ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
S-4, 1997-09-26
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
 
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                        ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                             <C>
           DELAWARE                          6712                         63-1114426
 (State or other jurisdiction    (Primary Standard Industrial          (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation or         Classification Code Number)         Identification No.)
         organization)
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
                            1927 FIRST AVENUE NORTH
                           BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203
                                 (205) 583-3600
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number of registrant's principal
                               executive office)
 
                             ---------------------
 
                              JOHN H. HOLCOMB, III
                      CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            1927 FIRST AVENUE NORTH
                              BIRMINGHAM, AL 35203
                                 (205) 583-3600
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                             ---------------------
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
           J. MICHAEL SAVAGE                             T. KURT MILLER
     MAYNARD, COOPER & GALE, P.C.                     BALCH & BINGHAM, LLP
        1901 SIXTH AVENUE NORTH                      1901 SIXTH AVENUE NORTH
              SUITE 2400                                   SUITE 2600
       BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203                    BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203
</TABLE>
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement has become
effective.
 
     If the 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.  [ ]
                             ---------------------
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================================================
                                                                             PROPOSED
                                     AMOUNT             PROPOSED              MAXIMUM
    TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF            TO BE              MAXIMUM             AGGREGATE            AMOUNT OF
 SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED       REGISTERED       PRICE PER UNIT(1)        PRICE(1)         REGISTRATION FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Common, $1.00 par value.......      2,200,000             $8.17             $23,521,635            $7,128
================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457(f)(2) based upon the book value of all outstanding
    shares of First American Bancorp as of June 30, 1997.
                             ---------------------
     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>   2
 
                        ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
                            1927 FIRST AVENUE NORTH
                           BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203
 
                                                                          , 1997
 
Dear Shareholder:
 
     You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the shareholders
(the "Special Meeting") of Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB") to be held at
the principal executive office of National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham, 1927
First Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203 on                  , 1997, at
            .m., Central Time.
 
     At this important meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the
approval of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 24, 1997 (the
"Merger Agreement"), which provides for the merger of First American Bancorp
("FAB") with and into ANB (the "Merger"). If the Merger is consummated, each
outstanding share of FAB common stock will be converted into the right to
receive 0.7199 shares of the common stock, par value $1.00, of ANB. The
accompanying Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus provides a detailed
description of the proposed Merger, including the conditions to consummation of
the Merger.
 
     The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of
ANB common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting is required for
approval of the Merger Agreement. Accordingly, your vote is important, no matter
how large or how small your holdings are.
 
     Enclosed are the Notice of Special Meeting, the Joint Proxy Statement and
Prospectus and proxy for the Special Meeting. Please give this information your
careful attention.
 
     The Board of Directors of ANB has carefully reviewed and considered the
terms and conditions of the proposed Merger Agreement. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HAS APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF
THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
     In view of the importance of the action to be taken, we urge you to
complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy and to return it promptly in the
enclosed envelope, whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting.
Sending in your proxy now will not interfere with your right to attend the
Special Meeting or to vote your shares personally at the Special Meeting if you
wish to do so.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          John H. Holcomb, III
                                          Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>   3
 
                        ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
                            1927 FIRST AVENUE NORTH
                           BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203
                             ---------------------
 
                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
                      TO BE HELD ON                , 1997
                             ---------------------
                                                                          , 1997
 
To the Shareholders of Alabama National BanCorporation
 
     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of shareholders (the "Special
Meeting") of Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB") will be held at the
principal executive office of National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham, 1927
First Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203 on             , 1997, at
       .m., Central Time, for the following purposes:
 
          1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and
     Plan of Merger dated as of July 24, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and
     between First American Bancorp ("FAB") and ANB, pursuant to which, among
     other matters, (a) FAB would be merged with and into ANB, and (b) each
     share of FAB common stock will be converted into the right to receive
     0.7199 shares of ANB common stock. A copy of the Merger Agreement is set
     forth in Appendix A to the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement and
     Prospectus and is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
 
          2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
     Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
     Only shareholders of record at the close of business on             , 1997
are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting or any
adjournments thereof. Approval of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least a majority the shares of ANB Common Stock
entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ANB RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR
APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
                                          By order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          John H. Holcomb, III
                                          Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
WE URGE YOU TO SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. IF YOU DO ATTEND THE
MEETING, YOU MAY THEN WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY IF YOU WISH. THE PROXY MAY BE REVOKED
AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE.
<PAGE>   4
 
                             FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP
                            251 JOHNSTON STREET, SE
                             DECATUR, ALABAMA 35609
                                                                          , 1997
 
Dear Shareholder:
 
     You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the shareholders
of First American Bancorp ("FAB"), to be held at the principal executive office
of First American Bank, 251 Johnston Street, SE, Decatur, Alabama, on
          , 1997, at             .m., Central Time.
 
     At this important meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the
approval of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 24, 1997 (the
"Merger Agreement"), which provides for the merger of FAB with and into Alabama
National BanCorporation ("ANB") (the "Merger"). If the Merger is consummated,
each outstanding share of FAB common stock will be converted into the right to
receive 0.7199 shares of the common stock, par value $1.00, of ANB. The
accompanying Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus provides a detailed
description of the proposed Merger, including the conditions to consummation of
the Merger.
 
     The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of
FAB common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting is required for
approval of the Merger Agreement. Accordingly, your vote is important, no matter
how large or how small your holdings are.
 
     Enclosed are the Notice of Special Meeting, the Joint Proxy Statement and
Prospectus and proxy for the Special Meeting. Also enclosed are copies of FAB's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 and FAB's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the period ended June 30, 1997. Please give
this information your careful attention.
 
     The Board of Directors of FAB has carefully reviewed and considered the
terms and conditions of the proposed Merger Agreement and has received an
opinion from Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking, that the Merger is fair
to the FAB shareholders from a financial point of view. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
     In view of the importance of the action to be taken, we urge you to
complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy and to return it promptly in the
enclosed envelope, whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting.
Sending in your proxy now will not interfere with your right to attend the
Special Meeting or to vote your shares personally at the Special Meeting if you
wish to do so.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          Dan M. David
                                          Chairman, President and Chief
                                          Executive Officer
<PAGE>   5
 
                             FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP
                            251 JOHNSTON STREET, SE
                             DECATUR, ALABAMA 35609
                             ---------------------
 
                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
                      TO BE HELD ON                , 1997
                             ---------------------
 
                                                                          , 1997
 
To the Shareholders of First American Bancorp
 
     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of shareholders (the "Special
Meeting") of First American Bancorp ("FAB") will be held at the principal
executive office of First American Bank, 251 Johnston Street, SE, Decatur,
Alabama on             , 1997, at        .m., Central Time, for the following
purposes:
 
          1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and
     Plan of Merger, dated as of July 24, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and
     between Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB") and FAB, pursuant to which,
     among other matters, (a) FAB would be merged with and into ANB, and (b)
     each share of FAB common stock will be converted into the right to receive
     0.7199 shares of ANB common stock. A copy of the Merger Agreement is set
     forth in Appendix A to the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement and
     Prospectus and is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
 
          2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
     Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
     Only shareholders of record at the close of business on             , 1997
are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting or any
adjournments thereof. Approval of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of FAB common stock
entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FAB UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
     Each shareholder has the right to dissent from the Merger Agreement and
demand payment of the fair value of his shares if the Merger is consummated. The
right of any shareholder to receive such payment is contingent upon strict
compliance with requirements of Article 13 of the Alabama Business Corporation
Act. The full text of Article 13 is set forth in Appendix B to the Joint Proxy
Statement and Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. For a summary
of the requirements of Article 13, see "GENERAL INFORMATION -- Dissenters'
Rights" in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus.
 
                                          By order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          Dan M. David
                                          Chairman, President and Chief
                                          Executive Officer
 
WE URGE YOU TO SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. IF YOU DO ATTEND THE
MEETING, YOU MAY THEN WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY IF YOU WISH. THE PROXY MAY BE REVOKED
AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE.
<PAGE>   6
 
                             JOINT PROXY STATEMENT
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                    <C>
           ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION                            FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP
                 For Special Meeting                                    For Special Meeting
                   Of Shareholders                                        Of Shareholders
                    To Be Held On                                          To Be Held On
                               , 1997                                         , 1997
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                        ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                             ---------------------
 
     This Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus ("Joint Proxy Statement") is
being furnished to the shareholders of Alabama National BanCorporation, a
Delaware corporation ("ANB"), and First American Bancorp, an Alabama corporation
("FAB"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors of ANB from holders of outstanding shares of common stock, par value
$1.00 per share, of ANB ("ANB Common Stock"), and the solicitation of proxies by
the Board of Directors of FAB from holders of outstanding shares of common
stock, par value $.01 per share, of FAB ("FAB Common Stock"), for use at their
respective meetings of shareholders as shown above (the "Meetings"). The purpose
of each of the Meetings is to consider and vote upon that certain Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated as of July 24, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to
which FAB will merge with and into ANB (the "Merger"). Except as described
herein, each share of FAB Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective
Time (described below) shall be converted into the right to receive 0.7199
shares of ANB Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"). See "THE MERGER -- Terms of
the Merger."
 
     A copy of FAB's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996, and FAB's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 30,
1997, accompanies the Joint Proxy Statement being delivered to FAB shareholders.
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 18 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY SHAREHOLDERS OF ANB AND FAB.
 
     This Joint Proxy Statement, the accompanying Notices of Meeting and the
other documents enclosed herewith are being first mailed to the shareholders of
ANB and FAB on or about [            ], 1997.
                             ---------------------
   THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
        THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
        COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS JOINT
           PROXY STATEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
           CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT
          DEPOSITS, SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK
             AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
                CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
 
                             ---------------------
 
          THE DATE OF THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT IS             , 1997
<PAGE>   7
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     ANB and FAB are each subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith file reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by each of ANB and FAB can be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549, and
at the Commission's Regional Offices in New York (75 Park Place, 14th Floor, New
York, New York 10007) and Chicago (500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661). Copies of such materials can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, the Commission maintains a site on the
World Wide Web at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements,
and other information regarding ANB, FAB and other registrants that file
electronically with the Commission.
 
     ANB has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement (No. 333-     )
on Form S-4 (together with any amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement")
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with
respect to the shares of ANB Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger
Agreement. This Joint Proxy Statement does not contain all of the information
set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto, portions of
which were omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Commission. For further information regarding ANB and the ANB Common Stock
offered hereby, reference is made to the complete Registration Statement,
including all amendments thereto and the schedules and exhibits filed as a part
thereof. Statements contained herein or in any document incorporated by
reference herein as to the contents of documents are necessarily summaries of
the documents, and each statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the copy of the applicable document filed with the Commission. In addition, ANB
Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market. Reports, proxy statements,
and other information concerning ANB may be inspected at the office of the
National Association of Securities' Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 70006.
 
     All information contained in this Joint Proxy Statement pertaining to ANB
and its subsidiaries has been supplied by ANB, and all information pertaining to
FAB and its subsidiaries has been supplied by FAB.
 
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE
IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH 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 ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS DOCUMENT NOR ANY DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF ANB OR FAB SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents previously filed by ANB with the Commission
(Commission File No. 0-25160) pursuant to the Exchange Act are hereby
incorporated by reference in this Joint Proxy Statement:
 
          1. ANB's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
     1996;
 
          2. ANB's Quarterly Reports on 10-Q for the periods ended March 31,
     1997 and June 30, 1997;
 
          3. ANB's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 1997; and
 
          4. ANB's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
     The following documents previously filed by FAB with the Commission
(Commission File No. 000-17703) pursuant to the Exchange Act are hereby
incorporated by reference in this Joint Proxy Statement:
 
          1. FAB's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
     1996, a copy of which is being provided to shareholders of FAB herewith;
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   8
 
          2. FAB's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31,
     1997, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the period ended June 30,
     1997 (a copy of the June 30, 1997 Form 10-Q/A is being provided to
     shareholders of FAB herewith); and
 
          3. FAB's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
     All documents filed by each of ANB and FAB pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Joint Proxy
Statement and before the dates of the ANB Special Meeting and the FAB Special
Meeting, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing hereof. Any statement
contained herein or in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the Registration Statement
and this Joint Proxy Statement to the extent that another statement contained
herein, in any supplement hereto or in any other subsequently filed document
which also is incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration
Statement, this Joint Proxy Statement or any supplement hereto.
 
     THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS WHICH ARE
NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. ON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF
ANY PERSON TO WHOM THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT IS DELIVERED, EACH OF ANB AND FAB
WILL PROVIDE, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE PERTAINING TO IT (OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS
WHICH ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN SUCH DOCUMENTS). WRITTEN
OR TELEPHONE REQUESTS FOR SUCH COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED (I) FOR ANB, TO
KIMBERLY MOORE, SECRETARY, ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, 1927 FIRST AVENUE
NORTH, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203, (205) 583-3600 AND (II) FOR FAB, TO ALFRED E.
CHEATHAM, JR., CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP, 251 JOHNSTON
STREET, SE, DECATUR, ALABAMA 35609, (205) 340-7000). IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY
DELIVERY OF SUCH DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY [       ], 1997.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   9
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.......................................    2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.............    2
SUMMARY.....................................................    6
  Parties to the Merger.....................................    6
  Shareholder Meetings......................................    6
  The Merger................................................    7
  Selected Consolidated Financial Data......................   10
  Pro Forma Selected Consolidated Financial Data............   15
  Comparative Per Share Data................................   17
RISK FACTORS................................................   18
  Determination of Terms and Exchange Ratio.................   18
  Restrictions on Dividends.................................   18
  Competition...............................................   18
  Supervision and Regulation................................   18
  Monetary Policies.........................................   19
  Reserve for Loan Losses...................................   19
  Tax Considerations........................................   19
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Transaction...........   19
  Restrictions on Resale of ANB Common Stock................   19
GENERAL INFORMATION.........................................   20
  Meetings, Record Dates and Votes Required.................   20
  Proxies...................................................   21
  Dissenters' Rights........................................   21
  Recommendations of Boards of Directors....................   23
THE MERGER..................................................   23
  Terms of the Merger.......................................   23
  Effective Time............................................   24
  Background of and Reasons for the Merger..................   24
  Opinion of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking.......   26
  Effect on Certain Employee Benefit Plans of FAB...........   30
  Surrender of Certificates.................................   30
  Conditions to Consummation of the Merger..................   31
  Regulatory Approvals......................................   33
  Conduct of Business Pending the Merger....................   33
  Waiver and Amendment; Termination; Termination Fee........   35
  Management and Operations After the Merger................   35
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger................   35
  Federal Income Tax Consequences...........................   36
  Accounting Treatment......................................   37
  Expenses and Fees.........................................   37
  Resales of ANB Common Stock...............................   37
  Pro Forma Financial Statements............................   38
DESCRIPTION OF ANB CAPITAL STOCK............................   42
  General...................................................   42
  Common Stock..............................................   42
  Preferred Stock...........................................   42
  Certain Anti-Takeover Effects.............................   42

</TABLE>
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   10
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
EFFECT OF MERGER ON RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS..................   43
  Voting Requirements.......................................   44
  Appraisal Rights..........................................   45
  Notice of Shareholder Meetings............................   45
  Dividends.................................................   46
  Section 203...............................................   46
  Shareholder Consents......................................   46
  Blank Check Preferred Stock...............................   46
  Limitation of Liability of Directors......................   47
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING ANB..........................   47
  General...................................................   47
  Recent Developments.......................................   47
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING FAB..........................   47
  General...................................................   47
  Recent Developments.......................................   48
LEGAL MATTERS...............................................   48
EXPERTS.....................................................   48
APPENDICES
  Appendix A -- Agreement and Plan of Merger................  A-1
  Appendix B -- Provisions of Alabama Business Corporation
     Act Relating to Dissenters' Rights.....................  B-1
  Appendix C -- Opinion of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment
     Banking................................................  C-1
</TABLE>
 
     A COPY OF FAB'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996, AND FAB'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q/A FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30,
1997, ACCOMPANIES THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   11
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
     The following is a brief summary of certain information contained elsewhere
in this Joint Proxy Statement. The following summary is not intended to be a
complete description of all material information regarding ANB, FAB and the
matters to be considered at the Meetings and is qualified in all respects by the
information appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this Joint Proxy
Statement, the Appendices hereto and the documents referred to herein. The
Merger Agreement, a copy of which is set forth in Appendix A to this Joint Proxy
Statement, is incorporated herein and reference is made thereto for a complete
description of the terms of the Merger. As used in this Joint Proxy Statement,
the terms "ANB" and "FAB" refer to such corporations, respectively, and where
the context so requires, such corporations and their respective subsidiaries.
 
PARTIES TO THE MERGER
 
     ANB.  ANB is a registered bank holding company subject to supervision and
regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Federal
Reserve") and is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware. Its main office is located at 1927 First Avenue North, Birmingham,
Alabama 35203 (Telephone Number: (205) 583-3600). ANB is currently the parent of
three national banks, National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham (Birmingham,
Alabama and the Birmingham metropolitan area), First National Bank of Ashland
(Ashland, Alabama) and Citizens and Peoples Bank, National Association
(Cantonment, Florida); and four state member banks, Alabama Exchange Bank
(Tuskegee, Alabama), Bank of Dadeville (Dadeville, Alabama), First Gulf Bank
(Baldwin County, Alabama), and Citizens Bank of Talladega (Talladega, Alabama)
(collectively the "Banks"); one securities brokerage firm, NBC Securities, Inc.
(Birmingham, Alabama); and one insurance agency, Ashland Insurance, Inc.
(Ashland, Alabama).
 
     At June 30, 1997, ANB had total assets of approximately $928.8 million,
total deposits of approximately $746.1 million, total net loans of approximately
$616.1 million and total shareholders' equity of approximately $70.1 million.
Additional information about ANB is included in documents incorporated by
reference in this Joint Proxy Statement. See "SUMMARY -- Selected Consolidated
Financial Data", "AVAILABLE INFORMATION," "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY
REFERENCE", and "CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING ANB."
 
     FAB.  FAB is a registered bank holding company subject to supervision and
regulation by the Federal Reserve and is a corporation organized under the laws
of the State of Alabama. FAB owns all of the stock of First American Bank, an
Alabama state banking corporation ("First American Bank"). First American Bank
provides a diversified range of banking and financial services to customers in
the commercial and retail banking fields and has seven (7) offices located in
Decatur, Athens, Madison and Ardmore, Alabama.
 
     At June 30, 1997, FAB had total assets of approximately $232.1 million,
total deposits of approximately $190.6 million, total net loans of approximately
$176.0 million and total shareholders' equity of approximately $23.5 million.
FAB's principal executive offices are located at 251 Johnston Street, SE,
Decatur, Alabama 35609, and its telephone number is (205) 340-7000. See
"SUMMARY -- Selected Consolidated Financial Data", "AVAILABLE INFORMATION",
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE" and "CERTAIN INFORMATION
REGARDING FAB."
 
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
 
     ANB.  The Special Meeting of Shareholders of ANB (the "ANB Meeting") will
be held at        .m., local time, on             , 1997, at the main office of
National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham, 1927 First Avenue North, Birmingham,
Alabama 35203. The purpose of the ANB Meeting is to consider and vote upon
approval of the Merger Agreement. The Board of Directors of ANB has fixed the
close of business on             , 1997, as the record date for determining
shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the ANB Meeting (the "ANB
Record Date"). As of such date, there were             shares of ANB Common
Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to be voted at the ANB Meeting.
                                        6
<PAGE>   12
 
     FAB.  The Special Meeting of Shareholders of FAB (the "FAB Meeting") will
be held at             .m. local time, on             , 1997, at the main office
of First American Bank, 251 Johnston Street, SE, Decatur, Alabama. The purpose
of the FAB Meeting is to consider and vote upon approval of the Merger
Agreement. The Board of Directors of FAB has fixed the close of business on
            , as the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice
of and to vote at the FAB Meeting (the "FAB Record Date"). As of such date,
there were             shares of FAB Common Stock issued and outstanding and
entitled to be voted at the FAB Meeting.
 
     See "GENERAL INFORMATION -- Meetings, Record Dates and Votes Required."
 
THE MERGER
 
     Terms.  The Merger Agreement provides that FAB will merge with and into ANB
(the "Merger"). Each share of FAB Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time, other than shares with respect to which dissenters'
appraisal rights shall have been perfected and certain shares owned by FAB or
its subsidiaries, will be converted into the right to receive 0.7199 shares of
ANB Common Stock. In addition, options held to purchase shares of FAB Common
Stock will be converted into options to purchase 0.7199 shares of ANB Common
Stock for each share of FAB Common Stock subject to option. The number of shares
of ANB Common Stock to be exchanged for each share of FAB Common stock is
referred to as the "Exchange Ratio." Cash will be paid by ANB in lieu of the
issuance of fractional shares. See "-- RISK FACTORS," "THE MERGER -- Terms of
the Merger" and "-- Waiver and Amendment; Termination; Termination Fee."
 
     Effective Time.  The Merger will become effective on the date and at the
time the Certificate of Merger reflecting the merger of ANB and FAB shall be
accepted for filing by the Secretary of State of Delaware, which filing shall
not occur until after all conditions contained in the Merger Agreement have been
satisfied or waived, including receipt of all regulatory approvals, expiration
of all statutory waiting periods and the approval of the Merger Agreement by the
shareholders of ANB and FAB (the "Effective Time"). See "THE MERGER -- Effective
Time."
 
     Recommendations of Boards of Directors; Opinion of Alex Sheshunoff & Co.
Investment Banking.  The Boards of Directors of each of ANB and FAB considered
numerous factors in approving the Merger Agreement. The FAB Board of Directors
also obtained an opinion from an independent investment banker, Alex Sheshunoff
& Co. Investment Banking ("Sheshunoff"), with respect to the fairness of the
transaction from the standpoint of its shareholders. Sheshunoff conducted an
analysis of the values of the two companies and determined, a range of values
and acceptable exchange ratios and issued an opinion to the effect that the
terms of the Merger are fair, from a financial standpoint, to the shareholders
of FAB. FAB has paid, or will pay, Sheshunoff, professional fees in the amount
of $35,000, plus reasonable out of pocket expenses, in connection with the
issuance of the fairness opinion. See "THE MERGER -- Background of and Reasons
for the Merger" and "-- Opinion of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking" and
Appendix C. BOTH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ANB AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FAB
RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPANIES VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF
THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
     Votes Required.  Approval of the Merger Agreement will require the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares
of ANB Common Stock and the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock. The directors and
executive officers of ANB beneficially owned, as of the ANB Record Date, and are
entitled to vote, a total of           shares of ANB Common Stock at the ANB
Meeting, or      % of the outstanding shares entitled to be voted. The directors
and executive officers of FAB beneficially owned, as of the FAB Record Date, and
are entitled to vote, a total of           shares of FAB Common Stock at the FAB
Meeting, or      % of the outstanding shares entitled to be voted. Certain
directors and officers of FAB with the power to vote an aggregate of
shares of FAB Common Stock on the FAB Record Date (approximately      % of the
outstanding shares entitled to be voted) have entered into agreements with ANB
whereby they agreed to vote in favor of the Merger. See "GENERAL
INFORMATION -- Meetings, Record Dates and Votes Required."
                                        7
<PAGE>   13
 
     Exchange of Certificates.  Promptly after the Effective Time, AmSouth Bank,
as Exchange Agent, will mail to each holder of record of FAB Common Stock at the
Effective Time a transmittal letter, with instructions and return envelope, to
use in effecting the exchange of certificates representing such FAB Common Stock
for certificates representing shares of ANB Common Stock and for cash in lieu of
fractional shares. Beginning six months after the Effective Time, dividends and
other distributions payable with respect to ANB Common Stock will be paid to the
holder of an unsurrendered FAB Common Stock certificate only upon surrender of
such certificate. See "THE MERGER -- Surrender of Certificates."
 
     Conditions to Consummation.  The obligations of ANB and FAB to effect the
Merger are subject to various conditions, including (i) approval of the Merger
Agreement and the transactions provided for therein by the ANB and FAB
shareholders, (ii) receipt of regulatory approvals required in connection with
the Merger and expiration of statutory waiting periods, (iii) receipt of any
other consents necessary to the consummation of the Merger, (iv) receipt of
certain opinions of counsel, and (v) the receipt by ANB of a letter from Coopers
& Lybrand L.L.P. concurring with the conclusions of ANB's and FAB's management
that no conditions exist with respect to each company which would preclude
accounting for the Merger as a pooling of interests. See "THE
MERGER -- Conditions to Consummation of the Merger," and "-- Regulatory
Approvals."
 
     Federal Income Tax Consequences.  The Merger is intended to be a tax-free
reorganization in which no gain or loss will be recognized by ANB or FAB and no
gain or loss will be recognized by FAB shareholders, except in respect of cash
received for fractional shares and except for dissenting shareholders who
receive cash payments. Counsel for each of ANB and FAB will deliver opinions on
or prior to the Effective Time to the effect that, for federal income tax
purposes, under current law, assuming the Merger will take place as described in
the Merger Agreement and that certain factual matters represented by ANB and FAB
are true and correct at the time of the consummation of the Merger, the Merger
will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). See "THE
MERGER -- Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
     BECAUSE CERTAIN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON THE
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH SHAREHOLDER, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT EACH
SHAREHOLDER CONSULT SUCH HOLDER'S TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THE FEDERAL (AND ANY
STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN) TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER IN SUCH HOLDER'S
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
 
     Management and Operations after the Merger.  The Merger Agreement provides
that ANB will appoint three current FAB directors, Dan M. David, William E.
Sexton, and C. Lloyd Nix, to the ANB Board of Directors. See "THE
MERGER -- Management and Operations After the Merger." The Merger Agreement also
provides that, after the Effective Time, Dan M. David shall, pursuant to an
employment agreement, be elected to serve as the Vice-Chairman of ANB and will
continue to serve as Chairman of First American Bank. All current ANB directors
and officers will continue to serve ANB in accordance with the Bylaws of ANB
after the Effective Time. See "THE MERGER -- Management and Operations After the
Merger."
 
     Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger.  Certain of the directors and
officers of ANB and FAB have been selected or will be selected to serve as
directors and officers of ANB after the Effective Time. Directors and executive
officers of FAB and their family members and related interests will receive
shares of ANB Common Stock in exchange for their shares of FAB Common Stock upon
consummation of the Merger at the Exchange Ratio, as will other FAB
shareholders. As of the Effective Time, Dan M. David will enter into an
employment agreement whereby Mr. David will agree to serve as Chairman of First
American Bank for a period of five years from the Effective Time, and whereby
ANB will agree to elect Mr. David to serve as Vice-Chairman of ANB at the next
meeting of the ANB Board following the Effective Time. Under Mr. David's new
employment agreement, if the Merger is consummated, Mr. David will receive an
annual salary of not less than $186,000 per year. See "THE MERGER -- Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger."
 
     Accounting Treatment.  The Merger is expected to qualify as a "pooling of
interests" for accounting and financial reporting purposes. The receipt of a
letter from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent certified public accountants,
concurring with the conclusions of ANB's and FAB's management that no conditions
                                        8
<PAGE>   14
 
exist with respect to each company that would preclude accounting for the Merger
as a pooling of interests, is a condition to consummation of the Merger. See
"THE MERGER -- Accounting Treatment."
 
     Market Prices.  The following table sets forth the market value of ANB
Common Stock; the market value of FAB Common Stock; and the market value of FAB
Common Stock on an equivalent per share basis determined as if the Effective
Time were (A) July 24, 1997, the business day immediately preceding the
announcement of the execution of the Merger Agreement and (B)             ,
1997, the last day for which such information could be calculated prior to the
mailing of this Joint Proxy Statement:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             ANB               FAB          EQUIVALENT PRICE
                                       COMMON STOCK(1)   COMMON STOCK(2)   PER SHARE OF FAB(3)
                                       ---------------   ---------------   -------------------
<S>                                    <C>               <C>               <C>
July 24, 1997........................       22.50              N/A                16.20
            , 1997...................
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Determined on an historical basis with reference to the last sales price as
    reported on the NASDAQ National Market for each particular date.
(2) There is no established public trading market for the FAB Common Stock on
    which an historical market value could be based.
(3) Determined on an equivalent price per share basis by multiplying the ANB
    market value on each particular date by the Exchange Ratio of 0.7199.
 
     Resales of ANB Stock.  The shares of ANB Common Stock issued pursuant to
the Merger Agreement will be freely transferable under federal securities law,
except for shares issued to any shareholder who may be deemed an "affiliate" of
FAB for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act (generally including
directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of ten percent of any class
of capital stock). Affiliates may not sell their shares of ANB Common Stock
acquired in the Merger, except (i) upon registration, (ii) in compliance with
Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act, or (iii) pursuant to another
applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
See "THE MERGER -- Resales of ANB Common Stock" and "RISK FACTORS."
 
     Waiver and Amendment; Termination; Termination Fee.  Either ANB or FAB may
waive or extend the time for performance by the other of obligations under the
Merger Agreement, and the Boards of Directors of each of ANB and FAB may agree,
subject to certain limitations imposed by Delaware and Alabama law, to amend the
Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the Effective Time (i) by mutual consent, (ii) in the event of a breach of a
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by the non-breaching party under
certain circumstances, (iii) by either party in the event any required
regulatory approval is denied or not obtained or the shareholders of either ANB
or FAB fail to approve the Merger, (iv) by either party in the event there is a
material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial conditions of
the other party that is not remedied, (v) in the event any of the conditions
precedent to the Merger cannot be satisfied or fulfilled by March 31, 1998, (vi)
by ANB, if the holders of greater than 5% of the outstanding shares of FAB
Common Stock properly assert their dissenters' rights under the Alabama Business
Corporation Act ("ABCA"), or (vii) by FAB, if a majority of the disinterested
members of the Board of Directors of FAB shall have determined to enter into an
agreement with respect to an acquisition or merger transaction proposal which it
considers superior to the Merger, provided that if FAB terminates the Merger
Agreement as a result of a superior acquisition or merger proposal, FAB shall
pay to ANB a termination fee of $1,250,000. See "THE MERGER -- Waiver and
Amendment; Termination; Termination Fee."
 
     Certain Differences in Shareholders' Rights.  At the Effective Time, FAB
shareholders, whose rights are governed by FAB's Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws and by the ABCA, will automatically become ANB shareholders, and their
rights as ANB shareholders will be determined by ANB's Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws and by the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL").
The rights of ANB's shareholders differ from the rights of FAB shareholders in
certain important respects. See "EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON RIGHTS OF
SHAREHOLDERS."
                                        9
<PAGE>   15
 
     Dissenters' Rights.  FAB shareholders have the right to dissent from the
Merger Agreement and, upon satisfaction of certain specified procedures, to
receive cash in respect of the "fair value" of their shares of FAB Common Stock
in accordance with applicable Alabama law. The procedures to be followed by
dissenting shareholders are summarized under "GENERAL INFORMATION -- Dissenters'
Rights." A copy of the applicable Alabama statutory provisions is set forth in
Appendix B to this Joint Proxy Statement. FAILURE TO FOLLOW PRECISELY SUCH
PROVISIONS AS ARE APPLICABLE MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.
 
     In general, any dissenting shareholder who perfects his statutory
dissenters' rights to be paid the "fair value" of his stock in cash will
recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon receipt of such
cash. See "THE MERGER -- Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
     If a significant number of shares of FAB Common Stock are held by
shareholders who dissent and elect to receive cash in lieu of their shares, the
Merger might not qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment. Such
accounting treatment is a condition to ANB's obligation to effect the Merger. In
addition, the Merger Agreement may be terminated by ANB if the holders of more
than 5% of the outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock invoke their dissenters'
rights. Further, dissent by holders of a significant number of shares of FAB
Common Stock could cause the Merger not to qualify as a tax-free reorganization
for federal income tax purposes. See "THE MERGER -- Accounting Treatment,"
"-- Conditions to Consummation of the Merger" and "-- Federal Income Tax
Consequences."
 
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following tables present for ANB and FAB, on an historical basis,
selected consolidated financial data and ratios. This information is based on
the consolidated financial statements of ANB and FAB, incorporated herein by
reference, and should be read in conjunction therewith and with notes thereto.
See "AVAILABLE INFORMATION," "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE,"
and "PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION." The financial data as of June 30, 1997
and 1996, and the six months then ended is derived from unaudited financial
statements; however, in the opinion of management of each of ANB and FAB, all
adjustments necessary to arrive at a fair statement of results of interim period
operations of the respective companies have been included and are solely of a
normal and recurring nature. Results of the six months ended June 30, 1997, are
not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire year or for
any future period.
                                       10
<PAGE>   16
 
             ANB SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (HISTORICAL)
            (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SIX MONTHS
                                                         ENDED
                                                       JUNE 30,                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                  -------------------   ----------------------------------------------------
                                                  1997(1)    1996(1)    1996(1)    1995(1)    1994(1)    1993(1)    1992(1)
                                                  --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Interest income.................................  $ 34,197   $ 32,467   $ 65,125   $ 37,967   $ 29,344   $ 25,074   $ 26,574
Interest expense................................    16,496     15,334     30,365     19,172     12,093     10,072     12,289
                                                  --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net interest income.............................    17,701     17,133     34,760     18,795     17,251     15,002     14,285
Provision for loan losses (benefit of
  recoveries)...................................        67        209        239        409      1,279       (520)     3,110
                                                  --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net interest income after provision for loan
  losses (benefit of recoveries)................    17,634     16,924     34,521     18,386     15,972     15,522     11,175
Net securities gains (losses)...................         4         34        (33)         3        (17)        85        503
Noninterest income..............................     7,759      7,945     15,778      7,739      4,542      5,601      5,185
Noninterest expense.............................    17,414     18,145     36,386     20,898     14,247     15,845     15,406
                                                  --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income before income taxes......................     7,983      6,758     13,880      5,230      6,250      5,363      1,457
Provision for income taxes......................     2,628      2,391      4,141        354        275        260         20
                                                  --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income before minority interest in earnings of
  consolidated subsidiary.......................     5,355      4,367      9,739      4,876      5,975      5,103      1,437
Minority interest in earnings of consolidated
  subsidiary....................................         6         10         14        650        750        236         --
                                                  --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net income......................................  $  5,349   $  4,357   $  9,725   $  4,226   $  5,225   $  4,867   $  1,437
                                                  ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets....................................  $928,780   $827,024   $887,712   $839,723   $426,484   $395,985   $401,721
Earnings assets.................................   847,709    755,576    810,651    760,373    396,541    368,112    371,221
Securities......................................   168,074    157,602    152,761    158,266     86,689     82,057     75,858
Loans...........................................   625,805    569,379    611,441    553,119    301,876    265,965    242,078
Allowance for loan losses.......................     9,675      9,086      9,322      8,909      5,261      6,268      6,214
Deposits........................................   746,161    674,799    674,681    676,536    348,419    320,754    333,791
Short-term debt.................................    16,500     19,150     41,000     21,280      7,150      7,350      7,350
Long-term debt..................................     9,487        768        300        821        945      1,065      1,183
Stockholders' equity............................    70,146     61,394     66,121     58,189     27,474     24,313     20,764
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING(2)..........     6,761      6,684      6,725      2,874      2,834      2,742      2,742
PER COMMON SHARE DATA:
Net income(3)...................................  $   0.79   $   0.65   $   1.45   $   1.17   $   1.59   $   1.51   $    .52
Book value (period end)(4)......................     10.75       9.43      10.15       8.94       6.09       5.00       3.66
Tangible book value (period end)(4).............      9.66       8.29       9.03       7.78       5.26       4.16       2.74
Dividends declared..............................      0.23       0.10       0.28         --         --         --         --
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Return on average assets........................      1.20%      1.05%      1.17%      0.89%      1.30%      1.29%      0.38%
Return on average equity........................     15.68      14.56      15.58      15.12      20.31      21.26       7.99
Net interest margin(5)..........................      4.33       4.48       4.54       4.23       4.56       4.28       4.04
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent)(5).....      4.42       4.55       4.63       4.28       4.64       4.35       4.14
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
Allowance for loan losses to period end loans...      1.55%      1.60%      1.52%      1.61%      1.74%      2.36%      2.57%
Allowance for loan losses to period end
  nonperforming loans(6)........................    335.47     374.99     543.24     384.01     328.61     207.96     137.11
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans...     (0.09)      0.01      (0.03)     (0.04)      0.90      (0.23)      1.06
Nonperforming assets to period end loans and
  foreclosed property(6)........................      0.56       0.49       0.36       0.53       0.66       1.47       2.43
CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY RATIOS:
Average equity to average assets................      7.66%      7.23%      7.53%      5.91%      6.39%      6.08%      4.72%
Leverage (4.00% required minimum)(7)............      7.23       6.67       7.09      10.47       7.49       6.45       4.83
Risk-based capital
  Tier 1 (4.00% required minimum)(7)............      9.50       9.44       9.36       9.01      10.43       9.59       7.78
  Total (8.00% required minimum)(7).............     10.75      10.69      10.61      10.26      11.68      10.84       9.03
Average loans to average deposits...............     87.72      84.67      86.52      82.62      84.63      78.25      77.52
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   17
 
- ---------------
 
(1) On December 29, 1995, ANB merged ("the NCC Merger") with National Commerce
    Corporation ("NCC") and Commerce Bankshares, Inc. ("CBS"). The NCC Merger
    was accomplished, among other things, by converting each outstanding share
    of NCC stock into 348.14 shares of the outstanding ANB common stock and each
    share of CBS stock into 7.0435 shares of ANB common stock for a total of
    3,106,981 shares (or 50.1%) of ANB stock. The NCC Merger was accounted for
    as a "reverse acquisition," whereby NCC is deemed to have acquired ANB for
    financial reporting purposes. However, ANB remained as the continuing legal
    entity and registrant for Securities and Exchange Commission filing
    purposes. Consistent with the reverse acquisition accounting treatment, the
    historical income statement information included in the ANB Selected
    Consolidated Financial Data presented is that of NCC for years prior to
    1996. The balance sheet information included in the historical ANB Selected
    Consolidated Financial Data presented is that of NCC for years prior to
    1995. On September 30, 1996, Firstbanc Holding Company, Inc. ("FIRSTBANC")
    was merged into ANB (the "FIRSTBANC Merger") with each common share of
    FIRSTBANC stock being converted into 7.12917 shares of ANB common stock. The
    FIRSTBANC Merger was accounted for as a pooling of interests. Accordingly,
    the ANB Selected Consolidated Financial Data for all periods have been
    restated to reflect the results of operations of the combined ANB and
    FIRSTBANC companies from the earliest periods presented, except for
    dividends per common share.
(2) The weighted averaged common share and common equivalent shares outstanding
    are those of NCC and FIRSTBANC converted into ANB common shares and common
    share equivalents at the exchange ratio.
(3) Net income per common share is calculated based upon net income as adjusted
    for minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries and cash
    dividends on preferred stock.
(4) Book value and tangible book value at June 30, 1997 and 1996, as well as
    December 31, 1996 and 1995 are calculated on the total common shares of ANB
    outstanding after the NCC Merger. For other years presented, the calculation
    is based on the outstanding common shares of NCC and FIRSTBANC converted at
    the exchange ratio.
(5) Net interest income divided by average earning assets.
(6) Nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets include loans past due 90 days
    or more that are still accruing interest.
(7) Based upon fully phased-in requirements.
                                       12
<PAGE>   18
 
             FAB SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (HISTORICAL)
            (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           SIX MONTHS
                                             ENDED
                                            JUNE 30,                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      --------------------    --------------------------------------------------------
                                        1997        1996        1996        1995        1994        1993        1992
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Interest income.....................  $  9,865    $  8,343    $ 18,055    $ 15,100    $ 11,626    $  9,441    $  8,645
Interest expense....................     4,187       3,745       7,881       7,383       5,150       3,918       3,803
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Net interest income.................     5,678       4,598      10,174       7,717       6,476       5,523       4,842
Provision for loan losses (benefit
  of recoveries)....................     1,652         226         646         607         317         470         461
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Net interest income after provision
  for loan losses (benefit of
  recoveries).......................     4,026       4,372       9,528       7,110       6,159       5,053       4,381
Net securities gains (losses).......         8         (14)        (51)         23         (35)        137           3
Noninterest income..................       893         823       1,732       1,421       1,278       1,175       1,064
Noninterest expense.................     4,179       3,568       7,667       5,951       5,473       4,453       3,797
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Income before income taxes..........       748       1,613       3,542       2,603       1,929       1,912       1,651
Provision for income taxes..........       135         498       1,140         547         461         578         456
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Income before minority interest in
  earnings of consolidated
  subsidiary........................       613       1,115       2,402       2,056       1,468       1,334       1,195
Minority interest in earnings of
  consolidated subsidiary...........        --          --          --          --          --          --          --
                                      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
Net income..........................  $    613    $  1,115    $  2,402    $  2,056    $  1,468    $  1,334    $  1,195
                                      ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets........................  $232,103    $212,220    $223,018    $187,376    $181,154    $149,363    $122,583
Earnings assets.....................   210,767     193,269     203,138     169,304     164,359     138,564     112,706
Securities..........................    29,909      35,223      29,248      41,564      41,657      46,842      31,643
Loans...............................   178,674     156,991     172,974     127,053     120,431      86,025      77,827
Allowance for loan losses...........     2,651       1,504       1,689       1,512       1,245       1,039         792
Deposits............................   190,606     171,497     183,423     165,363     157,837     136,890     111,958
Short-term debt.....................    13,500          51       1,105          --       5,567          --          --
Long-term debt......................       126      12,756      12,639         268       1,187         311         330
Stockholders' equity................    23,522      20,948      22,682      19,955      16,046      11,183       9,853
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
  OUTSTANDING(1)....................     2,866       2,816       2,821       2,790       2,192       2,151       2,151
PER COMMON SHARE DATA:
Net income(2).......................  $   0.21    $   0.40    $   0.85    $   0.74    $   0.67    $   0.62    $   0.56
Book value (period end)(3)..........      8.17        7.44        8.01        7.09        6.05        5.20        4.58
Tangible book value (period
  end)(3)...........................      8.02        7.43        7.85        7.08        6.04        5.19        4.56
Dividends declared..................        --          --          --          --          --          --          --
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Return on average assets............      0.54%       1.12%       1.16%       1.08%       0.89%       1.01%       1.09%
Return on average equity............      5.35       10.97       11.28       11.22       12.55       12.64       12.86
Net interest margin(4)..............      5.51        5.07        5.34        4.43        4.30        4.52        4.78
Net interest margin (taxable
  equivalent)(4)....................      5.65        5.24        5.45        4.67        4.63        4.85        5.07
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
Allowance for loan losses to period
  end loans.........................      1.48%       0.96%       0.98%       1.19%       1.03%       1.21%       1.02%
Allowance for loan losses to period
  end nonperforming loans(5)........    144.47       92.38      123.37      162.41      529.79     3848.15      275.96
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to
  average loans.....................      0.39        0.17        0.30        0.26        0.11        0.27        0.45
Nonperforming assets to period end
  loans and foreclosed
  property(5).......................      1.19        1.04        0.84        0.76        0.24        0.28        0.81
CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY RATIOS:
Average equity to average assets....     10.18%      10.25%      10.25%       9.64%       7.08%       8.00%       8.47%
Leverage (4.00% required
  minimum)(6).......................      9.36        9.99       10.89       10.89        9.71        7.59        8.49
Risk-based capital
  Tier 1 (4.00% required
    minimum)(6).....................     12.62       11.68       12.72       14.38       12.59       10.95       11.12
  Total (8.00% required
    minimum)(6).....................     13.87       12.51       13.68       15.45       13.52       11.97       12.02
Average loans to average deposits...     95.30       81.95       89.08       81.73       73.72       69.94       75.35
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   19
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares have been
    adjusted to reflect stock splits.
(2) Net income per common share reflects stock splits.
(3) Book value and tangible book value are calculated on total common shares of
    FAB as restated to reflect stock splits.
(4) Net interest income divided by average earning assets.
(5) Nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets include loans past due 90 days
    or more that are still accruing interest.
(6) Based upon fully phased-in requirements.
                                       14
<PAGE>   20
 
PRO FORMA SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following table sets forth pro forma combined selected consolidated
financial data and ratios giving effect to the Merger on a pooling-of-interests
accounting basis for the six months ended June 30, 1997, and 1996 and the five
years ended December 31, 1996. The data are not necessarily indicative of the
results of the future operations of either entity or the actual results that
would have occurred had the Merger been consummated as of the beginning of the
periods presented, and should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere
in this Joint Proxy Statement and the consolidated financial statements of each
of ANB and FAB, incorporated herein by reference. See "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN
DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE" and "PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
 
                 PRO FORMA SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
            (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                            JUNE 30,                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                     -----------------------   --------------------------------------------------------
                                        1997         1996         1996         1995        1994       1993       1992
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Interest income....................  $   44,062   $   40,810   $   83,180   $   53,067   $ 40,970   $ 34,515   $ 35,219
Interest expense...................      20,683       19,079       38,246       26,555     17,243     13,990     16,092
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   --------   --------   --------
Net interest income................      23,379       21,731       44,934       26,512     23,727     20,525     19,127
Provision for loan losses (benefit
  of recoveries)...................       1,719          435          885        1,016      1,596        (50)     3,571
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   --------   --------   --------
Net interest income after provision
  for loan losses (benefit of
  recoveries)......................      21,660       21,296       44,049       25,496     22,131     20,575     15,556
Net securities gains (losses)......          12           20          (84)          26        (52)       222        506
Noninterest income.................       8,652        8,768       17,510        9,160      5,820      6,776      6,249
Noninterest expense................      21,593       21,713       44,053       26,849     19,720     20,298     19,203
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   --------   --------   --------
Income before income taxes.........       8,731        8,371       17,422        7,833      8,179      7,275      3,108
Provision for income taxes.........       2,763        2,889        5,281          901        736        838        476
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   --------   --------   --------
Income before minority interest in
  earnings of consolidated
  subsidiary.......................       5,968        5,482       12,141        6,932      7,443      6,437      2,632
Minority interest in earnings of
  consolidated subsidiary..........           6           10           14          650        750        236         --
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   --------   --------   --------
Net income.........................  $    5,962   $    5,472   $   12,127   $    6,282   $  6,693   $  6,201   $  2,632
                                     ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========   ========   ========   ========
         
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets.......................  $1,160,883   $1,039,244   $1,110,730   $1,027,099   $607,638   $545,348   $524,304
Earnings assets....................   1,058,476      948,845    1,013,789      929,677    560,900    506,676    483,927
Securities.........................     197,983      192,825      182,009      199,830    128,346    128,899    107,501
Loans..............................     804,479      726,370      784,415      680,172    422,307    351,990    319,905
Allowance for loan losses..........      12,326       10,590       11,011       10,421      6,506      7,307      7,006
Deposits...........................     936,767      846,296      858,104      841,899    506,256    457,644    445,749
Short-term debt....................      30,000       19,201       42,105       21,280     12,717      7,350      7,350
Long-term debt.....................       9,613       13,524       12,939        1,089      2,132      1,376      1,513
Stockholders' equity...............      93,668       82,342       88,803       78,144     43,520     35,496     30,617
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTAND-
  ING(1)...........................       8,824        8,711        8,756        4,883      4,412      4,291      4,291
PER COMMON SHARE DATA:
Net income(2)......................  $     0.68   $     0.63   $     1.38   $     1.11   $   1.35   $   1.28   $   0.61
Book value (period end)(3).........       10.90         9.65        10.38         9.16       7.05       5.78       4.64
Tangible book value (period
  end)(3)..........................       10.01         8.78         9.48         8.27       6.55       5.21       4.04
Dividends declared.................        0.23         0.10         0.28           --         --         --         --
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Return on average assets...........        1.07%        1.07%        1.17%        0.95%      1.18%      1.22%      0.54%
Return on average equity...........       13.08        13.65        14.48        13.58      17.89      18.54       9.66
Net interest margin(4).............        4.57         4.60         4.70         4.29       4.49       4.34       4.22
Net interest margin (taxable
  equivalent)(4)...................        4.67         4.69         4.79         4.39       4.64       4.48       4.35

</TABLE>
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   21
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                            JUNE 30,                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                     -----------------------   --------------------------------------------------------
                                        1997         1996         1996         1995        1994       1993       1992
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
Allowance for loan losses to period
  end loans........................        1.53%        1.46%        1.40%        1.53%      1.54%      2.08%      2.19%
Allowance for loan losses to period
  end nonperforming loans(5).......      261.20       261.42       356.92       320.55     354.36     240.28     145.38
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to
  average loans....................        0.10         0.08         0.04         0.05       0.68      (0.11)      0.93
Nonperforming assets to period end
  loans and foreclosed
  property(5)......................        0.70         0.61         0.46         0.57       0.54       1.18       2.04
CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY RATIOS:
Average equity to average assets...        8.16%        7.81%        8.06%        6.98%      6.59%      6.58%      5.55%
Leverage (4.00% required mini-
  mum)(6)..........................        7.71         7.60         8.13        10.59       8.25       6.78       6.06
Risk-based capital
  Tier 1 (4.00% required
    minimum)(6)....................       10.19        10.07        10.28        10.51      11.17       9.99       8.91
  Total (8.00% required
    minimum)(6)....................       11.44        11.17        11.38        11.59      12.30      11.14       9.91
Average loans to average
  deposits.........................       89.29        84.10        87.06        82.36      81.35      75.98      76.86
</TABLE>
 
(1) The weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding
    are those of ANB plus FAB converted at the exchange ratio of 0.7199 shares
    of ANB Common Stock for each share and equivalent share of FAB Common Stock.
(2) Net income per common share is calculated based upon net income as adjusted
    for minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries and cash
    dividends on preferred stock.
(3) Book value and tangible book value are calculated on the total shares of ANB
    Common Stock plus shares of FAB Common Stock converted at the exchange ratio
    of 0.7199 shares ANB Common Stock for each share of FAB Common Stock.
(4) Net interest income divided by average earning assets.
(5) Nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets include loans past due 90 days
    or more that are still accruing interest.
(6) Based upon fully phased-in requirements.
                                       16
<PAGE>   22
 
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
 
     The following table presents selected comparative per share data for ANB
Common Stock and FAB Common Stock on an historical basis, for ANB Common Stock
on a pro forma basis reflecting consummation of the Merger and for the FAB
Common Stock on an equivalent pro forma basis reflecting consummation of the
Merger. Such information has been prepared giving effect to the Merger on a
pooling-of-interests accounting basis. See "THE MERGER -- Accounting Treatment."
The data is not necessarily indicative of the results of the future operations
of either entity or the actual results that would have occurred had the Merger
been consummated as of the beginning of the periods presented. The information
is derived from and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
historical financial statements of each of ANB and FAB, including related notes
thereto, incorporated herein by reference, and the unaudited pro forma financial
information appearing elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement. See "AVAILABLE
INFORMATION," "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE" and "PRO FORMA
FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   YEAR ENDED
                                                               SIX MONTHS         DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  ENDED       ---------------------
                                                              JUNE 30, 1997   1996    1995    1994
                                                              -------------   -----   -----   -----
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>
ANB Common Stock
  Net income per common share:
     Historical.............................................      $0.79       $1.45    1.17    1.59
     Pro forma..............................................       0.68        1.38    1.11    1.35
  Dividends paid per common share:
     Historical.............................................       0.23        0.28      --      --
  Book value per common share (at end of period):
     Historical.............................................      10.75       10.15    8.94    6.09
     Pro forma..............................................      10.90       10.38     N/A     N/A
FAB Common Stock
  Net income per common share before extraordinary item:
     Historical.............................................       0.21        0.85    0.74    0.67
     Equivalent pro forma(1)................................       0.49        0.99    0.80    0.97
  Dividends paid per common share:
     Historical.............................................         --          --      --      --
     Equivalent pro forma(1)................................        .17         .20      --      --
  Book value per common share (at end of period):
     Historical.............................................       8.17        8.01    7.09    6.05
     Equivalent pro forma(1)................................       7.85        7.47     N/A     N/A
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) FAB equivalent pro forma amounts are computed by multiplying the ANB pro
    forma amount by the exchange ratio of 0.7199 shares of ANB Common Stock for
    each share of FAB Common Stock. See "THE MERGER -- Terms of the Merger."
                                       17
<PAGE>   23
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Shareholders of ANB and FAB are urged to consider carefully the following
factors:
 
DETERMINATION OF TERMS AND EXCHANGE RATIO
 
     The terms of the Merger, including the Exchange Ratio, were determined by
arms-length negotiations between ANB and FAB. ANB and FAB considered the book
value, earnings per share, potential market values and the projected financial
performance of the combined company in evaluating the Exchange Ratio. No effort
was made to determine the going concern or liquidation values of ANB and FAB.
See "THE MERGER -- Background of and Reasons for the Merger" and "THE MERGER --
Opinion of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking."
 
RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDENDS
 
     The principal business operations of ANB are conducted through its
subsidiary banks. Cash available to pay dividends to shareholders of ANB is
derived primarily, if not entirely, from dividends paid by the Banks. After the
Merger, the ability of the Banks and First American Bank to pay dividends to ANB
as well as ANB's ability to pay dividends to its stockholders will continue to
be subject to and limited by certain legal and regulatory restrictions. Further,
any lenders making loans to ANB may impose financial covenants that may be more
restrictive than regulatory requirements with respect to the payment of
dividends by ANB. There can be no assurance of whether or when ANB may pay
dividends after the Merger. See "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY
REFERENCES."
 
COMPETITION
 
     The banking business is highly competitive, particularly in the Banks' and
First American Bank's market areas. The Banks and First American Bank compete as
financial intermediaries with other commercial banks, savings associations,
credit unions, mortgage banking companies, securities brokerage companies,
insurance companies and money market mutual funds operating in Alabama and
elsewhere. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources and
lending limits than ANB, the Banks and First American Bank. Additionally,
non-depository institution competitors are generally not subject to the
extensive regulations applicable to ANB, the Banks and First American Bank.
Pursuant to the recently effective Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching
Efficiency Act, bank holding companies can acquire financial institutions, and
commercial banks can merge with other banks, on a nationwide basis, further
increasing competition.
 
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
 
     The banking industry is heavily regulated. Subsequent to the Merger, ANB,
the Banks and First American Bank will be subject to regulation by the Federal
Reserve, the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"), the Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") and the Alabama State Banking
Department. The success of ANB, the Banks and First American Bank depends not
only on competitive factors but also on state and federal regulations affecting
banks and bank holding companies. The regulations are primarily intended to
protect depositors, not shareholders. Recent and proposed changes to the
regulation of the financial institution industry and the ultimate effect of such
changes cannot be predicted. The effects of the implementation of new
legislation applicable to ANB, the Banks and First American Bank, including the
Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act and the Riegle-Neal
Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act, cannot be measured at this
time. The enactment of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act
of 1991 ("FDICIA") changed the framework of federal regulation of banks and
contains a number of provisions that affect the operation of banks, including
the establishment of a system of prompt corrective action for insured depository
institutions that set regulatory capital categories for such institutions.
Regulations now affecting ANB, the Banks and First American Bank may be modified
at any time, and there is no assurance that such modification will not adversely
affect the business of ANB, the Banks and First American Bank. See
"INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE."
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   24
 
MONETARY POLICIES
 
     Interest rates are largely dependent on the rate of interest established
from time to time by the Federal Reserve for funds made available to financial
institutions by the Federal Reserve. During 1994 and 1995, the Federal Reserve
changed its discount rate five times. During 1996 and the first half of 1997,
interest rates established by the Federal Reserve were relatively stable.
However, due to the potential for volatility of such monetary policy, there can
be no assurance that actions by monetary and fiscal authorities will not have an
adverse effect on the deposit levels, net interest margin, loan demand or the
business and earnings of the Banks and First American Bank.
 
RESERVE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
     Management of each of the Banks maintains an allowance for loan losses
based upon, among other things, historical experience, an evaluation of economic
conditions and regular reviews of delinquencies and loan portfolio quality.
Based upon such factors, management makes various assumptions and judgments
about the ultimate collectibility of the respective loan portfolios and provides
an allowance for potential loan losses based upon a percentage of the
outstanding balances and for specific loans when their ultimate collectibility
is considered questionable. Although each of ANB and FAB believes that
allowances for loan losses at each of the Banks and First American Bank are
adequate, there can be no assurance that such allowances will prove sufficient
to cover future losses. Future adjustments may be necessary if economic
conditions differ or adverse developments arise with respect to non-performing
or performing loans of the Banks. Material additions to the allowance for loan
losses of the Banks and First American Bank would result in a material decrease
in ANB's net income, and possibly its capital, and could result in its inability
to pay dividends, among other adverse consequences. See "INCORPORATION OF
CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE" and "CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING FAB -- Recent
Developments."
 
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     It is intended that the Merger will be treated as a reorganization within
the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. Based upon certain representations made
by the managements of ANB and FAB, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. and Balch &
Bingham LLP, will each deliver an opinion to ANB and FAB, respectively,
regarding the federal income tax effects of the Merger, described under the
caption "THE MERGER -- Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
     NO RULING HAS BEEN REQUESTED FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE ("IRS") AS
TO ANY FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER, AND THE
OPINIONS OF COUNSEL DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE NOT BINDING ON THE IRS. FURTHER, BECAUSE
CERTAIN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON THE PARTICULAR
CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH SHAREHOLDER AND OTHER FACTORS, EACH HOLDER OF ANB STOCK OR
FAB STOCK IS URGED TO CONSULT SUCH HOLDER'S OWN TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE
PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH HOLDER OF THE MERGER (INCLUDING THE
APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS).
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE TRANSACTION
 
     Directors and officers of ANB and FAB (and certain of their family members
and related interests) have personal interests in the Merger that may present
them with conflicts of interest in connection with the Merger. The Boards of
Directors of ANB and FAB are aware of this and have considered personal
interests disclosed in this Joint Proxy Statement in their evaluation of the
Merger. See "THE MERGER -- Background of and Reasons for the Merger" and "THE
MERGER -- Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."
 
RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF ANB COMMON STOCK
 
     Affiliates of FAB who receive ANB Common Stock pursuant to the Merger will
be restricted on the resale of such ANB Common Stock pursuant to Rule 145 under
the Securities Act. Additionally, individuals who are not affiliates of FAB but
who will become affiliates of ANB after the Merger will be restricted on the
resale of any ANB Common Stock, whether or not received in the Merger, pursuant
to Rule 144 under the Securities Act. An affiliate of FAB who will also be an
affiliate of ANB after the Merger will be subject to the
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   25
 
restrictions on resale contained in both Rule 145 and Rule 144. An "affiliate"
is generally a person that, directly or indirectly, controls an entity and
generally includes all officers, directors and 10% shareholders of such entity.
See "THE MERGER -- Resales of ANB Common Stock."
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
MEETINGS, RECORD DATES AND VOTES REQUIRED
 
     ANB Meeting.  The Special Meeting of Shareholders of ANB will be held at
            .m., local time, on             , 1997, at the main office of
National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham, 1927 First Avenue North, Birmingham,
Alabama 35203. The purpose of the ANB Meeting is to consider and vote upon a
proposal to approve the Merger Agreement, which provides for, among other
things, the Merger. Only holders of record of ANB Common Stock at the close of
business on the ANB Record Date,             , 1997, will be entitled to notice
of and to vote at the ANB Meeting. As of the ANB Record Date there were
shares of ANB Common Stock issued, outstanding and entitled to be voted. There
were approximately        ANB shareholders, of record or through registered
clearing agents, on the ANB Record Date. Each share of ANB Common Stock will be
entitled to one vote at the ANB Meeting.
 
     The presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of the majority of the
issued and outstanding shares of ANB Common Stock entitled to vote at the ANB
Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting.
 
     Approval of the Merger Agreement on behalf of ANB, pursuant to the DGCL,
will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of ANB Common Stock entitled to be voted thereon. A failure
to return the enclosed proxy or a vote to abstain will have the same effect as a
vote against each proposal. As of the ANB Record Date,           shares of ANB
Common Stock, or      % of the total shares of ANB Common Stock outstanding,
were beneficially owned and entitled to be voted by directors and executive
officers of ANB. Assuming all such shares are voted in favor of the Merger, the
affirmative vote of the holders of           additional shares of ANB Common
Stock will be required for approval.
 
     Approval of the Merger Agreement will be deemed to constitute approval of
the issuance of the number of shares of ANB Common Stock into which shares of
FAB Common Stock may be converted in the Merger.
 
     FAB Meeting.  The Special Meeting of Shareholders of FAB will be held at
            .m. local time, on             , 1997, at the main office of First
American Bank, 251 Johnston Street, SE, Decatur, Alabama. The purpose of the
meeting is to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Merger Agreement,
which provides for, among other things, the Merger. Only holders of record of
FAB Common Stock at the close of business on             , 1997, will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the FAB Meeting. As of the FAB Record Date,
there were           shares of FAB Common Stock issued, outstanding and entitled
to be voted. There were           FAB shareholders of record on the FAB Record
Date. Each share of FAB Common Stock will be entitled to one vote at the FAB
Meeting.
 
     The presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the issued
and outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock entitled to vote at the FAB Meeting
is necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting.
 
     Approval of the Merger Agreement on behalf of FAB, pursuant to the ABCA,
will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock entitled to be voted thereon. A failure
to return the enclosed proxy or a vote to abstain will have the same effect as a
vote against approval of the Merger Agreement. As of the FAB Record Date,
          shares of FAB Common Stock, or      % of the total shares of FAB
Common Stock outstanding, were beneficially owned and entitled to be voted by
directors and executive officers of FAB and certain family members and related
interests. Certain directors and officers of FAB with the power to vote an
aggregate of           shares of FAB Common Stock (approximately      % of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote) have entered into agreements with ANB
whereby they have agreed to vote in favor of the Merger. Assuming all such
shares are voted in favor of the
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   26
 
Merger, the affirmative votes of the holders of           additional shares of
FAB Common Stock will be required for approval.
 
     Dissenters' rights may be demanded by FAB shareholders who do not vote in
favor of the Merger and who follow the specified procedures of Alabama law. See
"Dissenters' Rights" below.
 
PROXIES
 
     ANB.  The enclosed ANB proxies are solicited on behalf of the Board of
Directors of ANB for use in connection with the ANB Meeting and any adjournment
or adjournments thereof. HOLDERS OF ANB COMMON STOCK ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE,
DATE AND SIGN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY TO ANB IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. FAILURE TO RETURN A PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXY OR TO VOTE AT THE
ANB MEETING WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS A VOTE AGAINST APPROVAL OF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT.
 
     An ANB shareholder who has executed and delivered a proxy may revoke it at
any time before such proxy is voted by giving a later written proxy, by giving
written revocation to the Corporate Secretary of ANB, provided such later proxy
or revocation is actually received by ANB before the vote of the shareholders,
or by voting in person at the ANB meeting. Any shareholder attending the ANB
Meeting may vote in person whether or not a proxy has been previously filed. The
shares represented by all properly executed proxies received in time for the ANB
Meeting, unless said proxies are revoked, will be voted in accordance with the
instructions therein. IF INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT GIVEN, PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXIES
RECEIVED WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
     FAB.  The enclosed FAB proxies are solicited on behalf of the Board of
Directors of FAB for use in connection with the FAB Meeting and any adjournment
or adjournments thereof. HOLDERS OF FAB COMMON STOCK ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE,
DATE AND SIGN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY TO FAB IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. FAILURE TO RETURN A PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXY OR TO VOTE AT THE
FAB MEETING WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS A VOTE AGAINST APPROVAL OF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT. FAB SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT FORWARD ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR
PROXIES.
 
     An FAB shareholder who has executed and delivered a proxy may revoke it at
any time before such proxy is voted by giving a later written proxy, by giving
written revocation to the Secretary of FAB, provided such later proxy or
revocation is actually received by FAB before the vote of the shareholders, or
by voting in person at the FAB Meeting. Any shareholder attending the FAB
Meeting may vote in person whether or not a proxy has been previously filed. The
shares represented by all properly executed proxies received in time for the FAB
Meeting, unless said proxies are revoked, will be voted in accordance with the
instructions therein. IF INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT GIVEN, PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXIES
RECEIVED WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
     Other Matters.  ANB and FAB will each bear the costs of solicitation of
proxies for their respective Meetings. Such solicitation will be made by mail
but also may be made by telephone, facsimile or in person by the directors,
officers and employees of ANB or FAB, as the case may be.
 
     Neither the management of ANB nor the management of FAB is aware of any
business to be acted upon at the Meetings other than the proposal to approve the
Merger Agreement. If other matters are properly brought before either or both of
the Meetings or any adjournment thereof, the enclosed proxy, if properly signed,
dated and returned, will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the
respective company's management or, if there is no such recommendation, in the
discretion of the individuals named as proxies therein.
 
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
     If the Merger is consummated, holders of record of FAB Common Stock who
follow the procedures specified by Article 13 of the ABCA ("Article 13") will be
entitled to determination and payment in cash of the "fair value" of their stock
immediately before the Effective Time, excluding value resulting from the
anticipation of the Merger, but including "a fair and equitable" rate of
interest thereon. Shareholders who elect to follow such procedures are referred
to herein as "Dissenting Shareholders".
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   27
 
     A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT BY A HOLDER OF FAB COMMON STOCK
WILL RESULT IN THE WAIVER OF THE SHAREHOLDER'S RIGHT TO DEMAND PAYMENT FOR HIS
OR HER SHARES PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 13.
 
     The following summary of the provisions of Article 13 is not intended to be
a complete statement of such provisions, the full text of which is attached as
Appendix B to this Joint Proxy Statement, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference thereto.
 
     A holder of FAB Common Stock electing to exercise dissenters' rights (1)
must deliver to FAB, before the vote at the FAB Meeting, written notice of his
or her intent to demand payment for his or her shares if the Merger is
effectuated, and (2) must not vote in favor of the Merger Agreement. The
requirement of such written notice is in addition to and separate from the
requirement that such shares not be voted in favor of the Merger Agreement, and
the requirement of such written notice is not satisfied by voting against the
Merger Agreement either in person or by proxy. The requirement that such shares
not be voted in favor of the Merger Agreement will be satisfied if no proxy is
returned and such shares are not voted in person. Because a properly executed
and delivered proxy which is left blank will, unless revoked, be voted FOR
approval of the Merger Agreement, in order to be assured that such shareholder's
shares are not voted in favor of the Merger Agreement, a Dissenting Shareholder
who votes by proxy must not leave the proxy blank but must (i) vote AGAINST the
approval of the Merger Agreement or (ii) affirmatively ABSTAIN from voting.
NEITHER A VOTE AGAINST APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT NOR AN ABSTENTION WILL
SATISFY THE REQUIREMENT THAT A WRITTEN NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT BE
DELIVERED TO FAB BEFORE THE VOTE ON THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
     Holders of record and beneficial owners of FAB Common Stock are entitled to
assert dissenters' rights for the shares registered in the name of or held for
the benefit of that holder or owner. The dissenters' rights may be asserted with
respect to fewer than all shares of FAB Common Stock held of record by such
holder only if such holder dissents with respect to all shares beneficially
owned by any one person and notifies FAB in writing of the name and address of
each person on whose behalf such record holder is asserting dissenters' rights.
A beneficial shareholder, in order to assert his or her dissenters' rights, must
submit to FAB the record shareholder's written consent to the dissent prior to
or contemporaneously with such assertion and must dissent with respect to all
shares of which he or she is the beneficial shareholder or over which he or she
has the power to vote. WHERE NO NUMBER OF SHARES IS EXPRESSLY MENTIONED, THE
NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT WILL BE PRESUMED TO COVER ALL SHARES HELD IN
THE NAME OF THE RECORD HOLDER.
 
     Within 10 days after the Effective Time, ANB, as the surviving corporation
in the Merger, will send a written dissenters' notice to each Dissenting
Shareholder of record at the Effective Time who did not vote in favor of the
Merger and who duly filed a written notice of intent to demand payment in
accordance with the foregoing. The dissenters' notice will specify the deadline
by which time ANB must receive a payment demand from such Dissenting
Shareholder. The deadline will be no fewer than 30 days or more than 60 days
after the date the dissenters' notice is delivered. IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF
DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS TO INITIATE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO PERFECT THEIR
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS PRESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 13 AND THE
DISSENTERS' NOTICE. IF NO PAYMENT DEMAND IS TIMELY RECEIVED FROM A DISSENTING
SHAREHOLDER, ALL DISSENTERS' RIGHTS WILL BE LOST, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PREVIOUSLY
SUBMITTED WRITTEN NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT. Each Dissenting
Shareholder who demands payment retains all other rights of a shareholder until
those rights are cancelled or modified by the Merger. A Dissenting Shareholder
who demands payment in accordance with the foregoing may not thereafter withdraw
that demand and accept the terms offered under the Merger Agreement unless ANB
shall consent thereto.
 
     Within 20 days of the formal payment demand, a Dissenting Shareholder who
has made a demand must submit his share certificate or certificates to ANB, so
that a notation to that effect may be placed on such certificate or certificates
and the shares returned to the Dissenting Shareholder with the notation thereon.
A SHAREHOLDER'S FAILURE TO SUBMIT SHARES FOR NOTATION WILL, AT ANB'S OPTION,
TERMINATE THE HOLDER'S RIGHTS AS A DISSENTER, UNLESS A COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION DETERMINES OTHERWISE.
 
     Promptly after the Effective Time, ANB shall offer to pay each Dissenting
Shareholder who complied with Article 13 the amount ANB estimates to be the fair
value of such Dissenting Shareholder's shares, plus accrued interest. Each
Dissenting Shareholder who agrees to accept the above referenced offer of
payment in
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   28
 
full satisfaction of his or her demand must surrender to ANB the certificate or
certificates representing his or her FAB shares in accordance with the terms of
the dissenters' notice. Upon receiving the certificate or certificates, ANB
shall pay each Dissenting Shareholder the fair value of his or her shares, plus
accrued interest. Upon receiving payment, a Dissenting Shareholder ceases to
have any interest in the shares.
 
     A Dissenting Shareholder who has made a payment demand may notify ANB in
writing of his or her own estimate of the fair value of his or her shares and
the amount of interest due, and demand payment of his or her estimate, or he or
she may reject the offer made to such shareholder and demand payment of the fair
value of his or her shares and interest due, if: (i) the Dissenting Shareholder
believes that the amount offered him or her is less than the fair value of his
or her shares or that the interest due is incorrectly calculated; (ii) ANB fails
to make an offer as required by Article 13 within sixty (60) days after the date
set for demanding payment; or (iii) ANB, having failed to consummate the Merger,
does not release the transfer restrictions imposed on shares within sixty (60)
days after the date set for demanding payment; provided, however, that a
Dissenting Shareholder waives his or her right to demand payment different from
that offered unless he or she notifies ANB of his or her demand in writing
within thirty (30) days after ANB offered payment for his or her shares.
 
     If a demand for payment remains unsettled, ANB shall commence a proceeding
within sixty (60) days after receiving the second payment demand and petition
the court to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If the
proceeding is not commenced within the sixty (60) day period, each Dissenting
Shareholder whose demand remains unsettled shall be entitled to receive the
amount demanded. Such a proceeding will be filed in the Circuit Court of Morgan
County, Alabama. Each Dissenting Shareholder made a party to the proceeding is
entitled to judgment for the amount the court finds to be the fair value of his
or her shares, plus accrued interest. Upon payment of the judgment and surrender
to ANB of the certificate or certificates representing the judicially appraised
shares, a Dissenting Shareholder will cease to have any interest in the shares.
The court may assess costs incurred in such a proceeding against all or some of
the Dissenting Shareholders, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent
the court finds that such Dissenting Shareholders acted arbitrarily,
vexatiously, or not in good faith in demanding payment different from that
initially offered by ANB. The Court may also assess the reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel and experts against all or some of the Dissenting
Shareholders if the court finds that such Dissenting Shareholders acted
arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith with respect to the rights
provided in Article 13.
 
RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Board of Directors of ANB recommends that the shareholders of ANB vote
FOR the proposal to approve the Merger Agreement. The Board of Directors of FAB
recommends that the shareholders of FAB vote FOR the proposal to approve the
Merger Agreement. See "THE MERGER -- Background of and Reasons for the Merger."
 
                                   THE MERGER
 
     The following information concerning the Merger, insofar as it relates to
matters contained in the Merger Agreement, is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Merger Agreement, which is attached hereto as Appendix A and
incorporated herein by reference. The information contained herein with respect
to the opinion of the financial advisor to FAB is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the opinion of such financial advisor, which is attached hereto as
Appendix C and incorporated herein by reference.
 
TERMS OF THE MERGER
 
     At the Effective Time, FAB will merge with and into ANB. In the Merger,
each share of FAB Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time, other than shares with respect to which dissenters' rights shall have been
perfected, and also excluding shares held by FAB or its subsidiaries other than
in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts previously contracted, will be
converted into and exchanged for the right to receive 0.7199 shares of ANB
Common Stock. If the Merger is consummated, approximately      % of the
outstanding shares of ANB Common Stock will be held by former FAB shareholders.
In addition,
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   29
 
options held to purchase shares of FAB Common stock will be converted into
options to purchase 0.7199 shares of ANB Common Stock for each share of FAB
Common Stock subject to option.
 
     No fractional shares of ANB Common Stock will be issued in respect to FAB
Common Stock, and cash will be paid by ANB in lieu of issuance of such
fractional shares. The amount paid in lieu of fractional shares will be
calculated by multiplying such fractional part of a share of ANB Common Stock by
the average of the high and low sales price of ANB Common Stock reported on the
NASDAQ National Market System on each of the ten trading days ending on the
tenth business day prior to the Effective Time. No holder of FAB Common Stock
who would otherwise have been entitled to a fractional share of ANB Common Stock
will be entitled to dividends, voting rights or any right as holder with respect
to such fractional shares.
 
     Holders of FAB Common Stock will have the right to dissent from the Merger
Agreement and receive a cash payment equal to the fair value of their shares,
all in conformity with the ABCA. See "GENERAL INFORMATION -- Dissenters'
Rights."
 
EFFECTIVE TIME
 
     Articles of Merger will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State
of Alabama, and a Certificate of Merger will be filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware, as soon as practicable after all conditions
contained in the Merger Agreement have been satisfied or lawfully waived,
including receipt of all regulatory approvals, and expiration of all statutory
waiting periods, and the approval of the Merger Agreement by the shareholders of
both ANB and FAB. The Effective Time of the Merger will be at the time the
Certificate of Merger shall be accepted for filing by the Secretary of State of
Delaware (or such later time as the parties may agree).
 
BACKGROUND OF AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER
 
     Officers and directors of NBC, ANB's largest bank subsidiary, have
maintained relationships with certain FAB officers and directors for several
years. These relationships developed from correspondent banking and investment
services transactions between NBC and First American Bank, as well as NBC loans
being made to FAB directors and to entities composed of FAB directors. ANB and
FAB have thus become familiar with each other's operations and management over
recent years. The two entities hold the common belief in the strategic
importance of community banking, and this similarity in strategy led to the
conclusion by ANB management that discussions of a merger would be of benefit to
shareholders of both entities. In addition, ANB has been seeking an expansion
opportunity in the growing North Alabama region. ANB identified FAB as a
strategic merger partner and as an avenue to enter the North Alabama market. In
recent years, ANB has expressed an interest in the possibility of a merger. Such
discussions became more formal in the Spring of 1997.
 
     On May 8, 1997, John H. Holcomb, III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of ANB, met with Dan M. David, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FAB, to
express ANB's interest in discussing a merger with FAB. After this meeting,
Messrs. David and Holcomb had further telephone conversations and an additional
meeting on May 30, 1997, to discuss some of the strategic issues involved in
such an alignment. On June 4, 1997, Mr. David met with Mr. Holcomb and G.
Ruffner Page, Jr., an ANB board member and former executive officer of NBC, to
further discuss the merits of a combination and to allow ANB to articulate its
long-term strategic plan to FAB.
 
     On June 24, 1997, Mr. David and Alfred E. Cheatham, Jr., Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of FAB, met with ANB's management at ANB's corporate
office to discuss further a potential merger and price and value ranges of such
a transaction. The ANB Board held its regular meeting on June 26, 1997 and
considered the potential merger of ANB and FAB as one of the items on its
agenda. Mr. Holcomb presented financial information regarding FAB to the ANB
Board along with information relating to other FAB operational issues including
information regarding the FAB market area and market share, banking practices,
loan losses, and information regarding employees, management and directors.
After thorough and careful consideration, the ANB Board determined that, based
on the factors described below and a share exchange ratio not to exceed the
Exchange Ratio, the Merger was in the best interests of ANB and its
shareholders. The
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   30
 
ANB Board authorized Mr. Holcomb and Mr. Victor E. Nichol, Jr., President and
Chief Operating Officer of ANB, to finalize negotiations for the Merger. During
the week of June 30, 1997, certain additional meetings and phone discussions
were conducted to refine and agree upon an exchange ratio of ANB stock to be
provided to FAB shareholders.
 
     On July 11, 1997, the Executive Committee of the FAB Board met to consider
the terms of the offer which included a share exchange ratio equal to the
Exchange Ratio. After deliberations and careful consideration of information
discussed below, the FAB Executive Committee voted unanimously to recommend to
the FAB Board the approval of the Merger. The FAB and ANB parties then met with
outside counsel to negotiate and agree upon the form of the Merger Agreement. On
July 24, 1997, the FAB Board met for the purpose of considering the Merger
Agreement. After reports from the FAB Executive Committee meeting, management,
and legal counsel, and after thorough and careful consideration, the FAB Board
determined that, based upon the factors described below, and subject to certain
conditions including an affirmative opinion from Sheshunoff as to the fairness
of the exchange ratio being offered by ANB in the merger, ANB's proposal was in
the best interests of FAB and its shareholders. The FAB Board voted unanimously
to approve the Merger Agreement and to authorize its officers to execute such
Agreement and to take all other action necessary to consummate the transaction.
 
  ANB's Reasons for the Merger.
 
     In approving the Merger Agreement and the Merger, the ANB Board considered
a number of factors concerning the benefits of the Merger. Without assigning any
relative or specific weights to the factors, the ANB Board of Directors
considered the following material factors:
 
          (a) the information presented to the directors by the management of
     ANB concerning the business, operations, earnings, asset quality and
     financial condition of FAB, including the composition of the earning assets
     portfolio of FAB;
 
          (b) the financial terms of the Merger, including the relationship of
     the value of the consideration issuable in the Merger to the market value,
     tangible book value and earnings per share of FAB;
 
          (c) the nonfinancial terms of the Merger, including the treatment of
     the Merger as a tax-free exchange of FAB Common Stock for ANB Common Stock
     for federal income tax purposes;
 
          (d) the likelihood of the Merger being approved by applicable
     regulatory authorities without undue conditions or delay;
 
          (e) the opportunity for reducing the noninterest expense of the
     operations of FAB and the ability of the operations of FAB after the
     Effective Time to contribute to the earnings of ANB;
 
          (f) the attractiveness of the FAB franchise, the market position of
     FAB in each of the markets in which it operates, and the compatibility of
     the franchise of FAB in northern Alabama with the operations of ANB in its
     market areas; and
 
          (g) the compatibility of the community banking orientation of the
     operations of FAB to that of ANB.
 
     ANB's Board of Directors recommends that ANB shareholders vote FOR approval
of the Merger Agreement.
 
  FAB's Reasons for the Merger.
 
     In determining whether to approve the proposed transaction and recommend it
to the FAB shareholders for approval, the Board of FAB considered whether the
transaction would enhance shareholder value while protecting the needs of its
current customers. During negotiations with ANB, the Board of FAB determined
that the proposed transaction would satisfy both of these criteria.
 
     With respect to enhancement of shareholder value, the Board of FAB
considered (i) the consideration to be received by the FAB shareholders, (ii)
the marketability and liquidity of ANB Common Stock,
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   31
 
(iii) ANB's market position and reputation and (iv) the dividend history of ANB.
Considering the relative book value of ANB Common Stock as compared to FAB
Common Stock, based in part on a valuation received from Sheshunoff, the Board
of FAB determined that the exchange ratio represented in the Merger Agreement
would be fair to the shareholders of FAB. The Board of FAB determined that
ownership of ANB Common Stock would present an immediate enhancement to
shareholder value in that ANB Common Stock is actively traded on the NASDAQ
National Market, thereby presenting shareholders with significantly enhanced
marketability and liquidity when compared to the FAB Common Stock. The Board of
FAB also believes that ownership of ANB Common Stock presents an opportunity for
continuing enhancement of shareholder value, considering ANB's size, position in
its relevant market, the reputation of its management and its historical
performance. ANB also has a history of paying dividends to its shareholders, as
opposed to FAB which has not historically paid cash dividends to its
shareholders.
 
     Having determined that the proposed transaction would be in the best
interests of the FAB shareholders, the Board of FAB evaluated the impact of the
proposed transaction on the current customers of First American Bank considering
(i) ANB's ability to provide additional financial services to First American
Bank's customers, (ii) the size of ANB's network of bank branches that could
provide added convenience to First American Bank's existing customers, and (iii)
ANB's commitment to continue to service Morgan, Limestone and Madison Counties.
The Board of FAB determined that ANB provides a number of additional financial
services, such as trust services and securities brokerage services, that would
benefit First American Bank's current customers in Morgan, Limestone and Madison
Counties. In addition, ANB's commitment to maintain the current management of
First American Bank and the appointment by ANB of Messrs. David, Sexton and Nix
to its Board of Directors indicates that ANB will maintain and preserve the
relationships which FAB has developed historically and will continue to serve
the needs of Morgan, Limestone and Madison Counties in the future.
 
     FAB's Board of Directors recommends that FAB shareholders vote FOR approval
of the Merger Agreement.
 
OPINION OF ALEX SHESHUNOFF & CO. INVESTMENT BANKING
 
     FAB retained Sheshunoff to provide its opinion with respect to the fairness
of the consideration to be received by FAB's shareholders in connection with the
Merger and related matters. Sheshunoff did not participate in determining the
Exchange Ratio, and did not participate in any solicitation of interests for the
acquisition of FAB. As of September 10, 1997, Sheshunoff rendered its written
opinion that, as of such date, the consideration to be received in the Merger
Agreement was fair from a financial point of view to the holders of FAB Common
Stock.
 
     The full text of Sheshunoff's opinion, which sets forth, among other
things, assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and
limitations on the review undertaken, is attached as Exhibit C to this Joint
Proxy Statement. FAB's stockholders are urged to read the Sheshunoff opinion
carefully and in its entirety. Sheshunoff's opinion is addressed to the FAB
Board and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of FAB as to
how such stockholder should vote at the FAB Meeting.
 
     In connection with rendering its written opinion, Sheshunoff, among other
things: (i) analyzed certain internal financial statements and other financial
and operating data concerning FAB prepared by the management of FAB; (ii)
analyzed certain publicly available financial statements, both audited and
unaudited, of FAB, including those provided in FAB's annual reports for the
three years ended December 31, 1996 and FAB's quarterly report for the period
ended June 30, 1997; (iii) analyzed certain publicly available financial
statements, both audited and unaudited, of ANB, including those provided in
ANB's annual reports for the three years ended December 31, 1996, and ANB's
quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 1997; (iv) analyzed certain
financial projections of FAB prepared by management of FAB; (v) discussed
certain aspects of the past and current business operations, financial condition
and future prospects of FAB and ANB with certain members of their respective
management; (vi) reviewed reported market prices and historical trading activity
of FAB's and ANB's Common Stock; (vii) compared the financial performance of ANB
and the prices and trading activity of ANB Common Stock with that of certain
other comparable publicly traded
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   32
 
companies and their securities; (viii) reviewed certain security analysis
reports of ANB Common Stock prepared by various investment banking firms; (ix)
reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain
comparable precedent transactions; (x) reviewed the Merger Agreement; (xi)
reviewed and discussed with ANB senior management certain internal analyses and
forecasts of certain cost savings, operating efficiencies, revenue effects and
financial synergies expected by ANB to be achieved as a result of the Merger;
and (xii) performed such other analyses as Sheshunoff has deemed appropriate.
 
     In connection with its review, Sheshunoff relied upon and assumed the
accuracy and completeness of all of the foregoing information provided to it or
made publicly available, and Sheshunoff has not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of such information. With respect to the financial
projections, Sheshunoff assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on a
basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
future financial performance of FAB. However, the assumptions used to make
projections of future performance are not certain to become reality. If the
projections do not become reality, actual performance may vary substantially
from the projected results. Sheshunoff has not made any independent evaluation
or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of FAB, nor has Sheshunoff been
furnished with any such appraisals, and have not examined any individual loan
files of FAB. Sheshunoff is not an expert in the evaluation of loan portfolios
for the purposes of assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses with
respect thereto and Sheshunoff assumed that such allowances for each of the
companies are in the aggregate, adequate to cover such losses.
 
     With respect to ANB, Sheshunoff relied solely upon publicly available data
regarding ANB's financial condition and performance. Sheshunoff discussed this
publicly available information with the management of ANB. Sheshunoff did not
conduct any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets, liabilities or
business prospects of ANB, Sheshunoff was not furnished with any evaluations or
appraisals, and it did not review any individual credit files of ANB. Sheshunoff
is not an expert in the evaluation of loan portfolios for the purposes of
assessing the adequacy of the allowance for losses with respect thereto and has
assumed that such allowances for each of the companies are, in the aggregate,
adequate to cover such losses.
 
     Sheshunoff's opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other
conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Sheshunoff as
of, September 10, 1997.
 
     In connection with rendering its opinion, Sheshunoff performed a variety of
financial analyses. The preparation of a fairness opinion involves various
determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial
analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances;
and, therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to partial analysis
or summary description. Moreover, the evaluation of the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the consideration to be received by the holders of
FAB Common Stock is to some extent a subjective one based on the experience and
judgment of Sheshunoff and not merely the result of mathematical analysis of
financial data. Accordingly, notwithstanding the separate factors summarized
below, Sheshunoff believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and
that selecting portions of its analyses and of the factors considered by it,
without considering all analyses and factors, could create an incomplete view of
the evaluation process underlying its opinion. The ranges of valuations
resulting from any particular analysis described below should not be taken to be
Sheshunoff's view of the actual value of FAB.
 
     In performing its analyses, Sheshunoff made numerous assumptions with
respect to industry performance, business and economic conditions and other
matters, many of which are beyond the control of FAB. The analyses performed by
Sheshunoff are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results,
which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such
analyses. The analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices
at which a company might actually be sold. In addition, Sheshunoff's analyses
should not be viewed as determinative of FAB's Board's or FAB's management's
opinion with respect to the value of FAB.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   33
 
     The following is a summary of the analyses performed by Sheshunoff in
connection with its opinion delivered to the FAB Board of Directors on September
10, 1997:
 
     Analysis of Selected Transactions.  Sheshunoff performed an analysis of
premiums paid in selected pending or recently completed acquisitions of banking
organizations nationwide and in Alabama, with comparable characteristics to the
FAB and ANB transaction. Two sets of comparable transactions were analyzed to
ensure a thorough comparison.
 
     The first set of comparable transactions was comprised to reflect the
profitability, asset size and regional location of FAB. The guideline
transactions specifically consisted of five mergers and acquisitions of bank
organizations nationwide from January 1, 1996 to September 9, 1997 with seller's
total assets between $150 million and $500 million and seller's return on
average equity between 8% and 12% in which the deal consideration was for common
stock only. This group of comparable transactions include the following
transactions: Triangle Bancorp/Bank of Mecklenburg; Whitney Holding
Co./Merchants Bancshares, Inc.; Colonial BancGroup/Jefferson Bancorp; CCB
Financial Corp/Salem Trust Bank; and Horizon Bancorp/Twentieth Bancorp. The
analysis yielded multiples of the transactions' purchase price relative to: (i)
book value ranging from 1.98 times to 3.00 times with an average of 2.42 times
and a median of 2.46 times (compared with FAB's deal of 2.21 times June 30, 1997
book value); (ii) last 12 months earnings ranging from 20.6 times to 30.2 times
with an average of 26.5 times and a median of 29.5 times (compared with FAB's
deal of 22.0 times last 12 months earnings as of June 30, 1997); and (iii) total
assets ranging between 16.2% and 26.7% with an average of 22.2% and a median of
24.8% (compared with FAB's deal of 22.8% of its June 30, 1997 total assets).
 
     The second set of comparable transactions was comprised to reflect the
specific pricing of bank mergers in Alabama. The guideline transactions
specifically consisted of six mergers and acquisitions of banking organizations
in Alabama from January 1, 1996 to September 9, 1997. This group of comparable
transactions included the following transactions: Colonial BancGroup/Shamrock
Holding; First Bankshares/Cannebrake Bancshares; Alabama National
Bancorp/FIRSTBANC Holding Co.; South Alabama Bancorp/First Monco Bancshares;
Union Planters Corp/BancAlabama, Inc.; and United Security Bancshares/Brent
Banking Company. The analysis yielded multiples of the transactions' purchase
price relative to: (i) book value ranging from 1.45 times to 2.00 times with an
average of 1.64 times and a median of 1.52 times (compared with FAB's deal of
2.21 times June 30, 1997 book value); (ii) last 12 months earnings ranging from
8.8 times to 19.6 times with an average of 15.4 times and a median of 15.6 times
(compared with FAB's deal of 22.0 times last 12 months earnings as of June 30,
1997); and (iii) total assets ranging between 11.2% and 22.3% with an average of
16.9% and a median of 17.4% (compared with FAB's deal of 22.8% of its June 30,
1997 total assets).
 
     Discounted Cash Flow Analysis.  Using discounted cash flow analysis,
Sheshunoff estimated the present value of the future stream of after-tax cash
flows that FAB could produce through the year 2001, under various circumstances,
assuming that FAB performed in accordance with the earnings/return projections
of FAB management. Sheshunoff estimated the terminal value for FAB by applying
multiples of earnings ranging from 15 times to 22 times to projected year 2001
earnings and then discounted the cash flow streams, dividends paid to the
shareholders (assuming all earnings in excess of that required to maintain a
tangible equity to tangible asset percentage of 7% are paid out in dividends)
and terminal value using discount rates ranging from 12% to 14% chosen to
reflect different assumptions regarding the required rates of return of FAB and
the inherent risk surrounding the underlying projections. This discounted cash
flow analysis indicated a range of $13.82 per share to $19.92 per share. This
compares favorably to the FAB deal value of $17.37 per share.
 
     Sheshunoff also performed a cash flow analysis using an estimated terminal
value for FAB based on 2001 book value by applying multiples of book value
ranging from 2.00 times to 2.70 times and then discounting the cash flow
streams, dividends paid to the shareholders (assuming all earnings in excess of
that required to maintain a tangible equity to tangible asset percentage of 7%
are paid out in dividends) and terminal value using discount rates ranging from
12% to 14% chosen to reflect different assumptions regarding the required rates
of return of FAB and the inherent risk surrounding the underlying projections.
This discounted cash flow
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   34
 
analysis indicated a range of $12.36 per share to $16.51 per share. This
compares favorably to the FAB deal value of $17.37 per share.
 
     Comparable Company Analysis.  Sheshunoff compared selected balance sheet
data, asset quality, capitalization and profitability measures and market
statistics using financial data at or for the twelve months ended June 30, 1997
and market data as of September 4, 1997 for ANB to a group of selected
southeastern bank holding companies and a group of Alabama bank holding
companies which Sheshunoff deemed to be relevant.
 
     The group of selected southeastern bank holding companies (the "Comparable
Composite") included Anchor Financial Corporation, First Charter Corporation,
First State Corporation, George Mason Bankshares, Inc., Bank of Granite
Corporation, Premier Bancshares, Inc., and Union Bankshares, Inc. This
comparison, among other things, showed that: (i) ANB's equity to asset
percentage was 7.6%, compared to an average of 9.8% and a median of 8.9% for the
Comparable Composite; (ii) for the last twelve months ended June 30, 1997, ANB's
return on average equity was 16.3%, compared to an average of 15.1% and a median
of 15.9% for the Comparable Composite; (iii) for the last twelve months ended
June 30, 1997, ANB's return on average assets was 1.24%, compared to an average
of 1.49% and a median of 1.32% for the Comparable Composite; (iv) as of June 30,
1997, ANB's nonperforming loans to gross loans ratio was 0.46%, compared to an
average of 0.26% and a median of 0.28% for the Comparable Composite; (v) as of
September 4, 1997, ANB's price per share to book value per share as of June 30,
1997 was 2.23 times, compared to an average of 2.70 times and median 2.71 times
for the Comparable Composite; and (vi) as of September 4, 1997, ANB's price per
share to last twelve months earnings per share as of June 30, 1997 was 15.1
times, compared to an average of 19.7 times and median of 20.2 times for the
Comparable Composite.
 
     The group of selected Alabama bank holding companies (the "Alabama
Composite") included Auburn National Bancorp, Peoples BancTrust Co., Pinnacle
Bancshares, Inc., and South Alabama Bancorp. This comparison, among other
things, showed that: (i) ANB's equity to asset percentage was 7.6%, compared to
an average of 9.6% and a median of 9.5% for the Alabama Composite; (ii) for the
last twelve months ended June 30, 1997, ANB's return on average equity was
16.3%, compared to an average of 12.6% and a median of 11.8% for the Alabama
Composite; (iii) for the last twelve months ended June 30, 1997, ANB's return on
average assets was 1.24%, compared to an average of 1.23% and a median of 1.21%
for the Alabama Composite; (iv) as of June 30, 1997, ANB's nonperforming loans
to gross loans ratio was 0.46%, compared to an average of 0.59% and a median of
0.46% for the Alabama Composite; (v) as of September 4, 1997, ANB's price per
share to book value per share as of June 30, 1997 was 2.23 times, compared to an
average of 1.83 times and median of 1.92 times for the Alabama Composite; and
(vi) as of September 4, 1997, ANB's price per share to last twelve months
earnings per share as of June 30, 1997 was 15.1 times, compared to an average of
16.3 times and median of 16.6 times for the Alabama Composite.
 
     Sheshunoff also compared selected stock market results of ANB to the
publicly available corresponding data of other composites which Sheshunoff
deemed to be relevant, including SNL's index of all publicly traded banks and
the S&P 500. Results from indexing the S&P 500, SNL's index of all publicly
traded banks, the Alabama Composite, and ANB's stock from February 1, 1996 to
September 1, 1997 revealed similar relationships in price movements of ANB's
stock to the price movements of SNL's index of all publicly traded banks. The
analysis revealed that price movements of ANB's stock was above the price
movements of the S&P 500 and Alabama Composite.
 
     Sheshunoff discussed certain aspects of the past and current business
operations, financial condition and future prospects of ANB with certain members
of the management of ANB. Sheshunoff also reviewed certain security analysts
reports of ANB prepared by an investment banking firm. Sheshunoff noted that,
following the issuance of its fairness opinion, FAB filed an amendment to its
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1997, to reflect an
$860,000 increase to FAB's loan loss reserve. This adjustment will have an
adverse effect on ANB 1997 earnings. The analysis and calculations performed by
Sheshunoff in rendering its fairness opinion as described herein do not reflect
this FAB adjustment to its loan loss reserve. Sheshunoff also noted that ANB
recently announced that ANB anticipates a one time charge to its earnings in the
approximate range of $1.2 million to $1.4 million for expenses relating to the
Merger. Sheshunoff
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   35
 
expresses no opinion on the future market price of ANB common stock, which price
may be higher or lower than the $24.125 per share price as of the date of this
opinion.
 
     No company or transaction used in the comparable company and comparable
transaction analyses is identical to FAB or the Merger. Accordingly, an analysis
of the results of the foregoing necessarily involves complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of
FAB and other factors that could affect the public trading value of the
companies to which they are being compared. Mathematical analysis (such as
determining the average or median) is not in itself a meaningful method of using
comparable company data.
 
     As part of its investment banking business, Sheshunoff is regularly engaged
in the valuation of securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and
valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. FAB's Board of Directors
decided to retain Sheshunoff based on its experience as a financial advisor in
mergers and acquisitions of financial institutions, and its knowledge of
financial institutions.
 
     Pursuant to an engagement letter dated September 9, 1997, between FAB and
Sheshunoff, FAB agreed to pay Sheshunoff a $35,000 fairness opinion fee. FAB has
also agreed to indemnify and hold harmless Sheshunoff and its officers and
employees against certain liabilities in connection with its services under the
engagement letter, except for liabilities resulting from the negligence of
Sheshunoff.
 
EFFECT ON CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS OF FAB
 
     Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, ANB
shall assume all obligations arising under or pursuant to the First American
Bancorp Stock Option Plan dated as of October 21, 1992 and the 1994 First
American Bancorp Stock Option Plan (collectively, the "Option Plans") and the
First American Bancorp Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (the "Director Plan";
together with the Option Plans hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Plans"), and ANB shall be vested with the powers, rights and privileges of FAB
under each of the Plans. FAB has terminated the Director Plan as of July 24,
1997. All outstanding options under the Option Plans to purchase FAB Common
Stock (the "FAB Options") shall be converted into substitute options (the "ANB
Options") to acquire, on substantially similar terms and conditions (including
without limitation the vesting schedules and duration of such options), the same
number of shares of ANB Common Stock which the holders of the FAB Options would
have been entitled to receive if such holders had exercised all of such FAB
Options immediately prior to the Merger, at a price per share of ANB Common
Stock equal to the exercise price for each FAB Option, multiplied by the
Exchange Ratio (0.7199). At the Effective Time, certain stockholders of FAB will
hold FAB Options providing for the purchase of additional shares of FAB Common
Stock totalling 177,303 in the aggregate, which will be converted into ANB
Options to purchase 127,640 shares of ANB Common Stock in the aggregate.
 
     In addition to the Plans, FAB maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan
for its employees (the "401(k) Plan"). ANB plans to continue the 401(k) Plan
only for the benefit of employees of FAB and subsidiaries, unless otherwise
required by law in order to maintain its status as a qualified plan under the
Code.
 
SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES
 
     As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, AmSouth Bank, acting
in the capacity of exchange agent for ANB (the "Exchange Agent"), will mail to
each former holder of record of FAB Common Stock a form letter of transmittal,
together with instructions and a return mailing envelope (collectively, the
"Exchange Materials"), for the exchange of such holders' FAB Common Stock
certificates for certificates representing shares of ANB Common Stock and cash
in lieu of fractional shares. HOLDERS OF FAB COMMON STOCK SHOULD NOT SEND IN
THEIR CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY RECEIVE THE EXCHANGE MATERIALS FROM THE EXCHANGE
AGENT.
 
     Upon receipt of the Exchange Materials, former holders of FAB Common Stock
should complete the letter of transmittal in accordance with the instructions
and mail the letter of transmittal together with all stock certificates
representing shares of FAB Common Stock to the Exchange Agent in the return
envelope provided. Upon receipt of the certificates and related documentation,
ANB will issue, and the Exchange Agent will mail, to such holder of FAB Common
Stock a check in the amount of any payment in respect of fractional shares of
FAB Common Stock payable to the surrendering shareholder and a certificate
representing the number of shares of ANB Common Stock to which such holder is
entitled pursuant to the Merger
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   36
 
Agreement. No certificates of ANB Common Stock and no payment in respect of
fractional shares will be delivered to a holder of FAB Common Stock unless and
until such holder shall have delivered to the Exchange Agent certificates
representing the shares of FAB Common Stock owned by such holder and in respect
of which such holder claims payment is due, or such documentation and security
in respect of lost or stolen certificates as may be required by the Exchange
Agent.
 
     Former shareholders of record of FAB will be entitled to vote after the
Effective Time at any meeting of ANB shareholders the number of whole shares of
ANB Common Stock into which such holders' respective shares of FAB Common Stock
are converted, regardless of whether such holders have exchanged their
certificates representing FAB Common Stock for certificates representing ANB
Common Stock.
 
     Beginning six months after the Effective Time, no dividend or other
distribution payable after the Effective Time with respect to ANB Common Stock
issued to replace FAB Common Stock will be paid to the holder of an
unsurrendered FAB Common Stock certificate until the holder surrenders such
certificate, at which time such holder will be entitled to receive all
previously withheld dividends and distributions, without interest.
 
     After the Effective Time, there will be no transfers on FAB's stock
transfer books of shares of FAB Common Stock issued and outstanding at the
Effective Time. If certificates representing shares of FAB Common Stock are
presented for transfer after the Effective Time, they will be returned to the
presenter together with a form of letter of transmittal and exchange
instructions.
 
     Neither ANB nor the Exchange Agent shall be liable to a holder of FAB
Common Stock for any amounts paid or properly delivered in good faith to a
public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property law.
 
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
 
     The respective obligations of ANB and FAB to effect the Merger are subject
to the satisfaction of the following conditions prior to the Effective Time:
 
          (i) shareholder approval of FAB and ANB shall have been received;
 
          (ii) all regulatory approvals shall have been received and waiting
     periods shall have expired, and no such approval shall be conditioned or
     restricted in a manner which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of
     ANB or FAB, materially adversely impacts the Merger so as to render it
     inadvisable;
 
          (iii) all consents necessary to avoid a material adverse effect on the
     relevant party shall have been obtained;
 
          (iv) no court or regulatory authority shall have taken any action that
     restricts, prohibits or makes illegal the transactions provided for in the
     Merger Agreement, and no action shall have been instituted seeking to
     restrain the Merger which renders its consummation inadvisable;
 
          (v) ANB shall have received a letter, dated as of the Effective Time,
     from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., concurring with the conclusions of ANB's and
     FAB's management that no conditions exist with respect to each company
     which would preclude accounting for the Merger as a pooling of interests;
 
          (vi) ANB and FAB shall have received written opinions of counsel from
     each of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. and Balch & Bingham LLP, respectively,
     to the effect that the Merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization
     within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
     as amended;
 
          (vii) the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the
     Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
     Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceeding for that
     purpose shall have been commenced by the Commission; and
 
          (viii) ANB, First American Bank and Dan M. David shall have entered
     into an employment agreement whereby Mr. David agrees to serve as Chairman
     of First American Bank for a period of at least five years from the
     Effective Time.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   37
 
     The obligations of ANB to effect the Merger are further subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
 
          (i) the representations and warranties of FAB in the Merger Agreement
     shall be true as if made at the Effective Time;
 
          (ii) the agreements and covenants of FAB in the Merger Agreement shall
     have been performed and complied with by the Effective Time;
 
          (iii) FAB shall have delivered to ANB certain certificates of its
     corporate officers provided for in the Merger Agreement;
 
          (iv) FAB shall have delivered to ANB an opinion of its counsel as
     provided in the Merger Agreement;
 
          (v) as of a date five business days prior to the Effective Time, FAB
     and First American Bank shall have a minimum net worth of $23,000,000 and
     $22,000,000, respectively;
 
          (vi) ANB or its representatives shall have completed a premerger
     review of the financial statements and books and records of FAB relating to
     the quality of the assets (including the loan portfolio) of FAB (including
     the records and work papers of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.), which quality of
     assets shall be acceptable to ANB in all material respects in its sole
     reasonable discretion; provided, however, unless ANB shall notify FAB that
     its premerger review was unacceptable within 45 days after the execution of
     the Merger Agreement, such premerger review shall be deemed acceptable; and
 
          (vii) ANB shall have received from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., or such
     other satisfactory accountants, a comfort letter dated as of the Effective
     Time with respect to such customary matters relating to the financial
     statements of FAB contained in the Joint Proxy Statement as ANB may
     request.
 
     The obligations of FAB to effect the Merger are further subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
 
          (i) the representations and warranties of ANB in the Merger Agreement
     shall be true as if made at the Effective Time;
 
          (ii) the agreements and covenants of ANB in the Merger Agreement shall
     have been performed and complied with by the Effective Time;
 
          (iii) ANB shall have delivered to FAB certain certificates of its
     corporate officers provided for in the Merger Agreement;
 
          (iv) ANB shall have delivered to FAB an opinion of its counsel as
     provided in the Merger Agreement;
 
          (v) FAB shall have received from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., or such
     other satisfactory accountants, a comfort letter dated as of the Effective
     Time with respect to such customary matters relating to the financial
     statements of ANB contained in the Joint Proxy Statement as FAB may
     request;
 
          (vi) FAB shall have received an opinion from its financial advisor
     that the Exchange Ratio is fair to it and its shareholders;
 
          (vii) The ANB Common Stock to be issued in the Merger shall have been
     qualified as a NASDAQ "National Market System Security"; and
 
          (viii) FAB or its Representatives shall have completed a premerger
     review of the financial statements and books and records of ANB relating to
     the quality of the assets (including the loan portfolio) of ANB (including
     the records and work papers of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.), which quality of
     assets shall be acceptable to FAB in all material respects in its sole
     reasonable discretion; provided, however, unless FAB shall notify ANB that
     its premerger review was unacceptable within 45 days after the execution of
     the Merger Agreement, such premerger review shall be deemed acceptable.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   38
 
REGULATORY APPROVALS
 
     The Merger is conditioned upon receipt of the necessary regulatory
approvals. On September 22, 1997, ANB filed an application with the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve") pursuant to
Section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act. There can be no assurance that such
regulatory approval will be obtained or as to the timing of any such approval.
 
     In evaluating the Merger, the Federal Reserve must consider, among other
factors, the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the
institutions and the convenience and needs of the communities to be served. The
relevant statutes prohibit the Federal Reserve from approving the Merger if (i)
it would result in a monopoly or would be in furtherance of any combination or
conspiracy to monopolize or attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any
part of the United States or (ii) its effect in any section of the country may
be to substantially lessen competition or to tend to create a monopoly, or if it
would be a restraint of trade in any other manner, unless the Federal Reserve
finds that any anticompetitive effects are outweighed clearly by the public
interest and the probable effect of the transaction in meeting the convenience
and needs of the communities to be served. The Merger may not be consummated
until the 30th day (which the Federal Reserve may reduce to 15 days) following
the date of the Federal Reserve approval, during which time the United States
Department of Justice may challenge the transaction on antitrust grounds. The
commencement of any antitrust action would stay the effectiveness of the
approval of the Federal Reserve, unless a court of competent jurisdiction
specifically orders otherwise.
 
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
 
     The Merger Agreement requires that each of FAB and ANB shall preserve its
business organization, goodwill, relationships with depositors, customers and
employees and take no action that would adversely affect its ability to perform
under the Merger Agreement. In addition, FAB has agreed that, without the
consent of ANB, it will not:
 
          (i) amend its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing
     instruments or those of any of its subsidiaries;
 
          (ii) incur additional debt obligations except in the ordinary course
     of business;
 
          (iii) modify, amend or terminate any material contract, except in the
     ordinary course of business and for fair consideration;
 
          (iv) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or exchange any shares,
     or any securities convertible into any shares of the stock of itself or any
     of its subsidiaries or declare or pay any dividend or make any other
     distribution in respect of its capital stock;
 
          (v) except as provided in the Merger Agreement, issue, sell, pledge,
     encumber or enter into any contract to issue, sell, pledge or encumber, or
     authorize any of the foregoing, any additional shares of FAB Common Stock
     or any other capital stock of FAB or any subsidiary, or any options,
     warrants, conversion or other rights to acquire any such stock;
 
          (vi) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or
     that of any of its subsidiaries, or authorize any of the foregoing, other
     than in the ordinary course of business for reasonable and adequate
     consideration;
 
          (vii) acquire any direct or indirect equity interest in any entities,
     other than in connection with foreclosures in the ordinary course of
     business and acquisitions of control by depository institution subsidiaries
     in a fiduciary capacity;
 
          (viii) grant any increase in compensation or benefits of the employees
     or officers of FAB or any of its subsidiaries, except in accordance with
     past practices with respect to employees or enter into, grant or pay
     bonuses, severance agreements, or material increases in fees or other
     compensation to officers and directors;
 
          (ix) enter into any employment contract without an unconditional right
     to terminate without liability;
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   39
 
          (x) adopt any new employee benefit plans or make any material changes
     to any existing employee benefit plans other than as required by law or
     that is necessary or advisable to maintain the tax qualified status of any
     such plan;
 
          (xi) make any significant change in any accounting methods or systems
     of internal accounting controls, except as appropriate to conform to
     changes in regulatory accounting requirements or generally accepted
     accounting principles;
 
          (xii) commence any litigation other than in accordance with past
     practice, settle any litigation involving any liability for material
     monetary damages or, except in the ordinary course of business, modify,
     amend, terminate, waive, release, compromise or assign any material rights,
     contracts or claims;
 
          (xiii) operate its business otherwise than in the ordinary course, or
     in a manner not consistent with safe and sound banking practices or
     applicable law;
 
          (xiv) fail to file timely any report required to be filed with any
     regulatory authorities;
 
          (xv) intentionally take any action reasonably expected to jeopardize
     or delay the receipt of any regulatory approval required to consummate the
     Merger;
 
          (xvi) make any loan or advance to any shareholder owning 5% or more of
     the outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock, director or officer of FAB or
     any of its subsidiaries, or any of the members of their immediate families,
     except for unfunded loan commitments or renewals of existing loans in
     existence on the date of the Merger Agreement;
 
          (xvii) cancel without payment in full, or modify any contract relating
     to, any loan or other obligation receivable from any shareholder, director,
     officer or employee of FAB or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
     immediate families;
 
          (xviii) enter into any contract for services or otherwise with any of
     the holders of 5% or more of FAB Common Stock, or the directors, officers
     or employees of FAB or any of its subsidiaries or any members of their
     immediate families;
 
          (xix) file any application to relocate or terminate the operation of
     any of its banking offices or any of its subsidiaries; or
 
          (xx) except in accordance with applicable law, change its or any of
     its subsidiary's lending, investment, liability management and other
     material banking policies in any material respect.
 
     ANB has agreed that, without the consent of FAB, it will not:
 
          (i) fail to file timely any report required to be filed with any
     regulatory authorities, including the SEC;
 
          (ii) take any action that would cause the ANB Common Stock to cease to
     be traded on the NASDAQ;
 
          (iii) amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or take any
     action that would cause ANB to have an insufficient number of shares of ANB
     Common Stock to fulfill its obligations under the Merger Agreement;
 
          (iv) enter into any material contract or conduct not in the ordinary
     course of business, or not consistent with safe and sound banking practices
     and applicable laws; or
 
          (v) intentionally take any action reasonably expected to jeopardize or
     delay the receipt of any regulatory approval required to consummate the
     Merger.
 
     Each party has also agreed to give written notice to the other promptly
upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any event which is likely to constitute
a Material Adverse Effect within the meaning given to such term in the Merger
Agreement or constitute a breach of any of its representations, warranties or
covenants contained in the Merger Agreement and to use its reasonable efforts to
remedy any such condition or breach.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   40
 
WAIVER AND AMENDMENT; TERMINATION; TERMINATION FEE
 
     Prior to the Effective Time, either ANB or FAB may waive or extend the time
for the compliance or fulfillment by the other of any and all of its obligations
under the Merger Agreement and may, to the extent permitted by law, amend the
Merger Agreement in writing with the approval of the Board of Directors of each
of FAB and ANB.
 
     The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective
Time, as follows: (i) by mutual consent; (ii) in the event of a breach of a
representation or warranty or covenant or agreement by the non-breaching party
under certain circumstances; (iii) by either party in the event any required
regulatory approval is denied or not obtained or the shareholders of either ANB
or FAB fail to approve the Merger; (iv) by either party in the event there is a
material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial conditions of
the other party that is not remedied; (v) in the event any of the conditions
precedent to the Merger cannot be satisfied or fulfilled by March 31, 1998; (vi)
by ANB, if the holders of greater than 5.0% of the outstanding shares of FAB
Common Stock properly assert their dissenters' rights under the ABCA; or (vii)
by FAB, if a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of
FAB shall have determined to enter into an agreement with respect to an
acquisition or merger transaction proposal which it considers superior to the
Merger, provided that if FAB terminates the Merger Agreement under such
circumstances of a superior acquisition or merger proposal, FAB shall pay to ANB
a termination fee of $1,250,000.
 
     In the event of the termination of the Merger Agreement, the Merger
Agreement shall become void and have no effect, except that the confidentiality
requirements shall survive such termination and such termination will not
relieve a breaching party from liability for an uncured willful breach of the
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement giving rise to the termination.
 
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS AFTER THE MERGER
 
     The Merger Agreement provides that from and after the Effective Time, the
ANB Board of Directors will consist of the eleven (11) current directors of ANB
and the following current directors of FAB: Dan M. David, William E. Sexton and
C. Lloyd Nix (the "FAB Directors"). All such persons are to serve in accordance
with the bylaws of ANB. For a period of twelve (12) months beginning as of the
Effective Time, and subject to the fiduciary obligations of the Board of
Directors of ANB, ANB has agreed in the Merger Agreement to recommend to its
shareholders the reelection of the FAB Directors.
 
     All current ANB directors and officers will continue to serve ANB in
accordance with the bylaws of ANB after the Effective Time. The Merger Agreement
further provides that, pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement, after
the Effective Time, Dan M. David shall be elected to serve as the Vice-Chairman
of ANB and will continue to serve as Chairman of First American Bank. See
"-- Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger." All directors and officers of
each of the subsidiaries of ANB after the Effective Time will continue to serve
in accordance with the terms of the bylaws of each such subsidiary.
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
 
     All of the current directors of ANB and three current directors of FAB will
serve as directors of ANB after the Effective Time. As set forth above under
"-- Management and Operations After the Merger," certain officers of ANB, FAB
and their subsidiaries will continue to serve as officers after the Effective
Time. For a description of the compensation received by certain executive
officers of ANB and FAB, see "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE."
 
     In the normal course of business, the Banks make loans to directors and
officers of ANB, and First American Bank makes loans to directors and officers
of FAB, including loans to certain related persons and entities. In addition,
the Banks make loans to certain directors and officers of FAB and certain
related persons and entities. Such loans are made on substantially the same
terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time
for comparable transactions with other customers, and, in the opinion of
management of both ANB and FAB, do not involve more than the normal risk of
collectibility. As of June 30, 1997, the amount of these loans (including
amounts available under lines of credit) by the Banks to ANB
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   41
 
directors and officers was 2.2% of ANB's total loans, the amount of these loans
(including amounts available under lines of credit) by First American Bank to
FAB directors and officers was 5.5% of FAB's total loans, and the amount of
these loans (including amounts available under lines of credit) made by the
Banks to directors and officers of FAB was 2.1% of ANB's total loans.
 
     A condition precedent to the obligations set forth in the Merger Agreement
is that Dan M. David will, as of the Effective Time, enter into an employment
agreement (the "Employment Agreement") whereby Mr. David agrees, among other
things, to serve as Chairman of First American Bank for a period of five years,
unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, and
whereby ANB agrees to elect Mr. David to serve as the Vice-Chairman of ANB at
the next meeting of the ANB Board following the Effective Time. Mr. David will
receive a base salary of not less than One Hundred Eighty-Six Thousand Dollars
($186,000) for the term of the Employment Agreement and certain other fringe
benefits. Reference should be made to a copy of the form of the Employment
Agreement which is included herewith as Exhibit C to the Merger Agreement, which
is included as Appendix A to this Joint Proxy Statement.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     Neither ANB nor FAB has requested or will receive an advance ruling from
the Internal Revenue Service as to the tax consequences of the Merger. Maynard,
Cooper & Gale, P.C., counsel for ANB, and Balch & Bingham LLP, counsel for FAB,
will deliver opinions prior to the Effective Time to ANB or FAB, respectively,
that, for federal income tax purposes, under current law, assuming that the
Merger will take place as described in the Merger Agreement and that certain
factual matters represented by ANB and FAB (including the representation that
FAB shareholders will maintain sufficient equity ownership interests in ANB
after the Merger) are true and correct at the time of consummation of the
Merger, the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, and ANB and FAB will each be a party to the
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
 
     Assuming that the Merger will take place as described in the Merger
Agreement and that certain factual matters represented by ANB and FAB (including
the representation that FAB shareholders will maintain sufficient equity
ownership interests in ANB after the Merger) are true and correct at the time of
consummation of the Merger, then, in the respective opinions of Balch & Bingham
LLP, and Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., the following will be the material
federal income tax consequences of the Merger: (i) no gain or loss will be
recognized by ANB or FAB in the Merger; (ii) the shareholders of FAB will
recognize no gain or loss upon the exchange of their FAB Common Stock solely for
shares of ANB Common Stock; (iii) the basis of the ANB Common Stock received by
the FAB shareholders in the proposed transaction will, in each instance, be the
same as the basis of the FAB Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor; (iv)
the holding period of the ANB Common Stock received by the FAB shareholders
will, in each instance, include the period during which the FAB Common Stock
surrendered in exchange therefor was held, provided that the FAB Common Stock
was held as a capital asset on the date of the exchange; (v) the payment of cash
to FAB shareholders in lieu of fractional share interests of ANB Common Stock
will be treated for federal income tax purposes as if the fractional shares were
distributed as part of the exchange and then were redeemed by ANB; these cash
payments will be treated as having been received as distributions in full
payment in exchange for the stock redeemed as provided in Code Section 302(a) of
the Code; and (vi) where solely cash is received by an ANB or FAB shareholder in
exchange for his ANB or FAB Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of dissenters'
rights, such cash will be treated as having been received in redemption of his
ANB or FAB Common Stock, subject to the provisions and limitations of Section
302 of the Code.
 
     THE DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS BASED UPON THE RESPECTIVE OPINIONS OF
BALCH & BINGHAM LLP, AND MAYNARD, COOPER & GALE, P.C., AND APPLIES ONLY TO FAB
SHAREHOLDERS WHO HOLD FAB COMMON STOCK AS A CAPITAL ASSET, AND MAY NOT APPLY TO
SPECIAL SITUATIONS, SUCH AS FAB SHAREHOLDERS, IF ANY, WHO RECEIVED THEIR FAB
COMMON STOCK UPON EXERCISE OF EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS OR OTHERWISE AS
COMPENSATION AND FAB SHAREHOLDERS THAT ARE INSURANCE COMPANIES, SECURITIES
DEALERS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OR FOREIGN PERSONS. IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE
STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX ASPECTS OF THE MERGER
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   42
 
OR ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF A SUBSEQUENT TRANSACTION INVOLVING ANB COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING ANY REDEMPTION OR TRANSFER OF ANB COMMON STOCK. THIS DISCUSSION IS
BASED ON CURRENTLY EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE CODE, EXISTING AND PROPOSED
TREASURY REGULATIONS THEREUNDER, AND CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS AND COURT
DECISIONS. ALL OF THE FOREGOING ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND ANY SUCH CHANGE COULD
AFFECT THE CONTINUING VALIDITY OF THIS DISCUSSION. EACH FAB SHAREHOLDER SHOULD
CONSULT HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
MERGER, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX
LAWS.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
     ANB will account for the Merger as a pooling-of-interests transaction in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which, among other
things, require that the number of shares of FAB Common Stock acquired for cash
pursuant to the exercise of dissenters' rights or in lieu of fractional shares
not exceed 10% of the outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock. Under this
accounting treatment, assets and liabilities of FAB will be added to those of
ANB at their recorded book values, and the shareholders' equity of the two
companies will be combined in ANB's consolidated balance sheet. Financial
statements of ANB issued after the Effective Time of the Merger will be restated
to reflect the consolidated operations of ANB and FAB as if the Merger had taken
place prior to the periods covered by the financial statements. The receipt of a
letter from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent certified public accountants,
concurring with the conclusions of ANB's and FAB's management that no conditions
exist with respect to each company that would preclude accounting for the Merger
as a pooling of interests, is a condition to the consummation of the Merger.
 
EXPENSES AND FEES
 
     The Merger Agreement provides that each of the parties will bear and pay
all costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including filing, registration and
application fees, printing and mailing fees and expenses, and fees and expenses
of their respective accountants and counsel.
 
RESALES OF ANB COMMON STOCK
 
     The shares of ANB Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement will
be freely transferrable under the Securities Act, except for shares issued to
any shareholder who may be deemed to be an "affiliate" (generally including,
without limitation, directors, certain executive officers and beneficial owners
of 10% or more of a class of capital stock) of FAB for purposes of Rule 145
under the Securities Act as of the date of the FAB Meeting or for purposes of
applicable interpretations regarding pooling-of-interests accounting treatment.
Affiliates may not sell their shares of ANB Common Stock acquired in connection
with the Merger except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act covering such shares or in compliance with Rule 145 promulgated
under the Securities Act or another applicable exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and until such time as financial results
covering at least 30 days of combined operations of ANB and FAB after the Merger
have been published. ANB may place restrictive legends on certificates
representing ANB Common Stock issued to all persons who are deemed "affiliates"
of FAB under Rule 145. This Joint Proxy Statement does not cover resales of ANB
Common Stock received by any person who may be deemed to be an affiliate of FAB.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   43
 
                         PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CONDITION
 
     The following audited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Statement
of Condition combines the historical consolidated statements of condition of ANB
and FAB giving effect to the Merger, which will be accounted for as a pooling of
interests, as if it had been effective June 30, 1997 after giving effect to the
pro forma adjustments. For a description of pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment, see "THE MERGER -- Accounting Treatment." This financial data should
be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements,
including the respective notes thereto, of each of ANB and FAB, which are
incorporated by reference in this Joint Proxy Statement. See "AVAILABLE
INFORMATION" and "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE." This pro
forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the actual
financial position that would have occurred had the Merger been consummated on
June 30, 1997 nor is it necessarily indicative of the future financial position.
 
        PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CONDITION
                        AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED)
                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  HISTORICAL
                                                              -------------------       PRO FORMA         PRO FORMA
                                                                ANB        FAB         ADJUSTMENTS         COMBINED
                                                              --------   --------   ------------------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents...................................  $ 35,916   $ 10,349                         $   46,265
Investments.................................................   168,074     29,909                            197,983
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses.....................   616,130    176,023                            792,153
Premises and equipment......................................    21,652      7,784                             29,436
Intangibles, net............................................     7,142        438                              7,580
Other assets................................................    79,866      7,600                             87,466
                                                              --------   --------   -------    -------    ----------
        Total assets........................................  $928,780   $232,103   $    --    $    --    $1,160,883
                                                              ========   ========   =======    =======    ==========
 
LIABILITIES
Deposits....................................................  $746,161   $190,606                         $  936,767
Short-term borrowings.......................................    16,500     13,500                             30,000
Other liabilities...........................................    86,486      4,349                             90,835
Long-term debt..............................................     9,487        126        --         --         9,613
                                                              --------   --------   -------    -------    ----------
        Total liabilities...................................   858,634    208,581        --         --     1,067,215
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock................................................     6,525         29        29(1)   2,072(1)      8,597
Additional paid-in capital..................................    48,872     15,326    15,326(1)  13,283(1)     62,155
Retained earnings...........................................    14,958      8,448                             23,406
Unearned restricted stock...................................      (139)        --                               (139)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments available for
  sale......................................................       (70)      (281)       --         --          (351)
                                                              --------   --------   -------    -------    ----------
        Total stockholders' equity..........................    70,146     23,522    15,355     15,355        93,668
                                                              --------   --------   -------    -------    ----------
        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity..........  $928,780   $232,103   $15,355    $15,355    $1,160,883
                                                              ========   ========   =======    =======    ==========
Capital ratios:
  Average equity to average assets..........................      7.66%     10.18%                              8.16%
  Leverage..................................................      7.23       9.36                               7.71
  Tier 1 risk-based capital.................................      9.50      12.62                              10.19
  Total risk-based capital..................................     10.75      13.87                              11.44
</TABLE>
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   44
 
                 PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
- ---------------
 
(1) To record the issuance of approximately 2,072,113 shares of ANB Common Stock
    in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock, accounted
    for as a pooling of interests:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             OUTSTANDING
                                                               SHARES
                                                             -----------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>
FAB outstanding shares.....................................    2,878,334
Conversion ratio, as agreed upon...........................       0.7199
                                                             -----------
ANB shares to be issued....................................                   2,072,113
Par value of 2,072,113 shares issued at $1.00 per share....                $  2,072,113
Shares issued at par value.................................  $ 2,072,113
Total capital stock of FAB.................................   15,354,829
                                                             -----------
Excess recorded as an increase to additional paid-in
  capital..................................................                  13,282,716
                                                                           ------------
                                                                             15,354,829
To eliminate FAB capital stock:
  Common stock at par value................................                     (28,780)
  Additional paid-in capital...............................                 (15,326,049)
                                                                           ------------
                                                                            (15,354,829)
                                                                           ------------
          Net change in equity.............................                $         --
                                                                           ============
</TABLE>
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   45
 
                 PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
     The following unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Income present the combined consolidated statements of income of
ANB and FAB assuming the companies had been combined for each period presented
on a pooling-of-interests accounting basis, after giving effect to the pro forma
adjustments. For a description of pooling-of-interests accounting treatment, see
"THE MERGER -- Accounting Treatment." This financial data should be read in
conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements, including the
respective notes thereto, of each of ANB and FAB, which are incorporated by
reference in this Joint Proxy Statement. See "AVAILABLE INFORMATION" and
"INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE." This pro forma financial
information is not necessarily indicative of the actual operating results that
would have occurred had the Merger been consummated as of the beginning of the
periods presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results.
 
         PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
               FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 HISTORICAL
                                                              -----------------      PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA
                                                                ANB       FAB       ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED
                                                              -------   -------   ----------------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Interest income.............................................  $34,197   $ 9,865   $    --   $   --    $44,062
Interest expense............................................   16,496     4,187        --       --     20,683
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net interest income.........................................   17,701     5,678        --       --     23,379
Provision for loan losses...................................       67     1,652        --       --      1,719
Noninterest income..........................................    7,763       901        --       --      8,664
Noninterest expense.........................................   17,414     4,179        --       --     21,593
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before income taxes..................................    7,983       748        --       --      8,731
Provision for income taxes..................................    2,628       135        --       --      2,763
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before minority interest in earnings of consolidated
  subsidiary................................................    5,355       613        --       --      5,968
Minority interest in earnings of consolidated subsidiary....        6        --        --       --          6
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net income..................................................  $ 5,349   $   613   $    --   $   --    $ 5,962
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
Earnings per common share...................................  $  0.79   $  0.21                       $  0.68
                                                              =======   =======                       =======
Average common shares outstanding...........................    6,761     2,866    (2,866)   2,063      8,824
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
</TABLE>
 
         PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
               FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 HISTORICAL
                                                              -----------------      PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA
                                                                ANB       FAB       ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED
                                                              -------   -------   ----------------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Interest income.............................................  $32,467   $ 8,343   $    --   $   --    $40,810
Interest expense............................................   15,334     3,745        --       --     19,079
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net interest income.........................................   17,133     4,598        --       --     21,731
Provision for loan losses...................................      209       226        --       --        435
Noninterest income..........................................    7,979       809        --       --      8,788
Noninterest expense.........................................   18,145     3,568        --       --     21,713
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before income taxes..................................    6,758     1,613        --       --      8,371
Provision for income taxes..................................    2,391       498        --       --      2,889
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before minority interest in earnings of consolidated
  subsidiary................................................    4,367     1,115        --       --      5,482
Minority interest in earnings of consolidated subsidiary....       10        --        --       --         10
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net income..................................................  $ 4,357   $ 1,115   $    --   $   --    $ 5,472
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
Earnings per common share...................................  $  0.65   $  0.40                       $  0.63
                                                              =======   =======                       =======
Average common shares outstanding...........................    6,684     2,816    (2,816)   2,027      8,711
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   46
 
                 PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
         PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 HISTORICAL
                                                              -----------------      PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA
                                                                ANB       FAB       ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED
                                                              -------   -------   ----------------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Interest income.............................................  $65,125   $18,055   $    --   $   --    $83,180
Interest expense............................................   30,365     7,881        --       --     38,246
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net interest income.........................................   34,760    10,174        --       --     44,934
Provision for loan losses...................................      239       646        --       --        885
Noninterest income..........................................   15,745     1,681        --       --     17,426
Noninterest expense.........................................   36,386     7,667        --       --     44,053
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before income taxes..................................   13,880     3,542        --       --     17,422
Provision for income taxes..................................    4,141     1,140        --       --      5,281
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before minority interest in earnings of consolidated
  subsidiary................................................    9,739     2,402        --       --     12,141
Minority interest in earnings of consolidated subsidiary....       14        --        --       --         14
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net income..................................................  $ 9,725   $ 2,402   $    --   $   --    $12,127
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
Earnings per common share...................................  $  1.45   $  0.85                       $  1.38
                                                              =======   =======                       =======
Average common shares outstanding...........................    6,725     2,821    (2,821)   2,031      8,756
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
</TABLE>
 
         PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 (UNAUDITED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 HISTORICAL
                                                              -----------------      PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA
                                                                ANB       FAB       ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED
                                                              -------   -------   ----------------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Interest income.............................................  $37,967   $15,100   $    --   $   --    $53,067
Interest expense............................................   19,172     7,383        --       --     26,555
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net interest income.........................................   18,795     7,717        --       --     26,512
Provision for loan losses...................................      409       607        --       --      1,016
Noninterest income..........................................    7,742     1,444        --       --      9,186
Noninterest expense.........................................   20,898     5,951        --       --     26,849
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before income taxes..................................    5,230     2,603        --       --      7,833
Provision for income taxes..................................      354       547        --       --        901
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before minority interest in earnings of consolidated
  subsidiary................................................    4,876     2,056        --       --      6,932
Minority interest in earnings of consolidated subsidiary....      650        --        --       --        650
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net income..................................................  $ 4,226   $ 2,056   $    --   $   --    $ 6,282
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
Earnings per common share...................................  $  1.17   $  0.74                       $  1.11
                                                              =======   =======                       =======
Average common shares outstanding...........................    2,874     2,790    (2,790)   2,009      4,883
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
</TABLE>
 
         PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 (UNAUDITED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 HISTORICAL
                                                              -----------------      PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA
                                                                ANB       FAB       ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED
                                                              -------   -------   ----------------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Interest income.............................................  $29,344   $11,626   $    --   $   --    $40,970
Interest expense............................................   12,093     5,150        --       --     17,243
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net interest income.........................................   17,251     6,476        --       --     23,727
Provision for loan losses...................................    1,279       317        --       --      1,596
Noninterest income..........................................    4,525     1,243        --       --      5,768
Noninterest expense.........................................   14,247     5,473        --       --     19,720
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before income taxes..................................    6,250     1,929        --       --      8,179
Provision for income taxes..................................      275       461        --       --        736
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Income before minority interest in earnings of consolidated
  subsidiary................................................    5,975     1,468        --       --      7,443
Minority interest in earnings of consolidated subsidiary....      750        --        --       --        750
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ------    -------
Net income..................................................  $ 5,225   $ 1,468   $    --   $   --    $ 6,693
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
Earnings per common share...................................  $  1.59   $  0.67                       $  1.35
                                                              =======   =======                       =======
Average common shares outstanding...........................    2,834     2,192    (2,192)   1,578      4,412
                                                              =======   =======   =======   ======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   47
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF ANB CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
     The authorized capital stock of ANB currently consists of 10,000,000 shares
of ANB Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, and 100,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "ANB Preferred Stock"). The following is a
summary description of ANB's capital stock.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     Holders of shares of ANB Common Stock are entitled to receive such
dividends as may from time to time be declared by the ANB Board out of funds
legally available therefor. Holders of ANB Common Stock are entitled to one vote
per share on all matters on which the holders of ANB Common Stock are entitled
to vote and do not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of ANB Common Stock
have no preemptive, conversion, redemption or sinking fund rights. In the event
of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of ANB, holders of ANB Common Stock
are entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets of ANB, if any,
remaining after the payment of all debts and liabilities of ANB and the
liquidation preference of any outstanding Preferred Stock. The outstanding
shares of ANB Common Stock are, and the shares of ANB Common Stock offered by
ANB hereby when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable. The rights,
preferences and privileges of holders of ANB Common Stock are subject to any
class or series of ANB Preferred Stock that ANB may issue in the future.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The ANB Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board of Directors
is authorized without further action by the holders of the ANB Common Stock to
provide for the issuance of shares of ANB Preferred Stock in one or more classes
or series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and relative
participating options and other rights, qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof, including the dividend rate, conversion rights, voting
rights, redemption price and liquidation preference, and to fix the number of
shares to be included in any such class or services. Any share of ANB Preferred
Stock so issued may rank senior to the ANB Common Stock with respect to the
payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, or
both. In addition, any such shares of ANB Preferred Stock may have class or
series voting rights. Upon completion of this Merger, ANB will not have any
shares of ANB Preferred Stock outstanding. Issuances of ANB Preferred Stock,
while providing ANB with flexibility in connection with general corporate
purposes, may, among other things, have an adverse effect on the rights of
holders of ANB Common Stock, and in certain circumstances such issuances could
have the effect of decreasing the market price of the ANB Common Stock. The ANB
Board, without stockholder approval, may issue ANB Preferred Stock with voting
or conversion rights which could adversely affect the voting power of the
holders of the ANB Common Stock. ANB has no present plan to issue any shares of
ANB Preferred Stock.
 
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS
 
     The provisions of the ANB Certificate of Incorporation, the ANB Bylaws and
the DGCL summarized in the following paragraphs may be deemed to have
anti-takeover effects and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover
attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in such stockholder's best
interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the
market price for the shares held by stockholders and may make removal of
management more difficult.
 
  Authorized but Unissued Stock
 
     The authorized but unissued shares of ANB Common Stock and ANB Preferred
Stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval. These
additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes including
future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and
employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved
ANB Common Stock and ANB Preferred Stock may enable the Board of Directors to
issue shares to persons friendly to current
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   48
 
management which could render more difficult or discourage any attempt to obtain
control of ANB by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise,
and thereby protect the continuity of ANB's management.
 
  Limitations on Shareholder Action by Written Consent and Limitations on
Calling Shareholder Meetings.
 
     The ANB Certificate of Incorporation and ANB Bylaws prohibit stockholder
action by written consent in lieu of a meeting and provide that stockholder
action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders. The
ANB Bylaws provide that subject to the rights of holders of any series of ANB
Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances,
special meetings of stockholders can be called only by the ANB Board or the
Chairman of the ANB Board. Shareholders will not be permitted to call a special
meeting of stockholders. Such provision may have the effect of delaying
consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting unless a
special meeting is called by the ANB Board or the Chairman of the ANB Board.
 
  Section 203 of the Delaware Corporation Law
 
     Subject to certain exclusions summarized below, Section 203 of the DGCL
("Section 203") prohibits any "Interested stockholder" from engaging in a
"Business Combination" with a Delaware corporation for three years following the
date such person became an Interested stockholder. "Interested stockholder"
generally includes: (a)(i) any person who is the beneficial owner of 15% or more
of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or (ii) any person who is an
affiliate or associate of the corporation and who was the beneficial owner of
15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time
within three years before the date on which such person's status as an
Interested stockholder is determined; and (b) the affiliates and associates of
such person. Subject to certain exceptions, a "Business Combination" includes
(i) any merger or consolidation of the corporation or a majority-owned
subsidiary of the corporation; (ii) the sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge,
transfer or other disposition of assets of the corporation or a majority-owned
subsidiary of the corporation having an aggregate market value equal to 10% of
more of either the aggregate market value of all assets of the corporation
determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the
outstanding stock of the corporation; (iii) any transaction that results in the
issuance or transfer by the corporation or a majority-owned subsidiary of the
corporation of any stock of the corporation or the subsidiary to the Interested
stockholder except pursuant to a transaction that effects a pro rata
distribution to all stockholders of the corporation; (iv) any transaction
involving the corporation or a majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation that
has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class
or series or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series of the
corporation or the subsidiary that is owned by the Interested stockholder; and
(v) any receipt by the Interested stockholder of the benefit (except
proportionately as a stockholder) of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or
other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation or a
majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation.
 
     Section 203 does not apply to a Business Combination if (i) before a person
became an Interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation
approved either the transaction in which the Interested stockholder became an
Interested stockholder or the Business Combination; (ii) upon consummation of
the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an Interested stockholder,
the Interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the
corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (other than
certain excluded shares); or (iii) following a transaction in which the person
became an Interested stockholder the Business Combination is (a) approved by the
board of directors of the corporation and (b) authorized at a regular or special
meeting of stockholders (and not by written consent) by the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the
corporation not owned by the Interested stockholder.
 
                   EFFECT OF MERGER ON RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
     As a result of the Merger, holders of FAB Common Stock will be exchanging
shares of FAB, an Alabama corporation governed by the ABCA, FAB's Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, and FAB's Bylaws, for
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   49
 
shares of ANB, a Delaware corporation governed by the DGCL and ANB's Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended (the "Certificate"), and ANB's Bylaws. Certain
significant differences exist between the rights of FAB shareholders and those
of ANB shareholders. The differences deemed material by FAB and ANB are
summarized below. The following discussion is necessarily general; it is not
intended to be a complete statement of all differences affecting the rights of
shareholders and their respective entities, and it is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the ABCA and the DGCL, as well as to ANB's Certificate and
Bylaws and FAB's Articles and Bylaws.
 
VOTING REQUIREMENTS
 
     Under the ABCA, amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, mergers or
share exchanges, and the sale of substantially all assets outside the ordinary
course of business must be approved by each voting group voting together and
separately as a class. A voting group is defined as a separate class of stock,
whether voting or nonvoting, that is entitled under the Articles of
Incorporation or Alabama law to vote on a matter. All voting groups entitled to
vote separately as a class on a matter constitute a single voting group. The
effect of this provision is that on matters where voting groups vote separately
as a class, the proposal must be approved by the requisite percentage of each
voting group as well as the requisite percentage of the shares in all voting
groups.
 
     In the case of a merger or share exchange, a class of stock will be
considered a voting group entitled to vote separately on the matter if its
shares are to be exchanged for different securities or if the plan of merger
contemplates that Articles of Incorporation of the issuer of such securities
will be amended in such a manner as would require voting by separate voting
groups. Unless the Articles of Incorporation specifically provide for a lesser
percentage (but not less than a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote thereon), the approval of a merger or share exchange requires the
affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds ( 2/3) of the shares in each voting
group entitled to vote on a matter including not less than two-thirds ( 2/3) of
the shares of all voting groups entitled to vote on the matter voting as a
single voting group. Alabama law further provides that no shareholder vote is
required (i) by the parent if an 80% subsidiary is merged into the parent or
(ii) by the surviving corporation, if the securities to be issued in the merger
comprise less than 20% of the class outstanding immediately prior to the merger,
the shares to be issued are not superior in rights to any class of outstanding
securities of the surviving corporation and the Articles of Incorporation will
not be amended. The Articles of Incorporation of FAB do not provide for a lesser
majority for approval of the Merger.
 
     In the case of the sale or other disposition of substantially all assets
outside the ordinary course of business, an Alabama corporation must obtain the
affirmative vote of two-thirds ( 2/3) of the outstanding shares unless the
Articles of Incorporation require voting by separate voting groups. The Articles
of Incorporation may provide for approval of such a transaction by a lesser
majority so long as it is not less than a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon. The Articles of Incorporation of FAB do not include
such a provision.
 
     In the case of certain amendments to the Articles of Incorporation of an
Alabama corporation, a class of stock will be considered a separate voting group
entitled to vote on the matter if the proposed amendment will: (i) increase or
decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of the class; (ii) effect an
exchange or reclassification of all or part of the shares of the class into
shares of another class; (iii) effect an exchange or reclassification, or create
the right of exchange, of all or part of the shares of another class into shares
of the class; (iv) change the designation, rights, preferences, or limitations
of all or part of the shares of the class; (v) change the shares of all or part
of the class into a different number of shares of the same class; (vi) create a
new class of shares having rights or preferences with respect to distributions
that are prior, superior, or substantially equal to the shares of the class;
(vii) increase the rights, preferences or number of authorized shares of any
class that, after giving effect to the amendment, have rights or preferences
with respect to distributions that are prior, superior or substantially equal to
the shares of the class; (viii) limit or deny an existing preemptive right of
all or part of the shares of the class; (iv) cancel or otherwise affect rights
to distributions of dividends that have accumulated but not yet been declared on
all or part of the shares of the class; (x) alter or abolish a preferential
right of the class; (xi) create, alter or abolish a right in respect of
redemption, including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the redemption
or repurchase of the class;
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   50
 
(xii) alter or abolish a preemptive right of the holder of shares of the class
to acquire shares or other securities; (xiii) exclude or limit the right of the
shares of the class to vote on any matter, or to cumulate votes, other than a
limitation by dilution through issuance of shares or other securities with
similar voting rights; or (xiv) reduce the number of shares owned by a
shareholder to a fraction of a share if the fractional share so created is to be
acquired for cash.
 
     Unless the Articles of Incorporation provide for a greater majority, the
approval of an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of an Alabama
corporation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of each
voting group entitled to vote separately on the matter, including a majority of
the shares of all voting groups entitled to vote on the matter voting as a
voting group. The Articles of Incorporation of FAB do not provide for a
percentage greater than a majority for approval of an amendment.
 
     Under the Alabama Constitution, the issuance of preferred stock and the
increase in stock or bonded indebtedness requires approval of the shareholders.
The issuance of preferred stock requires approval of the outstanding shares
voting as a single voting group unless the issuance of the preferred stock
comprises an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation requiring voting by
separate voting groups under the ABCA. The Alabama Constitution requires
approval of two-thirds ( 2/3) of the outstanding shares for the issuance of
preferred stock. The increase in stock or bonded indebtedness of an Alabama
corporation requires approval of persons holding the larger amount in value of
the outstanding stock after 30 days written notice.
 
     By comparison, Delaware law requires only the affirmative vote of a
majority of all outstanding voting shares to effect a merger, an amendment to
the Certificate of Incorporation or the sale of substantially all assets.
Delaware law includes provisions similar to the Alabama statute that exempt
surviving corporations from obtaining shareholder approval of a merger of a
subsidiary into a parent (except that Delaware requires 90% ownership by the
parent) and a merger involving the issuance of less than 20% of the outstanding
stock of the surviving corporation. Delaware law does not require classes of
shares to vote separately on a merger unless required by the Certificate of
Incorporation. In the case of an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation,
Delaware law requires the shares of a class to vote separately on the amendment,
whether or not voting or nonvoting shares, only if the amendment would (a)
increase or decrease the authorized number of shares of such class (unless
otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation); (b) increase or
decrease the par value of the shares of such class; or (c) alter or change the
powers, or preferences of the shareholders of such class so as to affect them
adversely. ANB currently has no provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation
requiring separate class voting on a merger or an amendment to its Certificate
of Incorporation.
 
     Delaware law has no comparable provisions requiring shareholder approval
for the issuance of preferred stock or bonded indebtedness.
 
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
     Both Alabama and Delaware law provide rights of appraisal for shareholders
who desire to dissent from the terms of a merger or consolidation. Alabama law
also provides appraisal rights for a share exchange, a sale of all or
substantially all of the corporate assets other than in the regular course of
business, and certain amendments to a corporation's Articles of Incorporation.
Under these statutes, a shareholder who properly dissents from the terms of a
transaction in which he has appraisal rights may demand that the corporation pay
him: (i) in Delaware, the fair value of the shares exclusive of any element of
value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the transaction; or (ii)
in Alabama, the value of the shares immediately prior to the effectuation of the
corporate action on which the vote was taken, excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of such corporate action unless exclusion would be
inequitable. The procedures for perfecting appraisal rights are different for
Alabama and Delaware corporations. For a description of the procedures for
holders of FAB Common Stock, see "GENERAL INFORMATION -- Dissenters' Rights."
 
NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
 
     Under Delaware and Alabama law, shareholders are generally entitled to
written notice of a shareholders' meeting not less than ten (10) days nor more
than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting, except for meetings to vote on the
merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of the assets of the
corporation, in which case
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   51
 
advance written notice of not less than twenty (20) days is required under
Delaware law. Meetings which are called to vote on the increase of bonded
indebtedness of an Alabama corporation or to vote on an amendment to increase
the capital stock of an Alabama corporation require at least thirty (30) days
advance written notice.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     The legal ability of the Board of Directors to declare and pay dividends on
the outstanding common stock is different for Alabama and Delaware corporations.
Delaware corporations may pay dividends to the extent of its surplus (retained
earnings and paid in capital) and if no surplus is available, dividends may be
paid to the extent of the net profits of the corporation for the current and/or
preceding fiscal year, if there is no deficiency in the amount of capital
represented by all outstanding classes of preferred stock.
 
     Alabama, on the other hand, addresses all distributions to shareholders on
the same basis, including without limitation, payment of dividends; purchase,
redemption or the acquisition of shares; a distribution of indebtedness; or
otherwise. Rather than making reference to the surplus of the corporation as the
test for the legality of a distribution, Alabama law tests the legality of a
distribution on the effect it has on the solvency of the corporation. A
distribution may not be made if after giving it effect: (i) the corporation
would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary course of
business; or (ii) the corporation's total assets would be less than the sum of
its total liabilities plus (unless the articles of incorporation permit
otherwise) the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be
dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy preferential rights that are
superior in dissolution to those receiving the distribution.
 
SECTION 203
 
     Section 203 of the DGCL ("Section 203") imposes, with certain exceptions, a
three year ban on certain transactions and business combinations between a
corporation (or its majority owned subsidiaries) and a holder of fifteen percent
(15%) or more of the corporation's outstanding voting stock, together with
affiliates or associates thereof. The three year ban does not apply if either
the proposed business combination or the transaction by which the fifteen
percent (15%) stockholder became a fifteen percent (15%) stockholder, owns at
least eighty-five percent (85%) of the outstanding voting stock of the
corporation, without regard to those shares owned by the corporation's officers
and directors or certain employee stock plans, or if approved by the Board of
Directors of the corporation and, at an annual or special meeting, by the
holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding voting
stock of the corporation not owned by the fifteen percent (15%) stockholder. See
"DESCRIPTION OF ANB CAPITAL STOCK." The ABCA does not contain a provision
similar to Section 203.
 
SHAREHOLDER CONSENTS
 
     Both Alabama and Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the Article or
Certificate of Incorporation, allow shareholders to act without a meeting or
notice of a meeting by written consent. While Delaware law provides for such
written consent signed by the holders of at least the minimum number of votes
which would be necessary to authorize such action at a meeting of all eligible
shareholders, Alabama law requires unanimous written consent. ANB's Certificate
of Incorporation specifically limits shareholder action to annual and special
meetings, and specifically denies shareholder action by written consent.
 
BLANK CHECK PREFERRED STOCK
 
     ANB's Certificate of Incorporation has authorized the issuance of 100,000
shares of preferred stock of which the designations and powers, preferences and
rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof
(collectively, "Characteristics"), may be undetermined until fixed by resolution
or resolutions of the Board of Directors ("Blank Check Preferred Stock"). The
purpose of Blank Check Preferred Stock is to provide the Board of Directors with
financial flexibility to raise additional capital through the issuance of senior
securities and to provide the Board of Directors the ability to respond to
hostile takeover bids. By leaving the Characteristics undetermined until
resolved by the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors is
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   52
 
able to issue one or more classes of customized preferred stock to individuals
or corporations in negotiated transactions at any time in the future without a
vote of the shareholders. Blank Check Preferred Stock also allows the Board of
Directors to react quickly, in the case of a hostile bid, by issuing preferred
stock with Characteristics unfavorable to the hostile bidder in order to make
such an acquisition less economical. Blank Check Preferred Stock is allowed
under Alabama law, but such stock may not be issued without the affirmative
approval of two-thirds ( 2/3) of the outstanding voting stock. See "-- Voting
Requirements."
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
 
     Both Alabama and Delaware law permit the Articles or Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws to include a provision which, subject to certain
exceptions described below, eliminates the liability of a director to the
shareholders for monetary damages for any breach of duty as a director. This
provision does not, however, eliminate liability of such director (i) for
violations of his duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (ii)
for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful dividends and distributions, or
(iv) for any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. The Certificate of Incorporation of ANB includes this provision and the
Bylaws of FAB include such a provision.
 
                       CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING ANB
 
GENERAL
 
     ANB is a registered bank holding company subject to supervision and
regulation by the Federal Reserve and is a corporation organized under the laws
of the State of Delaware. Its main office is located at 1927 First Avenue North,
Birmingham, Alabama 35203 (Telephone Number: (205) 583-3600). ANB is currently
the parent of three national banks, National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham
(Birmingham, Alabama and the Birmingham metropolitan area), First National Bank
of Ashland (Ashland, Alabama) and Citizens and Peoples Bank, National
Association (Cantonment, Florida); and four state member banks, Alabama Exchange
Bank (Tuskegee, Alabama), Bank of Dadeville (Dadeville, Alabama), First Gulf
Bank (Baldwin County, Alabama), and Citizens Bank of Talladega (Talladega,
Alabama); one securities brokerage firm, NBC Securities, Inc. (Birmingham,
Alabama); and one insurance agency, Ashland Insurance, Inc. (Ashland, Alabama).
 
     At June 30, 1997, ANB had total assets of approximately $928.8 million,
total deposits of approximately $746.1 million, total net loans of approximately
$616.1 million and total shareholders' equity of approximately $70.1 million.
Additional information about ANB is included in documents incorporated by
reference in this Joint Proxy Statement. See "SUMMARY -- Selected Consolidated
Financial Data", "AVAILABLE INFORMATION" and "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
BY REFERENCE."
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     On September 19, 1997, ANB announced that it anticipated a one time charge
to earnings related to the Merger, in the approximate range of $1.2 million to
$1.4 million. This charge relates to transaction costs, obsoletion of fixed
assets, severance costs and other merger related expenses. The effects of this
anticipated charge are not reflected in the pro forma financial information
included in this Joint Proxy Statement.
 
                       CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING FAB
 
GENERAL
 
     FAB is a registered bank holding company subject to supervision and
regulation by the Federal Reserve and is a corporation organized under the laws
of the State of Alabama. FAB owns all of the stock of First American Bank. First
American Bank provides a diversified range of banking and financial services to
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   53
 
customers in the commercial and retail banking fields and has seven (7) offices
located in Decatur, Athens, Madison, and Ardmore, Alabama.
 
     At June 30, 1997, FAB had total assets of approximately $232.1 million,
total deposits of approximately $190.6 million, total net loans of approximately
$176.0 million and total shareholders' equity of approximately $23.5 million.
FAB's principal executive offices are located at 251 Johnston Street, SE,
Decatur, Alabama 35609, and its telephone number is (205) 340-7000. See
"SUMMARY -- Consolidated Financial Data" below, "AVAILABLE INFORMATION",
"INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE" and "CERTAIN INFORMATION
REGARDING FAB."
 
     Certain information concerning FAB is contained in documents filed by FAB
with the Commission, including FAB's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1996 (the "FAB 10-K") and Form 10-Q for the period ended June
30, 1997, as amended (the "FAB 10-Q/A"). See "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
BY REFERENCE." The FAB 10-K and FAB 10-Q/A accompany the Joint Proxy Statements
being sent to FAB Shareholders.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     On September 19, 1997, FAB filed an amendment to its Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1997, to reflect an $860,000 increase to
its loan loss reserve (the "Loan Loss Reserve Increase"). The FAB 10-Q/A
accompanies the Joint Proxy Statement being sent to FAB shareholders. The Loan
Loss Reserve Increase is reflected in the FAB financial information and the pro
forma financial information contained herein relating to the period ending June
30, 1997. The Loan Loss Reserve Increase has no effect on the Exchange Ratio.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The legality of the ANB Common Stock to be issued in the Merger will be
passed upon by Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., Birmingham, Alabama ("Maynard,
Cooper"). As of             , 1997, attorneys in the law firm of Maynard, Cooper
owned an aggregate of 33,585 Shares of ANB Common Stock.
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the Merger will be passed upon for
FAB by Balch & Bingham LLP, Birmingham, Alabama ("Balch & Bingham").
 
     Each of Maynard, Cooper and Balch & Bingham will render an opinion with
respect to the federal tax consequences of the Merger. See "THE
MERGER -- Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of ANB as of December 31, 1996 and
1994 and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1994, incorporated herein by
reference in this Joint Proxy Statement, have been incorporated herein in
reliance on the report, which includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the
combination and reclassification of the 1995 financial statements and the 1996
change in accounting method for stock-based compensation and the 1994 change in
accounting method for investments, of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent
accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
     The consolidated financial statements of ANB as of December 31, 1995 and
the year then ended, incorporated by reference in this Joint Proxy Statement,
have been incorporated herein in reliance on the report of Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P., independent accountants, to the extent indicated in their report thereon
and in part on the report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors. The
financial statements referred to above are included in reliance upon such
reports given upon the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
     The consolidated financial statements of FAB as of December 31, 1996 and
for the year then ended, incorporated by reference in this Joint Proxy
Statement, have been incorporated herein in reliance on the
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   54
 
report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
     The consolidated financial statements of FAB as of December 31, 1995 and
for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1995, incorporated by
reference in this Joint Proxy Statement, have been incorporated herein in
reliance on the report of Dudley, Hopton-Jones, Sims & Freeman PLLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   55
 
                                                                      APPENDIX A
 
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
                             FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP
                                      AND
                        ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
                                  DATED AS OF
                                 JULY 24, 1997
<PAGE>   56
 
<TABLE>
<S>    <C>                                                           <C>
                                ARTICLE 1
                    TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF MERGER
1.1    Merger......................................................   A-4
1.2    Time and Place of Closing...................................   A-4
1.3    Effective Time..............................................   A-4
                                ARTICLE 2
                             TERMS OF MERGER
2.1    Certificate of Incorporation................................   A-4
2.2    Bylaws......................................................   A-4
2.3    Directors...................................................   A-4
2.4    Adoption of FAB Plans.......................................   A-5
                                ARTICLE 3
                       MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES
3.1    Conversion of Shares........................................   A-5
3.2    Anti-Dilution Provisions....................................   A-5
3.3    Shares Held by FAB..........................................   A-5
3.4    Dissenting Stockholders.....................................   A-6
3.5    Fractional Shares...........................................   A-6
                                ARTICLE 4
                           EXCHANGE OF SHARES
4.1    Exchange Procedures.........................................   A-6
4.2    Rights of Former FAB Stockholders...........................   A-6
4.3    Lost or Stolen Certificates.................................   A-7
                                ARTICLE 5
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FAB
5.1    Organization, Standing and Power............................   A-7
5.2    Authority; No Breach By Agreement...........................   A-7
5.3    Capital Stock...............................................   A-8
5.4    FAB Subsidiaries............................................   A-8
5.5    Financial Statements........................................   A-9
5.6    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities..........................   A-9
5.7    Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................   A-9
5.8    Tax Matters.................................................   A-9
5.9    Loan Portfolio; Documentation and Reports...................  A-10
5.10   Assets; Insurance...........................................  A-10
5.11   Environmental Matters.......................................  A-11
5.12   Compliance with Laws........................................  A-11
5.13   Labor Relations; Employees..................................  A-12
5.14   Employee Benefit Plans......................................  A-12
5.15   Material Contracts..........................................  A-14
5.16   Legal Proceedings...........................................  A-14
5.17   Reports.....................................................  A-14
5.18   Statements True and Correct.................................  A-14
5.19   Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters......................  A-15
5.20   Offices.....................................................  A-15
5.21   Intellectual Property.......................................  A-15
</TABLE>
 
                                       A-1
<PAGE>   57
5.22   Administration of Trust Accounts............................  A-15
5.23   Broker's Fees...............................................  A-15
5.24   Regulatory Approvals........................................  A-15
 
                                ARTICLE 6
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ANB
6.1    Organization, Standing and Power............................  A-16
6.2    Authority; No Breach By Agreement...........................  A-16
6.3    Capital Stock...............................................  A-16
6.4    ANB Subsidiaries............................................  A-17
6.5    Financial Statements........................................  A-17
6.6    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities..........................  A-17
6.7    Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................  A-18
6.8    Tax Matters.................................................  A-18
6.9    Allowance for Possible Loan Losses..........................  A-18
6.10   Assets; Insurance...........................................  A-18
6.11   Environmental Matters.......................................  A-19
6.12   Compliance with Laws........................................  A-19
6.13   Labor Relations.............................................  A-20
6.14   Employee Benefit Plans......................................  A-20
6.15   Material Contracts..........................................  A-21
6.16   Legal Proceedings...........................................  A-21
6.17   Reports.....................................................  A-21
6.18   Statements True and Correct.................................  A-21
6.19   Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters......................  A-22
6.20   Administration of Trust Accounts............................  A-22
6.21   1933 and 1934 Act Compliance................................  A-22
6.22   Regulatory Approvals........................................  A-22
 
                                ARTICLE 7
                CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
7.1    Covenants of Both Parties...................................  A-22
7.2    Covenants of FAB............................................  A-23
7.3    Covenants of ANB............................................  A-24
7.4    Adverse Changes in Condition................................  A-25
7.5    Reports.....................................................  A-25
7.6    Acquisition Proposals.......................................  A-25
7.7    NASDAQ Qualification........................................  A-25
7.8    Directors' and Officers' Indemnification....................  A-25
                                ARTICLE 8
                          ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
8.1    Regulatory Matters..........................................  A-25
8.2    Access to Information.......................................  A-27
8.3    Efforts to Consummate.......................................  A-27
8.4    FAB Stockholders' Meeting...................................  A-27
8.5    ANB Stockholders' Meeting...................................  A-28
8.6    Certificates of Objections..................................  A-28
8.7    Press Releases..............................................  A-28
8.8    Expenses....................................................  A-28
8.9    Failure to Close............................................  A-29
8.10   Fairness Opinions...........................................  A-29
8.11   Accounting and Tax Treatments...............................  A-29
 
                                       A-2
<PAGE>   58
                                ARTICLE 9
            CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
9.1    Conditions to Obligations of Each Party.....................  A-30
9.2    Conditions to Obligations of ANB............................  A-31
9.3    Conditions to Obligations of FAB............................  A-32
                               ARTICLE 10
                               TERMINATION
10.1   Termination.................................................  A-33
10.2   Effect of Termination.......................................  A-34
10.3   Non-Survival of Representations and Covenants...............  A-34
                               ARTICLE 11
                              MISCELLANEOUS
11.1   Definitions.................................................  A-34
11.2   Entire Agreement............................................  A-39
11.3   Amendments..................................................  A-39
11.4   Waivers.....................................................  A-39
11.5   Assignment..................................................  A-39
11.6   Notices.....................................................  A-39
11.7   Brokers and Finders.........................................  A-40
11.8   Governing Law...............................................  A-40
11.9   Counterparts................................................  A-40
11.10  Captions....................................................  A-40
11.11  Enforcement of Agreement....................................  A-40
11.12  Severability................................................  A-40
11.13  Singular/Plural; Gender.....................................  A-41
 
     Exhibit A--Opinion of Balch & Bingham LLP.....................  A-43
     Exhibit B--Opinion of Maynard, Cooper and Gale, P.C...........  A-45
     Exhibit C--Dan David Employment Agreement.....................  A-47
 
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
 
     THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of July 24, 1997 by and between FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP ("FAB"), a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Alabama, with
its principal office located in Decatur, Alabama, and ALABAMA NATIONAL
BANCORPORATION ("ANB"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Delaware, with its principal office located in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
                                    PREAMBLE
 
     The Board of directors of FAB and ANB are of the opinion that the
transactions described herein are in the best interests of the parties and their
respective stockholders. This Agreement provides for the merger of FAB with and
into ANB. At the effective time of such merger, the outstanding shares of the
capital stock of FAB shall be converted into the right to receive shares of the
common stock of ANB (except as provided herein). As a result, stockholders of
FAB shall become stockholders of ANB, and ANB shall continue to conduct the
business and operations of FAB. The transactions described in this Agreement are
subject to the approvals of the stockholders of FAB and the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, and the satisfaction of certain other conditions
described in this Agreement. It is the intention of the parties to this
Agreement that the merger (i) for federal income tax purposes shall qualify as a
"reorganization" within the
 
                                       A-3
<PAGE>   59
 
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and (ii) for accounting
purposes shall qualify for treatment as a "pooling of interests."
 
     Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 11.1 of this
Agreement.
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and the mutual warranties,
representations, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as
follows:
 
                                   ARTICLE 1
 
                        TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF MERGER
 
     1.1 Merger.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the
Effective Time, FAB shall be merged with and into ANB in accordance with the
provisions of Section 252 of the DGCL and Article 11 of the ABCA and with the
effect provided in Sections 259 and 261 of the DGCL (the "Merger"). ANB shall be
the Surviving Corporation resulting from the Merger and shall continue to be
governed by the Laws of the State of Delaware. The Merger shall be consummated
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which has been approved and adopted by
the respective Boards of Directors of FAB and ANB.
 
     1.2 Time and Place of Closing.  The Closing will take place at 9:00 A.M. on
the date that the Effective Time occurs (or the immediately preceding day if the
Effective Time is earlier than 9:00 A.M.), or at such other time as the Parties,
acting through their chief executive officers or chief financial officers, may
mutually agree. The place of Closing shall be at the offices of Maynard, Cooper
& Gale, P.C., Birmingham, Alabama, or such other place as may be mutually agreed
upon by the Parties.
 
     1.3 Effective Time.  The Merger and other transactions provided for in this
Agreement shall become effective on the date and at the time the Certificate of
Merger reflecting the Merger shall be accepted for filing by the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware (the "Effective Time"). Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing by the chief
executive officers or chief financial officers of each Party, the Parties shall
use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Effective Time to occur on the
last business day of the month in which occurs the later to occur of (i) the
effective date (including expiration of any applicable waiting period) of the
last required Consent of any Regulatory Authority having authority over and
approving or exempting the Merger, and (ii) the date on which the stockholders
of FAB and ANB approve this Agreement to the extent such approval is required by
applicable Law.
 
                                   ARTICLE 2
 
                                TERMS OF MERGER
 
     2.1 Certificate of Incorporation.  The Certificate of Incorporation of ANB
in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Effective
Time.
 
     2.2 Bylaws.  The Bylaws of ANB in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation immediately following the
Effective Time, until otherwise amended or repealed.
 
     2.3 Directors.  The directors of the Surviving Corporation from and after
the Effective Time shall consist of the eleven (11) incumbent directors of ANB
and the following current directors of FAB: Dan M. David, William E. Sexton and
C. Lloyd Nix (the "FAB Directors"). All such persons shall serve in accordance
with the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. The members of the standing
committees of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be
determined by such Board of Directors. For a twelve (12) month period beginning
upon the Effective Time, and subject to the fiduciary obligations of the Board
of Directors of ANB, ANB agrees to renominate and recommend to its stockholders
the re-election of the FAB Directors without qualification, which obligation
shall cease as to any FAB Director when such director has served as a director
of ANB for at least twelve (12) months. Should any of the FAB Directors be
disqualified,
 
                                       A-4
<PAGE>   60
 
removed, resign or otherwise cease to serve, then the resulting vacancy shall be
filled as provided by ANB's bylaws.
 
     2.4 Adoption of FAB Plans.  At the Effective Time, ANB shall assume,
satisfy and perform and do all obligations and liabilities theretofore and
thereafter arising under or pursuant to the First American BanCorp Stock Option
Plan dated as of October 21, 1992 and the 1994 First American BanCorp Stock
Option Plan (collectively, the "Option Plans") and the First American BanCorp
Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (the "Director Plan"; together with the Option
Plans hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Plans"), and ANB shall be
vested with the powers, rights and privileges of FAB under each of the Plans.
Each reference to FAB under the Plans shall refer to ANB, and in all other
respects the Plans and the interests of the participants therein and the
beneficiaries shall remain unchanged except that all outstanding options to
purchase FAB Common Stock (the "FAB Options") shall be converted into substitute
options (the "ANB Options") to acquire, on substantially similar terms and
conditions (including without limitation the vesting schedules and duration of
such options), the same number of shares of ANB Common Stock which the holders
of the FAB Options would have been entitled to receive if such holders had
exercised all of such FAB Options immediately prior to the Merger, at a price
per share of ANB Common Stock equal to (a) the exercise price for each FAB
Option, divided by the Exchange Ratio (0.7199). At the Effective Time, certain
stockholders of FAB will hold FAB Options providing for the purchase of
additional shares of FAB Common Stock totalling 177,303 in the aggregate, which
will be converted into ANB Options to purchase 127,640 shares of ANB Common
Stock in the aggregate.
 
                                   ARTICLE 3
 
                          MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES
 
     3.1 Conversion of Shares.  Subject to the provisions of this Article 3, at
the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
of the holders thereof, the shares of the constituent corporations shall be
converted as follows:
 
          (a) Each share of ANB Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
     prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding from and
     after the Effective Time.
 
          (b) Each share of FAB Common Stock (excluding shares held by any FAB
     Company, other than in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts
     previously contracted, and excluding shares held by stockholders who
     perfect their dissenters' rights of appraisal as provided in Section 3.4 of
     this Agreement) issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall cease to
     be outstanding and shall be converted into and exchanged for the right to
     receive 0.7199 shares of ANB Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"), plus the
     right to receive cash in lieu of fractional shares as provided in Section
     3.5.
 
          (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and
     assuming that no holders of FAB Common Stock exercise their rights under
     the Dissenter Provisions, the holders of FAB Common Stock (including
     individuals holding FAB Options) shall receive in the aggregate 2,200,000
     shares or options to purchase shares of ANB Common Stock.
 
     3.2 Anti-Dilution Provisions.  In the event FAB changes the number of
shares of FAB Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as
a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar recapitalization with
respect to such stock and the record date therefor shall be prior to the
Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately adjusted. In the
event ANB changes the number of shares of ANB Common Stock issued and
outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock
dividend, reclassification or similar recapitalization with respect to such
stock and the record date therefor shall be prior to the Effective Time, the
Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately adjusted.
 
     3.3 Shares Held by FAB.  Each of the shares of FAB Common Stock held by any
FAB Company, other than in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts
previously contracted, shall be canceled and retired at the Effective Time and
no consideration shall be issued in exchange therefor.
 
                                       A-5
<PAGE>   61
 
     3.4 Dissenting Stockholders.  Any holder of shares of FAB Common Stock who
perfects his dissenters' rights of appraisal in accordance with and as
contemplated by Article 13 of the ABCA shall be entitled to receive the value of
such shares in cash as determined pursuant to such provision of Law; provided,
however, that no such payment shall be made to any dissenting stockholder unless
and until such dissenting stockholder has complied with the applicable
provisions of the ABCA and surrendered to the Surviving Corporation the
certificate or certificates representing the shares for which payment is being
made; provided, further, nothing contained in this Section 3.4 shall in any way
limit the right of ANB to terminate this Agreement and abandon the Merger under
Section 10.1(i). In the event that after the Effective Time a dissenting
stockholder of FAB fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses, his
right to appraisal and of payment for his shares, the Surviving Corporation
shall issue and deliver the consideration to which such holder of shares of FAB
Common Stock is entitled under this Article 3 (without interest) upon surrender
by such holder of the certificate or certificates representing shares of FAB
Common Stock held by him.
 
     3.5 Fractional Shares.  No certificates or scrip representing fractional
shares of ANB Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender of Certificates
for exchange; no dividend or distribution with respect to ANB Common Stock shall
be payable on or with respect to any fractional share; and such fractional share
interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of
a stockholder of ANB. In lieu of any such fractional share, ANB shall pay to
each former stockholder of FAB who otherwise would be entitled to receive a
fractional share of ANB Common Stock an amount in cash (without interest)
determined by multiplying (a) the Average Quoted Price by (b) the fraction of a
share of ANB Common Stock to which such holder would otherwise be entitled.
 
                                   ARTICLE 4
 
                               EXCHANGE OF SHARES
 
     4.1 Exchange Procedures.  Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to the former stockholders of
FAB appropriate transmittal materials (which shall specify that delivery shall
be effected, and risk of loss and title to the certificates theretofore
representing shares of FAB Common Stock shall pass, only upon proper delivery of
such certificates to the Exchange Agent). After the Effective Time, each holder
of shares of FAB Common Stock (other than shares to be canceled pursuant to
Section 3.3 of this Agreement or as to which dissenters' rights of appraisal
have been perfected as provided in Section 3.4 of this Agreement) issued and
outstanding at the Effective Time shall surrender the certificate or
certificates representing such shares to the Exchange Agent and shall promptly
upon surrender thereof receive in exchange therefor the consideration provided
in Section 3.1 of this Agreement, together with all undelivered dividends or
distributions with respect to such shares (without interest thereon) pursuant to
Section 4.2 of this Agreement. To the extent required by Section 3.5 of this
Agreement, each holder of shares of FAB Common Stock issued and outstanding at
the Effective Time also shall receive, upon surrender of the certificate or
certificates representing such shares, cash in lieu of any fractional share of
ANB Common Stock to which such holder may be otherwise entitled (without
interest). The Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated to deliver the
consideration to which any former holder of FAB Common Stock is entitled as a
result of the Merger until such holder surrenders his certificate or
certificates representing the shares of FAB Common Stock for exchange as
provided in this Section 4.1. The certificate or certificates for FAB Common
Stock so surrendered shall be duly endorsed as the Exchange Agent may require.
Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, neither the Surviving
Corporation nor the Exchange Agent shall be liable to a holder of FAB Common
Stock for any amounts paid or property delivered in good faith to a public
official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property Law.
 
     4.2 Rights of Former FAB Stockholders.  At the Effective Time, the stock
transfer books of FAB shall be closed as to holders of FAB Common Stock
immediately prior to the Effective Time, and no transfer of FAB Common Stock by
any such holder shall thereafter be made or recognized. Until surrendered for
exchange in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1 of this Agreement,
each certificate theretofore representing shares of FAB Common Stock ("FAB
Certificate"), other than shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 3.3 of this
Agreement or as to which dissenters' rights of appraisal have been perfected as
provided
 
                                       A-6
<PAGE>   62
 
in Section 3.4 of this Agreement, shall from and after the Effective Time
represent for all purposes only the right to receive the consideration provided
in Sections 3.1 and 3.5 of this Agreement in exchange therefor. To the extent
permitted by Law, former stockholders of record of FAB Common Stock shall be
entitled to vote after the Effective Time at any meeting of Surviving
Corporation stockholders the number of whole shares of ANB Common Stock into
which their respective shares of FAB Common Stock are converted, regardless of
whether such holders have exchanged their FAB Certificates for certificates
representing ANB Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement. Whenever a dividend or other distribution is declared by the
Surviving Corporation on the ANB Common Stock, the record date for which is at
or after the Effective Time, the declaration shall include dividends or other
distributions on all shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding
the preceding sentence, any person holding any FAB Certificate at or after six
(6) months after the Effective Time (the "Cutoff") shall not be entitled to
receive any dividend or other distribution payable after the Cutoff to holders
of ANB Common Stock, which dividend or other distribution is attributable to
such person's ANB Common Stock represented by said FAB Certificate held after
the Cutoff, until such person surrenders said FAB Certificate for exchange as
provided in Section 4.1 of this Agreement. However, upon surrender of such FAB
Certificate, both the ANB Common Stock certificate (together with all such
undelivered dividends or other distributions, without interest) and any
undelivered cash payments to be paid for fractional share interests (without
interest) shall be delivered and paid with respect to each share represented by
such FAB Certificate.
 
     4.3 Lost or Stolen Certificates.  If any holder of FAB Common Stock
convertible into the right to receive shares of ANB Common Stock is unable to
deliver the FAB Certificate that represents FAB Common Stock, the Exchange
Agent, in the absence of actual notice that any such shares have been acquired
by a bona fide purchaser, shall deliver to such holder the shares of ANB Common
Stock to which the holder is entitled for such shares upon presentation of the
following: (a) evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of ANB that any such FAB
Certificate has been lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed; (b) such security or
indemnity as may be reasonably requested by ANB to indemnify and hold ANB and
the Exchange Agent harmless; and (c) evidence satisfactory to ANB that such
person is the owner of the shares theretofore represented by each FAB
Certificate claimed by the holder to be lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed and
that the holder is the person who would be entitled to present such FAB
Certificate for exchange pursuant to this Agreement.
 
                                   ARTICLE 5
 
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FAB
 
     FAB hereby represents and warrants to ANB as follows:
 
     5.1 Organization, Standing and Power.  FAB is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Alabama,
and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets and to incur its Liabilities.
FAB is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation
in good standing in the States of the United States and foreign jurisdictions
where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business
requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in
which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB. FAB
has delivered to ANB complete and correct copies of its Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws and the articles of incorporation, bylaws and other,
similar governing instruments of each of its Subsidiaries, in each case as
amended through the date hereof.
 
     5.2 Authority; No Breach By Agreement.  (a) FAB has the corporate power and
authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions provided for herein. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions provided for herein, including the Merger, have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of FAB, subject
to the approval of this Agreement by the holders of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock. Subject to such requisite stockholder
approval, this Agreement represents a legal, valid and binding obligation of
FAB, enforceable against FAB in accordance with its terms (except in all cases
as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
 
                                       A-7
<PAGE>   63
 
reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding may be brought).
 
     (b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by FAB, nor the
consummation by FAB of the transactions provided for herein, nor compliance by
FAB with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a
breach of any provision of FAB's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (ii)
constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, or
result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any FAB Company under, any
Contract or Permit of any FAB Company, or, (iii) subject to receipt of the
requisite approvals referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement, violate any
Law or Order applicable to any FAB Company or any of their respective Assets.
 
     (c) Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and securities Laws, and other than
Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or
filings with the Internal Revenue Service or the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation with respect to any employee benefit plans, and other than Consents,
filings or notifications which, if not obtained or made, are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
FAB, no notice to, filing with or Consent of, any public body or authority is
necessary for the consummation by FAB of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated in this Agreement.
 
     5.3 Capital Stock.  (a) The authorized capital stock of FAB consists of (i)
10,000,000 shares of FAB Common Stock, of which 2,878,683.785 shares are issued
and outstanding, and (ii) 400,000 shares of FAB Preferred Stock, of which none
are issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of FAB are duly and validly issued and outstanding and are fully paid and
nonassessable under the ABCA. None of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
FAB has been issued in violation of any preemptive rights of the current or past
stockholders of FAB. Pursuant to the terms of the Option Plans, there are
currently outstanding options with the right to purchase a total of 177,303
shares of FAB Common Stock as follows: the executive officers and directors of
FAB hold stock options to purchase (i) a total of 112,303 shares at $4.60 per
share, (ii) a total of 6,875 shares at $10.54 per share, (iii) a total of 20,625
shares at $7.27 per share, and (iv) a total of 37,500 shares at $11.20 per
share. Options to purchase 101,235 shares of FAB Common Stock are now
exercisable. In addition, FAB maintains the Director Plan, pursuant to which
additional shares of FAB Common Stock have been issued, all of which is
described in Schedule 5.3 attached hereto.
 
     (b) Except as set forth in Section 5.3(a) of this Agreement, there are no
shares of capital stock or other equity securities of FAB outstanding and no
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 the capital stock of FAB or
contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which FAB is or may be
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. FAB
has no liability for dividends declared or accrued, but unpaid, with respect to
any of its capital stock.
 
     5.4 FAB Subsidiaries.  (a) The FAB Subsidiaries are First American Bank
("FAB Bank"), Corporate Billing, Inc. ("CBI") and First Allegiance Mortgage,
Inc. ("FAMI"). FAB is a state non-member bank, duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Alabama. CBI and FAMI are
corporations duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Alabama. Each of the FAB Subsidiaries has the corporate
power and authority necessary for it to own, lease and operate its Assets and to
incur its Liabilities and to carry on its Business as now conducted. Each FAB
Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign
corporation in good standing in the States of the United States and foreign
jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its
business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for jurisdictions in
which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB. Each
FAB Subsidiary that is a depository institution is an "insured institution" as
defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and applicable regulations
thereunder.
 
                                       A-8
<PAGE>   64
 
     (b) The authorized and issued and outstanding capital stock of each FAB
Subsidiary, and the date with respect to which each representation in this
subsection (b) is made with respect to each FAB Subsidiary, is set forth on
Schedule 5.4. FAB or FAB Bank owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of each FAB Subsidiary. No equity securities of any FAB Subsidiary
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
relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for,
shares of the capital stock of any such Subsidiary, and there are no Contracts
by which any FAB Subsidiary 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 or by which any FAB Company is or may be bound to
transfer any shares of the capital stock of any FAB Subsidiary. There are no
Contracts relating to the rights of any FAB Company to vote or to dispose of any
shares of the capital stock of any FAB Subsidiary. All of the shares of capital
stock of each FAB Subsidiary held by an FAB Company are fully paid and
nonassessable under the applicable corporation Law of the jurisdiction in which
such Subsidiary is incorporated and organized and are owned by the FAB Company
free and clear of any Lien. No FAB Subsidiary has any liability for dividends
declared or accrued, but unpaid, with respect to any of its capital stock.
 
     5.5 Financial Statements.  Attached hereto as Schedule 5.5 are copies of
all FAB Financial Statements and FAB Call Reports for periods ended prior to the
date hereof, and FAB will deliver to ANB promptly copies of all FAB Financial
Statements and FAB Call Reports prepared subsequent to the date hereof. The FAB
Financial Statements (as of the dates thereof and for the periods covered
thereby) present or will present, as the case may be, fairly the consolidated
financial position of the FAB Companies as of the dates indicated and the
consolidated results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flows of the FAB Companies for the periods indicated, in accordance with GAAP
(subject to exceptions as to consistency specified therein or as may be
indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of interim financial statements,
to normal year-end adjustments that are not material). The FAB Call Reports have
been prepared in material compliance with the rules and regulations of the
respective federal or state banking regulator with which they were filed.
 
     5.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.  No FAB Company has any Liabilities
that have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB,
except Liabilities accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance
sheets of FAB as of March 31, 1997, included in the FAB Financial Statements or
reflected in the notes thereto. No FAB Company has incurred or paid any
Liability since March 31, 1997, except for such Liabilities incurred or paid in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past business practice and which
do not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB.
 
     5.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as set forth on Schedule
5.7, since March 31, 1997 (i) there have been no events, changes or occurrences
that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB, and (ii) the FAB Companies have not
taken any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the date of this
Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement,
would represent or result in a material breach or violation of any of the
covenants and agreements of FAB provided in Article 7 of this Agreement.
 
     5.8 Tax Matters.  (a) All Tax returns required to be filed by or on behalf
of any of the FAB Companies have been timely filed or requests for extensions
have been timely filed, granted and have not expired for periods ended on or
before December 31, 1996, and all returns filed are complete and accurate in all
material respects. All Taxes shown as due on filed returns have been paid. There
is no audit examination, deficiency, refund Litigation or matter in controversy
pending, or to the Knowledge of FAB, threatened, with respect to any Taxes that,
if adversely determined, would have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on FAB, except as reserved against in the FAB Financial
Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement. All Taxes and other
Liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded
Litigation have been fully paid.
 
     (b) None of the FAB Companies has executed an extension or waiver of any
statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any Tax due (excluding
such statutes that relate to years currently under examination by the Internal
Revenue Service or other applicable taxing authorities) that is currently in
effect.
 
                                       A-9
<PAGE>   65
 
     (c) Adequate provision for any Taxes due or to become due for any of the
FAB Companies for the period or periods through and including the date of the
respective FAB Financial Statements has been made and is reflected on such FAB
Financial Statements.
 
     (d) Deferred Taxes of the FAB Companies have been provided for in
accordance with GAAP.
 
     5.9 Loan Portfolio; Documentation and Reports.  (a) Except as disclosed in
Schedule 5.9, none of the FAB Companies is a creditor as to any written or oral
loan agreement, note or borrowing arrangement including, without limitation,
leases, credit enhancements, commitments and interest-bearing assets (the
"Loans"), other than Loans the unpaid principal balance of which does not exceed
$25,000 per Loan, under the terms of which the obligor is, as of the date of
this Agreement, over 90 days delinquent in payment of principal or interest or,
to the Knowledge of FAB, is in default of any other material provisions. Except
as otherwise set forth in Schedule 5.9, none of the FAB Companies is a creditor
as to any Loan, including without limitation any loan guaranty, to any director,
executive officer or 10% stockholder thereof, or to the Knowledge of FAB, any
Person, corporation or enterprise controlling, controlled by or under common
control of any of the foregoing. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.9, none of
the FAB Companies holds any Loans in the original principal amount in excess of
$25,000 that since January 1, 1995 have been classified by any bank examiner,
whether regulatory or internal, as other loans Specifically Mentioned, Special
Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, Loss, Classified, Criticized, Credit Risk
Assets, concerned loans or words of similar import. The allowance for possible
loan or credit losses (the "FAB Allowance") shown on the consolidated balance
sheets of FAB included in the most recent FAB Financial Statements dated prior
to the date of this Agreement was, and the FAB Allowance shown on the
consolidated balance sheets of FAB included in the FAB Financial Statements as
of dates subsequent to the execution of this Agreement will be, as of the dates
thereof, adequate (within the meaning of GAAP and applicable regulatory
requirements or guidelines) to provide for losses relating to or inherent in the
loan and lease portfolios (including accrued interest receivables) of the FAB
Companies and other extensions of credit (including letters of credit and
commitments to make loans or extend credit) by the FAB Companies as of the dates
thereof, except where the inadequacy of such Allowance does not have a Material
Adverse Effect on FAB.
 
     (b) The documentation relating to each Loan made by any FAB Company and to
all security interests, mortgages and other liens with respect to all collateral
for loans is adequate for the enforcement of the material terms of such Loan,
security interest, mortgage or other lien, except for inadequacies in such
documentation which will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on FAB.
 
     (c) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 5.9, each of the FAB
Companies has timely filed all material reports, registrations and statements,
together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that it
was required to file since December 31, 1992 with (i) the FRB, (ii) the FDIC and
(iii) any state regulatory authority ("State Regulator") (collectively
"Regulatory Agencies") and all other material reports and statements required to
be filed by it since December 31, 1992, including, without limitation, any
report or statement required to be filed pursuant to the laws, rules or
regulations of the United States, the FRB, the FDIC or any State Regulator, and
has paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith.
Except as set forth in Schedule 5.9 and as otherwise provided herein, and except
for normal examinations conducted by a Regulatory Agency in the regular course
of the business of the FAB Companies, to the Knowledge of FAB, no Regulatory
Agency has initiated any proceeding or, to the Knowledge of FAB, investigation
into the business or operations of any FAB Company since December 31, 1991.
There is no unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any Regulatory
Agency with respect to any report or statement or lien or any examinations of
any FAB Company.
 
     5.10 Assets; Insurance.  The FAB Companies have good and marketable title,
free and clear of all Liens, to all of their respective Assets, except as noted
in the FAB Financial Statements, statutory liens not yet delinquent, or
immaterial defects in title and encumbrances which do not materially impair the
value or use for the purposes for which they are held. One of the FAB Companies
has good and marketable fee simple title to the real property described in
Schedule 5.10(a) and has an enforceable leasehold interest in the real property
described in Schedule 5.10(b), if any. All tangible properties used in the
businesses of the FAB Companies are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear
excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of
 
                                      A-10
<PAGE>   66
 
business consistent with FAB's past practices. All Assets that are material to
FAB's business on a consolidated basis, held under leases or subleases by any of
the FAB Companies are held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with
their respective terms (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of
the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to
the discretion of the court before which any proceedings may be brought), and
each such Contract is in full force and effect and there is not under any such
Contract any Default or claim of Default by FAB or FAB Bank or, to the Knowledge
of FAB, by any other party to the Contract. The policies of fire, theft,
liability and other insurance maintained with respect to the Assets or
businesses of the FAB Companies and the fidelity and blanket bonds in effect as
to which any of the FAB Companies is a named insured provide coverages in
amounts which are not less than that customarily carried by parties similarly
situated that own properties and engage in businesses substantially similar to
the FAB Companies. Schedule 5.10(c) contains a list of all such policies and
bonds maintained by any of the FAB Companies. The Assets of the FAB Companies
include in all material respects all assets required to operate the business of
the FAB Companies as now conducted.
 
     5.11 Environmental Matters.  (a) To the Knowledge of FAB, each FAB Company,
its Participation Facilities and its Loan Properties are, and have been, in
compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for violations that are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on FAB.
 
     (b) There is no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of FAB, threatened
before any court, governmental agency or authority or other forum in which any
FAB Company or any of its Participation Facilities has been or, with respect to
threatened Litigation, is likely to be named as a defendant (i) for alleged
noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with any Environmental Law or (ii)
relating to the release into the environment of any Hazardous Material (as
defined below) or oil, whether or not occurring at, on, under or involving a
site owned, leased or operated by any FAB Company or any of its Participation
Facilities, except for such Litigation pending or threatened that is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on FAB.
 
     (c) There is no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of FAB, threatened
before any court, governmental agency or board or other forum in which any of
its Loan Properties (or FAB with respect to such Loan Property) has been or,
with respect to threatened Litigation, is likely to be named as a defendant or
potentially responsible party (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any
predecessor) with any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the release into the
environment of any Hazardous Material or oil, whether or not occurring at, on,
under or involving a Loan Property, except for such Litigation pending or
threatened that is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB.
 
     (d) To the Knowledge of FAB, there is no reasonable basis for any
Litigation of a type described in subsections (b) or (c), except such as is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on FAB.
 
     (e) To the Knowledge of FAB, during the period of (i) any FAB Company's
ownership or operation of any of its respective current properties, (ii) any FAB
Company's participation in the management of any Participation Facility or (iii)
any FAB Company's holding of a security interest in a Loan Property, there have
been no releases of Hazardous Material or oil in, on, under or affecting such
properties, except such as are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB. Prior to the period of (i) any
FAB Company's ownership or operation of any of its respective current
properties, (ii) any FAB Company's participation in the management of any
Participation Facility, or (iii) any FAB Company's holding of a security
interest in a Loan Property, to the Knowledge of FAB, there were no releases of
Hazardous Material or oil in, on, under or affecting any such property,
Participation Facility or Loan Property, except such as would not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB.
 
     5.12 Compliance with Laws.  FAB is duly registered as a bank holding
company under the BHC Act. Each FAB Company has in effect all Permits necessary
for it to own, lease or operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now
conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which are not reasonably
likely to
 
                                      A-11
<PAGE>   67
 
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB, and
there has occurred no Default under any such Permit. Except as may be disclosed
on Schedule 5.12, none of the FAB Companies:
 
          (a) is in violation of any Laws, Orders or Permits applicable to its
     business or employees conducting its business, except for violations that
     are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
     Material Adverse Effect on FAB; or
 
          (b) has received any notification or communication from any agency or
     department of federal, state or local government or any Regulatory
     Authority or the staff thereof (i) asserting that any FAB Company is not in
     compliance with any of the Laws or Orders that such governmental authority
     or Regulatory Authority enforces, where such noncompliance is reasonably
     likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect
     on FAB, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits, the revocation of which is
     reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
     Adverse Effect on FAB, or (iii) requiring any FAB Company to enter into or
     consent to the issuance of a cease and desist order, formal agreement,
     directive, commitment or memorandum of understanding, or to adopt any board
     resolution or similar undertaking, that restricts materially the conduct of
     its business, or in any manner relates to its capital adequacy, its credit
     or reserve policies, its management or the payment of dividends.
 
     5.13 Labor Relations; Employees.  (a) No FAB Company is the subject of any
Litigation asserting that it or any other FAB Company has committed an unfair
labor practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act or
comparable state Law) or seeking to compel it or any other FAB Company to
bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor
is there any strike or other labor dispute involving any FAB Company, pending or
threatened, nor to its Knowledge, is there any activity involving any FAB
Company's employees seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or engaging
in any other organization activity.
 
     (b) Schedule 5.13(b) contains a true and complete list showing the names
and current annual salaries of all executive officers of each of the FAB
Companies and lists for each such person the amounts paid, payable or expected
to be paid as salary, bonus payments and other compensation for 1996 and 1997.
Schedule 5.13(b) also sets forth the name and offices held by each officer and
director of each of the FAB Companies.
 
     5.14 Employee Benefit Plans.  (a) Schedule 5.14 lists, and FAB has
delivered or made available to ANB prior to the execution of this Agreement
copies of, all pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock
option, employee stock ownership, severance pay, vacation, bonus or other
incentive plan, all other written or unwritten employee programs, arrangements
or agreements, all medical, vision, dental or other health plans, all life
insurance plans, and all other employee benefit plans or fringe benefit plans,
including, without limitation, "employee benefit plans" as that term is defined
in Section 3(3) of ERISA, currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole
or in part by, or contributed to by any FAB Company or Affiliate thereof for the
benefit of employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent
contractors or other beneficiaries and under which employees, retirees,
dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors or other beneficiaries
are eligible to participate (collectively, the "FAB Benefit Plans"). Any of the
FAB Benefit Plans which is an "employee pension benefit plan," as that term is
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, is referred to herein as a "FAB ERISA Plan."
Each FAB ERISA Plan which is also a "defined benefit plan" (as defined in
Section 414(j) of the Internal Revenue Code) is referenced to herein as an "FAB
Pension Plan". No FAB Pension Plan is or has been a multiemployer plan within
the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.
 
     (b) All FAB Benefit Plans and the administration thereof are in material
and substantial compliance with the applicable terms of ERISA, the Internal
Revenue Code and any other applicable Laws, the breach or violation of which are
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on FAB. Each FAB ERISA Plan which is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable
determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, and FAB is not aware of
any circumstances likely to result in revocation of any such favorable
determination letter. To the Knowledge of FAB, no FAB Company has engaged in a
transaction with respect to any FAB Benefit Plan that, assuming the taxable
period of such transaction expired as of the date hereof, would subject any FAB
Company to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Internal
Revenue Code or Section 502(i)
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>   68
 
of ERISA in amounts which are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB. There are no actions, suits,
arbitrations or claims, including any investigations or audits by the Internal
Revenue Service or any other governmental authority, pending (other than routine
claims for benefits) or threatened against, any FAB Benefit Plan or any FAB
Company with regard to any FAB Benefit Plan, any trust which is a part of any
FAB Benefit Plan, any trustee, fiduciary, custodian, administrator or other
person or entity holding or controlling assets of any FAB Benefit Plan, and no
basis to anticipate any such action, suit, arbitration, claim, investigation or
audit exists.
 
     (c) No FAB ERISA Plan which is a defined benefit pension plan has any
"unfunded currently liability," as that term is defined in Section 302(d)(8)(A)
of ERISA, and the fair market value of the assets of any such plan exceeds the
plan's "benefit liabilities," as that term is defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of
ERISA, when determined under actuarial factors that would apply if the plan
terminated in accordance with all applicable legal requirements. Since the date
of the most recent actuarial valuation, there has been (i) no material change in
the financial position of any FAB Pension Plan, (ii) no change in the actuarial
assumptions with respect to any FAB Pension Plan, (iii) no increase in benefits
under any FAB Pension Plan as a result of plan amendments or changes in
applicable Law which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB or to materially adversely affect
the funding status of any such plan. Neither any FAB Pension Plan nor any
"single-employer plan," within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA,
currently or formerly maintained by any FAB Company, or the single-employer plan
of any entity which is considered one employer with FAB under Section 4001 of
ERISA or Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA
(whether or not waived) (an "ERISA Affiliate") has an "accumulated funding
deficiency" within the meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or
Section 302 of ERISA, which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on FAB. No FAB Company has provided, or is required to provide, security
to a FAB Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate
pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.
 
     (d) No Liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has been or is
expected to be incurred by any FAB Company with respect to any ongoing, frozen
or terminated single-employer plan or the single-employer plan of any ERISA
Affiliate, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on FAB. No FAB Company has incurred any withdrawal Liability with respect
to a multiemployer plan under Subtitle B of Title IV of ERISA (regardless of
whether based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate), which Liability is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on FAB. No notice of a
"reportable event," within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the
30-day reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to be filed
for any FAB Pension Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month period
ending on the date hereof.
 
     (e) No FAB Company has any obligations for retiree health and life benefits
under any of the FAB Benefit Plans, and there are no restrictions on the rights
of such FAB Company to amend or terminate any such Plan without incurring any
Liability thereunder, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on FAB.
 
     (f) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
consummation of the transactions provided for herein will (i) result in any
payment (including, without limitation, severance, unemployment compensation,
golden parachute or otherwise) becoming due to any director or any employee of
any FAB Company from any FAB Company under any FAB Benefit Plan or otherwise,
(ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any FAB Benefit Plan, or
(iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such
benefit, where such payment, increase or acceleration is reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB, except
that the vesting of FAB Options are accelerated upon a change of control so that
each is immediately exercisable
 
     (g) With respect to all FAB Benefit Plans (whether or not subject to ERISA
and whether or not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code),
all contributions due (including any contributions to any trust account or
payments due under any insurance policy) previously declared or otherwise
required by law or contract to have been made and any employer contributions
(including any contributions to any trust account or payments due under any
insurance policy) accrued but unpaid as of the
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>   69
 
date hereof will be paid by the time required by law or contract. All
contributions made or required to be made under any FAB Benefit Plan have been
made and such contributions meet the requirements for deductibility under the
Internal Revenue Code, and all contributions which are required and which have
not been made have been properly recorded on the books of FAB.
 
     5.15 Material Contracts.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15, none of the
FAB Companies, nor any of their respective Assets, businesses or operations, is
a party to, or is bound or affected by, or receives benefits under, (i) any
employment, severance, termination, consulting or retirement Contract with any
Person, (ii) any Contract relating to the borrowing of money by any FAB Company
or the guarantee by any FAB Company of any such obligation (other than Contracts
evidencing deposit liabilities, purchases of federal funds, repurchase
agreements, trade payables and Contracts relating to borrowings or guarantees
made and letters of credit) (iii) any Contract relating to indemnification or
defense of any director, officer or employee of any of the FAB Companies or any
other Person, except as may be provided in an FAB Company's articles of
incorporation or bylaws; (iv) any Contract with any labor union; (v) any
Contract relating to the disposition or acquisition of any interest in any
business enterprise; (vi) any Contract relating to the extension of credit to,
provision of services for, sale, lease or license of Assets to, engagement of
services from, or purchase, lease or license of Assets from, any 5% stockholder,
director or officer of any of the FAB Companies, any member of the immediate
family of the foregoing or, to the Knowledge of FAB, any related interest (as
defined in Regulation O promulgated by the FRB) ("Related Interest") of any of
the foregoing, except with regard to deposit accounts; (vii) any Contract which
limits the freedom of any of the FAB Companies to compete in any line of
business or with any Person; (viii) any Contract providing a power of attorney
or similar authorization given by any of the FAB Companies, except as issued in
the ordinary course of business with respect to routine matters; and (ix) any
Contract (other than deposit agreements and certificates of deposits issued to
customers entered into in the ordinary course of business and letters of credit)
that involves the payment by any of the FAB Companies of amounts aggregating
$5,000 or more in any twelve-month period (together with all Contracts referred
to in Sections 5.10 and 5.14(a) of this Agreement, the "FAB Contracts"). None of
the FAB Companies is in Default under any FAB Contract. All of the indebtedness
of any FAB Company for money borrowed is prepayable at any time by such FAB
Company without penalty or premium.
 
     5.16 Legal Proceedings.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.16, there is no
Litigation instituted or pending, or, to the Knowledge of FAB, threatened (or
unasserted but considered probable of assertion and which if asserted would have
at least a reasonable probability of an unfavorable outcome) against any FAB
Company, or against any Asset, interest, or right of any of them, that, if
adversely determined, would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on FAB, nor are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities,
other governmental authorities or arbitrators outstanding against any FAB
Company, that, if adversely determined, would have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB.
 
     5.17 Reports.  Except as provided in Schedule 5.17, since January 1, 1993,
or the date of organization if later, each FAB Company has timely filed all
reports and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with
respect thereto, that it was required to file with (i) the SEC, including, but
not limited to, Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and proxy statements, (ii)
other Regulatory Authorities, and (iii) any applicable state securities or
banking authorities (except, in the case of state securities authorities,
failures to file which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FAB). As of their respective dates, each
of such reports and documents, including the financial statements, exhibits, and
schedules thereto, complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws.
As of its respective date, each such report and document did not, in all
material respects, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
 
     5.18 Statements True and Correct.  No representation, warranty, covenant or
other statement by any FAB Company or any Affiliate thereof contained in this
Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto, or any other document, agreement
or instrument delivered by an FAB Company to ANB in connection with the Closing
contains or will contain any untrue statement of material fact or will omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>   70
 
misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by any FAB
Company or any Affiliate thereof for inclusion in the documents to be prepared
in connection with the transactions provided for in this Agreement, including
without limitation (i) documents to be filed with the SEC, including without
limitation the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of ANB registering the shares
of ANB Common Stock to be offered to the holders of FAB Common Stock, and all
amendments thereto (as amended, the "Registration Statement") and the Proxy
Statement and Prospectus in the form contained in the Registration Statement,
and all amendments and supplements thereto (as amended and supplemented, the
"Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), (ii) filings pursuant to any state securities and
blue sky laws, and (iii) filings made in connection with the obtaining of
Consents from Regulatory Authorities, in the case of the Registration Statement,
at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective pursuant to the
1933 Act, as amended, in the case of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, at the time
of the mailing thereof and at the time of the meeting of stockholders to which
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus relates, and in the case of any other documents,
the time such documents are filed with a Regulatory Authority and/or at the time
they are distributed to stockholders of ANB or FAB, contains or will contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or fails to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All
documents that any FAB Company or any Affiliate thereof is responsible for
filing with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions
provided for herein will comply as to form in all material respects with the
provisions of applicable Law, except no representation is made regarding
information supplied by ANB for inclusion therein.
 
     5.19 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters.  No FAB Company or any
Affiliate thereof has taken any action or has any Knowledge of any fact or
circumstance that would (i) prevent the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Merger, from qualifying for pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment or as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) materially impede or delay receipt of any
Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this
Agreement or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of the type
referred to in the last sentence of such Section.
 
     5.20 Offices.  The headquarters of each FAB Company and each other office,
branch or facility maintained and operated by each FAB Company (including
without limitation representative and loan production offices and operations
centers) and the locations thereof are listed on Schedule 5.20. Except as set
forth on Schedule 5.20, none of the FAB Companies maintains any other office or
branch or conducts business at any other location, or has applied for or
received permission to open any additional office or branch or to operate at any
other location.
 
     5.21 Intellectual Property.  One of the FAB Companies owns or possesses
valid and binding licenses or other rights to use without payment all material
patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trade names, service marks and trademarks
used in its business; and none of the FAB Companies has received any notice of
conflict with respect thereto that asserts the rights of others. The FAB
Companies have in all material respects performed all the obligations required
to be performed by them and are not in default in any material respect under any
contract, agreement, arrangement or commitment relating to any of the foregoing.
Schedule 5.21 lists all of the trademarks, trade names, licenses and other
intellectual property used to conduct the businesses of the FAB Companies.
 
     5.22 Administration of Trust Accounts.  FAB Bank does not possess and does
not exercise trust powers.
 
     5.23 Broker's Fees.  Neither FAB nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of
their respective officers or directors has employed any broker or finder or
incurred any liability for any broker's fees, commissions or finder's fees in
connection with any of the transactions provided for in this Agreement.
 
     5.24 Regulatory Approvals.  FAB has no Knowledge of any facts that would
preclude issuance of all requisite regulatory approvals or the opinion of
counsel referred to in Section 9.2(d) hereof.
 
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<PAGE>   71
 
                                   ARTICLE 6
 
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ANB
 
     ANB hereby represents and warrants to FAB as follows:
 
     6.1 Organization, Standing and Power.  ANB is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware,
and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets and to incur its Liabilities.
ANB is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation
in good standing in the States of the United States and foreign jurisdictions
where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business
requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in
which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB. ANB
has delivered to FAB complete and correct copies of its Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws and the articles of incorporation, bylaws and other,
similar governing instruments of each of its Subsidiaries, in each case as
amended through the date hereof.
 
     6.2 Authority; No Breach By Agreement.  (a) ANB has the corporate power and
authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions provided for herein. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions provided for herein, including the Merger, have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of ANB. Subject
to such requisite stockholder approval, this Agreement represents a legal, valid
and binding obligation of ANB, enforceable against ANB in accordance with its
terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of
the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to
the discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought).
 
     (b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by ANB, nor the
consummation by ANB of the transactions provided for herein, nor compliance by
ANB with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a
breach of any provision of ANB's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (ii)
constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, or
result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any ANB Company under, any
Contract or Permit of any ANB Company, or, (iii) subject to receipt of the
requisite approvals referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement, violate any
Law or Order applicable to any ANB Company or any of their respective Assets.
 
     (c) Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and securities Laws, and rules of
the NASD, and other than Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, and
other than notices to or filings with the Internal Revenue Service or the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any employee benefit plans,
and other than Consents, filings or notifications which, if not obtained or
made, are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on ANB, no notice to, filing with or Consent of, any
public body or authority is necessary for the consummation by ANB of the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
 
     6.3 Capital Stock.  The authorized capital stock of ANB consists of (i)
10,000,000 shares of ANB Common Stock, of which 6,525,418 shares are issued and
outstanding, and (ii) 100,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value per
share, none of which is issued and outstanding. All of the issued and
outstanding shares of ANB Common Stock are, and all of the shares of ANB Common
Stock to be issued in exchange for shares of FAB Common Stock upon consummation
of the Merger, when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will
be, duly and validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable
under the DGCL. None of the outstanding shares of ANB Common Stock has been, and
none of the shares of ANB Common Stock to be issued in exchange for shares of
FAB Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger will be, issued in violation of
any preemptive rights of the current or past stockholders of ANB. ANB has
granted options to purchase no more than 392,329 shares of ANB Common Stock
under the ANB Stock Plan. On April 25, 1996, the board of directors of ANB
terminated the ANB Stock Plans. In addition, in 1996,
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>   72
 
ANB adopted a Performance Share Plan and a Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors who are not Employees of ANB, pursuant to which additional shares of
ANB Common Stock have been and will continue to be awarded or issued, as the
case may be. Schedule 6.3 contains a description of each of these plans,
including without limitation the number of shares reserved, the number of shares
currently awarded and the potential future obligation with respect thereto.
 
     6.4 ANB Subsidiaries.  (a) The ANB Subsidiaries owned directly by ANB are
Alabama Exchange Bank, Citizens Bank of Talladega, First Bank of Baldwin County,
Bank of Dadeville, First National Bank of Ashland, Gulf Bank and National Bank
of Commerce of Birmingham. First National Bank of Ashland and National Bank of
Commerce of Birmingham are national banking associations duly organized and
validly existing under the Laws of the United States of America. Each of Alabama
Exchange Bank, Citizens Bank of Talladega, Bank of Dadeville and Gulf Bank is a
state member bank of the Federal Reserve System, duly organized and validly
existing under the Laws of the State of Alabama. First Bank of Baldwin County is
a state non-member bank, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of
the State of Alabama. Each ANB Subsidiary is in good standing under the Laws of
the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, and each ANB
Subsidiary has the corporate power and authority necessary for it to own, lease
and operate its Assets and to incur its Liabilities and to carry on its business
as now conducted. Each ANB Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to transact
business as a foreign corporation in good standing in the States of the United
States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature
or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except
for jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on ANB. Each ANB Subsidiary that is a depository institution is an
"insured institution" as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and
applicable regulations thereunder.
 
     (b) ANB or one of its Subsidiaries owns greater than 99% of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of each ANB Subsidiary. No equity securities
of any ANB Subsidiary 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 relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or
exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock of any such Subsidiary, and there
are no Contracts by which any ANB Subsidiary 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 or by which any ANB Company is or may be
bound to transfer any shares of the capital stock of any ANB Subsidiary. There
are no Contracts relating to the rights of any ANB Company to vote or to dispose
of any shares of the capital stock of any ANB Subsidiary. All of the shares of
capital stock of each ANB Subsidiary held by an ANB Company are fully paid and
nonassessable under the applicable corporation Law of the jurisdiction in which
such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized and are owned by the ANB Company
free and clear of any Lien. No ANB Subsidiary has any liability for dividends
declared or accrued, but unpaid, with respect to any of its capital stock.
 
     6.5 Financial Statements.  Attached hereto as Schedule 6.5 are copies of
all ANB Financial Statements and ANB Regulatory Reports for periods ended prior
to the date hereof and ANB will deliver to FAB promptly copies of all ANB
Financial Statements and ANB Regulatory Reports prepared subsequent to the date
hereof. The ANB Financial Statements (as of the dates thereof and for the
periods covered thereby) present or will present, as the case may be, fairly the
consolidated financial position of the ANB Companies as of the dates indicated
and the consolidated results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and
cash flows of the ANB Companies for the periods indicated, in accordance with
GAAP (subject to exceptions as to consistency specified therein or as may be
indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of interim financial statements,
to normal year-end adjustments that are not material). The ANB Regulatory
Reports have been prepared in material compliance with the rules and regulations
of the FRB.
 
     6.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.  No ANB Company has any Liabilities
that have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB,
except Liabilities accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance
sheets of ANB as of March 31, 1997 included in the ANB Financial Statements or
reflected in the notes thereto. No ANB Company has incurred or paid any
Liability since March 31, 1997, except for such Liabilities incurred or paid in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past business practice and which
do not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB.
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>   73
 
     6.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as set forth on Schedule
6.7, since March 31, 1997 (i) there have been no events, changes or occurrences
that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB, and (ii) the ANB Companies have not
taken any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the date of this
Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement,
would represent or result in a material breach or violation of any of the
covenants and agreements of ANB provided in Article 7 of this Agreement.
 
     6.8 Tax Matters.  (a) All Tax returns required to be filed by or on behalf
of any of the ANB Companies have been timely filed or requests for extensions
have been timely filed, granted, and have not expired for periods ended on or
before December 31, 1996, and all returns filed are complete and accurate in all
material respects. All Taxes shown as due on filed returns have been paid. There
is no audit examination, deficiency, refund Litigation or matter in controversy
pending or, to the Knowledge of ANB, threatened with respect to any Taxes that,
if adversely determined, would have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on ANB, except as reserved against in the ANB Financial
Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement. All Taxes and other
Liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded
Litigation have been fully paid.
 
     (b) None of the ANB Companies has executed an extension or waiver of any
statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any Tax due (excluding
such statutes that relate to years currently under examination by the Internal
Revenue Service or other applicable taxing authorities) that is currently in
effect.
 
     (c) Adequate provision for any Taxes due or to become due for any of the
ANB Companies for the period or periods through and including the date of the
respective ANB Financial Statements has been made and is reflected on such ANB
Financial Statements.
 
     (d) Deferred Taxes of the ANB Companies have been provided for in
accordance with GAAP.
 
     6.9 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses.  The allowance for possible loan or
credit losses (the "ANB Allowance") shown on the consolidated balance sheets of
ANB included in the most recent ANB Financial Statements dated prior to the date
of this Agreement was, and the ANB Allowance shown on the consolidated balance
sheets of ANB included in the ANB Financial Statements as of dates subsequent to
the execution of this Agreement will be, as of the dates thereof, adequate
(within the meaning of GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements or
guidelines) to provide for losses relating to or inherent in the loan and lease
portfolios (including accrued interest receivables) of the ANB Companies and
other extensions of credit (including letters of credit and commitments to make
loans or extend credit) by the ANB Companies as of the dates thereof, except
where the inadequacy of such Allowance would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on ANB.
 
     6.10 Assets; Insurance.  The ANB Companies have good and marketable title,
free and clear of all Liens, to all of their respective Assets, except as noted
in the FAB Financial Statements, statutory liens not yet delinquent, or
immaterial defects in title and encumbrances which do not materially impair the
value or use for the purposes for which they are held. All tangible properties
used in the businesses of the ANB Companies are in good condition, reasonable
wear and tear excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of business
consistent with ANB's past practices. All Assets which are material to ANB's
business on a consolidated basis, held under leases or subleases by any of the
ANB Companies, are held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with
their respective terms (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of
the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to
the discretion of the court before which any proceedings may be brought), and
each such Contract is in full force and effect. The policies of fire, theft,
liability and other insurance maintained with respect to the Assets or
businesses of the ANB Companies and the fidelity and blanket bonds in effect as
to which any of the ANB Companies is a named insured provide coverages in
amounts which are not less than that customarily carried by parties similarly
situated that own properties and engage in businesses substantially similar to
the FAB Companies. The Assets of the ANB Companies include in all material
respects all assets required to operate the business of the ANB Companies as now
conducted.
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>   74
 
     6.11 Environmental Matters.  (a) To the Knowledge of ANB, each ANB Company,
its Participation Facilities and its Loan Properties are, and have been, in
compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for violations that are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on ANB.
 
     (b) There is no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of ANB, threatened
before any court, governmental agency or authority or other forum in which any
ANB Company or any of its Participation Facilities has been or, with respect to
threatened Litigation, is likely to be named as a defendant (i) for alleged
noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with any Environmental Law or (ii)
relating to the release into the environment of any Hazardous Material (as
defined below) or oil, whether or not occurring at, on, under or involving a
site owned, leased or operated by any ANB Company or any of its Participation
Facilities, except for such Litigation pending or threatened that is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on ANB.
 
     (c) There is no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of ANB, threatened
before any court, governmental agency or board or other forum in which any of
its Loan Properties (or ANB in respect of such Loan Property) has been or, with
respect to threatened Litigation, is likely to be named as a defendant or
potentially responsible party (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any
predecessor) with any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the release into the
environment of any Hazardous Material or oil, whether or not occurring at, on,
under or involving a Loan Property, except for such Litigation pending or
threatened that is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB.
 
     (d) To the Knowledge of ANB, there is no reasonable basis for any
Litigation of a type described in subsections (b) or (c), except such as is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on ANB.
 
     (e) To the Knowledge of ANB, during the period of (i) any ANB Company's
ownership or operation of any of its respective current properties, (ii) any ANB
Company's participation in the management of any Participation Facility or (iii)
any ANB Company's holding of a security interest in a Loan Property, there have
been no releases of Hazardous Material or oil in, on, under or affecting such
properties, except such as are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB. Prior to the period of (i) any
ANB Company's ownership or operation of any of its respective current
properties, (ii) any ANB Company's participation in the management of any
Participation Facility, or (iii) any ANB Company's holding of a security
interest in a Loan Property, to the Knowledge of ANB, there were no releases of
Hazardous Material or oil in, on, under or affecting any such property,
Participation Facility or Loan Property, except such as are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
ANB.
 
     6.12 Compliance with Laws.  ANB is duly registered as a bank holding
company under the BHC Act. Each ANB Company has in effect all Permits necessary
for it to own, lease or operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now
conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
ANB, and there has occurred no Default under any such Permit. Except as may be
disclosed on Schedule 6.12, none of the ANB Companies:
 
          (a) is in violation of any Laws, Orders or Permits applicable to its
     business or employees conducting its business, except for violations that
     are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
     Material Adverse Effect on ANB; or
 
          (b) has received any notification or communication from any agency or
     department of federal, state or local government or any Regulatory
     Authority or the staff thereof (i) asserting that any ANB Company is not in
     compliance with any of the Laws or Orders that such governmental authority
     or Regulatory Authority enforces, where such noncompliance is reasonably
     likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect
     on ANB, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits, the revocation of which is
     reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
     Adverse Effect on ANB, or (iii) requiring any ANB Company to enter into or
     consent to the issuance of a cease and desist order,
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>   75
 
     formal agreement, directive, commitment or memorandum of understanding, or
     to adopt any board resolution or similar undertaking, that restricts
     materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates to its
     capital adequacy, its credit or reserve policies, its management or the
     payment of dividends.
 
     6.13 Labor Relations.  No ANB Company is the subject of any Litigation
asserting that it or any other ANB Company has committed an unfair labor
practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act or comparable
state Law) or seeking to compel it or any other ANB Company to bargain with any
labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is there any
strike or other labor dispute involving any ANB Company, pending or threatened,
or to its Knowledge, is there any activity involving any ANB Company's employees
seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or engaging in any other
organization activity.
 
     6.14 Employee Benefit Plans.  (a) No ANB Pension Plan is or has been a
multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.
 
     (b) All ANB Benefit Plans and the administration thereof are in material or
substantial compliance with the applicable terms of ERISA, the Internal Revenue
Code and any other applicable Laws the breach or violation of which are
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on ANB. Each ANB ERISA Plan which is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable
determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, and ANB is not aware of
any circumstances likely to result in revocation of any such favorable
determination letter. To the Knowledge of ANB, no ANB Company has engaged in a
transaction with respect to any ANB Benefit Plan that, assuming the taxable
period of such transaction expired as of the date hereof, would subject any ANB
Company to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Internal
Revenue Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA in amounts which are reasonably likely
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB.
There are no actions, suits, arbitrations or claims, including any
investigations or audits by the Internal Revenue Service or any other
governmental authority, pending (other than routine claims for benefits) or
threatened against, any ANB Benefit Plan or any ANB Company with regard to any
ANB Benefit Plan, any trust which is a part of any ANB Benefit Plan, any
trustee, fiduciary, custodian, administrator or other person or entity holding
or controlling assets of any ANB Benefit Plan, and no basis to anticipate any
such action, suit, arbitration, claim, investigation or audit exists.
 
     (c) No ANB ERISA Plan which is a defined benefit pension plan has any
"unfunded current liability," as that term is defined in Section 302(d)(8)(A) of
ERISA, and the fair market value of the assets of any such plan exceeds the
plan's "benefit liabilities," as that term is defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of
ERISA, when determined under actuarial factors that would apply if the plan
terminated in accordance with all applicable legal requirements. Since the date
of the most recent actuarial valuation, there has been (i) no material change in
the financial position of any ANB Pension Plan, (ii) no change in the actuarial
assumptions with respect to any ANB Pension Plan, (iii) no increase in benefits
under any ANB Pension Plan as a result of plan amendments or changes in
applicable Law which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB or materially adversely affect the
funding status of any such plan. Neither any ANB Pension Plan nor any
"single-employer plan," within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA,
currently or formerly maintained by any ANB Company, or the single-employer plan
of any ERISA Affiliate has an "accumulated funding deficiency" within the
meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA,
which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on ANB. No ANB
Company has provided, or is required to provide, security to an ANB Pension Plan
or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section
401(a)(29) of the Code.
 
     (d) No Liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has been or is
expected to be incurred by any ANB Company with respect to any ongoing, frozen
or terminated single-employer plan or the single-employer plan of any ERISA
Affiliate, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on ANB. No ANB Company has incurred any withdrawal Liability with respect
to a multiemployer plan under Subtitle B of Title IV of ERISA (regardless of
whether based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate), which Liability is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on ANB. No notice of a
"reportable event," within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the
30-day reporting requirement has not
 
                                      A-20
<PAGE>   76
 
been waived, has been required to be filed for any ANB Pension Plan or by any
ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof.
 
     (e) No ANB Company has any obligations for retiree health and life benefits
under any of the ANB Benefit Plans, and there are no restrictions on the rights
of such ANB Company to amend or terminate any such Plan without incurring any
Liability thereunder, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on ANB.
 
     (f) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
consummation of the transactions provided for herein will (i) result in any
payment (including, without limitation, severance, unemployment compensation,
golden parachute or otherwise) becoming due to any director or any employee of
any ANB Company from any ANB Company under any ANB Benefit Plan or otherwise,
(ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any ANB Benefit Plan, or
(iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such
benefit, where such payment, increase or acceleration is reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB.
 
     (g) With respect to all ANB Benefit Plans (whether or not subject to ERISA
and whether or not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code),
all contributions due (including any contributions to any trust account or
payments due under any insurance policy) previously declared or otherwise
required by law or contract to have been made and any employer contributions
(including any contributions to any trust account or payments due under any
insurance policy) accrued but unpaid as of the date hereof will be paid by the
time required by law or contract. All contributions made or required to be made
under any ANB Benefit Plan have been made and such contributions meet the
requirements for deductibility under the Internal Revenue Code, and all
contributions which are required and which have not been made have been properly
recorded on the books of ANB.
 
     6.15 Material Contracts.  ANB has filed as an exhibit to its annual report
on Form 10-K each Contract required to be so filed under the 1934 Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. None of the ANB Companies is in
Default under any ANB Contract, other than Defaults which are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
ANB. All of the indebtedness of any ANB Company for money borrowed is prepayable
at any time by such ANB Company without penalty or premium.
 
     6.16 Legal Proceedings.  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.16, there is no
Litigation instituted or pending, or, to the Knowledge of ANB, threatened (or
unasserted but considered probable of assertion and which if asserted would have
at least a reasonable probability of an unfavorable outcome) against any ANB
Company, or against any Asset, interest, or right of any of them, that, if
adversely determined, would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on ANB, nor are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities,
other governmental authorities or arbitrators outstanding against any ANB
Company, that, if adversely determined, would have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB.
 
     6.17 Reports.  Since January 1, 1993, or the date of organization if later,
each ANB Company has filed all reports and statements, together with any
amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that it was required to
file with (i) the SEC, including, but not limited to, Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q,
Forms 8-K, and proxy statements, (ii) other Regulatory Authorities, and (iii)
any applicable state securities or banking authorities (except, in the case of
state securities authorities, failures to file which are not reasonably likely
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on ANB). As
of their respective dates, each of such reports and documents, including the
financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto, complied in all material
respects with all applicable Laws. As of its respective date, each such report
and document did not, in all material respects, contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
 
     6.18 Statements True and Correct.  No representation, warranty, covenant or
other statement by any ANB Company or any Affiliate thereof contained in this
Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto, or any other document, agreement
or instrument delivered by an ANB Company to FAB in connection with the
 
                                      A-21
<PAGE>   77
 
Closing contains or will contain any untrue statement of material fact or will
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the
information supplied or to be supplied by any ANB Company or any Affiliate
thereof for inclusion in the documents to be prepared in connection with the
transactions provided for in this Agreement, including without limitation (i)
documents to be filed with the SEC, including without limitation the
Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, (ii) filings pursuant
to any state securities and blue sky laws, and (iii) filings made in connection
with the obtaining of Consents from Regulatory Authorities, in the case of the
Registration Statement, at the time the Registration Statement is declared
effective pursuant to the 1933 Act, in the case of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, at the time of the mailing thereof and at the time of the
meeting of stockholders to which the Proxy Statement/Prospectus relates, and in
the case of any other documents, the time such documents are filed with a
Regulatory Authority and/or at the time they are distributed to stockholders of
ANB or FAB, contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
fails to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. All documents that any ANB Company or any
Affiliate thereof is responsible for filing with any Regulatory Authority in
connection with the transactions provided for herein will comply as to form in
all material respects with the provisions of applicable Law, except no
representation is made regarding information supplied by FAB for inclusion
therein.
 
     6.19 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters.  No ANB Company or any
Affiliate thereof has taken any action or has any Knowledge of any fact or
circumstance that would (i) prevent the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Merger, from qualifying for pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment or as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) materially impede or delay receipt of any
Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this
Agreement or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of the type
referred to in the last sentence of such Section.
 
     6.20 Administration of Trust Accounts.  The ANB Companies have properly
administered, in all respects material and which could reasonably be expected to
be material to the business, operations or financial condition of the ANB
Companies, taken as a whole, all accounts for which they act as a fiduciary,
including, but not limited to, accounts for which they serve as a trustee,
agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment
advisor, in accordance with the terms of the governing documents and applicable
state and federal Law, regulation and common Law. None of the ANB Companies nor
any director, officer or employee of the ANB Companies has committed any breach
of trust with respect to any such fiduciary account which will have a Material
Adverse Effect on ANB. The accounting for each such fiduciary account in the
aggregate is true and correct in all material respects and accurately reflects
the assets of such fiduciary accounts in all material respects.
 
     6.21 1933 and 1934 Act Compliance.  The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will
comply in all material respects with applicable provisions of the 1933 Act and
the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
 
     6.22 Regulatory Approvals.  ANB has no Knowledge of any facts that would
preclude issuance of all requisite regulatory approvals or the opinion of
counsel referred to in Section 9.3(d) hereof.
 
                                   ARTICLE 7
 
                    CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
 
     7.1 Covenants of Both Parties.  (a) Unless the prior written consent of the
other Party shall have been obtained, and except as otherwise expressly provided
for herein, each Party shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to (i)
preserve intact its business organization, goodwill, relationships with
depositors, customers and employees, and Assets and maintain its rights and
franchises, and (ii) take no action, except as required by applicable Law, or in
accordance with safe and sound banking practice, which would (A) adversely
affect the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents required for the
transactions provided for herein without imposition of a condition or
restriction of the type referred to in the last sentences of Section 9.1(b) or
9.1(c)
 
                                      A-22
<PAGE>   78
 
of this Agreement or (B) adversely affect the ability of any Party to perform
its covenants and agreements under this Agreement.
 
     (b) During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Time, each of ANB and FAB shall cause its Chief Financial Officer (and, if
necessary, representatives of any of its Subsidiaries) to confer on a regular
and frequent basis with the Chief Financial Officer of the other Party hereto
and to report on the general status of its and its Subsidiaries' ongoing
operations. Each of ANB and FAB shall permit the other Party hereto to make such
investigation of its business or properties and its Subsidiaries and of their
respective financial and legal conditions as the investigating Party may
reasonably request. Each of ANB and FAB shall promptly notify the other Party
hereto concerning (a) any material change in the normal course of its or any of
its Subsidiaries' businesses or in the operation of their respective properties
or in their respective conditions; (b) any material governmental complaints,
investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that the same may be
contemplated) or the institution or the threat, to the Knowledge of such Party,
of any material litigation involving it or any of its Subsidiaries; and (c) the
occurrence or impending occurrence of any event or circumstance that would cause
or constitute a breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants
contained herein; and each of ANB and FAB shall, and shall cause each of their
respective Subsidiaries to, use its reasonable best efforts to prevent or
promptly respond to same.
 
     7.2 Covenants of FAB.  From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of
the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, FAB covenants and
agrees that it will not do or agree or commit to do, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to do or agree or commit to do, any of the following without the
prior written consent of the chief executive officer, president or chief
financial officer of ANB, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld:
 
          (a) amend the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or
     other governing instruments of any FAB Company; or
 
          (b) incur any additional debt obligation or other obligation for
     borrowed money except in the ordinary course of the business of FAB
     Subsidiaries consistent with past practices (which shall include, for FAB
     Subsidiaries that are depository institutions, creation of deposit
     liabilities, purchases of federal funds, sales of certificates of deposit,
     advances from the FRB or the Federal Home Loan Bank, entry into repurchase
     agreements and issuances of letters of credit), or impose, or suffer the
     imposition, on any share of stock held by any FAB Company of any Lien or
     permit any such Lien to exist; or
 
          (c) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or exchange, directly or
     indirectly, any shares, or any securities convertible into any shares, of
     the capital stock of any FAB Company, or, declare or pay any dividend or
     make any other distribution in respect of FAB's capital stock; or
 
          (d) except for this Agreement, issue, sell, pledge, encumber, enter
     into any Contract to issue, sell, pledge, or encumber, authorize the
     issuance of, or otherwise permit to become outstanding, any additional
     shares of FAB Common Stock or any other capital stock of any FAB Company,
     or any stock appreciation rights, or any option, warrant, conversion or
     other right to acquire any such stock, or any security convertible into any
     shares of such stock; or
 
          (e) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of any FAB
     Company or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities with
     respect to or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or sell,
     lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber any shares of capital stock of any
     FAB Subsidiary or any Asset other than in the ordinary course of business
     for reasonable and adequate consideration; or
 
          (f) acquire any direct or indirect equity interest in any Person,
     other than in connection with (i) foreclosures in the ordinary course of
     business and (ii) acquisitions of control by a depository institution
     Subsidiary in its fiduciary capacity; or
 
          (g) grant any increase in compensation or benefits to the employees or
     officers of any FAB Company, except in accordance with past practices with
     respect to employees; pay any bonus except in accordance with the
     provisions of any applicable program or plan adopted by its Board of
     Directors prior to the date of this Agreement; enter into or amend any
     severance agreements with officers of any FAB
 
                                      A-23
<PAGE>   79
 
     Company; grant any material increase in fees or other increases in
     compensation or other benefits to directors of any FAB Company; or
 
          (h) enter into or amend any employment Contract between any FAB
     Company and any Person (unless such amendment is required by Law) that the
     FAB Company does not have the unconditional right to terminate without
     Liability (other than Liability for services already rendered), at any time
     on or after the Effective Time; or
 
          (i) adopt any new employee benefit plan of any FAB Company or make any
     material change in or to any existing employee benefit plans of any FAB
     Company other than any such change that is required by Law or that, in the
     opinion of counsel, is necessary or advisable to maintain the tax qualified
     status of any such plan; or
 
          (j) make any material change in any accounting methods or systems of
     internal accounting controls, except as may be appropriate to conform to
     changes in regulatory accounting requirements or GAAP; or
 
          (k) commence any Litigation other than in accordance with past
     practice, settle any Litigation involving any Liability of any FAB Company
     for material money damages or restrictions upon the operations of any FAB
     Company, or, except in the ordinary course of business, modify, amend or
     terminate any material Contract or waive, release, compromise or assign any
     material rights or claims; or
 
          (l) enter into any material transaction or course of conduct not in
     the ordinary course of business, or not consistent with safe and sound
     banking practices, or not consistent with applicable Laws; or
 
          (m) fail to file timely any report required to be filed by it with any
     Regulatory Authority; or
 
          (n) make any Loan or advance to any 5% stockholder, director or
     officer of FAB or any of the FAB Subsidiaries, or any member of the
     immediate family of the foregoing, or any Related Interest (known to FAB or
     any of its Subsidiaries) of any of the foregoing, except for advances under
     unfunded loan commitments in existence on the date of this Agreement or
     renewals of Loans in existence on the date of this Agreement and all of
     which are specifically described on Schedule 7.2(n); or
 
          (o) cancel without payment in full, or modify in any material respect
     any material Contract relating to, any loan or other obligation receivable
     from any stockholder, director or officer of any FAB Company or any member
     of the immediate family of the foregoing, or any Related Interest (known to
     FAB or any of its Subsidiaries) of any of the foregoing; or
 
          (p) enter into any material Contract for services or otherwise with
     any of the 5% stockholders, directors, officers or employees of any FAB
     Company or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing, or any
     Related Interest (known to FAB or any of its Subsidiaries) of any of the
     foregoing; or
 
          (q) modify, amend or terminate any material Contract or waive,
     release, compromise or assign any material rights or claims, except in the
     ordinary course of business and for fair consideration; or
 
          (r) file any application to relocate or terminate the operations of
     any banking office of it or any of its Subsidiaries; or
 
          (s) except in accordance with applicable Law, change its or any of its
     Subsidiaries' lending, investment, liability management and other material
     banking policies in any material respect; or
 
          (t) intentionally take any action, except as required by applicable
     Law or safe and sound banking practices, that would reasonably be expected
     to jeopardize or delay the receipt of any of the regulatory approvals
     required in order to consummate the transactions provided for in this
     Agreement.
 
     7.3 Covenants of ANB.  From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of
the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, ANB covenants and
agrees that it will not do or agree or commit to do, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to do or agree or commit to do, any of the following without the
prior written
 
                                      A-24
<PAGE>   80
 
consent of the chief executive officer, president or chief financial officer of
FAB, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld:
 
          (a) fail to file timely any report required to be filed by it with
     Regulatory Authorities, including the SEC; or
 
          (b) take any action that would cause the ANB Common Stock to cease to
     be traded on the NASDAQ; or
 
          (c) enter into any material transaction or course of conduct not in
     the ordinary course of business, or not consistent with safe and sound
     banking practices, or not consistent with applicable Laws; or
 
          (d) intentionally take any action, except as required by applicable
     Law or safe and sound banking practices, that would reasonably be expected
     to jeopardize or delay the receipt of any of the regulatory approvals
     required in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement; or
 
          (e) amend the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of ANB or take any
     action that would cause ANB to have an insufficient number of shares of ANB
     Common Stock to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
 
     7.4 Adverse Changes in Condition.  Each Party agrees to give written notice
promptly to the other Party upon becoming aware of the occurrence or impending
occurrence of any event or circumstance relating to it or any of its
Subsidiaries that (i) is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on it or (ii) would cause or constitute a
material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained
herein, and to use its reasonable best efforts to prevent or promptly to remedy
the same.
 
     7.5 Reports.  Each Party and its Subsidiaries shall deliver to the other
Party copies of all reports with Regulatory Authorities promptly after the same
are filed.
 
     7.6 Acquisition Proposals.  Except with respect to this Agreement and the
transactions provided for herein, FAB expressly agrees that neither FAB nor any
of its Subsidiaries, nor any Representative retained by FAB or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Affiliate thereof will solicit any Acquisition Proposal by
any Person until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the
consummation of the Merger. FAB shall promptly notify ANB orally and in writing
in the event it or any of its Subsidiaries receives any inquiry or proposal
relating to any such transaction.
 
     7.7 NASDAQ Qualification.  ANB shall, prior to the Effective Time, secure
designation of all ANB Common Stock to be issued in the Merger as a NASDAQ
"national market system security" within the meaning of Rule 11Aa2-1 of the SEC.
 
     7.8 Directors' and Officers' Indemnification.  To the extent, if any, not
provided by an existing right of indemnification or other agreement or policy,
from and after the Effective Time, ANB shall, to the fullest extent permitted
under applicable Law, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the present and former
officers and directors of FAB (the "Indemnified Parties") against all losses,
expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees), claims, damages or liabilities
arising out of actions or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time
that are in whole or in part based on, or arising out of the fact that such
Indemnified Party is or was a director or officer of FAB or arising out of or
pertaining to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
                                   ARTICLE 8
 
                             ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
 
     8.1 Regulatory Matters.  (a) ANB shall promptly prepare and file the
Registration Statement with the SEC. ANB shall use its reasonable best efforts
to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the 1933 Act as
promptly as practicable after such filing, and ANB shall thereafter mail the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its stockholders. Each of ANB and FAB shall mail
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its stockholders simultaneously with delivery
of notice of the meeting of stockholders called to approve the Merger. ANB shall
also use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary state securities
law or "Blue Sky"
 
                                      A-25
<PAGE>   81
 
permits and approvals required to carry out the transaction provided for in this
Agreement, and FAB shall furnish all information concerning FAB and the holders
of FAB Common Stock as may be requested in connection with any such action. If
at any time prior to the Effective Time of the Merger any event shall occur
which should be set forth in an amendment of, or a supplement to, the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, FAB will promptly inform ANB and cooperate and assist ANB
in preparing such amendment or supplement and mailing the same to the
stockholders of FAB. As of the date of the execution of this Agreement, and
assuming the absence of any additional material factors, (i) unless the Board of
Directors of FAB in its good faith judgment determines that it is otherwise
required by Law or its fiduciary duties, it is the intent of the Board of
Directors of FAB that the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall contain the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of FAB in favor of the Merger and,
subject to the foregoing, the Board of Directors of FAB shall recommend that the
holders of FAB Common Stock vote for and adopt the Merger provided for in the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus and this Agreement, and (ii) unless the Board of
Directors of ANB in its good faith judgment determines that it is otherwise
required by Law or its fiduciary duties, it is the intent of the Board of
Directors of ANB that the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall contain the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of ANB in favor of the Merger and,
subject to the foregoing, the Board of Directors of ANB shall recommend that the
holders of ANB Common Stock vote for and adopt the Merger provided for in the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus and this Agreement.
 
     (b) The Parties shall cooperate with each other and use their reasonable
best efforts to promptly prepare and file all necessary documentation, to effect
all applications, notices, petitions and filings and to obtain as promptly as
practicable all Consents of all third parties and regulatory authorities which
are necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. ANB and FAB shall have the right to review in advance, and to the
extent practicable each will consult the other on, in each case subject to
applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information, all the information
relating to ANB or FAB, as the case may be, and any of their respective
Subsidiaries, which appear in any filing made with, or written materials
submitted to, any third party or any regulatory authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In exercising the foregoing right,
each of the Parties hereto shall act reasonably and as promptly as practicable.
The Parties hereto agree that they will consult with each other with respect to
the obtaining of all Permits and Consents, approvals and authorizations of all
third parties and regulatory authorities necessary or advisable to consummate
the transactions provided for in this Agreement, and each Party will keep the
other apprised of the status of matters relating to completion of the
transactions provided for in this Agreement.
 
     (c) ANB and FAB shall, upon request, furnish each other all information
concerning themselves, their Subsidiaries, directors, officers and stockholders
and such other matters that as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in
connection with the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Registration Statement or
any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of ANB,
FAB or any of their Subsidiaries to any Regulatory Authority in connection with
the Merger and the other transactions provided for in this Agreement.
 
     (d) ANB and FAB shall promptly furnish each other with copies of written
communications received by ANB or FAB, as the case may be, or any of their
respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates or associates from, or delivered by any of
the foregoing to, any Regulatory Authority in respect of the transactions
provided for herein.
 
     (e) ANB will indemnify and hold harmless FAB and their respective officers
and directors and FAB will indemnify and hold harmless ANB and its directors and
officers, from and against any and all actions, causes of actions, losses,
damages, expenses or liabilities to which any such entity, or any director,
officer or controlling person thereof, may become subject under applicable laws
(including the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act) and rules and regulations thereunder
and will reimburse the other, and any such director, officer or controlling
person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with
investigating or defending any actions, whether or not resulting in liability,
insofar as such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or actions arise out of
or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in any such request, statement, application, report or material
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary in order
 
                                      A-26
<PAGE>   82
 
to make the statement therein not misleading, but only insofar as any such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing in connection therewith by such indemnifying
Party for use therein.
 
     8.2 Access to Information.  (a) Upon reasonable notice and subject to
applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information, from the date of this
Agreement, ANB and FAB shall, and shall cause each of their respective
Subsidiaries to, afford to the officers, employees, accountants, counsel and
other representatives of the other, access during the period prior to the
Effective Time, to all its properties, books, contracts, commitments and records
and, during such period, each of ANB and FAB shall, and shall cause each of
their respective Subsidiaries to, make available to the other (i) a copy of each
report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed or received by
it during such period pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Laws or
Federal or state banking laws (other than reports or documents which such Party
is not permitted to disclose under applicable Law, in which case such Party
shall notify the other Party of the nondisclosure and the nature of such
information) and (ii) also other information concerning its business, properties
and personnel as the other Party may reasonably request.
 
     (b) All information furnished by ANB or its Subsidiaries to FAB or its
Representatives pursuant hereto shall be treated as the sole property of ANB
and, if the Merger shall not occur, FAB and its representatives shall return to
ANB or destroy all of such written information and all documents, notes,
summaries or other materials containing, reflecting or referring to, or derived
from, such information. FAB shall, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to
cause its Representatives to, keep confidential all such information, and shall
not directly or indirectly use such information for any competitive or other
commercial purpose. The obligation to keep such information confidential shall
continue for five years from the date the proposed Merger is abandoned and shall
not apply to (i) any information which (x) was already in FAB's possession prior
to the disclosure thereof by ANB; (y) was then generally known to the public; or
(z) was disclosed to FAB by a third party not bound by an obligation of
confidentiality, or (ii) disclosures made as required by Law.
 
     (c) All information furnished by FAB or its Subsidiaries to ANB or its
Representatives pursuant hereto shall be treated as the sole property of FAB
and, if the Merger shall not occur, ANB and its Representatives shall return to
FAB or destroy all of such written information and all documents, notes,
summaries or other materials containing, reflecting or referring to, or derived
from, such information. ANB shall, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to
cause its Representatives to, keep confidential all such information, and shall
not directly or indirectly use such information for any competitive or other
commercial purpose. The obligation to keep such information confidential shall
continue for five years from the date the proposed Merger is abandoned and shall
not apply to (i) any information which (x) was already in ANB's possession prior
to the disclosure thereof by FAB or any of its Subsidiaries; (y) was then
generally known to the public; or (z) was disclosed to ANB by a third party not
bound by an obligation of confidentiality, or (ii) disclosures made as required
by law.
 
     (d) No investigation by either of the parties or their respective
Representatives shall affect the representations and warranties of the other set
forth herein.
 
     8.3 Efforts to Consummate.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, each of FAB and ANB shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or
cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things
necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws to consummate and make
effective, as soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement, the
transactions provided for in this Agreement, including without limitation
obtaining of all of the Consents.
 
     8.4 FAB Stockholders' Meeting.  FAB shall call a meeting of its
stockholders (the "FAB Stockholders' Meeting") to be held as soon as reasonably
practicable after the date of this Agreement for the purpose of voting upon this
Agreement and such other related matters as it deems appropriate. In connection
with the FAB Stockholders' Meeting (a) FAB shall prepare with the assistance of
ANB a notice of meeting; (b) ANB shall furnish all information concerning it
that FAB may reasonably request in connection with conducting the FAB
Stockholders Meeting; (c) ANB shall prepare and furnish to FAB for distribution
to FAB's stockholders the Proxy Statement/Prospectus; (d) FAB shall furnish all
information concerning it that ANB may reasonably request in connection with
preparing the Proxy Statement/Prospectus; (e) unless inconsistent with
 
                                      A-27
<PAGE>   83
 
its fiduciary duties, the Board of Directors of FAB shall recommend to its
stockholders the approval of this Agreement; and (f) consistent with the
foregoing, FAB shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain its stockholders'
approval. The Parties will use their reasonable best efforts to prepare a
preliminary draft of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus within 30 days of the date
of this Agreement, and will consult with one another on the form and content of
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (including the presentation of draft copies of
such proxy materials to the other) prior to delivery to FAB's stockholders. FAB
will use its reasonable best efforts to deliver notice of meeting and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus within time to hold the FAB Stockholders' Meeting as soon
as practicable after receipt of all required Regulatory approvals and the
expiration of all applicable waiting periods.
 
     8.5 ANB Stockholders' Meeting.  ANB shall call a meeting of its
stockholders (the "ANB Stockholders' Meeting") for the purpose of voting upon
this Agreement and such other related matters as it deems appropriate. In
connection with the ANB Stockholders' Meeting (a) ANB shall prepare a notice of
meeting and the Proxy Statement; (b) FAB shall furnish all information
concerning it that ANB may reasonably request in connection with preparing the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus; (c) unless inconsistent with its fiduciary duties,
the Board of Directors of ANB shall recommend to its stockholders the approval
of this Agreement; and (d) consistent with the foregoing, ANB shall use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain its stockholders' approval. The Parties will
use their reasonable best efforts to prepare a preliminary draft of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus within 30 days of the date of this Agreement, and will
consult with one another on the form and content of the Proxy Statement
(including the presentation of draft copies of such proxy materials to the
other) prior to delivery to ANB's stockholders. ANB will use its reasonable best
efforts to deliver notice of meeting and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus within
time to hold the ANB Stockholders' Meeting as soon as practicable after receipt
of all required Regulatory approvals and the expiration of all applicable
waiting periods.
 
     8.6 Certificates of Objections.  (a) As soon as practicable (but in no
event more than three business days) after the FAB Stockholders' Meeting, FAB
shall deliver to ANB a certificate of the Secretary of FAB containing the names
of the stockholders of FAB that both (a) gave written notice prior to the taking
of the vote on this Agreement at the FAB Stockholders' Meeting that they dissent
from the Merger, and (b) voted against approval of this Agreement or abstained
from voting with respect to the approval of this Agreement ("FAB Certificate of
Objections"). The FAB Certificate of Objections shall include the number of
shares of FAB Common Stock held by each such stockholder and the mailing address
of each such stockholder.
 
     (b) As soon as practicable (but in no event more than three business days)
after the ANB Stockholders' Meeting, ANB shall deliver to FAB a certificate of
the Secretary of ANB containing the names of the stockholders of ANB that both
(a) gave written notice prior to the taking of the vote on this Agreement at the
ANB Stockholders' Meeting that they dissent from the Merger, and (b) voted
against approval of this Agreement or abstained from voting with respect to the
approval of this Agreement ("ANB Certificate of Objections"). The ANB
Certificate of Objections shall include the number of shares of ANB Common Stock
held by each such stockholder and the mailing address of each such stockholder.
 
     8.7 Press Releases.  Prior to the Effective Time, ANB and FAB shall obtain
the prior consent of the other Party as to the form and substance of any press
release or other public disclosure materially related to this Agreement or any
other transaction provided for herein; provided, however, that nothing in this
Section 8.7 shall be deemed to prohibit any Party from making any disclosure
which it deems necessary or advisable, with the advice of counsel, in order to
satisfy such Party's disclosure obligations imposed by Law.
 
     8.8 Expenses.  Except as otherwise provided herein, each Party shall bear
and pay their own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
transactions provided for herein, including fees and expenses of financial or
other consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel. The costs and
expenses of printing and mailing the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall be shared
on a prorata basis by FAB and ANB, with each Party's share of such costs and
expenses determined by dividing the number of stockholders of FAB or ANB, as the
case may be, by the total number of stockholders of ANB and FAB. All filing and
other fees paid to the SEC in connection with the Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereunder, shall be paid by
 
                                      A-28
<PAGE>   84
 
ANB. Nothing contained herein shall limit either Party's rights under Article 10
to recover any damages arising out of a Party's willful breach of any provision
of this Agreement.
 
     8.9 Failure to Close.  (a) ANB expressly agrees to consummate the
transactions provided for herein upon the completion of all conditions to
Closing and shall not take any action reasonably calculated to prevent the
Closing and shall not unreasonably delay any action reasonably required to be
taken by it to facilitate the Closing.
 
     (b) FAB expressly agrees to consummate the transactions provided for herein
upon the completion of all conditions to Closing and shall not take any action
reasonably calculated to prevent the Closing and shall not unreasonably delay
any action reasonably required to be taken by it to facilitate the Closing.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent required by
the fiduciary obligations of the Board of Directors of FAB, as determined in
good faith by a majority of the Board of Directors of FAB based on the advice of
FAB's outside counsel, FAB may:
 
          (i) in response to an unsolicited request therefor, participate in
     discussions or negotiations with, or furnish information with respect to
     FAB pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement (as determined by
     FAB's outside counsel) to, any person concerning an Acquisition Proposal
     involving FAB or any of its Subsidiaries; and
 
          (ii) approve or recommend (and, in connection therewith withdraw or
     modify its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger) a
     superior Acquisition Proposal involving FAB or any of its Subsidiaries or
     enter into an agreement with respect to such superior Acquisition Proposal
     (for purposes of this Agreement, "superior Acquisition Proposal," when used
     with reference to FAB or any of its Subsidiaries, means a bona fide
     Acquisition Proposal involving FAB or any of its Subsidiaries made by a
     third party which a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of
     Directors of FAB determines in its good faith judgment (based on the advice
     of FAB's independent financial advisor) to be more favorable to FAB's
     stockholders than the Merger, and for which financing, to the extent
     required, is then committed.
 
FAB shall promptly advise ANB in writing of any Acquisition Proposal involving
FAB or any of its Subsidiaries or any inquiry with respect to or which could
lead to any such Acquisition Proposal and the identity of the Person making any
such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry and will keep ANB fully informed of the
status and details of any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry.
 
     8.10 Fairness Opinions.  The Board of Directors of FAB (the "FAB Board")
shall engage a financial advisor reasonably acceptable to ANB (the "FAB Broker")
to act as advisor to the FAB Board during the transaction and to opine
separately as to the fairness from a financial point of view of the Exchange
Ratio. Such fairness opinion shall be reviewed by the FAB Board and shall
contain financial projections for each of FAB and ANB based on a review of each
of their historical performance, current financial condition and market area
analysis along with the FAB Broker's understanding of future prospects in the
banking industry. The FAB Broker shall determine and set forth in its fairness
opinion the range of fair market values of FAB and ANB using standard valuation
methods for banks. It is expected that said fairness opinion shall be issued as
soon as practicable after the signing of this Agreement. The FAB Board may, at
its option, elect to have final fairness opinions issued immediately prior to
the Effective Time in order to account for any Material Adverse Effect that may
have occurred with regard to ANB or FAB.
 
     8.11 Accounting and Tax Treatment.  Each of the Parties undertakes and
agrees to use its best efforts to cause the Merger, and to take no action which
would cause the Merger not to qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment and treatment as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for federal income tax purposes.
 
                                      A-29
<PAGE>   85
 
                                   ARTICLE 9
 
               CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
 
     9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party.  The respective obligations of
each Party to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other
transactions provided for herein are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by both Parties pursuant to Section 11.4 of
this Agreement:
 
          (a) Shareholder Approval.  The stockholders of FAB and ANB shall have
     approved this Agreement by the requisite vote, and the consummation of the
     transactions provided for herein, as and to the extent required by Law and
     by the provisions of any governing instruments, and FAB and ANB shall have
     furnished to each other certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by
     such stockholders evidencing same.
 
          (b) Regulatory Approvals.  All Consents of, filings and registrations
     with, and notifications to, all Regulatory Authorities required for
     consummation of the Merger shall have been obtained or made and shall be in
     full force and effect and all waiting periods required by Law shall have
     expired. No Consent obtained from any Regulatory Authority that is
     necessary to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be
     conditioned or restricted in a manner (including without limitation
     requirements relating to the raising of additional capital or the
     disposition of assets) which in the reasonable judgment of the Board of
     Directors of either Party would so materially adversely impact the economic
     or business benefits of the transactions provided for in this Agreement as
     to render inadvisable the consummation of the Merger.
 
          (c) Consents and Approvals.  Each Party shall have obtained any and
     all Consents required for consummation of the Merger (other than those
     referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement) or for the preventing of
     any Default under any Contract or Permit of such Party which, if not
     obtained or made, would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
     Adverse Effect on such Party. No Consent so obtained which is necessary to
     consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be conditioned or
     restricted in a manner which in the reasonable judgment of the Board of
     Directors of either Party would so materially adversely impact the economic
     or business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as
     to render inadvisable the consummation of the Merger.
 
          (d) Legal Proceedings.  No court or Regulatory Authority of competent
     jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered
     any Law or Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) or taken any
     other action that prohibits, restricts or make illegal consummation of the
     transactions provided for in this Agreement. No action or proceeding shall
     have been instituted by any Person, and the Parties shall not have
     Knowledge of any threatened action or proceeding by any Person, which seeks
     to restrain the consummation of the transactions provided for in this
     Agreement which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of ANB or FAB,
     renders it impossible or inadvisable to consummate the transactions
     provided for in this Agreement.
 
          (e) Pooling Letter.  ANB shall have received a letter, dated as of the
     Effective Time, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to it, from
     Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., to the effect that the Merger will qualify for
     pooling-of-interests accounting treatment under GAAP.
 
          (f) Tax Matters.  FAB and ANB shall have received a written opinion of
     counsel from Balch & Bingham, L.L.P. and Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C.
     respectively, in form reasonably satisfactory to them (the "Tax Opinions"),
     to the effect that (i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within
     the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) the
     exchange in the Merger of FAB Common Stock for ANB Common Stock will not
     give rise to gain or loss to the stockholders of FAB with respect to such
     exchange (except to the extent of any cash received), and (iii) neither FAB
     nor ANB will recognize gain or loss as a consequence of the Merger (except
     for income and deferred gain recognized pursuant to Treasury regulations
     issued under Section 1502 of the Internal Revenue Code). In rendering such
     Tax Opinion, counsel for FAB and ANB shall be entitled to rely upon
     representations of officers of FAB and ANB reasonably satisfactory in form
     and substance to such counsel.
 
                                      A-30
<PAGE>   86
 
          (g) Registration Statement Effective.  The Registration Statement
     shall have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending
     the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and
     no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by
     the SEC.
 
          (h) Employment Agreement with Dan David.  ANB and Dan M. David shall
     have executed and delivered an employment agreement in the form attached
     hereto as Exhibit C.
 
     9.2 Conditions to Obligations of ANB.  The obligations of ANB to perform
this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other transactions provided for
herein are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless
waived by ANB pursuant to Section 11.4(a) of this Agreement:
 
          (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
     warranties of FAB set forth or referred to in this Agreement shall be true
     and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time
     with the same effect as though all such representations and warranties had
     been made on and as of the Effective Time (provided that representations
     and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall speak only as
     of such date), except (i) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or
     (ii) for representations and warranties (other than the representations and
     warranties set forth in Section 5.3 of this Agreement, which shall be true
     in all material respects) the inaccuracies of which relate to matters that
     do not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
     FAB.
 
          (b) Performance of Agreements and Covenants.  Each and all of the
     agreements and covenants of FAB to be performed and complied with pursuant
     to this Agreement and the other agreements provided for herein prior to the
     Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all
     material respects.
 
          (c) Certificates.  FAB shall have delivered to ANB (i) a certificate,
     dated as of the Effective Time and signed on its behalf by its chief
     executive officer and its chief financial officer, to the effect that the
     conditions of its obligations set forth in Section 9.2(a) and 9.2(b) of
     this Agreement have been satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of
     resolutions duly adopted by FAB's Board of Directors and stockholders
     evidencing the taking of all corporate action necessary to authorize the
     execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation
     of the transactions provided for herein, all in such reasonable detail as
     ANB and its counsel shall request.
 
          (d) Opinion of Counsel.  FAB shall have delivered to ANB an opinion of
     Balch & Bingham, L.L.P., counsel to FAB, dated as of the Closing, in
     substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto.
 
          (e) Net Worth and Capital Requirements.  Calculated as of a date five
     (5) business days prior to the Effective Time, FAB and FAB Bank shall have
     a minimum net worth of $23,000,000 and $22,000,000, respectively,
     calculated according to GAAP, not to include, for purposes of this
     provision, any changes in the value of the securities portfolio of the FAB
     Companies from the value carried thereon as of the date of this Agreement,
     including the "held for sale" account, due to market conditions.
 
          (f) Premerger Review.  ANB or its Representatives shall have completed
     a premerger review of the financial statements and books and records of the
     FAB Companies relating to the quality of the assets (including the loan
     portfolio) of the FAB Companies (including the records and work papers of
     Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.), which quality of assets shall be acceptable to
     ANB in all material respects in its sole reasonable discretion; provided,
     however, unless ANB shall notify FAB that its premerger review was
     unacceptable within 45 days after the execution of this Agreement, such
     premerger review shall be deemed acceptable.
 
          (g) Comfort Letter.  ANB shall have received from Coopers & Lybrand,
     L.L.P., independent certified public accountants, or such other accountants
     reasonably satisfactory to both parties, a comfort letter dated as of the
     Effective Time with respect to such customary matters relating to the
     financial statements of FAB contained in the Registration Statement as ANB
     may reasonably request.
 
                                      A-31
<PAGE>   87
 
     9.3 Conditions to Obligations of FAB.  The obligations of FAB to perform
this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other transactions provided for
herein are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless
waived by FAB pursuant to Section 11.4(b) of this Agreement:
 
          (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
     warranties of ANB set forth or referred to in this Agreement shall be true
     and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time
     with The same effect as though all such representations and warranties had
     been made on and as of the Effective Time (provided that representations
     and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall speak only as
     of such date), except (i) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or
     (ii) for representations and warranties (other than the representations and
     warranties set forth in Section 6.3 of this Agreement, which shall be true
     in all material respects) the inaccuracies of which relate to matters that
     do not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
     ANB.
 
          (b) Performance of Agreements and Covenants.  Each and all of the
     agreements and covenants of ANB to be performed and complied with pursuant
     to this Agreement and the other agreements provided for herein prior to the
     Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all
     material respects.
 
          (c) Certificates.  ANB shall have delivered to FAB (i) a certificate,
     dated as of the Effective Time and signed on its behalf by its chief
     executive officer and its chief financial officer, to the effect that the
     conditions of its obligations set forth in Section 9.3(a) and 9.3(b) of
     this Agreement have been satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of
     resolutions duly adopted by ANB's Board of Directors evidencing the taking
     of all corporate action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
     performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as FAB and its counsel
     shall request.
 
          (d) Opinion of Counsel.  ANB shall have delivered to FAB an opinion of
     Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., counsel to ANB, dated as of the Effective
     Time, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.
 
          (e) Comfort Letter.  FAB shall have received from Coopers & Lybrand,
     L.L.P., independent certified public accountants, or such other accountants
     reasonably satisfactory to both parties, a comfort letter dated as of the
     Effective Time with respect to such matters relating to the financial
     statements of ANB contained in the Registration Statement as FAB may
     reasonably request.
 
          (f) Fairness Opinion.  FAB shall have received from the FAB Broker the
     fairness opinion described in Section 8.10 stating that the exchange ratio
     provided for in this Agreement and recommended by FAB to its stockholders
     is fair to FAB and its stockholders from a financial point of view.
 
          (g) NASDAQ Qualification.  The ANB Common Stock to be issued in the
     Merger shall have been qualified as a NASDAQ "national market system
     security" pursuant to Section 7.7 hereof.
 
          (h) Premerger Review.  FAB or its Representatives shall have completed
     a premerger review of the financial statements and books and records of the
     ANB Companies relating to the quality of the assets (including the loan
     portfolio) of the ANB Companies (including the records and work papers of
     Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.), which quality of assets shall be acceptable to
     FAB in all material respects in its sole reasonable discretion; provided,
     however, unless FAB shall notify ANB that its premerger review was
     unacceptable within 45 days after the execution of this Agreement, such
     premerger review shall be deemed acceptable.
 
                                      A-32
<PAGE>   88
 
                                   ARTICLE 10
 
                                  TERMINATION
 
     10.1 Termination.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
and notwithstanding the approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of FAB or
ANB, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time prior
to the Effective Time:
 
          (a) by mutual written consent of the Board of Directors of ANB and the
     Board of Directors of FAB; or
 
          (b) by the Board of Directors of either Party in the event of a breach
     by the other Party of any representation or warranty contained in this
     Agreement which cannot be or has not been cured within thirty (30) days
     after the giving of written notice to the breaching Party of such breach
     and which breach would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
     Adverse Effect on the breaching Party; or
 
          (c) by the Board of Directors of either Party in the event of a
     material breach by the other Party of any covenant, agreement or other
     obligation contained in this Agreement which cannot be or has not been
     cured within thirty (30) days after the giving of written notice to the
     breaching Party of such breach; or
 
          (d) by the Board of Directors of either Party if (i) any Consent of
     any Regulatory Authority required for consummation of the Merger and the
     other transactions provided for herein shall have been denied by final
     nonappealable action of such authority or if any action taken by such
     Authority is not appealed within the time limit for appeal, or (ii) the
     stockholders of FAB or ANB fail to vote their approval of this Agreement
     and the transactions provided for herein at their respective Stockholders'
     Meeting where the transactions are presented to such FAB and ANB
     stockholders for approval and voted upon, and such denial or failure is not
     caused by a breach by such Party; or
 
          (e) by ANB, upon written notice to FAB, if there shall have occurred
     any Material Adverse Effect to the business, operations or financial
     condition of FAB taken as a whole and such Material Adverse Effect shall
     not have been remedied within 15 days after receipt by FAB of notice in
     writing from ANB specifying the nature of such Material Adverse Effect and
     requesting that it be remedied; or
 
          (f) by FAB, upon written notice to ANB, if there shall have occurred
     any Material Adverse Effect to the business, operations, or financial
     condition of ANB taken as a whole and such Material Adverse Effect shall
     not have been remedied within 15 days after receipt by ANB of notice in
     writing from FAB specifying the nature of such Material Adverse Effect and
     requesting that it be remedied; or
 
          (g) by the Board of Directors of either Party if the Merger shall not
     have been consummated by March 31, 1998, if the failure to consummate the
     transactions contemplated hereby on or before such date is not caused by
     any breach of this Agreement by the Party electing to terminate pursuant to
     this Section 10.1(g); or
 
          (h) by the Board of Directors of either Party if any of the conditions
     precedent to the obligations of such Party to consummate the Merger cannot
     be satisfied or fulfilled by the date specified in Section 10.1(g) of this
     Agreement; or
 
          (i) by the Board of Directors of ANB if the holders of in excess of
     five percent (5.0%) of the outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock properly
     assert their dissenters' rights of appraisal pursuant to Article 13 of the
     ABCA; or
 
          (j) by FAB, to the extent that a majority of the disinterested members
     of the Board of Directors of FAB shall have determined to enter into an
     agreement with respect to a superior Acquisition Proposal as contemplated
     by Section 8.9(b); provided that, concurrently with such termination, FAB
     shall pay to ANB a termination fee equal to $1,250,000. In such an event,
     ANB shall not be entitled to receive any additional amounts (for damages,
     expenses, costs or otherwise) from FAB, its officers, directors or
     shareholders.
 
                                      A-33
<PAGE>   89
 
     10.2 Effect of Termination.  In the event of the termination and
abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1 of this Agreement, this
Agreement shall become void and have no effect, except that (i) the provisions
of this Section 10.2 and Article 11 and Sections 8.2 and 10.1(j) of this
Agreement shall survive any such termination and abandonment, and (ii) a
termination pursuant to Sections 10.1(b), 10.1(c) or 10.1(h) of this Agreement
shall not relieve the breaching Party from Liability for an uncured willful
breach of a representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or agreement giving
rise to such termination.
 
     10.3 Non-Survival of Representations and Covenants.  The respective
representations, warranties, obligations, covenants and agreements of the
Parties shall not survive the Effective Time, except for those covenants and
agreements contained herein which by their terms apply in whole or in part after
the Effective Time.
 
                                   ARTICLE 11
 
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
 
     11.1 Definitions.  Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized
terms set forth below (in their singular and plural forms as applicable) shall
have the following meanings:
 
          "ABCA" shall mean the Alabama Business Corporation Act.
 
          "Acquisition Proposal" with respect to a Party shall mean any tender
     offer or exchange offer or any proposal for a merger, acquisition of all of
     the stock or assets of, or other business combination involving such Party
     or any of its Subsidiaries or the acquisition of a substantial equity
     interest in, or a substantial portion of the assets of, such Party or any
     of its Subsidiaries, including a plan of liquidation of a Party or any of
     its Subsidiaries, other than the transaction provided for in this
     Agreement.
 
          "1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
          "1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
          "Affiliate" of a Person shall mean: (i) any other Person directly, or
     indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by
     or under common control with such Person; (ii) any officer, director,
     partner, employer, or direct or indirect beneficial owner of any 10% or
     greater equity or voting interest of such Person; or (iii) any other Person
     for which a Person described in clause (ii) acts in any such capacity.
 
          "Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and Plan of Merger, including
     the Exhibits and Schedules delivered pursuant hereto and incorporated
     herein by reference. References to "the date of this Agreement," "the date
     hereof" and words of similar import shall refer to the date this Agreement
     was first executed, July 24, 1997.
 
          "ANB Allowance" shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.9 of this
     Agreement.
 
          "ANB Banks" shall mean and include Alabama Exchange Bank, Citizens
     Bank of Talladega, First Bank of Baldwin County, Bank of Dadeville, First
     National Bank of Ashland, Gulf Bank and National Bank of Commerce of
     Birmingham.
 
          "ANB Benefit Plan" shall mean all pension, retirement, profit-sharing,
     deferred compensation, stock option, employee stock ownership, severance
     pay, vacation, bonus, or other incentive plan, all other written employee
     programs, arrangements, or agreements, all medical, vision, dental, or
     other health plans, all life insurance plans, and all other employee
     benefit plans or fringe benefit plans, including, without limitation,
     "employee benefit plans" as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA,
     currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part by, or
     contributed to by any ANB Company or Affiliate thereof for the benefit of
     employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent
     contractors, or other beneficiaries and under which employees, retirees,
     dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other
     beneficiaries are eligible to participate.
 
          "ANB Common Stock" shall mean the $1.00 par value common stock of ANB.
 
                                      A-34
<PAGE>   90
 
          "ANB Companies" shall mean, collectively, ANB and all ANB
     Subsidiaries.
 
          "ANB ERISA Plan" shall mean any of the ANB Benefit Plans which is an
     "employee pension benefit plan," as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of
     ERISA.
 
          "ANB Financial Statements" shall mean (i) the consolidated statements
     of conditions (including related notes and schedules, if any) of ANB as of
     December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, and the related statements of income,
     changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows (including related notes
     and schedules, if any) for the years then ended, as filed by ANB in SEC
     Documents, and (ii) the consolidated statements of condition of ANB
     (including related notes and schedules, if any) and related statements of
     income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows (including related
     notes and schedules, if any) included in SEC Documents filed with respect
     to periods ended subsequent to December 31, 1996.
 
          "ANB Pension Plan" shall mean each ANB ERISA Plan which is also a
     "defined benefit plan" (as defined in Section 414(j) of the Internal
     Revenue Code).
 
          "ANB Regulatory Reports" shall mean (i) the Consolidated Financial
     Statements for Bank Holding Companies, Form FRY 9C, for the years ended
     December 31, 1996 and 1995, as filed by ANB with the FRB and (ii) the
     Consolidated Financial Statements for Bank Holding Companies, Form FRY 9C,
     delivered by ANB to FRB with respect to periods ended subsequent to
     December 31, 1996.
 
          "ANB Stock Plan" shall mean the existing stock option plans of ANB
     designated as the "ANB 1994 Stock Option Plan" and the "ANB Long-Term
     Incentive Compensation Plan".
 
          "ANB Stockholders' Meeting" shall mean the meeting of stockholders of
     ANB to be held pursuant to Section 8.5 of this Agreement, including any
     adjournment or adjournments thereof.
 
          "ANB Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries of ANB, which shall
     include the ANB Subsidiaries described in Section 6.4 of this Agreement and
     any corporation, bank, savings association, or other organization acquired
     as a Subsidiary of ANB in the future and owned by ANB at the Effective
     Time.
 
          "Articles of Merger" shall mean the Articles of Merger to be executed
     by ANB and filed with the Secretary of State of Alabama relating to the
     Merger as contemplated by Section 1.1 of this Agreement.
 
          "Assets" of a Person shall mean all of the assets, properties,
     businesses and rights of such Person of every kind, nature, character and
     description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible,
     accrued or contingent, or otherwise relating to or utilized in such
     Person's business, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, whether or
     not carried on the books and records of such Person, and whether or not
     owned in the name of such Person or any Affiliate of such Person and
     wherever located.
 
          "Average Quoted Price" shall mean the price derived by adding the
     average of the high and low sales price reported on NASDAQ on each of the
     ten consecutive trading days ending on the tenth business day prior to the
     Effective Time, and dividing such sum by ten (10).
 
          "BHC Act" shall mean the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
     amended.
 
          "Certificate of Merger" shall mean the Certificate of Merger to be
     executed by ANB and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware relating
     to the Merger as contemplated by Section 1.1 of this Agreement.
 
          "Closing" shall mean the closing of the transactions provided for
     herein, as described in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.
 
          "Consent" shall mean any consent, approval, authorization, clearance,
     exemption, waiver or similar affirmation by any Person pursuant to any
     Contract, Law, Order or Permit.
 
          "Contract" shall mean any written or oral agreement, arrangement,
     authorization, commitment, contract, indenture, instrument, lease,
     obligation, plan, practice, restriction, understanding or undertaking
 
                                      A-35
<PAGE>   91
 
     of any kind or character, or other document to which any Person is a party
     or that is binding on any Person or its capital stock, Assets or business.
 
          "Cutoff" shall have the same meaning provided in Section 4.2 of this
     Agreement.
 
          "Default" shall mean (i) any breach or violation of or default under
     any Contract, Order or Permit, (ii) any occurrence of any event that with
     the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a
     breach or violation of or default under any Contract, Order or Permit, or
     (iii) any occurrence of any event that with or without the passage of time
     or the giving of notice would give rise to a right to terminate or revoke,
     change the current terms of, or renegotiate, or to accelerate, increase, or
     impose any Liability under, any Contract, Order or Permit, where, in any
     such event, such Default would have, individually or in the aggregate, a
     Material Adverse Effect on a Party.
 
          "DGCL" shall mean the Delaware General Corporation Law.
 
          "Director Plan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4 of
     this Agreement.
 
          "Effective Time" shall mean the date and time at which the Merger
     becomes effective pursuant to applicable Law, as provided in Section 1.3 of
     this Agreement.
 
          "Environmental Laws" shall mean all Laws which are administered,
     interpreted or enforced by the United States Environmental Protection
     Agency and state and local agencies with jurisdiction over pollution or
     protection of the environment.
 
          "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
     1974, as amended.
 
          "ERISA Affiliate" shall have the same meaning provided in Section 5.14
     of this Agreement.
 
          "Exchange Agent" shall mean AmSouth Bank.
 
          "Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 3.1
     hereof.
 
          "FDIC" shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
          "FAB Allowance" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(a) of
     this Agreement.
 
          "FAB Bank" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(a) of this
     Agreement.
 
          "FAB Benefit Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
     5.14(a) of this Agreement.
 
          "FAB Call Reports" shall mean (i) the Reports of Income and Condition
     of FAB Bank for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, as filed with
     the FDIC and the FRB and (ii) the Reports of Income and Condition of FAB
     Bank delivered by FAB to ANB with respect to periods ended subsequent to
     December 31, 1996.
 
          "FAB Certificate" shall have the same meaning provided in Section 4.2
     of this Agreement.
 
          "FAB Common Stock" shall mean the $.01 par value Class A voting common
     stock of FAB.
 
          "FAB Companies" shall mean, collectively, FAB and all FAB
     Subsidiaries.
 
          "FAB Contracts" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.15 of
     this Agreement.
 
          "FAB ERISA Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.14(a)
     of this Agreement.
 
          "FAB Financial Statements" shall mean (i) the consolidated balance
     sheets (including related notes and schedules, if any) of FAB as of
     December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, and the related statements of income,
     changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows (including related notes and
     schedules, if any) for the years then ended, as delivered by FAB to ANB,
     and (ii) the consolidated balance sheets of FAB (including related notes
     and schedules, if any) and related statements of income, changes in
     stockholders' equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules,
     if any) delivered by FAB to ANB with respect to periods ended subsequent to
     December 31, 1996.
 
                                      A-36
<PAGE>   92
 
          "FAB Stockholders' Meeting" shall mean the meeting of the stockholders
     of FAB to be held pursuant to Section 8.4 of this Agreement, including any
     adjournment or adjournments thereof.
 
          "FAB Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries of FAB, which shall
     include the FAB Subsidiaries described in Section 5.4 of this Agreement and
     any corporation, bank, savings association or other organization acquired
     as a Subsidiary of FAB in the future and owned by FAB at the Effective
     Time.
 
          "FRB" or "Federal Reserve Board" shall mean Board of Governors of the
     Federal Reserve System.
 
          "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles,
     consistently applied during the periods involved.
 
          "Hazardous Material" shall mean any pollutant, contaminant, or
     hazardous substance within the meaning of the Comprehensive Environment
     Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. sec. 9601 et seq., or
     any similar federal, state or local Law.
 
          "Internal Revenue Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
     as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
          "Knowledge" as used with respect to a Party shall mean the actual
     knowledge of the officers and directors of such Party and that knowledge
     that any director of the Party would have obtained upon a reasonable
     examination of the books, records and accounts of such Party and that
     knowledge that any officer of the Party would have obtained upon a
     reasonable examination of the books, records and accounts of such officer
     and such Party.
 
          "Law" shall mean any code, law, ordinance, regulation, reporting or
     licensing requirement, rule, or statute applicable to a Person or its
     Assets, Liabilities or business, including without limitation those
     promulgated, interpreted or enforced by any of the Regulatory Authorities.
 
          "Liability" shall mean any direct or indirect, primary or secondary,
     liability, indebtedness, obligation, penalty, cost or expense (including
     without limitation costs of investigation, collection and defense), claim,
     deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any Person (other than
     endorsements of notes, bills, checks and drafts presented for collection or
     deposit in the ordinary course of business) of any type, whether accrued,
     absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, matured or unmatured,
     or otherwise.
 
          "Lien" shall mean any conditional sale agreement, default of title,
     easement, encroachment, encumbrance, hypothecation, infringement, lien,
     mortgage, pledge, reservation, restriction, security interest, title
     retention or other security arrangement, or any adverse right or interest,
     charge or claim of any nature whatsoever of, on or with respect to any
     property or property interest, other than (i) Liens for current property
     Taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) for depository institution Subsidiaries
     of a Party, pledges to secure deposits and other Liens incurred in the
     ordinary course of the banking business, and (ii) Liens which would not
     have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on a
     Party.
 
          "Litigation" shall mean any action, arbitration, cause of action,
     claim, complaint, criminal prosecution, demand letter, governmental or
     other examination or investigation, hearing, inquiry, administrative or
     other proceeding or notice (written or oral) by any Person alleging
     potential Liability or requesting information relating to or affecting a
     Party, its business, its Assets (including without limitation Contracts
     related to it), or the transactions provided for in this Agreement, but
     shall not include regular, periodic examinations of depository institutions
     and their Affiliates by Regulatory Authorities.
 
          "Loan Property" shall mean any property owned by a Party in question
     or by any of its Subsidiaries or in which such Party or Subsidiary holds a
     security interest, and, where required by the context, includes the owner
     or operator of such property, but only with respect to such property.
 
          "Loans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(a) of this
     Agreement.
 
          "Material" for purposes of this Agreement shall be determined in light
     of the facts and circumstances of the matter in question; provided that any
     specific monetary amount stated in this Agreement shall determine
     materiality in that instance.
 
                                      A-37
<PAGE>   93
 
          "Material Adverse Effect" on a Party shall mean an event, change or
     occurrence that has a material adverse impact on (i) the financial
     position, results of operations or business of such Party and its
     Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of such Party to
     perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or
     the other transactions provided for in this Agreement; provided that
     "material adverse impact" shall not be deemed to include the impact of (x)
     changes in banking and similar Laws of general applicability or
     interpretations thereof by courts of governmental authorities, (y) changes
     in generally accepted accounting principles or regulatory accounting
     principles generally applicable to banks and their holding companies and
     (z) the Merger on the operating performance of the Parties.
 
          "Merger" shall mean the merger of FAB with and into ANB referred to in
     Section 1.1 of this Agreement.
 
          "NASD" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
          "NASDAQ" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers
     Automated Quotations System.
 
          "OCC" shall mean the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
 
          "Option Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4 of this
     Agreement.
 
          "Order" shall mean any administrative decision or award, decrees,
     injunction, judgment, order, quasi-judicial decision or award, ruling, or
     writ of any federal, state, local or foreign or other court, arbitrator,
     mediator, tribunal, administrative agency or Regulatory Authority.
 
          "Participation Facility" shall mean any facility in which the Party in
     question or any of its Subsidiaries participates in the management and,
     where required by the context, includes the owner or operator or such
     property, but only with respect to such property.
 
          "Party" shall mean either FAB or ANB, and "Parties" shall mean both
     FAB and ANB.
 
          "Permit" shall mean any federal, state, local and foreign governmental
     approval, authorization, certificate, easement, filing, franchise, license,
     notice, permit or right to which any Person is a party or that is or may be
     binding upon or inure to the benefit of any Person or its securities,
     Assets or business.
 
          "Person" shall mean a natural person or any legal, commercial or
     governmental entity, such as, but not limited to, a corporation, general
     partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability company,
     trust, business association, group acting in concert or any person acting
     in a representative capacity.
 
          "Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4 of this
     Agreement.
 
          "Proxy Statement/Prospectus" shall have the meaning set forth in
     Section 5.18 of this Agreement.
 
          "Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
     5.18 of this Agreement.
 
          "Regulatory Authorities" shall mean, collectively, the Federal Trade
     Commission, the United States Department of Justice, the FRB, the OCC, the
     FDIC, all state regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the Parties
     and their respective Subsidiaries, the NASD, and the SEC.
 
          "Related Interests" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.15
     of this Agreement.
 
          "Representatives" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.15 of
     this Agreement.
 
          "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
          "SEC Documents" shall mean all reports and registration statements
     filed, or required to be filed, by a Party or any of its Subsidiaries with
     any Regulatory Authority pursuant to the Securities Laws.
 
                                      A-38
<PAGE>   94
 
          "Securities Laws" shall mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the
     Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, the Investment Advisors Act of
     1940, as amended, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the
     rules and regulations of any Regulatory Authority promulgated thereunder.
 
          "State Regulator" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(c)
     of this Agreement.
 
          "Subsidiaries" shall mean all those corporations, banks, associations
     or other entities of which the entity in question owns or controls 50% or
     more of the outstanding equity securities either directly or through an
     unbroken chain of entities as to each of which 50% or more of the
     outstanding equity securities is owned directly or indirectly by its
     parent; provided, however, there shall not be included any such entity
     acquired through foreclosure or any such entity the equity securities of
     which are owned or controlled in a fiduciary capacity.
 
          "Surviving Corporation" shall mean ANB as the surviving corporation in
     the Merger.
 
          "Tax Opinions" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(f) of
     this Agreement.
 
          "Taxes" shall mean any federal, state, county, local, foreign and
     other taxes, assessments, charges, fares, and impositions, including
     interest and penalties thereon or with respect thereto.
 
     11.2 Entire Agreement.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this
Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein)
constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the
transactions provided for herein and supersedes all prior arrangements or
understandings with respect thereto, written or oral. Nothing in this Agreement
expressed or implied is intended to confer upon any Person, other than the
Parties or their respective successors, any right, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
 
     11.3 Amendments.  To the extent permitted by Law, this Agreement may be
amended by a subsequent writing signed by each of the Parties upon the approval
of the Boards of Directors of each of the Parties; provided, however, that after
approval of this Agreement by the holders of FAB Common Stock and ANB Common
Stock, there shall be made no amendment that pursuant to the ABCA or DGCL
requires further approval by the FAB stockholders or the ANB Stockholders, as
the case may be, without the further approval of the FAB stockholders or ANB
Stockholders
 
     11.4 Waivers.  (a) Prior to or at the Effective Time, ANB, acting through
its Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other authorized officer,
shall have the right to waive any Default in the performance of any term of this
Agreement by FAB, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment
by FAB of any and all of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any
or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of ANB under this
Agreement, except any condition which, if not satisfied, would result in the
violation of any Law. No such waiver shall be effective unless in writing signed
by a duly authorized officer of ANB.
 
     (b) Prior to or at the Effective Time, FAB, acting through its Board of
Directors, chief executive officer or other authorized officer, shall have the
right to waive any Default in the performance of any term of this Agreement by
ANB, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by ANB of any
and all of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all of the
conditions precedent to the obligations of FAB under this Agreement, except any
condition which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No
such waiver shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized
officer of FAB.
 
     11.5 Assignment.  Except as expressly provided for herein, neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be
assigned by any Party hereto (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without
the prior written consent of the other Party. Subject to the preceding sentence,
this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
 
     11.6 Notices.  All notices or other communications which are required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered by hand, by
facsimile transmission, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by
courier or overnight carrier, to the persons at the addresses set forth below
(or at such other
 
                                      A-39
<PAGE>   95
 
address as may be provided hereunder), and shall be deemed to have been
delivered as of the date so delivered:
 
     FAB:               First American BanCorp
                        251 Johnston Street, S.E.
                        Decatur, Alabama 35609
                        Telecopy Number: (205) 351-5027
                        Attention: Mr. Dan M. David
 
     Copy to Counsel:   Balch & Bingham
                        1901 Sixth Avenue North
                        2600 AmSouth/Harbert Plaza
                        Birmingham, Alabama 35203
                        Telecopy Number: (205) 251-8100
                        Attention: T. Kurt Miller
 
     ANB:               Alabama National BanCorporation
                        1927 First Avenue North
                        Birmingham, Alabama 35203
                        Telecopy Number: (205) 583-3275
                        Attention: John H. Holcomb, III, Chief Executive Officer
 
     Copy to Counsel:   Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C.
                        1901 Sixth Avenue North
                        2400 AmSouth/Harbert Plaza
                        Birmingham, Alabama 35203
                        Telecopy Number: (205) 254-1999
                        Attention: Mark L. Drew
 
     11.7 Brokers and Finders.  Each of the Parties represents and warrants that
neither it nor any of its officers, directors, employees or Affiliates has
employed any broker or finder or incurred any Liability for any financial
advisory fees, investment bankers' fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finders'
fees in connection with this Agreement or the transactions provided for herein.
In the event of a claim by any broker or finder based upon his or its
representing or being retained by or allegedly representing or being retained by
FAB or ANB, each of FAB and ANB, as the case may be, agrees to indemnify and
hold the other Party harmless of and from any Liability with respect to any such
claim.
 
     11.8 Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any
applicable conflicts of Laws, except to the extent federal law shall be
applicable.
 
     11.9 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
     11.10 Captions.  The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and are not part of this Agreement.
 
     11.11 Enforcement of Agreement.  The Parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached.
It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state
having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they
are entitled at law or in equity.
 
     11.12 Severability.  Any term or provision of this Agreement that is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If
 
                                      A-40
<PAGE>   96
 
any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the
provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
 
     11.13 Singular/Plural; Gender.  Where the context so requires or permits,
the use of singular form includes the plural, and the use of the plural form
includes the singular, and the use of any gender includes any and all genders.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and
attested by its respectively authorized officers as of the day and year first
above written.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
ATTEST:                                                FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP
 
                By: /s/ JON H. MOORES                                  By: /s/ DAN M. DAVID
     ------------------------------------------             ------------------------------------------
                   Its: Secretary                                          Dan M. David
                                                                   Its: Chief Executive Officer
 
[CORPORATE SEAL]
 
ATTEST:                                                ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
 
               By: /s/ KIMBERLY MOORE                              By: /s/ JOHN H. HOLCOMB, III
     ------------------------------------------             ------------------------------------------
                   Its: Secretary                                      John H. Holcomb, III
                                                                   Its: Chief Executive Officer
 
[CORPORATE SEAL]
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-41
<PAGE>   97
 
                                LIST OF EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
  <S>             <C>
  Exhibit A:      Opinion of ANB Counsel
 
  Exhibit B:      Opinion of FAB Counsel
 
  Exhibit C:      Employment Agreement (David)
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-42
<PAGE>   98
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
 
                         LETTERHEAD OF BALCH & BINGHAM
 
                               [          ], 1997
 
BY HAND DELIVERY
 
Alabama National BanCorporation
1927 First Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Attn: Chairman
 
     Re:  Merger of Alabama National BanCorporation and First American BanCorp
 
Gentlemen:
 
     We are counsel to First American Bancorp ("FAB"), a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Alabama, and have represented FAB in
connection with the execution and delivery of the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of July   , 1997 (the "Agreement"), by and between Alabama National
BanCorporation ("ANB") and FAB.
 
     This opinion is delivered pursuant to Section 9.2(d) of the Agreement.
Capitalized terms used in this opinion shall have the meaning set forth in the
Agreement.
 
     In rendering this opinion, we have examined the corporate books and records
of FAB, and made such other investigations as we have deemed necessary. We have
relied upon certificates of public officials and officers of FAB as to certain
questions of fact.
 
     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
 
          1. FAB is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
     standing under the laws of the State of Alabama with full corporate power
     and authority to carry on the business in which it is engaged as described
     in the proxy statement used to solicit the approval by the stockholders of
     FAB of the transactions provided for in the Agreement ("Proxy Statement"),
     and to own the properties owned by it.
 
          2. FAB Bank is a state member bank of the Federal Reserve System, duly
     organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
     State of Alabama with full corporate power and authority to carry on the
     business in which it is engaged as described in the Proxy Statement and to
     own the properties owned by it.
 
          3. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and compliance with its
     terms do not and will not violate or contravene any provision of the
     Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of FAB or, to the best of our knowledge
     but without any independent investigation, result in any conflict with,
     breach of or default or acceleration under any mortgage, agreement, lease,
     indenture or other instrument, order, judgment or decree to which any FAB
     Company is a party or by which any FAB Company is bound.
 
          4. In accordance with the Bylaws of FAB and pursuant to resolutions
     duly adopted by its Board of Directors and stockholders, the Agreement has
     been duly adopted and approved by the Board of Directors of FAB and by the
     stockholders of FAB at the Stockholders' Meeting.
 
          5. The Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by
     FAB and, assuming valid authorization, execution and delivery by ANB,
     constitutes a valid and binding agreement of FAB enforceable in accordance
     with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights
     generally; provided, however, that we express no opinion as to the
     availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or as to the
     enforceability of obligations to indemnify any party for violations of the
     Securities Laws.
 
          6. The authorized capital stock of FAB consists of (i) 10,000,000
     shares of FAB Common Stock, of which 2,854,152 shares were issued and
     outstanding as of [     ], 1997, and (ii) 400,000 shares of
 
                                      A-43
<PAGE>   99
 
     preferred stock, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of
     [     ], 1997. The shares of FAB Common Stock that are issued and
     outstanding were not issued in violation of any statutory preemptive rights
     of shareholders, were duly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable
     under the Alabama Business Corporation Act. To our knowledge, except as set
     forth in Section 5.3(a) of the Agreement, there are no options,
     subscriptions, warrants, calls, rights or commitments obligating FAB to
     issue any equity securities or acquire any of its equity securities.
 
     This opinion is delivered solely for reliance by ANB.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          BALCH & BINGHAM
 
                                          By:
                                          --------------------------------------
 
                                      A-44
<PAGE>   100
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
 
                   LETTERHEAD OF MAYNARD, COOPER & GALE, P.C.
 
                              [            ], 1997
 
BY HAND DELIVERY
 
First American BanCorp
251 Johnston Street, S.E.
Decatur, Alabama 35609
Attn: Chairman
 
     Re:  Merger of Alabama National BanCorporation and First American BanCorp
 
Gentlemen:
 
     We are counsel to Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB"), a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and have
represented ANB in connection with the execution and delivery of the Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 10, 1996 (the "Agreement"), by and between
First American BanCorp ("FAB") and ANB.
 
     This opinion is delivered pursuant to Section 9.3(d) of the Agreement.
Capitalized terms used in this opinion shall have the meaning set forth in the
Agreement.
 
     In rendering this opinion, we have examined the corporate books and records
of ANB, and made such other investigations as we have deemed necessary. We have
relied upon certificates of public officials and officers of ANB as to certain
questions of fact.
 
     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
 
          1. ANB is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
     standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with full corporate power
     and authority to carry on the business in which it is engaged as described
     in the proxy statement used to solicit the approval by the stockholders of
     FAB of the transactions provided for the Agreement ("Proxy Statement"), and
     to own the properties owned by it.
 
          2. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and compliance with its
     terms do not and will not violate or contravene any provision of the
     Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of ANB, or, to the best of our
     knowledge but without any independent investigation, result in any conflict
     with, breach of, or default or acceleration under any mortgage, agreement,
     lease, indenture or other instrument, order, judgment or decree to which
     any ANB Company is a party or by which any ANB Company is bound.
 
          3. In accordance with the Bylaws of ANB and pursuant to resolutions
     duly adopted by its Board of Directors and stockholders, the Agreement has
     been duly adopted and approved by the Board of Directors and stockholders
     of ANB.
 
          4. The Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by
     ANB and, assuming valid authorization, execution and delivery by FAB,
     constitutes a valid and binding agreement of ANB enforceable in accordance
     with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization, or similar laws affecting creditors' rights
     generally; provided, however, that we express no opinion as to the
     availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or as to the
     enforceability of obligations to indemnify any party for violations of the
     Securities Laws.
 
          5. The authorized capital stock of ANB consists of 10,000,000 shares
     of ANB Common Stock, of which 6,200,418 shares were issued and outstanding
     as of [     ], 1996, and 100,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par
     value, none of which is issued and outstanding. The shares of ANB Common
     Stock that are issued and outstanding were not issued in violation of any
     statutory preemptive rights of shareholders, were duly issued and are fully
     paid and nonassessable under the Delaware General Corporation Law. The
     shares of ANB Common Stock to be issued to the stockholders of FAB as
     contemplated by the Agreement are duly authorized, and when properly issued
     and delivered following consummation of the
 
                                      A-45
<PAGE>   101
 
     Merger will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. To our
     knowledge, except as set forth in Section 6.3(a) of the Agreement, there
     are no options, subscriptions, warrants, calls, rights or commitments
     obligating ANB to issue any equity securities or acquire any of its equity
     securities.
 
     This opinion is delivered solely for reliance by FAB.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          MAYNARD, COOPER & GALE, P.C.
 
                                          By:
                                          --------------------------------------
 
                                      A-46
<PAGE>   102
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
 
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is effective [     ], 1997
(the "Effective Date"), by and between FIRST AMERICAN BANK, an Alabama banking
corporation ("Bank"), and ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation ("ANB"; hereinafter together with the Bank collectively referred to
as "Employer"); and DAN M. DAVID ("Executive").
 
                                    RECITALS
 
     WHEREAS, the Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First American Bancorp
("FAB");
 
     WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated July
24, 1997 between FAB and ANB (the "Merger Agreement"), the parties have agreed
that FAB shall merge with and into ANB, and the Bank shall become a wholly-owned
subsidiary of ANB; and
 
     WHEREAS, Executive has been and continues to serve as the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and, as a condition to the consummation of
the transactions provided for in the Merger Agreement, Executive and Employer
have agreed to enter into this Agreement;
 
                                   AGREEMENT
 
     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual recitals and covenants
contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
 
          1. Employment.  Employer agrees to employ Executive and Executive
     agrees to be employed by Employer, subject to the terms and provisions of
     this Agreement.
 
          2. Term.  The employment of Executive by Employer as provided in
     Section 1 will be for a period of five (5) years commencing on the
     Effective Date, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions
     of Section 9 hereof; provided, however, that the obligations and rights set
     forth in Sections 7, 8 and 9 hereof shall survive termination of this
     Agreement (except, under certain specified circumstances set forth in
     Section 9(e) hereof, the obligations and rights set forth in Section 8
     shall expire upon termination).
 
          3. Duties; Extent of Services.  Executive shall perform for Employer
     all duties incident to the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
     of the Bank, under the direction of the board of directors of Bank or its
     designee. At the next meeting of the board of directors of ANB immediately
     subsequent to the Effective Time of the Merger, Executive shall be elected
     to serve as its Vice-Chairman, and thereafter for the remaining term of
     this Agreement, at each annual meeting of the ANB Board, he shall be
     nominated to serve as its Vice-Chairman. In addition, Executive shall
     engage in such other services for Bank or its affiliated companies as
     Employer from time to time shall direct. The precise services of Executive
     and the title of Executive's position may be extended, curtailed or
     modified by Employer from time to time without affecting the enforceability
     of the terms of this Agreement. Executive shall use his best efforts in,
     and devote his entire time, attention, and energy, to Employer's business
     and, except as previously disclosed to Employer, shall not during the term
     hereof serve as an officer or director of any business enterprise other
     than the Bank, ANB or an Affiliate thereof. Nothing contained herein is
     intended to prohibit Executive from spending a reasonable amount of time
     managing his personal investments and discharging his civic
     responsibilities and other permitted activities as long as such activities
     do not interfere with his duties and obligations under this Agreement.
 
        4. Compensation.
 
             (a) During the term of this Agreement, Executive's total annual
        cash compensation shall be an amount not less than One Hundred
        Eighty-Six Thousand Dollars ($186,000). During the term of
 
                                      A-47
<PAGE>   103
 
        this Agreement, Executive may also receive other cash or non-cash
        compensation (including without limitation merit increases or
        participation in any incentive compensation plans adopted by Employer)
        as may be granted by ANB's Board of Directors, in its sole discretion.
 
             (b) Bank shall continue to provide Executive with an automobile
        owned or leased by Bank, which automobile shall be comparable to the
        present automobile provided by Bank to Executive.
 
             (c) Executive shall be entitled to vacation days, paid holidays and
        sick days as provided in Bank's Personnel Policy.
 
             (d) Currently, Bank maintains a term life insurance policy (the
        "Policy") on Executive with a face value of $1,000,000. During the term
        of this Agreement, Employer shall continue in force for Executive's
        benefit the Policy.
 
          5. Compliance With Rules and Policies.  Executive shall comply with
     all of the rules, regulations, and policies of Employer now or hereinafter
     in effect. He shall promptly and faithfully do and perform any and all
     other duties and responsibilities which he may, from time to time, be
     directed to do by the board of directors of Bank or the board of directors
     of ANB or their respective designee.
 
          6. Representation of Executive.  Except as previously disclosed to
     Employer, Executive represents to Employer that he is not subject to any
     rule, regulation or agreement, including without limitation, any noncompete
     agreement, that purports to, or which reasonably could, be expected to
     limit, restrict or interfere with Executive's ability to engage in the
     activities provided for in this Agreement.
 
          7. Disclosure of Information.  Executive acknowledges that any
     documents and information, whether written or not, that comes into
     Executive's possession or knowledge during Executive's course of employment
     with Employer which is not or has not become part of the public domain,
     including, without limitation the financial and business conditions, goals
     and operations of customers of Bank, ANB or any of their respective
     affiliates or subsidiaries as the same may exist from time to time
     (collectively, "Confidential Information"), are valuable, special and
     unique assets of Employer's business. Executive will not, during or after
     the term of this Agreement, (i) disclose any written Confidential
     Information to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity
     not employed by or affiliated with Employer for any reason or purpose
     whatsoever, or (ii) use any written Confidential Information for any reason
     other than to further the business of Employer. Executive agrees to return
     any written Confidential Information, and all copies thereof, upon the
     termination of Executive's employment (whether hereunder or otherwise). In
     the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions
     of this Section 7, in addition to all other remedies available to Employer,
     Employer shall be entitled to an injunction restraining Executive from
     disclosing any written Confidential Information or from rendering any
     services to any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity to
     whom any written Confidential Information has been disclosed or is
     threatened to be disclosed. Executive further agrees that he will not
     divulge to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity not
     employed by or affiliated with Employer, any of Employer's business
     methods, sales, services, or techniques, regardless of whether the same is
     written or not.
 
        8. Competition.
 
             (a) Except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement,
        during the period of his employment by Employer and for a period of two
        (2) years after such employment (whether such employment shall have
        ended by reason of the expiration or termination of this Agreement or
        otherwise), Executive will not, individually or as an employee, agent,
        officer, director or shareholder of or otherwise through any corporation
        or other business organization, directly or indirectly, (i) carry on or
        engage in a similar business or solicit or do similar business with any
        customer of Bank or ANB or any of their respective subsidiaries or
        affiliates in any territory in which Bank or ANB or any of their
        respective subsidiaries or affiliates is conducting business; or (ii)
        solicit any employee of Bank or ANB or any of their subsidiaries or
        affiliates to leave his or her employment with Bank or ANB or any of
        their subsidiaries or affiliates for any reason without the prior
        written consent of Employer; provided, however, notwithstanding anything
        to the contrary contained herein,
 
                                      A-48
<PAGE>   104
 
        if Executive's employment by Employer is terminated for any reason, this
        covenant not to compete is not intended to prohibit Executive from
        serving as an employee/officer of certain small loan finance companies
        in which Executive currently maintains an ownership interest or any
        similar companies in which he may in the future purchase an ownership
        interest, as long as such small loan finance or similar companies are
        not otherwise engaged in the business of banking.
 
             (b) Executive represents that his experience and capabilities are
        such that the provisions of this Section 8 will not prevent him from
        earning a livelihood.
 
             (c) If Executive violates the provisions of Section 8(a) above, the
        period during which the covenants set forth therein shall apply shall be
        extended one (1) day for each day in which a violation of such covenants
        occurs; and if suit be brought to enforce such covenants and one or more
        violations by Executive be established, then Employer and Bank shall be
        entitled to an injunction restraining Executive from further violations
        for a period of two (2) years from the date of the final decree, less
        only such number of days that Executive shall have not violated such
        covenants. The purpose of this provision is to prevent Executive from
        profiting from his own wrong if he violates such covenants.
 
        9. Termination.
 
             (a) Employer shall be obligated to comply with all provisions of
        this Agreement and may terminate Executive only For Cause. "For Cause"
        shall mean (i) abuse of or addiction to intoxicating drugs (including
        alcohol); (ii) any act on the part of Executive which constitutes fraud,
        willful malfeasance of duty or conduct grossly inappropriate to
        Executive's office and is demonstrably likely to lead to material injury
        to Bank, ANB or a successor or affiliate of Bank or ANB; (iii) a felony
        conviction of Executive; or (iv) the suspension or removal of Executive
        by federal or state banking regulatory authorities; provided, that "For
        Cause" shall not include Executive's medical disability. In addition,
        the services of Executive and the obligations of Employer under this
        Agreement may be terminated For Cause by Employer due to the death of
        Executive.
 
             (b) If Employer terminates Executive's employment hereunder "For
        Cause" prior to             , 2002, all rights and obligations specified
        in Section 8 shall survive any such termination and Executive shall not
        be entitled to any further compensation from Employer.
 
             (c) If for any reason during the term of this Agreement Executive
        desires to cease working for Employer, Executive shall notify Employer
        of such desire and Employer may choose, in its sole discretion, one of
        the following alternatives:
 
                (i) (A) the employment relationship between Employer and
           Executive shall immediately terminate, (B) all rights and obligations
           specified in Section 8 shall survive any such termination and (C)
           Executive shall not be entitled to any further compensation from
           Employer.
 
                (ii) (A) the employment relationship between Employer and
           Executive shall continue for the term of this Agreement, (B)
           Executive shall continue to receive the minimum cash compensation
           provided for in Section 4(a), (C) Employer shall continue to maintain
           the Policy described in Section 4(d) and health insurance comparable
           to that maintained by Employer on behalf of Executive prior to such
           termination through the fifth anniversary of this Agreement and (D)
           all rights and obligations specified in Section 8 shall survive any
           such termination, which for purposes hereof shall mean that the
           noncomplete covenant provided for therein shall continue through the
           seventh anniversary of the date of this Agreement.
 
             (d) If Employer terminates Executive other than "For Cause", (i)
        Executive shall continue to receive the minimum cash compensation
        provided for in Section 4(a), (ii) Employer shall continue to maintain
        the Policy described in Section 4(d) and health insurance comparable to
        that maintained by Employer on behalf of Executive prior to such
        termination through the fifth anniversary of this Agreement, and (iii)
        all rights and obligations specified in Section 8 shall survive
 
                                      A-49
<PAGE>   105
 
        any such termination, which for purposes hereof shall mean that the
        noncompete covenant provided for therein shall continue through the
        seventh anniversary of the date of this Agreement.
 
             (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon
        the occurrence of a "Change in Control", all rights and obligations
        specified in Section 8 (but not Section 4) shall terminate immediately.
        For purposes of this Section 9(e), "Change of Control" shall mean the
        occurrence during the term of this Agreement of any of the following
        events: (i) a merger, consolidation or other corporate reorganization of
        ANB in which ANB does not survive; (i) a merger, consolidation or other
        corporate reorganization of the Bank, in which the Bank does not
        survive, excluding any such merger, consolidation or reorganization
        involving the Bank in which ANB remains the ultimate parent of the
        resulting entity; (iii) the acquisition of beneficial ownership by one
        person or a related group of persons of greater than fifty percent (50%)
        of the outstanding voting stock or assets of ANB, excluding the existing
        related group of stockholders that includes certain of ANB's current
        officers and directors and the one family that on the date hereof owns
        greater than 10% of the voting stock; or (iv) individuals who currently
        constitute the directors of ANB, or who become directors of ANB upon
        nomination or election by the directors of ANB, other than through an
        actual or threatened stockholder election contest, cease for any reason
        to constitute a majority of the directors of ANB.
 
             (f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
        noncompete covenant contained in Section 8 hereof shall not extend
        beyond the seventh anniversary of the execution of this Agreement.
 
             (g) The provisions of Section 7 shall survive regardless of any
        termination of Executive's employment hereunder, whether voluntary or
        involuntary.
 
          10. Notice.  For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and demands
     shall be deemed given when mailed by United States mail, addressed in the
     case of Bank to First American Bank, 251 Johnston Street S.E., Post Office
     2203, Decatur, Alabama 35609-2203, Attention: Chairman of the Board of
     Directors, with a copy to ANB at Alabama National BanCorporation, 1927
     First Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, Attention: Chief Executive
     Officer; or in the case of Executive, to 251 Johnston Street, S.E.,
     Decatur, Alabama 35609-2203.
 
          11. Miscellaneous.  No provision of this Agreement may be modified,
     waived or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is
     agreed to in writing. The validity, interpretation, construction and
     performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
     Alabama. This Agreement supersedes and cancels any prior employment
     agreement or understanding entered into between Executive and Bank or
     Executive and FAB.
 
          12. Validity.  The invalidity of any provision or provisions of this
     Agreement shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, which
     shall remain in full force and effect, nor shall the invalidity of a
     portion of any provision of this Agreement affect the balance of such
     provision.
 
        13. Default.
 
             (a) If Executive breaches or violates any of the covenants,
        conditions, or terms of this Agreement on his part to be performed,
        Employer shall have the right, without notice to Executive, to obtain a
        writ of injunction against him restraining him from violating any such
        covenant, condition, or term, such notice being hereby expressly waived
        by Executive.
 
             (b) Additionally, in the event of any conduct by Executive
        violating any provision of this Agreement, Employer shall be entitled,
        if it so elects, to institute and prosecute proceedings in any court of
        competent jurisdiction, either at law or in equity, to obtain damages
        for such conduct, to enforce specific performance of such provision or
        to obtain any other relief or any combination of the foregoing that
        Employer may elect to pursue.
 
                                      A-50
<PAGE>   106
 
          14. Parties.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to
     the benefit of any successors or assigns to Bank or ANB. Executive may not
     assign any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under
     this Agreement or any portion hereof.
 
          15. Definitions.  Any capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein
     shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
Executive and by a duly authorized officer of each of Bank and ANB as of the
date first above written.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
Witnesses:                                        "EXECUTIVE":
 
- ------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Dan M. David
- ------------------------------------------------                   
 
                                                  "BANK":
 
Attest:                                           FIRST AMERICAN BANK
 
 By: ------------------------------------------   By: ------------------------------------------------
                 Its: Secretary                          Its: Chairman of the Board of Directors
    [Corporate Seal]
 
                                                  "ANB":
 
    Attest:                                       ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
 
 By: ------------------------------------------   By: ------------------------------------------------
                 Its: Secretary                               Its: Chief Executive Officer
        [Corporate Seal]
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-51
<PAGE>   107
 
                                                                      APPENDIX B
 
                             ALABAMA CODE ANNOTATED
 
             TITLE 10.  CORPORATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
                       CHAPTER 2B.  BUSINESS CORPORATIONS
 
ARTICLE 13.  DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.01.  DEFINITIONS.
 
     (a) "Corporate action" means the filing of articles of merger or share
exchange by the probate judge or Secretary of State, or other action giving
legal effect to a transaction that is the subject of dissenters' rights.
 
     (b) "Corporation" means the issuer of shares held by a dissenter before the
corporate action, or the surviving or acquiring corporation by merger or share
exchange of that issuer.
 
     (c) "Dissenter" means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from
corporate action under Section 10-2B13.02 and who exercises that right when and
in the manner required by Sections 10-2B-13.20 through 10-2B-13.28.
 
     (d) "Fair Value," with respect to a dissenter's shares, means the value of
the shares immediately before the effectuation of the corporate action to which
the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in
anticipation of the corporate action unless exclusion would be inequitable.
 
     (e) "Interest" means interest from the effective date of the corporate
action until the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the
corporation on its principal bank loans, or, if none, at a rate that is fair and
equitable under all circumstances.
 
     (f) "Record shareholder" means the person in whose name shares are
registered in the records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to
the extent of the rights granted by a nominee certificate on file with a
corporation.
 
     (g) "Beneficial shareholder" means the person who is a beneficial owner of
shares held in a voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
 
     (h) "Shareholder" means the record shareholder or the beneficial
shareholder.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.02.  RIGHT TO DISSENT.
 
     (a) A shareholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the
fair value of his or her shares in the event of, any of the following corporate
actions:
 
          (1) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a
     party (i) if shareholder approval is required for the merger by Section
     10-2B-11.03 or the articles of incorporation and the shareholder is
     entitled to vote on the merger or (ii) if the corporation is a subsidiary
     that is merged with its parent under Section 10-2B-11.04;
 
          (2) Consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation
     is a party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired, if the
     shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan;
 
          (3) Consummation of a sale or exchange by all, or substantially all,
     of the property of the corporation other than in the usual and regular
     course of business, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale or
     exchange, including a sale in dissolution, but not including a sale
     pursuant to court order or a sale for cash pursuant to a plan by which all
     or substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed to
     the shareholders within one year after the date of sale;
 
                                       B-1
<PAGE>   108
 
          (4) To the extent that the articles of incorporation of the
     corporation so provide, an amendment of the articles of incorporation that
     materially and adversely affects rights in respect to a dissenter's shares
     because it:
 
             (i) Alters or abolishes a preferential right of the shares;
 
             (ii) Creates, alters, or abolishes a right in respect of
        redemption, including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the
        redemption or repurchase of the shares;
 
             (iii) Alters or abolishes a preemptive right of the holder of the
        shares to acquire shares or other securities;
 
             (iv) Excludes or limits the right of the shares to vote on any
        matter, or to cumulate votes, other than a limitation by dilution
        through issuance of shares or other securities with similar voting
        rights; or
 
             (v) Reduces the number of shares owned by the shareholder to a
        fraction of a share if the fractional share so created is to be acquired
        for cash under Section 10-2B-6.04; or
 
          (5) Any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote to the
     extent the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board
     of directors provides that voting or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to
     dissent and obtain payment for their shares.
 
     (b) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for shares under
this chapter may not challenge the corporate action creating his or her
entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to the
shareholder or the corporation.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.03.  DISSENT BY NOMINEES AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS.
 
     (a) A record shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all
of the shares registered in his or her name only if he or she dissents with
respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one person and notifies the
corporation in writing of the name and address of each person on whose behalf he
or she asserts dissenters' rights. The rights of a partial dissenter under this
subsection are determined as if the shares to which he or she dissents and his
or her other shares were registered in the names of different shareholders.
 
     (b) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to shares
held on his or her behalf only if:
 
          (1) He or she submits to the corporation the record shareholder's
     written consent to the dissent not later than the time the beneficial
     shareholder asserts dissenters' rights; and
 
          (2) He or she does so with respect to all shares of which he or she is
     the beneficial shareholder or over which he or she has power to direct the
     vote.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.20.  NOTICE OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.
 
     (a) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under Section
10-2B-13.02 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, the meeting
notice must state that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters'
rights under this article and be accompanied by a copy of this article.
 
     (b) If corporate action creating dissenters' rights under Section
10-2B-13.02 is taken without a vote of shareholders, the corporation shall (1)
notify in writing all shareholders entitled to assert dissenters' rights that
the action was taken; and (2) send them the dissenters' notice described in
Section 10-2B-13.22.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.21.  NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT.
 
     (a) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under Section
10-2B-13.02 is submitted to a vote at a shareholder's meeting, a shareholder who
wishes to assert dissenters' rights (1) must deliver to the corporation before
the vote is taken written notice of his or her intent to demand payment or [sic]
his or her shares if the proposed action is effectuated; and (2) must not vote
his or her shares in favor of the proposed action.
 
                                       B-2
<PAGE>   109
 
     (b) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (a)
is not entitled to payment for his or her shares under this article.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.22.  DISSENTERS' NOTICE.
 
     (a) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under Section
10-2B-13.02 is authorized at a shareholders' meeting, the corporation shall
deliver a written dissenters' notice to all shareholders who satisfied the
requirements of Section 10-2B-13.21.
 
     (b) The dissenters' notice must be sent no later than 10 days after the
corporate action was taken, and must:
 
          (1) State where the payment demand must be sent;
 
          (2) Inform holders of shares to what extent transfer of the shares
     will be restricted after the payment demand is received;
 
          (3) Supply a form for demanding payment;
 
          (4) Set a date by which the corporation must receive the payment
     demand, which date may not be fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days after the
     date the subsection (a) notice is delivered; and
 
          (5) Be accompanied by a copy of this article.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.23.  DUTY TO DEMAND PAYMENT.
 
     (a) A shareholder sent a dissenters' notice described in Section
10-2B-13.22 must demand payment in accordance with the terms of the dissenters'
notice.
 
     (b) The shareholder who demands payment retains all other rights of a
shareholder until those rights are canceled or modified by the taking of the
proposed corporate action.
 
     (c) A shareholder who does not demand payment by the date set in the
dissenters' notice is not entitled to payment for his or her shares under this
article.
 
     (d) A shareholder who demands payment under subsection (a) may not
thereafter withdraw that demand and accept the terms offered under the proposed
corporate action unless the corporation shall consent thereto.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.24.  SHARE RESTRICTIONS.
 
     (a) Within 20 days after making a formal payment demand, each shareholder
demanding payment shall submit the certificate or certificates representing his
or her shares to the corporation for (1) notation thereon by the corporation
that such demand has been made and (2) return the shareholder by the
corporation.
 
     (b) The failure to submit his or her shares for notation shall, at the
option of the corporation, terminate the shareholders' rights under this article
unless a court of competent jurisdiction, for good and sufficient cause, shall
otherwise direct.
 
     (c) If shares represented by a certificate on which notation has been made
shall be transferred, each new certificate issued therefor shall bear similar
notation, together with the name of the original dissenting holder of such
shares.
 
     (d) A transferee of such share shall acquire by such transfer no rights in
the corporation other than those which the original dissenting shareholder had
after making demand for payment of the fair value thereof.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.25.  OFFER OF PAYMENT.
 
     (a) As soon as the proposed corporate action is taken, or upon receipt of a
payment demand, the corporation shall offer to pay each dissenter who complied
with Section 10-2B-13.23 the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair
value of his or her shares, plus accrued interest.
 
                                       B-3
<PAGE>   110
 
     (b) The offer of payment must be accompanied by:
 
          (1) The corporation's balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal year
     ending not more than 16 months before the date of the offer, an income
     statement for that year, and the latest available interim financial
     statements, if any;
 
          (2) A statement of the corporation's estimate of the fair value of the
     shares;
 
          (3) An explanation of how the interest was calculated;
 
          (4) A statement of the dissenter's right to demand payment under
     Section 10-2B-13.28; and
 
          (5) A copy of this article.
 
     (c) Each dissenter who agrees to accept the corporation's offer of payment
in full satisfaction of his or her demand must surrender to the corporation the
certificate or certificates representing his or her shares in accordance with
terms of the dissenters' notice. Upon receiving the certificate or certificates,
the corporation shall pay each dissenter the fair value of his or her shares,
plus accrued interest, as provided in subsection (a). Upon receiving payment, a
dissenting shareholder ceases to have any interest in the shares.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.26.  FAILURE TO TAKE CORPORATE ACTION.
 
     (a) If the corporation does not take the proposed action within 60 days
after the date set for demanding payment, the corporation shall release the
transfer restrictions imposed on shares.
 
     (b) If, after releasing transfer restrictions, the corporation takes the
proposed action, it must send a new dissenters' notice under Section 10-2B-13.22
and repeat the payment demand procedure.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.27.  RESERVED.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.28.  PROCEDURE IF SHAREHOLDER DISSATISFIED WITH OFFER OF PAYMENT.
 
     (a) A dissenter may notify the corporation in writing of his or her own
estimate of the fair value of his or her shares and amount of interest due, and
demand payment of his or her estimate, or reject the corporation's offer under
Section 10-2B-13.25 and demand payment of the fair value of his or her shares
and interest due, if:
 
          (1) The dissenter believes that the amount offered under Section
     10-2B-13.25 is less than the fair value of his or her shares or that the
     interest due is incorrectly calculated;
 
          (2) The corporation fails to make an offer under Section 10-2B-13.25
     within 60 days after the date set for demanding payment; or
 
          (3) The corporation, having failed to take the proposed action, does
     not release the transfer restrictions imposed on shares within 60 days
     after the date set for demanding payment.
 
     (b) A dissenter waives his or her right to demand payment under this
section unless he or she notifies the corporation or his or her demand in
writing under subsection (a) within 30 days after the corporation offered
payment for his or her shares.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.30.  COURT ACTION.
 
     (a) If a demand for payment under Section 10-2B-13.28 remains unsettled,
the corporation shall commence a proceeding within 60 days after receiving the
payment demand and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares
and accrued interest. If the corporation does not commence the proceeding within
the 60 day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains unsettled
the amount demanded.
 
     (b) The corporation shall commence the proceeding in the circuit court of
the county where the corporation's principal office (or, if none in this state,
its registered office) is located. If the corporation is a foreign corporation
without a registered office in this state, it shall commence the proceeding in
the county in
 
                                       B-4
<PAGE>   111
 
this state where the registered office of the domestic corporation merged with
or whose shares were acquired by the foreign corporation was located.
 
     (c) The corporation shall make all dissenters (whether or not residents of
this state) whose demands remain unsettled parties to the proceeding as in an
action against their shares, and all parties must be served with a copy of the
petition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or by
publication as provided under the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
 
     (d) After service is completed, the corporation shall deposit with the
clerk of the court an amount sufficient to pay unsettled claims of all
dissenters party to the action in an amount per share equal to its prior
estimate of fair value, plus accrued interest, under Section 10-2B-13.25.
 
     (e) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced
under subsection (b) is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more
persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend decision on the question
of fair value. The appraisers have the powers described in the order appointing
them, or in any amendment to it. The dissenters are entitled to the same
discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
 
     (f) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding is entitled to judgment
for the amount the court finds to be the fair value of his or her shares, plus
accrued interest. If the court's determination as to the fair value of a
dissenter's shares, plus accrued interest, is higher than the amount estimated
by the corporation and deposited with the clerk of the court pursuant to
subsection (d), the corporation shall pay the excess to the dissenting
shareholder. If the court's determination as to fair value, plus accrued
interest, of a dissenter's shares is less than the amount estimated by the
corporation and deposited with the clerk of the court pursuant to subsection
(d), then the clerk shall return the balance of funds deposited, less any costs
under Section 10-2B-13.31, to the corporation.
 
     (g) Upon payment of the judgment, and surrender to the corporation of the
certificate or certificates representing the appraised shares, a dissenting
shareholder ceases to have any interest in the shares.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.31.  COURT COSTS AND COUNSEL FEES.
 
     (a) The court in an appraisal proceeding commenced under Section
10-2B-13.30 shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including compensation
and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the
costs against the corporation, except that the court may assess costs against
all or some of the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the
extent the court finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in
good faith in demanding payment under Section 10-2B-13.28.
 
     (b) The court may also assess the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel
and experts for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable
 
          (1) Against the corporation and in favor of any or all dissenters if
     the court finds the corporation did not substantially comply with the
     requirements of Sections 10-2B-13.20 through 10-2B13.28; or
 
          (2) Against either the corporation or a dissenter, in favor of any
     other party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and
     expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith
     with respect to the rights provided by this chapter.
 
     (c) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were
of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees
for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may
award to these counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded the
dissenters who were benefitted.
 
SEC. 10-2B-13.32.  STATUS OF SHARES AFTER PAYMENT.
 
     Shares acquired by a corporation pursuant to payment of the agreed value
therefor or to payment of the judgment entered therefor, as in this chapter
provided, may be held and disposed of by such corporation as in the case of
other treasury shares, except that, in the case of a merger or share exchange,
they may be held and disposed of as the plan of merger or share exchange may
otherwise provide.
 
                                       B-5
<PAGE>   112
 
                                                                      APPENDIX C
 
                    ALEX SHESHUNOFF & CO. INVESTMENT BANKING
                         301 CONGRESS AVENUE, SUITE 710
                              AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701
                           TELEPHONE: (512) 703-5105
 
                               September 10, 1997
 
Board of Directors
First American Bancorp
251 Johnston Street, SE
Decatur, Alabama 35609-2203
 
     You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point
of view, to the holders of the outstanding shares of common stock of First
American Bancorp ("FAB"), of the consideration (the "Merger Consideration") to
be received by such holders pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of the Merger
dated as of July 24, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), which provides for the
merger (the "Merger") of FAB with and into Alabama National Bancorporation
("ANB"). Pursuant to section 3.1 of the Merger Agreement, each shareholder of
the outstanding common stock of FAB (the "FAB Common Stock") has a right to
receive 0.7199 shares (the "Exchange Ratio") of common stock of ANB (the "ANB
Common Stock").
 
     In connection with our opinion, we have: (i) analyzed certain internal
financial statements and other financial and operating data concerning FAB
prepared by the management of FAB (ii) analyzed certain publicly available
financial statements, both audited and unaudited, of FAB including those
included in their annual reports for the three years ended December 31, 1996
and, quarterly reports for the periods ended June 30, 1997; (iii) analyzed
certain publicly available financial statements, both audited and unaudited, of
ANB including those included in their annual reports for the three years ended
December 31, 1996 and, their quarterly reports for the periods ended June 30,
1997; (iv) analyzed certain financial projections of FAB prepared by the
management of FAB; (v) discussed certain aspects of the past and current
business operations, financial condition and future prospects of FAB and ANB
with certain members of their respective management; (vi) reviewed reported
market prices and historical trading activity of FAB's and ANB's common stock;
(vii) compared the financial performance of ANB and the prices and trading
activity of ANB's common stock with that of certain other comparable publicly
traded companies and their securities; (viii) reviewed certain security analysis
reports of ANB's common stock prepared by various investment banking firms; (ix)
reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain
comparable precedent transactions; (x) reviewed the Merger Agreement; (xi)
reviewed and discussed with ANB senior management certain internal analyses and
forecasts of certain cost savings, operating efficiencies, revenue effects and
financial synergies expected by ANB to be achieved as a result of the Merger;
and (xii) performed such other analyses as we have deemed appropriate.
 
     We have assumed and relied upon, without independent verification, the
accuracy and completeness of the information reviewed by us for the purposes of
this opinion. We have not made an independent evaluation of the assets or
liabilities of FAB, nor have we been furnished with any such appraisals. With
respect to financial forecasts, we have assumed that they have been reasonably
prepared and reflect the best currently available estimates and judgment of
management of FAB as to the future financial performance of FAB. We have assumed
such forecasts and projections will be realized in the amounts and at the times
contemplated thereby. With respect to ANB, we relied solely upon publicly
available data regarding ANB's financial condition and performance. We discussed
this publicly available information with the management of ANB. We did not
conduct any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets, liabilities or
business prospects of ANB nor were we furnished with any evaluations or
appraisals. We are not experts in the evaluation of loan portfolios for the
purposes of assessing the adequacy of the allowance for losses with respect
thereto and have assumed that such allowances for FAB and ANB are in the
aggregate, adequate to cover such losses. In addition, we have not reviewed any
individual credit files or made independent evaluation, appraisal or
 
                                       C-1
<PAGE>   113
 
physical inspection of the assets or individual properties of FAB and ANB, nor
have we been furnished with any such appraisals.
 
     Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions
as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of the date hereof.
Events occurring after the date hereof could materially affect the assumptions
used in preparing this opinion. We have also assumed that there are no material
changes in FAB's or ANB's assets, financial condition, results of operations,
business or prospects since the respective dates of their financial statements
reviewed by us, and that off-balance sheet activities of FAB and ANB will not
materially and adversely impact the future financial position and results of
operations of both FAB and ANB. We have also assumed the Merger will be
completed as set forth in the Agreement and that no material changes will be
made or restrictions imposed by regulatory or other parties on the terms of the
Merger.
 
     Our opinion is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to
the holders of FAB common stock of the Merger Consideration received as stated
in the Merger Agreement. Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking did not
participate in determining the exchange ratio set forth in the Merger Agreement,
nor the solicitation of interests for the acquisition of FAB. Moreover, this
letter, and the opinion expressed herein, does not constitute a recommendation
to any shareholder as to any approval of the Merger or the Merger Agreement, nor
does it express an opinion on the future market price of ANB common stock which
price may be higher or lower than the $24.125 per share price as of the date of
this opinion. It is understood that this letter is for the information of the
Board of Directors of FAB and may not be used for any other purpose without our
prior written consent, except that this opinion may be included in its entirety
in any filing, including proxy materials to be sent to the shareholders of FAB
and ANB, filed in a registration statement by ANB with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with respect to the Merger.
 
     Based on the foregoing and such other matters we have deemed relevant, we
are of the opinion as of the date hereof that the Merger Consideration is fair,
from a financial point of view, to the holders of FAB common stock.
 
                            Very truly yours,
 
                              /s/ ALEX SHESHUNOFF & CO. INVESTMENT BANKING
                            ----------------------------------------------------
 
                            ALEX SHESHUNOFF & CO.
                            INVESTMENT BANKING
 
                                       C-2
<PAGE>   114
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     The Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of ANB contains a provision
which, subject to certain exceptions described below, eliminates the liability
of a director to ANB or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of
duty as a director. This provision does not eliminate the liability of the
director (i) for violations of his duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") relating to unlawful dividends
and distributions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived
an improper personal benefit.
 
     The Bylaws of ANB require ANB to indemnify any person who was, is or is
threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative, by reason of service by such person as a director of ANB or
any other corporation, including the subsidiary banks of ANB, for which he
served as such at the request of ANB. Directors are entitled to be indemnified
against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses
actually incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding, except that
no payments may be made with respect to liability which is not eliminated
pursuant to the provision of ANB's Certificate of Incorporation described in the
preceding paragraph. Directors are also entitled to have ANB advance any such
expenses prior to final disposition of the proceeding, upon delivery of a
written affirmation by the director of his good faith belief that the standard
of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking
to repay the amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined that the standard
of conduct has not been met.
 
     In addition to the Bylaws of ANB, Section 145(c) of the DGCL requires ANB
to indemnify any director who has been successful on the merits or otherwise in
defending any proceeding described above which has arisen prior to July 1, 1997.
The Delaware Corporation Law also provides that a court may order
indemnification of a director if it determines that the director is fairly and
reasonably entitled to such indemnification.
 
     The Board of Directors of ANB also has the authority to extend to officers,
employees and agents the same indemnification rights held by directors, subject
to all of the accompanying conditions and obligations. The Board of Directors
has extended indemnification rights to all of its executive officers.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   115
 
ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     (a) Exhibits:
 
<TABLE>
<S>   <C>  <C>
2.1   --   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 24, 1997, is
           found at Appendix A to the Joint Proxy Statement included in
           Part I hereof.
4.1   --   Certificate of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
           Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No.
           33-83800), is incorporated herein by reference.
4.1A  --   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation;
           filed as Exhibit 3.1A to Registrant's Report on Form 10-K
           for the year ended December 31, 1996 (No. 0-25160), is
           incorporated herein by reference.
4.2   --   Bylaws, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Registration
           Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-83800), is incorporated herein
           by reference.
5.1   --   Opinion of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. re legality dated
           September 25, 1997.
8.1   --   Form of Opinion of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. re tax
           matters.
8.2   --   Form of Opinion of Balch & Bingham re tax matters.
13.1  --   Registrant's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
           ended December 31, 1996 (No. 0-25160), is incorporated
           herein by reference.
21.1  --   Subsidiaries of Registrant, filed as Exhibit (22) to
           Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 1996
           (No. 0-25160), is incorporated herein by reference.
23.1  --   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
23.2  --   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.3  --   Consent of Dudley, Hopton-Jones, Sims & Freeman PLLP.
23.4  --   Consent of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. is included in their
           opinion re legality filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto.
23.5  --   Consent of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. is included in their
           opinion re tax matters filed as Exhibit 8.1 hereto.
23.6  --   Consent of Balch & Bingham, L.L.P. is included in their
           opinion re tax matters filed as Exhibit 8.2 hereto.
23.7  --   Consent of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking is
           provided in their fairness opinion included as Appendix C to
           the Joint Proxy Statement.
23.8  --   Consents of persons named to become directors of Registrant
           upon consummation of the Merger.
23.9  --   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
24.1  --   Power of Attorney (contained on signature page of the
           Registration Statement).
99.1  --   Form of Proxy to be used at Alabama National BanCorporation
           special meeting.
99.2  --   Form of Proxy to be used at First American Bancorp special
           meeting.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(b) Financial Statement Schedules:
 
     None.
 
ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     (a) 1. 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 Securities Exchange Act of
1934; 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
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   116
 
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.
 
         2. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 (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 whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
         3. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) 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.
 
     (b) 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.
 
     (c) 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-3
<PAGE>   117
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Birmingham, Alabama, on
the 19th day of September, 1997.
 
                                          Alabama National BanCorporation
 
                                          By:   /s/ JOHN H. HOLCOMB, III
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                    John H. Holcomb, III
                                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints John H. Holcomb, III and Victor E. Nichol, Jr.,
and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them or their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the dates indicated below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                   TITLE
                      ---------                                   -----
<C>                                                    <S>                           <C>
 
              /s/ JOHN H. HOLCOMB, III                 Chairman, Chief Executive     September 19, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------    Officer, and Director
                John H. Holcomb, III                     (Principal Executive
                                                         Officer)
 
              /s/ VICTOR E. NICHOL, JR.                President and Chief           September 19, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------    Operating Officer, and
                Victor E. Nichol, Jr.                    Director
 
               /s/ JAMES S. PARKS, JR.                 Senior Vice President --      September 19, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------    Finance, Treasurer
                 James S. Parks, Jr.                     (Principal Accounting
                                                         Officer)
 
                /s/ T. MORRIS HACKNEY                  Director                      September 19, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  T. Morris Hackney
 
                  /s/ JOHN D. JOHNS                    Director                      September 19, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    John D. Johns
 
              /s/ JOHN J. MCMAHON, JR.                 Director                      September 24, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                John J. McMahon, Jr.
 
                /s/ C. PHILLIP MCWANE                  Director                      September 19, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  C. Phillip McWane
 
                                                       Director                                        
- -----------------------------------------------------
                William D. Montgomery
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   118
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                   TITLE
                      ---------                                   -----
<C>                                                    <S>                           <C>
                                                       Director                      September 19, 1997
               /s/ DRAYTON NABORS, JR.
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Drayton Nabors, Jr.
 
                                                       Director                                        
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Ronald W. Orso, M.D.
 
              /s/ G. RUFFNER PAGE, JR.                 Director                      September 19, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                G. Ruffner Page, Jr.
 
               /s/ W. STANCIL STARNES                  Director                      September 18, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 W. Stancil Starnes
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1








                              September 25, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

                  RE:      Registration Statement on Form S-4
                           Alabama National BanCorporation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         As counsel for Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB"), we are familiar
with the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of ANB and the
above-referenced Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration
Statement") relating to 2,200,000 shares of the common stock, $1.00 par value
per share, of ANB (the "Shares"). We have examined such public records and
corporate proceedings and other documents as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate as a basis for the opinion expressed below.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares will,
when issued, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

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

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    MAYNARD, COOPER & GALE, P.C.


                                    By: /s/ J. Michael Savage
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       J. Michael Savage

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 8.1


                 [TO BE TYPED ON MAYNARD, COOPER LETTERHEAD]





                                ___________, 1997




Alabama National BanCorporation
1927 First Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama  35203
Attention:  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                 Re:      Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 24,
                          1997 (the "Merger Agreement") between First American
                          Bancorp ("FAB"); and Alabama National BanCorporation
                          ("ANB"); which provides for the merger of FAB with
                          and into ANB

Gentlemen:

         This letter is in response to your request that we provide you with
our opinion with respect to certain of the federal income tax consequences of
consummation of the transactions set forth in the Merger Agreement.  In
rendering this opinion, we have relied upon the facts presented to us in (i)
the Merger Agreement and (ii) the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of ANB's Registration
Statement on Form S-4, including the exhibits thereto along with the amendments
thereto.  Additionally, we have relied upon the representations of management
of FAB and management of ANB set forth in certificates of officers of those
entities, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits A and B,
respectively.  In the aggregate, the facts relied upon are as set forth in the
section of this letter denominated "FACTS."

         In our examination of such documents, we have assumed, with your
consent, that all documents submitted to us as photocopies reproduce the
originals thereof, that such originals are authentic, that all such documents
have been or will be duly executed to the extent required, and that all
statements set forth in such documents are accurate.
<PAGE>   2
Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 2


         We have assumed that the stockholders of both ANB and FAB approve the
Merger Agreement in accordance with law of Delaware and Alabama, their
respective state of incorporation.  We have assumed that the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, will qualify as statutory mergers under
Delaware and Alabama law.

                                     FACTS

         ANB is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal executive
office located in Birmingham, Alabama.  It presently has 10,000,000 authorized
shares of common capital stock, $1.00 par value per share ("ANB Common Stock"),
of which 6,525,418 shares were issued and outstanding as of June 30, 1997.
Additionally, ANB has 100,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par
value per share, none of which were issued and outstanding as of June 30, 1997.
Since June 30, 1997, there has been no change in the issued and outstanding ANB
Common Stock (except (i) as will be effected by the transactions described
herein, and (ii) for insignificant changes occurring in the ordinary course of
business), and none of the preferred shares have been issued.

         FAB is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Alabama with its principal executive
offices located in Decatur, Alabama.  As of June 30, 1997, FAB had 10,000,000
authorized shares of common capital stock, each of which had a par value of
$.01 per share (the "FAB Common Stock"), of which 2,878,683.785 were issued and
outstanding as of June 30, 1997.  Additionally, FAB has 400,000 authorized
shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, none of which were issued
and outstanding as of June 30, 1997.

         FAB owns all the stock of First American Bank, an Alabama state
banking corporation ("First American Bank").

         Numerous factors were considered by the Boards of Directors of FAB and
ANB in approving and recommending to their respective shareholders the terms of
the merger of FAB into ANB (the "Merger").  These included an analysis of the
financial structure; results of operations; prospects of ANB, the bank
subsidiaries of ANB, FAB and First American Bank; the composition of the
businesses of the two organizations; the overall compatibility of the
management of the organizations; the outlook for both organizations in the
banking and financial services industry; and the opinion of an investment
banker as to the fairness of the terms of the Merger from a financial point of
view.

         ANB's board of directors considered the information presented to the
directors by the management of ANB concerning (i) the business, operations,
earnings, asset quality, and





<PAGE>   3

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 3



financial condition of FAB, including the composition of the earning asset
portfolio of FAB, (ii) the financial terms of the Merger, including the
relationship of the value of the consideration issuable in the Merger to the
market value, tangible book value, and earnings per share of FAB, (iii) the
non-financial terms of the Merger, including the treatment of the Merger as a
tax-free exchange of FAB Common Stock for ANB Common Stock for federal income
tax purposes, (iv) the likelihood of the Merger being approved by the
applicable regulatory authorities without undue conditions or delay, (v) the
opportunity for reducing the non-interest expense of the operations of FAB and
the ability of the operations of FAB after the Merger to contribute to the
earnings of ANB, (vi) the attractiveness of the FAB franchise, the market
potential of FAB and each of the markets in which it operates, and the
combinability of the franchise of FAB in north Alabama with the operation of
ANB in its market, and (vii) the compatibility of the community bank
orientation of the operations of FAB to that of ANB.

         FAB's board of directors considered whether the Merger would enhance
shareholder value while protecting the need of its current customer and
determine during the course of negotiations that the merger would satisfy both
of those criteria.

         With respect to enhancement of shareholder value the board of
directors of FAB consider (i) the consideration to be received by the FAB
shareholders, (ii) the marketability and liquidity of ANB Common Stock, (iii)
ANB's market position and reputation, and (iv) the dividend history of ANB.
Considering the relative book value of ANB Common Stock as compared to FAB
Common Stock, based in part on evaluation received from Alex Sheshunoff & Co.
Investment Bankers, the board of directors of FAB determined that the exchange
ratio represented in the Merger Agreement would be fair to the stockholders of
FAB.  The board of directors of FAB determined that the ownership of ANB Common
Stock would present an immediate enhancement to shareholder value in that ANB
Common Stock is actively traded on the NASDAQ National Market, thereby
presenting shareholders with a significantly enhanced marketability and
liquidity when compared to the FAB Common Stock.  The board of directors of FAB
also believe that ownership of ANB Common Stock presented an opportunity for
continuing enhancement of shareholder value, considering ANB's size, position
in its relevant market, the reputation of its management and its historical
performance.  ANB also had a history of paying dividends to its shareholders,
as opposed to FAB which had not historically paid cash dividends to its
shareholders.

         Having determined that the Merger would be in the best interest of the
FAB shareholders, the board of directors of FAB evaluated the impact of the
Merger on the current customers of First American Bank considering (i) ANB's
ability to provide additional financial services to First American Bank's
customers, (ii) the size of ANB's network of bank branches that could provide
added convenience to First American Bank's existing customers, and (iii) ANB's





<PAGE>   4

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 4



commitment to continue to service Morgan, Limestone and Madison Counties.  The
board of FAB determined that ANB would provide a number of additional financial
services, such as trust services and security brokerage services, that would
benefit the First American Bank's current customers in Morgan, Limestone and
Madison Counties.  In addition, ANB's commitment to maintain the current
management of First American Bank and the appointment by ANB of three of FAB's
current board of directors to its board of directors indicated that ANB would
maintain and preserve the relationship which FAB had developed historically and
would continue to serve the needs of Morgan, Limestone and Madison Counties in
the future.

         Prior to the Merger, no FAB Common Stock will be held by FAB or any
subsidiary thereof or by ANB, any subsidiary thereof or any director or
executive officer thereof, other than in a fiduciary capacity and, in the case
of FAB, as treasury stock.  Upon consummation of the Merger, each share of FAB
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger (excluding
shares held by Stockholders who perfect their dissenter's rights) shall cease
to be outstanding and shall be converted into .7199 newly issued shares of ANB
Common Stock.  The ANB Common Stock to be issued in the Merger will have been
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933.  The ratio for the exchange of shares of FAB Common Stock for ANB
Common Stock was negotiated through arm's-length bargaining.  Accordingly, the
fair market value of the ANB Common Stock and cash consideration, in the case
of fractional shares, will be approximately equal to the fair market value of
the FAB Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor.

         Each share of ANB Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the effective time of the Merger shall remain issued and outstanding
from and after the effective time.

         As contemplated in the Agreement, FAB will be merged into and become a
part of ANB, which will be the surviving corporation.  FAB's separate corporate
existence will cease to exist upon consummation of the Merger.  The Merger will
be effected pursuant to the laws of the States of Alabama and Delaware.  ANB,
as the successor corporation, will acquire all of the assets of FAB (both net
and gross) and assume all of FAB's liabilities.  Both the fair market value and
adjusted basis of the assets of FAB to be transferred to ANB will equal or
exceed the sum of liabilities to be assumed by ANB, plus the amount of
liabilities, if any, to which the transferred assets are subject.  The
liabilities of FAB to be assumed by ANB and the liabilities to which
transferred assets of FAB are subject were incurred by FAB in the ordinary
course of its business.  FAB does not have any indebtedness of ANB or any
subsidiary or affiliate of ANB that was issued, acquired or will be settled at
a discount, or that was issued or acquired in connection with this transaction.
Nor does ANB have any indebtedness of FAB or any





<PAGE>   5

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 5



subsidiary or affiliate of FAB that was issued, acquired or will be settled at
a discount, or that was issued or acquired in connection with this transaction.

         ANB has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of any of
the assets of FAB acquired in the transaction, except for dispositions made, or
to be made, in the ordinary course of business.  Following the Merger, ANB will
continue the historic business of FAB and use a significant portion of FAB's
assets in such business, including the operation of the banking business of FAB
conducted through First American Bank.  ANB has no plan or intention to
liquidate First American Bank, to merge First American Bank into another
corporation, or to cause First American Bank to sell or otherwise dispose of
any of the assets of First American Bank, except for dispositions made in the
ordinary course of business.

         No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Merger.  In
the event that a fractional share is computed, the shareholder will receive
cash in lieu thereof.  The cash payment in lieu of fractional shares is solely
for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to ANB of issuing
fractional shares and does not represent separately bargained-for
consideration.  No one holder of FAB Common Stock will receive cash greater
than the average sales price of one full share of ANB Common Stock reported on
the NASDAQ National Market during the ten trading days ending on the tenth
business day prior to the effective date of the Merger, and in the aggregate
the maximum amount of cash consideration that will be paid in the transaction
to the holders of FAB Common Stock in lieu of fractional shares will not exceed
the product of (i) the number of holders of FAB Common Stock on the effective
date of the Merger, times (ii) the value of one full share of ANB Common Stock
calculated as set forth above.  The total cash consideration that will be paid
in the Merger instead of issuing fractional shares is not expected to exceed
one percent of the total consideration to be received.  Any holder of FAB
Common Stock who perfects his statutory dissenter's rights shall be entitled to
receive the value of such shares in cash, as determined pursuant to the Alabama
Business Corporation Act.  In the event that Shareholders owing in excess of 5%
of the outstanding shares of FAB Common Stock property assert their dissenter's
rights, ANB's Board of Directors may terminate the Merger.

         All ANB Common Stock to be received by FAB shareholders will be freely
transferable, except for ANB Common Stock received by persons deemed to be
"affiliates" of FAB who, under Rule 145 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933,
will be restricted as to future sales.  As of the effective date of the Merger,
each such affiliate will have entered into an agreement restricting resale of
the ANB Common Stock.

         To the best knowledge of management of FAB, there is no plan or
intention by any holder of 1% or more of the outstanding shares of FAB Common
Stock to (i) sell, exchange,





<PAGE>   6

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 6



or otherwise dispose of any of the ANB Common Stock received in the transaction
(ii) reduce the risk associated with the ownership of ANB Common Stock by
entering into a transaction such as a short sale of ANB Common Stock (including
transactions commonly referred to as "short-against-the-box"), the granting of
a "deep-in-the-money" call option, or other arrangement, or (iii) enter into,
or consent to, any contract or other arrangement with respect to the sale,
exchange or other disposition of ANB Common Stock to be received in the Merger
(collectively a "Disposition Transaction").  To the best knowledge of
management of FAB, there is no plan or intention on the part of the remaining
holders of FAB Common Stock to engage in a Disposition Transaction of a number
of shares of ANB Common Stock received in the Merger that would reduce the
holders' of FAB Common Stock holdings of ANB Common Stock received in the
Merger to less than 50% of the value of all FAB Common Stock as of the
effective date of the Merger.  ANB has no plan or intention to reacquire any
ANB Common Stock issued in the transaction.

         Three of the 12 present directors of FAB will be elected to the Board
of Directors of ANB effective on the date of consummation of the Merger and
thereafter will receive an annual fee as a director of ANB.  The fee to be paid
such individuals, as directors, is not allocable to any of the FAB Common
Stock.  Dan M. David will be elected to serve as Vice-Chairman of ANB as a
result of the Merger.  Additionally, Mr. David will continue to serve as
Chairman of First American Bank.  Any consideration to be paid by ANB to Mr.
David for his employment services is not allocable to any of their FAB Common
Stock.  Finally, no shareholder-employee of FAB will receive any consideration
for the FAB Common Stock owned by such shareholder-employee in the form of
compensation for services rendered or to be rendered, and all compensation to
such shareholder-employees for services rendered or to be rendered will be
commensurate with amounts paid to third parties bargaining at arm's length for
similar services.

         ANB and FAB will each bear and pay costs and expenses incurred by it,
or on its behalf, in connection with the Merger, including filing, registration
and application fees, printing and mailing fees and expenses and fees and
expenses of their respective accountants and counsel.  Any costs and expenses
incurred by a holder of FAB Common Stock will be for his own account and will
not be paid by ANB or FAB.

         Neither ANB nor FAB are under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title
11 or similar case.

         As of December 31, 1996, the total assets of FAB, exclusive of cash,
cash items (including receivables) and Government securities, were $__________.
Of this amount, the total value of the assets held for investment constitutes
$__________, of which $__________ consisted of stock and securities.  As of the
date hereof, there has been no substantial change





<PAGE>   7

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 7



in FAB's total assets, that portion of FAB's total assets held for investment
or that portion represented by stock and securities.

         As of December 31, 1996, the total assets of ANB, exclusive of cash,
cash items (including receivables) and Government securities, were
$____________.  Of this amount, the total value of the assets held for
investment constitutes $___________ of which $_____________ consisted of stock
and securities.  As of the date hereof, there has been no substantial change in
ANB's total assets, that portion of ANB's total assets held for investment or
that portion represented by stock and securities.


                                 LEGAL ANALYSIS

         Section 354(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code")(1)
provides that gain or loss will not be recognized to a transferor stockholder
if stock or securities in a corporation that is a "party to a reorganization"
are, pursuant to a "plan of reorganization," exchanged solely for stock or
securities in another corporation that is also a "party to the reorganization."
The exchange to which section 354(a)(1) applies must be pursuant to a "plan of
reorganization" and the stock and securities surrendered and received must be
the stock and securities of corporations each of which is a "party to a
reorganization" as those terms are defined in section 368.  Treas. Reg. Section
1.354-1(a).  Section 354(a)(2)(A) provides that the non-recognition rule of
section 354(a)(1) will not apply if either (i) the principal amount of the
securities received by the transferor exceeds the principal amount of the
securities surrendered by the transferor, or (ii) securities are received by
the transferor but no securities are surrendered by the transferor.

         Section 356(a)(1) provides that if the non-recognition rule of section
354(a)(1) would apply to an exchange except that money or "other property" is
received by the transferor in addition to stock or securities in a corporation
that is a "party to a reorganization," then gain will be recognized by the
transferor to the extent of the money and fair market value of the "other
property" received.  If such an exchange has the effect of the distribution of
a dividend, then each transferor that receives money or "other property" will
have the gain to be recognized treated as a dividend to the extent of such
transferor's ratable share of the earnings and profits of the corporation in
which the transferor held stock.  Code, Section 356(a)(2).  Whether a
distribution has the effect of a dividend will be determined based upon
principles developed under sections 356(a)(2) and 302 for determining dividend
equivalency.  Rev. Rul. 74-515, 1974-2 C.B. 118.  In applying those principles
in the context of section 356, one compares the interest





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

(1)  Statutory references are to the Code.

<PAGE>   8

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 8



the shareholder actually received in the acquiring corporation in the
reorganization with the interest the shareholder would have received in the
acquiring corporation if solely stock had been received.  Commissioner v.
Clark, 489 U.S. 726 (1989); Rev. Rul. 93-61, 1993-2 C.B. 118.

         The phrase "other property" does not include "securities" if such
securities would be permitted to be received without the recognition of gain
under the provisions of section 354.  Code, Section 356(d)(2)(A).  Further, if
securities of a corporation that is "a party to a reorganization" are
surrendered and securities of a corporation that is "a party to a
reorganization" are received which exceed the principal amount of the
securities surrendered, the term "other property" includes only the fair market
value of the excess principal amount.  Code, Section 356(d)(2)(B).

         In a "reorganization" where cash is paid by the acquiring corporation
that is not separately bargained for but is in lieu of fractional share
interests to which shareholders are entitled, such cash payment will be treated
under section 302(a) as a redemption of the fractional share interest which
will be treated as a distribution in exchange, provided that the redemption is
not essentially equivalent to a dividend.  Rev. Rul. 66-365, 1966-2 C.B. 116
amplified Rev. Rul. 81-18, 1981-1 C.B. 122; Rev. Rul. 69-34, 1969-1 C.B. 105.
See also, PLR 9703019.  The Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") will
normally rule that a cash distribution in lieu of fractional share interests
arising in a "reorganization" will be in part or full payment in exchange for
the stock redeemed if the cash distribution is undertaken solely for the
purpose of saving the corporation the expense and inconvenience of issuing and
transferring fractional shares and is not separately bargained-for
consideration.  Rev. Proc. 77-41, 1977-2 C.B. 574.  See e.g. PLR 9701020.

         The term "reorganization" is defined in Section 368(a) and includes
under Section 368(a)(1)(A) a statutory merger or what is commonly referred to
as an "A reorganization."  See also, Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-2(b)(1).

         In the present matter, FAB will merge into ANB in a statutory merger
under the laws of the States of Alabama and Delaware.  Holders of FAB Common
Stock will exchange their shares for ANB Common Stock.  Only in the instance
where a fractional share is computed will the holder of a FAB Common Stock
receive cash in lieu of a fractional share of ANB Common Stock.  The
distribution of cash, as opposed to the distribution of a fractional share of
ANB Common Stock, is solely for the purpose of saving ANB the expense and
inconvenience of issuing and transferring fractional shares of ANB Common Stock
and is not separately bargained-for consideration.

         In the case of an exchange to which section 354 applies, the basis of
the stock or securities received by the transferor, without the recognition of
gain or loss, shall be the same





<PAGE>   9

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 9



as that of the stock or securities exchanged, decreased by (i) the fair market
value of any "other property" and money received by the transferor and (ii) the
amount of loss recognized by the taxpayer on the exchange, and increased by (x)
the amount treated as a dividend and (y) the amount of gain recognized on the
exchange, exclusive of the portion treated as a dividend.  Code, Section
358(a)(1).

         The holding period of stock of a corporation "a party to a
reorganization" received by a transferor includes the period of time that the
transferor held the stock of the other corporation "a party to the
reorganization" if such stock constitutes a capital asset in the hands of the
transferor.  Code, Section 1223(1).  Additionally, for this rule to apply the
stock received must have the same basis, in whole or in part, as the stock
exchanged. Generally, a capital asset will include all property held by a
taxpayer exclusive of (i) stock in trade of a taxpayer or (ii) other property
of a kind which would be properly includible in inventory.  Code, Section
1221(1).

         In the present matter, a holder of FAB Common Stock will have a basis
in the ANB Common Stock received equal to such holder's basis in the FAB Common
Stock surrendered, decreased by the amount of any cash received in lieu of a
fractional share of ANB Common Stock and increased by the amount of gain
recognized as a result of receiving cash in lieu of a fractional share.  Such
holder of FAB Common Stock will include in the holding period of ANB Common
Stock the holding period of such holder of FAB Common Stock unless the FAB
Common Stock was not considered as a capital asset in the hands of such holder.

         With respect to the tax treatment of a corporation that is "a party to
a reorganization" which issues stock to a transferor of stock or securities in
another corporation that is a "party to a reorganization," the basis of the
property acquired shall be the same as the basis in the property surrendered
increased by the amount of gain recognized by the transferor on such transfer.
Code, Section 362(b).

         The term "party to a reorganization" is defined in sections 368(a) and
368(b).  The term "plan of reorganization" is defined in the regulations
promulgated under the authority of section 368.

         Two additional requirements for a "reorganization" are a "continuity
of business enterprise" and a "continuity of interest" therein on the part of
those persons who, directly or indirectly, were the owners of the enterprise
prior to the reorganization.  Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-1(b).

         The "continuity of business enterprise" requirement is satisfied if
the acquiring corporation either (i) continues the acquired corporation's
historic business, or (ii) uses a





<PAGE>   10

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 10



significant portion of the acquired corporation's historic business assets in a
business.  Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-1(d)(2).  With respect to continuing the
historic business of the acquired corporation, the fact that the acquiring
corporation is in the same line of business as the acquired corporation tends
to establish the requisite business continuity.  The acquired corporation's
historic business is generally the business it has most recently conducted.  If
the acquired corporation has more than one line of business, continuity of
business enterprise requires that only a significant line of business be
conducted.  Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-1(d)(3).  With respect to the alternative
of historic business assets continuity, it generally will be satisfied if the
acquiring corporation utilizes a significant portion of the acquired
corporation's historic business assets in a business.  An acquired
corporation's historic business assets are those assets used in its historic
business.  Whether a "significant" portion of the historic assets are used in a
business is based upon the relative importance of the assets to the operation
of the business.  Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-1(d)(4).

         The "continuity of interest" requirement is satisfied if there exists
among the holders of the stock and securities of either (i) the acquired
corporation or (ii) acquiring corporation, the requisite continuity of interest
in the acquiring corporation.  Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-1(b).  For ruling
purposes, the Service has stated that the continuity of interest requirement
will be satisfied if one or more shareholders of the acquired corporation
acquire stock of the acquiring corporation, or a corporation controlling the
acquiring corporation, that is equal in value to at least 50% of the value of
all the outstanding stock of the acquired corporation on the date of the
reorganization.  Rev. Proc. 77-37, 1977-2 C.B. 568.  See, J.E. Seagram Corp. v.
Commissioner 104 TC 100 (1995) (discussion of judicial authority for less than
50%).

         In the present matter, ANB both will continue FAB's historic business
and use a significant portion of FAB's historic business assets in such
business.  Additionally, former holders of FAB Common Stock will acquire in the
aggregate ANB Common Stock equal in value to at least 50% of the value of all
of the outstanding FAB Common Stock on the date of the reorganization, and
there is no known intent to dispose of a sufficient number of ANB Common Stock
to reduce the value of the ANB Common Stock received and retained to less than
50% of the value of the FAB Common Stock immediately before the Merger.

         Additionally, for a transaction to qualify as a reorganization by
virtue of a statutory merger, there must be a business purpose for the
transaction.  Treas. Reg. Sections 1.368-1(b); 1.368-2(b)(2).  Whether a
transaction has a business purpose is eventually a factual question with no
mathematical safe-harbor available.

         In the present matter, ANB should be able by virtue of its size to
realize certain economies of scale and be more competitive with regional and
national providers of financial





<PAGE>   11

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 11



services.  Additionally, holders of FAB Common Stock will receive in exchange
for such shares a security registered under the Securities Act of 1933 issued
by a company that reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Based
upon similar facts, the Service has ruled in the past that a reorganization has
occurred.

         Assuming that a "reorganization" occurs, a "party to a reorganization"
includes both corporations in a transaction qualifying as a reorganization when
one corporation acquires properties of another corporation and, in the case of
a corporation controlling the acquiring corporation, such corporation where its
stock is used in the acquisition.  Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-2(f).  A "plan of
reorganization" is a consummated transaction specifically defined as a
reorganization and is not itself a broadening of the term "reorganization."
Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-2(g).

         Although not directly applicable to the present matter, the Service
has held that the "solely for voting stock" requirement of Sections
368(a)(1)(B) and 368(a)(1)(C) will not be violated if the acquiring corporation
pays expenses of the acquired corporation that are solely and directly related
to the reorganization, but will be violated if the acquiring corporation pays
the individual expenses of the stockholders of the acquired corporation.  Rev.
Rul. 73-54, 1973-1 C.B. 187; PLR 9701020.  Even in statutory mergers, for
ruling purposes, the Service required a representation that each party to the
merger and the stockholders of the acquired corporation will pay their
respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the transaction.  Rev.
Proc. 86-42, 1986-2 C.B. 722.  The Service has stopped ruling on these types of
transactions.  Rev. Proc. 97-3, 1997-I.R.B. 84 (Section 3.01(24)).

         Even though a transaction would otherwise meet all of the requirements
for a "reorganization" as described before, a transaction will not be
considered a "reorganization" if two or more parties to the transaction are
"investment companies," at least as with respect to such "investment company."
Code, Section 368(a)(2)(F)(i).  For this purpose, the term "investment company"
means a "regulated investment company," a "real estate investment trust," or a
corporation 50% or more of the value of whose total assets are stock and
securities and 80% or more of the value of whose total assets are assets held
for investment.  In making this calculation, stock and securities in any
subsidiary are disregarded and the parent corporation is deemed to own its
ratable share of the subsidiary assets, considering for this purpose a
corporation as being a subsidiary if another corporation owns 50% or more of
the combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or 50% or
more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock outstanding.  Code,
Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iii).  Additionally, in determining total assets, there is
excluded cash and cash items (including receivables), government securities and
in certain instances other assets acquired.  Code, Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iv). 
Assets are held for investment if (i) they are held primarily for gain from
appreciation in value, production of





<PAGE>   12

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 12



passive income or both and (ii) are not held primarily for sale to customers.
Prop. Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-4(d)(1).  Passive income includes interest
income if such interest constitutes passive income for purposes of S
corporation taxation.  Prop. Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-4(d)(2).  Interest
income directly derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business of
lending or financing does not constitute passive income.  Treas. Reg. Section
1.1362-2(c)(5)(iii)(B).  Among the requirements to constitute a "regulated
investment company," is that the company files with its return for the taxable
year an election to be a "regulated investment company" or has made such
election for a previous taxable year.  Code, Section 851(d)(1).  A similar
requirement is provided to constitute a "real estate investment trust."  Code,
Section 856(c)(1).

         In the present matter, neither ANB, nor FAB has made an election to be
taxed as a regulated investment company or a real estate investment trust.
Accordingly, such entities can constitute an "investment company" only if 50%
or more of the value of their respective assets are stocks and securities and
80% or more of the value of the total assets are held for investment.  In
making these calculations, cash, cash items (including receivables) and
Government securities are excluded and stock and securities in a 50%-owned
subsidiary are disregarded with the parent being deemed to own its ratable
share of such subsidiaries' assets.  Otherwise, a "security" includes
obligations of state and local governments, commodity futures contracts, shares
of regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts and other
investments constituting a security within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940.  In the present matter, neither ANB nor FAB meet the
definition of an "investment company."

         With respect to FAB Shareholders who elect to exercise their right to
dissent to the Merger, cash received with respect to a dissenter's FAB Common
Stock will be treated as received by the FAB Shareholder in redemption of their
FAB Common Stock, subject to the provisions and limitations of Section 302 of
the Code.


                                    OPINION

         Based upon the facts set forth herein and assuming that the Merger
will take place as described in the Agreement and that the representations made
by ANB and FAB are true and correct at the time of consummation of the Merger,
it is our opinion that:

                 (i)      the Merger will constitute a reorganization within
         the meaning of Section 368 of the Code;





<PAGE>   13

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 13



                 (ii)     no gain or loss will be recognized by a holder of FAB
         Common Stock upon conversion in the Merger of FAB Common Stock into
         ANB Common Stock;

                 (iii)    the basis of ANB Common Stock to be received in the
         Merger by a holder of FAB Common Stock will be the same as such
         holder's basis in the FAB Common Stock exchanged therefor;

                 (iv)     the holding period of ANB Common Stock to be received
         in the Merger by a holder of FAB Common Stock will include the period
         during which such holder held the FAB Common Stock exchanged therefor,
         provided that such FAB Common Stock was held as a capital asset
         immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger;

                 (v)      the receipt of cash in exchange for a fractional
         share interest in a share of ANB Common Stock will be treated as
         received in exchange for such fractional share interest;

                 (vi)     ANB and FAB will each be a "party to a
         reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

                 (vii)    no gain or loss will be recognized by ANB or FAB in
         connection with the reorganization; and

                 (viii)   the receipt of cash by a FAB Shareholder, who
         exercises his or her rights to dissent, will be treated as received in
         exchange for such FAB Common Stock.

         The opinions expressed herein are based upon existing statutory,
regulatory, and judicial authority, any of which may be changed at any time
with retroactive effect.  In addition, our opinions are based solely on the
documents that we have examined, the additional information that we have
obtained, and the statements set out therein, which we have assumed and you
have confirmed to be true on the date hereof and will be true on the date on
which the proposed transaction is consummated.  Our opinions cannot be relied
upon if any of the facts contained in such documents or if such additional
information is, or later becomes, inaccurate, or if any of the statements set
out herein is, or later becomes, inaccurate.  Finally, our opinions are limited
to the tax matters specifically covered thereby, and we have not been asked to
address, nor have we addressed, any other tax consequences of the proposed
transaction.





<PAGE>   14

Alabama National BanCorporation
___________, 1997
Page 14



         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (Registration No.  ___________) filed by ANB relating to
the proposed Merger and to the reference to us under the headings "RISK FACTORS
- - Tax Considerations," "THE MERGER - Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences"
and "LEGAL MATTERS" in the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus included in the
Registration Statement.  This opinion is being provided solely for the use of
ANB.  No other person or party shall be entitled to rely on this opinion.


                               Very truly yours,





<PAGE>   15

                                   EXHIBIT A

                     STATEMENT OF FACTS AND REPRESENTATIONS


         This Statement of Facts and Representations is made on behalf of First
American Bancorp ("FAB") to Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., and is intended to be
relied upon in the issuance of an opinion as to certain federal tax
consequences arising from consummation of the transactions described in the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated July 24, 1997, by and between FAB and
Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB").  Capitalized terms shall have the
meaning assigned to them in the opinion of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. dated
_____________, 1997, to ANB.

         1.      Both the fair market value and adjusted basis of assets of FAB
to be transferred to ANB will equal or exceed the sum of liabilities to be
assumed by ANB, plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the
transferred assets are subject.

         2.      The ratio for the exchange of shares of FAB Common Stock for
ANB Common Stock was negotiated through arm's-length bargaining.  The fair
market value of the ANB Common Stock and cash consideration, in the case of
fractional shares, will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the
FAB Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor.

         3.      The liabilities of FAB to be assumed by ANB and the
liabilities to which transferred assets of FAB are subject were incurred by FAB
in the ordinary course of its business.

         4.      To the best knowledge of management of FAB, there is no plan
or intention by any holder of 1% or more of the outstanding shares of FAB
Common Stock to (i) sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any of the ANB
Common Stock received in the transaction, (ii) reduce the risk associated with
the ownership of ANB Common Stock by entering into a transaction such as a
short sale of ANB Common Stock (including transactions commonly referred to as
a "short-against-the-box"), the granting of "deep-in-the-money" call options,
or other arrangement, or (iii) enter into, or consent to, any contract or other
arrangement with respect to the sale, exchange or other disposition of ANB
Common Stock to be received (collectively a "Disposition Transaction").  To the
best knowledge of management of FAB, there is no plan or intention on the part
of the remaining holders of FAB Common Stock to engage in a Disposition
Transaction of a number of shares of ANB Common Stock received in the Merger
that would reduce the holders of FAB Common Stock holdings of ANB Common Stock
received in the Merger to less than 50% of the value of all FAB Common Stock as
of the effective date of the Merger.

         5.      FAB does not have any indebtedness of ANB or any subsidiary of
ANB that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount, or that was
issued or acquired in connection with this transaction.





                                      A-1
<PAGE>   16

         6.      Any cost or expense incurred by a holder of FAB Common Stock
will be for his own account and will not be paid by FAB.

         7.      The payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of ANB Common
Stock is solely for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to
ANB of issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately bargained
for consideration.  The total cash consideration that will be paid in the
transaction to the holders of FAB Common Stock instead of issuing fractional
shares of ANB Common Stock will not exceed one percent (1%) of the total
consideration that will be issued in the transaction to the holders of FAB in
exchange for their shares of FAB Common Stock.  The fractional share interests
of each FAB Common Stock will be aggregated, and no holder of FAB Common Stock
will receive cash in an amount greater than the value of one full share of ANB
Common Stock based upon the average sales price of one full share of ANB Common
Stock reported on the NASDAQ National Market during the ten trading days ending
on the tenth business day prior to the effective date of the Merger.

         8.      The fee to be paid to those individuals who are members of the
Board of Directors of FAB who become directors of ANB, is not allocable to any
of the FAB Common Stock.  Any consideration to be paid by ANB to Dan M. David
pursuant to employment arrangements is not allocable to any of the FAB Common
Stock.  No shareholder-employee of FAB will receive any consideration for the
FAB Common Stock owned by such shareholder-employee in the form of compensation
for services rendered or to be rendered and all compensation to such
shareholder-employee for services rendered or to be rendered will be
commensurate with amounts paid to third parties bargaining at arm's-length for
similar services.

         9.      FAB is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or
similar case.

         10.     As of December 31, 1996, the total assets of FAB, exclusive of
cash, cash items (including receivables) and Government securities was
$______________.  Of this amount, the total value of the assets held for
investments constitutes $___________, of which $____________ consists of stock
and securities.

         11.     As of the date hereof, there has been no substantial change
from December 31, 1996 in FAB's total assets or that portion of FAB's total
assets represented by investment securities.

         12.     Except as will be effected by the Merger, there has been no
change in the issued and outstanding FAB Common Stock since December 31, 1996.

         13.     FAB has not elected to be taxed as a regulated investment
company or a real estate investment trust.

                                        FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP

                                        By:_____________________________________
                                          Its:__________________________________





                                      A-2
<PAGE>   17

                                   EXHIBIT B

                     STATEMENT OF FACTS AND REPRESENTATIONS


        This Statement of Facts and Representations is made on behalf of
Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB"), to Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., and
is intended to be relied upon in the issuance of an opinion as to certain
federal tax consequences arising from consummation of the transactions
described in the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated July 24, 1997, by and
between First American Bancorp ("FAB") and ANB.  Capitalized terms shall have
the meaning assigned to them in the opinion of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C.
dated _________, 1997, to ANB.

        1.       The ratio for the exchange of shares of FAB Common Stock for
ANB Common Stock was negotiated through arm's-length bargaining.  The fair
market value of the ANB Common Stock and cash consideration in the case of
fractional shares will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the
FAB Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor.

        2.       Each share of ANB common stock (excluding shares held by
stockholders who perfect their dissenter's right of appraisal as provided in
the Merger Agreement) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective
time of the Merger shall remain issued and outstanding from and after the
effective time.

        3.       ANB does not have any indebtedness of FAB or any subsidiary of
FAB that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount, or that was
issued or acquired in connection with this transaction.

        4.       ANB has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of
any of the assets of FAB acquired in the transaction, except for dispositions
made, or to be made, in the ordinary course of business or for transfers to
another corporation controlled by ANB.  Following the Merger, ANB will continue
the historic business of FAB and use a significant portion of FAB's assets in
such business, including the operation of the banking business of FAB conducted
through First Bank.

        5.       ANB has no plan or intention to reacquire any ANB Common Stock
issued in this transaction.

        6.       None of ANB, its subsidiaries (other than in a fiduciary
capacity), directors and executive officers owned on December 31, 1996 any FAB
Common Stock.

        7.       The payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of ANB Common
Stock is solely for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to
ANB of issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately bargained
for consideration.  The total cash consideration that will be paid in the
transaction to the holders of FAB Common Stock instead of issuing fractional
shares of ANB Common Stock will not exceed one percent (1%) of the total
consideration that





                                      B-1
<PAGE>   18

will be issued in the transaction to the holders of FAB in exchange for their
shares of FAB Common Stock.  The fractional share interests of each FAB Common
Stock will be aggregated, and no holder of FAB Common Stock will receive cash
in an amount greater than the book value of one full share of ANB Common Stock
determined as of the month-end immediately preceding the effective date of the
Merger.

        8.       As of December 31, 1996, the total assets of ANB, exclusive of
cash, cash items (including receivables) and Government securities were
$_____________.  Of this amount, the total value of the assets held for
investment constitutes $_____________, of which $_______________ consists of
stock and securities.  As of the date hereof, there has been no substantial
change in ANB's total assets, the portion of ANB's total assets held for
investment, or that portion represented by stock and securities.

        9.       ANB is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or 
similar case.

        10.      ANB has no plan or intention to liquidate First American Bank,
to merge First American Bank into another corporation, or to cause First
American Bank to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of First
American Bank, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business.

        11.      ANB has not elected to be taxed as a regulated investment
company or a real estate investment trust.

                                        ALABAMA NATIONAL
                                        BANCORPORATION


                                        By:____________________________________
                                          Its:_________________________________





                                      B-2

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 8.2

                                 FORM OF OPINION
                               BALCH & BINGHAM LLP
                                  P. O. Box 306
                            Birmingham, Alabama 35201





                           ________________ ____, 1997






First American Bancorp
251 Johnston Street, S.E.
Decatur, Alabama  35609

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This opinion is being delivered to you in connection with the filing of
a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") with respect
to certain transactions to be undertaken pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of July 24, 1997 (the "Agreement") by and between First American
Bancorp ("FAB") and Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB"). FAB will merge with
and into ANB with ANB surviving the merger (the "Merger") pursuant to the
Agreement.

         Except as otherwise provided, capitalized terms not defined herein have
the meanings set forth in the Agreement or in certificates delivered to us by
FAB and ANB (the "Certificates"). All section references, unless otherwise
indicated, are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

         We have acted as special counsel to FAB in connection with the Merger.
As such, and for the purpose of rendering this opinion, we have examined
originals, certified copies or copies otherwise identified to our satisfaction
as being true copies of the original of the following documents (including all
exhibits and schedules attached thereto):

         (a) the Agreement;





<PAGE>   2


First American Bancorp
_______________ ___, 1997
Page 2


         (b)      the Management Certificate dated of even date herewith signed
                  by an authorized officer of ANB and attached as Exhibit A;

         (c)      the Management Certificate dated of even date herewith signed
                  by an authorized officer of FAB and attached as Exhibit B;

         (d)      the Registration Statement; and

         (e)      such other instruments and documents related to the
                  consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated
                  thereby as we have deemed necessary or appropriate.

         In connection with rendering this opinion, we have assumed (without any
independent investigation or review thereof):

         1.       that original documents (including signatures) are authentic,
documents submitted to us as copies conform to the original documents, and there
is (or will be prior to the Closing) due execution and delivery of all documents
where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness
thereof;

         2.       the truth and accuracy at all relevant times (including the
Effective Time), of all representations, warranties and statements made or
agreed to by FAB and ANB, their managements, employees, officers, directors and
stockholders in connection with the Merger, including but not limited to those
set forth in the Agreement and the Certificates; that any such representation,
warranty or statement made "to the best knowledge of" or otherwise similarly
qualified is correct without such qualification; that all covenants contained in
such agreements are performed without waiver or breach of any material provision
thereof;

         3.       that no outstanding indebtedness of FAB or ANB has or will
represent equity for tax purposes; no outstanding equity of FAB or ANB has
represented or will represent indebtedness for tax purposes; no outstanding
security, instrument, agreement or arrangement that provides for, contains or
represents either a right to acquire FAB Common Stock or to share in the
appreciation thereof constitutes or will constitute "stock" for purposes of
Section 368(c) of the Code; and

         4.       that the Merger will be consummated pursuant to the Agreement
and will be effective under applicable state law.




<PAGE>   3


First American Bancorp
_______________ ___, 1997
Page 3



         Based on our examination of the foregoing items and subject to the
limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the
opinion that for federal income tax purposes (i) the Merger will qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, (ii) the
exchange in the Merger of FAB Common Stock for ANB Common Stock will not give
rise to gain or loss to the stockholders of FAB with respect to such exchange
(except to the extent of any cash received), and (iii) neither FAB nor ANB will
recognize gain or loss as a consequence of the Merger.

         In addition, we have reviewed the discussion contained in the
Registration Statement under "THE MERGER - Federal Income Tax Consequences" (the
"Tax Discussion"). Subject to the qualifications and limitations contained
herein and in the Tax Discussion, we are of the opinion that the Tax Discussion
fairly presents the current federal income tax law applicable to the Merger and
the material federal income tax consequences to ANB, FAB and the stockholders of
FAB as a result of the Merger.

         This opinion does not address the various state, local or foreign tax
consequences that may result from the Merger. In addition, no opinion is
expressed as to any federal income tax consequence of the Merger except as
specifically set forth herein and this opinion may not be relied upon except
with respect to the consequences specifically discussed herein. In particular,
we express no opinion regarding, among other things (i) the tax consequences of
the Merger that may be relevant to particular securityholders of FAB such as
dealers in securities, foreign persons, holders of options or warrants, and
holders of shares acquired upon exercise of stock options or in other
compensatory transactions, (ii) the tax consequences to FAB stockholders of
other transactions effected prior to or after the Merger (whether or not such
transactions are consummated in connection with the Merger), and (iii) the tax
consequences of the Merger to FAB and ANB under Section 1502 of the Code and the
Income Tax Regulations issued thereunder.

         No opinion is expressed as to any transactions other than the Merger as
described in the Agreement or to any other transaction whatsoever including the
Merger if all the transactions described in the Agreement are not consummated in
accordance with the terms of the Agreement and without waiver of any material
provision thereof. To the extent any of the representations, warranties,
statements and assumptions material to our opinion and upon which we have relied
are not complete, correct, true and




<PAGE>   4


First American Bancorp
_______________ ___, 1997
Page 4


accurate in all material respects at all relevant times, our opinion would be
adversely affected and should not be relied upon.

         This opinion only represents our best judgment as to the federal income
tax consequences of the Merger and is not binding on the Internal Revenue
Service or the courts. The conclusions are based on the Code, existing judicial
decisions, administration regulations and published rulings. No assurance can be
given that future legislative, judicial or administrative changes would not
adversely affect the accuracy of the conclusions stated herein. Nevertheless, by
rendering this opinion we undertake no responsibility to advise you of any new
developments in the application or interpretation of the federal income tax
laws.

         We understand that counsel for ANB, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., has
rendered a tax opinion substantially similar to this opinion concerning the
federal income tax consequences of the Merger.

         This opinion has been delivered to you for the purpose of filing with
the Registration Statement and may not be distributed or otherwise made
available to any other person or entity without our prior written consent. We
consent to the use of this form of opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement.

                                                     Sincerely,







<PAGE>   5



                                    EXHIBIT A

                             MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE

                           _______________ ____, 1997



Balch & Bingham LLP                              Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C.
1901 Sixth Avenue North                          1901 Sixth Avenue North
Suite 2600                                       Suite 2400
Birmingham, Alabama  35203                       Birmingham, Alabama  35203


         RE:      Merger pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger
                  (the "Agreement"), dated as of July 24, 1997, by and between
                  First American Bancorp ("FAB") and Alabama National
                  BanCorporation ("ANB").

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This letter is supplied to you in connection with your rendering of
opinions regarding certain federal income tax consequences of the Merger. Unless
otherwise indicated, capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings set
forth in the Agreement.

         A.       REPRESENTATIONS. After consulting with its counsel and
auditors regarding the meaning of and the factual support for the following
representations, the undersigned hereby certifies and represents that the
following facts are now true and will continue to be true as of the Effective
Time of the Merger and thereafter where relevant:

                  1.       ANB's principal reasons for participating in the
Merger are bona fide business reasons.

                  2.       ANB has no plan or intention to reacquire any of its
stock issued in the Merger, although ANB may employ general stock repurchase
programs in the future which would be indiscriminate as to holders of stock from
whom repurchased.

                  3.       ANB has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise
dispose of any of the assets of FAB acquired in the Merger, except for
dispositions made in the ordinary course of business.

                  4.       Following the Merger, ANB will continue the historic
business of FAB or use a significant portion of FAB's historic business assets
in a business.





<PAGE>   6



                  5.       ANB is not and will not be at the Effective Time an
investment company within the meaning of Section 368(a)(2)(F) of the Code.

                  6.       The payment of cash in the Merger in lieu of
fractional shares of ANB Common Stock is solely for the purpose of avoiding the
expense and inconvenience to ANB of issuing fractional shares and does not
represent separately bargained-for consideration. The ANB fractional share
interests to which each FAB stockholder may be entitled in the Merger will be
aggregated and no FAB stockholder will receive cash in an amount equal to or
greater than the value of one full share of ANB Common Stock, except for any
cases in which an FAB stockholder holds beneficial interests in shares of FAB
through more than one account and such multiple accounts cannot be aggregated
either because the beneficial interest cannot be identified or it would be
improper to do so.

                  7.       Except with respect to (i) payments of cash to FAB
stockholders in lieu of fractional shares of ANB Common Stock, and (ii) payments
of cash to FAB dissenting stockholders, if any, one hundred percent (100%) of
the FAB Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger will be
exchanged solely for ANB Common Stock. Thus, except as set forth in the
preceding sentence, ANB intends that no consideration be paid or received
(directly or indirectly, actually or constructively) for FAB Common Stock other
than ANB Common Stock.

                  8.       The total fair market value of all consideration
other than ANB Common Stock received by FAB stockholders in exchange for their
FAB Common Stock in the Merger (including, without limitation, cash paid to FAB
dissenting stockholders, if any, or in lieu of fractional shares of ANB Common
Stock) is expected to be less than ten percent (10%) of the aggregate fair
market value of FAB Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger. In
addition, the total cash consideration that will be paid in the Merger to FAB
stockholders in lieu of fractional shares of ANB Common Stock will not exceed
one percent (1%) of the total consideration that will be issued in the Merger to
FAB stockholders in exchange for their shares of FAB Common Stock.

                  9.       At the Effective Time of the Merger, the fair market
value of the ANB Common Stock and the other consideration received by each FAB
stockholder will be approximately equal to the aggregate fair market value of
the FAB Common Stock surrendered by each such FAB stockholder in exchange
therefor.

                  10.      There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing
between ANB and FAB that was issued, acquired, or will be settled at a discount.



                                        2

<PAGE>   7




                  11.      None of the compensation payments received by any
stockholder of FAB will be separate consideration for, or attributable to, any
of their shares of FAB Common Stock; none of the shares of ANB Common Stock
received by any stockholder of FAB will be separate consideration for, or
attributable to, any employment agreement, consulting agreement or any covenants
not to compete or otherwise for the performance of services; and the
compensation paid to any stockholder of FAB will be for services actually
rendered and will be commensurate with amounts paid to third parties bargaining
at arm's length for similar services.

         B.       RELIANCE BY YOU IN RENDERING OPINIONS; LIMITATIONS ON YOUR
OPINIONS.

                  1.       The undersigned recognizes that (i) your opinions
will be based on, among other things, the representations and statements set
forth herein, in the Agreement and in the documents related thereto, and (ii)
your opinions will be subject to certain limitations, qualifications and
assumptions including that the opinions may not be relied upon if any such
representations or statements are not accurate in all material respects.

                  2.       The undersigned recognizes that your opinions will
not address any tax consequences of the Merger or any action taken in connection
therewith except as expressly set forth in such opinions.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
                                             a Delaware corporation


                                             By:
                                                ----------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:





                                        3

<PAGE>   8



                                    EXHIBIT B

                             MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE




                           _______________ ____, 1997





Balch & Bingham LLP                             Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C.
1901 Sixth Avenue North                         1901 Sixth Avenue North
Suite 2600                                      Suite 2400
Birmingham, Alabama  35203                      Birmingham, Alabama  35203


         RE:      Merger pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger
                  (the "Agreement"), dated as of July 24, 1997, by and between
                  First American Bancorp ("FAB") and Alabama National
                  BanCorporation ("ANB").

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This letter is supplied to you in connection with your rendering of
opinions regarding certain federal income tax consequences of the Merger. Unless
otherwise indicated, capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings set
forth in the Agreement.

         A.       REPRESENTATIONS. After consulting with its counsel and
auditors regarding the meaning of and the factual support for the following
representations, the undersigned hereby certifies and represents that the
following facts are now true and will continue to be true as of the Effective
Time of the Merger and thereafter where relevant:

                  1.       FAB's principal reasons for participating in the
Merger are bona fide business reasons.

                  2.       The total fair market value of all consideration
other than ANB Common Stock received by FAB stockholders in exchange for their
FAB Common Stock in the Merger (including, without limitation, cash paid to FAB
dissenting stockholders, if any, or in lieu of fractional shares of ANB Common
Stock), will be less than ten percent (10%) of the aggregate fair market value
of FAB Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger.





<PAGE>   9




                  3.       The liabilities of FAB have been incurred by FAB in
the ordinary course of its business.

                  4.       The fair market value of FAB's assets will, at the
Effective Time, exceed the aggregate liabilities of FAB plus the amount of
liabilities, if any, to which such assets are subject.

                  5.       Other than shares of FAB Common Stock or options to
acquire such stock issued as compensation to present or former service providers
(including, without limitation, employees and directors) of FAB in the ordinary
course of business, if any, no issuances of FAB Common Stock or rights to
acquire such stock have occurred or will occur during the period beginning with
the commencement of negotiations (whether formal or informal) between FAB and
ANB regarding the Merger and ending on the Effective Time of the Merger (the
"Pre-Merger Period") other than pursuant to options, warrants or agreements
outstanding prior to the Pre-Merger Period.

                  6.       FAB is not and will not be at the Effective Time an
"investment company" within the meaning of Section 368(a)(2)(F) of the Code.

                  7.       FAB is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a
Title 11 or similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.

                  8.       To the best knowledge of FAB, there is no plan or
intention by the stockholders of FAB to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of a
number of shares of ANB Common Stock received in the Merger that would reduce
the FAB stockholders' ownership of ANB Common Stock to a number of shares having
a value, as of the Effective Time of the Merger, of less than fifty percent
(50%) of the value of all of the formerly outstanding FAB Common Stock as of the
Effective Time. For purposes of this representation, shares of FAB Common Stock
(or portion thereof) (i) with respect to which a stockholder receives cash in
lieu of fractional shares of ANB Common Stock or pursuant to the exercise of
dissenters' rights and/or (ii) with respect to which a sale occurs during the
Pre-Merger Period, shall be considered shares of outstanding FAB Common Stock
exchanged for ANB Common Stock in the Merger and then disposed of pursuant to a
plan.

                  9.       The payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of
ANB Common Stock is solely for the purpose of avoiding the expense and
inconvenience to ANB of issuing fractional shares and does not represent
separately bargained-for consideration. The total cash consideration that will
be paid in the Merger to FAB stockholders in lieu of fractional shares of ANB
Common Stock will not exceed one percent (1%) of the total consideration that
will be



                                        2

<PAGE>   10



issued in the Merger to FAB stockholders in exchange for their shares of FAB
Common Stock. The ANB fractional share interests to which each FAB stockholder
may be entitled in the Merger will be aggregated, and no FAB stockholder will
receive cash in an amount equal to or greater than the value of one full share
of ANB Common Stock, except for any cases in which a FAB stockholder holds
beneficial interests in shares of FAB through more than one account and such
multiple accounts cannot be aggregated either because the beneficial interest
cannot be identified or it would be improper to do so.

                  10.      Except with respect to (i) payments of cash to FAB
stockholders in lieu of fractional shares of ANB Common Stock, and (ii) payments
of cash to FAB stockholders perfecting dissenters' rights, one hundred percent
(100%) of the FAB Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger will
be exchanged solely for ANB Common Stock. Thus, except as set forth in the
preceding sentence, FAB intends that no consideration be paid or received
(directly or indirectly, actually or constructively) for FAB Common Stock other
than ANB Common Stock.

                  11.      At the Effective Time of the Merger, the fair market
value of the ANB Common Stock and other consideration received by each FAB
stockholder will be approximately equal to the aggregate fair market value of
the FAB Common Stock surrendered by each such FAB stockholder.

                  12.      There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing
between ANB and FAB that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount.

                  13.      None of the compensation payments received by any
stockholder of FAB will be separate consideration for, or attributable to, any
of their shares of FAB Common Stock; none of the shares of ANB Common Stock
received by any stockholder of FAB will be separate consideration for, or
attributable to, any employment agreement, consulting agreement, any covenants
not to compete or otherwise for the performance of services; and the
compensation paid to any stockholder of FAB will be for services actually
rendered and will be commensurate with amounts paid to third parties bargaining
at arm's length for similar services.

         B.       RELIANCE BY YOU IN RENDERING OPINIONS; LIMITATIONS ON YOUR
OPINIONS.

                  1.       The undersigned recognizes that (i) your opinions
will be based on the representations and statements set forth herein, in the
Agreement and in the documents related thereto and (ii) your opinions will be
subject to certain limitations and qualifications and assumptions, including
that the opinions may not



                                        3

<PAGE>   11


be relied upon if any such representations or statements are not accurate in all
material respects.

                  2.       The undersigned recognizes that your opinions will
not address any tax consequences of the Merger or any action taken in connection
therewith except as expressly set forth in such opinions.

                                              Very truly yours,

                                              FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP
                                              an Alabama corporation


                                              By:
                                                  ---------------------------
                                              Name:
                                              Title:





                                        4




<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on
Form S-4 (File No. 33-      ) of our report dated January 15, 1997, which
includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the combination and reclassification
of the 1995 financial statements and the 1996 change in accounting method for
stock-based compensation and the 1994 change in accounting method for
investments, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Alabama
National BanCorporation as of December 31, 1996 and 1994 and for the years
ended December 31, 1996 and 1994.  We also consent to the reference to our
firm under the caption "Experts".


                                                

                                           /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. 



Birmingham, Alabama
September 24, 1997

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


Consent of Ernst & Young LLP



We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of Alabama National
BanCorporation for the registration of 2,200,000 shares of its common stock and
to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 29, 1996,
with respect to the 1995 consolidated financial statements of Alabama National
BanCorporation (not presented separately in the 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K)
which report is included in Alabama National BanCorporation's Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Birmingham, Alabama
September 24, 1997

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3




Consent of Dudley, Hopton-Jones, Sims & Freeman PLLP


We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of Alabama National
BanCorporation on Form S-4 of our report dated January 12, 1996 relating to the
financial statements of First American Bancorp and subsidiary and to the
reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Joint Proxy Statement and
Prospectus.

                                   /s/ Dudley, Hopton-Jones, Sims & Freeman PLLP


Birmingham, Alabama
September 26, 1997

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.8


                  CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED TO BECOME A DIRECTOR


         The undersigned hereby consents, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, to the reference to him under the caption "THE
MERGER--Management and Operations After the Merger" in the Joint Proxy Statement
and Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of
Alabama National BanCorporation.


                                    /s/ Dan M. David
                                    --------------------------------------------
Decatur, Alabama                    Dan M. David
September 22, 1997

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.9







                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (File No. 33-       ) of our report dated February 17, 1997, on our
audit of the consolidated financial statements of First American Bancorp and
subsidiary as of December 31, 1996, and for the year then ended.  We also
consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts."





                                                /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


                                                COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Birmingham, Alabama
September 24, 1997

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
 
                                REVOCABLE PROXY
                        ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION
                            1927 FIRST AVENUE NORTH
                           BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203
 
   THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ALABAMA
NATIONAL BANCORPORATION ("ANB") FOR USE ONLY AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON         , 1997, AND AT ANY POSTPONEMENT OR
ADJOURNMENT THEREOF (THE "SPECIAL MEETING").
 
   The undersigned, being a Shareholder of ANB, hereby appoints John H. Holcomb,
III and Victor E. Nichol, Jr., and each of them, as Proxies, each with the power
to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them, or either of them, to
represent the undersigned at the Special Meeting and to act with respect to all
votes that the undersigned would be entitled to cast, if then personally
present, on the following matters in accordance with the following instructions
on the reverse side hereof:
 
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of
   Merger, dated as of July 24, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between
   ANB and First American Bancorp ("FAB"), pursuant to which, among other
   matters (a) FAB would be merged with and into ANB and (b) each share of FAB
   common stock will be converted into the right to receive .7199 shares of ANB
   common stock. A copy of the Merger Agreement is set forth in Appendix A to
   the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus.
 
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special
   Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
   Please mark, date and sign this Proxy below and return promptly using the
enclosed envelope.
 
               THIS PROXY CARD IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
              PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
 
   THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE SPECIAL MEETING MAY BE POSTPONED OR
ADJOURNED TO A DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE SET FORTH ABOVE, AND INTENDS THAT
THIS PROXY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING AFTER SUCH POSTPONEMENT(S)
OR ADJOURNMENT(S). THIS PROXY IS REVOCABLE, AND THE UNDERSIGNED MAY REVOKE IT AT
ANY TIME BY DELIVERY OF WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH REVOCATION TO ANB, PRIOR TO THE
DATE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING, OR BY ATTENDANCE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.
 
   THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE MERGER.
 
ELECTION TO APPROVE THE MERGER:
 
             [ ] FOR             [ ] AGAINST             [ ] ABSTAIN
 
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                            Signature
 
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                            Signature
 
                                                  Date:
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                  NOTE: Please sign exactly as
                                                  name appears above. When
                                                  signing as attorney, executor,
                                                  administrator, trustee or
                                                  guardian, please give full
                                                  title as such. If a
                                                  corporation, please sign in
                                                  full corporation name by
                                                  president or other authorized
                                                  officer. If a partnership,
                                                  please sign in partnership
                                                  name by authorized person.

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2
 
                                REVOCABLE PROXY
                             FIRST AMERICAN BANCORP
                            251 JOHNSTON STREET, SE
                             DECATUR, ALABAMA 35601
 
   THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FIRST AMERICAN
BANCORP ("FAB") FOR USE ONLY AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD
ON         , 1997, AND AT ANY POSTPONEMENT OR ADJOURNMENT THEREOF (THE "SPECIAL
MEETING").
 
   The undersigned, being a Shareholder of FAB, hereby appoints A. Allen
Hamilton and Jon H. Moores, and each of them, as Proxies, each with the power to
appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them, or either of them, to
represent the undersigned at the Special Meeting and to act with respect to all
votes that the undersigned would be entitled to cast, if then personally
present, on the following matters in accordance with the following instructions
on the reverse side hereof:
 
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of
   Merger, dated as of July 24, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between
   FAB and Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB"), pursuant to which, among
   other matters (a) FAB would be merged with and into ANB and (b) each share of
   FAB common stock will be converted into the right to receive .7199 shares of
   ANB common stock. A copy of the Merger Agreement is set forth in Appendix A
   to the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus.
 
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special
   Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
   Please mark, date and sign this Proxy below and return promptly using the
enclosed envelope.
 
               THIS PROXY CARD IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
              PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
 
   THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE SPECIAL MEETING MAY BE POSTPONED OR
ADJOURNED TO A DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE SET FORTH ABOVE, AND INTENDS THAT
THIS PROXY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING AFTER SUCH POSTPONEMENT(S)
OR ADJOURNMENT(S). THIS PROXY IS REVOCABLE, AND THE UNDERSIGNED MAY REVOKE IT AT
ANY TIME BY DELIVERY OF WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH REVOCATION TO ANB, PRIOR TO THE
DATE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING, OR BY ATTENDANCE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.
 
   THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE MERGER.
 
ELECTION TO APPROVE THE MERGER:
 
             [ ] FOR             [ ] AGAINST             [ ] ABSTAIN
 
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                            Signature
 
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                            Signature
 
                                                  Date:
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                  NOTE: Please sign exactly as
                                                  name appears above. When
                                                  signing as attorney, executor,
                                                  administrator, trustee or
                                                  guardian, please give full
                                                  title as such. If a
                                                  corporation, please sign in
                                                  full corporation name by
                                                  president or other authorized
                                                  officer. If a partnership,
                                                  please sign in partnership
                                                  name by authorized person.


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