Exhibit 3(i)


                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                          SUMMIT FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

     The undersigned,  acting as incorporator of a corporation under Section 27,
Article  1,  Chapter  31 of the  Code of West  Virginia,  adopts  the  following
Articles of Incorporation for such corporation, FILED IN DUPLICATE:

     I.   The  undersigned  agrees to become a corporation by the name of SUMMIT
          FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

     II.  The address of the principal  office of said  corporation  will be 310
          North Main Street, City of Moorefield,  County of Hardy, State of West
          Virginia.

     III. The purpose or purposes for which this corporation is organized are as
          follows.

     To acquire  and own stock and  securities,  of  whatever  kind,  nature and
description,  in a bank or banks,  and to take such actions as are  necessary or
incidental to the acquisition of a bank or banks;

     To  engage,  either  directly  itself,   indirectly  by  the  formation  of
subsidiary corporations or otherwise, in any activity permitted to be undertaken
by a bank holding  company under existing or future laws,  rules and regulations
relating thereto;

     Subject to the foregoing and unless  otherwise  limited herein to own, buy,
acquire,  sell,  exchange,  assign, lease and deal in and with real property and
any interest or right therein;  to own, buy, acquire,  sell,  exchange,  assign,
lease and deal in and with personal  property and any interest or right therein;
to own, buy, acquire, sell, exchange, assign, pledge and deal with voting stock,
non-voting stock, notes, bonds, evidence of indebtedness and rights and


options  in  and to  other  corporate  and  non-corporate  entities,  and to pay
therefor in whole or in part in cash or by exchanging therefor stocks, bonds, or
other evidences of indebtedness or securities of this or any other  corporation,
and while the owner or holder  of any such  stocks,  bonds,  debentures,  notes,
evidences or  indebtedness  or the securities,  contracts,  or  obligations,  to
receive, collect, and dispose of the interest, dividends and income arising from
such property,  and to possess and exercise in respect thereof,  all the rights,
powers and privileges of ownership, including all voting powers on any stocks so
owned; and to borrow money without limit as to amount; and

     Otherwise, subject to the foregoing and unless otherwise limited herein, to
engage in any lawful act or activity  for which  corporations  may be  organized
under the laws of the State of West Virginia.

     IV.  A. The amount of total  authorized  capital  stock of the  Corporation
          shall  be  Twelve  Million  Seven  Hundred  Fifty   Thousand   Dollars
          ($12,750,000),  which shall be divided into Five  Million  (5,000,000)
          shares  of  common  stock  with the par  value  of $2.50  each and Two
          Hundred Fifty Thousand  (250,000)  shares of preferred  stock with the
          par value of $1.00 each.

          B. The Corporation  may issue shares of preferred or special  classes:
          (i)  subject  to the right of the  Corporation  to redeem  any of such
          shares at the price  fixed by the  Articles of  Incorporation  for the
          redemption thereof;  (ii) entitling the holders thereof to cumulative,
          non-cumulative  or  partially  cumulative   dividends;   (iii)  having
          preference over any other class or classes of shares as to the payment
          of dividends;  (iv) having preference in the assets of the Corporation
          over any other  class or  classes  of  shares  upon the  voluntary  or
          involuntary liquidation of the


          Corporation;  and (v)  convertible  into  shares of any other class or
          into  shares of any  series of the same or any other  class,  except a
          class having prior or superior  rights and preferences as to dividends
          or  distribution  of assets upon  liquidation,  but shares without par
          value,  if any,  shall not be  converted  into  shares  with par value
          unless that part of the stated capital of the Corporation  represented
          by such shares without the par value is, at the time of conversion, at
          least  equal to the  aggregate  par value of the shares into which the
          shares without par value are to be converted or the amount of any such
          deficiency is transferred from surplus to stated capital.

          C.  Preferred  stock may be  divided  into and  issued by the Board of
          Directors  from  time to time in one or more  series.  All  shares  of
          preferred stock shall be of equal rank and shall be identical,  except
          as to the following relative rights and preferences which may be fixed
          and  determined  by the Board of  Directors,  as to which there may be
          variations  between different series:

               (1) the rate of dividends;

               (2)  whether  shares may be redeemed  and, if so, the  redemption
          price and the terms and conditions of redemption;

               (3) the amount  payable  upon  shares in event of  voluntary  and
          involuntary liquidation;


               (4)  sinking  fund  provisions,  if any,  for the  redemption  or
          purchase of shares;

               (5) the terms and  conditions,  if any,  on which  shares  may be
          converted; and


               (6) voting rights, if any.

          D. The Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation  shall have all of the
          power and authority with respect to the shares of preferred stock that
          may be delegated  to the Board of Directors  pursuant to the terms and
          provisions of Chapter 31, Article 1, Sections 78 and 79 of the Code of
          West Virginia,  as amended, or such corresponding  section of the Code
          of West  Virginia  as may be  adopted  from  time to time,  and  shall
          exercise  such power and  authority by the adoption of a resolution or
          resolutions as prescribed by law.

     V. The name and  address  of the  incorporators  and the  number  of shares
subscribed by each of them is as follows:

                                                               NUMBER
      NAME                      ADDRESS                       OF SHARES
      ----                      -------                       ---------
Oscar M. Bean              Rt. 2, Box 116                        34
                           Moorefield, WV 26836

Donald W. Biller           Rt. 1, Box 30                         35
                           Lost River, WV 26811

Thomas J. Hawse            216 Washington Street                 35
                           Moorefield, WV 26836

Phoebe F. Heishman         136 S. Main Street                    35
                           Moorefield, WV 26836

Ed A. Leatherman, Jr.      Rt. 1, Box 175                        35
                           Purgitsville, WV 26852

J. Aleck Welton            Box 366                               35
                           Moorefield, WV 26836

Renick C. Williams         Box 664                               35
                           Moorefield, WV 26836


Michael T. Wilson          Rt. 4  Sunset View                    35
                           Moorefield, WV 26836

Harry C. Welton            Rt. 4, Box 27                         35
                           Moorefield, WV 26836

A. Clyde Ours, Jr.         Box 541                               35
                           Moorefield, WV 26836

E. E. Hott                 Box 1                                 35
                           Franklin, WV 26807


     VI.  The existence of this corporation is to be perpetual.

     VII. The name and  address of the  person to whom  shall be sent  notice or
          process  served upon, or service of which is accepted by The Secretary
          of State is:

                           Renick C. Williams
                           Box 664
                           Moorefield, WV 26836

     VIII.The number of directors  constituting  the initial  board of directors
          of the  corporation  is eleven  (11).  The names and  addresses of the
          persons who are to serve as  directors  until  their term  expires and
          their successors are elected and shall qualify are:

                  NAME                               ADDRESS
                  ----                               -------
                  Oscar M. Bean                   Rt. 2, Box 116
                                                  Moorefield, WV 26836

                  Donald W. Biller                Rt. 1, Box 30
                                                  Lost River, WV 26811

                  Thomas J. Hawse                 216 Washington Street
                                                  Moorefield, WV 26836

                  Phoebe F. Heishman              136 S. Main Street
                                                  Moorefield, WV 26836

                  Ed A. Leatherman, Jr.           Rt. 1, Box 175
                                                  Purgitsville, WV 26852


                  J. Aleck Welton                 Box 366
                                                  Moorefield, WV 26836

                  Renick C. Williams              Box 664
                                                  Moorefield, WV 26836

                  Michael T. Wilson               Rt. 4, Sunset View
                                                  Moorefield, WV 26836

                  Harry C. Welton                 Rt. 4, Box 27
                                                  Moorefield, WV 26836

                  A. Clyde Ours, Jr.              Box 541
                                                  Moorefield, WV 26836

                  E.E. Hott                       Box 1
                                                  Franklin, WV 26807

     IX.  Provisions  limiting  preemptive  rights are: The  shareholders of the
corporation  shall not have any preemptive rights to acquire any shares of stock
of the corporation.

     X.  Provisions  for  the  regulations  of  the  internal   affairs  of  the
corporation shall be as follows:

     A.  Definitions.  For purposes  hereof,  the following terms are defined as
         -----------
follows:

     1. Affiliate.  An "affiliate" of, or a person "affiliated" with, a specific
        ---------
person,  means a person  (other than this  Corporation  or a  majority-owned  or
wholly owned  subsidiary  of this  Corporation)  that  directly,  or  indirectly
through one or more intermediaries,  controls,  or is controlled by, or is under
common control with, the person specified.

     2.  Associate.  The term  "associate"  when used to indicate a relationship
         ---------
with any person,  means (i) any corporation,  partnership,  limited partnership,
association,  joint  venture,  group  or other  organization  (other  than  this
Corporation or a majority- owned or wholly owned subsidiary of this Corporation)
of which such person is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the
Beneficial Owner of ten percent (10%) or more of any class of equity  securities
or other  medium of  ownership  rights,  (ii) any trust or other estate in which
such  person has a  substantial  beneficial  interest or as to which such person
serves as trustee or in


a similar  fiduciary  capacity,  (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or
any  relative of such spouse  provided  the  relative  has the same home as such
person, or (iv) any investment  company  registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 for which such  person or any  affiliate  of such  person  serves as
investment adviser.

     3. Beneficial Owner. A person shall be considered the "Beneficial Owner" of
        ----------------
any shares of stock whether or not owned of record by such Person:

     (a) With respect to any shares as to which such Person or any  Affiliate or
Associate of such Person  directly or indirectly has or shares (i) voting power,
including  the power to vote or to  direct  the  voting of such  shares of stock
and/or (ii) investment power, including the power to dispose of or to direct the
disposition of such shares of stock;

     (b) With respect to any shares as to which such Person or any  Affiliate or
Associate of such Person has (i) the right to acquire such shares  (whether such
right is exercisable  immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to
any agreement,  arrangement or  understanding or upon the exercise of conversion
rights,  exchange  rights,  warrants or options,  or otherwise,  and/or (ii) the
right to vote pursuant to any agreement,  arrangement or understanding  (whether
such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time); or

     (c) With  respect to any shares  which are  Beneficially  Owned  within the
meaning of (a) or (b) of this Paragraph (3) above by any other Person with which
such  first-mentioned  Person or any of its  Affiliates  or  Associates  has any
agreement,  arrangement  or  understanding,  written  or oral,  with  respect to
acquiring,  holding,  voting  or  disposing  of  any  shares  of  stock  of  the
Corporation  or any  Subsidiary  of the  Corporation  or  acquiring,  holding or
disposing of all or substantially all, or any substantial part, of the assets or
businesses of the Corporation or a Subsidiary of the Corporation.



     For the  purpose  only of  determining  whether a Person is the  Beneficial
Owner of a  percentage  of  outstanding  shares,  such shares shall be deemed to
include any shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement,  arrangement
or  understanding  or upon the exercise of conversion  rights,  exchange rights,
warrants,  options or otherwise and which are deemed to be beneficially owned by
such Person pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph (3) above.

     4. Business Combination. A "Business Combination" means:
        --------------------
     (a) The sale, exchange,  lease,  transfer or other disposition to or with a
Related  Person or any  Affiliate or  Associate  of such  Related  Person by the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries  (in a single  transaction or a series of
related  transactions) of all or substantially  all, or any substantial part, or
its or their assets or businesses including,  without limitation, any securities
issued by a Subsidiary;

     (b) The purchase,  exchange,  lease or other acquisition by the Corporation
or any of its  Subsidiaries  (in a single  transaction  or a series  of  related
transactions)  of all or  substantially  all, or any  Substantial  Part,  of the
assets or business of a Related  Person or any  Affiliate  or  Associate of such
Related Person:

     (c) Any  merger  or  consolidation  of the  Corporation  or any  Subsidiary
thereof  into or with a Related  Person or any  Affiliate  or  Associate of such
Related  Person or into or with  another  person  which,  after  such  merger or
consolidation,  would be an Affiliate or an  Associate of a Related  Person,  in
each case irrespective of which Person is the surviving entity in such merger or
consolidation;

     (d)  Any   reclassification   of  securities,   recapitalization  or  other
transaction  (other  than a  redemption  in  accordance  with  the  terms of the
security redeemed) which has the effect,  directly or indirectly,  of increasing
the proportionate  amount of shares of the Corporation or any Subsidiary thereof
which are Beneficially Owned by a Related Person, or any partial or


complete  liquidation,  spinoff,  splitoff  or  splitup  of the  Corporation  or
Subsidiary thereof which has the effect,  directly or indirectly,  of increasing
the proportionate  amount of shares of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof
which are Beneficially Owned by a Related Person; or

     (e) The acquisition upon the issuance thereof of Beneficial  Ownership by a
Related Person of voting shares or securities  convertible into voting shares or
any voting  securities or securities  convertible into voting  securities of any
Subsidiary of the  Corporation,  or the acquisition upon the issuance thereof of
Beneficial  Ownership by a Related Person of any rights,  warrants or options to
acquire any of the foregoing or any  combination of the foregoing  voting shares
or voting securities of a Subsidiary.

     As used  herein a  `series  of  related  transactions'  shall be  deemed to
include not only a series of transactions  with the same Related Person but also
a series of separate  transactions  with a Related  Person or any  Affiliate  or
Associate of such Related Person.

     (f)  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the term "Business  Combination" shall
not mean the  formation of the  Corporation  or the  acquisition  by it of South
Branch Valley National Bank, a national banking association,  with its principal
banking offices located in Moorefield, West Virginia.

     5. Corporation. "Corporation" shall mean South Branch Valley Bancorp, Inc.,
        -----------
a West Virginia business corporation.

     6. Date of Determination.  The term `Date of  Determination'  means (a) the
        ---------------------
date on which a binding  agreement  (except for the  fulfillment  of  conditions
precedent,  including, without limitation, votes of shareholders to approve such
transaction) is entered into by this Corporation,  as authorized by its board of
directors,  and another  corporation,  person or other entity  providing for any
merger or  consolidation  of this  Corporation or any sale,  lease,  exchange or
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of this  Corporation;  or,
(b) if


such an  agreement  as  referred to in item (a) is amended so as to make it less
favorable  to this  Corporation  and its  shareholders,  the date on which  such
amendment is approved by the board of directors of this Corporation,  or, (c) in
cases where neither items (a) nor item (b) shall be applicable,  the record date
for the determination of shareholders of this Corporation  entitled to notice of
and to vote upon the  transaction  in  question.  The board of directors of this
Corporation  shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes  hereof
the Date of Determination as to any transaction.  Any such  determination by the
board of directors  made in good faith shall be  conclusive  and binding for any
and all purposes.


     7.  Person.   The  term  "Person"  shall  mean  any  person,   partnership,
         ------
corporation,  group or other entity (other than the Corporation,  any Subsidiary
of the Corporation,  or a trustee holding stock for the benefit of the employees
of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries,  or any one of them,  pursuant to one or
more employee benefit plans or arrangements).  When two or more Persons act as a
partnership, limited partnership,  syndicate, association or other group for the
purpose  of   acquiring,   holding  or  disposing  of  shares  of  stock,   such
partnerships, syndicate, association or group shall be deemed a "Person".

     8.  Related  Person.  "Related  Person"  means  any  Person  which  is  the
         ---------------
Beneficial  Owner as of the Date of  Determination  or immediately  prior to the
consummation of a Business Combination,  or both, of twenty-five (25) percent or
more of the  voting  shares of the  Corporation  or any  Person  who at any time
within two (2) years  preceding  the Date of  Determination  was the  Beneficial
Owner of twenty-five (25) percent or more of the then outstanding  voting shares
of the Corporation.

     9. Subsidiary. "Subsidiary" shall mean South Branch Valley National Bank, a
        ----------
national banking association as of the effective date of the acquisition of said
bank by this corporation and any other corporation, bank, banking association or
other  entity  at least a  majority  of which  is owned by South  Branch  Valley
Bancorp, Inc.



     10. Capacity to Make Certain Determinations. A majority of the directors of
         ---------------------------------------
the Corporation shall have the power to determine for the purposes hereof on the
basis of  information  known to them:  (i) the  number of  voting  shares of the
Corporation of which any Person is the Beneficial  Owner,  (ii) whether a Person
is an  Affiliate  of  Associate  of  another,  (iii)  whether  a  Person  has an
agreement,  arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred
to in the definition of `Beneficial Owner' as hereinabove defined,  (iv) whether
the assets subject to any Business Combination  constitute a substantial part of
total  assets,  (v) whether  two or more  transactions  constitute  a `series of
related  transactions' as hereinabove  defined, and (vi) such other matters with
respect to which a determination is required hereunder.

     A  Related  Person  shall  be  deemed  to  have  acquired  a  share  of the
Corporation  at the time when such Related  Person became the  Beneficial  Owner
thereof. With respect to shares owned by Affiliates, Associates or other Persons
whose ownership is attributed to a Related Person under the foregoing definition
of Beneficial Owner, if the price paid by such Related Person for such shares is
not determinable,  the price so paid shall be deemed to be the higher of (i) the
price paid upon acquisition thereof by the Affiliate,  Associate or other Person
or (ii) the market price of the shares in question (as  determined by a majority
of the board of  directors  of the  Corporation)  at the time  when the  Related
Person became the Beneficial Owner thereof.

     B. Voting Requirements for Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets. Subject
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
to any  other  requirements  provided  for by law  and in  this  charter  or any
amendment thereto,  in order for any merger or consolidation of this Corporation
with  another  corporation  or any sale,  lease or  exchange by  liquidation  or
otherwise of all or  substantially  all of the assets of this  Corporation to be
approved by the  shareholders of this  Corporation,  not less than sixty-six and
two-thirds  percent (66 2/3%) of the authorized,  issued and outstanding  voting
shares of


the  Corporation  must  vote  in  favor  of  such  action  unless  the  Business
Combination  has been  previously  approved by at least sixty-six and two-thirds
percent (66 2/3%) of the board of  directors  of the  Corporation  in which case
only a simple majority vote of the shareholders shall be required.

     C.  Fair  Price  Requirement.   Neither  the  Corporation  or  any  of  its
         ------------------------
Subsidiaries  shall become party to any Business  Combination  unless all of the
following conditions are satisfied:


     (1) The ratio of (i) the  aggregate  amount of the cash and the fair market
value of other  consideration  to be received  per share of common  stock of the
Corporation  in such Business  Combination by holders of common stock other than
the Related  Person  involved in such Business  Combination,  to (ii) the market
price per share of the common stock immediately prior to the announcement of the
proposed  Business  Combination,  is at least  as great as the  ratio of (x) the
highest per share price  (including  brokerage  commissions,  transfer taxes and
soliciting  dealers'  fees) which such Related  Person has  theretofore  paid in
acquiring  any  common  stock  of  the   Corporation   prior  to  such  Business
Combination,  to  (y)  the  market  price  per  share  of  common  stock  of the
Corporation  immediately prior to the initial acquisition by such Related Person
of any shares of common stock of the Corporation; and


     (2) The  aggregate  amount of the cash and the fair  market  value of other
consideration  to be received  per share of common stock of the  Corporation  in
such Business  Combination by holders of common stock of the Corporation,  other
than the Related Person involved in such Business  Combination,  (i) is not less
than the highest  per share price  (including  brokerage  commissions,  transfer
taxes and soliciting dealers' fees) paid by such Related Person in acquiring any
of its  holdings of common stock of the  Corporation,  and (ii) is not less than
the  earnings  per share of common  stock of the  Corporation  for the four full
consecutive fiscal quarters of the Corporation immediately preceding the Date of



Determination of such Business Combination multiplied by the then price/earnings
multiple (if any) of such Related Person as customarily computed and reported in
the financial community; provided, that for the purposes of this clause (ii), if
more than one Person  constitutes  the Related  Person  involved in the Business
Combination,  the  price/earnings  multiple  (if any) of the  Person  having the
highest  price/earnings  multiple  shall  be used  for the  computation  in this
clause, (ii); and

     (3) The consideration (if any) to be received in such Business  Combination
by holders of common  stock of the  Corporation  other than the  Related  Person
involved shall,  except to the extent that a stockholder  agrees otherwise as to
all or part of the shares  which he or she owns,  be in the same form and of the
same kind as the  consideration  paid by the Related Person in acquiring  common
stock of the Corporation already owned by it.

     D. Evaluation of Acquisition of this Corporation by Another Corporation. In
        --------------------------------------------------------------------
connection with the exercise of its judgment in determining  what is in the best
interest of the Corporation and its stockholders  when evaluating an acquisition
of this  Corporation  by another  corporation  or a tender or exchange offer for
control of this Corporation, the board of directors of the Corporation shall, in
addition to considering the adequacy of the amount to be paid in connection with
any such  transaction,  consider  all of the  following  factors  and any  other
factors  which it deems  relevant:  (i) the social and  economic  effects of the
transaction on the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, employees, depositors, loan
and other  customers,  creditors and other elements of the  communities in which
the Corporation and its Subsidiaries  operate or are located;  (ii) the business
and  financial  conditions  and earnings  prospects of the  acquiring  entity or
entities,  including,  but not limited to,  debt  service and other  existing or
likely  financial  obligations  of the  acquiring  Person  or  Persons,  and the
possible effect of such  conditions  upon the  Corporation and its  Subsidiaries
operate or are located; and (iii) the competence,  experience,  and integrity of
the acquiring entity or entities and its or their management.





     E.  Classified  Board of  Directors.  At the first  annual  meeting  of the
         -------------------------------
shareholders, after the effective date of the acquisition of South Branch Valley
National Bank as a bank subsidiary, the board of directors shall be divided into
three  classes,  designated  Class I, Class II and Class III,  consisting  of an
equal  number of  directors  per class.  The term of office of  directors of one
class  shall  expire at each  annual  meeting  of  stockholders,  and as to each
director until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, or until
his or her  earlier  resignation,  removal  from  office,  death or  incapacity.
Additional directorships resulting from an increase in number of directors shall
be  apportioned  among the  classes as equally as  possible.  A decrease  in the
number  of  directors  by death,  resignation  or  removal  may but shall not be
required to be filled by the remaining board members. The initial term of office
of  directors  of  Class  I  shall  expire  at  the  first  annual   meeting  of
stockholders,  that of Class II shall expire at the second annual  meeting,  and
that of Class III shall expire at the third annual meeting,  and in all cases as
to each director until his or her successor  shall be elected and shall qualify,
or  until  his or  her  earlier  resignation,  removal  from  office,  death  or
incapacity. At each annual meeting of stockholders the number of directors equal
to the number of  directors  of the class whose term expires at the time of such
meeting (or, if less, the number of directors  properly  nominated and qualified
for election) shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding  annual
meeting of the stockholders after their election.

     The  directors  remaining in office  acting by a majority  vote,  or a sole
remaining director,  although less than a quorum, are hereby expressly delegated
the power to fill any  vacancies in the board of directors,  however  occurring,
whether  by  an  increase  in  the  number  of  directors,  death,  resignation,
retirement,  disqualification,  removal  from  office,  or  otherwise,  and  any
director so chosen  shall hold office  until the next  election of the class for
which such


director  shall have been chosen and until his or her successor  shall have been
elected and  qualified,  or until his or her earlier  resignation,  removal from
office, death or incapacity.

     The total number of directors  of this  Corporation  shall be not less than
nine  nor more  than  twenty-one  as from  time to time  fixed  by the  board of
directors.

     F.  Nomination  of  Directors.  Nominations  for  election  to the board of
         -------------------------
directors may be made by the board of directors or by any  shareholder  entitled
to vote for the election of directors.  Nominations, other than those made by or
on behalf of the existing management of the Corporation, must be made in writing
and delivered or mailed to the President of the Corporation not less than thirty
(30) days  prior to any  meeting of  shareholders  called  for the  election  of
directors;  provided,  however, that if less than thirty (30) days notice of the
meeting is given to  shareholders,  such nomination shall be mailed or delivered
to the President of the Corporation not later than the fifth (5th) day following
the day on which the notice of  meeting  was  mailed.  Such  notification  shall
contain the following  information to the extent known by the  shareholder:  (i)
the name and address of each  nominee,  (ii) the  principal  occupation  of each
nominee, (iii) the name and address of the notifying  shareholder,  and (iv) the
number of shares of the Corporation's stock owned by the notifying  shareholder.
Nominations  not made in  accordance  herewith,  may, in the  discretion  of the
chairman of the meeting,  be disregarded,  and upon his  instruction,  the votes
cast for each such nominee shall be disregarded.


     G.  Removal of a Director  for Cause Only.  The removal  from office of any
         -------------------------------------
director  must be for cause as set forth  herein.  Except  as may  otherwise  be
provided by law, cause for removal shall be construed to exist only if:

     (1) the director whose removal is proposed has been  convicted,  or where a
director was granted immunity to testify where another has been convicted,  of a
felony by a court of competent  jurisdiction  and such  conviction  is no longer
subject to direct appeal; (2) such


director has been adjudicated by a court of competent  jurisdiction to be liable
for negligence, or misconduct, in the performance of his duty to the Corporation
and such  adjudication is no longer subject to direct appeal;  (3) such director
has become mentally  incompetent,  whether or not so  adjudicated,  which mental
incompetency  directly  affects  his  or  her  ability  as  a  director  of  the
Corporation;  (4) such director ceases to fulfill the qualification requirements
for a director of a West Virginia bank holding  company;  or (5) such director's
actions  or failure to act have been  determined  by a majority  of the board of
directors to be in derogation of the director's duties.

     Removal  for  cause,  as cause is  defined  in (1) and (2)  above,  must be
brought within one year of such conviction or adjudication.  For purposes of (5)
above, the total number of directors as to which a majority is required will not
include the director who is the subject of the removal  determination,  nor will
such  director  be  entitled to vote  thereon  except in his or her  shareholder
capacity.

     H. Anti-Greenmail  Provision. The Corporation shall not engage, directly or
        -------------------------
indirectly,  in any Stock Repurchase (as hereinafter defined) from an Interested
Stockholder (as hereinafter  defined) or an Affiliate (as previously defined) or
Associate (as previously  defined) of an Interested  Stockholder (as hereinafter
defined)  who has  beneficially  acquired  any  shares  of  voting  stock of the
Corporation  within a period of less than two (2) years immediately prior to the
date of such proposed  Stock  Repurchase (or the date of an agreement in respect
thereof)  without the affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the votes
entitled  to be cast by the  holders  of all then  outstanding  shares of voting
stock of the Corporation which are Beneficially Owned (as previously defined) by
persons  other than such  Interested  Stockholder,  voting  together as a single
class. Such affirmative vote shall be required  notwithstanding the fact that no
vote may be required,  or that a lesser percentage or separate class vote may be
specified, by law or otherwise.



     The  provisions of this Article  shall not be applicable to any  particular
Stock Repurchase from an Interested Stockholder, and such Stock Repurchase shall
require  only  such  affirmative  vote,  if any,  as is  required  by law if the
conditions specified in either of the following Paragraphs 1 or 2 are met:

     1. The Stock  Repurchase  is made  pursuant  to a tender  offer or exchange
offer  for a class of  common  stock  made  available  on the same  basis to all
holders of such class of common stock.

     2. The Stock Repurchase is made pursuant to an open market purchase program
approved by a majority of the  directors of the  Corporation  provided that such
repurchase  is  effected on the open market and is not the result of a privately
negotiated transaction.

     For purposes hereof:

     1. The term "Stock  Repurchase" shall mean any repurchase (or any agreement
to repurchase),  directly or indirectly, by the Corporation or any Subsidiary of
any shares of common stock at a price greater than the Fair Market Value of such
shares.

     2. The term "Interested Stockholder" shall mean any person (other than this
Corporation or any Subsidiary and other than any profit-sharing,  employee stock
ownership or other employee  benefit plan of this  Corporation or any Subsidiary
or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any such plan when acting in such
capacity)  who (1) is the  Beneficial  Owner of voting stock of the  Corporation
representing  ten percent (10%) or more of the votes  entitled to be cast by the
holders of all then outstanding  shares of voting stock of the Corporation;  and
(b)  acquired  at least  one-half of such shares at any time within the two year
period immediately prior to the date in question.

     3. The term `Fair Market  Value' means (a) in the case of a cash  purchase,
the amount of such cash,  (b) in the case of a stock  exchange,  the fair market
value on the date in


questions  of a share of such  offered  stock as  determined  in good faith by a
majority of the  directors;  and (c) in the case of property  other than cash or
stock,  the fair  market  value of such  property  on the  date in  question  as
determined in good faith by a majority of the directors.

     The board of directors  shall have the power and duty to determine  for the
purposes  hereof,  on the basis of  information  known to then after  reasonable
inquiry,  (a) whether a person is an Interested  Stockholder,  (b) the number of
shares of common stock or other securities beneficially owned by any person, (c)
whether a person is an  Affiliate  or  Associate  of another and (d) whether the
consideration  to be paid in any Stock  Repurchase  has an aggregate Fair Market
Value in excess  of the then Fair  Market  Value of the  shares of common  stock
being  repurchased.  Any such  determination made in good faith shall be binding
and conclusive on all parties.

     Nothing  contained  herein  shall be  construed  to relieve any  Interested
Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.

     1. Director and Officer  Indemnification.  Unless  otherwise  prohibited by
        -------------------------------------
law, each director and officer of the  corporation  now or hereafter  serving as
such,  and each director and officer of any majority or wholly owned  subsidiary
of the corporation  that has been designated as entitled to  indemnification  by
resolution of the board of directors of the  corporation  as may be from time to
time determined by said board,  shall be indemnified by the corporation  against
any and all claims and  liabilities  (other than an action by or in the right of
the corporation or any majority or wholly owned  subsidiary of the  corporation)
including  expenses of defending  such claim of liability to which he or she has
or shall  become  subject  by reason of any action  alleged to have been  taken,
omitted,  or  neglected by him or her as such  director or officer  provided the
director or officer  acted in good faith and in a manner  which the  director or
officer reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the


best interests of the corporation.  With respect to any criminal  proceeding,  a
director or officer shall be entitled to  indemnification  if such person had no
reasonable  cause to believe his or her conduct was  unlawful.  The  corporation
shall  reimburse each such person as provided above in connection with any claim
or  liability  brought or arising by or in the right of the  corporation  or any
majority or wholly owned subsidiary of the corporation  provided,  however, that
such person shall be not indemnified in connection  with, any claim or liability
brought by or in the right of the  corporation  or any  majority or wholly owned
subsidiary  of the  corporation  as to which the director or officer  shall have
been adjudged to be liable for  negligence or misconduct in the  performance  of
his or her duty to the corporation or any majority or wholly owned subsidiary of
the  corporation  unless  and only to the  extent  that the court in which  such
action or proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that,  despite
the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such
person is fairly and  reasonably  entitled to indemnify for such expenses  which
such court shall deem proper.

     The determination of eligibility for indemnification shall be made by those
board  members not party to the action or  proceeding  or in the absence of such
board members by a panel of independent  shareholders appointed for such purpose
by a majority of the  shareholders  of the  corporation  or in any other  manner
provided by law.

     The  right  of  indemnification  hereinabove  provided  for  shall  not  be
exclusive or any rights to which any director or officer of the  corporation may
otherwise be entitled by law.

     The board of directors may be by resolution,  by law or other lawful manner
from time to time as it shall  determine  extend  the  indemnification  provided
herein to agents and  employees  of the  corporation,  to  directors,  officers,
agents or employees of other  corporations or entities owned in whole or in part
by the corporation.  The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the
purposes hereof.


     J. Voting  Requirements for Charter  Amendments.  Any amendment,  change or
        --------------------------------------------
repeal  of  this  Article  X  or  any  other  amendment  of  these  Articles  of
Incorporation,   which  would  have  the  effect  of  modifying  or   permitting
circumvention of any provision of these Articles of Incorporation, shall require
the  affirmative  vote,  at a meeting of  stockholders  of the  Corporation,  of
holders  of at least  sixty-six  and  two-thirds  percent  (66 2/3%) of the then
outstanding  voting  shares of the  Corporation;  provided,  however,  that this
provision  shall not apply to, and such vote shall not be required for, any such
amendment, change or repeal recommended to stockholders by the favorable vote of
not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the directors of the
Corporation  and any such  amendment,  change  or repeal  so  recommended  shall
require only a simple majority vote of the shareholders to be approved.

     WE, THE  UNDERSIGNED,  for the purpose of forming a  corporation  under the
laws of the State of West Virginia, do make and file in duplicate these ARTICLES
OF INCORPORATION, and we have accordingly hereunto set our hands this 3rd day of
March, 1987.

                                                   /s/ Oscar M. Bean
                                                   -----------------
                                                   Oscar M. Bean

                                                   /s/ Donald W. Biller
                                                   --------------------
                                                   Donald W. Biller

                                                   /s/ Thomas J. Hawse
                                                   -------------------
                                                   Thomas J. Hawse

                                                   /s/ Phoebe F. Heishman
                                                   ----------------------
                                                   Phoebe F. Heishman

                                                   /s/ Ed A. Leatherman, Jr.
                                                   -------------------------
                                                   Ed A. Leatherman, Jr.

                                                   /s/ Aleck Welton
                                                   ----------------
                                                   J. Aleck Welton

                                                   /s/ Renick C. Williams
                                                   ----------------------
                                                   Renick C. Williams

                                                   /s/ Michael T. Wilson
                                                   ---------------------
                                                   Michael T. Wilson



                                                   /s/ Harry C. Welton
                                                   -------------------
                                                   Harry C. Welton

                                                   /s/ A. Clyde Ours, Jr.
                                                   ----------------------
                                                   A. Clyde Ours, Jr.

                                                   /s/ E.E. Hott
                                                   -------------
                                                   E.E. Hott