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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1



                                 negLAW OFFICES
                   Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P.
                   A REGISTERED LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP



                                January 12, 1999

New Commerce BanCorp
712 N. Main Street
Greenville, South Carolina  29609

                  Re:      Registration Statement on Form SB-2

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to New Commerce BanCorp (the "Company") in connection
with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (the "Registration
Statement"), under the Securities Act of 1933, covering the offering of up to
800,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share. In connection therewith, we have examined such corporate records,
certificates of public officials, and other documents and records as we have
considered necessary or proper for the purpose of this opinion.

         The opinions set forth herein are limited to the laws of the State of
South Carolina and applicable federal laws.

         Based on the foregoing, and having regard to legal considerations which
we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued and
delivered as subscribed in the Registration Statement, will be legally issued,
fully paid, and nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.

                                            NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH



                                            By: /s/ Neil E. Grayson 
                                                -------------------------------
                                                Neil E. Grayson