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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is made and entered into as
of November 15, 2004 by and among Gregory F. Patton, a resident of the State of
Georgia ("Employee"), Northside Bank, a proposed Georgia state banking
corporation ("Employer") and Northside Bancshares, Inc. a Georgia corporation
and sole shareholder of Employer (the "Company").

                                   WITNESSETH:

      WHEREAS, Employer and Employee each deem it necessary and desirable, for
their mutual protection, to execute a written document setting forth the terms
and conditions of their employment relationship;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the employment of Employee by
Employer, of the premises and the mutual promises and covenants contained
herein, and of other good and value consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound, agree as follows:

      1. Employment and Duties. Employer hereby employs Employee to serve as
President of Employer and the Company and to perform such other duties and
responsibilities as are customarily performed by persons acting in such
capacity. During the term of this Agreement, Employee will devote his full time
and efforts to his duties hereunder. Employee shall perform his duties at
Employer's Main Office (as hereinafter defined) in Bartow County, Georgia.

      2. Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of this Agreement, the
period of Employee's employment under this Agreement shall be deemed to have

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commenced as of the date hereof and shall continue for a period of 36 calendar
months thereafter (i) unless Employee dies before the end of such 36 months,
(ii) Employer is not successful in obtaining final opening approvals (the "Final
Approvals") from the Department of Banking and Finance of the State of Georgia
(the "Georgia Department") and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the
"FDIC") or (iii) the Company is unable to raise at least Ten Million Dollars in
equity (the "Minimum Capital") in order to capitalize Employer. In any such
event, the period of employment shall continue until the earlier of the end of
the month during which Employee dies or it becomes evident that the Final
Approvals will not be obtained or the Minimum Capital will not be raised. The
period of employment shall automatically be extended for additional one year
terms on each anniversary without further action by the parties, commencing on
November 15, 2007 and each November 15 thereafter. No such automatic extension
shall occur if either party shall, within 90 days prior to any said anniversary,
deliver written notice to the other of its intention that this Agreement shall
not be so extended.

      3. Compensation. For all services to be rendered by Employee during the
term of this Agreement, Employer shall pay Employee in accordance with the terms
set forth in Exhibit A, net of applicable withholdings, payable in semi-monthly
installments or such other compensation payment schedule as may be adopted by
Employer for its full time employees.

      4. Expenses. So long as Employee is employed hereunder, Employee is
entitled to receive reimbursement for, or seek payment directly by Employer of,
all reasonable expenses which are consistent with the normal policy of Employer
in the

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performance of Employee's duties hereunder, provided that Employee accounts for
such expenses in writing.

      5. Employee Benefits. So long as Employee is employed hereunder, Employee
shall be entitled to participate in the various employee benefit programs
adopted by Employer and the Company from time to time.

      6. Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to two weeks vacation during the
first year of employment provided such vacation is not taken by Employee during
the first six months of his employment. After the first year of employment,
Employee shall be entitled to four weeks annual vacation, provided that no more
than two weeks of such vacation shall be used in any 60 day period.

      7. Confidentiality. In Employee's position as an employee of Employer,
Employee has had and will have access to confidential information, trade secrets
and other proprietary information of vital importance to Employer and the
Company and has and will also develop relationships with customers, employees
and others who deal with Employer or the Company which are of value to Employer
and the Company. Employer requires, as a condition to Employee's employment with
Employer, that Employee agree to certain restrictions on Employee's use of the
proprietary information and valuable relationships developed during Employee's
employment with Employer. In consideration of the terms and conditions contained
herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

      7.1 Employer and Employee mutually agree and acknowledge that Employer and
the Company may entrust Employee with highly sensitive, confidential, restricted
and proprietary information concerning various Business Opportunities (as

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hereinafter defined), customer lists, and personnel matters. Employee
acknowledges that he shall bear a fiduciary responsibility to Employer and the
Company to protect such information from use or disclosure that is not necessary
for the performance of Employee duties hereunder, as an essential incident of
Employee's employment with Employer.

      7.2 For the purposes of this Section 7, the following definitions shall
apply:

            7.2.1 "Trade Secret" shall mean the identify and addresses of
customers of Employer or the Company, the whole or any portion or phase of any
scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula or
improvement that is valuable and secret (in the sense that it is not generally
known to competitors of Employer or the Company) and which is defined as a
"trade secret" under Georgia law pursuant to the Georgia Trade Secrets Act.

            7.2.2 "Confidential Information" shall mean any data or information,
other than Trade Secrets, which is material to Employer or the Company and not
generally known by the public. Confidential Information shall include, but not
be limited to, Business Opportunities of Employer or the Company (as hereinafter
defined), the details of this Agreement, Employer's or the Company's business
plans and financial statements and projections, information as to the
capabilities of Employer's or the Company's employees, their respective salaries
and benefits and any other terms of their employment and the costs of the
services Employer or the Company may offer or provide to the customers it
serves, to the extent such information is material to Employer or the Company
and not generally known by the public.

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            7.2.3 "Business Opportunities" shall mean any specialized
information or plans of Employer or the Company concerning the provision of
financial services to the public, together with all related information
concerning the specifics of any contemplated financial services regardless of
whether Employer has contacted or communicated with such target person or
business.

            7.2.4 Notwithstanding the definitions of Trade Secrets, Confidential
Information, and Business Opportunities set forth above, Trade Secrets,
Confidential Information, and Business Opportunities shall not include any
information:

            (i) that is or becomes generally known to the public;

            (ii) that is already known by Employee or is developed by Employee
      after termination of employment through entirely independent efforts;

            (iii) that Employee obtains from an independent source having a bona
      fide right to use and disclose such information;

            (iv) that is required to be disclosed by law, except to the extent
      eligible for special treatment under an appropriate protective order; or

            (v) that Employer's or the Company's Board of Directors approves for
      release.

      7.3 Employee shall not, without the prior approval of Employer's or the
Company's Board of Directors, during his employment with Employer and for so
long thereafter as the information or data remain Trade Secrets, use or
disclose, or negligently permit any unauthorized person who is not an employee
of Employer or the Company to use, disclose, or gain access to, any Trade
Secrets.

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            7.4 Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of
Employer or the Company, during his employment with Employer and for a period of
two years thereafter as long as the information or data remain competitively
sensitive, use or disclose, or negligently permit any unauthorized person who is
not employed by Employer or the Company to use, disclose, or gain access to, any
Confidential Information to which the Employee obtained access by virtue of his
employment with Employer, except as provided in Section 7.2 of this Agreement.

      8. Observance of Security Measures. During Employee's employment with
Employer, Employee is required to observe all security measures adopted to
protect Trade Secrets, Confidential Information and Business Opportunities.

      9. Return of Materials. Upon the request of Employer or the Company and,
in any event, upon the termination of his employment with Employer, Employee
shall deliver to Employer all memoranda, notes, records, manuals or other
documents, including all copies of such materials containing Trade Secrets or
Confidential Information, whether made or compiled by Employee or furnished to
him from any source by virtue of his employment with Employer.

      10. Severability. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the covenants
contained in Sections 7 through 9 and Section 14 of this Agreement shall be
construed as covenants independent of one another and distinct from the
remaining terms and conditions of this Agreement, and severable from every other
contract and course of business by and among Employer, the Company and Employee,
and that the existence of any claim, suit or action by Employee against Employer
and/or the Company, whether predicated upon this Agreement or any other
agreement, shall not constitute a defense to

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Employer's or the Company's enforcement of any covenant contained in Sections 7
through 9 and Section 14 of this Agreement.

      11. Specific Performance. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the
covenants contained in Sections 7 through 9 and Section 14 of this Agreement
shall survive any termination of employment, as applicable, with or without
Cause (as hereinafter defined), at the instigation or upon the initiative of any
party. Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the ascertainment of
damages in the event of Employee's breach of any covenant contained in Sections
7 through 9 and Section 14 of this Agreement would be difficult, if at all
possible. Employee therefore acknowledges and agrees that Employer and the
Company shall be entitled in addition to and not in limitation of any other
rights, remedies, or damages available to Employer and the Company in
arbitration, at law or in equity, upon submitting whatever affidavit the law may
require, and posting any necessary bond, to have a court of competent
jurisdiction enjoin Employee from committing any such breach.

      12. Termination.

            12.1 During the term of this Agreement, Employee's employment,
including without limitation, all compensation, salary, expenses, reimbursement,
and employee benefits may be terminated (i) at the election of Employer for
Cause or without Cause; (ii) at Employee's election upon Employer's breach of
any material provision of this Agreement; (iii) upon Employee's death; or (iv)
at the election of either party, upon Employee's disability as defined in the
disability insurance policy dealing with such matters provided in Exhibit A of
this Agreement resulting in an inability to perform the duties described in
Section 1 of this Agreement for a period of 90 consecutive days.

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            12.2 As used in this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) conduct by
Employee that amounts to fraud, material dishonesty, gross negligence or willful
misconduct in the performance of his duties hereunder; (ii) the conviction (from
which no appeal may be, or is, timely taken) of Employee of a felony; (iii)
initiation of suspension or removal proceedings against Employee by federal or
state 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; (iv) knowing violation of federal or state banking laws or
regulations which are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company;
or (v) refusal to perform a duly authorized directive of Employer's Board of
Directors unless Employee in good faith believes that such act would cause
Employee to breach his fiduciary duties to the Company or Employer.

            12.3 No termination by Employer shall be effective unless it is
approved by a majority vote of Employer's Board of Directors, excluding the
vote, if any, of Employee.

            12.4 If this Agreement is terminated either pursuant to Cause,
Employee's death or Employee's disability, Employee shall receive no further
compensation or benefits other than six weeks' severance pay based on Employee's
then current Base Salary plus any accrued but unused vacation computed on a
daily basis payable in a lump-sum payment o the date of notice of such
termination.

            12.5 If Employee is terminated by Employer without Cause, then
Employee shall receive an amount equal to one year's severance pay equal to
Employee's then current Base Salary plus any accrued but unused vacation
computed on a daily basis, both payable in 12 equal monthly payments commencing
two weeks after notice of such

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termination is delivered to Employee. Employee shall receive no further
compensation or benefits.

            12.6 If Employee is terminated by Employer prior to the receipt of
Final Approvals or if the Company abandons its efforts to raise the Minimum
Capital, Employee shall receive an amount equal to six months' severance pay
based on Employee's then current Base Salary payable in six equal monthly
payments commencing on the date of notice of such termination. Employee shall
receive no further compensation or benefits.

            12.7 If Employee is terminated by Employer because it did not
receive Final Approvals or the Company failed to raise the Minimum Capital,
Employee shall receive an amount equal to three months' severance pay based on
Employee's then current Base Salary payable in three equal monthly payments
commencing on the date of such termination. Employee shall receive no further
compensation or benefits.

            12.8 Notwithstanding any provisions hereof to the contrary, if there
occurs a Change in Control (as defined herein) of the Employer or the Company
and Employer either (i) terminates this Agreement, (ii) reduces Employee's Base
Salary, (iii) reduces Employee's performance based compensation by more than
10%, or (iv) changes Employee's primary place of business by more than 35 miles
from the Main Office, then Employee shall be entitled for a period of 180 days
after the date of the closing of the transaction effecting such Change in
Control to deliver to the Employer written notice of termination of this
Agreement. In such event, Employer shall pay Employee a lump sum cash payment in
an amount equal to Employee's then current compensation for the most

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recent fiscal year. This payment shall be paid to Employee by the Employer
within 30 days after the delivery of such notice of termination. "Change in
Control" shall mean:

      (a)   in any transaction, whether by merger, consolidation, asset sale,
            tender offer, reverse stock split, or otherwise, which results in
            the acquisition or beneficial ownership (as such term is defined
            under rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities
            Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), by any person or entity or any
            group of persons or entities acting in concert, of 50% or more of
            the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company;

      (b)   the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Employer
            or the Company; or

      (c)   the liquidation of the Employer or the Company.

      13. Notices. All notice provided for herein shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to be given when delivered in person or deposited in the United States
Mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, with proper postage
prepaid and addressed as follows:

         Employer and Company:          Northside Bancshares, Inc.
                                        Post Office Box 283
                                        Adairsville, Georgia 30103
                                        Attn: Chairman

         Employee:                      Gregory F. Patton
                                        909 Road Number 1 South
                                        Cartersville, Georgia 30120

      14. Covenant Not to Compete, Not to Solicit and Not to Hire.

            14.1 For purposes of this Section 14, Employer and Employee conduct
the following business in the following geographic areas:

                  14.1.1 Upon receipt of the Final Approvals, Employer will
engage in the business of transacting business as a bank which accepts deposits,
makes loans, cashes checks and otherwise engages in the business of banking and
such other business

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as may lawfully be engaged in by a Georgia financial institution (collectively,
the "Business of Employer").

                  14.1.2 Employer will conduct business from its office located
at _______________________, Adairsville, Georgia (the "Main Office") and such
other business locations as it may open in the future.

                  14.1.3 Employee will establish business relationships and
perform the duties described in Section 1 of this Agreement in the geographic
area covered by a circle having a radius of 30 miles from the Main Office, and
will work primarily in such area while in the employ of Employer.

            14.2 Employee covenants and agrees that for a period of two years
after the termination of this Agreement for any reason other than a termination
of this Agreement by Employer without Cause, Employee shall not, directly or
indirectly, as principal, agent, trustee, consultant or through the agency of
any financial institution, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other
entity or person, on Employee's own behalf or for others, provide the duties
described in Section 1 of this Agreement for any entity or person conducting the
Business of Employer within the geographic area covered by a circle having a
radius of 30 miles from the Main Office. In the event Employer terminates this
Agreement without Cause, the two year restriction above shall be reduced to six
months.

            14.3 During the term of this Agreement and for a period of two years
after the termination of this Agreement for any reason, Employee will not enter
into, and will not participate in, any plan or arrangement to cause any employee
of Employer to terminate his or her employment with Employer, and Employee
agrees that for a period

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of two years after the termination of employment by any employee of Employer,
Employee will not hire such employee in connection with any business initiated
by Employee or any other person, firm or corporation. Employee further agrees
that information as to the capabilities of Employer's employees, their salaries
and benefits, and any other terms of their employment is Confidential
Information and proprietary to Employer.

            14.4 Employee and Employer shall periodically amend this Agreement
by updating the address referenced in Section 14.1.2 of this Agreement so that
it at all times lists the then current geographic area served by Employer for
which Employee performs the duties described in Section 1 of this Agreement.

      15. Miscellaneous.

            15.1 This Agreement, together with Exhibit A, constitutes and
expresses the whole agreement of the parties in reference to the employment of
Employee by Employer, and there are no representations, inducements, promises,
agreements, arrangements, or undertakings oral or written, between the parties
other than those set forth herein.

            15.2 This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Georgia.

            15.3 Should any clause or any other provision of this Agreement be
determined to be void or unenforceable for any reason, such determination shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any clause or provision of this
Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.

            15.4 Time is of the essence in this Agreement.

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            15.5 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not
be assignable by Employee without the prior written consent of Employer.

            15.6 This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute but a single instrument.

            15.7 Employee represents and warrants that no restrictions or
covenants exist with his current employer which would restrict or prohibit his
performance hereunder. Employee will indemnify and hold harmless Employer
including Employer's attorneys' fees, for any breach of this representation and
warranty.

            15.8 Upon acceptance by all parties, this Agreement shall be
contingent upon a work history, criminal and academic background check of
Employee by Employer, the FDIC and the Georgia Department. In the event that in
the subjective determination of Employer, the FDIC or the Georgia Department,
Employee has been less than forthright in his disclosure of such information to
Employer or that either the FDIC or the Georgia Department object to Employee's
service as President and CEO, without conditions, then this Agreement shall be
null and void other than Employer shall pay to Employee the sum of $41,250, less
any compensation previously paid by Employer to Employee, payable on the date of
the notice hereof.

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

                                            "EMPLOYEE"

                                            ______________________(SEAL)
                                            Gregory F. Patton

                                            "EMPLOYER"

                                            NORTHSIDE BANK, a proposed Georgia
                                            State Banking Corporation

                                            By: ________________________________

                                            Title: _____________________________

                                            "COMPANY"

                                            NORTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC., a
                                            Georgia corporation

                                            By: ________________________________

                                            Title: _____________________________

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