Exhibit 99.1









                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                            dated as of July 16, 1999

                                 by and between

                        SOUTH BRANCH VALLEY BANCORP, INC.

                                       and

                               POTOMAC VALLEY BANK







                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

                                    ARTICLE I
Certain Definitions                    ......................................1
      1.01  Certain Definitions..............................................1

                                   ARTICLE II
The Merger                             ......................................4
      2.01  The Merger.......................................................4
      2.02  Effective Date and Effective Time................................5
      2.03  Closing..........................................................5

                                   ARTICLE III
Consideration; Exchange Procedures     ......................................5
      3.01  Merger Consideration.............................................5
      3.02  Rights as Stockholders; Stock Transfers..........................5
      3.03  Fractional Shares................................................5
      3.04  Exchange Procedures..............................................6
      3.05  Provisions Relating to Stock Splits, Stock Dividends, Etc........6
      3.06  Provisions Relating to the Granting of Additional Options........6

                                   ARTICLE IV
Actions Pending Merger                 ......................................7
      4.01  Forebearances of Potomac.........................................7
      4.02  Forebearances of South Branch....................................8

                                    ARTICLE V
Representations and Warranties         ......................................9
      5.01  Disclosure Schedules.............................................9
      5.02  Standard........................................................10
      5.03  Representations and Warranties of Potomac.......................10
      5.04  Representations and Warranties of South Branch..................16

                                   ARTICLE VI
Covenants                              .....................................23
      6.01  Reasonable Best Efforts.........................................23
      6.02  Stockholder Approvals...........................................23
      6.03  Registration Statement..........................................23
      6.04  Press Releases..................................................24
      6.05  Access; Information.............................................24
      6.06  Acquisition Proposals...........................................25
      6.07  Affiliate Agreements............................................25
      6.08  Regulatory Applications.........................................25
      6.09  Benefit Plans and Arrangements..................................26
      6.10  Notification of Certain Matters.................................26
      6.11  Dividend Coordination...........................................26
      6.12  Change of Name of South Branch..................................26
      6.13  Directorship of Summit; Formation of Executive Committee........26
      6.14  Officers of Board and Summit....................................27
      6.15  Members of the Board of Directors of Potomac and
                  South Branch, Other Matters...............................27
      6.16  Location of Summit Offices......................................27
      6.17  Changes to Organizational Documents.............................27
      6.18  Divestment of Branch............................................27
      6.19  Directors'and Officers'Protection...............................27
      6.20  Other Transactions..............................................28

                                   ARTICLE VII
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger....................................28
      7.01  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger......28
      7.02  Conditions to Obligation of Potomac.............................29
      7.03  Conditions to Obligation of South Branch........................30

                                  ARTICLE VIII
Termination                            .....................................32
      8.01  Termination.....................................................32
      8.02  Effect of Termination and Abandonment...........................33

                                   ARTICLE IX
Miscellaneous                          .....................................33
      9.01  Survival........................................................33
      9.02  Waiver; Amendment...............................................33
      9.03  Counterparts....................................................33
      9.04  Governing Law...................................................33
      9.05  Expenses........................................................33
      9.06  Notices.........................................................34
      9.07  Entire Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries..............34
      9.08  Interpretation; Effect; Assignment; Successors..................34

EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT B






            AGREEMENT  AND  PLAN OF  MERGER,  dated as of July  16,  1999  (this
"Agreement"),  by and between South Branch Valley Bancorp, Inc. ("South Branch")
and Potomac Valley Bank ("Potomac").

                                    RECITALS

            A. South Branch. South Branch is a West Virginia corporation, having
its principal place of business in Moorefield,  West Virginia, which will change
its name pursuant to Section 6.12 hereof.

            B. Potomac.  Potomac is a West Virginia banking corporation,  having
its principal place of business in Petersburg, West Virginia.

            C. Intentions of the Parties.  It is the intention of the parties to
this Agreement that the business combination contemplated hereby be considered a
merger  of  equals  and  be  accounted  for  under  the   "pooling-of-interests"
accounting  method and treated as a  "reorganization"  under  Section 368 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code").

            D. Board Action. The respective Boards of Directors of each of South
Branch and Potomac  have  determined  that it is in the best  interests of their
respective companies and their stockholders to consummate the strategic business
combination transaction provided for herein.

            NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants,  representations,  warranties  and  agreements  contained  herein the
parties agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                               Certain Definitions

            1.01 Certain  Definitions1.01  Certain  Definitions.  The  following
terms are used in this Agreement with the meanings set forth below:

            "Acquisition  Proposal" means any tender or exchange offer, proposal
for a merger,  consolidation or other business combination  involving Potomac or
any proposal or offer to acquire in any manner a substantial equity interest in,
or a  substantial  portion of the assets or deposits  of Potomac  other than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            "Agreement"  means this Agreement,  as amended or modified from time
to time in accordance with Section 9.02.

            "Closing" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.

            "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

            "Disclosure Schedule" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.

            "Effective  Date"  means  the date on  which  the  Effective  Time
occurs.

            "Effective  Time"  means  the  effective  time of the  Merger,  as
provided for in Section 2.02.

            "Environmental  Laws" means all applicable local,  state and federal
environmental,  health  and  safety  laws and  regulations,  including,  without
limitation,  the  Resource  Conservation  and Recovery  Act,  the  Comprehensive
Environmental  Response,  Compensation,  and Liability Act, the Clean Water Act,

                                       1


the Federal Clean Air Act, and the  Occupational  Safety and Health Act, each as
amended, regulations promulgated thereunder, and state counterparts.

            "ERISA"  means the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of
1974, as amended.

            "ERISA Affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(l).

            "Exchange  Act"  means  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

            "Exchange Agent" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04.

            "Exchange Ratio" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.

            "Governmental  Authority" means any court,  administrative agency or
commission  or  other  federal,   state  or  local  governmental   authority  or
instrumentality.

            "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

            "Lien"  means  any  charge,  mortgage,  pledge,  security  interest,
restriction, claim, lien, or encumbrance.

            "Material  Adverse  Effect"  means,  with respect to South Branch or
Potomac,  any effect that (i) is material and adverse to the financial position,
results of operations or business of South Branch and its Subsidiaries  taken as
a whole or Potomac respectively,  or (ii) would materially impair the ability of
either South Branch or Potomac to perform its  obligations  under this Agreement
or otherwise  materially  threaten or materially  impede the consummation of the
Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement;  provided,
however,  that Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the impact
of (a)  changes  in  banking  and  similar  laws  of  general  applicability  or
interpretations  thereof by courts or Governmental  Authorities,  (b) changes in
generally accepted accounting principles or regulatory  accounting  requirements
applicable  to  banks  or  savings  associations  and  their  holding  companies
generally,  (c) actions or omissions  of South Branch or Potomac  taken with the
prior   written   consent  of  Potomac  and  South  Branch,   respectively,   in
contemplation  of  the  transaction   contemplated   hereby,  (d)  circumstances
affecting banks or savings associations or their holding companies generally and
(e) the effects of the Merger and compliance by either party with the provisions
of this Agreement on the financial  position,  results of operations or business
of such party and its Subsidiaries,  or the other party and its Subsidiaries, as
the case may be.

            "Merger" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.

            "Merger Consideration" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.

            "Merger Sub" means one or more corporations to be organized by South
Branch prior to the Effective Time to facilitate the Merger.

            "Multiemployer Plan" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(l).

            "New Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04.

            "Old Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04.

            "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

            "Pension Plan" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(l).

                                       2


            "Person"  means  any  individual,  bank,  corporation,  partnership,
association,  joint-stock company,  business trust, limited liability company or
unincorporated organization.

            "Plans" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(l).

            "Potomac"  has the  meaning  set  forth  in the  preamble  to this
Agreement.

            "Potomac Affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.07(a).

            "Potomac  Articles"  means the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of
Potomac.

            "Potomac Bank" means Potomac Valley Bank.

            "Potomac Board" means the Board of Directors of Potomac.

            "Potomac Bylaws" means the Bylaws of Potomac.

            "Potomac Common Stock" means the common stock,  par value $10.00 per
share, of Potomac.
            "Potomac  Compensation  and  Benefit  Plans" has the  meaning  set
forth in Section 5.03(l).

            "Potomac Meeting" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02.

            "Previously  Disclosed"  by a party  shall  mean  information  set
forth in its Disclosure Schedule.

            "Proxy Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03.

            "Registration  Statement"  has the  meaning  set forth in  Section
6.03.

            "Regulatory  Authority"  has the  meaning  set  forth  in  Section
5.03(h).

            "Representatives"  means, with respect to any Person,  such Person's
directors,   officers,   employees,   legal  or   financial   advisors   or  any
representatives of such legal or financial advisors.

            "Rights"   means,   with  respect  to  any  Person,   securities  or
obligations  convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable  for, or giving any
person  any  right  to  subscribe  for or  acquire,  or any  options,  calls  or
commitments relating to, or any stock appreciation right or other instrument the
value of which is  determined  in whole or in part by  reference  to the  market
price or value of, shares of capital stock of such person.

            "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

            "SEC  Documents"  shall mean South  Branch's  Annual Reports on Form
10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996,  1997, and 1998 and all other
reports,  registration  statements,  definitive  proxy statements or information
statements filed or to be filed by South Branch  subsequent to December 31, 1996
under the Securities  Act, or under Sections  13(a),  13(c),  14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act.

            "Securities  Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and
the rules and regulations thereunder.

            "South  Branch" has the  meaning  set forth in the  preamble to this
Agreement.  In addition,  where the context so requires,  "South  Branch"  shall
include  "Summit" as defined in Section 6.12,  and "Summit" shall include "South
Branch".

                                       3


            "South  Branch  Affiliates"  has the  meaning set forth in Section
            6.07(a).

            "South Branch  Articles"  means the Articles of  Incorporation  of
South Branch.

            "South Branch Board" means the Board of Directors of South Branch.

            "South Branch Common Stock" means the common stock,  par value $2.50
per share, of South Branch.

            "South Branch  Compensation and Benefit Plans" has the meaning set
forth in Section 5.04(l).

            "South Branch Meeting" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02.

            "Subsidiary" and "Significant Subsidiary" have the meanings ascribed
to them in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the SEC.

            "Surviving Corporation" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.

            "Tax" and "Taxes" means all federal,  state, local or foreign taxes,
charges,  fees, levies or other  assessments,  however  denominated,  including,
without limitation,  all net income, gross income, gains, gross receipts, sales,
use, ad valorem, goods and services, capital, production,  transfer,  franchise,
windfall  profits,  license,  withholding,   payroll,  employment,   disability,
employer health, excise,  estimated,  severance,  stamp,  occupation,  property,
environmental,  unemployment or other taxes, custom duties, fees, assessments or
charges of any kind  whatsoever,  together with any interest and any  penalties,
additions to tax or additional  amounts imposed by any taxing authority  whether
arising before, on or after the Effective Date.

            "Tax  Returns"  means any  return,  amended  return or other  report
(including  elections,  declarations,   disclosures,  schedules,  estimates  and
information returns) required to be filed with respect to any Tax.

            "Treasury  Stock" shall mean shares of Potomac  Common Stock held by
Potomac or by South Branch or any of its  Subsidiaries,  in each case other than
in a fiduciary  capacity or as a result of debts  previously  contracted in good
faith.

            "WVCA" means the West Virginia Corporation Act.

            "West Virginia Secretary" means the Office of the Secretary of State
of the State of West Virginia.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   The Merger

      2.01 The Merger.  (a) Prior to the Effective Time, South Branch shall take
any and all  action  necessary  (i) to cause the Merger Sub to become a party to
this  Agreement,  to be  evidenced  by  the  execution  by the  Merger  Sub of a
supplement to this Agreement in substantially  the form of Annex A, and delivery
thereof  to  Potomac;  and  (ii) to cause  the  Merge  Sub to take  all  actions
necessary  or proper to comply  with the  obligations  of South  Branch  and the
Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                       4


            (b) At the Effective  Time, the Merger Sub shall merge with and into
Potomac (the "Merger"), the separate corporate existence of the Merger Sub shall
cease and Potomac  shall  survive and continue to be governed by the laws of its
state of  incorporation  (Potomac,  as the surviving  corporation in the Merger,
sometimes being referred to herein as the "Surviving Corporation").

            (c)  Subject to the  satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions  set
forth in Article VII, the Merger shall become  effective  upon the occurrence of
the filing in the office of the West Virginia Secretary of articles of merger in
accordance  with the WVCA.  The Merger shall have the effects  prescribed in the
WVCA.

      2.02 Effective Date and Effective  Time.  Subject to the  satisfaction  or
waiver of the  conditions  set forth in Article VII (other than the  delivery of
certificates,  opinions and other  instruments  and documents to be delivered at
the  Closing),  the parties  shall cause the  effective  date of the Merger (the
"Effective Date") to occur on (i) on the last business day of the month in which
the  conditions  set forth in Article VII shall have been satisfied or waived or
(ii) such other date to which the parties may agree in writing.  The time on the
Effective  Date when the Merger  shall  become  effective  is referred to as the
"Effective Time."

      2.03 Closing.  A closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place at
such  place,  at such  time and on such  date as is  determined  by the  parties
pursuant to Section  2.02 hereof.  At the  Closing,  there shall be delivered to
South Branch and Potomac the opinions, certificates and other documents required
to be delivered under Sections 7.02 and 7.03 hereof.


                                   ARTICLE III

                       Consideration; Exchange Procedures

      3.01 Merger Consideration. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at
the Effective Time, automatically by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of any Person:

            (a) Outstanding Potomac Common Stock. Each share, excluding Treasury
Stock, of Potomac Common Stock issued and outstanding  immediately  prior to the
Effective Time shall become and be converted into the number of shares of Summit
resulting from a book-for-book exchange in which the book value of Potomac stock
is  divided  by the book  value of South  Branch  stock  with  each  book  value
calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting  Principles (subject
to adjustment as set forth herein,  the "Exchange  Ratio").  The Exchange  Ratio
shall be subject to adjustment as set forth in Sections 3.05 and 3.06.

            (b)  Outstanding  South  Branch  Stock.  Each share of South  Branch
Common Stock issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time
shall remain issued and outstanding,  provided,  however, that commencing on the
date which is one year after the Effective  Time,  Summit shall begin to send or
cause  to be sent to each  record  holder  of  South  Branch  Common  Stock  new
certificates representing their Summit shares.

      3.02 Rights as  Stockholders;  Stock  Transfers.  At the  Effective  Time,
holders  of  Potomac  Stock  shall  cease to be,  and shall  have no rights  as,
stockholders   of  Potomac,   other  than  to  receive  any  dividend  or  other
distribution  with  respect to such Potomac  Stock with a record date  occurring
prior to the Effective  Time and the  consideration  provided under this Article
III. After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer
books of Potomac or the Surviving Corporation of shares of Potomac Stock.

      3.03 Fractional  Shares.  Notwithstanding  any other provision  hereof, no
fractional  shares of Summit Common Stock and no certificates or scrip therefor,
or other evidence of ownership thereof,  will be issued in the Merger;  instead,
Summit shall pay to each holder of Potomac  Common Stock who would  otherwise be


                                       5


entitled to a fractional share of Summit Common Stock (after taking into account
all Old  Certificates  delivered  by such  holder)  an amount  in cash  (without
interest)  determined  by  multiplying  such fraction by the average of the last
sale prices of Summit  Common Stock  reported on the last five (5) business days
prior to the  Effective  Date on which Summit Common Stock is traded as reported
on the NASDAQ Over the Counter Bulletin Board.

      3.04 Exchange Procedures. (a) Except for any shares of Potomac as to which
dissenters' rights are exercised  pursuant to the WVCA 31-1-122,  each holder of
Potomac  Common Stock ("Old  Certificates")  will,  upon the surrender to Summit
which shall act as exchange agent ("Exchange Agent"), of the Old Certificates in
proper form, be entitled to receive a certificate or  certificates  representing
the number of whole  shares of Summit  Common  Stock ("New  Certificates")  into
which the  surrendered Old  Certificates  shall have been converted by reason of
the Merger.

            (b) As promptly as  practicable  after the  Effective  Date,  Summit
shall  send or cause to be sent to each  former  holder  of  record of shares of
Potomac  Common  Stock  immediately  prior  to the  Effective  Time  transmittal
materials for use in exchanging  such  stockholder's  Old  Certificates  for the
consideration  set  forth  in this  Article  III.  Summit  shall  cause  the New
Certificates  into which  shares of a  stockholder's  Potomac  Common  Stock are
converted on the  Effective  Date and/or any check in respect of any  fractional
share  interests  or  dividends  or  distributions  which such  person  shall be
entitled to receive to be delivered  to such  stockholder  upon  delivery to the
Exchange Agent of Old  Certificates  representing  such shares of Potomac Common
Stock (or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to Summit and the Exchange Agent, if
any  of  such  certificates  are  lost,  stolen  or  destroyed)  owned  by  such
stockholder.  No  interest  will be paid on any such  cash to be paid in lieu of
fractional share interests or in respect of dividends or distributions which any
such person shall be entitled to receive  pursuant to this Article III upon such
delivery.

            (c)  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  neither the Exchange Agent nor
any party hereto shall be liable to any former  holder of Potomac  Stock for any
amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable  abandoned
property, escheat or similar laws.

            (d) No  dividends  or other  distributions  with  respect  to Summit
Common Stock with a record date occurring after the Effective Time shall be paid
to the  holder  of any  unsurrendered  Old  Certificate  representing  shares of
Potomac Common Stock converted in the Merger into the right to receive shares of
such Summit  Common Stock until the holder  thereof shall be entitled to receive
New  Certificates  in exchange  therefor in accordance  with the  procedures set
forth in this Section 3.04.  After becoming so entitled in accordance  with this
Section 3.04,  the record  holder  thereof also shall be entitled to receive any
such  dividends  or other  distributions,  without any interest  thereon,  which
theretofore  had become  payable with  respect to shares of Summit  Common Stock
such holder had the right to receive upon surrender of the Old Certificates.

      3.05 Provisions  Relating to Stock Splits,  Stock  Dividends,  Etc. In the
event Summit  changes (or a record date for any such change  occurs prior to the
Effective Date) the number of, or provides for the exchange of, shares of Summit
Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Date as a result of a
stock  split,  stock  dividend,  recapitalization  or similar  transaction  with
respect to the  outstanding  Summit  Common  Stock and the record date  therefor
shall  be  prior  to  the   Effective   Date,   the  Exchange   Ratio  shall  be
proportionately adjusted.

      3.06  Provisions  Relating to the Granting of  Additional  Options.  South
Branch and Potomac  acknowledge  and agree that South  Branch has granted  stock
options  as set forth on  disclosure  Schedule  A. In the event any new  options
("New Options") are granted by South Branch following the date of this Agreement
and prior to the Effective Time, then for purposes of calculating South Branch's
book value as required  under Section  3.01(a),  the number of shares issued and
outstanding of South Branch shall equal the total of (i) issued and  outstanding
shares of South Branch  Common  Stock as of the  Effective  Time and,  (ii) with
respect to the New Options only, the  incremental  dilutive shares deemed issued


                                       6


and  outstanding  for  purposes of  calculating  diluted  earnings  per share in
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                             Actions Pending Merger

      4.01  Forebearances  of Potomac.  From the date hereof until the Effective
Time,  except as expressly  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  without the prior
written consent of South Branch, Potomac will not:

            (a) Ordinary  Course.  Conduct the business of Potomac other than in
the  ordinary  and usual  course or fail to use  reasonable  efforts to preserve
intact  its  business  organizations  and  assets  and  maintain  their  rights,
franchises  and existing  relations  with  customers,  suppliers,  employees and
business  associates,  or take any action  reasonably  likely to have an adverse
affect upon Potomac's  ability to perform any of its material  obligations under
this Agreement.

            (b)  Capital  Stock.  Other than  pursuant to rights  disclosed  and
outstanding on the date hereof,  (i) issue,  sell or otherwise  permit to become
outstanding,  or authorize  the creation  of, any  additional  shares of Potomac
Stock  or any  Rights,  (ii)  enter  into  any  agreement  with  respect  to the
foregoing,  or (iii)  permit any  additional  shares of Potomac  Stock to become
subject to new grants of employee or director  stock  options,  other  Rights or
similar stock-based employee rights.

            (c) Dividends,  Etc. (a) Make, declare, pay or set aside for payment
any  dividend,  other than  semi-annual  cash  dividends on Potomac  Stock in an
amount not to exceed  $1.50 per share with record and payment  dates  consistent
with section 6.11 hereof,  or declare or make any  distribution on any shares of
Potomac  Stock or (b) directly or indirectly  adjust,  split,  combine,  redeem,
reclassify, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock.

            (d) Compensation; Employment Agreements; Etc. Enter into or amend or
renew  any   employment,   consulting,   severance  or  similar   agreements  or
arrangements  with any  director,  officer or employee of Potomac,  or grant any
salary or wage increase or increase any employee benefit,  (including  incentive
or bonus payments) except (i) for normal individual increases in compensation to
employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii)
for  other  changes  that are  required  by  applicable  law,  (iii) to  satisfy
previously disclosed contractual  obligations existing as of the date hereof, or
(iv) for  grants  of  awards  to newly  hired  employees  consistent  with  past
practice. South Branch agrees that it will not unreasonably withhold its consent
with respect to requests made hereunder.

            (e) Benefit Plans. Enter into, establish,  adopt or amend (except as
may be required by applicable law) any pension,  retirement, stock option, stock
purchase,  savings, profit sharing,  deferred compensation,  consulting,  bonus,
group insurance or other employee benefit,  incentive or welfare contract,  plan
or arrangement, or any trust agreement (or similar arrangement) related thereto,
in respect of any director,  officer or employee of Potomac,  or take any action
to accelerate the vesting or exercisability  of stock options,  restricted stock
or other compensation or benefits payable  thereunder.  South Branch agrees that
it will not  unreasonably  withhold its consent  with  respect to requests  made
under this subparagraph (e).

            (f) Dispositions.  Except as previously  disclosed,  sell, transfer,
mortgage,  encumber or otherwise  dispose of or  discontinue  any of its assets,
deposits,  business or properties  except in the ordinary course of business and
in a transaction that is not material to it.

            (g)  Acquisitions.  Except as previously  disclosed,  acquire (other
than by way of  foreclosures or acquisitions of control in a bona fide fiduciary


                                       7


capacity or in  satisfaction  of debts  previously  contracted in good faith, in
each case in the  ordinary  and usual  course of business  consistent  with past
practice) all or any portion of, the assets, business, deposits or properties of
any other entity.

            (h)   Governing   Documents.   Amend  the  Potomac   Articles  and
Potomac Bylaws.

            (i)  Accounting  Methods.  Implement  or  adopt  any  change  in its
accounting  principles,  practices or methods,  other than as may be required by
generally accepted accounting principles.
            (j) Contracts.  Except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, enter into or terminate any material contract (as defined in
Section  5.03(j)) or amend or modify in any material respect any of its existing
material contracts.

            (k) Claims.  Except in the  ordinary  course of business  consistent
with past  practice,  settle any  claim,  action or  proceeding,  except for any
claim,  action or proceeding which does not involve precedent for other material
claims,  actions or  proceedings  and which  involve  solely money damages in an
amount,  individually or in the aggregate for all such settlements,  that is not
material to Potomac.

            (l) Adverse  Actions.  (a) Take any action  while  knowing that such
action  would,  or is  reasonably  likely to,  prevent or impede the Merger from
qualifying (i) for  "pooling-of-  interests"  accounting  treatment or (ii) as a
reorganization  within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code;  or (b) knowingly
take any action that is intended or is reasonably likely to result in (i) any of
its representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement being or becoming
untrue in any material  respect at any time at or prior to the  Effective  Time,
(ii) any of the  conditions  to the Merger  set forth in  Article  VII not being
satisfied  or (iii) a material  violation  of any  provision  of this  Agreement
except, in each case, as may be required by applicable law or regulation.

            (m)  Risk  Management.  Except  as  required  by  applicable  law or
regulation,  (i) implement or adopt any material change in its interest rate and
other risk management  policies,  procedures or practices which would materially
increase its aggregate  exposure to interest rate risk;  (ii) fail to follow its
existing policies or practices with respect to managing its exposure to interest
rate and other risk; or (iii) fail to use commercially reasonable means to avoid
any material increase in its aggregate exposure to interest rate risk.

            (n)  Indebtedness.  Incur any  indebtedness for borrowed money other
than in the ordinary course of business.

            (o) Commitments. Agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

      4.02  Forebearances  of  South  Branch.  From the date  hereof  until  the
Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, South Branch
will not:

            (a)  Ordinary  Course.  Conduct the business of South Branch and its
Subsidiaries  other  than  in the  ordinary  and  usual  course  or  fail to use
reasonable  efforts to preserve intact their business  organizations  and assets
and maintain  their rights,  franchises and existing  relations with  customers,
suppliers,  employees  and business  associates,  or take any action  reasonably
likely to have an adverse affect upon South  Branch's  ability to perform any of
its material obligations under this Agreement.

            (b)  Capital  Stock.  Other than  pursuant to rights  disclosed  and
outstanding on the date hereof,  (i) issue,  sell or otherwise  permit to become
outstanding, or authorize the creation of, any additional shares of South Branch
Stock  or any  Rights,  (ii)  enter  into  any  agreement  with  respect  to the
foregoing, or (iii) permit any additional shares of South Branch Stock to become
subject to new grants of employee or director  stock  options,  other  Rights or
similar stock-based employee rights.

                                       8


            (c) Dividends,  Etc. (a) Make, declare, pay or set aside for payment
any dividend,  other than semi-annual cash dividends on South Branch Stock in an
amount not to exceed  $.50 per share with record and  payment  dates  consistent
with past practice on or in respect of, or declare or make any  distribution  on
any shares of South Branch Stock or (b) directly or  indirectly  adjust,  split,
combine,  redeem,  reclassify,  purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its
capital stock.

            (d) Dispositions.  Except as previously  disclosed,  sell, transfer,
mortgage,  encumber or otherwise  dispose of or  discontinue  any of its assets,
deposits,  business or properties  except in the ordinary course of business and
in a transaction that is not material to it.

            (e)   Governing  Documents.  Amend the South  Branch  Articles and
South Branch Bylaws.

            (f)  Accounting  Methods.  Implement  or  adopt  any  change  in its
accounting  principles,  practices or methods,  other than as may be required by
generally accepted accounting principles.

            (g) Contracts.  Except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, enter into or terminate any material contract (as defined in
Section  5.04(j)) or amend or modify in any material respect any of its existing
material contracts.

            (h) Claims.  Except in the  ordinary  course of business  consistent
with past  practice,  settle any  claim,  action or  proceeding,  except for any
claim,  action or proceeding which does not involve precedent for other material
claims,  actions or  proceedings  and which  involve  solely money damages in an
amount,  individually or in the aggregate for all such settlements,  that is not
material to South Branch.

            (i) Adverse  Actions.  (a) Take any action  while  knowing that such
action  would,  or is  reasonably  likely to,  prevent or impede the Merger from
qualifying (i) for  "pooling-of-  interests"  accounting  treatment or (ii) as a
reorganization  within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code;  or (b) knowingly
take any action that is intended or is reasonably likely to result in (i) any of
its representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement being or becoming
untrue in any material  respect at any time at or prior to the  Effective  Time,
(ii) any of the  conditions  to the Merger  set forth in  Article  VII not being
satisfied  or (iii) a material  violation  of any  provision  of this  Agreement
except, in each case, as may be required by applicable law or regulation.

            (j)  Risk  Management.  Except  as  required  by  applicable  law or
regulation,  (i) implement or adopt any material change in its interest rate and
other risk management  policies,  procedures or practices which would materially
increase its aggregate  exposure to interest rate risk;  (ii) fail to follow its
existing policies or practices with respect to managing its exposure to interest
rate and other risk; or (iii) fail to use commercially reasonable means to avoid
any material increase in its aggregate exposure to interest rate risk.

            (k)  Indebtedness.  Incur any  indebtedness for borrowed money other
than in the ordinary course of business.

            (l) Commitments. Agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.


                                    ARTICLE V

                         Representations and Warranties

      5.01 Disclosure  Schedules.  On or prior to the date hereof,  South Branch
has  delivered to Potomac a schedule and Potomac has delivered to South Branch a
schedule  (respectively,  its "Disclosure  Schedule") setting forth, among other
things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate in relation to


                                       9


any or all of its  representations  and warranties  contained in Section 5.03 or
5.04 or to one or more of its covenants contained in Article IV; provided,  that
(a) no such item is  required  to be set forth in a  Disclosure  Schedule  as an
exception to a representation or warranty if its absence would not be reasonably
likely to result in the related  representation  or warranty being deemed untrue
or incorrect  under the standard  established  by Section 5.02, and (b) the mere
inclusion  of  an  item  in  a   Disclosure   Schedule  as  an  exception  to  a
representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission by a party that such
item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such
item is reasonably  likely to result in a Material  Adverse  Effect on the party
making the representation.  A party's representations,  warranties and covenants
contained  in this  Agreement  shall not be deemed to be untrue or breached as a
result of effects arising solely from actions taken in compliance with a written
request of the other party.

      5.02 Standard.  No  representation  or warranty of Potomac or South Branch
contained in Section 5.03 or 5.04 shall be deemed  untrue or  incorrect,  and no
party hereto shall be deemed to have breached a representation or warranty, as a
consequence  of the  existence of any fact,  event or  circumstance  unless such
fact,  circumstance  or event,  individually  or taken  together  with all other
facts, events or circumstances  inconsistent with any representation or warranty
contained  in  Section  5.03 or 5.04 has had or is  reasonably  likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, "knowledge" shall mean,
with respect to a party  hereto,  actual  knowledge of any officer of that party
with the title,  if any,  ranking not less than vice  president and that party's
in-house counsel, if any.

      5.03  Representations and Warranties of Potomac.  Subject to Sections 5.01
and 5.02 and except as  Previously  Disclosed in a paragraph  of its  Disclosure
Schedule   corresponding  to  the  relevant  paragraph  below,   Potomac  hereby
represents and warrants to South Branch:

            (a) Organization,  Standing and Authority.  Potomac is a corporation
duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the
State of West Virginia.  Potomac is duly qualified to do business and is in good
standing in the State of West Virginia and any jurisdictions where its ownership
or leasing of property or assets or the conduct of its  business  requires it to
be so qualified.

            (b) Potomac Stock.  As of the date hereof,  the  authorized  capital
stock of Potomac  consists  solely of 90,000 shares of Potomac Common Stock,  of
which 90,000  shares were  outstanding  as of the date hereof.  The  outstanding
shares of Potomac  Stock have been duly  authorized  and are validly  issued and
outstanding,  fully paid and nonassessable,  and subject to no preemptive rights
(and were not issued in  violation  of any  preemptive  rights).  As of the date
hereof, except as Previously Disclosed in its Disclosure Schedule,  there are no
shares of Potomac Stock  authorized and reserved for issuance,  Potomac does not
have any Rights issued or outstanding with respect to Potomac Stock, and Potomac
does not have any  commitment to  authorize,  issue or sell any Potomac Stock or
Rights, except pursuant to this Agreement.  Potomac has Previously Disclosed all
issuances of Potomac Stock in the prior two years.

            (c) Corporate  Power.  Potomac has the corporate power and authority
to  carry  on its  business  as it is now  being  conducted  and to own  all its
properties  and assets;  and Potomac has the  corporate  power and  authority to
execute,  deliver  and  perform  its  obligations  under this  Agreement  and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

            (d) Corporate  Authority.  Subject in the case of this  Agreement to
receipt of the requisite approval and adoption of this Agreement  (including the
agreement of merger set forth  herein) by the holders of more than a majority of
the outstanding shares of Potomac Common Stock entitled to vote thereon pursuant
to the WVCA (which is the only Potomac shareholder vote required thereon),  this
Agreement  and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and  thereby  have  been
authorized  by all necessary  corporate  action of Potomac and the Potomac Board
prior  to the  date  hereof.  This  Agreement  is a valid  and  legally  binding
obligation  of Potomac,  enforceable  in  accordance  with its terms  (except as
enforceability   may  be   limited   by   applicable   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium,  fraudulent  transfer  and similar  laws of general


                                       10


applicability  relating to or affecting  creditors'  rights or by general equity
principles).

            (e) Regulatory  Filings;  No Defaults.  (i) No consents or approvals
of, or filings or  registrations  with, any  Governmental  Authority or with any
third party are  required to be made or obtained by Potomac in  connection  with
the  execution,  delivery  or  performance  by Potomac of this  Agreement  or to
consummate  the Merger  except for (A) filings of  applications  or notices with
federal  and  state  banking  authorities,  (B)  filings  with the SEC and state
securities  authorities,  (C) filings of  applications  or notices with the U.S.
Department  of Justice,  (D) the filing of the  articles of merger with the West
Virginia  Secretary  pursuant to the WVCA,  and (E) the adoption and approval of
this Agreement by the  stockholders  of Potomac,  Merger Sub and the issuance of
shares by Summit. As of the date hereof,  Potomac is not aware of any reason why
the  approvals  set forth in Section  7.01(b)  will not be received  without the
imposition of a condition,  restriction  or requirement of the type described in
Section 7.01(b).

                  (ii)..Subject to the satisfaction of the requirements referred
to in the preceding  paragraph,  and expiration of related waiting periods,  and
required  filings  under  federal  and state  securities  laws,  the  execution,
delivery  and  performance  of  this  Agreement  and  the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (A) constitute
a breach or  violation  of, or a default  under,  or give rise to any Lien,  any
acceleration  of remedies or any right of  termination  under,  any law, rule or
regulation or any judgment,  decree,  order,  governmental permit or license, or
agreement,  indenture or  instrument of Potomac or of any of or to which Potomac
or properties is subject or bound, (B) constitute a breach or violation of, or a
default  under,  the Potomac  Articles or the Potomac  Bylaws or (C) require any
consent or approval  under any such law,  rule,  regulation,  judgment,  decree,
order, governmental permit or license, agreement, indenture or instrument.

            (f) Financial  Reports;  Material  Adverse  Effect.  (i) Each of the
balance sheets of Potomac for the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1997 and 1998
(including the related notes and schedules  thereto)  fairly  presents,  or will
fairly  present,  the financial  position of Potomac as of its date, and each of
the statements of income and changes in  stockholders'  equity and cash flows or
equivalent statements (including any related notes and schedules thereto) fairly
presents,  or will  fairly  present,  the  results  of  operations,  changes  in
stockholders'  equity and cash  flows,  as the case may be, of  Potomac  for the
periods to which they relate, in each case in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles  consistently applied during the periods involved,  except
in each case as may be noted therein.

                  (ii).Since  March 31,  1999,  Potomac  has not  incurred  any
liability  other than in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
practice  (excluding expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby).

                  (iii).Since  March 31,  1999,  (A) Potomac has  conducted  its
business  in the  ordinary  and  usual  course  consistent  with  past  practice
(excluding  matters related to this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated
hereby) and (B) no event has occurred nor circumstance arisen that, individually
or taken together with all other facts,  circumstances  and events (described in
any  paragraph of Section 5.03 or  otherwise),  is  reasonably  likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to Potomac.

            (g) Litigation. No litigation,  claim or other proceeding before any
Governmental  Authority is pending against Potomac and, to the best of Potomac's
knowledge, no such litigation, claim or other proceeding has been threatened.

            (h)  Regulatory  Matters.   (i)  Neither  Potomac  nor  any  of  its
properties  is a  party  to or is  subject  to  any  order,  decree,  agreement,
memorandum of understanding or similar  arrangement with, or a commitment letter
or similar submission to, or extraordinary  supervisory letter from, any federal
or state  governmental  agency or  authority  charged  with the  supervision  or
regulation of financial  institutions (or their holding companies) or issuers of
securities  or  engaged  in  the  insurance  of  deposits  (including,   without
limitation,  the  Office  of the  Comptroller  of the  Currency,  the  Board  of


                                       11


Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System and the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation)  or  the  supervision  or  regulation  of  it  (collectively,   the
"Regulatory Authorities").

                  (ii).Potomac has not been advised by any Regulatory Authority
that such  Regulatory  Authority is  contemplating  issuing or requesting (or is
considering  the  appropriateness  of issuing  or  requesting)  any such  order,
decree, agreement,  memorandum of understanding,  commitment letter, supervisory
letter or similar submission.

            (i)   Compliance with Laws.  Potomac:

                  (i)  is in compliance  with all  applicable  federal,  state,
local and foreign statutes,  laws,  regulations,  ordinances,  rules, judgments,
orders  or  decrees  applicable  thereto  or to the  employees  conducting  such
businesses, including, without limitation, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the
Fair Housing Act, the Community  Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage  Disclosure
Act and all other  applicable  fair  lending  laws and other  laws  relating  to
discriminatory business practices;

                  (ii)  has all permits,  licenses,  authorizations,  orders and
approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and registrations with, all
Governmental  Authorities  that are  required  in order to permit them to own or
lease their properties and to conduct their  businesses as presently  conducted;
all such permits, licenses,  certificates of authority, orders and approvals are
in full  force  and  effect  and,  to  Potomac's  knowledge,  no  suspension  or
cancellation of any of them is threatened; and

                  (iii) has  received,  since December 31, 1996, no notification
or communication  from any Governmental  Authority (A) asserting that Potomac is
not in material compliance with any of the statutes,  regulations, or ordinances
which  such  Governmental  Authority  enforces,  (B)  threatening  to revoke any
license,  franchise,  permit, or governmental  authorization  (nor, to Potomac's
knowledge,  do any grounds for any of the foregoing exist) or (C) as of the date
hereof,  failing to approve any proposed  acquisition,  or stating its intention
not to approve acquisitions  proposed to be effected by it within a certain time
period or indefinitely.

            (j) Material  Contracts;  Defaults.  Except for this  Agreement  and
those  agreements set forth in its Disclosure  Schedule,  Potomac is not a party
to, bound by or subject to any agreement, contract,  arrangement,  commitment or
understanding (whether written or oral) (i) that is a "material contract" within
the  meaning  of Item  601(b)(10)  of the  SEC's  Regulation  S-K or  (ii)  that
restricts or limits in any way the conduct of business by  it(including  without
limitation a non-compete or similar provision).  Potomac is not in default under
any contract,  agreement,  commitment,  arrangement,  lease, insurance policy or
other  instrument  to which  it is a party,  by  which  its  respective  assets,
business,  or  operations  may be bound or  affected,  or under  which it or its
respective assets,  business, or operations receive benefits,  and there has not
occurred any event that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both,
would constitute such a default.

            (k) No Brokers.  No action has been taken by Potomac that would give
rise to any valid  claim  against any party  hereto for a brokerage  commission,
finder's fee or other like payment with respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

            (l)  Employee  Benefit  Plans.  (i)  Potomac's  Disclosure  Schedule
contains a complete and accurate list of all existing bonus, incentive, deferred
compensation,  pension,  retirement,  profit-sharing,  thrift, savings, employee
stock ownership,  stock bonus,  stock purchase,  restricted stock, stock option,
severance,  welfare and fringe benefit plans, employment or severance agreements
and all similar  practices,  policies and  arrangements in which any employee or
former  employee  (the  "Employees"),   consultant  or  former  consultant  (the
"Consultants")  or  director or former  director  (the  "Directors")  of Potomac
participates  or to which any such  Employees,  Consultants  or Directors  are a
party with Potomac (the "Potomac Compensation and Benefit Plans"). Except as set
forth in the Disclosure Statement, Potomac does not have any material commitment
to create any  additional  Compensation  and Benefit Plan or to modify or change
materially any existing Compensation and Benefit Plan.

                                       12


                  (ii) Each  Potomac  Compensation  and  Benefit  Plan has been
operated and administered in all material  respects in accordance with its terms
and with applicable  law,  including,  but not limited to, ERISA,  the Code, the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Age  Discrimination  in Employment Act, or
any regulations or rules promulgated  thereunder,  and all filings,  disclosures
and notices  required by ERISA,  the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act,
the Age  Discrimination in Employment Act and any other applicable law have been
timely made.  Each Potomac  Compensation  and Benefit Plan which is an "employee
pension  benefit  plan"  within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (a "Pension
Plan") and which is intended to be qualified  under  Section  401(a) of the Code
has received a favorable  determination  letter (including a determination  that
the related  trust under such  Potomac  Compensation  and Benefit Plan is exempt
from tax under  Section  501(a) of the Code)  from the IRS,  and  Potomac is not
aware of any circumstances  likely to result in revocation of any such favorable
determination  letter.  There is no  material  pending or, to the  knowledge  of
Potomac,  threatened  legal  action,  suit  or  claim  relating  to the  Potomac
Compensation  and Benefit Plans.  Potomac has not engaged in a  transaction,  or
omitted to take any action, with respect to any Potomac Compensation and Benefit
Plan that would  reasonably  be expected to subject  Potomac to a tax or penalty
imposed by either Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA, assuming for
purposes  of  Section  4975 of the Code  that  the  taxable  period  of any such
transaction expired as of the date hereof.

                  (iii) No  liability (other than for payment of premiums to the
PBGC which have been made or will be made on a timely  basis)  under Title IV of
ERISA has been or is expected  to be incurred by Potomac or with  respect to any
ongoing,  frozen or  terminated  "single-employer  plan",  within the meaning of
Section  4001(a)(15) of ERISA,  currently or formerly maintained by any of them,
or any  single-employer  plan of any  entity  (an  "ERISA  Affiliate")  which is
considered  one employer  with Potomac  under  Section  4001(a)(14)  of ERISA or
Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (an "ERISA Affiliate  Plan").  Potomac has not
been obligated to contribute,  to a multiemployer plan under Subtitle E of Title
IV of ERISA at any time since  September  26, 1980.  No notice of a  "reportable
event",  within  the  meaning  of  Section  4043 of ERISA for  which the  30-day
reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to be filed for any
Potomac  Compensation and Benefit Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate Plan within the
12-month  period ending on the date hereof,  and no such notice will be required
to be filed as a result of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement. The
PBGC has not  instituted  proceedings  to  terminate  any Pension  Plan or ERISA
Affiliate Plan and, to Potomac's knowledge,  no condition exists that presents a
material  risk that such  proceedings  will be  instituted.  To the knowledge of
Potomac,  there is no pending  investigation or enforcement  action by the PBGC,
the U.S. Department of Labor (the "DOL") or IRS or any other governmental agency
with respect to any Potomac Compensation and Benefit Plan.

                  (iv) All contributions required to be made under the terms of
any  Potomac  Compensation  and  Benefit  Plan or  ERISA  Affiliate  Plan or any
employee benefit arrangements under any collective bargaining agreement to which
Potomac is a party have been timely  made or have been  reflected  on  Potomac's
financial statements.  Neither any Pension Plan nor any ERISA Affiliate Plan has
an "accumulated  funding deficiency"  (whether or not waived) within the meaning
of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and all required  payments to
the PBGC with  respect to each Pension  Plan or ERISA  Affiliate  Plan have been
made on or before their due dates. Potomac has not provided, or would reasonably
be expected to be  required to provide,  security to any Pension  Plan or to any
ERISA  Affiliate  Plan pursuant to Section  401(a)(29) of the Code,  and (y) has
taken any action,  or omitted to take any action,  that has  resulted,  or would
reasonably  be expected to result,  in the  imposition  of a lien under  Section
412(n) of the Code or pursuant to ERISA.

                  (v) Except as set forth in the Potomac disclosure  schedule,
Potomac has no obligations to provide retiree health and life insurance or other
retiree death benefits under any Potomac  Compensation  and Benefit Plan,  other
than  benefits  mandated  by Section  4980B of the Code,  and each such  Potomac
Compensation and Benefit Plan authorizes Potomac to amend or terminate such plan
according to its terms.  There has been no communication to Employees by Potomac
that would reasonably be expected to promise or guarantee such Employees retiree
health or life insurance or other retiree death benefits on a permanent basis.

                                       13


                  (vi) Potomac  does not maintain any Potomac  Compensation and
Benefit Plans covering foreign Employees.

                  (vii) With  respect to each Potomac  Compensation  and Benefit
Plan,  if  applicable,  Potomac has provided or made  available to South Branch,
true and complete copies of existing:  (A) Potomac Compensation and Benefit Plan
documents and amendments thereto; (B) trust instruments and insurance contracts;
(C) two most recent  Forms 5500 filed with the IRS;  (D) most  recent  actuarial
report and financial  statement;  (E) the most recent summary plan  description;
(F) forms filed with the PBGC (other than for premium payments); (G) most recent
determination  letter  issued by the IRS;  (H) any Form 5310 or Form 5330  filed
with the IRS; and (i) most recent  nondiscrimination tests performed under ERISA
and the Code (including 401(k) and 401(m) tests).

                  (viii) The  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement would not, directly or indirectly (including, without limitation,
as a result of any termination of employment prior to or following the Effective
Time) reasonably be expected to (A) entitle any Employee, Consultant or Director
to any payment (including severance pay or similar compensation) or any increase
in compensation, (B) result in the vesting or acceleration of any benefits under
any Potomac Compensation and Benefit Plan or (C) result in any material increase
in benefits payable under any Potomac Compensation and Benefit Plan.

                  (ix) Potomac   does  not  maintain  any  compensation   plan,
programs or  arrangements  the  payments  under which  would not  reasonably  be
expected to be deductible as a result of the limitations under Section 162(m) of
the Code and the regulations issued thereunder.

                  (x) As a result, directly or indirectly, of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement  (including,  without limitation,  as a result of
any termination of employment prior to or following the Effective Time), none of
South Branch, Potomac or the Surviving  Corporation,  or any of their respective
Subsidiaries  will be obligated to make a payment that would be characterized as
an  "excess  parachute   payment"  to  an  individual  who  is  a  "disqualified
individual"  (as such terms are  defined in Section  280G of the Code),  without
regard to whether such payment is reasonable  compensation for personal services
performed or to be performed in the future.

            (m)  Labor  Matters.  Potomac  is not a party  to nor  bound  by any
collective  bargaining  agreement,  contract or other agreement or understanding
with a labor  union or labor  organization,  nor is  Potomac  the  subject  of a
proceeding  asserting that it has committed an unfair labor practice (within the
meaning of the National  Labor  Relations  Act) or seeking to compel  Potomac to
bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor
is there any strike or other labor dispute involving it pending or, to Potomac's
knowledge,  threatened,  nor is  Potomac  aware of any  activity  involving  its
employees  seeking to certify a collective  bargaining unit or engaging in other
organizational activity.

            (n)  Environmental  Matters.  To  Potomac's  knowledge,  neither the
conduct nor operation of Potomac nor any condition of any property  presently or
previously owned, leased or operated by Potomac (including,  without limitation,
in a fiduciary or agency capacity),  or on which Potomac holds a Lien,  violates
or violated  Environmental  Laws and to Potomac's  knowledge,  no condition  has
existed or event has occurred with respect to Potomac or any such property that,
with notice or the passage of time, or both,  is reasonably  likely to result in
liability  under  Environmental  Laws. To Potomac's  knowledge,  Potomac has not
received any notice from any person or entity that  Potomac or the  operation or
condition of any property ever owned, leased, operated, or held as collateral or
in a fiduciary  capacity by Potomac is or was in violation  of or otherwise  are
alleged  to have  liability  under any  Environmental  Law,  including,  but not
limited to,  responsibility  (or  potential  responsibility)  for the cleanup or
other remediation of any pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous or toxic wastes,
substances or materials at, on, beneath, or originating from any such property.

                                       14


            (o) Tax  Matters.  (i)  Potomac  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 has adequately reserved or recognized for
all current and deferred Taxes;

                        (ii)  Neither the IRS nor any other  taxing  authority
is now asserting  against Potomac,  or, to its knowledge,  threatening to assert
against Potomac, 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 Potomac  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 6501(a),  no tax
year of Potomac  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 taxes,  except for tax
liabilities not yet due and payable.

                        (v) Potomac has made available to South Branch true
and correct  copies of the United  States  federal  income Tax Returns  filed by
Potomac  for each of the  three  most  recent  fiscal  years  ended on or before
December 31, 1998. Potomac has no liability with respect to income, franchise or
similar  Taxes  that  accrued  on or before  the end of the most  recent  period
covered by Potomac's  Financial  Reports  described in Section 5.02(f) hereof in
excess of the amounts  accrued  with respect  thereto that are  reflected in the
financial statements included in Potomac's Financial Reports.

                        (vi) As of the date hereof, Potomac has no reason to
believe that any  conditions  exist that might prevent or impede the Merger from
qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

            (p) Risk  Management  Instruments.  All interest  rate swaps,  caps,
floors, option agreements,  futures and forward contracts and other similar risk
management  arrangements,  whether entered into for Potomac's own account or the
account  of its  customers  (all of which  are  listed on  Potomac's  Disclosure
Schedule),  were  entered  into  in  accordance  with  applicable  laws,  rules,
regulations  and  regulatory  policies and with counter  parties  believed to be
financially  responsible at the time; and each of them constitutes the valid and
legally binding obligation of Potomac,  enforceable in accordance with its terms
(except as enforceability may be limited by applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium,  fraudulent  transfer  and similar  laws of general
applicability  relating to or affecting  creditors'  rights or by general equity
principles),  and is in full force and effect.  Potomac is not, nor to Potomac's
knowledge any other party thereto, in breach of any of its obligations under any
such agreement or arrangement.

            (q) Books and  Records.  The books and records of Potomac  have been
fully,  properly and accurately  maintained in all material respects,  and there
are no material inaccuracies or discrepancies of any kind contained or reflected
therein  and they  fairly  reflect  the  substance  of events  and  transactions
included therein.

            (r) Insurance.  Potomac's  Disclosure Schedule sets forth all of the
insurance policies,  binders, or bonds maintained by Potomac. Potomac is insured
with reputable insurers against such risks and in such amounts as the management
of Potomac  reasonably has determined to be prudent in accordance  with industry
practices.  All such insurance policies are in full force and effect; Potomac is
not in material default thereunder; and all claims thereunder have been filed in
due and timely fashion.

                                       15


            (s) Accounting Treatment. As of the date hereof, Potomac is aware of
no  reason  why the  Merger  will  fail to  qualify  for  "pooling-of-interests"
accounting  treatment,  assuming compliance by Potomac and South Branch with the
requirements of Section 6.17 hereof.

            (t) Real  Property.  Potomac owns the real property set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule.  Except as disclosed in the Disclosure  Schedule,  all real
property owned by Potomac is free and clear of liens and encumbrances except for
liens of record, liens which do not materially affect the use of the property or
liens for ad valorem taxes not yet due and payable.

            (u) Year 2000 Compliance.  Potomac is engaged in a company-wide Year
2000 project to bring Potomac's  computerized  information  systems to Year 2000
compliance  so as to ensure  better the  ability of such  systems to  accurately
process information that is date sensitive.  To the extent reasonably necessary,
Potomac has confirmed  Potomac's  vendor's and suppliers'  progress  toward Year
2000 compliance.  Potomac knows of no reason that its  computerized  information
systems  will fail to comply in any material  respect with Year 2000  compliance
requirements.

            (v) Disclosure. The representations and warranties contained in this
Section 5.03 do not contain any untrue  statement of a material  fact or omit to
state  any  material  fact  necessary  in  order  to  make  the  statements  and
information contained in this Section 5.03 not misleading.

      5.04  Representations and Warranties of South Branch.  Subject to Sections
5.01  and  5.02  and  except  as  Previously  Disclosed  in a  paragraph  of its
Disclosure Schedule  corresponding to the relevant paragraph below, South Branch
hereby represents and warrants to Potomac as follows:

            (a)  Organization,   Standing  and  Authority.  South  Branch  is  a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of West Virginia. South Branch is duly qualified to do business and
is in good  standing in the State of West  Virginia  and  foreign  jurisdictions
where its  ownership  or leasing  of  property  or assets or the  conduct of its
business requires it to be so qualified.

            (b) South Branch Stock.  (i) As of the date hereof,  the  authorized
capital  stock of South  Branch  consists  solely of  2,000,000  shares of South
Branch Common Stock, of which no more than 591,292 shares were outstanding as of
the date hereof.  As of the date hereof,  except as set forth in its  Disclosure
Schedule,  South  Branch  does not have any Rights  issued or  outstanding  with
respect to South Branch Stock and South Branch does not have any  commitment  to
authorize,  issue or sell any South Branch Stock or Rights,  except  pursuant to
this Agreement.  The  outstanding  shares of South Branch Common Stock have been
duly  authorized  and  are  validly  issued  and  outstanding,  fully  paid  and
nonassessable,  and  subject  to no  preemptive  rights  (and were not issued in
violation of any preemptive rights).  South Branch has previously  disclosed all
issuances of South Branch Common Stock in the prior two years.

                  (ii) The  shares  of  Summit  Common  Stock to be  issued  in
exchange  for shares of  Potomac  Common  Stock in the  Merger,  when  issued in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement,  will be duly  authorized,  validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and subject to no preemptive rights.

            (c) Subsidiaries.  Each of South Branch's Subsidiaries has been duly
organized  and is  validly  existing  in good  standing  under  the  laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization, and is duly qualified to do business and is in
good standing in the jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or
the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified and it owns, directly
or indirectly,  all the issued and outstanding  equity securities of each of its
Significant Subsidiaries.

            (d) Corporate  Power.  Each of South Branch and its Subsidiaries has
the  corporate  power and  authority to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted  and to own all its  properties  and assets;  and South Branch has the


                                       16


corporate  power and authority to execute,  deliver and perform its  obligations
under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions  contemplated hereby and
thereby.

            (e) Corporate  Authority.  Subject in the case of this  Agreement to
receipt  of  the  requisite  approval  by  the  holders  of a  majority  of  the
outstanding  shares of South  Branch  Common  Stock and Merger Sub common  stock
entitled to vote  thereon of the Merger,  this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby have been authorized by all necessary corporate
action of South Branch and the South Branch Board prior to the date hereof. This
Agreement is a valid and legally binding agreement of South Branch,  enforceable
in  accordance  with its terms  (except  as  enforceability  may be  limited  by
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,   moratorium,  fraudulent
transfer  and similar  laws of general  applicability  relating to or  affecting
creditors' rights or by general equity principles).

            (f) Regulatory  Filings;  No Defaults.  (i) No consents or approvals
of, or filings or  registrations  with, any  Governmental  Authority or with any
third party are  required  to be made or obtained by South  Branch or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with the execution,  delivery or performance by South
Branch of this  Agreement or to consummate  the Merger except for (A) the filing
of applications and notices,  as applicable,  with the federal and state banking
and thrift  authorities;  (B) the  adoption  and approval of (i) the issuance of
shares in connection with this Agreement by the shareholders of South Branch and
(ii) an amendment to the Articles of  Incorporation  to change the name of South
Branch to  Summit;  (C) the  filing  and  declaration  of  effectiveness  of the
Registration Statement;  (D) the filing of applications or notices with the U.S.
Department  of  Justice;  (E) the  filing of  articles  of merger  with the West
Virginia Secretary;  (F) such filings as are required to be made or approvals as
are required to be obtained  under the  securities or "Blue Sky" laws of various
states in  connection  with the issuance of Summit Stock in the Merger;  and (G)
receipt of the  approvals set forth in Section  7.01(b).  As of the date hereof,
South Branch is not aware of any reason why the  approvals  set forth in Section
7.01(b) will not be received without the imposition of a condition,  restriction
or requirement of the type described in Section 7.01(b).

                  (ii)..Subject to the satisfaction of the requirements referred
to in the preceding paragraph and expiration of the related waiting periods, and
required  filings  under  federal  and state  securities  laws,  the  execution,
delivery  and  performance  of  this  Agreement  and  the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated hereby do not and will not (A) constitute a breach or
violation of, or a default under, or give rise to any Lien, any  acceleration of
remedies or any right of termination  under,  any law, rule or regulation or any
judgment, decree, order, governmental permit or license, or agreement, indenture
or  instrument of South Branch or of any of its  Subsidiaries  or to which South
Branch or any of its  Subsidiaries  or  properties  is  subject  or  bound,  (B)
constitute a breach or violation  of, or a default  under,  the  certificate  of
incorporation or by-laws (or similar governing documents) of South Branch or any
of its Subsidiaries,  or (C) require any consent or approval under any such law,
rule,  regulation,  judgment,  decree,  order,  governmental  permit or license,
agreement, indenture or instrument.

            (g) Financial  Reports and SEC Documents;  Material  Adverse Effect.
(i) South  Branch's SEC  Documents,  as of the date filed,  (A) complied or will
comply in all  material  respects  with the  applicable  requirements  under the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and (B) did not and will
not contain any untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,
in light of the  circumstances  under which they were made, not misleading;  and
each of the balance sheets  contained in or  incorporated  by reference into any
such SEC Document  (including  the related notes and schedules  thereto)  fairly
presents, or will fairly present, the financial position of South Branch and its
Subsidiaries  as of its date, and each of the statements of income or results of
operations  and  changes in  stockholders'  equity and cash flows or  equivalent
statements  in such SEC  Documents  (including  any related  notes and schedules
thereto) fairly  presents,  or will fairly  present,  the results of operations,
changes in  stockholders'  equity and cash  flows,  as the case may be, of South
Branch and its Subsidiaries  for the periods to which they relate,  in each case
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied
during the periods involved, except in each case as may be noted therein.

                                       17


                  (ii)  Since  March 31, 1999, South Branch has not incurred any
liability  other than in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
practice  (excluding expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby.)

                  (iii) Since March 31, 1999, (A) South Branch has conducted its
business  in the  ordinary  and  usual  course  consistent  with  past  practice
(excluding  matters related to this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated
hereby) and (B) no event has occurred nor circumstance arisen that, individually
or taken together with all other facts,  circumstances  and events (described in
any  paragraph of Section 5.04 or  otherwise),  is  reasonably  likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to South Branch.

            (h) Litigation; Regulatory Action. (i) No litigation, claim or other
proceeding before any Governmental  Authority is pending against South Branch or
any of its Subsidiaries  and, to the best of South Branch's  knowledge,  no such
litigation, claim or other proceeding has been threatened.

                  (ii)  Neither  South  Branch  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  or
properties  is a  party  to or is  subject  to  any  order,  decree,  agreement,
memorandum of understanding or similar  arrangement with, or a commitment letter
or similar submission to, or extraordinary  supervisory letter from a Regulatory
Authority,  nor has South  Branch or any of its  Subsidiaries  been advised by a
Regulatory Authority that such agency is contemplating issuing or requesting (or
is considering  the  appropriateness  of issuing or requesting)  any such order,
decree, agreement,  memorandum of understanding,  commitment letter, supervisory
letter or similar submission.

            (i) Compliance with Laws. Each of South Branch and its Subsidiaries:

                  (i)  is in compliance  with all  applicable  federal,  state,
local and foreign statutes,  laws,  regulations,  ordinances,  rules, judgments,
orders  or  decrees  applicable  thereto  or to the  employees  conducting  such
businesses, including, without limitation, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the
Fair Housing Act, the Community  Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage  Disclosure
Act and all other  applicable  fair  lending  laws and other  laws  relating  to
discriminatory business practices; and

                  (ii)  has all permits,  licenses,  authorizations,  orders and
approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and registrations with, all
Governmental  Authorities  that are  required in order to permit them to conduct
their  businesses  substantially  as  presently  conducted;  all  such  permits,
licenses,  certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full force and
effect and, to the best of its knowledge,  no suspension or  cancellation of any
of them is threatened; and

                 (iii)  has  received,   since  December  31,  1996,  no
notification or communication from any Governmental Authority (A) asserting that
South Branch or any of its  Subsidiaries is not in material  compliance with any
of the statutes,  regulations,  or ordinances which such Governmental  Authority
enforces,  (B)  threatening  to  revoke  any  license,  franchise,   permit,  or
governmental authorization (nor, to South Branch's knowledge, do any grounds for
any of the foregoing exist) or (C) as of the date hereof, failing to approve any
proposed  acquisition,  or stating  its  intention  not to approve  acquisitions
proposed to be effected by it within a certain time period or indefinitely.

            (j)  Material Contracts; Defaults. Except for this Agreement and
those  agreements  set forth in its Disclosure  Schedule,  South Branch is not a
party  to,  bound  by  or  subject  to  any  agreement,  contract,  arrangement,
commitment or  understanding  (whether  written or oral) (i) that is a "material
contract"  within the meaning of Item 601(b)(10) of the SEC's  Regulation S-K or
(ii)  that  restricts  or  limits  in any  way the  conduct  of  business  by it
(including without limitation a non-compete or similar provision). Neither South
Branch nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any contract,  agreement,
commitment, arrangement, lease, insurance policy or other instrument to which it
is a party, by which its respective assets, business, or operations may be bound
or affected, or under which it or its respective assets, business, or operations
receive  benefits,  and there has not occurred any event that, with the lapse of
time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute such a default.

                                       18


            (k) No Brokers.  No action has been taken by South Branch that would
give  rise  to  any  valid  claim  against  any  party  hereto  for a  brokerage
commission,  finder's fee or other like payment with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

            (l) Employee  Benefit Plans. (i) South Branch'  Disclosure  Schedule
contains a complete and accurate list of all existing bonus, incentive, deferred
compensation,  pension,  retirement,  profit-sharing,  thrift, savings, employee
stock ownership,  stock bonus,  stock purchase,  restricted stock, stock option,
severance,  welfare and fringe benefit plans, employment or severance agreements
and all similar  practices,  policies and  arrangements in which any employee or
former  employee  (the  "Employees"),   consultant  or  former  consultant  (the
"Consultants")  or director or former director (the "Directors") of South Branch
or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  participates  or to  which  any  such  Employees,
Consultants  or  Directors  are a party with South  Branch  (the  "South  Branch
Compensation and Benefit Plans").  Except as listed on the Disclosure  Schedule,
neither South Branch nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has any  commitment to create
any  additional  material  Compensation  and Benefit Plan or to modify or change
materially any existing Compensation and Benefit Plan.

                  (ii)  Each South Branch Compensation and Benefit Plan has been
operated and administered in all material  respects in accordance with its terms
and with applicable  law,  including,  but not limited to, ERISA,  the Code, the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Age  Discrimination  in Employment Act, or
any regulations or rules promulgated  thereunder,  and all filings,  disclosures
and notices  required by ERISA,  the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act,
the Age  Discrimination in Employment Act and any other applicable law have been
timely  made.  Each  South  Branch  Compensation  and  Benefit  Plan which is an
"employee  pension  benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (a
"Pension  Plan") and which is intended to be qualified  under Section  401(a) of
the  Code  has   received  a  favorable   determination   letter   (including  a
determination  that the related trust under such South Branch  Compensation  and
Benefit Plan is exempt from tax under Section  501(a) of the Code) from the IRS,
and  South  Branch  is not  aware  of any  circumstances  likely  to  result  in
revocation  of any such  favorable  determination  letter.  There is no material
pending or, to the knowledge of South Branch,  threatened legal action,  suit or
claim relating to the South Branch Compensation and Benefit Plans. Neither South
Branch nor any of its Subsidiaries  has engaged in a transaction,  or omitted to
take any action,  with respect to any South Branch Compensation and Benefit Plan
that  would  reasonably  be  expected  to  subject  South  Branch  or any of its
Subsidiaries  to a tax or penalty  imposed by either Section 4975 of the Code or
Section 502 of ERISA, assuming for purposes of Section 4975 of the Code that the
taxable period of any such transaction expired as of the date hereof.

                  (iii) No  liability (other than for payment of premiums to the
PBGC which have been made or will be made on a timely  basis)  under Title IV of
ERISA  has been or is  expected  to be  incurred  by South  Branch or any of its
Subsidiaries with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated  "single-employer
plan", within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or formerly
maintained by any of them, or any single-employer  plan of any entity (an "ERISA
Affiliate")  which is  considered  one employer  with South Branch under Section
4001(a)(14) of ERISA or Section  414(b) or (c) of the Code (an "ERISA  Affiliate
Plan"). None of South Branch, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has
contributed,  or has been obligated to contribute, to a multiemployer plan under
Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA at any time since  September 26, 1980. No notice
of a "reportable  event",  within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which
the 30-day  reporting  requirement has not been waived,  has been required to be
filed  for any  South  Branch  Compensation  and  Benefit  Plan or by any  ERISA
Affiliate Plan within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof, and no such
notice will be required to be filed as a result of the transactions contemplated
by this  Agreement.  The PBGC has not  instituted  proceedings  to terminate any
Pension  Plan or ERISA  Affiliate  Plan  and,  to South  Branch'  knowledge,  no
condition  exists that  presents a material risk that such  proceedings  will be
instituted.  To the knowledge of South Branch, there is no pending investigation
or enforcement  action by the PBGC, the U.S.  Department of Labor (the "DOL") or
IRS  or  any  other  governmental  agency  with  respect  to  any  South  Branch
Compensation and Benefit Plan.

                                       19


                  (iv)  All contributions required to be made under the terms of
any South Branch  Compensation  and Benefit Plan or ERISA  Affiliate Plan or any
employee benefit arrangements under any collective bargaining agreement to which
South Branch or any of its Subsidiaries is a party have been timely made or have
been reflected on South Branch's financial statements.  Neither any Pension Plan
nor any ERISA Affiliate Plan has an "accumulated funding deficiency" (whether or
not  waived)  within the  meaning of Section  412 of the Code or Section  302 of
ERISA and all required payments to the PBGC with respect to each Pension Plan or
ERISA Affiliate Plan have been made on or before their due dates.  None of South
Branch,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any ERISA  Affiliate (x) has provided,  or
would reasonably be expected to be required to provide,  security to any Pension
Plan or to any ERISA Affiliate Plan pursuant to Section  401(a)(29) of the Code,
and (y) has taken any action, or omitted to take any action,  that has resulted,
or would  reasonably  be expected to result,  in the  imposition of a lien under
Section 412(n) of the Code or pursuant to ERISA.

                  (v)  Except  as set forth by South  Branch on the  Disclosure
Schedule,  neither South Branch nor any of its  Subsidiaries has any obligations
to provide  retiree  health and life  insurance or other retiree death  benefits
under any South  Branch  Compensation  and  Benefit  Plan,  other than  benefits
mandated by Section 4980B of the Code,  and each such South Branch  Compensation
and  Benefit  Plan  authorizes  South  Branch  to amend or  terminate  such Plan
according to its terms.  There has been no  communication  to Employees by South
Branch or any of its  Subsidiaries  that would reasonably be expected to promise
or guarantee  such  Employees  retiree health or life insurance or other retiree
death benefits on a permanent basis.

                  (vi)  South  Branch and its  Subsidiaries  do not maintain any
South Branch Compensation and Benefit Plans covering foreign Employees.

                  (vii) With  respect  to each  South  Branch  Compensation  and
Benefit  Plan,  if  applicable,  South Branch has provided or made  available to
Potomac, true and complete copies of existing: (A) South Branch Compensation and
Benefit  Plan  documents  and  amendments  thereto;  (B) trust  instruments  and
insurance contracts; (C) two most recent Forms 5500 filed with the IRS; (D) most
recent  actuarial  report and financial  statement;  (E) the most recent summary
plan  description;  (F)  forms  filed  with the  PBGC  (other  than for  premium
payments);  (G) most recent determination letter issued by the IRS; (H) any Form
5310 or Form 5330  filed  with the IRS;  and (i) most  recent  nondiscrimination
tests performed under ERISA and the Code (including 401(k) and 401(m) tests).

                  (viii) The  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement would not, directly or indirectly (including, without limitation,
as a result of any termination of employment prior to or following the Effective
Time) reasonably be expected to (A) entitle any Employee, Consultant or Director
to any payment (including severance pay or similar compensation) or any increase
in compensation, (B) result in the vesting or acceleration of any benefits under
any South  Branch  Compensation  and Benefit  Plan or (C) result in any material
increase in benefits  payable  under any South Branch  Compensation  and Benefit
Plan.

                  (ix)  South  Branch does not maintain any  compensation  plan,
programs or  arrangements,  the  payments  under which would not  reasonably  be
expected to be deductible as a result of the limitations under Section 162(m) of
the Code and the regulations issued thereunder.

                  (x)   As a result, directly or indirectly, of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement  (including,  without limitation,  as a result of
any termination of employment prior to or following the Effective Time), none of
South Branch, Potomac or the Surviving  Corporation,  or any of their respective
Subsidiaries  will be obligated to make a payment that would be characterized as
an  "excess  parachute   payment"  to  an  individual  who  is  a  "disqualified
individual"  (as such terms are  defined in Section  280G of the Code),  without
regard to whether such payment is reasonable  compensation for personal services
performed or to be performed in the future.

                                       20


            (m) Labor  Matters.  South Branch is not a party to nor bound by any
collective  bargaining  agreement,  contract or other agreement or understanding
with a labor union or labor  organization,  nor is South Branch the subject of a
proceeding  asserting that it has committed an unfair labor practice (within the
meaning of the National  Labor  Relations Act) or seeking to compel South Branch
to bargain with any labor  organization as to wages or conditions of employment,
nor is there any strike or other labor dispute involving it pending or, to South
Branch's  knowledge,  threatened,  nor is South  Branch  aware  of any  activity
involving  its  employees  seeking to certify a  collective  bargaining  unit or
engaging in other organizational activity.

            (n) Environmental Matters. To South Branch's knowledge,  neither the
conduct nor operation of South Branch or its  Subsidiaries  nor any condition of
any property  presently or previously  owned,  leased or operated by any of them
(including,  without limitation, in a fiduciary or agency capacity), or on which
any of them holds a Lien,  violates or violated  Environmental Laws and to South
Branch's  knowledge no condition  has existed or event has occurred with respect
to any of them or any such property that, with notice or the passage of time, or
both, is reasonably likely to result in liability under  Environmental  Laws. To
South Branch's  knowledge,  neither South Branch nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received  any  notice  from any  person  or  entity  that  South  Branch  or its
Subsidiaries  or the operation or condition of any property ever owned,  leased,
operated, or held as collateral or in a fiduciary capacity by any of them are or
were in  violation  of or  otherwise  are  alleged to have  liability  under any
Environmental Law, including,  but not limited to,  responsibility (or potential
responsibility)  for  the  cleanup  or  other  remediation  of  any  pollutants,
contaminants,  or hazardous or toxic  wastes,  substances  or materials  at, on,
beneath, or originating from any such property.

            (o) Tax Matters.  (i) South Branch 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 chief financial  officer,  has adequately
reserved or recognized for all current and deferred Taxes;

                  (ii)  Neither the IRS nor any other  taxing  authority  is now
asserting  against  South  Branch or its  Subsidiaries,  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 South  Branch  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 6501(a),  no tax
year of South Branch remains open to the assessment and collection of additional
federal income taxes; and

                  (iv)  There  is  not  pending  or  threatened  examination  or
outstanding  liability  for  any  West  Virginia  state  taxes,  except  for tax
liabilities not yet due and payable.

                  (v)   Neither South Branch nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
liability with respect to income,  franchise or similar Taxes that accrued on or
before the end of the most recent period covered by South Branch's SEC Documents
filed  prior to the date hereof in excess of the amounts  accrued  with  respect
thereto  that  are  reflected  in the  financial  statements  included  in South
Branch's SEC  Documents  filed on or prior to the date hereof.  South Branch has
made  available to Potomac true and correct  copies of the United States federal
income Tax Returns  filed by South Branch and its  Subsidiaries  for each of the
three most recent fiscal years ended on or before December 31, 1998.

                  (vi)  As of the date hereof,  neither  South Branch nor any of
its  Subsidiaries has any reason to believe that any conditions exist that might
prevent or impede the Merger  from  qualifying  as a  reorganization  within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

            (p) Risk  Management  Instructions.  All interest rate swaps,  caps,
floors, option agreements,  futures and forward contracts and other similar risk


                                       21


management arrangements,  whether entered into for South Branch's own account or
the  account  of its  customers  (all of which  are  listed  on  South  Branch's
Disclosure  Schedule),  were entered into in accordance  with  applicable  laws,
rules,  regulations and regulatory policies and with counter parties believed to
be financially  responsible at the time; and each of them  constitutes the valid
and legally binding  obligation of South Branch,  enforceable in accordance with
its terms (except as  enforceability  may be limited by  applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization,  moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws of
general  applicability  relating to or affecting creditors' rights or by general
equity principles), and is in full force and effect. South Branch is not, nor to
South  Branch's  knowledge  any  other  party  thereto,  in breach of any of its
obligations under any such agreement or arrangement.

            (q) Books and Records. The books and records of South Branch and its
Subsidiaries have been fully, properly and accurately maintained in all material
respects,  and there are no material  inaccuracies or  discrepancies of any kind
contained or reflected therein,  and they fairly present the substance of events
and transactions included therein.

            (r) Insurance.  South Branch's Disclosure Schedule sets forth all of
the insurance  policies,  binders or bonds  maintained  by South  Branch.  South
Branch and its  Subsidiaries  are insured with reputable  insurers  against such
risks and in such  amounts as the  management  of South  Branch  reasonably  has
determined  to be  prudent  in  accordance  with  industry  practices.  All such
insurance  policies  are  in  full  force  and  effect;  South  Branch  and  its
Subsidiaries are not in material default  thereunder;  and all claims thereunder
have been filed in due and timely fashion.

            (s)  Accounting  Treatment.  As of the date hereof,  South Branch is
aware   of   no   reason   why   the   Merger   will   fail   to   qualify   for
"pooling-of-interests"  accounting  treatment assuming compliance by Potomac and
South Branch with the requirements of Section 6.17 hereof.

            (t) Real Property.  South Branch and its  Subsidiaries  each own the
real property set forth in the Disclosure  Schedule.  Except as disclosed in the
Disclosure   Schedule,   all  real  property  owned  by  South  Branch  and  its
Subsidiaries  is free and clear of liens and  encumbrances  except  for liens of
record,  liens which do not  materially  affect the use of the property or liens
for ad valorem taxes not yet due and payable.

            (u) Year 2000 Compliance.  South Branch is engaged in a company-wide
Year 2000 project to bring South Branch's  computerized  information  systems to
Year 2000  compliance  so as to ensure  better the  ability  of such  systems to
accurately process information that is date sensitive.  To the extent reasonably
necessary,  South Branch has  confirmed  South  Branch's  vendors and  suppliers
progress toward Year 2000  compliance.  South Branch knows of no reason that its
computerized  information  systems will fail to comply in any  material  respect
with Year 2000 compliance requirements.

            (v) Disclosure. The representations and warranties contained in this
Section 5.04 do not contain any untrue  statement of a material  fact or omit to
state  any  material  fact  necessary  in  order  to  make  the  statements  and
information contained in this Section 5.04 not misleading.

            (w)  Representations  and Warranties of South Branch with Respect to
Merger Subs. South Branch represents and warrants to Potomac with respect to any
Merger Sub that executes the  supplement  attached to this  Agreement as Annex A
that, at the time of such execution and as of the Effective Date:

                   (i)  Organization,  Standing and  Authority.  Each Merger Sub
has been duly organized and is validly  existing in good standing under the laws
of the State of its  organization,  and is duly  qualified to do business and in
good standing in the jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or
the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified.

                                       22


                  (ii)  Power.  Each Merger Sub has the power and  authority  to
execute,  deliver  and  perform  its  obligations  under this  Agreement  and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (iii) Authority.   This   Agreement   and   the   transactions
contemplated  hereby have been authorized by all requisite action on the part of
each Merger Sub and its respective  shareholders or members. This Agreement is a
valid and legally binding agreement of each Merger Sub enforceable in accordance
with  its  terms  (except  as  enforceability   may  be  limited  by  applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium,  fraudulent  transfer and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
or by general equity principles).


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    Covenants

      6.01 Reasonable Best Efforts.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement,  each of Potomac and South Branch agrees to use its  reasonable  best
efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be taken, all actions,  and to do, or
cause to be done, all things necessary,  proper or desirable, or advisable under
applicable  laws,  so as to permit  consummation  of the Merger as  promptly  as
practicable   and  otherwise  to  enable   consummation   of  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby and shall  cooperate  fully with the other party  hereto to
that end.

      6.02  Stockholder  Approvals.  South Branch and Potomac  agree to take, in
accordance with applicable law and its articles of incorporation and bylaws, all
action necessary to convene an appropriate meeting of its stockholders (which in
the case of South  Branch or  Potomac  may be its  regular  annual  meeting or a
special  meeting)  to  consider  and vote  upon,  in the  case of South  Branch,
approval of (i) the  issuance of its stock as  contemplated  hereby and (ii) the
amendment to South Branch's  Articles of  Incorporation to change South Branch's
name (including any  adjournment or  postponement,  the "South Branch  Meeting")
and,  in the case of  Potomac,  the  approval  and  adoption  of this  Agreement
(including any adjournment or postponement, the "Potomac Meeting"), in each case
as  promptly  as  practicable  after  the  Registration  Statement  is  declared
effective. South Branch agrees to vote all of the shares of capital stock issued
by Merger Sub in favor of the Merger. The South Branch Board will recommend that
the South Branch  shareholders  approve and adopt the Articles Amendment and the
issuance of stock contemplated hereby,  provided that the South Branch Board may
fail to make  such  recommendation,  or  withdraw,  modify  or  change  any such
recommendation,  if the South  Branch  Board,  after having  consulted  with and
considered the advice of outside counsel, has determined that the making of such
recommendation,   or  the   failure   to   withdraw,   modify  or  change   such
recommendation, would constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of the members
of the South Branch Board under applicable law. The Potomac Board will recommend
that  the  Potomac   stockholders  approve  and  adopt  the  Agreement  and  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  provided that the Potomac Board may fail to
make such recommendation, or withdraw, modify or change any such recommendation,
if the Potomac Board,  after having  consulted with and considered the advice of
outside counsel, has determined that the making of such  recommendation,  or the
failure to withdraw,  modify or change such  recommendation,  would constitute a
breach of the  fiduciary  duties  of the  members  of the  Potomac  Board  under
applicable law.

      6.03 Registration  Statement.  (a) Each of South Branch and Potomac agrees
to cooperate in the  preparation  of a  registration  statement on Form S-4 (the
"Registration Statement") to be filed by South Branch with the SEC in connection
with the  issuance of Summit  Common  Stock in the Merger  (including  the joint
proxy statement and prospectus and other proxy  solicitation  materials of South
Branch and Potomac  constituting a part thereof (the "Proxy  Statement") and all
related  documents).  Provided that Potomac has  cooperated  as required  above,
South Branch agrees to file the Proxy Statement in preliminary form with the SEC
as promptly as reasonably  practicable,  and to file the Registration  Statement
with the SEC as soon as  reasonably  practicable  after  any SEC  comments  with
respect to the  preliminary  Proxy  Statement are resolved.  Each of Potomac and


                                       23


South  Branch  agrees to use all  reasonable  efforts to cause the  Registration
Statement  to be  declared  effective  under the  Securities  Act as promptly as
reasonably practicable after filing thereof. South Branch also agrees to use all
reasonable  efforts to obtain,  prior to the effective date of the  Registration
Statement,  all  necessary  state  securities  law or  "Blue  Sky"  permits  and
approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Potomac agrees to furnish to South Branch all  information  concerning  Potomac,
officers,   directors  and  stockholders  as  may  be  reasonably  requested  in
connection with the foregoing.

            (b) Each of Potomac and South  Branch  agrees,  as to itself and its
Subsidiaries,  that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by it for
inclusion or incorporation  by reference in the Registration  Statement will, at
the time the Registration Statement and each amendment or supplement thereto, if
any, becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or  necessary  to make the  statements  therein  not  misleading,  and the Proxy
Statement and any  amendment or supplement  thereto will, at the date of mailing
to  stockholders  and at the time of the South  Branch  Meeting  or the  Potomac
Meeting,  as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to
make the statements  therein not misleading or any statement which, in the light
of the  circumstances  under  which  such  statement  is made,  will be false or
misleading  with respect to any material  fact,  or which will omit to state any
material  fact  necessary in order to make the  statements  therein not false or
misleading or necessary to correct any statement in any earlier statement in the
Proxy  Statement or any  amendment or  supplement  thereto.  Each of Potomac and
South Branch further agrees that if it shall become aware prior to the Effective
Date of any  information  furnished by it that would cause any of the statements
in the Proxy  Statement to be false or  misleading  with respect to any material
fact,  or to omit to state any material  fact  necessary to make the  statements
therein not false or misleading,  to promptly inform the other party thereof and
to take the necessary steps to correct the Proxy Statement.

            (c) South  Branch  agrees to advise  Potomac,  promptly  after South
Branch receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration  Statement has
become  effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance
of any stop order or the suspension of the  qualification  of South Branch Stock
for offering or sale in any  jurisdiction,  of the  initiation  or threat of any
proceeding for any such purpose,  or of any request by the SEC for the amendment
or supplement of the Registration Statement or for additional information.

            (d) South Branch and Potomac,  each in consultation  with the other,
may employ professional proxy solicitors to assist it in contacting stockholders
in connection with soliciting votes on the Agreement.

      6.04 Press Releases.  Each of Potomac and South Branch agrees that it will
not,  without the prior approval of the other party,  issue any press release or
written  statement  for  general   circulation   relating  to  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby,   except  as  otherwise  required  by  applicable  law  or
regulation.

      6.05 Access; Information. (a) Each of Potomac and South Branch agrees that
upon  reasonable  notice and subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange
of information,  it shall afford the other party and the other party's officers,
employees,  counsel,  accountants  and other  authorized  representatives,  such
access during normal business hours throughout the period prior to the Effective
Time to the books, records (including,  without limitation, tax returns and work
papers  of  independent  auditors),  properties,  personnel  and to  such  other
information  as any party may  reasonably  request and,  during such period,  it
shall furnish  promptly to such other party (i) a copy of each material  report,
schedule and other document filed by it pursuant to the  requirements of federal
or state securities or banking laws, and (ii) all other  information  concerning
the  business,  properties  and  personnel  of it as the  other  may  reasonably
request.

            (b) Each agrees that it will not, and will cause its representatives
not to, use any information  obtained  pursuant to this Section 6.05 (as well as
any other  information  obtained prior to the date hereof in connection with the


                                       24


entering into of this Agreement) for any purpose  unrelated to the  consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Subject to the requirements
of law, each party will keep confidential, and will cause its representatives to
keep  confidential,  all  information  and documents  obtained  pursuant to this
Section 6.05 (as well as any other information obtained prior to the date hereof
in connection with the entering into of this Agreement)  unless such information
(i) was already known to such party,  (ii) becomes  available to such party from
other  sources  not  known  by  such  party  to be  bound  by a  confidentiality
obligation,  (iii) is disclosed with the prior written  approval of the party to
which such information pertains or (iv) is or becomes readily ascertainable from
published  information  or trade  sources.  In the event that this  Agreement is
terminated or the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement shall otherwise
fail to be consummated,  each party shall promptly cause all copies of documents
or extracts thereof  containing  information and data as to another party hereto
to be returned to the party which furnished the same. No investigation by either
party of the  business  and  affairs of the other  shall  affect or be deemed to
modify or waive any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or  agreement  in this
Agreement,  or the  conditions to either  party's  obligation to consummate  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            (c)  During  the  period  from  the  date of this  Agreement  to the
Effective Time,  each party shall promptly  furnish the other with copies of all
monthly and other interim financial  statements  produced in the ordinary course
of business as the same shall become available.

      6.06  Acquisition  Proposals.  Potomac agrees that it shall not solicit or
encourage  inquiries or proposals with respect to, or engage in any negotiations
concerning,  or provide any confidential information to, or have any discussions
with, any person relating to, any  Acquisition  Proposal.  It shall  immediately
cease and cause to be terminated any  activities,  discussions  or  negotiations
conducted  prior to the date of this Agreement with any parties other than South
Branch with respect to any of the  foregoing and shall use its  reasonable  best
efforts to enforce  any  confidentiality  or similar  agreement  relating  to an
Acquisition  Proposal.  Potomac  shall  promptly  (within 24 hours) advise South
Branch  following  the receipt by Potomac of any  Acquisition  Proposal  and the
substance thereof  (including the identity of the person making such Acquisition
Proposal),  and advise  South  Branch of any  developments  with respect to such
Acquisition  Proposal  immediately upon the occurrence thereof.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the directors of Potomac shall not be required to take any action
hereunder that, upon  consultation  with and the advice of outside counsel,  the
Potomac Board has determined  would  constitute a breach of fiduciary  duties of
the members of the Potomac Board under applicable law.

      6.07  Affiliate  Agreements.  (a) Not later than the 15th day prior to the
mailing of the Proxy  Statement,  (i) South  Branch  shall  deliver to Potomac a
schedule of each person that, to the best of its knowledge,  is or is reasonably
likely  to be,  as of the date of the  South  Branch  Meeting,  deemed  to be an
"affiliate" of South Branch (each,  a "South Branch  Affiliate") as that term is
used in SEC  Accounting  Series  Releases 130 and 135;  and (ii)  Potomac  shall
deliver  to South  Branch a schedule  of each  person  that,  to the best of its
knowledge,  is or is  reasonably  likely  to be,  as of the date of the  Potomac
Meeting, deemed to be an "affiliate" of Potomac (each, a "Potomac Affiliate") as
that term is used in Rule 145 under the Securities Act or SEC Accounting  Series
Releases 130 and 135.

            (b) Each of  Potomac  and  South  Branch  shall  use its  respective
reasonable  best  efforts to cause each person who may be deemed to be a Potomac
Affiliate  or a South  Branch  Affiliate,  as the case may be,  to  execute  and
deliver  to  Potomac  and South  Branch on or before  the date of mailing of the
Proxy Statement an agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or Exhibit
B, respectively.

      6.08 Regulatory Applications.  (a) South Branch, and its subsidiaries, and
Potomac shall  cooperate  and use their  respective  reasonable  best efforts to
prepare all  documentation,  to effect all  filings  and to obtain all  permits,
consents,  approvals and  authorizations  of all third parties and  Governmental
Authorities  necessary  to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement,  and to  comply  with  the  terms  and  conditions  of such  permits,
consents,  approvals and authorizations.  Each of South Branch and Potomac shall
have the right to review in  advance,  and to the extent  practicable  each will


                                       25


consult with the other,  in each case subject to applicable laws relating to the
exchange of  information,  with  respect to, all  material  written  information
submitted to any third party or any  Governmental  Authority in connection  with
the  transactions  contemplated by this  Agreement.  In exercising the foregoing
right,  each of the parties  hereto agrees to act  reasonably and as promptly as
practicable.  Each party hereto agrees that it will consult with the other party
hereto  with  respect  to the  obtaining  of  all  material  permits,  consents,
approvals and  authorizations of all third parties and Governmental  Authorities
necessary or advisable  to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement  and each party will keep the other  party  apprised  of the status of
material matters relating to completion of the transactions contemplated hereby.

            (b) Each party agrees, upon request, to furnish the other party with
all information  concerning  itself, its Subsidiaries,  directors,  officers and
stockholders and such other matters as may be reasonably  necessary or advisable
in connection  with any filing,  notice or  application  made by or on behalf of
such other party or any of its  Subsidiaries  to any third party or Governmental
Authority.

      6.09  Benefit  Plans and  Arrangements.  (a) Summit  agrees  that within a
reasonable  period of time  following  the  Effective  Time (i) it will  provide
employees of the Surviving Corporation with employee benefit plans substantially
similar in the aggregate to those  provided to similarly  situated  employees of
South Branch,  (ii) any such  employees will receive credit for years of service
with Potomac  prior to the  Effective  Time for the purpose of  eligibility  and
vesting,  and  (iii)  Summit  shall  cause  any and all  pre-existing  condition
limitations  (to the extent  such  limitations  did not apply to a  pre-existing
condition  under the  Compensation  and Benefit Plans) and  eligibility  waiting
periods under group health plans to be waived with respect to such  participants
and their eligible dependents; provided, however, that with respect to Potomac's
group  health  plans,  Potomac  shall have a period of two (2) years in which to
conform the premium  contributions  of employees paid with respect to its health
plans with those  maintained  by Summit.  During that two-year  period,  Potomac
agrees to make periodic  incremental  increases to the health insurance premiums
paid by its employees such that at the end of such period,  the health insurance
premium  contributions paid by Potomac employees conform to the level determined
by Summit  management.  This section shall apply only to employee  benefit plans
available  generally  to  employees  and shall  specifically  not include  plans
designed to compensate executive personnel of Summit and its Affiliates.

      6.10  Notification  of Certain  Matters.  Each of Potomac and South Branch
shall give prompt notice to the other of any fact,  event or circumstance  known
to it that (i) is reasonably  likely,  individually  or taken  together with all
other  facts,  events and  circumstances  known to it, to result in any Material
Adverse  Effect with respect to it or (ii) would cause or  constitute a material
breach  of any of  its  representations,  warranties,  covenants  or  agreements
contained herein.

      6.11  Dividend  Coordination.  The  Potomac  Board shall cause its regular
semi-annual  dividend record dates and payment dates for Potomac Common Stock to
be the same as South  Branch's  regular  semi-annual  dividend  record dates and
payment dates for South Branch  Common Stock (e.g.,  Potomac shall move its next
dividend  record and payment dates to the next dividend  record and payment date
for South Branch  Common  Stock),  and Potomac shall not  thereafter  change its
regular  dividend  payment dates and record dates (it being the intention of the
parties that the  stockholders  of Potomac shall not receive two  dividends,  or
fail to receive one dividend,  for any single semi-annual period with respect to
their  shares of Potomac  Common  Stock or the  Summit  Common  Stock  exchanged
therefor in the Merger).  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  nothing  contained in
this  Section 6.11 shall  require  either of the parties to take any action that
would  materially  impair their ability to satisfy the  conditions  set forth in
Sections 7.02(d) and 7.03(d) hereof.

      6.12 Change of Name of South Branch. South Branch agrees that it will take
all steps necessary to change its name to Summit Financial Group, Inc.
("Summit") prior to the Effective Time.

      6.13 Directorship of Summit;  Formation of Executive Committee. (a) Summit
will  initially  have a Board of Directors  consisting of eighteen (18) members,


                                       26


and Summit agrees to cause six (6) current  members of the Board of Directors of
Potomac  designated  by Potomac (i) to be appointed to the Board of Directors of
Summit as of the Effective  Time, and (ii) to be nominated and  recommended  for
election at the next Annual Meeting of Summit  shareholders  after the Effective
Time if such  director is a member of a class  whose terms are  expiring at such
Annual Meeting.  If the number of directors of Summit is different from eighteen
(18) at the Effective  Time, the number of directors shall be divisible by three
(3), and Potomac will be entitled to designate 1/3 of the  directors.  Directors
designated  by Potomac for the initial  Board of  Directors  of Summit  shall be
spread evenly among the classes of directors of Summit.  Upon the  expiration of
their initial terms,  Summit's directors designated by Potomac shall be eligible
to be nominated  to serve for such  additional  terms as Summit shall  determine
consistent with prudent banking  practices and such director's  fulfillment,  to
Summit's satisfaction, of his or her fiduciary duty to Summit.

            (b) Summit agrees to form an executive  committee or other governing
body consisting of not more than nine (9) members, of which five (5) individuals
shall be  designated  by South  Branch and four (4)  individuals  designated  by
Potomac.

            (c) The  provisions of any  resolution,  bylaw or of the articles of
incorporation  of Summit  which  state or set forth a mandatory  retirement  age
shall not apply to any person  initially  designated  by Potomac to serve on the
Board of  Directors of Summit  pursuant to Section  6.13 hereof,  who, as of the
Closing  Date,  is a director  of Potomac and has  attained  the age of 60 years
("Exempt  Person").  Such Exempt  Person shall be permitted to serve until he or
she reaches the age of 80, provided such Exempt  Person's  service as a director
is consistent with prudent banking practices and such Exempt Person fulfills, to
Summit's satisfaction, his or her fiduciary duty to Summit.

      6.14  Officers of Board and  Summit.  Oscar M. Bean shall be retained as
Chairman of the Board of Summit.  G. R. Ours,  Jr.  shall be appointed as Vice
Chairman of the Board of Summit.  H. Charles  Maddy,  III shall be retained as
President of Summit.

      6.15 Members of the Board of Directors of Potomac and South Branch,  Other
Matters.  (a) Two individuals of South Branch shall be appointed to serve on the
Board of Directors of Potomac.  Two individuals of Potomac shall be appointed by
Potomac to serve on the Board of Directors of South Branch Valley National Bank.
(b) The current  members of the Board of Directors of Potomac shall  continue to
serve as such  after the  Merger,  and for a period of five (5) years  after the
Merger,  provided  that such person  continues  to fulfill his or her  fiduciary
duties to Potomac and Summit.  Vacancies  and new board seats shall be filled by
affirmative vote of the current members of the Board of Directors of Potomac and
their successors.  During the five-year period,  the maximum size of the Potomac
Board of Directors  shall not exceed twelve (12) persons.  The  requirements  of
this  provision  may be  modified  during  the  five-year  period  only upon the
affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of Summit's Board of Directors.

      6.16  Location of Summit Offices.  Summit's  corporate  offices shall be
located in Moorefield, West Virginia.

      6.17 Changes to  Organizational  Documents.  Summit's bylaws shall include
provisions  ensuring that the following  actions by Summit's  Board of Directors
shall require an affirmative vote of at least  three-fourths (3/4) of the board:
(i) mergers and closures of banks and  branches;  (ii) any amendment to Summit's
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; (iii) the adoption of any agreement or plan
to merge, consolidate,  liquidate, dissolve or sell shares of stock or the sale,
lease or exchange of all or substantially all the assets of Summit; and (iv) any
change of Potomac's name.

      6.18 Divestment of Branch.  South Branch shall take all action  reasonable
necessary to divest its branch  located in Petersburg,  West Virginia,  provided
that (i) such  divestment is required for  regulatory  approval,  and (ii) South
Branch is not required to reflect a financial  loss based on Generally  Accepted
Accounting Principles. South Branch will use its best efforts to accomplish such
divestiture if divestiture is required for regulatory approval.

      6.19 Directors' and Officers' Protection. Summit shall provide and keep in
force,  for a period of three years after the  Effective  Time,  directors'  and
officers'  liability  insurance  providing coverage to directors and officers of


                                       27


Potomac  for acts or  omissions  occurring  prior to the  Effective  Time.  Such
insurance  shall  provide at least the  substantially  equivalent  coverage  and
substantially  equivalent amounts as contained in any Summit policy of insurance
on the date hereof;  provided, that in no event shall the annual premium on such
policy exceed 150% of the annual premium  payments on Potomac's policy in effect
as of the date  hereof (the  "Maximum  Amount").  If the amount of the  premiums
necessary to maintain or procure  such  insurance  coverage  exceeds the maximum
amount,   Summit  shall  use  its  reasonable   efforts  to  maintain  the  most
advantageous policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance obtainable
for a premium equal to the Maximum Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Summit
further  agrees to  indemnify  all  individuals  who are or have been  officers,
directors or employees of Potomac prior to the  Effective  Time from any acts or
omissions in such  capacities  prior to the  Effective  Time, to the extent that
such  indemnification  is provided pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws of Potomac on the date hereof as permitted under the WVCA.

      6.20 Other Transactions.  South Branch agrees that it shall not solicit or
encourage  inquiries or proposals with respect to, or engage in any negotiations
concerning,  or provide any confidential  information to or have any discussions
with, any person  relating to any proposal  pursuant to which South Branch would
be  acquired  by or  merged  with  an  entity  without  South  Branch  surviving
("Acquisition  Transaction").  South  Branch  shall  promptly  (within 24 hours)
advise Potomac  following the receipt by South Branch of a proposal  relating to
such Acquisition Transaction,  and the substance thereof (including the identity
of the person making the proposal),  and advise Potomac of any developments with
respect   to  such   proposal   immediately   upon   the   occurrence   thereof.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  directors  of South  Branch  shall not be
required  to take any action  hereunder  that,  upon  consultation  with and the
advice  of  outside  counsel,  the  South  Branch  Board  has  determined  would
constitute a breach of fiduciary duties of the members of the South Branch Board
under applicable law. 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  prior to the Effective Time pursuant to which it or
its subsidiaries may merge,  consolidate or affiliate with any other entity,  or
acquire or establish  other  branches or  subsidiaries  ("Other  Transactions").
South Branch  agrees to advise  Potomac of such Other  Transactions  as and when
appropriate,  but in any  event  prior to the  submission  of a  transaction  or
agreement to South  Branch's  Board of Directors for  approval.  If South Branch
notifies  Potomac of an Other  Transaction  (as  defined  herein) in which South
Branch is not the surviving entity, then Potomac may terminate this Agreement on
notice to South Branch prior to the earlier of: (1) thirty days after receipt of
notice of the Other Transaction or (2) the Effective Time.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                   Conditions to Consummation of the Merger

      7.01  Conditions  to Each  Party's  Obligation  to Effect the Merger.  The
respective  obligation  of each of South  Branch and Potomac to  consummate  the
Merger is  subject to the  fulfillment  or  written  waiver by South  Branch and
Potomac prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

            (a)  Stockholder  Approvals.  This  Agreement  shall  have been duly
approved and adopted by the requisite  vote of the  stockholders  of Potomac and
Merger Sub, and the issuance of shares in connection  with this Agreement  shall
have been approved by the requisite  vote of the  stockholders  of South Branch,
and all corporate and shareholder action necessary to authorize the Merger shall
have been duly taken by South Branch and Potomac.

            (b)  Regulatory  Approvals.  All  regulatory  approvals  required to
consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  shall have been obtained and
shall  remain in full  force and  effect and all  statutory  waiting  periods in
respect  thereof shall have expired and no such approvals  shall contain (i) any
conditions,   restrictions  or  requirements   which  either  party   reasonably
determines  would  either  before or after the  Effective  Time have a  Material
Adverse  Effect on the Surviving  Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole  or  (ii)  any  conditions,  restrictions  or  requirements  that  are not
customary  and usual for  approvals of such type and which either  party's Board


                                       28


reasonably  determines would either before or after the Effective Date be unduly
burdensome.

            (c)  No   Injunction.   No   Governmental   Authority  of  competent
jurisdiction shall have enacted,  issued,  promulgated,  enforced or entered any
statute, rule, regulation,  judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether
temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is in effect and prohibits, restricts
or  makes  illegal  consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated  by  this
Agreement.

            (d) Registration  Statement.  The Registration  Statement shall have
become  effective  under the  Securities  Act and no stop order  suspending  the
effectiveness  of the  Registration  Statement  shall  have been  issued  and no
proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the SEC.

            (e) Blue Sky Approvals.  All permits and other  authorizations under
state  securities  laws  necessary to consummate the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and to issue the shares of Summit Common Stock to be issued in the Merger
shall have been received and be in full force and effect.

      7.02  Conditions to Obligation  of Potomac.  The  obligation of Potomac to
consummate  the Merger is also subject to the  fulfillment  or written waiver by
Potomac prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

            (a)   Representations   and  Warranties.   The  representations  and
warranties  of  South  Branch  set  forth  in this  Agreement  shall be true and
correct, subject to Section 5.02, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective  Date as though  made on and as of the  Effective  Date  (except  that
representations  and warranties that by their terms speak as of the date of this
Agreement  or some other date shall be true and  correct as of such  date),  and
Potomac shall have received a certificate,  dated the Effective Date,  signed on
behalf of South  Branch by the Chief  Executive  Officer of South Branch to such
effect.

            (b)  Performance of Obligations of South Branch.  South Branch shall
have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed
by them under this  Agreement  at or prior to the  Effective  Time,  and Potomac
shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date, signed on behalf of
South Branch by the Chief Executive Officer of South Branch to such effect.

            (c) Opinion of Tax Counsel.  Potomac  shall have received an opinion
of Jackson & Kelly,  LLP, special counsel to Potomac,  dated the Effective Date,
to the effect that, on the basis of facts,  representations  and assumptions set
forth in such opinion, (i) the Merger constitutes a "reorganization"  within the
meaning of Section  368 of the Code and (ii) no gain or loss will be  recognized
by stockholders of Potomac who receive shares of Summit Common Stock in exchange
for shares of Potomac  Common Stock,  except that gain or loss may be recognized
as to cash received in lieu of fractional share interests.

            (d) Accounting Treatment.  Potomac shall have received from Arnett &
Foster  Accounts & Consultants,  P.L.L.C.,  Potomac's  independent  auditors,  a
letter,  dated the  Effective  Date,  stating its opinion  that the Merger shall
qualify for "pooling-of-interests" accounting treatment.

            (e)  Counsel  Opinion.  Potomac  shall have  received  an opinion of
counsel for South Branch date as of the Effective Date, to the effect that:

                  (i)   South  Branch is a bank holding  company 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 South Branch 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
South Branch. As of such date,  except as previously  disclosed by South Branch,


                                       29


to the best of counsel's knowledge, there are no options, warrants,  convertible
securities or similar items outstanding on behalf of South Branch.

                  (iii) South Branch 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 South Branch and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of South Branch, 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 South  Branch,  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 South  Branch and the  consummation  of the
transaction contemplated herein.

                  (v)   Counsel  has reviewed the proxy  statement  contemplated
hereby and, with respect to all information  relating to South Branch  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 transaction  contemplated herein
will not violate or result in a breach of, or  constitute a default  under,  the
articles of incorporation  or bylaws of South Branch,  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 South
Branch,  and to which it is a party  or by  which it or any of its  property  is
bound.

            (f) Due  Diligence.  Potomac 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
forty-fifth  (45th) business day following the date of this Agreement,  Potomac,
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  Potomac  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 Potomac 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  Potomac  or Potomac 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 Potomac of any item required by or condition of this Agreement.

            (g)  Potomac  Satisfaction  with Loan  Loss  Reserve,  Provision  of
Charge-Offs,  Funding  of  Benefits,  Other  Reserve  Accounts,  Etc.  As of the
Effective Time,  Potomac, in its reasonable  discretion,  must be satisfied with
the adequacy of the then existing  level of South Branch'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, South Branch must reserve
for all  contingencies  in a  manner  consistent  with the  requirements  of the
regulators and prudent banking practices.

      7.03  Conditions to Obligation  of South Branch.  The  obligation of South
Branch to consummate  the Merger is also subject to the  fulfillment  or written
waiver by South  Branch  prior to the  Effective  Time of each of the  following
conditions:

            (a)   Representations   and  Warranties.   The  representations  and
warranties  of Potomac set forth in this  Agreement  shall be true and  correct,
subject  to  Section  5.02,  as of the  date  of  this  Agreement  and as of the


                                       30


Effective  Date as though  made on and as of the  Effective  Date  (except  that
representations  and warranties that by their terms speak as of the date of this
Agreement  or some  other  date  shall be true and  correct as of such date) and
South Branch shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date, signed
on behalf of Potomac by the Chief Executive Officer of Potomac to such effect.

            (b)  Performance  of  Obligations  of  Potomac.  Potomac  shall have
performed in all material  respects all obligations  required to be performed by
it under this  Agreement  at or prior to the  Effective  Time,  and South Branch
shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date, signed on behalf of
Potomac by the Chief Executive Officer of Potomac to such effect.

            (c)  Opinion  of South  Branch  Counsel.  South  Branch  shall  have
received an opinion of Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love, PLLC,  counsel to South
Branch,  dated the  Effective  Date,  to the effect that, on the basis of facts,
representations   and  assumptions  set  forth  in  such  opinion,   the  Merger
constitutes  a  reorganization  under  Section 368 of the Code. In rendering its
opinion,  Bowles  Rice  McDavid  Graff & Love,  PLLC,  may require and rely upon
representations contained in letters from South Branch, Potomac and others.

            (d)  Accounting  Treatment.  South Branch shall have  received  from
Arnett & Foster, PLLC, South Branch's independent  auditors, a letter, dated the
Effective  Date,   stating  its  opinion  that  the  Merger  shall  qualify  for
"pooling-of-interests" accounting treatment.

            (e) Counsel's  Opinion.  South Branch shall have received an opinion
of counsel for Potomac dated as of the Effective Date, to the effect that:

                  (i)   Potomac  is a state banking  corporation 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 Potomac 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 Potomac.
As of such date,  except as  Previously  Disclosed  by  Potomac,  to the best of
counsel's knowledge, there are no options,  warrants,  convertible securities or
similar items outstanding on behalf of Potomac.

                  (iii)  Potomac  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 Potomac  and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding  obligation of Potomac,  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 Potomac, 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 Potomac and the  consummation  of the  transaction
contemplated herein.

                  (v)   Counsel  has reviewed the proxy  statement  contemplated
hereby  and,  with  respect to all  information  relating  to Potomac  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 transaction  contemplated herein
will not violate or result in a breach of, or  constitute a default  under,  the
articles  of  incorporation  or bylaws of  Potomac,  or  constitute  a breach or
termination  of, or default under,  any agreement or instrument of which counsel


                                       31


is aware and which  would  have a material  adverse  effect on the  business  of
Potomac,  and to which it is a party  or by which it or any of its  property  is
bound.

            (f) Due Diligence. South Branch must have the opportunity to conduct
a due  diligence  investigation  into various  aspects of Potomac's  operations.
Based  on  its  investigation,  which  must  be  concluded  by  the  end  of the
forty-fifth  (45th)  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  Potomac  of  any  objections  or
requirements  resulting  therefrom.   If  South  Branch  elects  not  to  pursue
consummation of the proposed  transactions and properly  notifies Potomac 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 Potomac of the same,  Potomac
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.

            (g) South Branch  Satisfaction with Loan Loss Reserve,  Provision of
Charge-Offs,  Funding  of  Benefits,  Other  Reserve  Accounts,  Etc.  As of the
Effective Time, South Branch,  in its reasonable  discretion,  must be satisfied
with the adequacy of the then existing  level of Potomac'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,  Potomac must reserve for
all contingencies in a manner consistent with the requirements of the regulators
and prudent banking practices.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   Termination

      8.01 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger may be
abandoned:

            (a) Mutual Consent.  At any time prior to the Effective Time, by the
mutual consent of South Branch and Potomac, if the Board of Directors of each so
determines by vote of a majority of the members of its entire Board.

            (b) Breach. At any time prior to the Effective Time, by South Branch
or Potomac, if its Board of Directors so determines by vote of a majority of the
members of its entire Board,  in the event of either:  (i) a breach by the other
party  of any  representation  or  warranty  contained  herein  (subject  to the
standard  set forth in Section  5.02),  which  breach  cannot be or has not been
cured within 30 days after the giving of written  notice to the breaching  party
of such breach;  or (ii) a breach by the other party of any of the  covenants or
agreements contained herein, which breach cannot be or has not been cured within
30 days  after the  giving of  written  notice  to the  breaching  party of such
breach,  provided  that  such  breach  (whether  under  (i) or  (ii))  would  be
reasonably  likely,  individually  or in the aggregate with other  breaches,  to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

            (c) Delay.  At any time prior to the Effective Time, by South Branch
or Potomac, if its Board of Directors so determines by vote of a majority of the
members of its entire Board,  in the event that the Merger is not consummated by
January 31, 2000, except to the extent that the failure of the Merger then to be
consummated  arises  out of or  results  from the  willful  failure of the party
seeking to  terminate  this  Agreement to perform or observe the  covenants  and
agreements of such party set forth herein.

            (d) No  Approval.  By  South  Branch  or  Potomac,  if its  Board of
Directors  so  determines  by a vote of a majority  of the members of its entire
Board, in the event (i) the approval of any Governmental  Authority required for


                                       32


consummation  of the  Merger  and the other  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement  shall  have  been  denied  by  final  nonappealable  action  of  such
Governmental  Authority  or (ii) any  stockholder  approval  required by Section
7.01(a)  herein is not  obtained  at the South  Branch  Meeting  or the  Potomac
Meeting,  except in the case of clause (i) or clause (ii) that the failure of an
action  specified  therein arises out of or results from the willful  failure of
the party  seeking to  terminate  this  Agreement  to  perform  or  observe  the
covenants and agreements of such party set forth herein.

            (e) Failure to Recommend, Etc. At any time prior to the South Branch
Meeting, by South Branch if the South Branch Board shall have failed to make its
recommendation  referred to in Section 6.02,  withdrawn such  recommendation  or
modified or changed such  recommendation  in a manner  adverse in any respect to
the interests of South Branch;  or at any time prior to the Potomac Meeting,  by
Potomac,  if the  Potomac  Board  shall have  failed to make its  recommendation
referred  to in Section  6.02,  withdrawn  such  recommendation  or  modified or
changed such  recommendation in a manner adverse in any respect to the interests
of Potomac.

      8.02 Effect of Termination and Abandonment. In the event of termination of
this Agreement and the  abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this Article VIII,
no party to this Agreement shall have any liability or further obligation to any
other  party  hereunder  except (i) as set forth in  Section  9.01 and (ii) that
termination  will not relieve a breaching  party from  liability for any willful
breach of this Agreement giving rise to such termination.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  Miscellaneous

      9.01 Survival.  No representations,  warranties,  agreements and covenants
contained  in this  Agreement  shall  survive  the  Effective  Time  (other than
Sections 3.04,  6.09,  6.12,  6.13,  6.14, 6.15, 6.16, 6.17, 6.18, 6.19 and this
Article IX which shall survive the Effective  Time) or the  termination  of this
Agreement if this  Agreement is terminated  prior to the  Effective  Time (other
than  Sections  6.03(b),  6.04,  6.05(b),  8.02 and this  Article IX which shall
survive such termination).

      9.02 Waiver; Amendment. Prior to the Effective Time, any provision of this
Agreement  may be (i) waived by the party  benefitted by the  provision,  to the
extent  permitted by applicable law, or (ii) amended or modified at any time, by
an agreement in writing  between the parties hereto  executed in the same manner
as this Agreement, except that (A) after the Potomac Meeting, this Agreement may
not be  amended  if it would  violate  the WVCA and (B) after  the South  Branch
Meeting, this Agreement may not be amended if it would violate the WVCA.

      9.03  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  one  or  more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to constitute an original.

      9.04 Governing Law. This Agreement  shall be governed by, and  interpreted
in  accordance  with,  the laws of the  State  of West  Virginia  applicable  to
contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State.

      9.05 Expenses.  Each party hereto will bear all expenses incurred by it in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby, except
that  expenses  incurred in  connection  with the  printing of the  Registration
Statement and joint proxy statement and SEC fees shall be shared,  in proportion
to the respective book values of each as of June 30, 1999,  between South Branch
and  Potomac.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if Potomac  accepts an offer by
another  person  other  than  South  Branch  within  the sixty  (60) days  after
execution of this  Agreement,  by and between South Branch and Potomac,  Potomac
shall pay all of South  Branch's  expenses.  If South Branch accepts an offer by
another person other than Potomac within sixty (60) days after execution of this


                                       33


Agreement,  South  Branch  shall pay all of  Potomac's  expenses  provided  that
Potomac elects to terminate as provided in Section 6.20 hereof.  For purposes of
this provision, "person" shall mean any individual, corporation,  partnership of
other entity.

      9.06 Notices. All notices,  requests and other communications hereunder to
a party shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if  personally  delivered,
telecopied (with confirmation) or mailed by registered or certified mail (return
receipt  requested)  to such party at its  address set forth below or such other
address as such party may specify by notice to the parties hereto.

                  If to South Branch, to:

                  H. Charles Maddy, III
                  South Branch Valley Bancorp, Inc.
                  310 North Main Street
                  P. O. Box 680
                  Moorefield, West Virginia 26836

                  With a copy to:

                     Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love, PLLC
                        Attention: Sandra M. Murphy, Esq.
                               600 Quarrier Street
                  P. O. Box 1386
                  Charleston, West Virginia  25325-1386

                  If to Potomac, to:

                  Patrick N. Frye
                  Potomac Valley Bank
                  4 North Main Street
                  P.  O.  Box 1079
                  Petersburg, West Virginia  26847-1079

                  With a copy to:

                  Charles D. Dunbar, Esq.
                  Jackson & Kelley
                  1600 Laidley Tower
                  P. O. Box 553
                  Charleston, West Virginia 25322

      9.07 Entire  Understanding;  No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement
represents the entire  understanding of the parties hereto with reference to the
transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby and this Agreement  supersedes any
and all other oral or written  agreements  heretofore made.  Except for Sections
6.09, 6.11, 6.13, 6.14 and 6.15, nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied,
is intended to confer  upon any person,  other than the parties  hereto or their
respective successors, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or
by reason of this Agreement.

      9.08 Interpretation;  Effect; Assignment; Successors. (a) When a reference
is made in this  Agreement to Sections,  Exhibits or Schedules,  such  reference
shall be to a Section  of, or Exhibit or  Schedule  to,  this  Agreement  unless
otherwise  indicated.  The table of  contents  and  headings  contained  in this
Agreement  are for reference  purposes only and are not part of this  Agreement.
Whenever  the  words  "include,"  "includes"  or  "including"  are  used in this
Agreement,   they  shall  be  deemed  to  be  followed  by  the  words  "without
limitation."  No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to require South


                                       34


Branch, Potomac or any of their respective Subsidiaries, affiliates or directors
to take any action which would  violate  applicable  law  (whether  statutory or
common law), rule or regulation.

            (b) A party  hereto may not assign any of its rights or  obligations
under this  Agreement to any other person  without the prior written  consent of
the other party.  The terms and conditions of this Agreement  shall inure to the
benefit  of  and be  binding  upon  the  parties  hereto  and  their  respective
successors.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed in counterparts by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day
and year first above written.

                                    SOUTH BRANCH VALLEY BANCORP, INC.


                                    By:  /s/  H. Charles Maddy, III_
                                    Name: H. Charles Maddy, III
                                    Title:      President


                                    POTOMAC VALLEY BANK


                                    By:   /s/ Patrick N. Frye_____
                                    Name: Patrick N. Frye
                                    Title:      President











                                       35

                                                                       EXHIBIT A


                        FORM OF POTOMAC AFFILIATE LETTER


                                                              ____________, 1999

Potomac Valley Bank
4 North Main Street
P. O. Box 1079
Petersburg, West Virginia 26847

Attention:  Patrick N. Frye

Summit Financial Group, Inc.
310 North Main Street
P. O. Box 680
Moorefield, West Virginia 26836
Attention:  H. Charles Maddy, III

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            I have been  advised  that I may be  deemed to be,  but do not admit
that I am, an "affiliate"  of Potomac  Valley Bank, a West Virginia  corporation
("Potomac"),  as that term is defined in Rule 145  promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the  "Securities  Act"),  and/or SEC Accounting  Series Releases 130 and 135. I
understand that pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of _____________,  1999 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between South Branch
Valley Bancorp, Inc., a West Virginia corporation ("South Branch"), and Potomac,
a wholly owned  subsidiary of South Branch will merge with and into Potomac (the
"Merger")  and that the  Merger  is  intended  to be  accounted  for  under  the
"pooling-of-interests" accounting method.

            I further  understand that as a result of the Merger,  I may receive
shares of common stock, par value $_______ per share, of Summit Financial Group,
Inc.  ("Summit") in exchange for shares of common  stock,  par value $______ per
share, of Potomac ("Potomac").

            I have carefully read this letter and reviewed the Merger  Agreement
and  discussed  their  requirements  and other  applicable  limitations  upon my
ability to sell,  transfer,  or  otherwise  dispose of South  Branch and Potomac
Stock, to the extent I felt necessary, with my counsel or counsel for Potomac.

            I  represent,  warrant and  covenant  with and to Summit that in the
event I receive any Summit Stock as a result of the Merger:

            1.    I shall not make any sale,  transfer,  or other  disposition
                  of such Summit Financial  Group,  Inc. Stock unless (i) such
                  sale,  transfer  or other  disposition  has been  registered
                  under the Securities Act, (ii) such sale,  transfer or other
                  disposition  is made in  conformity  with the  provisions of
                  Rule 145  under  the  Securities  Act (as  such  rule may be
                  amended  from  time to  time),  or (iii) in the  opinion  of
                  counsel in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
                  Summit,  or under a "no-action"  letter  obtained by me from
                  the  staff  of  the  SEC,  such  sale,   transfer  or  other
                  disposition  will not  violate or is  otherwise  exempt from
                  registration under the Securities Act.

            2.    I understand  that Summit is under no  obligation  to register
                  the sale,  transfer or other  disposition  of shares of Summit
                  Stock by me or on my  behalf  under the  Securities  Act or to
                  take any other action  necessary  in order to make  compliance
                  with an exemption from such registration available.





Potomac Valley Bank
Summit Financial Group, Inc.
________________, 1999
Page 2


            3.    I understand that stop transfer  instructions will be given to
                  Summit's transfer agent with respect to shares of Summit Stock
                  issued to me as a result of the  Merger and that there will be
                  placed  on  the   certificates   for  such   shares,   or  any
                  substitutions therefor, a legend stating in substance:

                  "The shares  represented by this  certificate were issued in a
                  transaction to which Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities
                  Act  of  1933  applies.   The  shares   represented   by  this
                  certificate  may be  transferred  only in accordance  with the
                  terms of a letter  agreement,  dated  __,  199_,  between  the
                  registered holder hereof and Summit, a copy of which agreement
                  is on file at the  principal  offices of Summit.  This  legend
                  shall become null and void on and after ______ _________, [two
                  years after the Effective Time.]"

            4.    I understand  that,  unless transfer by me of the Summit Stock
                  issued to me as a result  of the  Merger  has been  registered
                  under  the   Securities  Act  or  such  transfer  is  made  in
                  conformity  with  the  provisions  of Rule  145(d)  under  the
                  Securities  Act,  Summit  reserves  the  right,  in  its  sole
                  discretion,  to place the following legend on the certificates
                  issued to my transferee:

                  "The  shares  represented  by this  certificate  have not been
                  registered  under the Securities Act of 1933 and were acquired
                  from a person who  received  such shares in a  transaction  to
                  which Rule 145 under the Securities  Act of 1933 applies.  The
                  shares have been acquired by the holder not with a view to, or
                  for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof within
                  the  meaning  of the  Securities  Act of  1933  and may not be
                  offered,  sold,  pledged or  otherwise  transferred  except in
                  accordance   with   an   exemption   from   the   registration
                  requirements  of the Securities Act of 1933. This legend shall
                  become  null and void on and after  _____________  [two  years
                  after the effective time]."

            It is understood and agreed that the legends set forth in paragraphs
(3) and (4) above  shall be  removed  by  delivery  of  substitute  certificates
without  such  legends if I shall have  delivered  to Summit (i) a copy of a "no
action"  letter  from the staff of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel in form and
substance  reasonably  satisfactory to Summit, to the effect that such legend is
not  required  for  purposes  of the Act, or (ii)  evidence  or  representations
satisfactory to Summit that the Summit Stock represented by such certificates is
being or has been sold in conformity with the provisions of Rule 145(d).

            I further represent,  warrant and covenant with and to Summit that I
will not sell,  transfer or otherwise dispose of, or reduce my risk relative to,
any shares of Potomac Stock or South Branch Stock (whether or not acquired by me
in the Merger)  during the period  commencing 30 days prior to effective date of
the Merger and ending at such time as Summit  notifies me that results  covering
at least 30 days of combined  operations  of Potomac and Summit after the Merger
have been  published  by Summit.  I understand  that Summit is not  obligated to
publish such combined  financial  results  except in accordance  with its normal
financial reporting practice.

            I further  understand  and agree that this  letter  agreement  shall
apply to all  shares of  Potomac  Stock  and  Summit  Stock  that I am deemed to
beneficially own pursuant to applicable federal securities law.





Potomac Valley Bank
Summit Financial Group, Inc.
________________, 1999
Page 3

            I also  understand  that the Merger is  intended  to be treated as a
"pooling of Interests" for accounting  purposes,  and I agree that if Potomac or
Summit advises me in writing that additional restrictions apply to my ability to
sell,  transfer,  or otherwise dispose of Potomac Stock or Summit Stock in order
for Summit to be entitled to use the pooling of interests  accounting  method, I
will abide by such restrictions.

                                    Very truly yours,


                                    By__________________________
                                      Name:


Accepted this ____ day of _______________, 1999.


Potomac Valley Bank


By________________________
  Name:
  Title:


Summit Financial Group, Inc.


By________________________
  Name:
  Title:




GBB.GBB.0051269






                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                      FORM OF SUMMIT FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.


                                                              ____________, 1999

Summit Financial Group, Inc.
310 North Main Street
P. O. Box 680
Moorefield, West Virginia 26836
Attention:  H. Charles Maddy, III

Ladies and Gentlemen:

            I have been  advised  that I may be  deemed to be,  but do not admit
that I am, an "affiliate" of South Branch Valley Bancorp,  Inc., a West Virginia
corporation  ("South  Branch"),  as that term is defined in the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission's  Accounting Series Releases 130 and 135. I understand that
pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger,  dated as of ________
__,  1999 (the  "Merger  Agreement"),  by and between  South  Branch and Potomac
Valley Bank, a West Virginia corporation ("Potomac"), wholly-owned subsidiary of
South  Branch (the  "Merger"),  will merge with and into  Potomac,  and that the
Merger  is  intended  to  be  accounted  for  under  the  "pooling-of-interests"
accounting method.

            I have carefully read this letter and reviewed the Merger  Agreement
and  discussed  their  requirements  and other  applicable  limitations  upon my
ability to sell, transfer,  or otherwise dispose of common stock of South Branch
and  Potomac,  to the extent I felt  necessary,  with my counsel or counsel  for
Summit.

            I hereby represent, warrant and covenant with and to Summit that:

            1.    I will not  sell,  transfer  or  otherwise  dispose  of,  or
                  reduce my risk  relative  to, any shares of common  stock of
                  Potomac  or Summit  (whether  or not  acquired  by me in the
                  Merger)  during the period  commencing  30 days prior to the
                  effective  date of the  Merger  and  ending  at such time as
                  Summit  notifies me that  results  covering at least 30 days
                  of  combined  operations  of Potomac  and  Summit  after the
                  Merger have been  published  by Summit.  I  understand  that
                  Summit is not obligated to publish such  combined  financial
                  results  except  in  accordance  with its  normal  financial
                  reporting practice.

2.                I further  understand  and agree  that this  letter  agreement
                  shall  apply to all  shares of  common  stock of  Potomac  and
                  Summit  that I am  deemed  to  beneficially  own  pursuant  to
                  applicable federal securities laws.





Summit Financial Group, Inc.
________________, 1999
Page 2

            3.    If Summit advises me in writing that  additional  restrictions
                  apply to my ability to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of
                  common  stock of  Potomac  or Summit in order for Summit to be
                  entitled to use the "pooling-of-interests"  accounting method,
                  I will abide by such restrictions.

                                    Very truly yours,


                                    By__________________________
                                      Name:


Accepted this ____ day of _______________, 1999.

Summit Financial Group, Inc.


By________________________
Name:
Title:







                                                                         ANNEX A

                 FORM OF SUPPLEMENT FOR MERGER SUB ACCESSION
                               TO MERGER AGREEMENT



            SUPPLEMENT,  dated as of the _______ day of ___________,  1999 (this
"Supplement"),   to  the   Agreement   and   Plan  of   Merger,   dated   as  of
________________,  1999 (as  amended  from time to time in  accordance  with the
terms  thereof,  the "Merger  Agreement"),  by and between  South Branch  Valley
Bancorp, Inc. ("South Branch") and Potomac Valley Bank ("Potomac") .

            WHEREAS,  terms used but not  otherwise  defined  herein  have the
meanings specified in the Merger Agreement; and

            WHEREAS,  pursuant to Section  2.01 of the Merger  Agreement,  South
Branch has  determined  to  consummate  the Merger in part through the merger of
Merger Sub with and into Potomac.

            NOW, THEREFORE, by its execution of this Supplement,  as of the date
hereof,  the undersigned (i) adopts and becomes a party to the Merger Agreement,
as  required  by  Section  2.01  thereof  and (ii)  agrees  to  perform  all its
obligations and agreements set forth therein.

            IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this  Supplement  has been duly  executed  and
delivered by the  undersigned,  duly  authorized  thereunto as of the date first
hereinabove written.


                                          [INSERT NAME OF MERGER SUB]


                                          By:________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title: