Form of Employment Agreement with Carl I. Carlson, III


STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF GUILFORD

         THIS  AGREEMENT  entered  into as of the ____ day of
________________, 1996 (the  "Effective  Date"),  by and between UNITED
CAROLINA BANK ("UCB") and CARL I. CARLSON, III ("Employee").

                           W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  Employee is employed by and currently  serves as
President of TRIAD  BANK (the  successor  by merger  with  Bankers Trust
of North  Carolina) ("Triad"),  pursuant to an Employment  Agreement
with Triad dated  December 14, 1993 (the "Prior  Employment Agreement"),
and in such  position  has  provided continued  leadership  and guidance
in the growth and  development  of Triad's business; and,

         WHEREAS, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
and Merger dated October 19, 1995 (the "Merger  Agreement"),  Triad has
agreed to be merged into and with UCB (the "Merger") with UCB being the
surviving bank; and,

         WHEREAS,  Employee's  experience  and knowledge of Triad's
operations, customers  and affairs and his  knowledge  of and  standing
and  reputation  in Triad's  market  area  would be of great  benefit to
UCB in its  continuance  of Triad's  business;  and,  for that  reason,
UCB  desires  to retain  Employee's services as an employee of UCB for
the period specified, and Employee desires to become an employee of UCB;
and,

         WHEREAS,  UCB and the  Employee  have agreed that (i) at the
effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"),  the Prior
Employment  Agreement will terminate and be of no further force or
effect, (ii) the Employee has elected to accept  employment  with  UCB
pursuant  to  this  Agreement  commencing  at the Effective  Time, (iii)
notwithstanding  the  terms  of  the  Prior  Employment Agreement,  the
Employee  shall be entitled to a cash  payment at the  Effective Time in
an amount equal to Two Hundred  Thousand and no/100 Dollars  ($200,000),
and  (iv) in  consideration  of  UCB's  offer of  employment  hereunder
and its agreement  to make the above  payment,  the Employee  will not
disclose  certain "confidential information" (as defined herein); and,

         WHEREAS,  for that purpose,  UCB and Employee have agreed and
desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and






conditions of Employee's  employment with UCB and their agreements as to
each of the above matters.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  for and in  consideration  of the premises
and mutual promises,  covenants and conditions  hereinafter  set forth,
and other good and valuable  considerations,  the  receipt  and
sufficiency  of which  hereby  are acknowledged, UCB and Employee hereby
agree as follows:

         1. Termination of Prior Employment Agreement;  Payment to the
Employee. At the Effective Time, the Prior  Employment  Agreement will
terminate and be of no further force or effect. In light of the
Employee's  election to accept UCB's offer of  employment  hereunder,
and  notwithstanding  the  terms of the  Prior Employment Agreement, the
Employee shall be entitled to a cash payment from UCB in an amount equal
to Two Hundred  Thousand  and no/100  Dollars  ($200,000.00) subject  to
customary  tax  withholding  which  shall be paid in six (6)  equal
consecutive  monthly  installments  commencing on the date of this
Agreement and commencing on the same day of each month thereafter.  The
parties agree that the $200,000 payment shall not be utilized in
computing  employee fringe benefits or any retirement  benefits based on
levels of  Compensation  (as defined below) to which Employee is
entitled from UCB.

         2.  Employment.  UCB hereby  agrees to employ  Employee,  and
Employee hereby accepts  employment  with UCB, all upon the terms and
conditions  stated herein.  As an employee of UCB,  Employee will (i)
serve as a Vice President and Regional Trust Manager of UCB, or in such
other executive  position or with such other  similar  title or titles
as shall be specified  from time to time by UCB, (ii)  provide  such
assistance  to UCB as it may  request  from  time  to  time regarding
matters  involving the former customers and employees of Triad,  loan
quality control and review,  product  conversion and other tasks
relating to the former operations of Triad and the transition of control
over such operations to UCB, (iii) promote UCB, its business and its
business development  activities in Triad's  former market areas,  and
(iv) from time to time have such other duties and  responsibilities, and
render to UCB such other management services, as are customary for
persons in Employee's  position with UCB or as otherwise  shall be
assigned to him from time to time by UCB. In connection  with the
performance of his duties hereunder,  Employee's office and principal
employment location shall be at such place as UCB shall designate but,
without Employee's  consent,  in no event  outside of Guilford  County,
North  Carolina.  Notwithstanding  anything contained herein to the
contrary, required business travel (including reasonable overnight
travel) outside of Guilford County,  North Carolina in connection with
his duties  under this  Agreement  not in excess of ten (10) nights per
calendar month shall not constitute a violation of this Agreement.


                                                      -2-





         Employee  faithfully and  diligently  shall  discharge his
obligations under this Agreement and shall perform the duties associated
with his position with UCB in a manner which is fully  competent and
reasonably  satisfactory  to UCB, and Employee  shall use his best
efforts to implement  UCB's  policies and procedures currently in effect
or as are established from time to time by UCB.

         Employee  hereby agrees to devote all his working time and
endeavors to the discharge of his duties under this Agreement, and, for
so long as employment hereunder shall exist,  Employee shall not engage
in any other  occupation which requires  any amount of  Employee's
personal  attention  during  UCB's  regular business hours or which
otherwise  interferes  with  Employee's  attention to or performance of
his duties and  responsibilities as an employee of UCB hereunder, unless
Employee  first shall have  obtained the prior  written  consent of UCB;
provided,  however,  that Employee may (i)  participate  in civic and
charitable activities in accordance with UCB's personnel policies and
procedures applicable from time to time to all its  employees  and (ii)
spend no more than one (1) day per month on family business matters,
including, but not limited to, his serving as an officer or director of
Piedmont Financial and Richardson Corporation.

         3. Term.  Unless sooner  terminated  as provided in this
Agreement and subject  to  the  right  of  either  Employee  or UCB  to
terminate  Employee's employment at any time as provided  herein,  the
term of  Employee's  employment with UCB under this Agreement (the "Term
of  Employment")  shall be for a period commencing on the Effective Date
and  terminating  six months later at the close of UCB's business on
______________, 199_ (the "Expiration Date").

         4.  Compensation.  For all  services  rendered by Employee to
UCB under this Agreement, during the Term of Employment UCB shall pay
Employee base salary at a monthly rate of Seven Thousand Five Hundred
and No/100 Dollars  ($7,500.00) ("Base Salary"). Base Salary paid under
this Agreement shall be payable not less frequently  than  monthly  in
accordance   with  UCB's  payroll   policies  and procedures. All
Compensation hereunder shall be subject to customary withholding taxes
and such other employment taxes as are required by law.

         5.  Participation  in Retirement  and Employee  Benefit  Plans;
Fringe Benefits.  Subject to the terms and  conditions of this Agreement
and the Merger Agreement,  Employee  shall be entitled to  participate
in any and all employee benefit programs and incentive  compensation
plans and programs maintained by or for UCB that are  generally
available  to and which  cover all UCB  officers at Employee's  job
level  or  classification.  Except  as  otherwise  specifically provided
herein and in the Merger  Agreement,  Employee's  participation in such
plans and  programs  shall be  subject to and in  accordance  with the
terms and conditions (including eligibility requirements) of such plans
and programs,

                                                      -3-





resolutions of UCB's (or its parent  company's) Board of Directors
establishing such programs and plans,  and UCB's normal  practices and
established  policies regarding such plans and programs.

         During the term of this Agreement, UCB shall pay directly, or
reimburse Employee for,  membership  dues for Employee to the Greensboro
Country Club and the Greensboro  Rotary Club (or similar civic club) and
the expenses relating to such other  memberships  as may be approved  by
UCB from time to time.  UCB also shall pay  Employee's  expenses to
continue  his  certification  as a certified public accountant,
including the expense of continuing professional education.

         During the term of this Agreement,  UCB shall pay the monthly
premiums on a $300,000 face amount whole life insurance policy and
one-half of the annual premium on a $25,000 whole life insurance policy,
both currently  owned by and insuring the life of Employee (as such
policies were in effect immediately prior to the date of the Merger
Agreement).

         6.  Standards.  Employee,  in the  execution  of his duties
under this Agreement,  at all  times  and in all  respects  shall comply
with the  United Carolina Bancshares  Corporation Statement of Policy,
Principles and Objectives (the "Code of Conduct"),  as the same is in
effect as of the Effective  Date and as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time subsequent  thereto,  and with all
applicable  federal  and state  statutes  and all rules,  regulations,
administrative  orders,   statements  of  policy  and  other
pronouncements  or standards promulgated thereunder.

         7. Confidentiality.

         (a) General.  Employee hereby  acknowledges  and agrees that
(i) in the course of his past service on behalf of Triad and future
service as an employee of UCB, he has gained and will  continue to gain
substantial  knowledge  of and familiarity  with Triad's and UCB's
customers and their dealings with them, and other  information
concerning  Triad's  and  UCB's  businesses,  all  of  which constitute
valuable  assets and privileged  information;  and, (ii) in order to
protect  UCB's  interest  in and to assure it the benefit of its
succession  to Triad's business,  it is reasonable and necessary to
place certain  restrictions on Employee's  disclosure of  information
about UCB's and Triad's  business and customers.  For that purpose, and
in consideration of UCB's agreements contained herein, Employee
covenants and agrees as provided below.

         (b)  Confidentiality  Covenant.  Employee covenants and agrees
that any and all data, figures, projections, estimates, lists, files,
records, documents, manuals or other such materials or information
(whether financial or otherwise, and including  any files,  data or
information  maintained  electronically,  on microfiche or otherwise)
relating to Triad or UCB and their respective lending

                                                      -4-





and  deposit  operations  and  related  businesses,   regulatory
examinations, financing sources,  financial results and condition,
customers (including lists of customers and former  customers and
information  regarding their accounts and business  dealings  with Triad
or  UCB),  prospective  customers,  contemplated acquisitions  (whether
of  business  or  assets),  ideas,  methods,   marketing investigations,
surveys, research, policies and procedures, computer systems and
software, shareholders, employees, officers and directors (herein
referred to as "Confidential  Information")  are  confidential  and
proprietary to UCB and are valuable,  special and unique  assets of
UCB's  business  which are not directly reproducible  from any other
source and to which  Employee has had access as an officer and employee
of Triad and will have access  during his  employment  with UCB.
Employee  agrees  that  (i) all  such  Confidential  Information  shall
be considered  and kept as the  confidential,  private and  privileged
records and information  of UCB,  and (ii)  during the Term of
Employment  and at all times following the  termination  of this
Agreement or his employment for any reason, and except as shall be
required in the course of the  performance by Employee of his  duties on
behalf  of UCB or  otherwise  pursuant  to the  direct,  written
authorization  of  UCB,   Employee  will  not:  divulge  any  such
Confidential Information  to any other Person;  remove any such
Confidential  Information in written  or other  recorded  form from
UCB's  premises;  or make any use of any Confidential  Information  for
his own purposes or for the benefit of any Person (as hereinafter
defined) other than UCB. However,  following the termination of
Employee's  employment  with UCB,  this  Paragraph  7(b)  shall not
apply to any Confidential  Information  which then is in the  public
domain  (provided  that Employee  was not  responsible,  directly or
indirectly,  for  permitting  such Confidential  Information  to enter
the public domain  without  UCB's  consent), which  Employee is required
to  disclose to any  governmental  authority  having jurisdiction  over
UCB, its  attorneys or  accountants,  or which is obtained by Employee
from a third party which or who is not obligated  under an agreement of
confidentiality  with respect to such  information  and who did not
acquire such Confidential  Information  in a manner  which  constituted
a  violation  of the covenants  contained in this Paragraph 7(b) or
which otherwise breached any duty of confidentiality.

         (c) Remedies for Breach.  Employee  understands and
acknowledges that a breach or violation by him of any of the covenants
contained in Paragraph  7(b) shall be deemed a material breach of this
Agreement and will cause  substantial, immediate  and  irreparable
injury to UCB,  and that UCB will have no  adequate remedy at law for
such breach or violation. In the event of Employee's actual or
threatened breach or violation of the covenant  contained in Paragraph
7(b), UCB shall be entitled to bring a civil action seeking,  and shall
be entitled to, an injunction  restraining  Employee  from  violating or
continuing to violate such covenant or from any  threatened  violation
thereof,  or for any other legal or equitable relief relating to the
breach or violation of such

                                                      -5-





covenant.  Employee  agrees that,  if UCB  institutes  any action or
proceeding against  Employee  seeking to enforce any of such  covenants
or to recover other relief  relating to an actual or  threatened  breach
or violation of any of such covenants, Employee shall be deemed to have
waived the claim or defense that UCB has an  adequate  remedy  at law
and  shall  not  urge  in any  such  action  or proceeding the claim or
defense that such a remedy at law exists.  However,  the exercise by UCB
of any such right, remedy, power or privilege shall not preclude UCB or
its  successors  or assigns from  pursuing any other remedy or
exercising any other  right,  power or  privilege  available  to it for
any such  breach or violation,  whether at law or in equity,  including
the recovery of damages, all of which shall be  cumulative  and in
addition  to all other  rights,  remedies, powers or privileges of UCB.

         Notwithstanding  anything  contained  herein to the contrary,
Employee agrees that the provisions of Paragraph 7(b) above and the
remedies  provided in this  Paragraph 7(c) for a breach by Employee
shall be in addition to, and shall not be deemed to supersede or to
otherwise restrict,  limit or impair the rights of UCB under any state
or federal law or regulation  dealing with or providing a remedy for the
wrongful disclosure,  misuse or misappropriation of trade secrets or
other proprietary or confidential information.

         (d) Survival of  Covenants.  Employee's  covenants and
agreements  and UCB's rights and remedies  provided  for in this
Paragraph 7 shall  survive and remain fully in effect  following
expiration  of the Term of  Employment or any actual  termination  of
Employee's  employment  with  UCB  (whether  during  or following
expiration of the Term of Employment).

         8. Termination and Termination Pay.

         (a) By Employee.  Employee's  employment  under this  Agreement
may be terminated at any time by Employee upon sixty (60) days' written
notice to UCB. Upon such  termination,  Employee shall be entitled to
receive  compensation and benefits  ("Compensation")  through  the
effective  date of  such  termination; provided  however,  that,  upon
receipt of any such notice of  termination  from Employee, UCB may elect
for Employee not to serve out part or all of said notice period and, in
such event,  Employee's  employment  shall terminate on such date during
the notice period as UCB shall  specify,  and in any such event UCB
shall pay  Compensation  to  Employee  only  through  the  earlier of
(i) the date the Employee  commences gainful  employment with another
employer or (ii) the end of the notice period.

         (b) Death.  Employee's  employment  under this Agreement
automatically shall be terminated upon his death during the Term of
Employment. In the case of Employee's  death,  his estate  shall be
entitled  to receive  any  Compensation Employee  shall have earned
prior to the date of  termination  but which remains unpaid, and UCB

                                                      -6-





shall continue to pay  Compensation to Employee's  estate each month
through the unexpired  portion of the Term of  Employment  in an amount
equal to  Employee's base salary (at Employee's  base salary rate in
effect at the time of Employee's death).

         (c)   Retirement.    Employee's   employment   under   this
Agreement automatically  shall  be  terminated  upon  the  effective
date  of  Employee's retirement with UCB's consent or under the terms of
UCB's pension plan. Upon any such  termination,  Employee  shall be
entitled  to  receive  any  Compensation Employee  shall have earned
prior to the date of  retirement  but which  remains unpaid.

         (d)  Disabilities.  Subject to UCB's  obligations and
Employee's rights under  (i)  Title  I of the  Americans  with
Disabilities  Act,  ss.504  of the Rehabilitation  Act,  and the Family
and  Medical  Leave  Act,  and to (ii) the vacation  leave,  disability
leave,  sick leave and any other leave policies of UCB,  Employee's
employment  under  this  Agreement   automatically  shall  be terminated
in the event Employee  becomes disabled during the Term of Employment
and it is  determined  by UCB that  Employee is unable to perform the
essential functions of his job under this  Agreement for any consecutive
period of sixty (60)  business  days or more  during  the  Term of
Employment.  Upon  any  such termination,  Employee  shall be entitled
to receive any  Compensation  Employee shall have earned prior to the
date of termination but which remains unpaid, and shall be entitled to
any payments  provided under any disability  income plan of UCB which is
applicable to Employee.

         In the event of any disagreement between Employee and UCB as to
whether Employee  is  physically  or mentally  incapacitated  such as
will result in the termination  of  Employee's  employment  pursuant to
this  Paragraph  8(d),  the question  of such  incapacity  shall  be
submitted  to an  impartial  physician licensed to practice  medicine in
North Carolina for  determination and who will be selected by mutual
agreement of Employee and UCB or, failing such agreement, by two (2)
physicians (one (1) of whom shall be selected by UCB and the other by
Employee),  and such  determination  of the question of such  incapacity
by such physician  or  physicians  shall be final and binding on
Employee  and UCB.  UCB shall pay the  reasonable  fees and expenses of
such  physician or physicians in making any determination required under
this Paragraph 8(d).

         (e) By UCB. UCB otherwise may  terminate  Employee's
employment at any time during the Term of Employment and for any reason
satisfactory  to UCB (and whether or not for  "Cause"  as defined
below).  Upon any such  termination  of Employee's  employment by UCB
under this  Paragraph  8(e) for "Cause",  Employee shall  have no
further  rights  under this  Agreement  (including  any right to receive
Compensation or other benefits for any period after such  termination).
Upon any such  termination  of  Employee's  employment by UCB during the
Term of Employment  under  this  Paragraph  8(e)  which is not for
"Cause,"  UCB  shall continue to pay Compensation to

                                                      -7-





Employee each month  through the unexpired  portion of the Term of
Employment in an amount equal to  Employee's  base salary (at Employee's
base salary rate in effect  at the time of such  termination)  plus an
amount  equal to the  monthly amount available to Employee at the time
of such termination for the purchase of benefits under UCB's flexible
benefits "cafeteria" plan. However, UCB shall have no obligation  or
liability to Employee for any other  benefits  Employee  would have if
he continued as an employee of UCB.

         Notwithstanding  anything contained herein to the contrary,
before UCB may terminate  Employee's  employment for a Cause described
in Paragraph 8(e)(i) below,  UCB first shall give Employee ten (10) days
written  notice of the facts or circumstances  constituting  such Cause
for termination,  and, if during such period  Employee  shall cure such
Cause to the reasonable  satisfaction  of UCB, then Employee's
employment shall continue;  provided however, that, in the event of any
reoccurrence or further  occurrence of the same Cause, UCB shall have no
obligation to give Employee any further or additional  notice or
opportunity to cure prior to the termination of Employee's employment.
No such notice shall be required in the case of termination of
Employee's employment for any Cause other than as described above.

         For  purposes  of this  Paragraph  8(e),  UCB  shall  have
"Cause"  to terminate Employee's employment upon:

                  (i) A determination  by UCB, in good faith,  that
         Employee (A) has breached in any material  respect any of the
         terms or conditions of this  Agreement,  (B) has failed in any
         material  respect to perform or discharge  his  duties or
         responsibilities  of  employment,  or (C) is engaging  or has
         engaged in  willful  misconduct  or conduct  which is
         detrimental to the business prospects of UCB or which has had
         or likely will have a material adverse effect on UCB's business
         or reputation;

                  (ii) The  violation  by  Employee of the Code of
         Conduct or of any  applicable   federal  or  state  law,  or
         any  applicable   rule, regulation,   order  or   statement  of
         policy   promulgated   by  any governmental agency or authority
         having jurisdiction over UCB or any of its affiliates or
         subsidiaries (a "Regulatory  Authority"),  including but not
         limited to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the North
         Carolina  Banking  Commissioner,   the  North  Carolina  State
         Banking Commission,  the Federal Reserve Board or any other
         banking  regulator, which results from Employee's gross
         negligence,  willful  misconduct or intentional  disregard of
         such law, rule,  regulation,  order or policy statement and
         results in any substantial damage, monetary or otherwise, to
         UCB or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or to UCB's
         reputation;

                  (iii) The commission in the course of Employee's
         employment with UCB of an act of fraud, embezzlement, theft or

                                                      -8-





         proven personal dishonesty, or Employee's being indicted for
         any felony or other crime involving  moral  turpitude  (whether
         or not such act or charge  involves  the  Bank  or  its  assets
         or  results  in  criminal indictment, charges, prosecution or
         conviction);

                  (iv) The  conviction of Employee of any felony or any
         criminal offense  involving  dishonesty or breach of trust, or
         the occurrence of any event described in Section 19 of the
         Federal Deposit  Insurance Act or any other event or
         circumstance  which  disqualifies  Employee from serving as an
         employee or executive  officer of, or a party  affiliated with,
         UCB or its bank  holding  company;  or,  in the  event
         Employee becomes  unacceptable  to, or is removed,  suspended
         or prohibited from participating  in the conduct of UCB's
         affairs (or if  proceedings  for that purpose are commenced),
         by any Regulatory Authority;

                  (v) The  exclusion  of Employee by the carrier or
         underwriter from coverage under UCB's then current "blanket
         bond" or other fidelity bond or insurance policy covering its
         directors, officers or employees, or the occurrence of any
         event which UCB believes,  in good faith, will result  in
         Employee  being  excluded  from  such  coverage,  or having
         coverage  limited as to Employee as compared to other covered
         officers or  employees,  pursuant to the terms and  conditions
         of such "blanket bond" or other fidelity bond or insurance
         policy;

                  (vi) Employee's  excessive use of any addictive drug
         or use of any controlled substance,  as defined at 21 U.S.C.
         ss.802 and listed on Schedules  I through V of 21 U.S.C.
         ss.812,  as  revised  from time to time, and as defined by
         other federal laws and regulations,  his use of legal drugs
         that have not been obtained  legally or are not being taken as
         prescribed  by a  licensed  physician,  or his use of  alcohol
         in a manner that adversely  affects the  performance of his job
         duties under this  Agreement,  prevents him from performing his
         job duties safely or creates a risk to the safety of others at
         the workplace; or,

         (e) Except as otherwise  provided below, upon the earlier of
expiration of the Term of Employment  or any actual  termination  of
Employee's  employment with UCB under this  Agreement for any reason,
the provisions of this Agreement likewise  shall  terminate  and be of
no  further  force or  effect.  Employee's covenants  contained  in
Paragraph 7 above  shall  survive and remain in effect following
expiration  of the Term of Employment  or any actual  termination  of
Employee's  employment  (whether  during or following  expiration of the
Term of Employment);  and,  provided  further,  that UCB's  obligation
for the continued payments  under  Paragraph  8(e)  above  following
termination  of  Employee's employment by UCB not for

                                                      -9-





"Cause," shall survive and remain in effect following any
termination of this Agreement.

         9. Change in Control.

         (a) In the event of an involuntary termination of Employee's
employment with UCB (other than for "Cause" as defined in Paragraph 8
hereof) in connection with a "Change in  Control"  (as  defined in
Paragraph  9(b)  hereof) of UCB or United  Carolina  Bancshares
Corporation  ("Bancshares"),   Employee  shall  be entitled to receive
immediately all benefits and Compensation  provided in this Agreement.
For purposes of this  Paragraph 9,  Employee's  employment  with UCB
shall be deemed to be involuntarily  terminated if at any time after a
Change in Control and prior to Employee's  retirement,  (i) Employee's
position and duties with UCB are changed so as not to be  commensurate
with his position and duties with UCB prior to such Change in Control,
or (ii) Employee's employment with UCB is transferred outside of
Guilford County, North Carolina.

         (b) For the  purposes  of this  Agreement,  the term  Change in
Control shall mean any of the following events:

                  (i) After the effective date of this  Agreement,  any
         "person" (as such term is  defined  in  Sections  3(a)(9)  and
         13(d)(3)  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended),
         directly or indirectly, acquires beneficial  ownership of
         voting stock, or acquires irrevocable proxies or any
         combination  of voting stock and  irrevocable  proxies,
         representing  fifty-one  percent  (51%) or more of any  class
         of voting securities of either Bancorp or UCB; or

                  (ii)  All  or  substantially  all  of  the  assets  of
         either Bancshares or UCB are sold or otherwise  transferred to
         or are acquired by any other corporation, association or other
         person, entity or group.

         Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Paragraph 9, a
transaction or  event  shall  not be  considered  a  Change  in  Control
if,  prior  to the consummation or occurrence of such transaction or
event,  Employee and UCB agree in  writing  that the same  shall  not be
treated  as a Change in  Control  for purposes of this Agreement.

         (c) In the event any dispute shall arise  between  Employee and
UCB (or any successor  corporation) as to the terms or interpretation of
this Agreement, including  this Paragraph 9, whether  instituted by
formal legal  proceedings or otherwise,  including  any action taken by
Employee to enforce the terms of this Paragraph 9 or in defending
against any action  taken by UCB (or any  successor corporations),  UCB
(or any successor  corporation) shall reimburse Employee for all costs
and expenses,  proceedings or actions,  in the event Employee prevails
in any such action.


                                                      -10-





         10.      Additional Regulators Requirements. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, it is
understood and agreed that UCB (or any of its successors in
interest) shall not be required to make any payment or take any
action under this Agreement if:

         (a) UCB is declared by any Regulatory Authority to be
insolvent, in default or operating in an unsafe or unsound manner;
or,

         (b) in the  opinion of counsel to UCB such  payment or action
(i) would be  prohibited  by or would  violate  any  provision  of state
or  federal  law applicable to UCB,  including  without  limitation the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act as now in effect or hereafter amended,
(ii) would be prohibited by or would violate any  applicable  rules,
regulations,  orders or  statements  of policy, whether now existing or
hereafter promulgated,  of any Regulatory Authority,  or (iii) otherwise
would be prohibited by any Regulatory Authority.

         11.  Advisory  Board  Service.  Except for  termination  of
employment hereunder by UCB for "Cause" or by the Employee  pursuant to
Paragraph 9 hereof, upon the  termination of the Employee's  employment
under this  Agreement,  UCB shall recommend Employee for appointment to
its Greensboro, North Carolina local advisory  board for a period of not
less than one (1) year.  For service on such board,  the Employee shall
be  compensated  in accordance  with the then current Compensation
provisions and standards in effect for UCB's local advisory boards.

         12. Successors and Assigns.

         (a) This  Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding  upon any  corporate  or other  successor  of UCB which  shall
acquire,  directly  or indirectly, by conversion, merger, consolidation,
purchase or otherwise, all or substantially all of the assets of UCB.

         (b) UCB is contracting  for the unique and personal skills of
Employee. Therefore,  Employee  shall be precluded from assigning or
delegating his rights or duties hereunder without first obtaining the
written consent of UCB.

         13. Modification;  Waiver;  Amendments.  No provision of this
Agreement may be  modified,  waived or  discharged  unless such  waiver,
modification  or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the
parties hereto. No waiver by either party hereto, at any time, of any
breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition
or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall
be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions  at
the same or at any prior or  subsequent  time.  No  amendments or
additions to this Agreement shall be binding

                                                      -11-





unless in writing and signed by both parties, except as herein
otherwise provided.

         14.  Applicable  Law. The parties  hereto agree that without
regard to principles  of  conflicts  of  laws,  the  internal  laws of
the  State of North Carolina shall govern and control the validity,
interpretation,  performance and enforcement  of this  Agreement  and
that any suit or  action  relating  to this Agreement  shall be
instituted  and  prosecuted  in the Courts of the County of Guilford,
State of North Carolina,  and each party hereto hereby does waive any
right or defense relating to such  jurisdiction and venue,  except to
the extent that federal law shall be deemed to apply.

         15. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
other provisions hereof.

         16. Headings. The section and paragraph headings contained in
this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect
in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         17. Notices.  Except as otherwise may be provided herein,  all
notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when  deposited  with the United States Postal
Service, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, as follows:

         If to UCB:

                  United Carolina Bank
                  127 West Webster Street
                  Post Office Box 632
                  Whiteville, North Carolina 28472

                  Attention: David L. Thomas

                  With a copy to:

                  Alfred E. Cleveland, Esq.

                  McCoy, Weaver, Wiggins, Cleveland & Raper
                  202 Fairway Drive
                  Fayetteville, North Carolina 28305

         If to Employee:

                  Carl I. Carlson, III
                  Post Office Box 22006
                  Greensboro, North Carolina  27420


                                                      -12-





Such notice shall be deemed to be received upon receipt or refusal, if
delivered by hand, or upon receipt or refusal as evidenced by the return
receipt therefor, if delivered by registered or certified mail.

         18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed
an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall
constitute but one agreement.

         19. Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the other documents
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference contain the entire
understanding and agreement of the parties,  and there are no
agreements,  promises,  warranties, covenants or  undertakings  other
than those  expressly set forth or referred to herein.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, UCB has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its duly  authorized  officer in pursuance  of authority
duly given by its Board of Directors,  and  Employee  has set hereunto
his hand and adopted as his seal the typewritten  word "SEAL"  appearing
beside his name, all as of the day and year first above written.


                                      UNITED CAROLINA BANK



                                      By:  _________________________
                                                 David L. Thomas
                                             Executive Vice President


                                      EMPLOYEE:



                                            _________________________(SEAL)
                                              Carl I. Carlson, III


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