<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                    [DUTCHFORK BANCSHARES, INC. LETTERHEAD]



                              ______________,2000
Newberry Federal Savings Bank
1735 Wilson Road
Newberry, South Carolina 29108

Dear Mr. _____________:

     This letter confirms DUTCHFORK BANCSHARES, INC., commitment to fund a
leveraged ESOP in an amount sufficient to purchase 8% of the shares offered in
the conversion of Newberry Federal Savings Bank from mutual to stock form of
organization (the "Conversion").  The commitment is subject to the following
terms and conditions:

     1.   Lender: DutchFork Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company").
          ------

     2.   Borrower: Newberry Federal Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership
          --------
          Plan.

     3.   Trustee: ______________
          -------

     4.   Security: Unallocated shares of stock of the Company held in the
          --------
          Newberry Federal Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust.

     5.   Maturity: Up to 10 years from takedown.
          --------

     6.   Amortization: Equal quarterly principal and interest payments
          ------------

     7.   Pricing:
          -------

          a.   Lowest "prime rate" as published in the Wall Street Journal on
               the date of the loan transaction.

     8.   Interest Payments:
          -----------------

          a.   Annual on a 365 day basis.
<PAGE>


                                LOAN AGREEMENT
                                --------------

     THIS LOAN AGREEMENT ("Loan Agreement") is made and entered in as of the __
day of ___________ 2000, by and between NEWBERRY FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK EMPLOYEE
STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN TRUST ("Borrower"), a trust forming part of the Newberry
Federal Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"); and DutchFork
Bancshares, Inc. ("Lender"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware.

                              W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS, the Borrower is authorized to purchase shares of common stock of
DutchFork Bancshares, Inc. ("Common Stock"), either directly from DutchFork
Bancshares, Inc. or in open market purchases in an amount not to exceed
__________ shares of Common Stock.

     WHEREAS, the Borrower is authorized to borrow funds from the Lender for the
purpose of financing authorized purchases of Common Stock; and

     WHEREAS, the Lender is willing to make a loan to the Borrower for such
purpose:

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree hereto as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                   ---------

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

     The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this Loan Agreement,
except to the extent that a different meaning is plainly indicated by the
context:

     Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
     ------------
which banks are authorized or required to close under federal or local law.

     Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (including the
     ----
corresponding provisions of any succeeding law).

     Default means an event or condition which would constitute an Event of
     -------
Default.  The determination as to whether an event or condition would constitute
an Event of Default shall be determined without regard to any applicable
requirements of notice or lapse of time.

     ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
     -----
(including the corresponding provisions of any succeeding law).

     Event of Default means an event or condition described in Article 5.
     ----------------

     Loan means the loan described in section 2.1
     ----
<PAGE>

     Loan Documents means, collectively, the Loan Agreement, the Promissory Note
     --------------
and the Pledge Agreement and all other documents now or hereafter executed and
delivered in connection with such documents, including all amendments,
modifications and supplements of or to all such documents.

     Pledge Agreement means the agreement described in section 2.8(a).
     ----------------

     Principal Amount means the face amount of the Promissory Note, determined
     ----------------
as set forth in section 2.1(c).

     Promissory Note means the promissory note described in section 2.3.
     ---------------

     Register means the register described in section 2.9.
     --------

                                  ARTICLE II
                                  ----------

                          THE LOAN; PRINCIPAL AMOUNT;
                      INTEREST; SECURITY; INDEMNIFICATION
                      -----------------------------------

     Section 2.1    The Loan; Principal Amount.
                    --------------------------

     (a)  The Lender hereby agrees to lend to the Borrower such amount, and at
such time, as shall be determined under this Section 2.1; provided, however,
that in no event shall the aggregate amount lent under this Loan Agreement from
time to time exceed the aggregate amount paid by the Borrower to purchase up to
______________ shares of Common Stock.

     (b)  Subject to the limitations of Section 2.1(a), the Borrower shall
determine the amounts borrowed under this Agreement, and the time at which such
borrowings are effected.  Each such determination shall be evidenced in a
writing which shall set forth the amount to be borrowed and the date on which
the Lender shall disburse such amount, and such writing shall be furnished to
the Lender by notice from the Borrower.  The Lender shall disburse to the
Borrower the amount specified in each such notice on the date specified therein
or, if later, as promptly as practicable following the Lender's receipt of such
notice; provided, however, that the Lender shall have no obligation to disburse
funds pursuant to this Agreement following the occurrence of a Default or an
Event of Default until such time as such Default or Event of Default shall have
been cured.

     (c)  For all purposes of this Loan Agreement, the Principal Amount on any
date shall be equal to the excess, if any, of:

          (i)  the aggregate amount disbursed by the Lender pursuant to section
          2.1(b) on or before such date; over

                                       2
<PAGE>

          (ii) the aggregate amount of any repayments of such amounts made
          before such date.

The Lender shall maintain on the Register a record of, and shall record in the
Promissory Note, the Principal Amount, any changes in the Principal Amount and
the effective date of any changes in the Principal Amount.

     Section 2.2  Interest.
                  --------

     (a)  The Borrower shall pay to the Lender interest on the Principal Amount,
for the period commencing with the first disbursement of funds under this Loan
Agreement and continuing until the Principal Amount shall be paid in full, at
the rate of ___________ (_____%) per annum.  Interest payable under this
Agreement shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days and actual days
elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last) occurring during the
period to which the computation relates.

     (b)  Accrued interest on the Principal Amount shall be payable by the
Borrower on the dates set forth in Schedule I to the Promissory Note.  All
interest on the Principal Amount shall be paid by the Borrower in immediately
available funds.

     (c)  Anything in the Loan Agreement or the Promissory Note to the contrary
notwithstanding, the obligation of the Borrower to make payments of interest
shall be subject to the limitation that payments of interest shall not be
required to be made to the Lender to the extent that the Lender's receipt
thereof would not be permissible under the law or laws applicable to the Lender
limiting rates of interest which may be charged or collected by the Lender.  Any
such payment referred to in the preceding sentence shall be made by the Borrower
to the Lender on the earliest interest payment date or dates on which the
receipt thereof would be permissible under the laws applicable to the Lender
limiting rates of interest which may be charged or collected by the Lender. Such
deferred interest shall not bear interest.

     Section 2.3  Promissory Note.
                  ---------------

     The Loan shall be evidenced by the Promissory Note of the Borrower attached
hereto as an exhibit payable to the order of the lender in the Principal Amount
and otherwise duly completed.

     Section 2.4  Payment of Trust Loan.
                  ---------------------

     The Principal Amount of the Loan shall be repaid in accordance with
Schedule I to the Promissory Note on the dates specified therein until fully
paid.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     Section 2.5  Prepayment.
                  ----------

     The Borrower shall be entitled to prepay the Loan in whole or in part, at
any time and from time to time; provided, however, that the Borrower shall give
notice to the Lender of any such prepayment; and provided, further, that any
partial prepayment of the Loan shall be in an amount not less than $1,000. Any
such prepayment shall be: (a) permanent and irrevocable; (b) accompanied by all
accrued interest through the date of such prepayment; (c) made without premium
or penalty; and (d) applied on the inverse order of the maturity of the
installment thereof unless the Lender and the Borrower agree to apply such
prepayments in some other order.

     Section 2.6  Method of Payments.
                  ------------------

     (a)  All payments of principal, interest, other charges (including
indemnities) and other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder shall be made
in lawful money of the United States, in immediately available funds, to the
Lender at the address specified in or pursuant to this Loan Agreement for
notices to the Lender, on the date on which such payment shall become due.  Any
such payment made on such date but after such time shall, if the amount paid
bears interest, and except as expressly provided to the contrary herein, be
deemed to have been made on, and interest shall continue to accrue and be
payable thereon until, the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment of
principal or interest becomes due on a day other than a Business Day, such
payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and when paid, such
payment shall include interest to the day on which payment is in fact made.

     (b)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Loan
Agreement or the Promissory Note, the Borrower shall not be obligated to make
any payment, repayment or prepayment on the Promissory Note if doing so would
cause the ESOP to cease to be an employee stock ownership plan within the
meaning of section 4975(e)(7) of the Code or qualified under section 401(a) of
the Code or cause the Borrower to cease to be a tax exempt trust under section
501(a) of the Code or if such act or failure to act would cause the Borrower to
engage in any "prohibited transaction" as such term is defined in the section
4975(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder which is not
exempted by section 4975(c)(2) or (d) of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder or in section 406 of ERISA and the regulations
promulgated thereunder which is not exempted by section 408(b) of ERISA and the
regulations promulgated thereunder; provided, however, that in each case, the
Borrower, may act or refrain from acting pursuant to this section 2.6(b) on the
basis of an opinion of counsel, and any opinion of such counsel. The Borrower
may consult with counsel, and any opinion of such counsel shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered
or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such opinion of
counsel.  Nothing contained in this section 2.6(b) shall be construed as
imposing a duty on the Borrower to consult with counsel.  Any obligation of the
Borrower to make any payment, repayment or prepayment on the Promissory Note or
refrain from taking any other act hereunder or under the Promissory Note which
is excused pursuant to this section 2.6(b) shall be considered a binding
obligation of the Borrower, or both, as the case may be, for the purposes of
determined whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred hereunder or

                                       4
<PAGE>

under the Promissory Note and nothing in this section 2.6(b) shall be construed
as providing a defense to any remedies otherwise available upon a Default or an
Event of Default hereunder (other than the remedy of specific performance).

     Section 2.7  Use of Proceeds of Loan.
                  -----------------------

     The entire proceeds of the Loan shall be used solely for acquiring shares
of Common Stock, and for no other purpose whatsoever.

     Section 2.8  Security.
                  --------

     (a) In order to secure the due payment and performance by the Borrower of
all of its obligations under this Loan Agreement, simultaneously with the
execution and delivery of this Loan Agreement by the Borrower, the Borrower
shall:

     (i)  pledge to the Lender as Collateral (as defined in the Pledge
     Agreement), and grant to the Lender a first priority lien on and security
     interest in, the Common Stock purchased with the Principal Amount, by the
     execution and delivery to the lender of the Pledge Agreement attached
     hereto as an exhibit; and

     (ii) execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such other
     agreement, instruments and documents as the Lender may reasonable require
     in order to effect the purposes of the Pledge Agreement and this Loan
     Agreement.

     (b)  The Lender shall release from encumbrance under the Pledge Agreement
and transfer to the Borrower, as of the date on which any payment or repayment
of the Principal Amount is made, a number of shares of Common Stock held as
Collateral determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the ESOP.

     Section 2.9  Registration of the Promissory Note.
                  -----------------------------------

     (a)  The Lender shall maintain a Register providing for the registration of
the Principal Amount and any stated interest and of transfer and exchange of the
Promissory Note.  Transfer of the Promissory Note may be effected only by the
surrender of the old instrument and either the reissuance by the Borrower of the
old instrument to the new holder or the issuance by the Borrower of a new
instrument to the new holder.  The old Promissory Note so surrendered shall be
canceled by the Lender and returned to the Borrower after such cancellation.

     (b)  Any new Promissory Note issued pursuant to section 2.9(a) shall carry
the same rights to interest (unpaid and to accrue) carried by the Promissory
Note so transferred or exchanged so that there will not be any loss or gain of
interest on the note surrender.  Such new Promissory Note shall be subject to
all of the provisions and entitled to all of the benefits of this Agreement.
Prior to due presentment for registration or transfer, the Borrower may deem and
treat the registered holder of any Promissory Note as the holder thereof for
purposes of payment and other purposes.  A notation

                                       5
<PAGE>

shall be made on each new Promissory Note of the amount of all payments of
principal and interest theretofore paid.

                                  ARTICLE III
                                  -----------

                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER
                ----------------------------------------------

     The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Lender as follows:

     Section 3.1  Power, Authority, Consents.
                  --------------------------

     The Borrower has the power to execute, deliver and perform this Loan
Agreement, the Promissory Note and Pledge Agreements, all of which have been
duly authorized by all necessary and proper corporate or other action.

     Section 3.2  Due Execution, Validity, Enforceability.
                  ---------------------------------------

     Each of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, this Loan
Agreement, the Promissory Note and the Pledge Agreement, have been duly executed
and delivered by the Borrower; and each constitutes the valid and legally
binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

     Section 3.3  Properties, Priority of Liens.
                  -----------------------------

     The liens which have been created and granted by the Pledge Agreement
constitute valid, first liens on the properties and assets covered by the Pledge
Agreement, subject to no prior or equal lien.

     Section 3.4  No Defaults, Compliance with Laws.
                  ---------------------------------

     The Borrower is not in default in any material respect under any agreement,
ordinance, resolution, decree, bond, note, indenture, order or judgement to
which it is an party or by which it is bound, or any other agreement or other
instrument by which any of the properties or assets owned by it is materially
affected.

     Section 3.5  Purchase of Common Stock.
                  ------------------------

     Upon consummation of any purchase of Common Stock by the Borrower with the
proceeds of the Loan, the Borrower shall acquire valid, legal and marketable
title to all of the Common Stock so purchased, free and clear of any liens,
other than a pledge to the Lender of the Common Stock so purchased pursuant to
the Pledge Agreement.  Neither the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents
nor the performance of any obligation thereunder violates any provisions of law
or conflicts with or results in a breach of or creates (with or without the
giving of notice of lapse of

                                       6
<PAGE>

time, or both) a default under any agreement to which the Borrower is a party or
by which it is bound or any of its properties is affected. No consent of any
federal, state, or local governmental authority, agency, or other regulatory
body, the absence of which could have a materially adverse effect on the
Borrower or the Trustee, is or was required to be obtained in connection with
the execution, delivery, or performance of the Loan Documents and the
transaction contemplated therein or in connection therewith, including without
limitation, with respect to the transfer of the shares of Common Stock purchased
with the proceeds of the Loan pursuant thereto.

     Section 3.6  ESOP; Contributions.
                  -------------------

     As of the effective date of the ESOP sponsor's mutual-to-stock conversion,
the ESOP and the Borrower will be duly created, organized and maintained by the
ESOP sponsor in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and rulings.
The ESOP will qualify as an "employee stock ownership plan" as defined in
section 4975(e)(7) of the Code.  The ESOP provides that the ESOP sponsor may
make contributions to the ESOP in an amount necessary to enable the Trustee to
amortize the Loan in accordance with the terms of the Promissory Note; provided,
however, that no such contributions shall be required if they would adversely
affect the qualification of the ESOP under section 401(a) of the Code.

     Section 3.7  Trustee.
                  -------

     The trustees of the ESOP have been duly appointed by the ESOP sponsor.

     Section 3.8  Compliance with Laws; Actions.
                  -----------------------------

     Neither the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Loan Agreement
or any instruments required thereby, nor compliance with the terms and
provisions of any such documents by the lender, constitutes a violation of any
provision of any law or any regulation, order, writ, injunction or decree or any
court or governmental instrumentality, or an event of default under any
agreement, to which the Borrower is a party of which the Borrower is bound or to
which the Borrower is subject, which violation or event of default would have a
material adverse effect on the Borrower.  There is no action or proceeding
pending or threatened against either the ESOP or the Borrower before any court
or administrative agency.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE IV
                                  ----------

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LENDER
                 --------------------------------------------

     The Lender hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower as follows:

     Section 4.1  Power, Authority, Consents.
                  --------------------------

     The Lender has the power to execute, deliver and perform this Loan
Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and all documents executed by the Lender in
connection with the Loan, all of which have been duly authorized by all
necessary and proper corporate or other action.  No consent, authorization or
approval or other action by any governmental authority or regulatory body, and
no notice by the Lender to, or filing by the Lender with any governmental
authority or regulatory body is required for the due execution, delivery and
performance of this Loan Agreement.

     Section 4.2  Due Execution, Validity, Enforceability.
                  ---------------------------------------

     This Loan Agreement and the Pledge Agreement have been duly executed and
delivered by the Lender, and each constitutes a valid and legally binding
obligation of the Lender, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

                                   ARTICLE V
                                   ---------

                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT
                               -----------------

     Section 5.1  Events of Default under Loan Agreement.
                  --------------------------------------

     Each of the following events shall constitute an "Event of Default"
hereunder:

     (a)  Failure to make any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal of
the Promissory Note when due, or failure to make any payment of interest on the
Promissory Note not later than five (5) Business Days after the date when due.

     (b)  Failure by the Borrower to perform or observe any term, condition or
covenant of this Loan Agreement or of any of the other Loan Documents, including
without limitation, the Promissory Note and the Pledge Agreement.

     (c)  Any representation or warranty made in writing to the Lender in any of
the Loan Documents, or any certificate, statement or report made or delivered in
compliance with this Loan Agreement, shall have been false or misleading in any
material respect when made or delivered.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     Section 5.2  Lender's Rights upon Event of Default.
                  -------------------------------------

     If an Event of Default under this Loan Agreement shall occur and be
continuing, the Lender shall have no rights to assets of the Borrower other
than: (a) contributions (other than contributions of Common Stock) that are made
by the ESOP sponsor to enable the Borrower to meet its obligations pursuant to
this Loan Agreement and earnings attributable to the investment of such
contributions and (b) "Eligible Collateral" (as defined in the Pledge
Agreement); provided, however, that; (i) the value of the Borrower's assets
transferred to the Lender following an Event of Default in satisfaction of the
due and unpaid amount of the Loan shall not exceed the amount in default
(without regard to amounts owing solely as a result of any acceleration of the
Loan); (ii) the Borrower's assets shall be transferred to the Lender following
an Event of Default only to the extent of the failure of the Borrower to meet
the payment schedule of the Loan; and (iii) all rights of the Lender to the
Common Stock purchased with the proceeds of the Loan covered by the Pledge
Agreement following an Event of Default shall be governed by the terms of the
Pledge Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VI
                                  ----------

                           Miscellaneous Provisions
                           ------------------------

     Section 6.1  Payments Due to the Lender.
                  --------------------------

     If any amount is payable by the Borrower to the Lender pursuant to any
indemnity obligation contained herein, then the Borrower shall pay, at the time
or times provided therefor, any such amount and shall indemnify the Lender
against and hold it harmless from any loss of damage resulting from or arising
out of the nonpayment or delay in payment of any such amount.  If any amounts as
to which the Borrower has so indemnified the Lender hereunder shall be assessed
or levied against the Lender, the Lender may notify the Borrower and make
immediate payment thereof, together with interest or penalties in connection
therewith, and shall thereupon be entitled to and shall receive immediate
reimbursement therefor from the Borrower together with interest on each such
amount as provided in section 2.2(c).  Notwithstanding any other provision
contained in this Loan Agreement, the covenants and agreements of the Borrower
contained in this section 6.1 shall survive: (a) payment of the Promissory Note
and (b) termination of this Loan Agreement.

     Section 6.2  Payments.
                  --------

     All payments hereunder and under the Promissory Note shall be made without
set-off or counterclaim and in such amounts as may be necessary in order that
all such payments shall not be less than the amounts otherwise specified to be
paid under this Loan Agreement and the Promissory Note, subject to any
applicable tax withholding requirements.  Upon payment in full of the Promissory
Note, the Lender shall mark such Promissory Note "Paid" and return it to the
Borrower.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     Section 6.3  Survival.
                  --------

          All agreements, representations and warranties made herein shall
survive the delivery of this Loan Agreement and the Promissory Note.

     Section 6.4  Modifications, Consents and Waivers; Entire Agreement.
                  -----------------------------------------------------

     No modification, amendment or waiver of or with respect to any provision of
this Loan Agreement, the Promissory Note, the Pledge Agreement, or any of the
other Loan Documents, nor consent to any departure from any of the terms or
conditions thereof, shall in any event be effective unless it shall be in
writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement thereof is sought. Any
such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the purpose for which given.  No consent to or demand on a party in any case
shall, of itself, entitle it to any other or further notice or demand in similar
or other circumstances.  This Loan Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the Lender and the Borrower and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

     Section 6.5  Remedies Cumulative.
                  -------------------

     Each and every right granted to the Lender hereunder or under any other
document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or
equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time.  No failure
on the part of the Lender or the holder of the Promissory Note to exercise, and
no delay in exercising, any right shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall
any single or partial exercise of any right preclude any other or future
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.  The due payment and
performance of the obligations under the Loan Documents shall be without regard
to any counterclaim, right of offset or any other claim whatsoever which the
Borrower may have against the Lender and without regard to any other obligation
of any nature whatsoever which the Lender may have to the Borrower, and no such
counterclaim or offset shall be asserted by the Borrower in any action, suit or
proceeding instituted by the Lender for payment or performance of such
obligations.

     Section 6.6  Further Assurances; Compliance with Covenants.
                  ---------------------------------------------

     At any time and from time to time, upon the request of the Lender, the
Borrower shall execute, deliver and acknowledge or cause to be executed,
delivered and acknowledged, such further documents and instruments and do such
other acts and things as the Lender may reasonably request in order to fully
effect the terms of this Loan Agreement, the Promissory Note, the Pledge
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other agreements, instruments and
documents delivered pursuant hereto or in connection with the Loan.

                                       10
<PAGE>

     Section 6.7  Notices.
                  -------

     Except as otherwise specifically provided for herein, all notice, requests,
reports and other communications pursuant to this Loan Agreement shall be in
writing, either by letter (delivered by hand or commercial messenger service or
sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, except for
routine reports delivered in compliance with Article VI hereof which may be sent
by ordinary first-class mail) or telex or telecopier addressed as follows:

     (a)       If to the Borrower:

               Newberry Federal Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan
               1735 Wilson Road
               Newberry, South Carolina 29108

     (b)       If to the Lender:

               DutchFork Bancshares, Inc.
               1735 Wilson Road
               Newberry, South Carolina 29108

     Any notice, request or communication hereunder shall be deemed to have been
given on the day on which it is delivered by hand or by commercial messenger
service, or sent by telex or telecopier, to such party at its address specified
above, or, if sent by mail, on the third Business Day after the day deposited in
the mail, postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid.  Any party may change the
person or address to whom or which notices are to be given hereunder, by notice
duly given hereunder; provided, however, that any such notice shall be deemed to
have been given only when actually received by the party to whom it is
addressed.

     Section 7.1  Counterparts.
                  ------------

     This Loan Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts which, when
taken together, shall constitute one and the same document.

     Section 7.2  Construction; Governing Law.
                  ---------------------------

     The headings used in the table of contents and in this Loan Agreement are
for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof.  All
uses herein of any gender or of singular or plural terms shall be deemed to
include uses of the other genders or plural or singular terms, as the context
may require.  All references in this Loan Agreement of an Article or section
shall be to an Article or section of this Loan Agreement, unless otherwise
specified.  This Loan Agreement, the Promissory Note, the Pledge Agreement and
the other Loan Documents shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.

                                       11
<PAGE>

     Section 7.3  Severability.
                  ------------

     Wherever possible, each provision of this Loan Agreement shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law;
however, the provisions of this Loan Agreement are severable, and if any clause
of provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part
in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only
such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction and shall not in
any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or any
other clause or provisions in this Loan Agreement in and jurisdiction.  Each of
the covenants, agreements and conditions contained in this Loan Agreement
independent, and compliance by a party with any of them shall not excuse non-
compliance by such party with any other.  The Borrower shall not take any action
the effect of which shall constitute a breach or violation of any provision of
this Loan Agreement.

     Section 7.4  Binding Effect: No Assignment or Delegation.
                  -------------------------------------------

     This Loan Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Borrower and its successors and the Lender and its successors and assigns.  The
rights and obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement shall not be
assigned or delegated without the prior written consent of the Lender, and any
purported assignment or delegation without such consent shall be void.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Loan Agreement to be
executed as of the date first written above.


                              NEWBERRY FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
                              EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN TRUST

                              _________________________________________________
                              Duly authorized officer of _________, as Trustee



                              DUTCHFORK BANCSHARES, INC.


                              By: ______________________________________________
                              For the Entire Board of Directors

                                       12
<PAGE>

                               PLEDGE AGREEMENT
                               ----------------


     THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT ("Pledge Agreement") is made as of the ___ day of
_____________________ 2000, by and between NEWBERRY FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN TRUST ("Pledgor"), and DUTCHFORK BANCSHARES, INC.,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
("Pledgee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS, this Pledge Agreement is being executed and delivered to the
Pledgee pursuant to the terms of a Loan Agreement ("Loan Agreement"), by and
between the Pledgor and the Pledgee;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein
and in the Loan Agreement, the parties hereto do hereby covenant and agree as
follows:

     Section 1.  Definitions.  The following definitions shall apply for
                 -----------
purposes of this Pledge Agreement, except to the extent that a different meaning
is plainly indicated by the context; all capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Loan
Agreement:

     Collateral shall mean the Pledged Shares and, subject to section 5 hereof,
     ----------
and to the extent permitted by applicable law, all rights with respect thereto,
and all proceeds of such Pledged Shares and rights.

     ESOP shall mean the Newberry Federal Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership
     ----
Plan.

     Event of Default shall mean an event so defined in the Loan Agreement.
     ----------------

     Liabilities shall mean all the obligations of the Pledgor to the Pledgee,
     -----------
howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, under the Loan
Agreement and the Promissory Note.

     Pledged Shares shall mean all the Shares of Common Stock of the Pledgee
     --------------
purchased by the Pledgor with the proceeds of the loan made by the Pledgee to
the Pledgor pursuant to the Loan Agreement, but excluding any such shares
previously released pursuant to Section 4.

     Section 2.  Pledge.  To secure the payment of and performance of all the
                 ------
Liabilities, the Pledgor hereby pledges to the Pledgee, and the grants to the
Pledgee, a security interest in, and lien upon, the Collateral.

     Section 3.  Representations and Warranties of the Pledgor.  The Pledgor
                 ---------------------------------------------
represents, warrants, and covenants to the Pledgee as follows:
<PAGE>

     (a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Pledge Agreement and
the pledging of the Collateral hereunder do not and will not conflict with,
result in a violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement binding
upon the Pledgor;

     (b) the Pledged Shares are and will continue to be owned by the Pledgor
free and clear of any liens or rights of any other person except the lien
hereunder and under the Loan Agreement in favor of the Pledgee, and the security
interest of the Pledgee in the Pledged Shares and the proceeds thereof is and
will continue to be prior to and senior to the rights of all others;

     (c) this Pledge Agreement is the legal, valid, binding and enforceable
obligation of the Pledgor in accordance with its terms;

     (d) the Pledgor shall, from time to time, upon request of the Pledgee,
promptly deliver to the Pledgee such stock powers, proxies, and similar
documents, satisfactory in form and substance to the Pledgee, with respect to
the Collateral as the Pledgee may reasonably request; and

     (e) subject to the first sentence of Section 4(b), the Pledgor shall not,
so long as any Liabilities are outstanding, sell, assign, exchange, pledge or
otherwise transfer or encumber any of its rights in and to any of the
Collateral.

     Section 4.  Eligible Collateral.
                 -------------------

     (a) As used herein the term "Eligible Collateral" shall mean the amount of
Collateral which has an aggregate fair market value equal to the amount by which
the Pledgor is in default (without regard to any amounts owing solely as the
result of an acceleration of the Loan Agreement) or such lesser amount of
Collateral as may be required pursuant to section 13 of this Pledge Agreement.

     (b) The Pledged Shares shall be released from this Pledge Agreement in a
manner conforming to the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 54.4975-
7(b)(8), as the same may be from time to time amended or supplemented, and the
applicable provisions of the ESOP.  Subject to such Regulations, the Pledgee may
from time to time, after any Default or Event of Default, and without prior
notice to the Pledgor, transfer all or any part of the Eligible Collateral in
the name of the Pledgee or its nominee, without disclosing that such Eligible
Collateral is subject to any rights of the Pledgor and may from time to time,
whether before or after any of the Liabilities shall become due and payable,
without notice to the Pledgor, take all or any of the following actions: (i)
notify the parties obligated on any of the Eligible Collateral to make payment
to the Pledgee of any amounts due or due to become due thereunder, (ii) release
or exchange all or any part of the Eligible Collateral, or compromise or extend
or renew for any period (whether or not longer than the original period) any
obligations of any nature of any party with respect thereto, and (iii) take
control of any proceeds of the Eligible Collateral.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     Section 5.  Delivery.
                 --------

     (a) The Pledgor shall deliver to the Pledgee upon execution of this Pledge
Agreement (i) either (A) certificates for the Pledged Shares, each certificate
duly signed in blank by the Pledgor or accompanied by a stock transfer power
duly signed in blank by the Pledgor and each such certificate accompanied by all
required documentary or stock transfer tax stamps or (B) if the Trustee does not
yet have possession of the Pledged Shares, an assignment by the Pledgor of all
the Pledgor's rights to and interest in the Pledged Shares and (ii) an
irrevocable proxy, in form and substance satisfactory to the Pledgee, signed by
the Pledgor with respect to the Pledged Shares.

     (b) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, (i) the Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and
other rights pertaining to the Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose
not inconsistent with the terms of this Pledge Agreement, and (ii) the Pledgor
shall be entitled to receive any and all cash dividends or other distributions
paid in respect of the Collateral.

     Section 6.  Events of Default.
                 -----------------

     (a) If a Default or Event of Default shall be existing, in addition to the
rights it may have under the Loan Agreement, the Promissory Note, and this
Pledge Agreement, or by virtue of any other instrument, (i) the Pledgee may
exercise, with respect to the Eligible Collateral, from time to time, any rights
and remedies available to it under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from
time to time in the State of Delaware or otherwise available to it and (ii) the
Pledgee shall have the right, for and in the name, place and stead of the
Pledgor, to execute endorsement, assignments, stock powers and other instruments
of conveyance or transfer with respect to all or any of the Eligible Collateral.
Written notification of intended disposition of any of the Eligible Collateral
shall be given by the Pledgee to the Pledgor at least three (3) Business Days
before such disposition. Subject to section 13 below, any proceeds of any
disposition of Eligible Collateral may be applied by the Pledgee to the payment
of expenses in connection with the Eligible Collateral, including, without
limitation, reasonable attorney fees and legal expenses, and any balance of such
proceeds may be applied by the Pledgee toward the payment of such of the
Liabilities as are in Default, and in such order of application, as the Pledgee
may from time to time elect.  No action of the Pledgee permitted hereunder shall
impair or affect its rights in and to the Eligible Collateral.  All rights and
remedies of the Pledgee expressed hereunder are in addition to all other rights
and remedies possessed by it, including, without limitation, those contained in
the documents referred to in the definition of Liability in section 1 hereof.

     (b) In any sale of any of the Eligible Collateral after a Default or an
Event of Default shall have occurred, the Pledgee is hereby authorized to comply
with any limitation or restriction in connection with such sale as it may be
advised by counsel is necessary in order to avoid violation of applicable law
(including, without limitation, compliance with such procedures as may restrict
the number of prospective bidders and purchasers or further restrict such
prospective bidders or purchasers to persons who will represent and agree that
they are purchasing for their own account

                                       3
<PAGE>

for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale of such
Eligible Collateral), or in order to obtain such required approval of the sale
or of the purchase by any governmental regulatory authority or official, and the
Pledgor further agrees that such compliance shall not result in such sale being
considered or deemed not to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner,
nor shall the Pledgee be liable or accountable to the Pledgor for any discount
allowed by reason of the fact that such Eligible Collateral is sold in
compliance with any such limitation or restriction.

     Section 7.  Payment in Full.  Upon the payment in full of all outstanding
                 ---------------
Liabilities, this Pledge Agreement shall terminate and the Pledgee shall
forthwith assign, transfer and deliver to the Pledgor, against receipt and
without recourse to the Pledgee, all Collateral then held by the Pledgee
pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.

     Section 8.  No Waiver.  No failure or delay on the part of the Pledgee in
                 ---------
exercising any right or remedy hereunder or under any other document which
confers or grants any rights in the Pledgee in respect of the Liabilities shall
operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such
right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right or remedy of the Pledgee.

     Section 9.  Binding Effect; No Assignment or Delegation.  This Pledge
                 -------------------------------------------
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Pledgor, the
Pledgee and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Pledgor may
not assign or transfer its rights hereunder without the prior written consent of
the Pledgee (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld).  Each duty or
obligation of the Pledgor to the Pledgee pursuant to the provisions of this
Pledge Agreement shall be performed in favor of any person or entity designated
by the Pledgee, and any duty or obligation of the Pledgee to the Pledgor may be
performed by any other person or entity designated by the Pledgee.

     Section 10. Governing Law.  This Pledge Agreement shall be governed by and
                 -------------
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
agreements to be performed wholly within the State of Delaware.

     Section 11. Notices.  All notices, requests, instructions or documents
                 -------
hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by United States
mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, with proper postage
prepaid as follows:

          (a)  If to the Pledgee:

               DutchFork Bancshares, Inc.
               1735 Wilson Road
               Newberry, South Carolina 29108

                                       4
<PAGE>

               (b)  If to the Pledgor:

                    Newberry Federal Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan
                    c/o___________, as trustee


or at such other address as either of the parties may designate by written
notice to the other party. If delivered personally, the date on which a notice,
request, instruction or document is delivered shall be the date on which such
delivery is made, and, if delivered by mail, the date on which such notice,
request, instruction, or document is deposited in the mail shall be the date of
delivery.  Each notice, request, instruction or document shall bear the date on
which it is delivered.

     Section 12.  Interpretation.  Wherever possible, each provision of this
                  --------------
Pledge Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and
valid under applicable law, but if any provision herein shall be prohibited by
or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such
provision or the remaining provisions hereof.

     Section 13.  Construction.  All provisions hereof shall be construed so as
                  ------------
to maintain (a) the ESOP as a qualified leveraged employee stock ownership plan
under section 401(a) and 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
"Code"), (b) the Trust as exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Code
and (c) the Trust Loan as an exempt loan under section 54.4975-7(b) of the
Treasury Regulations and as described in Department of Labor Regulation section
2550.408b-3.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Pledge Agreement has been duly executed by the
parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.


                         NEWBERRY FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
                         EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN TRUST


                         _________________________________________________
                         Duly authorized officer of__________, as Trustee


                         DUTCHFORK BANCSHARES, INC.



                         By:______________________________________________
                          For the Entire Board of Directors

                                       6
<PAGE>

                                PROMISSORY NOTE
                                ---------------


$____________________                                         _________, 2000


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, NEWBERRY FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK EMPLOYEE
STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN TRUST ("Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
DUTCHFORK BANCSHARES, INC. ("Lender"), an amount sufficient to purchase
_______________shares of DutchFork Bancshares, Inc. common stock payable in
accordance with the Loan Agreement made and entered into between the Borrower
and the Lender of even date herewith ("Loan Agreement") pursuant to which this
Promissory Note is issued.

     The Principal Amount of this Promissory Note shall be payable in accordance
with the schedule attached hereto ("Schedule I").

     This Promissory Note shall bear interest at the rate per annum set for or
established under the Loan Agreement, such interest to be payable in accordance
with Schedule I.

     Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligation of the
Borrower to make payments of interest shall be subject to the limitation that
payments of interest shall not be required to be made to the Lender to the
extent that the Lender's receipt thereof would not be permissible under the law
or laws applicable to the Lender limiting rates on interest which may be charged
or collected by the Lender.  Any such payments on interest which are not made as
a result of the limitation referred to in the preceding sentence shall be made
by the Borrower to the Lender on the earliest interest payment date or dates on
which the receipt thereof would be permissible under the laws applicable to the
Lender limiting rates of interest which may be charged or collected by the
Lender.  Such deferred interest shall not bear interest.

     Payments of both principal and interest on this Promissory Note are to be
made at the principal office of the Lender or such other place as the holder
hereof shall designate to the Borrower in writing, in lawful money of the United
States of America in immediately available funds.

     Failure to make any payments of principal on this Promissory Note when due,
or failure to make any payment of interest on this Promissory Note not later
than five (5) Business Days after the date when due, shall constitute a default
hereunder, whereupon the principal amount of accrued interest on this Promissory
Note shall immediately become due and payable in accordance with the terms of
the Loan Agreement.
<PAGE>

     This Promissory Note is secured by a Pledge Agreement between the Borrower
and the Lender of even date herewith and is entitled to the benefits thereof.

                              NEWBERRY FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
                              EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP  PLAN TRUST


                              __________________________________________________
                              Duly authorized officer of __________, as Trustee

                                       2