250,000 to 750,000 shares for the granting
of incentive  and  non-qualified  stock  options  (collectively,  "Options")  to
employees  of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries.  There are no other  material
modifications to the Option Plan.

         Approval of the  proposed  amendment  to the Option Plan  requires  the
affirmative  vote of a majority of the shares actually  voting,  in person or by
proxy, at the Annual Meeting.

         The  Board  of  Directors  recommends  a  vote  "FOR"  approval  of the
amendment to the Option Plan.

         The following is a summary  description of the material features of the
Option Plan and is  qualified in its entirety by reference to the Option Plan, a
copy of which is available  upon request made in writing to the Secretary of the
Company.

Purpose

         The Option Plan was approved by shareholders at the 1992 Annual Meeting
and will terminate in 2002.  There are 7,850 shares  available  under the Option
Plan for  additional  option  grants.  The  Board  of  Directors  believes  that
additional  shares are necessary to utilize  effectively  the Option Plan. For a
number of years the Company has provided stock-based compensation  opportunities
to executives and key employees under the Option Plan and its predecessor  stock
option plan. The Board of Directors believes the Option Plan and its predecessor
plan have served  their  purpose of  promoting a greater  identity of  interests
between  participants  and shareholders  and that similar  opportunities  should
continue  to be made  available.  However,  the number of shares  available  for
issuance under the Option Plan has been depleted.

<PAGE>

         The Board  believes  that,  by amending the Option Plan to increase the
number of shares reserved  thereunder,  the Option Plan will continue to benefit
the Company by (i)  assisting it in  recruiting  and  retaining  employees  with
ability and  initiative,  (ii)  providing  greater  incentives for employees who
provide valuable  services to the Company and (iii) associating the interests of
such persons with those of the Company through opportunities for increased stock
ownership.

Administration

         The Option Plan is administered by the Human Resources Committee of the
Board of  Directors of the Company.  In addition to selecting  the  employees to
whom Options are granted, the Committee has the authority to determine the terms
and conditions upon which Options may be made and exercised,  to determine terms
and provisions of each separate option agreement,  to construe and interpret the
Option  Plan  and  the  agreements,  to  establish,  amend  or  waive  rules  or
regulations   for  the  Option  Plan's   administration,   to   accelerate   the
exercisability of any Option, and to make all other  determinations and take all
other actions necessary or advisable for the administration of the Option Plan.

         The Board of Directors may  terminate,  amend or modify the Option Plan
from  time to time in any  respect  without  shareholder  approval,  unless  the
particular  amendment or modification  requires  shareholder  approval under the
Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as  amended  (the  "Code"),  the  rules  and
regulations  under  Section  16 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934  (the
"Exchange Act"), or pursuant to any other applicable laws, rules or regulations.

         The Plan will expire in 2002, unless sooner terminated by the Board.

Eligibility

         All employees of the Company and its  subsidiaries who are deemed to be
key  employees by the  Committee  are eligible for Options  under the Plan.  Key
employees   include   officers  or  other  employees  of  the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries who, in the opinion of the Committee,  can contribute significantly
to the growth and  profitability of, or perform services of major importance to,
the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company is not able to estimate the number
of  individuals  the Committee  will select to participate in the Option Plan or
the type or size of grants the Committee will approve.

Options

         The Option Plan  authorizes  the grant to employees of incentive  stock
options   within  the  meaning  of  Section  422A  of  the  Code   ("ISOs")  and
non-qualified  stock options ("NQSOs").  All Options granted as ISOs will comply
with all applicable  provisions of the Code, including the requirement that they
will not be exercisable after ten years from its grant, and all other applicable
rules and regulations governing ISOs.


<PAGE>


Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences

         Incentive Stock Options.  An optionee will not recognize  income on the
grant of an ISO,  and an optionee  generally  will not  recognize  income on the
exercise of an ISO, except as described in the following paragraph.  Under these
circumstances,  no deduction will be allowable to the Company in connection with
either  the  grant of such  Options  or the  issuance  of shares  upon  exercise
thereof.

         However,  if the exercise of an ISO occurs more than three months after
the optionee ceased to be an employee for reasons other than death or disability
(or more than one year  thereafter  if the optionee  ceased to be an employee by
reason of permanent and total  disability),  the exercise will not be treated as
the exercise of an ISO, and the optionee  will be taxed in the same manner as on
the exercise of a NQSO, as described  below. For the Option to qualify as an ISO
upon the optionee's  death,  the optionee must have been employed at the Company
for at least three months before his or her death.

         Gain or loss from the sale or exchange of shares acquired upon exercise
of an ISO generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. If, however, shares
acquired  pursuant to the  exercise  of an ISO are  disposed of within two years
after  the  Option  was  granted  or  within  one year  after  the  shares  were
transferred  pursuant to the exercise of the Option, the optionee generally will
recognize  ordinary  income at the time of the  disposition  equal to the excess
over the exercise price of the lesser of the amount  realized or the fair market
value of the shares at the time of exercise  (or, in certain  circumstances,  at
the time such shares became either  transferable or not subject to a substantial
risk of forfeiture).  The exercise of an ISO may result in a tax to the optionee
under the  alternative  minimum tax because as a general  rule the excess of the
fair market value of stock  received on the exercise of an ISO over the exercise
price is defined as an item of "tax  preference"  for  purposes  of  determining
alternative minimum taxable income.

         Non-qualified  Options.  A participant will not recognize income on the
grant of a NQSO,  but  generally  will  recognize  income upon the exercise of a
NQSO.  The  amount  of income  recognized  upon the  exercise  of a NQSO will be
measured  by the excess,  if any, of the fair market  value of the shares at the
time of  exercise  over  the  exercise  price.  In the case of  ordinary  income
recognized by an optionee in connection with the exercise of a NQSO, the Company
will be entitled to a deduction in the amount of ordinary  income so  recognized
by the  optionee,  provided the Company  satisfies  certain  federal  income tax
withholding requirements.


            INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS - PROPOSAL FOUR

         The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, has
appointed  Yount,  Hyde & Barbour,  P.C.,  as the Company's  independent  public
accountants for the year ending December 31, 1998, and has further directed that
management   submit  the  selection  of  independent   public   accountants  for
ratification by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.  Yount,  Hyde & Barbour,
P.C.,  has been  serving the  Company for many years.  This firm has advised the
Company  that  neither  the firm nor any member of the firm now has, or has held
during the past five  years,  any direct or indirect  financial  interest in the
Company or any of its subsidiaries.  Representatives of the firm are expected to
be present  at the Annual  Meeting  and will be given an  opportunity  to make a
statement  if  they  desire  to do so  and  will  be  available  to  respond  to
appropriate questions.



<PAGE>



                                  OTHER MATTERS

         As of the date of this Proxy  Statement,  management of the Company has
no  knowledge  of any matters to be presented  for  consideration  at the Annual
Meeting other than those referred to above.  If any other matter  properly comes
before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to
vote such proxy, to the extent entitled, in accordance with their best judgment.


                      PROPOSALS FOR THE 1999 ANNUAL MEETING

         The Company's  Bylaws provide that, in addition to any other applicable
requirements,  for  business  (including  shareholder  nominations  of  Director
candidates)  to be properly  brought before the Annual Meeting by a shareholder,
the  shareholder  must give  timely  notice in writing to the  Secretary  of the
Company at least 90 days prior to the Annual  Meeting.  As to each  matter,  the
notice must  comply with  certain  informational  requirements  set forth in the
Bylaws.

         The 1999 Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  is  scheduled  for April 27,
1999.


                           ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

         A copy of the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1997 filed with
the  Securities and Exchange  Commission,  excluding  exhibits,  can be obtained
without  charge  by  writing  to  Alfred  B.  Whitt,  President,   F&M  National
Corporation, P.O. Box 2800, Winchester, VA 22604.


                                              By Order of the Board of Directors

                                              Michael L. Bryan
                                              Corporate Secretary


Winchester, Virginia
March 30, 1998


<PAGE>


INSTRUCTIONS AND MAP TO TRAVELODGE OF WINCHESTER

Coming from Town.

Take  Route 50 East.  After you  cross  over  Interstate  I-81,  turn  right at
stoplight  onto  Route 522  South. TraveLodge will be on the right.

Coming from the South on I-81 (i.e., traveling northbound). EXIT 313.

Take Exit 313 for Route 50 in  Winchester.  After coming off the Exit,  continue
straight  through  stoplight  across  Route  50  (and  onto  Route  522  South).
TraveLodge will be on the right after going through the intersection.

Coming from the North on I-81 (i.e., traveling southbound). EXIT 313-A.

Take Exit 313-A onto Route 50 East in Winchester.  At stoplight, turn right onto
Route 522. TraveLodge will be on the right.

PLEASE USE "BANQUET ROOM" ENTRANCE.

TraveLodge's address is 160 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, VA  22602.
Telephone:  540-665-0685


<PAGE>

                            F&M NATIONAL CORPORATION

          This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.

         The undersigned,  revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Joseph E.
Kalbach,  Fred G. Wayland, Jr., and Thom F. Hanes as proxies, and each or any of
them with full power of  substitution,  and hereby  authorizes them to represent
and to vote, as designated below, all the shares of Common Stock of F&M NATIONAL
CORPORATION  held of record by the  undersigned  on February  28,  1998,  at the
Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  to be held April 28, 1998, or any  adjournment
thereof, on each of the following matters:

1. Election of directors:

  [ ] FOR all Nominees listed below           [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR
                                                  THOSE INDICATED BELOW

   Frank Armstrong, III; William H. Clement; Charles E. Curtis; W. M. Feltner;
   John R. Fernstrom;  William R. Harris; L. David Horner, III; Jack R. Huyett;
   George L. Romine; J. D. Shockey,  Jr.; Ronald W. Tydings;  Fred G. Wayland,
   Jr., and Alfred B. Whitt

INSTRUCTIONS:  To withhold  authority to vote for an individual  Nominee,  print
               the name of the Nominee in the space provided below.

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2. To approve the F&M National Corporation 1998 Employee Stock Discount Plan:

       [ ] FOR                   [ ] AGAINST                 [ ] ABSTAIN

3. To approve an amendment and restatement of the Company's 1992 Incentive and
   Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  Plan and to  increase  the number of shares of
   Company Common Stock reserved  thereunder the from 250,000 to 750,000 shares:


       [ ] FOR                   [ ] AGAINST                 [ ] ABSTAIN

4. To  ratify  the  selection  by the  Audit  Committee  of the  Board  of
   Directors of Yount, Hyde & Barbour,  P.C., independent certified public
   accountants, as auditors of the Company for 1998:


       [ ] FOR                   [ ] AGAINST                 [ ] ABSTAIN

5. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
   business  as may  properly  come  before  the  meeting.  The  Board  of
   Directors has not been notified of any such matters.

         This  Proxy,  when  properly  executed,  will be  voted  in the  manner
directed  herein by the undersigned  shareholder.  If no direction is made, this
Proxy will be voted "FOR" each proposal. All joint owners MUST sign.

         Please  sign  exactly  as your name  appears  hereon.  When  signing as
attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee or guardian, please give full title
as such.

DATED:____________________ , 1998
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Signature
NUMBER OF SHARES

- -----------------------
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Signature (if jointly owned)

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   PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE & RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


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