Exhibit (2)

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER




                                 August 6, 1997


                                      Among


                            CAPITAL STATE BANK, INC.



                        SOUTH BRANCH VALLEY BANCORP, INC.


                                       and


                              CAPITAL INTERIM BANK

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER.................................................1

ARTICLE I....................................................................2
      PLAN OF MERGER.........................................................2
      1.1   Parties to Merger and Surviving Bank.............................2
      1.2   Terms of Merger..................................................2
      1.3   Effect of Merger.................................................2
      1.4   Consideration....................................................3
      1.5   Exchange of Shares...............................................3
      1.6   Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Surviving Bank...........4
      1.7   Additional Requirements..........................................4

ARTICLE II...................................................................4
      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.........................................4
      2.1   Representations and Warranties of South Branch and Capital
            Interim Bank.....................................................4
            Organization.....................................................4
            Authority........................................................4
            Financial Statements.............................................5
            Applications.....................................................5
            Authority to Exchange Shares.....................................5
            Registered Bank Holding Company..................................5
            Absence of Certain Changes.......................................5
            Litigation.......................................................6
            Absence of Undisclosed or Contingent Liabilities.................6
            No Adverse Event.................................................7
            SEC Reports......................................................7
            Capitalization...................................................7
            Registration.....................................................7
            Title to Properties..............................................7
            Taxes ...........................................................8
            Subsidiary of South Branch.......................................8
            ERISA ...........................................................8
            Absence of Defaults and Violation................................8
            Other Transactions...............................................9
            Environmental Concerns...........................................9
            Matters Relevant to Tax Treatment...............................10
      2.2.  Representation and Warranties of Capital State..................11
            Organization....................................................11
            Authority of Capital State......................................12
            Capital Stock of Capital State..................................12
            Absence of Certain Changes......................................12
            Taxes ..........................................................14
            Litigation, Etc.................................................14
            Absence of Defaults and Violations..............................14
            Absence of Undisclosed Assets and of Undisclosed Contingent
                  Liabilities...............................................15
            Financial Statements............................................15
            Real Property...................................................15
            No Adverse Event................................................15
            Material Contracts..............................................15

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            ERISA ..........................................................16
            Regulatory Reports..............................................16
            Environmental Concerns..........................................16

ARTICLE III.................................................................17
      ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.................................................17
      3.1   Approval of Capital State Shareholders..........................17
      3.2   Approval of South Branch Shareholders and
                  Sole Shareholder of Capital Interim Bank..................17
      3.3   Rights of Dissenting Stockholders...............................17
      3.4   Regulatory Approval.............................................17
      3.5   Conduct of Business by Capital State Until Closing..............18
      3.6   Conduct of Business by South Branch Until Closing...............20
      3.7   Proxy Statement.................................................21
      3.8   Board of Directors and Executive Committee......................21

ARTICLE IV..................................................................22
      CONDITIONS............................................................22
      4.1   Conditions to Obligations of All Parties........................22
            Shareholder Approval of Transaction.............................22
            Capital Interim Bank............................................22
            Absence of Restraint............................................22
            Governmental Approvals..........................................23
            Compliance with Representations, Warranties and Additional
                  Agreements................................................23
            Securities Law Compliance.......................................23
            Confidentiality.................................................23
      4.2   Additional Conditions to Obligations of South Branch............23
            Counsel's Opinion...............................................23
            Affiliates Agreements...........................................24
            Due Diligence...................................................25
            South Branch Satisfaction with Loan Loss Reserve, Provision
                of Charge-Offs, Funding of Benefits Other Reserve Accounts,
                  etc.......................................................25
            Increase in Number of Shares....................................25
      4.3   Additional Conditions to Obligations of Capital State...........25
            Tax Opinion.....................................................26
            Due Diligence...................................................27
            Fairness Opinion................................................27

ARTICLE V...................................................................27
      CLOSING...............................................................27
      5.1   Closing.........................................................27

ARTICLE VI..................................................................28
      MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................28
      6.1   Termination.....................................................28
      6.2   Expenses........................................................28
      6.3   Survival of Provisions..........................................29
      6.4   Individual Directors of Capital State...........................29
      6.5   Amendment.......................................................29
      6.6   Assignability...................................................30
      6.7   Notices.........................................................30
      6.8   Entire Agreement................................................30

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      6.9    Counterparts...................................................30
      6.10   Governing Law..................................................30
      6.11   Invalid Provisions.............................................31
      6.12   Headings and Subheadings.......................................31
      6.13   Third-Party Beneficiaries......................................31

EXHIBIT LIST................................................................33
      EXHIBIT A
            SOUTH BRANCH VALLEY BANCORP, INC.
                  REQUIRED DISCLOSURES
      EXHIBIT B
            ADOPTION AGREEMENT
      EXHIBIT C
            CAPITAL STATE BANK, INC. REQUIRED DISCLOSURES
      EXHIBIT D
            AFFILIATE'S AGREEMENT


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                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


     THIS  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the  "Agreement"),  is made and entered
into as of this 6th day of August,  1997, among CAPITAL STATE BANK, INC., a West
Virginia banking  corporation  ("Capital  State");  SOUTH BRANCH VALLEY BANCORP,
INC., a West Virginia bank holding company, ("South Branch") and CAPITAL INTERIM
BANK,  a West  Virginia  banking  corporation  to be  formed  as a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of South Branch.

     WHEREAS,  Capital  State  is a  West  Virginia  state  banking  institution
organized  and existing  under the laws of the State of West  Virginia  with its
principal office in South Charleston, West Virginia;

     WHEREAS,  Capital Interim Bank will be organized as a West Virginia banking
institution with its principal office located in Charleston, West Virginia;

     WHEREAS,  South Branch is a West  Virginia  corporation  with its principal
office located in Moorefield,  West Virginia,  and is a registered  bank holding
company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended;

     WHEREAS,  the parties  hereto  desire to  accomplish  the merger of Capital
State  into  Capital  Interim  Bank with  Capital  Interim  Bank  surviving  and
operating under the name "Capital State Bank, Inc." (the "Merger");

     WHEREAS,  shareholders of Capital State will receive one (1) share of South
Branch common stock ("South Branch stock") for each 3.95 shares of Capital State
common stock ("Capital State stock") they own as  consideration  for the Merger;
provided, however that no fractional shares of South Branch stock will be issued
and in lieu thereof Capital State  shareholders will receive cash  consideration
as provided herein;

     WHEREAS,  Capital State has authorized capital of $1,200,000,  divided into
1,200,000  shares of common  stock of $1.00 par value,  of which  1,200,000  are
issued and  outstanding,  resulting in a capital  account of  $11,168,517,  with
surplus of $10,398,528 and undivided  profits of ($355,652),  and net unrealized
gain or loss on securities of ($96,968) as of March 31, 1997;

     WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes,  the transactions are intended to
be  treated  as  a  tax  free   reorganization   under  Internal   Revenue  Code
ss.368(a)(2)(D).

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     NOW,  THEREFORE,   for  and  in  consideration  of  the  premises  and  the
representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements  contained herein, South
Branch and Capital State do represent,  warrant, covenant and agree (and Capital
Interim Bank will represent, warrant, covenant and agree) as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   ----------
                                 PLAN OF MERGER
                                ----------------

     1.1 Parties to Merger and Surviving Bank. The parties to the Plan of Merger
         ------------------------------------
are Capital State Bank, Inc. and Capital Interim Bank. Capital State shall merge
with and into Capital Interim Bank under the charter of the latter,  pursuant to
the laws of West  Virginia  and the United  States.  At the time of the  Merger,
Capital State will cease to exist and Capital Interim Bank will be the Surviving
Bank. The name of the Surviving Bank shall be "Capital State Bank, Inc." and its
principal office will be in South Charleston, West Virginia.

     1.2 Terms of Merger.  The terms and  conditions of the Merger are set forth
         ---------------
in this  Agreement.  Upon  satisfaction  of all of the terms and  conditions set
forth herein, the Merger shall be effective upon the date (the "Merger Effective
Date") so  indicated by the West  Virginia  Secretary  of State  ("Secretary  of
State").

     1.3  Effect  of  Merger.  Upon  consummation,  the  Merger  shall  have the
          ------------------
following effects:

          (a)  The  Surviving  Bank  will,  upon  the  time  of the  Merger  and
     thereafter,   possess  all  of  the  rights,  privileges,   immunities  and
     franchises, of Capital Interim Bank and Capital State Bank, Inc.

          (b) All  property,  real,  personal  and  mixed,  and all debts due in
     whatever  amount,  and all other choses in action,  and all other interests
     belonging to or due to Capital Interim Bank and Capital State will be taken
     and deemed to be transferred  to and vested in Capital  Interim Bank as the
     Surviving Bank and all property,  real,  personal and mixed,  and all debts
     due in  whatever  amount,  and all other  choses in  action,  and all other
     interests  belonging to or due to Capital  Interim  Bank and Capital  State
     shall remain in the  Surviving  Bank without  further act, and the title to
     any real estate, or any interest therein, vested in Capital State shall not
     revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger.

          (c) The Surviving Bank will be  responsible  and liable for all of the
     liabilities  and  obligations  of Capital  Interim Bank and Capital  State,
     respectively,  and  neither  the  rights of  creditors  nor liens  upon the
     property of Capital State shall be impaired by the Merger,  including,  but
     not limited to, any  liability of Capital State arising under its bylaws or
     the applicable laws of West Virginia in connection with the indemnification
     of directors and officers of Capital State arising at any time prior to the
     Merger Effective Date.


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          (d) The  Surviving  Bank will have a capital  stock  account  equal to
     $1,200,000,  divided  into  1,200,000  shares of common  stock of $1.00 par
     value,  all of which will be  issued,  with a surplus  of  $10,398,528  and
     undivided  profits  of  ($355,652)  and  net  unrealized  gain  or  loss of
     securities on ($96,968), such capital account to be adjusted to account for
     earnings between March 31, 1997 and the Merger Effective Date.

     1.4 Consideration. As consideration for the Merger, shareholders of Capital
         -------------
State,  who do not dissent to this  transaction  will be entitled to receive one
(1) share of South Branch stock for each 3.95 shares of Capital State stock they
own (the "Merger Consideration.")

     No  fractional  shares of South  Branch  stock  will be issued  and in lieu
thereof,  Capital State shareholders will be entitled to receive cash based upon
the $43.50 per share for South Branch stock,  without interest.  If, on or after
the date hereof, and prior to the Merger, the outstanding shares of South Branch
stock  are  changed  into  a  different   number  or  class  by  virtue  of  any
reclassification,  split,  stock  dividend or similar  event,  then the exchange
ratio provided  herein will be adjusted  proportionately.  The issuance of South
Branch stock for other  corporate  purposes,  as contemplated in Section 2.1(l),
will not result in an adjustment to the exchange ratio.  From and after the date
of the Merger,  the holders of  certificates  representing  Capital State shares
shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares  (except  dissenters'
rights) and such shares will  thereafter be deemed  canceled and void.  The sole
rights of such shareholders  (excluding  dissenters'  rights) will be to receive
the Merger Consideration.

     1.5 Exchange of Shares.  Except for any shares of Capital State as to which
         ------------------
dissenters' rights are exercised pursuant to the West Virginia  Corporation Act,
ss.  31-1-122  (the  "West  Virginia   Appraisal   Statute"),   each  holder  of
certificates  representing  shares of the stock of Capital State will,  upon the
surrender to South Branch, or its agent, of such certificates in proper form, be
entitled to receive a certificate  or  certificates  representing  the number of
whole  shares of the common  stock of South  Branch  into which the  surrendered
certificates  shall  have  been  converted  by  reason  of  the  Merger.   Until
surrendered  for  exchange,   each  outstanding  certificate  of  Capital  State
submitted  for exchange for South Branch stock shall be deemed for all corporate
purposes to evidence  the  ownership of the full shares of stock of South Branch
into which such shares  have been  converted  by reason of the  Merger.  Until a
Capital State  shareholder's  outstanding  certificates  have been  surrendered,
South Branch may, at its sole discretion, withhold, with respect to such Capital
State shareholder, as applicable (i) the certificates representing the shares of
its stock into which such Capital  State  shares are  converted by reason of the
Merger;  and (ii) the  distribution  of any and all  dividends  and  payment for
fractional shares with respect to the stock of South Branch to which the Capital
State  shareholder  is  entitled.  Upon  the  delivery  to South  Branch  of the
outstanding  Capital State  certificates by a Capital State  shareholder,  there
will be delivered to the record holder thereof (i) the certificate  representing
the shares of the stock of South Branch to which the  exchanging  Capital  State
holder is  entitled,  (ii) any  dividends  and (iii) any payment for  fractional
shares, all without interest.

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     1.6 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Surviving Bank. Upon the Merger
         ------------------------------------------------------
being consummated, the Articles of Incorporation of Capital Interim Bank will be
the Articles of  Incorporation  of the Surviving  Bank and the Bylaws of Capital
Interim Bank shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Bank until altered, amended or
repealed in accordance  with their  provisions and applicable law. The Surviving
Bank will be a state chartered banking corporation.

     1.7  Additional  Requirements.  If at any time,  the  Surviving  Bank shall
          ------------------------
consider or be advised that any further  assignments,  conveyances or assurances
are necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or conform in the Surviving Bank the
title to any property or rights of Capital State or are  otherwise  necessary to
carry out the  provisions of the Plan of Merger and this  Agreement,  the proper
officers and directors of Capital  State as of the Merger  Effective  Date,  and
thereafter, the officers of the Surviving Bank, will execute and deliver any and
all property  assignments,  conveyances,  assurances,  and other  instruments to
vest,  perfect or confirm  title to any such property or rights in the Surviving
Bank and otherwise carry out the provisions of this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                   ----------
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         ------------------------------

     2.1  Representations  and  Warranties  of South Branch and Capital  Interim
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank. Unless disclosed in Exhibit A hereto or previously disclosed in writing to
- ----
Capital  State,  as of the  date of this  Agreement,  and as of the  date of the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  herein,  South Branch represents
and warrants, as of the date hereof, and Capital Interim Bank will represent and
warrant as of the date it executes the Adoption Agreement contained in Exhibit B
hereto,  and as of the date of  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
herein, the following to Capital State:

     (a)  Organization.  South  Branch  is  a  West  Virginia  corporation  duly
          ------------
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
West Virginia.  South Branch has the requisite  corporate power and authority to
own and lease its properties and to conduct its business as currently  conducted
and as currently contemplated to be conducted.  South Branch shall cause Capital
Interim  Bank to be to be  formed,  and as of the date of its  execution  of the
Adoption Agreement, it will be a duly organized,  validly existing West Virginia
banking  corporation  in good  standing  under  the  laws of the  State  of West
Virginia.

     (b)  Authority.  South Branch has and Capital  Interim Bank will have,  the
          ---------
power  to  enter  into  this  Agreement  and  to  consummate  the   transactions
contemplated  herein.  The  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  and the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  herein have been duly authorized
by the Board of

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Directors of South Branch and will be so authorized by the Board of Directors of
Capital Interim Bank. South Branch, as sole shareholder of Capital Interim Bank,
will vote all  shares of  Capital  Interim  Bank in favor of the  Merger and the
transactions   contemplated  herein.  Upon  its  execution  and  delivery,  this
Agreement  constitutes the valid and legally binding  obligation of South Branch
and will constitute the valid and legally binding  obligation of Capital Interim
Bank upon execution of the Adoption Agreement. Subject to obtaining the permits,
approvals,  consents  and  authorizations  set forth in Article  IV hereto,  the
execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  does  not and  will  not,  and the
consummation  contemplated  herein will not,  violate (i) any  provisions of the
Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws of South Branch or Capital  Interim  Bank,
(ii) any laws of the State of West Virginia, or (ii) any material restriction to
which any of them is subject.

     (c)  Financial  Statements.  South Branch has  delivered  to Capital  State
          ----------------------
copies of its  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, and its unaudited consolidated financial statements for
the period ended March 31, 1997.  South Branch  represents and warrants that the
financial  statements  which  have  been or will be  delivered  pursuant  to any
provision of this Agreement  fairly present its financial  position of as of the
date  thereof and the results of its  operations  and its cash flows for each of
the respective  periods specified therein in conformity with generally  accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

     (d)  Applications.   South  Branch  and  Capital  Interim  Bank,  with  the
          ------------
cooperation  of Capital State,  will cause to be filed all necessary  regulatory
applications with the appropriate bank regulators to accomplish the transactions
contemplated  herein.  South  Branch will pay all expenses  associated  with the
filing of such regulatory  applications,  excluding  legal,  accounting or other
expenses incurred by Capital State in connection therewith.

     (e) Authority to Exchange  Shares.  The shares of South Branch to be issued
         -----------------------------
pursuant to this Agreement are or will be duly authorized.  When issued upon the
terms and  conditions  specified in this  Agreement,  the shares will be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no preemptive or similar rights
with regard to the shares of South  Branch to be issued in  connection  with the
transactions  contemplated herein. The shares of South Branch stock to be issued
pursuant to this Agreement to Capital State  shareholders  will be, when issued,
registered with the SEC pursuant to an effective registration on Form S-4.

     (f) Registered Bank Holding Company. South Branch is a duly registered bank
         -------------------------------
holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.

     (g) Absence of Certain  Changes.  Except as may be  disclosed  in Exhibit A
         ---------------------------
hereto and made a part hereof, since March 31, 1997:


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          (i) There has been no  material  change in the  operations,  financial
     condition,  or results of operation of South  Branch or any  subsidiary  of
     South Branch which could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated
     assets,  financial  condition,  or  operations  of South Branch nor has any
     event or condition occurred which is known to its officers which may result
     in such a change;

          (ii) There has not been any damage,  destruction, or loss by reason of
     fire,  flood,  accident or other casualty  (whether insured or not insured)
     materially  and adversely  affecting  the  consolidated  assets,  financial
     condition or operations of South Branch;

          (iii)  Neither  South  Branch nor any  subsidiary  of South Branch has
     disposed of or agreed to dispose of any  properties  or assets  material to
     South Branch,  nor has it leased to others,  or agreed to so lease,  any of
     such material properties or assets; and

          (iv)  Except  for  the   issuance  of  shares  to  certain   directors
     consummated on June 18, 1997,  and  previously  disclosed to Capital State,
     South  Branch has not granted any warrant,  option or right to acquire,  or
     agreed  to  repurchase,  redeem or  otherwise  acquire,  any  shares of its
     capital  stock or any  other of its  securities  whatsoever,  except as set
     forth in 2.1(l) hereof.

          (v) There has not been any other event , condition or  development  of
     any kind which  materially  and  adversely  affects the  assets,  financial
     condition or  operations  of South  Branch,  and it has no knowledge of any
     such event,  condition or  development  which may  materially and adversely
     affect the assets, financial condition or operations of South Branch.

     (h) Litigation.  Except as disclosed in Exhibit A, neither South Branch nor
         -----------
any  subsidiary  of South  Branch  is a party  to or,  to the  knowledge  of its
executive  officers,  threatened  with any litigation,  action,  governmental or
other  proceeding,  investigation,  strike or other  labor  dispute  which might
affect  the  validity  of  this  Agreement  or  which,  individually  or in  the
aggregate, might have a materially adverse effect on South Branch's consolidated
assets,  financial  condition,  operations or material  contractual  rights; and
there is no  outstanding  order,  writ,  injunction  or  decree  of any court or
governmental  agency against or materially  affecting South Branch or a material
portion of any of its consolidated businesses or assets.

     (i) Absence of Undisclosed or Contingent Liabilities.  Except to the extent
         ------------------------------------------------
reflected  on the March 31,  1997  consolidated  financial  statements  of South
Branch and its subsidiaries  delivered to Capital State,  there exists no claim,
liability,  obligation,  or any  known  asserted  claim,  secured  or  unsecured
(whether accrued,

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absolute, contingent or otherwise), that would have a material adverse effect on
the  consolidated  operations,  financial  condition or results of operations of
South Branch.

     (j) No Adverse  Event.  Since March 31,  1997,  there has been no change or
         -----------------
changes,  which,  individually  or in the aggregate,  has or have materially and
adversely affected the business of South Branch.

     (k) SEC Reports. The Form 10-K Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange
         -----------
Commission by South Branch for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  its quarterly
filings made during 1997 on Form 10-Q, and its current  reports made on Form 8-K
made during 1997,  if any, do not contain,  as of the date hereof or as of their
respective  dates,  any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material  fact  necessary  to make  the  statements  therein,  in  light  of the
circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.

     (l)  Capitalization.  As of June 30, 1997, the authorized  capital stock of
          ---------------
South Branch is 600,000  shares of common  stock,  par value of $7.50 per share.
412,827 are issued and  outstanding as of the date hereof and are fully paid and
nonassessable.  4,115 shares are held in treasury by South Branch.  South Branch
may issue  additional  shares or  options  or  similar  rights  pursuant  to its
Director  Deferred   Compensation  Plan,   Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan,  in
connection with other  acquisitions,  in connection with the sale or transfer of
authorized  but unissued  shares at a price equal to or greater than book value,
and for other corporate purposes.

     (m)  Registration.  As soon as  practicable  after the date  hereof,  South
          ------------
Branch will cause a Registration  Statement (or, in the case of State "blue sky"
filings,  other appropriate form) to be filed with and declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission,  appropriate agencies regulating securities,
and other governmental  agencies having jurisdiction,  with respect to the South
Branch stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement. The Registration Statement
(and  other   appropriate   forms)  will  comply  as  to  form  with  applicable
requirements  of law and,  except  as to the  information  about  Capital  State
furnished  by it in  writing  for use in the  Registration  Statement  (or other
appropriate form), or written  information about Capital State contained therein
and  reviewed by it,  will  contain no untrue  statement  of any  material  fact
required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,  in
light of the  circumstances  under  which they were made,  not  misleading.  The
Registration  Statement and "blue sky" filings  contemplated  by this  Agreement
will be sufficient to ensure that the South Branch stock held by  non-affiliates
of Capital State may be freely resold without further registration.

     (n) Title to Properties.  South Branch and its  subsidiaries  have good and
         -------------------
marketable  title  to  all  of  their  property  and  assets  set  forth  on the
consolidated  balance  sheet of South  Branch as of March 31, 1997 subject to no
liens,  mortgages,  pledges,  encumbrances  or charges of any kind except  liens
reflected on said balance sheet, liens of record,  liens which do not materially
affect the current use of the property or liens for ad valorem taxes

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not yet due and  payable,  and all of their leases are in full force and effect,
and neither  South  Branch nor any of its  subsidiaries  is aware of any default
thereunder.

     (o) Taxes.  Except as disclosed  in Exhibit A hereto,  (i) South Branch and
         -----
its  subsidiaries  have  filed all  federal  income  tax  returns  and all other
federal, state, municipal and other tax returns which they are required to file,
have paid all taxes shown to be due on such returns and, in the opinion of their
respective chief executive and financial officers,  have adequately reserved for
all current taxes;  (ii) neither the Internal  Revenue  Service  ("IRS") nor any
other  taxing   authority  is  now   asserting   against  South  Branch  or  its
subsidiaries, or, to their knowledge, threatening to assert against them, or any
of them, any deficiency or claim for  additional  taxes,  interest or penalties;
and (iii) there is no pending or threatened  examination  of the federal  income
tax returns of South Branch or its subsidiaries  and, except for tax years still
subject to the  assessment  and  collection of additional  federal  income taxes
under the three-year period of limitations  described in IRC ss. 6501(a), no tax
year of South  Branch or its  subsidiaries  remains open to the  assessment  and
collection of additional federal income taxes.

     (p) Subsidiary of South Branch.  The subsidiary of South Branch consists of
         --------------------------
a national banking association which is duly organized,  validly existing and in
good standing  under  applicable  laws.  Such has the corporate  power,  and all
necessary Federal, state, and local banking and other authorizations, to own its
property  and  conduct its  business as  currently  conducted  and as  currently
contemplated  to be  conducted.  South Branch owns,  free and clear of liens and
encumbrances  of any  nature,  100% of the issued and  outstanding  stock of its
subsidiary.

     (q) ERISA. Unless disclosed in Exhibit A, (i) each plan subject to Title IV
         -----
or ERISA and  established  or  maintained  for persons,  including  employees or
former  employees of South Branch or any of its  subsidiaries  ("Plan") has been
maintained  and funded in accordance  with its terms and with all  provisions of
ERISA applicable  thereto;  (ii) no event reportable under Section 4043 of ERISA
has occurred and is continuing  with respect to any Plan;  (iii) no liability to
the Pension Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation has been incurred with respect to any
Plan, other than for premiums due and payable; (iv) no Plan has been terminated,
no  proceedings  have been made to terminate any Plan,  and no decision has been
made to terminate or institute proceedings to terminate any Plan; (v) no Plan is
a multi-employer  Plan; and (vi) there has been no cessation of, and no decision
has been made to cease,  operations  at a  facility  or  facilities  where  such
cessation could reasonably be expected to result in a separation from employment
of more than 20% of the total number of employees who are participants under any
Plan.

     (r) Absence of Defaults  and  Violation.  Except as  disclosed in Exhibit A
         ------------------------------------
attached hereto and made a part hereof,  neither South Branch nor its subsidiary
(i) are in default under any term or provision of any  mortgage,  deed of trust,
note, bond,  indenture,  commitment,  contract,  agreement,  franchise,  permit,
license,  lease or  instrument to which they are a party or by which any of them
or any of their  properties  is bound and which is material to the  consolidated
financial condition,  businesses or operations of South Branch, (ii) are subject
to any  decree,  order,  writ or  injunction  of any  court or  authority  which
materially restricts their operations or requires any material actions,

                                                                            E-13
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(ii) are in violation of any law,  rule or  regulation  known and  applicable to
them which could materially affect the consolidated financial, assets businesses
or operations of South Branch; or (iv) has received notification from any agency
or department of federal,  state or local government or regulatory  authority or
the staff thereof  asserting  that any of them is not in compliance  with any of
the statutes, regulations, rules or ordinances which such governmental authority
or  regulatory  authority  enforces,  or  any  threat  to  revoke  any  license,
franchise,  permit or governmental  authorization  which could materially affect
the consolidated financial condition,  assets,  business, or operations of South
Branch or its subsidiary.

     (s) Other  Transactions.  Nothing herein shall be construed to limit at any
         -------------------
time the ability of South Branch or any of its  subsidiaries  from entering into
other  agreements or transactions  pursuant to which it or its  subsidiaries may
merge,  consolidate or affiliate with any other entity,  or acquire or establish
other branches or subsidiaries.

     (t) Environmental Concerns. Unless otherwise indicated in Exhibit A, to the
         ----------------------
knowledge of their  respective  chief  executive and chief  financial  officers,
neither South Branch nor its subsidiary bank own any property where:

                         1. Material  amounts of Hazardous  Substances have been
                    generated,  treated,  stored,  disposed of,  incinerated  or
                    recycled at or on the property;

                         2. Aboveground or underground storage tanks are or have
                    been located;

                         3. Spills, discharges,  releases,  deposits of material
                    amounts of any Hazardous Substances have occurred;

                         4. Hazardous  Substances have been released on adjacent
                    properties which could migrate onto the property;

                         5. An investigation or  administrative  proceeding by a
                    governmental agency or a lawsuit by a governmental agency or
                    private   third   party   occurred   involving    Applicable
                    Environmental Law and where the property contains conditions
                    which would give rise to such an event; or

                         6. Solid  waste as defined in the West  Virginia  Solid
                    Waste Management Act, West Virginia Code ss. 20-5F-1 et seq.
                    has been disposed of.

                                                                            E-14
                                      9


211-310

     To the knowledge of their  respective  chief  executive and chief financial
officers,  neither  South Branch nor its  subsidiary  bank has a loan secured by
property  which is owned or  operated  by an entity or  person in  violation  of
Applicable  Environmental Law or has a condition which could lead to a violation
of Applicable Environmental Law.

     For purposes of this Agreement, (i) The term "Applicable Environmental Law"
shall include but shall not be limited to the laws and implementing  regulations
of  the  United  States  Government,  the  State  of  West  Virginia  and  local
governments,  whether currently in existence or hereafter enacted,  that govern:
(a) the existence, cleanup and/or remedy of hazardous substance contamination on
property;  (b)  the  protection  of  the  environment  from  released,  spilled,
deposited or  otherwise  emplaced  hazardous  substance  contamination;  (c) the
control of hazardous  substances  and hazardous  substance  waste;  and (d ) the
reporting,  use,  generation,  transport,  treatment  and  removal of  hazardous
substances  and (ii) The term  "Hazardous  Substance"  shall mean any  substance
which  at any  time is  toxic,  ignitable,  reactive  or  corrosive  and that is
regulated  by any  Applicable  Environmental  Law or which  has been or shall be
determined at any time by any agency or court to be a toxic, ignitable, reactive
or  corrosive  substance   regulated  under  Applicable   Environmental  Law  or
detrimental  to the  environment  or  health  of  living  organisms.  "Hazardous
Substance"  includes  any and all  materials or  substances  that are defined as
"hazardous  wastes",  "extremely  hazardous wastes" or a "hazardous  substances"
pursuant to any Applicable  Environmental Law. "Hazardous  Substance"  includes,
but is not restricted to asbestos,  polychlorinated  biphenyls ("PCBs"),  radon,
nuclear materials and petroleum.

     (u) Matters Relevant to Tax Treatment.
         ----------------------------------

          (i) South Branch has no plan or intention to liquidate Capital Interim
     Bank; to merge Capital  Interim Bank with or into another  corporation;  to
     sell or otherwise dispose of the stock of Capital Interim Bank; or to cause
     Capital  Interim Bank to sell or otherwise  dispose of any of the assets of
     Capital State acquired in the Merger, including South Branch stock acquired
     by Capital State pursuant to the Merger,  except for  dispositions  made in
     the ordinary  course of business or transfers  described in I.R.C.  Section
     368(a)(2)(C).

          (ii)  Following  the Merger,  Capital  Interim Bank will  continue the
     historic business of Capital State or use a significant  portion of Capital
     State's business assets in a business.

          (iii) South Branch has no plan or  intention  to reacquire  any of its
     stock issued in the Merger.

          (iv)  Neither  South  Branch nor Capital  Interim Bank has any plan or
     intention  to sell or  otherwise  dispose  of any of the  assets of Capital
     State acquired in the Merger, except for dispositions made in the

                                                                            E-15
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     ordinary course of business, dispositions in arm's length transactions made
     to avoid duplicative facilities or to comply with regulatory  requirements,
     or transfers described in I.R.C. Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code.

          (v) Prior to the  Merger,  South  Branch will be in control of Capital
     Interim Bank within the meaning of I.R.C. Section 368(c).

          (vi)  Following  the  Merger,  Capital  Interim  Bank  will not  issue
     additional  shares of its stock that would  result in South  Branch  losing
     control of Capital Interim Bank within the meaning of Section 368(c).

          (vii)  Neither  South Branch nor Capital  Interim Bank are  investment
     companies, as defined in I.R.C. Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv).

          (viii)The  payment of cash to Capital  State  shareholders  in lieu of
     fractional  shares of South Branch stock is not  separately  bargained  for
     consideration  and is solely  for the  purpose of saving  South  Branch the
     expense and  inconvenience  of issuing  fractional  shares.  The total cash
     consideration  that  will  be  paid  in the  Merger  to the  Capital  State
     shareholders  instead of issuing  fractional  shares of South  Branch stock
     will  not  exceed  1% of  the  total  consideration  to be  issued  in  the
     transaction to Capital State  shareholders  in exchange for their shares of
     Capital State common stock.  The fractional share interests of each Capital
     State  shareholder will be aggregated and no Capital State shareholder will
     receive  cash for  fractional  shares in an amount equal to or greater than
     the value of one full share of South Branch stock.

          (ix) None of the compensation received by any shareholder-employees of
     Capital State will be separate  consideration  for, or allocable to, any of
     their  shares of Capital  State  stock;  none of the shares of South Branch
     stock received by any shareholder-employees  will be separate consideration
     for, or allocable to, any employment  agreement;  and the compensation paid
     to any  shareholder-employees  will be for services  actually  rendered and
     will be  commensurate  with amounts  paid to third  parties  bargaining  at
     arm's-length for similar services.

     2.2.  Representation  and Warranties of Capital State.  Unless disclosed in
           -----------------------------------------------
Exhibit C hereto or previously  disclosed in writing to South Branch,  as of the
date  of  this  Agreement  and  as of  the  date  of  the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated  herein,  Capital State  represents  and warrants the
following to South Branch and Capital Interim Bank:

     (a) Organization. Capital State is a West Virginia banking institution duly
         ------------
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
West Virginia. It has all of the requisite corporate

                                                                            E-16
                                      11


213-310


power and authority to own and lease its  properties and to conduct its business
as it is now being conducted and as currently contemplated to be conducted.

     (b) Authority of Capital State. Subject to all applicable state and federal
         --------------------------
regulatory approval and the requisite  shareholder  approval,  Capital State has
the  power  to  enter  into  this  Agreement  and  to  cause  the   transactions
contemplated  herein to be carried  out.  The  execution  and  delivery  of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein have been
duly  authorized  by the Board of  Directors  of Capital  State.  Except for the
ratification,  confirmation  and approval of this  Agreement by Capital  State's
stockholders,  no  other  acts or  proceedings  on its  part  are  necessary  to
authorize the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.  Upon its execution
and  delivery,  subject  only  to  shareholder  ratification,  confirmation  and
approval, this Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of
Capital  State.  Subject to  obtaining  the  permits,  approvals,  consents  and
authorizations  set forth in Article IV hereto,  the  execution  and delivery of
this Agreement does not, and the  consummation of the  transaction  contemplated
herein will not, violate (i) any provision of the Articles of Incorporation,  or
the Bylaws of Capital  State,  (ii) any laws of the State of West Virginia or of
the United States of America or (iii) any other material restriction of any kind
or character to which  Capital  State is subject.  No  acceleration  of payment,
default,  breach or termination  will occur in any material respect by virtue of
the  consummation  of the  transaction  contemplated in this Agreement under any
material contract,  agreement, deed of trust, note, instrument,  order, judgment
or decree.

     (c) Capital Stock of Capital State.  Capital State has one class of capital
         ------------------------------
stock  consisting of 1,200,000  shares of  authorized  common stock having a par
value of $1.00 per share,  1,200,000  of which are issued and  outstanding.  The
outstanding  shares of Capital State stock have been duly and validly authorized
and issued and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive rights of any
of its  shareholders.  Capital  State  holds no shares of its stock as  treasury
stock and has not redeemed any shares within the last two (2) years.

     (d) Absence of Certain Changes. Since March 31, 1997:
         --------------------------

          (i) There has been no change  in the  assets,  consolidated  financial
     condition  or results of  operations  of Capital  State,  taken as a whole,
     which has had,  or changes  which in the  aggregate  have had a  materially
     adverse effect on Capital State's consolidated assets,  financial condition
     or  operations,  nor has any event or condition  occurred which is known to
     the officers of Capital State which may result in such a change or changes;

          (ii) There has not been any damage,  destruction, or loss by reason of
     fire,  flood,  accident or other casualty  (whether insured or not insured)
     materially  and  adversely  affecting  the assets,  financial  condition or
     operations of Capital State;


                                                                            E-17
                                      12


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          (iii) Capital State has not disposed of or agreed to dispose of any of
     its material  properties  or assets,  nor has either  leased to others,  or
     agreed to so lease, any of such material properties or assets;

          (iv)  There  has not been any  change  in the  authorized,  issued  or
     outstanding  capital stock of Capital  State or any material  change in the
     outstanding  debt of Capital  State,  other than changes due to payments in
     accordance  with the terms of such debt and other  than the  acceptance  of
     deposits by Capital State in the ordinary course of business;

          There has not been, nor will there be, any declaration,  setting aside
     or payment of any dividend or  distribution in respect of any shares of the
     common stock of Capital State.  Capital State shall not pay such a dividend
     for any quarter for which  Capital State  shareholders  will be entitled to
     receive a dividend as South Branch shareholders;

          (v) Capital  State has not granted at any time any warrant,  option or
     right to acquire, or agreed to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any
     shares  of its  capital  stock or any  other of its  securities  whatsoever
     except as granted or agreed in this Agreement;

          (vi) Other than the directors fees permitted by ss. 3.5(i) herein,  no
     change has occurred in the personnel who are key personnel  with respect to
     the  operations  of Capital  State;  nor has there been any increase in the
     compensation  or fees payable by Capital State to its directors,  officers,
     employees  or former  employees,  nor has there  been any  increase  in any
     loans, bonus, insurance, pension or other employee benefit plan, payment or
     arrangement  for or with  any of such  directors,  officers,  employees  or
     former employees;

          (vii)  Capital  State has not made any loan or advance,  other than in
     the ordinary course of business;

          (viii)Capital State has not made any expenditure or commitment for the
     purchase, acquisition,  construction or improvement of any material capital
     asset or of capital assets which in the aggregate would be material;

          (ix) Except transactions  contemplated  herein,  Capital State has not
     entered into any other material transaction, contract or lease, or incurred
     any other material obligation or liability; and

          (x) There has not been any other event,  condition or  development  of
     any kind which  materially  and  adversely  affects the  assets,  financial
     condition or operations of Capital State, and it has no

                                                                            E-18
                                      13


215-310


     knowledge of any such event,  condition or development which may materially
     and  adversely  affect the assets,  financial  condition or  operations  of
     Capital State.

     (e) Taxes. As to taxes:
         -----

          (i)  Capital  State has filed all  federal  income tax returns and all
     other federal,  state, municipal and other tax returns which it is required
     to file,  has paid all taxes  shown to be due on such  returns  and, in the
     opinion of its chief  executive  and  financial  officers,  has  adequately
     reserved or recognized for all current and deferred taxes;

          (ii) Neither the IRS nor any other taxing  authority is now  asserting
     against Capital State, or, to its knowledge,  threatening to assert against
     either of them,  any material  deficiency or material  claim for additional
     taxes, interest or penalties;

          (iii)  There is no pending or  threatened  examination  of the federal
     income tax returns of Capital State and, except for tax years still subject
     to the assessment  and collection of additional  federal income taxes under
     the three year period of limitations  prescribed in IRC ss. 6501(a), no tax
     year of Capital  State  remains open to the  assessment  and  collection of
     additional federal income taxes; and

          (iv) There is no  pending or  threatened  examination  or  outstanding
     liability for any West Virginia state, local or city taxes,  except for tax
     liabilities not yet due and payable.

     (f) Litigation,  Etc.  Capital State is not a party to or, to the knowledge
         ----------------
of its executive officers, threatened with any litigation,  action, governmental
or other  proceeding,  investigation,  strike or other labor dispute which might
affect  the  validity  of  this  Agreement  or  which,  individually  or in  the
aggregate,  might have a  materially  adverse  affect on its  assets,  financial
condition or operations or on any of its material  contractual rights; and there
is no outstanding  material  order,  writ,  injunction or decree of any court or
governmental agency against or affecting Capital State or a material portion its
business or assets.

     (g) Absence of Defaults and Violations. Capital State is not (i) in default
         ----------------------------------
under  any  term or  provision  of any  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  note,  bond,
indenture, commitment, contract, agreement, franchise, permit, license, lease or
instrument to which it is a party or by which it or its properties are bound and
which is material to its financial  condition,  businesses or  operations,  (ii)
subject to any judgment,  decree or order of any court or order,  agreement,  or
similar  arrangement with a regulatory  authority which materially  restricts it
operations or requires any material action,  (iii) in violation of any law, rule
or regulation known and applicable to it which violation could

                                                                            E-19
                                      14


216-310


materially affect their financial condition,  assets,  businesses or operations,
or (iv) in receipt of  notification  from any agency or  department  of federal,
state or local government or regulatory authority or the staff thereof asserting
that it is not in  compliance  with any of the statutes,  regulations,  rules or
ordinances which such governmental  authority or regulatory  authority  enforces
and which lack of compliance  could materially  affect the financial  condition,
assets,  business or  operations of Capital  State,  or any threat to revoke any
license,  franchise, permit or governmental authorization which could materially
affect its financial condition, assets, business or operations.

     (h)  Absence  of   Undisclosed   Assets  and  of   Undisclosed   Contingent
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities.  Except to the extent reflected on the latest financial  statements
- -----------
of Capital  State  delivered to South Branch,  Capital State has no  undisclosed
assets,  or any material  claim,  liability,  obligation,  or any known asserted
claim,  secured  or  unsecured,  any of  which  is  material  (whether  accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise), against it or its assets.


     (i)  Financial  Statements.  Capital  State has  delivered  to South Branch
          ---------------------
copies of the audited  financial  statements of Capital State for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and unaudited statements for the period ended March 31, 1997,
consisting of Balance Sheets, Statements of Income, and Statements of Changes in
Stockholders'  Equity and  Statements of Cash Flows and notes  thereto.  Capital
State  represents and warrants that its financial  statements which have been or
will be delivered pursuant to any provision of this Agreement fairly present the
financial  position of Capital  State as of the date  thereof and the results of
its operations for each period specified therein.

     (j) Real Property.  Capital State owns or leases the real property as shown
         -------------
on Exhibit C. It is the owner of good and marketable  title in fee simple of the
real property reflected on its books and records as being owned or leased by it.
Capital  State is entitled to  possession  of any leased  property  and all such
leases  are  valid and in full  force and  effect.  All real  property  owned by
Capital  State is free and clear of liens and  encumbrances  except for liens of
record,  liens which do not materially affect the current use of the property or
liens for ad valorem taxes not yet due and payable.

     (k) No Adverse Event. Since March 31, 1997, there has been no change, other
         ----------------
than changes in the ordinary course of business,  which,  individually or in the
aggregate,   has  or  have  materially  and  adversely  affected  the  financial
condition, results of operations or the businesses of Capital State.

     (l)  Material  Contracts.  Capital  State  is not a party  to,  or bound or
          -------------------
affected by, nor receives benefits under (i) any material agreement, arrangement
or commitment  not  cancelable  by it without  penalty,  other than  agreements,
arrangements  or  commitments  entered into in the  ordinary  course of business
consistent with

                                                                            E-20
                                      15


217-310


its past practice and negotiated on an arm's length basis,  or (ii) any material
agreement,  arrangement or commitment  relating to the  employment,  election or
retention in office of any director or officer.

     (m)  ERISA.  As to ERISA,  (i) each plan  subject  to Title IV of ERISA and
          ------
established or maintained for persons including employees or former employees of
Capital State  ("Plan") has been  maintained  and funded in accordance  with its
terms  and  with  all  provisions  of ERISA  applicable  thereto;  (ii) no event
reportable  under  Section  4043 of ERISA has occurred  and is  continuing  with
respect to any Plan; (iii) no liability to Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation
has been  incurred  with  respect to any Plan,  other than for  premiums due and
payable;  (iv) no Plan has been terminated,  no proceedings have been instituted
to terminate  any Plan,  and no decision has been made to terminate or institute
proceedings  to terminate any Plan;  and (v) there has been no cessation of, and
no decision has been made to cease, operations at a facility or facilities where
such  cessation  could  reasonably  be expected to result in a  separation  from
employment  of  more  than  20%  of  the  total  number  of  employees  who  are
participants under any Plan.

     (n)  Regulatory  Reports.  Capital  State has filed  all  material  reports
          -------------------
required to be filed by it with all applicable banking regulators,  and with any
other regulatory  authority to which it must report,  and such reports have been
completed in accord with applicable regulations and requirements.  Any annual or
quarterly  filings or current reports required to be filed by Capital State with
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation do not contain, as of the date hereof,
or as of their  respective dates any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.

     (o)  Environmental  Concerns.  To the knowledge of its chief  executive and
          -----------------------
chief financial officers, Capital State owns or leases no property where:

          (i) Material  amounts of  Hazardous  Substances  have been  generated,
     treated,  stored,  disposed  of,  incinerated  or  recycled  at or  on  the
     property;

          (ii)  Aboveground  or  underground  storage  tanks  are or  have  been
     located;

          (iii) Spills,  discharges,  releases,  deposits of material amounts of
     any Hazardous Substances have occurred;

          (iv) Hazardous  Substances  have been released on adjacent  properties
     which could migrate onto the property;


                                                                            E-21
                                      16


218-310


          (v) An  investigation or  administrative  proceeding by a governmental
     agency  or a  lawsuit  by a  governmental  agency or  private  third  party
     occurred  involving  Applicable  Environmental  Law and where the  property
     contains conditions which would give rise to such an event; or

          (vi)  Solid  waste  as  defined  in  the  West  Virginia  Solid  Waste
     Management Act , West Virginia Code ss. 20-5F-1 et seq.

          To the knowledge of its chief executive and chief financial  officers,
     Capital State has no loan secured by property which is owned or operated by
     an entity or person in violation of Applicable  Environmental  Law or has a
     condition which could lead to a violation of Applicable Environmental Law.


                                   ARTICLE III
                                   -----------
                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
                              ---------------------

     3.1 Approval of Capital  State  Shareholders.  Capital State will submit to
         ----------------------------------------
its shareholders,  as part of the proxy materials prepared for its shareholders'
consideration,  this  Agreement  and the  transactions  contemplated  herein for
approval, ratification and confirmation by the holders of at least a majority of
the issued and outstanding shares in accordance with law.

     3.2 Approval of South Branch  Shareholders  and Sole Shareholder of Capital
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim Bank. South Branch will submit to its shareholders, as part of the proxy
- ------------
materials  prepared for its shareholders  consideration,  this Agreement and the
transaction  contemplated herein for approval,  ratification and confirmation by
the  holders of at least a majority  of the issued and  outstanding  shares,  in
accordance  with law.  South Branch will vote all its shares in Capital  Interim
Bank in favor of the Merger of Capital State into Capital Interim Bank.

     3.3 Rights of Dissenting Stockholders. Any shareholder of Capital State who
         ---------------------------------
properly perfects his or her right to dissent under the West Virginia  Appraisal
Statute,  shall be  entitled  to the fair value of such  shares.  The  appraisal
procedures to be followed will be those set forth in the West Virginia Appraisal
Statute.

     3.4 Regulatory Approval. South Branch and Capital Interim Bank with Capital
         -------------------
State,  will prepare and file with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System ("FRB"),  the West Virginia Board of Banking and Financial  Institutions,
the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation,  and any other applicable  regulator
all  applications  required to seek approval of the Merger.  The parties  hereto
agree,  to  expeditiously,   continuously  and  aggressively  pursue  regulatory
approval of the  transactions  contemplated  herein.  South Branch shall provide
Capital

                                                                            E-22
                                      17


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State  with  copies of all  correspondence,  applications,  and other  documents
submitted in the regulatory approval proceedings.

     3.5 Conduct of  Business by Capital  State  Until  Closing.  Capital  State
         ------------------------------------------------------
acknowledges  and agrees that the obligations  contained in this Section 3.5 are
an integral part of the consideration for this Agreement and that South Branch's
commitments  herein  are  conditioned  upon  performance  of  these  operational
covenants.  Unless the prior  written  consent of South Branch is  obtained,  or
unless otherwise  provided for herein,  Capital State,  between the date of this
Agreement and the Merger Effective Date will:

          (a) Take no action,  and not permit any action to be taken, which will
     have a material  adverse  effect upon  Capital  State,  or its  properties,
     financial   condition,   businesses  or  operations,   including,   without
     limitation, the commencement of any new branch banking operation.

          (b) Take no action or do anything (i) which will cause  Capital  State
     to be,  as of the  Merger  Effective  Date,  in  violation  of any of their
     representations,  warranties,  covenants and  agreements  contained in this
     Agreement  or  (ii)  which  will   materially  and  adversely   affect  the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

          (c) Take no action to reclassify or alter Capital  State's  authorized
     stock,  to issue  shares  of  capital  stock,  debt  instruments,  or other
     securities or to amend the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaw.

          (d) Not pay or declare any dividend or make any other  distribution in
     respect of Capital  State's shares of common stock or acquire for value any
     of such shares or pay any dividend, except as permitted herein.

          (e)  Take no  action,  and not  permit  any  action  to be  taken,  to
     mortgage,  pledge or subject to any lien or any other encumbrance on any of
     Capital State's material assets,  to dispose of any material assets,  or to
     incur or cancel any material debt or claim,  except in the ordinary  course
     of business as heretofore conducted.

          (f)  Afford  to  the  officers,  attorneys,   accountants,  and  other
     authorized  representatives  of South Branch full access to the  respective
     properties,  books, tax returns and records of Capital State, during normal
     business  hours and upon  reasonable  request,  in order that they may make
     such  investigations  of the affairs of Capital State as South Branch deems
     necessary or advisable.  The parties hereto and their respective affiliates
     shall use all information that each obtains from the other pursuant to this
     Agreement solely for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or for
     purposes  consistent with the intent of this  Agreement,  and shall not use
     any  of  such  information  for  any  other  purpose,  including,   without
     limitation,  the  competitive  detriment of any party.  Each of the parties
     hereto and

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                                      18


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     their  respective  affiliates  shall maintain as strictly  confidential all
     information it learns from another of the parties  hereto  pursuant to this
     Agreement  and  shall,  at any time,  upon  request,  return  promptly  all
     documentation  provided or made  available to third  parties  including all
     copies  thereof.  Each of the parties may disclose such  information to its
     respective affiliates, counsel, accountants, tax advisers, and consultants.
     The  confidentiality  agreement  contained  in this  section  shall  remain
     operative  and in full force,  and shall  survive the  termination  of this
     Agreement.

     The  parties  hereto  shall  mutually  agree in  advance  upon the form and
     substance  of all public  disclosures  concerning  this  Agreement  and the
     transactions contemplated hereby.

          (g) Promptly advise South Branch of any material adverse change in the
     financial condition,  assets, businesses or operations of Capital State and
     any material breach of any representation,  warranty, covenant or agreement
     made by Capital State in this Agreement.

          (h) Maintain in full force and effect adequate fire, casualty,  public
     liability,  employee  fidelity and other  insurance  coverage in accordance
     with prudent  practices to protect  Capital State against  losses for which
     insurance protection can be obtained at reasonable cost.

          (i) Take no action,  and take such reasonable steps as are practicable
     to avoid any action to be taken, to change the senior management of Capital
     State, to increase any compensation,  benefits,  or fees payable by Capital
     State to their  respective  directors  and officers,  employees,  or former
     employees, or to increase any loans,  insurance,  pension or other employee
     benefit  plan,  payment  or  arrangement  for  such  officers,   directors,
     employees,  except as provided herein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon
     the prior approval of South Branch,  Capital State may pay to its directors
     reasonable directors fees.

          (j) Take no action (i) to acquire,  or to be acquired  by, to merge or
     merge with any company or business,  to sell  substantially  all of Capital
     State's  assets,  or  similar   transaction  other  than  pursuant  to  the
     provisions of this Agreement,  or (ii) to acquire any branch, or, except in
     the ordinary  course of business,  any material assets of any other company
     or business.

          (k) Take no material action,  and not permit any material action to be
     taken,  whatsoever  with respect to its properties,  assets,  businesses or
     operations, other than in the ordinary course of its business.

          (l)  Continue to fund the loan loss  reserve  consistent  with current
     practice  so that as of the  Merger  Effective  Date  it is not  less  than
     $230,000, less any amounts recovered from previously charged-off loans; and
     in  addition  Capital  State  agrees that it will (i)  properly  and timely
     charge-off any loan losses, as required by any

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     applicable regulatory agency and prudent banking practices, and (ii) at the
     time of any such  charge-off,  Capital  State will make a provision  to the
     loan loss reserve equal to the amount of the loss, less the specific amount
     allocated in the reserve,  if any,  relating to the charged-off  loan (such
     specific  amounts having been previously  identified in writing by loan and
     amount).  The  requirements of this  subparagraph (l) are qualified in that
     Capital State is not obligated to take the actions set forth if such action
     will  cause  Capital  State to report a loss in any  quarter;  in such case
     Capital  State  shall  fulfill  the  foregoing  requirements  to the extent
     possible without  producing a loss. The  requirements of this  subparagraph
     shall not be  construed  to  preclude  the  payment  of  bonuses  otherwise
     expressly authorized herein.

          (m) Make no loans including but not limited to any extension, renewal,
     modification  or  refinancing  of an existing  loan,  in excess of $150,000
     without  South   Branch's  prior  written   consent,   which  will  not  be
     unreasonably withheld.

          (n) Not sell,  trade or  purchase  any  securities  in its  investment
     portfolio without prior consent of South Branch's Treasurer, which will not
     be unreasonably withheld.

     3.6 Conduct of Business by South Branch Until Closing.  South Branch,  as a
         -------------------------------------------------
bank holding company,  in the normal conduct of its business,  may acquire other
banks or bank holding companies or engage in certain nonbanking activities which
are closely  related to banking,  all as permitted  under federal and state law.
Accordingly,  South Branch may continue to seek and consider such  opportunities
and will not be restrained from doing so by the terms of this Agreement.  In the
event that South  Branch  should  reach an  understanding  with  another  entity
regarding a merger,  purchase or consolidation,  South Branch may proceed with a
merger,  purchase or consolidation  concurrently  with the acquisition by merger
contemplated by this Agreement.

     Notwithstanding  the prior  paragraph of this Section 3.6 to the  contrary,
unless the prior  written  consent of Capital  State is  obtained,  South Branch
between the date hereof and the Effective Time of the Merger, shall:

          (a) Take no action,  and not  permit any action to be taken,  by it or
     its  subsidiary,  which  will  have a  material  adverse  effect  upon  its
     properties, financial condition, businesses or operations.

          (b) Take no action or do  anything  (i) which  will  cause it to be in
     violation of its  representations,  warranties,  covenants  and  agreements
     contained in this  Agreement or (ii) which will  materially  and  adversely
     affect the consummation of the transaction contemplated in this Agreement.


                                                                            E-25
                                      20


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          (c) Promptly  advise  Capital State of any material  adverse change in
     the financial condition,  assets,  businesses or operations of South Branch
     and any breach of any representation,  warranty, covenant or agreement made
     by South Branch in this Agreement.

          (d) Maintain in full force and effect adequate fire, casualty,  public
     liability,  employee  fidelity and other  insurance  coverage in accordance
     with prudent  practices to protect fully South Branch and its  subsidiaries
     against losses for which insurance protection can reasonably be obtained.

          (e)  Afford  to  the  officers,  attorneys,   accountants,  and  other
     authorized  representatives  of Capital State full access to the respective
     properties, books and records of South Branch, during normal business hours
     and  upon   reasonable   request,   in  order   that  they  may  make  such
     investigations  of the  affairs of South  Branch as it deems  necessary  or
     advisable. The parties hereto and their respective affiliates shall use all
     information  that each  obtains from the other  pursuant to this  Agreement
     solely  for  the  effectuation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
     Agreement or for purposes consistent with the intent of this Agreement, and
     shall not use any of such  information  for any other  purpose,  including,
     without  limitation,  the competitive  detriment of any party.  Each of the
     parties hereto and their  respective  affiliates shall maintain as strictly
     confidential  all  information it learns from another of the parties hereto
     pursuant to this  Agreement and shall,  at any time,  upon request,  return
     promptly all  documentation  provided or made  available to third  parties.
     Each  of the  parties  may  disclose  such  information  to its  respective
     affiliates,  counsel,  accountants,  tax  advisers,  and  consultants.  The
     confidentiality  agreement contained in this section shall remain operative
     and in full force, and shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

     3.7 Proxy  Statement.  It is  understood  that as an  integral  part of the
         ----------------
transaction contemplated by this Agreement, proxy materials must be prepared and
sent to Capital State shareholders  presenting  certain  disclosures about South
Branch,  Capital State and about the transactions  contemplated herein.  Capital
State agrees to assist in the due diligence  related  thereto,  and to cooperate
fully in the preparation of the proxy  materials to be sent to the  shareholders
of Capital  State.  The proxy  materials sent to  shareholders  of Capital State
shall be  subject to prior  review and  approval  of the  management  of Capital
State.

     3.8 Board of Directors and Executive  Committee.  The Board of Directors of
         -------------------------------------------
South  Branch,  as  of  the  Merger  Effective  Date  shall  include  three  (3)
representatives from Capital State, to be selected by Capital State and approved
by South  Branch.  Capital  State shall be entitled to one (1)  director in each
class of directors of South Branch's  staggered  board.  Such directors shall be
either (i) placed in nomination for approval by South Branch's  shareholders  at
South Branch's  Annual Meeting,  provided that at that meeting the  shareholders
are  also  considering  the  proposed  transaction  or  (ii)  appointed  to fill
vacancies created by the Board of Directors of South Branch until their

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terms  expire.  Nothing  herein shall be construed to impose on South Branch any
duty to renominate these individuals beyond the initial terms agreed to herein.

     In the event South Branch forms an executive  committee or other  governing
body of the Board of Directors of South Branch  during the initial  terms of the
directors  appointed or elected as provided in paragraph (i) above, at least one
Capital State director shall be selected by South Branch's Chairman of the Board
to  serve as a member  of such  executive  committee  or other  governing  body.
Nothing  herein  shall be construed to impose on South Branch or the Chairman of
its Board of Directors any duty to select a Capital  State  director so to serve
after the initial term of each of the three original  Capital State directors on
the South Branch Board as provided in paragraph (i) has expired.

     3.9 Employment Agreement of Capital State President.  Capital Sate is aware
         -----------------------------------------------
that Michael H. Hudnall,  President of Capital State, may elect to terminate his
employment agreement with Capital State as of the Closing.  Capital State agrees
to make any payment  negotiated by South Branch,  Michael H. Hudnall and Capital
State in connection with such employment  agreement,  subject to consummation of
the Merger.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   ----------
                                   CONDITIONS
                                   ----------

     4.1  Conditions to  Obligations  of All Parties.  Subject to the respective
          ------------------------------------------
right of each party to waive any condition required to be met by the other party
hereto by this Section 4.1, the parties are not obligated to  consummate,  or to
cause to be consummated, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement unless:

          (a) Shareholder Approval of Transaction.  Before the Closings, Capital
              ----------------------------------- 
     State and South Branch shall each have obtained the approval,  ratification
     and confirmation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein
     by the requisite  vote of its  shareholders,  as required by law and by any
     applicable provision of its articles of incorporation and bylaws.

          (b)  Capital  Interim  Bank.   South  Branch  shall  have  caused  the
               ----------------------
     organization  and  chartering of Capital  Interim Bank and Capital  Interim
     Bank shall have executed the Adoption Agreement.

          (c) Absence of  Restraint.  No order to restrain,  enjoin or otherwise
              ---------------------
     prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement
     shall have been entered by any court or  administrative  body which remains
     in effect on the Merger Effective Date.

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          (d)  Governmental  Approvals.  There  shall have been  obtained by the
               ------------------------
     Merger Effective Date any and all permits,  approvals and consents of every
     governmental  body or agency  which are  necessary or  appropriate  so that
     consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement shall be in
     compliance with all applicable laws, including,  without limitation,  those
     with respect the FRB, the Board of Banking and Financial  Institutions  and
     any other regulator with jurisdiction over the transactions.

          (e)  Compliance  with   Representations,   Warranties  and  Additional
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
     Agreements.  All of  the  representations  and  warranties  of the  parties
     ----------
     contained in this Agreement  shall be true in all material  respects at and
     as of the Merger  Effective  Date with the same force and effect as if they
     had been made at and as of such dates (except for changes  contemplated and
     permitted by this  Agreement  or  otherwise  consented to in writing by the
     appropriate  party to this  Agreement)  and each party shall have  complied
     with  and  performed,  in all  material  respects,  all  of the  agreements
     contained  in this  Agreement to be performed by it at or before the Merger
     Effective Date. At the Closing of each merger transaction, each party shall
     have received from the other party to this  Agreement,  a  certificate,  in
     affidavit form, dated as of the date of the Closing, signed by such party's
     chief executive  officer and chief financial  officer,  certifying that the
     foregoing  statements  made in this Section  4.1(e) are true and correct to
     the best of their knowledge and belief.

          (f) Securities Law Compliance.  The Registration Statement to be filed
              -------------------------
     by South Branch with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to
     Section 2.1(m) hereof, shall be declared effective on or before the date of
     the Closing. No order suspending the effectiveness  thereof shall have been
     issued  which  remains  in  effect  on  the  date  of the  Closing,  and no
     proceedings for that purpose shall, before the Closing, have been initiated
     or, to the best knowledge of South Branch, threatened. All state securities
     and "blue sky" permits or approvals  required to carry out the transactions
     contemplated  in this  Agreement  shall have been  received  to permit free
     trading of the South Branch stock issued to the non-affiliate Capital State
     shareholders.

          (g) Confidentiality. South Branch and Capital State shall each execute
              ---------------
     mutually agreed upon confidentiality agreements.

          (h) All  criteria to assure the  tax-free  exchange  of Capital  State
     stock for South Branch stock must be met.

     4.2 Additional Conditions to Obligations of South Branch.
         -----------------------------------------------------

          (a) Counsel's Opinion.  South Branch shall have received an opinion of
              -----------------
     counsel for Capital  State dated as of the Merger  Effective  Date,  to the
     effect that:


                                                                            E-28
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225-310

               (i)  Capital  State is a state  chartered  bank  duly  organized,
          validly  existing and in good standing  under the laws of the State of
          West Virginia;

               (ii) The authorized capital stock and the number of shares issued
          and  outstanding  of Capital  State are as stated in the opinion.  The
          issued and  outstanding  shares  are  validly  issued,  fully paid and
          non-assessable,  and were not issued in  violation  of any  preemptive
          rights of the  shareholders  of Capital State. As of such date, to the
          best  of  counsel's  knowledge,   there  are  no  options,   warrants,
          convertible  securities  or  similar  items  outstanding  on behalf of
          Capital State.

               (iii)  Capital  State has the  corporate  power and  authority to
          execute,  deliver and perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement.
          This  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed and delivered by
          Capital State and constitutes the legal,  valid and binding obligation
          of Capital State,  enforceable in accordance  with its terms except as
          enforceability  may  be  limited  by  general  equitable   principles,
          bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium,  or other  laws
          affecting creditors' rights generally.

               (iv) All  necessary  corporate  proceedings  have  been  duly and
          validly  taken by Capital  State,  to the extent  required by law, its
          respective  articles of  incorporation  and bylaws,  or otherwise,  to
          authorize  the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement by Capital
          State and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.

               (v) Counsel has reviewed the proxy statement  contemplated hereby
          and,  with  respect  to all  information  relating  to  Capital  State
          contained therein,  counsel does not know of any misleading  statement
          of any  material  fact or failure  to state a material  fact which was
          necessary to be stated to prevent the statements made from being false
          or misleading in any material respect, except as to financial data, as
          to which counsel expresses no opinion.

               (vi) The  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  herein
          will not  violate  or result in a breach of, or  constitute  a default
          under the  articles  of  incorporation  or bylaws of Capital  State or
          constitute a breach or termination of, or default under, any agreement
          or  instrument  of which  counsel  is aware  and  which  would  have a
          material adverse effect on the business of Capital State, and to which
          either is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

          (b)  Affiliates  Agreements.  South  Branch  shall  have  received  an
               ----------------------
     agreement,  in the form of Exhibit D hereto, executed and delivered by each
     shareholder of Capital State who, in the reasonable opinion of

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     South  Branch,  may be deemed an affiliate of Capital State as that term is
     defined in Rule 145 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          (c) Due Diligence. South Branch must have the opportunity to conduct a
              -------------
     due  diligence  investigation  into  various  aspects  of  Capital  State's
     operations. Based on its investigation,  which must be concluded by the end
     of the twentieth  (20th) business day following the date of this Agreement,
     South Branch,  in its  discretion,  may within five (5) calendar days after
     the  close of the  above  due  diligence  period  (i)  elect  not to pursue
     consummation of the proposed  transactions or (ii) may notify Capital State
     of any  objections or  requirements  resulting  therefrom.  If South Branch
     elects not to pursue consummation of the proposed transactions and properly
     notifies Capital State of the same, this Agreement shall expire and parties
     hereto shall have no further obligations or liabilities hereunder. If South
     Branch raises any  objections as a result of its due diligence and properly
     notifies Capital State of the same,  Capital State must cure or address the
     concerns  to the  satisfaction  of  South  Branch  or South  Branch  is not
     obligated  to  continue  to  pursue   consummation   of  the   transactions
     contemplated  herein.  Failure to provide notice under this paragraph shall
     not be  construed  as a waiver by South  Branch of any item  required by or
     condition of this Agreement.

          (d) South Branch  Satisfaction  with Loan Loss  Reserve,  Provision of
              ------------------------------------------------------------------
     Charge-Offs,  Funding of Benefits  Other Reserve  Accounts,  etc. As of the
     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     Merger  Effective  Date,  South  Branch,  in its sole  discretion,  must be
     satisfied with the adequacy of the then existing  level of Capital  State's
     loan  loss  reserve  and  with  the  sufficiency  of  the  write-downs  and
     charge-offs  in the  loan  portfolio,  such  level  and  sufficiency  to be
     consistent  with the  requirements  of any regulators  and prudent  banking
     practices. In addition, Capital State must reserve for all contingencies in
     a manner  consistent  with the  requirements  of the regulators and prudent
     banking practices.

          (e)  Increase in Number of Shares.  The  Shareholders  of South Branch
               ----------------------------
     shall have approved an increase in the  authorized  but unissued  shares of
     South  Branch  sufficient  to  permit  South  Branch  to issue  the  shares
     contemplated to be issued herein as Merger Consideration.

     4.3 Additional Conditions to Obligations of Capital State.
         ------------------------------------------------------

          (a) Capital  State shall have received the opinion of counsel to South
     Branch to the effect that:

               (i) South Branch is a West Virginia corporation, validly existing
          and in good  standing  under  the  laws of West  Virginia  and is duly
          authorized  to own its  properties  and to  conduct  its  business  as
          presently  conducted.  Capital Interim Bank is validly existing and in
          good  standing  under the laws of the State of West  Virginia  is duly
          authorized  to own its  properties  and to  conduct  its  business  as
          presently conducted.

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               (ii) All necessary corporate  proceedings have been duly taken by
          South  Branch  to the  extent  required  by  law,  their  articles  of
          incorporation,  articles  of  association,  bylaws  or  otherwise,  to
          authorize  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  and the
          consummation of the transactions  contemplated  herein. This Agreement
          constitutes  the legal,  valid and binding  obligation of South Branch
          and Capital Interim Bank (once it executes the Adoption Agreement) and
          is  enforceable  against them in  accordance  with its terms except as
          enforceability  may  be  limited  by  general  equitable   principles,
          bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium,  or other  laws
          affecting creditors rights generally.

               (iii)  To  the  best  of  counsel's  knowledge,   all  regulatory
          approvals  of  federal  or  state  banking  regulators   necessary  to
          consummate the transactions contemplated herein have been obtained.

               (iv) Counsel has reviewed the proxy  statement  described  herein
          and with  respect  to all  information  relating  to the Merger and to
          South Branch and Capital Interim Bank contained therein,  and knows of
          no  respect  in which  the  proxy  statement  contained  any  false or
          misleading statement of any material fact or of any failure to state a
          material  fact  which  was  necessary  to be  stated  to  prevent  the
          statements  made  from  being  false  or  misleading  in any  material
          respect,  except as to the financial  statements  and other  financial
          data as to which counsel expresses no opinion.

          (b) Tax  Opinion.On  or before the Closing,  Capital  State shall have
     received  an opinion  from  Bowles  Rice  McDavid  Graff & Love,  P.L.L.C.,
     Charleston,  West  Virginia in a form  reasonably  satisfactory  to Capital
     State's counsel to the effect that:

               (i) The  statutory  merger of Capital State with and into Capital
          Interim  Bank will  constitute  a tax-free  reorganization  within the
          meaning of IRC Section 368(a)(i)(A) and IRS Section 368(a)(2)(D);

               (ii) The gain, if any,  realized by a Capital  State  shareholder
          upon receipt of cash,  for fractional  shares will be recognized,  but
          not in any amount in excess of all cash received as part of the merger
          transaction. The provisions of IRC Section 302 will govern whether the
          character of the gain will be ordinary  income or capital  gain.  Each
          shareholder  should consult his or her own tax advisor with respect to
          the  determination  of  whether  the  exchange  has  the  effect  of a
          redemption or the distribution of a dividend;

               (iii) The holding  period of the South Branch  stock  received by
          each holder of Capital  State's  common  stock will include the period
          during  which the  stock of  Capital  State  surrendered  in  exchange
          therefor  was held,  provided  such  stock was a capital  asset in the
          hands of the shareholder at the time of the Closing; and


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               (iv)  A  Capital   State   shareholder   who  dissents  from  the
          transaction  and  receives  solely cash in  exchange  for his stock in
          Capital  State  will  be  treated  as  having  received  such  cash in
          redemption of his or her Capital State stock subject to the provisions
          of I.R.C. ss.ss. 302 and 318.

               (c) Due  Diligence.  Capital State must have the  opportunity  to
          conduct a due diligence  investigation  into various  aspects of South
          Branch's  operations.  Based  on  its  investigation,  which  must  be
          concluded by the end of the  twentieth  (20th)  business day following
          the date of this  Agreement,  Capital State,  in its  discretion,  may
          within  five (5)  calendar  days  after  the  close of the  above  due
          diligence period (i) elect not to pursue  consummation of the proposed
          transactions  or (ii) may notify  South  Branch of any  objections  or
          requirements  resulting  therefrom.  If  Capital  State  elects not to
          pursue consummation of the proposed transactions and properly notifies
          South  Branch of the same,  this  Agreement  shall  expire and parties
          hereto shall have no further obligations or liabilities hereunder.  If
          Capital  State raises any  objections as a result of its due diligence
          and properly notifies South Branch of the same, South Branch must cure
          or address  the  concerns  to the  satisfaction  of  Capital  State or
          Capital State is not obligated to continue to pursue  consummation  of
          the transactions  contemplated herein. Failure to provide notice under
          this paragraph  shall not be construed as a waiver by Capital State of
          any item required by or condition of this Agreement.

               (d) Fairness Opinion. The board and shareholders of Capital State
          shall have  received the opinion of Berwind  Financial,  Inc. that the
          transaction is fair, from a financial perspective, to the shareholders
          of Capital State.


                                    ARTICLE V
                                    ----------
                                     CLOSING
                                    ----------

     5.1 Closing.  The closing (the "Closing") of each merger  transaction shall
         -------
take place at the principal  office of South Branch,  or such other place as may
be  agreeable  to the parties  hereto,  shall  consist of the  exchange of items
required  hereby and the filing of the Articles of Merger.  The parties will use
their best efforts to close on or about  December  31, 1997.  The payment of the
Merger  Consideration  will  commence  as  soon as  possible  after  the  Merger
Effective Date.


                                                                            E-32
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                                   ARTICLE VI
                                 ---------------  
                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                 ---------------     

     6.1  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated  and canceled,  and the
          -----------
transaction  contemplated herein may be abandoned,  notwithstanding  shareholder
authorization, at any time before the Merger Effective Date as follows:

          (a) By mutual  consent of the Board of  Directors  of South Branch and
     Capital State as evidenced by a majority  vote of each of their  respective
     Boards  of  Directors;  or 

          (b) By South Branch if any of the conditions  required to be satisfied
     by Capital  State  specified  in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 hereof shall not have
     been  satisfied  within  the  time   contemplated  by  this  Agreement  for
     consummation of this transaction; or

          (c) By Capital State if any of the conditions required to be satisfied
     by South Branch specified in Section 4.1 and 4.3 hereof shall not have been
     satisfied  within the time  contemplated by this Agreement for consummation
     of the transactions; or

          (d) By any party if the Merger will  violate any  nonappealable  final
     order, decree or judgment of any court of governmental body which binds any
     party.

     In any event,  the  obligations of the parties under this  Agreement  shall
terminate  January 31, 1998, if the Closing have not occurred  before that date,
unless the parties hereto  mutually agree in writing to an extension of the time
within which to close.

     In the event of the  termination  of this  Agreement  for any reason,  each
party shall  forthwith  deliver to the other parties hereto all documents,  work
papers and other material  obtained from it or any of its subsidiaries  relating
to the transaction  contemplated  herein,  whether  obtained before or after the
execution  hereof,   and  will  continue  to  treat  as  confidential  all  such
information in the same manner as it treats similar confidential  information of
its  own  and  shall  cause  its and its  subsidiaries'  employees,  agents  and
representatives,  to keep  all such  information  confidential  except  for such
disclosures  that are required by law or regulation or by rule,  order or decree
or any court or government agency.

     6.2 Expenses.  Each of the parties to this Agreement agrees to pay, without
         --------
a right to  reimbursement  from the other  party  hereto and  whether or not the
transaction contemplated in this Agreement shall be

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consummated,  all of the costs incurred by it incident to the performance of its
obligations  under this Agreement and to the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated herein.

     6.3 Survival of Provisions.  The representations,  warranties,  obligations
         ----------------------
and other  agreements  contained  in all  sections  of Article I and Article II,
Sections  3.5(f),  6.1,  6.2  and  6.4  of  this  Agreement  shall  survive  the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  herein and shall be and remain
strictly  enforceable  thereafter in  accordance  with the terms thereof for the
period of one (1) year after the date each merger  transaction  is  consummated.
Except as aforesaid,  and except as may be otherwise explicitly provided in this
Agreement,  the respective  representations,  warranties,  obligations and other
agreements of the parties hereto shall not survive the Closings.

     6.4 Individual  Directors of Capital State. The Directors of Capital State,
         ---------------------------------------
excluding Messrs.  Maddy,  Cookman and Michael (the "Capital State  Directors"),
have executed this Agreement to evidence their assent hereto and for the express
purpose of binding them, to the extent  consistent  with and not in violation of
their  fiduciary  duty, to the  fulfillment  of each of the terms and conditions
hereof by the respective  parties and the diligent,  expeditious  and good faith
pursuit,  and timely consummation of the transactions  contemplated  herein. The
Capital State  Directors  further  agree,  to cooperate  fully with the parties,
their employees,  representatives and agents in consummating the transactions as
proposed  and each agrees to vote his or her shares in favor of the Merger.  The
Capital State Directors agree to take no action inconsistent with this Agreement
or the consummation of the merger transactions; provided that each Capital State
Director shall act at all times in a manner consistent with his or her fiduciary
responsibilities.  Any shares acquired by a Capital State Director or any member
of the Capital State  Directors'  families or affiliates  will,  without further
action, be subject to the agreements contained in this paragraph 6.4.

     Each Capital State Director further  acknowledges and agrees (i) that South
Branch  has relied on his or her  representations  and  agreements  as set forth
herein and (ii) that his or her  agreement to vote his or her shares in favor of
the Merger is necessary to fulfill certain conditions  precedent to consummation
of the Merger.

     6.5 Amendment.  The Agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the Board
         ---------
of Directors of South Branch and Capital State,  evidenced by a majority vote of
each of their  respective  Boards  of  Directors,  at any time  before  or after
approval thereof by the shareholders;  but, after any such shareholder approval,
no amendment shall be made to this Agreement which  substantially  and adversely
changes the terms of the  particular  agreement  without  obtaining  the further
approval of the respective shareholders of that party. This Agreement may not be
amended  except by an  instrument  in writing duly  executed by the  appropriate
officers on behalf of each of the parties hereto.


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     6.6  Assignability.  This  Agreement  shall  inure to the benefit of and be
          -------------
binding upon the parties  hereto and their  respective  successors  and assigns,
provided that this  Agreement may not be assigned by any party without the prior
written consent of the other parties hereto.

     6.7 Notices. Any notice or other communication  required or permitted under
         -------
this  Agreement  shall be made in writing  and shall be deemed to have been duly
given or received if  delivered  in person or if sent by  certified  mail,  with
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

TO SOUTH BRANCH:                          TO CAPITAL STATE:

H. Charles Maddy, III                     Michael H. Hudnall
President                                 President
South Branch Valley Bancorp, Inc.         Capital State Bank, Inc.
310 North Main Street                     2402 Mountaineer Boulevard
Moorefield, West Virginia  26836          Charleston, West Virginia  25309


COPY TO:                                  COPY TO:

Sandra M. Murphy, Esq.                    William W. Booker, Esq.
BOWLES RICE MCDAVID GRAFF                 KAY CASTO CHANEY LOVE
         & LOVE, P.L.L.C.                         &  WISE
600 Quarrier Street                       1600 Bank One Plaza
P. O. Box 1386                            P. O. Box 203
Charleston, WV  25325-1386                Charleston, West Virginia  25327


     6.8 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement,  together with all exhibits attached
         ----------------
hereto,  constitutes the entire  agreement among the parties and shall supersede
all prior  agreements  and  understandings,  both  written  and oral,  among the
parties  with  respect to the  subject  matter of the  transaction  contemplated
herein and may not be changed except by amendment  pursuant to the provisions of
Section 6.5 of this Agreement.

     6.9 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several  counterparts,
         ------------
each of which shall be deemed an original; but all of which shall constitute one
and the same instrument.

     6.10 Governing  Law.  Subject to the applicable law of the United States of
          --------------
America,  this  Agreement  shall be  governed  and  construed  in all  respects,
including, but not limited to, validity,  interpretation and effect, pursuant to
the laws of the State of West Virginia.


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                                      30


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     6.11  Invalid  Provisions.   The  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of  any
           -------------------
particular  provision of this  Agreement  shall not affect the other  provisions
hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid
or unenforceable provision were omitted.

     6.12 Headings and  Subheadings.  The headings and subheadings  used in this
          -------------------------
Agreement  are included  for  convenience  of  reference  only and shall have no
effect on the construction or meaning of this Agreement.

     6.13  Third-Party  Beneficiaries.   Nothing  in  this  Agreement  shall  be
           ---------------------------
construed as and this Agreement shall not be deemed to be for the benefit of any
third party.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
executed by their corporate officers thereunto duly authorized.

Attest:                             SOUTH BRANCH VALLEY BANCORP, INC.



By  /s/ Scott C. Jennings           By   /s/ C. Maddy
- -------------------------------     ------------------------------------
Its    Vice President               Its       President



Attest:                             CAPITAL STATE BANK, INC.


By    /s/ M. H. Hudnall             By   /s/  Charles S. Piccirillo
- --------------------------------    -------------------------------------
Its    President                    Its        Chairman of the Board





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233-310


DIRECTORS OF CAPITAL STATE BANK, INC.*


   /s/ Frank A. Baer                   /s/ Brooks F. McCabe
- ----------------------------       ------------------------------
 Frank A. Baer, III                  Brooks F. McCabe


  /s/ Robert N. Duty                  /s/ Charles S. Piccirillo
- ----------------------------       -------------------------------
 Robert N. Duty                      Charles S. Piccirillo


  /s/ Georgette George                /s/ Stephen D. Wehrle
- ----------------------------       --------------------------------
 Georgette George                    Stephen D. Wehrle


  /s/ Larry Haddad                    /s/ Louis Weisberg
- ----------------------------       --------------------------------
 Larry Haddad                        Louis Weisberg


  /s/ Richard Heffelfinger            /s/ Mary Williams
- ----------------------------       --------------------------------
 Richard Heffelfinger                Mary Williams


   /s/ Joseph B. Holland, Jr.         /s/ M. H. Hudnall
- ----------------------------       --------------------------------
 Joseph B. Holland, Jr.              Michael H. Hudnall


  /s/ Richard L. Howard              /s/ Emma L. Byrnside
- ----------------------------       --------------------------------
 Richard L. Howard                   Emma L. Byrnside


  /s/ Kim Lewis
- ----------------------------
 Kim Lewis


CHS108053



*Signing for the sole purpose of agreeing to perform,  comply with, and be bound
by, the terms of Section 6.4 of the foregoing Agreement and Plan of Merger.