NONCOMPETITION, SEVERANCE AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     THIS NONCOMPETITION,  SEVERANCE AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement")
is made and entered into as of this 21st day of February,  1996,  by and between
James  W.  Terry,   Jr.,  an  individual  (the   "Executive"),   Carolina  First
Corporation,  a South Carolina  corporation  and financial  institution  holding
company headquartered in Greenville,  South Carolina, and Carolina First Bank, a
South Carolina banking  corporation and wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company.
Carolina First  Corporation and Carolina First Bank are hereinafter  referred to
as the "Company",  except where the context  otherwise  requires,  in which case
"Company" shall refer only to Carolina First Corporation.

                               W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS the Board of Directors of the Company (the  "Board")  believes that
the Executive has been instrumental in the past success of the Company;

     WHEREAS  the  Company  desires  to  continue  to employ  the  Executive  as
President of Carolina  First Bank and in such other  capacities as the Executive
is currently employed as of the date hereof;

     WHEREAS  the  Company has  considered  and will adopt a Longterm  Incentive
Compensation  Plan  (the  "Incentive  Compensation  Plan")  which  provides  for
incentive  compensation  payments  to be made to the  executive  officers of the
Company (including the Executive);

         WHEREAS the terms  hereof are  consistent  with the  objectives  of the
Incentive Compensation Plan;

     WHEREAS  the  Executive  is willing to accept the  employment  contemplated
herein under the terms and conditions set forth herein;

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

         1. Employment.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Company
hereby  employs the Executive and Executive  hereby  accepts such  employment as
President of Carolina First Bank having such duties and  responsibilities as are
set forth in Section 3 below.

         2.  Definitions.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  the following terms
shall have the meanings specified below.

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         "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence during the Term of any of
the following events:

                  (a) An  acquisition  (other than directly from the Company) of
         any voting  securities of the Company (the "Voting  Securities") by any
         "Person" (as the term person is used for  purposes of Section  13(d) or
         14(d)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934  (the  "1934  Act"))
         immediately after which such Person has "beneficial  Ownership" (within
         the  meaning  of Rule 13d-3  promulgated  under the 1934 Act) of 20% or
         more of the combined  voting power of the  Company's  then  outstanding
         Voting Securities;  provided,  however,  that in determining  whether a
         Change in Control has occurred, Voting Securities which are acquired in
         a  "Non-Control   Acquisition"  (as  hereinafter   defined)  shall  not
         constitute  an  acquisition  which would  cause a Change in Control.  A
         "Non-Control  Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition by (i) an employee
         benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof)  maintained by (x) the
         Company or (y) any  corporation  or other Person of which a majority of
         its voting power or its equity  securities or equity  interest is owned
         directly  or  indirectly  by the  Company  (a  "Subsidiary"),  (ii) the
         Company or any  Subsidiary,  or (iii) any Person in  connection  with a
         "Non-Control Transaction" (as hereinafter defined); or

                  (b) The individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, are
         members of the Board (the  "Incumbent  Board")  cease for any reason to
         constitute at least two-thirds of the Board; provided, however, that if
         the election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders,
         of any new director was  approved by a vote of at least  two-thirds  of
         the  Incumbent  Board,  such new director  shall,  for purposes of this
         Agreement,  be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided,
         further,  however,  that no individual  shall be considered a member of
         the Incumbent  Board if such individual  initially  assumed office as a
         result  of  either  an actual  or  threatened  "Election  Contest"  (as
         described  in Rule  14a-11  promulgated  under  the 1934  Act) or other
         actual or  threatened  solicitation  of  proxies or  consents  by or on
         behalf of a Person other than the Board (a "Proxy  Contest")  including
         by reason of any  agreement  intended  to avoid or settle any  Election
         Contest or Proxy Contest; or

                  (c)      Approval by stockholders of the Company of:

                           (1)      A merger, consolidation or reorganization
                                    involving the Company, unless

                                    i)      the stockholders of the Company,
                                            immediately before such merger,

                                                         2





                                            consolidation   or   reorganization,
                                            own,    directly   or    indirectly,
                                            immediately  following  such merger,
                                            consolidation or reorganization,  at
                                            least  two-thirds  of  the  combined
                                            voting  power  of  the   outstanding
                                            voting securities of the corporation
                                            resulting   from   such   merger  or
                                            consolidation or reorganization (the
                                            "Surviving      Corporation")     in
                                            substantially the same proportion as
                                            their   ownership   of  the   Voting
                                            Securities  immediately  before such
                                            merger,       consolidation       or
                                            reorganization, and

                                    ii)     the  individuals who were members of
                                            the  Incumbent   Board   immediately
                                            prior  to  the   execution   of  the
                                            agreement providing for such merger,
                                            consolidation   or    reorganization
                                            constitute  at least  two-thirds  of
                                            the   members   of  the   board   of
                                            directors    of    the     Surviving
                                            Corporation.

                                    (A transaction  described in clauses (i) and
                                    (ii)  shall  herein  by  referred  to  as  a
                                    "NonControl Transaction").

                           (2)      A complete liquidation or dissolution of the
                                   Company; or

                           (3)      An   agreement   for  the   sale  or   other
                                    disposition of all or  substantially  all of
                                    the  assets  of the  Company  to any  Person
                                    (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary).

                  (d)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained in this Agreement to
         the contrary,  if the Executive's  employment is terminated  prior to a
         Change in Control and the Executive  reasonably  demonstrates that such
         termination  (1) was at the request of a third party who has  indicated
         an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in
         Control and who  effectuates  a Change in Control (a "Third  Party") or
         (2) otherwise  occurred in connection  with, or in  anticipation  of, a
         Change in Control which actually occurs,  then for all purposes or this
         Agreement,  the  date  of a  Change  in  Control  with  respect  to the
         Executive  shall  mean the date  immediately  prior to the date of such
         termination of the Executive's employment.

     "Cause"  shall  mean (a) any act that (i)  constitutes,  on the part of the
Executive,  fraud,  dishonesty,  gross  malfeasance of duty, or conduct  grossly
inappropriate to the Executive's office, and (ii) is demonstrably likely to lead
to material injury to the

                                                         3





Company or resulted or was  intended to result in direct or indirect  gain to or
personal enrichment of the Executive; or

                  (b)      the conviction (from which no appeal may be
         or is timely taken) of the Executive of a felony; or

                  (c) the  suspension  or removal of the Executive by federal or
         state  banking  regulatory  authorities  acting under lawful  authority
         pursuant to provisions of federal or state law or regulation  which may
         be in effect from time to time;

provided,  however, that in the case of clause (a) above, such conduct shall not
constitute Cause:

                  (x)  unless  (i)  there  shall  have  been  delivered  to  the
         Executive a written notice setting forth with  specificity  the reasons
         that  the  Board  believes  the  Executive's  conduct  constitutes  the
         criteria set forth in clause (a),  (ii) the  Executive  shall have been
         provided the  opportunity  to be heard in person by the Board (with the
         assistance of the Executive's counsel if the Executive so desires), and
         (iii) after such hearing,  the termination is evidenced by a resolution
         adopted in good faith by  two-thirds of the members of the Board (other
         than the Executive); or

                  (y) if such conduct (i) was believed by the  Executive in good
         faith to have been in or not opposed to the  interests  of the Company,
         and  (ii) was not  intended  to and did not  result  in the  direct  or
         indirect gain to or personal enrichment of the Executive.

         Additionally,  after a Change in Control, the Company may not terminate
Executive  for  "Cause" as a result of any event about  which the  Company,  any
member of a prior or existing Board of Directors, or any executive senior to the
Executive has known for more than twelve (12) months.

     "Confidential  Information"  shall mean all business and other  information
relating to the business of the Company, including without limitation, technical
or nontechnical data, programs, methods, techniques,  processes, financial data,
financial  plans,  product  plans,  and lists of actual or potential  customers,
which (i) derives economic value, actual or potential,  from not being generally
known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other Persons,
and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable  under the  circumstances
to maintain its secrecy or confidentiality. Such information and compilations of
information  shall be  contractually  subject to protection under this Agreement
whether or not such information constitutes a

                                                         4





trade  secret  and is  separately  protectable  at law or in  equity  as a trade
secret.   Confidential   Information  does  not  include  confidential  business
information  which does not  constitute a trade secret under  applicable law two
years after any expiration or termination of this Agreement.

         "Disability" or "Disabled"  shall mean the  Executive's  inability as a
result of physical or mental incapacity to substantially  perform his duties for
the Company on a full-time basis for a period of six (6) months as determined by
an  independent  physician  selected with the approval of both the Executive and
the Company.

         "Involuntary  Termination"  shall mean the  termination  of Executive's
employment by the  Executive  following a Change in Control  which,  in the sole
judgment  of  the  Executive,  is  due  to  (i)  a  change  of  the  Executive's
responsibilities,  position  (including  status as President  of Carolina  First
Bank,  its  successor  or ultimate  parent  entity),  office,  title,  reporting
relationships  or working  conditions,  authority or duties  (including  changes
resulting from the assignment to the Executive of any duties  inconsistent  with
his positions,  duties or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the
Change in  Control);  or (ii) a change in the  terms or  status  (including  the
rolling three year termination date) of this Agreement;  or (iii) a reduction in
the  Executive's  compensation or benefits;  or (iv) a forced  relocation of the
Executive  outside  the  Greenville  metropolitan  area;  or  (v) a  significant
increase  in  the  Executive's  travel  requirements;   or  (vi)  any  attempted
termination  for Cause that does not comply with the  substantive and procedural
provisions  set  forth  in the  definition  of  Cause;  or (vii)  the  Company's
insolvency;  or (viii) the Company's  breach of this Agreement.  An "Involuntary
Termination" shall be considered to have occurred only after Executive gives the
Company written notice of such  termination  setting forth the specific  grounds
constituting  the termination and ten (10) days to cure such termination and the
Company fails to cure such termination.

     "Person" shall mean any individual,  corporation,  bank, partnership, joint
venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or
other entity.

     "Voluntary   Termination"  shall  mean  the  termination  by  Executive  of
Executive's  employment following a Change in Control which is not the result of
any of clauses (i) through  (viii) set forth in the  definition  of  Involuntary
Termination above.

         3. Duties. During the Term hereof, the Executive shall have such duties
and  authority  as are typical of a president  of a bank such as Carolina  First
Bank,  including,  without limitation,  those specified in Carolina First Bank's
Bylaws. Executive

                                                         5





agrees that during the Term hereof, he will devote his full time,  attention and
energies to the diligent performance of his duties. Executive shall not, without
the prior written consent of the Company, at any time during the Term hereof (i)
accept  employment  with,  or render  services  of a business,  professional  or
commercial  nature to, any Person  other than the  Company,  (ii)  engage in any
venture  or  activity  which  the  Company  may in  good  faith  consider  to be
competitive  with or adverse to the business of the Company or of any  affiliate
of the  Company,  whether  alone,  as a  partner,  or as an  officer,  director,
employee or shareholder or otherwise, except that the ownership of not more than
5% of the stock or other equity interest of any publicly  traded  corporation or
other entity shall not be deemed a violation of this Section, or (iii) engage in
any venture or activity  which the Board of Directors of the Company may in good
faith  consider  to  interfere  with  Executive's   performance  of  his  duties
hereunder.

     4. Term.  Unless earlier  terminated as provided  herein,  the  Executive's
employment  hereunder  shall be for a rolling  term of three years (the  "Term")
commencing on the date hereof,  with  compensation to be effective as of January
1, 1996. This Agreement shall be deemed to extend each day for an additional day
automatically and without any action on behalf of either party hereto; provided,
however,  that either party may, by notice to the other, cause this Agreement to
cease to  extend  automatically  and,  upon  such  notice,  the  "Term"  of this
Agreement shall be the three years  following the date of such notice,  and this
Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of such Term. If no such notice is
given and this  Agreement is  terminated  pursuant to Section 5 hereof,  for the
purposes of calculating any amounts payable to the Executive as a result of such
termination,  the remaining Term of this  Agreement  shall be deemed to be three
years from the date of such termination.

         5. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated as follows:

                  5.1 The Company. The Company shall have the right to terminate
Executive's  employment  hereunder  at any time  during the Term  hereof (i) for
Cause,  (ii) if the Executive  becomes  Disabled,  or (iii) upon the Executive's
death.

                           5.1.1  If the Company terminates Executive's
employment under this Agreement pursuant to clauses (i) through (iii) of Section
5.1,  the  Company's  obligations  hereunder  shall  cease  as of  the  date  of
termination;  provided,  however,  if Executive is terminated  for Cause after a
Change in  Control,  then  such  termination  shall be  treated  as a  Voluntary
Termination as contemplated in Section 5.2 below.


                                                         6





                           5.1.2  If the Company terminates Executive other
than  pursuant to clauses (i) through  (iii) of Section 5.1 and there has been a
Change in  Control,  Executive  shall be  entitled  to  receive  immediately  as
severance  upon such  termination,  the  compensation  and benefits  provided in
Section 6 hereof that would otherwise be payable over the three years subsequent
to such termination. For purposes of determining compensation which is not fixed
(such as a bonus),  the  annual  amount of such  unfixed  compensation  shall be
deemed to be the equal to the average of such  compensation  over the three year
period immediately prior to the termination.

                           5.1.3  If the Company terminates Executive other
than  pursuant to clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 5.1 and in the absence of
a Change in  Control,  Executive  shall be entitled  to receive  immediately  as
severance  upon such  termination,  the  compensation  and benefits  provided in
Section 6 hereof for the remaining Term of this Agreement.

                           5.1.4  In the event of such termination other than
pursuant  to  clauses  (i)  through  (iii) of  Section  5.1,  (A) all  rights of
Executive  pursuant to awards of share grants or options  granted by the Company
shall be deemed to have vested and shall be  released  from all  conditions  and
restrictions, except for restrictions on transfer pursuant to the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended,  and (B) the Executive  shall be deemed to be credited with
service  with the  Company  for such  remaining  Term  for the  purposes  of the
Company's benefit plans,  including,  without  limitation,  any restricted stock
agreements now or hereafter entered into with Executive.

                  5.2 By Executive.  Executive shall have the right to terminate
his employment  hereunder if (i) the Company materially  breaches this Agreement
and such breach is not cured within 30 days after written  notice of such breach
is given by Executive to the Company; (ii) there is a Voluntary Termination;  or
(iii) there is an Involuntary Termination.

                           5.2.1  If Executive terminates his employment
other than  pursuant to clauses (i) through  (iii) of Section 5.2, the Company's
obligations  under this Agreement shall cease as of the date of such termination
and Executive  shall be subject to the  noncompetition  provisions  set forth in
Section 10 hereof.

                           5.2.2  If Executive terminates his employment
hereunder  pursuant  to any of clauses  (i) or (iii) of Section  5.2,  Executive
shall be entitled to receive  immediately  as  severance  the  compensation  and
benefits  provided in Section 6 hereof that would  otherwise be payable over the
three  years  subsequent  to  such  termination.  For  purposes  of  determining
compensation  which is not fixed  (such as a bonus),  the annual  amount of such
unfixed compensation shall be deemed to be the equal to the average of

                                                         7





such  compensation  over  the  three  year  period   immediately  prior  to  the
termination.

                           5.2.3  If Executive terminates his employment
pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 5.2,  Executive  shall be entitled to receive
immediately as severance the  compensation  and benefits  provided in Sections 6
hereof  for one  year  following  the  date of his  Voluntary  Termination.  For
purposes of determining  compensation  which is not fixed (such as a bonus), the
annual  amount of such unfixed  compensation  shall be deemed to be the equal to
the average of such compensation over the three year period immediately prior to
the termination.

                           5.2.4  In addition, in the event of such
termination  pursuant to any of clauses (i) through  (iii) of this  Section 5.2,
(A) all  rights of  Executive  pursuant  to awards  of share  grants or  options
granted by the Company shall be deemed to have vested and shall be released from
all conditions and restrictions, except for restrictions on transfer pursuant to
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (B) the Executive shall be deemed to
be  credited  with  service  with the Company  for such  remaining  Term for the
purposes of the Company's benefit plans.

                  5.3  Limitation on  Availability  of Severance  Benefits.  All
severance  benefits to Executive  conditioned  on a Change of Control shall have
been obtained by Executive  within three (3) years following a Change of Control
or be null, void, and deemed to have been waived by Executive.

     6.  Compensation.  In consideration  of Executive's  services and covenants
hereunder,  Company  shall  pay  to  Executive  the  compensation  and  benefits
described below (which  compensation shall be paid in accordance with the normal
compensation  practices  of the Company and shall be subject to such  deductions
and  withholdings  as are  required  by law or policies of the Company in effect
from time to time,  provided  that his salary  pursuant  to Section 6.1 shall be
payable not less frequently than monthly):

                  6.1 Annual Salary.  During the Term hereof,  the Company shall
pay to Executive a salary at the rate of $155,000 per annum.  Executive's salary
will be reviewed by the Board of  Directors  of the Company at the  beginning of
each of its fiscal years and, in the sole  discretion of the Board of Directors,
may be increased for such year.

                  6.2 Annual Incentive Bonus.  During the Term hereof, the Board
of Directors may pay to Executive an annual  incentive  cash bonus in accordance
with the terms of the Short Term Incentive Compensation Plan.


                                                         8





                  6.3  Stock  Options  and  Restricted  Stock.  During  the Term
hereof, the Board of Directors shall grant Executive options to purchase Company
Common Stock and restricted  stock in accordance with the terms of the Company's
Long  Term  Incentive  Compensation  Plan.  The  Company  agrees to use its best
efforts  to cause the  Company's  Long Term  Incentive  Compensation  Plan to be
presented  to the  shareholders  of the Company for  approval at the next annual
meeting of the  shareholders  for the  purpose of meeting  any NASD  shareholder
approval  requirements  and  qualifying  such  Options  under  Section 16 of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended  ("Section  16"). In the event that
such  shareholder  approval is not secured for Section 16 purposes,  the options
referenced herein shall remain the legal and valid obligation of the Corporation
enforceable  in  accordance  with their  terms.  In the event  that  shareholder
approval  is not  secured and the NASD does not  confirm  that an  exemption  is
available with respect to the grant of the options and restricted  stock,  stock
appreciation   or  similar  rights  with  terms  and  conditions   substantially
equivalent to the options and restricted stock shall be granted to Executive.

                  6.4 Other  Benefits.  Executive  shall be entitled to share in
any other employee benefits generally provided by the Company to its most highly
ranking  executives  for so long as the  Company  provides  such  benefits.  The
Company  also  agrees  to  provide  Executive  with a  Company-paid  automobile,
reasonable club dues for one country club and two business club(s), personal tax
advisory services, and a $1,000,000 life insurance policy.  Executive shall also
be  entitled to  participate  in all other  benefits  accorded  general  Company
employees.

                  6.5      Executive's Right to Benefits Absolute.  The right
of the Executive to receive the benefits set forth in this
Agreement shall be absolute and not subject to any right of set-
off or counterclaim the Company may have against Executive.

         7.  Accelerated  Vesting of  Executive's  Stock Options and  Restricted
Stock.  Anything set forth herein to the contrary  notwithstanding,  Executive's
stock options and restricted stock shall vest immediately upon the occurrence of
a Change in Control or upon the  triggering  of the  provisions of the Company's
Shareholder  Rights  Agreement,  even if  Executive  remains  employed  with the
Company  after a Change  in  Control.  Additionally,  to the  extent  that  this
Agreement is inconsistent  with Company's  existing  Restricted  Stock Plan (the
"RSP"), the terms of the RSP shall control. Moreover,  anything set forth herein
to the contrary notwithstanding,  Executive shall have a minimum of one (1) year
from the date of vesting to  exercise  such stock  option and  restricted  stock
rights.

         8. Excess Parachute Payments. It is the intention of the parties hereto
that the severance payments and other compensation

                                                         9





provided for herein are reasonable  compensation for Executive's services to the
Company and shall not constitute "excess parachute  payments" within the meaning
of Section  280G of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended,  and any
regulations thereunder.  In the event that the Company's independent accountants
acting as auditors for the Company on the date of a Change of Control  determine
that the payments  provided for herein constitute  "excess parachute  payments,"
then the compensation  payable  hereunder shall be increased,  on a tax gross-up
basis,  so as to reimburse the  Executive for the tax payable by the  Executive,
pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, on such "excess parachute
payments,"  taking into account all taxes  payable by Executive  with respect to
such tax gross-up payments hereunder,  so that Executive shall be, after payment
of all taxes,  in the same financial  position as if no taxes under Section 4999
had been imposed upon him.

         9.  Confidentiality.  Executive  acknowledges that, prior to and during
the term of this  Agreement,  the  Company  has  furnished  and will  furnish to
Executive Confidential Information which could be used by Executive on behalf of
a competitor of the Company to the Company's substantial  detriment.  In view of
the foregoing,  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictive covenants
contained in this  Agreement are  reasonably  necessary to protect the Company's
legitimate  business  interests  and  goodwill.  Executive  agrees that he shall
protect the  Company's  Confidential  Information  and shall not disclose to any
Person,  or otherwise  use,  except in connection  with his duties  performed in
accordance with this Agreement, any Confidential Information; provided, however,
that Executive may make disclosures required by a valid order or subpoena issued
by a court or administrative  agency of competent  jurisdiction,  in which event
Executive will promptly  notify the Company of such order or subpoena to provide
the Company an  opportunity to protect its  interests.  Upon the  termination or
expiration of his employment hereunder, the Executive agrees to deliver promptly
to the Company all Company files, customer lists, management reports, memoranda,
research, Company forms, financial data and reports and other documents supplied
to or created by him in connection with his employment  hereunder (including all
copies of the  foregoing) in his  possession or control and all of the Company's
equipment and other materials in his possession or control.

     10.  Noncompetition.  In the event  that  Executive's  employment  with the
Company is terminated before a Change in Control voluntarily by the Executive or
by the Board of Directors  pursuant to clause (i) of Section 5.1, then Executive
shall  not,  for a  period  of  one  (1)  year  following  such  termination  of
employment:

         (i)      become employed by any insured depository institution
                  that has customers or does business as follows:

                                                        10





                  (a)      has an office situated in or an agent or agents
                           regularly working in any city in which Company has
                           an office or in which an agent or agents of
                           Company regularly work, or

                  (b)      has a significant  number of offices situated in or a
                           significant number of agents regularly working in any
                           city in which  Company  has a  significant  number of
                           offices or in which a significant number of agents of
                           Company regularly work, or

                  (c)      has customers located in any county of South
                           Carolina where the Company has a significant
                           number of customers, or

                  (d)      shares a significant number of customers with
                           Company.

         (ii)     interfere   or  attempt  to   interfere   with  any   business
                  relationship of the Company,  including,  without  limitation,
                  employee  and  customer   relationships,   whether  by  lawful
                  competition or otherwise; or

        (iii)     engage, directly or indirectly, in any business or
                  activity which requires Executive, or any person or
                  party employed by him or whom he represents, to provide
                  Confidential Information or other data obtained by
                  Executive as a result of his employment with Company to
                  any other person or party who is then engaged in pro
                  viding similar services of the Company for use in
                  competing with the Company; or

         (iv)     solicit from any customer of the Company any business
                  that such customer has customarily done or contemplates
                  doing with the Company; or

         (v)      solicit any business from any customer of the Company
                  with whom the Executive had contact while employed by
                  the Company; or

         (vi)     otherwise compete against the Company, directly or indirectly,
                  either as principal, agent, employee, owner (if the percentage
                  of ownership exceeds 10% of the entity).

         The  parties  hereto  intend  the   geographic   areas  and  all  other
restrictions set forth herein to be completely severable and independent; if any
of the restrictions set forth above are determined to be unenforceable in any of
the geographic  areas set forth above,  the parties intend that the restrictions
set forth above shall  continue to apply to the remaining  geographic  areas set
forth above.

                                                        11





In the event that Executive's  employment is terminated for any reason following
a Change in Control  (whether  by the  Company or  Executive),  it is  expressly
acknowledged  that there shall be no  limitation  on any activity of  Executive,
including  direct  competition  with the Company or its  successor,  and Company
shall not be entitled to injunctive  relief with respect to any such  activities
of Executive.

     11. Trust.  The Company shall  establish an  irrevocable  trust to fund the
obligations  hereunder  (which  may  be a  "rabbi  trust"  if  so  requested  by
Executive),  which trust (i) shall have as trustee an  individual  acceptable to
Executive,  (ii) shall be funded  upon the earlier of a Change in Control or the
approval of any  regulatory  application  filed by a  potential  acquiror of the
Company seeking to acquire control of the Company,  and (iii) shall contain such
other  terms  and  conditions  as  are   reasonably   necessary  in  Executive's
determination to ensure the Company's compliance with its obligations hereunder.

         12.  Assignment.  The parties  acknowledge that this Agreement has been
entered into due to, among other things,  the special  skills of Executive,  and
agree that this Agreement may not be assigned or  transferred  by Executive,  in
whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Company.

         13. Notices. All notices,  requests,  demands, and other communications
required or permitted  hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if delivered or seven days after mailing if mailed, first class,
certified mail postage prepaid:

To the Company:     Carolina First Corporation
                    102 South Main Street
                    Greenville, South Carolina  29601
                    Attn:  Chairman of the Board

To Executive:       James W. Terry, Jr.
                    236 Riverside Drive
                    Greenville, South Carolina 29601

Any party may change the address to which notices, requests,  demands, and other
communications  shall be  delivered  or mailed by giving  notice  thereof to the
other party in the same manner provided herein.

         14.  Provisions  Severable.  If any provision or covenant,  or any part
thereof, of this Agreement should be held by any court to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable,  either  in whole  or in part,  such  invalidity,  illegality  or
unenforceability  shall not affect the validity,  legality or  enforceability of
the remaining  provisions or covenants,  or any part thereof, of this Agreement,
all of which shall remain in full force and effect.

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         15.  Remedies.  The  Executive  acknowledges  that  if he  breaches  or
threatens to breach his covenants and agreements in this Agreement, such actions
may  cause  irreparable  harm and  damage  to the  Company  which  could  not be
compensated by monetary  damages alone.  Accordingly,  if Executive  breaches or
threatens to breach this Agreement,  the Company shall be entitled to injunctive
relief, in addition to any other rights or remedies of the Company. In the event
that  Executive is  reasonably  required to engage legal  counsel to enforce his
rights  hereunder  against the Company,  Executive  shall be entitled to receive
from the  Company  his  reasonable  attorneys'  fees and  costs;  provided  that
Executive  shall not be  entitled  to receive  those  fees and costs  related to
matters,  if any, which were the subject of litigation and with respect to which
a judgment is rendered against Executive.

         16.  Waiver.  Failure  of  either  party  to  insist,  in one  or  more
instances,  on performance by the other in strict  accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or  relinquishment  of
any right  granted in this  Agreement or of the future  performance  of any such
term or condition or of any other term or  condition of this  Agreement,  unless
such waiver is contained in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.

         17.      Amendments and Modifications.  This Agreement may be
amended or modified only by a writing signed by other parties
hereto.

         18.  Governing Law. The validity and effect of this agreement  shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance  with the laws of the State
of South Carolina.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.


WITNESSES:                                          EXECUTIVE


/s/                                                 /s/ James W. Terry, Jr.

/s/                                                James W. Terry, Jr.


                                                    CAROLINA FIRST CORPORATION


/s/                                                /s/ William R. Timmons, Jr.

/s/                                                By:  William R. Timmons, Jr.
                                                   Chairman of the Board



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                                                     CAROLINA FIRST BANK


/s/                                                  /s/ Mack I. Whittle, Jr.
/s/                                                  By:  Mack I. Whittle, Jr.
                                                     Chairman of the Board



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