EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

This AGREEMENT is made effective as of this 31st day of January, 2003 by and
between THE YARDVILLE NATIONAL BANCORP (the "Holding Company"), a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey, and Jay G. Destribats (the
"Executive").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the Bank desires to employ and retain the services of the
Executive for the period provided in this Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to serve in the employ of the Bank on
a full-time basis for said period;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

1. POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

   During the period of his employment hereunder, the Executive shall serve as
   Chairman of the Board of the Yardville National Bank (the "Bank") reporting
   to the Board of Directors of the Bank and Yardville National Bancorp
   reporting to Board of Directors of the Holding Company (collectively, the
   "Board"). During said period, it is anticipated the Executive will devote a
   substantial amount of time to such duties as are customarily and
   appropriately vested in the Chairman of the Board. Failure to re-elect
   Executive as Chairman of the Board of the Bank or the Holding Company shall
   constitute a Breach of this Agreement.

2. TERMS AND DUTIES

   (A) The period of the Executive's employment under this Agreement shall
   commence as of January 31, 2003 and shall continue for a period of
   twenty-four (24) full calendar months thereafter, unless terminated by the
   Bank on account of death, disability or cause (as herein defined). This
   Agreement is subject to approval, for continuation, by the Board of Directors
   of the Yardville National Bancorp, at the conclusion of each contract period.
   Renewals shall be on the same terms and conditions as set forth herein,
   except for such modification of compensation and benefits as may hereafter be
   agreed upon between the parties hereto from time to time. This Agreement
   shall be deemed to continue for an additional twelve (12) months from each
   succeeding anniversary date of the Agreement, it being the intention of the
   parties that, unless notice is given to the contrary by either party, the
   Agreement shall be extended for an additional one year period so that there
   be a full twelve month term remaining.


   (B) During the period of employment, the Executive shall devote full time
   attention to such employment and shall perform such duties as are customarily
   and appropriately vested in the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
   Holding Company and Bank from time to time may be perceived by the Board.

3. DEFINITIONS

   For purposes of the Agreement,

   (A) "Cause" means any of the following:

       (i) the willful commission of an act that causes or that probably will
       cause substantial economic damage to the Bank or substantial injury to
       the Bank's business reputation; or,

       (ii) the commission of an act of fraud in the performance of the
       Executive's duties; or

       (iii) a continuing willful failure to perform the duties of the
       Executive's position with the Bank; or

       (iv) the order of a bank regulatory agency or court requiring the
       termination of the Executive's employment.

   (B) "Change in Control": means any of the following:

       (i) the acquisition by any person or group acting in concert of
       beneficial ownership of forty percent (40%) or more of any class of
       equity security of the Bank or the Bank's Holding Company, or


       (ii) the approval by the Board of the sale of all or substantially all of
       the assets of the Bank or Holding Company; or,

       (iii) the approval by the Board of any merger, consolidation, issuance of
       securities or purchase of assets, the result of which would be the
       occurrence of any event described in clause (i) or (ii) above.

   (C) "Disability" means a mental or physical illness or condition rendering
   the Executive incapable of performing his normal duties for the Bank.

   (D) Willfulness" means an act or failure to act done not in good faith and
   without reasonable belief that the action or omission was in the best
   interest of the Bank.

4. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT

   (A) During the period of this agreement, the Bank shall pay to the Executive
   an annual salary of not less than $270,000.00 any increase in the annual
   salary for the second year of this agreement will be subject to the
   recommendation and approval of the Directors' Organization and Compensation
   Committee. This Committee will utilize the services of an outside consultant
   to assist in the determination of the second year annual salary.

   (B) The Executive shall be entitled to participate in or receive Benefits
   under any retirement plan, salary continuation plan, pension plan,
   profit-sharing plan, stock plan, group term replacement plan,
   health-and-accident plan, medical coverage or any other employee benefit plan
   or prerequisite arrangement currently available or which may hereafter be
   adopted by the Bank for its senior executives and key management employees,
   subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall
   administration of such plans and arrangements. Nothing paid to the Executive
   under any such plan or arrangement will be deemed to be in lieu of other
   compensation to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement.

   (C) The Executive shall be provided, by the Bank, with an automobile for his
   individual use.



   (D) In addition to the salary provided for under Section 4:

       (i) The Bank shall pay for all reasonable travel and other reasonable
       expenses incurred by the Executive in performing his obligations under
       this Agreement.

       (ii) The Executive shall be eligible for an annual cash bonus, based upon
       the Bank's performance during the fiscal year.

       In the first year of the contract period the cash bonus allowance will be
       set at .93% of profits, after taxes and prior to shareholder dividend
       payments, if earnings, in the fiscal year, exceed $15,000,000.00. If
       earnings should fall below $15,000,000.00 the cash bonus allowance will
       be set at .84%, after taxes and prior to shareholder dividend payment.

       The cash bonus for year two of this agreement will be subject to the
       recommendation and approval of the Directors' Organization and
       Compensation Committee. This Committee will utilize the services of an
       outside consultant to assist in its determination of the second year
       bonus.

       All cash bonuses, for the Executive, are subject to the recommendation
       and approval of the Directors' Organization and Compensation Committee
       and all bonus provisions will be reviewed annually for appropriate
       revisions.

5. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE

   (A) The Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other
   benefits provided hereunder for any period after termination for Cause,
   except to the extent that Executive may be legally entitled to participate by
   virtue of COBRA or any other State or Federal Law concerning employee rights
   to benefits upon termination.




   (B) Any unexercised stock option granted to the Executive shall become null
   and void effective upon the Executive's receipt of notice of termination for
   Cause and shall not be exercisable by the Executive at any time subsequent to
   such termination for Cause.

   (C) The Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause
   unless and until there is delivered to him a copy of a resolution duly
   adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the full Board
   at a meeting of such Board called and held for the purpose (after the
   Executive, together with counsel, has been given the opportunity to be heard
   before the Board), finding the Executive guilty of conduct set forth above in
   the definition of "Cause" in Subsection 3(A) and specifying the particulars
   thereof in detail.

6. CHANGE IN CONTROL

   (A) In the event that within three (3) years after a Change in Control (as
   herein defined), the Executive's employment is terminated by the Bank, other
   than for death, disability or Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to
   receive three (3) years' salary at the base salary currently being paid, and
   the cash bonus paid for the most recent prior calendar year, which payment
   shall be made in a lump sum within 30 days after the occurrence of such
   termination.

   (B) The Executive will have the option within six (6) months after a Change
   in Control (as herein defined), to elect to resign his position. If the
   Executive's voluntary departure is for other than death, disability or cause
   the Executive shall be entitled to receive three (3) years' salary at an
   annual salary currently being paid, which payment shall be made in a lump sum
   within 30 days after the occurrence of such voluntary resignation.

   (C) Under the provisions of Section 7 the Executive is entitled to receive a
   lump sum payment of three (3) years' salary at the annual salary currently
   being paid at the time of the event and the cash bonus paid for the most
   recent prior calendar year. The Holding Company's independent accountants
   will determine if an excess payment (as defined in Section 4999 of the
   Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (the "Code") exists after
   reductions permitted pursuant to Section 280G (b) (4) of the Code (such
   excess parachute payment after taking into account such reductions, if any,
   being hereafter referred to as the "Excess Parachute Payment"). As soon as
   practicable after the Excess Parachute Payment, if any, has been so
   determined, the Holding Company will pay to the Executive, subject to
   applicable withholding requirements under state or federal law




       (i) twenty (20%) percent of the Excess Parachute Payment, and

       (ii) such additional amount, if any (including Federal and State income
       and excise taxes applicable thereto) as may be necessary to compensate
       the Executive for the payment of state and federal income and excise
       taxes on the aforesaid payment, as outlined in Section C.

7. TERMINATION UPON DISABILITY

   (A) In the event that the Executive experiences a Disability during the
   period of his employment, his salary shall continue at the same rate as was
   in effect on the day of the occurrence of such Disability, reduced by an
   concurrent disability benefit payments provided under disability insurance
   maintained by the Holding Company. If such Disability continues for a period
   of six (6) consecutive months, the Holding Company at its option may
   thereafter, upon written notice to the Executive or his personal
   representative, terminate the Executive's employment with no further notice.

8. OTHER TERMINATION BY THE HOLDING COMPANY

   (A) In the event the Executive's employment is terminated by the Holding
   Company, other than for disability, death or Cause, and in the absence of
   occurrence of a Change in Control, the Executive will be entitled to payment
   of the remaining term of this agreement or twelve (12) months salary,
   whichever is greater, at the annual salary currently being paid with said
   payment to be a lump sum payable within 30 days after termination.

9. TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE

   (A) In the event of the Executive's voluntary termination, the Executive
   shall not have the right to receive compensation or benefits as provided
   hereunder after such date of termination, except to the extent that Executive
   may be legally entitled to participate by virtue of COBRA or any other State
   or Federal Law concerning employee rights to benefits upon termination.




10. SOURCE OF PAYMENTS

   It is intended by the parties hereto that all payments provided in this
   Agreement shall be paid in cash or checks from the general funds of the Bank,
   as the case may be.

11. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER

   This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in
   writing signed by the parties hereto.

12. NOTICES

   Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be
   sufficient if in writing and if sent by registered mail to his residence in
   the case of the Executive or to its principal place of business in the case
   of the Bank.

13. GOVERNING LAW

         This Agreement and the obligations of the parties hereto shall be
interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
New Jersey.

14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

         This instrument contains the entire agreement of the parties. It may
not be changed orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party
against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or
discharge is sought.




         IN WITHNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto executed this Agreement
on the 31st day of January 2003.


ATTEST:                                      YARDVILLE NATIONAL BANCORP

/s/                                      /s/ Patrick M. Ryan
- ------------------------------           ---------------------------------
                                                  Patrick M. Ryan
                                                  President & CEO



/s/                                      /s/ F. Kevin Tylus
- ------------------------------           ---------------------------------
                                             F. Kevin Tylus, Chairman
                                             Directors' Organization &
                                              Compensation Committee

WITNESS

/s/                                      /s/  Jay G. Destribats
- ------------------------------           ---------------------------------
                                                  Jay G. Destribats
                                                Chairman of the Board