EXHIBIT 2






                               AGREEMENT AND PLAN
                                    OF MERGER
                                  BY AND AMONG
                       CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORPORATION
                               CITIZENS SOUTH BANK
                                       AND
                                  TRINITY BANK




                                  MAY 25, 2005








                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                           
ARTICLE I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.....................................................................................2
         1.1.     Certain Definitions.............................................................................2
ARTICLE II THE MERGER.............................................................................................8
         2.1.     Merger..........................................................................................8
         2.2.     Closing; Effective Time.........................................................................9
         2.3.     Charter and Bylaws..............................................................................9
         2.4.     Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation.................................................9
         2.5.     Additional Directors of Citizens South and Citizens South Bank..................................9
         2.6.     Effects of the Merger...........................................................................9
         2.7.     Tax Consequences................................................................................9
         2.8.     Possible Alternative Structures................................................................10
         2.9.     Additional Actions.............................................................................10
ARTICLE III CONVERSION OF SHARES.................................................................................11
         3.1.     Conversion of Trinity Bank Common Stock; Merger Consideration..................................11
         3.2.     Election Procedures............................................................................12
         3.3.     Procedures for Exchange of Trinity Bank Common Stock...........................................15
         3.4.     Treatment of Trinity Bank Options and Trinity Bank Warrants....................................17
         3.5.     Reservation of Shares..........................................................................18
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TRINITY BANK........................................................18
         4.1.     Standard.......................................................................................18
         4.2.     Organization...................................................................................18
         4.3.     Capitalization.................................................................................19
         4.4.     Authority; No Violation........................................................................20
         4.5.     Consents.......................................................................................21
         4.6.     Financial Statements...........................................................................21
         4.7.     Taxes..........................................................................................22
         4.8.     No Material Adverse Effect.....................................................................22
         4.9.     Material Contracts; Leases; Defaults...........................................................22
         4.10.    Ownership of Property; Insurance Coverage......................................................24
         4.11.    Legal Proceedings..............................................................................25
         4.12.    Compliance With Applicable Law.................................................................25
         4.13.    Employee Benefit Plans.........................................................................26
         4.14.    Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors........................................................29
         4.15.    Environmental Matters..........................................................................29
         4.16.    Loan Portfolio.................................................................................31
         4.17.    Securities Documents...........................................................................32
         4.18.    Related Party Transactions.....................................................................32
         4.19.    Deposits.......................................................................................33
         4.20.    Antitakeover Provisions Inapplicable; Required Vote............................................33
         4.21.    Registration Obligations.......................................................................33
         4.22.    Risk Management Instruments....................................................................33
         4.23.    Fairness Opinion...............................................................................33
         4.24.    Intellectual Property..........................................................................34
         4.25.    Trust Accounts.................................................................................34
         4.26.    Labor Matters..................................................................................34

                                       (i)


         4.27.    Trinity Bank Information.......................................................................34
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CITIZENS SOUTH AND CITIZENS SOUTH BANK...............................35
         5.1.     Standard.......................................................................................35
         5.2.     Organization...................................................................................35
         5.3.     Capitalization.................................................................................36
         5.4.     Authority; No Violation........................................................................36
         5.5.     Consents.......................................................................................37
         5.6.     Financial Statements...........................................................................38
         5.7.     Taxes..........................................................................................38
         5.8.     No Material Adverse Effect.....................................................................39
         5.9.     Ownership of Property; Insurance Coverage......................................................39
         5.10.    Legal Proceedings..............................................................................39
         5.11.    Compliance With Applicable Law.................................................................40
         5.12.    Employee Benefit Plans.........................................................................41
         5.13.    Environmental Matters..........................................................................42
         5.14.    Loan Portfolio.................................................................................43
         5.15.    Securities Documents...........................................................................44
         5.16.    Deposits.......................................................................................44
         5.17.    Antitakeover Provisions Inapplicable...........................................................44
         5.18.    Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors........................................................44
         5.19.    Citizens South Common Stock....................................................................44
         5.20.    Certain Agreements.............................................................................45
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF TRINITY BANK.............................................................................45
         6.1.     Conduct of Business............................................................................45
         6.2.     Current Information............................................................................50
         6.3.     Access to Properties and Records...............................................................51
         6.4.     Financial and Other Statements.................................................................51
         6.5.     Maintenance of Insurance.......................................................................52
         6.6.     Disclosure Supplements.........................................................................52
         6.7.     Consents and Approvals of Third Parties........................................................52
         6.8.     All Reasonable Efforts.........................................................................53
         6.9.     Failure to Fulfill Conditions..................................................................53
         6.10.    No Solicitation................................................................................53
         6.11.    Reserves and Merger-Related Costs..............................................................54
ARTICLE VII COVENANTS OF CITIZENS SOUTH AND CITIZENS SOUTH BANK..................................................55
         7.1.     Conduct of Business............................................................................55
         7.2.     Current Information and Consultation...........................................................55
         7.3.     Financial and Other Statements.................................................................55
         7.4.     Disclosure Supplements.........................................................................56
         7.5.     Consents and Approvals of Third Parties........................................................56
         7.6.     All Reasonable Efforts.........................................................................56
         7.7.     Failure to Fulfill Conditions..................................................................56
         7.8.     Employee Benefits..............................................................................56
         7.9.     Directors and Officers Indemnification and Insurance...........................................59
         7.10.    Stock Listing..................................................................................60

                                      (ii)


         7.11.    Stock and Cash Reserve.........................................................................61
         7.12.    Communications to Trinity Bank Employees; Training.............................................61
         7.13.    Appointment to Citizens South Board of Directors and Citizens South Bank Board of Directors....61
ARTICLE VIII REGULATORY AND OTHER MATTERS........................................................................61
         8.1.     Meeting of Shareholders........................................................................61
         8.2.     Proxy Statement-Prospectus; Merger Registration Statement......................................62
         8.3.     Regulatory Approvals...........................................................................63
         8.4.     Affiliates.....................................................................................63
ARTICLE IX CLOSING CONDITIONS....................................................................................63
         9.1.     Conditions to Each Party's Obligations under this Agreement....................................63
         9.2.     Conditions to the Obligations of Citizens South and Citizens South Bank under this Agreement...65
         9.3.     Conditions to the Obligations of Trinity Bank under this Agreement.............................66
ARTICLE X THE CLOSING............................................................................................66
         10.1.    Time and Place.................................................................................66
         10.2.    Deliveries at the Pre-Closing and the Closing..................................................67
ARTICLE XI TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.....................................................................67
         11.1.    Termination....................................................................................67
         11.2.    Effect of Termination..........................................................................69
         11.3.    Amendment, Extension and Waiver................................................................70
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................................70
         12.1.    Confidentiality................................................................................70
         12.2.    Public Announcements...........................................................................71
         12.3.    Survival.......................................................................................71
         12.4.    Notices........................................................................................71
         12.5.    Parties in Interest............................................................................72
         12.6.    Complete Agreement.............................................................................72
         12.7.    Counterparts...................................................................................72
         12.8.    Severability...................................................................................72
         12.9.    Governing Law..................................................................................73
         12.10.   Interpretation.................................................................................73
         12.11.   Specific Performance...........................................................................73
         12.12.   Waiver of Trial by Jury........................................................................73


Exhibit A         Form of Voting Agreement
Exhibit B         Affiliates Agreement

                                      (iii)





                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

         This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement") is dated as of May
25,  2005,  by  and  among  Citizens  South  Banking  Corporation,   a  Delaware
corporation ("Citizens South"),  Citizens South Bank, a Federal savings bank and
the wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Citizens  South,  and Trinity  Bank,  a North
Carolina chartered bank.

         WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of each of Citizens  South and Trinity
Bank (i) has  determined  that this Agreement and the business  combination  and
related  transactions  contemplated  hereby are in the best  interests  of their
respective  companies and stockholders or shareholders,  as the case may be, and
(ii) has determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
are consistent with and in furtherance of their respective business  strategies,
and (iii) has  approved  this  Agreement  at  meetings of each of such Boards of
Directors; and

         WHEREAS,  in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,  Trinity Bank
will merge with and into  Citizens  South Bank,  the wholly owned  subsidiary of
Citizens  South  (the   "Merger"),   with  Citizens  South  Bank  the  surviving
institution; and

         WHEREAS,  as a  condition  to the  willingness  of  Citizens  South and
Citizens  South  Bank to enter into this  Agreement,  each of the  directors  of
Trinity Bank have entered, or will, promptly after the date hereof, enter into a
Voting Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, dated as of the
date hereof,  with Citizens  South (the "Voting  Agreement"),  pursuant to which
each such director has agreed,  or will agree,  among other things,  to vote all
shares of common  stock of  Trinity  Bank  owned by such  person in favor of the
approval of this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in such Voting Agreements; and

         WHEREAS,  the parties intend the Merger to qualify as a  reorganization
within the meaning of Section  368(a) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as
amended (the  "Code"),  and that this  Agreement  be and is hereby  adopted as a
"plan of reorganization" within the meaning of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code;
and

         WHEREAS, the parties desire to make certain representations, warranties
and agreements in connection  with the business  transactions  described in this
Agreement and to prescribe certain conditions thereto.

         NOW,   THEREFORE,   in   consideration   of   the   mutual   covenants,
representations,  warranties and agreements herein contained,  and of other good
and  valuable  consideration,  the receipt and  sufficiency  of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                       1



                                   ARTICLE I
                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         1.1.     Certain Definitions.

         As used in this  Agreement,  the  following  terms  have the  following
meanings  (unless the context  otherwise  requires,  references  to Articles and
Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement).

         "Affiliate" means any Person who directly,  or indirectly,  through one
or more  intermediaries,  controls,  or is  controlled  by,  or is under  common
control with, a specified  Person and,  without  limiting the  generality of the
foregoing,  includes  any  executive  officer or director of such Person and any
affiliate of such executive officer or director.

         "Agreement" means this agreement, and any amendment hereto.

         "Bank  Regulator"  shall mean any Federal or state  banking  regulator,
including but not limited to the OTS, FDIC and the Commissioner, which regulates
Citizens South, Citizens South Bank and Trinity Bank, as the case may be.

         "Cash Consideration" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.

         "Cash Election" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.2.

         "Cash/Stock  Consideration" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.1.3.

         "Cash  Election  Shares"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in Section
3.2.1.

         "Certificate"  shall mean a  certificate  evidencing  shares of Trinity
Bank Common Stock.

         "Citizens  South" shall mean  Citizens  South  Banking  Corporation,  a
Delaware corporation,  with its principal executive offices located at 519 South
New Hope Road, Gastonia, North Carolina.

         "Citizens  South Bank"  shall mean  Citizens  South  Bank,  a federally
chartered  stock savings bank,  with its principal  offices located at 519 South
New Hope Road, Gastonia,  North Carolina,  which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Citizens South.

         "Citizens  South Bank Common  Stock" shall mean the common  stock,  par
value $1.00 per share, of Citizens South Bank.

         "Citizens  South Common Stock" shall mean the common  stock,  par value
$.01 per share, of Citizens South.

         "Citizens South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE" shall mean a written  disclosure
schedule  delivered by Citizens South to Trinity Bank specifically  referring to
the appropriate section of this Agreement.

                                       2


         "Citizens  South Financial  Statements"  shall mean the (i) the audited
consolidated  statements  of financial  condition  (including  related notes and
schedules)  of  Citizens  South  as of  December  31,  2004  and  2003  and  the
consolidated   statements   of   income,   comprehensive   income,   changes  in
stockholders'  equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules,  if
any) of Citizens South for each of the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2003
and 2002,  as set forth in Citizens  South's  annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended  December  31,  2004,  and (ii) the  unaudited  interim  consolidated
financial  statements of Citizens  South as of the end of each calendar  quarter
following  December  31,  2004,  and for the  periods  then  ended,  as filed by
Citizens South in its Securities Documents.

         "Citizens South Stock Benefit Plans" shall mean the 1999 and 2003 Stock
Option Plans and the 2003 Recognition and Retention Plan.

         "Citizens South Subsidiary"  means any corporation,  50% or more of the
capital  stock of which is owned,  either  directly or  indirectly,  by Citizens
South or Citizens South Bank,  except any corporation the stock of which is held
in the ordinary course of the lending activities of Citizens South Bank.

          "COBRA" shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation Act
of 1985, as amended.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         "Commissioner" shall mean the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks.

         "Confidentiality  Agreement" shall mean the  confidentiality  agreement
referred to in Section 12.1 of this Agreement.

         "DGCL" shall mean the Delaware General Corporation Law.

         "Dissenting Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.4.

         "Dissenting  Stockholder"  shall have the  meaning set forth in Section
3.1.4.

         "Effective  Time"  shall mean the date and time  specified  pursuant to
Section 2.2 as the effective time of the Merger.

         "Election Deadline" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.3.

         "Election Form" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.2.

         "Election Form Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.2.2.

         "Environmental Laws" shall mean any applicable Federal,  state or local
law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, license, permit, authorization,
approval,  consent,  order, judgment,  decree,  injunction or agreement with any
governmental entity relating to (1) the protection,  preservation or restoration
of the environment  (including,  without limitation,  air, water vapor,  surface
water, groundwater,  drinking water supply, surface soil, subsurface soil,

                                       3


plant  and  animal  life or any other  natural  resource),  and/or  (2) the use,
storage, recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling,
labeling, production, release or disposal of Materials of Environmental Concern.
The term  Environmental  Law includes without  limitation (a) the  Comprehensive
Environmental  Response,  Compensation and Liability Act, as amended,  42 U.S.C.
ss.9601,  et seq; the Resource  Conservation  and Recovery  Act, as amended,  42
U.S.C.  ss.6901,  et seq; the Clean Air Act, as amended,  42 U.S.C.  ss.7401, et
seq; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C.  ss.1251, et
seq; the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended,  15 U.S.C.  ss.2601,  et seq;
the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C.  ss.11001,  et
seq; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C.  ss.300f, et seq; and all comparable
state and local  laws,  and (b) any common  law  (including  without  limitation
common law that may  impose  strict  liability)  that may  impose  liability  or
obligations  for  injuries or damages due to the  presence of or exposure to any
Materials of Environmental Concern.

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

         "Exchange  Act"  shall mean the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended.

         "Exchange  Agent" shall mean  Registrar and Transfer  Company,  or such
other bank or trust company or other agent  designated by Citizens South,  which
shall act as agent for Citizens South in connection with the exchange procedures
for exchanging Certificates for the Merger Consideration.

         "Exchange Fund" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.1.

         "Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.

         "FDIC"  shall mean the Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  or any
successor thereto.

         "FHLB" shall mean the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

         "FRB" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System
or any successor thereto.

         "GAAP"  shall mean  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in the
United States of America.

         "Governmental   Entity"   shall  mean  any  Federal  or  state   court,
administrative   agency  or  commission  or  other  governmental   authority  or
instrumentality.

         "HOLA" shall mean the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended.

         "IRS" shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.

         "Knowledge" as used with respect to a Person  (including  references to
such  Person  being  aware of a  particular  matter)  means those facts that are
actually  known or reasonably  should have been known by the executive  officers
and directors of such Person,  and includes any facts,

                                       4


matters or circumstances set forth in any written notice from any Bank Regulator
or any other  material  written  notice  received  by an  executive  officer  or
director of that Person.

         "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean, with respect to Citizens South or
Trinity Bank,  respectively,  any effect that (i) is material and adverse to the
financial condition, results of operations or business of Citizens South and its
Subsidiaries  taken as a whole, or Trinity Bank and its Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole,  respectively,  or (ii) materially  impairs the ability of either Trinity
Bank,  on the one hand, or Citizens  South or Citizens  South Bank, on the other
hand, to perform its  obligations  under this Agreement or otherwise  materially
impedes the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement;
provided  that  "Material  Adverse  Effect"  shall not be deemed to include  the
impact  of (a)  changes  in laws  and  regulations  affecting  banks  or  thrift
institutions and their holding companies generally,  or interpretations  thereof
by courts or governmental agencies, (b) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting
principles generally  applicable to financial  institutions and/or their holding
companies,  (c)  actions  and  omissions  of a  party  hereto  (or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries)  taken  with the prior  written  consent of the other  party,  (d)
execution of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby,  including the expenses  incurred by the parties hereto in  consummating
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (consistent with the information
included  in the  Citizens  South  Disclosure  Schedules  and the  Trinity  Bank
Disclosure Schedules), and (e) any change in the value of the securities or loan
portfolio  of Citizens  South or Trinity  Bank,  respectively,  whether  held as
available  for sale or held to  maturity,  resulting  from a change in  interest
rates generally.

         "Materials of Environmental  Concern" means  pollutants,  contaminants,
wastes,  toxic  substances,  petroleum  and  petroleum  products,  and any other
materials regulated under Environmental Laws.

         "Merger"  shall mean the merger of Trinity Bank with and into  Citizens
South Bank, with Citizens South Bank as the surviving institution.

         "Merger  Consideration"  shall mean the cash or Citizens  South  Common
Stock,  or combination  thereof,  in an aggregate per share amount to be paid by
Citizens  South for each share of Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock,  as set forth in
Section 3.1.

         "Merger Registration  Statement" shall mean the registration statement,
together with all  amendments,  filed with the SEC under the  Securities Act for
the purpose of  registering  shares of Citizens South Common Stock to be offered
to holders of Trinity Bank Common Stock in connection with the Merger.
         "Merging   Institutions"  shall  collectively  mean  Trinity  Bank  and
Citizens South Bank.

         "Mixed Election" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.2.

         "NASD" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

         "Nasdaq" shall mean the Nasdaq National Market.

         "Non-Election" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.2.

                                       5


         "Non-Election  Shares"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in  Section
3.2.1.

         "Option Payment" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.

         "OTS"  shall mean the  Office of Thrift  Supervision  or any  successor
thereto.

         "PBGC"  shall mean the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  or any
successor thereto.

         "Person" shall mean any  individual,  corporation,  partnership,  joint
venture,  association,  trust or  "group"  (as that  term is  defined  under the
Exchange Act).

         "Proxy  Statement-Prospectus"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth in
Section 8.2.1.

         "Regulatory  Agreement"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in Section
4.12.3.

         "Regulatory Approvals" means the approval of any Bank Regulator that is
necessary  in  connection  with the  consummation  of the Merger and the related
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         "Representative" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.2.

         "Rights" shall mean warrants,  options, rights, convertible securities,
stock  appreciation  rights  and other  arrangements  or  commitments  (i) which
obligate  an entity to issue or  dispose  of any of its  capital  stock or other
ownership  interests,   (ii)  provide  for  compensation  based  on  the  equity
appreciation  of its  capital  stock,  (iii)  which  grant the right to  receive
dividends or  distributions  of cash or  securities  of any kind,  or (iv) which
grant the right to vote, purchase or receive securities of any kind.

         "SBA" shall mean the Small  Business  Administration  or any  successor
thereto.

         "SEC"  shall  mean  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  or  any
successor thereto.

         "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         "Securities  Documents"  shall mean all  reports,  offering  circulars,
proxy  statements,  registration  statements  and all  similar  documents  filed
pursuant to the Securities Laws.

         "Securities  Laws" shall mean the Securities Act; the Exchange Act; the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
as amended;  the Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939,  as  amended,  and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

         "Shortfall Number" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.5.

         "Significant  Subsidiary" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02
of Regulation S-X of the SEC.

         "Stock  Consideration"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in  Section
3.1.3.

                                       6



         "Stock  Conversion  Number" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.2.1.

         "Stock  Election  Shares"  shall have the  meaning set forth in Section
3.2.1.

         "Stock  Election  Number"  shall have the  meaning set forth in Section
3.2.1.

         "Stock Election" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.2.

         "Surviving  Corporation"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in Section
2.1.

         "Termination Date" shall mean December 31, 2005.

         "Trinity  Bank" shall mean  Trinity  Bank, a North  Carolina  chartered
bank, with its principal  offices located at 310 West Franklin  Street,  Monroe,
North Carolina.

         "Trinity  Bank Common  Stock"  shall mean the common  stock,  par value
$3.50 per share, of Trinity Bank.

         "Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE"  shall mean a written  disclosure
schedule delivered by Trinity Bank to Citizens South  specifically  referring to
the appropriate section of this Agreement.

         "Trinity Bank Financial  Statements" shall mean (i) the audited balance
sheets  (including  related notes and  schedules,  if any) of Trinity Bank as of
December  31,  2004  and  2003  and  the   statements  of  income,   changes  in
shareholders'  equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules,  if
any) of Trinity Bank for each of the three years ended  December 31, 2004,  2003
and 2002,  as set forth in Trinity  Bank's  annual report on Form 10-KSB for the
year ended December 31, 2004 and (ii) the unaudited interim financial statements
of Trinity Bank as of the end of each calendar  quarter  following  December 31,
2004 and for the periods then ended,  as filed by Trinity Bank in its Securities
Documents.

         "Trinity  Bank  Option"  shall  mean an  option to  purchase  shares of
Trinity  Bank Common  Stock  granted  pursuant to the Trinity  Bank Stock Option
Plans  and  outstanding  as of the date  hereof,  as set forth in  Trinity  Bank
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 3.4.

         "Trinity  Bank Stock Option Plans" shall mean the Trinity Bank Employee
Stock Option Plan and the Trinity Bank Director Stock Option Plan.

         "Trinity  Bank  Regulatory  Reports"  means the Call Reports of Trinity
Bank, and  accompanying  schedules (other than such schedules as are required to
be kept confidential pursuant to applicable law or regulatory requirements),  as
filed with the FDIC with respect to each  calendar  quarter  beginning  with the
quarter ended March 31, 2003, through the Closing Date.

          "Trinity Bank  Shareholders  Meeting" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 8.1.1.

                                       7


         "Trinity Bank  Subsidiary"  means any  corporation,  50% or more of the
capital stock of which is owned, either directly or indirectly, by Trinity Bank,
except any  corporation the stock of which is held in the ordinary course of the
lending activities of Trinity Bank.

         "Trinity  Bank  Warrants"  shall mean  warrants to  purchase  shares of
Trinity Bank Common Stock, as set forth in Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 3.4.

         "Treasury Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.2.

         Other terms used herein are defined in the  preamble  and  elsewhere in
this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   THE MERGER

         2.1. Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,  at
the Effective Time:

                  2.1.1.  Trinity Bank shall merge with and into Citizens  South
         Bank,   with  Citizens   South  Bank  as  the  resulting  or  surviving
         corporation  under  the name  "Citizens  South  Bank"  (the  "Surviving
         Corporation")  and the  separate  existence of Trinity Bank shall cease
         and all of the  rights,  privileges,  powers,  franchises,  properties,
         assets,  liabilities and obligations of Trinity Bank shall be vested in
         and assumed by Citizens South Bank. The Surviving  Corporation shall be
         subject to and be deemed to have assumed all of the debts, liabilities,
         obligations  and duties of Trinity Bank and shall have succeeded to all
         of its relationships,  fiduciary or otherwise, as fully and to the same
         extent as if such property,  rights,  privileges,  powers,  franchises,
         debts,  obligations,   duties  and  relationship  had  been  originally
         acquired, incurred or entered into by the Surviving Corporation.

                  2.1.2.  All  deposit  accounts  of  Trinity  Bank shall be and
         become deposit accounts in the Surviving  Corporation without change in
         their  respective  terms,   maturity,   minimum  required  balances  or
         withdrawal  value.  Appropriate  evidence of the deposit account in the
         Surviving Corporation shall be provided by the Surviving Corporation to
         each  deposit  account  holder of Trinity  Bank,  as  necessary,  after
         consummation of the Merger.

                  2.1.3.  All deposit  accounts of Citizens  South Bank prior to
         consummation of the Merger shall continue to be deposit accounts in the
         Surviving  Corporation  after  consummation  of the Merger  without any
         change  whatsoever in any of the  provisions of such deposit  accounts,
         including,   without  limitation,  their  respective  terms,  maturity,
         minimum required balances or withdrawal value.

                  2.1.4.  Citizens  South  Bank  shall  continue  as  a  savings
         association chartered and regulated by the OTS. The principal office of
         Citizens  South  Bank  shall  continue  to be 519 South New Hope  Road,
         Gastonia,  North Carolina after the Effective  Time. The former offices
         of Trinity  Bank will be  operated  as offices of  Citizens  South Bank
         immediately following the Effective Time.

                  2.1.5.  As part of the  Merger,  each  share of  Trinity  Bank
         Common  Stock will be  converted  into the right to receive  the Merger
         Consideration pursuant to the terms of Article III.

                                       8


         2.2. Closing; Effective Time.

         The  Merger  shall  be  effected  by  the  filing  of the  Articles  of
Combination   with   the   OTS   and   by   the   filing   of   the   applicable
certificates/documents  with the  Commissioner and the Secretary of State of the
State of North Carolina, in accordance with applicable law. The "Effective Time"
means  the date  (the  "Closing  Date")  and time upon  which  the  Articles  of
Combination  are  filed  with  the  OTS,  or as  otherwise  stated  herein.  The
consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement is specifically
conditioned upon receipt of all necessary  regulatory  approvals,  including the
approval of the OTS, and the expiration of all applicable  waiting  periods with
respect to the Merger.

         2.3. Charter and Bylaws.

         The Charter and Bylaws of Citizens South Bank as in effect  immediately
prior to the  Effective  Time shall be the Charter  and Bylaws of the  Surviving
Corporation, until thereafter amended as provided therein and by applicable law.
The  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and Bylaws of  Citizens  South as in effect
immediately  prior to the Effective Time shall not be affected by the Merger and
shall  remain in full  force and effect  until  thereafter  amended as  provided
therein and by applicable law.

         2.4. Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation.

         Except as  provided  in Section  2.5,  the  directors  and  officers of
Citizens South Bank immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial
directors  and  officers of the  Surviving  Corporation,  each to hold office in
accordance  with the  Charter  and Bylaws of the  Surviving  Corporation.  Until
changed in accordance with its Charter and Bylaws, the directors and officers of
Citizens  South  immediately  prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors
and officers of Citizens South immediately following the Effective Time, in each
case  until  their  respective  successors  are duly  elected or  appointed  and
qualified.

         2.5. Additional Directors of Citizens South and Citizens South Bank.

         Effective as of the Effective Time, one person (presently  serving as a
director of Trinity Bank) agreed to by Citizens South and Trinity Bank, shall be
appointed to the Board of Directors of Citizens South and Citizens South Bank.

         2.6. Effects of the Merger.

         At and after the Effective  Time,  the Merger shall have the effects as
set forth in the HOLA and North Carolina law.

         2.7. Tax Consequences.

         It is intended that the Merger shall constitute a reorganization within
the  meaning  of  Section  368(a) of the Code,  and that  this  Agreement  shall
constitute a "plan of  reorganization"  as that term is used in Sections 354 and
361 of the  Code.  From and  after  the date of this  Agreement  and  until  the
Closing,  each party hereto shall use its  reasonable  best efforts to cause the
Merger to qualify,  and will not knowingly take any action,  cause any action to
be taken,  fail to take any action or cause any action to fail to be taken which
action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from
qualifying as a reorganization  under Section 368(a) of the Code.  Following the
Closing,  neither  Citizens South or any of its Affiliates  shall knowingly take
any

                                       9


action,  cause  any  action to be  taken,  fail to take any  action or cause any
action to fail to be taken,  which action or failure to act would  reasonably be
expected  to cause  the  Merger to fail to  qualify  as a  reorganization  under
Section 368(a) of the Code. Citizens South, Citizens South Bank and Trinity Bank
each hereby agrees to deliver certificates  substantially in compliance with IRS
published advance ruling guidelines, with customary exceptions and modifications
thereto, to enable counsel to deliver the legal opinions contemplated by Section
9.1.6, which certificates shall be dated as of the date of such opinions.

         2.8. Possible Alternative Structures.

         Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained in this  Agreement
and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article IX, prior
to the Effective  Time Citizens  South and Citizens South Bank shall be entitled
to revise the  structure  for  effecting  the Merger  described  in Section 2.1,
including,  without  limitation,  by substituting a wholly owned  subsidiary for
Citizens South Bank, as applicable,  provided that (i) any such subsidiary shall
become a party to, and shall agree to be bound by, the terms of this  Agreement;
(ii) there are no adverse  Federal or state income tax  consequences  to Trinity
Bank  shareholders,  and nothing  would prevent the rendering of the opinions in
Section 9.1.6, as a result of the  modification;  (iii) the  consideration to be
paid to the holders of Trinity  Bank Common  Stock under this  Agreement  is not
thereby changed in kind, value or reduced in amount;  and (iv) such modification
will not delay  materially  or  jeopardize  receipt of any  required  Regulatory
Approvals or other consents and approvals  relating to the  consummation  of the
Merger or otherwise  cause any  condition to Closing set forth in Article IX not
to be capable of being  fulfilled.  The parties  hereto  agree to  appropriately
amend this  Agreement  and any  related  documents  in order to reflect any such
revised structure.

         2.9. Additional Actions.

         If, at any time after the Effective  Time,  Citizens  South or Citizens
South Bank shall consider or be advised that any further  deeds,  assignments or
assurances in law or any other acts are reasonably necessary or desirable to (i)
vest,  perfect or confirm,  of record or otherwise,  in Citizens  South Bank its
right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, properties or assets
of Trinity Bank,  or (ii)  otherwise  carry out the purposes of this  Agreement,
Trinity Bank and its officers and  directors  shall be deemed to have granted to
Citizens  South and  Citizens  South Bank an  irrevocable  power of  attorney to
execute and deliver,  in such  official  corporate  capacities,  all such deeds,
assignments or assurances in law or any other acts as are necessary or desirable
to (a) vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise,  in Citizens South Bank
its right,  title or interest in, to or under any of the rights,  properties  or
assets  of  Trinity  Bank  or (b)  otherwise  carry  out  the  purposes  of this
Agreement,  and the officers and  directors of Citizens  South Bank and Citizens
South are  authorized  in the name of Trinity  Bank or otherwise to take any and
all such action.

                                       10


                                  ARTICLE III
                              CONVERSION OF SHARES

         3.1. Conversion of Trinity Bank Common Stock; Merger Consideration.

         At the  Effective  Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of Citizens South,  Citizens South Bank, Trinity Bank or the holders
of any of the shares of Trinity Bank Common Stock,  the Merger shall be effected
in accordance with the following terms:

                  3.1.1.  Each share of Citizens South Common Stock and Citizens
         South Bank  Common  Stock that is issued  and  outstanding  immediately
         prior  to the  Effective  Time  shall  remain  issued  and  outstanding
         following the Effective Time and shall be unchanged by the Merger.

                  3.1.2.  All shares of Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock held in the
         treasury of Trinity  Bank and each share of Trinity  Bank Common  Stock
         owned by Citizens  South or Citizens  South Bank prior to the Effective
         Time (other than shares held in a fiduciary  capacity or in  connection
         with debts previously  contracted)  ("Treasury  Stock"),  shall, at the
         Effective Time,  cease to exist,  and the  certificates for such shares
         shall be canceled as promptly as practicable thereafter, and no payment
         or distribution shall be made in consideration therefor.

                  3.1.3.  Each share of Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock  issued and
         outstanding  immediately  prior  to  the  Effective  Time  (other  than
         Treasury  Stock and  Dissenting  Shares)  shall become and be converted
         into, as provided in and subject to the  limitations  set forth in this
         Agreement,  the right to receive at the election of the holder  thereof
         as  provided  in  Section  3.2  either  (i)  $18.25 in cash (the  "Cash
         Consideration");  (ii) 1.3931 shares (the "Exchange Ratio") of Citizens
         South Common Stock (the "Stock Consideration");  or (iii) a combination
         of the Cash Consideration and the Stock  Consideration,  as provided in
         Section 3.2 (the "Cash/Stock  Consideration").  The Cash Consideration,
         the Stock Consideration and the Cash/Stock  Consideration are sometimes
         referred to herein collectively as the "Merger Consideration."

                  3.1.4.  Each  outstanding  share of Trinity Bank Common Stock,
         the  holder of which has  perfected  his right to dissent  under  North
         Carolina law and has not effectively withdrawn or lost such right as of
         the Effective Time (the  "Dissenting  Shares"),  shall not be converted
         into  or  represent  a  right  to  receive  the  Merger   Consideration
         hereunder, and the holder thereof shall be entitled only to such rights
         as are granted under  applicable law.  Trinity Bank shall give Citizens
         South  prompt  notice upon  receipt by Trinity Bank of any such demands
         for  payment of the fair value of such  shares of Trinity  Bank  Common
         Stock and of  withdrawals  of such  notice  and any  other  instruments
         provided  pursuant to applicable law (any  stockholder duly making such
         demand  being  hereinafter  called  a  "Dissenting  Stockholder"),  and
         Citizens South shall have the right to participate in all  negotiations
         and  proceedings  with respect to any such demands.  Trinity Bank shall
         not,   except  with  the  prior  written  consent  of  Citizens  South,
         voluntarily  make any  payment  with  respect to, or settle or offer to
         settle,  any such  demand for  payment,  or waive any failure to timely
         deliver a written  demand for payment or the taking of any other action
         by  such  Dissenting   Shareholder  as  may  be  necessary  to  perfect
         dissenters'  rights under North  Carolina  law.  Any  payments  made in
         respect of Dissenting Shares shall be made by the Surviving Company.

                                       11

                  3.1.5.  If  any  Dissenting   Stockholder   shall  effectively
         withdraw or lose (through failure to perfect or otherwise) his right to
         such payment at or prior to the Effective Time, such holder's shares of
         Trinity Bank Common  Stock shall be  converted  into a right to receive
         the Merger  Consideration in accordance with the applicable  provisions
         of this Agreement and applicable law. If such holder shall  effectively
         withdraw or lose (through failure to perfect or otherwise) his right to
         such payment after the  Effective  Time (or the Election  Deadline,  as
         defined below),  each share of Trinity Bank Common Stock of such holder
         shall be treated as a Non-Election Share.

                  3.1.6. After the Effective Time, shares of Trinity Bank Common
         Stock  shall no  longer  be  outstanding  and  shall  automatically  be
         canceled and shall cease to exist, and shall thereafter by operation of
         this  Section  3.1  represent  only the  right to  receive  the  Merger
         Consideration and any dividends or distributions with respect thereto.

                  3.1.7.  In the event Citizens South changes (or  establishes a
         record date for  changing)  the number of, or provides for the exchange
         of, shares of Citizens South Common Stock issued and outstanding  prior
         to the  Effective  Time as a result of a stock split,  stock  dividend,
         recapitalization, reclassification, or similar transaction with respect
         to the  outstanding  Citizens  South  Common  Stock and the record date
         therefor shall be prior to the Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall
         be proportionately and appropriately  adjusted;  provided, that for the
         avoidance of doubt the parties  acknowledge  that the  foregoing is not
         intended  to  result  in any  such  adjustment  as a  result  of  share
         issuances  of  Citizens  South  Common  Stock by  Citizens  South under
         Citizens South Compensation and Benefit Plans or where such issuance is
         pursuant to a widely  distributed  stock offering for fair market value
         consideration.

         3.2. Election Procedures.

                  3.2.1.  Holders  of  Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock may elect to
         receive  shares of Citizens  South Common Stock or cash (in either case
         without  interest)  in exchange for their shares of Trinity Bank Common
         Stock in accordance  with the following  procedures,  provided that, in
         the aggregate,  and subject to the provisions of Section 3.2.6,  50% of
         the total  number of shares of Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock  issued and
         outstanding at the Effective Time,  including any Dissenting Shares but
         excluding any Treasury Stock (the "Stock Conversion Number"),  shall be
         converted into the Stock  Consideration  and the remaining  outstanding
         shares of Trinity Bank Common  Stock shall be  converted  into the Cash
         Consideration.  Shares of Trinity  Bank Common Stock as to which a Cash
         Election  (including,  pursuant to a Mixed  Election) has been made are
         referred to herein as "Cash  Election  Shares."  Shares of Trinity Bank
         Common  Stock as to which a Stock  Election  has been made  (including,
         pursuant  to a Mixed  Election)  are  referred  to as  "Stock  Election
         Shares."  Shares of Trinity  Bank Common  Stock as to which no election
         has been made (or as to which an Election Form is not returned properly
         completed)  are  referred  to  herein  as  "Non-Election  Shares."  The
         aggregate number of shares of Trinity Bank Common Stock with respect to
         which a Stock  Election  has been  made is  referred  to  herein as the
         "Stock Election Number."

                  3.2.2.  An election form and other  appropriate  and customary
         transmittal  materials  (which  shall  specify that  delivery  shall be
         effected,  and risk of loss and title to the  Certificates  shall pass,
         only upon proper delivery of such  Certificates to the Exchange Agent),
         in

                                       12

         such form as Trinity  Bank and  Citizens  South  shall  mutually  agree
         ("Election Form"), shall be mailed no more than 40 business days and no
         less than 20 business days prior to the  anticipated  Effective Time or
         on such earlier date as Citizens  South and Trinity Bank shall mutually
         agree (the  "Mailing  Date") to each  holder of record of Trinity  Bank
         Common  Stock as of five  business  days prior to the Mailing Date (the
         "Election  Form Record  Date").  Each  Election  Form shall permit such
         holder,  subject to the allocation and election procedures set forth in
         this Section 3.2,  (i) to elect to receive the Cash  Consideration  for
         all of the shares of Trinity  Bank Common  Stock held by such holder (a
         "Cash  Election"),  in accordance with Section 3.1.3,  (ii) to elect to
         receive  the  Stock  Consideration  for all of such  shares  (a  "Stock
         Election"), in accordance with Section 3.1.3, (iii) to elect to receive
         the Stock Consideration for a part of such holder's Trinity Bank Common
         Stock  and  the  Cash  Consideration  for  the  remaining  part of such
         holder's  Trinity  Bank Common Stock (a "Mixed  Election"),  or (iv) to
         indicate that such record holder has no preference as to the receipt of
         cash or Citizens South Common Stock for such shares (a "Non-Election").
         A holder of record of shares of  Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock who holds
         such shares as nominee,  trustee or in another representative  capacity
         (a "Representative")  may submit multiple Election Forms, provided that
         each such  Election  Form covers all the shares of Trinity  Bank Common
         Stock held by such  Representative  for a particular  beneficial owner.
         Any  shares of Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock  with  respect to which the
         holder  thereof  shall not, as of the Election  Deadline,  have made an
         election by submission to the Exchange Agent of an effective,  properly
         completed  Election  Form  shall be  deemed  Non-Election  Shares.  All
         Dissenting  Shares  shall be  deemed  Cash  Election  shares,  and with
         respect to such shares the holders  thereof  shall in no event  receive
         consideration  comprised  of Citizens  South Common  Stock,  subject to
         Section  3.1.5;  provided,  however,  that for  purposes  of making the
         proration   calculations   provided  for  in  this  Section  3.2,  only
         Dissenting  Shares as  existing at the  Effective  Time shall be deemed
         Cash Election Shares.

                  3.2.3.  To be effective,  a properly  completed  Election Form
         shall be submitted to the Exchange Agent on or before 5:00 p.m.,  North
         Carolina  time,  on the 25th day  following  the Mailing  Date (or such
         other time and date as  Citizens  South and Trinity  Bank may  mutually
         agree) (the "Election Deadline");  provided, however, that the Election
         Deadline  may not occur on or after the Closing  Date.  Citizens  South
         shall use all  reasonable  efforts to make  available  as  promptly  as
         possible  an  Election  Form to any  holder of record of  Trinity  Bank
         Common Stock who requests  such  Election  Form  following  the initial
         mailing  of the  Election  Forms  and prior to the  Election  Deadline.
         Trinity  Bank  shall  provide  to the  Exchange  Agent all  information
         reasonably necessary for it to perform as specified herein. An election
         shall have been  properly  made only if the  Exchange  Agent shall have
         actually  received a properly  completed  Election Form by the Election
         Deadline.  An Election Form shall be deemed properly  completed only if
         accompanied by one or more  Certificates  (or customary  affidavits and
         indemnification  regarding the loss or destruction of such Certificates
         or the  guaranteed  delivery  of such  Certificates)  representing  all
         shares of Trinity  Bank Common  Stock  covered by such  Election  Form,
         together with duly  executed  transmittal  materials  included with the
         Election Form. If a Trinity Bank stockholder either (i) does not submit
         a properly  completed Election Form in a timely fashion or (ii) revokes
         its  Election  Form  prior  to the  Election  Deadline  (without  later
         submitting  a properly  completed  Election  Form prior to the Election
         Deadline),  the  shares  of  Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock  held by such
         stockholder  shall be designated as Non-Election  Shares.  Any Election
         Form may be revoked or changed by the person  submitting  such Election
         Form to the Exchange Agent by written notice to the Exchange Agent only
         if such  notice of  revocation  or change is  actually

                                       13

         received by the Exchange  Agent at or prior to the  Election  Deadline.
         Citizens South shall cause the Certificate or Certificates  relating to
         any revoked Election Form to be promptly returned without charge to the
         person  submitting the Election Form to the Exchange Agent.  Subject to
         the terms of this  Agreement  and of the  Election  Form,  the Exchange
         Agent  shall  have   discretion   to  determine   when  any   election,
         modification  or revocation is received and whether any such  election,
         modification or revocation has been properly made.

                  3.2.4.   If  the  Stock  Election  Number  exceeds  the  Stock
         Conversion  Number,  then all Cash Election Shares and all Non-Election
         Shares  shall  be  converted   into  the  right  to  receive  the  Cash
         Consideration,  and  each  holder  of  Stock  Election  Shares  will be
         entitled to receive the Stock  Consideration  only with respect to that
         number of Stock  Election  Shares held by such  holder  (rounded to the
         nearest whole share) equal to the product  obtained by multiplying  (x)
         the  number  of Stock  Election  Shares  held by such  holder  by (y) a
         fraction, the numerator of which is the Stock Conversion Number and the
         denominator of which is the Stock Election  Number,  with the remaining
         number of such holder's Stock Election  Shares being converted into the
         right to receive the Cash Consideration.

                  3.2.5.  If the  Stock  Election  Number is less than the Stock
         Conversion  Number  (the  amount by which the Stock  Conversion  Number
         exceeds  the Stock  Election  Number  being  referred  to herein as the
         "Shortfall Number"),  then all Stock Election Shares shall be converted
         into the right to receive the Stock  Consideration and the Non-Election
         Shares and Cash  Election  Shares  shall be  treated  in the  following
         manner:

                           (A) if the Shortfall  Number is less than or equal to
                  the  number of  Non-Election  Shares,  then all Cash  Election
                  Shares shall be  converted  into the right to receive the Cash
                  Consideration  and each holder of  Non-Election  Shares  shall
                  receive the Stock  Consideration  in respect of that number of
                  Non-Election  Shares  held  by  such  holder  (rounded  to the
                  nearest  whole  share)  equal  to  the  product   obtained  by
                  multiplying (x) the number of Non-Election Shares held by such
                  holder  by (y) a  fraction,  the  numerator  of  which  is the
                  Shortfall  Number  and the  denominator  of which is the total
                  number of Non-Election  Shares,  with the remaining  number of
                  such holder's  Non-Election  Shares being  converted  into the
                  right to receive the Cash Consideration; or

                           (B) if the  Shortfall  Number  exceeds  the number of
                  Non-Election  Shares,  then all  Non-Election  Shares shall be
                  converted  into the right to receive the Stock  Consideration,
                  and each  holder of Cash  Election  Shares  shall  receive the
                  Stock Consideration in respect of that number of Cash Election
                  Shares  held by such  holder  (rounded  to the  nearest  whole
                  share) equal to the product  obtained by  multiplying  (x) the
                  number of Cash  Election  Shares  held by such holder by (y) a
                  fraction,  the  numerator  of which is the amount by which (1)
                  the  Shortfall   Number   exceeds  (2)  the  total  number  of
                  Non-Election  Shares and the denominator of which is the total
                  number of Cash Election  Shares,  with the remaining number of
                  such holder's Cash Election  Shares being  converted  into the
                  right to receive the Cash Consideration.

                  3.2.6. No Fractional Shares.  Notwithstanding  anything to the
         contrary  contained  herein,  no  certificates  or  scrip  representing
         fractional  shares of Citizens  South Common Stock shall be issued upon
         the surrender for exchange of Certificates, no dividend or

                                       14

         distribution  with  respect to  Citizens  South  Common  Stock shall be
         payable on or with respect to any fractional  share interest,  and such
         fractional  share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote
         or to any other rights of a stockholder of Citizens  South.  In lieu of
         the issuance of any such fractional share,  Citizens South shall pay to
         each former holder of Trinity Bank Common Stock who otherwise  would be
         entitled to receive a fractional  share of Citizens South Common Stock,
         an amount in cash,  rounded to the nearest  cent and without  interest,
         equal to the  product  of (i) the  fraction  of a share  to which  such
         holder would  otherwise  have been entitled and (ii) the average of the
         daily closing sales prices of a share of Citizens South Common Stock as
         reported on the Nasdaq National  Market for the 30 consecutive  trading
         days   immediately   preceding  the  Closing  Date.   For  purposes  of
         determining any fractional  share interest,  all shares of Trinity Bank
         Common Stock owned by a Trinity Bank  stockholder  shall be combined so
         as to calculate  the maximum  number of whole shares of Citizens  South
         Common Stock issuable to such Trinity Bank stockholder.

         3.3. Procedures for Exchange of Trinity Bank Common Stock.

                  3.3.1. Citizens South to Make Merger Consideration  Available.
         After  the  Election  Deadline  and no  later  than the  Closing  Date,
         Citizens South shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited,  with the
         Exchange  Agent for the benefit of the  holders of Trinity  Bank Common
         Stock,  for exchange in accordance with this Section 3.3,  certificates
         representing the shares of Citizens South Common Stock and an aggregate
         amount of cash  sufficient to pay the aggregate  amount of cash payable
         pursuant to this Article III (including the estimated amount of cash to
         be paid in lieu of  fractional  shares of Citizens  South Common Stock)
         (such cash and  certificates for shares of Citizens South Common Stock,
         together  with any  dividends or  distributions  with  respect  thereto
         (without any interest  thereon),  being hereinafter  referred to as the
         "Exchange Fund").

                  3.3.2. Exchange of Certificates. Citizens South shall take all
         steps necessary to cause the Exchange  Agent,  within five (5) business
         days after the Effective  Time, to mail to each holder of a Certificate
         or Certificates who has not previously  surrendered  such  certificates
         with an Election Form, a form letter of  transmittal  for return to the
         Exchange Agent and  instructions  for use in effecting the surrender of
         the Certificates in exchange for the Merger  Consideration  and cash in
         lieu of  fractional  shares  into which the Trinity  Bank Common  Stock
         represented by such Certificates  shall have been converted as a result
         of the  Merger,  if any.  The  letter of  transmittal  (which  shall be
         subject to the reasonable  approval of Trinity Bank) shall specify that
         delivery  shall  be  effected,  and  risk  of  loss  and  title  to the
         Certificates  shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the
         Exchange Agent. Upon proper surrender of a Certificate for exchange and
         cancellation to the Exchange Agent,  together with a properly completed
         letter of transmittal,  duly executed,  the holder of such  Certificate
         shall  be  entitled  to  receive  in  exchange   therefor   the  Merger
         Consideration  to which such holder of Trinity  Bank common stock shall
         have become entitled  pursuant to Section 3.1.3, and the Certificate so
         surrendered  shall forthwith be cancelled.  No interest will be paid or
         accrued  on any  Cash  Consideration  or any  cash  payable  in lieu of
         fractional  shares or any unpaid dividends and  distributions,  if any,
         payable to holders of Certificates.

                  3.3.3. Rights of Certificate Holders after the Effective Time.
         The holder of a Certificate that prior to the Merger represented issued
         and outstanding  Trinity Bank Common

                                       15

         Stock shall have no rights,  after the Effective  Time, with respect to
         such Trinity Bank Common Stock except to surrender the  Certificate  in
         exchange for the Merger Consideration as provided in this Agreement. No
         dividends or other distributions declared after the Effective Time with
         respect to Citizens  South  Common Stock shall be paid to the holder of
         any unsurrendered  Certificate until the holder thereof shall surrender
         such  Certificate  in  accordance  with  this  Section  3.3.  After the
         surrender of a  Certificate  in  accordance  with this Section 3.3, the
         record holder  thereof 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 Citizens  South  Common
         Stock represented by such Certificate.

                  3.3.4.  Surrender by Persons Other than Record Holders. If the
         Person  surrendering a Certificate and signing the accompanying  letter
         of  transmittal  is not the record holder  thereof,  then it shall be a
         condition  of the payment of the Merger  Consideration  that:  (i) such
         Certificate  is properly  endorsed to such Person or is  accompanied by
         appropriate  stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name of
         the record  holder  appears on such  Certificate,  and is  otherwise in
         proper form for transfer,  or is accompanied by appropriate evidence of
         the authority of the Person  surrendering  such Certificate and signing
         the letter of transmittal to do so on behalf of the record holder;  and
         (ii) the person  requesting  such  exchange  shall pay to the  Exchange
         Agent in advance any transfer or other similar taxes required by reason
         of the  payment  to a Person  other than the  registered  holder of the
         Certificate  surrendered,  or required for any other  reason,  or shall
         establish to the  satisfaction  of the Exchange Agent that such tax has
         been paid or is not payable.

                  3.3.5. Closing of Transfer Books. From and after the Effective
         Time,  there  shall be no  transfers  on the  stock  transfer  books of
         Trinity  Bank of the Trinity  Bank Common  Stock that were  outstanding
         immediately  prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time,
         Certificates representing such shares are presented for transfer to the
         Exchange  Agent,  they shall be exchanged for the Merger  Consideration
         and canceled as provided in this Section 3.3.

                  3.3.6.  Return of Exchange  Fund.  At any time  following  the
         twelve (12) month period after the Effective Time, Citizens South shall
         be entitled to require the Exchange Agent to deliver to it any portions
         of the  Exchange  Fund which had been made  available  to the  Exchange
         Agent and not disbursed to holders of Certificates (including,  without
         limitation,  all  interest  and other  income  received by the Exchange
         Agent in respect of all funds made  available  to it),  and  thereafter
         such holders  shall be entitled to look to Citizens  South  (subject to
         abandoned property, escheat and other similar laws) with respect to any
         Merger  Consideration  that may be payable  upon due  surrender  of the
         Certificates  held by  them.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  none of
         Citizens South,  Trinity Bank, or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to
         any holder of a Certificate for any Merger  Consideration  delivered in
         respect  of such  Certificate  to a  public  official  pursuant  to any
         abandoned property, escheat or other similar law.

                  3.3.7.  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed  Certificates.  In the event
         any  Certificate  shall have been lost,  stolen or destroyed,  upon the
         making  of an  affidavit  of that  fact  by the  person  claiming  such
         Certificate  to be lost,  stolen or  destroyed  and the posting by such
         person of a bond in such amount as Citizens South may reasonably direct
         as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect
         to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange

                                       16

         for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration
         deliverable in respect thereof.

                  3.3.8. Withholding.  Citizens South or the Exchange Agent will
         be entitled to deduct and  withhold  from the  consideration  otherwise
         payable  pursuant to this  Agreement or the  transactions  contemplated
         hereby to any  holder of Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock  such  amounts as
         Citizens  South (or any  Affiliate  thereof) or the Exchange  Agent are
         required  to deduct  and  withhold  with  respect to the making of such
         payment under the Code, or any  applicable  provision of U.S.  federal,
         state,  local or non-U.S.  tax law. To the extent that such amounts are
         properly  withheld  by  Citizens  South  or the  Exchange  Agent,  such
         withheld  amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as
         having  been paid to the holder of the  Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock in
         respect of whom such  deduction and  withholding  were made by Citizens
         South or the Exchange Agent.

         3.4. Treatment of Trinity Bank Options and Trinity Bank Warrants.

         Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 3.4 sets forth all of the outstanding
Trinity  Bank  Options  and  outstanding  Trinity  Bank  Warrants as of the date
hereof,  including the names of the holders  thereof and the grant,  vesting and
expiration dates thereof and exercise prices thereof.  Immediately  prior to the
Effective Time, and pursuant to the terms of the Trinity Bank Option Plans, each
Trinity Bank Option that is  unexercised  and  outstanding,  whether or not then
exercisable,  immediately  prior  thereto  shall,  by reason of the  Merger,  be
cancelled and converted into the right to receive in cash an amount  (subject to
required tax withholdings) equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Cash Consideration
per share over (B) the exercise price per share of each such Trinity Bank Option
multiplied  by (ii) the number of shares of Trinity Bank Common Stock subject to
the Trinity Bank Option (the "Option  Payment").  Prior to receipt of the Option
Payment,  each holder of a Trinity  Bank  Option  shall  execute a  cancellation
agreement,  substantially  in the form  attached  to Citizens  South  DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE  4.3.1.  Immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time,  each Trinity Bank
Warrant that is outstanding, whether or not then exercisable,  immediately prior
thereto  shall,  by reason of the Merger,  be cancelled and  converted  into the
right to receive in cash an amount (subject to required tax withholdings)  equal
to (i) the excess of (A) the Cash  Consideration per share over (B) the exercise
price per share of each such Trinity Bank Warrant  multiplied by (ii) the number
of shares of Trinity Bank Common Stock  subject to the Trinity Bank Warrant (the
"Warrant  Payment").  Prior to receipt of the Warrant Payment,  each holder of a
Trinity Bank Warrant shall execute a cancellation  agreement,  substantially  in
the form attached to Citizens  South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.3.1.  Trinity Bank
shall make the Option Payment and the Warrant Payment  immediately  prior to the
Effective  Time. Each of the directors of Trinity Bank shall agree to accept the
Option Payment as full  consideration for such director's  Trinity Bank Options,
and each director shall agree not to sell,  transfer or otherwise dispose of any
Trinity Bank Options at any time prior to the Effective  Time.  Such  agreements
shall be reflected in each director's Voting  Agreement.  Trinity Bank shall use
its best  efforts  to cause  each  holder of a Trinity  Bank  Warrant as soon as
practicable  following  the date of this  Agreement  to enter into an  agreement
substantially in the form attached in Citizens South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 4.3.1
in which such holder agrees to accept the Warrant Payment as full  consideration
for such holder's  Trinity Bank  Warrants or to exercise  such holder's  Trinity
Bank Warrants  prior to the Effective  Time,  and each holder shall agree not to
sell,  transfer or otherwise  dispose of any Trinity  Bank  Warrants at any time

                                       17


prior to the Effective  Time. The parties hereto  acknowledge and agree that the
failure of Trinity Bank to secure the agreements  referred to in the immediately
preceding  sentence  would have a material  adverse effect on Citizens South for
purposes of Section 5(b) of the Stock Purchase Warrant.

         3.5. Reservation of Shares.

         Citizens South shall reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares
of the Citizens South Common Stock for the purpose of issuing shares of Citizens
South Common  Stock to the Trinity Bank  shareholders  in  accordance  with this
Article III.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TRINITY BANK

         Trinity  Bank  represents  and  warrants  to  Citizens  South  that the
statements  contained  in this  Article  IV are  correct  as of the date of this
Agreement and will be correct as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as
though  the  Closing  Date  were  substituted  for the  date  of this  Agreement
throughout  this Article  IV),  subject to the standard set forth in Section 4.1
and except as set forth in the Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  delivered by
Trinity  Bank to  Citizens  South  on the  date  hereof,  and  except  as to any
representation or warranty which specifically  relates to an earlier date, which
only need be so correct as of such  earlier  date.  Trinity Bank has made a good
faith effort to ensure that the  disclosure on each schedule of the Trinity Bank
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE  corresponds to the section referenced herein.  However, for
purposes of the Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE,  any item  disclosed on any
schedule  therein is deemed to be fully  disclosed with respect to all schedules
under which such item may be relevant as and to the extent that it is reasonably
clear  on the  face of such  schedule  that  such  item  applies  to such  other
schedule.

         4.1. Standard.

         No representation or warranty of Trinity Bank contained in this Article
IV shall be deemed untrue or incorrect,  and Trinity Bank shall not be deemed to
have breached a representation or warranty, as a consequence of the existence of
any  fact,  circumstance  or event  unless  such  fact,  circumstance  or event,
individually  or taken  together with all other facts,  circumstances  or events
inconsistent  with any  paragraph of this  Article IV, has had or is  reasonably
expected  to have a Material  Adverse  Effect  with  respect  to  Trinity  Bank,
disregarding  for these  purposes (x) any  qualification  or  exception  for, or
reference to, materiality in any such representation or warranty and (y) any use
of the terms "material",  "materially",  "in all material  respects",  "Material
Adverse  Effect" or  similar  terms or  phrases  in any such  representation  or
warranty.  The  foregoing  standard  shall  not  apply  to  representations  and
warranties  contained in Sections 4.2 (other than the last  sentence of Sections
4.2.1 and 4.2.2), 4.4, 4.5, 4.8, 4.12.3, 4.14, 4.13.4, 4.13.6, and 4.13.9, which
shall be deemed untrue,  incorrect and breached if they are not true and correct
in all material respects.

         4.2. Organization.

                  4.2.1.  Trinity Bank is a North  Carolina  chartered bank duly
         organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
         State of North  Carolina.  Trinity  Bank has full

                                       18

         corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted
         and is duly  licensed or  qualified to do business in the states of the
         United States and foreign  jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing
         of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification.
         The  deposits  of Trinity  Bank are  insured by the FDIC to the fullest
         extent  permitted by law, and all premiums and assessments  required to
         be paid in  connection  therewith  have been paid by Trinity  Bank when
         due. Trinity Bank is a member in good standing of the FHLB and owns the
         requisite amount of stock therein.

                  4.2.2.  Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.2.2 sets forth each
         Trinity Bank Subsidiary. Each Trinity Bank Subsidiary is a corporation,
         limited liability company or other legal entity duly organized, validly
         existing and in good  standing  under the laws of its  jurisdiction  of
         incorporation or organization.

                  4.2.3.  The  respective  minute books of Trinity Bank and each
         Trinity Bank Subsidiary  accurately  record, in all material  respects,
         all material  corporate  actions of their  respective  stockholders  or
         shareholders,  as the case may be, and boards of  directors  (including
         committees).

                  4.2.4.  Prior to the date of this Agreement,  Trinity Bank has
         made  available  to  Citizens  South  true and  correct  copies  of the
         certificate of  incorporation or charter and bylaws of Trinity Bank and
         each Trinity Bank Subsidiary.

         4.3. Capitalization.

                  4.3.1.  The authorized  capital stock of Trinity Bank consists
         of 5,000,000  shares of Trinity Bank Common Stock,  of which, as of the
         date of this  Agreement,  1,837,986  shares  are  outstanding,  validly
         issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, and
         1,000,000  shares  of  preferred  stock,  no par value  ("Trinity  Bank
         Preferred Stock"),  none of which are outstanding.  There are no shares
         of Trinity Bank Common  Stock held by Trinity  Bank as treasury  stock.
         Neither Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank Subsidiary has or is bound by
         any  Rights  of any  character,  except as set  forth on  Trinity  Bank
         DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 3.4.

                  4.3.2.  Except for the Trinity  Bank  Subsidiaries  and as set
         forth in Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.3.2,  Trinity Bank does not
         possess,  directly or indirectly,  any material  equity interest in any
         corporate  entity,  except for equity  interests held in the investment
         portfolios  of Trinity Bank (which as to any one issuer,  do not exceed
         5% of such issuer's  outstanding equity  securities),  equity interests
         held by Trinity Bank in a fiduciary capacity, and equity interests held
         in connection  with the lending  activities of Trinity Bank,  including
         stock in the FHLB.  Trinity Bank owns all of the outstanding  shares of
         capital  stock of each  Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  free and clear of all
         liens, security interests, pledges, charges,  encumbrances,  agreements
         and restrictions of any kind or nature.

                  4.3.3. To Trinity Bank's Knowledge, and except as set forth on
         Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.3.3, as of the date hereof no Person
         is the  beneficial  owner (as defined in Section  13(d) of the Exchange
         Act) of 5% or more of the  outstanding  shares of Trinity  Bank  Common
         Stock.

                                       19


                  4.3.4.  There are no outstanding bonds,  debentures,  notes or
         other  indebtedness  having  the right to vote on any  matters on which
         Trinity Bank's shareholders may vote.

         4.4. Authority; No Violation.

                  4.4.1.  Trinity Bank has full corporate power and authority to
         execute and deliver this Agreement  and,  subject to the receipt of the
         Regulatory  Approvals described in Section 8.3 and the approval of this
         Agreement  by  Trinity   Bank's   shareholders,   to   consummate   the
         transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The execution and delivery of this
         Agreement  by Trinity  Bank and the  completion  by Trinity Bank of the
         transactions  contemplated  hereby, have been duly and validly approved
         by the Board of Directors of Trinity Bank. This Agreement has been duly
         and validly  executed  and  delivered by Trinity  Bank,  and subject to
         approval of this  Agreement  by the  shareholders  of Trinity  Bank and
         receipt of the  Regulatory  Approvals  and due and valid  execution and
         delivery of this  Agreement by Citizens  South and Citizens South Bank,
         constitutes   the  valid  and  binding   obligation  of  Trinity  Bank,
         enforceable  against Trinity Bank in accordance with its terms,  except
         to the extent that  enforcement  thereof  may be limited by  applicable
         bankruptcy,   insolvency,   moratorium   and  similar  laws   affecting
         creditors' rights generally, and to equitable principles that may limit
         the right to specific  performance of remedies,  and further subject to
         12  U.S.C.   1818  (b)(6)(D)  or  any  successor  statute  and  to  the
         application of principles of public policy.

                  4.4.2.  Subject to compliance  by Citizens  South and Citizens
         South Bank with the terms and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  (A) the
         execution and delivery of this  Agreement by Trinity Bank,  (B) subject
         to receipt of Regulatory  Approvals,  Trinity  Bank's,  Citizens  South
         Bank's and Citizens  South's  compliance with any conditions  contained
         herein,  the  receipt of the  approval of the  shareholders  of Trinity
         Bank, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (C)
         compliance by Trinity Bank with any of the terms or  provisions  hereof
         will not (i)  conflict  with or result in a breach of any  provision of
         the Articles of  Incorporation or Bylaws of Trinity Bank or any Trinity
         Bank  Subsidiary;  (ii) violate any  statute,  code,  ordinance,  rule,
         regulation,  judgment,  order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to
         Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary or any of their  respective
         properties  or assets;  or (iii)  except as set forth on  Trinity  Bank
         DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.4.2,  violate,  conflict with, result in a breach
         of any  provisions  of,  constitute a default (or an event which,  with
         notice or lapse of time, or both, would  constitute a default),  under,
         result in the termination of,  accelerate the performance  required by,
         or result in a right of termination or  acceleration or the creation of
         any lien,  security  interest,  charge or other encumbrance upon any of
         the properties or assets of Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary
         under any of the terms,  conditions or  provisions  of any note,  bond,
         mortgage,  indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other
         investment  or  obligation  to  which  Trinity  Bank  or  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary  is a  party,  or by which  they or any of their  respective
         properties  or  assets  may be  bound  or  affected,  except  for  such
         violations,  conflicts, breaches or defaults under clause (ii) or (iii)
         hereof which, either individually or in the aggregate,  will not have a
         Material   Adverse   Effect  on  Trinity  Bank  and  the  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                                       20


         4.5. Consents.

         Except for (a) the receipt of the  Regulatory  Approvals and compliance
with any conditions  contained therein, (b) the filing of the Articles of Merger
with the OTS and the filing of the  applicable  certificates/documents  with the
Commissioner and the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina,  and (c)
the approval of this  Agreement by the  requisite  vote of the  shareholders  of
Trinity Bank,  (d) clearance  for use of the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  by the
FDIC, and (e) those matters set forth on Trinity Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 4.5,
no consents,  waivers or approvals  of, or filings or  registrations  with,  any
Governmental  Entity or Bank  Regulator are  necessary,  and, to Trinity  Bank's
Knowledge,  no consents,  waivers or approvals  of, or filings or  registrations
with,  any other third parties are necessary,  in connection  with the execution
and delivery of this  Agreement by Trinity Bank,  and the  completion by Trinity
Bank of the Merger.  Trinity Bank has no reason to believe that (i) any required
Regulatory  Approvals  or  other  required  consents  or  approvals  will not be
received or will include the  imposition  of any condition or  requirement  that
could  reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Citizens
South and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or that (ii) any public body or
authority  having   jurisdiction  over  the  affairs  of  Trinity  Bank  or  its
subsidiaries,  the consent or  approval  of which is not  required or to which a
filing is not  required,  will  object  to the  completion  of the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

         4.6. Financial Statements.

                  4.6.1. The Trinity Bank Regulatory  Reports have been prepared
         in all  material  respects in  accordance  with  applicable  regulatory
         accounting  principles and practices  throughout the periods covered by
         such  statements,  and fairly  present in all  material  respects,  the
         financial position,  results of operations and changes in shareholders'
         equity of  Trinity  Bank as of and for the  periods  ended on the dates
         thereof, in accordance with applicable regulatory accounting principles
         applied on a consistent basis.

                  4.6.2.  Trinity Bank has previously made available to Citizens
         South the Trinity Bank  Financial  Statements  covering  periods  ended
         prior  to the  date of  this  Agreement.  The  Trinity  Bank  Financial
         Statements  have been  prepared  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  except as
         indicated in the notes thereto, or in the case of unaudited statements,
         as  permitted by Form  10-QSB,  and fairly  present in each case in all
         material  respects  (subject  in  the  case  of the  unaudited  interim
         statements to normal  year-end  adjustments)  the  financial  position,
         results of operations  and cash flows of Trinity Bank as of and for the
         respective periods ended on the dates thereof.

                  4.6.3. Except as disclosed in Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
         4.6.3,  at the date of each balance sheet  included in the Trinity Bank
         Financial Statements or in the Trinity Bank Regulatory Reports, Trinity
         Bank did not have any liabilities, obligations or loss contingencies of
         any nature (whether  absolute,  accrued,  contingent or otherwise) of a
         type required to be reflected in such Trinity Bank Financial Statements
         or in the Trinity Bank Regulatory  Reports or in the footnotes  thereto
         which are not fully  reflected  or  reserved  against  therein or fully
         disclosed in a footnote  thereto,  except for liabilities,  obligations
         and loss  contingencies  which are not material  individually or in the
         aggregate,   and  except   for   liabilities,   obligations   and  loss
         contingencies  which  are  within  the  subject  matter  of a  specific

                                       21


         representation  and  warranty  herein and  subject,  in the case of any
         unaudited  statements,  to normal,  recurring audit adjustments and the
         absence of footnotes.

         4.7. Taxes.

         Trinity  Bank and the Trinity  Bank  Subsidiaries  that are at least 80
percent  owned by Trinity Bank are members of the same  affiliated  group within
the  meaning  of Code  Section  1504(a).  Except  as set forth in  Trinity  Bank
DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.7,  Trinity Bank has duly filed all  federal,  state and
material  local tax returns  required to be filed by or with  respect to Trinity
Bank and each  Subsidiary  of Trinity Bank,  taking into account any  extensions
(all such returns,  to Trinity Bank's  Knowledge,  being accurate and correct in
all material  respects) and has duly paid or made  provisions for the payment of
all material  federal,  state and local taxes which have been incurred by or are
due or claimed to be due from Trinity Bank and any Subsidiary of Trinity Bank by
any taxing  authority  or pursuant to any written tax sharing  agreement,  other
than  taxes  or other  charges  which  (i) are not  delinquent,  (ii) are  being
contested in good faith, or (iii) have not yet been fully determined.  Except as
set  forth in  Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.7,  as of the date of this
Agreement,  Trinity Bank has not received  written notice of any, and to Trinity
Bank's  Knowledge there is no, audit  examination,  deficiency  assessment,  tax
investigation or refund  litigation with respect to any taxes of Trinity Bank or
any of its  Subsidiaries,  and, to Trinity Bank's  Knowledge,  no claim has been
made by any taxing authority in a jurisdiction  where Trinity Bank or any of its
Subsidiaries do not file tax returns that Trinity Bank or any such Subsidiary is
subject to taxation in that  jurisdiction.  Except as set forth in Trinity  Bank
DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 4.7, Trinity Bank and its Subsidiaries have not executed an
extension  or  waiver  of  any  statute  of  limitations  on the  assessment  or
collection of any material tax due that is currently in effect. Trinity Bank and
each of its Subsidiaries has timely withheld and paid all taxes required to have
been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,
independent contractor,  creditor, stockholder or other third party, and Trinity
Bank and each of its  Subsidiaries,  to  Trinity  Bank's  Knowledge,  has timely
complied with all applicable  information reporting requirements under Part III,
Subchapter  A of Chapter 61 of the Code and similar  applicable  state and local
information reporting requirements.

         4.8. No Material Adverse Effect.

         Trinity Bank and the Trinity Bank Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, have
not suffered any Material  Adverse  Effect since  December 31, 2004 and no event
has occurred or circumstance arisen since that date which, in the aggregate, has
had or is reasonably  likely to have a Material  Adverse  Effect on Trinity Bank
and the Trinity Bank Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         4.9. Material Contracts; Leases; Defaults.

                  4.9.1. Except as set forth in Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
         4.9.1,  neither Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank Subsidiary is a party
         to or subject to: (i) any employment,  consulting or severance contract
         with any past or present officer,  director or employee of Trinity Bank
         or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary, except for "at will" arrangements; (ii)
         any plan or contract providing for bonuses, pensions, options, deferred
         compensation,  retirement payments,  profit sharing or similar material
         arrangements  for or with any past or present  officers,

                                       22


         directors or employees of Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary;
         (iii) any collective bargaining agreement with any labor union relating
         to employees of Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary;  (iv) any
         agreement which by its terms limits or affects the payment of dividends
         by Trinity  Bank or any Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary;  (v) any  instrument
         evidencing or related to  indebtedness  for borrowed money in excess of
         $50,000 (other than deposits, FHLB advances with a term to maturity not
         in excess of one year,  repurchase  agreements,  bankers'  acceptances,
         "treasury tax and loan" accounts and  transactions in "federal  funds,"
         all established in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
         practice),  whether  directly or  indirectly,  by way of purchase money
         obligation, conditional sale, lease purchase, guaranty or otherwise, in
         respect of which  Trinity  Bank or any Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  is an
         obligor  to any  person,  which  instrument  evidences  or  relates  to
         indebtedness of Trinity Bank or which contains  financial  covenants or
         other material  non-customary  restrictions  applicable to Trinity Bank
         (other than those  relating to the payment of  principal  and  interest
         when due) which would be  applicable  on or after the  Closing  Date to
         Citizens  South  or any  Citizens  South  Subsidiary;  (vi)  any  other
         agreement, written or oral, which is not terminable without cause on 60
         days'  notice or less  without  material  penalty or  payment,  or that
         obligates  Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary for the payment
         of more than  $25,000  annually or for the payment of more than $50,000
         over its  remaining  term;  or (vii)  any  agreement  (other  than this
         Agreement), contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether
         written  or oral)  that  restricts  or limits in any  material  way the
         conduct of business by Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary (it
         being  understood  that any  non-compete or similar  provision shall be
         deemed material).

                  4.9.2. Each real estate lease that will require the consent of
         the  lessor  or its  agent as a result  of the  Merger by virtue of the
         terms of any such lease, is listed in Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE
         4.9.2   identifying  the  section  of  the  lease  that  contains  such
         prohibition  or  restriction.  Subject  to  any  consents  that  may be
         required  as  a  result  of  the  transactions   contemplated  by  this
         Agreement, to its Knowledge,  neither Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank
         Subsidiary  is in default in any  material  respect  under any material
         contract, agreement,  commitment,  arrangement, lease, insurance policy
         or  other  instrument  to which it is a  party,  by which  its  assets,
         business,  or operations may be bound or affected, or under which it or
         its 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.

                  4.9.3.  True and  correct  copies  of  agreements,  contracts,
         arrangements  and  instruments  referred to in Sections 4.9.1 and 4.9.2
         have been made  available  to  Citizens  South on or before the date of
         this  Agreement  and are in full  force and  effect on the date of this
         Agreement.  Except as set forth in  Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE
         4.9.3, no plan, contract, employment agreement,  termination agreement,
         or  similar  agreement  or  arrangement  to which  Trinity  Bank or any
         Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  is a party or under which Trinity Bank or any
         Trinity Bank Subsidiary may be liable contains  provisions which permit
         an employee or independent contractor to terminate it without cause and
         continue to accrue future benefits  thereunder.  Except as set forth in
         Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.9.3,  no such  agreement,  plan,
         contract,  or arrangement (x) provides for acceleration of payments due
         thereunder  upon the  occurrence of a change in ownership or control of
         Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary or upon the occurrence of a
         subsequent  event;  or (y)  requires  Trinity  Bank or any Trinity Bank
         Subsidiary  to  provide a benefit in the form of  Trinity  Bank  Common
         Stock or  determined  by  reference to the value of Trinity Bank Common
         Stock.

                                       23


         4.10. Ownership of Property; Insurance Coverage.

                  4.10.1.  Except  as  set  forth  in  Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE 4.10.1, Trinity Bank and each Trinity Bank Subsidiary has good
         and, as to real property,  marketable  title to all material assets and
         properties owned by Trinity Bank or each Trinity Bank Subsidiary in the
         conduct of its businesses,  whether such assets and properties are real
         or  personal,  tangible or  intangible,  including  assets and property
         reflected in the balance  sheet  contained  in the most recent  Trinity
         Bank Financial Statements or acquired subsequent thereto (except to the
         extent that such  assets and  properties  have been  disposed of in the
         ordinary  course of business,  since the date of such  balance  sheet),
         subject  to  no  material  encumbrances,   liens,  mortgages,  security
         interests or pledges,  except (i) those items which secure  liabilities
         for public or statutory  obligations  or any discount  with,  borrowing
         from  or  other   obligations  to  the  FHLB,  any  inter-bank   credit
         facilities,  any reverse repurchase  agreements or any transaction by a
         Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  acting  in a  fiduciary  capacity,  and (ii)
         statutory  liens  for  amounts  not yet  delinquent  or which are being
         contested   in  good  faith.   Trinity   Bank  and  the  Trinity   Bank
         Subsidiaries, as lessee, have the right under valid and existing leases
         of real and  personal  properties  used by Trinity Bank and the Trinity
         Bank  Subsidiaries in the conduct of their  businesses to occupy or use
         all such  properties  as  presently  occupied and used by each of them.
         Such  existing  leases  and  commitments  to lease  constitute  or will
         constitute  operating  leases  for  both tax and  financial  accounting
         purposes  and the lease  expense and minimum  rental  commitments  with
         respect to such leases and lease  commitments  are as  disclosed in all
         material   respects  in  the  notes  to  the  Trinity  Bank   Financial
         Statements.

                  4.10.2.  With respect to all material  agreements  pursuant to
         which  Trinity  Bank  or any  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  has  purchased
         securities  subject to an agreement to resell,  if any, Trinity Bank or
         such  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary,  as the  case  may  be,  has a lien or
         security  interest  (which  to  Trinity  Bank's  Knowledge  is a valid,
         perfected  first lien) in the securities or other  collateral  securing
         the repurchase agreement,  and, to Trinity Bank's Knowledge,  the value
         of such  collateral  equals or exceeds  the amount of the debt  secured
         thereby.

                  4.10.3. Trinity Bank and each other Subsidiary of Trinity Bank
         currently  maintain  insurance   considered  by  each  of  them  to  be
         reasonable for their  respective  operations.  Neither Trinity Bank nor
         any other  Subsidiary  of Trinity  Bank,  has received  notice from any
         insurance  carrier on or before the date hereof that (i) such insurance
         will be  canceled  or that  coverage  thereunder  will  be  reduced  or
         eliminated,  or (ii)  premium  costs with  respect to such  policies of
         insurance  will be  substantially  increased.  There are  presently  no
         material claims pending under such policies of insurance and no notices
         of any claims  under such  policies  have been given by Trinity Bank or
         any other  Subsidiary  of  Trinity  Bank under  such  policies.  To the
         Knowledge of Trinity Bank, all such insurance is valid and  enforceable
         and in full force and effect  (other  than  insurance  that  expires in
         accordance  with its terms),  and within the last three  years  Trinity
         Bank and each other  Subsidiary  of Trinity Bank has received each type
         of insurance  coverage for which it has applied and during such periods
         has not been denied  indemnification  for any material claims submitted
         under any of its insurance  policies.  Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
         4.10.3 identifies all policies of insurance maintained by Trinity Bank.

                                       24


         4.11. Legal Proceedings.

         Except as set forth in Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 4.11,  neither
Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank Subsidiary is a party to any, and there are no
pending  or, to Trinity  Bank's  Knowledge,  threatened  legal,  administrative,
arbitration  or other  proceedings,  claims  (whether  asserted or  unasserted),
actions or governmental  investigations or inquiries of any nature,  (i) against
Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary,  (ii) to which Trinity Bank or any
Trinity Bank  Subsidiary's  assets are or may be subject,  (iii) challenging the
validity or propriety of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
or (iv) which would  reasonably  be expected to adversely  affect the ability of
Trinity Bank to perform under this Agreement, except for any proceeding,  claim,
action, investigation or inquiry which, if adversely determined, individually or
in the aggregate,  could not be reasonably  expected to have a Material  Adverse
Effect.

         4.12. Compliance With Applicable Law.

                  4.12.1. To Trinity Bank's Knowledge,  each of Trinity Bank and
         each Trinity Bank Subsidiary is in compliance in all material  respects
         with all applicable federal,  state, local and foreign statutes,  laws,
         regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders or decrees applicable
         to it, its  properties,  assets and  deposits,  its  business,  and its
         conduct of business and its relationship with its employees, including,
         without limitation,  the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing
         Appropriate  Tools  Required to Intercept and Obstruct  Terrorism  (the
         "USA PATRIOT Act") of 2001, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth
         in Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Consumer
         Credit  Protection  Act, the Fair Credit  Reporting  Act, the Fair Debt
         Collections  Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Community  Reinvestment Act
         of 1977  ("CRA"),  the Home  Mortgage  Disclosure  Act,  and all  other
         applicable fair lending laws and other laws relating to  discriminatory
         business  practices,  and neither  Trinity  Bank nor any  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary has received any written notice to the contrary.

                  4.12.2.  Each of Trinity Bank and each Trinity Bank Subsidiary
         has  all  material  permits,  licenses,   authorizations,   orders  and
         approvals of, and has made all filings,  applications and registrations
         with, all  Governmental  Entities and Bank Regulators that are required
         in order to permit it to own or lease its properties and to conduct its
         business  as  presently   conducted;   all  such   permits,   licenses,
         certificates  of authority,  orders and approvals are in full force and
         effect  and,  to the  Knowledge  of  Trinity  Bank,  no  suspension  or
         cancellation  of  any  such  permit,  license,  certificate,  order  or
         approval is  threatened  or will result  from the  consummation  of the
         transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  subject to obtaining the
         approvals set forth in Section 8.3.

                  4.12.3.  For the period  beginning  January  1, 2000,  neither
         Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  has received any written
         notification or, to Trinity Bank's Knowledge,  any other  communication
         from any Bank  Regulator (i) asserting that Trinity Bank or any Trinity
         Bank Subsidiary is not in material compliance with any of the statutes,
         regulations  or ordinances  which such Bank  Regulator  enforces;  (ii)
         threatening to revoke any license,  franchise,  permit or  governmental
         authorization  which is  material to Trinity  Bank or any Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary;  (iii)  requiring or threatening to require Trinity Bank or
         any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary,  or

                                       25


         indicating  that  Trinity Bank or any Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  may be
         required,  to  enter  into a  cease  and  desist  order,  agreement  or
         memorandum of  understanding or any other agreement with any federal or
         state  governmental  agency  or  authority  which is  charged  with the
         supervision  or regulation of banks or engages in the insurance of bank
         deposits  restricting or limiting,  or purporting to restrict or limit,
         in any material  respect the  operations of Trinity Bank or any Trinity
         Bank Subsidiary,  including  without  limitation any restriction on the
         payment of dividends;  or (iv) directing,  restricting or limiting,  or
         purporting  to direct,  restrict or limit,  in any material  manner the
         operations  of Trinity  Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  (any such
         notice, communication, memorandum, agreement or order described in this
         sentence  is  hereinafter  referred  to as a  "Regulatory  Agreement").
         Neither  Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary has consented to
         or entered into any  Regulatory  Agreement that is currently in effect.
         The  most  recent  regulatory  rating  given  to  Trinity  Bank  as  to
         compliance with the CRA is satisfactory or better.

         4.13. Employee Benefit Plans.

                  4.13.1.  Trinity Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.13.1 contains a
         list of  each  compensation,  consulting,  employment,  termination  or
         collective bargaining agreement, and each stock option, stock purchase,
         stock  appreciation  right,  recognition and retention,  life,  health,
         accident or other insurance, bonus, deferred or incentive compensation,
         severance  or  separation  agreement  or any  agreement  providing  any
         payment or benefit resulting from a change in control,  profit sharing,
         retirement,  or  other  employee  benefit  plan,  practice,  policy  or
         arrangement of any kind, oral or written,  covering  employees,  former
         employees,  directors  or  former  directors  of  Trinity  Bank or each
         Trinity Bank Subsidiary or their respective  beneficiaries,  including,
         but not limited to, any  employee  benefit  plans within the meaning of
         Section  3(3)  of  ERISA,  which  Trinity  Bank  or  any  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary  maintains,  to  which  Trinity  Bank  or any  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary contributes,  or under which any employee,  former employee,
         director  or  former  director  of  Trinity  Bank or any  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary  is covered or has benefit  rights and pursuant to which any
         liability of Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  exists or is
         reasonably  likely to occur (the  "Compensation  and  Benefit  Plans").
         Trinity Bank has made available for inspection  true and correct copies
         of the  Compensation and Benefit Plans, as well as current summary plan
         descriptions,  trust  agreements,  and  insurance  contracts,  Internal
         Revenue  Service Form 5500 (for the three most recently  completed plan
         years)  and the most  recent IRS  determination  letters  with  respect
         thereto,  and the loan agreement and related  documents,  including any
         amendments  thereto,  evidencing  any  outstanding  loan to an employee
         stock  ownership  plan  maintained  by Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank
         Subsidiary.  Except as set forth on Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE
         4.13.1,  Trinity  Bank  neither  maintains  nor has  entered  into  any
         Compensation  and Benefit  Plan or other  document,  plan or  agreement
         which  contains any change in control  provisions  which would cause an
         increase  or  acceleration  of  benefits  or  benefit  entitlements  to
         employees  or former  employees  of Trinity  Bank or any  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary or their respective beneficiaries, or other provisions which
         would cause an increase in the liability of Trinity Bank or any Trinity
         Bank  Subsidiary or to Citizens  South as a result of the  transactions
         contemplated  by this  Agreement (a "Change in Control  Benefit").  The
         term  "Compensation  and Benefit  Plans" as used  herein  refers to all
         plans  contemplated  under  the  preceding  sentences  of this  Section
         4.13.1,  provided  that  the term  "Plan"  or  "Plans"  is used in this
         Agreement   for   convenience   only  and  does   not   constitute   an
         acknowledgment  that a particular  arrangement  is an employee  benefit
         plan within the meaning of

                                       26


         Section  3(3) of  ERISA.  Neither  Trinity  Bank nor any  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary  has been notified by any  Governmental  Entity to modify or
         limit any  payments  or other  compensation  paid or payable by Trinity
         Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary  under any Compensation and Benefit
         Plan or otherwise, to or for the benefit of any employee or director of
         Trinity Bank or any Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  and to the  knowledge of
         Trinity Bank,  all such payments are in compliance  with all applicable
         rules,  regulations  and  bulletins  promulgated  by  the  Governmental
         Entities.  Neither  Trinity  Bank nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has any
         commitment to create any additional Compensation and Benefit Plan or to
         materially  modify,  change  or renew  any  existing  Compensation  and
         Benefit Plan (any  modification  or change that  increases  the cost of
         such plans  would be deemed  material),  except as required to maintain
         the  qualified  status  thereof or as required in the normal course and
         consistent  with past  practice to continue  existing  insured  welfare
         benefits or existing benefits provided through a Code Section 125 plan.

                  4.13.2.  Each of the  Compensation  and Benefit  Plans that is
         intended to be a pension,  profit sharing, stock bonus, thrift, savings
         or employee stock ownership plan that is qualified under Section 401(a)
         of the Code ("Trinity Bank Qualified Plans") has been determined by the
         IRS to qualify  under  Section  401(a) of the Code (a copy of each such
         determination  letter has  previously  been made  available to Citizens
         South by Trinity  Bank) and, to the  Knowledge of Trinity  Bank,  there
         exist no  circumstances  likely  to  materially  adversely  affect  the
         qualified  status of any such Trinity  Bank  Qualified  Plan.  All such
         Trinity Bank Qualified Plans  established or maintained by Trinity Bank
         or each Trinity Bank Subsidiary or to which Trinity Bank or any Trinity
         Bank Subsidiary  contribute are in compliance in all material  respects
         with all applicable requirements of ERISA, and are in compliance in all
         material   respects  with  all   applicable   requirements   (including
         qualification and  non-discrimination  requirements in effect as of the
         Effective  Time) of the Code for  obtaining  the tax  benefits the Code
         permits with respect to such Trinity Bank  Qualified  Plans.  Except as
         set forth on Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 4.13.2,  no Trinity Bank
         Qualified  Plan is a defined  benefit  pension  plan that is subject to
         Title  IV of  ERISA.  All  accrued  contributions  and  other  payments
         required to be made by Trinity Bank or each Trinity Bank  Subsidiary to
         any  Compensation  and Benefit Plan through the date hereof,  have been
         made or reserves adequate for such purposes as of the date hereof, have
         been set aside  therefor and  reflected  in the Trinity Bank  Financial
         Statements  to the extent  required  by GAAP and  Trinity  Bank and its
         Subsidiaries have expensed and accrued as a liability the present value
         of future benefits under each applicable  Compensation and Benefit Plan
         for  financial  reporting  purposes  to the  extent  required  by GAAP.
         Neither  Trinity  Bank nor any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  is in material
         default in performing  any of its  respective  contractual  obligations
         under  any of  Compensation  and  Benefit  Plans or any  related  trust
         agreement or insurance contract,  and there are no material outstanding
         liabilities of any such Plan other than  liabilities for benefits to be
         paid to participants in such Plan and their beneficiaries in accordance
         with the terms of such Plan.  Neither Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank
         Subsidiary has engaged in a transaction, or omitted to take any action,
         with respect to any Compensation and Benefit Plan that would reasonably
         be expected to subject  Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary to
         an unpaid tax or penalty  imposed by either Section 4975 of the Code or
         Section 502 of ERISA.

                  4.13.3.  Neither  Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank Subsidiary
         presently  sponsors  or  participates  in,  or has  ever  sponsored  or
         participated in, any Trinity Bank Compensation and Benefit Plan that is
         a  defined   benefit   plan  subject  to  Title  IV  of  ERISA  or  any
         "single-employer

                                       27


         plan" (as defined in Section  4001(a) of ERISA)  currently  or formerly
         maintained  by  Trinity  Bank or any  entity  which is  considered  one
         employer with Trinity Bank under Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or Section
         414 of the Code (an "ERISA Affiliate") (such plan hereinafter  referred
         to as an "ERISA Affiliate  Plan").  Except as set forth in Trinity Bank
         DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.13.3,   neither  Trinity  Bank  nor  any  ERISA
         Affiliate nor any Trinity Bank  Compensation  and Benefit Plan, nor any
         trust created thereunder,  nor any trustee or administrator thereof has
         engaged in a transaction in connection  with which any of the aforesaid
         persons or  entities  would  reasonably  be  expected  to be subject to
         either a civil liability or penalty  pursuant to Section 409, 502(i) or
         502(l) of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of the Code. To
         the Knowledge of Trinity Bank,  and except as set forth in Trinity Bank
         DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.13.3,  there  is no  pending  investigation  or
         enforcement   action  by  any  Bank   Regulator  with  respect  to  any
         Compensation  and Benefit Plan or any ERISA Affiliate Plan. There is no
         pending or, to the Knowledge of Trinity Bank,  threatened litigation or
         pending  claim  (other  than  individual  benefit  claims  made  in the
         ordinary  course) by or on behalf of or against any of Compensation and
         Benefit  Plans (or with  respect to the  administration  of any of such
         Plans) now or heretofore maintained by Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank
         Subsidiary  which allege  violations of applicable state or federal law
         or the  terms of the Plan  which are  reasonably  likely to result in a
         material  liability  on the part of Trinity  Bank or any  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary or any such Plan.

                  4.13.4.  Except  as  set  forth  in  Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE  4.13.4,  neither Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank Subsidiary
         has  any  obligations  to  provide  retiree  health,   life  insurance,
         disability  insurance,  or  other  retiree  death  benefits  under  any
         Compensation and Benefit Plan, other than benefits  mandated by Section
         4980B of the  Code.  Except  as set forth in  Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE  4.13.4,  there  has been no  communication  to  employees  by
         Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  that would  reasonably be
         expected to preclude  Trinity Bank (or Citizens South Bank as successor
         to Trinity Bank) from amending or  terminating  any  obligations to its
         employees  or former  employees  with respect to retiree  health,  life
         insurance, disability insurance, or other retiree death benefits.

                  4.13.5.  All  Compensation  and  Benefit  Plans that are group
         health  plans have been  operated in  compliance  with the group health
         plan  continuation  requirements  of  Section  4980B  of the  Code  and
         Sections 601-609 of ERISA and with the  certification of prior coverage
         and other requirements of Sections 701-702 and 711-713 of ERISA.

                  4.13.6.  Except  as  set  forth  in  Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE 4.13.6,  Trinity Bank and its Subsidiaries do not maintain any
         Compensation  and Benefit Plans  covering  employees who are not United
         States residents.

                  4.13.7.  Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.13.7 lists and
         describes: (i) each employee,  officer and director of Trinity Bank and
         each  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  who is eligible to receive a Change in
         Control  Benefit,  showing the amount of such Change in Control Benefit
         for such individuals;  and (ii) each employee,  officer or director for
         whom  a  supplemental  executive  retirement,  salary  continuation  or
         deferred  compensation  plan or  agreement is  maintained,  showing the
         amounts due under each such plan or agreement and the payment  schedule
         thereof,  and the amounts accrued in Trinity Bank Financial  Statements
         with respect  thereto.  Except as disclosed in Trinity Bank  DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE 4.13.7,  the

                                       28


         consummation of the Merger will not, directly or indirectly (including,
         without  limitation,  as a result of any  termination  of employment or
         service  at any time  prior to or  following  the  Effective  Time) (A)
         entitle any employee,  consultant or director to any payment or benefit
         (including  severance  pay,  change  in  control  benefit,  or  similar
         compensation)  or any  increase  in  compensation,  (B)  result  in the
         vesting or  acceleration  of any benefits  under any  Compensation  and
         Benefit Plan or (C) result in any material increase in benefits payable
         under any Compensation and Benefit Plan. Except as set forth in Trinity
         Bank DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.13.7,  the consummation of the Merger will
         not, directly or indirectly (including without limitation,  as a result
         of any  termination  of  employment  or service at any time prior to or
         following the Effective Time),  entitle any current or former employee,
         director or independent  contractor of Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank
         Subsidiary  to any actual or deemed  payment (or  benefit)  which would
         constitute  a  "parachute  payment" (as such term is defined in Section
         280G of the Code).

         Except as disclosed in Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.8, neither
         Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank Subsidiary maintains any compensation
         plans,  programs or arrangements  under which any payment is reasonably
         likely to become non-deductible, in whole or in part, for tax reporting
         purposes as a result of the  limitations  under  Section  162(m) of the
         Code and the regulations issued thereunder.

         4.14. Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors.

         Neither Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank Subsidiary,  nor any of their
respective  officers,  directors,  employees or agents, has employed any broker,
finder or financial advisor in connection with the transactions  contemplated by
this  Agreement,  or  incurred  any  liability  or  commitment  for any  fees or
commissions to any such person in connection with the transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement except for the retention of Burke Capital Group, LLC ("Burke")
by Trinity  Bank and the fee payable  pursuant  thereto.  Trinity  Bank has made
available to Citizens South a true and correct copy of the engagement  agreement
with Burke,  setting forth the fee payable to Burke for its services rendered to
Trinity Bank in connection with the Merger and transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

         4.15. Environmental Matters.

                  4.15.1.  Except as may be set forth in Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE 4.15:

                           (A)  Each  of  Trinity  Bank  and  the  Trinity  Bank
                  Subsidiaries   and,   to   Trinity   Bank's   Knowledge,   the
                  Participation Facilities and the Loan Properties are, and have
                  been,  in  substantial  compliance  with,  and are not  liable
                  under, any Environmental Laws;

                           (B) Trinity Bank has received no written  notice that
                  there  is  any  suit,  claim,  action,  demand,  executive  or
                  administrative order,  directive,  investigation or proceeding
                  pending and, to Trinity  Bank's  Knowledge,  no such action is
                  threatened,  before  any court,  governmental  agency or other
                  forum  against it or any of the Trinity Bank  Subsidiaries  or
                  any  Participation  Facility  (x)  for  alleged  noncompliance
                  (including by any  predecessor)  with, or liability under, any
                  Environmental  Law  or (y)  relating  to  the  presence  of or
                  release into the

                                       29


                  environment  of any  Materials  of  Environmental  Concern (as
                  defined  herein),  whether  or not  occurring  at or on a site
                  owned,  leased or operated  by it or any of the  Trinity  Bank
                  Subsidiaries or any Participation Facility;

                           (C) Trinity Bank has received no written  notice that
                  there  is  any  suit,  claim,  action,  demand,  executive  or
                  administrative order,  directive,  investigation or proceeding
                  pending  and, to Trinity  Bank's  Knowledge  no such action is
                  threatened,  before  any court,  governmental  agency or other
                  forum  relating  to or against any Loan  Property  (or Trinity
                  Bank or any of the  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiaries  in respect of
                  such Loan  Property)  (x)  relating  to alleged  noncompliance
                  (including by any  predecessor)  with, or liability under, any
                  Environmental  Law  or (y)  relating  to  the  presence  of or
                  release into the environment of any Materials of Environmental
                  Concern,  whether  or not  occurring  at or on a  site  owned,
                  leased or operated by a Loan Property;

                           (D)  To  Trinity  Bank's  Knowledge,  the  properties
                  currently  owned or  operated  by Trinity  Bank or any Trinity
                  Bank  Subsidiary   (including,   without   limitation,   soil,
                  groundwater or surface water on, or under the properties,  and
                  buildings  thereon)  are  not  contaminated  with  and  do not
                  otherwise contain any Materials of Environmental Concern other
                  than as permitted under applicable Environmental Law;

                           (E)  Neither   Trinity  Bank  nor  any  Trinity  Bank
                  Subsidiary  has received any written  notice,  demand  letter,
                  executive or  administrative  order,  directive or request for
                  information  from  any  federal,   state,   local  or  foreign
                  governmental  entity or any third party indicating that it may
                  be in violation of, or liable under, any Environmental Law;

                           (F)  To  Trinity  Bank's  Knowledge,   there  are  no
                  underground storage tanks on, in or under any properties owned
                  or  operated  by  Trinity  Bank  or any of  the  Trinity  Bank
                  Subsidiaries  or any  Participation  Facility,  and to Trinity
                  Bank's  Knowledge,  no  underground  storage  tanks  have been
                  closed or removed  from any  properties  owned or  operated by
                  Trinity  Bank or any of the Trinity Bank  Subsidiaries  or any
                  Participation Facility;

                           (G) To Trinity Bank's Knowledge, during the period of
                  (s) Trinity  Bank's or any of the Trinity  Bank  Subsidiaries'
                  ownership  or  operation  of any of their  respective  current
                  properties  or (t) Trinity  Bank's or any of the Trinity  Bank
                  Subsidiaries'   participation   in  the   management   of  any
                  Participation Facility,  there has been no contamination by or
                  release of Materials of  Environmental  Concerns in, on, under
                  or affecting such properties that could reasonably be expected
                  to result in material liability under the Environmental  Laws.
                  To  Trinity  Bank's  Knowledge,  prior  to the  period  of (x)
                  Trinity  Bank's  or  any  of the  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiaries'
                  ownership  or  operation  of any of their  respective  current
                  properties  or (y) Trinity  Bank's or any of the Trinity  Bank
                  Subsidiaries'   participation   in  the   management   of  any
                  Participation  Facility,  there  was  no  contamination  by or
                  release of Materials of Environmental Concern in, on, under or
                  affecting such properties that could reasonably be expected to
                  result in material liability under the Environmental Laws; and

                           (H) Neither  Trinity Bank nor any other  Trinity Bank
                  Subsidiary has conducted any environmental  studies during the
                  past ten  years  (other  than  Phase I  studies  which did not
                  indicate any  contamination of the environment by Materials of
                  Environmental Concern)

                                       30


                  with respect to any properties owned or leased by it or any of
                  its Subsidiaries,  or with respect to any Loan Property or any
                  Participation Facility.

                  4.15.2.  "Loan  Property" means any real property in which the
         applicable  party (or a  Subsidiary  of it) holds a security  interest,
         and, where  required by the context,  includes the owner or operator of
         such property,  but only with respect to such property.  "Participation
         Facility"  means  any  facility  in which  the  applicable  party (or a
         Subsidiary  of  it)  participates  in  the  management  (including  all
         property held as trustee or in any other fiduciary capacity) and, where
         required  by the  context,  includes  the  owner  or  operator  of such
         property, but only with respect to such property.

         4.16. Loan Portfolio.

                  4.16.1.  The  allowance  for loan losses  reflected in Trinity
         Bank's  audited  balance  sheet  as  December  31,  2004  was,  and the
         allowance  for loan losses shown on the balance  sheets in Trinity Bank
         Securities  Documents for periods  ending after December 31, 2004 were,
         or will be, adequate as of the dates thereof, under GAAP.

                  4.16.2.  Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 4.16.2 sets forth a
         listing, as of March 31, 2005, by account, of: (A) all loans (including
         loan  participations)  of  Trinity  Bank  or  any  other  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary  that have been  accelerated  during the past twelve months;
         (B) all loan  commitments  or lines of  credit of  Trinity  Bank or any
         other  Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  which have been  terminated by Trinity
         Bank or any other Trinity Bank Subsidiary during the past twelve months
         by reason of a default or adverse  developments in the condition of the
         borrower or other events or  circumstances  affecting the credit of the
         borrower;  (C) all loans,  lines of credit and loan  commitments  as to
         which  Trinity  Bank or any other  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  has given
         written  notice  of its  intent to  terminate  during  the past  twelve
         months; (D) with respect to all commercial loans (including  commercial
         real  estate  loans),  all  notification   letters  and  other  written
         communications  from Trinity Bank or any other Trinity Bank  Subsidiary
         to any of their respective borrowers, customers or other parties during
         the past twelve months  wherein  Trinity Bank or any other Trinity Bank
         Subsidiary  has  requested or demanded that actions be taken to correct
         existing defaults or facts or circumstances  which may become defaults;
         (E) each borrower,  customer or other party which has notified  Trinity
         Bank or any other Trinity Bank Subsidiary during the past twelve months
         of, or has asserted against Trinity Bank during the past twelve months,
         or any other  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary,  in each case in writing,  any
         "lender  liability" or similar claim,  and, to the knowledge of Trinity
         Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary,  each borrower,  customer or other
         party  which  has  given  Trinity  Bank,  or  any  other  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary any oral  notification  of, or orally asserted to or against
         Trinity Bank, or any other Trinity Bank Subsidiary, any such claim; and
         (F) all loans, (1) that are  contractually  past due 90 days or more in
         the payment of principal and/or  interest,  (2) that are on non-accrual
         status,  (3) that are classified as "Other Loans Specially  Mentioned",
         "Special Mention",  "Substandard",  "Doubtful",  "Loss",  "Classified",
         "Criticized",  "Watch list" or words of similar  import,  together with
         the  principal  amount of and accrued and unpaid  interest on each such
         Loan and the identity of the obligor thereunder, (4) where a reasonable
         doubt exists as to the timely future collectability of principal and/or
         interest,  whether or not  interest is still  accruing or the loans are
         less than 90 days past due, (5) where the interest rate terms have been
         reduced and/or the maturity dates have been extended  subsequent to the
         agreement  under which the loan was

                                       31


         originally  created due to concerns regarding the borrower's ability to
         pay in  accordance  with such  initial  terms,  or (6) where a specific
         reserve  allocation exists in connection  therewith;  and (G) all other
         assets classified by Trinity Bank, or any other Trinity Bank Subsidiary
         as real estate acquired through  foreclosure or in lieu of foreclosure,
         including  in-substance  foreclosures,  and all other assets  currently
         held that were acquired through  foreclosure or in lieu of foreclosure.
         DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.16.2 may  exclude  any  individual  loan with a
         principal  outstanding  balance  of less than  $50,000,  provided  that
         DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.16.2 includes,  for each category described,  the
         aggregate  amount of  individual  loans  with a  principal  outstanding
         balance of less than $50,000 that has been excluded.

                  4.16.3. All loans receivable (including discounts) and accrued
         interest  entered on the books of  Trinity  Bank and the  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiaries  arose out of bona fide  arm's-length  transactions,  were
         made for good and  valuable  consideration  in the  ordinary  course of
         Trinity Bank's or the appropriate Trinity Bank Subsidiary's  respective
         business, and the notes or other evidences of indebtedness with respect
         to such loans  (including  discounts) are true and genuine and are what
         they  purport  to be,  except as set forth in Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE 4.16.3. To the Knowledge of Trinity Bank, the loans, discounts
         and the accrued interest reflected on the books of Trinity Bank and the
         Trinity  Bank  Subsidiaries  are  subject to no  defenses,  set-offs or
         counterclaims (including,  without limitation,  those afforded by usury
         or  truth-in-lending  laws),  except as may be provided by  bankruptcy,
         insolvency or similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally or by
         general  principles  of  equity.  Except as set forth in  Trinity  Bank
         DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.16.3, all such loans are owned by Trinity Bank or
         the appropriate Trinity Bank Subsidiary free and clear of any liens.

                  4.16.4.   The  notes  and  other   evidences  of  indebtedness
         evidencing the loans described in Section 4.16 hereof, and all pledges,
         mortgages,  deeds of trust and other  collateral  documents or security
         instruments  relating thereto,  are, in all material  respects,  valid,
         true and genuine, and what they purport to be.

         4.17. Securities Documents.

         Trinity  Bank has made  available  to Citizens  South copies of its (i)
annual  reports on Form 10-KSB for the years ended  December 31, 2004,  2003 and
2002,  (ii) the quarterly  report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended March 31,
2005, and (iii) proxy  materials used or for use in connection with its meetings
of shareholders held in 2005, 2004 and 2003. Such reports, as amended, and proxy
materials  complied,  at the time filed with the FDIC, in all material respects,
with the Securities Laws applicable to Trinity Bank.

         4.18. Related Party Transactions.

         Except as described in Trinity  Bank's proxy  statement  dated April 1,
2005 (the "Trinity Bank Proxy  Statement")  distributed  in connection  with its
annual meeting of  shareholders  held on May 2, 2005 (which has previously  been
made available to Citizens  South),  or as set forth in Trinity Bank  DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.18,  neither  Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank Subsidiary is a party
to any transaction  (including any loan or other credit  accommodation) with any
Affiliate of Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary. Except as described in
the Trinity Bank Proxy  Statement,  all such  transactions  (a) were made in the
ordinary  course of  business,  (b)

                                       32


were  made on  substantially  the  same  terms,  including  interest  rates  and
collateral,  as those  prevailing at the time for comparable  transactions  with
other  Persons,   and  (c)  did  not  involve  more  than  the  normal  risk  of
collectability  or  present  other  unfavorable  features.  No  loan  or  credit
accommodation to any Affiliate of Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary is
presently in default or,  during the three year period prior to the date of this
Agreement,  has been in default or has been  restructured,  modified or extended
except for rate  modifications  pursuant  to Trinity  Bank's  loan  modification
policy that is applicable to all Persons.  Neither  Trinity Bank nor any Trinity
Bank Subsidiary has been notified that principal or interest with respect to any
such loan or other  credit  accommodation  will not be paid when due or that the
loan grade classification  accorded such loan or credit accommodation by Trinity
Bank is inappropriate.

         4.19. Deposits.

         Except as set forth in Trinity Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 4.19, none of
the deposits of any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary is a "brokered  deposit" as defined
in 12 C.F.R. Section 337.6(a)(2).

         4.20. Antitakeover Provisions Inapplicable; Required Vote.

         The transactions  contemplated by this Agreement are not subject to the
requirements  of any  "moratorium,"  "control  share," "fair price,"  "affiliate
transactions," "business combination" or other antitakeover laws and regulations
of the State of North Carolina. The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the issued
and outstanding  shares of Trinity Bank Common Stock is required to approve this
Agreement and the Merger under North Carolina law and Trinity Bank's articles of
incorporation.

         4.21. Registration Obligations.

         Neither  Trinity  Bank nor any  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  is under any
obligation,  contingent or otherwise,  which will survive the Effective  Time by
reason  of any  agreement  to  register  any  transaction  involving  any of its
securities under the Securities Act.

         4.22. Risk Management Instruments.

         Neither  Trinity Bank nor any Trinity Bank Subsidiary is a party to any
interest  rate  swaps,  caps,  floors,  option  agreements,  futures and forward
contracts and other similar risk management  arrangements,  whether entered into
for  Trinity  Bank's own  account,  or for the account of one or more of Trinity
Bank's Subsidiaries or their customers.

         4.23. Fairness Opinion.

         Trinity  Bank has  received an opinion  from Burke to the effect  that,
subject to the terms, conditions and qualifications set forth therein, as of the
date hereof,  the Merger  Consideration  to be received by the  shareholders  of
Trinity  Bank  pursuant to this  Agreement is fair to such  shareholders  from a
financial point of view.

                                       33


         4.24. Intellectual Property.

         Trinity  Bank and each  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  owns or, to  Trinity
Bank's Knowledge, possesses valid and binding licenses and other rights (subject
to  expirations  in  accordance  with their terms) to use all material  patents,
copyrights,  trade secrets,  trade names,  servicemarks  and trademarks  used in
their business,  each without payment,  and neither Trinity Bank nor any Trinity
Bank  Subsidiary  has received any notice of conflict with respect  thereto that
asserts the rights of others.  Trinity Bank and each  Significant  Subsidiary of
Trinity  Bank  have  performed  in all  material  respects  all the  obligations
required to be performed,  and are not in default in any material respect, under
any  contract,  agreement,  arrangement  or  commitment  relating  to any of the
foregoing.

         4.25. Trust Accounts.

         Neither  Trinity  Bank,  nor any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  conducts any
trust business.

         4.26. Labor Matters.

         There are no labor or collective bargaining agreements to which Trinity
Bank or any Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  is a party.  To the  Knowledge of Trinity
Bank, there is no union organizing effort pending or threatened  against Trinity
Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary.  There is no labor  strike,  labor dispute
(other  than  routine  employee   grievances  that  are  not  related  to  union
employees),  work slowdown,  stoppage or lockout pending or, to the Knowledge of
Trinity Bank,  threatened  against Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary.
There is no unfair labor practice or labor arbitration proceeding pending or, to
the Knowledge of Trinity Bank,  threatened  against  Trinity Bank or any Trinity
Bank Subsidiary (other than routine employee  grievances that are not related to
union employees). Trinity Bank and each Trinity Bank Subsidiary is in compliance
in all material  respects with all  applicable  laws  respecting  employment and
employment  practices,  terms and  conditions of employment and wages and hours,
and are not engaged in any unfair labor practice.

         4.27. Trinity Bank Information.

         The  information   relating  to  Trinity  Bank  and  any  Trinity  Bank
Subsidiary to be contained in the Merger Registration Statement, or in any other
document  filed  with  any  Bank  Regulator  or  other  Governmental  Entity  in
connection herewith, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the  circumstances  in  which  they  are  made,  not  misleading.  The  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus will comply in all material respects with the provisions of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the FDIC thereunder applicable
to Trinity Bank,  except that no  representation  or warranty is made by Trinity
Bank with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference  therein based
on  information  supplied  by  Citizens  South  specifically  for  inclusion  or
incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

                                       34


                                   ARTICLE V
    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CITIZENS SOUTH AND CITIZENS SOUTH BANK

         Citizens South and Citizens South Bank represent and warrant to Trinity
Bank that the statements  contained in this Article V are correct as of the date
of this  Agreement  and will be correct as of the  Closing  Date (as though made
then and as  though  the  Closing  Date  were  substituted  for the date of this
Agreement  throughout  this  Article V),  subject to the  standard  set forth in
Section 5.1 and except as set forth in the Citizens  South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE
delivered by Citizens  South to Trinity  Bank on the date hereof,  and except to
any  representation of warranty which  specifically  relates to an earlier date,
which  only need be so  correct  as of such  earlier  date.  Citizens  South and
Citizens  South Bank have made a good faith effort to ensure that the disclosure
on each schedule of the Citizens South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  corresponds to the
section  referenced  herein.   However,  for  purposes  of  the  Citizens  South
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE,  any item disclosed on any schedule therein is deemed to be
fully  disclosed  with  respect to all  schedules  under  which such item may be
relevant  as and to the extent that it is  reasonably  clear on the face of such
schedule  that such item  applies  to such  other  schedule.  References  to the
Knowledge of Citizens South shall include the Knowledge of Citizens South Bank.

         5.1. Standard.

         No  representation or warranty of Citizens South or Citizens South Bank
contained in this  Article V shall be deemed  untrue or  incorrect,  and neither
Citizens  South nor  Citizens  South  Bank  shall be deemed to have  breached  a
representation  or  warranty,  as a  consequence  of the  existence of any fact,
circumstance or event unless such fact,  circumstance or event,  individually or
taken together with all other facts,  circumstances or events  inconsistent with
any paragraph of Article V, has had or is reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse  Effect,  disregarding  for  these  purposes  (x) any  qualification  or
exception  for, or  reference  to,  materiality  in any such  representation  or
warranty and (y) any use of the terms "material", "materially", "in all material
respects",  "Material  Adverse  Effect" or similar  terms or phrases in any such
representation  or  warranty.   The  foregoing   standard  shall  not  apply  to
representations  and  warranties  contained in Sections 5.2 (other than the last
sentence  of  Sections  5.2.1 and  5.2.2),  5.3 and 5.4,  which  shall be deemed
untrue,  incorrect and breached if they are not true and correct in all material
respects.

         5.2. Organization.

                  5.2.1. Citizens South is a corporation duly organized, validly
         existing and in good standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware,
         and is duly  registered as a savings and loan holding company under the
         HOLA. Citizens South has full corporate power and authority to carry on
         its business as now  conducted  and is duly licensed or qualified to do
         business in the states of the United  States and foreign  jurisdictions
         where its  ownership  or  leasing  of  property  or the  conduct of its
         business requires such qualification.

                  5.2.2.  Citizens South Bank is a savings bank duly  organized,
         validly  existing and in good standing  under Federal law. The deposits
         of Citizens  South Bank are  insured by the FDIC to the fullest  extent
         permitted by law, and all premiums and assessments  required to be

                                       35


         paid in connection  therewith  have been paid when due.  Citizens South
         Bank is a member in good  standing  of the FHLB and owns the  requisite
         amount of stock therein.

                  5.2.3.  Citizens  South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 5.2.3 sets forth
         each Citizens South  Subsidiary.  Each Citizens South Subsidiary (other
         than Citizens South Bank) is a corporation or limited liability company
         duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
         its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization.

                  5.2.4. The respective  minute books of Citizens South and each
         Citizens South Subsidiary  accurately record, in all material respects,
         all material  corporate  actions of their  respective  stockholders and
         boards of directors (including committees).

                  5.2.5. Prior to the date of this Agreement, Citizens South has
         made  available  to  Trinity  Bank  true  and  correct  copies  of  the
         certificate  of  incorporation  or charter and bylaws of Citizens South
         and Citizens South Bank and the Citizens South Subsidiaries.

         5.3. Capitalization.

                  5.3.1. The authorized capital stock of Citizens South consists
         of 20,000,000 shares of Citizens South Common Stock, of which 7,249,530
         shares are outstanding,  validly issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable
         and free of preemptive rights, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
         $0.01 par value ("Citizens South Preferred  Stock"),  none of which are
         outstanding.  There are 1,813,197 shares of Citizens South Common Stock
         held by Citizens South as treasury  stock.  Neither  Citizens South nor
         any Citizens South Subsidiary has or is bound by any Rights, other than
         shares issuable under the Citizens South Stock Benefit Plans.

                  5.3.2.  Citizens  South owns directly all of the capital stock
         of Citizens South Bank free and clear of any lien,  security  interest,
         pledge,  charge,  encumbrance  or  restriction  of any kind or  nature.
         Either   Citizens  South  or  Citizens  South  Bank  owns  all  of  the
         outstanding  shares of capital stock of each Citizens South  Subsidiary
         free and clear of all  liens,  security  interests,  pledges,  charges,
         encumbrances, agreements and restrictions of any kind or nature.

                  5.3.3.  Except  as set  forth  in  Citizens  South  DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE  5.3.3,  to the Knowledge of Citizens  South, no Person is the
         beneficial  owner (as defined in Section  13(d) of the Exchange Act) of
         5% or more of the outstanding shares of Citizens South Common Stock.

                  5.3.4.  No  bonds,  debentures,  notes or  other  indebtedness
         having  the  right to vote on any  matters  on which  Citizens  South's
         stockholders  may vote  have  been  issued  by  Citizens  South and are
         outstanding.

         5.4. Authority; No Violation.

                  5.4.1.  Citizens  South and Citizens  South Bank each has full
         corporate  power and  authority to execute and deliver  this  Agreement
         and,  subject to  receipt  of the  required  Regulatory  Approvals,  to
         consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The execution and
         delivery of this  Agreement and the  completion  by Citizens  South and
         Citizens South Bank of the transactions  contemplated hereby, up to and
         including the Merger,  have been duly and validly

                                       36


         approved by the Board of Directors of Citizens South and Citizens South
         Bank, and no other corporate  proceedings on the part of Citizens South
         or  Citizens  South Bank are  necessary  to complete  the  transactions
         contemplated hereby, up to and including the Merger. This Agreement has
         been duly and validly  executed  and  delivered  by Citizens  South and
         Citizens  South  Bank,  and  subject to the  receipt of the  Regulatory
         Approvals  described in Section 8.3 and approval by the shareholders of
         Trinity Bank and due and valid execution and delivery of this Agreement
         by Trinity  Bank,  constitutes  the valid and  binding  obligations  of
         Citizens South and Citizens South Bank,  enforceable  against  Citizens
         South and Citizens South Bank in accordance with its terms,  subject to
         applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors'
         rights  generally,  and  subject,  as  to  enforceability,  to  general
         principles of equity.

                  5.4.2.  (A) The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by
         Citizens  South and Citizens  South Bank, (B) subject to receipt of the
         Regulatory Approvals, and compliance by Trinity Bank and Citizens South
         and Citizens  South Bank with any  conditions  contained  therein,  and
         subject to the receipt of the approval of the  shareholders  of Trinity
         Bank, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (C)
         compliance  by Citizens  South and Citizens  South Bank with any of the
         terms or  provisions  hereof will not (i) conflict  with or result in a
         breach of any  provision of the charter or bylaws of Citizens  South or
         any  Citizens  South  Subsidiary  or the charter and bylaws of Citizens
         South  Bank;  (ii)  violate  any  statute,   code,   ordinance,   rule,
         regulation,  judgment,  order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to
         Citizens  South  or any  Citizens  South  Subsidiary  or  any of  their
         respective  properties  or assets;  or (iii)  violate,  conflict  with,
         result in a breach of any  provisions  of,  constitute a default (or an
         event which,  with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a
         default)  under,   result  in  the   termination  of,   accelerate  the
         performance  required  by,  or  result  in a right  of  termination  or
         acceleration or the creation of any lien, security interest,  charge or
         other  encumbrance  upon any of the  properties  or assets of  Citizens
         South,  Citizens South Bank or any Citizens South  Subsidiary under any
         of the terms,  conditions or provisions  of any note,  bond,  mortgage,
         indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other investment
         or obligation to which any of them is a party,  or by which they or any
         of their  respective  properties  or assets  may be bound or  affected,
         except for such  violations,  conflicts,  breaches  or  defaults  under
         clause  (ii) or  (iii)  hereof  which,  either  individually  or in the
         aggregate,  will not have a Material  Adverse  Effect on Citizens South
         and the Citizens South Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         5.5. Consents.

         Except for (a) the receipt of the  Regulatory  Approvals and compliance
with any conditions  contained therein, (b) the filing of the Articles of Merger
with the OTS and the filing of the  applicable  certificates/documents  with the
Commissioner,  (c)  the  filing  with  the SEC of (i)  the  Merger  Registration
Statement and (ii) such reports under Sections 13(a),  13(d), 13(g) and 16(a) of
the Exchange Act as may be required in  connection  with this  Agreement and the
transactions  contemplated  hereby and the obtaining from the SEC of such orders
as may be  required  in  connection  therewith,  (d)  approval of the listing of
Citizens  South Common  Stock to be issued in the Merger on the Nasdaq  National
Market,  (e) such  filings and  approvals as are required to be made or obtained
under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of various states in connection with the
issuance  of the  shares  of  Citizens  South  Common  Stock  pursuant  to  this
Agreement,  and (f) the approval of this  Agreement by the requisite vote of the
shareholders  of Trinity Bank, no consents,  waivers or approvals of, or filings
or registrations  with, any

                                       37


Governmental  Entity or Bank Regulator are  necessary,  and, to the Knowledge of
Citizens   South,   no  consents,   waivers  or  approvals  of,  or  filings  or
registrations with, any other third parties (including,  without limitation, the
stockholders of Citizens South) are necessary,  in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by Citizens South and Citizens South Bank and the
completion by Citizens South Bank of the Merger.

         5.6. Financial Statements.

                  5.6.1. Citizens South has previously made available to Trinity
         Bank the Citizens South  Financial  Statements  covering  periods ended
         prior to the date hereof. The Citizens South Financial  Statements have
         been prepared in accordance  with GAAP, and fairly present in each case
         in all material  respects (subject in the case of the unaudited interim
         statements to normal year-end  adjustments) the consolidated  financial
         position,  results of operations  and cash flows of Citizens  South and
         the Citizens South  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis as of and for
         the respective periods ending on the dates thereof,  in accordance with
         GAAP  during the periods  involved,  except as  indicated  in the notes
         thereto, or in the case of unaudited  statements,  as permitted by Form
         10-Q.

                  5.6.2.  At the  date of each  balance  sheet  included  in the
         Citizens South  Financial  Statements,  Citizens South did not have any
         liabilities,  obligations or loss  contingencies of any nature (whether
         absolute,  accrued,  contingent  or otherwise) of a type required to be
         reflected  in  such  Citizens  South  Financial  Statements  or in  the
         footnotes  thereto  which are not fully  reflected or reserved  against
         therein  or  fully  disclosed  in  a  footnote   thereto,   except  for
         liabilities,  obligations and loss contingencies which are not material
         individually  or in the aggregate or which are incurred in the ordinary
         course of  business,  consistent  with past  practice,  and  except for
         liabilities,  obligations and loss  contingencies  which are within the
         subject  matter of a specific  representation  and warranty  herein and
         subject, in the case of any unaudited statements,  to normal, recurring
         audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

         5.7. Taxes.

         Citizens South and the Citizens South Subsidiaries that are at least 80
percent owned by Citizens South are members of the same affiliated  group within
the meaning of Code Section 1504(a).  Citizens South has duly filed all federal,
state and material local tax returns  required to be filed by or with respect to
Citizens  South and each  Citizens  South  Subsidiary,  taking into  account any
extensions (all such returns, to the Knowledge of Citizens South, being accurate
and correct in all material  respects) and has duly paid or made  provisions for
the  payment of all  federal,  state and  material  local  taxes which have been
incurred by or are due or claimed to be due from Citizens South and any Citizens
South  Subsidiary by any taxing authority or pursuant to any written tax sharing
agreement other than taxes or other charges which (i) are not  delinquent,  (ii)
are being contested in good faith, or (iii) have not yet been fully  determined.
As of the date of this Agreement,  Citizens South has received no notice of, and
to the Knowledge of Citizens South,  there is no audit  examination,  deficiency
assessment,  tax investigation or refund litigation with respect to any taxes of
Citizens  South or any of its  Subsidiaries,  and no claim  has been made by any
taxing  authority  in  a  jurisdiction  where  Citizens  South  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  do not file tax returns that Citizens South or any such Subsidiary
is subject to  taxation  in that  jurisdiction.  Except as set forth in Citizens
South  DISCLOSURE

                                       38


SCHEDULE 5.7, Citizens South and its Subsidiaries have not executed an extension
or waiver of any statute of  limitations  on the assessment or collection of any
material  tax due that is currently  in effect.  Citizens  South and each of its
Subsidiaries  has  timely  withheld  and paid all  taxes  required  to have been
withheld and paid in  connection  with  amounts  paid or owing to any  employee,
independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party, and Citizens
South and each of its  Subsidiaries,  to the  Knowledge of Citizens  South,  has
timely complied with all applicable  information  reporting  requirements  under
Part III,  Subchapter A of Chapter 61 of the Code and similar  applicable  state
and local information reporting requirements.

         5.8. No Material Adverse Effect.

         Citizens South and the Citizens South  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,
have not  suffered any Material  Adverse  Effect since  December 31, 2004 and no
event  has  occurred  or  circumstance  arisen  since  that date  which,  in the
aggregate,  has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Citizens South and the Citizens South Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         5.9. Ownership of Property; Insurance Coverage.

                  5.9.1.  Citizens  South  and each  Significant  Subsidiary  of
         Citizens South has good and, as to real property,  marketable  title to
         all  material  assets and  properties  owned by Citizens  South or each
         Significant  Subsidiary  of  Citizens  South  in  the  conduct  of  its
         businesses,  whether such assets and  properties  are real or personal,
         tangible or intangible,  including assets and property reflected in the
         balance sheets contained in the Citizens South Financial  Statements or
         acquired  subsequent thereto (except to the extent that such assets and
         properties  have been  disposed of in the ordinary  course of business,
         since  the  date  of  such  balance  sheets),  subject  to no  material
         encumbrances,  liens, mortgages,  security interests or pledges, except
         (i) those  items  which  secure  liabilities  for  public or  statutory
         obligations or any discount with,  borrowing from or other  obligations
         to FHLB, inter-bank credit facilities, or any transaction by a Citizens
         South  Subsidiary  acting in a fiduciary  capacity,  and (ii) statutory
         liens for amounts not yet  delinquent  or which are being  contested in
         good faith. Citizens South and the Significant Subsidiaries of Citizens
         South, as lessee,  have the right under valid and subsisting  leases of
         real and personal properties used by Citizens South and the Significant
         Subsidiaries  of Citizens  South in the conduct of their  businesses to
         occupy or use all such  properties  as  presently  occupied and used by
         each of them.

                  5.9.2.  Citizens  South and each  Subsidiary of Citizens South
         currently  maintain  insurance  considered  by  Citizens  South  to  be
         reasonable for their respective operations.

         5.10. Legal Proceedings.

         Neither  Citizens South or any Citizens South  Subsidiary is a party to
any, and there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of Citizens South, threatened
legal,  administrative,   arbitration  or  other  proceedings,  claims  (whether
asserted or unasserted),  actions or governmental investigations or inquiries of
any nature (i) against Citizens South or any Citizens South Subsidiary,  (ii) to
which  Citizens South or any Citizens  South  Subsidiary's  assets are or may be
subject,  (iii) challenging the validity or propriety of any of the transactions
contemplated  by this

                                       39


Agreement,  or (iv) which would  reasonably be expected to adversely  affect the
ability of  Citizens  South to  perform  under  this  Agreement,  except for any
proceeding,   claim,  action,  investigation  or  inquiry  which,  if  adversely
determined,  individually or in the aggregate,  could not be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         5.11. Compliance With Applicable Law.

                  5.11.1.  To the Knowledge of Citizens South,  each of Citizens
         South  and each  Citizens  South  Subsidiary  is in  compliance  in all
         material respects with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign
         statutes, laws, regulations,  ordinances,  rules, judgments,  orders or
         decrees  applicable to it, its  properties,  assets and  deposits,  its
         business,  and its conduct of business  and its  relationship  with its
         employees,  including,  without  limitation,  the USA PATRIOT  Act, the
         Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate
         Settlement Procedures Act, the Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Fair
         Credit  Reporting Act, the Fair Debt  Collections Act, the Fair Housing
         Act,  the  CRA,  the  Home  Mortgage  Disclosure  Act,  and  all  other
         applicable fair lending laws and other laws relating to  discriminatory
         business  practices,  and neither  Citizens South or any Citizens South
         Subsidiary has received any written notice to the contrary.

                  5.11.2.  Each  of  Citizens  South  and  each  Citizens  South
         Subsidiary has all material permits, licenses,  authorizations,  orders
         and  approvals  of,  and  has  made  all  filings,   applications   and
         registrations with, all Governmental  Entities and Bank Regulators that
         are required in order to permit it to own or lease its  properties  and
         to conduct  its  business as  presently  conducted;  all such  permits,
         licenses,  certificates of authority,  orders and approvals are in full
         force and effect and, to the Knowledge of Citizens South, no suspension
         or  cancellation  of any such permit,  license,  certificate,  order or
         approval is  threatened  or will result  from the  consummation  of the
         transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  subject to obtaining the
         approvals set forth in Section 8.3.

                  5.11.3.  For the period  beginning  January  1, 2001,  neither
         Citizens  South or any  Citizens  South  Subsidiary  has  received  any
         written  notification or, to the Knowledge of Citizens South, any other
         communication from any Bank Regulator (i) asserting that Citizens South
         or any Citizens South Subsidiary is not in material compliance with any
         of the statutes,  regulations  or ordinances  which such Bank Regulator
         enforces; (ii) threatening to revoke any license,  franchise, permit or
         governmental  authorization  which is material to Citizens South or any
         Citizens South  Subsidiary;  (iii)  requiring or threatening to require
         Citizens South or any Citizens  South  Subsidiary,  or indicating  that
         Citizens  South or any Citizens South  Subsidiary  may be required,  to
         enter  into a cease  and  desist  order,  agreement  or  memorandum  of
         understanding  or  any  other  agreement  with  any  federal  or  state
         governmental  agency or authority which is charged with the supervision
         or  regulation  of banks or engages in the  insurance of bank  deposits
         restricting  or limiting,  or purporting  to restrict or limit,  in any
         material respect the operations of Citizens South or any Citizens South
         Subsidiary, including without limitation any restriction on the payment
         of dividends; or (iv) directing, restricting or limiting, or purporting
         to direct,  restrict or limit, in any manner the operations of Citizens
         South or any Citizens South Subsidiary,  including  without  limitation
         any   restriction  on  the  payment  of  dividends  (any  such  notice,
         communication,   memorandum,  agreement  or  order  described  in  this
         sentence  is  hereinafter  referred  to as a  "Regulatory  Agreement").
         Neither  Citizens South or any Citizens South  Subsidiary has consented
         to or entered into any currently effective  Regulatory  Agreement.  The

                                       40


         most  recent  regulatory  rating  given to  Citizens  South  Bank as to
         compliance with the CRA is satisfactory or better.

         5.12. Employee Benefit Plans.

                  5.12.1.  Citizens South DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 5.12.1 includes a
         list of all  Compensation and Benefit Plans sponsored by Citizens South
         or any of its  Subsidiaries.  "Compensation  and Benefit Plans" as used
         herein  shall have the same  meaning  as set forth in  Section  4.13.1,
         substituting  the name of Citizens South for Trinity Bank wherever used
         therein.  Neither  Citizens South or any of its  Subsidiaries  has been
         notified by any Governmental  Entity to modify or limit any payments or
         other  compensation  paid or  payable by  Citizens  South or any of its
         Subsidiaries under this Agreement, any Compensation and Benefit Plan or
         otherwise,  to or for  the  benefit  of any  employee  or  director  of
         Citizens South or any of its  Subsidiaries and to the best knowledge of
         Citizens South, all such payments are in compliance with all applicable
         rules,  regulations and bulletins  promulgated by the any  Governmental
         Entities.  Neither  Citizens South or any of its  Subsidiaries  has any
         commitment to create any additional Compensation and Benefit Plan or to
         materially  modify,  change  or renew  any  existing  Compensation  and
         Benefit Plan (any  modification  or change that  increases  the cost of
         such plans  would be deemed  material),  except as required to maintain
         the qualified status thereof.

                  5.12.2.  Each of the  Compensation  and Benefit  Plans that is
         intended to be a pension,  profit sharing, stock bonus, thrift, savings
         or employee stock ownership plan that is qualified under Section 401(a)
         of the Code ("Citizens  South Qualified  Plans") has been determined by
         the Internal  Revenue  Service to qualify under  Section  401(a) of the
         Code,  and, to the best  knowledge  of Citizens  South,  there exist no
         circumstances  likely to  materially  adversely  affect  the  qualified
         status of any such Citizens  South  Qualified  Plan.  All such Citizens
         South  Qualified  Plans  established or maintained by Citizens South or
         each  Citizens  South  Subsidiary  or to  which  Citizens  South or any
         Citizens South Subsidiary  contribute are in compliance in all material
         respects  with  all  applicable  requirements  of  ERISA,  and  are  in
         compliance in all material  respects with all  applicable  requirements
         (including qualification and non-discrimination  requirements in effect
         as of the  Effective  Time) of the Code for  obtaining the tax benefits
         the Code permits with respect to such Citizens South  Qualified  Plans.
         All accrued  contributions  and other  payments  required to be made by
         Citizens  South or each Citizens South  Subsidiary to any  Compensation
         and Benefit Plan  through the date  hereof,  have been made or reserves
         adequate for such  purposes as of the date hereof,  have been set aside
         therefor  and  reflected  in Citizens  South's  consolidated  financial
         statements  to the extent  required by GAAP and Citizens  South and its
         Subsidiaries have expensed and accrued as a liability the present value
         of future benefits under each applicable  Compensation and Benefit Plan
         for  financial  reporting  purposes  to the  extent  required  by GAAP.
         Neither  Citizens South or any Citizens South Subsidiary is in material
         default in performing  any of its  respective  contractual  obligations
         under any Compensation and Benefit Plans or any related trust agreement
         or  insurance   contract,   and  there  are  no  material   outstanding
         liabilities of any such Plan other than  liabilities for benefits to be
         paid to participants in such Plan and their beneficiaries in accordance
         with  the  terms of such  Plan.  Neither  Citizens  South or any of its
         Subsidiaries  has  engaged  in a  transaction,  or  omitted to take any
         action,  with respect to any  Compensation  and Benefit Plan that would
         reasonably  be  expected  to  subject  Citizens  South  or  any  of its
         Subsidiaries to an unpaid tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975
         of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA.

                                       41


                  5.12.3. No liability,  other than PBGC premiums arising in the
         ordinary course of business,  has been or is expected by Citizens South
         or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  to be  incurred  with  respect  to  any
         Compensation  and Benefit Plan which is a defined  benefit plan subject
         to Title IV of ERISA ("Citizens  South Defined Benefit Plan"),  or with
         respect to any "single-employer plan" (as defined in Section 4001(a) of
         ERISA) currently or formerly maintained by Citizens South or any entity
         which is  considered  one employer  with  Citizens  South under Section
         4001(b)(1)  of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code (an "ERISA  Affiliate")
         (such plan hereinafter  referred to as an "ERISA Affiliate  Plan").  No
         Citizens  South  Defined  Benefit  Plan  had  an  "accumulated  funding
         deficiency"  (as  defined  in  Section  302 of  ERISA),  whether or not
         waived,  as of the  last day of the end of the most  recent  plan  year
         ending  prior to the date  hereof.  The net  fair  market  value of the
         assets  of  each  Citizens  South  Defined  Benefit  Plan  exceeds  the
         actuarial  present value of the  accumulated  plan benefits  guaranteed
         under  Section 4022 of ERISA as of the end of the most recent plan year
         ending prior to the date hereof for which  Citizens South has completed
         actuarial  reports  that  have been  filed  with the  Internal  Revenue
         Service.  There is not currently pending with the PBGC any filings with
         respect to any reportable event under Section 4043 of ERISA nor has any
         reportable  event occurred as to which a filing is required and has not
         been  made  (other  than as  might be  required  with  respect  to this
         Agreement and  transactions  contemplated  thereby).  Neither  Citizens
         South or any ERISA  Affiliate has  contributed  to any  "multi-employer
         plan," as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA,  on or after September 26,
         1980.  Neither  Citizens South or any of its Subsidiaries has provided,
         or is required  to provide,  security  to any  Citizens  South  Defined
         Benefit  Plan  or to any  single-employer  plan of an  ERISA  Affiliate
         pursuant to Section  401(a)(29) of the Code or 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.  Neither  Citizens  South or any ERISA
         Affiliate nor any Citizens South Compensation and Benefit Plan, nor any
         trust created thereunder,  nor any trustee or administrator thereof has
         engaged in a transaction in connection  with which any of the aforesaid
         persons or  entities  would  reasonably  be  expected  to be subject to
         either a civil liability or penalty  pursuant to Section 409, 502(i) or
         502(l) of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of the Code. To
         the Knowledge of Citizens South,  there is no pending  investigation or
         enforcement   action  by  any  Bank   Regulator  with  respect  to  any
         Compensation  and Benefit Plan or any ERISA Affiliate Plan. There is no
         pending  or,  to the  best  knowledge  of  Citizens  South,  threatened
         litigation or pending claim (other than individual  benefit claims made
         in  the  ordinary  course)  by  or  on  behalf  of or  against  any  of
         Compensation  and Benefit Plans (or with respect to the  administration
         of any of such Plans) now or heretofore maintained by Citizens South or
         any Citizens  South  Subsidiary  which allege  violations of applicable
         state or  federal  law or the terms of the Plan  which  are  reasonably
         likely to result in a liability on the part of Citizens South or any of
         its Subsidiaries or any such Plan.

                  5.12.4.  All  Compensation  and  Benefit  Plans that are group
         health  plans have been  operated in  compliance  with the group health
         plan  continuation  requirements  of  Section  4980B  of the  Code  and
         Sections 601-609 of ERISA and with the  certification of prior coverage
         and other requirements of Sections 701-702 and 711-713 of ERISA.

         5.13. Environmental Matters.

                  5.13.1.  To the  Knowledge  of  Citizens  South,  neither  the
         conduct  nor  operation  of their  business  nor any  condition  of any
         property  currently  or  previously  owned or  operated  by

                                       42


         any of them (including,  without  limitation,  in a fiduciary or agency
         capacity), or on which any of them holds a lien, results or resulted in
         a violation  of any  Environmental  Laws that is  reasonably  likely to
         impose  a  material   liability   (including  a  material   remediation
         obligation)  upon Citizens South or any of Citizens South Subsidiary or
         to result in a Material  Adverse  Effect.  To the Knowledge of Citizens
         South,  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 any material liability
         or to result in a  Material  Adverse  Effect to  Citizens  South or any
         Citizens South Subsidiary by reason of any Environmental  Laws. Neither
         Citizens  South or any  Citizens  South  Subsidiary  has  received  any
         written  notice from any Person  that  Citizens  South or any  Citizens
         South  Subsidiary  or the  operation or condition of any property  ever
         owned,  operated,  or held as collateral or in a fiduciary  capacity by
         any of them are  currently in violation of or otherwise  are alleged to
         have  financial  exposure under any  Environmental  Laws or relating to
         Materials  of  Environmental  Concern  (including,  but not limited to,
         responsibility (or potential  responsibility)  for the cleanup or other
         remediation of any Materials of Environmental  Concern at, on, beneath,
         or originating  from any such property) for which a material  liability
         is reasonably  likely to be imposed upon Citizens South or any Citizens
         South Subsidiary.

                  5.13.2. There is no suit, claim, action, demand,  executive or
         administrative  order,  directive,  investigation or proceeding pending
         or, to the Citizens South's  Knowledge,  threatened,  before any court,
         governmental  agency  or  other  forum  against  Citizens  South or any
         Citizens South Subsidiary (x) for alleged  noncompliance  (including by
         any predecessor) with, or liability under, any Environmental Law or (y)
         relating to the  presence  of or release  into the  environment  of any
         Materials of Environmental Concern (as defined herein),  whether or not
         occurring  at or on a site  owned,  leased  or  operated  by any of the
         Citizens South.

         5.14. Loan Portfolio.

                  5.14.1.  The allowance  for loan losses  reflected in Citizens
         South's  audited  consolidated  statement  of condition at December 31,
         2004 was, and the allowance for loan losses shown on the balance sheets
         in Citizens  South's  Securities  Documents  for periods  ending  after
         December  31, 2004 were or will be  adequate  as of the dates  thereof,
         under GAAP.

                  5.14.2. Citizens South DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 5.14.2 sets forth a
         listing,  as of the most recently available date, all loans of Citizens
         South and any Citizens South Subsidiary (1) that are contractually past
         due 90 days or more in the payment of principal  and/or  interest,  (2)
         that  are on  non-accrual  status,  (3)  that  as of the  date  of this
         Agreement are classified as "Other Loans Specially Mentioned", "Special
         Mention",    "Substandard",     "Doubtful",    "Loss",    "Classified",
         "Criticized",  "Watch list" or words of similar  import,  together with
         the  principal  amount of and accrued and unpaid  interest on each such
         Loan and the identity of the obligor thereunder, (4) where a reasonable
         doubt exists as to the timely future collectability of principal and/or
         interest,  whether or not  interest is still  accruing or the loans are
         less than 90 days past due, (5) where the interest rate terms have been
         reduced and/or the maturity dates have been extended  subsequent to the
         agreement  under which the loan was originally  created due to concerns
         regarding the borrower's ability to pay in accordance with such initial
         terms, or (6) where a specific reserve  allocation exists in connection
         therewith;  and all assets classified by Citizens South or any Citizens
         South Subsidiary as real estate acquired through foreclosure or in lieu
         of  foreclosure,  including  in-substance  foreclosures,  and all other
         assets currently held that were

                                       43


         acquired  through  foreclosure  or in lieu of  foreclosure.  DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE  5.14.2  may  exclude  any  individual  loan with a  principal
         outstanding balance of less than $100,000.

                  5.14.3. All loans receivable (including discounts) and accrued
         interest entered on the books of Citizens South and each Citizens South
         Subsidiary arose out of bona fide arm's-length transactions,  were made
         for good and valuable consideration in the ordinary course of business,
         and the notes or other evidences of  indebtedness  with respect to such
         loans  (including  discounts)  are true and  genuine  and are what they
         purport to be.

                  5.14.4.   The  notes  and  other   evidences  of  indebtedness
         evidencing the loans described above, and all pledges, mortgages, deeds
         of  trust  and  other  collateral  documents  or  security  instruments
         relating  thereto  are,  in all  material  respects,  valid,  true  and
         genuine, and what they purport to be.

         5.15. Securities Documents.

         Citizens  South has made  available  to Trinity  Bank copies of its (i)
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004,  (ii) quarterly
report on Form  10-Q for the  quarter  ended  March  31,  2005 and  (iii)  proxy
materials used or for use in connection  with its annual meeting of stockholders
held on May 9, 2005. Such reports and such proxy materials complied, at the time
filed with the SEC, in all material respects, with the Securities Laws.

         5.16. Deposits.

         None of the deposits of any Citizens  South  Subsidiary  is a "brokered
deposit" as defined in 12 C.F.R. Section 337.6(a)(2).

         5.17. Antitakeover Provisions Inapplicable.

         The transactions  contemplated by this Agreement are not subject to the
requirements  of any  "moratorium,"  "control  share," "fair price,"  "affiliate
transactions," "business combination" or other antitakeover laws and regulations
of the State of Delaware.

         5.18. Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors.

         Neither  Citizens  South or any Citizens South  Subsidiary,  nor any of
their  respective  officers,  directors,  employees or agents,  has employed any
broker,  finder  or  financial  advisor  in  connection  with  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement,  or incurred any liability or commitment for any
fees or  commissions  to any such  person in  connection  with the  transactions
contemplated  by this Agreement,  except for the retention of Keefe,  Bruyette &
Woods, Inc. by Citizens South and the fee payable pursuant thereto.

         5.19. Citizens South Common Stock.

         The shares of Citizens South Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this
Agreement,  when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,  will be
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and subject to no
preemptive rights.

                                       44


         5.20. Certain Agreements.

         Neither  Citizens South or any Citizens South  Subsidiary is a party to
or subject  to: (i) any  collective  bargaining  agreement  with any labor union
relating to employees of Citizens  South or any Citizens South  Subsidiary;  nor
(ii) any  agreement  which by its terms  limits  the  payment  of  dividends  by
Citizens South or any Citizens South Subsidiary.

         5.20 Labor Matters.

         There  are no  labor  or  collective  bargaining  agreements  to  which
Citizens South or any Citizens South  Subsidiary is a party. To the Knowledge of
Citizens  South,  there is no union  organizing  effort  pending  or  threatened
against  Citizens  South or any  Citizens  South  Subsidiary.  There is no labor
strike,  labor  dispute  (other than routine  employee  grievances  that are not
related to union employees),  work slowdown,  stoppage or lockout pending or, to
the  Knowledge  of Citizens  South,  threatened  against  Citizens  South or any
Citizens  South  Subsidiary.   There  is  no  unfair  labor  practice  or  labor
arbitration   proceeding  pending  or,  to  the  Knowledge  of  Citizens  South,
threatened  against Citizens South or any Citizens South Subsidiary  (other than
routine employee  grievances that are not related to union employees).  Citizens
South and each  Citizens  South  Subsidiary  is in  compliance  in all  material
respects  with  all  applicable  laws   respecting   employment  and  employment
practices,  terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours,  and are not
engaged in any unfair labor practice.

         5.21 Citizens South Information Supplied.

         The  information  relating to  Citizens  South and any  Citizens  South
Subsidiary to be contained in the Merger Registration Statement, or in any other
document  filed  with  any  Bank  Regulator  or  other  Governmental  Entity  in
connection herewith, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the  circumstances  in which  they  are  made,  not  misleading.  The  Merger
Registration  Statement  will comply with the provisions of the Exchange Act and
the rules and  regulations  thereunder  and the provisions of the Securities Act
and the rules and  regulations  thereunder,  except  that no  representation  or
warranty  is  made  by  Citizens  South  with  respect  to  statements  made  or
incorporated by reference therein based on information  supplied by Trinity Bank
specifically   for  inclusion  or  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Merger
Registration Statement.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                            COVENANTS OF TRINITY BANK

         6.1. Conduct of Business.

                  6.1.1. Affirmative Covenants.  During the period from the date
         of this  Agreement  to the  Effective  Time,  except  with the  written
         consent of  Citizens  South,  which  consent  will not be  unreasonably
         withheld,  Trinity  Bank  will,  and it will cause  each  Trinity  Bank
         Subsidiary  to:  operate its  business  only in the usual,  regular and
         ordinary course of business;  use reasonable efforts to preserve intact
         its  business  organization  and  assets  and  maintain  its rights and
         franchises;  and voluntarily  take no action which would: (i) adversely
         affect the ability of the parties to obtain the Regulatory Approvals or
         materially increase the period of time necessary to

                                       45


         obtain the Regulatory  Approvals,  or (ii) except as permitted pursuant
         to Section  6.10  hereof,  adversely  affect its ability to perform its
         covenants and agreements under this Agreement.

                  6.1.2.  Negative Covenants.  Trinity Bank agrees that from the
         date of this  Agreement  to the  Effective  Time,  except as  otherwise
         specifically  permitted  or  required by this  Agreement,  set forth in
         Trinity Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  6.1.2,  or consented to by Citizens
         South in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), it
         will not, and it will cause each of the Trinity Bank  Subsidiaries  not
         to:

                           (A) change or waive any  provision of its Articles of
                  Incorporation or Bylaws, except as required by law;

                           (B) change the number of  authorized or issued shares
                  of its capital stock,  issue any shares of Trinity Bank Common
                  Stock that are held as Treasury Shares,  or issue or grant any
                  Right or agreement of any character relating to its authorized
                  or issued  capital stock or any  securities  convertible  into
                  shares  of such  stock,  make any  grant or  award  under  the
                  Trinity  Bank  Stock  Option  Plans,  or  split,   combine  or
                  reclassify any shares of capital stock, or declare,  set aside
                  or pay any  dividend  or  other  distribution  in  respect  of
                  capital  stock,  or redeem or otherwise  acquire any shares of
                  capital  stock,  except that  Trinity Bank may issue shares of
                  Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock  upon  the  valid  exercise,   in
                  accordance  with the  information  set forth in  Trinity  Bank
                  DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 3.4, of presently outstanding Trinity Bank
                  Options  issued  under the Trinity Bank Stock Option Plans and
                  presently outstanding Trinity Bank Warrants.

                           (C) enter  into,  amend in any  material  respect  or
                  terminate  any  material  contract  or  agreement   (including
                  without  limitation any  settlement  agreement with respect to
                  litigation)   except  in  the  ordinary   course  of  business
                  consistent with past practice;

                           (D) make  application  for the  opening or closing of
                  any,  or  open or  close  any,  branch  or  automated  banking
                  facility;

                           (E)  grant or agree to pay any  bonus,  severance  or
                  termination  to, or enter into,  renew or amend any employment
                  agreement,  severance agreement and/or supplemental  executive
                  agreement with, or increase in any manner the  compensation or
                  fringe  benefits  of,  any  of  its  directors,   officers  or
                  employees,   except  (i)  as  may  be  required   pursuant  to
                  commitments  existing  on the  date  hereof  and set  forth on
                  Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES 4.9.1 and 4.13.1, (ii) as to
                  non-management employees, merit pay increases, of no more than
                  4% individually, in the ordinary course of business consistent
                  with past  practices,  and (iii) as otherwise  contemplated by
                  this  Agreement.  Neither  Trinity  Bank nor any Trinity  Bank
                  Subsidiary shall hire or promote any employee to a rank having
                  a title of senior vice  president or other more senior rank or
                  hire any new  employee  at an annual rate of  compensation  in
                  excess  of  $60,000,  provided  that  Trinity  Bank  may  hire
                  at-will, non-officer employees to fill vacancies that may from
                  time to time arise in the ordinary course of business;

                           (F) enter into or,  except as may be required by law,
                  materially modify any pension, retirement, stock option, stock
                  purchase,  stock  appreciation  right,  stock grant,  savings,
                  profit   sharing,    deferred    compensation,    supplemental
                  retirement,   consulting,  bonus,

                                       46


                  group  insurance  or  other  employee  benefit,  incentive  or
                  welfare contract, plan or arrangement,  or any trust agreement
                  related thereto, in respect of any of its directors,  officers
                  or  employees;  or  make  any  contributions  to  any  defined
                  contribution  or  defined  benefit  plan  not in the  ordinary
                  course of business consistent with past practice, in each case
                  except  (i) as may be  required  by  applicable  law,  (ii) as
                  otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, or (iii) renewals or
                  replacements in the normal course of business  consistent with
                  past  practice  of  existing  insurance  benefits  or benefits
                  provided through a Code Section 125 plan;

                           (G) merge or consolidate  Trinity Bank or any Trinity
                  Bank Subsidiary with any other corporation;  sell or lease all
                  or any  substantial  portion  of the  assets  or  business  of
                  Trinity  Bank  or  any  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary;   make  any
                  acquisition of all or any substantial  portion of the business
                  or assets of any other  Person other than in  connection  with
                  foreclosures,  settlements  in lieu of  foreclosure,  troubled
                  loan or debt  restructuring,  or the collection of any loan or
                  credit  arrangement  between Trinity Bank, or any Trinity Bank
                  Subsidiary,  and any other  Person;  enter into a purchase and
                  assumption   transaction   with   respect  to   deposits   and
                  liabilities; incur deposit liabilities, other than liabilities
                  incurred in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with
                  past  practice  (including  brokered  deposits) and in keeping
                  with prevailing  competitive  rates;  permit the revocation or
                  surrender by any Trinity Bank Subsidiary of its certificate of
                  authority  to  maintain,   or  file  an  application  for  the
                  relocation  of,  any  existing  branch  office,   or  file  an
                  application  for a certificate of authority to establish a new
                  branch office;

                           (H) except as permitted by Section  6.1.2(B)  sell or
                  otherwise dispose of the capital stock of Trinity Bank or sell
                  or  otherwise  dispose of any asset of Trinity  Bank or of any
                  Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  other than in the ordinary course of
                  business  consistent with past practice (which ordinary course
                  of  business   shall   include  the  sale  of   foreclosed  or
                  repossessed  properties);  except  for  transactions  with the
                  FHLB, subject any asset of Trinity Bank or of any Trinity Bank
                  Subsidiary  to a lien,  pledge,  security  interest  or  other
                  encumbrance   (other  than  in   connection   with   deposits,
                  repurchase agreements, bankers acceptances,  "treasury tax and
                  loan" accounts established in the ordinary course of business,
                  including   pledges   in   connection   with   acceptance   of
                  governmental deposits, and transactions in "federal funds" and
                  the  satisfaction  of legal  requirements  in the  exercise of
                  trust  powers)  other than in the ordinary  course of business
                  consistent  with past  practice;  incur any  indebtedness  for
                  borrowed  money (or  guarantee any  indebtedness  for borrowed
                  money),  except in the ordinary course of business  consistent
                  with past practice  (which  ordinary  course of business shall
                  include the  creation  of deposit  liabilities,  purchases  of
                  federal  funds,   FHLB  advances  and  entry  into  repurchase
                  agreements);

                           (I)  take  any  action  which  would  be   reasonably
                  expected  to  result  in  any  of  the   representations   and
                  warranties  of  Trinity  Bank  set  forth  in  this  Agreement
                  becoming untrue as of any date after the date hereof or in any
                  of the  conditions  set forth in  Article  IX hereof not being
                  satisfied,   except  in  each  case  as  may  be  required  by
                  applicable law;

                           (J) change  its  method,  practice  or  principle  of
                  accounting,  except  as may be  required  from time to time by
                  GAAP (without  regard to any optional  early adoption date) or
                  the Securities Laws applicable to Trinity Bank (without regard
                  to any optional  early  adoption  date) or any Bank  Regulator
                  responsible   for   regulating   Trinity  Bank  or  regulatory
                  accounting principles;

                                       47


                           (K) waive,  release,  grant or transfer  any material
                  rights of value or modify  or change in any  material  respect
                  any  existing  material  agreement  or  indebtedness  to which
                  Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary is a party,  other
                  than in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with past
                  practice;

                           (L) purchase any equity  securities  (except for FHLB
                  common stock in connection  with FHLB  advances),  or purchase
                  any other securities except securities (i) rated "A" or higher
                  by  either  Standard  & Poor's  Ratings  Services  or  Moody's
                  Investors Service,  (ii) having a face amount of not more than
                  $1,500,000,  (iii)  with a weighted  average  life of not more
                  than three years and (iv) otherwise in the ordinary  course of
                  business  consistent  with past practice,  provided,  however,
                  that if  Citizens  South does not object to a written  request
                  for  approval  within two  business  days after  receipt,  the
                  request shall be deemed approved;

                           (M) except as specifically provided below, and except
                  for  commitments  issued  prior to the date of this  Agreement
                  which have not yet  expired and which have been  disclosed  on
                  the Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 6.1.2(M), and the renewal
                  of existing lines of credit, make any new loan or other credit
                  facility  commitment   (including  without  limitation,   loan
                  participations,  lines of credit and letters of credit) to any
                  borrower  or  group  of  affiliated  borrowers  in  excess  of
                  $100,000 in the aggregate for unsecured  loans and  $1,000,000
                  in the aggregate for secured loans; provided, however, that if
                  Citizens  South  does not  object  to a  written  request  for
                  approval  within two business days after receipt,  the request
                  shall be deemed approved.  In addition,  the following require
                  the prior consent of Citizens  South:  a  residential  loan of
                  $500,000 or greater (except for  residential  loans sold as to
                  which there is an agreement to sell on a non-recourse  basis);
                  a  construction  loan of  $1,000,000  or  greater;  a  secured
                  commercial  business  loan  of  $500,000  or  greater;  and  a
                  commercial  real estate  loan of  $1,500,000  or  greater;  or
                  purchase, invest in or originate any finance lease or any loan
                  secured by a lease of personal  property;  provided,  however,
                  that if  Citizens  South does not object to a written  request
                  for  approval  within two  business  days after  receipt,  the
                  request shall be deemed approved;

                           (N)  except  as  set  forth  on  the   Trinity   Bank
                  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  6.1.2(N),  enter into, renew,  extend or
                  modify   any   other   transaction   (other   than  a  deposit
                  transaction) with any Affiliate;

                           (O) enter into any futures contract, option, interest
                  rate  caps,  interest  rate  floors,  interest  rate  exchange
                  agreement  or other  agreement  or take any other  action  for
                  purposes  of  hedging  the  exposure  of its  interest-earning
                  assets and  interest-bearing  liabilities to changes in market
                  rates of interest;

                           (P) except for the execution of this  Agreement,  and
                  actions taken or which will be taken in  accordance  with this
                  Agreement  and  performance  hereunder,  take any action  that
                  would give rise to a right of payment to any individual  under
                  any employment agreement;

                           (Q)  except as set forth in Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE
                  SCHEDULE  6.1.2(Q),  make any  material  change in policies in
                  existence  on the date of this  Agreement  with regard to: the
                  extension of credit,  or the  establishment  of reserves  with
                  respect  to the  possible  loss  thereon  or the charge off of
                  losses   incurred   thereon;   investments;    asset/liability

                                       48


                  management; or other material banking policies in any material
                  respect except as may be required by changes in applicable law
                  or  regulations,  GAAP,  the  Securities  Laws  applicable  to
                  Trinity Bank, or regulatory accounting principles or by a Bank
                  Regulator;

                           (R) except for the execution of this  Agreement,  and
                  the  transactions  contemplated  herein,  take any action that
                  would give rise to an  acceleration of the right to payment to
                  any individual under any Trinity Bank Compensation and Benefit
                  Plan;

                           (S)  except as set forth in Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE
                  SCHEDULE 6.1.2(S),  make any capital expenditures in excess of
                  $50,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate,  other than
                  pursuant  to binding  commitments  existing on the date hereof
                  and other than  expenditures  necessary  to maintain  existing
                  assets in good repair;

                           (T)  except as set forth in Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE
                  SCHEDULE 6.1.2(T),  purchase or otherwise acquire,  or sell or
                  otherwise  dispose  of,  any  assets or incur any  liabilities
                  other than in the ordinary course of business  consistent with
                  past practices and policies;

                           (U)  sell  any  participation  interest  in any  loan
                  (other than sales of loans secured by one- to four-family real
                  estate that are  consistent  with past practice and other than
                  as listed on Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 6.1.2(U)) unless
                  Citizens South Bank has been given the first opportunity and a
                  reasonable time to purchase any loan participation being sold,
                  or purchase any participation  interest in any loan other than
                  purchases of participation interests from Citizens South;

                           (V)  except as set forth in Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE
                  SCHEDULE 6.1.2(V), undertake or enter into any lease, contract
                  or other commitment for its account,  other than in the normal
                  course of providing credit to customers as part of its banking
                  business,  involving a payment by Trinity  Bank or any Trinity
                  Bank Subsidiary of more than $100,000 annually,  or containing
                  any financial  commitment  extending beyond 24 months from the
                  date hereof;  (W) pay,  discharge,  settle or  compromise  any
                  claim, action,  litigation,  arbitration or proceeding,  other
                  than any such payment, discharge,  settlement or compromise in
                  the ordinary course of business  consistent with past practice
                  that involves solely money damages in the amount not in excess
                  of $25,000 individually or $50,000 in the aggregate,  and that
                  does not  create  negative  precedent  for  other  pending  or
                  potential   claims,   actions,   litigation,   arbitration  or
                  proceedings;

                           (X)  foreclose  upon or take a deed or  title  to any
                  commercial  real estate  without  first  conducting  a Phase I
                  environmental assessment of the property or foreclose upon any
                  commercial  real  estate  if  such  environmental   assessment
                  indicates the presence of Materials of Environmental Concern;

                           (Y)  purchase  or sell any  mortgage  loan  servicing
                  rights  other  than  in  the   ordinary   course  of  business
                  consistent with past practice;

                           (Z) issue any communication to employees  relating to
                  post-Closing  employment,  benefit or compensation information
                  without the prior  consent of Citizens  South

                                       49


                  (which  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld,  conditioned  or
                  delayed) or issue any broadly  distributed  communication of a
                  general  nature to  customers  without  the prior  approval of
                  Citizens  South  (which shall not be  unreasonably  withheld),
                  except for customer  communications  required by law or in the
                  ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that
                  do not relate to the Merger or other transactions contemplated
                  hereby; or

                           (AA) agree to do any of the foregoing.

         6.2. Current Information.

                  6.2.1.  During the period from the date of this  Agreement  to
         the  Effective  Time,  Trinity  Bank  will  cause  one or  more  of its
         representatives  to confer with  representatives  of Citizens South and
         report the general  status of its ongoing  operations  at such times as
         Citizens  South may  reasonably  request.  Trinity  Bank will  promptly
         notify  Citizens  South of any material  change in the normal course of
         its business or in the operation of its  properties  and, to the extent
         permitted  by   applicable   law,  of  any   governmental   complaints,
         investigations or hearings (or communications  indicating that the same
         may be  contemplated),  or the  institution  or the threat of  material
         litigation  involving  Trinity  Bank or any  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary.
         Without  limiting the foregoing,  senior officers of Citizens South and
         Trinity Bank shall meet on a reasonably  regular basis  (expected to be
         at least  monthly) to review the financial and  operational  affairs of
         Trinity Bank and its  Subsidiaries,  in accordance with applicable law,
         and Trinity Bank shall give due consideration to Citizens South's input
         on such matters, with the understanding that, notwithstanding any other
         provision  contained in this Agreement,  neither  Citizens South or any
         Citizens South  Subsidiary shall under any circumstance be permitted to
         exercise  control of Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary  prior
         to the Effective Time.

                  6.2.2.  Trinity Bank and  Citizens  South Bank shall meet on a
         regular basis to discuss and plan for the conversion of data processing
         and related electronic  informational  systems of Trinity Bank to those
         used by Citizens South Bank,  which planning shall include,  but not be
         limited to,  discussion of the possible  termination by Trinity Bank of
         third-party  service provider  arrangements  effective at the Effective
         Time or at a date thereafter,  non-renewal of personal  property leases
         and  software  licenses  used by Trinity  Bank in  connection  with its
         systems  operations,  retention of outside  consultants  and additional
         employees  to  assist  with  the  conversion,   and   outsourcing,   as
         appropriate,  of proprietary or self-provided system services, it being
         understood  that  Trinity  Bank shall not be obligated to take any such
         action prior to the Effective  Time and,  unless Trinity Bank otherwise
         agrees and provided it is permitted by  applicable  law, no  conversion
         shall take place prior to the Effective Time. In the event that Trinity
         Bank takes,  at the written  request of Citizens South Bank, any action
         relative to third parties to facilitate the conversion  that results in
         the imposition of any termination fees or charges,  Citizens South Bank
         shall  indemnify  Trinity Bank for any such fees and  charges,  and the
         costs of reversing the conversion process, if for any reason the Merger
         is not consummated for any reason other than a breach of this Agreement
         by Trinity  Bank,  or a  termination  of this  Agreement  under Section
         11.1.7 or 11.1.8.

                  6.2.3.  Trinity  Bank shall  provide  Citizens  South,  within
         fifteen (15) business days of the end of each calendar month, a written
         list of  nonperforming  assets (the term  "nonperforming  assets,"  for
         purposes of this  subsection,  means (i) loans that are "troubled  debt

                                       50


         restructuring"   as  defined  in  Statement  of  Financial   Accounting
         Standards  No. 15,  "Accounting  by Debtors and  Creditors for Troubled
         Debt Restructuring," (ii) loans on nonaccrual, (iii) real estate owned,
         (iv) all loans  ninety  (90) days or more  past due,  and (v)  impaired
         loans as of the end of such month).  On a monthly  basis,  Trinity Bank
         shall  provide  Citizens  South with a schedule of all loan  approvals,
         which  schedule  shall  indicate the loan  amount,  loan type and other
         material features of the loan.

                  6.2.4.  Trinity Bank shall promptly inform Citizens South upon
         receiving  notice of any legal,  administrative,  arbitration  or other
         proceedings,   demands,  notices,  audits  or  investigations  (by  any
         federal,  state or local  commission,  agency or board) relating to the
         alleged  liability of Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary under
         any labor or employment law.

         6.3. Access to Properties and Records.

         Subject to Section  12.1,  Trinity  Bank shall  permit  Citizens  South
reasonable  access upon  reasonable  notice to its  properties  and those of the
Trinity Bank  Subsidiaries,  and shall  disclose and make  available to Citizens
South during normal business hours all of its books, papers and records relating
to the assets, properties, operations,  obligations and liabilities,  including,
but not limited to, all books of account  (including  the general  ledger),  tax
records,  minute books of directors' (other than minutes that discuss any of the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement or any other subject matter Trinity
Bank reasonably  determines should be treated as confidential) and shareholders'
meetings,  organizational documents,  Bylaws, material contracts and agreements,
filings  with  any  regulatory  authority,  litigation  files,  plans  affecting
employees,  and any other  business  activities  or prospects in which  Citizens
South may have a reasonable interest; provided, however, that Trinity Bank shall
not be required to take any action that would  provide  access to or to disclose
information  where  such  access or  disclosure,  in Trinity  Bank's  reasonable
judgment,  would interfere with the normal conduct of Trinity Bank's business or
would violate or prejudice the rights or business  interests or  confidences  of
any  customer  or  other  person  or would  result  in the  waiver  by it of the
privilege  protecting  communications  between  it and  any of  its  counsel  or
contravene any applicable  law.  Trinity Bank shall provide  Citizens South with
such  historical  financial  information  regarding  it (and shall  request  its
auditors to provide  related audit  reports and consents) as Citizens  South may
reasonably request for Securities Law disclosure purposes.  Citizens South shall
use commercially  reasonable  efforts to minimize any interference  with Trinity
Bank's  regular  business  operations  during any such access to Trinity  Bank's
property, books and records. Trinity Bank and each Trinity Bank Subsidiary shall
permit  Citizens  South,  at  Citizens  South's  expense,  to  cause a  "phase I
environmental audit" and a "phase II environmental audit" to be performed at any
physical  location owned or, to the extent  permitted under the applicable lease
agreement, occupied by Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary.

         6.4. Financial and Other Statements.

                  6.4.1.  Promptly  after  the  review  thereof  by the Board of
         Directors (or any committee) of Trinity Bank, Trinity Bank will furnish
         to Citizens  South copies of each annual,  interim or special  audit of
         the books of Trinity Bank and the Trinity Bank Subsidiaries made by its
         independent  accountants  and  copies  of all  final  internal  control
         reports submitted to Trinity Bank by such accountants,  or by any other
         accounting firm rendering  internal audit services,  in

                                       51


         connection  with each annual,  interim or special audit of the books of
         Trinity   Bank  and  the  Trinity  Bank   Subsidiaries   made  by  such
         accountants.

                  6.4.2. As soon as reasonably available,  but in no event later
         than five  business  days after such  documents are filed with the FDIC
         under the Exchange Act, Trinity Bank will deliver to Citizens South the
         Securities  Documents  filed by it under the Securities Laws applicable
         to Trinity  Bank.  Within 25 days after the end of each month,  Trinity
         Bank will deliver to Citizens  South a balance sheet and a statement of
         operations,   without  related  notes,   for  such  month  prepared  in
         accordance with current  financial  reporting  practices,  as well as a
         month-end and year to date comparison to budget.

                  6.4.3. With reasonable  promptness,  Trinity Bank will furnish
         to Citizens  South such  additional  financial  data that  Trinity Bank
         possesses  and as  Citizens  South may  reasonably  request,  including
         without  limitation,  detailed  monthly  financial  statements and loan
         reports.

         6.5. Maintenance of Insurance.

         Trinity Bank shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain, and
to cause the Trinity Bank Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance in such amounts as
are reasonable to cover such risks as are customary in relation to the character
and  location  of its  properties  and the  nature  of its  business,  with such
coverage and in such amounts not less than that currently  maintained by Trinity
Bank and the Trinity Bank  Subsidiaries and set forth in Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE  4.10.3.  Trinity Bank will promptly  inform  Citizens South if Trinity
Bank or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary  receives  notice from an insurance  carrier
that (i) an insurance  policy will be canceled or that coverage  thereunder will
be reduced or  eliminated,  or (ii) premium  costs with respect to any policy of
insurance will be substantially increased.

         6.6. Disclosure Supplements.

         From  time to time  prior to the  Effective  Time,  Trinity  Bank  will
promptly  supplement or amend the Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE delivered in
connection  herewith  with respect to any matter  hereafter  arising  which,  if
existing,  occurring  or known at the date of this  Agreement,  would  have been
required to be set forth or described in such Trinity Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE
or which is necessary to correct any information in such Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE which has been rendered materially inaccurate thereby. No supplement or
amendment to such Trinity Bank DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE shall have any effect for the
purpose of determining  satisfaction  of the conditions set forth in Article IX.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no failure to provide
any such supplement or amendment to the Trinity Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE shall
constitute  the failure of any condition set forth in Article IX to be satisfied
unless the underlying  breach or inaccuracy  would  individually or collectively
result in the failure of a condition set forth in Article IX to be satisfied.

         6.7. Consents and Approvals of Third Parties.

         Trinity Bank shall use all commercially  reasonable efforts,  and shall
cause each Trinity Bank Subsidiary to use all commercially reasonable efforts to
obtain as soon as  practicable  all consents and  approvals of any other persons
necessary or desirable for the consummation of the

                                       52


transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing,  Trinity Bank shall utilize the services of a professional  proxy
soliciting firm to provide assistance in obtaining the stockholder vote required
to be obtained by it hereunder.

         6.8. All Reasonable Efforts.

         Subject  to the terms and  conditions  herein  provided,  Trinity  Bank
agrees to use all commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all  action  and to do, or cause to be done,  all  things  necessary,  proper or
advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         6.9. Failure to Fulfill Conditions.

         In the event that  Trinity  Bank  determines  that a  condition  to its
obligation to complete the Merger cannot be fulfilled and that it will not waive
that condition, it will promptly notify Citizens South.

         6.10. No Solicitation.

         From and after the date hereof until the termination of this Agreement,
neither  Trinity  Bank,  nor any  Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary,  nor  any of  their
respective  officers,   directors,   employees,   representatives,   agents  and
affiliates (including,  without limitation,  any investment banker,  attorney or
accountant  retained by Trinity Bank or any of the Trinity  Bank  Subsidiaries),
will,  directly  or  indirectly,   initiate,   solicit  or  knowingly  encourage
(including  by way of  furnishing  non-public  information  or  assistance)  any
inquiries or the making of any proposal that  constitutes,  or may reasonably be
expected to lead to, any Acquisition  Proposal (as defined below), or enter into
or maintain or continue  discussions or negotiate with any Person in furtherance
of such  inquiries or to obtain an  Acquisition  Proposal or agree to or endorse
any Acquisition Proposal, or authorize or permit any of its officers, directors,
or employees or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any  investment  banker,  financial
advisor,  attorney,  accountant or other  representative  retained by any of its
Subsidiaries  to take any such action,  and Trinity  Bank shall notify  Citizens
South  orally  (within  one  business  day)  and  in  writing  (as  promptly  as
practicable)  of all of the  relevant  details  relating  to all  inquiries  and
proposals which Trinity Bank or any of its  Subsidiaries or any of its officers,
directors or employees,  or, to Trinity Bank's  Knowledge,  investment  bankers,
financial advisors,  attorneys,  accountants or other representatives of Trinity
Bank may  receive  relating  to any of such  matters,  provided,  however,  that
nothing  contained in this Section 6.10 shall prohibit the Board of Directors of
Trinity Bank from (i) complying with its disclosure obligations under federal or
state law; or (ii) furnishing  information  to, or entering into  discussions or
negotiations  with, any person or entity that makes an  unsolicited  Acquisition
Proposal, if, and only to the extent that, (A) the Board of Directors of Trinity
Bank determines in good faith (after  consultation  with its financial and legal
advisors),  taking into account all legal,  financial and regulatory  aspects of
the  proposal  and the  Person  making  the  proposal,  that such  proposal,  if
consummated,  is reasonably  likely to result in a transaction more favorable to
Trinity Bank's  shareholders from a financial point of view than the Merger; (B)
the  Board  of  Directors  of  Trinity  Bank  determines  in good  faith  (after
consultation  with its financial and legal advisors) that the failure to furnish
information to or enter into discussions with such Person would likely cause the
Board of  Directors  to  breach  its  fiduciary  duties  to  shareholders  under
applicable law;

                                       53


(C) such  Acquisition  Proposal  was not  solicited  by Trinity Bank and did not
otherwise  result  from a breach of this  Section  6.10 by  Trinity  Bank  (such
proposal that  satisfies  clauses (A), (B) and (C) being referred to herein as a
"Superior Proposal");  (D) Trinity Bank promptly notifies Citizens South of such
inquiries, proposals or offers received by, any such information requested from,
or any such discussions or negotiations sought to be initiated or continued with
Trinity Bank or any of its representatives  indicating,  in connection with such
notice,  the name of such Person and the material  terms and  conditions  of any
inquiries,  proposals  or offers,  and  receives  from such  Person an  executed
confidentiality  agreement  in form  and  substance  identical  in all  material
respects to the confidentiality  agreements that Trinity Bank and Citizens South
entered into;  and (E) the Trinity Bank  Shareholders  Meeting has not occurred.
For purposes of this Agreement,  "Acquisition  Proposal" shall mean any proposal
or offer as to any of the following  (other than the  transactions  contemplated
hereunder)  involving Trinity Bank or any of its  Subsidiaries:  (i) any merger,
consolidation,   share  exchange,   business   combination,   or  other  similar
transactions;  (ii) any sale, lease,  exchange,  mortgage,  pledge,  transfer or
other  disposition  of 25% or more of the assets of Trinity Bank and the Trinity
Bank  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  in a single  transaction  or  series  of
transactions;  (iii) any tender  offer or exchange  offer for 25% or more of the
outstanding  shares  of  capital  stock  of  Trinity  Bank  or the  filing  of a
registration statement under the Securities Act in connection therewith; or (iv)
any  public  announcement  of a  proposal,  plan or  intention  to do any of the
foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing.

         6.11. Reserves and Merger-Related Costs.

         On or before the Effective  Date, to the extent  consistent  with GAAP,
the Securities Laws applicable to Trinity Bank, the rules and regulations of the
FDIC, and applicable banking laws and regulations,  Trinity Bank shall establish
such  additional  accruals  and  reserves  as may be  necessary  to conform  the
accounting  reserve  practices and methods  (including credit loss practices and
methods)  of Trinity  Bank to those of  Citizens  South (as such  practices  and
methods are to be applied to Trinity  Bank from and after the Closing  Date) and
to Citizens South's plans with respect to the conduct of the business of Trinity
Bank following the Merger and otherwise to reflect  Merger-related  expenses and
costs incurred by Trinity Bank, provided,  however,  that Trinity Bank shall not
be required to take such action until  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time
and only if Citizens  South and Citizens South Bank represent to Trinity Bank in
writing  that all  conditions  to  closing  set forth in  Section  9.2 have been
satisfied  or  waived  (except  for the  expiration  of any  applicable  waiting
periods) and that they are aware of no facts or circumstances that would prevent
consummation  of the Merger.  No accrual or reserve  made by Trinity Bank or any
Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  pursuant to this  subsection,  or any  litigation  or
regulatory  proceeding  arising  out of  any  such  accrual  or  reserve,  shall
constitute  or be  deemed  to be a breach or  violation  of any  representation,
warranty,  covenant,  condition  or  other  provision  of this  Agreement  or to
constitute a termination  event within the meaning of Section 11.1.2.  No action
shall be required to be taken by Trinity Bank  pursuant to this Section 6.11 if,
in the opinion of Trinity  Bank's  independent  auditors,  such action  would be
inconsistent with GAAP.

                                       54


                                  ARTICLE VII
               COVENANTS OF CITIZENS SOUTH AND CITIZENS SOUTH BANK

         7.1. Conduct of Business.

         During  the period  from the date of this  Agreement  to the  Effective
Time, except with the written consent of Trinity Bank, which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld,  Citizens South and Citizens South Bank will, and it will
cause each Citizens South Subsidiary to: conduct its business only in the usual,
regular and ordinary  course  consistent  with past  practices;  use  reasonable
efforts to preserve intact its business organization and assets and maintain its
rights and franchises;  and voluntarily take no action that would: (i) adversely
affect  the  ability  of the  parties  to obtain  the  Regulatory  Approvals  or
materially increase the period of time necessary to obtain such approvals;  (ii)
adversely  affect their ability to perform their covenants and agreements  under
this Agreement;  or (iii) result in the representations and warranties contained
in Article V of this  Agreement  not being true and  correct on the date of this
Agreement or at any future date on or prior to the Closing Date or in any of the
conditions set forth in Article IX hereof not being satisfied.

         7.2. Current Information and Consultation.

         During  the period  from the date of this  Agreement  to the  Effective
Time,  Citizens  South will cause one or more of its  representatives  to confer
with  representatives  of  Trinity  Bank and report  the  general  status of its
financial  condition,  operations  and  business  and  matters  relating  to the
completion of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  at such times as Trinity
Bank may reasonably  request.  Citizens South will promptly notify Trinity Bank,
to the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law, of any  governmental  complaints,
investigations  or hearings (or  communications  indicating that the same may be
contemplated), or the institution or the threat of material litigation involving
Citizens  South and any  Citizens  South  Subsidiary.  Citizens  South  shall be
reasonably responsive to requests by Trinity Bank for access to such information
and personnel regarding Citizens South and its Subsidiaries as may be reasonably
necessary for Trinity Bank to confirm that the representations and warranties of
Citizens South  contained  herein are true and correct and that the covenants of
Citizens South  contained  herein have been performed in all material  respects;
provided,  however, that Citizens South shall not be required to take any action
that would  provide  access to or to disclose  information  where such access or
disclosure,  in Citizens South's reasonable  judgment,  would interfere with the
normal  conduct of Citizens  South's  business or would violate or prejudice the
rights or business  interests or  confidences of any customer or other person or
would  result in the  waiver by it of the  privilege  protecting  communications
between it and any of its counsel.

         7.3. Financial and Other Statements.

         As soon as  reasonably  available,  but in no event later than the date
such  documents are filed with the SEC,  Citizens  South will deliver to Trinity
Bank the Securities Documents filed by it with the SEC under the Securities Laws
other than those  Securities  Documents that are available  publicly  though the
SEC's EDGAR data base.  Citizens  South will advise Trinity Bank promptly of the
receipt of any  examination  report of any Bank  Regulator  with  respect to the
condition  or  activities  of  Citizens  South  or  any of  the  Citizens  South
Subsidiaries.

                                       55


         7.4. Disclosure Supplements.

         From time to time  prior to the  Effective  Time,  Citizens  South will
promptly supplement or amend the Citizens South DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE delivered in
connection  herewith  with respect to any matter  hereafter  arising  which,  if
existing,  occurring  or known at the date of this  Agreement,  would  have been
required to be set forth or described in such Citizens South DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
or  which is  necessary  to  correct  any  information  in such  Citizens  South
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE which has been rendered inaccurate thereby. No supplement or
amendment to such Citizens South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE shall have any effect for
the purpose of determining  satisfaction  of the conditions set forth in Article
IX.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained  herein, no failure to
provide any such  supplement  or  amendment  to the  Citizens  South  DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE  shall  constitute the failure of any condition set forth in Article IX
to be satisfied unless the underlying breach or inaccuracy would individually or
collectively  result in the failure of a condition set forth in Article IX to be
satisfied.

         7.5. Consents and Approvals of Third Parties.

         Citizens  South and  Citizens  South  Bank  shall use all  commercially
reasonable  efforts to obtain as soon as practicable  all consents and approvals
of any  other  Persons  necessary  or  desirable  for  the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         7.6. All Reasonable Efforts.

         Subject to the terms and  conditions  herein  provided,  Citizens South
agrees to use and agrees to cause  Citizens  South Bank to use all  commercially
reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause
to be done, all things necessary,  proper or advisable under applicable laws and
regulations to consummate and make effective the  transactions  contemplated  by
this Agreement.

         7.7. Failure to Fulfill Conditions.

         In the event that  Citizens  South  determines  that a condition to its
obligation to complete the Merger cannot be fulfilled and that it will not waive
that condition, it will promptly notify Trinity Bank.

         7.8. Employee Benefits.

                  7.8.1.  As of or after  the  Effective  Time  and at  Citizens
         South's election and subject to the requirements of the Code and ERISA,
         the Trinity Bank  Compensation  and Benefit  Plans may be continued and
         maintained  separately,  consolidated,  or  terminated.  Following  the
         Effective Time,  Citizens South shall provide Continuing  Employees (as
         defined in Section  7.8.7 hereof) with  compensation  and benefits that
         are, in the aggregate,  substantially  similar to the  compensation and
         benefits provided to similarly situated Citizens South employees (as of
         the date any such  compensation  or benefit is  provided).  All Trinity
         Bank Employees who become participants in a Citizens South Compensation
         and Benefit Plan shall, for purposes of determining eligibility for and
         for any applicable  vesting periods of such employee benefits only (and
         not for benefit  accrual  purposes)  be given  credit for service as an
         employee  of  Trinity  Bank

                                       56


         or any Trinity Bank Subsidiary or any predecessor  thereto prior to the
         Effective Time, provided,  however, that credit for prior service shall
         not be given  under the  Citizens  South  ESOP,  or to the extent  that
         providing such credit would result in a duplication  of benefits.  This
         Agreement shall not be construed to limit the ability of Citizens South
         or Citizens  South Bank to terminate the  employment of any employee or
         to review employee benefits programs from time to time, or to make such
         changes as they deem  appropriate,  subject to the terms and conditions
         of such programs,  or to terminate any Citizens South  Compensation and
         Benefit Plan.

                  7.8.2.  Except as specifically  set forth in this Section 7.8,
         Citizens  South shall assume and honor in  accordance  with their terms
         those  Trinity  Bank   employment   agreements  and   change-in-control
         agreements  listed in  Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  4.9.1.  The
         methodology (the "Methodology") for determining the payments to Trinity
         Bank   employees   pursuant   to   such   employment   agreements   and
         change-in-control   agreements  if  such  employees  are  involuntarily
         terminated or resign as a result of the  occurrence  of a  "Termination
         Event" (as defined in the  applicable  employment or  change-in-control
         agreement) or become entitled to a payment thereunder  pursuant to this
         Agreement,  is set forth in Citizens South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 7.8.2.
         Each Trinity Bank employee who is party to such employment agreement or
         change-in-control  agreement shall execute the acknowledgment  included
         in Citizen South DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 7.8.2 at the time of the execution
         of this  Agreement  pursuant to which such employee  shall agree to the
         Methodology.  Immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time,  Trinity Bank
         shall pay the amount set forth on Citizens  South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE
         7.8.2 to Dennis Livingston,  President and Chief Administrative Officer
         of Trinity Bank, Charla Kurtz, Chief Financial Officer of Trinity Bank,
         and Karl Cahoon, Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer
         at Trinity  Bank.  At the time the payments to Trinity  Bank  employees
         pursuant to such employment agreements and change-in-control agreements
         are made, each such employee shall each execute a Termination Agreement
         and  Release,  in the  form  set  forth in  Citizens  South  DISCLOSURE
         SCHEDULE 7.8.2,  acknowledging  that no further  payments are due under
         such  employment  agreements  and   change-in-control   agreements  and
         releasing  Trinity  Bank  and  Citizens  South,  and  their  respective
         officers,  directors  and  employees,  from any and all claims  arising
         thereunder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no payouts
         shall  be made by  Citizens  South  or  Trinity  Bank  pursuant  to the
         existing  change-in-control  agreement  to which  Ray  Singleton,  loan
         officer of Trinity Bank, is a party.

                  7.8.3.  Notwithstanding Section 7.8.2 hereof,  concurrent with
         the execution of this Agreement,  Trinity Bank, Citizens South Bank and
         David C. McGuirt,  Trinity Bank's Chief Executive Officer,  shall enter
         into a  Supplemental  Agreement  pursuant  to which,  effective  at the
         Effective  Time,  that  certain  employment  agreement  by and  between
         Trinity Bank and Mr. McGuirt (the "McGuirt Employment Agreement") shall
         be  terminated.  In  consideration  for the  termination of the McGuirt
         Employment  Agreement,  the  Supplemental  Agreement  shall provide for
         certain  payments  to be made to Mr.  McGuirt by  Citizens  South Bank.
         Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and effective at the
         Effective  Time,  Citizens  South,  Citizens South Bank and Mr. McGuirt
         also shall enter into a new employment agreement with David McGuirt for
         a term of two (2) years from the Effective Time in the form included in
         Citizens  South   DISCLOSURE   SCHEDULE  7.8.3  and  a  Consulting  and
         Non-Compete  Agreement,  for a term of two (2) years  commencing on the
         second  anniversary  of the Effective  Time of the Merger,  in the form
         included in Citizens South DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 7.8.3.  Concurrent with
         the  execution of this  Agreement,  the  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan
         established  by  Trinity  Bank for

                                       57


         David C.  McGuirt  in 2003 for which  accruals  have been  incurred  by
         Trinity  Bank from June 2003,  shall be frozen and no further  accruals
         (other than interest, at a rate not in excess of the applicable federal
         long-term rate under Code Section 280G at the Effective  Time) shall be
         made therefor.  Prior to the Effective  Time, the McGuirt  Supplemental
         Retirement  Plan  shall be set forth in a written  document,  in a form
         satisfactory  to  Citizens  South,  which  shall (a)  comply  with Code
         Section  409A,  and (b)  provide  for the  payment of ten equal  annual
         installments commencing January 2010 and continuing until January 2019.

                  7.8.4.  Concurrent  with the  execution of this  Agreement and
         effective as of the Effective  Time,  Citizens South shall enter into a
         severance  and  non-compete  agreement in the form included in Citizens
         South  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  7.8.4 with each of Mr.  Livingston and Mr.
         Singelton.  Such severance and non-compete agreement with Mr. Singleton
         shall be in lieu of and shall supercede the existing  change-in-control
         agreement  between  Mr.  Singleton  and  Trinity  Bank,  which shall be
         cancelled.

                  7.8.5.  Citizens South Bank shall pay each employee of Trinity
         Bank set forth on Trinity  Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  7.8.5 a special,
         one-time bonus (the "Retention Bonus"),  which has been mutually agreed
         upon by Trinity Bank, Citizens South and Citizens South Bank, and which
         is designed to encourage such  employees to remain  employed by Trinity
         Bank from the date hereof and continue to be employed by Citizens South
         Bank  through  the  earlier  to occur of (i) one  month  following  the
         conversion of Trinity Bank's data processing and accounting  systems to
         the  systems of  Citizens  South  Bank,  or (ii) six  months  after the
         Closing Date.  Unless  otherwise  mutually agreed by the parties hereto
         subsequent to the date hereof, the Retention Bonus payable to each such
         Trinity Bank employee shall be equal to the amount indicated on Trinity
         Bank  DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE 7.8.5 (before taxes and  withholding,  which
         shall be required in accordance with applicable  law). The payment of a
         Retention  Bonus to any such Trinity Bank employee is contingent in all
         respects upon such employee  remaining  employed by Citizens South Bank
         and  performing  those duties and tasks  assigned to such employee in a
         diligent, timely and cooperative manner through the earlier to occur of
         (i)  one  month   following  the  conversion  of  Trinity  Bank's  data
         processing  and  accounting  systems to the systems of  Citizens  South
         Bank, or (ii) six months after the Closing Date.

                  7.8.6.  Any employee of Trinity Bank at the Effective Time who
         shall  not  be  offered  employment  with  Citizens  South  Bank  in  a
         substantially  similar  capacity as such  employee  served  immediately
         prior to the  execution  of this  Agreement  or whose  employment  with
         Citizens  South is terminated by Citizens  South (other than for cause)
         within six months  following the Effective Time shall be paid severance
         equal  to two  weeks  salary  for each 12 month  period  of  continuous
         service from their date of hire (or in the case of hourly employees, as
         such hourly  rate would  translate  to an  annualized  salary),  with a
         minimum  of two  weeks of  severance  for  employees  with less than 12
         months of continuous  service,  provided,  however,  that such employee
         shall be required to execute a general release  releasing Trinity Bank,
         Citizens South, and Citizens South Bank from any liability  relating to
         such  employee's  termination of employment.  Notwithstanding  anything
         herein to the  contrary,  no employee of Trinity Bank who is covered by
         an employment  agreement or change in control  agreement which provides
         severance benefits in connection with a change in control shall receive
         a benefit  pursuant to this  Section.  Any  severance  payment shall be
         subject to tax withholding in accordance with applicable law.

                                       58


                  7.8.7.  In the event of any  termination  of any Trinity  Bank
         health plan or  consolidation  of any such plan with any Citizens South
         or Citizens South Bank health plan or to the extent that an employee of
         Trinity Bank or any Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  who continues  employment
         with  Citizens  South  or  a  Citizens  South  Subsidiary  ("Continuing
         Employee") participates in a Citizens South health plan, Citizens South
         shall make available to such Continuing  Employees and their dependents
         employer-provided   health   coverage   (including   medical,   dental,
         pharmaceutical and/or vision benefits) on the same basis as it provides
         such coverage to Citizens South employees. Unless a Continuing Employee
         affirmatively  terminates  coverage  under a Trinity  Bank  health plan
         prior to the time that such  Continuing  Employee  becomes  eligible to
         participate  in the Citizens  South health plan,  no coverage of any of
         the Continuing  Employees or their dependents shall terminate under any
         of the  Trinity  Bank health  plans  prior to the time such  Continuing
         Employees and their  dependents  become  eligible to participate in the
         health plans, programs and benefits common to all employees of Citizens
         South  and  their  dependents.   In  the  event  of  a  termination  or
         consolidation of any Trinity Bank health plan,  terminated Trinity Bank
         employees and qualified  beneficiaries will have the right to continued
         coverage under group health plans of Citizens South in accordance  with
         Code Section  4980B(f),  consistent  with the provisions  below. In the
         event  of  any   termination  of  any  Trinity  Bank  health  plan,  or
         consolidation  of any Trinity Bank health plan with any Citizens  South
         health plan,  any coverage  limitation  under the Citizens South health
         plan due to any pre-existing  condition shall be waived by the Citizens
         South health plan to the degree that such  condition was covered by the
         Trinity Bank health plan and such condition  would  otherwise have been
         covered  by the  Citizens  South  health  plan in the  absence  of such
         coverage limitation. All Trinity Bank Employees who cease participating
         in a Trinity Bank health plan and become  participants  in a comparable
         Citizens  South health plan shall receive credit for any co-payment and
         deductibles  paid under  Trinity  Bank's  health  plan for  purposes of
         satisfying  any  applicable  deductible or  out-of-pocket  requirements
         under the Citizens South health plan,  upon  substantiation,  in a form
         satisfactory to Citizens South that such co-payment  and/or  deductible
         has been satisfied. Citizens South shall assume the retiree health plan
         of Trinity  Bank and each Trinity  Bank  Subsidiary  and shall have the
         same rights and obligations thereunder.

         7.9. Directors and Officers Indemnification and Insurance.

                  7.9.1.  Citizens South shall maintain, or shall cause Citizens
         South Bank to maintain, in effect for six years following the Effective
         Time, the current directors' and officers' liability insurance policies
         maintained  by  Trinity  Bank   (provided,   that  Citizens  South  may
         substitute  therefor policies of at least the same coverage  containing
         terms and conditions  which are not  substantially  less  advantageous)
         with  respect to claims  arising from  matters  occurring  prior to the
         Effective  Time;  provided,  however,  that in no event shall  Citizens
         South be required to expend in the  aggregate  pursuant to this Section
         7.9.1 more than $45,000 (the "Maximum Amount"); provided, further, that
         if the amount of the aggregate premium necessary to maintain or procure
         such  insurance  coverage  exceeds the Maximum  Amount,  Citizens South
         shall  maintain  the  most  advantageous  policies  of  directors'  and
         officers'  insurance  obtainable  for an  annual  premium  equal to the
         Maximum Amount.  In connection with the foregoing,  Trinity Bank agrees
         in order  for  Citizens  South to  fulfill  its  agreement  to  provide
         directors and officers  liability  insurance  policies for six years to
         provide such insurer or  substitute  insurer with such  reasonable  and
         customary  representations  as such insurer may request with respect to
         the reporting of any prior claims.

                                       59


                  7.9.2. In addition to Section 7.9.1,  Citizens South shall, to
         the fullest  extent  permitted  under law,  indemnify,  defend and hold
         harmless each person who is now, or who has been at any time before the
         date  hereof or who  becomes  before the  Effective  Time,  an officer,
         employee, director or agent of Trinity Bank (the "Indemnified Parties")
         against  all  losses,  claims,   damages,  costs,  expenses  (including
         attorneys' fees),  liabilities,  fines or judgments or amounts that are
         paid in settlement of or in connection  with any claim,  action,  suit,
         proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, or administrative
         (each a "Claim"), in which an Indemnified Party is, or is threatened to
         be made, a party or witness  based in whole or in part on or arising in
         whole or in part out of the fact that such person is or was a director,
         officer,  employee or agent of Trinity  Bank if such Claim  pertains to
         any matter of fact  arising,  existing  or  occurring  at or before the
         Effective Time (including, without limitation, the Merger and the other
         transactions contemplated hereby),  regardless of whether such Claim is
         asserted  or  claimed  before,   or  after,  the  Effective  Time  (the
         "Indemnified Liabilities"), to the fullest extent that such Indemnified
         Persons were entitled to  indemnification  under North Carolina law and
         Trinity Bank's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as in effect as of
         the Effective Time. Citizens South shall pay expenses in advance of the
         final  disposition of any such action or proceeding to each Indemnified
         Party to the fullest  extent  permitted  by North  Carolina law (to the
         extent not prohibited by Federal law). Any Indemnified Party wishing to
         claim  indemnification  under this Section  7.9.2 upon  learning of any
         Claim,  shall  notify  Citizens  South  (but the  failure  so to notify
         Citizens  South  shall not relieve it from any  liability  which it may
         have under  this  Section  7.9.2,  except to the  extent  such  failure
         materially  prejudices  Citizens  South)  and  shall,  if  required  by
         applicable law,  deliver to Citizens South the undertaking  referred to
         in the previous sentence.

                  7.9.3.  In the event that either  Citizens South or any of its
         successors  or assigns (i)  consolidates  with or merges into any other
         person and shall not be the  continuing or surviving  bank or entity of
         such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all
         of its  properties  and assets to any  person,  then,  and in each such
         case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns
         of  Citizens  South  shall  assume  the  obligations  set forth in this
         Section 7.9.

                  7.9.4.  The  obligations of Citizens South provided under this
         Section 7.9 are  intended  to be for the  benefit  of, and  enforceable
         against  Citizens South directly by, the Indemnified  Parties and their
         heirs  and  representatives  and  shall be  binding  on all  respective
         successors  and permitted  assigns of Citizens  South.  Citizens  South
         shall pay all reasonable costs,  including attorneys' fees, that may be
         incurred  by  any  Indemnified  Party  in  successfully  enforcing  the
         indemnity and other obligations provided for in this Section 7.9 to the
         fullest  extent  permitted  under  applicable  law.  The rights of each
         Indemnified  Party  hereunder  shall be in addition to any other rights
         such Indemnified Party may have under applicable law. The provisions of
         this Section 7.9 shall survive the Effective Time.

         7.10. Stock Listing.

         Citizens  South agrees to list on the Nasdaq  National  Market (or such
other  national  securities  exchange on which the shares of the Citizens  South
Common Stock shall be listed as of the Closing Date), subject to official notice
of  issuance,  the shares of  Citizens  South  Common  Stock to be issued in the
Merger.

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         7.11. Stock and Cash Reserve.

         Citizens  South  agrees  at all times  from the date of this  Agreement
until the Merger  Consideration  has been paid in full to  reserve a  sufficient
number of shares of  Citizens  South  Common  Stock and to  maintain  sufficient
liquid  accounts or  borrowing  capacity to fulfill its  obligations  under this
Agreement.

         7.12. Communications to Trinity Bank Employees; Training

         Citizens  South and Trinity Bank agree that as promptly as  practicable
following the execution of this  Agreement,  meetings with  employees of Trinity
Bank shall be held at such  location  as Citizens  South and Trinity  Bank shall
mutually  agree,  provided  that  representatives  of  Citizens  South  shall be
permitted to attend such  meetings,  to announce the proposed  Merger.  Citizens
South and Trinity Bank shall  mutually  agree as to the scope and content of all
communications  to the  employees of Trinity  Bank  regarding  the Merger,  this
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereunder. At mutually agreed upon
times following  execution of this Agreement,  representatives of Citizens South
shall be  permitted  to meet  with the  employees  of  Trinity  Bank to  discuss
employment  opportunities with Citizens South,  provided that representatives of
Trinity Bank shall be permitted to attend any such  meeting.  From and after the
date of this  Agreement,  Citizens  South shall also be  permitted  to conduct a
reasonable  number of training  sessions  outside of normal business hours or at
other times as Trinity  Bank may agree,  with the  employees of Trinity Bank and
may  conduct  such  training  seminars at any branch  location of Trinity  Bank;
provided that Trinity Bank shall not be required to allow such training sessions
to the extent, in its reasonable judgment,  such activities would interfere with
Trinity Bank's normal business operations.

         7.13.  Appointment  to Citizens  South Board of Directors  and Citizens
South Bank Board of Directors

         The Board of  Directors of each of Citizens  South and  Citizens  South
Bank shall appoint the individual  designated  pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof to
the Board of Directors, effective as of the Effective Date.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                          REGULATORY AND OTHER MATTERS

         8.1. Meeting of Shareholders.

                  8.1.1.  Trinity Bank will (i) take all steps necessary to duly
         call,  give  notice  of,  convene  and hold a  special  meeting  of its
         shareholders as promptly as practicable  after the Merger  Registration
         Statement   is   declared   effective   by  the  SEC   and  the   Proxy
         Statement/Prospectus is cleared for use by the FDIC, for the purpose of
         considering   this   Agreement   and  the  Merger  (the  "Trinity  Bank
         Shareholders  Meeting"),  (ii) in connection  with the  solicitation of
         proxies with respect to the Trinity Bank Shareholders Meeting, have its
         Board of Directors  recommend approval of this Agreement to the Trinity
         Bank shareholders;  and (iii) cooperate and consult with Citizens South
         with respect to each of the foregoing matters.

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         The  Board  of  Directors  of  Trinity  Bank  may  fail to make  such a
         recommendation referred to in clause (ii) above, or withdraw, modify or
         change any such recommendation,  only if the Board of Directors,  after
         having  consulted  with  and  considered  the  advice  of  its  outside
         financial and legal  advisors,  has determined  that the making of such
         recommendation,  or the  failure so to  withdraw,  modify or change its
         recommendation, would be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of such
         directors under applicable law.

         8.2. Proxy Statement-Prospectus; Merger Registration Statement.

                  8.2.1.  For the purposes  (x) of  registering  Citizens  South
         Common  Stock to be offered to holders of Trinity  Bank Common Stock in
         connection  with the Merger with the SEC under the  Securities  Act and
         (y) of holding the Trinity Bank  Shareholders  Meeting,  Citizens South
         shall  draft and  prepare,  and  Trinity  Bank shall  cooperate  in the
         preparation of, the Merger Registration Statement,  including the proxy
         statement and  prospectus  satisfying all  applicable  requirements  of
         applicable state and federal securities and banking laws, including the
         Securities  Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules and  regulations of
         the SEC and the FDIC thereunder (such proxy statement and prospectus in
         the form  mailed by  Trinity  Bank to the  Trinity  Bank  shareholders,
         together with any and all  amendments  or  supplements  thereto,  being
         herein referred to as the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"). Citizens South
         shall provide Trinity Bank and its counsel with appropriate opportunity
         to review  and  comment  on the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  and shall
         incorporate all appropriate  comments thereto,  prior to the time it is
         initially  filed with the SEC or the FDIC or any  amendments  are filed
         with  the  SEC or the  FDIC.  Citizens  South  shall  file  the  Merger
         Registration Statement, including the Proxy Statement/Prospectus,  with
         the SEC,  and  Trinity  Bank shall file the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
         with the FDIC.  Each of Citizens  South and Trinity  Bank shall use its
         best  efforts  to  have  the  Merger  Registration  Statement  declared
         effective  under the  Securities Act and cleared for use by the FDIC as
         promptly as  practicable  after such  filing,  and  Trinity  Bank shall
         thereafter  promptly  mail  the  Proxy   Statement/Prospectus   to  its
         shareholders.  Citizens South shall also use its best efforts to obtain
         all necessary state  securities law or "Blue Sky" permits and approvals
         required to carry out the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,
         and Trinity Bank shall furnish all information  concerning Trinity Bank
         and the  holders  of Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock as may be  reasonably
         requested in connection with any such action.

                  8.2.2. Citizens South shall, as soon as practicable,  file the
         Merger Registration  Statement with the SEC under the Securities Act in
         connection  with  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement.
         Citizens  South will advise  Trinity Bank promptly after Citizens South
         receives notice of the time when the Merger 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  qualifications  of
         the shares of Citizens  South  Common  Stock  issuable  pursuant to the
         Merger  Registration  Statement,  or 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 Merger  Registration  Statement,  or for
         additional  information,  and Citizens South will provide  Trinity Bank
         with as many  copies  of such  Merger  Registration  Statement  and all
         amendments thereto promptly upon the filing thereof as Trinity Bank may
         reasonably request.

                  8.2.3.  Trinity Bank and Citizens South shall promptly  notify
         the  other  party  if at any  time it  becomes  aware  that  the  Proxy
         Statement-Prospectus  or the Merger Registration

                                       62


         Statement  contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
         state a material  fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary to
         make the statements  contained  therein,  in light of the circumstances
         under which they were made, not misleading. In such event, Trinity Bank
         shall  cooperate with Citizens South in the preparation of a supplement
         or  amendment to such Proxy  Statement-Prospectus  that  corrects  such
         misstatement  or  omission,  and  Citizens  South shall file an amended
         Merger  Registration  Statement  with the SEC, and each of Trinity Bank
         and Citizens South shall mail an amended Proxy  Statement-Prospectus to
         Trinity Bank's shareholders.

         8.3. Regulatory Approvals.

         Each of Trinity Bank and Citizens  South will  cooperate with the other
and use all  reasonable  efforts to promptly  prepare and as soon as practicable
following  the date  hereof,  file all  necessary  documentation  to obtain  all
necessary permits,  consents,  waivers, approvals and authorizations of the OTS,
the FDIC,  and the  Commissioner  and any other third  parties and  governmental
bodies necessary to consummate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.
Trinity Bank and Citizens South will furnish each other and each other's counsel
with all  information  concerning  themselves,  their  Subsidiaries,  directors,
officers  and  shareholders  and  such  other  matters  as may be  necessary  or
advisable in connection with any  application,  petition or other statement made
by or on behalf of  Trinity  Bank or  Citizens  South to any Bank  Regulator  or
governmental  body in  connection  with the  Merger  and the other  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.  Trinity Bank shall have the right to review and
approve in advance all  characterizations of the information relating to Trinity
Bank and any of its  Subsidiaries  which appear in any filing made in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with any governmental body.
In addition, Trinity Bank and Citizens South shall each furnish to the other and
its counsel for review and comment a copy of each such filing made in connection
with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement with any governmental body
prior to its filing.

         8.4. Affiliates.

                  8.4.1.  Trinity Bank shall use all reasonable efforts to cause
         each director, executive officer and other person who is an "affiliate"
         (for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities  Act) of Trinity Bank to
         deliver to Citizens  South,  as soon as  practicable  after the date of
         this Agreement,  and at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the
         Trinity Bank Shareholders Meeting, a written agreement,  in the form of
         Exhibit B hereto,  providing  that such person  will not sell,  pledge,
         transfer or  otherwise  dispose of any shares of Citizens  South Common
         Stock to be  received  by such  "affiliate"  as a result of the  Merger
         otherwise  than in  compliance  with the  applicable  provisions of the
         Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                               CLOSING CONDITIONS

         9.1. Conditions to Each Party's Obligations under this Agreement.

         The respective  obligations of each party under this Agreement shall be
subject to the  fulfillment  at or prior to the  Closing  Date of the  following
conditions, none of which may be waived:

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                  9.1.1.   Stockholder   Approval.   This   Agreement   and  the
         transactions  contemplated  hereby shall have been approved and adopted
         by the requisite vote of the shareholders of Trinity Bank.

                  9.1.2.  Injunctions.  None  of the  parties  hereto  shall  be
         subject  to any  order,  decree or  injunction  of a court or agency of
         competent  jurisdiction,  and no statute, rule or regulation shall have
         been enacted, entered, promulgated, interpreted, applied or enforced by
         any  Governmental  Entity or Bank Regulator,  that enjoins or prohibits
         the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  9.1.3. Regulatory Approvals. All Regulatory Approvals required
         to complete  the Merger  shall have been  obtained  and shall remain in
         full force and effect and all waiting  periods  relating  thereto shall
         have expired.

                  9.1.4.  Effectiveness of Merger  Registration  Statement.  The
         Merger  Registration  Statement  shall have become  effective under the
         Securities Act and no stop order  suspending the  effectiveness  of the
         Merger   Registration   Statement  shall  have  been  issued,   and  no
         proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by
         the SEC and, if the offer and sale of Citizens  South  Common  Stock in
         the Merger is  subject to the Blue Sky laws of any state,  shall not be
         subject to a stop order of any state securities commissioner. The Proxy
         Statement/Prospectus shall have been cleared for use by the FDIC.

                  9.1.5.  Nasdaq  Listing.  The shares of Citizens  South Common
         Stock to be issued in the Merger shall have been authorized for listing
         on the Nasdaq National Market, subject to official notice of issuance.

                  9.1.6.  Tax Opinions.  On the basis of facts,  representations
         and  assumptions  which  shall be  consistent  with the  state of facts
         existing at the Closing  Date,  Citizens  South shall have  received an
         opinion of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.,  reasonably  acceptable
         in form and  substance to Citizens  South,  and Trinity Bank shall have
         received  an  opinion  of Helms  Mulliss  &  Wicker,  PLLC,  reasonably
         acceptable in form and substance to Trinity Bank,  each dated as of the
         Closing Date,  substantially to the effect that, for Federal income tax
         purposes:

                           (A) The Merger,  when  consummated in accordance with
                  the terms  hereof,  either will  constitute  a  reorganization
                  within the  meaning  of Section  368(a) of the Code or will be
                  treated  as part of a  reorganization  within  the  meaning of
                  Section 368(a) of the Code;

                           (B) No gain or loss will be  recognized  by  Citizens
                  South,  Citizens  South Bank or Trinity  Bank by reason of the
                  Merger;

                           (C) The exchange of Citizens  South Common Stock,  to
                  the extent  exchanged for Trinity Bank Common Stock,  will not
                  give  rise to the  recognition  of gain  or loss  for  Federal
                  income tax purposes to the shareholders of Trinity Bank;

                           (D) The basis of the  Citizens  South Common Stock to
                  be received  (including any fractional  shares deemed received
                  for tax  purposes) by a Trinity Bank  stockholder

                                       64


                  will be the same as the basis of the Trinity Bank Common Stock
                  surrendered  pursuant  to the  Merger  in  exchange  therefor,
                  increased  by  any  gain   recognized  by  such  Trinity  Bank
                  stockholder  as a result of the  Merger and  decreased  by any
                  cash received by such Trinity Bank  stockholder in the Merger;
                  and

                           (E) The  holding  period of the  shares  of  Citizens
                  South Common Stock to be received by a stockholder  of Trinity
                  Bank will include the period during which the stockholder held
                  the  shares  of  Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock  surrendered  in
                  exchange  therefore,  provided  the Trinity  Bank Common Stock
                  surrendered is held as a capital asset at the Effective Time.

         9.2. Conditions to the Obligations of Citizens South and Citizens South
Bank under this Agreement.

         The  obligations  of Citizens  South and Citizens South Bank under this
Agreement  shall be further  subject to the  satisfaction  of the conditions set
forth in Sections 9.2.1 through 9.2.5 at or prior to the Closing Date:

                  9.2.1.   Representations   and   Warranties.   Each   of   the
         representations  and  warranties  of  Trinity  Bank  set  forth in this
         Agreement  shall be true and  correct as of the date of this  Agreement
         and as of the  Effective  Time with the same  effect as though all such
         representations  and  warranties  had been made at the  Effective  Time
         (except to the extent such  representations  and warranties speak as of
         the date of this Agreement or another date, which only need be true and
         correct as of such date,  and except for Section 4.3.1 and Trinity Bank
         DISCLOSURE  SCHEDULE  3.4,  which shall be updated as of the  Effective
         Time),  in any case  subject to the  standard set forth in Section 4.1;
         and Trinity Bank shall have  delivered to Citizens  South a certificate
         to such  effect  signed by the Chief  Executive  Officer  and the Chief
         Financial Officer of Trinity Bank and dated as of the Effective Time.

                  9.2.2.  Agreements  and  Covenants.  Trinity  Bank  shall have
         performed in all material  respects all obligations and complied in all
         material  respects with all  agreements or covenants to be performed or
         complied  with by it at or prior to the  Effective  Time,  and Citizens
         South  shall have  received a  certificate  signed on behalf of Trinity
         Bank by the Chief  Executive  Officer  and Chief  Financial  Officer of
         Trinity Bank to such effect dated as of the Effective Time.

                  9.2.3. Regulatory Conditions.  No Regulatory Approval required
         for  consummation  the Merger  includes any  condition or  requirement,
         excluding  standard   conditions  that  are  normally  imposed  by  the
         regulatory   authorities  in  bank  merger  transactions,   that  could
         reasonably  be  expected  by  Citizens  South to result  in a  Material
         Adverse  Effect  on  Citizens  South and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a
         whole.

                  9.2.4.  Dissenting  Shares.  As of  immediately  prior  to the
         Effective Time, not more than 5% of the issued and  outstanding  shares
         of Trinity Bank Common  Stock shall have  dissented to the Merger under
         North  Carolina  law, and  preserved,  as of  immediately  prior to the
         Effective  Time,  the right to pursue their right of appraisal  for the
         fair value of their  shares of Trinity  Bank  Common  Stock under North
         Carolina Law.

                                       65


                  9.2.5. Permits,  Authorizations,  Etc. Trinity Bank shall have
         obtained  any  and  all  material  permits,  authorizations,  consents,
         waivers,  clearances or approvals required for the lawful  consummation
         of the  Merger,  the  failure of which to obtain  would have a Material
         Adverse  Effect  on  Citizens  South and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a
         whole.

         9.3.   Conditions  to  the  Obligations  of  Trinity  Bank  under  this
Agreement.

         The  obligations of Trinity Bank under this Agreement  shall be further
subject  to the  satisfaction  of the  conditions  set forth in  Sections  9.3.1
through 9.3.4 at or prior to the Closing Date:

                  9.3.1.   Representations   and   Warranties.   Each   of   the
         representations  and  warranties of Citizens  South and Citizens  South
         Bank set forth in this  Agreement  shall be true and  correct as of the
         date of this  Agreement  and as of the  Effective  Time  with  the same
         effect as though all such  representations and warranties had been made
         at the Effective  Time (except to the extent such  representations  and
         warranties  speak as of the date of this  Agreement  or  another  date,
         which  only  need be true and  correct  as of such  date),  in any case
         subject to the standard  set forth in Section  5.1; and Citizens  South
         and  Citizens  South  Bank  shall  have  delivered  to  Trinity  Bank a
         certificate  to such effect signed by the Chief  Executive  Officer and
         the Chief  Financial  Officer of each of  Citizens  South and  Citizens
         South Bank and dated as of the Effective Time.

                  9.3.2.  Agreements and Covenants.  Citizens South and Citizens
         South  Bank  shall  have   performed  in  all  material   respects  all
         obligations  and complied in all material  respects with all agreements
         or covenants  to be  performed  or complied  with by each of them at or
         prior to the  Effective  Time,  and Trinity Bank shall have  received a
         certificate  signed on behalf of Citizens South and Citizens South Bank
         by the Chief Executive  Officer and Chief Financial  Officer of each of
         Citizens  South and Citizens  South Bank to such effect dated as of the
         Effective Time.

                  9.3.3.  Permits,  Authorizations,  Etc. Citizens South and its
         Subsidiaries   shall  have  obtained  any  and  all  material  permits,
         authorizations, consents, waivers, clearances or approvals required for
         the lawful  consummation of the Merger,  the failure of which to obtain
         would  have a  Material  Adverse  Effect  on  Citizens  South  and  its
         Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  9.3.4. Payment of Merger  Consideration.  Citizens South shall
         have delivered the Exchange Fund to the Exchange Agent on or before the
         Closing Date and the Exchange  Agent shall provide  Trinity Bank with a
         certificate evidencing such delivery.

                                   ARTICLE X
                                   THE CLOSING

         10.1. Time and Place.

         Subject to the provisions of Articles IX and XI hereof,  the Closing of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall take place at the offices of Luse
Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 400, Washington,  D.C. at
10:00 a.m. on the date  determined by Citizens  South,  in its sole  discretion,
upon five (5) days prior written  notice to Trinity Bank,  but in no event later
than  fifteen  (15) days after the last  condition  precedent  (other than those

                                       66


conditions that relate to actions to be taken at the Closing, but subject to the
fulfillment or waiver of those  conditions)  pursuant to this agreement has been
fulfilled or waived (including the expiration of any applicable waiting period),
or at such other place,  date or time upon which Citizens South and Trinity Bank
mutually  agree.  A pre-closing  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby (the
"Pre-Closing") shall take place at the offices of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick,
5335  Wisconsin  Avenue,  Suite 400,  Washington,  D.C. at 10:00 a.m. on the day
prior to the Closing Date (the "Pre-Closing Date").

         10.2. Deliveries at the Pre-Closing and the Closing.

         At the  Pre-Closing  there shall be  delivered  to  Citizens  South and
Trinity Bank the opinions,  certificates,  and other  documents and  instruments
required to be delivered at the Closing under Article IX hereof.  At or prior to
the Closing,  Citizens South shall deliver the Merger Consideration as set forth
under Section 9.3.4 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                        TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

         11.1. Termination.

         This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing Date,
whether  before or after approval of the Merger by the  shareholders  of Trinity
Bank:

                  11.1.1.  At  any  time  by the  mutual  written  agreement  of
         Citizens South, Citizens South Bank and Trinity Bank;

                  11.1.2. By either party (provided,  that the terminating party
         is  not  then  in  material  breach  of any  representation,  warranty,
         covenant or other agreement  contained herein) if there shall have been
         a material breach of any of the representations or warranties set forth
         in this  Agreement on the part of the other party,  which breach by its
         nature cannot be cured prior to the Termination  Date or shall not have
         been cured  within 30 days after  written  notice of such breach by the
         terminating  party to the other party provided,  however,  that neither
         party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
         Section  11.1.2  unless  the  breach  of  representation  or  warranty,
         together with all other such  breaches,  would entitle the  terminating
         party not to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby under
         Section 9.2.1 (in the case of a breach of a representation  or warranty
         by  Trinity  Bank) or  Section  9.3.1  (in the  case of a  breach  of a
         representation or warranty by Citizens South or Citizens South Bank);

                  11.1.3. By either party (provided,  that the terminating party
         is  not  then  in  material  breach  of any  representation,  warranty,
         covenant or other agreement  contained herein) if there shall have been
         a material  failure to perform or comply with any of the  covenants  or
         agreements  set forth in this Agreement on the part of the other party,
         which  failure by its nature  cannot be cured prior to the  Termination
         Date or shall not have been cured within 30 days after  written  notice
         of such failure by the terminating party to the other party;  provided,
         however,  that  neither  party shall have the right to  terminate  this
         Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1.3 unless the breach of covenant
         or agreement,  together with all other such breaches, would entitle the
         terminating  party  not to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated
         hereby  under  Section

                                       67


         9.2.2 (in the case of a breach of covenant by Trinity  Bank) or Section
         9.3.2  (in the  case of a  breach  of  covenant  by  Citizens  South or
         Citizens South Bank);

                  11.1.4.  At the election of either party, if the Closing shall
         not have occurred by the Termination  Date, or such later date as shall
         have been  agreed to in writing by  Citizens  South and  Trinity  Bank;
         provided,  that no party may terminate this Agreement  pursuant to this
         Section  11.1.4 if the  failure of the  Closing to have  occurred on or
         before  said  date  was  due to such  party's  material  breach  of any
         representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in this
         Agreement;

                  11.1.5.  By either party, if the  shareholders of Trinity Bank
         shall  have  voted at the  Trinity  Bank  Shareholders  Meeting  on the
         transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  and such vote shall not
         have been sufficient to approve and adopt such transactions;

                  11.1.6.  By either party if (i) final action has been taken by
         a Bank  Regulator  whose  approval  is required in order to satisfy the
         conditions to the parties'  obligations to consummate the  transactions
         contemplated  hereby as set forth in Article IX, which final action (x)
         has become  unappealable and (y) does not approve this Agreement or the
         transactions  contemplated  hereby,  or (ii)  any  court  of  competent
         jurisdiction  or other  governmental  authority  shall  have  issued an
         order, decree, ruling or taken any other action restraining,  enjoining
         or otherwise  prohibiting the Merger and such order, decree,  ruling or
         other action shall have become final and unappealable;

                  11.1.7. By the Board of Directors of Citizens South if Trinity
         Bank has  received a Superior  Proposal  and the Board of  Directors of
         Trinity Bank has entered into an acquisition  agreement with respect to
         the  Superior  Proposal,  terminated  this  Agreement,   withdrawn  its
         recommendation   of  this   Agreement,   has   failed   to  make   such
         recommendation  or has modified or qualified  its  recommendation  in a
         manner adverse to Citizens South;

                  11.1.8.  By the Board of  Directors of Trinity Bank if Trinity
         Bank has  received a Superior  Proposal  and the Board of  Directors of
         Trinity Bank has made a determination to accept such Superior Proposal;
         provided that Trinity Bank shall not terminate this Agreement  pursuant
         to this Section 11.1.8 and enter in a definitive agreement with respect
         to the Superior Proposal until the expiration of five (5) business days
         following  Citizens South's receipt of written notice advising Citizens
         South that Trinity Bank has  received a Superior  Proposal,  specifying
         the  material  terms and  conditions  of such  Superior  Proposal  (and
         including a copy thereof  with all  accompanying  documentation,  if in
         writing)  identifying  the person  making  the  Superior  Proposal  and
         stating  whether  Trinity  Bank  intends  to  enter  into a  definitive
         agreement with respect to the Superior  Proposal.  After providing such
         notice, Trinity Bank shall provide a reasonable opportunity to Citizens
         South and Citizens  South Bank during the five-day  period to make such
         adjustments  in the terms and  conditions  of this  Agreement  as would
         enable Trinity Bank to proceed with the Merger on such adjusted  terms;
         or

                  11.1.9.  By the  Board of  Directors  of  Trinity  Bank if the
         average of the daily closing sales prices of a share of Citizens  South
         Common Stock for the consecutive  five-day  trading period  immediately
         preceding the Determination  Date is less than 60% of the closing sales
         price of a share of  Citizens  South  Common  Stock on the date of this
         Agreement.  For the

                                       68


         purposes of this Section 11.1.9,  the  "Determination  Date" shall mean
         the  date  on  which  the  last  approval,  consent  or  waiver  of any
         governmental entity required to permit consummation of the transactions
         contemplated  by this  Agreement  is  received,  without  regard to any
         requisite  waiting period in respect thereof.  For the purposes of this
         Section 11.1.9,  closing sales prices shall be those prices reported on
         the Nasdaq  National Market (as reported in the Wall Street Journal or,
         if not reported therein,  in another mutually agreed upon authoritative
         source).

         11.2. Effect of Termination.

                  11.2.1. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant
         to any provision of Section 11.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become
         void and have no further force,  except that the provisions of Sections
         11.2, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.9, 12.10, 12.11, 12.12 and
         any other  Section  which,  by its terms,  relates to  post-termination
         rights or obligations, shall survive such termination of this Agreement
         and remain in full force and effect.

                  11.2.2. If this Agreement is terminated,  expenses and damages
         of the parties hereto shall be determined as follows:

                           (A)  Except as  provided  below,  whether  or not the
                  Merger is  consummated,  all costs and  expenses  incurred  in
                  connection   with   this   Agreement   and  the   transactions
                  contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall  be paid by the  party
                  incurring such expenses.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the
                  costs  and   expenses  of  printing   and  mailing  the  Proxy
                  Statement-Prospectus,  and all  filing  and other fees paid to
                  the SEC in connection with the Merger,  shall be borne equally
                  by Citizens South and Trinity Bank.

                           (B) In the event of a termination  of this  Agreement
                  because of a willful breach of any  representation,  warranty,
                  covenant  or  agreement  contained  in  this  Agreement,   the
                  breaching  party shall remain  liable for any and all damages,
                  costs and expenses,  including all reasonable attorneys' fees,
                  sustained or incurred by the  non-breaching  party as a result
                  thereof  or in  connection  therewith  or with  respect to the
                  enforcement of its rights hereunder.

                           (C) As a condition of Citizens  South's  willingness,
                  and in order to  induce  Citizens  South,  to enter  into this
                  Agreement,  and to reimburse  Citizens South for incurring the
                  costs and expenses related to entering into this Agreement and
                  consummating the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,
                  Trinity Bank hereby agrees to pay Citizens South, and Citizens
                  South shall be  entitled  to payment  of, a fee of  $1,250,000
                  (the "Fee"),  within three  business days after written demand
                  for  payment  is  made  by  Citizens   South,   following  the
                  occurrence of any of the events set forth below:

                                    (i) Trinity Bank  terminates  this Agreement
                           pursuant  to  Section   11.1.8  or   Citizens   South
                           terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1.7;
                           or

                                    (ii)   The   entering   into  a   definitive
                           agreement by Trinity Bank relating to an  Acquisition
                           Proposal  or  the   consummation  of  an  Acquisition
                           Proposal  involving Trinity Bank within twelve months
                           after the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the
                           termination  of  this  Agreement  by  Citizens  South
                           pursuant  to  Section  11.1.2 or 11.1.3

                                       69


                           because of a willful  breach by  Trinity  Bank or any
                           Trinity Bank  Subsidiary  after the  occurrence of an
                           Acquisition  Proposal has been publicly  announced or
                           otherwise  made  known to Trinity  Bank;  or (ii) the
                           termination  of this  Agreement by Citizens  South or
                           Trinity Bank  pursuant to Section  11.1.5  because of
                           the failure of the  shareholders  of Trinity  Bank to
                           approve   this   Agreement   at  the   Trinity   Bank
                           Shareholders  Meeting  after  the  occurrence  of  an
                           Acquisition  Proposal has been publicly  announced or
                           otherwise made known to the  shareholders  of Trinity
                           Bank.

                           (D) If demand for payment of the Fee is made pursuant
                  to Section 11.2.2(C) and payment is timely made, then Citizens
                  South will not have any other rights or claims against Trinity
                  Bank or its  Subsidiaries,  or their  respective  officers and
                  directors,  under this  Agreement,  it being  agreed  that the
                  acceptance of the Fee under Section  11.2.2(C) will constitute
                  the  sole and  exclusive  remedy  of  Citizens  South  against
                  Trinity  Bank  and  its   Subsidiaries  and  their  respective
                  officers and directors.

         11.3. Amendment, Extension and Waiver.

         Subject to  applicable  law,  at any time prior to the  Effective  Time
(whether before or after approval  thereof by the shareholders of Trinity Bank),
the parties hereto by action of their  respective  Boards of Directors,  may (a)
amend this  Agreement,  (b) extend  the time for the  performance  of any of the
obligations or other acts of any other party hereto,  (c) waive any inaccuracies
in the  representations  and  warranties  contained  herein  or in any  document
delivered pursuant hereto, or (d) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions contained herein; provided,  however, that after any approval of this
Agreement  and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  by the  shareholders  of
Trinity Bank, there may not be, without further  approval of such  shareholders,
any amendment of this  Agreement  which reduces the amount or value,  or changes
the  form of,  the  Merger  Consideration  to be  delivered  to  Trinity  Bank's
shareholders  pursuant  to this  Agreement.  This  Agreement  may not be amended
except by an  instrument  in  writing  signed  on behalf of each of the  parties
hereto.  Any  agreement on the part of a party hereto to any extension or waiver
shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
such party, but such waiver or failure to insist on strict  compliance with such
obligation,  covenant,  agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of,
or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure. Any termination of
this Agreement pursuant to this Article XI may only be effected upon a vote of a
majority of the entire Board of Directors of the terminating party.

                                  ARTICLE XII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         12.1. Confidentiality.

         Except as specifically set forth herein, Citizens South, Citizens South
Bank  and  Trinity  Bank  mutually  agree  to be  bound  by  the  terms  of  the
confidentiality    provisions   of   the    confidentiality    agreements   (the
"Confidentiality  Agreements")  previously executed by the parties hereto, which
requirements as to confidentiality  are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The parties hereto agree that such Confidentiality  Agreements shall continue in
accordance with all of their terms upon the termination of this Agreement.

                                       70


         12.2. Public Announcements.

         Trinity Bank,  Citizens South and Citizens  South Bank shall  cooperate
with each other in the  development  and  distribution  of all news releases and
other  public  disclosures  with  respect to this  Agreement.  The parties  will
provide each other the opportunity to review and comment on any press release or
other  public  announcements  related to the Merger and shall not issue any news
release,  or other public  announcement  or  communication  with respect to this
Agreement prior to such consultation;  provided,  however,  that nothing in this
Section  12.2 shall be deemed to prohibit  any party from making any  disclosure
which it reasonably  believes,  after having  consulted  with and considered the
advice of its counsel,  is necessary in order to satisfy such party's disclosure
obligations under the Securities Laws.

         12.3. Survival.

         All  representations,  warranties and covenants in this Agreement or in
any  instrument  delivered  pursuant  hereto shall expire and be terminated  and
extinguished at the Effective  Time,  except for Section 7.9 and those covenants
and agreements  contained  herein which by their terms apply in whole or in part
after the Effective Time.

         12.4. Notices.

         All notices or other  communications  hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be deemed given if  delivered by  facsimile,  receipted  hand  delivery or
mailed by prepaid  registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or by
recognized overnight courier addressed as follows:

          If to Trinity Bank, to:         David C. McGuirt
                                          Chief Executive Officer
                                          Trinity Bank
                                          310 West Franklin Street
                                          Monroe, North Carolina  28112-4704
                                          Fax:  (704) 296-9682

          With required copies to:        Boyd C. Campbell, Jr., Esq.
                                          Helms Mulliss & Wicker, PLLC
                                          201 North Tryon Street
                                          Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-1187
                                          Fax: (704) 343-2300

          If to Citizens South, to:       Kim S. Price
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer
                                          Citizens South Banking Corporation
                                          519 South New Hope Road
                                          Gastonia, North Carolina  28054-4040
                                          Fax: (704) 852-5440

                                       71


          With required copies to:        John J. Gorman, Esq.
                                          Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.
                                          5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
                                          Washington, D.C. 20015
                                          Fax: (202) 362-2902

or such other  address as shall be  furnished  in writing by any party,  and any
such notice or  communication  shall be deemed to have been given: (a) as of the
date delivered by hand; (b) three (3) business days after being delivered to the
U.S. mail, postage prepaid; or (c) one (1) business day after being delivered to
the overnight courier.

         12.5. Parties in Interest.

         This Agreement  shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
the  parties  hereto and their  respective  successors  and  assigns;  provided,
however,  that  neither  this  Agreement  nor any of the  rights,  interests  or
obligations  hereunder  shall  be  assigned  by any  party  hereto  (whether  by
operation of law or otherwise)  without the prior  written  consent of the other
party,  and that  (except as provided in Article III and Section 7.9) nothing in
this  Agreement  is  intended  to confer  upon any other  person  any  rights or
remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

         12.6. Complete Agreement.

         This Agreement,  including the Exhibits and Disclosure Schedules hereto
and the documents and other writings  referred to herein or therein or delivered
pursuant hereto, and the Confidentiality Agreements referred to in Section 12.1,
contains the entire  agreement and  understanding of the parties with respect to
its subject matter. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, warranties,
covenants or  undertakings  between the parties  other than those  expressly set
forth herein or therein.  This  Agreement  supersedes  all prior  agreements and
understandings  (other than the  applicable  provisions  of the  Confidentiality
Agreements  referred to in Section 12.1)  between the parties,  both written and
oral, with respect to its subject matter.

         12.7. Counterparts.

         This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts all of which
shall be considered one and the same agreement and each of which shall be deemed
an original. A facsimile copy or a .PDF scan of a signature page shall be deemed
to be an original signature page.

         12.8. Severability.

         In the event that any one or more  provisions of this  Agreement  shall
for any reason be held invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any respect, by any
court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other  provisions  of this  Agreement and the parties shall
use their  reasonable  efforts  to  substitute  a valid,  legal and  enforceable
provision  which,  insofar as practical,  implements the purposes and intents of
this Agreement.

                                       72


         12.9. Governing Law.

         This  Agreement  shall be  governed  by the laws of  Delaware,  without
giving effect to its principles of conflicts of laws.

         12.10. Interpretation.

         When a reference  is made in this  Agreement  to Sections or  Exhibits,
such  reference  shall be to a Section of or Exhibit  to this  Agreement  unless
otherwise  indicated.  The recitals  hereto  constitute an integral part of this
Agreement.  References to Sections  include  subsections,  which are part of the
related  Section  (e.g.,  a section  numbered  "Section  5.5.1" would be part of
"Section  5.5" and  references  to  "Section  5.5" would also refer to  material
contained  in the  subsection  described  as  "Section  5.5.1").  The  table  of
contents,  index and headings  contained  in this  Agreement  are for  reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or  interpretation  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".  The phrases  "the date of this  Agreement",  "the date hereof" and
terms of similar import, unless the context otherwise requires,  shall be deemed
to refer to the date set forth in the  Recitals to this  Agreement.  The parties
have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In
the event an  ambiguity  or question of intent or  interpretation  arises,  this
Agreement  shall be  construed  as if  drafted  jointly  by the  parties  and no
presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring  any party by
virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

         12.11. Specific Performance.

         The parties  hereto  agree that  irreparable  damage would occur in the
event that the  provisions  contained in this  Agreement  were not  performed in
accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached.  It is accordingly
agreed that the parties  shall be entitled to an injunction  or  injunctions  to
prevent  breaches of this  Agreement and to enforce  specifically  the terms and
provisions  thereof  in any  court of the  United  States  or any  state  having
jurisdiction,  this  being in  addition  to any other  remedy to which  they are
entitled at law or in equity.

         12.12. Waiver of Trial by Jury.

         The parties  hereto hereby  knowingly,  voluntarily  and  intentionally
waive  the right any may have to a trial by jury in  respect  to any  litigation
based hereon,  or rising out of, under, or in connection with this agreement and
any agreement  contemplated to be executed in connection herewith, or any course
of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether verbal or written) or actions
of either party in connection with such agreements.

                                       73



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Citizens  South,  Citizens South Bank and Trinity
Bank  have  caused  this  Agreement  to be  executed  under  seal by their  duly
authorized officers as of the date first set forth above.

                                    CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORPORATION


Dated: May 25, 2005                 By:    /s/ Kim S. Price
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Kim S. Price
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                                    CITIZENS SOUTH BANK


Dated: May 25, 2005                 By:    /s/ Kim S. Price
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Kim S. Price
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                                    TRINITY BANK


Dated: May 25, 2005                 By:    /s/ David C. McGuirt
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  David C. McGuirt
                                    Title: Chief Executive Officer



                                       74







                                    EXHIBIT A

                                VOTING AGREEMENT


May 25, 2005

Citizens South Banking Corporation
519 South New Hope Road
Gastonia, North Carolina  28054

Gentlemen:

         Citizens South Banking Corporation  ("Citizens South"),  Citizens South
Bank and Trinity Bank have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
of May 25, 2005 (the  "Merger  Agreement"),  pursuant  to which,  subject to the
terms and  conditions  set forth  therein,  (a) Trinity Bank will merge with and
into Citizens  South Bank,  with Citizens  South Bank  surviving the merger (the
"Merger");  and (b)  shareholders  of Trinity Bank will receive  common stock of
Citizens  South and/or cash, as stated in the Merger  Agreement.  Terms that are
undefined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

         Citizens  South has  requested,  as a condition  to its  execution  and
delivery to Trinity Bank of the Merger  Agreement,  that the undersigned,  being
directors  and  executive  officers  of Trinity  Bank,  execute  and  deliver to
Citizens South this Letter Agreement.

         Each of the  undersigned,  in order to induce Citizens South to execute
and deliver to Trinity Bank the Merger  Agreement,  and  intending to be legally
bound, hereby irrevocably:

         (a) Agrees to be present  (in  person or by proxy) at all  meetings  of
shareholders of Trinity Bank called to vote for approval of the Merger Agreement
and the Merger so that all shares of common stock of Trinity Bank over which the
undersigned,  or a member of the  undersigned's  immediate  family living in the
same home,  now has sole or shared  voting power will be counted for the purpose
of  determining  the presence of a quorum at such meetings and to vote, or cause
to be voted, all such shares (i) in favor of approval and adoption of the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including any amendments or
modifications of the terms thereof approved by the Board of Directors of Trinity
Bank),  and (ii)  against  approval or adoption  of any other  merger,  business
combination,   recapitalization,  partial  liquidation  or  similar  transaction
involving Trinity Bank, it being understood that as to immediate family members,
the undersigned  will use his/her  reasonable  efforts to cause the shares to be
present and voted in accordance with (i) and (ii) above;

         (b)  Agrees not to vote or execute  any  written  consent to rescind or
amend in any  manner  any prior vote or written  consent,  as a  shareholder  of
Trinity Bank, to approve or adopt the Merger Agreement;

         (c) Agrees not to sell,  transfer  or  otherwise  dispose of any common
stock of Trinity  Bank on or prior to the date of the  meeting  of Trinity  Bank
shareholders to vote on the Merger

                                      A-1


Agreement,  except for  transfers  to  charities,  charitable  trusts,  or other
charitable   organizations  under  Section  501(c)(3)  of  the  Code,  a  lineal
descendant or a spouse of the undersigned, or to a trust or other entity for the
benefit of one or more of the foregoing  persons,  provided that the  transferee
agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Letter Agreement;

         (d) Agrees in accordance with Section 6.10 of the Merger  Agreement not
to solicit, initiate or engage in any negotiations or discussions with any party
other than Citizens  South with respect to an  Acquisition  Proposal,  except as
otherwise permitted by Section 6.10;

         (e) Agrees in accordance  with Section 3.4 of the Merger  Agreement not
to sell,  assign,  transfer or otherwise dispose of any Trinity Bank Option from
the date hereof  through the Effective  Date,  and further  agrees in accordance
with Section 3.4 of the Merger  Agreement  to accept the Option  Payment as full
consideration for such director's Trinity Bank Options; and

         (f) Represents that the undersigned has the capacity to enter into this
Letter  Agreement  and that it is a valid  and  binding  obligation  enforceable
against the  undersigned  in accordance  with its terms,  subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency  and other laws  affecting  creditors'  rights and general  equitable
principles.

         The obligations set forth herein shall terminate  concurrently with any
termination of the Merger Agreement.

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

         This Letter Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to  constitute an original,  but all of which  together
shall constitute one and the same Letter Agreement.

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

         The undersigned intend to be legally bound hereby.


                                        Sincerely,


                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name


                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Title




                                      A-2


                                    EXHIBIT B

                               AFFILIATE AGREEMENT


May 25, 2005

Citizens South Banking Corporation
519 South New Hope Road
Gastonia, North Carolina  28054

Gentlemen:

         I have been advised that I might be considered to be an  "affiliate" of
Trinity Bank, a North Carolina bank ("Trinity Bank"), for purposes of paragraphs
(c) and (d) of Rule 145 of the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC")
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

         Citizens South Banking Corporation  ("Citizens South"),  Citizens South
Bank and Trinity Bank have entered into an Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated
as  of  May  25,  2005  (the  "Agreement").  Upon  consummation  of  the  merger
contemplated  by the Agreement  (the  "Merger"),  I may receive shares of common
stock of Citizens  South  ("Citizens  South  Common  Stock") in exchange  for my
shares of common  stock,  par value $3.50 per share,  of Trinity Bank  ("Trinity
Bank Common  Stock").  This agreement is hereinafter  referred to as the "Letter
Agreement."  Terms that are undefined herein shall have the meaning set forth in
the Merger Agreement.

         I represent and warrant to, and agree with, Citizens South as follows:

         1. I have  read  this  Letter  Agreement  and the  Agreement  and  have
discussed their requirements and other applicable limitations upon my ability to
sell,  pledge,  transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of Citizens South Common
Stock that I may receive pursuant to the Merger, to the extent I felt necessary,
with my counsel or counsel for Trinity Bank.

         2. I have been advised  that any  issuance of shares of Citizens  South
Common  Stock to me pursuant to the Merger  will be  registered  with the SEC. I
have also been  advised,  however,  that,  because  I may be an  "affiliate"  of
Trinity  Bank  at the  time  the  Merger  will  be  submitted  for a vote of the
shareholders  of Trinity  Bank and my  disposition  of such  shares has not been
registered under the Securities Act, I must hold such shares indefinitely unless
(i) such  disposition  of such  shares is subject to an  effective  registration
statement and to the availability of a prospectus under the Securities Act, (ii)
a sale of such shares is made in conformity  with the  provisions of Rule 145(d)
under  the  Securities  Act,  (iii)  a sale  of such  shares  is made  following
expiration of the restrictive  period set forth in Rule 145(d)(2) or (3) or (iv)
in an opinion of  counsel,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
Citizens  South,  such  disposition  of such  shares is  otherwise  exempt  from
registration under the Securities Act.

                                      B-1



         3. I understand and agree that stop transfer instructions will be given
to the transfer  agent of Citizens  South with respect to the shares of Citizens
South  Common  Stock I receive  pursuant  to the  Merger  and that there will be
placed  on  the  certificate  representing  such  shares,  or  any  certificates
delivered in substitution therefor, a legend stating in substance:

                  The shares  represented by this  certificate  were issued in a
         transaction  to which Rule 145 under the  Securities  Act applies.  The
         shares  represented  by this  certificate  may only be  transferred  in
         accordance with Rule 145(d) or an effective  registration  statement or
         exemption from registration under the Securities Act.

         4. Citizens South  reserves the right to put an  appropriate  legend on
the  certificate  issued to my transferee  unless (i) a transfer of my shares of
the Citizens South Common Stock is a sale made in conformity with the provisions
of Rule 145(d) or made pursuant to any effective  registration  statement  under
the Securities  Act, or (ii) I shall have delivered to Citizens South an opinion
of counsel  reasonably  satisfactory  to Citizens  South to the effect that such
legend is not required for purposes of the Securities Act.

         5. I recognize  and agree that the foregoing  provisions  also apply to
(i) my spouse, (ii) any relative of mine or my spouse's occupying my home, (iii)
any trust or estate in which I, my spouse or any such relative owns at least 10%
beneficial interest or of which any of us serves as trustee,  executor or in any
similar  capacity and (iv) any corporation or other  organization in which I, my
spouse  and any such  relative  collectively  own at least  10% of any  class of
equity securities or of the equity interest.

         6. I understand and agree that Citizens South is under no obligation to
register under the Securities Act the sale, transfer or other disposition of the
shares of Citizens South that I receive as a result of the Merger.

         7. I further recognize that in the event I become a director or officer
of Citizens South upon  consummation  of the Merger,  any sale of Citizens South
Common Stock by me may subject me to liability  pursuant to Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         8.  Execution  of this Letter  Agreement  should not be construed as an
admission  on my part that I am an  "affiliate"  of Trinity Bank as described in
the first paragraph of this Letter  Agreement or as a waiver of any rights I may
have to object to any claim that I am such an  affiliate on or after the date of
this Letter Agreement.

         It is understood and agreed that this Letter  Agreement shall terminate
and be of no  further  force  and  effect  if the  Agreement  is  terminated  in
accordance  with its terms.  It is also  understood  and agreed that this Letter
Agreement  shall  terminate  and be of no further  force and effect and the stop
transfer  instructions  set  forth  above  shall be  lifted  forthwith  upon the
delivery by the  undersigned  to Citizens South of an opinion of counsel in form
and substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Citizens  South,  or other  evidence
reasonably  satisfactory  to Citizens South, to the effect that a transfer of my
shares of Citizens South Common Stock will not violate the Securities Act or any
of the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  SEC  thereunder.  In  addition,  it is

                                      B-2


understood  and agreed  that the legend set forth in  Paragraph 3 above shall be
removed forthwith from the certificate or certificates representing my shares of
Citizens  South Common Stock upon (i) expiration of the  restrictive  period set
forth in Rule  145(d)(2),  so long as Citizens South is then in compliance  with
SEC Rule 144(c),  or the restrictive  period set forth in Rule 145(d)(3) or (ii)
if  Citizens  South  shall  have  received  an  opinion  of  counsel in form and
substance   reasonably   satisfactory  to  Citizens  South,  or  other  evidence
satisfactory  to  Citizens  South that a transfer  of my shares of the  Citizens
South Common Stock  represented by such  certificate or  certificates  will be a
sale made in conformity with the provisions of Rule 145(d),  made pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act or made pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act.

                                    * * * * *

         By acceptance  hereof,  Citizens South agrees that, for a period of two
years after the effective time of the Merger, so long as it is obligated to file
reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended,  it will use its reasonable best efforts to timely file such reports
so that the public information requirements of Rule 144(c) promulgated under the
Securities Act are satisfied and the resale provisions of Rule 145(d)(1) and (2)
are  therefore  available  to me if I desire to transfer  Citizens  South Common
Stock issued to me in the Merger.

         This   Letter   Agreement   shall  be  binding   on  my  heirs,   legal
representatives and successors.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           Signature


                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name (Please Print)


Accepted as of the date first above written

Citizens South Banking Corporation


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









                                      B-3