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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(q)

                         TERMINATION BENEFITS AGREEMENT


       This Termination Benefits Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered
into as of December 31st 1999, by and between National City Bancshares, Inc., an
Indiana corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") and D.
Michael Kramer (hereinafter referred to as "Employee").

                               W I T N E S S E T H

       WHEREAS, Employee is an at-will employee of the Corporation and has been
appointed an executive officer of the Corporation; and

       WHEREAS, the Corporation believes that Employee will make valuable
contributions to the productivity and profitability of the Corporation; and

       WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to encourage Employee to continue to
make such contributions and not to seek or accept employment elsewhere; and

       WHEREAS, the Corporation, therefore, desires to assure Employee of
certain benefits in case of any termination or significant redefinition of the
terms of his employment with the Corporation in connection with any Change in
Control of the Corporation;

       NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants herein contained and the mutual benefits herein provided, the
Corporation and Employee hereby agree as follows:

       1. The term of this Agreement shall be from the date hereof through
December 31, 2002; provided, however, that such term shall be automatically
extended for an additional year on December 31, 2000, and on December 31 of each
year thereafter unless either party hereto gives written notice to the other
party not to so extend prior to November 30 of the year for which notice is
given, in which case no further automatic extension shall occur and the term of
this Agreement shall end on December 31 two (2) years subsequent to the date of
the latest preceding automatic extension. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a
Change in Control of the Corporation (as defined in Section 2 below) shall occur
prior to the expiration of the original term or any extensions of the term of
this Agreement, then the term of this Agreement shall automatically become a
term of two (2) years commencing on the date of any such Change in Control.

       2. As used in this Agreement, "Change in Control" of the Corporation
means:

       (A) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
   meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
   1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (a "Person") of beneficial ownership
   (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in
   effect from time to time) of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of either (i)
   the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation or (ii) the
   combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the
   Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
   provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute an
   acquisition of control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Corporation
   (excluding an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion
   privilege), (ii) any acquisition by the Corporation, (iii) any acquisition by
   any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the
   Corporation or any corporation controlled by the Corporation, or (iv) any
   acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a reorganization, merger or
   consolidation, if, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation,
   the conditions described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (C) of
   this Section 2 are satisfied;

       (B) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of
   Directors of the Corporation (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
   constitute at least a majority of the

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   Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board"); provided, however, that
   any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
   election, or nomination for election by the Corporation's shareholders, was
   approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising
   the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
   member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such
   individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an
   actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11
   of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or
   threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person
   other than the Board; or

       (C) Approval by the shareholders of the Corporation of a reorganization,
   merger or consolidation, in each case, unless, following such reorganization,
   merger or consolidation, (i) more than sixty percent (60%) of, respectively,
   the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from
   such reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined voting power of
   the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote
   generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly
   or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
   who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding Corporation
   common stock and outstanding Corporation voting securities immediately prior
   to such reorganization, merger or consolidation in substantially the same
   proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization,
   merger or consolidation, of the outstanding Corporation stock and outstanding
   Corporation voting securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding
   the Corporation, any employee benefit plan or related trust of the
   Corporation or such corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
   consolidation and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such
   reorganization, merger or consolidation, directly or indirectly, twenty-five
   percent (25%) or more of the outstanding Corporation common stock or
   outstanding voting securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns,
   directly or indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of, respectively,
   the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from
   such reorganization, merger or consolidation or the combined voting power of
   the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote
   generally in the election of directors and (iii) at least a majority of the
   members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
   reorganization, merger or consolidation were members of the Incumbent Board
   at the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such
   reorganization, merger or consolidation; or


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       (D) Approval by the shareholders of the Corporation of (i) a complete
   liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or (ii) the sale or other
   disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation,
   other than to a corporation with respect to which following such sale or
   other disposition (a) more than sixty percent (60%) of, respectively, the
   then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined
   voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation
   entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially
   owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals
   and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding
   Corporation common stock and outstanding Corporation voting securities
   immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in substantially the same
   proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other
   disposition, of the outstanding Corporation common stock and outstanding
   Corporation voting securities, as the case may be, (b) no Person (excluding
   the Corporation and any employee benefit plan or related trust of the
   Corporation or such corporation and any Person beneficially owning,
   immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly,
   twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the outstanding Corporation common stock
   or outstanding Corporation voting securities, as the case may be)
   beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, twenty-five percent (25%) or more
   of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such
   corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
   securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
   directors and (c) at least a majority of the members of the board of
   directors of such corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
   of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing
   for such sale or other disposition of assets of the Corporation.

       3. The Corporation shall provide Employee with the benefits set forth in
Section 6 of this Agreement upon any termination of Employee's employment by the
Corporation following a Change in Control during the term of this Agreement for
any reason except the following:

       (A) Termination by reason of Employee's death.

       (B) Termination by reason of Employee's "disability." For purposes
   hereof, "disability" shall be defined as Employee's inability by reason of
   illness or other physical or mental disability to perform the duties required
   by his employment for any consecutive One Hundred Eighty (180) day period,
   provided that notice of any termination by the Corporation because of
   Employee's "disability" shall have been given to Employee prior to the
   resumption by him of the performance of such duties.

       (C) Termination upon Employee reaching his normal retirement date, which
   for purposes of this Agreement shall be deemed to be the end of the month
   during which employee reaches sixty-five (65) years of age.

       (D) Termination for "cause." As used in this Agreement, the term "cause"
   means fraud, dishonesty, theft of corporate assets, or other gross misconduct
   by Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall not be deemed to
   have been terminated for cause unless and until there shall have been
   delivered to him a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote
   of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Corporation's
   Board at a meeting called and held for the purpose (after reasonable notice
   to him and an opportunity for him, together with his counsel, to be heard
   before such Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of such Board,
   Employee was guilty of conduct constituting "cause" and specifying the
   particulars thereof in detail.


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       4. The Corporation shall also provide Employee with the benefits set
forth in Section 6 of this Agreement upon any termination of Employee's
employment with the Corporation at Employee's option if any one of the following
events occurs within six (6) months prior to or within two (2) years following a
Change in Control:

       (A) Without Employee's express written consent, the assignment of
   Employee to any duties which, in Employee's reasonable judgment, are
   materially inconsistent with his positions, duties, responsibilities or
   status with the Corporation immediately prior to the earlier of termination
   of employment or the Change in Control or a substantial reduction of his
   duties or responsibilities which, in Employee's reasonable opinion, does not
   represent a promotion from his position, duties or responsibilities
   immediately prior to the earlier of termination of employment or the Change
   in Control.

       (B) A reduction by the Corporation in Employee's salary from the level of
   such salary immediately prior to the earlier of termination of employment or
   the Change in Control or the Corporation's failure to increase (within twelve
   (12) months of Employee's last increase in base salary) Employee's base
   salary after a Change in Control in an amount which at least equals, on a
   percentage basis, the average percentage increase in base salary for all
   executive and senior officers of the Corporation effected in the preceding
   twelve (12) months.

       (C) The failure by the Corporation to continue in effect any incentive,
   bonus or other compensation plan in which Employee participates, including
   but not limited to the Corporation's stock option plans, unless an equitable
   arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan), with
   which Employee has consented, has been made with respect to such plan in
   connection with the Change in Control, or the failure by the Corporation to
   continue Employee's participation therein, or any action by the Corporation
   which would directly or indirectly materially reduce Employee's participation
   therein.

       (D) The failure by the Corporation to continue to provide Employee with
   benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by Employee or to which
   Employee was entitled under any of the Corporation's principal pension,
   profit sharing, life insurance, medical, dental, health and accident, or
   disability plans in which Employee was participating immediately prior to the
   earlier of the termination of employment or the Change in Control, the taking
   of any action by the Corporation which would directly or indirectly
   materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive Employee of any material
   fringe benefit enjoyed by Employee or to which Employee was entitled
   immediately prior to the earlier of the termination of employment or the
   Change in Control, or the failure by the Corporation to provide Employee with
   the number of paid vacation and sick leave days to which Employee is entitled
   on the basis of years of service or position with the Corporation in
   accordance with the Corporation's normal vacation policy in effect on the
   date hereof.

       (E) The Corporation's requiring Employee to be based anywhere other than
   the metropolitan area where the Corporation office at which he was based
   immediately prior to the earlier of the termination of employment or the
   Change in Control was located, except for required travel on the
   Corporation's business in accordance with the Corporation's past management
   practices.

       (F) Any failure of the Corporation to obtain the assumption of the
   obligation to perform this Agreement by any successor as contemplated in
   Section 10 hereof.

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       (G) Any failure by the Corporation or its shareholders, as the case may
   be, to reappoint or reelect Employee to a corporate office held by him
   immediately prior to the earlier of the termination of employment or the
   Change in Control or his removal from any such office including any seat held
   at such time on the Corporation's Board of Directors.

       (H) The effectiveness of a resignation, tendered at any time, either
   before or after a Change in Control and regardless of whether formally
   characterized as voluntary or otherwise, by Employee of any corporate office
   held by him immediately prior to the Change in Control or of any seat held at
   such time on the Corporation's Board of Directors, at the request of the
   Corporation or at the request of the person obtaining control of the
   Corporation in such Change in Control.

       (I) Any purported termination of the Employee's employment which is not
   effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements of
   Section 5 hereof (and, if applicable, Section 3(D) hereof); and for purposes
   of this Agreement, no such purported termination shall be effective.

       (J) Any request by the Corporation that Employee participate in an
   unlawful act or take any action constituting a breach of Employee's
   professional standard of conduct.

       (K) Any breach by the Corporation of any of the provisions of this
   Agreement or any failure by the Corporation to carry out any of its
   obligations hereunder.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4 to the contrary, Employee's right to
terminate Employee's employment pursuant to this Section 4 shall not be affected
by Employee's incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

       5. Any termination of Employee's employment with the Corporation as
contemplated by Section 3 hereof (except subsection 3(A) and 3(C)) or by
Employee as contemplated by Section 4 hereof shall be communicated by written
"Notice of Termination" to the other party hereto. Any "Notice of Termination"
given by Employee pursuant to Section 4 or given by the Corporation in
connection with a termination as to which the Corporation believes it is not
obligated to provide Employee with benefits set forth in Section 6 hereof shall
indicate the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon and shall set
forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for such termination.

       6. Subject to the conditions and exceptions set forth in Section 3 and
Section 4 hereof, the following benefits, less any amounts required to be
withheld therefrom under any applicable federal, state or local income tax,
other tax, or social security laws or similar statutes, shall be paid to
Employee upon any termination of his employment within six (6) months before or
within two (2) years after any Change in Control:

       (A) Within thirty (30) days following such a termination or, if later,
   such a Change in Control, Employee shall be paid, at his then-effective
   salary, for services performed through the date of his termination. In
   addition, any earned but unpaid amount of any bonus or incentive payment
   (which, for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean that amount computed in a
   fashion consistent with the manner in which Employee's bonus or incentive
   plan for the year preceding the year of termination was computed, if Employee
   received a bonus or incentive payment during such preceding year in
   accordance with a plan or program of the Corporation, or, if not, then the
   total bonus or incentive payment received by the Employee during such
   preceding year, in either case prorated through the date of termination)
   shall be paid to Employee within thirty (30) days following the termination
   of his employment or, if later, such a Change in Control.

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       (B) Within thirty (30) days following such a termination, Employee shall
   be paid a lump sum payment of an amount equal to two and nine-tenths (2.9)
   times Employee's "Base Amount." For purposes hereof, Base Amount is defined
   as Employee's average includable salary, bonus, incentive payments and
   similar compensation paid by the Corporation for the five (5) most recent
   taxable years ending before the date on which the Change in Control occurs
   (or such shorter period of time that the Employee has been employed by the
   Corporation). The definition, interpretation and calculation of the dollar
   amount of Base Amount shall be in a manner consistent with and as required by
   the provisions of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
   amended ("Code"), and the regulations and rulings of the Internal Revenue
   Service promulgated thereunder. The payments to the Employee under this
   Section 6(B) shall be reduced by the full amount that such payment, when
   added to all other payments or benefits of any kind to the Employee by reason
   of the Change in Control, constitutes an "excess parachute payment" within
   the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

       (C) Employee acknowledges and agrees that payment in accordance with
   subsections 6(A), 6(B) and 6(C) shall be deemed to constitute a full
   settlement and discharge of any and all obligations of the Corporation to
   Employee arising out of his employment with the Corporation and the
   termination thereof, except for any vested rights Employee may then have
   under any insurance, pension, supplemental pension, thrift, employee stock
   ownership, or stock option plans sponsored or made available by the
   Corporation.

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       7. The Corporation is aware that upon the occurrence of a Change in
Control the Board of Directors or a shareholder of the Corporation may then
cause or attempt to cause the Corporation to refuse to comply with its
obligations under this Agreement, or may cause or attempt to cause the
Corporation to institute, or may institute, litigation seeking to have this
Agreement declared unenforceable, or may take or attempt to take other action to
deny Employee the benefits intended under this Agreement. In these
circumstances, the purpose of this Agreement could be frustrated. It is the
intent of the Corporation that Employee not be required to incur the expenses
associated with the enforcement of his rights under this Agreement by litigation
or other legal action, nor be bound to negotiate any settlement of his rights
hereunder, because the cost and expense of such legal action or settlement would
substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to Employee
hereunder. Accordingly, if following a Change in Control it should appear to
Employee that the Corporation has failed to comply with any of its obligations
under this Agreement or in the event that the Corporation or any other person
takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes
any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish or to recover
from Employee the benefits entitled to be provided to the Employee hereunder,
and that Employee has complied with all of his obligations under this Agreement,
the Corporation irrevocably authorizes Employee from time to time to retain
counsel of his choice, at the expense of the Corporation as provided in this
Section 7, to represent Employee in connection with the initiation or defense of
any litigation or other legal action, whether such action is by or against the
Corporation or any director, officer, shareholder, or other person affiliated
with the Corporation, in any jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any existing or prior
attorney-client relationship between the Corporation and such counsel, the
Corporation irrevocably consents to Employee entering into an attorney-client
relationship with such counsel, and in that connection the Corporation and
Employee agree that a confidential relationship shall exist between Employee and
such counsel. The reasonable fees and expenses of counsel selected from time to
time by Employee as hereinabove provided shall be paid or reimbursed to Employee
by the Corporation on a regular, periodic basis upon presentation by Employee of
a statement or statements prepared by such counsel in accordance with its
customary practices, up to a maximum aggregate amount of One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000). Any legal expenses incurred by the Corporation by reason of
any dispute between the parties as to enforceability of or the terms contained
in this Agreement as provided by this Section 7, notwithstanding the outcome of
any such dispute, shall be the sole responsibility of the Corporation, and the
Corporation shall not take any action to seek reimbursement from Employee for
such expenses. Notwithstanding any limitation contained in this Section 7 to the
contrary, Employee shall be entitled to payment or reimbursement of legal
expenses in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) if the expenses
were incurred as a result of a dispute under this Agreement in which Employee
obtains a final judgment in his favor from a court of competent jurisdiction or
his claim is settled by the Corporation prior to the rendering of a judgment by
such a court.

       8. Employee is not required to mitigate the amount of benefit payments to
be made by the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement by seeking other
employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any benefit payments provided
for in this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by Employee as a
result of employment by another employer or which might have been earned by
Employee had Employee sought such employment, after the date of termination of
his employment with the Corporation or otherwise.

       9. In order to induce the Corporation to enter into this Agreement,
Employee hereby agrees as follows:

       (A) He agrees that his employment with the Corporation is terminable at
   will by the Corporation and that this Agreement does not alter that
   relationship in any way.

       (B) He will keep confidential and not improperly divulge for the benefit
   of any other party any of the Corporation's confidential information and
   business secrets including, but not limited to, confidential information and
   business secrets relating to such matters as the Corporation's finances and
   operations. All of the Corporation's confidential information and business
   secrets shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Corporation.

       (C) For a period of two years after Employee's employment with the
   Corporation ceases, Employee shall not either on his own account or for any
   other person, firm or company solicit or endeavor to cause any employee of
   the Corporation to leave his employment or to induce or attempt to induce any
   such employee to breach any employment agreement with the Corporation.

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In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Employee of the provisions of
this Section 9, the Corporation shall be entitled to an injunction restraining
Employee from committing or continuing such breach. Nothing herein contained
shall be construed as prohibiting the Corporation from pursuing any other
remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach including the
recovery of damages from Employee. The covenants of this Section 9 shall run not
only in favor of the Corporation and its successors and assigns, but also in
favor of its subsidiaries and their respective successors and assigns and shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.

       10. The Corporation shall require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation, by agreement
in form and substance satisfactory to Employee, to expressly assume and agree to
perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Corporation would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place. Failure of the Corporation to obtain such agreement prior to the
effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and
shall entitle Employee to compensation from the Corporation in the same amount
and on the same terms as Employee would be entitled hereunder if he were to
terminate his employment pursuant to Section 4 hereof, except that for purposes
of implementing the foregoing, the date on which succession becomes effective
shall be deemed the date of termination of Employee's employment with the
Corporation. As used in this Agreement, "Corporation" shall mean the Corporation
as hereinbefore defined and any successor to the business or assets of it as
aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section
10 or which otherwise becomes bound by all of the terms and provisions of this
Agreement by operation of law.

       11. Should Employee die while any amounts are payable to him hereunder,
this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Employee's
executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees and all
amounts payable hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement to Employee's devisee, legatee or other designee or if there be no
such designee, to his estate.

       12. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given
when delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

       If to Employee:

              D. Michael Kramer

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

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

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

       If to the Corporation:

              National City Bancshares, Inc.
              227 Main Street
              P. O. Box 868
              Evansville, Indiana  47705-0868
              Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other party in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.

       13. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement shall
be governed by the laws of the State of Indiana. The parties agree that all
legal disputes regarding this Agreement will be resolved in Evansville, Indiana,
and irrevocably consent to service of process in such City for such purpose.

       14. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged
unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by
Employee and the Corporation. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any
breach by any 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

<PAGE>   9

provisions or conditions at the same or any prior or subsequent time. No
agreements or representation, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with
respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by any party which are not
set forth expressly in this Agreement.

       15. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

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

       17. This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties
hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer this
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder, except as provided in Section
10 and Section 11 above. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee's right to
receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable, whether by
pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than a transfer by
his will or by the laws of descent and distribution as set forth in Section 11
hereof, and in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to
this Section 17, the Corporation shall have no liability to pay any amount so
attempted to be assigned or transferred.

<PAGE>   10

       Any benefits payable under this Agreement shall be paid solely from the
general assets of the Corporation. Neither Employee nor Employee's beneficiary
shall have interest in any specific assets of the Corporation under the terms of
this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be considered to create an escrow
account, trust fund or other funding arrangement of any kind or a fiduciary
relationship between Employee and the Corporation.


       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
and delivered as of the day and year first above set forth.

                                                NATIONAL CITY BANCSHARES, INC.
                                                ("Corporation")

                                      By:       /s/ Michael T. Vea
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Michael T. Vea
                                                Chairman of the Board and
                                                Chief Executive Officer


                                                /s/ D. Michael Kramer
                                                --------------------------------
                                                D. Michael Kramer
                                                "Employee"