FCNB CORP
S-4, 1998-11-03
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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        As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 3, 1998
                                            Registration Statement No. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           The Securities Act of 1933

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

                                    FCNB Corp
             (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                 <C>                                         <C>
         Maryland                                 6021                                 52-1479635
(State or Other Jurisdiction                (Primary Standard                  (IRS Employer I.D. Number)
of Incorporation or Organization)   Industrial Classification Code Number)
</TABLE>

                                 7200 FCNB Court
                            Frederick, Maryland 21703
                                 (301) 662-2191
     (Address, including ZIP Code and Telephone Number, including Area Code
                  of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

                                A. Patrick Linton
                      President and Chief Executive Officer
                                    FCNB Corp
                                 7200 FCNB Court
                            Frederick, Maryland 21703
                                 (301) 662-2191
            (Name, Address, including ZIP Code and Telephone Number,
                   including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

                                   Copies to:
                             David H. Baris, Esquire
                             Noel M. Gruber, Esquire
                         Kennedy, Baris & Lundy, L.L.P.
                          4719 Hampden Lane, Suite 300
                               Bethesda, MD 20814
                                 (301) 654-6040

Approximate  date of  commencement  of proposed  sale to the public:  As soon as
practicable  after  the  effective  date  of  this  Registration  Statement.
If securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with
the  formation  of a  holding  company  and  there is  compliance  with  General
Instruction  G,  check the  following  box.  |_|
If this form is being filed to register  additional  securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration  statement number in the earlier  effective
registration statement for the same offering. |_| _________________
If this form is a  post-effective  amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under
the  Securities  Act,  check  the  following  box and  list the  Securities  Act
registration  statement number in the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering. |_| _________________

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
Title of Each Class of Securities                               Proposed Maximum           Proposed Maximum            Amount of
        to be Registered          Amount to be Registered  Offering Price Per Unit(1) Aggregate Offering Price(1)  Registration Fee

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                     <C>               <C>                          <C>   
Common Stock, $1.00 par value               413,327                 $23.25                   $9,609,852.75             $2,671.53
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)  Estimated  solely for  purposes  of  calculating  the  registration  fee in
accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT  SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT
SHALL  THEREAFTER  BECOME  EFFECTIVE  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  SECTION  8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES  ACT OF  1933  OR  UNTIL  THE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION,  ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.


<PAGE>




                                    FCNB CORP

                    NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                  TO BE HELD ON
                            _________________, 199__

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF FCNB CORP:

     A Special  Meeting of  Shareholders  (the  "Meeting") of FCNB Corp ("FCNB")
will be held on _____________, _______________, 199__ at __:00 __.M. local time,
at FCNB's headquarters,  7200 FCNB Court, Frederick, Maryland, for the following
purposes:

     (1) To consider and vote on a proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of
Merger,  dated as of  September  2, 1998 and amended as of November 2, 1998 (the
"Agreement")  among FCNB, its wholly owned  subsidiary,  First Choice  Insurance
Company,  Inc. ("First  Choice") and Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc.  ("Frederick
Underwriters"),  Phillips Insurance Agency,  Inc.  ("Phillips"),  Carroll County
Insurance Agency, Inc. ("Carroll County"), pursuant to which:

     (i)  Frederick  Underwriters  will be  merged  with and into  FCNB and each
     outstanding   share  of  Frederick   Underwriters   Common  Stock  will  be
     automatically  converted  into  372.67  shares of FCNB Common  Stock;

     (ii) Phillips will be merged with and into FCNB and each outstanding  share
     of Phillips Common Stock will be automatically  converted into 78.42 shares
     of FCNB Common Stock; and

     (iii) Carroll County will be merged with and into FCNB and each outstanding
     share of Carroll County Common Stock will be  automatically  converted into
     33.12 shares of FCNB Common Stock;  

subject in each case to adjustment and limitation as set forth in the Agreement.

     Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional  shares. A copy of the Agreement is
attached as Exhibit A to the accompanying Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

     (2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting
or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

     Shareholders  of FCNB as of the close of business on  ______________,  1998
are  entitled  to notice  of,  and vote at,  the  Meeting  and any  adjournments
thereof.

     The Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus is set forth on the following pages
and a proxy card is  enclosed  herewith.  To ensure  that your vote is  counted,
please  complete,  sign,  date  and  return  the  proxy  card  in the  enclosed,
postage-paid  return envelope,  whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting in
person.  If you attend  the  Meeting,  you may  revoke  your proxy and vote your
shares  in  person.  However,  attendance  at the  Meeting  will  not of  itself
constitute  revocation of a proxy. If your shares are not registered in your own
name, you will need additional  documentation from your recordholder in order to
vote personally at the Meeting.

                                      By Order of the Board of Directors


                                      Helen G. Hahn, Secretary

            , 1998

   PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
       ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.


<PAGE>

                          FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC.
                         PHILLIPS INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
                      CARROLL COUNTY INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
                NOTICE OF JOINT SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                  TO BE HELD ON

                            _________________, 199__

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF:    Frederick Underwriters, Inc.
                           Phillips Insurance Agency, Inc.
                           Carroll County Insurance Agency, Inc.

     A Joint  Special  Meeting of  Shareholders  (the  "Meeting")  of  Frederick
Underwriters,   Inc.,  Phillips  Insurance  Agency,  Inc.,  and  Carroll  County
Insurance Agency, Inc., will be held on _____________, _______________, 199__ at
__:00 __.M. local time, at 1201 East Patrick Street,  Frederick,  Maryland,  for
the following purposes:

     (1) To consider and vote on a proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of
Merger,  dated as of  September  2, 1998 and amended as of November 2, 1998 (the
"Agreement")  among  FCNB  Corp,  its  wholly  owned  subsidiary,  First  Choice
Insurance  Agency,  Inc.  ("First  Choice"),  and Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc.
("Frederick  Underwriters"),  Phillips Insurance Agency,  Inc.  ("Phillips") and
Carroll County Insurance Agency, Inc. ("Carroll County"), pursuant to which:

     (i)  Frederick  Underwriters  will be  merged  with and into  FCNB and each
     outstanding   share  of  Frederick   Underwriters   Common  Stock  will  be
     automatically  converted  into  372.67  shares of FCNB Common  Stock;  

     (ii) Phillips will be merged with and into FCNB and each outstanding  share
     of Phillips Common Stock will be automatically  converted into 78.42 shares
     of FCNB Common Stock; and

     (iii) Carroll County will be merged with and into FCNB and each outstanding
     share of Carroll County Common Stock will be  automatically  converted into
     33.12 shares of FCNB Common Stock;

subject in each case to adjustment and limitation as set forth in the Agreement.

     Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional  shares. A copy of the Agreement is
attached as Exhibit A to the accompanying Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

     (2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting
or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

     The Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus is set forth on the following pages
and a proxy card is  enclosed  herewith.  To ensure  that your vote is  counted,
please  complete,  sign,  date  and  return  the  proxy  card  in the  enclosed,
postage-paid  return envelope,  whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting in
person.  If you attend  the  Meeting,  you may  revoke  your proxy and vote your
shares  in  person.  However,  attendance  at the  Meeting  will  not of  itself
constitute  revocation of a proxy. If your shares are not registered in your own
name, you will need additional  documentation from your recordholder in order to
vote personally at the Meeting.

                                     By Order of the Boards of Directors


                                     --------------------, -----------

              , 1998
- --------------

   PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
       ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.


<PAGE>



                       COMBINED PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

       Proxy Statement                              Proxy Statement
Special Meeting of Shareholders          Joint Special Meetings of Shareholders
             of                                FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC.
         FCNB CORP                            PHILLIPS INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
       ___________, 1998                   CARROLL COUNTY INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
                                                     _______, 1998

                                   Prospectus
             Relating to 413,327 Shares of Common Stock of FCNB Corp

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

     This Proxy  Statement  and  Prospectus  (the  "Proxy  Statement")  is being
furnished to the holders of the common stock of  Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc.,
Phillips Insurance Agency,  Inc. and Carroll County Insurance Agency,  Inc., and
to the  holders of the common  stock of FCNB Corp.  The Boards of  Directors  of
these  companies  are  seeking  your proxy for use at the  Special  Meetings  of
Shareholders of Frederick  Underwriters,  Phillips and Carroll County to be held
on ____________,  1998, and at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of FCNB to be
held on __________________, 1998, or at any postponement or adjournment thereof.
This Proxy Statement is initially being mailed on or about ______________, 1998.

     The purposes of the Special  Meetings are to: (1) To consider and vote on a
proposal to approve the Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated as of September 2,
1998 and  amended as of  November  2, 1998,  among FCNB Corp,  its wholly  owned
subsidiary,  First Choice Insurance  Company,  Inc. and Frederick  Underwriters,
Phillips,  and Carroll  County,  pursuant to which each share of common stock of
Frederick Underwriters,  Phillips, and Carroll County will be converted into the
number of shares of FCNB Common Stock set forth below:

     Frederick Underwriters             372.67 shares of FCNB Common Stock
     Phillips                            78.42 shares of FCNB Common Stock
     Carroll County                      33.12 shares of FCNB Common Stock

A copy of the Agreement is attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.

     (2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting
or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The date, time and place of the Meetings are as follows:

               FCNB CORP                       UNDERWRITERS COMPANIES

______, _____________, 1998              ______, _____________, 1998
____  __.M.                              ____  __.M.
7200 FCNB Court                          1201 East Patrick Street
Frederick, Maryland  21703               Frederick, Maryland  21701

     This Proxy  Statement  also  constitutes  the  Prospectus  relating  to the
issuance of up to 413,327 shares of the FCNB Common Stock to be issued under the
Agreement.  FCNB Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq  National  Market with the
symbol of "FCNB".

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY
STATE NOR THE BOARD OF  GOVERNORS  OF THE  FEDERAL  RESERVE  SYSTEM OR ANY OTHER
FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR THE
MERGER  DESCRIBED  HEREIN,  OR  DETERMINED  IF THE  DISCLOSURES  IN  THIS  PROXY
STATEMENT ARE ACCURATE OR ADEQUATE, OR IF THE MERGER IS FAIR. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.  THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE NOT
BEEN  APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE  MARYLAND   COMMISSIONER  OF  FINANCIAL
REGULATION OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AGENCY OF ANY STATE, NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER
OR ANY SUCH  AGENCY  PASSED  UPON THE  ADEQUACY  OF THIS  PROXY  STATEMENT.  ANY
REPRESENTATION OF THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

           The date of this Proxy Statement is _______________, 1998.


<PAGE>



FREDERICK  UNDERWRITERS,  PHILLIPS AND CARROLL  COUNTY HAVE  SUBSTANTIAL  COMMON
OWNERSHIP, AND EACH OPERATES UNDER THE NAME "FREDERICK  UNDERWRITERS".  THEY ARE
COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS THE "UNDERWRITERS  COMPANIES",  AND EACH IS REFERRED
TO AS AN "UNDERWRITERS COMPANY" IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

                     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FCNB CORP

     FCNB files annual,  quarterly and special  reports,  proxy  statements  and
other information with the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the "SEC").  You
may read and copy any reports, proxy statements and other information FCNB files
with the SEC at the Public  Reference  Room of the SEC,  450 Fifth  Street,  NW,
Washington,  DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public
Reference  Room by calling the SEC at  1-800-SEC-0330.  Copies of FCNB's filings
can also be obtained from commercial  document  retrieval  services and from the
website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

     The  SEC  allows  companies  which  file  information  with  it to  provide
information  by   "incorporating   by  reference"  into  a  proxy  statement  or
prospectus.  This means that important information can be disclosed by referring
you to another document, filed separately with the SEC. Information incorporated
by  reference  is  deemed to be part of this  Proxy  Statement,  except  for any
information  superseded  in a  document  with a later  date,  or in  this  Proxy
Statement.

     The following documents filed by FCNB with the SEC, which contain important
information about FCNB and its finances, are incorporated herein by reference:

     (1)  FCNB's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended  December  31,
          1997;

     (2)  FCNB's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
          1998 and June 30, 1998;

     (3)  FCNB's Current  Reports on Form 8-K dated June 9, 1998, June 23, 1998,
          July 14, 1998 and September 2, 1998;

     (4)  The description of FCNB Common Stock contained in FCNB's  Registration
          Statement on Form 8-A filed April 24, 1997;

     (5)  Financial  information  regarding Capital Bank, National  Association,
          and proforma financial information  reflecting the combination of FCNB
          and Capital Bank, included in the combined Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
          relating to the Special  Meeting of Shareholders of FCNB to be held on
          November 4, 1998.

     All other documents filed by FCNB pursuant to Sections 13(a),  13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  after  the  date of this  Proxy
Statement and prior to final  adjournment  of the Meetings are also deemed to be
incorporated  by reference in this Proxy  Statement and to be a part hereof from
the date of filing of such documents.

     FCNB WILL  PROVIDE  COPIES  OF ANY OF THE FCNB  DOCUMENTS  INCORPORATED  BY
REFERENCE HEREIN AND NOT DELIVERED  HEREWITH (NOT INCLUDING EXHIBITS UNLESS SUCH
EXHIBITS  ARE  SPECIFICALLY  INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE  HEREIN),  TO ANY PERSON
RECEIVING A COPY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT,  WITHOUT CHARGE,  UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL
REQUEST DIRECTED TO:

    MARK A. SEVERSON, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER
    FCNB CORP
    7200 FCNB COURT
    FREDERICK, MARYLAND 21703
    (301) 662-2191

                                      - 2 -


<PAGE>



IN ORDER TO INSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS  INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE,  ANY
REQUEST SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY FCNB NO LATER THAN __________________, 1998.

     Neither FCNB nor the  Underwriters  Companies have authorized any person to
give any  information or make any  representation  about them,  other than those
contained  in this  Proxy  Statement,  and you  should  not  rely on any of such
information or representations. Neither the delivery of this Proxy Statement nor
the issuance of any shares  creates,  under any  circumstances,  any implication
that  there  has  been no  change  in the  affairs  of FCNB or the  Underwriters
Companies since the date of this Proxy Statement.  This Proxy Statement does not
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation  of an offer to buy any securities
offered hereby in any  jurisdiction  in which such offer or  solicitation is not
authorized  or in which the  person  making  such offer or  solicitation  is not
authorized  or in which the  person  making  such offer or  solicitation  is not
qualified  to do so or to anyone to whom it is  unlawful  to make such  offer or
solicitation.

     Forward Looking Statements.  This Proxy Statement contains  forward-looking
statements,  within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities  Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), about the financial condition, results
of  operations  and  business  of FCNB  following  consummation  of the  Merger,
including  statements  relating  to  cost  savings,  and  business  enhancements
anticipated  to be  realized  as a result of the  Merger,  and the impact of the
Merger on FCNB's financial performance,  and also including statements of goals,
intentions,   and  expectations,   regarding  or  based  upon  general  economic
conditions,  interest  rates,  developments  in national and local markets,  and
other  matters,   and  which,  by  their  nature,  are  subject  to  significant
uncertainties.

     Factors which may cause actual results to differ from those contemplated by
these forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
expected cost savings may not be fully realized;  customer loss and revenue loss
following  the  Merger  may  be  greater  than  anticipated;  the  cost  of,  or
difficulties  related to  integration  of Capital  Bank into FCNB may be greater
than  anticipated;  changes in the general  interest  rate  environment,  reduce
interest rate margins; or changes in economic conditions in general,  nationally
or regionally,  may result in a  deterioration  of credit  quality,  among other
things.  Additionally,  FCNB's  future  financial  performance  may be adversely
impacted by the inability of FCNB to cause its information,  communications  and
environmental  systems to be capable of  correctly  recognizing  and  processing
dates after December 31, 1999 ("Y2K Compliant") as currently anticipated, and in
any event,  prior to January 1, 2000.  Factors which may cause actual results to
differ from current Y2K compliance  plans include  increased  costs of achieving
Y2K Compliance,  delayed  timeframes for implementing and testing Y2K compliance
measures,  and  delays by FCNB's  vendors  in  becoming  Y2K  Compliant,  or the
inability  of such  vendors  to become Y2K  Compliant  prior to January 1, 2000.
Additionally, FCNB's performance may be adversely affected by the failure of its
customers or  governmental  authorities to become Y2K Compliant prior to January
1, 2000. Because of these  uncertainties and the assumptions on which statements
in this Proxy Statement are based,  actual future results may differ  materially
from those contemplated by such statements.

                                      - 3 -


<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               Page
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
Additional Information About FCNB Corp.............................................................................

Summary Information................................................................................................

Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data.....................................................................

The Meetings.......................................................................................................

The Merger.........................................................................................................

FCNB Corp..........................................................................................................

Comparison of Shareholder Rights and Certain Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of FCNB...................

The Underwriters Companies.........................................................................................

Legal Matters......................................................................................................

Experts............................................................................................................

Index to Audited Combined Financial Statements.....................................................................

Index to Unaudited Combined Financial Statements...................................................................

Exhibit A - Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger.....................................................A-1

Exhibit B - Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law.........................................B-1
</TABLE>

                                      - 4 -


<PAGE>

                               SUMMARY INFORMATION

The  following  summary  information  does not  contain  all of the  information
regarding  FCNB, the  Underwriters  Companies and the Merger which is important.
This Summary  should be read in conjunction  with the more detailed  information
and financial  statements,  including the notes thereto,  appearing elsewhere in
this  Proxy  Statement,   including  the  exhibits  hereto,  and  the  documents
incorporated by reference herein.  Shareholders are urged to carefully read this
Proxy Statement in its entirety.

THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER

     FCNB.  FCNB is a bank  holding  company  registered  under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (the  "BHCA"),  and as of September 30, 1998 had
approximately  $1.07 billion in total assets and $82.97 million of shareholders'
equity. FCNB's principal subsidiary,  FCNB Bank, currently operates twenty-eight
offices in Frederick, Anne Arundel,  Baltimore,  Carroll, Howard, Montgomery and
Prince  George's  Counties,   Maryland.  FCNB  is  awaiting  completion  of  its
acquisition of Capital Bank, National Association.  Assuming all shareholder and
regulatory  approvals are received,  Capital Bank will be merged into FCNB Bank.
As of September  30, 1998,  Capital Bank had  approximately  $172.07  million in
assets,  $12.28 million in shareholder equity and operated four offices,  one in
Rockville,  Maryland, one in Tysons Corner, Virginia and two in Washington, D.C.
FCNB's principal  executive  offices are located at 7200 FCNB Court,  Frederick,
Maryland 21703, and its telephone number is (301) 662-2191.

     First Choice is the wholly owned insurance  subsidiary of FCNB Bank.  Prior
to this  Merger,  First  Choice  engaged  mainly  in the sale of  annuities  and
insurance  investment  products.  The Agreement,  as amended,  provides that the
assets and  liabilities  of the  Underwriters  Companies  will be transferred to
First Choice  immediately after  effectiveness of the Merger.  First Choice will
change its name to  "Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc." after the Merger,  and will
continue the business of the Underwriters Companies. Following the Merger, First
Choices' main office will be located in Middletown, Maryland.

     For  additional  information  concerning  FCNB,  its  business,   financial
condition,  and results of operations,  see "Additional  Information  About FCNB
Corp"; "Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data" and "FCNB Corp."

     As of September 30, 1998 there were  7,905,917  shares of FCNB Common Stock
outstanding.   Between   1,626,068  and  1,987,357  shares  will  be  issued  to
shareholders of Capital Bank upon  completion of that merger.  FCNB Common Stock
is quoted on Nasdaq under the symbol "FCNB".

     The Underwriters Companies.  Frederick  Underwriters,  Phillips and Carroll
County are multiline  general insurance  agencies  operating in central Maryland
under the name "Frederick  Underwriters".  Frederick Underwriters,  Phillips and
Carroll County have substantial  common  ownership,  and each operates under the
name  "Frederick  Underwriters".  They  are  collectively  referred  to  as  the
"Underwriters Companies",  and each is referred to as an Underwriters Company in
this Proxy  Statement.  The  Underwriters  Companies had  aggregate  revenues of
approximately  $5.4 million in 1997 (excluding  non-recurring  securities gains)
and $4.3 million for the first nine months of 1998.

     The  President  and  principal  shareholder  of  each  of the  Underwriters
Companies is J.R. Ramsburg, Jr., a director of FCNB Corp and FCNB Bank.

THE MERGER

         General.  The  Underwriters  Companies  and FCNB,  together  with First
Choice,  have  entered into an  Agreement  and Plan of Merger (as  amended,  the
"Agreement") under which each of the Underwriters  Companies will be merged with
and into FCNB (the "Merger").  In connection with the Merger,  each  outstanding
share of

                                      - 5 -


<PAGE>



Common  Stock of the  Underwriters  Companies  will,  automatically  and without
further action, be converted into shares of FCNB Common Stock as follows:

                                         NUMBER OF SHARES OF
          COMPANY                         FCNB COMMON STOCK

Frederick Underwriters                         372.67

Phillips                                        78.42

Carroll County                                  33.12

EXCHANGE OF UNDERWRITERS COMPANY STOCK CERTIFICATES

     The conversion of Underwriters  Company Common Stock into FCNB Common Stock
will occur  automatically upon effectiveness of the Merger.  However,  until you
surrender  your  Underwriters  Company stock  certificates  in exchange for FCNB
Common  Stock  certificates,  you will not be entitled to receive  dividends  or
other  distributions on FCNB Common Stock.  Promptly after the  effectiveness of
the Merger,  FCNB or FCNB's transfer agent (the "Exchange Agent") will mail each
Underwriters  Company shareholder  information  regarding the exchange of his or
her shares.

     UNDERWRITERS   COMPANY   SHAREHOLDERS   SHOULD  NOT  FORWARD   THEIR  STOCK
CERTIFICATES  TO FCNB, THE EXCHANGE AGENT OR THE  UNDERWRITERS  COMPANIES  UNTIL
THEY HAVE  RECEIVED  TRANSMITTAL  FORMS.  SHAREHOLDERS  SHOULD NOT RETURN  STOCK
CERTIFICATES WITH THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY.

     Each share of FCNB Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger
will be unchanged  by the Merger,  and will  continue to represent  one share of
FCNB  Common  Stock.  See  "The  Merger  --  Consideration  to  be  Received  by
Shareholders of the Underwriters Companies," "Description of FCNB Common Stock."

     It is anticipated that FCNB  shareholders will not experience any immediate
dilution  in  earnings  per share as a result of the  Merger,  based upon FCNB's
expectations  of the  earnings  of First  Choice  following  the  Merger.  These
expectations include assumptions regarding cost savings,  operating efficiencies
and growth  opportunities to be achieved as a result of the Merger. There can be
no assurance that these  expectations  will be realized.  FCNB shareholders will
experience dilution of their percentage ownership interest in FCNB, and in their
relative voting power.

     Closing Date. Under the Agreement,  the Closing of the Merger will occur on
a date  specified in writing by the parties  (the  "Closing  Date"),  which date
shall be as soon as practicable,  but not more than fifteen (15) days, after the
last  condition  precedent  to the  consummation  of the Merger set forth in the
Agreement  has been  fulfilled or waived.  See "The Merger --  Conditions to the
Merger."

     Reasons  for  the  Merger.   The  Boards  of  Directors  of  FCNB  and  the
Underwriters  Companies are in unanimous  agreement that the proposed  Merger of
the Underwriters Companies with First Choice is in the best interests of each of
their  respective  companies.   The  acquisition  of  the  Underwriters  Company
insurance brokerage business will enable FCNB to expand the range of products it
offers to its customers,  and to increase the amount of its non-interest  income
and the  percentage  of total  income  coming  from  non-interest,  non-banking,
sources.   FCNB   believes   that  the  expanded   business  and   cross-selling
opportunities  presented by the acquisition of the Underwriters  Companies is in
the best interests of FCNB and its shareholders.

     The Board of Directors of each of the Underwriters Companies has determined
that the Merger is fair,  and in the best  interests of their  shareholders.  In
considering  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  Merger,  the  Boards  of  the
Underwriters  Companies  considered,  among other things: the financial terms of
the Merger; the financial condition

                                      - 6 -


<PAGE>



and historical performance of FCNB; and the operational and competitive benefits
of the Merger. See "The Merger - - Reasons for the Merger" and "-- Background of
the Merger."

     Recommendations  of the  Board  of  Directors.  The  respective  Boards  of
Directors  of FCNB  and  each of the  Underwriters  Companies  have  unanimously
approved the proposed  Merger and recommend that their  shareholders  vote "FOR"
the proposed Merger.

     Special Meetings and Vote Required.  The Joint  Shareholder  Meeting of the
Underwriters  Companies at which the Merger will be  considered  will be held on
_______,  _______,  1998 at ____ P.M.  local time, at 1201 East Patrick  Street,
Frederick,  Maryland.  Holders of record on ______ __,  1998 (the  "Underwriters
Record  Date")  will be  entitled  to notice of and to vote at the  Underwriters
Shareholder Meeting. At least a majority of the total number of shares of Common
Stock of each  Underwriters  Company is necessary to  constitute a quorum at the
Underwriters Companies Shareholder Meeting.

     The affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Common Stock
of each  Underwriters  Company is required to approve the Merger.  Each share of
Common Stock of each Underwriters  Company is entitled to one vote in respect of
the Merger. See "The Meetings -- The Underwriters Company Shareholder Meeting."

     As of the  Underwriters  Companies  Record  Date,  there were 986 shares of
Frederick  Underwriters Common Stock outstanding,  120 shares of Phillips Common
Stock and 1,391 shares of Carroll County Common Stock. Mr. J.R.  Ramsburg,  Jr.,
the President of each of the Underwriters  Companies and a director of FCNB, has
the power to vote 79.51% of the outstanding Frederick Underwriters Common Stock,
100% of the  outstanding  Phillips  Common  Stock and  81.9% of the  outstanding
Carroll County Common Stock (including 290 shares of Carroll County Common Stock
owned by Frederick Underwriters).  Mr. Ramsburg has stated that he will vote all
of the  shares he has the power to vote in each  company  for the  Merger.  As a
result, approval of the Merger at the Underwriters Companies Meeting is assured.
See "The Merger -- Certain Related Agreements and Interests of Certain Persons."
See "The Underwriters  Shareholder Meeting -- Purpose of the Shareholder Meeting
and Vote Required."

     The FCNB Shareholder Meeting at which the Merger will be considered will be
held on ________,  _______,  1998 at ____ P.M. local time, at FCNB headquarters,
7200 FCNB Court, Frederick,  Maryland.  Holders of record on ________, 1998 (the
"FCNB  Record  Date")  will be  entitled  to  notice  of and to vote at the FCNB
Shareholder Meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least a majority
of the total number of shares entitled to vote is necessary to conduct  business
at the FCNB Shareholder Meeting.

     The  affirmative  vote of at least  two-thirds of all votes  entitled to be
cast at the FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting is required  to approve the Merger.  Each
share of FCNB Common Stock is entitled to one vote.  As of the FCNB Record Date,
there were ________________________  shares of FCNB Common Stock outstanding and
entitled to vote. As of  _______________________,  1998, directors and executive
officers of FCNB beneficially owning an aggregate of  __________________________
shares  (____________%)  of the issued and  outstanding  FCNB Common  Stock have
indicated that they intend to vote in favor of the Merger.

     Voting  and   Revocation  of  Proxies.   Shares  of  Common  Stock  of  the
Underwriters  Companies  represented by properly executed proxies received at or
prior to the Underwriters Companies Meeting and not subsequently revoked will be
voted as directed by shareholders. Shares as to which the "ABSTAIN" box has been
marked,  and  shares  held in  street  name  by  brokers  for  which  no  voting
instructions are given ("broker  non-votes"),  will be treated as shares present
and  entitled  to vote for quorum  purposes,  but will have the effect of a vote
against the Merger. IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFIC  INSTRUCTIONS,  PROPERLY EXECUTED
PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE MERGER.

     Any holder of  Underwriters  Company Common Stock who has delivered a proxy
may revoke it at any time before it is voted by (i) delivering written notice of
revocation to J.R. Ramsburg, Jr., President of the Underwriters

                                      - 7 -


<PAGE>



Companies,  prior to the  Underwriters  Companies  Meeting,  (ii)  granting  and
delivering a later dated proxy, or (iii) by attending the Underwriters Companies
Meeting and voting the shares in person.

     Shares of FCNB  Common  Stock  represented  by  properly  executed  proxies
received  at or prior  to the  FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting  and not  subsequently
revoked  will be voted as  directed  by  shareholders.  Shares  as to which  the
"ABSTAIN"  box has been  marked and broker  non-votes  will be treated as shares
present and entitled to vote for quorum purposes,  but will have the effect of a
vote  against the Merger.  IN THE  ABSENCE OF  SPECIFIC  INSTRUCTIONS,  PROPERLY
EXECUTED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS TO APPROVE THE MERGER.

     Any holder of FCNB Common Stock who has  delivered a proxy may revoke it at
any  time  prior  to  the  exercise  of the  authority  granted  thereby  by (i)
delivering  written  notice of such  revocation  to Helen G. Hahn,  Secretary of
FCNB,  prior to the FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting,  (ii) granting and  delivering a
later dated proxy,  or (iii) attending the FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting and voting
the shares in person.

     If your shares are not  registered in your name,  you will need  additional
documentation from your recordholder to vote the shares in person.

     Conditions  to the Merger.  Completion of the Merger is subject to numerous
conditions, including but not limited to, obtaining the approval by the required
vote of the shareholders of each of the Underwriters Companies and FCNB, receipt
of certain regulatory  approvals,  and the receipt of certain tax and accounting
opinions and letters. See "The Merger -- Conditions to the Merger."

     Dissenters'  Rights.  Holders of  Underwriters  Companies  Common Stock who
object to the  Merger and  comply  with  certain  procedural  requirements,  are
entitled to obtain payment in cash of the fair value of such holder's shares. In
order to be  entitled  to  appraisal  rights a  shareholder  must (a)  deliver a
written  objection  to the  Merger at or prior to the  Underwriters  Shareholder
Meeting; (b) ensure that his or her shares are not voted (or deemed to have been
voted) to approve  the  Merger,  and (c) after the Merger is  consummated,  make
timely written demand for payment. If a judicial determination of the fair value
of Underwriters Company common stock held by such shareholder is necessary, such
determination  may result in a value that is more than,  less than,  or equal to
the consideration  which would have been paid by FCNB pursuant to the Agreement.
Holders of FCNB Common  Stock will not be entitled to dissent from the Merger or
obtain the payment in cash of the fair value of such holders' shares.

See "The Merger -- Dissenters' Rights."

CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     The Merger has been  structured so that  shareholders  of the  Underwriters
Companies will not recognize gain or loss as a result of the conversion of their
shares of Common  Stock into shares of FCNB Common  Stock,  except to the extent
they receive cash in lieu of fractional  shares of FCNB Common  Stock.  FCNB and
the  Underwriters  Companies  have  received  an  opinion  of Kevin P.  Kennedy,
Esquire,  special tax counsel to FCNB, as to certain  anticipated federal income
tax  consequences  of  the  Merger.  For a  more  extensive  discussion  of  the
anticipated federal income tax consequences of the Merger to shareholders of the
Underwriters   Companies,   see  "The  Merger  --  Certain  Federal  Income  Tax
Consequences."

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER

     Certain  members  of the  management  of the  Underwriters  Companies  have
interests in the Merger that are in addition to their  interests as shareholders
of the Underwriters Companies. In particular, Mr. J.R. "Ray" Ramsburg, III, Vice
President  of  the  Underwriters  Companies,  has  entered  into  an  employment
agreement with First Choice and the Bank providing for his continued  employment
as President of First  Choice  following  the Merger.  Mr. J.R.  Ramsburg,  Jr.,
President of the  Underwriters  Companies,  has entered  into an agreement  with
First Choice under

                                      - 8 -


<PAGE>



which he will act as a consultant to First Choice following the Merger. See "The
Merger -- Certain Related Agreements and Interests of Certain Persons."

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

     It is  anticipated  that the Merger will be  accounted  for as a pooling of
interests under generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  See "The Merger --
Accounting Treatment."

COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS

     Upon consummation of the Merger,  holders of Underwriters  Companies Common
Stock,  will become  shareholders  of FCNB.  Accordingly,  their  rights will be
governed by the  Maryland  General  Corporation  Law (the  "MGCL") as it affects
large public  companies,  and the  Articles of  Incorporation,  as amended,  and
Bylaws  of  FCNB.  Certain  differences  in  shareholders'   rights  arise  from
differences between the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Underwriters
Companies  and FCNB,  including,  among other  things,  the number of authorized
shares of capital stock, the voting rights of certain  shareholders,  the notice
requirements  for  nominations of directors and  presentation of new business at
meetings  of  shareholders,  the  number  and  term of  directors,  removal  and
vacancies  on  the  Boards  of  Directors  and  the   applicability  of  certain
anti-takeover  provisions  of law. See  "Comparison  of  Shareholder  Rights and
Certain Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of FCNB."

     UNDERWRITERS   COMPANY   SHAREHOLDERS   SHOULD  NOT  FORWARD   THEIR  STOCK
CERTIFICATES  TO FCNB, THE EXCHANGE AGENT OR THE  UNDERWRITERS  COMPANIES  UNTIL
THEY HAVE  RECEIVED  TRANSMITTAL  FORMS.  SHAREHOLDERS  SHOULD NOT RETURN  STOCK
CERTIFICATES WITH THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY. 

MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK

     FCNB Common Stock is traded by eight market  makers and is quoted on Nasdaq
under  the  symbol  "FCNB".   The   Underwriters   Company  Common  Stocks  have
historically  been  traded  only on a  limited  basis  in  privately  negotiated
transactions.  No dealers offer to make a market in the  Underwriters  Companies
Common Stocks, and they are not quoted on any organized market.

     The  following  table sets  forth the last  trade  prices per share of FCNB
Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq on September 1, 1998,  the last  business day
preceding the public  announcement  of the Merger and the  equivalent  per share
price of the Underwriters  Company Common Stocks. The equivalent per share price
shown  below is the product of  multiplying  the number of shares into which the
Underwriters  Companies  Common Stocks will be converted by the last trade price
of FCNB Common Stock on September 2, 1998, of $26.00 per share.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                PRICE AT                                 FCNB COMMON STOCK
        COMPANY             SEPTEMBER 1, 1998     CONVERSION RATIO     AT SEPTEMBER 1, 1998      EQUIVALENT PER SHARE PRICE

<S>                               <C>                  <C>                    <C>                         <C>     
Frederick Underwriters            (1)                  372.67                 $26.00                      $9689.42

Phillips                          (1)                   78.42                 $26.00                      $2038.92

Carroll County                    (1)                   33.12                 $26.00                      $861.12
</TABLE>

(1)  To the knowledge of the Underwriters Companies, there have been no sales of
     the Common Stock of any Underwriters Company within the last two years.

                                      - 9 -


<PAGE>



                 SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

     The following tables show summarized historical financial data for FCNB and
the Underwriter Companies. Because FCNB is in the process of seeking shareholder
and  regulatory  approvals  for the  acquisition  of  Capital  Bank,  historical
information is also shown for FCNB and Capital Bank combined.

     The information  presented is based on historical  financial statements for
each company.  The  information  shown for the six month periods is derived from
unaudited financial statements and includes,  in the opinion of management,  all
adjustments  (consisting  of only normal  recurring  adjustments)  necessary  to
present  fairly the data for such period.  The results for the six month periods
do not  necessarily  indicate  performance  for the full year. The financial and
other data set forth below is not complete and should be read together with, and
is qualified in its entirety by, the more  detailed  information,  including the
consolidated  financial  statements of FCNB and related notes,  appearing in its
1997 Annual Report to Shareholders,  incorporated by reference  herein,  and the
consolidated  financial  statements  of Capital Bank included in its 1997 Annual
Report to  Shareholders,  incorporated  by  reference  herein  and the  combined
financial  statements of the Underwriters  Companies  included elsewhere in this
proxy statement.

                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>




                  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA FOR FCNB
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         At or for the six
                                       months ended June 30,               At or for the years ended December 31,
                                    ---------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------
                                         1998         1997          1997         1996        1995        1994        1993
                                         ----         ----          ----         ----        ----        ----        ----
                                                          (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                  <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>      
SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS:
Total interest income                  $   34,265   $  30,181      $  63,191   $   54,653  $  51,126   $  43,892   $  41,691
Total interest expense(1)                  17,495      14,342         31,012       25,014     22,759      17,010      16,054
                                      --------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                        16,770      15,839         32,179       29,639     28,367      26,882      25,637
Provision for credit losses                   450         462          1,329          318        710         525         765
                                      --------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after
  provision for credit losses              16,320      15,377         30,850       29,321     27,657      26,357      24,872
Net securities gains (losses)                 313         144            580          193        123         375      (1,183)
Non-interest income (excluding net
  securities gains (losses))                3,490       2,601          5,540        4,068      3,795       2,503       4,497
Non-interest expenses                      13,109      12,082         23,949       24,470     20,689      19,191      18,013
                                      --------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Income before provision for income taxes    7,014       6,040         13,021        9,112     10,886      10,044      10,173
Provision for income taxes                  2,214       1,983          4,218        3,245      3,888       3,272       3,301
                                      --------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                  4,800       4,057      $   8,803   $    5,867  $   6,998   $   6,772   $   6,872
Other comprehensive income (loss),
  net of taxes                                695         683          2,912          (26)     2,680      (3,285)      1,135
                                      --------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income                   $    5,495   $   4,740      $  11,715   $    5,841  $   9,678   $   3,487   $   8,007
                                      =========================== =============================================================
Net income before merger-related
  expenses                             $    4,834   $   4,342      $   9,088   $    7,778  $   7,301   $   6,999   $   6,872
                                      =========================== =============================================================

PER SHARE DATA:(2)
  Basic earnings                       $     0.61   $    0.52      $    1.12   $     0.74  $    0.89   $    0.86   $    0.88
  Diluted earnings                           0.61        0.52           1.12         0.74       0.89        0.86        0.88
  Cash dividends declared                    0.263       0.204          0.428        0.368      0.375       0.330       0.263
  Book value at period-end                  10.27        9.17           9.83         8.78       8.52        7.64        7.47
  Shares outstanding at period-end      7,887,257   7,859,221      7,883,045    7,868,021  7,770,929   7,729,159   7,719,749
  Weighted average shares outstanding:
    Basic                               7,886,671   7,862,624      7,871,824    7,893,303  7,841,505   7,855,109   7,822,380
    Diluted                             7,921,303   7,877,009      7,891,428    7,911,215  7,861,071   7,873,581   7,831,051

BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD-END):

  Total assets                         $1,021,646   $ 849,615       $918,084     $779,169   $660,984    $627,050    $603,497
  Total loans, net of unearned income     587,022     533,433        574,105      497,995    439,794     390,177     336,916
  Total deposits                          681,570     608,191        616,512      587,074    529,988     505,202     485,543
  Federal funds purchased and securities
    sold under agreements to repurchase    65,129      38,090         65,163       40,739     21,043      25,103      32,304
  Other short-term borrowings             187,136     126,140        152,138       76,516     32,426      26,089      13,776
  Long-term debt                               --          --             --           --      5,680       7,000      10,106
  Total shareholders' equity               80,977      72,072         77,518       69,110     66,219      59,037      57,689

PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
  Return on average total assets(3)          1.04%       1.02%          1.07%        0.84%      1.09%       1.14%       1.23%
  Return on average total assets before
    merger-related expenses(3)               1.05        1.09           1.09         1.11       1.14        1.17        1.23
  Return on average shareholders' equity(3) 12.22       11.69          12.25         8.92      11.21       11.79       12.73
  Return on average shareholder's equity
    before merger-related expenses(3)       12.31       12.51          12.65        11.82      11.70       12.18       12.73
  Average equity to average assets           8.53        8.72           8.65         9.39       9.73        9.63        9.67
  Cash dividends declared to net income     43.13       39.64          38.77        49.86      41.61       36.62       30.32
- --------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)  Net of $108,000 and $300,000 of capitalized construction period interest in
     1996 and 1995,  respectively. 
(2)  Adjusted  to  reflect  the  four  for  three  stock  split in the form of a
     dividend paid in April 1998 (the "Stock Split").
(3)  Information for the six month periods is annualized.

                                     - 11 -


<PAGE>

             PRO FORMA COMBINED SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                              FOR FCNB AND CAPITAL
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           At or for the six
                                         months ended June 30,               At or for the years ended December 31,
                                       --------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                            1998        1997          1997         1996        1995        1994        1993
                                            ----        ----          ----         ----        ----        ----        ----
                                                             (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>     
SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS:
Total interest income                   $  40,573   $  35,623      $  74,627  $   63,757   $  58,413   $  50,078   $ 47,094
Total interest expense(1)                  20,200      16,495         35,721      28,569      25,576      19,009     17,997
                                       -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                        20,373      19,128         38,906      35,188      32,837      31,069     29,097
Provision for credit losses                   570         557          1,524         408       1,080         705      1,035
                                       -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after
  provision for credit losses              19,803      18,571         37,382      34,780      31,757      30,364     28,062
Net securities gains (losses)                 313         146            580         193         123         377     (1,095)
Non-interest income (excluding net
  securities gains (losses))                3,935       2,969          6,386       4,799       4,571       3,294      5,387
Non-interest expenses                      15,689      14,645         29,293      29,138      24,994      23,085     21,790
                                       -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Income before provision for income 
 taxes                                      8,362       7,041         15,055      10,634      11,457      10,950     10,564
Provision for income taxes                  2,740       2,383          5,029       3,836       3,183       3,072      2,911
                                       -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                  5,622       4,658         10,026       6,798       8,274       7,878      7,653
Other comprehensive income (loss),
  net of taxes                                687         641          2,897         (26)      2,875      (3,435)     1,135
                                       -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income                    $   6,309   $   5,299      $  12,923  $    6,772   $  11,149   $   4,443   $  8,788
                                       ========================== =============================================================
Net income before merger-related
  expenses                              $   5,656   $   4,943      $  10,311  $    8,709   $   8,577   $   8,105   $  7,653
                                       ========================== =============================================================
                              
PER SHARE DATA:(2)
  Basic earnings                        $    0.59   $    0.49      $    1.05  $     0.71   $    0.88   $    0.85   $   0.83
  Diluted earnings                           0.58        0.49           1.05        0.71        0.88        0.85       0.83
  Cash dividends declared                   0.217       0.169          0.354       0.305       0.314       0.281      0.224
  Book value at period-end                   9.68        8.64           9.26        8.27        7.95        7.15       6.90
  Shares outstanding at period-end      9,573,239   9,503,014      9,524,574   9,505,713   9,381,934   9,062,101  9,052,410
  Weighted average shares outstanding
    Basic                               9,547,061   9,501,309      9,511,612   9,512,584   9,354,005   9,235,569  9,185,622
    Diluted                             9,612,831   9,550,665      9,576,973   9,546,849   9,379,143   9,256,451  9,194,293
                                   
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD-END):
  Total assets                          $1,188,818  $ 990,102      $1,079,571 $  909,603   $ 766,572   $ 711,898   $681,332
  Total loans, net of unearned income     692,979     626,459        674,568     583,826     501,283     445,814    391,954
  Total deposits                          816,813     727,858        745,486     690,710     615,084     576,052    552,702
  Federal funds purchased and securities
    sold under agreements to repurchase    83,262      47,497         84,827      55,203      32,251      29,896     37,577
  Other short-term borrowings             183,023     127,038        153,387      76,946      32,826      29,215     13,967
  Long-term debt                               --          --             --          --       5,680       7,000     10,106
  Total shareholders' equity               92,712      82,107         88,209      78,567      74,615      64,783     62,748
                                    
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
  Return on average total assets(3)          1.04%       1.00%          1.03%       0.84 %      1.13%       1.17%      1.21%
  Return on average total assets before
    merger-related expenses(3)               1.05        1.07           1.06        1.07        1.17        1.20       1.21
  Return on average shareholders' equity    12.53       11.78          12.24        9.12       11.89       12.55      13.13
  Return on average shareholder's equity
    before merger-related expenses(3)       12.61       12.50          12.59       11.68       12.32       12.91      13.13
  Average equity to average assets           8.31        8.53           8.44        9.16        9.51        9.30       9.25
  Cash dividends declared to net income     36.82       34.53          34.04       43.03       35.21       31.48      27.23
- ------------------------------------   
</TABLE>

(1)  Net of $108,000 and $300,000 of capitalized construction period interest in
     1996 and 1995, respectively.
(2)  Adjusted  to reflect  the Stock  Split.  Additionally,  the  amounts  shown
     reflect  the  conversion  of  Capital  Bank  common  stock  at  an  assumed
     conversion ratio of 1.6864 shares of FCNB Common Stock per share of Capital
     Bank common stock.
(3)  Information for the six month periods is annualized.

                                     - 12 -


<PAGE>



         SELECTED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA FOR THE UNDERWRITERS COMPANIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               At or for the six
                                              months ended June 30,               At or for the years ended December 31,
                                            --------------------------   -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1998        1997          1997         1996        1995        1994        1993
                                                  ----        ----          ----         ----        ----        ----        ----
                                                        (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                            <C>            <C>            <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>    
SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS:
Total interest income                          $     4        $     5        $    48     $    45    $    50     $    45     $    46
Total interest expense                             137            104            257         156        145         123         138
                                              -------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------

Net interest income (loss)                        (133)           (99)          (209)       (111)       (95)        (78)        (92)
Provision for credit losses                         --             --             --          --         --          --          --
                                              -------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income (loss) after
  provision for credit losses                     (133)           (99)          (209)       (111)       (95)        (78)        (92)
Net securities gains (losses)                      375             --            158          --         --          --          35
Non-interest income (excluding net
  securities gains (losses))                     2,879          2,825          5,405       5,962      5,929       5,770       5,447
Non-interest expenses                            2,670          2,501          5,244       5,718      5,612       5,518       5,208
                                              -------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Income before provision for income taxes           451            225            110         133        222         174         182
Provision for income taxes                         174             87             41          55         15         (19)         48
                                              -------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                         277            138             69          78        207         193         134
Other comprehensive income (loss),
  net of taxes                                    (213)            61             22          (7)        35          76          30
                                              -------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income                           $    64        $   199        $    91     $    71    $   242     $   269     $   164
                                            ========================== =============================================================
Net income before merger-related
  expenses                                     $   277        $   138        $    69     $    78    $   207     $   193     $   134
                                            ========================== =============================================================

PER SHARE DATA:
  Basic earnings                               $110.93        $ 55.27        $ 27.63     $ 31.24    $ 82.90     $ 74.32     $ 51.60
  Diluted earnings                              110.93          55.27          27.63       31.24      82.90       74.32       51.60
  Cash dividends declared                           --             --          50.50       34.11      43.08       32.73       39.64
  Book value (deficit) at period-end            (25.63)        (36.64)        (77.29)     (94.11)    (93.31)    (166.73)    (257.99)
  Shares outstanding at period-end               2,497          2,497          2,497       2,497      2,497       2,597       2,597
  Weighted average shares outstanding:
    Basic                                        2,497          2,497          2,497       2,497      2,497       2,597       2,597
    Diluted                                      2,497          2,497          2,497       2,497      2,497       2,597       2,597

BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD-END):
  Total assets                                 $ 3,441        $ 4,262        $ 4,327     $ 4,605    $ 4,466     $ 4,711     $ 3,437
  Total loans, net of unearned income               --             --             --          --         --          --          --
  Total deposits                                    --             --             --          --         --          --          --
  Federal funds purchased and securities
    sold under agreements to repurchase             --             --             --          --         --          --          --
  Other short-term borrowings                      250          1,008             --       1,228        500         650         300
  Long-term debt                                 1,328          1,545          1,406         647        927       1,088         830
  Total shareholders' equity (deficit)(1)          (64)           (89)          (193)       (235)      (233)       (433)       (670)

PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
  Return on average total assets                 16.10%(2)       6.48%(2)       1.55%     1.72%        4.51%       4.74%       3.87%
  Return on average total assets before
    merger-related expenses                      16.10%(2)       6.48%(2)       1.55%     1.72%        4.51%       4.74%       3.87%
  Return on average shareholders' equity(3)         --             --             --          --         --          --          --
  Return on average shareholder's equity
    before merger-related expenses(3)               --             --             --          --         --          --          --
  Average equity to average assets              (53.77)        (47.89)        (20.87)     (19.38)    (13.78)      (7.39)      (4.72)
  Cash dividends declared to net income             --             --         182.75      109.20      51.97       44.04       76.82
</TABLE>

(1)  Stockholders' equity at December 31, 1996 has been reduced to reflect prior
     period adjustments of $8,300.
(2)  Annualized
(3)  The ratio is not  measurable due to the deficit  position of  stockholders'
     equity

                                                          - 13 -


<PAGE>

                           COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              At or for the six
                                              -----------------
                                              months ended June 30,               At or for the years ended December 31,
                                           ----------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1998       1997       1997       1996       1995       1994       1993
                                                   ----       ----       ----       ----       ----       ----       ----

FCNB Corp. 
<S>                                          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     
  Basic earnings per common share:           $     0.61   $   0.52   $   1.12   $   0.74   $   0.89   $   0.86   $   0.88
  Diluted earnings per common share                0.61       0.52       1.12       0.74       0.89       0.86       0.88
  Dividends per common share                       0.26       0.20       0.43       0.37       0.38       0.33       0.26
  Book value per common share                     10.27       9.17       9.83       8.78       8.52       7.64       7.47

Frederick Underwriters
  Basic earnings (loss) per common share     $   445.70   $ 227.10   $ (37.13)  $  86.22   $ 265.48   $  85.53   $  64.88
  Diluted earnings (loss) per common share       445.70     227.10     (37.13)     86.22     265.48      85.53      64.88
  Dividends per common share                         --         --      50.50      34.11      43.08      29.72      35.99
  Book value (deficit) per common share          420.61     366.06     156.46     138.96      93.62    (162.33)   (369.17)

Carroll County
  Basic earnings (loss) per common share     $     7.89   $   4.61   $  22.61   $  (5.02)  $ (47.12)  $  86.54   $  41.06
  Diluted earnings (loss) per common share         7.89       4.61      22.61      (5.02)    (47.12)     86.54      41.06
  Dividends per common share                         --         --         --         --         --         --         --
  Book value (deficit) per common share         (147.16)   (173.05)   (155.05)   (177.66)   (172.64)   (125.52)   (212.06)

Phillips
  Basic earnings (loss) per common share     $  (108.72)  $(133.80)  $(124.68)  $  (0.01)  $ (23.29)  $(169.33)  $  59.58
  Diluted earnings (loss) per common share      (108.72)   (133.80)   (124.68)     (0.01)    (23.29)   (169.33)     59.58
  Dividends per common share                         --         --         --         --         --         --         --
  Book value (deficit) per common share         (804.90)   (841.20)   (696.18)   (707.40)   (707.39)   (684.11)   (514.77)

</TABLE>



                                     - 14 -


<PAGE>



                                  THE MEETINGS

THE UNDERWRITERS COMPANIES SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS

     General.  The joint meetings of shareholders of the Underwriters  Companies
will be held at 1201 East  Patrick  Street,  Frederick,  Maryland,  on ________,
________, 1998, at ____ _.M. local time.

     The Board of Directors of each Underwriters Company has chosen the close of
business on _______, 1998 as the record date (the "Underwriter  Companies Record
Date") for purposes of determining the  shareholders  entitled to notice of, and
to  vote  at,  the  Underwriter   Companies   Shareholder  Meeting.  As  of  the
Underwriters Companies Record Date there were:

                      986 shares of Frederick Underwriters
                           120 shares of Phillips and
                         1,391 shares of Carroll County

issued and  outstanding and entitled to vote.  Shareholders of the  Underwriters
Companies  are entitled to one vote on all matters to be acted on at the meeting
for each share held of record by them on the Underwriters Companies Record Date.
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders a majority of
the total  number of  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock of each  Underwriters
Company is  necessary to  constitute  a quorum.  In the event that there are not
sufficient  votes for a quorum or to  approve  the  Merger at the  meeting,  the
meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies.

     Purpose  of the  Underwriters  Companies  Meeting  and Vote  Required.  The
purpose of the  Underwriters  Companies  Meeting is to consider  and vote on the
proposal  to approve  the  Merger  pursuant  to which  each of the  Underwriters
Companies  will be  merged  with and into  FCNB  and each  outstanding  share of
Underwriters  Company  Common  Stocks will  automatically,  and without  further
action, be converted into shares of FCNB Common Stock as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         NUMBER OF SHARES OF
          COMPANY                         FCNB COMMON STOCK
<S>                                      <C>
Frederick Underwriters                         372.67

Phillips                                        78.42

Carroll County                                  33.12
</TABLE>

and to transact  such other  business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment or postponement thereof.

     The  affirmative  vote of  two-thirds of the  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock of each Underwriters  Company is required to approve the Merger.  Mr. J.R.
Ramsburg, Jr., President of each of the Underwriters Companies and a director of
FCNB,  has the power to vote  79.51%  of the  outstanding  shares  of  Frederick
Underwriters  Common Stock;  100% of the outstanding  Phillips Common Stock; and
81.9% of the  outstanding  Carroll County Common Stock  (including 290 shares of
Carroll County Common Stock owned by Underwriters). Mr. Ramsburg has stated that
he will vote all of the shares of each company which he has the power to vote in
favor of the Merger. As a result,  approval of the Merger by shareholders of the
Underwriters Companies at the meeting is assured.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EACH UNDERWRITER COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
THE MERGER AND  UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS  A VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE
MERGER.  MR. RAMSBURG DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE  CONSIDERATION OF THE MERGER BY
THE FCNB BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

                                     - 15 -


<PAGE>




     Voting and Revocation of Proxies. If the enclosed form of proxy is properly
executed and returned in time to be voted at the Underwriters Companies Meeting,
the shares  represented  thereby will be voted as  specified by the  shareholder
executing the proxy. In the absence of specific  instructions,  proxies received
will be voted in favor of the  proposal to approve the Merger.  Management  does
not know of any matters that will be brought  before the meeting,  other than as
described herein. If other matters are properly brought before the meeting,  the
persons  named in the  proxy  intend to vote  such  shares to which the  proxies
relate in  accordance  with  their  best  judgment,  unless  such  authority  is
withheld.  A proxy  may be  revoked  at any time  prior to the  exercise  of the
authority granted thereby by (i) delivering written notice of such revocation to
J.R.  Ramsburg,  Jr.,  President  of the  Underwriters  Companies,  prior to the
meeting,  (ii) granting and  delivering a later dated proxy with respect to such
shares,  or (iii) by attending the Underwriters  Companies Meeting in person and
voting the shares. If your shares are not registered in your name, you will need
additional  documentation  from your recordholder in order to vote personally at
the meeting.

     Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Underwriters Companies Meeting will
be  tabulated  by the  election  inspectors  appointed  for the meeting who will
determine whether or not a quorum is present.  Where, as to any matter submitted
to  the  shareholders  for  a  vote,  proxies  are  marked  as  abstentions  (or
shareholders appear in person but abstain from voting), such abstentions will be
treated  as  shares  that are  present  and  entitled  to vote for  purposes  of
determining the presence of a quorum.  Broker  non-votes will also be considered
present  for  purposes of  determining  a quorum.  Since  approval of the Merger
requires a two-thirds  majority of the outstanding  shares of each  Underwriters
Company, an abstention or broker non-vote will have the effect of a vote against
the Merger.

     The enclosed proxy is being solicited on behalf of the respective  Board of
Directors of the Underwriters Companies and the Underwriters Companies will bear
the cost of such  solicitation.  In addition to solicitation by mail,  officers,
directors and  employees of the  Underwriters  Companies may solicit  proxies by
telecopier,  telegram, in person or otherwise. Such persons will not receive any
additional   or  special   remuneration   or  payment  for  such   solicitation.
Additionally,  officers,  directors or employees of FCNB may solicit  proxies by
mail, telecopier,  telegram, in person or otherwise.  FCNB will pay all expenses
of printing and distributing this Proxy Statement.

THE FCNB SHAREHOLDER MEETING

     General.  The FCNB Shareholder Meeting will be held at FCNB's headquarters,
7200 FCNB Court, Frederick,  Maryland, on ________, _________ ___, 1998, at ____
_.M. local time.

     The Board of Directors  of FCNB (the "FCNB  Board") has chosen the close of
business on  ___________,  1998 as the record date (the "FCNB Record  Date") for
purposes of determining the shareholders  entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
the FCNB Shareholder  Meeting. As of the FCNB Record Date,  _____________ shares
of FCNB  Common  Stock were  issued and  outstanding.  Shareholders  of FCNB are
entitled  to one vote on all  matters  to be  acted  on at the FCNB  Shareholder
Meeting for each share of FCNB  Common  Stock held of record by them on the FCNB
Record  Date.  The  presence at the FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting,  in person or by
proxy,  of a majority of the total number of  outstanding  shares of FCNB Common
Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum.

     Purpose of the FCNB Shareholder  Meeting and Vote Required.  The purpose of
the FCNB Shareholder  Meeting is to consider and vote on the proposal to approve
the Merger,  pursuant to which each of the Underwriters Companies will be merged
with and into First Choice and each  outstanding  share of Underwriters  Company
Common Stocks will be converted into shares of FCNB Common Stock as follows:

                                     - 16 -


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         NUMBER OF SHARES OF
          COMPANY                         FCNB COMMON STOCK
<S>                                      <C>
Frederick Underwriters                         372.67

Phillips                                        78.42

Carroll County                                  33.12
</TABLE>

and to  transact  such  other  business  as may  properly  come  before the FCNB
Shareholder Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

     FCNB is not required to obtain the approval of FCNB  shareholders  in order
to effect the Merger under  Maryland law or the rules of Nasdaq.  The FCNB Board
has  elected  to  condition  the  Merger on  shareholder  approval  because  the
principal  shareholder  and officer of each of the  Underwriters  Companies is a
director of FCNB,  and because at the time first  considered  by the Board,  the
Merger would have  resulted in the  issuance of more than 5% of the  outstanding
FCNB Common Stock.  Under Nasdaq rules, the issuance of that number of shares in
a transaction involving an insider requires shareholder approval. The subsequent
merger agreement  involving  Capital Bank reduced the percentage of shares to be
issued to shareholders of the Underwriters Companies to below 5%.

     The affirmative  vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast at the
FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting is required to approve the Merger.  Directors of FCNB
owning   or   having   the   power   to   vote   or   direct   the   voting   of
______________________   shares  of  FCNB  Common  Stock  have  indicated  their
intention to vote in favor of the Merger.

     THE FCNB BOARD HAS  UNANIMOUSLY  APPROVED  THE MERGER AND  RECOMMENDS  THAT
HOLDERS  OF  FCNB  COMMON  STOCK  VOTE  FOR THE  MERGER.  MR.  RAMSBURG  DID NOT
PARTICIPATE IN THE FCNB BOARD'S CONSIDERATION OF THE MERGER.

     Voting and Revocation of Proxies. If the enclosed form of proxy is properly
executed and returned in time to be voted at the FCNB Shareholder  Meeting,  the
shares  represented  thereby will be voted as specified by shareholders.  In the
absence of specific instructions, proxies received will be voted in favor of the
proposal  to approve the Merger.  Management  does not know of any matters  that
will be brought  before the FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting,  other than as described
herein.  If other  matters  are  properly  brought  before the FCNB  Shareholder
Meeting,  the persons named in the proxy intend to vote such shares to which the
proxies relate in accordance  with their best judgment  unless such authority is
withheld.  A proxy  may be  revoked  at any time  prior to the  exercise  of the
authority granted thereby by (i) delivering written notice of such revocation to
Helen G. Hahn,  Secretary of FCNB, prior to the FCNB Shareholder  Meeting,  (ii)
granting and  delivering  a later dated proxy with  respect to such  shares,  or
(iii) attending the FCNB Shareholder Meeting in person and voting the shares.

     Votes cast by proxy or in person at the FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting  will be
tabulated  by the  election  inspectors  appointed  for  the  meeting  who  will
determine whether or not a quorum is present.  Where, as to any matter submitted
to the FCNB shareholders for a vote,  proxies are marked as abstentions (or FCNB
shareholders appear in person but abstain from voting), such abstentions will be
treated  as  shares  that are  present  and  entitled  to vote for  purposes  of
determining the presence of a quorum.  Broker  non-votes will also be considered
present  for  purposes of  determining  a quorum.  Since  approval of the Merger
requires a two-thirds  majority of the votes  entitled to be cast, an abstention
or broker non-vote will have the effect of a vote against the Merger.

     The enclosed proxy is being  solicited on behalf of the FCNB Board and FCNB
shall bear the entire cost of such solicitation.  In addition to solicitation by
mail,  officers,  directors  and  employees  of  FCNB  may  solicit  proxies  by
telecopier,  telegram, in person or otherwise. Such persons will not receive any
additional or special remuneration or payment for such solicitation.

                                     - 17 -


<PAGE>

                                   THE MERGER

     FCNB,  First  Choice  and  the  Underwriters  Companies  entered  into  the
Agreement on September 2, 1998.  The  Agreement was amended on November 2, 1998.
Following  shareholder approval of the Merger, and the satisfaction or waiver of
certain other conditions to the Merger, each of the Underwriters  Companies will
be merged  into FCNB.  The  following  brief  description  of the Merger and the
Agreement  does not purport to be a  comprehensive  description of all facets of
the  Merger or the  transactional  or other  documents  prepared  in  connection
therewith, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement in the
form of Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, to which  shareholders
are urged to refer, and the other documents referred to herein.

THE AGREEMENT

     The Agreement  provides  that each of the  Underwriters  Companies  will be
merged with and into FCNB with FCNB surviving the Merger.  Upon effectiveness of
the Merger,  each of the outstanding  shares of common stock of the Underwriters
Companies  will  automatically  be converted  into shares of FCNB Common  Stock.
Following  effectiveness  of the Merger,  FCNB will contribute all of the assets
and liabilities of the  Underwriters  Companies to FCNB Bank, which in turn will
contribute them to First Choice. First Choice will change its name to "Frederick
Underwriters,  Inc."  See  "The  Merger  --  Consideration  to  be  Received  by
Shareholders  of the  Underwriters  Companies"  and "FCNB Corp -- Description of
FCNB Capital Stock." Each of the shares of FCNB Common Stock  outstanding  prior
to the  effectiveness  of the Merger  will be  unchanged,  and will  continue to
represent shares of FCNB Common Stock.

     THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF FCNB AND EACH OF THE UNDERWRITERS COMPANIES HAVE
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AND RECOMMEND THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE SHAREHOLDERS
VOTE "FOR" THE MERGER.  MR. RAMSBURG DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSIDERATION OF
THE MERGER BY THE FCNB BOARD.

CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY SHAREHOLDERS OF THE UNDERWRITERS COMPANIES

     Conversion of Underwriters  Company Common Stock. Upon effectiveness of the
Merger,  each outstanding  share of Common Stock of the  Underwriters  Companies
except for shares of an  Underwriters  Company held by that Company in treasury,
shares of an  Underwriters  Company  held by another  Underwriters  Company  and
dissenting shares, will automatically,  and without further action, be converted
into shares of FCNB Common Stock. The number of shares of FCNB Common Stock into
which each share of common stock of the Underwriters Companies will be converted
is shown in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     PERCENTAGE OF
                         NUMBER OF SHARES OF FCNB   AGGREGATE NUMBER OF SHARES OF  OUTSTANDING FCNB
 UNDERWRITERS COMPANY     COMMON STOCK PER SHARE     FCNB COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE     COMMON STOCK(1)
 --------------------     ----------------------     --------------------------     ---------------
<S>                               <C>                         <C>                       <C>  
Frederick Underwriters            372.67                      367,452                   3.64%

Phillips                          78.42                        9,410                    0.09%

Carroll County                    33.12                        36,465                   0.37%
                                                              --------                 ------

Total                                                         413,327                   4.08%
</TABLE>


(1)  As of September  30,  1998.  Assumes  issuance of 1,804,198  shares of FCNB
     Common  Stock in the  Capital  Bank  Merger.  The  number of shares of FCNB
     Common Stock to be issued in the Capital Bank Merger ranges from  1,626,068
     to 1,987,357.

     No fractional shares of FCNB Common Stock will be issued in connection with
the Merger.  Holders of  Underwriters  Company  Common Stock entitled to receive
fractional  shares  of  FCNB  Common  Stock  will  receive  cash in lieu of such
fractional shares, without interest, based upon the average of the bid and asked
prices of a share of FCNB  Common  Stock as  reported  by Nasdaq on the  Closing
Date.

                                     - 18 -


<PAGE>




     Each share of FCNB Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger
will be unchanged  by the Merger,  and will  continue to represent  one share of
FCNB Common Stock. See "FCNB Corp -- Description of FCNB Capital Stock."

     It is anticipated that FCNB  shareholders will not experience any immediate
dilution  in  earnings  per share as a result of the  Merger,  based upon FCNB's
expectations  of the  earnings  of First  Choice  following  the  Merger.  These
expectations include assumptions regarding cost savings,  operating efficiencies
and growth  opportunities to be achieved as a result of the Merger. There can be
no assurance that these  expectations  will be realized.  FCNB shareholders will
experience dilution of their percentage ownership interest in FCNB, and in their
relative voting power.

     There can be no assurance as to the market,  trading or intrinsic  value of
shares  of FCNB  Common  Stock  received  by  shareholders  of the  Underwriters
Companies  in exchange  for their  shares.  There can be no  assurance as to the
level at which  shares of FCNB  Common  Stock can be sold,  or as to  whether an
active and liquid market in FCNB Common Stock can be  maintained,  following the
Merger.

BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER

     During the last decade,  there have been  significant  developments  in the
manner of delivery of financial services, including insurance services. As legal
and  regulatory  barriers  separating  the operation of banking,  securities and
insurance companies have diminished or fallen, there has been a marked trend, if
not a stampede, toward consolidation within each of those industries, and toward
combination of businesses involved in the different  industries.  Each reader of
this Proxy  Statement has no doubt received  offers of securities  brokerage and
insurance  services from banks,  bank-like  accounts from securities  firms, and
annuity products from both. The marketplace for financial  services is becoming,
at an ever  increasing  rate,  less a group  of  specialized  shops  and  more a
one-stop shopping financial supermarket.

     The Boards and  management of the  Underwriters  Companies  believe that it
will be increasingly difficult for independent agencies such as the Underwriters
Companies to effectively  compete against the greater financial resources of the
financial supermarkets.  The Underwriters Companies,  during their many years of
operation, have competed on the basis of providing effective,  efficient service
to their customers,  knowledge of their markets,  and through the  establishment
and  maintenance  of  personalized  relationships  with  their  many  customers.
Frederick  Underwriters  has also  developed its business over the years through
the  acquisition  of  several  smaller,  independent  agencies  located  in  the
Frederick County market. However, as customers become more able to obtain all of
their  financial  services  from one place,  with greater  convenience,  and the
multi-service  providers  become able to offer  better  pricing and options as a
result of their greater  resources and larger  customer  bases,  the traditional
bases of competition on which the Underwriters  Companies have relied may not be
enough to enable  the  Underwriters  Companies  to compete  successfully  in the
future on an independent basis.

     Over the years,  the  Underwriters  Companies have  entertained a number of
opportunities to be acquired by bank holding companies, including discussions in
1995 with FCNB. None of these earlier  discussions  resulted in a proposal which
was acceptable to the Underwriters Companies. In early spring 1998, FCNB and the
Underwriters again began discussing their possible affiliation. In early summer,
FCNB presented the offer reflected by the Agreement. Over the course of the next
several weeks,  remaining  issues were discussed and a definitive  agreement was
prepared. The Agreement was signed on September 2, 1998.

     The Boards of  Directors  of the  Underwriters  Companies  believe that the
Merger  is in the  best  interests  of  the  shareholders  of  the  Underwriters
Companies and their  customers.  FCNB, a well  capitalized,  community  focused,
progressive  banking  company,  has taken  numerous  steps toward  enhancing its
competitiveness  in  the  new  financial  services  marketplace,  offering  more
services,  such as trust services,  financial planning, and securities brokerage
services,  and greater convenience,  through enhanced technology services and an
expanded branch network. It can

                                     - 19 -


<PAGE>



combine  the  traditional  customer  oriented,  personalized  service  manner of
competition with the financial  supermarket concepts necessary to success in the
future.

     In determining to accept FCNB's offer, the Underwriters  Companies'  Boards
considered the well capitalized condition,  financial strength, share price, and
dividend  and  earnings  history  of  FCNB,  as well as the  prospects  for FCNB
following completion of the Capital merger. They also considered that the common
stocks of the Underwriters Companies are illiquid due to the closely held nature
of the  companies,  and the fact  that the  shares  of FCNB  Common  Stock to be
received in the Merger will be fully  registered and eligible for trading on the
Nasdaq  National  Market,  and  FCNB's  history of  regular  quarterly  dividend
payments.  Also  considered  was the fact that  FCNB  would  allow the  historic
business of the Underwriters Companies to continue to operate under the same day
to day management and employees as previously (except for J.R.  Ramsburg,  Jr.'s
retirement  from  day to day  activities),  and the  fact  that  FCNB's  greater
capitalization,  financial  strength  and credit  rating,  as well as its larger
customer base,  would provide an opportunity for the  Underwriters  Companies to
expand the scope and size of the business they conduct.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE UNDERWRITERS COMPANIES

     The Board of Directors of each of the Underwriters  Companies believes that
the Merger is fair to, and in the best interest of, their respective company and
its shareholders.  ACCORDINGLY,  EACH BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY  APPROVED THE MERGER
AND  UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS  THAT  SHAREHOLDERS  VOTE FOR THE  APPROVAL  OF THE
MERGER. See "-- Opinion of Financial Advisor."

RECOMMENDATION OF THE FCNB BOARD; REASONS FOR THE MERGER

     The Board of Directors of FCNB,  believes  that the proposed  Merger of the
Underwriters  Companies  with and into FCNB is in the best interests of FCNB and
its  shareholders.  The  acquisition of the insurance  agency  businesses of the
Underwriters  Companies  will  enable  FCNB to expand the range of  products  it
offers to its customers,  and to increase the amount of its non-interest  income
and the  percentage  of total  income  coming  from  non-interest,  non-banking,
sources.   FCNB   believes   that  the  expanded   business  and   cross-selling
opportunities  presented,  including the potential to expand the geographic base
of the  Underwriters  Companies'  business,  will enable FCNB to better meet the
competitive  challenges arising out of the changing financial services industry,
and as such is in the best interests of FCNB and its shareholders.  There can be
no assurance,  however, that FCNB will be able to successfully operate or expand
the Underwriters  Companies'  business,  or that FCNB's  non-interest  income or
total income will increase as a result of the Merger.

     In considering the expansion of its insurance  business,  internally and by
acquisition  of the  Underwriters  Companies,  the Board of  Directors  reviewed
information  prepared by FCNB's  personnel,  who were  assisted  by  independent
advisors having  expertise in the valuation and acquisition of insurance  agency
and brokerage businesses.

     ACCORDINGLY,   THE  FCNB  BOARD  (MR.  RAMSBURG  NOT   PARTICIPATING)   HAS
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AND UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS THAT HOLDERS OF FCNB
COMMON STOCK VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MERGER.

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

     The  obligation of each of the  Underwriters  Companies to  consummate  the
Merger is  subject to  various  conditions,  including  the  following:  (i) the
continued  accuracy  of the  representations  and  warranties  of FCNB and First
Choice; (ii) the performance,  in all material respects, of all of the covenants
and agreements of FCNB and First Choice under the Agreement;  (iii) the approval
of the Merger by the  shareholders  of each of the  Underwriters  Companies  and
FCNB; (iv) the effectiveness of the Registration  Statement (of which this Proxy
Statement  forms a part) on Form S-4  relating  to the FCNB  Common  Stock to be
issued to  shareholders  of the  Underwriters  Companies in the Merger;  (v) the
approval for quotation on Nasdaq, upon notice of issuance, of the shares of FCNB
Common

                                     - 20 -


<PAGE>



Stock to be issued to Underwriters  Company  shareholders in connection with the
Merger; and (vi) the absence of any order,  decree, or injunction (or proceeding
seeking any of the  foregoing)  enjoining  or  prohibiting  consummation  of the
Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

     The obligation of FCNB and First Choice to consummate the Merger is subject
to various  conditions,  including the following:  (i) the continued accuracy of
the  representations  and  warranties of the  Underwriters  Companies;  (ii) the
performance,  in all material  respects,  of the obligations of the Underwriters
Companies  under the  Agreement;  (iii) the receipt of all requisite  regulatory
approvals,  which approvals shall not contain conditions other than those as are
generally  imposed,  and which are not, in the opinion of FCNB and First Choice,
unduly  burdensome;  (iv) the approval of the Merger by the shareholders of each
of the Underwriters  Companies and FCNB; (v) the receipt of an opinion of FCNB's
independent accountants,  or FCNB's otherwise satisfying itself, that the Merger
can be accounted for as a pooling of interests; (vi) the absence of any material
adverse  change  in  the  business,  operations,  assets,  financial  condition,
prospects or results of  operations  of the  Underwriters  Companies;  (vii) the
absence  of  any  injunction,   proceeding,  statute  or  regulation  preventing
consummation of the Merger or making it unlawful,  or in the reasonable judgment
of FCNB, inadvisable, to consummate the Merger; (viii) the absence of litigation
which, if successful, would in the reasonable judgement of FCNB, have a material
adverse effect on the financial condition,  operations, business or prospects of
the Underwriters Companies; (ix) the execution of employment,  consulting and/or
noncompetition  agreements by J.R. Ramsburg, Jr. and J.R. Ramsburg, III; and (x)
the receipt of a satisfactory "comfort letter" from the Underwriters  Companies'
outside accountants, and an opinion of counsel to the Underwriters Companies.

     For purposes of subsection (vi) above, the determination  there has been no
material  adverse change  includes FCNB and First Choice  determining,  in their
discretion based upon the results of their due diligence  examinations,  that as
of the Closing Date (a) the Underwriters Companies have an aggregate sustainable
net revenue base of $5.4  million  (determined  prior to payment of  performance
bonuses  to  J.R.  Ramsburg,  III);  (b)  the  working  capital  deficit  of the
Underwriters  Companies  does  not  exceed  $350,000;  and (c) the  Underwriters
Companies  have a sustainable  annual pretax income of $1.1 million  (determined
after payment of performance  based  incentive  compensation  to J.R.  Ramsburg,
III).  In  determining  the  sustainable   pretax  income  of  the  Underwriters
Companies,  FCNB will take into account,  among other  things,  cost savings and
operating  efficiencies expected to be achieved as a result of the restructuring
of the financing  arrangements utilized by the Underwriters  Companies,  and the
termination of certain  salary and other payments to employees and  shareholders
of the Underwriters Companies.

     Additionally,  Mr.  J.R.  Ramsburg,  Jr.  must enter  into the  Receivables
Agreement  discussed  below under "Certain  Related  Agreements and Interests of
Certain   Persons."  See  "The  Merger  --  Termination,"  "--  Certain  Related
Agreements and Interests of Certain Persons" and "-- Accounting Treatment."

     Pending  effectiveness  of  the  Merger,  the  Underwriters  Companies  are
required to conduct their business in the ordinary course,  and in substantially
the same  manner as they have  conducted  business  to date.  Additionally,  the
Underwriters Companies have agreed not to take certain actions,  including,  but
not  limited to paying any  dividends,  redeeming,  repurchasing  or issuing any
shares of common stock;  incurring any obligations or liabilities  except in the
ordinary  course of  business;  granting  any salary  increases,  effecting  any
merger,  sale of  assets  or other  transaction  not in the  ordinary  course of
business;  or soliciting or authorizing  any inquiries or proposals with respect
to any extraordinary transactions other than the Merger.

     The Agreement  provides that as promptly as  practicable  after the date of
the  Agreement  and  the  Underwriters   Companies  furnishing  any  information
regarding the Underwriters Companies required to be included, FCNB will file the
Registration  Statement with the Commission and applications or notices with the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (the "Federal Reserve"),  the Maryland
Commissioner of Financial Regulation,  the Maryland Insurance Administration and
any other  appropriate  state or federal  regulatory  agency for approval of the
Merger. As of the date hereof, all notices and applications have been filed, but
no approvals have been received to date.

                                     - 21 -


<PAGE>



TERMINATION

     The  Agreement may be  terminated,  and the Merger  abandoned,  at any time
prior to the effectiveness of the Merger, whether or not such termination occurs
before or after approval of the Merger by the  shareholders of the  Underwriters
Companies  and  FCNB,  and  without   further  action  by  shareholders  of  the
Underwriters Companies and FCNB, in the following  circumstances:  (i) by mutual
consent of all parties to the Agreement; (ii) unilaterally by either FCNB or any
Underwriters  Company at any time after June 30, 1999;  (iii)  unilaterally,  by
either any Underwriters Company or FCNB in the event of a material breach by the
other of any  representation,  warranty or agreement contained in the Agreement;
(iv) unilaterally,  by either any Underwriters Company or FCNB in the event of a
material  adverse  change in the  financial  condition  results  of  operations,
business or prospects of the other; or (v) by FCNB, in the event that the Merger
is not approved at the FCNB Shareholder  Meeting. If the Agreement is terminated
under any of the foregoing  circumstances,  no party shall have any liability or
obligation to the other  relating to the  Agreement,  other than with respect to
confidentiality  of documents and expenses,  and except in the event of a wilful
breach of a material provision.

AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     Any of the terms and conditions of the Agreement may be amended or modified
by the Underwriters  Companies and FCNB in writing,  at any time before or after
approval  by  shareholders,  except  that no  amendment  or  modification  after
approval by the shareholders of the Underwriters  Companies may reduce the value
or change  the form of  consideration  to be  received  by  shareholders  of the
Underwriters Companies.  Any term or condition of the Agreement may be waived at
any time,  in writing,  by the party which,  or the  shareholders  of which,  is
entitled to the benefit of such  waived  term or  condition.  See "The Merger --
Conditions to the Merger."

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MERGER

     The  Closing  Date of the Merger  shall  take  place  within 15 days of the
receipt  of  all  required   approvals  and  authorizations  of  government  and
regulatory authorities and the expiration of all applicable waiting periods, and
the  satisfaction  or waiver of all  conditions to the Merger.  The Merger shall
become  effective  upon the later of the filing of  Articles  of Merger with the
Maryland  Department of  Assessments  and Taxation or the date indicated in such
Articles of Merger.  It is expected that the Merger will become effective within
one business day of the Closing.

SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES

     Upon effectiveness of the Merger,  certificates which formerly  represented
shares of  Underwriters  Companies  Common  Stock will  represent  the number of
shares of FCNB Common Stock into which shares shall have been converted,  except
that  until  exchanged  for FCNB  Common  Stock  certificates,  the  holders  of
Underwriters  Company Common Stock  certificates will not be entitled to receive
dividends or other distributions or payments on FCNB Common Stock.

     Promptly  following  effectiveness  of the Merger,  FCNB or American  Stock
Transfer & Trust Company,  FCNB's  transfer agent (the "Exchange  Agent"),  will
mail to each Underwriters Company shareholder information regarding the exchange
of his or her shares of Underwriter Company Common Stock,  including  procedures
to be followed in the event that a shareholder has lost his or her certificates.
UNDERWRITERS COMPANY  SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DELIVER CERTIFICATES  REPRESENTING
UNDERWRITERS  COMPANY COMMON STOCK UNTIL THEY HAVE RECEIVED  TRANSMITTAL  FORMS,
AND  SHOULD  NOT  RETURN  CERTIFICATES  WITH THE  ENCLOSED  FORM OF PROXY.  Upon
surrender of certificates  representing  shares of  Underwriters  Company Common
Stock,   the  Exchange  Agent  will  issue  to  such  shareholder  one  or  more
certificates  representing  the number of whole shares of FCNB Common Stock into
which such shareholder's shares shall have been converted, together with a check
representing payment,  without interest, of cash in lieu of any fractional share
of FCNB  Common  Stock  to which  such  shareholder  may be  entitled,  and,  if
appropriate,  a check representing payment, without interest, of any dividend or
other cash payment or distribution

                                     - 22 -


<PAGE>



on such  shareholder's  shares of FCNB Common Stock which may have been withheld
as a result  of such  shareholder's  failure  to  earlier  surrender  his or her
Underwriters Company share certificates for redemption.

     If any Underwriters  Company  shareholder shall not have surrendered his or
her  certificates  for  exchange  within two years of the  effectiveness  of the
Merger,  the shares to which such  shareholder  would be  entitled  may,  at the
option of FCNB, be sold and the proceeds of such sale, together with any cash in
lieu  of  fractional  shares  and  previously  accrued  dividends,   held  in  a
non-interest bearing account for such shareholder's  benefit. Such shareholder's
only right shall be to collect, without interest, and subject to applicable laws
of escheat, such net proceeds, cash and accumulated dividends, upon surrender of
his or her Underwriters Company share certificates.

CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     FCNB and the Underwriters  Companies have received an opinion from Kevin P.
Kennedy,  Esquire,  special tax counsel to FCNB in respect of the Merger,  as to
certain federal income tax consequences of the Merger. The opinion provides that
the Merger of the  Underwriters  Companies  with and into FCNB  pursuant  to the
Agreement,  and the  subsequent  transfer of the assets and  liabilities  of the
Underwriters Companies to the Bank, and in turn, First Choice, will qualify as a
reorganization  under Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.  The following is a description  of the expected  federal income tax
consequences  of  the  Merger  to  FCNB,  the  Underwriters  Companies  and  the
shareholders of the Underwriters Companies.

     No gain or loss  will be  recognized  by the  Underwriters  Companies  upon
consummation of the Merger.

     No  gain or loss  will be  recognized  by  FCNB  upon  the  receipt  of the
Underwriters  Companies'  assets in exchange for FCNB Common Stock, cash and the
assumption of the Underwriters  Companies'  liabilities.  The federal income tax
basis of the assets of the Underwriters  Companies' in the hands of FCNB will be
the  same as the tax  basis of such  assets  in the  hands  of the  Underwriters
Companies'  immediately  prior to the effective time of the Merger.  The holding
period of the  assets of the  Underwriters  Companies  transferred  to FCNB will
include  the period  during  which  such  assets  were held by the  Underwriters
Companies prior to the effective time of the Merger.

     No gain or loss will be recognized by the  shareholders of the Underwriters
Companies on the receipt of shares of FCNB Common Stock  pursuant to the Merger.
The federal  income tax basis of the shares of FCNB Common  Stock  received by a
shareholder of the  Underwriters  Companies will be the same as the basis of the
Underwriters Company shares surrendered in exchange therefor. The holding period
of the FCNB Common Stock received by a shareholder of the Underwriters Companies
will be the  same as the  holding  period  of the  Underwriters  Company  shares
surrendered in exchange  therefor provided the stock was held by the shareholder
as a capital asset.

     Cash  received by  shareholders  of the  Underwriters  Companies in lieu of
fractional  shares of FCNB  Common  Stock will be treated  as  received  by such
shareholders as  distributions in redemption of such shares.  Such  shareholders
should generally  recognize capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes
measured by the  difference  between the amount of cash received and the portion
of the basis of the  Underwriters  Companies shares allocable to such fractional
share interests.

     Shareholders  of the  Underwriters  Companies  who receive  solely cash for
their shares will be treated as having  received such cash in redemption of such
shares subject to the  limitations and conditions of Section 302 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.

     The  opinion  of Mr.  Kennedy  is not  binding on the IRS and the IRS could
disagree  with  the  conclusions   reached   therein.   In  the  event  of  such
disagreement, there is no assurance that the IRS would not prevail in a judicial
or administrative proceeding.

     As a  result  of the  complexity  of the tax laws  and the  impact  of each
shareholder's  particular circumstances upon the tax consequences of the Merger,
the information set forth above regarding the federal income tax

                                     - 23 -


<PAGE>



consequences  of the Merger is not  intended to be  individualized  tax or legal
advice to the  shareholders  of the  Underwriters  Companies.  EACH  SHAREHOLDER
SHOULD  CONSULT  HIS OR HER  OWN TAX OR  FINANCIAL  COUNSEL  AS TO THE  SPECIFIC
FEDERAL,  STATE,  AND LOCAL TAX  CONSEQUENCES  OF THE  MERGER,  IF ANY,  TO SUCH
SHAREHOLDER.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

     It is  anticipated  that the Merger will be  accounted  for as a pooling of
interests under generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  The obligations of
FCNB and First Choice to consummate the Merger is  conditioned  upon the receipt
by  FCNB  of an  opinion  of  its  independent  accountants  or  FCNB  otherwise
satisfying  itself  that  the  Merger  can  be  accounted  for as a  pooling  of
interests,  under generally accepted  accounting  principles,  if consummated in
accordance  with the  Agreement.  Under  the  pooling  of  interests  method  of
accounting,  the  historical  basis of the assets and  liabilities  of the First
Choice and the  Underwriters  Companies  will be  combined  at the  Closing  and
carried forward at their previously recorded amounts. Income and other financial
statements  of FCNB  issued  after  consummation  of the Merger will be restated
retroactively  to reflect the  consolidated  operations  of First Choice and the
Underwriters  Companies  as if the Merger had taken  place  prior to the periods
covered by such financial statements.

     In order for the Merger to qualify  for  pooling  of  interests  accounting
treatment, substantially all of the outstanding common stock of the Underwriters
Companies must be exchanged for FCNB Common Stock.  In the event that any of the
conditions to the pooling of interests  method of  accounting  treatment are not
satisfied,  the Merger would not qualify for the pooling of interests  method of
accounting,  and a  condition  to the  consummation  of the Merger  would not be
fulfilled. See "The Merger -- Conditions to the Merger."

     Under generally accepted  accounting  principles,  the pooling of interests
method  records  neither the  acquiring of assets nor the  obtaining of capital.
Therefore, all costs incurred to effect a combination accounted for as a pooling
of interests are expenses of the combined  enterprise  rather than  additions to
assets or reductions to shareholders' equity. Accordingly, the costs incurred in
connection  with  the  Merger  will  be  charged  to  expense  and  deducted  in
determining the results of operations of the combined entity.

     Expenses of a pooling of interests  typically include,  but are not limited
to,  registration  fees  and  expenses,  proxy  solicitation  costs,  legal  and
accounting  fees,  salaries and other expenses related to services of employees,
and costs of combining  operations  of the  previously  separate  companies.  In
connection with the Merger,  additional accounting adjustments and accruals will
be required to recognize  certain  specific  one-time costs  associated with the
Merger. These adjustments and accruals will cause significant  reductions to the
combined  entity's  results  of  operations  for the  initial  period  following
consummation of the Merger.

     Management  and  Operations of FCNB and First Choice  Following the Merger.
Following  effectiveness of the Merger, the officers and directors of FCNB as of
the  effectiveness  of the Merger  will  continue to serve as the  officers  and
directors  of FCNB.  J.R.  "Ray"  Ramsburg,  III,  currently  Vice  President of
Frederick Underwriters,  and each of the Underwriters  Companies,  will serve as
President of First Choice  following the Merger.  It is anticipated that most of
the employees of the Underwriters  Companies will continue as employees of First
Choice.

     Employment,  Consulting and Non-Competition  Agreements.  As a condition to
the  obligation of FCNB and First Choice to consummate  the Merger,  J.R.  "Ray"
Ramsburg,  III,  will  enter into an  employment  agreement  with First  Choice,
pursuant to which he will serve as President  of First  Choice.  Mr.  Ramsburg's
agreement  will  provide for a three year  initial  term,  during  which he will
receive a base salary of $156,000,  subject to annual cost of living  adjustment
beginning in 2000.  Mr.  Ramsburg  will also be entitled to receive  performance
based  compensation  based upon First Choice's pretax income as follows:  25% of
pretax  income  between  $800,000 and $1.2 million plus 10% of pretax  income in
excess of $1.2  million,  in the first  year of the  agreement,  with the pretax
income targets  increasing by 10% in each calendar  year.  Mr.  Ramsburg will be
entitled  to  benefits,  including  stock  options,  on the same  basis as other
officers of FCNB,  certain paid club  memberships  and a vehicle.  The Agreement
will contain

                                     - 24 -


<PAGE>



provisions  prohibiting  Mr.  Ramsburg from engaging in activity in  competition
with First  Choice  during the term of the contract and for a period of up to 18
months following termination of the agreement.

     Additionally, as a condition to the obligations of FCNB and First Choice to
consummate the Merger, J.R. Ramsburg,  Jr., a director of FCNB and the father of
Mr. J.R.  "Ray"  Ramsburg,  III,  has  entered  into an  independent  contractor
agreement  with  First  Choice  pursuant  to  which he will  provide  consulting
services to First Choice. Mr. Ramsburg's agreement will provide for a three year
term during which he will receive compensation of $52,000 per year. First Choice
will also  assume the  obligation  of  Frederick  Underwriters  to  provide  Mr.
Ramsburg with an automobile and health insurance until the age of sixty five.

     Mr. J.R.  Ramsburg,  Jr. has also entered into a non-competition  agreement
with  First  Choice and FCNB.  The  Non-Compete  provides  that for a three year
period after the  effectiveness  of the Merger (subject to reduction to one year
in the event of a change in control of FCNB) (the "Covenant Period"), subject to
limited  exceptions Mr.  Ramsburg shall not,  directly or indirectly,  engage or
participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, or
otherwise be  connected  with or have any  interest  in,  whether as  organizer,
director, advisory director, officer, employee, consultant, partner, contractor,
stockholder  or  otherwise,  of any entity  competitive  with First Choice which
operates  in the  designated  area in  which  First  Choice  will  operate  (the
"Designated Area"), including but not limited to any entity engaged in, or which
controls  any entity  engaged  in,  insurance  brokerage,  consulting,  advisory
procurement  or similar  services.  The  Non-Compete  also  contains  provisions
regarding the use and disclosure of confidential or other non-public information
of FCNB and the  Underwriters  Companies,  the  solicitation of customers of the
Underwriters  Companies  and the  solicitation  and hiring of  employees  of the
Underwriters Companies during the Covenant Period.

     Receivables  Agreement.  As a condition to the obligation of FCNB and First
Choice to complete the Merger,  First Choice,  Frederick  Underwriters  and J.R.
Ramsburg,  Jr.  must  enter  into an  agreement  setting  forth  the  terms  and
conditions  of  the  advance  represented  by  the  note  payable  by  Frederick
Underwriters to J.R. Ramsburg,  Jr. Such agreement must provide, inter alia, (i)
that in the event that any of the accounts receivable of Frederick  Underwriters
reflected  on the  receivables  report as of the month end prior to the  Closing
Date have not been  collected  by the date which is 120 days after the  Closing,
then the note payable to J.R.  Ramsburg,  Jr, shall be reduced,  on a dollar for
dollar basis,  by the amount of the  uncollected  receivables  to the extent the
principal  amount  of  the  uncollected   receivables   exceed  $25,000,   which
receivables shall be assigned,  set over and transferred to J.R. Ramsburg,  Jr.,
without recourse to FCNB, FCNB Bank, First Choice or Frederick Underwriters,  in
full  satisfaction  of that  portion of the note  payable  equal to the original
principal  amount of the  receivables  so assigned;  and (ii) that following the
Effective Time,  interest shall accrue on said note payable at an annual rate of
six  percent.  At  September  30,  1998,  the  principal  amount of the note was
approximately $1.15 million.

RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF FCNB COMMON STOCK BY CONTROLLING PERSONS

     The FCNB Common Stock issued in  connection  with the Merger will be freely
transferable under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the "Securities Act"),
except for shares issued to any  Underwriters  Company  shareholders  who may be
deemed to be affiliates of the Underwriters Companies under Rule 145 promulgated
pursuant  to the  Securities  Act.  This  proxy  statement  is not to be used by
affiliates of the  Underwriters  Companies or other persons who may deemed to be
underwriters  under Rule 145(c) for resale of shares received in connection with
the Merger.

DISSENTERS' RIGHTS

     Any  shareholder of an  Underwriters  Company who does not vote in favor of
the Merger and the transactions  contemplated by the Agreement and who has given
prior written notice to the Underwriters Company of such shareholder's objection
to the proposed  transaction and who otherwise  complies with the procedures set
forth  in Title 3,  Subtitle  2 of the  Maryland  General  Corporation  Law (the
"MGCL"), shall be entitled to receive payment in cash

                                     - 25 -


<PAGE>



of the fair value of such  shareholder's  shares of Underwriters  Company Common
Stock.  A copy of Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL is attached  hereto as Exhibit
B.

     Shareholders  of FCNB are not entitled to demand the payment in cash of the
fair value of their shares of FCNB Common Stock.

     An Underwriters  Company  shareholder wishing to demand payment of the fair
value of any part of all of his or her  shares of  Underwriters  Company  Common
Stock must submit a written notice to the Secretary of  Underwriters  Company at
or prior to the Meeting,  stating that such shareholder  objects to the proposed
Merger.  The shareholder must then not vote those shares in favor of the Merger.
Merely  voting  against the Merger or not voting in favor of the Merger will not
constitute  notice of objection or dissent and will not entitle a shareholder to
payment  in cash of the  value  of his or her  shares.  Promptly  following  the
effectiveness  of the  Merger,  FCNB,  as  the  successor  to  the  Underwriters
Companies, will notify in writing each shareholder of the Underwriters Companies
who filed a notice of objection to the Merger, of the date on which the Articles
of Merger were accepted for record. Within twenty (20) days of the date on which
the Articles of Merger were accepted for record,  an objecting  shareholder must
make a written demand for payment of the fair value of his or her stock, stating
the  number and class of shares for which  payment  is  demanded.  The notice of
objection and the written demand for payment should be sent to the  Underwriters
Companies at 1201 East Patrick Street,  Frederick,  Maryland  21701,  Attention:
J.R. Ramsburg, Jr.

     FCNB's notice of the date on which the Articles of Merger were accepted may
contain an offer of payment and certain financial  disclosures.  If an objecting
shareholder  who has followed  all of the  procedural  steps  required to demand
payment of fair value has not received payment for his or her shares,  he or she
may, or FCNB may,  within fifty (50) days of the  acceptance  of the Articles of
Merger,  petition the court of equity in Frederick  County for  appraisal of the
fair value of his or her shares of  Underwriters  Company Common Stock as of the
date of the Underwriters  Companies Meeting,  without including any appreciation
or  depreciation  resulting  directly  or  indirectly  from  the  Merger  or its
proposal.  Any shareholder who files a notice of objection,  but fails to file a
written demand for the payment of fair value in a timely manner will be bound by
the  shareholder  vote and will not be entitled to receive  payment in cash as a
holder of dissenting  shares.  A shareholder  who demands payment for his or her
stock as a dissenting shareholder has no right to receive any dividends or other
distributions on such shares (or the shares of FCNB Common Stock into which such
dissenting  shares would be  converted),  after close of business on the date of
the Underwriters  Companies Meeting at which the Merger is approved,  and has no
other rights,  including voting rights, with respect to such shares,  except the
payment of fair value.  The rights of a shareholder  who demands payment will be
restored if the demand for payment is withdrawn,  a petition of appraisal is not
filed within the time required,  a court  determines that the shareholder is not
entitled to relief, or the Merger is abandoned or rescinded.

     If the  court  finds  that the  objecting  shareholder  is  entitled  to an
appraisal  of his or her stock,  the court  shall  appoint  three  disinterested
appraisers  to  determine  the fair value of the stock.  Within  sixty (60) days
after  appointment  (or  such  longer  period  as the  court  may  direct),  the
appraisers  shall  file with the court and mail to each  dissenting  shareholder
their report stating their conclusion as to the fair value of the stock.  Within
fifteen  (15) days after the filing of the  report,  any party may object to the
report and request a rehearing.  The court, upon motion of any party, will enter
an order either confirming,  modifying or rejecting the report and, if confirmed
or modified,  enter  judgment  directing  the time within which  payment must be
made. If the report is rejected, the court may determine the fair value or remit
the proceeding to the same or other appraisers. Any judgment entered pursuant to
a court proceeding will include interest from the date of the shareholders' vote
at the Meeting,  unless the court finds that the shareholder's refusal to accept
a written offer to purchase the shares was arbitrary,  vexatious and not in good
faith.

     The expenses of the appraisal proceedings,  not including fees and expenses
of counsel,  and not including fees or expenses of experts if FCNB made an offer
for the  dissenting  shareholders  stock if such offer  materially  exceeds  the
amount offered,  will be the responsibility of FCNB, except that all or any part
of  such  expenses  may be  assessed  against  any  or  all  of  the  dissenting
shareholders  to whom an  offer to pay for such  shareholder's  shares  has been
made,  if the  court  finds the  failure  to accept  such  offer was  arbitrary,
vexatious or not in good faith.

                                     - 26 -


<PAGE>




                                    FCNB CORP

     Financial  and other  information  relating  to FCNB is set forth in FCNB's
Annual  Report to  Shareholders  for the year ended  December 31, 1997,  and its
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998,  incorporated
by reference  herein.  Additional  financial and other  information  relating to
FCNB, including information relating to FCNB's directors and executive officers,
is included in FCNB's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  and FCNB's Proxy  Statement
relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 21, 1998, copies of
which may be obtained  without cost from FCNB.  Financial and other  information
relating to Capital Bank is set forth in Capital  Bank's  Annual  Report on Form
10-KSB for the year ended  December 31, 1997,  and its Quarterly  Report on Form
10-QSB for the  quarter  ended June 30,  1998 each of which is  incorporated  by
reference in FCNB's  Registration  Statement on Form S-4 relating to the Capital
Bank Merger and is included in the prospectus relating to FCNB's Special Meeting
of  Shareholders  to be held on November 4, 1998.  See  "Additional  Information
About FCNB Corp."

HISTORY AND BUSINESS

     FCNB was  organized  in 1986 to serve as the holding  company for the Bank,
its principal operating subsidiary.  The Bank, which was originally chartered in
1818, was converted from a national bank charter to a Maryland  commercial  bank
in 1993, and is engaged in a general  commercial and consumer banking  business,
serving  individuals  and  businesses  in Frederick,  Anne  Arundel,  Baltimore,
Carroll,  Howard,  Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland. The Bank
is the sixth largest commercial banking  institution  headquartered in Maryland.
At September 30, 1998,  FCNB had assets of  approximately  $1.07 billion,  total
deposits of approximately  $719.34 million,  and total  shareholders'  equity of
approximately  $82.97 million. The principal executive office of FCNB is located
at 7200 FCNB Court, Frederick, Maryland 21703, and its telephone number is (301)
662-2191.

     Over the past five years, FCNB has achieved  significant  growth in assets.
From 1993 to 1997,  FCNB's assets grew at an 11.1% compound  annual growth rate,
and  increased by $151.04  million,  or 16.07% in the first nine months of 1998.
FCNB has achieved its growth both internally and through  acquisition.  FCNB has
completed three whole bank acquisitions since 1995, consummating the acquisition
of Elkridge Bank (March 1995),  Laurel  Federal  Savings Bank (January 1996) and
Odenton Federal Savings and Loan  Association  (April 1996), as well as a number
of  branch  transactions,  including  most  recently  the  acquisition  of seven
branches,  holding  approximately $44.8 million in deposits as of June 26, 1998,
from two subsidiaries of First Virginia Banks, Inc.

     On June 23, 1998 FCNB entered into an Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization
and Merger  pursuant to which it will acquire Capital Bank through the merger of
Capital Bank with and into the FCNB Bank. Capital Bank, the main office of which
is in Rockville,  Maryland,  has three branches,  two located in the District of
Columbia and one in Tysons Corner,  Virginia.  FCNB will issue between 1,626,068
and 1,987,357  shares of Common Stock in  connection  with the  transaction.  At
September 30, 1998,  Capital had total assets of approximately  $172.07 million,
deposits of $151.04 million, and total shareholders's  equity of $12.28 million.
For the nine months ended  September 30, 1998,  and the year ended  December 31,
1997, Capital had net income of $1.2 million and $1.2 million,  respectively. It
is anticipated  that the merger will be accounted for as a pooling of interests.
It is anticipated  that the Capital Bank  transaction  will be completed in late
November 1998.

     FCNB has  also  had a  history  of  earnings  growth.  Net  income  (before
extraordinary  charges and merger related  expenses)  grew at a compound  annual
growth  rate of 7.2% from 1993 to 1997.  For the five year  period  from 1993 to
1997,  FCNB's average  annual return on average  assets  (before  merger-related
expenses) was 1.15%. The annualized  return on average equity and the annualized
return on average  assets for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998 were
12.16% and 1.02%, respectively.

     On July 20, 1998 FCNB raised $40.25 million in capital (before expenses and
commissions)  through the public  issuance of  1,610,000  8.25% Trust  Preferred
Securities by its  subsidiary  FCNB Capital  Trust,  a Delaware  business  trust
organized  for the purpose of issuing the  Preferred  Securities.  In connection
with the issuance of the

                                     - 27 -


<PAGE>



Preferred  Securities,  FCNB  issued  $40.25  million of its 8.25%  subordinated
debentures, due July 31, 2028, to FCNB Capital Trust.

     FCNB routinely  explores  opportunities for additional growth and expansion
of its core banking business and related  activities,  including the acquisition
of companies  engaged in banking or other  related  activities,  and  internally
generated growth. There can be no assurance,  however, that FCNB will be able to
grow,  or if it does,  that any such  growth  or  expansion  will  result  in an
increase  in FCNB's  earnings,  dividends,  book  value or  market  value of its
securities.

DESCRIPTION OF FCNB CAPITAL STOCK

     FCNB is authorized to issue an aggregate of twenty-one million (21,000,000)
shares of capital stock,  of which twenty million  (20,000,000) is common stock,
par value $1.00 per share, and one million (1,000,000) is undesignated preferred
stock.  As of the FCNB Record Date there were  _________________  shares of FCNB
Common  Stock  outstanding,   held  of  record  by  approximately  _____________
shareholders,  and options to purchase  ____________ shares of FCNB Common Stock
were issued and outstanding. No shares of preferred stock were outstanding as of
that date.

     FCNB  Common  Stock.  Each share of FCNB  Common  Stock is  entitled to one
noncumulative vote on all matters to be submitted to a vote of shareholders. The
holders of FCNB Common Stock are not entitled to any preemptive or  preferential
right to acquire any shares of any class of capital stock or other securities of
FCNB,  except as the FCNB Board may  expressly  provide in  connection  with any
offering of capital stock or other securities.  Holders of FCNB Common Stock are
entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by the FCNB Board.

     FCNB  maintains a Dividend  Reinvestment  and Stock Purchase Plan (the "DRI
Plan")  providing for the purchase of additional  shares of FCNB Common Stock by
reinvestment  of cash dividends paid on outstanding  shares of FCNB Common Stock
and/or by optional direct cash payments by shareholders.  Shares purchased under
the Plan with  reinvested  cash  dividends  and  optional  cash  payments can be
acquired  at 97% of current  market  prices.  No  commissions  or other fees are
charged.  Optional cash payments  pursuant to the DRI Plan are limited to $2,500
for any shareholder in each calendar  quarter.  The DRI Plan allows FCNB, at its
election, to use shares purchased in the open market, or authorized but unissued
shares, to satisfy demand under the plan.

     Upon  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding up of FCNB, the holders of FCNB
Common  Stock  would be  entitled  to ratably  receive all of the assets of FCNB
available for  distribution  after payment of all debts and liabilities of FCNB,
subject to the rights,  if any, of the holders of any class of  preferred  stock
which may be issued  with a priority  in  liquidation  or  dissolution  over the
holders of FCNB Common Stock.

     Preferred  Stock.  The FCNB  Board may,  from time to time,  by action of a
majority of the Board of Directors, issue shares of the authorized, undesignated
preferred  stock, in one or more classes or series.  In connection with any such
issuance, the Board may by resolution determine the designation,  voting rights,
preferences  as  to  dividends,  in  liquidation  or  otherwise,  participation,
redemption,  sinking  fund,  conversion,  dividend  or other  special  rights or
powers,  and the limitations,  qualifications and restrictions of such shares of
preferred  stock.  As of the date  hereof,  no  shares  of  preferred  stock are
outstanding.

                                     - 28 -


<PAGE>



MARKET FOR FCNB COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS

     Market for Common  Stock.  FCNB  Common  Stock is listed for  quotation  on
Nasdaq under the symbol "FCNB." Eight brokerage firms,  Ferris,  Baker,  Watts &
Co., Legg Mason Wood Walker,  Inc.,  Ryan,  Beck & Co., Wheat First  Securities,
Inc.  Sandler O'Neill & Partners,  L.P.,  Janney  Montgomery  Scott,  Inc., F.J.
Morrisey & Co., Inc., and Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc., currently offer to make a
market in FCNB Common Stock on a regular basis.

     Dividends.  Holders of FCNB Common Stock are entitled to receive  dividends
as and when declared by the FCNB Board.  Historically,  FCNB has paid  quarterly
cash dividends on or about January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31 of each
year.  Funds for the payment of dividends will, for the foreseeable  future,  be
obtained from dividends paid to FCNB by the Bank, which dividends are subject to
statutory limitations.

     In addition,  FCNB and its banking  subsidiary are subject to capital ratio
requirements  imposed  by the  Federal  Reserve.  The  effect of the  payment of
dividends on FCNB's or its  subsidiary's  capital  ratios may be a factor in the
determination  of the FCNB Board,  or the ability of FCNB, to pay dividends.  To
the extent that such ratios are inadequate  for regulatory  purposes or would be
if dividends  were paid by its banking  subsidiaries  to FCNB, or by FCNB to its
shareholders,  FCNB's  banking  subsidiaries  or FCNB, as  applicable,  would be
precluded from paying  dividends.  Although the management of FCNB believes that
sufficient funds for the payment of dividends will be available, there can be no
assurance  that funds for the payment of dividends will continue to be available
in sufficient  amounts to pay dividends in accordance with FCNB's past practice,
or even if available,  that the FCNB Board will elect to expend resources in the
payment of  dividends,  as  opposed  to  retaining  earnings  to fund  growth or
expansion, or for other corporate purposes.

     Set forth below are the high and low prices for FCNB Common  Stock for each
quarter since January 1, 1996, as well as the amount of cash dividends  declared
in each quarter.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

      Quarter Ended           High(1)          Low(1)         Dividends Declared(1)
      -------------           -------          ------         ---------------------

<S>                           <C>              <C>                   <C>   
March 31, 1998                $24.38           $20.81                $0.128

June 30, 1998                 $24.94           $23.44                $0.135

September 30, 1998            $26.81           $23.88                $0.143



March 31, 1997                $15.34           $13.64                $0.102

June 30, 1997                 $15.00           $13.64                $0.102

September 30, 1997            $23.87           $13.98                $0.109

December 31, 1997             $23.69           $20.80                $0.116



March 31, 1996                $15.00           $12.11                $0.082

June 30, 1996                 $13.30           $11.76                $0.095

September 30, 1996            $13.64           $11.59                $0.095

December 31, 1996             $14.15           $13.13                $0.095
</TABLE>


(1)  Information for periods prior to September 30, 1998 are adjusted to reflect
     the Stock Split.

                                     - 29 -


<PAGE>



           COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
                      THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF FCNB

     Following  effectiveness of the Merger of the  Underwriters  Companies with
and into First Choice,  the former holders of  Underwriter  Company Common Stock
will become holders of FCNB Common Stock, and the rights of such holders will be
determined by reference to the Maryland General  Corporation Law (the "MGCL") as
it applies to large,  public  companies,  the Restated Articles of Incorporation
("Articles")  and Bylaws of FCNB,  rather  than the  Articles  of  Incorporation
("Articles"), and Bylaws of the respective Underwriters Companies.

     Authorized  Shares. The Articles of FCNB authorize the FCNB Board to issue,
without further authorization by shareholders, up to twenty million (20,000,000)
shares of FCNB Common  Stock,  and one million  (1,000,000)  shares of preferred
stock  having  such rights as the Board in its  discretion  may  determine.  See
"Description  of FCNB Capital  Stock." The  Articles of  Frederick  Underwriters
authorize the issuance of 2,000 shares of Frederick  Underwriters  Common Stock.
The Articles of Phillips authorize the issuance of 400 shares of Phillips Common
Stock,  and the  Articles of Carroll  County  authorize  the  issuance of 10,000
shares of Carroll County Common Stock. None of the Underwriters Companies has an
authorized  class of preferred  stock.  The existence of a class of  authorized,
undesignated  preferred stock could have the effect of discouraging or rendering
more difficult an attempted takeover of FCNB, or, alternatively, of facilitating
a negotiated acquisition. The availability of additional shares of capital stock
for issuance could have the effect of diluting the ownership interest of holders
of FCNB Common Stock.

     Voting  Rights.  The holders of FCNB Common  Stock are entitled to one vote
per  share on all  matters  submitted  for a vote of  shareholders,  and are not
permitted  to cumulate  votes in the  election of  directors.  The  undesignated
preferred shares  authorized by FCNB's Articles could be issued with such voting
rights as the FCNB Board of Directors  determines  at the time of issuance.  The
holders of Underwriters  Company Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share
on all matters submitted for the vote of shareholders,  and are not permitted to
cumulate votes in the election of directors.

     Directors.  The  Articles  and the  Bylaws  of  FCNB  call  for a Board  of
Directors of between  three and fifteen  directors,  with the exact number to be
determined by the resolution of the Board of Directors.  Currently,  as a result
there are fourteen directors which are divided into one class of four directors,
and two classes of five directors.  At each annual meeting, one class is elected
for a three year term and until their  successors  shall have been duly  elected
and  qualified.  The Articles and Bylaws of  Frederick  Underwriters  call for a
Board of Directors of between three and six directors,  with the exact number to
be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. The full board is elected
annually for a one year term.  The  Articles  and Bylaws of Phillips  call for a
Board of Directors of three directors.  The full board is elected annually for a
one year term.  The  Articles  and Bylaws of Carroll  County call for a Board of
Directors  of  between  three and seven  directors.  The full  board is  elected
annually for a one year term. In  determining  the rights of any class or series
of preferred stock which may in the future be issued,  the Board of Directors of
FCNB may provide  that any such class or series is entitled to elect one or more
directors separately from the holders of other classes of capital stock.

     The Articles of FCNB provide that directors may be removed at any time, but
only for cause and upon the vote of the holders of eighty  percent (80%) or more
of the total  number of votes  entitled to be cast  generally in the election of
directors.  The provision regarding the removal of directors may be amended only
upon the vote of holders of eighty  percent  (80%) of all votes  entitled  to be
cast in the  election  of  directors.  The  Bylaws  of each of the  Underwriters
Companies  provide that any director may be removed without cause, upon the vote
of a majority of the shares outstanding.

     Special  Meetings.  Special  meetings  of the  shareholders  of FCNB may be
called by the  Chairman  of the Board,  President  or a majority of the Board of
Directors,  or by the  request of the holders of at least  twenty  five  percent
(25%) of the votes  entitled to be cast at the meeting.  FCNB's  Bylaws  provide
that if any matter to be acted

                                     - 30 -


<PAGE>



upon at the  meeting  is  substantially  the same as a matter  voted upon at any
special meeting of  shareholders  held during the preceding  twelve months,  the
holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the votes  entitled to be cast at the
meeting must  request the meeting  with  respect to such  matter.  Additionally,
shareholders  of FCNB  requesting  a  special  meeting  must pay the  reasonably
estimated  costs of  preparing  and  mailing a notice of such  meeting  prior to
issuance of a notice for the meeting.  Special  meetings of the  shareholders of
each of the Underwriters  Companies may be called for any legitimate  purpose by
the Board of Directors,  the President or Vice President, or upon the request of
shareholders  owning in the  aggregate  at least a majority  of the  outstanding
shares of such  company's  common  stock.  The  conduct of  business  at special
meetings of both FCNB and the  Underwriters  Companies is limited to the matters
set forth in the notice.

     Amendment of Articles.  Except where applicable law or the Articles of FCNB
provide  otherwise,  the Articles of FCNB may be amended by the affirmative vote
of  two-thirds of the votes  entitled to be cast  thereon.  The provision of the
FCNB Articles relating to removal of directors may be amended only upon the vote
of the holders of eighty  percent (80%) of the votes  entitled to be cast in the
election of directors,  voting as a single class. Except to the extent a greater
vote is  required  by law,  the  Articles  of each  Underwriters  Company may be
amended by a vote of a majority of the outstanding common stock of such company.

     Consideration of Business  Combinations.  The Articles of FCNB provide that
where the Board of Directors evaluates any actual or proposed  transaction which
would or may involve a change in control of FCNB, the Board of Directors  shall,
in connection with the exercise of its business judgement in determining what is
in  the  best  interests  of  FCNB  and  its  shareholders  and  in  making  any
recommendation  to its  shareholders,  give due  consideration  to all  relevant
factors,  including,  but not limited to the economic effect, both immediate and
long  term,  upon  FCNB's  shareholders,  if  any,  not  to  participate  in the
transaction;  the social and economic  effect on the  employees,  depositors and
customers of, and others  dealing  with,  FCNB and its  subsidiaries  and on the
communities in which FCNB and its subsidiaries  operate or are located;  whether
the proposal is acceptable based on the historical and current operating results
or financial condition of FCNB; whether a more favorable price could be obtained
for the FCNB Common Stock or other securities in the future;  the reputation and
business  practices of the offeror and its  management  and  affiliates  as they
would affect the employees of FCNB and its subsidiaries; the future value of the
stock or other  securities  of  FCNB;  and any  antitrust  or  other  legal  and
regulatory  issues that are raised by the  proposal.  If the Board of  Directors
determines that any such transaction should be rejected,  it may take any lawful
action to defeat such  transaction.  The Articles and Bylaws of the Underwriters
Companies do not contain any comparable provisions.

     Advance  Written  Notice of  Shareholder  Proposals  and  Nominations.  The
Articles of FCNB provide that any  shareholder  entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders who desires to nominate any person for election as director of FCNB
or who  desires to bring up any new  business at the  meeting,  but who does not
seek to have  such  nomination  or  proposal  included  in the  proxy  materials
prepared  by FCNB,  give at least 30 days,  but not more  than 60 days,  written
notice to FCNB of such nomination or business. Where less than 31 days notice of
the  meeting  was given to  shareholders  by FCNB,  notice  must be given by the
shareholder  within 10 days of the date on which the  meeting was  announced  to
shareholders.  If notice by the shareholder is not given in proper form and in a
timely  manner,  the  matter  will  be laid  over  until  the  next  meeting  of
shareholders  held  more  than  30 days  following  the  meeting  at  which  the
nomination or proposal,  was made. The Articles and Bylaws of Capital require at
least 14 days but not more than 50 days notice of any shareholder nomination for
election as a director, provided that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting
at which the election of directors  will be held is given,  seven days notice is
required.  The Articles and Bylaws of the Underwriters  Companies do not contain
any provisions  regarding  shareholder  business proposals to be brought up at a
meeting of shareholders.

                                     - 31 -


<PAGE>



     Restrictions on Business Combinations with Interested Shareholders. Section
3-602 of the MGCL  imposes  conditions  and  restrictions  on certain  "business
combinations"   (including,   among  other  various   transactions,   a  merger,
consolidation,  share exchange, or, in certain circumstances,  an asset transfer
or issuance of equity securities) between a Maryland  corporation and any person
who beneficially  owns at least 10% of the  corporation's  stock (an "interested
shareholder").  Unless  approved  in  advance  by the  board  of  directors,  or
otherwise exempted by the statute, such a business combination is prohibited for
a period of five  years  after  the most  recent  date on which  the  interested
shareholder  became an interested  shareholder.  After such five-year  period, a
business combination with an interested  shareholder must be: (a) recommended by
the corporation's  board of directors,  and (b) approved by the affirmative vote
of at least (i) 80% of the corporation's outstanding shares entitled to vote and
(ii) two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote which are not held by
the interested shareholder with whom the business combination is to be effected,
unless,  among other things,  the corporation's  common  shareholders  receive a
"fair price" (as defined by the statute) for their shares and the  consideration
is received  in cash or in the same form as  previously  paid by the  interested
shareholder  for his or her  shares.  Section  3-602  is not  applicable  to the
Underwriters Companies. The Articles and Bylaws of the Underwriters Companies do
not include any  provisions  imposing any special  approval  requirements  for a
transaction with a major shareholder.

     Control  Share  Acquisition   Statute.   Under  the  MGCL's  control  share
acquisition  law,  voting  rights of shares of stock of a  Maryland  corporation
acquired by an acquiring  person at ownership  levels of 20%, 33-1/3% and 50% of
the outstanding shares are denied unless conferred by a special shareholder vote
of two-thirds of the outstanding shares held by persons other than the acquiring
person and officers and directors of the corporation or, among other exceptions,
such  acquisition  of shares is made  pursuant  to a merger  agreement  with the
corporation  or the  corporation's  charter or bylaws permit the  acquisition of
such  shares  prior to the  acquiring  person's  acquisition  thereof.  Unless a
corporation's  charter or bylaws  provide  otherwise,  the statute  permits such
corporation  to redeem the acquired  shares at "fair value" if the voting rights
are not approved or if the  acquiring  person does not deliver a "control  share
acquisition  statement" to the  corporation on or before the tenth day after the
control share acquisition. The acquiring person may call a shareholder's meeting
to consider  authorizing  voting  rights for control  shares  subject to certain
disclosure  obligations  and  payment of  certain  costs.  If voting  rights are
approved  for more  than  fifty  percent  of the  outstanding  stock,  objecting
shareholders  may have their shares appraised and repurchased by the corporation
for  cash.  The  control  share   acquisition  law  is  not  applicable  to  the
Underwriters Companies. The Articles and Bylaws of the Underwriters Companies do
not include any provisions restricting the voting ability of major shareholders.

                           THE UNDERWRITERS COMPANIES

     Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc.,  Carroll County Insurance Agency,  Inc. and
Phillips  Insurance  Agency,  Inc.  are  collectively  referred to herein as the
"Underwriters Companies".

     Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc. was incorporated in the State of Maryland on
September 5, 1936. The principal  purpose for which the  corporation  was formed
was to conduct a general  insurance  agency and  underwriting  in each and every
line of insurance. The principal executive office of Frederick Underwriters,  is
located at 1201 East Street,  Frederick,  Maryland 21701. Frederick Underwriters
currently  has a total of 54  employees,  50 of which are full  time  employees.
Frederick  Underwriters  one of the largest  independent  insurance  agencies in
Maryland,  engages principally in insurance brokerage activity, writing policies
for  properties  and  businesses  located  across the  country.  The majority of
Frederick Underwriters customers are based in Frederick County, Maryland, and in
the surrounding central Maryland market. Over the years,  Frederick Underwriters
has acquired a number of small independent  insurance  agencies in the Frederick
County Market.

     Carroll County  Insurance  Agency,  Inc. was  incorporated  in the State of
Maryland on October 6, 1980. The principal purpose for which the corporation was
formed was to conduct a general  insurance  agency and  underwriting in each and
every line of insurance.  The principal  executive  office of Carroll  County is
located at 125 Airport Drive, #20,  Westminster,  Maryland 21158. Carroll County
has a total of 9 employees,  all of which are full time. Carroll County operates
principally in the Carroll County Market.

                                     - 32 -


<PAGE>



     Phillips  Insurance  Agency,  Incorporated was incorporated in the State of
Maryland on July 17, 1968. The  predecessor  to Phillips was Phillips  Insurance
Agency.  Phillips  Insurance  Agency was purchased by Jacob R.  Ramsburg,  Sr. &
Associates by Agreement of Sale dated June 6, 1968 and  incorporated as Phillips
Insurance  Agency,  Inc., as stated above.  The principal  purpose for which the
corporation  was  formed  was to act as an  agent  for  insurance  companies  in
soliciting and receiving  applications for fire, casualty,  plate glass, boiler,
elevator,  accident,  health, burglary, rent, marine, credit, life and all other
kinds of  insurance  and to conduct a general  insurance  agency  and  insurance
brokerage business. The principal and executive office of Phillips is located at
50 Souder Road,  Brunswick,  Maryland 21716.  Phillips  Insurance Agency has two
employees,  both of which are full time.  Phillips  operates  principally in the
Brunswick region of Frederick County, Maryland.

     The  Underwriters  Companies  have  substantial  common  ownership  and the
President and principal  shareholder  of each of the  Underwriters  Companies is
J.R. Ramsburg, Jr., a director of FCNB and FCNB Bank. Following this merger with
FCNB,  Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc. and Phillips  Insurance Agency,  Inc. will
operate as "Frederick Underwriters,  Inc." Carroll County Insurance Agency, Inc.
will  operate as  "Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc. t/a Carroll  County  Insurance
Agency."

     The  Underwriters   Companies  had  aggregate   revenues  of  approximately
$5,400,000 in 1997 (excluding non-recurring securities gains) and $4,300,000 for
the first nine months of 1998.

                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion and analysis provides information which management
of  the  Underwriters  Companies  believes  is  relevant  to an  assessment  and
understanding  of the  results  of  operations  nd  financial  condition  of the
Underwriters  Companies.  This  discussion  should be read in  conjunction  with
combined  financial  statements  for the year ended  December 31, 1997 and notes
thereto,  and the unaudited  combined  financial  statements  for the six months
ended June 30, 1998, appearing elsewhere herein.

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     During 1997 the Underwriters  Companies  experienced a $336,881 decrease in
commission  revenue,  or 6% below the level during 1996.  This  decrease was the
result of continually decreasing contingency commissions.

     Decreases  in the  Company's  operating  expenses of  $474,131  during 1997
offset the  decreased  commission  revenue and resulted in  operating  income of
$87,693.  This reduction is a result of salary decreases of $388,947 during 1997
due to the  reduction  of the  workforce as part of the  Company's  cost cutting
efforts.  In  addition,  payroll  taxes and other  employee  costs  decreased by
approximately $57,000.

     In 1997,  the  Company  realized  a gain on the sale of  marketable  equity
securities  of  $158,558 as a  resulting  from the sale of 7,750  shares of FCNB
Corp.

     Interest  expense  increased  to  $256,994 in 1997 which  represents  a 64%
increase  over the level at the end of 1996.  This was due to  $1,333,000 in new
borrowings on long-term debt from the principal shareholder.

     As a result  of the  foregoing,  after tax net  income of the  Underwriters
Companies  was  $69,411 in 1997  compared  net  income of $78,030 in 1996.  This
represents  earnings per share of $28 in 1997 and $31 in 1996. Return on average
total assets decreased from 1.72% in 1996 to 1.55% in 1997.

     For the first six months of 1998,  aggregate  revenues  were  approximately
$3.26 million  compared to $2.82 million during the  comparable  period in 1997.
The  increase  results  primarily  from a gain  on the  sale  of  securities  of
$375,000.  Net income for the six month  period in 1998 was $276,000 an increase
of $177,000 from the same

                                     - 33 -


<PAGE>



period in 1997.  Operating  expenses  for the six  months  ended  June 30,  1998
increased  approximately  $171,000 from 1997,  reflecting a $125,000 increase in
bad debt provisions.

INCOME TAXES

     The provision for income tax expense decreased to $41,366 in 1997, compared
to  $54,737,  reflecting  the  lower  level  of  pre-tax  income  in  1997.  The
Underwriters  Companies' effective tax rate was 37.3% in 1997, compared to 41.2%
in 1996. The Company's  income tax expense  differs from the amount  computed at
statutory  rates  primarily  due to  nondeductible  expenses,  the  benefit of a
federal surtax  exemption,  changes in the valuation  allowance for the deferred
tax assets and state income taxes. Note 8 to the combined  financial  statements
reconciles  expected  income tax at the  statutory  rate with income tax expense
included in the combined statement of income.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Cash increased during 1997 by $66,889 to $291,672. The net increase in cash
can be attributed  to cash provided by operating  activities of $87,324 and cash
provided by investing  activities of $327,943 which was partially offset by cash
used in  financing  activities  of  $348,378.  The cash  provided  by  investing
activities  was the  result  of the sale of  marketable  equity  securities  and
payments received on stockholder notes receivable.

     The Company  continues to hold investments in marketable  equity securities
which it expects to liquidate in 1998.

INFLATION

     Inflationary  factors in recent years have not had a significant  effect on
the Company's  operations.  As long as the Company maintains its borrowings from
related parties, changes in interest rates will not have a significant impact on
such interest expense.

YEAR 2000

     The Company is  currently  addressing  the many areas  affected by the Year
2000  computer  issue.  A Year  2000  plan  has  been  prepared  which  includes
contacting all of the software vendors that maintain the computer  programs that
the  Company  relies  upon.  This plan  provides  that the  Company  will obtain
assurances  from these  software  vendors that their  products will be year 2000
compliant.  All systems  potentially  affected will be evaluated.  The plan also
includes  the  employment  of a computer  specialist  to provide  leadership  in
addressing  these issues.  At this time, it is anticipated  that systems testing
will be complete by June 1, 1999. Since many of the programs used by the Company
are  "off-the-shelf"  as  compared to "highly  customized,"  the cost to address
these  matters is not  expected  to have a material  impact on future  operating
results or  financial  condition.  This area is  changing  very  rapidly and the
actual results may differ from what has been anticipated.

MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS

     There is no established trading market for shares of common stock of any of
the Underwriters Companies,  and there are no dealers who offer to make a market
in the Underwriters  Companies Common Stocks on a regular basis. Common Stock of
the  Underwriters  Companies is subject to infrequent  trades,  in  individually
negotiated transactions.  To the knowledge of the Underwriters Companies,  there
have been no sales of the Common Stock of any  Underwriters  Company  within the
last two years.

     For  information   regarding  the  dividend  history  of  the  Underwriters
Companies, refer to the audited combined statement of the Underwriters Companies
included herein.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

                                     - 34 -


<PAGE>




     The  validity of the  issuance of the shares of FCNB Common  Stock  offered
hereby will be passed upon for FCNB by Kennedy, Baris & Lundy, L.L.P., Bethesda,
Maryland.  Certain federal income tax  consequences of the transaction have been
passed upon by Kevin P. Kennedy, Esquire.

                                     EXPERTS

     The  combined   financial   statements   of  the   Underwriters   Companies
incorporated  by reference  herein and  delivered  herewith have been audited by
Keller Bruner & Company,  L.L.C.  independent  certified public accountants,  as
indicated in their report dated October 14, 1998 with respect  thereto,  and are
incorporated by reference  herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.

     The  consolidated  financial  statements of FCNB  incorporated by reference
herein  have  been  audited  by Keller  Bruner &  Company,  L.L.C.,  independent
certified  public  accountants,  as indicated in their reports dated January 23,
1998 with respect thereto,  and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                     - 35 -


<PAGE>



                 INDEX TO AUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COMBINED FINANCIAL REPORT (AUDITED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Independent Auditor's Report....................................................................................F-1

Combined Balance Sheet..........................................................................................F-2

Combined Statement of Income....................................................................................F-4

Combined Statement of Stockholders' Equity......................................................................F-5

Combined Statement of Cash Flows................................................................................F-6

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements......................................................................F-8
</TABLE>

                                     - 36 -


<PAGE>



                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Frederick Underwriters, Inc.
Frederick, Maryland

We  have  audited  the   accompanying   combined   balance  sheet  of  Frederick
Underwriters, Inc. and affiliates (the Company) as of December 31, 1997, and the
related combined statements of income,  stockholders' equity, and cash flows for
the year then ended.  These financial  statements are the  responsibility of the
Company's  management.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards  require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance   about  whether  the  financial   statements  are  free  of  material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the combined  financial  statements  referred to above  present
fairly,  in  all  material   respects,   the  financial  position  of  Frederick
Underwriters,  Inc. and  affiliates as of December 31, 1997,  and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.

As  described  in  Note  1  to  the  combined  financial  statements,  Frederick
Underwriters,  Inc.  changed  its  reporting  entity to include  Carroll  County
Insurance Agency, Inc., and Phillips Insurance Agency, Inc., companies which are
affiliated  through  common  ownership.  The  financial  statements  present the
combined operations of these three companies.

The  statement of income for 1996,  which is included for  comparative  purposes
only, is not intended to constitute  an adequate  presentation  of the Company's
results of operations.  It was compiled by combining the financial statements of
the individual companies for that year, which were previously compiled by us.


 /s/ KELLER BRUNER & COMPANY, L.L.C.


Frederick, Maryland
October 14, 1998

                                      F - 1
<PAGE>




FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                              <C>
Current Assets
   Cash                                                                                          $          291,672

   Accounts receivable:
      Customers, less allowance for doubtful
       accounts of $101,000                                                                               1,427,856
      Commissions                                                                                           348,809
   Deferred taxes                                                                                            94,147
                                                                                                 ------------------
               TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                                                       2,162,484
                                                                                                 ------------------



Investments and Long-Term Receivables
   Investments                                                                                              444,495
   Cash value of life insurance                                                                             338,362
   Notes receivable - stockholder                                                                           529,449
                                                                                                 ------------------
                                                                                                          1,312,306
                                                                                                 ------------------


Property and Equipment, less accumulated
 depreciation of $1,120,204                                                                                 648,271
                                                                                                 ------------------


Other Assets
   Intangible assets - net of amortization                                                                  138,789
   Prepaid pension costs                                                                                     48,811
   Deferred taxes                                                                                            15,754
   Deposits                                                                                                     566
                                                                                                 ------------------
                                                                                                            203,920
                                                                                                 ------------------
                                                                                                 $        4,326,981
                                                                                                 ==================



See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
</TABLE>

                                      F - 2
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                             <C>
Current Liabilities
   Current maturities of long-term debt                                                          $          290,379
   Accounts payable:
      Insurance companies                                                                                 1,662,923
      Other                                                                                                  30,657
   Premiums paid in advance                                                                               1,125,683
   Income taxes payable                                                                                      48,114
   Deferred taxes                                                                                            81,455
   Dividend payable                                                                                          11,499
   Accrued payroll taxes and other expenses                                                                  44,514
                                                                                                 ------------------
               TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                                  3,295,224
                                                                                                 ------------------

Long-term Debt, less current maturities                                                                   1,116,454
                                                                                                 ------------------

Deferred Taxes                                                                                              108,399
                                                                                                 ------------------


Commitment and Contingencies

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
   Common stock                                                                                              55,490
   Retained earnings (deficit)                                                                             (461,274)
   Unrealized gains on investment securities, net                                                           212,688
                                                                                                 ------------------
                                                                                                           (193,096)
                                                                                                 ------------------



                                                                                                 $        4,326,981
                                                                                                 ================== 


</TABLE>

                                      F - 3


<PAGE>



FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
(WITH COMPARATIVE COMBINED AMOUNTS FOR 1996)
SEE AUDITOR'S REPORT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                          1996
                                                                                      1997             (Compiled)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>             
Commissions earned                                                              $     5,331,510    $      5,668,391
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------


Operating expenses:
   Salaries                                                                           1,633,449           1,858,591
   Officers' salaries                                                                 1,295,431           1,459,236
   Advertising and promotion                                                            313,643             318,319
   Amortization expense                                                                  84,507              90,919
   Auto expense                                                                          72,418              78,526
   Bad debts                                                                             36,201              47,148
   Commission expense                                                                   339,764             344,390
   Depreciation expense                                                                 157,098             156,212
   Insurance - group                                                                    129,869             164,404
   Insurance - liability                                                                 57,017              68,485
   Insurance - other                                                                     56,295              19,320
   Janitorial                                                                            22,757              27,041
   Office supplies and expense                                                          193,675             182,097
   Payroll taxes                                                                        200,069             220,403
   Pension                                                                               36,425              73,138
   Professional fees                                                                    171,544             147,509
   Rent                                                                                 191,875             201,609
   Telephone                                                                            132,057             125,982
   Other operating expenses                                                             119,723             134,619
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------
                                                                                      5,243,817           5,717,948
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

               OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                                   87,693             (49,557)
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

Other income (expenses):
   Gain on disposition of assets                                                        152,868             246,939
   Interest income                                                                       48,076              45,026
   Other income                                                                          79,134              46,697
   Interest (expense)                                                                  (256,994)           (156,338)
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------
                                                                                         23,084             182,324
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

               INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                               110,777             132,767

Provision for income tax expense                                                         41,366              54,737
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

               NET INCOME                                                       $        69,411    $         78,030
                                                                                ===============    ================


See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
</TABLE>

                                     F - 4
<PAGE>



FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

COMBINED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    
                                                                                                       Net               Total
                                                                                    Retained        Unrealized       Stockholders'
                                                                    Common          Earnings         Gains on           Equity
                                                                     Stock          (deficit)        Securities        (Deficit)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>                <C>                <C>        
Balance, December 31, 1996,
 as previously reported                                           $  29,580         $ (54,320)         $ 212,688          $ 187,948

   Cumulative effect of change
    in reporting entity                                              25,910          (434,853)           (22,153)          (431,096)

   Effect of prior period adjustments                                    --             8,288                 --              8,288

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

Balance, December 31, 1996,
 as restated                                                         55,490          (480,885)           190,535           (234,860)

   Net income                                                            --            69,411                 --             69,411

   Dividends                                                             --           (49,800)                --            (49,800)

   Fair value adjustment for securities
    available for sale, net                                              --                --             22,153             22,153
                                                                  ---------         ---------          ---------          --------- 

Balance, December 31, 1997                                        $  55,490         $(461,274)         $ 212,688          $(193,096)
                                                                  =========         =========          =========          ========= 



</TABLE>

See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.
    
                                      F -5

<PAGE>



FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                             <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
   Cash received from customers                                                                 $ 4,625,419
   Cash paid to suppliers and employees                                                          (4,325,882)
   Interest and dividends received                                                                   19,415
   Interest paid                                                                                   (252,731)
   Income tax refunds                                                                                21,103
                                                                                                -----------
               NET CASH PROVIDED BY
                OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                                 87,324
                                                                                                -----------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
   Proceed from the sale of securities                                                              223,660
   Purchase of cash value of life insurance                                                         (39,507)
   Payments on notes receivable - principally stockholders                                          162,565
   Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment                                                9,400
   Purchase of property and equipment                                                               (28,175)
                                                                                                 -----------
               NET CASH PROVIDED BY
                INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                                327,943
                                                                                                -----------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
   Proceeds from borrowings on related-party debt                                                 1,333,000
   Proceeds from borrowings on note payable                                                         500,000
   Principal payments on notes payable                                                           (2,181,378)
                                                                                                -----------
               NET CASH (USED IN)
                FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                               (348,378)
                                                                                                -----------


               NET INCREASE IN CASH                                                                  66,889

Cash:
   Beginning                                                                                        224,783
                                                                                                -----------
   Ending                                                                                       $   291,672
                                                                                                ===========



                                   (Continued)
</TABLE>
                                     F - 6

<PAGE>



FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                                <C>
Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash
 Provided by Operating Activities
      Net income                                                                                    $  69,411
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
        provided by operating activities:
         Depreciation                                                                                 157,098
         Amortization                                                                                  84,507
         Deferred taxes                                                                               (22,775)
         Reduction of notes receivable - stockholder
          by increasing salary                                                                         64,355
         Gain on disposition of assets                                                               (152,868)
         Partnership (income) loss                                                                        154
         Income from life insurance policies                                                           19,327
         Interest income on stockholders' loans paid
          by declaring a dividend                                                                     (39,495)
         Reduced commission income used to repay borrowings                                          (115,737)
         Changes in assets and liabilities:
           (Increase) decrease in:
               Accounts receivable                                                                   (343,671)
               Income tax deposits in excess of liability                                              22,400
               Prepaid pension costs                                                                  (26,364)
           Increase (decrease) in:
               Accounts payable                                                                       372,049
               Premiums paid in advance                                                               (46,305)
               Income taxes payable                                                                    48,114
               Accrued expenses                                                                        (2,876)
                                                                                                    ---------
               NET CASH PROVIDED BY
                OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                                $  87,324
                                                                                                    =========
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and
 Financing Activities
   Dividends and salary used to pay interest on notes receivable                                    $  42,381
                                                                                                    =========

   Reduction of notes receivable - stockholder by increasing salary                                 $  64,355
                                                                                                    =========

   Commissions used to repay borrowing
    plus interest from insurance company                                                            $ 120,000
                                                                                                    =========

   Dividends declared and unpaid                                                                    $  10,305
                                                                                                    =========

</TABLE>

See Notes to Combined Financial Statements.

                                     F - 7
<PAGE>



FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 1.    NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of business:  Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc. and its  affiliates  Carroll
County  Insurance  Agency,   Inc.  and  Phillips  Insurance  Agency,   Inc.  are
independent  insurance  agencies with offices in Frederick  and Carroll  County,
Maryland. The Company grants credit to customers,  substantially all of whom are
local residents.

A summary of the significant accounting policies follows:

Principles of combination and change in reporting entity:  During the year ended
December 31, 1997, Frederick Underwriters,  Inc. adopted the policy of including
Carroll County  Insurance  Agency,  Inc. and Phillips  Insurance  Agency,  Inc.,
affiliated  companies  through  common  ownership,  on  a  combined  basis.  The
accompanying  combined  financial  statements  include the accounts of all three
entities (the Company).  All material  related party  balances and  transactions
have been eliminated in combination.

Method of accounting:  The Company  follows the accrual method of accounting for
both financial and income tax reporting purposes.

Estimates:  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the financial
statements  and the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash: The Company  maintains its cash in bank deposit  accounts which, at times,
may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses
on such  accounts.  The Company  believes  it is not exposed to any  significant
credit risk on cash.

Provision for doubtful accounts:  The Company provides an allowance for doubtful
receivables  based on estimated  collection  losses that will be  incurred.  The
estimated  losses  are  based on the  historical  relationship  of prior  year's
collection  losses to sales and on a review of the  current  status of  existing
receivables.

Property and equipment: Property and equipment are carried at original cost less
accumulated  depreciation to date. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line
method at rates calculated to amortize the cost of applicable  assets over their
estimated useful lives.

Investments: All investments other than marketable equity securities are carried
at cost,  except where there is a permanent  impairment of value,  in which case
they are carried at estimated realizable value.

Management  classified its marketable equity  securities as  available-for-sale.
These  securities  are carried at market  value,  with any  unrealized  gains or
losses reported in stockholders' equity, net of the related deferred tax.

                                     F - 8
<PAGE>



FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 1.  NATURE OF  BUSINESS  AND  SUMMARY OF  SIGNIFICANT  ACCOUNTING  POLICIES
(CONTINUED)

Intangible assets: Intangible assets are reflected in these financial statements
at  original  acquisition  cost net of  accumulated  amortization  to date.  The
Company amortizes  intangible assets over their estimated period of benefit of 3
to 15 years.

Advertising:  Advertising cost are expensed to operations when incurred.

Income taxes:  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed  annually
for  differences  between the  financial  statement  and tax bases of assets and
liabilities  based on  enacted  tax laws and  rates.  Valuation  allowances  are
established  when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected
to be realized.  The provision for income taxes is the tax payable or refundable
for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets
and liabilities.

Prior year amounts: The financial statements include certain prior-year combined
comparative information.  Such information does not include sufficient detail to
constitute a  presentation  in conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles. Accordingly, such information should be read in conjunction with the
compiled financial  statements of Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc., Carroll County
Insurance,  Inc. and Phillips Insurance Agency, Inc. for the year ended December
31, 1996, from which the combined information was derived.

NOTE 2.    INVESTMENTS

Investments consist of the following at December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Marketable equity securities                                                             $420,195
Investment in jointly-owned real estate                                                    18,568
Other investments                                                                           5,732
                                                                                         --------
                                                                                         $444,495
                                                                                         ========
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1997 marketable  equity  securities  consist of 15,116 shares of
FCNB Corp. detailed as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Cost                                                                                     $126,052
Unrealized gain                                                                           294,143
                                                                                         --------
      Market value                                                                       $420,195
                                                                                         ========
</TABLE>

During the year ended  December 31, 1997,  the Company sold 7,750 shares of FCNB
Corp resulting in a gain of $158,558.

The Company and an unrelated  corporation jointly own rental real estate located
at 431  Carrollton  Drive,  Frederick,  Maryland  costing  $68,630  and a  joint
checking  account  used to manage  the  property  with a balance  of  $17,290 at
December 31, 1997. There are no liabilities  encumbering  this real estate.  The
investment is recorded at one half of the total of depreciated cost and cash.

                                     F - 9
<PAGE>



FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 3.    LONG-TERM NOTES RECEIVABLE

Long-term  notes  receivable  of $529,449 at December 31, 1997 are unsecured and
due from  stockholders.  They bear  interest at  applicable  federal rates which
range from 5.68% to 5.79% and mature from October 1998 to October 2001.

NOTE 4.    PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION

Property and equipment consists of the following as of December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                                                      <C>  
Office equipment                                                                                                          $1,127,022
Automobiles                                                                                                                  404,453
Leasehold improvements                                                                                                       237,000
                                                                                                                          ----------
                                                                                                                           1,768,475
   Less accumulated depreciation                                                                                           1,120,204
                                                                                                                          ----------
                                                                                                                          $  648,271
                                                                                                                          ==========
</TABLE>
Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 1997 is outlined below:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Asset Category                                                                        Estimated Lives
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>                                <C>     
Office equipment                                                                         5 - 10 years                       $ 86,669
Automobiles                                                                                   5 years                         67,509
Leasehold improvements                                                                 7 - 31.5 years                          2,920
                                                                                                                            --------
                                                                                                                            $157,098
                                                                                                                            ========
</TABLE>

NOTE 5.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND AMORTIZATION

Intangible assets consist of the following at December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                                                         <C>     
Expirations and dailies                                                                                                     $339,535
Covenant not to compete                                                                                                      167,500
Goodwill                                                                                                                      75,375
                                                                                                                            --------
                                                                                                                             582,410
   Less accumulated amortization                                                                                             443,621
                                                                                                                            --------
                                                                                                                            $138,789
                                                                                                                            ========
</TABLE>

Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 1997 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Asset Category                                                                           Estimated Lives
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>                                 <C>    
Expirations and dailies                                                                  10-15 years                         $24,654
Covenant not to compete                                                                      3 years                          55,834
Goodwill                                                                                 10-15 years                           4,019
                                                                                                                             -------
                                                                                                                             $84,507
                                                                                                                             =======
</TABLE>
                                     F -10

<PAGE>



FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES


NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 6.    LONG-TERM DEBT

The long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 1997:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
Notes payable principal stockholder; interest at 20%;
due April 1, 2002; payable in monthly principal and interest
installments of $37,630; unsecured                                $1,301,917

Bank  note  payable;  interest  at 10%,  due  March 1999,
payable  in  monthly installments of $4,836  including
interest;  secured by computer  equipment and guaranteed
by principal stockholder                                              68,259

Note payable to Aetna; interest at 6%; payable in
monthly principal installments of $1,801, including interest;
due April,1999; secured by commissions to be earned in
future years                                                          27,634

Various bank auto loans with interest ranging from 
8.2% to 9.1%; due dates from January 1998 to
May 1999, payable in monthly principal and
interest installments ranging from $472 to
$500; secured by automobiles                                           9,023
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  $1,406,833
                                                                  ==========
</TABLE>
Maturities of long-term debt are as follows:

Years ending December 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>       
1998                                                              $  290,379
1999                                                                 279,959
2000                                                                 311,817
2001                                                                 380,227
2002                                                                 144,451
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  $1,406,833
                                                                  ==========
</TABLE>                                                          

NOTE 7.    EMPLOYEE 401(K) RETIREMENT PLAN

The  Company  sponsors  a  multi-employer  401(k)  retirement  plan that  covers
substantially all of the employees of Frederick Underwriters and its affiliates.
The Plan  provides for  discretionary  employer  contributions.  Currently,  the
Company  matches  50% of  employee  contributions  up to 2.5%  of  compensation.
Contributions to this plan for the year ended December 31, 1997 was $57,566.

                                     F - 11
<PAGE>


FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 8.    DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN

Net pension (benefit) for the Company's defined benefit pension plan consists of
the following components for the year ended December 31, 1997:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>               
Service cost of current period                               $                -
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                           122,357
Actual return on plan assets                                           (322,530)
Net amortization and deferral                                           173,809
                                                             ------------------
                                                             $          (26,364)
                                                             ===================
</TABLE>

The following  table sets forth the plan's funded status and amounts  recognized
in the accompanying balance sheets as of December 31, 1997:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
   Vested benefits                                            $       1,545,479
                                                              ==================
   Accumulated benefits                                       $       1,545,479
                                                              ==================

Projected benefits                                            $      (1,545,479)
Plan assets at fair value                                             1,928,656
                                                              ------------------
Projected benefit obligation less than (in excess of) 
   plan assets                                                          383,177
Unrecognized net (gain) loss                                           (177,941)
Unrecognized transition obligation (asset)                             (156,425)
Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)                                     -
                                                              ------------------
               Asset (liability) on balance sheet             $          48,811
                                                              ==================
</TABLE>

The weighted  average  discount rate and the expected  long-term  rate of return
used in determining  the actuarial  present value of the benefit  obligation was
8.5% for 1997.

NOTE 9.    INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consist of the following at December 31, 1997:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>              
Federal income taxes currently payable                        $          37,486
State income taxes currently payable                                     10,628
                                                              -----------------
Income taxes currently payable                                           48,114
Deferred tax (benefit)                                                   (6,748)
                                                              ------------------
                                                              $          41,366
                                                              ==================
</TABLE>


                                     F - 12
<PAGE>

FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 9.    INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

Deferred  tax assets and  liabilities  consist of the  following  components  at
December 31, 1997:

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

<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Deferred tax assets attributable to:
   Provision for doubtful accounts                            $          29,878
   Covenant not to compete                                               42,039
   Net operating loss carryforwards                                      45,708
   General business tax credit carryforwards                              1,227
                                                              -----------------
      Net deferred tax assets                                           118,852
      Valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets                    (8,951)
                                                              $         109,901
                                                              =================

Deferred tax liabilities attributable to:
   Deferred gains on equipment dispositions and
    additional depreciation for tax purposes                  $          93,747
   Net unrealized gains on securities                                    81,455
   Other, primarily prepaid pension costs                                14,652
                                                              -----------------
      Net deferred tax liabilities                            $         189,854
                                                              =================
</TABLE>

The income tax  provision  differs from the amount of income tax  determined  by
applying the U.S.  federal  income tax rate of 34% to pretax income for the year
ended December 31, 1997 due to the following:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>              
Income tax at statutory rate                                  $          37,207
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
   Nondeductible expenses                                                31,536
   Changes in valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets           (24,273)
   Benefit of federal surtax exemption                                   (9,740)
   State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit                  8,288
   Other                                                                 (1,652)
                                                              ------------------
                                                              $          41,366
                                                              ==================

NOTE 10. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

The elements of common stock at December 31, 1997 are 
 as follows:

Frederick Underwriters, Inc.
   Common stock; $30 par value; authorized 2,000 shares;
     issued and outstanding 986 shares                        $          29,580
Carroll County Insurance Agency, Inc.
   Common stock; $10 par value; authorized 10,000 shares;
     issued and outstanding, 1,391 shares                                13,910
Phillips Insurance Agency, Inc.
   Common stock; $100 par value; authorized 1,000 shares;
     issued and outstanding 120 shares                                   12,000
                                                              ------------------
                                                              $          55,490
                                                              ==================
</TABLE>


                                     F - 13
<PAGE>

FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 11. LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Company  leases its office  space under leases  which are  accounted  for as
operating  leases.  These  leases  provide for minimum  monthly  rental,  annual
increases  based on the  Consumer  Price  Index (CPI) and a share of common area
maintenance  (CAM) and real estate taxes. The following is a schedule of minimum
future rental  payments  required under these  operating  leases at December 31,
1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ending December 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>              
1998                                                          $          95,676
1999                                                                     80,976
2000                                                                     80,976
2001                                                                     20,244
                                                              ------------------
                                                              $         277,872
                                                              ==================
</TABLE>

The Company also rents a beach front  condominium.  This property is rented on a
month to month basis and there is no signed lease.

The composition of rental expense for the year ended December 31, 1997 follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>              
Minimum rentals on office space                               $         100,576
CPI, CAM and real estate taxes related to office space                   24,691
Month to month rental on condominium                                     24,000
Other rental expenses                                                    42,608
                                                              -----------------
                                                              $         191,875
                                                              ==================
</TABLE>

NOTE 12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A summary of the related  party  transactions  for the year ended  December  31,
1997, and the amounts due to and from these related parties at December 31, 1997
follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>              
Interest on notes receivable - principally
stockholders; paid by declaring
dividends to the majority stockholder
of $39,495 and added compensation to
minority stockholders and others
of $2,887 for the year ended December 31, 1997                $          42,382

Rent paid to the majority stockholder                                    24,000

Interest on notes payable majority stockholder                          172,790

Amounts due from related parties:
   Notes receivable - stockholder                                       529,449

Amounts due to related party:
   Notes payable to majority stockholder                              1,301,917
</TABLE>


                                     F - 14
<PAGE>
FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

Additionally,  the Company is the cosigner on a line of credit agreement between
the  principal  shareholder  and  FCNB.  As a result  of  advances  taken by the
principal  shareholder,  the  line  of  credit  had an  outstanding  balance  of
$500,000, as of December 31, 1997.

On April 7, 1997 the principal stockholder received a $3,000,000 bank term loan,
which is  guaranteed  by the  Company.  This term loan has a  principal  balance
outstanding at December 31, 1997 of $2,965,517.

NOTE 13. PRIOR PERIOD ADJUSTMENT

During the year ended  December 31,  1997,  the Company  recorded the  following
adjustments to prior periods:

    The Company had previously elected not to incur the cost necessary to record
    the pension obligation,  and provide the additional pension information,  as
    required by Financial Accounting Standard No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for
    Pension."  The  effect of  recording  this  asset was to  increase  retained
    earnings by $16,283, net of the tax effect.

    The Company has reduced  investments for a permanent decline in the value of
    the Whites  Ferry  Cabin  property.  The effect of the decline in value is a
    decrease of $9,774 to retained earnings.

    The Company has  increased  investments  for the cost of a  residential  lot
    owned  by the  Company  which  was  previously  unrecorded.  The  effect  of
    recording this investment is an increase of $2,973 to retained earnings, net
    of the tax effect.

    The Company has recorded outstanding dividends payable attributable to 1996.
    The effect of  recording  this  dividend is a decrease of $1,194 to retained
    earnings.

NOTE 14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 10, 1998, the Company disposed of all marketable  equity  securities
and  received  cash  proceeds  of  $492,746,  resulting  in a  realized  gain on
disposition of $367,448.

On September 2, 1998 the Company  entered  into a definitive  agreement  whereby
Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc.,  Carroll  County  Insurance  Agency,  Inc.,  and
Phillips Insurance Agency, Inc. will be merged into FCNB Corp.



                                     F - 15
<PAGE>


                INDEX TO UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                             <C>

COMBINED FINANCIAL REPORT (UNAUDITED) FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1997

Combined Balance Sheet (Unaudited) at June 30, 1998.............................................F-17

Combined Statement of Income (Unaudited) for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998.................F-19

Combined Balance Sheet (Unaudited) at June 30, 1997.............................................F-20

Combined Statement of Income (Unaudited) for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997.................F-22
</TABLE>






                                     F - 16


<PAGE>

FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
JUNE 30, 1998



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
Current Assets
   Cash                                                       $         199,868
   Accounts receivable:
      Customers, less allowance for doubtful
       accounts of $101,000                                             843,552
      Commissions                                                       415,724
   Prepaid expense                                                       37,170
   Income tax deposit in excess of liability                             24,440
   Deferred taxes                                                        77,240
                                                              -----------------
               TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                   1,597,994
                                                              -----------------


Investments and Long-Term Receivables
   Investments                                                           17,667
   Cash value of life insurance                                         389,025
   Notes receivable - stockholder                                       529,500
                                                              -----------------
                                                                        936,192
                                                              -----------------


Property and Equipment, less accumulated
 depreciation of $1,157,566                                             690,570
                                                              -----------------


Other Assets
   Intangible assets - net of amortization                              119,482
   Prepaid pension costs                                                 61,993
   Deferred taxes                                                        32,661
   Deposits                                                               2,199
                                                              -----------------
                                                                        216,335
                                                              -----------------

                                                              $       3,441,091
                                                              =================
</TABLE>




                                     F - 17
<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>               
Current Liabilities
   Current maturities of long-term debt                       $         311,031
   Outstanding checks in excess of deposits                             250,000
   Accounts payable:
      Insurance companies                                               981,012
      Other                                                              26,407
   Premiums paid in advance                                             226,754
   Income taxes payable                                                 174,011
   Dividend payable                                                      11,499
   Due to officer                                                       390,374
   Accrued payroll taxes and other expenses                              23,671
                                                              -----------------
               TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                              2,394,759
                                                              -----------------

Long-term Debt, less current maturities                               1,016,493
                                                              -----------------

Deferred Taxes                                                           93,747
                                                              -----------------


Commitment and Contingencies

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
   Common stock                                                          55,490
   Retained earnings (deficit)                                         (119,398)
                                                              -----------------
                                                                        (63,908)
                                                              -----------------







                                                              $       3,441,091
                                                              =================
</TABLE>



                                     F - 18
<PAGE>


FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1998


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>              
Commissions earned                                            $       2,871,471
                                                              -----------------

Operating expenses:
   Salaries                                                             851,131
   Officers' salaries                                                   633,860
   Advertising and promotion                                            142,996
   Amortization expense                                                  19,307
   Auto expense                                                          31,267
   Bad debts                                                            139,907
   Commission expense                                                   154,228
   Depreciation expense                                                  78,003
   Insurance - group                                                     59,418
   Insurance - other                                                     30,894
   Janitorial                                                            15,569
   Office supplies and expense                                           80,392
   Payroll taxes                                                        115,758
   Pension                                                               19,010
   Professional fees                                                     47,159
   Rent                                                                  89,654
   Telephone                                                             58,304
   Other operating expenses                                             102,718
                                                              -----------------
                                                                      2,669,575
                                                              -----------------

               OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                  201,896
                                                              -----------------

Other income (expenses):
   Gain on disposition of assets                                        374,505
   Interest income                                                        4,137
   Other income                                                           7,029
   Interest (expense)                                                  (136,995)
                                                              -----------------
                                                                        248,676
                                                              -----------------

               INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                               450,572

Provision for income tax expense                                        174,011
                                                              -----------------

               NET INCOME                                     $         276,561
                                                              =================
</TABLE>



                                     F - 19
<PAGE>


FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
JUNE 30, 1997


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
Current Assets
   Cash                                                       $         174,937
   Accounts receivable:
      Customers, less allowance for doubtful
       accounts of $101,000                                           1,048,891
      Commissions                                                       287,000
   Prepaid expenses                                                      29,511
   Due from officers                                                     82,640
   Income tax deposit in excess of liability                             22,400
      Deferred taxes                                                     87,895
                                                              -----------------
               TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                   1,733,274
                                                              -----------------


Investments and Long-Term Receivables
   Investments                                                          477,483
   Cash value of life insurance                                         335,781
   Notes receivable - stockholder                                       743,500
                                                              -----------------
                                                                      1,556,764
                                                              -----------------


Property and Equipment, less accumulated
 depreciation of $1,049,439                                             746,535
                                                              -----------------


Other Assets
   Intangible assets - net of amortization                              180,492
   Prepaid pension costs                                                 33,671
   Deposits                                                              11,257
                                                              -----------------
                                                                        225,420
                                                              -----------------

                                                              $       4,261,993
                                                              =================
</TABLE>


                                     F - 20
<PAGE>




LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
Current Liabilities
   Current maturities of long-term debt                       $         298,029
   Outstanding checks in excess of deposits                             805,635
   Accounts payable:
      Insurance companies                                               966,325
   Note payable demand                                                  202,151
   Premiums paid in advance                                             557,341
   Income taxes payable                                                  87,090
   Dividend payable                                                       1,194
   Accrued payroll taxes and other expenses                              26,480
                                                              -----------------
               TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                              2,944,245
                                                              -----------------

Long-term Debt, less current maturities                               1,246,784
                                                              -----------------

Deferred Taxes                                                          160,122
                                                              -----------------


Commitment and Contingencies

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
   Common stock                                                          55,490
   Retained earnings (deficit)                                         (335,183)
   Unrealized gains on investment securities, net                       190,535
                                                              -----------------
                                                                        (89,158)
                                                              -----------------







                                                              $       4,261,993
                                                              =================
</TABLE>


                                     F - 21
<PAGE>


FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>              
Commissions earned                                            $       2,787,041
                                                              -----------------

Operating expenses:
   Salaries                                                             810,623
   Officers' salaries                                                   605,787
   Advertising and promotion                                            131,850
   Amortization expense                                                  42,091
   Auto expense                                                          34,477
   Bad debts                                                             14,692
   Commission expense                                                   155,606
   Depreciation expense                                                  54,113
   Insurance - group                                                     69,681
   Insurance - liability                                                  6,155
   Insurance - other                                                     28,659
   Janitorial                                                            13,938
   Office supplies and expense                                           88,533
   Payroll taxes                                                        106,566
   Pension                                                               21,374
   Professional fees                                                     60,605
   Rent                                                                  89,808
   Telephone                                                             61,160
   Other operating expenses                                             102,892
                                                              -----------------
                                                                      2,498,610
                                                              -----------------

               OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                  288,431
                                                              -----------------

Other income (expenses):
   (Loss) on disposition of assets                                       (2,239)
   Interest income                                                        5,204
   Other income                                                          38,288
   Interest (expense)                                                  (104,179)
                                                              -----------------
                                                                        (62,926)
                                                              -----------------

               INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                               225,505

Provision for income tax expense                                         87,092
                                                              -----------------

               NET INCOME                                     $         138,413
                                                              =================
</TABLE>


                                     F - 22
<PAGE>















                                    EXHIBIT A

                 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger
















<PAGE>



     This Amended and Restated Plan and  Agreement of Merger (the  "Agreement"),
made as of this cit day of August  1998,  by and between FCNB Corp  ("FCNB"),  a
corporation  organized and existing  under the laws of the State of Maryland and
having its  principal  office at 7200 FCNB  Court,  Frederick,  Maryland,  First
Choice Insurance Agency,  Inc. ("First"),  a corporation  organized and existing
under the laws of the State of  Maryland  and  having  its  principal  office at
Frederick,  Maryland,  and  the  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  FCNB,  Frederick
Underwriters, Inc. ("Underwriters"),  a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Maryland and having its principal offices at Frederick,
Maryland, Phillips Insurance Agency, Inc. ("Phillips"),  a corporation organized
and existing  under the laws of the State of Maryland  and having its  principal
offices at  Frederick,  Maryland,  and Carroll  County  Insurance  Agency,  Inc.
("Carroll"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Maryland and having its principal offices at Frederick,  Maryland, as amended by
Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated as of November 2, 1998

     WHEREAS,  Underwriters,  Phillips  and  Carroll  are  each  engaged  in the
business of multi-line insurance agencies; and

     WHEREAS,   Phillips  and  Carroll   operate  under  the  name  of,  and  in
conjunction, with Frederick Underwriters; and

     WHEREAS,  Underwriters,  Phillips  and  Carroll  (hereinafter  referred  to
collectively  as  the  "Underwriters   Companies"),   have  significant   common
ownership; and

     WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of FCNB and First believe that it would be
in the best interests of FCNB and First that each of the Underwriters  Companies
be merged with and into  First,  with First  being the  company  surviving  such
merger (the "Merger"); and

     WHEREAS,  each of the Underwriters  Companies desires to be merged with and
into First,  upon the terms,  and subject to the  conditions,  set forth in this
Agreement;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
and  agreements  hereafter set forth,  and intending to be legally bound hereby,
the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

     1.1 Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions hereafter set forth, at the
Effective Time, each of Underwriters,  Phillips and Carroll shall be merged with
and into FCNB,  in  accordance  with the  applicable  provisions of the Maryland
General Corporation Law, as amended (the "MGCL"),  with FCNB being the surviving
corporation resulting from the Merger.

     1.2 Name.  The name of FCNB as the surviving  corporation  (the  "Surviving
Corporation"  when reference is made to it after the Effective Time (hereinafter
defined)) shall be "FCNB Corp".

     1.3 Certificate of Incorporation;  Bylaws. The Articles of Incorporation of
FCNB in effect at the Effective Time shall be the Articles of  Incorporation  of
the Surviving  Corporation.  The Bylaws of FCNB in effect at the Effective Time,
shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.


<PAGE>



     1.4 Board of Directors; Officers. (a) The Board of Directors of FCNB at the
Effective  Time  shall  serve  as  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Surviving
Corporation until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

The  Officers of FCNB at the  Effective  Time shall serve as the officers of the
Surviving  Corporation until their successors are duly appointed by the Board of
Directors.

     1.5 Effect of the Merger.  At the Effective  Time,  the separate  corporate
existence of each of Underwriters,  Phillips and Carroll shall cease and FCNB as
the Surviving  Corporation  shall succeed to and possess all of the  properties,
rights,  powers,  privileges,   franchises,   patents,   trademarks,   licenses,
registrations,  and other  assets of every kind and  description  of each of the
Underwriters  Companies,  and shall be subject to, and be  responsible  for, all
debts,  liabilities,  and obligations of each of the Underwriters Companies, all
without further act or deed, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of
the MGCL.

     1.6 Closing;  Effective Time. (a) The closing of the Merger (the "Closing")
shall occur at the principal  offices of FCNB, at a time and on a date specified
in writing by the parties,  which date shall be as soon as practicable,  but not
more than fifteen (15) days,  after the receipt of all  requisite  approvals and
authorizations of regulatory and governmental authorities, the expiration of all
applicable  waiting  periods and the  satisfaction  or waiver of all  conditions
hereto. The date at which the Closing occurs is occasionally  referred to herein
as the "Closing Date."

(b)  The Merger shall become  effective  upon the later of (i) the filing of the
articles of merger in  substantially  the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
"Articles  of Merger")  with the  Maryland  State  Department  of  Taxation  and
Assessments  (the  "Department")  or (ii) the time set forth in the  Articles of
Merger filed with the Department  (the  "Effective  Time").  Except as otherwise
agreed in writing,  the  Effective  Time shall be within one business day of the
Closing.

                                   ARTICLE II

                              CONVERSION OF SHARES

     2.1  Conversion  of  Shares.  (a) At the  Effective  Time,  each of the 986
outstanding  shares of common stock, par value $30.00 per share, of Underwriters
("Underwriters  Common Stock")  (excluding  shares of Underwriters  Common Stock
held in treasury,  by any  Underwriters  Subsidiary,  by any other  Underwriters
Company.  or  as to  which  the  holders  have  perfected  objectors'  right  in
accordance with the MGCL ss.3-201  ("objecting  shares")),  shall automatically,
and without further action, be converted into 376.67 shares of the common stock,
par value $1.00 per share,  of FCNB ("FCNB  Common  Stock")  (the  "Underwriters
Conversion Ratio").

(b)  At the Effective Time, each of the 120 outstanding  shares of common stock,
par value $100.00 per share, of Phillips  ("Phillips  Common Stock")  (excluding
shares of Phillips Common Stock held in treasury,  by any Phillips Subsidiary or
by any other  Underwriters  Company,  or as to which the holders have  perfected
objectors'  right in accordance  with the MGCL ss.3-201  ("objecting  shares")),
shall automatically,  and without further action, be converted into 78.42 shares
of FCNB Common Stock (the "Phillips Conversion Ratio").

                                      A - 2


<PAGE>



(c)  At the  Effective  Time,  each of the  1,101  outstanding  shares of common
stock,  par  value  $10.00  per  share,  of  Carroll  ("Carroll  Common  Stock")
(excluding  shares of Carroll  Common  Stock held in  treasury,  by any  Carroll
Subsidiary or by any other Underwriters Company, or as to which the holders have
perfected  objectors'  right in accordance  with the MGCL  ss.3-201  ("objecting
shares")),  shall  automatically,  and without further action, be converted into
33.12 shares of FCNB Common Stock (the "Carroll Conversion Ratio").

(d)  Accounting  from the date of this  contract,  the  Underwriters  Conversion
Ratio, the Phillips  Conversion Ratio and the Carroll  Conversion Ratio shall be
proportionately adjusted for dividends on FCNB Common Stock payable in shares of
FCNB Common Stock or any  combination  or  subdivision of the FCNB Common Stock.
Following the Effective Time,  certificates which formerly represented shares of
Underwriters Common Stock, Phillips Common Stock or Carroll Common Stock (except
for  certificates  representing  shares held in  treasury,  by any  Underwriters
Company Subsidiary or by any other Underwriters  Company, and dissenting shares)
shall be deemed for all  purposes  to  represent  shares of FCNB  Common  Stock,
except that until  exchanged in  accordance  with the  provisions of Section 2.2
hereof,  the holders of such shares  shall not be entitled to vote in respect of
any matter  submitted for the  consideration of holders of FCNB Common Stock, or
to receive  dividends  or other  distributions  or  payments  in respect of FCNB
Common Stock.

(e)  No certificate for fractional shares of FCNB Common Stock will be issued in
connection  with the  exchanges  contemplated  by the  Merger,  and  holders  of
Underwriters Common Stock Phillips Common Stock or Carroll Common Stock entitled
to  fractional  shares  shall be paid  cash in lieu of such  fractional  shares,
without  interest,  on the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices of a
share of FCNB Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq on the Closing Date.

(f)  Each  share  of the  common  stock,  $. par  value,  of  First  outstanding
immediately  prior to the Effective Time shall be unchanged,  and shall continue
to be issued and outstanding shares of First common stock.

(g)  All shares of  Underwriters Common Stock,  Phillips Common Stock or Carroll
Common Stock, held by such companies,  respectively, as treasury shares, held by
any subsidiary of such company, or held by any other Underwriters  Company shall
be canceled and shall not be converted as provided in Section 2.1(a) - (c).

     2.2  Exchange of Share  Certificates.  Certificates  formerly  representing
shares of, Underwriters  Common Stock,  Phillips Common Stock and Carroll Common
Stock shall be exchanged for FCNB Common Stock  certificates  in accordance with
the following procedures:

(a)  Exchange Agent.  At FCNB's  election,  FCNB or the transfer  agent for FCNB
shall act as exchange agent ("Exchange Agent") to receive  certificates from the
holders  thereof and to exchange such stock  certificates  for FCNB Common Stock
certificates,  and if  appropriate,  to pay cash for  fractional  shares of FCNB
Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof The Exchange  Agent shall,  promptly
after the Effective  Time, mail to each former  shareholder of the  Underwriters
Companies a notice specifying the procedures to be followed in surrendering such
shareholder's certificates.

                                      A - 3


<PAGE>



(b)  Surrender of  Certificates.  As promptly as possible  after  receipt of the
Exchange Agent notice,  each former  shareholder of the  Underwriters  Companies
shall surrender his or her certificates to the Exchange Agent; provided, that if
any former shareholder of any Underwriters  Company shall be unable to surrender
his  certificates  due to  loss or  mutilation  thereof,  he or she  may  make a
constructive  surrender by following the procedures customarily followed by FCNB
in the replacement of lost or mutilated  certificates,  including, if necessary,
the posting of  appropriate  bond.  Upon  actual or  constructive  surrender  of
certificates from a former Underwriters Company shareholder,  the Exchange Agent
shall issue such shareholder,  in exchange  therefore,  one or more certificates
representing  the number of whole  shares of FCNB  Common  Stock into which such
shareholder's  shares of Underwriters,  Phillips or Carroll, as the case may be,
have been converted,  together with a check in the amount of any cash in lieu of
fractional shares of FCNB Common Stock.

(c)  Dividend Withholding.  Dividends or other distributions, if any, payable by
FCNB after the  Effective  Time to any former  shareholder  of the  Underwriters
Companies  who  has  not  prior  to  the  payment  date  surrendered  his or her
certificates shall be withheld. Any dividends or other distributions so withheld
shall  be  paid,  without  interest,  to such  former  shareholder  upon  proper
surrender of his certificates.

(d)  Failure to Surrender  Certificates.  All Underwriters Company  certificates
must be  surrendered to the Exchange Agent within two (2) years of the Effective
Time. In the event that any former  shareholder  of the  Underwriters  Companies
shall not have properly  surrendered his or her certificates within such period,
the shares of FCNB Common  Stock that would  otherwise  have been issued to such
shareholder  may,  at the option of FCNB,  be sold and the net  proceeds of such
sale,  together with any cash in respect of fractional shares and any previously
accrued  dividends,  shall be held in a  non-interest  bearing  account for such
shareholder's  benefit.  From  and  after  such  sale,  the  sole  right of such
shareholder  shall  be  the  right  to  collect  such  net  proceeds,  cash  and
accumulated  dividends.  Subject to all applicable laws of escheat,  such amount
shall  be  paid  to such  former  shareholder,  without  interest,  upon  proper
surrender of his or her certificates.

                                   ARTICLE III

                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FCNB AND FIRST

          FCNB and First represent and warrant to the Underwriters  Companies as
follows:

          3.1 Organization and Authority.  FCNB is a corporation duly organized,
validly  existing and in good standing  under the laws of the State of Maryland,
is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956,
as amended (the "BHCA"),  and has the  corporate  power and authority to own its
properties  and assets and to carry on its  business,  and the  business  of its
subsidiaries,  as now  being  conducted  and to  enter  into and  carry  out its
obligations under this Agreement.  FCNB is qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation in each jurisdiction where such  qualification is necessary,  except
where the failure to obtain such qualification would not have a material adverse
effect  on  FCNB's  operations,   assets,  financial  condition  or  results  of
operations.  FCNB has all necessary governmental  authorizations to own or lease
its properties and assets, and those of its subsidiaries,  with the exception of
those  authorizations  which the  failure  to obtain  would not have a  material
adverse effect on the business,  operations,  financial condition, or results of
operations of FCNB

                                      A - 4


<PAGE>



and its subsidiaries,  taken as a whole.  First is a corporation duly organized,
validly  existing and in good standing  under the laws of the State of Maryland,
and has the corporate  power and authority to own its  properties and assets and
to carry on its business as now being  conducted and to enter into and carry out
its  obligations  under this  Agreement.  First is qualified to do business as a
foreign  corporation in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary,
except where the failure to obtain such qualification  would not have a material
adverse effect on First's operations,  assets, financial condition or results of
operations.

          3.2 Capital  Structure  of FCNB.  As of May 31, 1998,  the  authorized
capital stock of FCNB consisted of 20,000,000  shares of common stock, par value
$1.00 per share ("FCNB Common Stock"),  of which at such date,  5,915,413 shares
were issued and  outstanding  and  1,000,000  shares of  undesignated  preferred
stock, par value $1.00 per share, of which at such date no shares were issued or
outstanding. Additionally, 502,010 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for
issuance  pursuant to FCNB's 1992 Stock Option Plan and the FCNB 1997  Directors
Stock Option Plan (the "FCNB Option Plans"),  under which options to purchase an
aggregate of 167,067 shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding as of the
date hereof. Additionally,  202,476 shares of FCNB Common Stock are reserved for
issuance in connection  with the FCNB Dividend  Reinvestment  and Stock Purchase
Plan ("DRI  Plan").  Other than as set forth in this Section  3.2,  there are no
other shares of capital stock or other equity securities of FCNB outstanding and
no other outstanding options,  warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or
commitments  of any  character  whatsoever  relating to, or securities or rights
convertible  into or  exchangeable  for, shares of any capital stock of FCNB, or
contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which FCNB was or may
become  bound  to issue  additional  shares  of its  capital  stock or  options,
warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any  additional  shares of its capital
stock.

          3.3 Subsidiaries. FCNB directly owns all the shares of the outstanding
capital stock of FCNB Bank, a Maryland  chartered  commercial bank (the "Bank"),
and the Bank  owns all of the  outstanding  capital  stock of  First.  No equity
securities  of the Bank or First  are or may  become  required  to be  issued by
reason of any  options,  warrants,  scrip,  rights  to  subscribe  to,  calls or
commitments of any character  whatsoever,  relative to, or concerning securities
or rights  convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any class of capital
stock of the Bank or  First  and  there  are no  other  contracts,  commitments,
understandings  or  arrangements  by  which  the Bank or First is bound to issue
additional  shares  of its  capital  stock or  options,  warrants  or  rights to
purchase  or acquire any  additional  shares of its  capital  stock.  All of the
shares  of  capital  stock of the Bank and  First so owned by FCNB and the Bank,
respectively,  are fully  paid and  non-assessable  and are owned by it free and
clear of any claim,  lien,  encumbrance or agreement with respect  thereto.  The
Bank is a commercial bank duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing
under  the  laws of the  State  of  Maryland  and has the  corporate  power  and
authority and all necessary federal,  state, local and foreign authorizations to
own or lease its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now
being  conducted.  The deposits of the Bank are insured to the applicable  legal
limits by the FDIC.

          3.4  Authorization.  The execution,  delivery and  performance of this
Agreement by FCNB and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby
have been duly  authorized  by the Board of  Directors  of FCNB and  First,  and
except for approval by the shareholders of FCNB, no other corporate  proceedings
on the  part  of  FCNB  are  necessary  to  authorize  this  Agreement  and  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Subject  to  shareholder  approval  and the
approvals of government agencies having

                                      A - 5


<PAGE>



regulatory authority over FCNB as may be required by statute or regulation, this
Agreement is the valid and binding obligation of FCNB and First,  enforceable in
accordance  with its terms,  except as may be limited by applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization  or  moratorium  or  other  similar  laws  affecting
creditors'  rights generally and subject to general  equitable  principles which
may limit the enforcement of certain remedies.

          Neither the execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement by
FCNB and First, nor the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,
nor compliance by FCNB and First with any of the  provisions of this  Agreement,
will (i) violate,  conflict with, or result in a breach of any provisions of, or
constitute a default (or an event  which,  with notice of lapse of time or both,
would  constitute  a  default)  under,  or  result  in the  termination  of,  or
accelerate the  performance  required by, or result in a right of termination or
acceleration,  or the  creation  of  any  lien,  security  interest,  charge  or
encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of FCNB or First,  under any of
the terms,  conditions or provisions  of, (x) the Articles of  Incorporation  or
Bylaws of FCNB or First, or (y) any note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,  deed of
trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which FCNB
or First is a party or by which  FCNB or First may be bound,  or to which  FCNB,
First or any of their  properties  or assets may be subject,  or (ii) subject to
compliance with the statutes and regulations  referred to in the next paragraph,
to FCNB's knowledge,  violate any judgment,  ruling,  order,  writ,  injunction,
decree,  statute,  rule or regulation  applicable to FCNB, First or any of their
properties or assets.

          Other  than  in  connection  or  in  compliance  with  the  applicable
provisions of the Maryland  General  Corporation Law (the "MGCL"),  the Maryland
Financial  Institutions  Code  (the  "MFIC"),  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended,  and the rules and regulations  thereunder (the "Securities  Act"), the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  a~  amended,  and the rules and  regulations
thereunder (the "Exchange Act"), the blue sky laws of the State of Maryland, and
consents,  authorizations,  approvals or exemptions  required under the BHCA, or
any  applicable  federal or state  banking or insurance  statute,  no notice to,
filing  with,  authorization  of,  exemption  by, or consent or approval of, any
public body or authority is necessary for the  consummation by FCNB and First of
the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.  FCNB and First have no reason
to believe that any required regulatory consent or approval will not be received
or will be received with conditions or  restrictions  which it would deem unduly
burdensome,  or which would have an adverse impact on its capacity to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby.

          3.5  Litigation  and Other  Proceedings.  Neither  FCNB nor First is a
party to any pending,  or to the knowledge of FCNB and First,  threatened claim,
action, suit, investigation or proceeding,  or subject to any order, judgment or
decree,  except for matters which,  in the  aggregate,  will not have, or cannot
reasonably  be  expected to have,  a material  adverse  effect on the  financial
condition, results of operations,  business or prospects of FCNB and First taken
as a whole.

          3.6 SEC Filings.  FCNB has filed all reports,  forms,  statements  and
other  documents with the SEC that it was required to file since January 1, 1995
(the "SEC  filings"),  all of which  complied in all material  respects with the
applicable  requirements  of the Securities Act and/or Exchange Act. As of their
respective  dates, and except as revised,  amended or modified by a subsequently
filed  document,  each such SEC filing did not contain an untrue  statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact

                                      A - 6


<PAGE>



required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,  in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          3.7 Absence of Material  Adverse  Changes.  Since  December  31, 1997,
there has not been any change in the financial condition,  results of operations
or business of FCNB and its subsidiaries  that has had a material adverse effect
on the  financial  condition,  results of operations or business of FCNB and its
subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or on the  ability of FCNB to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                                   ARTICLE IV

          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE UNDERWRITERS COMPANIES

     Except  to the  extent  specifically  limited  to a  specific  Underwriters
Company, the Underwriters Companies each represent and warrant to FCNB and First
that:

     4.1   Organization  and  Authority.   (a)   Underwriters   represents  that
Underwriters  is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good
standing  under the laws of the State of Maryland,  and has the corporate  power
and authority to own its  properties  and assets and to carry on its business as
now being  conducted.  Underwriters  and its  agents  are duly  licensed  by the
Maryland  [Department  of Insurance] to transact the lines of business  which it
has  transacted  through the date hereof and the Closing,  and are duly licensed
and qualified to do business in any other state or other  jurisdiction  in which
the nature of its operations so requires.  A list of all such  jurisdictions  is
set forth on Schedule 4.1 attached  hereto and made a part hereof.  Underwriters
has all necessary governmental authorizations to own or lease its properties and
assets, and to carry on its business, as now being conducted.

(b) Phillips  represents that Phillips is a corporation duly organized,  validly
existing and in good standing  under the laws of the State of Maryland,  and has
the corporate  power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry
on its  business as now being  conducted.  Underwriters  and its agents are duly
licensed by the  Maryland  [Department  of  Insurance]  to transact the lines of
business  which it has transacted  through the date hereof and the Closing,  and
are duly  licensed  and  qualified  to do  business  in any other state or other
jurisdiction  in which the nature of its  operations so requires.  A list of all
such  jurisdictions is set forth on Schedule 4.1 attached hereto and made a part
hereof.  Phillips has all necessary governmental  authorizations to own or lease
its properties and assets, and to carry on its business, as now being conducted.

(c) Carroll  represents that Carroll is a corporation  duly  organized,  validly
existing and in good standing  under the laws of the State of Maryland,  and has
the corporate  power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry
on its  business as now being  conducted.  Underwriters  and its agents are duly
licensed by the  Maryland  [Department  of  Insurance]  to transact the lines of
business  which it has transacted  through the date hereof and the Closing,  and
are duly  licensed  and  qualified  to do  business  in any other state or other
jurisdiction  in which the nature of its  operations so requires.  A list of all
such  jurisdictions is set forth on Schedule 4.1 attached hereto and made a part
hereof Carroll has all necessary governmental authorizations to own or lease its
properties and assets, and to carry on its business, as now being conducted.

                                      A - 7


<PAGE>



     4.2  Subsidiaries.  Each of the Underwriters  Companies  represents that it
does not  have any  subsidiaries,  and does not own any  capital  stock or other
interests  in any  entity in excess of five  percent of the  outstanding  equity
interests  of  such  entity  (including,   without   limitation,   corporations,
partnerships, joint ventures, and inactive corporations), except as set forth on
Schedule 4.2 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     4.3  Capitalization.  (a) As of June 1, 1998, the authorized  capital stock
of  Underwriters  consisted of 2,000 shares of  Underwriters  common stock,  par
value $30.00 per share.  As of June 1, 1998, 986 shares of  Underwriters  common
stock were issued and outstanding. There are no other shares of capital stock or
other equity  securities of Underwriters  outstanding  and no other  outstanding
options,  warrants,  scrip,  rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any
character  whatsoever  relating to, or securities or rights  convertible into or
exchangeable  for,  shares  of  capital  stock of  Underwriters,  or  contracts,
commitments,  understandings,  or arrangements by which  Underwriters was or may
become  bound  to issue  additional  shares  of its  capital  stock or  options,
warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any  additional  shares of its capital
stock.

(b) As of June 1, 1998,  the authorized  capital stock of Phillips  consisted of
400 shares of Phillips common stock,  par value $100.00 per share. As of June 1,
1998, 120 shares of Phillips common stock were issued and outstanding. There are
no other  shares  of  capital  stock  or other  equity  securities  of  Phillips
outstanding  and no  other  outstanding  options,  warrants,  scrip,  rights  to
subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character  whatsoever  relating to, or
securities or rights  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for, shares of capital
stock of Phillips or contracts, commitments,  understandings, or arrangements by
which  Underwriters  was or may become bound to issue  additional  shares of its
capital  stock or  options,  warrants  or  rights to  purchase  or  acquire  any
additional shares of its capital stock.

(c)  As of June 1,1998,  the  authorized  capital stock of Carroll  consisted of
10,000 shares of Carroll common stock, par value of $10.00 per share. As of June
1, 1998,  1,391  shares of Carroll  common  stock  were  issued and  outstanding
(including  shares held by  Underwriters).  There are no other shares of capital
stock or other equity securities of Carroll outstanding and no other outstanding
options,  warrants,  scrip,  rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any
character  whatsoever  relating to, or securities or rights  convertible into or
exchangeable for, shares of capital stock of Carroll, or contracts, commitments,
understandings,  or  arrangements  by which  Carroll was or may become  bound to
issue additional  shares of its capital stock or options,  warrants or rights to
purchase or acquire any additional shares of its capital stock.

     4.4  Insurance  Relationships.  Each  of  the  Underwriters  Companies  has
appointments with insurance  carriers to transact the lines of business which it
has been transacting  through the date hereof and which it will transact through
the Closing Date, all of which  appointments  are in full force and effect,  and
which are listed on Schedule 4.4 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

     All of the accounts payable of each  Underwriters  Company due to insurance
carrier   markets   (including  any  insurance   agencies   through  which  such
Underwriters  Company  brokers  business)  have been paid in full.  No insurance
carrier or market which such  Underwriters  Company conducts  business has given
notice of its intent to terminate any existing agreements with such Underwriters
Company.

     4.5  Authorization.  Except for the approval by the Board of Directors  and
the shareholders of each Underwriters Company, no other corporate proceedings on
the part of the Underwriters Companies

                                      A - 8


<PAGE>



are  necessary to authorize  this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby. Subject to shareholder approval, this Agreement is the valid and binding
obligation of each Underwriters  Company,  enforceable  against it in accordance
with its terms, except as may be limited by applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization  or  moratorium  or other  similar laws or  equitable  principles
affecting   creditors'   rights  generally  and  subject  to  general  equitable
principles which may limit the enforcement of certain remedies.

     Neither the  execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement by the
Underwriters  Companies,  nor the consummation of the transactions  contemplated
hereby, nor compliance by the Underwriters  Companies with any of the provisions
hereof will (i) violate,  conflict with, or result in a breach of any provisions
of, or constitute a default (or an event which,  with notice or lapse of time or
both,  would  constitute a default)  under,  or result in the termination of, or
accelerate the  performance  required by, or result in a right of termination or
acceleration  or  the  creation  of  any  lien,  security  interest,  charge  or
encumbrance  upon the  shares or any of the  properties  or assets of any of the
Underwriters Companies,  under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (x)
the Articles of Incorporation or Charter or Bylaws of any Underwriters  Company,
or (y) any note,  bond,  mortgage,  indenture,  deed of trust,  license,  lease,
agreement or other  instrument or obligation to which any  Underwriters  Company
may be bound, or to which any  Underwriters  Company or any of their  respective
properties  or assets may be  subject;  or (ii)  violate any  judgment,  ruling,
order, writ, injunction,  decree,  statute, rule or regulation applicable to any
Underwriters Company or any of their respective properties or assets.

     No notice to, filing with,  authorization  of,  exemption by, or consent or
approval of, any public body or authority is necessary for the  consummation  by
the Underwriters  Companies of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.
The  Underwriters  Companies  have  no  reason  to  believe  that  any  required
regulatory  consent or approval  will not be  received or will be received  with
conditions or restrictions  which FCNB would reasonably deem unduly  burdensome,
or which  would  have an  adverse  impact  on its  capacity  to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     4.6 Financial Statements. The balance sheet compilations as of December 31,
1997 and the related statements of financial condition,  operations,  changes in
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 1997,
and the balance  sheets of as of March 31, 1998,  and the related  statements of
financial condition,  operations,  changes in stockholders equity and cash flows
for the three  month  period  then  ended,  of each  Underwriters  Company  have
previously been furnished by the  Underwriters  Companies to FCNB  (collectively
the  "Underwriters   Companies  Financial   Statements"),   and  like  financial
information  provided to FCNB subsequent to the date hereof,  have been and will
be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles applied
on a  consistent  basis,  and  present  and will  present  fairly the  financial
position of each respective  Underwriters  Company at the dates, and the results
of operations,  stockholders'  equity,  and changes in the financial position of
each Underwriters Company for the periods stated therein. In the case of interim
fiscal periods, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, have
been and will be made, subject to year-end audit adjustments.

     4.7 Books of  Account;  Corporate  Records.  The books of  account  of each
Underwriters  Company are maintained in compliance in all material respects with
all applicable legal and accounting

                                      A - 9


<PAGE>



requirements.  The minute books of each Underwriters Company accurately disclose
all material  corporate  actions of their  respective  shareholders and Board of
Directors and of all committees thereof.

     4.8 Reports. As of May 31, 1998, each Underwriters Company has filed, since
that date have filed,  and subsequent to the date hereof will file, all reports,
registrations and statements,  if any, together with any amendments  required to
be made with  respect  thereto,  that were and are required to be filed with the
Maryland  Insurance   Department  and  the  insurance  regulator  of  any  other
jurisdiction in which any Underwriters Company any of their respective agents or
employees is or is required to be licensed.  As of their  respective  dates such
reports complied and will comply in all material respects with all the statutes,
rules and regulations  enforced or promulgated by the regulatory  authority with
which they were filed and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated  therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading.

     4.9 Absence of Certain Changes.  Each Underwriters  Company  represents and
warrants that since March 31, 1998, there has not been any change, in the nature
of the business, results of operations, assets, financial condition,  prospects,
method of  accounting  or  accounting  practice,  or manner  of  conducting  the
business of such Underwriters  Company,  or otherwise,  any of which changes has
had, or may reasonably be expected to have,  individually or in the aggregate, a
material  adverse  effect on the  financial  condition,  results of  operations,
business or  prospects of such  Underwriters  Company  taken as a whole.  Not in
limitation  of  the  foregoing,   no  insurance  company   appointment  of  such
Underwriters Company has terminated or been canceled, and no notice or threat of
cancellation or termination has been received by such Underwriters Company.

     4.10  Properties,  Leases  and  Other  Agreements.  Except  as set forth on
Schedule  4.10 attached  hereto and made a part hereof,  and except for any lien
for current taxes not yet  delinquent,  and except for  imperfections  of title,
encumbrances and easements, if any, as are not substantial in character,  amount
or extent and do not  materially  detract from the value,  or interfere with the
present or proposed use of, such properties or assets, each Underwriters Company
has good title, free and clear of any liens, claims,  charges,  options or other
encumbrances,  to all of the personal and real property reflected in the balance
sheet of such  Underwriters  Company as of March 31,  1998  referred to above in
Section 4.6, and all personal and real property acquired since such date, except
such  personal and real  property as has been  disposed of for fair value in the
ordinary course of business.  All leases material to each  Underwriters  Company
pursuant to which such Underwriters  Company as lessee,  leases real or personal
property, are valid and effective in accordance with their respective terms, and
there is not,  under  any of such  leases,  any  material  existing  default  by
Underwriters  or any event  which  with  notice  or lapse of time or both  would
constitute such a material default. Schedule 4.10 sets forth a complete list and
brief  description of all real estate owned or leased by  Underwriters,  and all
personal  property  having a value in excess of  $25,000  owned or leased by any
Underwriters  Company.  Each Underwriters  Company  represents and warrants that
each item of real estate  described in Schedule  4.10 and used in the conduct of
the  business of such  Underwriters  Company is in good repair and  insurable at
market rates;  no notice of violation of zoning laws,  building or fire codes or
other  statutes,  ordinances or regulations  relating to the use or operation of
such property has been received by or is known of by Underwriters  and there are
no condemnation or similar  proceedings  pending or threatened  against any such
property or any portion thereof

                                     A - 10


<PAGE>



     4.11 Taxes. Each Underwriters  Company  represents and warrants that (i) it
has duly filed, or will file, all federal,  state, local and foreign tax returns
("Returns") required by applicable law to be filed on or before the Closing (all
such Returns being  accurate and complete -in all material  respects),  and have
paid or have set up adequate  reserves or accruals  for the payment of all taxes
required to be paid in respect of the periods covered by such Returns,  and will
pay, or where payment is not yet due, will set up adequate  reserves or accruals
adequate  in all  material  respects  for  the  payment  of all  taxes  for  any
subsequent  periods  ending  on or  prior to the  Closing  or any  portion  of a
subsequent period which includes the Closing and ends subsequent  thereto;  (ii)
it will not have any  material  liability  for any such  taxes in  excess of the
amounts  so paid  or  reserved  or  accruals  so  established;  (iii)  it is not
delinquent in the payment of any material tax, assessment or governmental charge
and has not requested any extension of time within which to file any tax returns
in respect of any fiscal  year which have not since been filed (iv) no  material
deficiencies for any tax,  assessment or governmental charge have been proposed,
asserted or assessed  (tentatively  or  definitively)  against it which have not
been  settled and paid and, as of the date of this  Agreement,  no requests  for
waivers of the time to assess any tax,  or  waivers of the  statutory  period of
limitation, are pending or have been granted, and (v) it does not have in effect
any  currently  effective  power of attorney or  authorization  to any person to
represent it in connection with any taxes.

     4.12 Intangible  Property.  Each Underwriters Company owns or possesses the
right,  free of the claims of any third party,  to use all material  trademarks,
service marks, trade names, copyrights,  patents, and licenses currently used by
it in the conduct of their respective businesses,  each of which is described in
Schedule 4.12. No material product or service offered and no material trademark,
service  mark or similar  right used by them  infringes  any rights of any other
person,  and, as of the date hereof,  such Underwriters  Company has received no
written or oral notice of any claim of such infringement.

     4.13 Employee Relations.  As of the date hereof, each Underwriters  Company
is in all  material  respects  in  compliance  with all  federal and state laws,
regulations,   and  orders  respecting   employment  and  employment   practices
(including  Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964),  terms and  conditions  of
employment, and wages and hours, and none of them is engaged in any unfair labor
practice.  As of the date hereof,  no dispute  exists  between any  Underwriters
Company and any of its employee groups regarding employee  organization,  wages,
hours,  or conditions of employment  which would  materially  interfere with the
business or operations of Underwriters  taken as a whole. As of the date hereof,
there  are no  labor  or  collective  bargaining  agreements  binding  upon  any
Underwriters Company or to which any Underwriters Company is a party, and except
as set forth in Schedule  4.13, no employment or consulting  agreements  binding
upon any Underwriters Company or to which any of them is a party. As of the date
hereof  there are no  attempts  to  organize  a  collective  bargaining  unit to
represent any of their respective  employee groups.  All contributions due on or
prior to the date hereof to any pension, profit-sharing,  or similar plan of any
Underwriters  Company  have been paid or  provided  for in  accordance  with the
Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as amended,  and all other
applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.  Schedule 4.13 sets forth
each employment contract, deferred compensation,  non-competition,  bonus, stock
option, profit sharing, pension, retirement, incentive and insurance arrangement
or plan, and any other remunerative or fringe benefit arrangement  applicable to
any Underwriters  Company,  including the amounts  currently payable pursuant to
any employment agreement or other remunerative arrangement.

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<PAGE>



     4.14  ERISA.  Schedule  4.14 sets  forth a  complete  list of  Underwriters
Company employee pension benefit plans within the meaning of Section 3(2) of the
Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA"),  profit
sharing plans,  stock purchase plans,  deferred  compensation  and  supplemental
income plans,  group  insurance  plans and all other employee  welfare  benefits
plans within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA, maintained for the benefit of
the employees or former  employees,  including any  beneficiaries  thereof,  and
directors or former directors of any  Underwriters  Company.  Each  Underwriters
Company  has  delivered  to FCNB a true and correct  copy of each such  employee
benefit plan.  Other than as set forth in Schedule 4.14 no Underwriters  company
maintains any plans of the type described in this Section.

     All "employee  benefit  plans" (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) comply
in all material respects with all applicable  provisions of ERISA, the Code, and
all  other  federal,  state,  or local  laws.  The  assets  of the  Underwriters
Companies  are not subject to any liens under ERISA or the Code with  respect to
any employee benefit plan of an Underwriters Company or an Affiliate (as defined
below),  and no event has  occurred,  or condition  exists,  which could subject
Underwriters or its assets to a future  liability,  obligation,  or lien arising
out of any employee benefit plan of any Underwriters Company or an Affiliate.

     All employee benefit plans currently or previously  maintained,  sponsored,
or  contributed  to  by  any  Underwriters   Company  have  been   administered,
maintained,  and operated in  accordance  with their terms.  All  contributions,
payments, fees or expenses relating to each such employee benefit plan that were
deducted by such  Underwriters  Company for income tax  purposes  were  properly
deductible in the year claimed. There are no actions, claims (other than routine
benefit claims made in the ordinary course),  proceedings or inquiries,  pending
or threatened,  with respect to any such employee benefit plan, and no knowledge
of any fact  which  could give rise to any such  action,  claim,  proceeding  or
inquiry.  Neither any Underwriters Company nor any other person or entity who or
which  is a party in  interest  (as  defined  in  Section  3(14)  of  ERISA)  or
disqualified  person (as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code) has acted or
failed to act with respect to any such employee benefit plan in any manner which
constitutes:  (a) a  breach  of  fiduciary  responsibility  under  ERISA;  (2) a
prohibited  transaction  under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code;
or (3) any other  violation of ERISA or the Code,  except as set forth Except in
the  Schedule  4.13.  Except as set forth in  Schedule,  4.13,  no  Underwriters
Company is obligated to indemnify,  reimburse,  or contribute to the liabilities
or expenses of any person or entity who may have  committed or been  involved in
any such fiduciary breach,  prohibited transaction,  or ERISA or Code violation.
Each such employee  benefit plan which is intended to meet the  requirements for
tax-favored  treatment  under  Subtitle  A,  Chapter  1 of the Code  meets  such
requirements.  Each such employee benefit plan that was intended to constitute a
qualified  plan  under  Section  401(a)  of the Code  has,  at all  times,  been
qualified,  in form and  operation,  under Section  401(a) of the Code,  and any
related trust is and has, at all times, been exempt from income tax. Neither any
Underwriters Company nor any Affiliate (as defined below) has ever maintained or
contributed  to a  multi-employer  plan (as defined in Section  3(37) of ERISA).
Neither any Underwriters Company nor any Affiliate has any current liability for
contributions  to a defined benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA).
All returns, reports, statements, notices, declarations or documents relating to
an employee  benefit plan that are required by law to be filed with or furnished
to any federal,  state, or local governmental agency have been timely filed. Any
employee benefit plan (including any employee benefit plan of an Affiliate) that
is a group  health  plan (as  defined  in  Section  5000(b)(l)  of the Code) has
complied in each and every case with the  requirements  of Sections  601 through
607 of ERISA and

                                     A - 12


<PAGE>



Section 4980B of the Code and all other  applicable  federal,  state,  and local
laws relating to continuation coverage (collectively  "COBRA"), and no such plan
provides  benefits to former  employees  or their  beneficiaries  (except to the
extent  required  under  COBRA).  Each  employee  benefit  plan can be  amended,
modified,  or  terminated  without  participant  consent and without  additional
liability accruing to Underwriters after the date of Plan termination.  For this
purpose,  liabilities accrued on or before the date of Plan termination shall be
limited to the following:  (1) in the case of an employee  benefit  pension plan
(within  the  meaning  of  Section  3(2) of ERISA),  the  participant's  accrued
benefit,"  as  defined  in  Section  3(23) of  ERISA;  and (2) in the case of an
employee  welfare  benefit  plan  (within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA),
claims for expenses, costs, or services (including,  but not limited to, medical
and other health care services)  actually  performed or incurred before the date
of the Plan termination. Any prior amendment, modification, or termination of an
employee benefit plan has been made in accordance with the terms of the Plan and
applicable law.

     For purposes of this Section 4.14, the term Affiliate  means an entity that
are treated as part of the same controlled group under Section 4 14(b), (c), (m)
or (o) of the Code.

     4.15  Contracts.  Except as disclosed in the Schedule 4.15 attached  hereto
and made a part  hereof,  Underwriters  is not a party to,  and no  property  or
assets of any Underwriters Company is subject to any contract, agreement, lease,
sublease, license, arrangement, understanding or instrument calling for payments
in excess of $25,000  over the term of the  contract  or in any year  ("Material
Contract").  Each such Material  Contract is valid and in full force and effect,
and all parties thereto have in all material respects  performed all obligations
thereunder  required to be performed to date,  and are not in material  default.
Each Material Contract is assumable and assignable  without consent of the other
party  thereto and do not  contain any  provision,  increasing  or  accelerating
payments  otherwise  due,  or change or modify the  provisions  or terms of such
Material Contract as a result of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.

     4.16 Related Party  Transactions.  Except as set forth in the Schedule 4.16
attached  hereto  and  made a part  hereof,  or as  disclosed  in the  Financial
Statements,  no  Underwriters  Company has any  contract,  extension  of credit,
business  arrangement,  or other  relationship  with (i) any  present  or former
director or officer of such Underwriters  Company;  (ii) any shareholder of such
Underwriters Company; or (iii) any affiliate or associate of the foregoing. Each
such  relationship has been made in the ordinary course of business,  and on the
same  terms  as  those  prevailing  at  the  time  for  comparable  arms'-length
transactions,  and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or
present other unfavorable features.

     4.17 Accounts  Receivable.  Each of the accounts receivable and commissions
receivable of each Underwriters  Company reflected as the receivables  report of
such Underwriters  Company as of the date of the Agreement and as of the date of
Closing  represents  the legal,  valid and binding  obligation  of the customers
reflected  thereon,  enforceable  in accordance  with its terms,  except as such
enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium  or  similar  laws  relating  to  or  affecting  the  enforcement  of
creditors' rights generally,  and subject to general  principles of equity which
may limit the enforcement of certain remedies.  No default  (including any event
or  circumstance  which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both
would  constitute  a  default)  in  respect  of any  material  provision  of any
receivable exists, and such Underwriters Company has no knowledge of

                                     A - 13


<PAGE>



any person's or entity's  inability to repay any of such  receivables  when due,
whether or not such person or entity is currently in default or delinquent.

     4.18 Environmental Matters. Each Underwriters Company has no knowledge that
any environmental contaminant, pollutant, toxic or hazardous waste or similar or
like  substance  has been  generated,  used,  stored,  processed,  disposed  of,
discharged  at,  or was  or is  otherwise  present  at any  real  estate  now or
previously  owned or  acquired  (including  without  limitation  any real estate
acquired  by means of  exercise  of any  creditor's  right)  or  leased  by such
Underwriters Company.  There is no legal,  administrative,  arbitrarial or other
proceeding,  claim,  action,  cause of  action  or  governmental  proceeding  or
investigation of any nature whatsoever,  seeking to impose, or that could result
in the imposition,  on such Underwriters  Company of any liability arising under
any  local,  state,  or  federal  environmental  statute,  regulation,  rule  or
ordinance, pending or, to the knowledge of such Underwriters Company, threatened
against such Underwriters  Company;  and there is no reasonable basis for any of
the foregoing;  and such  Underwriters  Company is not subject to any agreement,
order,  judgment,  decree or  memorandum of any court,  governmental  authority,
regulatory agency or third party imposing any such liability.

     4.19 Litigation and Other Proceedings.  Each Underwriters  Company is not a
party  to any  pending,  or,  to the  knowledge  of such  Underwriters  Company,
threatened claim,  action,  suit,  investigation or proceeding or subject to any
order,  judgment or decree,  except for matters which, in the aggregate,  cannot
reasonably be  anticipated  to have, a material  adverse effect on the financial
condition,  results of  operations,  business,  properties  or prospects of such
Underwriters  Company taken as a whole.  Schedule 4.19 sets forth a complete and
accurate list of all actions,  suits~  investigations  or  proceedings  to which
Underwriters is a party or which relate to any of their respective assets.

     4.20  Compliance  with Laws.  Each  Underwriters  Company has all  permits,
licenses,  certificates of authority,  orders and approvals of, and has made all
filings,  applications and registrations with, federal,  state, local or foreign
governmental  or regulatory  bodies that are required in order to permit them to
carry on their  respective  business as presently  conducted  and the absence of
which would have a material  adverse effect on such business;  all such permits,
licenses,  certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full force and
effect,  and, to the best knowledge of such Underwriters  Company, no suspension
or cancellation of any of them is threatened; and all such filings, applications
and registrations are current.  The conduct of its business by each Underwriters
Company  does not violate,  in any material  respect,  any  applicable  domestic
(federal,  state or  local) or  foreign  law,  statute,  ordinance,  license  or
regulation now in effect. Each Underwriters  Company is not in default under any
order,  license,  regulation  or demand of any  federal,  state,  local or other
governmental agency or with respect to any order, writ,  injunction or decree of
any  court.   Except  for  statutory  or  regulatory   restrictions  of  general
application, no federal, state, local or other governmental authority has placed
any restrictions on the business of any Underwriters Company.

     4.21  Proxy  Statement,  Etc.  None of the  information  supplied  or to be
supplied by the Underwriters  Companies for inclusion,  or included,  in (i) the
Proxy  Statement  or (ii) any other  documents  to be filed  with the SEC or any
regulatory agency in connection with the transactions  contemplated hereby will,
to the best  knowledge of such  Underwriters  Companies,  and at the  respective
times such  information  is supplied or such  documents are filed or mailed,  be
false or  misleading  with  respect to any material  fact,  or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements

                                     A - 14


<PAGE>



therein  not  misleading.  All  documents  which  any  Underwriters  Company  is
responsible for filing with the SEC and any regulatory agency in connection with
the Merger and all information  provided by any Underwriters Company to FCNB for
inclusion  in any such  filings by FCNB,  will comply as to form in all material
respects with the provisions of applicable law.

     4.22 Brokers and Finders.  Other than a payment of  $50,000.00 to Danielson
Associates,  Inc.,  no  Underwriters  Company,  nor  any  officer,  director  or
shareholder thereof, has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability
for any financial advisory fees,  brokerage fees,  commissions or finder's fees,
and no broker or finder has acted, directly or indirectly,  for any Underwriters
Company in  connection  with this  Agreement  or the  transactions  contemplated
hereby.

                                    ARTICLE V

                    CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO THE CLOSING

     5.1 Forbearance by Underwriters  Companies.  From the date hereof until the
Closing,  each Underwriters Company covenants and agrees that it will not do, or
agree or commit to do, or permit or suffer  such  Underwriters  Company to do or
agree or commit to do, without the prior written consent of FCNB and First,  any
of the following:

(a) except as in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past practice,
enter into or assume any Material Contract, make any material commitment,  incur
any material liabilities or material obligations,  whether directly or by way of
guaranty,  including any  obligation for borrowed money whether or not evidenced
by a note,  bond,  debenture  or similar  instrument,  acquire or dispose of any
material  property or asset,  or engage in any  transaction  not in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, or subject any of Underwriters
assets or properties,  or subject any or all of the Shares,  to any lien, claim,
charge or encumbrances whatsoever;

(b) grant any general  increase in  compensation to its employees or officers or
directors  or  effect  any  increase  in  retirement  benefits  to any  class of
employees  or its  officers  (unless  any  such  change  shall  be  required  by
applicable law);

(c)  declare,  set  aside  or pay any  dividend  or other  distribution  on such
Underwriters' Company's common stock;

(d) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or any
securities or obligations convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its
capital  stock;  merge into any other entity or permit any other  corporation to
merge into it, or consolidate with any other entity;  liquidate, sell or dispose
of any assets or acquire any assets,  otherwise  than in the ordinary  course of
its business consistent with past practice; or agree to do any of the foregoing;

(e) issue any share of such  Underwriters  Company's capital stock or permit any
share of its capital  stock held in its  treasury to become  outstanding,  or to
sell,  convey or  transfer  ownership  of any  outstanding  shares of its common
stock;

(f) amend  the   Articles  of   Incorporation  or  Charter  or  Bylaws  of  such
Underwriters Company;

                                     A - 15


<PAGE>




(g)  effect  any  capital   reclassification,   stock  dividend,   stock  split,
consolidation of shares or similar change in capitalization;

(h)  take,  cause or permit the  occurrence  of any change or event  which would
render any of its representations and warranties  contained herein untrue in any
material respect at and as of the Closing;

(i)  solicit,  encourage, or authorize any person,  including but not limited to
directors, officers, shareholders, or employees, to solicit from, or communicate
with, any third party, inquiries or proposals relating to the disposition of its
business or assets, or the acquisition of its voting  securities,  or the merger
of any  such  Underwriters  Company  with  any  person  other  than  FCNB or any
subsidiary of FCNB, or provide any such person with information or assistance or
negotiate~ or conduct any  discussions  with any such person in  furtherance  of
such  inquiries  or to obtain a proposal,  or continue  any such  activities  in
progress on the date hereof,  and Underwriters shall promptly notify FCNB of all
of the  relevant  details,  including  the  identity of such third party and the
nature of any such third party proposal, relating to all inquiries and proposals
which it may receive relating to any of such matters;

(j)  knowingly  take any action which would (i) adversely  affect the ability to
obtain the  necessary  approvals of  governmental  authorities  required for the
transactions  contemplated  hereby; (ii) adversely affect the eligibility of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby for  treatment as a pooling of interests  for
financial reporting  purposes;  or (iii) adversely affect the ability to perform
the covenants and agreements under the Agreement; or

(k)  repay,  refinance,  renegotiate or otherwise  alter the terms,  conditions,
provisions or the principal  amount of the note payable by  Underwriters to J.R.
Ramsburg, Jr.; or

(l)  suffer,  permit,  or  allow  any  of  the  licenses  or  insurance  carrier
appointments of such Underwriters Company or any of its agents to lapse.

     5.2 Conduct of  Business.  From the date  hereof  until the  Closing,  each
Underwriters Company covenants and agrees that, except as otherwise consented to
by FCNB and First in writing it shall;

(a) carry on its business, and maintain its books of account and other corporate
records,  in the ordinary  course  consistent  with past  practice and legal and
regulatory requirements;

(b) to the extent consistent with prudent business judgment,  use all reasonable
efforts to preserve its present business organization, to retain the services of
its officers and employees, and maintain all customer, insurance carrier, agency
and other business relationships;

(c)  maintain  all of the  structures,  equipment,  and other real and  personal
property  of such  Underwriters  Company in good  repair,  order and  condition,
ordinary wear and tear and unavoidable casualty excepted;

(d) use all  reasonable  efforts to preserve or collect all  material  claims or
causes of action of such Underwriters Company;

(e) keep in full force and  effect all  insurance  coverage  maintained  by such
Underwriters Company;

                                     A - 16


<PAGE>




(f)  perform  in all  material  respects  all  obligations  under  all  material
agreements, contracts, commitments and other instruments which such Underwriters
Company is a party or by which it may be bound or which  relate to or affect any
of their respective assets or properties; and

(g)  comply in all  material  respects  with all  statutes,  laws,  regulations,
rules, ordinances, orders, decrees, consent agreements,  examination reports and
other federal,  state and local governmental or regulatory directives applicable
to any Underwriters Company and the conduct of their respective businesses.

     5.3 Conduct of Business by FCNB.  FCNB  covenants  that it shall,  from the
date hereof until the Closing, use its best efforts to (i) preserve its business
organization  intact in all material respects;  (ii) maintain good relationships
with its  employees;  and (iii)  preserve for itself the goodwill of its and its
subsidiaries'  customer and other  business  relationships.  FCNB covenants that
from the date hereof until the Closing,  it shall not, without the prior written
consent of Ramsburg,  knowingly take any action which would (i) adversely affect
the  ability to obtain  the  necessary  approvals  of  governmental  authorities
required for the  transactions  contemplated  hereby;  (ii) adversely affect the
eligibility of the transactions  contemplated  hereby for treatment as a pooling
of interests for financial  reporting  purposes;  or (iii) adversely  affect the
ability to perform the covenants and agreements under the Agreement.

     5.4  Approval of FCNB  Shareholders.  Subject to the  effectiveness  of the
Registration  Statement  (defined  in Section  6.2  below),  FCNB shall  cause a
meeting of its shareholders (the "FCNB Shareholder  Meeting") to be held as soon
as  reasonably   possible,   but  no  later  than  sixty  (60)  days  after  the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement,  for the purpose of considering the
approval of the Merger and  adoption of this  Agreement.  FCNB shall cause to be
distributed  to each  shareholder  of record of FCNB  (according to the transfer
records of FCNB as of the record date for the FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting),  such
material  required by  applicable  statutes and  regulations  including  but not
limited  to  a  copy  of  the  joint  Prospectus/Proxy   Statement  (the  "Proxy
Statement")  to be  prepared  by FCNB in  connection  with the  Merger and to be
included in the Registration  Statement.  The Proxy Statement shall be mailed by
FCNB on the date (the  "Mailing  Date") at least  twenty  (20) days prior to the
date of the FCNB  Shareholder  Meeting.  The Board of  Directors  of FCNB  shall
recommend to its shareholders  that they vote the shares held by them to approve
the Merger and to adopt this  Agreement  and FCNB shall use its best  efforts in
good faith to obtain its shareholders' approval of the Merger.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     6.1 Access and Information.  (a) Each Underwriters  Company shall afford to
FCNB, and to FCNB's accountants,  counsel and other representatives,  reasonable
access during normal business hours,  during the period prior to the Closing, to
all of its  properties,  books,  contracts,  commitments and records and, during
such a  period,  shall  furnish  promptly  to FCNB  (a) a copy  of each  report,
schedule and other  document  filed or received by it during such period with or
from (i) the SEC; (ii) the Federal Reserve Board; (iii) the Department; (iv) the
Maryland  Insurance~  Department;  and (b) all other information  concerning its
business,  properties and personnel as FCNB may reasonably  request.  FCNB shall
cause all  information  obtained by it or its  representatives  pursuant to this
Agreement  or in  connection  with the  negotiation  thereof  to be  treated  as
confidential and shall not use, nor knowingly permit others to

                                     A - 17


<PAGE>



use, any such  information  for any purpose  other than in  connection  with the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  unless such information  becomes  generally
available to the public or is required to be disclosed  pursuant to the order of
a court of competent  jurisdiction  or otherwise in accordance  with  applicable
law, and in the event of the termination of this Agreement shall promptly return
all documents  (including copies thereof) obtained  hereunder from Underwriters,
and shall destroy all copies of any analyses,  compilations,  notes,  studies or
other documents prepared from any such material by FCNB or for FCNB's use.

     6.2 Registration Statement; Other Information;  Applications;  Cooperation.
(a) As promptly as  practicable  after the date hereof and the furnishing by the
Underwriters  Companies of all information regarding Underwriters required to be
reflected   therein,   FCNB  shall  file  (i)  a  registration   statement  (the
"Registration  Statement")  with the SEC on Form S-4 under the  Securities  Act,
containing  the Proxy  Statement to be used in connection  with the  Shareholder
Meeting regarding the Merger,  (ii) the applications for Federal Reserve and for
Department  approval,  and (iii) any other  applications for regulatory or other
approvals  deemed  necessary or  appropriate  by FCNB.  FCNB will use reasonable
efforts to cause said Registration Statement to be declared effective as soon as
practicable  thereafter.  The  parties  hereto  agree,  that  at  the  time  the
Registration  Statement  becomes  effective and at the Mailing Date of the Proxy
Statement,  the  Registration  Statement  will comply as to form in all material
respects  with  the  applicable  provisions  of  the  Securities  Act,  and  the
Registration  Statement,  at the  time  it  becomes  effective,  and  the  Proxy
Statement,  in either  case as  amended  or  supplemented  by any  amendment  or
supplement  filed  with the SEC,  will not  contain  any untrue  statement  of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to make the statements
therein,  in  light  of the  circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not
misleading;  provided,  however,  that  information  as of a later date included
therein  shall be deemed to modify  information  of an  earlier  date,  and with
respect to either party,  the foregoing  statement shall not apply to statements
in or  omissions  from the  Registration  Statement or Proxy  Statement  made in
reliance upon and in conformity  with  information  furnished by the other party
for use in the Registration  Statement or Proxy Statement.  After becoming aware
of any  statement  or  omission  which  renders the  statement  set forth in the
preceding sentence not true or correct, FCNB will promptly amend,  supplement or
revise such material in order to make the  statement in the  preceding  sentence
true and correct at all times up to and including the Closing.

(b) FCNB  agrees  to use its  best  efforts  to  prepare  and file all  material
applications, notices or other filings with respect to the Merger required to be
made with the Federal  Reserve Board,  the  Department and any other  regulatory
agency,  not later  than sixty  (60) days from the date  hereof,  subject to the
timely furnishing by the Underwriters Companies of all information regarding the
Underwriters  Companies  required to be included  therein or  necessary  for the
preparation of such applications.

(c) FCNB and each Underwriters Company agree that notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the event  that FCNB  shall  enter  into one or more  additional  acquisition
transactions  prior to the date of the FCNB Shareholder  Meeting,  FCNB shall be
entitled to delay the filing and/or effectiveness of the Registration  Statement
and the  filing  of the  applications,  and FCNB  shall  delay  the  Shareholder
Meetings,  in  order to  appropriately  reflect  and  disclose  such  additional
transaction(s) to the shareholders of FCNB and the Underwriters Companies and to
re-solicit shareholder approval if required.

     6.3 Notice of Actual or  Threatened  Breach.  Each party will promptly give
written  notice to the other  party  upon  becoming  aware of any  impending  or
threatened occurrence of any event or the failure

                                     A - 18


<PAGE>



of any event to occur  which would  cause or  constitute  a breach of any of the
representations,  warranties or covenants made by such party in this  Agreement,
any other changes or inaccuracies in any data previously given or made available
to the other party,  or which would  threaten  consummation  of the  transaction
contemplated hereby.

     6.4 Current Information.  During the period from the date of this Agreement
to the  Closing,  each  Underwriters  Company  will  cause  one or  more  of its
representatives  to confer on a regular and frequent basis with  representatives
of FCNB and to  report  the  general  status  of its  ongoing  operations.  Each
Underwriters  Company will promptly notify FCNB and First of any material change
in the normal course of its business or in the operation of its properties  and,
to the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law, of any  governmental  complaints,
investigations  or hearings (or  communications  indicating that the same may be
contemplated), or the institution or the threat of material litigation involving
such  Underwriters  Company,  and will keep FCNB and First fully  informed  with
respect to such events.  FCNB shall provide  copies of all reports filed by FCNB
pursuant to Section 13 of the  Exchange Act to  Underwriters  upon the filing of
such reports.

     6.5  Expenses.  Each party hereto  shall pay its own  expenses  incident to
preparing  for,  entering  into  and  carrying  out  this  Agreement  and to the
consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby, except that
FCNB shall pay all of the cost of preparing  the  registration  of the shares of
FCNB Common Stock to be issued to  shareholders  of the  Underwriters  Companies
hereunder (other than the legal or other expenses of the Underwriters  Companies
for reviewing or preparing any portion  thereof) and each  Underwriters  Company
shall pay all expenses which it incurs in connection herewith.

     6.6  Miscellaneous  Agreements  and  Consents.  Subject  to the  terms  and
conditions  herein  provided,  each  of the  parties  hereto  agrees  to use all
reasonable  efforts to take,  or cause to be taken,  all  action,  and to do, or
cause to be done, all things  necessary,  proper or advisable  under  applicable
laws  and  regulations  to  consummate  and  make  effective  the   transactions
contemplated by this Agreement,  including, without limitation, using reasonable
efforts to lift or rescind any  injunction or  restraining  order or other order
adversely  affecting the ability,  of the parties to consummate the transactions
contemplated  hereby.  FCNB and First, and each Underwriters  Company,  will use
their  respective  best  efforts to obtain  consents  of all third  parties  and
governmental   bodies  necessary  or  desirable  for  the  consummation  of  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     6.7 Press  Releases.  FCNB and First,  and each  Underwriters  Company will
consult  with  each  other as to the  form,  substance  and  timing of any press
release or other public  disclosure of matters  related to this Agreement or any
of the transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the
parties  hereto  agree that FCNB  shall,  immediately  following  the  execution
hereof, issue a press release and file a Form 8-K Current Report, announcing the
execution of the Agreement and the proposed Merger.

     6.8 Indemnification.  (a) The Underwriters  Companies agree that they shall
jointly and  severally  indemnify,  defend and hold harmless FCNB and First from
and against any cost, expense, loss or liability suffered directly or indirectly
by FCNB or First (including through any Underwriters Company) arising out of any
action, suit,  investigation or other proceeding,  commenced or threatened to be
commenced,  prior to, or on or after the  Closing  Date,  which  relates  to the
operations of any

                                     A - 19


<PAGE>



Underwriters  Company,  or which arise out of any wrongful  act or omission,  or
negligence in respect of the operations of any  Underwriters  Company,  prior to
the Closing Date.

(b) FCNB and First agree that they shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend
and hold harmless each Underwriters  Company from and against any cost, expense,
loss or liability  suffered  directly or indirectly by them,  arising out of any
action, suit,  investigation or other proceeding,  commenced or threatened to be
commenced,  prior to, or on or after the  Closing  Date,  which  relates  to the
operations of the Underwriters Companies, or which arise out of any wrongful act
or omission, or negligence of, FCNB or First in respect of the operations of the
Underwriters Companies prior to, or on or after the Closing Date.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                   CONDITIONS

     7.1  Conditions  to Each  Party 's  Obligation  to Effect the  Merger.  The
obligations  of each  party  to  effect  the  Merger  shall  be  subject  to the
fulfillment or waiver at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(a) Shareholder Approval.  The Mergers shall have been approved by the requisite
majority  of the  shareholders  of  FCNB,  and  the  requisite  majority  of the
shareholders  of  Underwriters,  Phillips  and Carroll  shall have  approved the
merger of such company with and into First.

     7.2  Conditions to  Obligation of FCNB and First to Effect the Merger.  The
obligation  of FCNB and First to  effect  the  Merger  shall be  subject  to the
fulfillment  or waiver at or prior to the  Closing of the  following  additional
conditions:

(a)  Representations and Warranties;  Corporate Proceedings. The representations
and  warranties  of the  Underwriters  Companies  set forth in Article IV hereof
shall  be true  and  correct  in all  material  respects  as of the date of this
Agreement  and as of the  Closing  and FCNB and  First  shall  have  received  a
certificate  of the  president  of each of the  Underwriters  Companies  to that
effect.

(b)  Performance of  Obligations.  Each  Underwriters  Company shall have in all
material respects performed all obligations required to be performed by it under
this  Agreement  prior to the Closing  and FCNB and First shall have  received a
certificate of the Underwriters Companies to that effect.

(c)  Permits,  Authorizations,   Etc.  The  Underwriters  Companies  shall  have
obtained any and all permits,  authorizations,  consents, waivers, clearances or
approvals required for the lawful consummation of the Merger.

(d)  No Material  Adverse Change,  Due Diligence.  There shall not have been any
material  adverse  change  in  the  financial  condition,   assets,  results  of
operations,  business  or  prospects  of  the  Underwriters  Companies.  Not  in
limitation  of the  foregoing,  FCNB and First  shall  have  determined,  in the
reasonable  exercise of  discretion  based upon the results of the due diligence
investigations  performed  by  them,  that  as  of  the  Closing  Date  (i)  the
Underwriters Companies have, in the aggregate, a sustainable net revenue base of
not less than $5.4 million per year (prior to payment of any  performance  based
incentive

                                     A - 20


<PAGE>



compensation to J.R. Ramsburg, III in his capacity as President of the Surviving
Corporation);  (ii) the working capital deficit of Underwriters  does not exceed
$350,000,  including the cash surrender value of life  insurance;  and (iii) the
Underwriters  Companies  have, in the  aggregate,  a sustainable  annual pre-tax
income of not less than $1.1 million per year  (determined  after payment of any
performance based incentive  compensation to J.R. Ramsburg,  III in his capacity
as President of the Surviving Corporation).

(e)  Regulatory  Approvals.  FCNB and First  shall have  received  unconditional
approval of the Merger  contemplated  by this Agreement from the Federal Reserve
Board, the Commissioner and any other federal or state regulatory agencies whose
approval is  required  for  consummation  of such  transaction  (except for such
conditions as are ordinarily imposed in connection with transactions of the type
contemplated  hereby and which are not, in the reasonable  exercise of judgement
by FCNB and First unduly  burdensome),  and all notice and waiting periods after
the granting of any such approval shall have expired.

(f)  No Injunction. No injunction,  restraining order, stop order or other order
or action of any  federal or state  court or agency in the United  States  which
prevents the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect,  and no action shall
have been  instituted or threatened,  and no statute,  rule or regulation  shall
have been enacted,  by any state or federal  government  or  government  agency,
which makes the  consummation  of the Merger unlawful or which in the reasonable
judgment  of  FCNB  and  First  would  make it  inadvisable  to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(g)  Litigation.  At the  Closing,  there  shall not be  pending  or  threatened
against  any  of  the  Underwriters  Companies  or the  officers,  directors  or
shareholders  thereof in their  capacity as such,  any suit action or proceeding
(including  antitrust  actions) which,  if successful,  would, in the reasonable
judgment  of FCNB and First,  have a material  adverse  effect on the  financial
condition, operations, business or prospects of the Underwriters Companies.

(h)  Employment  Agreements.  J.R. Ramsburg,  Jr. and J.R. Ramsburg,  III, shall
have  have  entered  into  with  FCNB  and  First   consulting   and  employment
respectively agreements in a form satisfactory to FCNB and First.

(i)  Comfort  Letter.  FCNB and First shall have  received  from Keller Bruner &
Company,  L.L.C., a letter in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to FCNB
and First to the  effect  that  based  upon the  procedures  set forth  therein,
nothing  has come to the  attention  of such firm that would cause it to believe
that there has been a material  adverse change in the financial  position of any
of the  Underwriters  Companies  since  December  31, 1997 not  reflected in the
subsequent financial statements or compilations of such Underwriters Company.

(j)  Opinion of Counsel. The Underwriters Companies shall have delivered to FCNB
and First an  opinion,  dated the  Closing,  of John M.  Quinn,  counsel  to the
Underwriters  Companies,  in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to FCNB
and First and their counsel, to the effect that:

          (i) Each of  Underwriters,  Phillips and Carroll is a corporation duly
     organized,  validly  existing  and in good  standing  under the laws of the
     State of Maryland; and each of Underwriters,  Phillips and Carroll has full
     corporate  power to own and operate its respective  business and properties
     and to carry on its respective business as currently conducted;

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<PAGE>



     Underwriters,  Phillips  and Carroll and their  respective  agents are duly
     licensed  to  transact  the  lines  of  business   which  it  is  currently
     transacting,  by the [Maryland  Insurance  Department]  and the  comparable
     regulatory  authority  of each other  jurisdiction  in which the nature and
     conduct of its business so requires;

          (ii) the authorized  capital stock of Underwriters  consists solely of
     2,000 shares of Underwriters  common stock,  par value $30.00 per share, of
     which 986  shares  are  validly  issued  and  outstanding,  fully  paid and
     nonassessable  and have not been  issued  in  violation  of the  preemptive
     rights of any person;  the  authorized  capital stock of Phillips  consists
     solely of 400 shares of Phillips common stock, par value $100.00 per share,
     of which 120 shares are  validly  issued  and  outstanding,  fully paid and
     nonassessable  and have not been  issued  in  violation  of the  preemptive
     rights of any person;  the  authorized  capital  stock of Carroll  consists
     solely of 10,000  shares of  Carroll  common  stock,  par value  $10.00 per
     share, of which 1,101 shares are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid
     and  nonassessable  and have not been issued in violation of the preemptive
     rights of any person;

          (iii) there are no outstanding  subscriptions,  warrants, or rights to
     acquire  from  Underwriters  to issue,  or any  outstanding  securities  or
     obligations  convertible into, shares of Underwriters  common stock;  there
     are no  outstanding  subscriptions,  warrants,  or rights to  acquire  from
     Phillips to issue, or any outstanding securities or obligations convertible
     into,   shares  of  Phillips   common  stock;   there  are  no  outstanding
     subscriptions, warrants, or rights to acquire from Carroll to issue, or any
     outstanding  securities or obligations  convertible into, shares of Carroll
     common stock;

          (iv)  to the  knowledge  of such  counsel,  there  are no  outstanding
     obligations of Underwriters,  Phillips or Carroll to purchase, reacquire or
     redeem any shares of their respective, common stock;

          (v)  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this  Agreement by each
     Underwriters  Company and consummation of the transactions  contemplated in
     this  Agreement do not and will not conflict  with, or result in the breach
     of, or constitute a default under, any of the provisions of the Articles of
     Incorporation  or  Charter  or Bylaws of such  Underwriters  Company or any
     material  agreement  to which  such  Underwriters  Company is a party or by
     which its properties or assets may be bound; and

          (vi) each Underwriters  Company has full corporate power and corporate
     authority  to make,  execute,  deliver and perform  the  Agreement  and the
     Agreement has been duly authorized and approved by all requisite  corporate
     action of such Underwriters  Company,  the Agreement  constitutes the valid
     and legally binding  obligation of such Underwriters  Company in accordance
     with   its   terms,   subject   to   applicable   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
     reorganization,  moratorium  and  similar  laws  relating  to or  affecting
     creditors'  rights generally and subject to general equity principles which
     may limit the enforcement of certain remedies;

          (vii) such counsel does not know of any claim, litigation, arbitration
     proceeding,   labor  dispute  or  investigation  of  any  kind  pending  or
     threatened  against  any  Underwriters  Company  in any court or before any
     federal, .state or municipal or other governmental agency or

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<PAGE>



     instrumentality  relating in any way to the  transactions  contemplated  in
     this  Agreement,  or which is  determined  adversely  to such  Underwriters
     Company would have a material  adverse  effect on the financial  condition,
     results of operations, business, properties, or assets of such Underwriters
     Company;

          (viii) to the knowledge of such counsel, such counsel has no reason to
     believe  that  (except as to financial  statements  and other  financial or
     statistical data, or as to materials relating to or supplied by FCNB or the
     FCNB  subsidiaries  for  inclusion in the Proxy  Statement,  as to which no
     belief  need be  expressed)  the Proxy  Statement,  as it may be amended or
     supplemented,  contained an untrue  statement of a material fact or omitted
     any material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to
     make the statements  therein,  in light of the  circumstances in which they
     were made, not misleading, as of the time the Registration Statement became
     effective,  the time of the Shareholder Meetings or as of the Closing Date;
     and

(k) Affiliate Letters.  The Underwriters  Companies shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to FCNB a letter from each  officer,  director or  shareholder  of the
Underwriters  Companies who may be deemed to be an  "affiliate"  (as defined for
purposes of Rules 145 and 405 promulgated  under the 1933 Act) of  Underwriters,
in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to FCNB, under the terms of which
each such officer, director, and shareholder acknowledges and agrees to abide by
and  comply  with  all  limitations  imposed  by the  1933  Act and  all  rules,
regulations  and  releases  promulgated  thereunder  with respect to the sale or
other  disposition of the shares of FCNB Common Stock received by such person in
connection with this Agreement,  including those accounting rules,  regulations,
releases  and  guidelines  which  govern  the  eligibility  of the  transactions
governed  hereby for treatment as a pooling of interests,  including those which
impose   limitations  or  restrictions   on  the  sale,   disposition  or  other
transactions with respect to shares of Underwriters common stock and FCNB Common
Stock prior to the Closing.

(l) Accounting Treatment. FCNB shall have received an opinion of Keller Bruner &
Company,  L.L.C.,  or  otherwise  determined  to  its  satisfaction,   that  the
transactions  contemplated hereby can be accounted for as a pooling of interests
for financial reporting purposes.

(m) Third Party Consents. The Underwriters Companies or FCNB shall have obtained
all material third party consents under any agreement,  contract,  lease,  note,
license,  permit or other document by which any Underwriters Company is bound or
to  which  any of  their  respective  properties  is  subject  required  for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(n) Receivables Agreement. First, Underwriters and J.R. Ramsburg, Jr. shall have
entered into an agreement  setting forth the terms and conditions of the advance
represented  by the. note payable by  Underwriters  to J.R.  Ramsburg,  Jr. Such
agreement  shall  provide,  inter  alia,  (z)that  in the event  that any of the
accounts  receivable of Underwriters  reflected on the receivables  report as of
September  30, 1998 shall not have been  collected by the date which is 120 days
after  the  Closing,  then the note  payable  to J. R.  Ramsburg,  Jr.  shall be
reduced,  on a  dollar  for  dollar  basis,  by  the  amount  of  the  aggregate
uncollected  receivables,  over and above the $101,000 presently allocated to be
written  office  by  "Underwriters",   which  additional  receivables  shall  be
assigned,  set over and transferred to J.R.  Ramsburg,  Jr., without recourse to
FCNB, the Bank, First or Underwriters,  in full  satisfaction of that portion of
the note payable equal to the original principal amount (including interest,  if
any, accrued in accordance with Underwriter's  receivables collection practices)
of the  receivables  so assigned;  and (ii) that  following the Effective  Time,
interest shall accrue on said note payable at an annual rate of six percent.

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<PAGE>




     6.3  Conditions  to  Obligation  of  Underwriters  Companies  to Effect the
Merger. The obligations of the Underwriters Companies to effect the Merger shall
be  subject  to the  fulfillment  at or prior to the  Closing  of the  following
additional conditions:

   (a)   Representations   and   Warranties;    Corporate    Proceedings.    The
   representations  and  warranties  of FCNB and First set forth in  Article  II
   hereof shall be true and correct in all  material  respects as of the date of
   this Agreement and as of the Closing as though made at and as of the Closing,
   and the  Underwriters  Companies shall have received a signed  certificate of
   the President of FCNB and First to that effect. All corporate action required
   to have been  taken by, or on the part of,  FCNB and first to  authorize  the
   execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this  Agreement  and  the  Merger,
   respectively,  shall have been duly and validly taken,  and the  Underwriters
   Companies shall have received certified copies of the resolutions  evidencing
   such authorizations.

   (b)  Performance  of  Obligations.  FCNB and First shall have in all material
   respects performed all obligations  required to be performed by it under this
   Agreement  prior  to  the  Closing,   and  Ramsburg  shall  have  received  a
   certificate of the President of FCNB and First to that effect.

   (c)  Registration  Statement.  The  Registration  Statement of FCNB under the
   Securities  Act  relating to the FCNB Common  Stock shall have been  declared
   effective, and no stop order with respect to the Registration Statement shall
   have been issued. In addition,  all state securities and blue sky permits and
   approvals  required to carry out the transactions  contemplated  hereby shall
   have been obtained.

   (d)  Opinion  of  Counsel.  FCNB  shall have  delivered  to the  Underwriters
   Companies an opinion,  dated the Closing of Kennedy, Bans & Lundy, L.L.P., in
   form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to the Underwriters Companies and
   their counsel, to the effect that:

            (i) FCNB is a corporation  duly organized,  validly  existing and in
        good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland;  is registered as
        a bank holding company under the BHCA; and FCNB has full corporate power
        and  authority  to own and operate its business  and  properties  and to
        carry on its business as currently conducted;

            (ii)  the  authorized  capital  stock  of FCNB  consists  solely  of
        20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 5,915,413 shares are validly
        issued and outstanding  (subject to the possible  issuance of additional
        shares of FCNB Common Stock  pursuant to the exercise of options  issued
        under the FCNB Option Plans, the DRI Plan or the  non-qualified  options
        to acquire FCNB Common Stock and to the possible repurchase of shares by
        FCNB in accordance with FCNB's share repurchase program), fully paid and
        nonassessable  and have not been issued in violation  of the  preemptive
        rights of any person,  and 1,000,000  shares of  undesignated  preferred
        stock,  no shares of which  were  outstanding  immediately  prior to the
        Closing;

            (iii) except as set forth in such opinion,  to the best knowledge of
        such counsel, there are no outstanding subscriptions,  warrants, options
        or rights to  acquire  from FCNB,  or  requiring  FCNB to issue,  or any
        outstanding  securities or obligations  convertible into, shares of FCNB
        Common Stock;

                                     A - 24


<PAGE>



            (iv) except as set forth in such opinion,  to the best  knowledge of
        such counsel,  there are no  outstanding  commitments  or obligations of
        FCNB to purchase, reacquire or redeem any shares of FCNB Common Stock;

            (v) the FCNB Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger, when issued
        in exchange  for the  Shares,  will be validly  issued and  outstanding,
        fully paid and nonassessable;

            (vi)  execution,  delivery and  performance of the Agreement by FCNB
        and First  and  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  in the
        Agreement do not and will not conflict with, or result in the breach of,
        or constitute a default under,  any of the provisions of the Articles of
        Incorporation  or Bylaws of FCNB and First or, to the best  knowledge of
        such counsel,  any material  agreement to which FCNB or First is a party
        or by which its properties or assets may be bound;

            (vii) FCNB and First each have full  corporate  power and  corporate
        authority to make,  execute,  deliver and perform the  Agreement and the
        Agreement  has  been  duly  authorized  and  approved  by all  requisite
        corporate action of FCNB and First and constitutes the valid and legally
        binding  obligations  of FCNB and First in  accordance  with its  terms,
        subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
        and similar laws relating to or affecting  creditors'  rights  generally
        and subject to general equity principles which may limit the enforcement
        of certain remedies;

            (viii)  all   material   filings   and   registrations   with,   and
        notifications to, all federal,  state and local authorities  required on
        the part of FCNB and First for the  consummation of the Merger have been
        made, all approvals and  authorizations of all federal,  state and local
        authorities  required on the part of FCNB and First for  consummation of
        the  Merger are in full  force and  effect  and all  applicable  waiting
        periods have passed; and

            (ix)  such  counsel   does  not  know  of  any  claim,   litigation,
        arbitration  proceeding,  labor  dispute  or  investigation  of any kind
        pending or  threatened  against FCNB or First in any court or before any
        federal,  state or municipal or governmental  agency or  instrumentality
        relating in any way to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

     6.7  Nasdaq  Listing.  The  shares  of FCNB  Common  Stock to be  issued in
connection  with the Merger shall have been approved for quotation,  upon notice
of issuance, on Nasdaq.

     6.8 No  Injunction.  There  shall not be in  effect  any  order,  decree or
injunction  of a court or agency of  competent  jurisdiction  which  enjoins  or
prohibits consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby, nor shall there
be any pending proceeding of any agency of competent jurisdiction seeking any of
the foregoing.

     6.9 Contribution of Assets of the Underwriters Companies.  FCNB agrees that
following  the  Effective  Time,  it shall not  directly  conduct or operate the
business of the Underwriters Companies, but that it shall, immediately following
the Effective Time contribute,  by such means as may be appropriate,  all assets
and  liabilities  of the  Underwriters  Companies,  of  every  type  whatsoever,
acquired as a result of the Merger,  to FCNB Bank, its wholly owned  subsidiary.
FCNB Bank  agrees that  following  the  Effective  Time,  it shall not  directly
conduct or operate  the  business  of the  Underwriters  Companies,  but that it
shall, immediately following the Effective Time contribute, by such means as may
be appropriate,

                                     A - 25


<PAGE>



all  assets  and  liabilities  of the  Underwriters  Companies,  of  every  type
whatsoever,  acquired  as a result of the  Merger,  to First,  its wholly  owned
subsidiary.  FCNB agrees  that it shall cause FCNB Bank to take such  actions as
may be necessary to result in the  contribution of the assets and liabilities of
the Underwriters  Companies to First. The parties  acknowledge and agree that it
is the  intention  of the parties  hereto that First shall  conduct the business
previously  conducted by the  Underwriters  Companies.  In  connection  with the
contributions,  FCNB Bank and First shall continue to possess and be entitled to
exercise all corporate rights and privileges granted to them in their respective
charters  and under the laws of the  United  States and the laws of the State of
Maryland.

     6.10 Change of Name of First.  Following  the Effective  Time,  the name of
First shall be changed to "Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc." FCNB,  First and FCNB
Bank,  agree that they shall take such  actions as may be required to effect the
change of name of Fist to Frederick Underwriters, Inc. as of the Effective Time,
or as soon thereafter as may be reasonably practicable.

     6.11.  Directors and Officers of First. (a) The Board of Directors of First
at the Effective  Time,  together with J.R.  Ramsburg,  III,  shall serve as the
Board of Directors of First as the Surviving  Corporation until their successors
are duly elected and qualified.

The Officers of First at the Effective Time shall serve as the officers of First
until their  successors are duly appointed by the Board of Directors except that
from and  after the  Effective  Time,  J.R.  Ramsburg,  III  shall  serve as the
President of the Surviving Corporation.

(c) As soon as practicable  following the Effective Time,  First shall take such
actions as shall be required to effect the  election of J.R.  Ramsburg,  III, as
President of the Surviving  Corporation,  to serve in accordance with the bylaws
of the Surviving Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     7.1 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Closing:

(a)  by mutual consent of all of the parties hereto;

(b)  by either FCNB or any  Underwriters  Company,  at anytime after December 1,
1998, if the Merger shall not theretofore have been consummated, unless the date
reflected  in this  Section  7.1(b)  shall be extended in writing by the parties
hereto;

(c)  by FCNB in the event of the material breach by any Underwriters  Company of
any representation, warranty or agreement contained herein;

(d)  by any Underwriters  Company in the event of the material breach by FCNB or
First of any representation, warranty or agreement contained herein;

(e)  by FCNB or any  Underwriters  Company  if any  governmental  or  regulatory
approval   required  for   consummation  of  the  Merger  and  the  transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been denied by

                                     A - 26


<PAGE>



final,  non-appealable  order,  or any such denial shall not have been  appealed
within the time available for such appeal.

(f)  by FCNB in the event a  material  adverse  change  occurs in the  financial
condition,  results of  operations,  business or prospects  of the  Underwriters
Companies, taken as a whole, subsequent to the date of this Agreement;

(g)  by any  Underwriters  Company in the event a material adverse change occurs
in the financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of FCNB
subsequent to the date of this Agreement;

(h)  by FCNB, in the exercise of its  reasonable  discretion,  in the event that
the Merger and the Agreement  are not approved by the requisite  majority of the
shareholders of FCNB at the FCNB shareholder meeting.

     7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement by
FCNB or any  Underwriters  Company  as  provided  in  Section  7.1  above,  this
Agreement  shall  forthwith  become void and there shall be no  liability on the
part of either FCNB,  First or the  Underwriters  Companies or their  respective
officers  or  directors,  except  in the event of  wilful  breach of a  material
provision of this Agreement.

     7.3  Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto at any
time before or after approval of the Merger by the  shareholders  of FCNB.  This
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of each of the parties hereto.

     7.4 Waiver.  Any term,  condition  or provision  of this  Agreement  may be
waived in writing at any time by the party which is, or whose  shareholders are,
entitled to the benefits thereof.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     8.1  Non-survival  of  Representations,   Warranties  and  Agreements.   No
investigation  by the parties hereto made  heretofore or hereafter  shall affect
the representations and warranties of the parties which are contained herein and
each such  representation  and warranty  shall survive such  investigation.  All
representations, warranties and agreements in this Agreement of the Underwriters
Companies and FCNB and First or in any instrument  delivered by the Underwriters
Companies and FCNB and First  pursuant to this  Agreement  shall expire one year
after the Closing,  or upon termination of this Agreement in accordance with its
terms.

     8.2 Notices.  All notices and other  communications  hereunder  shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly  received (i) on the date given if
delivered personally or by telecopier,  cable,  telegram or telex or (ii) on the
date received if sent by overnight  delivery  service or if mailed by registered
or certified mail (return  receipt  requested),  to the parties at the following
addresses  (or at such other  address for a party as shall be  specified by like
notice):
                            (a) if to FCNB or First:


                                     A - 27


<PAGE>




                                     A. Patrick Linton, President
                                     FCNB Corp
                                     7200 FCNB Court
                                     Frederick, Maryland 21703

                            Copy to:

                                     David H. Bans, Esq.
                                     Kennedy, Bans & Lundy, L.L.P.
                                     Suite 300
                                     4719 Hampden Lane
                                     Bethesda, MD 20814

                            (b)  if to the Underwriters Companies:

                                     J.R. Ramsburg, Jr.
                                     1201 East Street
                                     Frederick, Maryland  21701

                            Copy to:

                                    John M. Quinn, Esquire
                                    Quinn, McAuliffe, Rowan & Falconer
                                    204 Monroe Street, Suite 109
                                    Rockville, Maryland  20850

     8.3 Severability.  Any invalidity,  illegality or  unenforceability  of any
provision of this Agreement in any  jurisdiction  shall not invalidate or render
illegal or unenforceable  the remaining  provisions  hereof in such jurisdiction
and shall not  invalidate or render illegal or  unenforceable  such provision in
any other jurisdiction.

     8.4 Headings.  The headings of the Articles and Sections of this  Agreement
are for  convenience  of reference  only and shall not be deemed to be a part of
this Agreement.

     8.5  Attorneys'  Fees. In any action or  proceeding  brought to enforce any
provision of this Agreement,  or where any provision  hereof is validly asserted
as a defense,  the  successful  party shall be  entitled  to recover  reasonable
attorneys' fees in addition to any other remedy.

     8.6  Miscellaneous.  This  Agreement  (including  exhibits,  documents  and
instruments referred to herein).

(a) together with all Schedules,  exhibits,  documents and instruments  attached
hereto  or  required  to be  delivered  herewith,  or at or  prior  to  Closing,
constitutes the entire  agreement and supersedes all other prior  agreements and
understandings,  both written and oral, among the parties,  or any of them, with
respect to the subject matter hereof,

                                     A - 28


<PAGE>



(b) is not  intended to confer upon any person not a party  hereto any rights or
remedies hereunder;

(c) shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise, except that FCNB may
without prior notice to or approval by the  Underwriters  Companies  assign this
Agreement to a wholly-owned subsidiary of FCNB;

(d) shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Maryland; and

(e) may be executed in two or more counterparts  which together shall constitute
a single agreement.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
signed  by  their  respective  officers  thereunto  duly  authorized  and  their
respective  corporate  seals to be  affixed  hereto,  all as of the  date  first
written above.

ATTEST: [SEAL]                                    FCNB CORP

 /s/ Helen G. Hahn                                By:  /s/ A. Patrick Linton    
- ------------------------------                        --------------------------
Name:  Helen G. Hahn                               Name: A. Patrick Linton
Title: Secretary                                   Title: President

ATTEST: [SEAL]                                    FIRST CHOICE INSURANCE
                                                  AGENCY, INC.

 /s/ Mark A. Severson                             By:  /s/ William R. Talley    
- ------------------------------                        --------------------------
Name: Mark A. Severson                            Name: William R. Talley, Jr.
Title: Vice President                             Title: President

ATTEST: [SEAL]                                    FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC.

 /s/ Jacob R. Ramsburg, III                       By: /s/ Jacob R. Ramsburg, Jr.
- ------------------------------                        --------------------------
Name: Jacob R. Ramsburg, III                      Name: Jacob R. Ramsburg, Jr.
Title: Secretary                                  Title: President

                                     A - 29


<PAGE>



ATTEST: [SEAL]                                   PHILLIPS INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.

 /s/ Jacob R. Ramsburg, III                      By:  /s/ Jacob R. Ramsburg, Jr.
- ------------------------------                        --------------------------
Name: Jacob R. Ramsburg, III                     Name: Jacob R. Ramsburg, Jr.
Title: Secretary                                 Title: President

ATTEST: [SEAL]                                   CARROLL COUNTY INSURANCE
                                                  AGENCY, INC.

 /s/ Jacob R. Ramsburg, III                      By:  /s/ Jacob R. Ramsburg, Jr.
- ------------------------------                        --------------------------
Name: Jacob R. Ramsburg, III                     Name: Jacob R. Ramsburg, Jr.
Title: Secretary                                 Title: President

And with respect to Sections 6.09 and 6.10 of the Agreement,  as amended hereby,
only:

ATTEST: [SEAL]                                   FCNB BANK

 /s/ Helen G. Hahn                               By:  /s/ A. Patrick Linton     
- ------------------------------                        --------------------------
Name: Helen G. Hahn                              Name: A. Patrick Linton
Title: Secretary                                 Title: President

                                     A - 30


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B

           Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law





<PAGE>



                           ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND
                         CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS.
           TITLE 3. CORPORATIONS IN GENERAL -- EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS.
                  Subtitle 2. Rights of Objecting Stockholders.

ss.3-201  "Successor" defined.

         (a)  Corporation  amending  charter.  -- In this  subtitle,  except  as
provided in subsection (b) of this section,  "successor"  includes a corporation
which amends its charter in a way which alters the contract rights, as expressly
set forth in the charter, of any outstanding stock, unless the right to do so is
reserved by the charter of the corporation.

         (b) Corporation whose stock is acquired. -- When used with reference to
a share  exchange,  "successor"  means  the  corporation  the stock of which was
acquired in the share exchange.

ss.3-202  Right to fair value of stock.

     (a) General rule. -- Except as provided in subsection  (c) of this section,
a  stockholder  of a Maryland  corporation  has the right to demand and  receive
payment of the fair value of the stockholder's  stock from the successor if: 
            (1) The corporation consolidates or merges with another corporation;
            (2) The stockholder's stock is to be acquired in a share exchange;
            (3) The  corporation  transfers  its  assets  in a manner  requiring
corporate action under ss.3-105 of this title;
            (4) The  corporation  amends its  charter in a way which  alters the
contract rights, as expressly set forth in the charter, of any outstanding stock
and substantially  adversely affects the stockholder's  rights, unless the right
to do so is reserved by the charter of the corporation; or

            (5) The  transaction  is  governed  by  ss.3-602  of this  title  or
exempted by ss.3-603 (b) of this title.

     (b) Basis of fair value. -- (1) Fair value is determined as of the close of
business:

     (i) With respect to a merger  under  ss.3-106 of this title of a 90 percent
or more owned  subsidiary into its parent,  on the day notice is given or waived
under ss. 3-106; or

    (ii) With  respect  to any other  transaction,  on the day the  stockholders
voted on the transaction objected to.

   (2) Except as provided in paragraph  (3) of this  subsection,  fair value may
not  include any  appreciation  or  depreciation  which  directly or  indirectly
results from the transaction objected to or from its proposal.

   (3) In any  transaction  governed  by  ss.3-602  of this title or exempted by
ss.3- 603 (b) of this title,  fair value shall be value determined in accordance
with the requirements of ss.3-603 (b) of this title.

  (c) When  right to fair value does not  apply.  -- Unless the  transaction  is
governed by ss.3-602 of this title or is exempted by ss.3-603 (b) of this title,
a  stockholder  may not  demand  the fair value of his stock and is bound by the
terms of the transaction if:

   (1) The stock is listed on a national securities exchange or is designated as
a national  market system  security on an  interdealer  quotation  system by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.:

    (i) With respect to a merger under ss.3-106 of this title of a 90 percent or
more owned  subsidiary  into its  parent,  on the date notice is given or waived
under ss.3-106; or

    (ii)  With  respect  to any  other  transaction,  on  the  record  date  for
determining stockholders entitled to vote on the transaction objected to;

     (2) The stock is that of the successor in a merger,  unless: (i) The merger
alters the contract  rights of the stock as expressly  set forth in the charter,
and the charter does not reserve the right to do so; or

    (ii) The  stock is to be  changed  or  converted  in whole or in part in the
merger into something  other than either stock in the successor or cash,  scrip,
or other  rights or interests  arising out of  provisions  for the  treatment of


<PAGE>
fractional shares of stock in the successor; or

   (3) The stock is that of an open-end  investment  company registered with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
the value placed on the stock in the transaction is its net asset value.

ss.3-203  Procedure by stockholder.

     (a) Specific  duties.  -- A  stockholder  of a  corporation  who desires to
receive payment of the fair value of his stock under this subtitle:

     (1) Shall file with the  corporation  a written  objection  to the proposed
transaction:

     (i) With respect to a merger  under  ss.3-106 of this title of a 90 percent
or more owned  subsidiary into its parent,  within 30 days after notice is given
or waived under ss.3-106; or

     (ii) With respect to any other transaction,  at or before the stockholders'
meeting at which the transaction will be considered;

     (2) May not vote in favor of the transaction; and

     (3) Within 20 days after the  Department  accepts the  articles for record,
shall make a written demand on the successor for payment for his stock,  stating
the number and class of shares for which he demands payment.

     (b) Failure to comply with section.  -- A  stockholder  who fails to comply
with this  section  is bound by the terms of the  consolidation,  merger,  share
exchange, transfer of assets, or charter amendment.

ss.3-204  Effect of demand on dividend and other rights.

     A stockholder who demands payment for his stock under this subtitle:

   (1) Has no  right  to  receive  any  dividends  or  distributions  payable to
holders of record of that stock on a record  date after the close of business on
the day as at  which  fair  value is to be  determined  under  ss.3-202  of this
subtitle; and

   (2) Ceases to have any rights of a  stockholder  with  respect to that stock,
except the right to receive payment of its fair value.

ss.3-205  Withdrawal of demand.

     A  demand  for  payment  may be  withdrawn  only  with the  consent  of the
successor.

ss.3-206  Restoration of dividend and other rights.

 (a) When rights  restored.  -- The rights of a stockholder who demands payment
are restored in full, if:

     (1) The demand for payment is withdrawn;

     (2) A petition for an  appraisal  is not filed within the time  required by
this subtitle;

     (3) A court determines that the stockholder is not entitled to relief; or

     (4) The transaction objected to is abandoned or rescinded.

  (b)  Effect of  restoration.  -- The  restoration  of a  stockholder's  rights
entitles him to receive the dividends,  distributions, and other rights he would
have  received  if he had not  demanded  payment  for his  stock.  However,  the
restoration  does not  prejudice  any  corporate  proceedings  taken  before the
restoration.

ss.3-207  Notice and offer to stockholders.

     (a) Duty of  successor.  -- (1) The  successor  promptly  shall notify each

<PAGE>

objecting  stockholder  in writing of the date the  articles  are  accepted  for
record by the Department.

     (2) The  successor  also may  send a  written  offer  to pay the  objecting
stockholder  what it  considers  to be the fair value of his  stock.  Each offer
shall be accompanied by the following  information  relating to the  corporation
which issued the stock:

    (i) A balance sheet as of a date not more than six months before the date of
the offer;

    (ii) A profit and loss statement for the 12 months ending on the date of the
balance sheet; and

    (iii) Any other information the successor considers pertinent.

     (b) Manner of sending notice. -- The successor shall deliver the notice and
offer to each objecting stockholder  personally or mail them to him by certified
mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal
Service,  at the address he gives the successor in writing,  or, if none, at his
address as it appears on the records of the corporation which issued the stock.

ss.3-208  Petition for appraisal; consolidation of proceedings; joinder of
  objectors.

     (a) Petition for appraisal.  -- Within 50 days after the Department accepts
the articles for record,  the successor or an objecting  stockholder who has not
received  payment  for his stock may  petition  a court of equity in the  county
where the principal office of the successor is located or, if it does not have a
principal  office in this State,  where the resident  agent of the  successor is
located, for an appraisal to determine the fair value of the stock.

     (b) Consolidation of suits;  joinder of objectors.  -- (1) If more than one
appraisal proceeding is instituted,  the court shall direct the consolidation of
all the proceedings on terms and conditions it considers proper.

   (2) Two or more objecting  stockholders may join or be joined in an appraisal
proceeding.

ss.3-209  Notation on stock certificate.

     (a)  Submission  of  certificate.  -- At any  time  after  a  petition  for
appraisal is filed, the court may require the objecting  stockholders parties to
the proceeding to submit their stock  certificates to the clerk of the court for
notation on them that the  appraisal  proceeding  is pending.  If a  stockholder
fails to comply with the order,  the court may dismiss the  proceeding as to him
or grant other appropriate relief.

     (b) Transfer of stock bearing  notation.  -- If any stock  represented by a
certificate  which  bears  a  notation  is  subsequently  transferred,  the  new
certificate  issued for the stock shall bear a similar  notation and the name of
the  original  objecting  stockholder.  The  transferee  of this  stock does not
acquire  rights of any character with respect to the stock other than the rights
of the original objecting stockholder.

ss.3-210  Appraisal of fair value.

     (a) Court to appoint  appraisers.  -- If the court finds that the objecting
stockholder  is entitled to an appraisal of his stock,  it shall  appoint  three
disinterested  appraisers  to determine the fair value of the stock on terms and
conditions the court  considers  proper.  Each  appraiser  shall take an oath to
discharge his duties honestly and faithfully.

     (b)  Report  of  appraisers  --  Filing.  --  Within  60 days  after  their


<PAGE>

appointment, unless the court sets a longer time, the appraisers shall determine
the fair value of the stock as of the appropriate date and file a report stating
the conclusion of the majority as to the fair value of the stock.

     (c) Same --  Contents.  -- The  report  shall  state  the  reasons  for the
conclusion and shall include a transcript of all testimony and exhibits offered.

     (d) Same -- Service;  objection.  -- (1) On the same day that the report is
filed, the appraisers shall mail a copy of it to each party to the proceedings.

   (2) Within 15 days after the report is filed,  any party may object to it and
request a hearing.

ss.3-211  Action by court on appraisers' report.

     (a) Order of court.  -- The court shall  consider the report and, on motion
of any party to the proceeding, enter an order which:

     (1) Confirms, modifies, or rejects it; and

     (2) If appropriate, sets the time for payment to the stockholder.

     (b) Procedure after order. -- (1) If the appraisers' report is confirmed or
modified by the order,  judgment  shall be entered  against the successor and in
favor of each  objecting  stockholder  party to the proceeding for the appraised
fair value of his stock.

     (2) If the appraisers' report is rejected, the court may: 

     (i) Determine the fair value of the stock and enter judgment for the
stockholder; or

     (ii) Remit the  proceedings  to the same or other  appraisers  on terms and
conditions it considers proper.

     (c) Judgment includes interest.  -- (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2)
of this subsection,  a judgment for the stockholder shall award the value of the
stock and  interest  from the date as at which  fair  value is to be  determined
under ss.3-202 of this subtitle.

     (2) The court may not allow  interest  if it finds that the  failure of the
stockholder  to  accept  an offer  for the stock  made  under  ss.3-207  of this
subtitle  was  arbitrary  and  vexatious  or not in good  faith.  In making this
finding, the court shall consider:

     (i) The price which the successor offered for the stock;

     (ii) The  financial  statements  and  other  information  furnished  to the
stockholder; and

     (iii) Any other circumstances it considers relevant.

     (d) Costs of proceedings.  -- (1) The costs of the  proceedings,  including
reasonable  compensation  and  expenses of the  appraisers,  shall be set by the
court and  assessed  against the  successor.  However,  the court may direct the
costs to be apportioned  and assessed  against any objecting  stockholder if the
court finds that the failure of the stockholder to accept an offer for the stock
made under  ss.3-207 of this subtitle was arbitrary and vexatious or not in good
faith. In making this finding, the court shall consider:

     (i) The price which the successor offered for the stock;

     (ii) The  financial  statements  and  other  information  furnished  to the
stockholder; and

     (iii) Any other circumstances it considers relevant.

     (2) Costs may not include attorney's fees or expenses.  The reasonable fees
and expenses of experts may be included only if:

    (i) The successor did not make an offer for the stock under ss.3-207 of this
subtitle; or

    (ii) The value of the stock determined in the proceeding  materially exceeds
the amount offered by the successor.

<PAGE>

     (e) Effect of  judgment.  -- The  judgment is final and  conclusive  on all
parties  and has the same  force and  effect as other  decrees  in  equity.  The
judgment  constitutes a lien on the assets of the  successor  with priority over
any  mortgage  or other lien  attaching  on or after the  effective  date of the
consolidation, merger, transfer, or charter amendment.

ss.3-212  Surrender of stock.

     The  successor  is not  required  to pay  for  the  stock  of an  objecting
stockholder  or to pay a judgment  rendered  against it in a  proceeding  for an
appraisal unless, simultaneously with payment:

   (1) The  certificates  representing the stock are surrendered to it, indorsed
in blank, and in proper form for transfer; or

   (2) Satisfactory  evidence of the loss or destruction of the certificates and
sufficient indemnity bond are furnished.

ss.3-213  Rights of successor with respect to stock.

     (a) General rule. -- A successor  which  acquires the stock of an objecting
stockholder is entitled to any dividends or distributions  payable to holders of
record of that stock on a record  date after the close of business on the day as
at which fair value is to be determined under ss.3-202 of this subtitle.

     (b)  Successor in transfer of assets.  -- After  acquiring  the stock of an
objecting stockholder,  a successor in a transfer of assets may exercise all the
rights of an owner of the stock.

     (c) Successor in consolidation,  merger,  or share exchange.  -- Unless the
articles provide otherwise,  stock in the successor of a consolidation,  merger,
or  share  exchange  otherwise  deliverable  in  exchange  for the  stock  of an
objecting  stockholder  has the status of authorized  but unissued  stock of the
successor.  However,  a proceeding for reduction of the capital of the successor
is not  necessary to retire the stock or to reduce the capital of the  successor
represented by the stock.



                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 20.          INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     The  Articles  of  Incorporation   and  Bylaws  of  FCNB  provide  for  the
indemnification  of the  officers and  directors  of FCNB to the fullest  extent
permitted by the Maryland  General  Corporation  Law (the  "MGCL"),  and for the
indemnification  of  other  persons  to  the  extent  permitted  by  law  and as
determined  by the Board of Directors.  The MGCL  provides,  in general,  that a
corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of
the  corporation,  who  was,  is or is  threatened  to be  made a  defendant  or
respondent  to  any  action,  suit  or  proceeding,   whether  civil,  criminal,
administrative  or  investigative,  by  reason  of the fact  that he served as a
director,  officer,  employee  or agent of the  corporation,  or  served  at the
corporation's  request in any capacity of another enterprise or employee benefit
plan, unless (i) the act or omission giving rise to the liability of such person
was material to the matter giving rise to the  proceeding  and (a) was committed
in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (ii) the
director received an improper  personal benefit in money,  property or services;
or (iii) in the case of any  criminal  proceeding,  such  person had  reasonable
cause  to  believe  the  act  or  omission  was  unlawful.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  no indemnification shall be authorized in the case of any proceeding
by or in the right of the corporation, if the person has been adjudged liable to
the corporation,  except that a court may order indemnification against expenses
(including  attorney fees) only. The indemnification is mandatory in the case of
success,  on the  merits  or  otherwise,  in  the  defense  of  any  proceeding.
Indemnification  is  against  judgements,  penalties,  fines,  settlements,  and
reasonable expenses actually incurred (including  attorney's fees) in connection
with the  proceeding.  A  corporation  has the power to  purchase  and  maintain
insurance or maintain other arrangements in respect of such indemnification. The
indemnification  provided  by the  MGCL is not  exclusive  of  other  rights  to
indemnification to which any person may otherwise be entitled.

ITEM 21.          EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)      Exhibits

         Number            Description

         2                 Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization  and Merger, as
                           amended  and  restated,  included as Exhibit A to the
                           combined  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  Schedules are
                           omitted.  FCNB  agrees  to  furnish  copies  of  such
                           schedules to the Commission upon request.

         5                 Opinion of Kennedy, Baris & Lundy, L.L.P.

         8                 Form of Opinion of Kevin Kennedy, Esquire

         23(a)             Consent   of  Keller   Bruner  &   Company,   L.L.C.,
                           independent   certified  public  accountants  to  the
                           Underwriters Companies




<PAGE>




         23(b)             Consent   of   Keller   Bruner  &   Company,   L.L.C.
                           independent certified public accountants to FCNB

         23(c)             Consent of Kennedy,  Baris & Lundy, L.L.P.,  included
                           in Exhibit 5

         23(d)             Consent  of  Kevin  Kennedy,   Esquire,  included  in
                           Exhibit 8

         99(a)             Form of Proxies for Underwriters Shareholder Meeting

         99(b)             Form of Proxy for FCNB Shareholder Meeting

(b)      Financial Statement Schedules
         Not Applicable

(c)      None.

ITEM 22.          UNDERTAKINGS

         The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will:

         (1) file, during any period in which it offers or sells  securities,  a
post-effective  amendment  to this  registration  statement  to: (i) include any
prospectus  required  by section  10(a)(3)  of the  Securities  Act of 1933 (the
"Act");  (ii) 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 in the registration  statement;  and (iii)
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.

         (2) for the purpose of determining  liability under the Act, treat each
post-effective  amendment  as a  new  registration  statement  relating  to  the
securities  offered,  and the offering of the  securities at that time to be the
initial bona fide offering.

         (3) file a post-effective  amendment to remove from registration any of
the securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.

         The  undersigned  Registrant  hereby  undertakes  that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Act, each filing of the Registrant's  annual
report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") (and, where applicable,  each filing of an employee
benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that
is 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.

                                      II-2


<PAGE>



         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act 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  of whether  such  indemnification  by it is against
public  policy as  expressed in the  Securities  Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

         The undersigned  Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be
delivered with the prospectus,  to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or
given,  the latest annual  report to security  holders that is  incorporated  by
reference  in  the  prospectus  and  furnished   pursuant  to  and  meeting  the
requirements  of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the  Exchange  Act;  and,  where
interim  financial  information  required  to  be  presented  by  Article  3  of
Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus,  to deliver,  or cause to be
delivered  to each person to whom the  prospectus  is sent or given,  the latest
quarterly  report  that  is  specifically   incorporated  by  reference  in  the
prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

         The undersigned  Registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to
any public  reoffering of the securities  registered  hereunder through use of a
prospectus  which is a part of this  registration  statement,  by any  person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter  within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer  undertakes that such reoffering  prospectus will contain the information
called for by the  applicable  registration  form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed  underwriters,  in addition to the information  called
for by the other items of the applicable form.

         The  Registrant  undertakes  that every  prospectus:  (i) that is filed
pursuant to the paragraph immediately  preceding,  or (ii) that purports to meet
the  requirements of Section  10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with
an offering  of  securities  subject to Rule 415,  will be filed as a part of an
amendment  to the  registration  statement  and  will  not be  used  until  such
amendment is  effective,  and 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.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information  that is incorporated  by reference into the prospectus  pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b),  11 or 13 of this Form,  within one  business  day of receipt of
such  request,  and to send the  incorporated  documents  by first class mail or
other equally  prompt means.  This includes  information  contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.

                                      II-3


<PAGE>





         The undersigned  Registrant  hereby  undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective  amendment  all  information  concerning a  transaction,  and the
company  being  acquired  involved  therein,  that  was not the  subject  of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.


                                      II-4








<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  registration  statement  to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Frederick,
State of Maryland on October 30, 1998.

                                    FCNB CORP

                                    By:   /s/ A. Patrick Linton
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        A. Patrick Linton, President
                                        and Chief Executive Officer

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,
this  registration  statement  has been signed by the  following  persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                   <C> 
 /s/ George B. Callan
- --------------------------------                    
George B. Callan, Jr.                                Director                  October 30, 1998


 /s/ Miles M. Circo 
- --------------------------------
Miles M. Circo                                       Director                  October 30, 1998


/s/ Shirley D. Collier
- --------------------------------
Shirley D. Collier                                   Director                  October 30, 1998


/s/ Clyde C. Crum   
- --------------------------------             Chairman of the Board of
Clyde C. Crum                                        Directors                 October 30, 1998


 /s/ James S. Grimes 
- --------------------------------
James S. Grimes                                      Director                  October 30, 1998


/s/ Bernard L. Grove, Jr.
- --------------------------------                     
Bernard L. Grove, Jr.                                Director                  October 30, 1998
                                                     

/s/ Gail T. Guyton
- --------------------------------
Gail T. Guyton                                       Director                  October 30, 1998


/s/ Frank L. Hewitt, III
- --------------------------------
Frank L. Hewitt, III                                 Director                  October 30, 1998


/s/ A. Patrick Linton
- --------------------------------        President, Chief Executive Officer
A. Patrick Linton                                  and Director                October 30, 1998


/s/ Jacob R. Ramsburg, Jr.
- --------------------------------
Jacob R. Ramsburg, Jr.                               Director                  October 30, 1998
</TABLE>




<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>                       <C> 
/s/ Ramona C. Remsberg
- --------------------------------                                               
Ramona C. Remsberg                                   Director                  October 30, 1998


/s/ Kenneth W. Rice
- --------------------------------
Kenneth W. Rice                                      Director                  October 30, 1998


/s/ Rand D. Weinberg
- --------------------------------
Rand D. Weinberg                                     Director                  October 30, 1998


/s/ DeWalt J. Willard, Jr.
- --------------------------------
Dewalt J Willard, Jr.                                Director


/s/ Mark A. Severson
- --------------------------------        Senior Vice President, Treasurer,
Mark A. Severson                              Principal Financial and          October 30, 1998
                                                Accounting Officer
</TABLE>





<PAGE>



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number                      Description

         2        Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization  and Merger,  as amended
                  and  restated,  included  as Exhibit A to the  combined  Proxy
                  Statement/Prospectus.  Schedules  are omitted.  FCNB agrees to
                  furnish  copies  of  such  schedules  to the  Commission  upon
                  request.

         5        Opinion of Kennedy, Baris & Lundy, L.L.P.

         8        Form of Opinion of Kevin Kennedy, Esquire

         23(a)    Consent  of  Keller  Bruner  &  Company,  L.L.C.,  independent
                  certified public accountants to the Underwriters Companies

         23(b)    Consent  of  Keller  Bruner  &  Company,  L.L.C.   independent
                  certified public accountants to FCNB

         23(c)    Consent of Kennedy, Baris & Lundy, L.L.P., included in Exhibit
                  5

         23(d)    Consent of Kevin Kennedy, Esquire, included in Exhibit 8

         99(a)    Form of Proxies for Underwriters Shareholder Meeting

         99(b)    Form of Proxy for FCNB Shareholder Meeting







                                    EXHIBIT 5

                    Opinion of Kennedy, Baris & Lundy, L.L.P.


<PAGE>



                  [KENNEDY, BARIS & LUNDY, L.L.P. LETTERHEAD]

                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW
<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>                               <C>
TEXAS OFFICE:                     SEVENTH FLOOR                MARYLAND OFFICE:  
  SUITE 1775               1225 NINETEENTH STREET, NW              SUITE 300     
112 EAST PECAN STREET         WASHINGTON, DC 20036             4719 HAMPDEN LANE 
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78205            (202) 835-0313               BETHESDA, MD  20814
  (210) 228-9500               FAX: (202) 835-0319              (301) 654-6040   
 FAX: (210) 228-0781                                         FAX:  (301) 654-1733
</TABLE>


                                November 2, 1998

Board of Directors
FCNB Corp
7200 FCNB Court
Frederick, Maryland  21703

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     As  counsel  to FCNB  Corp (the  "Company"),  we have  participated  in the
preparation of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended,  relating to the issuance of up to 413,327  shares of the  Company's
Common Stock (the "Shares") in connection  with the proposed merger of Frederick
Underwriters, Inc., Carroll County Insurance Agency, Inc. and Phillips Insurance
Agency, Inc. with and into the Company.

     As  counsel  to the  Company,  we have  examined  such  corporate  records,
certificates and other documents of the Company, and have made such examinations
of law and  inquiries  of  such  officers  of the  Company,  as we  have  deemed
necessary  or  appropriate  for  purposes  of  this  opinion.  Based  upon  such
examinations  we are of the opinion  that the Shares,  when issued in the manner
set  forth  in the  Registration  Statement,  will be duly  authorized,  validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Common Stock of the Company.

     We hereby  consent to the  inclusion  of this  opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by the Company, and to the reference to
our Firm contained therein under the caption "Legal Matters."

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            /s/ Kennedy, Baris & Lundy, L.L.P.














                                    EXHIBIT 8

                      Opinion of Kevin P. Kennedy, Esquire


<PAGE>



                    [Letterhead of Kevin P. Kennedy, Esquire]

                                October 30, 1998

FCNB Corp
7200 FCNB Court
Frederick, Maryland 21703

Frederick Underwriters, Inc.
Phillips Insurance Agency, Inc.
Carroll County Insurance Agency, Inc.
1201 East Patrick Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701

         Re:      Merger of Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc.,  Phillips  Insurance
                  Agency,  Inc., Carroll County Insurance Agency,  Inc. with and
                  into FCNB Corp

Gentlemen:

     As  special  tax  counsel to FCNB Corp,  I have been  requested  to give my
opinion as to the United States  Federal income tax  consequences  of the merger
(the  "Merger")  of  Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc.  ("Underwriters"),  Phillips
Insurance Agency, Inc.  ("Phillips"),  and Carroll County Insurance Agency, Inc.
("Carroll")  with and into FCNB  Corp.("FCNB")  and the  transfer by FCNB of the
Underwriters,  Phillips and Carroll assets to FCNB Bank (the "Bank") followed by
the  transfer of those assets from the Bank to First  Choice  Insurance  Agency,
Inc. ("First").

     This opinion is based upon (i) the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and
Merger,  dated  September  2,  1998 and  Amendment  No. 1 thereto  (the  "Merger
Agreement");  (ii) the  Registration  Statement on form S-4 to be filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  with respect to the Merger;  and (iii) the
letter signed by an officer of Underwriters,  Phillips and Carroll  (hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Underwriters  Companies") and the letter signed
by  an  officer  of  FCNB  (such   letters   hereinafter   referred  to  as  the
"Representation Letters").

     Based upon (i) the foregoing  materials,  (ii) present  statutes,  existing
regulations and judicial decisions now outstanding,  which are subject to change
either   prospectively  or   retroactively,   and  (iii)  the  accuracy  of  the
representations  set  forth  in  the  Representation   Letters  and  the  Merger
Agreement, it is my opinion,  assuming the conditions enumerated below under the
caption entitled "Conditions" are fulfilled, that:

         1.       The Merger, if carried out in accordance with the terms of the
                  Merger Agreement,  will constitute a reorganization within the
                  meaning of Section  368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal  Revenue Code
                  of 1986, as amended (the "Code");

         2.       No  gain  or  loss  will  be  recognized  by the  Underwriters
                  Companies upon  consummation  of the Merger (Code Sections 361
                  and 357(a));

         3.       No gain or loss will be recognized by FCNB upon the receipt of
                  the assets of the  Underwriters  Companies in exchange for its
                  common  stock,  cash and the  assumption  of the  Underwriters
                  Companies liabilities (Section 1032(a));

         4.       The federal income tax basis of the assets of the Underwriters
                  Companies  in the  hands  of FCNB  will be the same as the tax
                  basis  of  such  assets  in  the  hands  of  the  Underwriters
                  Companies  immediately  prior  to the  effective  time  of the
                  Merger (Code Section 362(b));


<PAGE>


FCNB Corp
Page 2

         5.       The holding period of the assets of the Underwriters Companies
                  transferred  to FCNB will include the period during which such
                  assets were held by the  Underwriters  Companies  prior to the
                  effective time of the Merger (Code Section 1223(2));

         6.       No gain or loss will be  recognized  by FCNB upon the transfer
                  of  the   Underwriters   Companies   assets  to  the  Bank  in
                  constructive  exchange for Bank stock (Code Section 351(a) and
                  Rev. Rul. 77- 449, 1977-2 C. B. 110);

         7.       No gain or  loss  will be  recognized  by the  Bank  upon  its
                  receipt of the  Underwriters  Companies assets in constructive
                  exchange for Bank stock (Code Section 1032(a));

         8.       The federal income tax basis of the assets of the Underwriters
                  Companies in the hands of the Bank will be the same as the tax
                  basis of such assets in the hands of FCNB before the  transfer
                  (Section 362(a));

         9.       No gain or  loss  will be  recognized  by the  Bank  upon  the
                  transfer  of the  Underwriters  Companies  assets  to First in
                  constructive exchange for First Stock (Code Section 351(a) and
                  Rev. Rul. 77-449, 1977-2 C. B. 110);

         10.      No gain or loss will be  recognized  by First upon its receipt
                  of the Underwriters  Companies assets in constructive exchange
                  for First stock (Code Section 1032(a));

         11.      The federal income tax basis of the assets of the Underwriters
                  Companies  in the  hands of First  will be the same as the tax
                  basis of such  assets  in the  hands of the  Bank  before  the
                  transfer (Section 362(a));

         12.      No gain or loss will be recognized by the  shareholders of the
                  Underwriters  Companies  on the  receipt  by them of shares of
                  FCNB common stock, $1 par value,  pursuant to the Merger (Code
                  Section 354(a)(1));

         13.      The  federal  income  tax basis of the  shares of FCNB  common
                  stock received by a shareholder of the Underwriters  Companies
                  will be the same as the  basis of the  Underwriters  Companies
                  stock   surrendered   in  exchange   therefor   (Code  Section
                  358(a)(1));

         14.      The  holding  period of the FCNB  common  stock  received by a
                  shareholder of the Underwriters  Companies will be the same as
                  the  holding  period  of  the  Underwriters   Companies  stock
                  surrendered   in   exchange   therefor,   assuming   that  the
                  surrendered  Underwriters  Companies stock was a capital asset
                  in the  hands  of the  exchanging  shareholder  (Code  Section
                  1223(1));

         15.      Cash  received  in  exchange  for the  Underwriters  Companies
                  common stock by shareholders of the Underwriters Companies who
                  exercise their dissenter's  rights will be treated as received
                  by such  shareholders as  distributions  in redemption of such
                  shares  subject to the  limitations  and conditions of Section
                  302 of the Code; and

         16.      Cash received by shareholders of the Underwriters Companies in
                  lieu of fractional shares of FCNB common stock will be treated
                  as  received  by  such   shareholders  as   distributions   in
                  redemption  of the  fractional  share  interests  and  will be
                  treated as  distributions  in full payment in exchange for the
                  fractional  shares  redeemed,  subject to the  provisions  and
                  limitations of Section 302 of the Code.


<PAGE>


FCNB Corp
Page 3

CONDITIONS
- ----------

     FCNB, the Bank and the Underwriters  Companies have made representations in
the  Representation  Letters  and in the Merger  Agreement  with  respect to the
existence of certain facts.  These constitute  material  representations  relied
upon by me as a basis for my opinion,  and my opinion is  conditioned  upon both
the initial accuracy and the continuing fulfillment of such representations.

LIMITATIONS
- -----------

     This opinion concerns only the effect of this transaction  under the income
tax laws of the United  States.  No opinion is  expressed as to the effect under
the tax,  revenue or other laws of the State of  Maryland  or any other state or
the District of Columbia.

     I have  not  reviewed  the  specific  tax  or  financial  situation  of any
individual  shareholder.  Each individual shareholder should consult with his or
her own tax advisor  concerning the federal,  state or local tax consequences of
the Merger, in light of the shareholder's particular tax or financial situation.

CONSENT
- -------

     I hereby  consent  to the  inclusion  of this  opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration  Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission,  and I consent to  necessary  references  to me in the  Registration
Statement.

                                            Respectfully submitted,
     


                                            Kevin P. Kennedy
















                                  EXHIBIT 23(a)
                   Consent of Keller Bruner & Company, L.L.C.,
     independent certified public accountants to the Underwriters Companies


<PAGE>



               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     We hereby consent to the  incorporation  by reference in this  Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of our report,  dated  January 23,  1998,  relating to the
consolidated  financial  statements  of  FCNB  Corp  that  are  incorporated  by
reference in the annual report on Form 10-K of FCNB for the year ended  December
31, 1997. We also hereby  consent to the reference to our Firm under the caption
"Experts" in the Prospectus.

 /s/  Keller Bruner & Company, L.L.C.

Frederick, Maryland
November 2, 1998


<PAGE>








                                  EXHIBIT 23(a)
                   Consent of Keller Bruner & Company, L.L.C.,
     independent certified public accountants to the Underwriters Companies


<PAGE>



               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     We hereby consent to the inclusion in this  Registration  Statement on Form
S-4 of our report,  dated October 14, 1998,  relating to the combined  financial
statements of Frederick Underwriters, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1997.
We also hereby consent to the reference to our Firm under the caption  "Experts"
in the Prospectus.

 /s/  Keller Bruner & Company, L.L.C.

Frederick, Maryland
November 2, 1998







                                                                EXHIBIT 99(a)(1)

                                 REVOCABLE PROXY
                          FREDERICK UNDERWRITERS, INC.

           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The undersigned  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints Jacob R. Ramsburg,
Jr.  and  Jacob  R.  Ramsburg,  III,  and  each  of  them  (with  the  power  of
substitution),  proxies  for  the  undersigned  to  represent  and to  vote,  as
designated  below,  all shares of common stock of Frederick  Underwriters,  Inc.
(the "Company")  which the  undersigned  would be entitled to vote if personally
present  at  the  Company's  Special  Meeting  of  Stockholders  to be  held  on
________________, 1998 and at any postponement or adjournment thereof.

         The proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger,  as
         amended, pursuant to which (i) the Company will be merged with and into
         the FCNB Corp, and each outstanding share of the Company's Common Stock
         will  automatically and without further action be converted into shares
         of FCNB Corp Common  Stock,  as provided in the  Agreement  and Plan of
         Merger, as amended.

           |_| FOR                  |_| AGAINST               |_| ABSTAIN

     This proxy,  when properly  executed,  will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned stockholder.  If no direction is made, this proxy will
be voted FOR the proposal set forth above. In addition, this proxy will be voted
at the  discretion  of the persons  named as proxy  herein upon any other matter
properly  brought before the Special  Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof. (over)

BACK

Important: Please date and sign your name(s) as addressed, and return this proxy
in the enclosed  envelope.  When signing as  executor,  administrator,  trustee,
guardian,  etc.,  please  give  full  title as  such.  If the  stockholder  is a
corporation,  the proxy  should be signed in the full  corporate  name by a duly
authorized officer whose title is stated.



                                            ------------------------------------
                                                   Signature of Stockholder


                                            ------------------------------------
                                                   Signature of Stockholder

                                            Dated:                        , 1998
                                                  ------------------------


                 PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY
                 PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

        |_| Please check here if you plan to attend the Special Meeting.


<PAGE>



                                                                EXHIBIT 99(a)(2)

                                 REVOCABLE PROXY
                         PHILLIPS INSURANCE AGENCY,INC.

           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The undersigned  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints Jacob R. Ramsburg,
Jr.  and  Jacob  R.  Ramsburg,  III,  and  each  of  them  (with  the  power  of
substitution),  proxies  for  the  undersigned  to  represent  and to  vote,  as
designated below, all shares of common stock of Phillips Insurance Agency,  Inc.
(the "Company")  which the  undersigned  would be entitled to vote if personally
present  at  the  Company's  Special  Meeting  of  Stockholders  to be  held  on
________________, 1998 and at any postponement or adjournment thereof.

     The  proposal to approve  and adopt the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  as
     amended, pursuant to which (i) the Company will be merged with and into the
     FCNB Corp, and each  outstanding  share of the Company's  Common Stock will
     automatically  and without  further action be converted into shares of FCNB
     Corp Common  Stock,  as provided in the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  as
     amended.

           |_| FOR                  |_| AGAINST               |_| ABSTAIN

     This proxy,  when properly  executed,  will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned stockholder.  If no direction is made, this proxy will
be voted FOR the proposal set forth above. In addition, this proxy will be voted
at the  discretion  of the persons  named as proxy  herein upon any other matter
properly  brought before the Special  Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.                                                                  (over)

BACK

Important: Please date and sign your name(s) as addressed, and return this proxy
in the enclosed  envelope.  When signing as  executor,  administrator,  trustee,
guardian,  etc.,  please  give  full  title as  such.  If the  stockholder  is a
corporation,  the proxy  should be signed in the full  corporate  name by a duly
authorized officer whose title is stated.


                                            ------------------------------------
                                                 Signature of Stockholder


                                            ------------------------------------
                                                 Signature of Stockholder

                                            Dated:                        , 1998
                                                  ------------------------

                 PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY
                 PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

        |_| Please check here if you plan to attend the Special Meeting.


<PAGE>



                                                                EXHIBIT 99(a)(3)

                                 REVOCABLE PROXY
                      CARROLL COUNTY INSURANCE AGENCY,INC.

           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The undersigned  hereby makes,  constitutes and appoints Jacob R. Ramsburg,
Jr.  and  Jacob  R.  Ramsburg,  III,  and  each  of  them  (with  the  power  of
substitution),  proxies  for  the  undersigned  to  represent  and to  vote,  as
designated below, all shares of common stock of Carroll County Insurance Agency,
Inc.  (the  "Company")  which  the  undersigned  would  be  entitled  to vote if
personally  present at the Company's  Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held
on ________________, 1998 and at any postponement or adjournment thereof.

     The  proposal to approve  and adopt the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  as
     amended, pursuant to which (i) the Company will be merged with and into the
     FCNB Corp, and each  outstanding  share of the Company's  Common Stock will
     automatically  and without  further action be converted into shares of FCNB
     Corp Common  Stock,  as provided in the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  as
     amended.

           |_| FOR                  |_| AGAINST               |_| ABSTAIN

     This proxy,  when properly  executed,  will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned stockholder.  If no direction is made, this proxy will
be voted FOR the proposal set forth above. In addition, this proxy will be voted
at the  discretion  of the persons  named as proxy  herein upon any other matter
properly  brought before the Special  Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.                                                                  (over)

BACK

Important: Please date and sign your name(s) as addressed, and return this proxy
in the enclosed  envelope.  When signing as  executor,  administrator,  trustee,
guardian,  etc.,  please  give  full  title as  such.  If the  stockholder  is a
corporation,  the proxy  should be signed in the full  corporate  name by a duly
authorized officer whose title is stated.

                                            ------------------------------------
                                                Signature of Stockholder

     
                                            ------------------------------------
                                               Signature of Stockholder

                                            Dated:                        , 1998
                                                  ------------------------


                 PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY
                 PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

        |_| Please check here if you plan to attend the Special Meeting.






                                                                  EXHIBIT 99.(b)

FRONT

                                 REVOCABLE PROXY
                                    FCNB CORP

           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The undersigned hereby makes, constitutes and appoints  _________________ ,
______________________  and  ____________________,  and each of them  (with  the
power of substitution), proxies for the undersigned to represent and to vote, as
designated  below, all shares of common stock of FCNB Corp (the "Company") which
the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Company's
Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on ________________,  1998 and at any
postponement or adjournment thereof.

     The  proposal to approve  and adopt the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  as
     amended,  pursuant to which (i) each of the Underwriters  Companies will be
     merged with and into the Company and each outstanding share of Common Stock
     of the Underwriters Companies will automatically and without further action
     be converted into shares of the Company's  Common Stock, as provided in the
     Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended.

           |_| FOR                  |_| AGAINST               |_| ABSTAIN

     This proxy,  when properly  executed,  will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned stockholder.  If no direction is made, this proxy will
be voted FOR the proposal set forth above. In addition, this proxy will be voted
at the  discretion  of the persons  named as proxy  herein upon any other matter
properly  brought before the Special  Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof. (over)

BACK

Important: Please date and sign your name(s) as addressed, and return this proxy
in the enclosed  envelope.  When signing as  executor,  administrator,  trustee,
guardian,  etc.,  please  give  full  title as  such.  If the  stockholder  is a
corporation,  the proxy  should be signed in the full  corporate  name by a duly
authorized officer whose title is stated.


                                            ------------------------------------
                                                 Signature of Stockholder


                                            ------------------------------------
                                                 Signature of Stockholder

                                            Dated:                        , 1998
                                                 -------------------------

                 PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY
                 PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

        |_| Please check here if you plan to attend the Special Meeting.




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