EXHIBIT 10.2

     THIS AGREEMENT,  made this 12th day of June,  1997, by and between AMERICAN
NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a national banking  association,  ("the Bank"),
and CHARLES H. MAJORS ("the Employee").

     WHEREAS, the Bank values the ability of the Employee as an important member
of management and recognizes that his future services are vital to its continued
growth and profits and that the loss of his services would result in substantial
cost in the efficient and effective operation of the Bank; and,

     WHEREAS,  the Bank in order to  retain  the  services  of the  Employee  is
willing to provide retirement  benefits and/or death benefits for his designated
beneficiary as set out below;

     NOW THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed that:

     1. If the Employee dies while  employed by the Bank prior to Retirement (as
hereinafter defined),  the Bank shall pay the annual sum of $50,000,  payable in
annual  installments,  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  to  such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee. The first
payment shall be made not later than three months  following the Employee's date
of death.

     2. In the event the  Employee  terminates  employment  because of the total
disability of the Employee, and such disability continues until the death of the
Employee or the Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first,
the  Employee  shall be  entitled  to  receive  from the Bank the  annual sum of
$50,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later than three months
following the Employee's date of death or the date the Employee  attains the age
of 62 years,  whichever occurs first, for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during the said ten year period,  the installments  shall continue to
be payable until the  expiration  of said ten year period to such  individual or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.

     3. Upon Retirement, the Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $50,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than three months after  retirement,  for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during said ten year period,  the  installments  shall continue to be
payable  until the  expiration  of said ten year  period to such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.
      
     4. In the event,  following a Change in Control (as  hereinafter  defined),
(a) the Employee terminates  employment following a Change in Control or (b) the
Bank  terminates  the  Employee's  employment  for other than  Proper  Cause (as
hereinafter  defined),  the Employee  shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $50,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than  three  months  following  the  Employee's  date of  death  or the date the
Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first, for a period of
ten years.  If the  Employee  should die  during the said ten year  period,  the
installments  shall continue to be payable until the expiration of said ten year
period to such  individual or individuals as the Employee shall have  designated
in writing  filed with the Bank or, in the absence of such  designation,  to the
estate of the Employee.

     5. During the period of  disability  and/or  during the ten year period the
Employee is receiving  payments  under this  Agreement,  the  Employee  will not
become  associated  with, or engage in, or render  service to any other business
competitive to the business of the Bank within a fifty-mile radius of any office
of the Bank.

     6. If the Employee shall fail to substantially perform all of the terms and
conditions of this  Agreement to be performed by him, or if other than following
Change  in  Control  he  voluntarily  leaves  the  employ  of the Bank  prior to
retirement,  or if prior to retirement he is discharged  for Proper Cause,  then
all  subsequent  compensation  required  to be  paid  by the  Bank to him or any
designated  beneficiary,  or the remainder thereof, as the case may be, shall be
forfeited.

     7. If any benefits  become payable under this  Agreement,  the Employee (or
designated  beneficiary in the case of the Employee's  death) shall file a claim
for benefits by notifying the Bank orally or in writing.  If the claim is wholly
or partially  denied,  the Bank shall  provide a written  notice  within 90 days
specifying  the reason for the denial,  the provisions of the Agreement on which
the denial is based, and additional material or information necessary to receive
benefits, if any. Also, such written notice shall indicate the steps to be taken
if a review of the denial is desired.

     If a claim is denied and a review is desired,  the Employee (or  designated
beneficiary  in the  case of the  Employee's  death)  shall  notify  the Bank in
writing within 60 days. In requesting a review,  the Employee or beneficiary may
submit any written issues and comments he feels are appropriate.  The Bank shall
then  review  the claim and  provide a  written  decision  within 60 days.  This
decision  shall state the specific  reasons for the  decision and shall  include
references to specific provisions on which the decision is based.

     8. Neither the Employee nor any designated beneficiary shall have any right
to sell, assign,  transfer or otherwise convey the right to receive any payments
hereunder.

     9. Any  payments  under  this  Agreement  shall be  independent  of, and in
addition  to, those under any other plan,  program or agreement  which may be in
effect  between the parties  hereto,  or any other  compensation  payable to the
Employee or the Employee's  designated  beneficiary by the Bank.  This Agreement
shall not be  construed  as a contract of  employment  nor does it restrict  the
right of the Bank to discharge the Employee for Proper Cause or the right of the
Employee to terminate employment.

     The Bank shall be under no obligation  whatever to purchase or maintain any
contract,  policy or other asset to provide the benefits  under this  Agreement.
Further,  any  contract,  policy or other  asset  which the Bank may  utilize to
assure itself of the funds to provide the benefits  hereunder shall not serve in
any way as  security  to the  Employee  for the  Bank's  performance  under this
Agreement.  The rights  accruing to the  Employee or any  beneficiary  hereunder
shall be solely those of an unsecured creditor of the Bank.

     10.  "Change in Control"  means if: (a) after the date hereof,  any person,
including a 'group' as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becomes,
directly or  indirectly,  the  beneficial  owner of shares of American  National
Bankshares Inc.  ("Bankshares")  having 30% or more of the combined voting power
of the then  outstanding  shares of Bankshares that may be cast for the election
of  the  Bankshares'  directors  (other  than  as a  result  of an  issuance  of
securities  initiated by Bankshares  or a tender offer or open market  purchases
approved by the Board of Directors of Bankshares  ("the Board"),  as long as the
majority of the Board  approving  the  purchases  are  directors at the time the
purchases  are  made);  or  (b) as the  direct  or  indirect  result  of,  or in
connection  with, a cash tender or exchange  offer,  a merger or other  business
combination,  a sale of  assets,  a  contested  election  of  directors,  or any
combination of these transactions,  the persons who were directors of Bankshares
before any such transactions cease to constitute a majority of the Board, or any
successor's board, within two years of the last of such transactions.

     11.  "Retirement"  means  the  Employee's  retirement  from the  Bank  upon
attaining  at  least 62 years  of age or such  earlier  date as may be  mutually
agreed upon by the Employee and the Bank.

     12. "Proper Cause" means:

     (a) conviction of the Employee for a felony or misdemeanor  involving moral
turpitude;

     (b) failure or refusal by the Employee to faithfully or diligently  perform
the duties reasonably required by the Bank; or

     (c)  any  act by the  Employee  which,  under  Federal  law or  regulation,
disqualifies the Employee from serving as an officer of the Bank.

     13. The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern this Agreement.

     14.  This  Agreement  may not be  altered,  amended or revoked  except by a
written agreement signed by the Bank and Employee.

     15. This Agreement  shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
any successor entity of the Bank.

     16. Where  appropriate in this Agreement,  words used in the singular shall
include the plural and words used in the masculine shall include the feminine.

     17. This Agreement  replaces and supercedes that certain  agreement between
the Bank and Employee dated February 22, 1993.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

                                         AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
                                         AND TRUST COMPANY



                                         BY:  /s/Gilmer D. Jefferson
                                              ______________________________

                                         TITLE:  Senior Vice Pres. & Cashier
                                                 ___________________________

                                         /s/Charles H. Majors
                                         ___________________________________
                                         CHARLES H. MAJORS

EXHIBIT 10.3

     THIS AGREEMENT,  made this 12th day of June,  1997, by and between AMERICAN
NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a national banking  association,  ("the Bank"),
and E. BUDGE KENT, JR. ("the Employee").

     WHEREAS, the Bank values the ability of the Employee as an important member
of management and recognizes that his future services are vital to its continued
growth and profits and that the loss of his services would result in substantial
cost in the efficient and effective operation of the Bank; and,

     WHEREAS,  the Bank in order to  retain  the  services  of the  Employee  is
willing to provide retirement  benefits and/or death benefits for his designated
beneficiary as set out below;

     NOW THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed that:

     1. If the Employee dies while  employed by the Bank prior to Retirement (as
hereinafter defined),  the Bank shall pay the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in
annual  installments,  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  to  such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee. The first
payment shall be made not later than three months  following the Employee's date
of death.

     2. In the event the  Employee  terminates  employment  because of the total
disability of the Employee, and such disability continues until the death of the
Employee or the Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first,
the  Employee  shall be  entitled  to  receive  from the Bank the  annual sum of
$25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later than three months
following the Employee's date of death or the date the Employee  attains the age
of 62 years,  whichever occurs first, for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during the said ten year period,  the installments  shall continue to
be payable until the  expiration  of said ten year period to such  individual or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.

     3. Upon Retirement, the Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than three months after  retirement,  for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during said ten year period,  the  installments  shall continue to be
payable  until the  expiration  of said ten year  period to such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.
      
     4. In the event,  following a Change in Control (as  hereinafter  defined),
(a) the Employee terminates  employment following a Change in Control or (b) the
Bank  terminates  the  Employee's  employment  for other than  Proper  Cause (as
hereinafter  defined),  the Employee  shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than  three  months  following  the  Employee's  date of  death  or the date the
Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first, for a period of
ten years.  If the  Employee  should die  during the said ten year  period,  the
installments  shall continue to be payable until the expiration of said ten year
period to such  individual or individuals as the Employee shall have  designated
in writing  filed with the Bank or, in the absence of such  designation,  to the
estate of the Employee.

     5. During the period of  disability  and/or  during the ten year period the
Employee is receiving  payments  under this  Agreement,  the  Employee  will not
become  associated  with, or engage in, or render  service to any other business
competitive to the business of the Bank within a fifty-mile radius of any office
of the Bank.

     6. If the Employee shall fail to substantially perform all of the terms and
conditions of this  Agreement to be performed by him, or if other than following
Change  in  Control  he  voluntarily  leaves  the  employ  of the Bank  prior to
retirement,  or if prior to retirement he is discharged  for Proper Cause,  then
all  subsequent  compensation  required  to be  paid  by the  Bank to him or any
designated  beneficiary,  or the remainder thereof, as the case may be, shall be
forfeited.

     7. If any benefits  become payable under this  Agreement,  the Employee (or
designated  beneficiary in the case of the Employee's  death) shall file a claim
for benefits by notifying the Bank orally or in writing.  If the claim is wholly
or partially  denied,  the Bank shall  provide a written  notice  within 90 days
specifying  the reason for the denial,  the provisions of the Agreement on which
the denial is based, and additional material or information necessary to receive
benefits, if any. Also, such written notice shall indicate the steps to be taken
if a review of the denial is desired.

     If a claim is denied and a review is desired,  the Employee (or  designated
beneficiary  in the  case of the  Employee's  death)  shall  notify  the Bank in
writing within 60 days. In requesting a review,  the Employee or beneficiary may
submit any written issues and comments he feels are appropriate.  The Bank shall
then  review  the claim and  provide a  written  decision  within 60 days.  This
decision  shall state the specific  reasons for the  decision and shall  include
references to specific provisions on which the decision is based.

     8. Neither the Employee nor any designated beneficiary shall have any right
to sell, assign,  transfer or otherwise convey the right to receive any payments
hereunder.

     9. Any  payments  under  this  Agreement  shall be  independent  of, and in
addition  to, those under any other plan,  program or agreement  which may be in
effect  between the parties  hereto,  or any other  compensation  payable to the
Employee or the Employee's  designated  beneficiary by the Bank.  This Agreement
shall not be  construed  as a contract of  employment  nor does it restrict  the
right of the Bank to discharge the Employee for Proper Cause or the right of the
Employee to terminate employment.

     The Bank shall be under no obligation  whatever to purchase or maintain any
contract,  policy or other asset to provide the benefits  under this  Agreement.
Further,  any  contract,  policy or other  asset  which the Bank may  utilize to
assure itself of the funds to provide the benefits  hereunder shall not serve in
any way as  security  to the  Employee  for the  Bank's  performance  under this
Agreement.  The rights  accruing to the  Employee or any  beneficiary  hereunder
shall be solely those of an unsecured creditor of the Bank.

     10.  "Change in Control"  means if: (a) after the date hereof,  any person,
including a 'group' as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becomes,
directly or  indirectly,  the  beneficial  owner of shares of American  National
Bankshares Inc.  ("Bankshares")  having 30% or more of the combined voting power
of the then  outstanding  shares of Bankshares that may be cast for the election
of  the  Bankshares'  directors  (other  than  as a  result  of an  issuance  of
securities  initiated by Bankshares  or a tender offer or open market  purchases
approved by the Board of Directors of Bankshares  ("the Board"),  as long as the
majority of the Board  approving  the  purchases  are  directors at the time the
purchases  are  made);  or  (b) as the  direct  or  indirect  result  of,  or in
connection  with, a cash tender or exchange  offer,  a merger or other  business
combination,  a sale of  assets,  a  contested  election  of  directors,  or any
combination of these transactions,  the persons who were directors of Bankshares
before any such transactions cease to constitute a majority of the Board, or any
successor's board, within two years of the last of such transactions.

     11.  "Retirement"  means  the  Employee's  retirement  from the  Bank  upon
attaining  at  least 62 years  of age or such  earlier  date as may be  mutually
agreed upon by the Employee and the Bank.

     12. "Proper Cause" means:

     (a) conviction of the Employee for a felony or misdemeanor  involving moral
turpitude;

     (b) failure or refusal by the Employee to faithfully or diligently  perform
the duties reasonably required by the Bank; or
      
     (c)  any  act by the  Employee  which,  under  Federal  law or  regulation,
disqualifies the Employee from serving as an officer of the Bank.

     13. The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern this Agreement.

     14.  This  Agreement  may not be  altered,  amended or revoked  except by a
written agreement signed by the Bank and Employee.

     15. This Agreement  shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
any successor entity of the Bank.

     16. Where  appropriate in this Agreement,  words used in the singular shall
include the plural and words used in the masculine shall include the feminine.

     17. This Agreement  replaces and supercedes that certain  agreement between
the Bank and Employee dated August 31, 1982 , as amended August 11, 1987.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

                                         AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
                                         AND TRUST COMPANY



                                         BY:  /s/Charles H. Majors
                                              ______________________________

                                         TITLE:  President
                                                 ___________________________

                                         /s/E. Budge Kent, Jr.
                                         ___________________________________
                                         E. BUDGE KENT, JR.

EXHIBIT 10.4

     THIS AGREEMENT,  made this 12th day of June,  1997, by and between AMERICAN
NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a national banking  association,  ("the Bank"),
and DAVID HYLER ("the Employee").

     WHEREAS, the Bank values the ability of the Employee as an important member
of management and recognizes that his future services are vital to its continued
growth and profits and that the loss of his services would result in substantial
cost in the efficient and effective operation of the Bank; and,

     WHEREAS,  the Bank in order to  retain  the  services  of the  Employee  is
willing to provide retirement  benefits and/or death benefits for his designated
beneficiary as set out below;

     NOW THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed that:

     1. If the Employee dies while  employed by the Bank prior to Retirement (as
hereinafter defined),  the Bank shall pay the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in
annual  installments,  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  to  such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee. The first
payment shall be made not later than three months  following the Employee's date
of death.

     2. In the event the  Employee  terminates  employment  because of the total
disability of the Employee, and such disability continues until the death of the
Employee or the Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first,
the  Employee  shall be  entitled  to  receive  from the Bank the  annual sum of
$25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later than three months
following the Employee's date of death or the date the Employee  attains the age
of 62 years,  whichever occurs first, for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during the said ten year period,  the installments  shall continue to
be payable until the  expiration  of said ten year period to such  individual or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.

     3. Upon Retirement, the Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than three months after  retirement,  for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during said ten year period,  the  installments  shall continue to be
payable  until the  expiration  of said ten year  period to such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.

     4. In the event,  following a Change in Control (as  hereinafter  defined),
(a) the Employee terminates  employment following a Change in Control or (b) the
Bank  terminates  the  Employee's  employment  for other than  Proper  Cause (as
hereinafter  defined),  the Employee  shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than  three  months  following  the  Employee's  date of  death  or the date the
Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first, for a period of
ten years.  If the  Employee  should die  during the said ten year  period,  the
installments  shall continue to be payable until the expiration of said ten year
period to such  individual or individuals as the Employee shall have  designated
in writing  filed with the Bank or, in the absence of such  designation,  to the
estate of the Employee.

     5. During the period of  disability  and/or  during the ten year period the
Employee is receiving  payments  under this  Agreement,  the  Employee  will not
become  associated  with, or engage in, or render  service to any other business
competitive to the business of the Bank within a fifty-mile radius of any office
of the Bank.

     6. If the Employee shall fail to substantially perform all of the terms and
conditions of this  Agreement to be performed by him, or if other than following
Change  in  Control  he  voluntarily  leaves  the  employ  of the Bank  prior to
retirement,  or if prior to retirement he is discharged  for Proper Cause,  then
all  subsequent  compensation  required  to be  paid  by the  Bank to him or any
designated  beneficiary,  or the remainder thereof, as the case may be, shall be
forfeited.

     7. If any benefits  become payable under this  Agreement,  the Employee (or
designated  beneficiary in the case of the Employee's  death) shall file a claim
for benefits by notifying the Bank orally or in writing.  If the claim is wholly
or partially  denied,  the Bank shall  provide a written  notice  within 90 days
specifying  the reason for the denial,  the provisions of the Agreement on which
the denial is based, and additional material or information necessary to receive
benefits, if any. Also, such written notice shall indicate the steps to be taken
if a review of the denial is desired.

     If a claim is denied and a review is desired,  the Employee (or  designated
beneficiary  in the  case of the  Employee's  death)  shall  notify  the Bank in
writing within 60 days. In requesting a review,  the Employee or beneficiary may
submit any written issues and comments he feels are appropriate.  The Bank shall
then  review  the claim and  provide a  written  decision  within 60 days.  This
decision  shall state the specific  reasons for the  decision and shall  include
references to specific provisions on which the decision is based.

     8. Neither the Employee nor any designated beneficiary shall have any right
to sell, assign,  transfer or otherwise convey the right to receive any payments
hereunder.

     9. Any  payments  under  this  Agreement  shall be  independent  of, and in
addition  to, those under any other plan,  program or agreement  which may be in
effect  between the parties  hereto,  or any other  compensation  payable to the
Employee or the Employee's  designated  beneficiary by the Bank.  This Agreement
shall not be  construed  as a contract of  employment  nor does it restrict  the
right of the Bank to discharge the Employee for Proper Cause or the right of the
Employee to terminate employment.

     The Bank shall be under no obligation  whatever to purchase or maintain any
contract,  policy or other asset to provide the benefits  under this  Agreement.
Further,  any  contract,  policy or other  asset  which the Bank may  utilize to
assure itself of the funds to provide the benefits  hereunder shall not serve in
any way as  security  to the  Employee  for the  Bank's  performance  under this
Agreement.  The rights  accruing to the  Employee or any  beneficiary  hereunder
shall be solely those of an unsecured creditor of the Bank.

     10.  "Change in Control"  means if: (a) after the date hereof,  any person,
including a 'group' as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becomes,
directly or  indirectly,  the  beneficial  owner of shares of American  National
Bankshares Inc.  ("Bankshares")  having 30% or more of the combined voting power
of the then  outstanding  shares of Bankshares that may be cast for the election
of  the  Bankshares'  directors  (other  than  as a  result  of an  issuance  of
securities  initiated by Bankshares  or a tender offer or open market  purchases
approved by the Board of Directors of Bankshares  ("the Board"),  as long as the
majority of the Board  approving  the  purchases  are  directors at the time the
purchases  are  made);  or  (b) as the  direct  or  indirect  result  of,  or in
connection  with, a cash tender or exchange  offer,  a merger or other  business
combination,  a sale of  assets,  a  contested  election  of  directors,  or any
combination of these transactions,  the persons who were directors of Bankshares
before any such transactions cease to constitute a majority of the Board, or any
successor's board, within two years of the last of such transactions.

     11.  "Retirement"  means  the  Employee's  retirement  from the  Bank  upon
attaining  at  least 62 years  of age or such  earlier  date as may be  mutually
agreed upon by the Employee and the Bank.

     12. "Proper Cause" means:

     (a) conviction of the Employee for a felony or misdemeanor  involving moral
turpitude;

     (b) failure or refusal by the Employee to faithfully or diligently  perform
the duties reasonably required by the Bank; or
      
     (c)  any  act by the  Employee  which,  under  Federal  law or  regulation,
disqualifies the Employee from serving as an officer of the Bank.

     13. The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern this Agreement.

     14.  This  Agreement  may not be  altered,  amended or revoked  except by a
written agreement signed by the Bank and Employee.

     15. This Agreement  shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
any successor entity of the Bank.

     16. Where  appropriate in this Agreement,  words used in the singular shall
include the plural and words used in the masculine shall include the feminine.

     17. This Agreement  replaces and supercedes that certain  agreement between
the Bank and Employee dated August 31, 1982 , as amended August 11, 1987.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

                                         AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
                                         AND TRUST COMPANY



                                         BY:  /s/Charles H. Majors
                                              ______________________________

                                         TITLE:  President
                                                 ___________________________

                                         /s/David Hyler
                                         ___________________________________
                                         DAVID HYLER

EXHIBIT 10.5

     THIS AGREEMENT,  made this 12th day of June,  1997, by and between AMERICAN
NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a national banking  association,  ("the Bank"),
and GILMER D. JEFFERSON ("the Employee").

     WHEREAS, the Bank values the ability of the Employee as an important member
of management and recognizes that his future services are vital to its continued
growth and profits and that the loss of his services would result in substantial
cost in the efficient and effective operation of the Bank; and,

     WHEREAS,  the Bank in order to  retain  the  services  of the  Employee  is
willing to provide retirement  benefits and/or death benefits for his designated
beneficiary as set out below;

     NOW THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed that:

     1. If the Employee dies while  employed by the Bank prior to Retirement (as
hereinafter defined),  the Bank shall pay the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in
annual  installments,  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  to  such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee. The first
payment shall be made not later than three months  following the Employee's date
of death.

     2. In the event the  Employee  terminates  employment  because of the total
disability of the Employee, and such disability continues until the death of the
Employee or the Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first,
the  Employee  shall be  entitled  to  receive  from the Bank the  annual sum of
$25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later than three months
following the Employee's date of death or the date the Employee  attains the age
of 62 years,  whichever occurs first, for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during the said ten year period,  the installments  shall continue to
be payable until the  expiration  of said ten year period to such  individual or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.

     3. Upon Retirement, the Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than three months after  retirement,  for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during said ten year period,  the  installments  shall continue to be
payable  until the  expiration  of said ten year  period to such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.

     4. In the event,  following a Change in Control (as  hereinafter  defined),
(a) the Employee terminates  employment following a Change in Control or (b) the
Bank  terminates  the  Employee's  employment  for other than  Proper  Cause (as
hereinafter  defined),  the Employee  shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than  three  months  following  the  Employee's  date of  death  or the date the
Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first, for a period of
ten years.  If the  Employee  should die  during the said ten year  period,  the
installments  shall continue to be payable until the expiration of said ten year
period to such  individual or individuals as the Employee shall have  designated
in writing  filed with the Bank or, in the absence of such  designation,  to the
estate of the Employee.

     5. During the period of  disability  and/or  during the ten year period the
Employee is receiving  payments  under this  Agreement,  the  Employee  will not
become  associated  with, or engage in, or render  service to any other business
competitive to the business of the Bank within a fifty-mile radius of any office
of the Bank.

     6. If the Employee shall fail to substantially perform all of the terms and
conditions of this  Agreement to be performed by him, or if other than following
Change  in  Control  he  voluntarily  leaves  the  employ  of the Bank  prior to
retirement,  or if prior to retirement he is discharged  for Proper Cause,  then
all  subsequent  compensation  required  to be  paid  by the  Bank to him or any
designated  beneficiary,  or the remainder thereof, as the case may be, shall be
forfeited.

     7. If any benefits  become payable under this  Agreement,  the Employee (or
designated  beneficiary in the case of the Employee's  death) shall file a claim
for benefits by notifying the Bank orally or in writing.  If the claim is wholly
or partially  denied,  the Bank shall  provide a written  notice  within 90 days
specifying  the reason for the denial,  the provisions of the Agreement on which
the denial is based, and additional material or information necessary to receive
benefits, if any. Also, such written notice shall indicate the steps to be taken
if a review of the denial is desired.

     If a claim is denied and a review is desired,  the Employee (or  designated
beneficiary  in the  case of the  Employee's  death)  shall  notify  the Bank in
writing within 60 days. In requesting a review,  the Employee or beneficiary may
submit any written issues and comments he feels are appropriate.  The Bank shall
then  review  the claim and  provide a  written  decision  within 60 days.  This
decision  shall state the specific  reasons for the  decision and shall  include
references to specific provisions on which the decision is based.

     8. Neither the Employee nor any designated beneficiary shall have any right
to sell, assign,  transfer or otherwise convey the right to receive any payments
hereunder.

     9. Any  payments  under  this  Agreement  shall be  independent  of, and in
addition  to, those under any other plan,  program or agreement  which may be in
effect  between the parties  hereto,  or any other  compensation  payable to the
Employee or the Employee's  designated  beneficiary by the Bank.  This Agreement
shall not be  construed  as a contract of  employment  nor does it restrict  the
right of the Bank to discharge the Employee for Proper Cause or the right of the
Employee to terminate employment.

     The Bank shall be under no obligation  whatever to purchase or maintain any
contract,  policy or other asset to provide the benefits  under this  Agreement.
Further,  any  contract,  policy or other  asset  which the Bank may  utilize to
assure itself of the funds to provide the benefits  hereunder shall not serve in
any way as  security  to the  Employee  for the  Bank's  performance  under this
Agreement.  The rights  accruing to the  Employee or any  beneficiary  hereunder
shall be solely those of an unsecured creditor of the Bank.

     10.  "Change in Control"  means if: (a) after the date hereof,  any person,
including a 'group' as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becomes,
directly or  indirectly,  the  beneficial  owner of shares of American  National
Bankshares Inc.  ("Bankshares")  having 30% or more of the combined voting power
of the then  outstanding  shares of Bankshares that may be cast for the election
of  the  Bankshares'  directors  (other  than  as a  result  of an  issuance  of
securities  initiated by Bankshares  or a tender offer or open market  purchases
approved by the Board of Directors of Bankshares  ("the Board"),  as long as the
majority of the Board  approving  the  purchases  are  directors at the time the
purchases  are  made);  or  (b) as the  direct  or  indirect  result  of,  or in
connection  with, a cash tender or exchange  offer,  a merger or other  business
combination,  a sale of  assets,  a  contested  election  of  directors,  or any
combination of these transactions,  the persons who were directors of Bankshares
before any such transactions cease to constitute a majority of the Board, or any
successor's board, within two years of the last of such transactions.

     11.  "Retirement"  means  the  Employee's  retirement  from the  Bank  upon
attaining  at  least 62 years  of age or such  earlier  date as may be  mutually
agreed upon by the Employee and the Bank.

     12. "Proper Cause" means:

     (a) conviction of the Employee for a felony or misdemeanor  involving moral
turpitude;

     (b) failure or refusal by the Employee to faithfully or diligently  perform
the duties reasonably required by the Bank; or

     (c)  any  act by the  Employee  which,  under  Federal  law or  regulation,
disqualifies the Employee from serving as an officer of the Bank.

     13. The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern this Agreement.

     14.  This  Agreement  may not be  altered,  amended or revoked  except by a
written agreement signed by the Bank and Employee.

     15. This Agreement  shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
any successor entity of the Bank.

     16. Where  appropriate in this Agreement,  words used in the singular shall
include the plural and words used in the masculine shall include the feminine.

     17. This Agreement  replaces and supercedes that certain  agreement between
the Bank and Employee dated August 31, 1982 , as amended August 11, 1987.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

                                         AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
                                         AND TRUST COMPANY



                                         BY:  /s/Charles H. Majors
                                              ______________________________

                                         TITLE:  President
                                                 ___________________________

                                         /s/Gilmer D. Jefferson
                                         ___________________________________
                                         GILMER D. JEFFERSON

EXHIBIT 10.6

     THIS AGREEMENT,  made this 12th day of June,  1997, by and between AMERICAN
NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a national banking  association,  ("the Bank"),
and CARL T. YEATTS ("the Employee").

     WHEREAS, the Bank values the ability of the Employee as an important member
of management and recognizes that his future services are vital to its continued
growth and profits and that the loss of his services would result in substantial
cost in the efficient and effective operation of the Bank; and,

     WHEREAS,  the Bank in order to  retain  the  services  of the  Employee  is
willing to provide retirement  benefits and/or death benefits for his designated
beneficiary as set out below;

     NOW THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed that:

     1. If the Employee dies while  employed by the Bank prior to Retirement (as
hereinafter defined),  the Bank shall pay the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in
annual  installments,  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  to  such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee. The first
payment shall be made not later than three months  following the Employee's date
of death.

     2. In the event the  Employee  terminates  employment  because of the total
disability of the Employee, and such disability continues until the death of the
Employee or the Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first,
the  Employee  shall be  entitled  to  receive  from the Bank the  annual sum of
$25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later than three months
following the Employee's date of death or the date the Employee  attains the age
of 62 years,  whichever occurs first, for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during the said ten year period,  the installments  shall continue to
be payable until the  expiration  of said ten year period to such  individual or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.

     3. Upon Retirement, the Employee shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than three months after  retirement,  for a period of ten years. If the Employee
should die during said ten year period,  the  installments  shall continue to be
payable  until the  expiration  of said ten year  period to such  individual  or
individuals as the Employee shall have designated in writing filed with the Bank
or, in the absence of such designation, to the estate of the Employee.

     4. In the event,  following a Change in Control (as  hereinafter  defined),
(a) the Employee terminates  employment following a Change in Control or (b) the
Bank  terminates  the  Employee's  employment  for other than  Proper  Cause (as
hereinafter  defined),  the Employee  shall be entitled to receive from the Bank
the annual sum of $25,000,  payable in annual  installments  beginning not later
than  three  months  following  the  Employee's  date of  death  or the date the
Employee  attains the age of 62 years,  whichever  occurs first, for a period of
ten years.  If the  Employee  should die  during the said ten year  period,  the
installments  shall continue to be payable until the expiration of said ten year
period to such  individual or individuals as the Employee shall have  designated
in writing  filed with the Bank or, in the absence of such  designation,  to the
estate of the Employee.

     5. During the period of  disability  and/or  during the ten year period the
Employee is receiving  payments  under this  Agreement,  the  Employee  will not
become  associated  with, or engage in, or render  service to any other business
competitive to the business of the Bank within a fifty-mile radius of any office
of the Bank.

     6. If the Employee shall fail to substantially perform all of the terms and
conditions of this  Agreement to be performed by him, or if other than following
Change  in  Control  he  voluntarily  leaves  the  employ  of the Bank  prior to
retirement,  or if prior to retirement he is discharged  for Proper Cause,  then
all  subsequent  compensation  required  to be  paid  by the  Bank to him or any
designated  beneficiary,  or the remainder thereof, as the case may be, shall be
forfeited.

     7. If any benefits  become payable under this  Agreement,  the Employee (or
designated  beneficiary in the case of the Employee's  death) shall file a claim
for benefits by notifying the Bank orally or in writing.  If the claim is wholly
or partially  denied,  the Bank shall  provide a written  notice  within 90 days
specifying  the reason for the denial,  the provisions of the Agreement on which
the denial is based, and additional material or information necessary to receive
benefits, if any. Also, such written notice shall indicate the steps to be taken
if a review of the denial is desired.

     If a claim is denied and a review is desired,  the Employee (or  designated
beneficiary  in the  case of the  Employee's  death)  shall  notify  the Bank in
writing within 60 days. In requesting a review,  the Employee or beneficiary may
submit any written issues and comments he feels are appropriate.  The Bank shall
then  review  the claim and  provide a  written  decision  within 60 days.  This
decision  shall state the specific  reasons for the  decision and shall  include
references to specific provisions on which the decision is based.

     8. Neither the Employee nor any designated beneficiary shall have any right
to sell, assign,  transfer or otherwise convey the right to receive any payments
hereunder.

     9. Any  payments  under  this  Agreement  shall be  independent  of, and in
addition  to, those under any other plan,  program or agreement  which may be in
effect  between the parties  hereto,  or any other  compensation  payable to the
Employee or the Employee's  designated  beneficiary by the Bank.  This Agreement
shall not be  construed  as a contract of  employment  nor does it restrict  the
right of the Bank to discharge the Employee for Proper Cause or the right of the
Employee to terminate employment.

     The Bank shall be under no obligation  whatever to purchase or maintain any
contract,  policy or other asset to provide the benefits  under this  Agreement.
Further,  any  contract,  policy or other  asset  which the Bank may  utilize to
assure itself of the funds to provide the benefits  hereunder shall not serve in
any way as  security  to the  Employee  for the  Bank's  performance  under this
Agreement.  The rights  accruing to the  Employee or any  beneficiary  hereunder
shall be solely those of an unsecured creditor of the Bank.

     10.  "Change in Control"  means if: (a) after the date hereof,  any person,
including a 'group' as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becomes,
directly or  indirectly,  the  beneficial  owner of shares of American  National
Bankshares Inc.  ("Bankshares")  having 30% or more of the combined voting power
of the then  outstanding  shares of Bankshares that may be cast for the election
of  the  Bankshares'  directors  (other  than  as a  result  of an  issuance  of
securities  initiated by Bankshares  or a tender offer or open market  purchases
approved by the Board of Directors of Bankshares  ("the Board"),  as long as the
majority of the Board  approving  the  purchases  are  directors at the time the
purchases  are  made);  or  (b) as the  direct  or  indirect  result  of,  or in
connection  with, a cash tender or exchange  offer,  a merger or other  business
combination,  a sale of  assets,  a  contested  election  of  directors,  or any
combination of these transactions,  the persons who were directors of Bankshares
before any such transactions cease to constitute a majority of the Board, or any
successor's board, within two years of the last of such transactions.

     11.  "Retirement"  means  the  Employee's  retirement  from the  Bank  upon
attaining  at  least 62 years  of age or such  earlier  date as may be  mutually
agreed upon by the Employee and the Bank.

     12. "Proper Cause" means:

     (a) conviction of the Employee for a felony or misdemeanor  involving moral
turpitude;

     (b) failure or refusal by the Employee to faithfully or diligently  perform
the duties reasonably required by the Bank; or

     (c)  any  act by the  Employee  which,  under  Federal  law or  regulation,
disqualifies the Employee from serving as an officer of the Bank.

     13. The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern this Agreement.

     14.  This  Agreement  may not be  altered,  amended or revoked  except by a
written agreement signed by the Bank and Employee.

     15. This Agreement  shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
any successor entity of the Bank.

     16. Where  appropriate in this Agreement,  words used in the singular shall
include the plural and words used in the masculine shall include the feminine.

     17. This Agreement  replaces and supercedes that certain  agreement between
the Bank and Employee dated August 31, 1982 , as amended August 11, 1987.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

                                         AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
                                         AND TRUST COMPANY



                                         BY:  /s/Charles H. Majors
                                              ______________________________

                                         TITLE:  President
                                                 ___________________________

                                         /s/Carl T. Yeatts
                                         ___________________________________
                                         CARL T. YEATTS