**EXHIBIT
      10(a)(10)**


**EMPLOYMENT
      AGREEMENT**





This
      Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2007 (this "Agreement"), is between
      PATRIOT NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association with headquarters located
      in Stamford, Connecticut (the "Bank"), PATRIOT NATIONAL BANCORP, INC., a
      Connecticut corporation ("Bancorp") and CHARLES
      F. HOWELL of
      Danbury, Connecticut (the "Executive").





**RECITALS**





WHEREAS,
      the Executive, the Bank and Bancorp desire that the Executive be employed as
      President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and as President of Bancorp
      (Bank and Bancorp may collectively be referred to as the “Employers”). The
      Executive and the Employers desire to enter into this Employment Agreement
      with
      Executive for several primary reasons: (1) to provide Executive with job
      security and the Employers with the security of Executive's services for the
      term provided herein; (2) to provide further incentive to Executive in the
      discharge of his responsibilities to the Employers; and (3) to define
      Executive's duties and terms of employment; and





WHEREAS,
      the Employers and Executive contemplate that the Employers will: (i) disclose
      to
      Executive information concerning the Employer's business affairs, including
      certain confidential information; and (ii) assist Executive in establishing
      goodwill and rapport with certain customers of the Bank. The use by Executive
      of
      this information, goodwill and rapport in competing with or in aiding others
      in
      competing with the Employers would have a detrimental effect on future
      profitable operations of the Employers.





NOW,
      THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants hereinafter
      described, the parties agree as follows:





1.  Term
      of Employment .
      The
      Employers agree to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to accept employment
      with the Employers for a term commencing on January 1, 2007 and continuing
      through December 31, 2009, unless subsequently extended or sooner terminated
      as
      provided in this Agreement (the "Employment Period"). The Employers further
      agree to initiate discussions with Executive promptly following the second
      anniversary of the date hereof for the purpose of determining whether a further
      extension to this Agreement is acceptable to the parties hereto, it being
      understood that neither party shall have any binding obligation to further
      extend the Employment Period.





2.  Duties .





(a)  During
      the Employment Period, Executive shall perform the duties and exercise the
      powers relating to the office of the President and Chief Executive Officer
      of
      the Bank and the President of Bancorp, including all duties assigned to
      Executive by the respective Boards of Directors of the Bank and Bancorp (the
      "Board of Directors"). All duties assigned shall be consistent with the
      customary duties of the above-described


offices
        at a national bank. The Executive will be a director of Bancorp and the Bank,
        and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bancorp. In the event Executive
        is not so elected as a director of Bancorp and the Bank and as a Vice Chairman
        of Bancorp during any relevant period, Executive shall have the right to
        terminate this Agreement without any further duties or obligations on the
        part
        of Executive hereunder.





(b)  During
      the Employment Period, Executive shall devote his entire business time, best
      efforts and ability to the business of the Bank and Bancorp, shall
      faithfully


and
      diligently perform his duties, shall comply in all material respects with the
      overall policies established by the Boards of Directors and shall do all that
      is
      reasonably in his power to promote, develop and extend the business of the
      Bank
      and Bancorp. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood that the Executive
      shall be permitted to continue to serve on various civic and non-profit
      organizations approved by the Bank and Bancorp.





3.  Compensation
      and Benefits .





(a)  Base
      Salary .
      The
      Employers shall pay Executive as compensation for his services during the
      Employment Period an annual base salary of Two Hundred Seventy-five Thousand
      Dollars ($275,000.00) for the first twelve (12) month period, Two Hundred Ninety
      Thousand Dollars ($290,000.00) for the second twelve (12) month period, and
      Three Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($310,000.00) for the third twelve (12)
      month
      period (the "Base Salary"). Salary payments shall be made in equal installments
      consistent with the Employer’s standard payroll practices for its officers. The
      Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors each year during the
      Employment Period and set by the Board of Directors in an amount not less than
      the stated contract salary; any increase in Base Salary in excess of the stated
      contract may take the form of a contingent increase based upon the achievement
      of articulated personal or corporate goals, or both, at the discretion of the
      Board of Directors.





(b)  Expenses .
      Upon
      submission of appropriate invoices or vouchers, the Employers shall pay or
      reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in the
      performance of his duties under this Agreement in furthering the business,
      and
      in keeping with the policies, of the Employers.





(c)  Vacation .
      Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation each contract year,
      to be taken each year at a time or times as shall be mutually agreed upon by
      the
      Employers and Executive and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements.
      If Executive fails to use all of his vacation time during a particular calendar
      year, the unused portion shall not be carried over to the subsequent year,
      unless approved in writing by the Chairman of the Board of the
      Directors.





(d)  Cash
      Incentive Compensation .
      The
      Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may authorize the payment of special
      cash incentive compensation to Executive from time to time in excess of the
      amount stated in any documented regular cash incentive plans. Any such special
      payment of incentive compensation will not set a


2
 precedent
        requiring or suggesting that similar incentive compensation will be paid
        in the
        future. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any Profit Sharing
        Plan or any additional compensation plan adopted by the Board of Directors
        and
        generally available to the officers and / or employees of the Employers.
        In the
        event that the Executive's profit share payout percentage is reduced to a
        level
        below any other member of senior management of the Employers, the Executive
        shall have the right to terminate this Agreement without any further duties
        or
        obligations on the part of Executive hereunder, and in such event Executive
        shall not be entitled to any termination payment under Section 5
        hereof.





(e)  Insurance
      Policies .





(i)  Term
      Life Insurance .
      During
      the Employment Period, Employers shall provide term life insurance coverage
      for
      Executive in such form and amount as is not less favorable than that coverage
      provided by the Employers to other employees of the Employers from time to
      time
      generally.





(ii)  Key
      Man Insurance .
      During
      the Employment Period, Executive shall permit the Employers to insure his life
      under a policy or policies of life insurance issued by an insurance company
      or
      companies selected by the Employers, and to name the Employers as sole
      beneficiary thereunder. Executive agrees to submit to any physical examinations
      which may be reasonably required in connection with such policies.





(iii)  Disability
      Insurance .
      During
      the Employment period, Employers shall provide Executive with disability
      insurance coverage in such form and amount consistent with that provided to
      other Bank employees of Employers generally.








(f)  Benefits .
      During
      the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to and shall be included
      under the same rules or restrictions in any employee welfare and retirement
      plan
      or program of the Employers available generally to its employees and/or officers
      including, without limitation, plans for hospital services, medical services
      benefits, sick pay, dental and other health plans.





(g)  Stock
      Plans .
      During
      the Employment Period, as to any stock incentive, stock option, or stock
      compensation plan adopted by the Board of Directors, the Executive will be
      entitled to participate therein to the extent determined by the Board of
      Directors in its reasonable discretion. In addition, notwithstanding the
      expiration of the Executive's Employment Agreement dated October 23, 2000 (as
      amended) (the "2000 Employment Agreement"), the Executive shall continue to
      be
      entitled to all of the stock grant and stock option benefits set forth in
      Section 3(g) thereof, and the vesting of such stock grants and stock options
      and
      the effect thereon of any termination of the Executive's employment shall
      continue to be governed by the 2000 Employment Agreement.


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4.  Disability .
      If
      during any period in which Executive shall have continued to perform his duties
      as an employee of the Employers, Executive shall incur a total or partial
      disability (as defined in subsection (d) below), then until the earlier of
      (a)
      180 days after the date such disability is incurred, or (b) the expiration
      of
      the term of the Employment Period (either shall be termed the "Disability
      Period"), the Employers shall pay Executive during the Disability Period on
      the
      basis of his then-regular salary (any payments that Executive does or would
      otherwise receive pursuant to the Bank's disability coverage for employees
      generally for this period of disability shall be set off against these
      payments).





(a)  If
      Executive's total disability shall terminate prior to the expiration of the
      Employment Period, then Executive shall return to full and active employment
      with the Employers under the terms of this Agreement; provided that if he shall
      again become disabled within a period of three (3) months after such return,
      other than by reason of an event which is not causatively related to his
      original disability, then Executive shall be deemed to have been continuously
      disabled from the date he incurred his original disability;





(b)  In
      the
      event Executive shall incur a partial disability (as defined in (d) below),
      then
      during the period of the partial disability, the compensation to be paid to
      him
      in consideration of his services to the Employers shall be equitably adjusted
      to
      reflect the time that he is able to devote to the affairs of and the value
      of
      the service he is able to impart to the Employers; provided, however, that
      during the Disability Period, the compensation shall not be less than Executive
      would have received under this Section 4 had he been totally rather that
      partially disabled (this is to say, he shall receive his then-regular salary
      for
      that Disability Period);





(c)  Payments
      to Executive under this Section 4 shall be reduced by the amounts, if any,
      as
      may be payable to him by reason of his disability under policies of insurance
      maintained and/or paid for by the Employers;





(d)  As
      used
      in this Agreement, the term "total disability" shall mean a disability such
      that, for physical or mental reasons, Executive is unable to perform
      substantially his obligations hereunder for the reasonably foreseeable future
      (not less than 90 days), as determined by the Employer’s Board of Directors
      after considering competent medical evidence. As used in this Agreement, the
      term "partial disability" shall mean a disability, other than a total
      disability, such that, for physical or mental reasons, Executive is unable
      to
      perform a material portion of his usual duties at the Employers on a full-time
      basis as determined by the Board of Directors after considering competent
      evidence.





5.  Termination .





(a)  Termination
      by Death .
      If
      Executive dies during the Employment Period, the Employer’s obligations under
      this Agreement shall terminate immediately and


4
 Executive's
        estate shall be entitled to all arrearages of salary and expenses but shall
        not
        be entitled to further compensation.





(b)  Termination
      With or Without Cause .
      This
      Agreement and Executive's employment with the Employers may be terminated for
      cause at any time upon thirty (30) days advance written notice from the
      Employers to Executive, which notice shall set forth the facts on which the
      termination is based. Upon termination, Executive shall be entitled to all
      arrearages of salary and expenses, but shall not be entitled to further
      compensation or benefits.





As
      used
      in this Agreement, and without limitation, "cause" shall include: (i)
      Executive's conviction by any trial court of any crime involving fraud,
      embezzlement, theft or dishonesty; (ii) serious willful misconduct by Executive,
      including personal dishonesty in connection with Employers business or customers
      or the breach of a fiduciary duty to the Employers or its customers; (iii)
      the
      total disability of Executive, as defined in Paragraph 4 above; (iv) any
      material breach by Executive of this Agreement; or (v) if the Employer’s
      regulatory authorities issue an order removing Executive from his positions
      at
      the Employers, or if such regulatory authorities inform the Directors that
      continuation of Executive in his position at the Employers would constitute
      an
      unsafe and unsound banking practice.





Executive's
      employment may be terminated by the Employers without cause at any time,
      provided that, in such event, Employers shall pay Executive, in one lump-sum
      payment within thirty (30) days after such termination, an amount equal to
      the
      higher of the following: (i) that amount which is equal to the aggregate amount
      of salary payments that would be made to Executive for the remainder of the
      Employment Period, calculated at the Executive's then annual Base Salary; or
      (ii) that amount which is equal to 1-1/2 years (18 months) Base Salary,
      calculated at Executive's then annual Base Salary, whichever is
      greater.





In
      addition, if Executive is terminated without cause, the Employers shall either
      continue to carry Executive at no additional cost to him under the Employer’s
      employee hospital, medical services, dental and other health plans for the
      remainder of the Employment Period, or, if he is not eligible for continued
      coverage under such plans, pay the cost of similar coverage for Executive
      pursuant to COBRA or similar private insurance plans offering comparable
      coverage.





In
      addition to the foregoing, in the event that Executive's employment is
      terminated by the Employers without cause following the occurrence of a "Change
      of Control" as defined in that certain Change of Control Agreement dated as
      of
      January 1, 2007 between the Executive and the Employers (the "Change of Control
      Agreement"), the Executive shall be entitled to receive the higher of (i) the
      payment amount calculated pursuant to the third paragraph of this Section 5(b),
      or (ii) the amount payable pursuant to the Change of Control Agreement but
      the
      Executive shall not be entitled to receive both of the aforesaid payment
      amounts.


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(c)  The
      Executive shall have the right to terminate this Agreement without any further
      duties or obligations on his part in the event that any person other than Angelo
      De Caro holds the position of Chairman of the Board of the Bank or Bancorp
      or
      Chief Executive Officer of Bancorp, or in the event that Angelo De Caro and
      his
      family members or trusts reduce their beneficial ownership of Bancorp's common
      stock to an amount less than fifteen percent (15%) of the total outstanding
      common stock of Bancorp. In the event of such a termination, Executive shall
      not
      be entitled to any termination payment.





(d)  Immediate
      Cessation of Employment .
      In the
      event Executive's employment terminates pursuant to subparagraphs (b) or (c)
      above, the Employers may further direct Executive to cease immediately his
      activities on behalf of the Employers and to discontinue using any of the
      Employer’s facilities; provided, however, that in the event of these directions,
      the Employers shall continue to provide Executive with salary and other benefits
      required by this Agreement until the expiration of the notice period set forth
      in subparagraph (b).





(e)  Survival .
      Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions
      of
      Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9, shall survive the termination of Executive's employment
      with the Employers.





6.  Non-Competition
      Agreement and Non-Interference Covenants .





(a)  Executive
      absolutely and unconditionally covenants and agrees with the Employers that,
      from the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and continuing for
      a
      period of one (1) year following the termination of his employment as provided
      for in this Agreement, Executive will not, anywhere in the Restricted Area
      (as
      defined in subparagraph (b) below), either directly or indirectly, solely or
      jointly with any person or persons (a "Competitor"), as an employee, consultant,
      or advisor (whether or not engaged in business for profit), or an individual
      proprietor, partner, shareholder (provided that share ownership of less than
      5%
      of the share voting power shall be permitted), director, officer, joint
      venturer, investor (provided that such investment will not be a violation if
      it
      is limited to less than 5% of the ownership of such entity), lender, or in
      any
      other capacity, compete with the business of the Employers (i) as conducted
      as
      of the date of execution of this Agreement; or (ii) as conducted during the
      Employment Period; or (iii) as conducted as of the end of the Employment Period
      or (iv) as proposed to be conducted by the Employers as of the end of the
      Employment Period (collectively, the "Business"). In addition, Executive
      covenants and agrees that he will not, for a period of one (1) year following
      the termination of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, for whatever reason,
      whether for his own account or for the account of any other person, firm,
      corporation or other organization: (i) solicit, employ, or otherwise interfere
      with any of the Employer’s contracts or relationships with any employee,
      officer, director or any independent contractor who is employed by or associated
      with the Employers at the time of termination of this Agreement; or (ii)
      actively solicit, or cause to be solicited or otherwise actively interfere
      with
      any of the Employer’s contracts or relationships with any independent
      contractor, customer, client or supplier of the Employers. It shall not


6
 constitute
        a violation of this Section 6 if customers, clients or employees follow
        Executive to his new place of employment without any independent solicitation
        on
        the part of Executive (or caused by Executive) or if such customers or clients
        respond to any mass advertising solicitation conducted independently by
        Executive's new employer without input from Executive. Notwithstanding the
        foregoing, the provisions of this Section 6 (a) shall not apply in the event
        that (i) the Executive's employment is terminated by the Employers other
        than
        for cause or (ii) the Executive is employed by the Employers for the entire
        term
        hereof and the Employers and the Executive fail to agree, at least 6 months
        prior to the end of such term, as to the terms and conditions for a new contract
        or renewal hereof, provided, however, that the provisions of this Section
        6(a)
        shall continue to apply even in the event of the circumstances described
        in
        subsections (i) and (ii) immediately above in the event that the Employers
        determines, in its sole discretion, to pay to the Executive an amount equal
        to
        seventy-five percent (75%) of the Executive's total cash compensation in
        respect
        of the immediately preceding twelve month period (excluding stock related
        payments), such payment to be made to the Executive within ninety (90) days
        of
        the end of this Agreement, in which event the Executive shall then be subject
        to
        the restrictions of the aforesaid Section 6(a). In either of the foregoing
        events, however, the terms of Section 7 hereof shall continue to be binding
        upon
        the Executive.





(b)  As
      used
      in this Section 6: (i) the term "compete" shall mean engaging, participating,
      or
      being involved in any respect in the business of banking, or furnishing any
      aid,
      assistance or service of any kind to any person in connection with, the Business
      and shall include, without limitation, being employed by any banking institution
      which has a branch or other place of business in the Restricted Area; (ii)
      the
      term "Restricted Area" shall mean the following: Fairfield and New Haven
      Counties, Connecticut; Westchester, Nassua and Suffolk Counties, New York and
      Manhattan, New York.





(c)  If
      a
      Court or arbitration panel concludes through appropriate proceedings that
      Executive has breached the covenant set forth in this Section, the term of
      the
      covenant shall be extended to a term equal to the period for which Executive
      is
      determined to have breached the covenant.





7.  Covenant
      Not to Disclose .
      Executive agrees that, by virtue of the performance of the normal duties of
      his
      position with the Employers and by virtue of the relationship of trust and
      confidence between Executive and the Employers, he possesses and will possess
      certain data and knowledge of operations of The Employers which are proprietary
      in nature and confidential. Executive covenants and agrees that he will not,
      at
      any time, whether during the term of this Agreement or otherwise, reveal,
      divulge or make known to any person (other than The Employers) or use for his
      own account, any confidential or proprietary record, data, trade secret, price
      policy, rate structure, personnel policy, method or practice of obtaining or
      doing business by the Employers, or any other confidential or proprietary
      information whatever (the "Confidential Information"), whether or not obtained
      with the knowledge and permission of The Employers and whether or not developed,
      devised or otherwise created in whole or in part by his efforts. Executive
      further covenants and agrees that he shall retain all such knowledge and


7


information
      which he shall acquire or develop respecting such Confidential Information
      in
      trust for the sole benefit of the Employers and their successors and
      assigns.





8.  Business
      Materials and Property Disclosure .
      All
      written materials, records, and documents made by Executive or coming into
      his
      possession concerning the business or affairs of the Employers shall be the
      sole
      property of the Employers and, upon termination of his employment with the
      Employers, Executive shall deliver the same to the Employers and shall retain
      no
      copies. Executive shall also return to the Employers all other property in
      his
      possession owned by the Employers upon termination of his
      employment.





9.  Breach
      by Executive .
      It is
      expressly understood, acknowledged and agreed by Executive that: (i) the
      restrictions contained in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Agreement represent a
      reasonable and necessary protection of the legitimate interests of the Employers
      and that his failure to observe and comply with his covenants and agreements
      in
      those Sections will cause irreparable harm to the Employers; (ii) it is and
      will
      continue to be difficult to ascertain the nature, scope and extent of the harm;
      and (iii) a remedy at law for such failure by Executive will be inadequate.
      Accordingly, it is the intention of the parties that, in addition to any other
      rights and remedies which the Employers have in the event of any breach of
      said
      Sections, The Employers shall be entitled, and is expressly and irrevocably
      authorized by Executive, to demand and obtain specific performance, including
      without limitation, temporary and permanent injunctive relief, and all other
      appropriate equitable relief against Executive in order to enforce against
      Executive, or in order to prevent any breach or any threatened breach by
      Executive, of the covenants and agreements contained in those
      Sections.





10.  Regulatory
      Restrictions .
      Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, the Bank shall
      not be required under this Agreement to continue Executive in his position(s)
      at
      the Bank, or to make any payments to Executive, if the regulatory authorities
      having jurisdiction over the Bank order the Executive's removal from the Bank,
      or if such regulations determine that any payment would constitute an illegal
      "excess parachute" payment under 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k) and regulations
      promulgated thereunder, or an "unsafe or unsound banking practice" pursuant
      to
      12 U.S.C. Section 1818(b).





11.  Arbitration .
      Any
      dispute whatsoever relating to the interpretation, validity or performance
      of
      this Agreement, or any other dispute arising out of this Agreement which cannot
      be resolved by any party upon thirty (30) days' written notice to the other
      party shall be settled by arbitration in the City of Stamford, Connecticut,
      in
      accordance with the rules then prevailing of the American Arbitration
      Association, and the judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may
      be
      entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. It is the purpose of this
      Agreement, and the intent of the parties hereto to make the submission to
      arbitration of any dispute or controversy arising out of this Agreement, as
      set
      forth hereinabove, an express condition precedent to any legal or equitable
      action or proceeding of any nature whatsoever.


8


12.  General
      Provisions :





(a)  All
      notices required by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently
      given if delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt
      requested, to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below. Any
      party may specify a different address by written notice to the other, in
      accordance with this Section. All notices shall be deemed to have been given
      as
      of the date so delivered or mailed.





To
      the
      Employers:





900
      Bedford Street


Stamford,
      CT


Attention:
      Chairman of the Board of Directors





To
      Executive:





Charles
      F. Howell


13
      Delno
      Drive


Danbury,
      CT





(b)  Except
      insofar as Executive may be subject to general policies adopted by the Employers
      from time to time, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the
      parties, and there are no other representations, warranties, conditions or
      agreements relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.





(c)  The
      waiver by any party of any breach or default of any provision of this Agreement
      shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent
      breach.





(d)  This
      Agreement may not be changed orally but only by an agreement in writing duly
      executed on behalf of the party against which enforcement of any waiver, change,
      modification, consent or discharge is sought.





(e)  This
      Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Employers and
      Executive and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and legal
      representatives. Insofar as Executive is concerned, this Agreement is personal
      and Executive's duties under it shall not be assigned by Executive.





(f)  Each
      of
      the parties agrees to execute all further instruments and documents and to
      take
      all further action as the other party may reasonably request in order to
      effectuate the terms and purposes of this Agreement.





(g)  This
      Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which taken
      together shall constitute one and the same instrument.





(h)  This
      Agreement shall be construed pursuant to and in accordance with the laws of
      the
      State of Connecticut.


9


(i)  Wherever
      used in this Agreement, the masculine, feminine and neuter pronouns shall be
      fully interchangeable, and the singular shall include the plural where the
      context so requires and vice versa.





(j)  If
      any
      term or provision of this Agreement is held or deemed to be invalid or
      unenforceable, in whole or in part, by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
      term of provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or
      unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms
      and provisions of this Agreement.





IN
      WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date first
      above written.





PATRIOT
      NATIONAL BANK








By:     
      /s/ Angelo De Caro


Angelo
      De
      Caro


Chairman
      of Board of Directors











PATRIOT
      NATIONAL BANCORP, INC.





By :
      /s/ Angelo De Caro


Angelo
      De
      Caro


Chairman
      of Board of Directors








/s/
      Charles F. Howell


Charles
      F. Howell


Executive











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